Application Switching Control for Streamed Browser Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Networked computing sessions lack an efficient mechanism for users to switch between multiple launched application windows, as traditional user interfaces with taskbars are not included in streamed user interfaces, limiting user control and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A client browser application provides an application switching control that generates and transmits input data to a remote service to manage and display representations of launched application windows, allowing users to select and switch between them, even when hidden windows are involved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional taskbar interface is used for application switching, then user control and accessibility are improved, but device complexity and interface customization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application switching functionality from the traditional taskbar interface and implements it as a standalone control element within the streamed user interface. This allows the core switching capability to be provided without importing the entire taskbar interface structure, thereby maintaining ease of operation while reducing interface complexity and customization constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching control is designed to work within the streamed user interface framework, allowing it to serve multiple purposes: displaying application icons, receiving user input for switching, and coordinating with the remote service to manage window states. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate traditional taskbar while providing comprehensive application switching capability.
2Ease of operation
If application switching control is provided in streamed user interface, then user accessibility to multiple windows is improved, but loss of information about hidden windows is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The switching control displays visual representations (icons or thumbnails) of launched applications, providing feedback to users about which applications are running and their current state. This feedback mechanism ensures users have complete information about hidden windows while maintaining easy accessibility through the control interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching control acts as an intermediary between the user and the hidden application windows. It receives user input and transmits switching commands to the remote service, while also displaying information about available applications. This intermediary role preserves complete window state information while providing streamlined user access.
Data Source
AI summary
Image data associated with a number of launched application windows may be streamed from a remote service to client over a network and displayed by a browser application at the client. In some examples, a control for switching between applications may be provided by the browser application and may not be included in the image data that is streamed from the remote service. In some examples, while a first application window is being displayed, the control may be selected to allow switching the display to another application window. Upon selection of this control, selectable representations, such as thumbnail images, of the launched application windows may be generated and displayed. Selection of a particular representation may cause the display to switch to an application window associated with the selected representation.