Attached Window Common Border for Simultaneous Resizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating systems require users to manually align and resize multiple windows, which is time-consuming and inefficient, as they need to move and resize each window individually.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically attach windows when they are within a predetermined proximity, forming a common border, and allow users to resize both windows simultaneously by interacting with this border, with a resize area appearing when the user input indicator is near, enabling synchronized adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If windows are manually aligned and resized individually, then each window can be precisely positioned and sized, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent window resizing operations into a single simultaneous operation. When windows are detected to be within predetermined proximity, they are automatically attached and can be resized together through one drag action, combining what would otherwise require multiple separate manual operations into a unified efficient process
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of window proximity and automatic attachment before the user attempts to resize. By pre-establishing the attached state and common border when windows are near each other, the system prepares the configuration in advance, so that when the user drags the border, the simultaneous resizing is already enabled without requiring manual alignment first
2Ease of operation
If automatic attachment is implemented when windows are within predetermined proximity, then window alignment is automated and efficient, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes windows self-attach when they come within predetermined proximity of each other. The automatic attachment occurs without user intervention - the windows detect their own proximity and automatically form the attached relationship, making the system serve itself rather than requiring complex user-managed attachment logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common border as an intermediary element that mediates between multiple attached windows. This common border serves as the shared interface that the user interacts with, simplifying the user's task to a single drag operation while the system handles the complex coordination of moving multiple windows simultaneously through this intermediary border
3Productivity
If a common border is shared by multiple attached windows, then simultaneous resizing is enabled, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual resize operations into a single unified resize operation by providing one common border that controls all attached windows. Instead of requiring separate resize handles for each window, the system combines them into a single interactive element that simultaneously adjusts all attached windows when dragged
Solution Approach 2:
The common border serves multiple functions: it acts as the attachment indicator showing that windows are linked, serves as the resize handle for simultaneous resizing, and provides visual feedback about the attached relationship. This multi-functional element replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate interface elements
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for adjusting sizes of attached windows is provided. The method includes attaching two or more windows to each other to form a common border shared by each of the two or more attached windows, and providing a resize area for simultaneously adjusting sizes of the two or more attached windows when a user input indicator is within a predetermined proximity to the common border. The method also includes and simultaneously adjusting the sizes of the two or more attached windows when the user input indicator moves into the resize area and a resize input is received based on the user input indicator that has moved into the resize area. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.