Auxiliary Application for Synchronized Multi-Window Input Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display applications require users to manually duplicate and apply input commands to multiple windows, leading to operator errors and inefficiencies when trying to synchronously scroll or compare content across different applications.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary application that receives and translates input commands from a user, allowing simultaneous control of multiple display applications, including those not in the foreground, by forwarding the commands to both applications, enabling synchronized scrolling, zooming, or other functions across multiple windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user manually duplicates and applies input commands to multiple display applications, then the user can control multiple windows, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of controlling multiple windowsVSAvoidtime to apply commands to multiple windows

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (auxiliary application or operating system mechanism) that receives a single input command from the user and automatically distributes it to multiple display applications. This mediator eliminates the need for manual duplication of commands across multiple windows, resolving the contradiction by making multi-window control as easy as single-window control while eliminating the time loss associated with manual command repetition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control of multiple display applications into a unified command interface. Instead of requiring separate command inputs for each window, the system combines multiple window control operations into a single actionable command that simultaneously affects all targeted windows, thereby improving ease of operation and eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a user manually applies display commands to multiple windows, then the windows can be controlled, but operator errors occur such as scrolling in opposite directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to control multiple windowsVSAvoidaccuracy of synchronized control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary component ensures that the exact same input command is faithfully transmitted to all display applications simultaneously. This eliminates operator errors such as scrolling in opposite directions because the mediator guarantees identical command execution across all windows, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates identical copies of the input command and distributes them to multiple display applications. This copying mechanism ensures that each window receives the exact same control instruction, preventing synchronization errors and improving the reliability of multi-window control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional display applications are used, then each window can be controlled independently, but the user must jump between windows to apply commands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent window controlVSAvoidconvenience of applying commands

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control mechanism that can simultaneously control multiple display applications through a single interface. This multi-functional system maintains the adaptability of independent window control while adding the convenience of batch command application, allowing users to control windows independently or simultaneously based on their needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the independent control capabilities of multiple windows with a unified command interface. Users can still control windows independently when needed, but the merged system also allows simultaneous control through single commands, thereby improving convenience without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7703039B2Methods and apparatus for displaying information

Publication Date: 2010.04.20 ADOBE INC

AI summary

A computer system receives a command to initiate setting a display mode of its corresponding display screen to one in which received input commands (e.g., mouse input, keyboard input, etc.) are directed to multiple display applications running on the computer system instead of only a single display application in a foreground (e.g., a “topmost” window presented to a user) on the computer display screen. For example, based on input from a user, an auxiliary application herein receives an identification of at least a first display application and a second display application that each display information on different respective windows of the display screen. Thereafter, the auxiliary application duplicates received input commands and forwards the received input commands to both the first display application and the second display application, alleviating the user from having to separately apply the same commands to each of the first and second display applications.