Bladed View Interface for Simultaneous Multitasking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile device operating systems are inadequate for multitasking due to limited screen real estate, requiring users to perform multiple tasks to switch between applications, leading to user frustration and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a simultask mode in an operating system that allows combined user access to multiple applications via chrome portions, generating a bladed view for compact application representation and an expanded view for principal chrome, with the bladed view available for any displayable application and incorporating application-specific elements populated using metadata or default information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mobile device operating systems are configured to provide access to a single application user experience at a time, then the application can consume available screen real estate, but users cannot access or combine functionality associated with multiple applications simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple applicationsVSAvoiduser interaction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is segmented into multiple distinct regions, with each region dedicated to a specific application. This allows multiple applications to be simultaneously accessible without requiring users to switch between them, as each application occupies its own designated space on the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of switching between applications in time (sequential access), the system arranges applications in space (parallel access) by dividing the screen into multiple regions. This dimensional transition from temporal to spatial arrangement enables simultaneous access to multiple applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users switch back and forth between multiple applications using conventional techniques, then they can access different applications, but it requires performing a series of tasks to activate, locate, and switch between applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultitasking capabilityVSAvoidtime to switch applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple simultaneous regions, each hosting a different application. Users can access multiple applications at once without switching, as each application remains continuously visible and accessible in its own segmented area of the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple applications remain continuously accessible and visible simultaneously rather than being switched in and out. This continuous presence of multiple applications eliminates the interruption and time loss associated with switching between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the screen is divided to show multiple applications simultaneously, then users can access multiple applications, but the screen real estate for each individual application is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous application accessVSAvoidscreen real estate per application

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is segmented into multiple regions, with each region allocated to a specific application. This segmentation enables simultaneous display of multiple applications while providing each with a dedicated, optimized portion of the screen real estate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-application full-screen mode to multi-application spatial arrangement, organizing applications in a two-dimensional layout that maximizes simultaneous visibility while maintaining adequate screen real estate for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10613701B2Customizable bladed applications

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Customizable bladed applications are described herein. A device platform is configured to provide a simultask mode that enables combined user access to multiple applications of the platform via respective chrome portions. When simultask mode is active, arrangement of chrome elements within a user interface is controlled to generate a bladed view that provides a compact representation for one application in conjunction with an expanded view that provides principal chrome for a different application. The platform makes the bladed view available for any displayable application of the platform. The bladed view may also include application-specific elements that are populated using customizations designated via metadata of the application, or using default information for applications in the absence of designated customizations. Further, the platform may implement a notification system that operates on behalf of applications to obtain and apply updates for dynamically updatable content incorporated into bladed views.