Content-Based Directional Placement for Application Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current computer operating systems do not allow users to specify the initial placement of new application windows or designate content from existing windows, limiting user control over application launch and window management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a content-based directional placement system that converts selected content into a placeable representation, allowing users to launch new application windows by providing directional placement instructions, which can specify the location and context for the new window within the user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operating system allows automatic application window launch without user input, then the ease of operation is improved, but the user control over placement and content selection is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of application launchVSAvoiduser control over placement and content

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically converting selected content into a placeable representation and preparing the directional placement instruction before the user completes the selection. The conversion module translates the selected content into a form that can be placed in the desired location, and the window management system pre-processes the placement parameters, so when the user initiates the launch, everything is ready for immediate execution at the specified location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the conversion module and directional placement instruction system - that mediates between the user's content selection and the actual application window launch. This intermediary layer translates the user's intuitive selection and placement intent into the technical parameters needed for window management, enabling both ease of operation and precise user control simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides detailed user control over application window placement and content, then the user control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over placement and contentVSAvoidcomplexity of window management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the window management function into distinct modular components: a conversion module that handles content-to-placeable-representation transformation, a directional placement instruction mechanism that manages placement parameters, and a window management system that executes the launch. This segmentation allows each component to focus on a specific task, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detailed user control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion module serves multiple functions: it converts selected content into a placeable representation, interprets directional placement instructions, and prepares the necessary parameters for window launch. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system converts selected content into a placeable representation, then the adaptability is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent-based placement capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time for content conversion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion from selected content to placeable representation is performed as a preliminary action before the user completes the selection process. The system anticipates the need for this conversion and executes it in advance, so when the user initiates the application launch, the placeable representation is already ready, minimizing any perceived processing time delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion module operates autonomously as part of the window management system, self-managing the content conversion process without requiring additional user input or intervention. This self-service approach ensures that the conversion happens efficiently in the background, reducing overall processing time while maintaining the adaptability of content-based placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11442616B2Content-based directional placement application launch

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A user can select content on an interface screen and provide an associated directional placement instruction to launch a new application window that displays the selected content or information associated with the selected content. The directional placement instruction may indicate an area of the screen where the user prefers to display the new application window. Responsive to the initiation of the directional placement instruction, a conversion module converts the selected content into a placeable representation of the new application. Responsive to receipt of the directional placement instruction, a window management system presents the new application window in the user interface in a location based on the directional placement instruction.