Context-Aware Application Interface for Cross-App Task Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applications on computing devices are self-contained and require users to browse through menu options to perform specific actions or access content, leading to inefficient functionality and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for sending context information between applications, allowing a primary program to perform tasks based on selected context information from a secondary context program, reducing the need to access multiple applications and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If applications are self-contained with static menu organization, then each application maintains independence and simplicity, but users must browse through menu options to perform actions or access content, reducing functionality efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple applications into a unified context-aware interface where a primary application can access context information from secondary applications without requiring separate navigation through each application's menu structure. This combining approach allows users to perform actions across applications through a single interface, improving operational efficiency while managing complexity through centralized context management.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary application is enhanced with multi-functionality by enabling it to perform tasks that traditionally required accessing secondary applications. Through context information integration, the primary application can execute functions from multiple applications without users needing to navigate to each application individually, thereby improving ease of operation.
2Productivity
If users access multiple applications to perform different tasks, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but resource consumption increases and access time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
By merging context information from multiple applications into the primary application, the system eliminates the need for users to switch between applications, thereby reducing access time and improving productivity. The consolidation of context data allows single-application access to multi-application functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and maintaining context information from secondary applications within the primary application's accessible memory. This preliminary preparation of context data eliminates the need for real-time data retrieval when users need to perform tasks, thereby reducing both access time and computational resource consumption during actual task execution.
3Ease of operation
If applications are statically organized with fixed menu structures, then application development is simplified, but users cannot quickly access specific content or perform specific actions without browsing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic context information that can be selectively displayed and accessed based on user needs, transforming the static menu structure into a dynamic, adaptive interface. This dynamic approach allows users to quickly access specific content and perform actions without browsing through fixed menu hierarchies, while the underlying static structure remains intact for development simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for sending context information between programs, the method including: displaying a graphical user interface including a plurality of selectable application icons; receiving a simultaneous selection of a first icon and a second icon from the plurality of selectable application icons; launching a first program associated with the first icon; launching a second program associated with the second icon; and sending context information between the first program and the second program.