Context-Based GUI Menu for Seamless Application Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) do not provide seamless information sharing and control switching between applications, requiring users to manually pause and switch between active windows, which limits user interaction and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer system presents a context-based menu with dynamic and static areas, allowing users to interact with multiple applications while the primary application continues to run, enabling seamless switching by overlaying a menu with windows that can be focused and actions performed without interrupting the primary application's execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional GUI switches between active windows for application interaction, then application control switching is achieved, but user interaction efficiency deteriorates due to manual pausing and switching steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a menu interface as an intermediary layer between the user and applications. When the user activates the menu during application execution, the menu serves as a mediator to access other applications or functions without requiring the user to manually pause or switch windows. The menu captures user input and routes it to the appropriate application, enabling seamless transitions while maintaining the primary application's execution state.
2Loss of information
If a GUI presents information only in an active window, then window focus management is simplified, but information sharing between applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to information presentation by implementing a menu system that can be activated during application execution. Instead of limiting information to the currently active window, the menu provides access to information from multiple applications in a sequential manner. The menu displays options and information from different applications based on user selection, enabling information sharing across applications without requiring simultaneous display that would complicate the GUI structure.
3Productivity
If a user switches between multiple applications using traditional GUI methods, then application switching is achieved, but execution continuity deteriorates due to pausing and resuming steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by maintaining the execution state of the primary application before user interaction with the menu. When the user activates the menu, the system prepares the menu interface while the primary application continues to execute in the background. After the user completes their interaction with the menu and selects an option, the system automatically returns control to the primary application without requiring the user to manually resume it. This preliminary preparation and automatic restoration of execution state enables rapid application switching while maintaining execution continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for better information sharing and control switching in a graphical user interface (GUI) are described. In an example, a computer system determines a user context indicating a likely user interest in applications. Upon a user request for a menu, windows are added to a dynamic area of the menu based on the user context and correspond to the applications. The menu is presented in the GUI and each window be shown in a glanced state to provide quick information about the corresponding application. When the user focus shifts to a window, that window is presented in a focused state to also provide a selectable action that can be performed. Upon a user selection of the window, the window is presented in a selected state to further provide additional performable actions. The window can be pinned to the GUI and user control can automatically switch to another application.