Desktop Display Area Hierarchy Beyond Window Handle Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited number of window handles in operating systems like Microsoft Windows restricts the ability to display a large number of different areas, leading to potential system crashes or inability to generate new windows, especially in applications requiring extensive visualization like ControlDesk, which handles high data volumes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of unique display identifiers in a hierarchical list to manage both windowed and windowless display areas, allowing windowless areas to be displayed before windowed areas by positioning their identifiers hierarchically higher in the list, and using container instruments that do not require window handles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If window handles are used to manage display areas, then each display area can be independently controlled and accessed, but the number of display areas is limited by the maximum number of window handles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of display areasVSAvoidwindow handle management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the display area management into two distinct types: windowed display areas (using window handles) and windowless display areas (using only display identifiers). This segmentation allows the system to bypass the window handle limit by creating display areas that do not require window handles, thereby increasing the total number of manageable display areas while maintaining independent control through the alternative identification system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary hierarchical list structure that maps display identifiers to display areas. This intermediary mechanism allows windowless display areas to be managed without window handles, effectively mediating between the limitation of window handle quantities and the need for unlimited display area creation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If windowless display areas are created to bypass window handle limits, then the number of display areas increases, but managing the display hierarchy and overlap becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of display areasVSAvoiddisplay hierarchy management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a hierarchical list structure that defines the z-order and overlap relationships of display areas before they are rendered. This pre-defined hierarchy allows the system to manage both windowed and windowless display areas systematically, making it easier to control which areas are displayed in front of or behind others without complex runtime management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the identification parameter system by introducing display identifiers as an alternative to window handles. This parameter change allows display areas to be referenced and managed through the hierarchical list using display identifiers, simplifying the management of display hierarchy and overlap relationships while supporting an unlimited number of display areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a mixed operation of windowed and windowless display areas is implemented, then resource efficiency increases, but ensuring proper display order and preventing overlap issues becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay order consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements universality by creating a unified management system that handles both windowed and windowless display areas through the same hierarchical list structure. This universal approach allows the system to efficiently manage mixed display areas while ensuring consistent display order and overlap behavior, as both types are treated uniformly through the common identification and hierarchy mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements feedback mechanisms by maintaining the hierarchical list that continuously tracks the positions and relationships of all display areas. This feedback structure allows the system to automatically adjust and maintain proper display order and overlap relationships among mixed windowed and windowless display areas, ensuring reliability without requiring complex manual management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3764210B1Display of display areas on a desktop
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 DSPACE SE & CO KG
  • EP3764210B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3764210B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3764210B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for displaying display areas (2, 3, 4) on a desktop (1) comprising the following steps: - Receiving data for creating and displaying a windowed display area (2, 3), - Creating the windowed display area (2, 3) based on the received data by assigning a unique window handle from a predetermined group of window handles and a unique display identifier, - Storing the assignment of the display identifier to the windowed display area (2, 3), - Storing the display identifier of the windowed display area (2, 3) at a predetermined position in a hierarchical list, - Displaying the windowed display area (2, 3) on the desktop (1), - Receiving data for creating and displaying a windowless display area (4).- Creating the windowless display area (4) based on the data received for this purpose, assigning a unique display identifier, - Saving the assignment of the display identifier to the windowless display area, - Saving the display identifier of the windowless display area (4) at a predetermined position in the hierarchical list, - Displaying the windowless display area (4) on the desktop (1), whereby the windowless display area (4) is displayed before the windowed display area (2, 3) if, in the hierarchical list, the position of the display identifier of the windowless display area (4) precedes the position of the display identifier of the windowed display area (2, 3), and vice versa.