Display Exclusive Zone Management for Window Overlap Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-application multi-window systems, users face inconvenience when new application windows overlap with existing ones, disrupting interactive focus and requiring manual resizing or moving of windows, which can be time-consuming and distracting, especially for tasks like editing documents or watching videos.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus to configure a display exclusive zone on a screen, where specific content is designated to remain visible and interactive, preventing other application windows from encroaching on this zone, allowing users to work efficiently with multiple windows by automatically resizing or repositioning overlapping windows to maintain focus on designated content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If new application windows are allowed to render freely on the display screen, then the system maintains flexibility and ease of operation, but existing windows may be obscured and interactive focus is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow rendering flexibilityVSAvoidinteractive focus maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is segmented into multiple zones including a first display area and a second display area. The system designates specific regions where certain applications can render, creating spatial segments that prevent overlapping and ensure that critical windows maintain their position and visibility without being obscured by newly rendered windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display screen are assigned different rendering qualities and rules. The first display area may allow free rendering while the second display area is protected for specific applications. This local differentiation ensures that critical windows in protected areas maintain their interactive focus while other areas remain flexible for new window rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If manual resizing or moving of windows is required to prevent overlap, then window positioning precision can be maintained, but user time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewindow positioning accuracyVSAvoiduser task efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when a newly rendered window would overlap with an existing window and preemptively resizing or repositioning the new window before it can disrupt the existing window's position or visibility. This automated preliminary action maintains positioning accuracy without requiring manual user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The window management system provides self-service by automatically monitoring window positions, detecting potential overlaps, and executing resizing or repositioning operations without user input. This self-managing capability maintains precise window positioning while eliminating the time users would otherwise spend manually adjusting windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If the entire display screen is available for window rendering, then screen real estate utilization is maximized, but visual distractions increase and task focus is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay screen utilizationVSAvoidvisual distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into functional zones where certain areas are designated for specific purposes. By segmenting the screen into regions with different rendering rules, the system maximizes the usable area for window rendering while creating protected zones that eliminate visual distractions from overlapping windows, thereby maintaining task focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If automatic window management is implemented to prevent overlap, then user productivity is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser task efficiencyVSAvoidwindow management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window management system operates autonomously by automatically detecting window positions, identifying potential overlaps, and executing resizing or repositioning operations without user intervention. This self-service approach enhances user productivity by eliminating manual window adjustment tasks while managing system complexity through automated algorithms that operate in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4156169A1Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus to designate a display exclusive zone of a display screen
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 INTEL CORP
  • EP4156169A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4156169A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4156169A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to designate a display exclusive zone of a display screen. An example computing device to designate a display exclusive zone as disclosed includes at least one memory, instructions in the compute device, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to designate a portion of a display screen as a display exclusive zone, the display exclusive zone having a first spatial location, the display exclusive zone including first content. The example computing device also includes, in response to receiving a request to render second content, determining a second spatial location of the second content, in response to determining the second spatial location encroaches the first spatial location, adjusting the second spatial location to a third spatial location; and rendering the second content in the third spatial location.