Unified Dock Interface for Application Control and Cross-Device Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for data processing systems, particularly on small screens like laptops and PDAs, face challenges in efficiently utilizing screen space for controlling application programs, as they often require complex interactions and lack seamless synchronization of application interfaces across devices.
Innovation Solution
The method involves displaying a dock interface with application icons, allowing users to launch and control applications by dragging icons onto the dock, and synchronizing these interfaces across multiple devices, enabling consistent and efficient application management and launch processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional GUI methods are used to control application programs on small screens, then application functionality is available, but screen space utilization is inefficient and user interaction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the application launcher and application controller into a single dock interface. The dock merges the functions of launching applications and controlling running applications into one unified interface element, allowing users to access both functionalities without requiring separate interface elements that would consume valuable screen space on small displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock interface serves multiple functions: it acts as an application launcher for non-running applications, a controller for running applications, and a status indicator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate interface elements, thereby improving screen space utilization while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application icons are displayed in traditional locations, then application access is provided, but screen space for other purposes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dock interface utilizes the bottom edge of the screen as a linear arrangement space, effectively using the horizontal dimension to organize application icons. This dimensional approach allows multiple applications to be accessed along the bottom edge without consuming vertical screen space that would be needed for application windows and content display areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used to access applications, then user flexibility is improved, but interface synchronization becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dock interface is copied and synchronized across multiple devices. Each device maintains its own dock interface instance, but the state and configuration of the dock are synchronized across devices through data exchange. This allows users to access their applications and control settings from any device without requiring complex centralized control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for controlling application programs are described. A first item and a docking interface having a second item are displayed on a screen space. A selection of the first item is received. A proxy of the first item is positioned over the second item. Next, a window is displayed in response positioning. An application is executing to display the window. In another embodiment, synchronizing a first docking interface on a first screen space of a first machine to a second docking interface on a second screen space of a second machine is performed. The first docking interface has an item that identifies a first application supported by the first machine and the second docking interface has another item that identifies a second application supported by the second machine.