Dynamic Desktop Icon System for Space-Constrained Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited real estate on computer desktops restricts the number of static icons that can be displayed, making it challenging for service providers to promote multiple applications or services effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic desktop icon system that evaluates business rules to change the displayed icon based on factors like time elapsed since boot, Internet connection type, and user subscription status, allowing multiple icons to be displayed within a single location, with the ability to animate icons and launch promotional content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple static icons are displayed on the desktop, then service provider visibility and promotion capability are improved, but the limited desktop real estate space is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic desktop icons that automatically change their appearance and associated applications based on business rules, time of day, user activity, and other contextual factors. This allows a single desktop location to serve multiple promotional purposes sequentially, maximizing service provider visibility without permanently occupying additional desktop space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic icon changes where desktop icons are updated at scheduled intervals or in response to triggering events. This periodic action allows different service providers to be promoted at different times, effectively multiplying the promotional capacity within the same physical desktop real estate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of desktop icons is increased, then access to more applications is enabled, but the desktop becomes cluttered and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each dynamic desktop icon is designed to be multi-functional, capable of launching different applications based on contextual conditions. A single icon can serve as a portal to multiple services and applications, eliminating the need for multiple separate icons and maintaining desktop cleanliness while providing diverse application access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of desktop icons dynamically, including their visual appearance, associated applications, and activation conditions. This allows the same icon to represent different applications at different times, providing varied application access without increasing the number of visible icons.
3Ease of operation
If static icons are used to represent applications, then simple access is provided, but promotional content and user engagement capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring icons with multiple possible states and associated applications. Before user interaction, the icon is prepared with business rules and contextual information, enabling it to automatically present the most relevant application or promotional content at the moment of user activation, thus maintaining simplicity while enhancing promotional capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A first desktop icon is displayed on a computer desktop. The icon is configured to enable execution of a first application. Based on an evaluation of business rules, the first icon is changed to a second icon. The second icon is configured to execute a second application.