Application Execution Window Shape Switching for Multitasking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in effectively monitoring and controlling applications running in the background on electronic devices, as existing systems lack intuitive methods to display and manage execution screens of multiple applications simultaneously, leading to inconvenience in multitasking.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a processor configured to display execution windows for applications in different shapes based on their states, allowing users to switch between shapes in response to user input or elapsed time, ensuring visibility and control of both foreground and background applications without overlapping other screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the execution screen of a background application is completely hidden, then the foreground application can be used without distraction, but the user cannot monitor the background application state at a glance
Solution Approach 1:
The execution screen is segmented into multiple windows with different display modes (first shape and second shape). The first shape displays essential information minimally, while the second shape provides comprehensive details, allowing users to monitor background applications without fully exposing their execution screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of information display by creating overlay windows that exist above the foreground application. These windows provide background application state information in a spatial layer that does not interfere with the primary user interface, enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple applications.
2Loss of information
If the execution screen of a background application is overlaid to cover the foreground application, then the background application state is visible, but the foreground application becomes inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay windows are designed with local quality by positioning them in specific regions of the display and making them semi-transparent or minimally intrusive. This allows the windows to provide necessary information while leaving the majority of the display area accessible for foreground application interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the display state of background applications based on user interaction. When users activate a background application, its execution screen transitions from the first shape (minimal display) to the second shape (full display), and can be dynamically repositioned or resized to accommodate user needs without permanently blocking the foreground application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are run simultaneously with full execution screens, then each application can be fully controlled, but the display space is insufficient and user interface becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The display space is segmented into multiple functional regions: the foreground application occupies the main area, while background applications are displayed in smaller overlay windows. This segmentation allows multiple applications to coexist on the same display without requiring additional physical screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The execution screens of background applications are nested within the overall display structure as overlay windows that contain condensed information. These nested windows can be layered and organized hierarchically, allowing users to access multiple applications simultaneously while maintaining a clean primary interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is disclosed and includes a display and at least one processor operatively connected with the display. The at least one processor is configured to, when an application is executed, display an execution window corresponding to the application on the display, display the execution window, as a first shape of execution window, on at least a portion of the display, in response to a background switch request for the application, identify a state of the application while displaying the first shape of execution window, and switch the first shape of execution window into a second shape of execution window according to the state of the application.