Foreground Icon with Expandable Indicia for Running Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display systems for terminal devices do not effectively keep running applications visible and accessible to users in a space-efficient manner, especially when another application is actively being used, failing to provide direct access to important information such as communication sessions, attempts, and availability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that display icons with expander, notification, and presence state indicia on the terminal device's foreground, allowing for interactive access to communication session information, including presence state updates and message notifications, through expandable windows and indicia that adapt to user input and pointer positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an icon of a running application is displayed in the background while another application is actively in use, then the icon remains visible to provide information about the running application, but the icon cannot be always visible and accessible without distracting from or occupying excessive space on the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where additional information about the running application is contained within the icon itself through nested visual elements. When users hover over the icon, nested information such as presence state indicators, notification badges, and quick action buttons are revealed within the icon's boundary, allowing comprehensive information display without increasing the icon's external footprint on the desktop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional static icon to a multi-dimensional interactive element by adding depth through hover states, layered information display, and vertical stacking of indicators. The icon reveals additional information layers when interacted with, effectively using the Z-dimension (depth) and temporal dimension (state changes) to provide comprehensive information without increasing horizontal or vertical screen real estate.
2Ease of operation
If the icon is made interactive to provide direct access to communication session information, then user access to features is improved, but the icon complexity and interaction requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the icon's functionality into distinct interactive zones and visual indicators. Each zone corresponds to a specific function: presence state indicators show availability, notification badges indicate new messages, and quick action buttons provide direct access to common operations. This segmentation allows users to access specific features without needing to understand the entire icon's complexity, as each segment independently communicates its purpose and action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts frequently used communication features and presents them as standalone quick action buttons within the icon. Instead of requiring users to open the full application to access common functions like answering calls, sending messages, or checking presence, these features are extracted and made directly accessible from the icon interface, simplifying the user journey for routine tasks.
3Loss of information
If presence state data is continuously updated and displayed on the icon, then information accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic updates of presence state information on the icon rather than continuous real-time synchronization. The system refreshes the icon's presence indicators at predetermined intervals or triggered by specific events such as status changes, ensuring that information remains sufficiently accurate while minimizing unnecessary communication cycles with the server, thereby reducing energy consumption and processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-fetching and caching presence state data when the application is active or in the foreground. This allows the icon to display accurate presence information without requiring continuous real-time updates when the application is running in the background, as the cached data can be displayed until the next scheduled refresh or status change event.
Data Source
AI summary
A display of an icon includes creating and displaying an icon that provides indicia regarding information relevant to an application to which the icon is assigned. The indicia provides information to a user and is always in the foreground of a display when the application is running regardless of whether the application is currently actively in use and being interacted with by a user or not. At least one expandable indicia is included within the icon. Input provided by clicking the expandable indicia actuates an expanded window for displaying more detailed information. Indicia is also presentable on the icon to provide real time information to a user who is actively using another application such as whether a connection to a server hosting services for the application is lost. A presence state of the user is displayable via presence indicia located on the icon as well.