Grouped Tab Document Interface for Web Browser Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in user interaction and tracking of multiple tabbed windows in web browsers, especially on mobile devices, due to space constraints, where tabs are either minimized or moved off-screen, making it hard to manage and access open web pages.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for grouping tab indicators in a web browser, where tabs are automatically stacked based on available display space, allowing users to expand or ungroup them as needed, enabling the display of an unlimited number of tabs within the browser's viewable area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple tab indicators are displayed individually in the tab bar, then each tab is visible and accessible, but the tab bar exceeds the available display space on mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional horizontal tab bar into a vertical stack arrangement when display space is limited. Instead of extending tabs horizontally beyond the screen width, the system stacks tabs vertically within the available space, changing the spatial dimension from horizontal to vertical to accommodate more tabs without exceeding display boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic tab indicator behavior where tabs automatically switch between individual display mode and stacked mode based on available display space. When the tab bar has sufficient space, tabs are displayed individually for easy access; when space is constrained, tabs are automatically stacked to fit within the display area, providing adaptive responsiveness to different viewing conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If tab size is decreased to fit more tabs on screen, then more tabs can be displayed simultaneously, but user interaction with tabs becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing tab size horizontally, the patent stacks tabs vertically, maintaining each tab's full width and height for optimal usability. This vertical stacking allows more tabs to be displayed without compromising the clickable area or visual clarity of individual tabs, as each tab retains its standard dimensions while occupying vertical space rather than horizontal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts tab display based on available space, switching between individual and stacked modes. This ensures that tabs are only stacked when necessary, and even then, they maintain their full interactive dimensions, preserving ease of operation while maximizing the number of visible tabs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If old tabs are moved off-screen to make room for new tabs, then new tabs can be opened, but user tracking of tabs becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a vertical stack that displays multiple tabs within the visible screen area, eliminating the need to move tabs off-screen. The stack shows a preview of multiple tabs simultaneously, allowing users to see and access recent tabs without them being pushed beyond the display boundaries, thus maintaining tab visibility and trackability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab stack dynamically updates to reflect the current state of open tabs, providing continuous visibility of tab information. As tabs are opened or closed, the stack automatically adjusts its content and appearance, ensuring that users always have access to information about their open tabs without needing to navigate to separate screens or menus.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods for grouping web page viewing windows in a web browser are provided. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a request to open a web page viewing window within a web browser that has multiple previously opened web page viewing windows. The method also includes automatically grouping each tab indicator associated with a subset of the web page viewing windows into a group based on an amount of viewable display space within the web browser to display each tab indicator associated with each of the web page viewing windows. Systems, graphical user interfaces, and machine-readable media are also provided.