Host Application Window Grouping for Unified Interface Behavior
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windowed graphical user interfaces (GUIs) do not effectively manage multiple independent windows as a cohesive group, leading to fragmented and disjointed user experiences when child windows exhibit independent behavior from their parent windows.
Innovation Solution
The system allows windows representing independent applications to be linked and grouped, enabling unified behaviors such as simultaneous minimization, maximization, and restoration through a host application that monitors and manages window activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If windows of independent applications are managed separately, then each window maintains its independence and can be manipulated individually, but the user experience becomes fragmented and disjointed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple independent application windows by introducing a parent window that coordinates their behavior. When a parent window is minimized, all its child windows are simultaneously minimized, creating a unified management approach that improves user experience coherence while maintaining the independence of individual windows through the parent-child relationship structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If child windows are allowed to move and minimize independently, then each window has flexibility in manipulation, but the cohesive unit behavior of the application is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic window management where child windows can be manipulated independently (moved, resized) during normal operation, but automatically synchronize with the parent window for certain actions like minimization and restoration. This dynamic approach maintains both flexibility in daily manipulation and stability in cohesive behavior when the parent window state changes.
3Ease of operation
If multiple independent applications are grouped together, then unified user interface behavior is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parent window as an intermediary that mediates between multiple independent application windows. The parent window receives user commands and distributes appropriate actions to its child windows, enabling unified interface behavior without requiring direct complex interactions between all windows. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall system complexity by centralizing coordination logic.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Windows corresponding to independent applications in a windowed computing environment can be linked to have unified behavior. A host application can monitor window activity to determine if windows are intended to be grouped. Commands applied to one or more windows in a group are applied to at least some other windows in the group. Windows can be grouped or ungrouped according to various criteria including a priori configuration or user action. The window grouping permits a unified user interface behavior to be established for two or more independent applications.