Hotkey Message Distribution Across Application Instances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hotkey conflicts arise when multiple application instances of the same type or different types are running simultaneously, leading to inefficient use of hotkeys and user frustration, as only one instance can register a hotkey, preventing others from utilizing the same key combination.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for sharing hotkeys between application instances, where an instance that registers a hotkey receives and distributes the hotkey message to other instances that do not register it, allowing them to process the message if applicable, ensuring transitivity and resource sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only one application instance registers a hotkey, then hotkey conflict is avoided, but other instances cannot utilize the hotkey resource

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehotkey response accuracyVSAvoidhotkey resource sharing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hotkey message distribution mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the registered instance and other instances. When a hotkey is pressed, the system sends a hotkey message to the registered instance, which then distributes the message to other instances through inter-process communication. This mediator approach allows multiple instances to participate in hotkey processing without direct conflict, resolving the contradiction between exclusive registration and resource sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the hotkey processing function across multiple instances. Instead of having one instance monopolize the hotkey, the system divides the processing capability by allowing the registered instance to receive the hotkey message and then distribute it to other instances. This segmentation enables parallel processing capability while maintaining clear responsibility assignment, thus allowing resource sharing without sacrificing response accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple application instances can process the same hotkey, then hotkey resources are shared, but hotkey conflict occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehotkey resource sharingVSAvoidhotkey response accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The registered instance serves as an intermediary that receives the hotkey message from the system and then distributes it to other instances. This intermediary role ensures that only one instance (the registered one) directly interacts with the system's hotkey mechanism, avoiding conflicts, while still enabling other instances to process the hotkey through controlled message distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where instances that receive distributed hotkey messages can respond and report back to the registered instance. This feedback loop allows the system to track which instance processed the hotkey and ensures proper response handling, maintaining reliability while enabling resource sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a hotkey is exclusively registered by one instance, then response accuracy is ensured, but user experience deteriorates when that instance is not active

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehotkey response accuracyVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by having the registered instance proactively distribute hotkey messages to other instances before they are needed. This preparation ensures that when the registered instance is not active, other instances are already ready to handle the hotkey, improving user experience without sacrificing response accuracy when the registered instance is active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The registered instance acts as an intermediary that monitors its own activity state and dynamically manages hotkey distribution. When the registered instance is active, it handles hotkeys directly for accurate response. When inactive, it distributes messages to other instances, ensuring continuous user access. This intermediary management resolves the contradiction between exclusive registration and user experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9116758B2Method and system for sharing a hotkey between application instances

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD

AI summary

According to an example, when there is a hotkey message of a hotkey, an application instance that registers the hotkey receives the hotkey message, distributes the hotkey message to an application instance that does not register the hotkey, determines whether there is an application instance that does not register the hotkey and is to process the hotkey message; when there is the application instance that does not register the hotkey and is to process the hotkey message, receives feedback information about processing the hotkey message returned from the application instance that does not register the hotkey; and when there is not the application instance that does not register the hotkey and is to process the hotkey message, processes the hotkey message.