Immersive App Windowing Policy Enforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In immersive non-windowed environments, applications configured for windowed environments can cause user confusion by enabling windows to occlude other windows, leading to operational inefficiencies and user interaction issues.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a communication channel between the application and the operating system to enforce a windowing policy and redefine APIs from window-based to immersive non-windowed functionalities, allowing the system to intercept and convert inappropriate requests, ensuring compatibility and user control over application positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If applications are configured for windowed environment with free-floating windows and z-order, then applications can position themselves and spawn new windows, but window occlusion causes user confusion and operational inefficiencies in immersive non-windowed environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication positioning controlVSAvoiduser interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (windowing policy enforcement mechanism) between the application and the operating system that intercepts and modifies window-related API calls. This intermediary translates windowed environment requests into immersive environment-compatible operations, preventing direct window occlusion while maintaining application functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter state of window positioning and occlusion by enforcing a windowing policy that disables z-order and window occlusion in immersive non-windowed environments. API calls that would normally enable window positioning and layering are intercepted and modified to prevent these behaviors, thereby adapting the application's window management parameters to the immersive environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If windowing policy is enforced to prevent window occlusion, then user confusion is reduced, but application functionality may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interactionVSAvoidapplication functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of window occlusion (which causes user confusion) into a beneficial feature by systematically preventing it through policy enforcement. The same mechanism that blocks harmful window occlusion also ensures consistent immersive environment behavior, turning a constraint into a reliability advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediary windowing policy enforcement mechanism allows the system to maintain application functionality while preventing harmful behaviors. It selectively blocks window occlusion operations while permitting other essential application functions, thereby balancing user experience with application capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If communication channel is established to broker window-related communications, then windowing policy can be enforced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolicy enforcementVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communication channel that handles multiple types of window-related API calls through a single enforcement mechanism. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate control systems into one unified policy enforcement interface, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediary communication channel serves as a centralized broker for all window-related communications between applications and the operating system. By funneling all window management requests through this single intermediary, the system achieves reliable policy enforcement without requiring multiple distributed control mechanisms, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10565026B2Containing an application in an immersive non-windowed environment

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Techniques are described herein that are capable of containing an application in an immersive non-windowed environment. For instance, the application may be configured for use in a windowed environment. Containing the application in the immersive non-windowed environment may involve selectively implementing functionality that is associated with the application based at least in part on whether the functionality is applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment. For example, when a request to implement functionality that is not applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment is received, functionality that is applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment may be implemented in lieu of the functionality that is not applicable to the immersive non-windowed environment. In another example, no action may be taken with regard to the request.