Immersive Shell Desktop Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The diversity of computing device configurations, such as desktop and slate computers, leads to user frustration due to different interaction techniques required for accessing matching functionality, causing users to forgo using unfamiliar device configurations.

Innovation Solution

An immersive environment module that provides an immersive shell and a desktop shell within the immersive shell, allowing users to interact with applications using various techniques, including gestures and cursor control, while conserving resources and providing access to traditional desktop functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different interaction techniques are provided for different device configurations, then functionality accessibility is improved, but user complexity and frustration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality accessibilityVSAvoiduser frustration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified shell interface that serves multiple device configurations (desktop, slate, mobile) through a single consistent interaction model. The shell provides universal access to applications and functionality across all device types, eliminating the need for users to learn different interaction techniques for different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adapting applications to different device configurations, the patent inverts the approach by providing a configuration-agnostic shell that presents a consistent interface to applications. The shell handles the adaptation logic internally, allowing applications to interact with a unified environment regardless of the underlying device configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a unified shell interface is provided across different device configurations, then ease of operation is improved, but device-specific optimization may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction consistencyVSAvoiddevice configuration optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by allowing the shell interface to adapt its behavior and presentation based on the specific device configuration while maintaining a consistent core interaction model. The shell can optimize certain aspects (such as display layout, input handling) for specific devices while preserving the unified interface structure that provides ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10417018B2Navigation of immersive and desktop shells

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Desktop as an immersive application techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an immersive environment module is configured to provide an immersive shell through which a user may interact with applications of a computing device. The immersive environment module is further configured to provide a desktop shell within the immersive shell to support additional techniques for interaction with the application of the computing device. The desktop shell, for instance, may be configured for accessibility similar to that provided to applications in the immersive shell.