Multi-User Desktop Segmentation for Unlimited Workspace
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional computer desktops are limited in size and designed for single-user operation, making it difficult for multiple users to collaborate or work independently from the same monitor, as they can only have one active object at a time, limiting the ability to manage a growing number of tasks and objects.
Innovation Solution
An unlimited multi-user desktop system where multiple users can connect to the same desktop environment, allowing each user to have a unique section of the desktop with independent zoom levels and dimensions, enabling seamless collaboration and management of multiple objects without the constraints of physical monitor size, with features like notification systems for object control and state changes to prevent disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional single-user desktop is used, then the system is simple to operate, but multiple users cannot work simultaneously and the desktop area is limited by monitor size
Solution Approach 1:
The desktop environment is segmented into multiple independent user sessions, where each user has their own workspace context, object states, and interaction history. The system divides the single desktop into N virtual desktops that can be activated by different users simultaneously, allowing multi-user operation without interference while maintaining individual user experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
The desktop system is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a traditional single-user desktop and a multi-user collaborative environment. The same physical monitor and computing resources are universally accessed by multiple users through virtualization, allowing the system to adapt to different usage scenarios without requiring separate hardware for each user.
2Productivity
If multiple objects are running on the desktop, then task diversity increases, but finding the object of interest becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds spatial dimensions to the traditional two-dimensional desktop by implementing a three-dimensional object space with visible, hidden, and background layers. Objects can be organized vertically across multiple z-layers, allowing users to access frequently used objects in the visible layer while less important objects reside in hidden or background layers, reducing clutter and improving search efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an object manager as an intermediary component that handles object registration, tracking, and retrieval operations. This manager maintains an index of all objects across different layers and provides efficient search and access mechanisms, reducing the cognitive load on users when managing multiple objects.
3Area of stationary object
If the desktop is extended to unlimited size, then object organization flexibility improves, but the system requires more complex navigation and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The unlimited desktop space is segmented into multiple pages or views that can be navigated systematically. Each page contains a manageable subset of objects, and the system provides pagination controls allowing users to move between pages efficiently, preventing the overwhelming complexity that would result from displaying an infinitely large desktop all at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The desktop navigation system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, automatically adjusting the visible area and navigation options based on the current number of objects, their distribution, and user interaction patterns. The system can dynamically create new pages or expand existing ones as objects are added, maintaining optimal navigation complexity regardless of the total desktop size.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for enabling an unlimited multi-user desktop environment. In accordance with an embodiment the system includes a computing device hosting the desktop. Each user connects to the desktop through the same or different computing devices. Each user will in their client-area render a section of the unlimited multi-user desktop. The section can be the same or different for all users. An embodiment will allow compatible objects to render the same content at different content positions for each connected user. For example a user can scroll on a shared webpage without impacting the scroll position for other users looking at the same window of the same webpage. Additional embodiments are also described herein.