Multi-Window Interface Layout for Clutter-Free App Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices struggle with efficiently managing multiple application windows and user interface elements, leading to cluttered displays and inefficient navigation, while also consuming excessive processing power.
Innovation Solution
Implement display devices and methods that allow users to interact with multiple application windows efficiently by using interactive and non-interactive modes, switching between displays, and optimizing spatial arrangements to reduce input requirements and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application windows and user interface elements are displayed concurrently, then users can interact with multiple applications at the same time, but the display becomes cluttered and navigation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into different zones with specific functions: an interactive zone for active window manipulation and a non-interactive zone for displaying additional windows. This spatial segmentation allows multiple applications to be visible simultaneously while maintaining clear navigation paths and reducing visual clutter in the interactive area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to window management by creating a non-interactive display zone that exists alongside the traditional interactive zone. This dimensional addition allows users to view multiple windows without all of them competing for interactive space, thereby maintaining navigation efficiency while supporting concurrent application interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If display configurability and responsiveness of user interface elements are supported for multiple windows, then users can customize their workspace, but processing power is consumed and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different levels of interactivity and configurability are applied to different zones of the display. The interactive zone maintains full configurability and responsiveness for active windows, while the non-interactive zone displays windows with reduced processing requirements. This local differentiation allows display configurability where needed while conserving processing power in areas where full interactivity is not required.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple windows are displayed in overlapping arrangements, then screen space is utilized efficiently, but user interaction and content visibility become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into an interactive zone where windows can overlap for efficient space utilization, and a non-interactive zone where windows are displayed with full visibility. This segmentation allows overlapping arrangements in the interactive zone without compromising content accessibility, as the non-interactive zone provides unobstructed views of additional windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to window arrangement by creating distinct interactive and non-interactive zones. This dimensional differentiation allows windows to overlap in the interactive zone while maintaining content visibility in the non-interactive zone, thereby resolving the conflict between screen space utilization and content accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is performed at a computer system that is in communication with a display generation component and one or more input devices. A first set of one or more windows in an interactive mode, and a representation of a second set of one or more windows in a non-interactive mode are concurrently displayed. While a window is displayed in an interactive mode, the content of the window can be manipulated in response to user inputs. While a representation of a window is displayed in a non-interactive mode, the content of the window is not available to be manipulated in response to user inputs. An input selecting the representation of the second set of one or more windows is detected. In response to detecting the input, the first set of one or more windows in the interactive mode are ceased to be displayed. In response to detecting the input, one or more of the second set of one or more windows are displayed in the interactive mode concurrently with a representation of the first set of one or more windows displayed in a non-interactive mode.