Proxy Window for Hung Application State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer operating systems provide limited information to users when an application hangs, making it difficult to determine which windows will be closed and what options are available when a hung application is terminated, leading to user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A dialogue box is displayed to inform users of options for responding to a hung application, and the appearance of windows belonging to the same process is altered to indicate which will be closed, allowing users to understand data that will be lost upon termination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the operating system provides no additional information when an application hangs, then the system remains simple and responsive, but the user becomes frustrated and loses control over data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy window as an intermediary between the hung application and the user. This proxy window captures the visual appearance of the hung application window and presents it to the user without allowing interaction, while also displaying information about the hung state and available options. This mediator provides comprehensive information to the user without requiring complex changes to the core operating system application handling logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the hung application window through the proxy window. The proxy window captures and displays the appearance of the original application window, allowing the user to see what the application looks like in its hung state without actually interacting with the non-responsive application. This copying approach provides information about the hung state without requiring the user to interact with the problematic application directly.
2Ease of operation
If the operating system allows user interaction with a hung application window, then the interface remains responsive, but the user cannot perform operations and becomes frustrated
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy window serves as an intermediary that accepts user input and relays it to the hung application. When the user attempts to interact with the proxy window (such as clicking buttons or entering text), the input is forwarded to the underlying hung application. This allows the interface to remain responsive to user actions while the actual application processing remains unchanged, providing feedback to the user about the hung state without requiring the application itself to be responsive.
3Loss of information
If the operating system does not indicate which windows belong to the same process, then the system remains simple, but the user cannot determine what data will be lost when terminating an application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual changes to the proxy window to indicate its special status and the relationship to the underlying process. The proxy window displays information about the hung state and can indicate which other windows belong to the same process. This visual indication system helps users understand what data will be lost when terminating an application without requiring complex system-level changes to process management.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing information to a user when an application is in a hung state are provided. When an application is in a hung state, a dialogue box informing the user of options for responding to the hung application is displayed. An application window may also be replaced with a proxy window and the appearance of the proxy window may be altered when a user attempts to interact with the proxy window.