Remote Access Display Configuration via Rectangle Data Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote access software faces difficulties in navigating graphical information when a host computer has multiple displays, especially when the viewer computer has a different number or configuration of displays, leading to user effort and potential disruption of settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that support multiple display configurations by receiving a list of rectangles representing host displays, presenting a graphical user interface for selecting a configuration, and displaying indicators to transition between displays, allowing seamless navigation across different display setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the viewer computer has a different number or configuration of displays compared to the host computer, then the viewer can access the remote computer, but the viewer has difficulty navigating the graphical information received from the host computer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the host computer's multiple displays into individual display units represented as rectangles in a data structure. Each rectangle corresponds to a separate display, allowing the remote access software to independently manage and navigate each display unit. This segmentation enables the viewer to interact with each display separately, improving navigation ease despite configuration differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure (list of rectangles) that mediates between the host computer's display configuration and the viewer computer's display configuration. This intermediary representation allows the software to translate and adapt the host's multi-display layout into a format that the viewer can easily navigate, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user alters the graphical settings of the host computer via the remote access software, then the display configuration can be adapted, but significant effort is required and existing settings may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by automatically detecting and adapting to the host computer's display configuration without requiring manual user intervention. The software autonomously retrieves display information, processes the rectangle data structures, and configures the viewer's display accordingly. This eliminates the need for users to manually adjust graphical settings, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing the display configuration information from the host computer before it reaches the viewer. The software automatically extracts display boundary information, organizes it into rectangle structures, and prepares the appropriate display parameters in advance. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for users to perform complex settings adjustments manually.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the remote access software supports multiple display configurations, then different display setups can be accommodated, but the software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages software complexity by focusing on parameter changes rather than structural complexity. Instead of implementing complex display management logic, the software uses a simple data structure (list of rectangles) to represent display configurations and adjusts parameters such as display boundaries, positions, and dimensions. This parameter-based approach achieves multi-display support with minimal software complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs copying by creating a simplified representation (copy) of the host computer's display configuration using rectangle data structures. Rather than directly managing the complex multi-display hardware, the software works with a copied, abstracted representation of the display layout. This copying approach simplifies the software structure while maintaining the ability to support multiple display configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of supporting multiple display configurations in a remote access environment, the remote access environment having a host computing device in communication with a viewer computing device comprises: receiving from a host computing device, by a viewer computing device having one or more viewer displays, a list of rectangles, each rectangle representing the boundaries of one of a plurality of host displays; presenting, by the viewer computing device to an end-user of the viewer computing device, a graphical user interface including means for selecting a configuration for displaying a window representing screen data of the plurality of host displays in the viewable area of the one or more displays of the viewer computing device; and displaying in the selected configuration, by the viewer computing device, the window representing the screen data of the one or more host displays. Corresponding systems are also described.