Remote Desktop Extension via Dummy Display Driver
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multitasking computer environments, the limited desktop space restricts the simultaneous use of multiple applications, leading to cluttered displays and reduced information availability, as users often need to overlay application windows, and expanding hardware is costly.
Innovation Solution
A method to extend the desktop of a first computing device onto a display of a second computing device by establishing a remote session, using a dummy display driver to remote graphics commands, allowing multiple monitor configurations without additional hardware costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional monitor displays are added to increase display space, then the available display area increases, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing computing devices serve multiple functions by allowing a first computing device to use the display of a second computing device as an extended monitor. Instead of requiring dedicated hardware for each display function, the system enables any available computing device to contribute its display resources to the network, achieving multi-functionality across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the display interface by implementing a display driver model that replicates the behavior of physical display adapters. The display driver for the remote display communicates with applications as if it were a local hardware interface, allowing the system to treat the remote display as though it were a physical copy of a local monitor without actually duplicating the hardware.
2Productivity
If multiple applications are opened simultaneously to improve multitasking, then application availability increases, but the display becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the display space from a single two-dimensional screen to a multi-dimensional networked display environment. By adding spatial dimensions through networked connections between multiple computing devices, the system provides additional display real estate that allows multiple applications to be viewed and interacted with simultaneously without cluttering any single display.
3Quantity of substance
If application windows are overlaid to fit more applications on the display, then application density increases, but information visibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display function across multiple independent computing devices rather than concentrating all display requirements on a single screen. Each computing device maintains its own display capabilities, allowing applications to be distributed across multiple separate display areas. This segmentation prevents the information overload and visual clutter that occur when too many windows are layered on a single display.
Data Source
AI summary
Extending graphical information to a remote computing system such that a multiple monitor configuration can be implemented for the first computing device is illustrated. The multiple monitors include a display connected to the first computing device and one or more displays connected to other computing devices. A remote session is established between the first computing device and the second computing device. Graphics commands are generated for first and second display drivers at the first computing device as if a multi-display configuration is active at the first computing device. The first display driver is associated with a display at the first computing device. The second display driver doesn't have an associated display at the first computing device. Graphics are displayed from the graphics commands for the first display driver at the display at the first computing device. Graphics commands for the second display driver are remoted to the second computing device.