Rich Taskbar Buttons for Direct Application Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inefficiencies in managing and controlling applications on a computer due to limited display workspace, as minimizing windows to the taskbar prevents direct control over applications without reopening them, leading to wasted time and reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of rich presentation taskbar buttons that display dynamic information and provide interactive control elements, allowing users to control applications directly from the taskbar without needing to reopen windows, along with the option to pin or dismiss thumbnails for enhanced workspace management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If application windows are minimized to the taskbar to conserve display workspace, then display workspace is conserved, but the user cannot control the application without reopening the window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay workspaceVSAvoidapplication control

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (taskbar button with thumbnail and context menu) that mediates between the minimized application and the user. When a user right-clicks the taskbar button, a context menu appears providing control options without requiring the application window to be reopened, thus solving the contradiction between conserving workspace and maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a thumbnail copy of the application window within the taskbar button. This thumbnail serves as a visual representation and control interface, allowing users to interact with the minimized application through the thumbnail's context menu rather than requiring the full window to be visible or reopened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If application windows are reopened to control applications, then application control is enabled, but display workspace is occupied and user attention must be diverted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication controlVSAvoiduser efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The context menu served as an intermediary control interface that allowed users to perform application control operations without diverting attention to a separate window. Users could access control functions through the compact taskbar button interface, maintaining their workflow without the productivity loss associated with opening and managing additional windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If application windows are reopened and closed frequently to manage workspace, then workspace management is achieved, but time is wasted on managing windows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay workspaceVSAvoidtime for window management

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The taskbar button with thumbnail and context menu provides self-service functionality, allowing users to control applications directly from the taskbar without the need to open, manage, and close application windows. This eliminates the time-consuming cycle of window management while maintaining workspace efficiency, as all control operations can be performed through the persistent taskbar interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If rich presentation taskbar buttons display dynamic information and control elements, then application control capability is improved, but taskbar button complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication control capabilityVSAvoidtaskbar button structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rich taskbar button is segmented into distinct functional components: the thumbnail area for visual representation, the context menu area for control options, and the application icon/identifier. This segmentation allows each element to serve its specific function independently, managing the complexity of the overall structure while maximizing control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by displaying the thumbnail within the taskbar button area and expanding the control interface through a context menu that appears in the window area. This dimensional approach allows rich information and control elements to be integrated without permanently increasing the taskbar's visual complexity, as elements are revealed on-demand through user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7665031B2Method and system of taskbar button interfaces

Publication Date: 2010.02.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides a system or method for displaying rich presentation taskbar buttons for a corresponding application. In one example, the rich presentation taskbar button may receive content from an application through a programming interface. The present invention further relates to a system and method for displaying a rich presentation taskbar button and for displaying and/or dismissing a thumbnail of an application window associated with the rich presentation taskbar button. The present invention may further include a system and method of pinning the thumbnail on a display or dismissing a thumbnail. The present invention also relates to a system and method for displaying multiple taskbar buttons in a taskbar including controlling the size of individual taskbar buttons, consolidating taskbar buttons and placing taskbar buttons into an overflow based on the type of taskbar button in the taskbar.