Sidebar Engine for Docking Dynamic Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accessing dynamic information such as weather, traffic, and stock updates while working on other computer tasks due to obscured application windows, leading to inefficiencies and potential losses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for hosting, docking, and undocking applications to display content within another application, allowing for easy access and management of multiple information sources on a computer display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user works in a word processing application, then the application window displays content, but the window obscures other applications providing dynamic information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sidebar that can be docked within the main application window, allowing dynamic information (weather, traffic, stock quotes) to be nested inside the word processing application. This nested structure enables users to access dynamic information without switching windows or rearranging the desktop, as the sidebar integrates seamlessly within the existing application space.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidebar provides an additional dimension for information display by utilizing the vertical space along the edge of the screen. Instead of requiring horizontal window arrangement that leads to obscuration, the sidebar extends the display space into the vertical dimension, allowing multiple information sources to be accessed simultaneously without blocking the main application content.
2Loss of information
If multiple application windows are displayed to provide various information, then information availability increases, but screen space becomes depleted and windows obscure each other
Solution Approach 1:
The sidebar utilizes the vertical dimension along the screen edge to display multiple information sources. This dimensional approach allows weather, traffic, stock quotes, and other dynamic information to be stacked vertically without consuming horizontal screen space, thereby preventing window obscuration while maintaining information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidebar serves as a universal container that can host multiple different types of information displays (weather, traffic, stocks, news) within a single unified interface. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate application windows into one compact sidebar structure, optimizing screen space utilization.
3Loss of information
If users rearrange windows to access obscured information, then information becomes accessible, but time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The sidebar is pre-positioned within the application interface and automatically displays dynamic information without requiring user intervention to rearrange windows. The information is made accessible in advance through the docked sidebar structure, eliminating the need for time-consuming window manipulation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidebar acts as an intermediary between the main application and dynamic information sources. Instead of requiring users to switch between separate application windows, the sidebar mediates by bringing the information directly into the current application context, allowing seamless access without window rearrangement.
4Loss of information
If the sidebar is docked within the application, then information is accessible, but the sidebar may be obscured by the application window
Solution Approach 1:
The sidebar is implemented as a dynamic element that can be undocked from the application window at any time. When docked, it provides integrated information access within the application; when undocked, it becomes a separate window that cannot be obscured by the application. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction by allowing users to choose the appropriate state based on their current needs.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine is provided for displaying an application for hosting a second application. The hosting application can be a sidebar on a display. The engine can contain a part or program which can include a manifest file, a definition file and/or a script file. The manifest file may contain a pointer to at least one of the definition file and the script file. The engine may also contain a loader that can locate the definition file and/or script file (e.g., via pointers in the manifest file) and load the definition file and/or script files of the part for processing. The engine may also execute script associated with the part and convert an object model into a user interface which can be displayed at a predetermined location on a display or docked onto a sidebar. The user interface can further be manipulated or relocated within the sidebar or removed (i.e., undocked) from the sidebar. The sidebar may be exploded or imploded with the corresponding parts on the sidebar displayed on the desktop or another application (exploded) or returned to the sidebar (imploded).