User Interface Element Management via Historical Configuration Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing systems do not effectively manage user interface elements when transitioning between different monitor topologies, leading to a poor user experience and increased user effort in rearranging windows and other interface objects.
Innovation Solution
The use of historical configuration data to maintain consistent user interface arrangements across different monitor topologies, by storing and retrieving the previous positions and configurations of user interface objects when transitioning between hosting environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a computing device uses a default or system-defined process to adjust window positions when monitor topology changes, then the system can automatically respond to topology changes, but the user experience deteriorates because windows are moved to incorrect positions or require manual rearrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting and storing the intended window position and configuration before the monitor topology change occurs. When the topology changes, the system retrieves the stored configuration data and restores the window to its intended position, preventing the need for manual rearrangement and maintaining good user experience while keeping the system automated.
2Device complexity
If the system does not maintain a historical record of window arrangements for given topologies, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases because users must search for and rearrange windows each time topology changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the window arrangement configuration data and stores it in historical configuration data associated with the specific monitor topology. When the same topology is detected again, the system retrieves and applies this copied configuration, allowing rapid restoration of window positions without complex real-time calculations, thus improving productivity with minimal additional complexity.
3Device complexity
If the system uses default window arrangement rules when transitioning between monitor topologies, then the device complexity remains low, but the loss of information occurs because the intended window positions and configurations are not preserved
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting monitor topology changes, retrieving the associated historical configuration data, and restoring window positions and configurations without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by managing the entire process of preserving and restoring window arrangement information, preventing data loss while keeping complexity low through automated operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides techniques for management of user interface elements based on historical configuration data. Use of historical configuration data to render user interface elements improves usability of graphical user interfaces by maintaining a consistent user experience. The states of user interface objects in a hosting environment are retained as historical configuration data and linked to a hosting environment profile. When the same or similar hosting environment is detected, the user interface elements are rendered based on the historical configuration data. For example, the last positions of windows in a particular monitor topology are stored as historical configuration data linked to that monitor topology. The windows are returned to their previous positions when a computing device is next configured with the same or similar monitor topology.