Virtual Desktop Viewport for Multi-User Resource Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desktop sharing systems fail to support multiple users interacting with different windows simultaneously without overlap, limiting collaboration and visibility of resources, and struggle with controlling access and layout in shared environments.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and method that provides a graphical user interface for a desktop environment, enabling multiple users to access and interact with resources through individual viewports, allowing for zooming, panning, and selective sharing of resources without overlap, while maintaining control over access and layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share a desktop environment with multiple windows, then collaboration capability is improved, but window overlap and occlusion occur making it difficult for users to work with different windows simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional desktop screen to a three-dimensional virtual desktop environment. Users can place windows on different virtual surfaces or planes, allowing multiple windows to be simultaneously accessible without overlapping. This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction by enabling both multi-user collaboration and easy window access in the same system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where a virtual desktop environment contains multiple windows that can be organized hierarchically. Windows can be placed within virtual containers or grouped on different virtual surfaces, allowing users to access nested windows without them overlapping on the main desktop. This nesting approach enables simultaneous multi-window accessibility while supporting collaborative multi-user scenarios.
2Device complexity
If a fixed limited size desktop is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but it becomes difficult to establish comfortable layouts for multiple users working simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the third dimension to the desktop environment, the patent effectively increases the available workspace without requiring users to switch to multiple physical monitors. The virtual depth dimension allows windows to be stacked or placed on different virtual planes, maintaining system simplicity while dramatically improving layout comfort for multiple users working simultaneously.
3Loss of information
If window size is reduced to fit multiple resources on limited screen space, then visibility of all windows is improved, but individual window dimensions become too small for effective work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the third dimension to resolve the visibility-area contradiction. Windows can be placed at different depths in the virtual desktop space, allowing each window to maintain its full size while remaining visible to users. The virtual depth dimension provides an additional organizational layer that eliminates the need to reduce window sizes for visibility.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple monitors are added to increase display space, then available screen real estate is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of extended desktop space through the third dimension. Instead of requiring multiple physical monitors, the system generates a virtual environment that simulates expanded display real estate. This virtual copying approach provides the benefits of increased display space without the complexity and cost of multiple physical monitors.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product for providing a graphical user interface for displaying of and enabling cooperative use of resources on a display of a computing device includes computer readable code means, the computer readable code means when executed by a processor device, being configured to provide an environment, the environment being configured to represent the resources on the display of the computing device, provide a first viewport to at least a portion of the environment on the display of the computing device, enable a resource to be added to the environment and be viewed within the first viewport and enable the resource to be acted upon within the first viewport.