Virtual Workspace Management via Drag-and-Drop Window Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computing devices face challenges in managing multiple open windows and applications efficiently, leading to desktop clutter and difficulty in identifying and organizing related application windows across different workspaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and computer program product that present virtual workspaces through a graphical user interface, allowing users to drag and drop application windows between workspace images to change their associated workspace, create new workspaces, and organize windows into clusters based on shared characteristics, enabling efficient management and navigation of multiple applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application windows are displayed on the desktop at the same time, then users can work with multiple applications simultaneously, but the desktop becomes cluttered and difficult to overview
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the desktop into multiple virtual workspaces, each representing a separate organizational unit. Each workspace can display a subset of application windows, allowing users to segment the overall desktop view into manageable sections. This segmentation enables users to overview individual workspaces without being overwhelmed by all open windows across the entire desktop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect to window management by displaying workspace thumbnails in a vertical or horizontal arrangement separate from the traditional desktop window display. This additional dimension allows users to perceive the overall workspace structure and switch between workspaces without cluttering the main desktop view, thereby improving overview capability while maintaining multi-application functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous windows are open on the computer display, then users can access multiple applications, but it becomes difficult to find a particular application when needed
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing application windows into distinct virtual workspaces, the patent creates segmented visual groups that make it easier to locate specific applications. Users can quickly identify which workspace contains the desired application by viewing workspace thumbnails, reducing the time needed to search through all open windows across the entire desktop.
Solution Approach 2:
The workspace thumbnail serves as an intermediary element between the user and the application windows. Instead of directly searching through individual windows, users interact with the workspace thumbnails as an intermediate layer to locate and select the desired application, thereby reducing search time and improving application accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If multiple workspaces are used with different configurations, then users can organize applications efficiently, but it becomes difficult to quickly move between workspaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays multiple workspace thumbnails in an organized arrangement (such as a horizontal or vertical strip) that provides a visual overview of all workspaces. This dimensional arrangement allows users to quickly locate and switch between workspaces by simply selecting the desired thumbnail, reducing the time needed to move between workspaces while maintaining efficient organization through different workspace configurations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If application windows are displayed without organization, then users can have multiple applications open, but the windows are difficult to organize and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments application windows into distinct virtual workspaces, each with its own configuration and organization. This segmentation provides a structured framework for managing multiple applications, where users can organize windows by project, task, or application type within each workspace, thereby reducing the complexity of managing numerous open windows without limiting application openness.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing a bridge interface for managing virtual workspaces is disclosed. A plurality of workspace images is presented in a user interface, each workspace image corresponding to a different virtual workspace available to a user of a computer system. A plurality of application windows associated with one of the virtual workspaces is displayed. A user's selection of at least one of the displayed application windows and dragging the selected application window in the user interface from a first location to a second location in the user interface is detected. A virtual workspace associated with the selected application window is changed based on the second location in the user interface.