Visually Deemphasized GUI Effect for Hyper-Focus Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face distractions and reduced efficiency due to multiple computer applications open on personal computing devices, leading to decreased productivity and increased network bandwidth usage, as conventional technologies lack automated methods to effectively manage and prioritize GUI elements based on user attention.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that programmatically applies a visually-deemphasized effect to GUI elements not in a user-attention state, using user data and activity to determine which elements should be highlighted as 'hyper-focus' elements, thereby reducing distractions and conserving resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple computer applications are opened to provide diverse functionality, then task completion capability is improved, but user distraction and loss of focus increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask completion capabilityVSAvoiduser efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different visual presentation qualities to different GUI elements based on their relevance to the user's current task. The hyper-focus GUI element is presented with enhanced visual qualities (full color, sharpness, prominence) while non-hyper-focus elements are presented with visually-deemphasized effects (grayscale, blur, reduced opacity). This local differentiation allows multiple applications to remain accessible while directing user attention to the most relevant task, resolving the contradiction between having diverse functionality available and maintaining user focus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a target computer application is maximized to consume the entire screen, then user focus on the target application is improved, but user intervention is required causing further inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser focusVSAvoiduser intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the function of identifying and prioritizing the hyper-focus GUI element without requiring user intervention. The processor monitors user activity, determines which GUI element should receive primary attention, and automatically applies the appropriate visual presentation effects. This self-service approach eliminates the need for users to manually maximize or minimize windows, as the system adapts the visual hierarchy autonomously based on observed usage patterns and task context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively identifies and prepares the visual presentation state for GUI elements before the user needs to switch tasks. By continuously monitoring user activity and pre-determining which element should be in hyper-focus state, the system ensures that the correct application is already visually prioritized when the user needs it, eliminating the need for reactive window management actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If multiple GUI elements are presented with full visual emphasis, then all information is clearly visible, but computational resources and network bandwidth are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation visibilityVSAvoidcomputational resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different visual presentation qualities to different GUI elements based on their relevance to the user's current task. The hyper-focus GUI element is presented with enhanced visual qualities (full color, sharpness, prominence) while non-hyper-focus elements are presented with visually-deemphasized effects (grayscale, blur, reduced opacity). This local differentiation allows multiple applications to remain accessible while directing user attention to the most relevant task, resolving the contradiction between having diverse functionality available and maintaining user focus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240061561A1Visually-deemphasized effect for computing devices

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Computerized systems and methods are provided for automatically causing a visually-deemphasized effect to be applied to a portion of the graphical user interface (GUI) that excludes a GUI element of a computer application determined to be in a user-attention state. A user-attention state may correspond to a computer state associated with a GUI element that indicates that the GUI element on a screen has or should have a user's attention. GUI elements presented using a visually-deemphasized effect are presented in a visually altered manner, such as blurred, grayscale, or otherwise visually modified. Embodiments include monitoring and classifying user data and user activity associated with a GUI element. Based on the classification, the GUI element is determined to be in the user-attention state to cause the visually-deemphasized effect to be applied to a portion of the GUI that excludes the first GUI element.