Web App Display Mark for Browser Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Web applications running in browsers are not efficiently switchable from a recently opened application list, requiring users to perform multiple steps to access them, as they are treated as part of the browser rather than separate applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that acquire and display a web application's display mark, identifier, and URL in the recently opened application list, allowing users to directly select and open web applications using the corresponding browser, by determining the web page type and storing relevant information for HTML5 extension attributes and installation files.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If web applications are treated as browser processes rather than separate applications, then they can run in the browser form, but they cannot be displayed in the recently opened application list

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb application accessibilityVSAvoidswitching back efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the web application management by separating the display mark (icon, name) from the browser process itself. The display mark is extracted and added to the recently opened application list independently, allowing the web app to be accessed directly without requiring users to navigate through browser processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a display mark as an intermediary element that bridges web applications and the recently opened application list. This display mark acts as a mediator that allows the system to treat web applications similarly to native applications in the task management interface, even though they run within the browser.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If users access web applications through the browser only, then web applications can run properly, but users need to execute multiple operation steps to switch back to recently opened web applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb application executionVSAvoidoperation steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-generating and storing the display mark information (icon, name, URL) of web applications when they are first opened or installed. This information is prepared in advance and stored in the recently opened application list data structure, so that when users need to access the web application again, it is immediately available for direct selection without requiring multiple navigation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the recently opened application list displays only native applications, then the list structure remains simple, but web applications cannot be included for direct access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelist structureVSAvoidapplication type support
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the recently opened application list universal by enabling it to display both native applications and web applications through a unified interface. The display mark mechanism allows different application types (native apps and web apps) to be represented consistently in the same list structure, providing multi-functionality without increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2733605B8Management method and device for webpage application program
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a web application management method and apparatus, where the method includes: acquiring a display mark of a web application opened in a browser, an identifier of the browser, and a uniform resource locator URL of the web application; receiving a first instruction used to display a recently opened application list, and displaying the display mark of the web application in the recently opened application list according to the first instruction; and receiving a second instruction that a user selects the web application according to the recently opened application list and opening the web application corresponding to the URL according to the second instruction by using a browser corresponding to the identifier of the browser. The present invention reduces operation steps of a user and improves the switching back efficiency of the web application.