Web Application Mode Browser Boundary Enforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in integrating web applications with their desktop environment due to difficulties in defining website boundaries and the dual boot problem, where users must navigate through browsers that provide distractions, leading to an undesirable user experience.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and media that allow developers to define user interaction boundaries using client-side code, enforced by a run-time engine, enabling features like start menu shortcuts, navigation, and jumplist integration, using a web application mode browser that provides a focused user experience by controlling how users interact with web applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If end-users define website boundaries through client-side script, then users can customize their own integration, but the user experience may be broken due to lack of knowledge about website construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser customization capabilityVSAvoiduser experience integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a website boundary definition mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the website and the user's desktop integration. The website can define its boundaries through a standardized interface, which then enables reliable desktop integration without requiring users to understand website construction. This mediator resolves the contradiction by allowing customization while ensuring integrity through standardized boundary definitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users launch web applications through traditional browser boot process, then all browser functionality is available, but users face distractions from browser chrome and cannot concentrate on specific tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrowser functionality availabilityVSAvoidtask focus capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the browser functionality into two distinct modes: full browser mode for general web browsing, and web application mode for focused task execution. When a user launches a web application through the desktop integration, the system creates a segmented view that hides browser chrome and distractions while maintaining essential browser functionality. This segmentation allows users to access browser capabilities when needed while maintaining focus on specific tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between different browser presentation modes. The same browser can dynamically adjust its interface based on whether it's running general web browsing or a specific web application. The browser chrome can be dynamically shown or hidden, and the interface can be dynamically optimized for the current task, providing adaptability while maintaining task focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If developers provide configuration through JavaScript code, then precise control over desktop integration is achieved, but implementation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration control precisionVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal JavaScript API that serves multiple functions for desktop integration. A single standardized interface allows developers to define website boundaries, configure start menu shortcuts, set up jumplist integration, and control navigation behavior all through the same code structure. This universality reduces implementation complexity by providing a multi-functional framework rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each integration aspect.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2580684B1Creating task sessions
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2580684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2580684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2580684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.