Web App Pinning via Developer-Defined Boundaries

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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 browsers provide distractions, making it hard to focus on specific tasks.

Innovation Solution

A method allowing developers to define user interaction boundaries using client-side code, enforced by a run-time engine, enabling features like start menu shortcuts, jumplist integration, and taskbar pinning, through a 'site mode' experience that customizes navigation and user interaction within a web application window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If end-users define website boundaries through client-side script, then customization is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of knowledge about website construction

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizationVSAvoiduser experience integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing end-users to define website boundaries (bottom-up approach), the patent inverts the approach by enabling website developers to define boundaries through client-side script that the browser enforces (top-down approach). This ensures that those who know the website construction best are the ones defining the boundaries, maintaining reliability while still achieving customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (boundary definition system with client-side script enforcement) between the end-user and the website content. This intermediary allows developers to specify boundaries that the browser respects, preventing end-users from accidentally breaking website functionality while still allowing legitimate customization needs to be met.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If users launch web applications through browser, then accessibility is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to distractions in browser chrome

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidtask focus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the distracting browser chrome (toolbars, menus, address bars) from the web application experience by implementing a kiosk mode or focused browsing mode. This allows the web application to be launched and used without the surrounding browser interface, improving task focus while maintaining accessibility through the ability to launch the application from the desktop or taskbar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the browser functionality into two distinct modes: full browser mode for general web browsing and focused web application mode for specific tasks. This segmentation allows users to access web applications with minimal distractions while preserving full browser capabilities when needed, effectively separating the productive work mode from the exploratory browsing mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If developers define user interaction boundaries, then user experience consistency is improved, but device complexity increases due to run-time engine enforcement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience consistencyVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling website developers to write client-side script that automatically defines their own interaction boundaries. The browser's run-time engine simply enforces these developer-defined boundaries without requiring complex configuration or manual intervention, allowing the system to self-organize and maintain consistency automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal boundary definition mechanism that works across all websites and web applications. The same client-side script approach and run-time enforcement system can be applied to any web application, providing a multi-functional solution that handles diverse interaction scenarios without requiring website-specific customization of the enforcement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2580682B1Web application pinning including task bar pinning

Publication Date: 2018.08.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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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.