Window Tab Ordering by Active Time Score
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current operating systems and web browsers require users to incrementally navigate between application windows and tabs using shortcut keys, with the display order based on most recent use rather than duration of use, which can be inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that tracks the active time of each window or tab, assigns a score based on duration of use, and determines an order for display, allowing users to select windows or tabs based on their usage history, with a graphical component to facilitate faster access to frequently used items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users navigate between application windows and tabs using shortcut keys with display order based on most recent use, then the navigation follows a simple incremental approach, but the access efficiency to frequently used items is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for ordering windows and tabs from 'most recent use' to 'duration of active time'. This parameter transformation allows frequently used items to be prioritized in the display order, enabling users to access them faster through the graphical component without requiring multiple incremental navigations.
2Ease of operation
If the display order is based on most recent use, then the implementation is simple, but the user experience for accessing frequently used applications is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary tracking of active time durations for each window and tab in the background, calculating scores before the user needs to navigate. This preliminary action ensures that when users interact with the graphical component, the optimal order is already established, providing ease of access without requiring complex real-time calculations during navigation.
3Loss of time
If incremental navigation through windows and tabs is required, then the navigation method is straightforward, but the time required to access specific windows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension for navigation by creating a graphical component that displays all windows and tabs simultaneously in a visual arrangement based on usage scores. This transforms the traditional one-dimensional incremental navigation (through focus switching) into a two-dimensional visual selection interface, allowing users to access windows faster by selecting from the displayed representations rather than incrementally cycling through them.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining a display order for changing application windows or changing tabs within a window is provided. Windows or tabs that are open in a user interface of a computing device are identified. At least one duration of active time for each window or tab is tracked and a score for each window or tab is determined based on each duration of active time for the respective window or tab. The order of the windows or tabs is determined based on the scores. A graphical component for display in the user interface is provided that displays a representation of each of the plurality of windows or tabs in the determined order and is configured to receive a user selection of one of the plurality of windows or tabs to activate the selected window or tab.