Windowing Container Groups Multiple Application Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of applications accessed concurrently increases on a user interface, especially in handheld devices with smaller screen sizes, the interface becomes cluttered with overlapping windows, requiring users to spend time and effort in resizing and repositioning them for optimal workflow, leading to inefficiencies and wasted display space.
Innovation Solution
A windowing container system that groups two or more windows to behave as a single unit, allowing automatic sizing and positioning based on rules, enabling group functions like minimizing, maximizing, and resizing, while storing states for easy invocation, thus reducing user input and optimizing display space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application windows are opened concurrently on a user interface, then users can access and interact with multiple applications, but the user interface becomes cluttered with overlapping windows occupying the entire display space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multiple application windows into a grouped container unit. Instead of managing individual windows separately, the system divides the display space by creating a container that holds multiple windows in an organized manner, preventing them from overlapping and occupying the entire display space while still allowing concurrent access to multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual window management operations into a single container entity. By combining multiple windows into one grouped unit, the system allows users to interact with the container as a single object, reducing interface clutter while maintaining the ability to access multiple applications simultaneously.
2Productivity
If multiple windows are opened for different applications or instances, then users can interact with multiple applications, but the user interface becomes increasingly cluttered requiring time and effort to resize and reposition windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically arranging and organizing multiple windows within the container before the user needs to interact with them. The system pre-configures the window positions and sizes within the container, eliminating the need for users to spend time manually resizing and repositioning windows when they want to access multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The container performs self-service by automatically managing the arrangement and organization of multiple windows within itself. The system enables the container to self-organize its internal windows without requiring user intervention for resizing and repositioning operations, thereby reducing the time users spend on these tasks while maintaining high application interaction capability.
3Area of stationary object
If windows are grouped within a container to behave as a single unit, then display space is optimized and organization is improved, but the system complexity increases with container generation and state management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the container as a multi-functional entity that performs multiple operations: it groups windows, manages their arrangement, handles resizing and repositioning, and maintains state information. This universal container design optimizes display space while managing complexity through a single versatile component rather than multiple separate management systems for each window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nested doll principle by placing multiple individual windows inside a container structure. The container acts as a parent object that encapsulates child window objects, creating a hierarchical nesting relationship. This nesting approach optimizes display space by organizing windows within the container boundaries while managing complexity through a clear parent-child object structure.
4Ease of operation
If windows are automatically sized and positioned within the container based on rules, then user effort is reduced, but the automation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing automatic window sizing and positioning rules that dynamically adjust window parameters (size, position, arrangement) based on predefined criteria. The system changes window parameters automatically according to the container's configuration and the number of windows, reducing user effort while managing automation complexity through rule-based parameter adjustment rather than complex algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for a windowing container that enables two or more windows associated with application(s) to be grouped within the container such that the windows may behave or function uniformly as a single window. For example, responsive to a request to group two windows, a container may be generated to include the windows arranged based on one or more rules and features enabling group functions associated with the container to be performed. When a group function is performed on the container, the function may be performed to each of the windows arranged therein as if they were a single window. As new windows are grouped within or existing windows are released from the container, the container and/or windows may be rearranged based on the rules. A state of the container may be stored to enable subsequent invocation of the container after closing.