Windowlet Display Mechanism for Multi-Application Concurrency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices, such as smartphones, can only display one application at a time in foreground, limiting user experience and efficiency, especially as screens become larger and users demand multi-window display capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that allows users to start and display applications in windowlets, enabling multiple applications to be displayed simultaneously in foreground by parsing user operations and determining if subsequent applications meet predetermined conditions to be launched in windowlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only one application is allowed to run in foreground at a time, then system resource management is simplified, but user efficiency and experience deteriorate due to frequent switching between applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display screen into multiple independent window regions, allowing different applications to run simultaneously in separate windows. Each window acts as an independent container for an application, enabling multi-tasking without requiring the entire screen for a single application. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling higher productivity through concurrent application execution while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured window management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-window foreground/background model to a multi-window spatial arrangement model. By introducing the spatial dimension of window positioning and sizing on the display screen, the system allows multiple applications to coexist in the foreground simultaneously. This dimensional change enables users to work with multiple applications at once, dramatically improving productivity without significantly increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the screen size is kept small for portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but multi-window display capability deteriorates due to insufficient display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the limited screen area into multiple smaller window regions that can accommodate different applications simultaneously. By dividing the display space into manageable window segments, the system enables multi-window functionality on small screens without requiring a larger display. This segmentation allows portable devices to maintain both small form factor and multi-window capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different window sizes, positions, and characteristics to different regions of the screen based on local requirements. Each window can be optimized for its specific application, with varying sizes and positions that best suit the individual application's needs. This local quality approach maximizes the utilization of limited screen real estate while maintaining portability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications are displayed in full-screen mode, then application functionality is improved, but the ability to run multiple applications simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full-screen display into multiple smaller window regions, each dedicated to a different application. This segmentation allows multiple applications to run concurrently in the foreground, improving multi-application versatility. Users can access and interact with multiple applications simultaneously without needing to switch between full-screen modes, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling concurrent application execution.
4Loss of time
If frequent switching between foreground and background applications is required, then single-application focus is maintained, but time efficiency deteriorates due to switching overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into multiple foreground windows, eliminating the need for frequent foreground/background switching. Each application resides in its own window that remains visible and accessible in the foreground, significantly reducing the time lost to switching operations. The window management system handles the complexity of coordinating multiple foreground applications, freeing users from switching overhead while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated window management.
Data Source
AI summary
In an information processing method a first operation is received by a user; in response to the first operation, a first application is started and the first application is displayed in a windowlet of an electronic device; a second operation is received by the user in the windowlet; the second operation is parsed, an object corresponding to the second operation is determined, a second application corresponding to the object is determined, whether the second application meets a predetermined condition is judged to generate a judgment result, and the second application is started in a windowlet when the judgment result indicates that the second application meets the predetermined condition. In some embodiments, when a user starts and displays an application in a small window or windowlet, and the windowlet receives his or her operation to start a new application, the started new application will be also displayed in a windowlet.