Work Group Window Management via Segmentation and Intermediary Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a multi-window environment, users face difficulties in quickly finding and switching between windows necessary for specific tasks due to the overwhelming number of windows displayed by operating systems, leading to increased time spent searching for relevant windows.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that group windows into 'work groups' based on user input or attributes, allowing users to easily view and switch between windows by displaying objects representing other windows within the group, thereby simplifying the navigation and management of multiple applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system displays multiple windows for different applications, then the system can execute multiple jobs simultaneously, but the time required to find and switch between necessary windows increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of all open windows into multiple work groups based on task categories. Each work group contains windows relevant to a specific task or project, allowing users to quickly locate and switch between windows by selecting from work group objects rather than searching through all individual windows.
2Ease of operation
If windows from different applications are grouped together by task, then users can easily access windows needed for specific projects, but the system complexity increases due to work group management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces work group objects as intermediary elements between the user and individual windows. These work group objects serve as containers that organize windows by task category, providing a simplified interface for window management while handling the complexity of grouping and switching operations internally.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If work group objects representing windows are displayed on the screen, then users can visually identify and select needed windows, but the screen space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays work group objects in a separate dimensional space from the actual windows, such as in a taskbar, sidebar, or overlay panel. This allows users to visually identify and select windows through work group objects without requiring additional screen space within the main window viewing area, effectively utilizing a different spatial dimension for organization.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device is provided. The device includes a display, a storage configured to store a work group including a plurality of jobs that are selected by a user, and a controller configured to control the display to display a window corresponding to at least one job included in the work group and display at least one object representing another job included in the work group on the displayed window.