Simulating multi-monitor functionality in a single monitor environment
First Claim
1. A method for displaying, in a client display environment having an associated display layout identifying multiple physical display devices, at least one window produced by an application executing on an application server, the method comprising:
- receiving, by the application server, a desired display layout from a client, the display layout identifying multiple display devices;
storing, by the application server, the received desired display layout in a storage element on the application server;
associating, by the application server, the stored desired display layout with the client;
intercepting, by a window message processing mechanism executing on the application server, a message to a window displayed on the client, the message generated by an application executing on the application server for display on the client, wherein the application server is a separate device from the client and configured to communicate with the client via a remote display protocol;
accessing, by the window message processing mechanism the stored desired display layout associated with the client;
modifying, by the window message processing mechanism, the message according to the desired display layout; and
transmitting, by the application server, the modified window message to the client via the remote display protocol, the modified window message causing the client to display the window according to the desired display layout;
obtaining, by the window message processing mechanism, notification of a change from the desired display layout to a second display layout of the client display;
suspending, by the window message processing mechanism, interception of a second message during a time period corresponding to the change from the desired display layout to the second display layout by queueing the second message in a queue during the time period;
resuming interception of the second message upon expiration of the time period; and
modifying, by the window message processing mechanism, the second message according to the second display layout.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The systems and methods of the present provide techniques for virtualizing, simulating or providing multiple displays for an environment having one display device or less display devices than desired. The techniques of the present invention virtualize a client'"'"'s display environment by modifying and controlling the behavior and appearance of an application window displayed on the client based on a desired display layout for the client. The present invention provides a window message processing mechanism to intercept a selected message to a window of an application. The window message processing mechanism compares the behavior and appearance of the window in view of the desired display layout and modifies the message to display the window on the client based on the desired display layout. As such, the present invention processes selected window messages to translate the behavior or appearance of the window to the desired display layout.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for displaying, in a client display environment having an associated display layout identifying multiple physical display devices, at least one window produced by an application executing on an application server, the method comprising:
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receiving, by the application server, a desired display layout from a client, the display layout identifying multiple display devices; storing, by the application server, the received desired display layout in a storage element on the application server; associating, by the application server, the stored desired display layout with the client; intercepting, by a window message processing mechanism executing on the application server, a message to a window displayed on the client, the message generated by an application executing on the application server for display on the client, wherein the application server is a separate device from the client and configured to communicate with the client via a remote display protocol; accessing, by the window message processing mechanism the stored desired display layout associated with the client; modifying, by the window message processing mechanism, the message according to the desired display layout; and transmitting, by the application server, the modified window message to the client via the remote display protocol, the modified window message causing the client to display the window according to the desired display layout; obtaining, by the window message processing mechanism, notification of a change from the desired display layout to a second display layout of the client display; suspending, by the window message processing mechanism, interception of a second message during a time period corresponding to the change from the desired display layout to the second display layout by queueing the second message in a queue during the time period; resuming interception of the second message upon expiration of the time period; and modifying, by the window message processing mechanism, the second message according to the second display layout. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for displaying at least one window produced by an application executing on an application server in a multiple display environment at a client, the system comprising:
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a receiver receiving from a client a desired display layout identifying multiple display devices; a storage element provided by the application server storing the received display layout and associating the received display layout with the client; and a window message processing mechanism executed by the application server to; intercept a message to a window on the client, the message generated by an application executing on an application server for display on the client, wherein the application server is a separate device from the client and configured to communicate with the client via a remote display protocol, access a desired display layout associated with the client, and modify the message according to the desired display layout; and a transmitter transmitting the modified window message to the client via the remote display protocol, the message causing the client to display the window according to the desired display layout, wherein execution by the application server causes the window processing mechanism to; obtain notification of a change from the desired display layout to a second display layout of the client display; suspend interception of a second message during a time period corresponding to the change from the desired display layout to the second display layout by queueing the second message in a queue during the time period; resume interception of the second message upon expiration of the time period; and modify the second message according to the second display layout. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification