Apparatus and method of displaying objects in configurable window groups

#The invention generally relates to the display of windows in configurable window groups and more particularly the invention relates to configurable window groups for use with a plurality of monitors

#Builder applications are used as systematic engineering tools to direct and produce large scale building projects, such as industrial plants, ocean tankers, or high rise buildings. One example of such an application is the Intergraph Smart™ 3D, distributed by Intergraph Corporation of Huntsville, Ala. In short, this application implements a comprehensive product suite that facilitates project execution, handover, and plant operational efficiency. Workflows with the application ensure best practices and efficient building processes.

#When using a builder application, an operator may have windows opened in multiple monitors. However, the windows operate independently and users of complex programs do not have the ability to configure and coordinate the windows.

#Those skilled in the art should more fully appreciate advantages of various embodiments of the invention from the following “Description of Illustrative Embodiments,” discussed with reference to the drawings summarized immediately below.

#FIG. 1 shows a method of controlling windows to form window groups.

#FIG. 2 schematically shows a multi-monitor system displaying windows in a single monitor (e.g., step 102).

#In illustrative embodiments, a computer system executing a single instance of a builder application has multiple window groups across which windows of that application instance may be dragged. Different layout arrangements of the windows for multiple window groups may be saved and recalled for future use. Multiple windows in a single window group then may be controlled as a single unit, thus permitting them to be simultaneously minimized and maximized, or dragged to another location on its respective monitor. Details of illustrative embodiments are discussed below.

#To those ends, FIG. 1 shows a method of controlling windows to define one or more window groups. This method is a simplified version of what can be a much longer and detailed process. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can add steps, modify steps, replace steps, change the order of steps, or perform similar processes and still remain within the spirit and scope of various embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 2 through 7D illustrate the execution of certain steps of this method. It nevertheless should be noted, however, that these latter figures are very specific examples and not intended to limit all embodiments. For example, these figures may show specific company names (e.g., “Intergraph”), specific layouts, and specific designs, among other things, which are by no means intended to limit all embodiments of the invention. These figures therefore merely are illustrative to prove aid in the understanding of various embodiments.

#The process begins at step 100, which executes a conventional builder application. Specifically, as known by those skilled in the art and noted above, users or builders use builder applications as systematic engineering tools to direct and produce large scale building projects, such as industrial plants, ocean tankers, or high rise buildings. A builder application is used herein as an illustrative example of a complex application program for which a user would like to have configurable window groups and the ability to save and retrieve layouts that include the window groups. The present invention should not be considered to be limited solely to builder applications.