Application Icon Gesture Control for Quick Function Launch

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of applications on mobile terminals leads to cluttered desktops with similar icons, resulting in cumbersome user operations and poor user experience when trying to start an application, as users need to navigate through multiple pages and icons.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal detects user operations on application icons to quickly start associated functions, such as sliding operations that define different functions, allowing users to access associated applications or functions without page turning, using touch or motion sensing operations, and providing operation prompts to simplify the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users navigate through multiple pages and icons to start an application, then the application can be started, but the user operation becomes cumbersome and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of starting applicationVSAvoidtime to start application
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-arranges associated application icons around the trigger application icon in advance. When the user performs a simple operation on the trigger icon, the associated icons are immediately available for selection, eliminating the need to manually search through multiple pages or folders to find related applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary interface (the popup window displaying associated application icons) that mediates between the user's simple operation on the trigger icon and the target application launch. This intermediary layer provides a convenient shortcut mechanism without requiring users to navigate through the entire application library.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple application icons are displayed on the desktop, then more applications are accessible, but the desktop becomes cluttered and icons become similar making differentiation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of accessible applicationsVSAvoidease of finding application
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of expanding horizontally by adding more icons to the desktop (which increases clutter), the patent utilizes a vertical dimension by displaying associated application icons in a popup window overlay. This dimensional transition keeps the desktop clean while providing access to multiple applications through a layered interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the application access process into two parts: the main desktop with essential icons and an on-demand popup window for associated applications. This segmentation allows users to maintain a clean desktop while having rapid access to related applications when needed, separating the frequently used icons from the extended application set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If users manually search for applications on the desktop, then the correct application can be found, but the operation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of finding applicationVSAvoidcomplexity of operation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback by displaying associated application icons in a popup window directly related to the trigger application. This feedback mechanism guides users to the correct application quickly without requiring manual searching, as the associated icons are contextually relevant to the trigger application's function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3644172B1Application control method and terminal
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3644172B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(D)
  • EP3644172B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3644172B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

This application discloses an application control method. The method may include: detecting, by a terminal, a user operation that is based on an application icon, where an application represented by the application icon has at least one associated function; and starting, by the terminal in response to the detected user operation, an associated function corresponding to the user operation, where the associated function corresponding to the user operation belongs to the at least one associated function. The associated function of the application includes at least one of the following: an associated application of the application, a function provided by the application, a system function associated with the application, or a twin application of the application. According to the foregoing solution, an application program or a function associated with an application program can be easily and quickly started.