Composite Icon for Simultaneous Multi-Application Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face limitations in displaying and managing multiple applications simultaneously due to their small screen size and lack of efficient user interface methods, requiring users to repeatedly switch between applications, which is inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method that allows for the creation of a shortcut icon to execute multiple applications simultaneously by checking window information and generating a composite icon for simultaneous execution, enabling users to manage multiple applications with improved convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mobile device displays only one application at a time on its small screen, then the display area for each application is maximized, but the user must repeatedly switch between applications which is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConvenience of switching between applicationsVSAvoidTime required to switch between applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple application windows into a single composite icon that represents all active applications. By tapping this composite icon, the user can simultaneously access all contained applications, eliminating the need to sequentially switch between them. This combining approach resolves the contradiction by providing rapid access to multiple applications without requiring repeated switching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite icon serves as an intermediary element between the user and multiple applications. Instead of directly switching between individual application windows, the user interacts with the composite icon which mediates access to all contained applications. This intermediary mechanism efficiently bridges the gap between single-screen limitation and multi-application access need.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile device allows multiple applications to be displayed simultaneously, then the user can access multiple applications at once, but the small screen size makes it difficult to display and manage multiple windows effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to execute multiple applications simultaneouslyVSAvoidDisplay area available for each application

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display management into two levels: individual application windows are minimized and grouped together to form a composite icon. This segmentation allows multiple applications to be simultaneously accessible without requiring full window display, effectively managing the limited screen area while maintaining multi-application capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composite icon employs a nested structure where multiple application window representations are contained within a single icon. This nesting approach allows multiple applications to be packed into a space-efficient format that fits within the mobile device's limited display area, while still maintaining access to all nested applications through the single icon interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If a mobile device requires users to end one application to execute another, then the system manages memory and resources efficiently, but the user experience becomes inconvenient when needing to use multiple applications frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEfficiency of application executionVSAvoidConvenience of application switching

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-grouping frequently used applications into a composite icon before the user needs them. This preparation allows the user to access multiple applications simultaneously through a single tap, rather than sequentially ending and starting applications. The preliminary grouping resolves the contradiction by maintaining system efficiency while dramatically improving user convenience for multi-application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11256389B2Display device for executing a plurality of applications and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A display device for executing a plurality of applications and a method for controlling the display device are provided. The method includes displaying a plurality of windows in which applications are executed respectively, receiving an iconize input for executing the plurality of windows, checking window information about each of the plurality of windows and discontinuing the displaying of the plurality of windows, and generating a shortcut icon for executing the plurality of windows simultaneously, based on the checked window information.