Context-Aware User File Grouping for Limited Mobile Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in managing and differentiating between various types of user-related data files on a device's user interface, particularly in distinguishing important from unimportant content, due to limited screen space and the inability to assign content for viewing at specific times or locations.

Innovation Solution

A method for sorting and managing user-related data files into predefined groups based on user preferences and physical location or environment, using server computing units to categorize and output data files such as emails, news, audio, and video content, with output characteristics tailored to the user's context, such as location and driving conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all individual contents are displayed on the smartphone display panel, then the user can access complete information, but the limited screen space and time frame make it impossible to view all contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay panel area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the plurality of user-related data files into multiple groups based on predefined criteria (data type, importance, user preferences). Each group can be selectively displayed or accessed, allowing the limited display panel to show only relevant portions of information at any given time while maintaining access to all segmented groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temporal and contextual dimensions for information management by assigning specific times and locations for content delivery. This transforms the problem from a 2D screen space limitation to a multi-dimensional solution where information is organized across time, location, and importance dimensions, allowing users to access complete information through contextual retrieval rather than simultaneous display.

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

2Loss of information

If all distinct information is made available to the user, then complete information is provided, but the user cannot differentiate between important and unimportant parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different characteristics to different groups of data files based on their importance and relevance. Each group is tagged with metadata indicating its significance level, allowing the system to apply different display priorities, notification methods, or access protocols to different portions of the information, making important content stand out from unimportant content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of information organization by introducing grouping criteria based on data type, importance level, and user preferences. This transforms the flat list of information into a hierarchical structure with varying parameters, enabling users to filter and prioritize information based on relevant parameters rather than presenting all information uniformly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If content is assigned for reading/viewing/listening at specific times and locations, then relevant information is delivered efficiently, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining groups of data files and assigning them specific times and locations for delivery based on user preferences and contextual information. The system prepares and organizes content in advance according to predetermined criteria, so that when the specified time and location are reached, the relevant information is already ready for efficient delivery without requiring complex real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3671483B1A method and a computer program for receiving, managing and outputting a plurality of user-related data files of different data types on a user-interface of a device and a device for storage and operation of the computer program
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 AUDI AG
  • EP3671483B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention is concerned with a method for receiving, managing and outputting a plurality of user-related data files (V1 to F2) of different data types on a user-interface (11) of a device (12). Each of the user-related data files (V1 to F2) is managed into one of at least one data group (G1, G2, G3) on a basis of at least one predefined criterion. The at least one data group (G1, G2, G3) comprises a respective predefined group output characteristic associated to a physical position of the device or a particular instant of time.The outputting of a user-related data file (V1 to F2), the associated data group (G1, G2, G3) is selected based on the respective predefined group output characteristic on one side and on a physical environment (Q1, Q2, R1, R2) on the other side.