Cross-App Icon Interaction for Faster Terminal Operations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional operations for setting permissions or performing functions in multiple application programs on a terminal device are tedious and inefficient, requiring separate operations for each program.

Innovation Solution

An information processing method that allows users to perform operations on one application program to trigger corresponding actions in another program based on the display features of the first program, such as sending information, updating, or setting permissions, by dragging or sliding icons between display areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple operations are performed separately in each application program interface to set permissions or perform functions, then each operation can be completed accurately, but the operation process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate operations across different application programs into a single unified operation. By displaying icons of multiple application programs in a first display area and allowing users to perform operations on these icons collectively, the system enables batch processing of tasks such as setting permissions or updating applications across multiple programs simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of steps and time required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal operation interface that can handle multiple types of operations (permission setting, updating, uninstalling, etc.) across different application programs through a single unified interaction mechanism. The first display area serves as a universal control panel that works with various application types, allowing users to perform diverse tasks without needing to enter each application's individual interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If users need to enter each application program's interface separately to perform operations, then precise control over each program is achieved, but the device complexity and operational steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display area into two distinct functional zones: a first display area for displaying and managing icons of multiple application programs, and a second display area for showing the active application interface. This segmentation allows users to manage multiple applications from the first area while maintaining access to the active application in the second area, reducing the need to navigate through multiple interfaces separately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first display area acts as an intermediary interface between the user and multiple application programs. Instead of requiring users to directly interact with each application's internal interface, the system provides a mediating control area where users can perform operations on multiple applications collectively, simplifying the interaction model while maintaining precise control over each program

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3920012B1Information processing method and terminal device
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3920012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3920012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3920012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an information processing method and a terminal device. The information processing method comprises: in cases where at least one application program icon is displayed in the first display area, and an interface of a first application program is displayed in the second display area, receiving an input by a user to an icon of a second application program among the at least one application program icon; and in response to the input, executing a target operation in the second display area according to display features of the first application program, the target operation being associated with the second application program.