Multi-Display Content Preview Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in navigating and viewing detailed content on small display devices, such as smartphones, due to limited screen size and graphical user interface restrictions, requiring cumbersome selection and opening of items to access more information.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a first electronic device with a processor to display a list of items on a first display and send associated content to a second display for preview, allowing simultaneous viewing of item lists and content previews without user selection, using communication between connected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If content is displayed on a small display device, then portability is improved, but content visibility and detail are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the display experience from a single small display to multiple displays including a second display device. Content is distributed across different spatial dimensions - the first display shows the list of items while the second display shows detailed content, effectively increasing the total display area without compromising the portability of the primary device.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The display functionality is segmented between two separate display devices. The first display device handles the list of items while the second display device handles detailed content display. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing both portability and large display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If detailed content is displayed for each item, then information completeness is improved, but interface complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent detail visibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detailed content display function is extracted from the first display device and placed on a separate second display device. This extraction reduces the interface complexity of the primary device while ensuring that no information is lost, as the detailed content is displayed elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If user selects items to view content, then processing efficiency is improved, but operation time is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent access efficiencyVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively displays detailed content on the second display device before the user actually needs to view it. As the user navigates through the list on the first display, the corresponding detailed content is automatically prepared and displayed on the second display, eliminating the need for users to wait for content to load after selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying detailed content on the second display device as the user navigates the list on the first display. This real-time feedback mechanism keeps users informed about available content without requiring them to actively select or request each item, reducing navigation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2770709B1Methods and devices for displaying content
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2770709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2770709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2770709B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and devices for navigating lists of items using multiple displays are described. An example method is implemented on an electronic device having a first display. The method includes displaying a list of items on the first display, at least one of the list of items having respective associated content not visible in the displayed list of items; and while displaying the list of items on the first display, sending the associated content for one or more of the at least one item to a second display for display on the second display.