Touch-Sensitive Display Window Merging Multiple Application Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in efficiently managing limited screen space, requiring users to navigate through multiple applications separately, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a detected gesture on the touch-sensitive display allows simultaneous or sequential viewing of information from multiple applications within the same window, using actuators for tactile feedback and force sensors to differentiate inputs, enabling quick access to additional application information without navigating through menus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If users navigate through multiple applications separately to access different information sources, then each application can be displayed in full detail, but the time required to access information from multiple sources increases and usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to access information from multiple applicationsVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines information from multiple applications into a single unified display window. When a user performs a gesture (such as hovering or pressing) on a displayed item, the system merges the current application's information with the selected application's information in one window, eliminating the need to switch between applications and reducing access time while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display window is designed to serve multiple functions: it can display information from the current application, switch to display information from selected applications, and provide gesture-based navigation. This multi-functionality allows the same window to handle various information sources without requiring separate navigation processes for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display window shows information from multiple applications simultaneously, then access to multiple information sources is improved, but the complexity of managing display space and information organization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to multiple information sourcesVSAvoidcomplexity of managing display space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display window dynamically adapts its content based on user gestures. When a user hovers or presses on a displayed item, the window transitions between showing current application information and selected application information. This dynamic behavior allows the system to manage display complexity by showing only relevant information at any given moment rather than all information simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gesture-based interaction serves as an intermediary between the user and the multiple applications. Instead of directly managing multiple application windows, the user interacts with the current display through gestures, which triggers the system to mediate and display information from selected applications in a controlled manner, simplifying the management of display space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If touch-sensitive display size is decreased to improve portability, then device portability is improved, but the amount of information that can be displayed at once is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the limited display area by adding the time dimension to information access. Instead of displaying all information spatially at once, the system allows users to access additional information from selected applications through gestures, effectively expanding the information capacity beyond the physical display limits by utilizing temporal sequencing of information presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows users to view and interact with information from multiple sources, such as emails and calendars, in a single window, reducing the need to switch applications and improving usability by providing quick access to relevant data through intuitive gestures.

Implementation Method 1

the actuator may include one or more piezoelectric devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

the force sensor may include one or more piezoresistive devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8689146B2Electronic device and method of displaying information in response to input

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 BLACKBERRY LTD

AI summary

A method includes displaying, in a window or field, first information associated with a first source running on a portable electronic device and detecting an input to display second information associated with a second source. After the detecting, second information associated with the second source and the first information in the window or field is displayed.