Dual-Display Electronic Device Separating Application and Operation Menus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face operability issues due to overlapping of operation menus on the display screen while running applications, which interrupts user experience, especially during tasks like viewing movies or composing emails.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-display system where an active application is displayed on one screen and operable information related to it is shown on a separate screen, allowing the user to operate without menu overlays, enhancing usability by keeping the main application screen unobstructed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operation menu screen is displayed on the same display screen as the active application, then the user can access operation information, but the display screen is overlapped and the user experience is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display functionality into separate screens: one for displaying the active application and another for displaying operation menu information. This segmentation eliminates the overlap problem while maintaining access to both the application and operation information simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-display-screen dimension to a multi-display-screen dimension, where the operation menu is presented on a separate physical screen rather than overlapping on the same screen. This dimensional change resolves the spatial conflict between application display and operation information display.
2Ease of operation
If a single display screen is used for both application and operation information, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operability is compromised due to overlapping menus
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into functionally independent screens: an application display screen and an operation information display screen. This segmentation improves operability by eliminating menu overlays while the modular nature of the segmentation keeps the added complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each display screen is designed to be multi-functional in terms of its control capabilities, with both screens capable of receiving user input and displaying relevant information. This universality justifies the additional screen by maximizing the utility of each display component.
3Loss of information
If operation menu overlays the active application screen, then the operation information is immediately visible, but the viewing experience of the application is forcibly interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into separate functional areas: the application display screen remains dedicated to showing the active application without interruption, while the operation information display screen provides immediate visibility of operation menus. This segmentation prevents viewing experience interruption while maintaining information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate operation information display screen acts as an intermediary between the user and the operation menus, allowing users to access operation information without it interfering with the application display. This intermediary screen absorbs the potential conflict between operation information display and application viewing.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and methods are disclosed. The electronic device comprises a plurality of display screens, an operation module, and a control module. The operation module is operable to be operated by a user, and the control module is electrically coupled to the display screens and the operation module, and comprises an operation display module. The operation display module is operable to display an active application from among a plurality of applications running on a first display screen from among the display screens. The operation display module is further operable to display operable information related to the active application on a second display screen, when the operation module is operated by the user.