Dynamic Icon Layout for One-Handed Mobile Device Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of large-screen mobile devices and tablet PCs often need to use one hand to hold the device and another hand to operate application icons or virtual buttons, leading to suboptimal user experience due to the fixed arrangement of these icons or buttons.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device equipped with first and second sensing units, such as gravity sensors or gyroscopes, positioned within the housing to collect acceleration or angular velocity information, which a processing unit uses to determine how the user holds the device, allowing for dynamic rearrangement of application icons or virtual buttons based on the user's holding manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple application icons or virtual keys are provided on touch screens, then the functionality of the terminal device is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when the user holds the device with one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic rearrangement of application icons and virtual buttons based on real-time detection of user holding manner through sensing units. The layout transitions from static to dynamic, automatically adjusting icon positions and sizes according to whether the device is held in one hand or two hands, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining comprehensive functionality and ensuring ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making different regions of the touch screen have different properties based on holding detection. When one-hand holding is detected, icons in the thumb-reachable area are enlarged and positioned optimally, while other areas are adjusted accordingly. This localized optimization ensures ease of operation in the critical interaction zone while preserving overall device functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the terminal device has a large screen, then the display quality is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to use both hands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen sizeVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the interface layout dynamic by continuously monitoring device orientation and holding manner through gravity sensors and gyroscopes. Based on this data, the system automatically adjusts icon sizes, positions, and densities to optimize one-hand accessibility while preserving the full display area, thus resolving the contradiction between large screen real estate and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by analyzing the three-dimensional orientation and rotation of the device through multiple sensing units. By detecting the device's spatial posture and inferring holding manner from orientation data, the system can dynamically adjust the two-dimensional layout of icons and buttons to match the user's physical interaction context, enabling one-hand operation on large screens

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 solution enables optimized display and arrangement of application icons or virtual buttons based on the user's holding state, enhancing user experience by allowing one-handed operation without the need for the other hand.

Implementation Method 1

the first sensing unit is a first gravity sensor provided at a first position within the housing, and the first status information is first acceleration information detected by the first gravity sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity sensing: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the second sensing unit is a second gravity sensor provided at a second position within the housing, and the second status information is second acceleration information detected by the second gravity sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity sensing: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the first sensing unit is a first gyroscope provided at a first position of the housing, and the first status information is first angular velocity information detected by the first gyroscope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 4

the second sensing unit is a second gyroscope provided at a second position of the housing, and the second status information is second angular velocity information detected by the second gyroscope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentUS9574878B2Terminal device having hand shaking sensing units to determine the manner that a user holds the terminal device
Publication Date: 2017.02.21 LENOVO (BEIJING) LTD
  • US9574878B2 patent drawing
  • US9574878B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A terminal device is described that includes a housing configured to accommodate various components of the terminal device; a first sensing unit configured to collect first status information of the terminal device; a second sensing unit configured to collect second status information of the terminal device; and a processing unit configured to determine a manner that a user holds the terminal device based on the first status information and the second status information.