Dynamic Sidebar Icon Display for Foreground Game Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current terminal systems lack flexibility in icon display, particularly when a game application is running in the foreground, as they fixedly show preset function icons, which does not meet the dynamic operation requirements of users.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for icon display that includes a sidebar with a switch region, a shortcut function region, and a shortcut application region, allowing the display of switch icons and shortcut function icons corresponding to the game application, along with icons of target applications, enhancing flexibility and operation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If preset function icons are fixedly displayed in the menu, then the terminal can provide basic functions, but the flexibility and adaptability for game-specific operations are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of icon displayVSAvoidmenu structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic icon display by detecting whether a game application is running in the foreground. When a game is detected, the system automatically switches to displaying game-specific icons (such as screen-off hang-up icon, capture icon, etc.) instead of the default preset function icons. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the menu flexible and context-aware without requiring complex manual configuration from users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the display parameters of the menu based on the running application state. Specifically, it monitors the foreground application type and adjusts the icon set displayed accordingly - showing game-specific icons when a game is running, and default icons otherwise. This parameter-based adaptation enables versatility while maintaining a simple underlying menu structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If the terminal switches to off-screen state to perform hang-up operations, then automation is improved, but the game application may exit unexpectedly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of hang-up operationVSAvoidgame application stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a screen-off hang-up icon that allows users to pre-configure the hang-up operation while the game is still running in the foreground. When this icon is activated, the system performs the hang-up operation (simulating user operations) while maintaining the screen-on state. This preliminary configuration approach enables automation without forcing the terminal into off-screen state, thus preventing game exit while achieving automated hang-up functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The screen-off hang-up icon serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's hang-up operation requirement and the system's screen state management. Instead of directly switching to off-screen state to perform hang-up operations, the icon mediates by enabling the operation to execute in the foreground with screen-on state maintained, thus resolving the conflict between automation and game stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the menu displays general preset icons, then device complexity is minimized, but the user interaction efficiency for game-specific functions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidicon display system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the icon display based on the detected game application state. When a game is running in the foreground, the menu automatically displays game-specific functional icons (such as screen-off hang-up, capture, etc.) that are relevant to game operations. This dynamic switching improves user interaction efficiency by presenting context-appropriate icons without requiring a permanently complex icon system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The menu system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both general applications and game-specific operations. By detecting the foreground application type and automatically adjusting the displayed icons, the same menu structure achieves universal applicability - displaying appropriate icons for games when needed, and default icons for other applications, thereby improving interaction efficiency without permanently increasing system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3842905B1Icon display method and apparatus, terminal and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3842905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3842905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3842905B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method and a device for icon display, a terminal, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes the following. A user interface of a game application is displayed. A display instruction is received, where the display instruction is used to request to display a sidebar. The sidebar is displayed in response to the display instruction. The sidebar includes a switch region, a shortcut function region, and a shortcut application region, where the switch region is used to display a switch icon corresponding to the game application, the shortcut function region is used to display a shortcut function icon corresponding to the game application, and the shortcut application region is used to display an icon of a target application. According to the implementations, when the game application is running in the foreground, the icon(s) corresponding to the game application can be displayed, which increases flexibility of icon display and better meets operation requirements.