Edge Gesture Application Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for selecting a previously-interacted-with application on a display are often confusing, inefficient, and not universally applicable across different devices, leading to a poor user experience due to the need for onscreen controls, hardware buttons, or complex gesture-based selections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing edge gestures that allow users to easily switch back to previously-interacted-with applications by swiping at the edge of the display, eliminating the need for onscreen controls and hardware buttons, and enabling quick access without requiring users to remember specific gestures or hardware configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If onscreen controls are used to select previously-interacted-with applications, then application selection is enabled, but display space is consumed and user experience deteriorates due to the need to find and select controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application selection function from the display area by implementing hardware-based selection mechanisms (hot keys, buttons, or other input devices) that operate independently of the visual display. This allows application switching to occur without occupying any display real estate, as the selection is made through separate hardware input channels rather than onscreen controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hardware input devices as an intermediary between the user and the application selection process. These intermediaries (hot keys, buttons, or other input mechanisms) translate user intent into application selection without requiring the display to present visual controls, thus mediating the interaction in a way that preserves display space while maintaining ease of operation.
2Area of stationary object
If hardware buttons or hot keys are used for application selection, then display space is preserved, but device complexity increases and universality decreases across different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hardware selection mechanism that can be adapted to work across different device types and configurations. The system detects the presence and type of hardware input devices (buttons, hot keys, or other input mechanisms) and configures the application selection process accordingly, allowing the same underlying mechanism to function universally across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other computing devices regardless of specific hardware variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the hardware selection mechanism based on device characteristics. The system modifies parameters such as the specific hot key combinations, button mappings, or input device configurations to match the capabilities of each device type, thereby maintaining universality and adaptability across diverse hardware platforms while preserving display space.
3Area of stationary object
If complex gesture-based controls are implemented for application selection, then display space is preserved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for multiple user actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex gesture-based mechanical interactions with simpler hardware-based selection mechanisms. Instead of requiring users to perform multiple touch gestures, swipes, or complex finger movements, the system utilizes straightforward hardware inputs such as hot keys, buttons, or single-action input devices that directly trigger application selection, thereby substituting a simpler mechanical interaction model that preserves both display space and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for switching back to a previously-interacted-with application. In some embodiments, these techniques and apparatuses enable selection of a user interface not currently exposed on a display through a simple gesture that is both easy-to-use and remember.