Fan-Shaped Icon Arrangement for One-Handed Mobile Terminal Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As LCD screens on mobile terminals increase in size, users find it difficult to conveniently manipulate icons with one hand, especially since existing solutions do not effectively accommodate both left- and right-handed users, limiting the range of icon manipulation and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal with a fan-shaped icon arrangement method that positions frequently used icons within a user's thumb movement range, allowing for easy access and adjustment, and can be customized for left- and right-handed users by displaying the icon display unit at the lower end of the screen on either side, with options for fixed or rotational arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If LCD screen size is increased, then display area and functionality are improved, but ease of operation with one hand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The icon display unit is segmented from the full screen and positioned as a separate interactive region at the lower end of the screen. This segmentation allows users to operate icons within a confined, thumb-accessible area while the rest of the screen maintains its large display area for content viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The icon display unit is localized to a specific region (lower end of the screen) with optimized characteristics for finger operation. This local region has different functional properties compared to the rest of the screen, creating a specialized zone for easy one-handed interaction.
2Ease of manufacture
If icons are arranged in generated order, then implementation simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different user preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The icon arrangement transitions from a static generated order to a dynamic configurable layout. Users can select different arrangement patterns (sequential, fan-shaped, circular) and positions (left or right side) based on their hand preference, making the system adaptable to individual user needs while maintaining simple implementation through predefined patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system supports asymmetric arrangements by allowing icons to be displayed on either the left or right side of the screen, and providing different arrangement patterns (sequential vs. fan-shaped). This asymmetry accommodates different user preferences and hand orientations without requiring complex adaptive algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile terminal (100) in which icons are arranged in a fan-shape within a finger movement range to allow users to freely touch the icons, and a fan-shaped icon arrangement method are provided. The fan-shaped icon arrangement method of a mobile terminal includes: storing registered icons and configuration information; displaying an icon display unit (50) having a predetermined shape including registered icons within an movement range of a user's thumb according to the configuration information; displaying one or more registered icons the user frequently uses on the icon display unit (50); and executing a particular icon of the icon display unit (50) according to a touch input.