Flexible Display Notification Preview via Region Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals face challenges when receiving notifications while using an extended flexible display, as users must stop their current task, check the notification, and then return to their previous task, leading to cumbersome and repetitive processes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal with a display that can switch between enlarged and reduced modes, featuring a controller that outputs a message pop-up window and button for notifications, allows users to preview and manage notifications without leaving their current task by outputting secondary applications in dedicated regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a notification is received when an extended display is used, then the user can see the notification, but the user must stop the current task to check the notification and return to the previous task

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification visibilityVSAvoidtask interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple regions: a first region for the current task and a second region for notifications. This allows notifications to be displayed in a dedicated area without interrupting the main task workflow, resolving the contradiction between notification visibility and task continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Notifications are moved from a modal overlay that interrupts the current task to a side region, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the display layout. This allows both the current task and notifications to coexist simultaneously without temporal interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If the user stops the current task to check the notification, then the notification can be fully viewed, but the user must perform repeated and cumbersome processes to return to the previous task

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification information completenessVSAvoidtask resumption ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A preview pop-up window is displayed before fully opening the notification application, showing key notification information in advance. This allows users to quickly assess notification content without fully leaving the current task, reducing the effort needed to resume work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The preview pop-up window acts as an intermediary between the notification and the full application. It provides sufficient information to decide whether to open the full app, reducing unnecessary task switches and simplifying the interaction flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the display region is enlarged to show notifications, then notification details are visible, but the current task display area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification detail visibilityVSAvoidcurrent task display area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display are allocated different functions: the first region maintains its original quality for the current task, while the second region is optimized for notification display. This local differentiation allows both tasks to have adequate display space without compromising the main task area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The display is divided into segmented regions with distinct purposes. The notification region is separated from the main task region, allowing notifications to be viewed in detail without encroaching on the current task display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3958105B1Mobile terminal and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.02.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3958105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3958105B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3958105B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A mobile terminal and a control method therefor are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a body, a communication unit configured to externally transmit and receive a signal, an input unit configured to receive user input, a display coupled to the body to vary a display region viewed from a front face of the body according to switching between an enlarged display mode and a reduced display mode, and a controller. The controller outputs a message pop-up window and a button corresponding to a notification upon receiving the notification while a first application is being output on the display, receives a first signal for selecting the button, outputs a preview pop-up window for a second application corresponding to the notification while the first signal is maintained, and outputs the second application in a first region when a dragged distance according to the first signal exceeds a first threshold value.