Gesture-Based Application Icon Grouping for Faster Folder Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing application interface elements on electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are inefficient, leading to increased power consumption and poor user experience due to the need for manual manipulation of multiple elements, especially when the number of applications is large.
Innovation Solution
A method and interface that allows application interface elements to be automatically gathered into folders by recognizing user gestures, reducing manual operations and enabling efficient management of application icons based on type, thereby conserving battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual manipulation methods are used to manage application interface elements, then users can control element positioning, but the operation efficiency decreases and power consumption increases when the number of applications is large
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically gathers application interface elements of the same type into folders based on detected user gestures, eliminating the need for manual dragging and dropping. The device serves itself by intelligently organizing icons according to gesture patterns, thereby improving operation efficiency while reducing power consumption associated with manual manipulation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification and gathering of application icons based on gesture detection before the user needs to access them. By pre-organizing elements into folders based on their types when gestures are detected, the system reduces subsequent manual operations and the associated power consumption
2Loss of time
If automatic gathering of application icons is implemented, then operation time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing gesture recognition system is extended to serve dual purposes: its original function plus automatic icon gathering. By making the gesture detection mechanism multi-functional, the system achieves automatic organization without adding separate complex hardware or dedicated processing systems, thus reducing operation time while minimizing increases in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The icon gathering function is merged with the existing gesture recognition and application management systems. By combining these functions into a unified workflow where gesture detection triggers automatic gathering, the system reduces operation time without requiring separate independent systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If more application interface elements are displayed, then application availability increases, but the time to locate and use specific applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into organized folders containing application interface elements of the same type. This segmentation allows all applications to remain available while grouping them logically, enabling users to quickly locate specific applications within relevant categories rather than searching through a flat, unorganized list, thus reducing location time while maintaining application availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional flat display of icons to a hierarchical three-dimensional structure with folders as containers. This dimensional change allows applications to be organized by type within folders while maintaining access to all applications, enabling faster location through categorical navigation rather than linear scanning
Data Source
Figure 1A-a
Figure 1A-b
Figure 1B
AI summary
As triggered by a user gesture, application interface elements that belong to applications of a same type are made movable. The movable application interface elements are automatically gathered into a same folder on a user interface. This helps a user gather application interface elements on a graphic user interface by performing a few operations, reduces manual operations of the user, saves electric power, and enhances user experience.