Gesture-Based Icon Subset Display for Touchscreen Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of touch-screen devices face time-consuming challenges in searching for and launching desired applications due to the numerous icons displayed on their home screens, necessitating a more efficient method to organize and access applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where specific gestures on the touch screen are associated with subsets of icons, allowing users to display and select desired applications quickly by recognizing and performing predefined gestures, thereby filtering and organizing icons dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software applications are installed on touch-screen devices, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the time required to search for and launch desired applications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the application icons into different categories or groups (e.g., frequently used apps, work-related apps, entertainment apps). Each category can be displayed separately, allowing users to quickly locate desired applications without searching through all installed apps. This segmentation directly addresses the time-consuming search problem while maintaining full functionality access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temporary or contextual display of application subsets based on user behavior patterns, time of day, or current task context. Instead of permanently displaying all apps, the system dynamically shows only relevant subsets, reducing search time while maintaining access to all functionality when needed.
2Ease of operation
If all application icons are displayed on the home screen, then all applications are easily accessible, but the screen becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the application icons into multiple categories or groups that can be displayed separately. This segmentation reduces the number of icons visible at once, making the interface less cluttered and easier to navigate, while all applications remain accessible through category selection or navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reorganization of application icons based on user interactions, frequency of use, or contextual information. Frequently used apps can be automatically positioned for easier access, while less used apps are moved to less prominent positions or different categories, maintaining accessibility without permanent clutter.
3Ease of operation
If application icons are organized into multiple categories, then the screen organization is improved, but the time to locate a specific application may increase due to additional navigation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-organizes application icons into categories based on anticipated user needs, common usage patterns, or contextual information before the user even searches. This preliminary organization allows users to immediately see relevant categories and reduces the cognitive load required to locate applications, offsetting any additional navigation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that learn from user search patterns and automatically adjust category organization or icon positioning. When users frequently search for applications in certain categories or use specific apps, the system adapts by making those categories more prominent or positioning those apps for easier access, reducing location time over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of displaying icons in a graphical user interface displayed on a touch screen of a portable electronic device. The method includes associating, with an electronic processor of the portable electronic device, a first subset of icons of a plurality of icons with a first selected gesture. The first selected gesture has a first shape. The method further includes detecting, with the touch screen and the electronic processor of the portable electronic device, whether the first selected gesture is made on the touch screen. The method further includes displaying, with the touch screen of the portable electronic device, the first subset of icons on the touch screen when the first selected gesture is detected.