Gesture-Based Application Preview Panel for Touchscreen Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face challenges in efficiently managing limited screen space for multiple applications, as existing methods often require users to navigate through menus or open applications fully, wasting space and battery life.

Innovation Solution

A method where a continuous gesture on the touchscreen allows users to preview information from a second application without opening it, with the amount and type of information displayed varying based on the gesture's distance and direction, enabling seamless transition between applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users open a second application fully to access its information, then complete information access is achieved, but screen space for the first application is lost and battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation access completenessVSAvoidscreen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information from the second application into a preview portion that can be displayed alongside the first application. Instead of opening the entire second application, only a segmented portion (preview panel) is shown, allowing users to access key information without sacrificing screen real estate. This is achieved through gesture-based controls that load and display a controlled subset of the second application's content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by providing a preview mechanism that displays only the necessary portion of the second application's information. Users can view a preview panel showing key details (such as message content, contact information, or file previews) without opening the full application. This partial display satisfies the information access need while conserving screen space and battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of information

If users open a second application fully to access its information, then complete information access is achieved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation access completenessVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by providing a preview mechanism that displays only the necessary portion of the second application's information. Users can view a preview panel showing key details (such as message content, contact information, or file previews) without opening the full application. This partial display satisfies the information access need while conserving screen space and battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-loading and displaying a preview panel of the second application's information before the user commits to opening the full application. The gesture-based interface allows users to preview content, assess whether they need the full application, and make an informed decision. This preliminary display reduces unnecessary application launches and associated battery consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Weight of moving object

If the display size is decreased to improve portability, then device portability is enhanced, but available screen space for multiple applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoiddisplay screen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by implementing an overlay or split-screen preview mechanism. When a user gestures toward the second application's icon, a preview panel appears in a designated area (such as the corner or edge of the screen), creating a layered display arrangement. This dimensional approach allows multiple applications to coexist visually on the limited screen space without requiring additional physical display area.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the information from the second application into a preview portion that can be displayed alongside the first application. Instead of opening the entire second application, only a segmented portion (preview panel) is shown, allowing users to access key information without sacrificing screen real estate. This is achieved through gesture-based controls that load and display a controlled subset of the second application's content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2778877B1Electronic device and method of displaying information in response to a gesture
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2778877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2778877B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2778877B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A method includes displaying information on a display of an electronic device and detecting a gesture requesting display of information associated with an application. In response to detecting the gesture and while the gesture continues, displaying the requested information and, when a touch location of the gesture is associated with the first selection option, performing a function associated with the first selection option.