Individual Application Lock Mechanism for Touch Screen Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in managing multiple applications due to limited screen size and input capabilities, leading to inconvenience in multitasking and security concerns when sharing devices, as existing screen lock technologies lock the entire screen rather than specific applications.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method that allows individual windows to be locked instead of the entire screen, enabling users to display only specific applications and require a password for unlocking, thereby enhancing privacy and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional screen lock technology is used to lock the entire screen, then user privacy is protected, but the user cannot access any applications including those that should remain accessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidapplication accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the screen into multiple independent windows, each capable of being locked or unlocked individually. This segmentation allows selective access control where specific applications can be locked while others remain accessible, resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and application accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire screen is locked to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the device becomes completely unusable by other users

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different security states to different regions (windows) of the screen. Each window can have its own lock status, allowing some areas to be secure while others remain accessible. This local quality approach enables shared device usage while maintaining security for specific applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are executed simultaneously on a mobile device, then multitasking capability is improved, but the limited screen size makes it difficult to manage and access each application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultitasking capabilityVSAvoidapplication management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-application sequential execution to multi-application simultaneous display by utilizing the screen space dimension. Multiple windows are displayed concurrently on the same screen, allowing users to access and manage multiple applications simultaneously without switching between them, thus improving multitasking capability while maintaining ease of operation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2741199B1Application individual lock mechanism for a touch screen device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2741199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2741199B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2741199B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method of controlling a display device that displays an application execution window on a screen of the display device is provided. The method includes displaying at least one windows, each of the at least one window displaying an application, determining whether a lock command is input into a particular window of the at least one window, and if it is determined that the lock command is input, displaying only a window into which the lock command has been input in a locked state.