Lock Screen Image Layout with Widget-Aware Background Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack an efficient method for users to customize and optimize the layout of lock screens, including the positioning and sizing of visual objects and background images, which can result in cluttered and aesthetically unpleasing displays.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device is equipped with a display that allows users to edit the lock screen layout by concurrently displaying a background image and widget objects, enabling users to move and adjust the position and size of visual objects relative to a visual object region, resulting in a more organized and personalized lock screen display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users can freely position widget objects on the lock screen, then customization flexibility is improved, but layout organization and visual appeal deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization flexibilityVSAvoidlayout organization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The lock screen is divided into distinct regions: a background image region and multiple widget object regions. Each region has specific positioning constraints that segment the overall layout into organized zones, preventing random placement while maintaining customization flexibility within each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically adjusts the background image positioning based on widget object locations. When users place widget objects in specific regions, the system intermediarily shifts the background image to maintain optimal visual balance, thus organizing the layout while preserving user customization freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the background image covers the entire lock screen, then visual coverage is improved, but widget object visibility and layout control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground image coverageVSAvoidlayout control

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The background image positioning is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts the background image position and size based on the locations of widget objects. When users place widgets in different regions, the background image dynamically repositions to maintain optimal visibility and layout control, resolving the contradiction between full coverage and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the background image (position, size, scale) based on the widget object configuration. By dynamically modifying these parameters, the system maintains full visual coverage while enabling precise layout control, as the background image adapts its parameters in response to user placements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust both background image and widget positions, then layout precision is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout precisionVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service functionality where placing a widget object automatically triggers automatic background image positioning. Users only need to place the widget object, and the system autonomously adjusts the background image to the correct position, eliminating the need for manual background image adjustment and reducing operation complexity while maintaining layout precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically positioning the background image in advance when a user places a widget object. This preliminary automatic positioning eliminates the need for users to manually adjust the background image afterward, reducing the number of操作步骤 (operation steps) while achieving precise layout results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250217020A1Electronic device for determining layout of image and one or more visual objects in lock screen and method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device according to an embodiment concurrently displays a first background image of a lock screen and a widget object corresponding to a widget of the lock screen in an edit screen for editing the lock screen. The first background image includes a visual object region obtained using a source image. The electronic device receives a second input for moving the widget object via the edit screen. The electronic device edits the lock screen for obtaining a second background image using the source image such that the visual object region is positioned away from the widget object moved by the second input, in response to releasing the second input corresponding to the widget object moved to at least partially superimposed on the visual object region included in the first background image. The second background image is displayed in the lock screen, with the widget moved according to the second input.