Mobile-to-External Display Desktop Mode With Adaptive Window Layouts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for connecting mobile terminals to external displays are limited to clone mode and video only mode, fail to efficiently utilize displays of different sizes, and require additional input devices, especially when the mobile terminal has a touchscreen.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for desktop virtualization that allows a mobile terminal to interoperate with an external display device, enabling distinct window layouts and input methods, including touchscreen control, without the need for extra input devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile terminal uses clone mode or video only mode to connect to external display, then the connection function is achieved, but the screen utilization efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection functionVSAvoidscreen utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The external display screen is divided into multiple regions (first region for mobile terminal screen, second region for additional content). This segmentation allows different content to be displayed simultaneously in different areas, improving screen utilization efficiency while maintaining connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the display from a single-screen mobile terminal to a multi-region external display environment, adding spatial dimensionality. By utilizing the external display's additional screen real estate, the system transforms the limited mobile screen into a gateway for broader external display capabilities.

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

2Device complexity

If the mobile terminal supports only one layout for external display, then the implementation is simple, but the display efficiency for different screen sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout implementationVSAvoiddisplay efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the layout configuration based on the external display's screen size and characteristics. Different layout modes (first layout for certain screen sizes, second layout for others) are automatically selected, enabling the display system to adapt to various screen dimensions while maintaining efficient content presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes display parameters (layout mode, region allocation) according to the external display's screen size. By monitoring screen dimensions and adjusting layout parameters accordingly, the system optimizes display efficiency across different device types without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the mobile terminal requires extra external input devices to control external display, then the control function is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidinput device requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal's existing touchscreen input unit is made multi-functional, serving both its original purpose and as a controller for the external display. By enabling the touchscreen to control external display content directly, the system eliminates the need for separate external input devices while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control function for the external display is merged with the mobile terminal's existing touchscreen interface. Instead of requiring separate input devices, the system combines the control capabilities into the mobile terminal itself, reducing overall device complexity while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4415338B1Method for connecting mobile terminal and external display and apparatus implementing the same
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4415338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4415338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4415338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile terminal comprising a communication interface configured to communicatively connect to an external display device. The mobile terminal further comprises a display; and a controller configured to: while the mobile terminal is communicatively connected to the external display device via the communication interface, execute a desktop mode whereby the mobile terminal transmits a default desktop window screen, via the communication interface to the external display device. While the mobile terminal is communicatively connected to the external display device via the communication interface, and while the external display device is displaying the default desktop window screen including a plurality of desktop shortcut icons corresponding to a plurality of applications executable on the external display device, the controller is configured to determine whether a control event for a desktop window environment task occurs, wherein a control event is a user input for selecting one of the plurality of desktop shortcut icons displayed on the external display device. If a control event occurs, the controller is configured to execute an application represented by the selected shortcut icon and transmit to the external device an application desktop window screen having a layout appropriate for the desktop window environment of the external display device.