Mobile List Display with Segmented Viewable and Aggregated Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile terminal displays fail to provide users with holistic information about all list items due to limited screen size, requiring repetitive scrolling and lacking information about items outside the visible area.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for displaying lists on a mobile terminal that classifies items into viewable and aggregated categories, using a touchscreen and display unit to show viewable items in one region and aggregated items in another, with aggregated items displayed in an aggregated form, such as tilted or overlapping, to convey the presence and quantity of unseen items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If the display screen size is limited, then the device portability is improved, but the user cannot view all list items simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidvisibility of all list items
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the list display into multiple regions: a first region displaying a first subset of list items and a second region displaying a second subset of list items. This segmentation allows the limited display area to show multiple portions of the list simultaneously, enabling users to view more information without requiring a larger screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional linear list display to a two-dimensional grid layout where list items are arranged across multiple regions. This dimensional change allows the display to utilize both horizontal and vertical space efficiently, showing more list items within the same screen real estate.

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

2Area of stationary object

If conventional scrolling is used to view all list items, then the display area is maintained, but the user experience deteriorates due to repetitive scrolling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the list into multiple simultaneously visible regions, the patent eliminates the need for sequential scrolling to view different portions of the list. Users can see multiple subsets of items at once, making navigation more efficient and improving overall user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides visual indicators in the first region that show the presence and quantity of additional list items in the second region. This feedback mechanism informs users about unseen content without requiring them to scroll, enhancing their awareness and control over the displayed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If only visible area items are displayed, then the display is simple, but users lack holistic information about all list items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay simplicityVSAvoidholistic information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display into a first region showing a first subset of list items and a second region showing a second subset of list items. This segmentation allows the display to maintain relative simplicity while simultaneously presenting multiple portions of the list, providing users with holistic information without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces visual indicators as an intermediary element that communicates information about the second subset of list items to users viewing the first region. These indicators serve as a mediator that conveys the presence and quantity of additional items without requiring users to navigate to the second region, thus providing holistic information while maintaining display simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2649510B1Method and apparatus for displaying lists
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2649510B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2649510B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2649510B1 patent drawingFigure 5a

AI summary

A list display method and apparatus are disclosed. The list display method, for a terminal having a display unit, includes detecting a necessity for displaying a list, classifying list items into viewable items and aggregated items, displaying the viewable items in the list view region and displaying information regarding the aggregated items in the list aggregate region. Responsive to inputs aggregate items may be classified as viewable items and corresponding ones of the viewable items are classified as aggregate items.