Mobile Terminal Region-Based Icon Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals with limited display size require users to navigate through multiple top-level icons to access desired functions, making the selection process cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for mobile terminals that allow users to designate a portion of the display and apply functions intuitively, using touch operations and proximity sensing to simplify navigation and scrolling, enabling easier access to menu selections and function execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple top-level icons are provided on the display to offer various functions, then the device functionality is enhanced, but the navigation complexity increases and user operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidnavigation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into multiple regions, with each region containing function-related icons. Users can directly access functions by selecting icons within specific regions rather than navigating through multiple hierarchical levels, thereby reducing navigation complexity while maintaining comprehensive device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a regional dimension to the user interface by organizing icons into distinct display regions. This spatial organization allows users to navigate functions through regional selection rather than hierarchical icon traversal, effectively reducing the operational steps required to access various functions.

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

2Length of moving object

If the display size is kept small to maintain portability, then the device portability is improved, but the icon size must be reduced making selection more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidicon selection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the display into multiple regions, each containing a subset of function icons, the patent allows for more efficient use of the limited screen space. This regional organization enables users to locate and select functions more quickly without requiring larger icons, thus maintaining both small device size and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each display region is given distinct characteristics and organizational properties, allowing icons within each region to be optimized for their specific functional category. This local optimization enables effective use of limited screen real estate while maintaining user-friendly interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If similar function execution icons are grouped together to save space, then the display efficiency is improved, but the user must traverse through multiple top level icons to access desired functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay efficiencyVSAvoidfunction access time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments icons into functional regions and enables direct access to functions within each region. This segmentation allows users to bypass hierarchical navigation and directly select desired functions from the appropriate region, significantly reducing the time required to access functions while maintaining efficient use of display space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Functions are pre-organized into specific display regions based on their functional categories. This preliminary organization allows users to directly navigate to the relevant region and select the desired function without needing to traverse through multiple hierarchical levels, thereby reducing access time while maintaining compact display efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3070586B1Mobile terminal and user interface of mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3070586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3070586B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3070586B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of controlling a mobile terminal and which includes displaying contents on a display screen of the terminal, receiving a signal indicating a portion of the display screen on the mobile terminal has been designated, and executing, via a control unit, a preset function corresponding to an output mode of information contained in the designated portion of the display screen.