Mobile Terminal Icon and Widget Management via Touch Gestures

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of downloaded applications on mobile terminals increases, so does the number of icons and widgets, leading to cluttered display units and decreased user convenience in managing and organizing these applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for a mobile terminal that allows for easy creation and management of icons and widgets on the display unit, enabling users to download and organize applications, icons, and widgets in a user-friendly manner, with specific touch gestures controlling the display and interaction between icons and widgets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of downloaded applications increases, then the functionality and application variety improve, but the display unit becomes cluttered and user convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication varietyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments icons and widgets as separate, independently manageable elements on the display unit. Each application can have its icon and widget separately created, positioned, and organized, allowing users to divide and conquer the organization task rather than managing a monolithic cluttered interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to display organization by allowing icons and widgets to be arranged in multiple layers and positions on the display unit. Users can place icons and widgets at different locations, create folders to group them, and manage them in a multi-dimensional space rather than a flat single-layer interface.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of downloaded applications increases, then the functionality improves, but the display space utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication varietyVSAvoiddisplay space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges icons and widgets into a unified display management system where both elements coexist on the same display unit and can be interacted with using similar gestures. This consolidation allows for more efficient use of display space by eliminating the need for separate management interfaces and allowing flexible arrangement of both element types together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic display environment where icons and widgets can be freely moved, resized, and repositioned by users. The display layout is not fixed but adapts to user preferences and available space, allowing optimal utilization of display area regardless of the number of applications installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If more icons and widgets are downloaded, then the application functionality increases, but the complexity of managing these elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal touch gestures that work for both icons and widgets, such as long-pressing to select, dragging to move, and pinching to resize. This multi-functional approach means users learn one set of gestures that apply to all display elements, reducing the cognitive load and complexity of managing diverse application interfaces.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages certain aspects of icon and widget organization, such as providing snap-to-grid alignment when moving elements, automatically adjusting positions to prevent overlap, and offering contextual menus for batch operations. These self-service features reduce the manual effort required to manage numerous display elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2600235B1Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2600235B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2600235B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2600235B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a display unit including a touchscreen; a memory configured to store a specific application, an application icon for executing the specific application, and a first widget application displaying a partial executed function of the specific application; and a controller configured to when receiving a first touch gesture on the application icon, execute the specific application, and when receiving a second touch gesture on the application icon that is different than the first touch gesture, control the display unit to display the first widget application on the touchscreen.