Mobile Terminal Message Input Window Segmentation and Visual Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminal systems require users to delete or copy previously composed messages and re-compose them when receiving new messages from counterparts, leading to inconvenience in modifying or sending messages.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal system with a touchscreen and controller that applies visual effects to distinguish between messages composed before and after receiving a counterpart message, allowing users to selectively send either set of messages without deleting or copying previous content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a message is composed and then another message is received from a counterpart, the user must delete or copy the previous message and re-compose it, then the message composition process is interrupted and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage composition convenienceVSAvoidtime to re-compose message

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The message input window is divided into two distinct regions: a first message input window for messages composed before receiving a counterpart message, and a second message input window for messages composed after receiving the counterpart message. This segmentation allows users to preserve both message sets simultaneously without deletion or copying, directly resolving the contradiction by eliminating the need to re-compose messages while maintaining operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically preserves the first message in the first message input window before the user needs to compose a new message. By performing this preservation action in advance (automatically maintaining the previous message), the system eliminates the need for users to manually copy or re-compose messages, thereby saving time while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If multiple messages are displayed in the same input window, the user cannot easily identify which message was composed before or after receiving a counterpart message, then message selection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage timing identificationVSAvoidmessage selection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Messages are segmented into two distinct input windows: the first message input window for messages composed before receiving a counterpart message, and the second message input window for messages composed after receiving the counterpart message. This spatial segmentation makes it immediately obvious to users which messages belong to which time period, eliminating identification difficulties while maintaining ease of selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each message input window is given distinct local characteristics (separate display regions with different identifiers), allowing users to easily distinguish between messages composed before and after receiving a counterpart message. This local differentiation resolves the identification difficulty while preserving operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the message input window is divided into multiple windows, the interface complexity increases, then the user interface becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage management flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While the message display area is divided into two windows, the input mechanism remains unified through a single virtual keyboard that serves both windows. This merging of the input interface with the segmented display area provides message management flexibility without proportionally increasing overall interface complexity, as the keyboard portion remains integrated and simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11711325B2Mobile terminal and method of controlling therefor for selectively sending messages using multiple message input windows

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a message inputted before or after a message reception can be selectively sent when a message is received from a counterpart while composing a message. The present invention includes the steps of if a counterpart message is externally received in the course of a message input to a message input window and a message is additionally inputted to the message input window, applying a visual effect to either a message inputted before receiving the counterpart message or the additionally inputted message and if a send command is received, sending a message corresponding to the send command to a counterpart, wherein the message corresponding to the send command is selected from a message having the visual effect applied thereto and a message not having the visual effect applied thereto among messages displayed on the message input window.