Multi-Screen Device Orientation Control for Quick App Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for opening applications on electronic devices require multiple steps and complex operations, particularly when privacy protection is not needed, leading to poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device control method that utilizes multiple display screens and sensors to display icons of applications that can be opened without unlocking, allowing direct access by orienting the device in specific ways, thereby reducing the number of steps required to open these applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user follows the traditional application opening process (unlock screen first, then open application), then security is ensured, but the number of operation steps increases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperation steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display screen into different display regions: a first display region for showing lock screen interface and a second display region for showing application icons. This allows simultaneous display of both security interface and quick-launch interface, enabling users to quickly access non-privacy applications without full unlocking while maintaining security interface visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display qualities to different regions: the first display region maintains security-oriented display characteristics (lock screen interface), while the second display region provides quick-access characteristics (application icons). This local differentiation allows simultaneous security maintenance and operation simplification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user unlocks the screen before opening any application, then all applications become accessible, but the time required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication accessibilityVSAvoidunlock time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the second display region with application icons in advance, allowing users to directly tap and open applications without completing the full unlocking process. This preliminary preparation of the quick-launch interface eliminates the time-consuming unlock step for non-privacy applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring complete unlocking (excessive action) to access any application, the patent allows partial access by displaying application icons in the second display region during the unlock process. Users can perform partial action (tapping icon) to open applications immediately without completing the full unlock sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the lock screen interface is displayed on the entire screen, then security is emphasized, but direct access to applications is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity emphasisVSAvoidapplication access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display screen into multiple regions with different functions: the first display region shows the lock screen interface for security, while the second display region shows application icons for quick access. This segmentation allows both security emphasis and application accessibility to coexist simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to the display by creating overlapping or adjacent display regions. The lock screen interface and application icons occupy different spatial zones, allowing users to access applications from a different dimensional space without compromising the security interface's prominence.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances user experience by allowing direct access to non-privacy protected applications without unlocking, while maintaining security through separate display of lock screen interfaces, thus simplifying the operation process.

Implementation Method 1

a gravity sensor is disposed on the electronic device. After the receiving a screen-on instruction entered by a user on the electronic device, the method further includes: based on a signal collected by the gravity sensor, determining that the first display screen is in the target orientation, or determining that the second display screen is in the target orientation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity sensor detection: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4027628B1Control method for electronic device, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4027628B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4027628B1 patent drawingFigure 2A(a)~2A(b)
  • EP4027628B1 patent drawingFigure 2B(a)~2B(b)

AI summary

This application provides an electronic device control method and an electronic device. The method includes: receiving a screen-on instruction entered by a user on the electronic device; when a first display screen of the electronic device is in a target orientation, displaying an icon of at least one first application on the first display screen, where the first application is an application that can be opened when the electronic device is in a locked state; and when a second display screen of the electronic device is in a target orientation, displaying a lock screen interface on the second display screen. In this way, when the user needs to open an application corresponding to non-unlocked opening, the first display screen directly faces the target orientation, so that the user can open a corresponding application by tapping an icon on the first display screen, to reduce a quantity of operation steps of the user, and provide better use experience for the user. In addition, when an icon of the application corresponding to non-unlocked opening is displayed on the first display screen, the lock screen interface is not opened, and a lock screen function is not affected, to ensure security of another application.