Multi-Task Floating Ball Processing to Reduce Screen Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices display floating balls that persist on the screen, obstructing foreground applications and degrading user experience due to their inability to manage multiple floating balls effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves detecting preset conditions to display multiple floating balls, adjusting their states based on time validity characteristics, and aggregating them to reduce screen blocking, allowing users to quickly access necessary information while minimizing display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple floating balls are displayed simultaneously to provide diverse information, then information provision capability is improved, but screen blocking and obstruction to foreground applications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation provision capabilityVSAvoidscreen blocking
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The floating ball dynamically changes its display state between expanded and collapsed forms based on user interaction. When first displayed, it shows in expanded form with full information. After a preset time without user operation, it automatically collapses to show only the application icon, reducing screen blocking while preserving quick access functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display parameters of the floating ball are changed over time. The system modifies the display content from showing both application icon and prompt information to showing only the application icon, effectively adjusting the information density and visual footprint based on temporal conditions and user engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If floating balls are displayed in expanded state with full information, then information visibility is improved, but display area occupation and blocking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation visibilityVSAvoiddisplay area occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The floating ball transitions from a static expanded state to a dynamic state that automatically collapses after a preset time period. This dynamic behavior allows the same object to serve different functions at different times: providing full information initially, then reducing to a minimal persistent indicator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a time-based periodic action where the floating ball displays full information for a preset duration, then automatically transitions to a collapsed state. This temporal rhythm balances information provision with screen space management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If floating balls automatically collapse after preset time, then screen blocking is reduced, but user access speed to information may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen blockingVSAvoiduser access speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by displaying the floating ball in expanded form with complete information immediately upon generation. This ensures that if the user needs the information, it is already visible and accessible without requiring additional interactions or delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floating ball's automatic collapse function operates dynamically based on user interaction patterns. The system monitors user operations and adjusts the display state accordingly, collapsing only when no interaction occurs within the preset time, thus preserving quick access when needed while reducing blocking when not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4270911B1Suspended ball processing method in multi-tasking scenario, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4270911B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4270911B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP4270911B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

This application provides a floating ball processing method in a multitasking scenario and an electronic device. The method may be applied to electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers. When a preset condition is met, the electronic device can display a floating ball matching the preset condition. The electronic device can display a plurality of floating balls meeting preset conditions, to avoid a case that floating balls generated later crowd floating balls generated earlier, consequently affecting the user experience. In addition, the electronic device can set personalized floating ball display rules according to the time validity characteristics of different floating ball services. For a plurality of floating balls displayed simultaneously, the electronic device can also set a combination display rule for combined display of floating balls, to avoid blocking to the foreground application due to an excessively large quantity of floating balls.