Multi-Window Frame Rotation Control for Independent Orientation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-window functionality on electronic devices is inconvenient when used by multiple users, as it lacks individual control over screen rotations and inputs, leading to difficulties in simultaneous task execution.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an input manager, event manager, frame manager, and orientation manager that analyzes gestures for frame rotation, identifies the relevant application, and updates frame rotation information to maintain individual settings for each window, allowing independent control of screen rotations and inputs across multiple windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-window function is implemented to allow multiple applications to run simultaneously, then task efficiency is improved, but individual control over screen rotation and input for each window is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask efficiencyVSAvoidindividual control over screen rotation and input
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into multiple independent control modules, each associated with a specific window. Each window can have its own frame rotation settings and input handling, allowing individual customization while maintaining multi-window functionality. This segmentation enables each window to be controlled independently rather than as a unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by allowing different windows to have different frame rotation states and control characteristics. Each window can be rotated independently to different angles (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) based on user preference or application requirements, rather than forcing uniform rotation across all windows. This enables tailored control for each window's specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If screen is divided into multiple windows for simultaneous task execution, then multitasking capability is improved, but screen space for each individual window is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultitasking capabilityVSAvoidscreen space per window
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic window management where windows can be freely resized and repositioned within the screen boundaries. Users can adjust the area of each window dynamically based on the specific task requirements, allowing one window to occupy more space when needed while maintaining the ability to run multiple applications simultaneously. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the fixed space allocation problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows windows to be nested or layered, where one window can be positioned in front of or behind another, and windows can be arranged in various spatial configurations. This nesting capability enables efficient use of screen real estate by allowing small windows to be placed in corners or along edges, maximizing the available screen space for each application while maintaining multitasking functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users share a single terminal, then device utilization is improved, but input control and screen orientation become inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice utilizationVSAvoidinput control and screen orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal control mechanisms that work across multiple user scenarios. The same interface and control methods can be used by different users for different windows, whether for screen rotation, input handling, or window management. This universal design enables multiple users to share the device effectively while each maintaining independent control over their respective windows and tasks.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3017361B1Electronic device and method for controlling multi-windows in the electronic device
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3017361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3017361B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP3017361B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3d

AI summary

An electronic device includes: a display unit having a display screen configured for displaying an output of multi-windows on which executions of a plurality of applications are displayed; and a controller for, when rotation of the electronic device is detected, if frame rotation information of the multi-windows are different from each other, controlling a rotation of the frames of the multi-windows such that the frame rotation information respectively set for the multi-windows are maintained and a display of the executions of the plurality of applications.