Multi-Workspace Tile Management on Small Screens
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Solution Overview
Problem
On small-form-factor devices like smartphones, managing multiple software applications across different workspaces is inefficient due to limited screen space, requiring users to navigate through multiple pages and lack of traditional input methods.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to switch between single and multi-workspace modes, displaying multiple workspaces in reduced size on the screen, enabling users to select and move or copy tiles between workspaces using touch gestures and icons, facilitating easier organization and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple workspaces are displayed on a small screen, then the quantity of applications visible increases, but the area available for each application decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is segmented into multiple workspace thumbnails, each showing a subset of applications. This allows the system to present multiple workspaces simultaneously on a small screen, enabling users to see and access applications across different workspaces without requiring a large display area for each individual application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-workspace view to a multi-workspace view, adding a dimensional aspect by displaying workspaces in a thumbnail format. This dimensional change allows users to navigate between workspaces more efficiently on small screens by seeing multiple workspaces at once rather than sequentially.
2Area of moving object
If traditional keypads or keyboards are removed to save space, then the device size decreases, but the ease of input methods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical input methods (keypads, keyboards) with touch-based interaction. Users interact with workspace thumbnails and application tiles through touch gestures, eliminating the need for physical keypads while maintaining ease of operation on mobile devices.
3Ease of operation
If tiles are moved between workspaces manually page by page, then the organization improves, but the time required for navigation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays thumbnails of multiple workspaces in advance, allowing users to see all workspaces before initiating a tile move operation. This preliminary view enables users to quickly identify the destination workspace without navigating through pages sequentially, reducing navigation time while maintaining organization capability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one disclosed embodiment, an approach is provided in which a multi-workspace request is received at a machine while the machine is operating in a single workspace mode and while the machine is displaying a first single workspace on a display screen accessible by the machine. The machine includes a number of single workspaces and each of the single workspaces has spaces to display a number of tiles that each correspond to an application. A multi-workspace mode is displayed on the display screen, with the displaying of the multi-workspace mode including displaying a set of the single workspaces on the display screen. Each of the set of single workspaces is displayed in a reduced size in comparison to the single workspace mode.