Touchscreen UI for Seamless Phone Call and App Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, do not effectively support multitasking, requiring users to suspend or terminate phone calls to access other applications, which is inconvenient, especially when the new application is related to the ongoing call.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a touch-sensitive display and graphical user interface allows users to interact with multiple applications simultaneously by detecting activation of menu icons and maintaining phone calls while displaying application menus and switching between phone and non-telephone services through finger gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user activates another application during a phone call, then the user can access additional functionality, but the user must suspend or terminate the phone call
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of applications based on user interaction. When a phone call is active, the system allows other applications to be activated but automatically suspends them when the user returns to the phone application, creating a dynamic multitasking environment that adapts to user needs without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that manages the transition between phone call and other applications. This intermediary handles the suspension and resumption of applications automatically, serving as a mediator that resolves the conflict between accessing additional functionality and maintaining phone call continuity
2Productivity
If the system allows simultaneous access to multiple applications, then user productivity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where applications automatically suspend and resume based on system state changes. When the user activates the phone application during a call, previously activated applications are automatically suspended without requiring user management, and can be automatically resumed when deactivated, reducing the complexity burden on the user
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device displays, on a touch screen display, a user interface for a phone application during a phone call. In response to detecting activation of a menu icon or menu button, the UI for the phone application is replaced with a menu of application icons, while maintaining the phone call. In response to detecting a finger gesture on a non-telephone service application icon, displaying a user interface for the non-telephone service application while continuing to maintain the phone call, the UI for the non-telephone service application including a switch application icon that is not displayed in the UI when there is no ongoing phone call. In response to detecting a finger gesture on the switch application icon, replacing display of the UI for the non-telephone service application with a respective UI for the phone application while continuing to maintain the phone call.