Picture-Based Application Startup Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face cumbersome operations when switching between multiple applications on a terminal device, requiring frequent searches and keyword entries, leading to poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal device determines the corresponding application based on anchor information related to a pre-stored picture, allowing users to start applications by touching the picture, and displays an operation interface, simplifying the process and improving user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users search through all installed applications to find the desired application, then the terminal device can provide comprehensive application access, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveApplication startup operationVSAvoidTime to find and open application
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores pictures from applications and establishes a mapping relationship between pictures and applications before the user needs to access them. When a user wants to access an application, they can directly tap on the pre-stored picture instead of searching through all applications, thus saving time and effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy (picture) of the application interface and stores it separately. This picture serves as a shortcut that represents the application, allowing users to access the application by interacting with the picture copy rather than navigating through the full application list.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the terminal device stores and maps pictures to applications, then application access becomes faster and easier, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveApplication access speedVSAvoidSystem structure for picture-application mapping
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a picture as an intermediary element between the user and the application. The picture serves as a mediator that carries information about the application and enables direct access. The mapping relationship between pictures and applications acts as an intermediary index structure that simplifies the search process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are installed on the terminal device, then functional versatility is improved, but the difficulty of locating specific applications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveApplication functionalityVSAvoidApplication location operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the application access process into two parts: the comprehensive application list (maintaining versatility) and the picture-based quick access interface (simplifying location). By separating these functions, the system can maintain multiple applications while providing a simplified, picture-driven interface for rapid access to specific applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3855311B1Method and device for starting application
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3855311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3855311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3855311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides an application startup method and apparatus. The method includes: after receiving a first touch operation for a picture, determining, based on anchor information related to the picture, an application corresponding to the picture, where the anchor information includes at least one of the following information: identification information of the application to which the picture belongs, and content information of the picture; and starting the application corresponding to the picture, and displaying, in the application, an operation interface corresponding to the picture. The application startup method and apparatus provided in this application can simplify a user operation and improve user experience.