Portable Device Popup Menu Offloading to Sub-Device Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face limitations in displaying user interfaces due to their small screen size, leading to inconvenience when using applications that require extensive interaction with menus and settings, as these often obstruct the main work region.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a sub-device connected to the portable electronic device via wireless or wired communication to display popup menus and UI elements, allowing these to be accessed on a secondary display, such as a smartwatch or wristwatch, thereby keeping the primary screen clear for application work regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If popup menus are displayed on the portable electronic device screen, then user access to settings and functions is improved, but the main work region is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to settings and functionsVSAvoidmain work region area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into two separate displays: the portable electronic device displays the main work region, while the sub device displays popup menus and settings. This spatial segmentation allows both the main work area and control interfaces to be simultaneously accessible without overlapping or obstructing each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sub device acts as an intermediary between the user and the portable electronic device. It receives control signals from the portable device and displays the corresponding popup menus and settings, serving as a mediator that transfers the interaction burden from the main device screen to a secondary display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the portable electronic device screen size is increased, then display area for applications is improved, but portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the display capabilities of two separate devices: the portable electronic device maintains its small size for portability, while the sub device (such as a smartwatch) provides additional display area. Together, they create a combined display system that offers both compact portability and extended screen real estate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2994810B1Method and apparatus for displaying user interface through sub device that is connectable with portable electronic device

Publication Date: 2022.10.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A method and apparatus for displaying a User Interface (UI) in a portable electronic device through a sub device is provided. The method includes sensing, by the portable electronic device, an input corresponding to displaying of a popup menu, which is provided by an application, on the sub device, transmitting UI configuration information corresponding to the popup menu to the sub device, receiving, from the sub device, user input data corresponding to a user input sensed on the popup menu that is displayed on the sub device, and controlling execution of the application in response to the received user input data.