Portable Device Display with Resizable Mini Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-screen portable devices are inconvenient for single-handed manipulation due to their size, requiring users to use two hands to grip and operate, making it difficult to access the screen's edges.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable single-handed operation by displaying a translucent reduced image on the screen, which can be adjusted in size and location, allowing users to perform functions through touch inputs, including size and movement adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the screen size is enlarged to support various functions, then the display area and functionality are improved, but the ease of single-handed manipulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen areaVSAvoidsingle-handed manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the screen into two functional zones: a large original image display area for comprehensive information presentation and a small reduced image area for interactive manipulation. This segmentation allows the screen to maintain large display area while providing a manageable interaction zone that can be easily accessed with one hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a reduced image that is a scaled-down copy of the original image. This copy retains the same functional elements (icons, buttons, information) but in a smaller format that can be easily manipulated with one hand while the original large image remains visible in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Area of stationary object

If the screen size is enlarged to support various functions, then the display capability is improved, but the accessibility to screen edges deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidaccessibility to screen edges
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interactive functionality into a separate reduced image zone that can be positioned optimally for hand access. This allows the main display area to extend to screen edges for comprehensive information display while the interaction zone remains accessible to single-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dimensional transformation by creating a scaled-down version of the interface. This reduced image exists in a different size dimension, allowing users to interact with the screen edges more easily while the original large image maintains its full display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a reduced image is displayed to enable single-handed operation, then the ease of manipulation is improved, but the display area for original content deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle-handed manipulationVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the original image and reduced image into a unified display layout where both coexist on the same screen. The original image occupies the majority of the display area for comprehensive content presentation, while the reduced image is overlaid or positioned to provide interactive functionality without significantly reducing the overall display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system serves multiple functions simultaneously: the original image provides comprehensive information display while the reduced image provides interactive manipulation capability. This multi-functionality allows the screen to maintain large display area while enabling single-handed operation through the overlaid reduced image.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3511806B1Method and apparatus for displaying a picture on a portable device
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3511806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3511806B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3511806B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method of displaying images on a screen of a portable device is provided. The method includes entering a mini mode and displaying a reduced image, which is the same as an original image with a smaller size than that of the original image, in the mini mode on the screen; detecting a touch input which is generated on the reduced image; and performing a function corresponding to the touch input.