Scenario-Based Folder Layout for Integrated Service Widgets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current use scenarios of service widgets and folders on electronic devices are limited, leading to poor user experience due to cumbersome operations and inadequate integration of application-related information.

Innovation Solution

An interaction method that enables the display of scenario-based folders and service widgets on user interfaces, allowing users to view and edit these elements through swipe-up and swipe-down operations, and supports features like pinning and editing for enhanced user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If service widgets and application icons are displayed separately on the desktop, then each element can be independently accessed, but the user experience becomes cumbersome and operations become complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines service widgets and application icons into a single integrated folder structure. When a user opens a folder, both the application icons and their corresponding service widgets are displayed together in one interface, eliminating the need to separately manage and access these elements across multiple locations. This merging approach directly reduces interface complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple service widgets are displayed on the desktop, then quick access to application functions is improved, but desktop space is consumed and layout flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice access speedVSAvoiddesktop space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where service widgets are contained within folder interfaces alongside application icons. Instead of displaying all service widgets directly on the desktop, they are nested within their corresponding application folders. This allows users to access service widgets quickly when needed by opening the relevant folder, while keeping the desktop space available for other purposes when the folders are closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If folders contain only application icons, then folder organization is simple, but integration of application-related information and widgets is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolder functionalityVSAvoidapplication information integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the traditional folder into a multi-functional container that serves multiple purposes: it organizes application icons, displays corresponding service widgets, and provides a unified interface for accessing both applications and their related functions. This universal folder design enhances adaptability by allowing the same folder structure to handle diverse content types (icons and widgets) while preventing information loss through integrated display of all application-related elements in one place.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4711905A1Interaction method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4711905A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4711905A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4711905A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

This application discloses an interaction method and an electronic device. The electronic device may create one or more scenario-based folders. In addition to an icon of an application, a service widget may be added to the scenario-based folder. In addition, on a user interface obtained by expanding the scenario-based folder, in addition to icons of a plurality of applications included in the scenario-based folder, one or more service widgets provided by a part of or all the plurality applications, and/or more service widgets of a same type may be displayed. The user may view all service widgets through swipe-up and swipe-down operations, and may further perform an editing operation (for example, pin on top) on the service widget, making it convenient and quick, and improving user experience.