Mobile Terminal Split-Display Control Through Segmented Icons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile terminals lack effective methods for individually controlling split regions of a flexible display, leading to inconvenience when multiple applications are executed simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal with a flexible display that includes a controller to manage functions in selected regions based on signals for icons, allowing control of brightness, resolution, and resource distribution across split display areas, and enabling simultaneous management of multiple applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display is split into multiple regions to execute multiple applications simultaneously, then the functionality and versatility of the terminal is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to individually control each region

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple independent controllable regions (first display region and second display region), each capable of executing different applications. The icon is segmented into multiple indicators, where each indicator corresponds to a specific display region, enabling selective control of individual regions through the icon interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The icon serves as an intermediary control interface between the user and the split display regions. By displaying multiple indicators within the icon, it mediates the control process, allowing users to select and control specific regions without directly interacting with the complex multi-region display system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple applications are executed in split regions, then the productivity and multitasking capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to lack of individual region control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The icon is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a general application launcher and as a specific control interface for split display regions. The multiple indicators within the icon provide universal control capability across different regions and applications, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each region.

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

3Area of stationary object

If the display region is enlarged to show more information, then the quantity of information displayed is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling specific regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay regionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is added in a new dimension (the icon with multiple indicators) that is separate from the display region itself. This allows users to control specific regions through the icon dimension rather than requiring direct interaction with the enlarged display area, maintaining ease of operation even as the display region expands.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3940522B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3940522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3940522B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3940522B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A mobile terminal and a control method therefor are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a body, an input unit configured to receive user input, a display coupled to the body to vary a display region viewed from a front face of the body according to switching between an enlarged display mode and a reduced display mode, and a controller. The controller receives a first signal in a state in which at least two applications are being executed in split regions of the display, controls output of an icon according to the first signal, controls selection of at least one region among the split regions based on a second signal for the icon, and controls a function of an application which is being executed in a selected region based on a third signal for the icon.