Sleep Mode Indicator for Portable Terminal Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable terminals with both sleep mode and lock mode require multiple successive operations to utilize, which is bothersome for users and leads to high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that sets an operation mode to a sleep mode when no operation is received for a certain time period, displaying an indicator for pre-selected application programs upon receiving a first operation, and launching the associated application upon specifying the indicator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a portable terminal has both sleep mode and lock mode, then power consumption is reduced during inactivity, but the number of operations required to use the terminal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnumber of operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary actions by pre-displaying indicators for frequently used applications in sleep mode. When the user wakes the terminal, these indicators are already visible, allowing immediate application selection without navigating through menus or unlocking screens first. This preliminary preparation of the interface resolves the contradiction by maintaining low power consumption in sleep mode while enabling rapid operation upon activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple successive operations are required to launch an application, then system security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem securityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operation flow into distinct phases: sleep mode with indicator display, application selection phase, and execution phase. By segmenting the interface presentation (showing only indicators in sleep mode rather than full application interfaces), the system maintains security while improving convenience. The segmented approach allows the terminal to provide different levels of information access based on the operational state, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal displays a menu for selecting applications, then application selection capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication selection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal applies partial action by displaying only indicators for frequently used applications rather than showing all available applications or requiring full menu navigation. This partial display approach maintains essential application selection capability while consuming significantly less power than a complete menu system. The selective presentation of information resolves the contradiction between adaptability and power consumption by providing just enough functionality for common use cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250053274A1Information processing device, processing method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 NEC CORP

AI summary

A portable communication device (1) is capable of setting a sleep mode as an operation mode. An operation receiver (101) receives operations given by a user. A setter (102) sets the operation mode to the sleep mode when the operation receiver (101) receives no operation for a first time period. A displayer (103) displays an indicator on a display when the operation receiver (101) receives a first operation in the sleep mode. A launcher (104) launches, when the operation receiver (101) receives operations for specifying the indicator, an application program associated with the specified indicator.