Split-Screen App Dragging for Faster Multi-Window Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing split-screen methods for terminal devices are cumbersome and inflexible, making it difficult to implement quick and flexible screen splitting in various scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A split-screen display method that allows users to quickly split the screen by simultaneously or successively touching and dragging multiple applications to split-screen regions, utilizing simultaneous multi-finger gestures or successive finger operations, particularly in background multi-task scenarios or home screen contexts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional split-screen method is used (sliding from edge, touching application bar, dragging application), then split-screen function can be achieved, but the operation process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplit-screen activation easeVSAvoidtime for split-screen activation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-arranges application icons in a dock at the screen edge and pre-defines the split-screen activation gesture (dragging from edge to center). When the user performs the gesture, the system has already prepared the target application and the split-screen interface, eliminating the need for intermediate steps like opening an application bar or selecting from multiple options. This preliminary arrangement of interface elements and activation logic directly reduces the time and complexity of split-screen activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple steps are required for split-screen (open app, invoke bar, drag), then precise control is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplit-screen activation simplicityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of split-screen activation from the complex multi-step process and isolates it into a single, dedicated gesture operation. By removing the intermediate application bar and selection interface, the system reduces interface complexity while maintaining the core functionality. The dock at the screen edge serves as a simplified launcher that directly triggers split-screen when dragged to the center, eliminating unnecessary interface layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional edge sliding gesture is used, then split-screen can be activated, but it lacks flexibility for different scenarios (background apps, home screen)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplit-screen activation flexibilityVSAvoidoperation uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dock gesture mechanism serves multiple functions across different scenarios: on the home screen, it launches applications into split-screen; in the background app switcher, it activates split-screen for selected apps; and it can work with any application in the dock. This universal gesture-based activation method replaces scenario-specific operations, providing flexibility across different contexts while maintaining operational uniformity through the consistent drag-from-edge gesture.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4191392B1Split-screen display method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4191392B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4191392B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4191392B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a split-screen display method and an apparatus, and relate to the field of terminal technologies. The method includes: displaying a first interface; receiving a first trigger operation for an identifier of a first application; displaying the identifier of the first application in a first state in response to the first trigger operation; receiving a second trigger operation for an identifier of a second application in a process in which the first trigger operation continuously acts on the first application; displaying the identifier of the second application in the first state in response to the second trigger operation; and displaying content of the first application in a first split-screen region of a second interface, and displaying content of the second application in a second split-screen region of the second interface. In this way, when a terminal device receives an operation of a user for touching and holding at least two applications and/or dragging the at least two applications to split-screen regions in a scenario such as a home screen or a multi-task background, the terminal device can implement quick screen splitting, so that flexible screen splitting in a plurality of scenarios is implemented.