Split-Screen Application List Management via Usage History

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Solution Overview

Problem

In split-screen mode on electronic devices, users face difficulties in finding and executing desired applications due to the presence of unused applications in the list, which requires a cumbersome procedure to locate the desired one.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor and memory that stores usage history, generates and displays lists of frequently executed applications in each split-screen area, allowing users to easily find and execute applications based on their usage patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a list of all executable applications is displayed in split-screen areas, then users can access any application, but users face difficulties in finding and executing desired applications due to the presence of unused applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication accessibilityVSAvoidapplication search difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and displays only the frequently used applications from the complete application list, separating them into a dedicated display area. This extraction principle allows users to quickly access commonly used applications without being overwhelmed by the full list, thereby resolving the contradiction between comprehensive accessibility and ease of finding applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-organizing and displaying frequently used applications before the user needs to search for them. The application list is pre-filtered and arranged based on usage frequency, so that when users need to select an application, it is already prepared and optimally positioned for quick selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the list of applications is arranged based on frequency of use, then frequently used applications are easily accessible, but applications not used in specific split-screen areas are still displayed requiring troublesome procedures to find desired applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequently used application accessibilityVSAvoidnumber of displayed applications
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the application display into two distinct parts: a first area displaying frequently used applications and a second area displaying other applications. This segmentation allows the system to prioritize frequently used applications for easy access while still maintaining availability of less frequently used applications, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and comprehensive application availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display are assigned different qualities or functions. The first area (prominent position) is dedicated to frequently used applications with simplified access, while the second area contains other applications. This local differentiation optimizes the user experience for different usage scenarios without compromising overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If split-screen mode divides the display into multiple areas, then multiple applications can be executed simultaneously, but the procedure for finding and executing desired applications becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-application execution capabilityVSAvoidapplication selection procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple functional areas with distinct purposes: one area for frequently used applications and another for other applications. This segmentation provides a clear, organized structure that simplifies the application selection process in split-screen mode, allowing users to quickly locate desired applications without navigating through a single complex list, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3811191B1Electronic device for displaying list of executable applications on split screen and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3811191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3811191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3811191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and electronic device are provided for displaying a list of executable applications on a split screen. The electronic device includes a display, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a history including information indicating split-screen areas in which scenes associated with executed applications are respectively displayed in a split-screen mode. In response to execution of an application, the processor displays a first scene associated with the executed application on the display. In response to receiving a signal for entry into the split-screen mode, the processor identifies a first split-screen area for displaying a reduced scene of the first scene, and identifies second and third split-screen areas obtained by dividing a remaining area of the display, other than the first split-screen area, generates a first list of applications, based on the history, and displays the first list in the second split-screen area.