Split-Screen Display Method for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional split-screen display methods for electronic devices are cumbersome, requiring multiple operations and poor user experience due to the need to drag application functions across screen edges or docks, which complicates the process of accessing multiple functions simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A split-screen display method where an application icon is triggered to display multiple functions across split-screen areas by receiving specific touch, drag, or slide operations, allowing users to easily split and arrange functions without opening the application, simplifying the process and improving user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional screen splitting method is used (dragging sub-function from application to screen edge), then split-screen display can be achieved, but the operation process becomes cumbersome and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of split-screen operationVSAvoidcomplexity of split-screen process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning function entry points at screen edges and allowing users to drag these pre-configured entries to initiate split-screen, rather than requiring users to navigate through application menus and perform multiple operations. This pre-prepared structure simplifies the user's interaction sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the function selection process from the application interior and places it at the screen edge through independent entry points. Users can access and configure split-screen functions directly from the screen edge without entering the application, separating the split-screen control from the application's internal interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If multiple operations are required to open application functions, then comprehensive function access is achieved, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of accessing multiple functionsVSAvoidtime for split-screen operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures function entry points at screen edges that directly map to specific application functions. When users need split-screen, they can immediately drag these pre-positioned entries without navigating through application menus, significantly reducing the time required to access multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the screen into multiple functional zones with dedicated entry points for different functions. Each screen edge area can be assigned to specific functions, allowing users to quickly locate and access needed functions through spatial segmentation rather than sequential menu navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If application icon is used to trigger split-screen display, then operation simplicity is improved, but clear indication of split-screen capability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of triggering split-screenVSAvoidvisibility of split-screen function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving the application icon a special visual state when split-screen is available. The icon displays in a first state (different from normal) to locally indicate split-screen capability, allowing users to quickly identify which applications support split-screen without obscuring the overall simplicity of icon-based interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses color or visual state changes of the application icon to indicate split-screen availability. When an application supports split-screen, its icon transitions to a first state with distinct visual characteristics, providing clear information feedback while maintaining the simplicity of icon-based triggering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4095664B1Split-screen display method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4095664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095664B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a split-screen display method and an electronic device, which are applied to the field of terminal technologies. The method includes: receiving a first operation for an application; displaying, in response to the first operation, an icon of the application as a first state on a display screen, where the first state is used to identify that a split-screen display operation can be performed for a plurality of functions of the application; receiving a second operation for the icon in the first state; and respectively displaying, in response to the second operation, interfaces corresponding to the plurality of functions of the application in a plurality of split-screen areas. In the embodiments of this application, an application icon may be triggered on an interface of a terminal device, to implement split-screen displaying of a function of an application, thereby simplifying a manner of opening different functions of the application and improving user experience.