Split-Screen Display Layout for Foldable Multitasking Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with larger displays, such as phablets and tablets, face challenges in providing multiple types of information simultaneously without compromising user experience.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device employs a foldable display configuration with a split screen functionality, allowing concurrent display of multiple applications or screens across different regions, including a main and auxiliary display area, which can be adjusted through user inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a larger display is used to provide multiple types of information simultaneously, then the quantity of information displayed is improved, but the user experience deteriorates due to difficulty in managing multiple applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of informationVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into multiple independent regions, each capable of displaying different applications or information types simultaneously. The screen can be segmented into a first region and a second region, allowing independent control and management of each segment, thus providing multiple types of information while maintaining ease of operation through region-specific interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple applications are displayed concurrently on different regions, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to screen management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultitasking efficiencyVSAvoidscreen management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display regions are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing users to freely resize, reposition, and reconfigure the first and second regions according to their needs. This dynamic flexibility enables efficient multitasking while simplifying screen management, as users can adapt the layout to their specific productivity requirements without dealing with fixed complex configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If the display area is increased to show more content, then the visibility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced control precision

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display are optimized for different purposes, with each region having its own characteristics and control mechanisms. The first region and second region can be independently configured with appropriate sizes, resolutions, and interaction modes, ensuring high visibility for content display while maintaining precise control through region-specific interaction points and controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3800541B1Electronic device and method for providing split screen
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3800541B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3800541B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3800541B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Provided is an electronic device including at least one memory storing instructions, a display, and at least one processor, wherein the processor is, when executing the instructions, configured to: display a first screen in a first region using the display; while displaying the first screen in the first region, receive a specified input; and in response to receiving the specified input, display at least a portion of the first screen in a first sub region included in the first region and display a second screen and a third screen in a second sub region, which is included in the first region, is disposed beside the first sub region, and has an area smaller than the area of the first sub region.