Split Screen Display for Multi-Tasking on Touch Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile electronic devices with touch screens can only display one application at a time in full screen mode, lacking a user interface or method to simultaneously show two applications, which is a limitation for multi-tasking scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and user interface that allows two or more running applications to be displayed simultaneously in a side-by-side layout in split screen mode without requiring developers to reprogram their applications for multiple view states, using a combined group representation that can be activated to enter split screen mode, where one application remains active and capable of receiving user inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If applications are coded for full screen mode with optimized aspect ratio, then the application display quality is improved, but the ability to display multiple applications simultaneously is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication display optimizationVSAvoidmulti-application display capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The touch screen display is divided into multiple independent viewable areas that can display different applications simultaneously. Each viewable area maintains its own aspect ratio optimization for the application being displayed, while the overall screen is segmented to accommodate multiple applications in a split screen mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display system is designed to handle multiple display modes (full screen and split screen) without requiring application developers to reprogram their applications. The operating system provides universal support for both modes, allowing the same application to function optimally in full screen mode while also being compatible with split screen mode through system-level coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If split screen mode is implemented to display multiple applications, then multi-tasking capability is improved, but application developers must reprogram for multiple view states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-tasking capabilityVSAvoidapplication development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The operating system acts as an intermediary between the application developer and the display hardware. It provides abstraction layers and system-level management that handle the complexity of split screen mode implementation, allowing applications to be developed once and run in both full screen and split screen modes without requiring developer intervention or code changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If only one application is displayed at a time in full screen mode, then the application receives optimal display resources, but the user cannot interact with multiple applications simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay optimizationVSAvoidmulti-tasking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple independent viewable areas that can display different applications simultaneously. Each segment maintains optimal display characteristics for its application, while the segmentation enables parallel processing of multiple applications, improving overall productivity without sacrificing display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-dimensional full screen display to a multi-dimensional split screen arrangement. By utilizing the vertical or horizontal dimension of the display, multiple applications are displayed side-by-side or stacked, allowing users to interact with multiple applications simultaneously while each application maintains its optimized display parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9612673B2Simultaneous display of multiple maximized applications on touch screen electronic devices

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for a touch screen electronic device to display two or more running applications simultaneously in a side-by-side layout in a split screen mode of the device. Two or more applications that are running on an operating system of the device can be easily displayed simultaneously in the split screen mode while maintaining one of the displayed applications as active so that the user can provide user inputs to the active application.