Split Touch Drag Input for Small Screen Mobile Terminals

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing touchscreen-based controlling methods for mobile terminals are inadequate for wearable devices with small screens, as they require numerous icons for various control commands, leading to reduced touchscreen functionality and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal and controlling method that utilizes a split touch drag input to partition display objects into regions, allowing for specific functions to be performed, such as enlarging or deleting data, by sensing touch inputs and outputs corresponding to user interactions on a touchscreen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If touchscreen-based controlling methods with multiple icons are used, then various control commands can be provided, but the touchscreen cannot sufficiently play its role as an output means and user convenience deteriorates on small screens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol command functionalityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display object into two regions through split touch drag input, allowing different operations to be performed on different regions. This enables the touchscreen to provide diverse control functions while maintaining its role as an effective output means, as users can interact with specific portions of displayed content rather than navigating through multiple icons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of interaction by enabling split touch drag operations that divide the display spatially. Instead of using multiple separate icons arranged in a traditional layout, the system allows users to split the display into regions and perform commands on each region, effectively adding a spatial manipulation dimension to the control interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of control commands increases, then the terminal functions are enhanced, but the number of icons on the touchscreen increases and the touchscreen functionality as an output means is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal function diversityVSAvoidtouchscreen output area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the touchscreen serve multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both an output means for displaying content and an input means for receiving split touch drag commands. By enabling the display object itself to be divided and interacted with, the touchscreen maintains its primary output function while gaining enhanced input capabilities, eliminating the need for separate icon areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display object into two regions through split touch drag input, allowing different operations to be performed on different regions. This enables the touchscreen to provide diverse control functions while maintaining its role as an effective output means, as users can interact with specific portions of displayed content rather than navigating through multiple icons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional touchscreen control methods are used on wearable devices, then the device can be operated, but the small screen size makes the controlling method inappropriate and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operabilityVSAvoidscreen size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of interaction by enabling split touch drag operations that divide the display spatially. Instead of using multiple separate icons arranged in a traditional layout, the system allows users to split the display into regions and perform commands on each region, effectively adding a spatial manipulation dimension to the control interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display object into two regions through split touch drag input, allowing different operations to be performed on different regions. This enables the touchscreen to provide diverse control functions while maintaining its role as an effective output means, as users can interact with specific portions of displayed content rather than navigating through multiple icons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10198170B2Mobile terminal and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal which can be used as a terminal for which user convenience has been further considered and a control method therefor. According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, even if the terminal is provided with a touch screen having a relatively small area, a method for efficiently controlling the terminal can be provided.