Swipe-Based Application Transfer for Seamless Media Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic devices become smaller, their user interfaces can be difficult to use due to small displays and acoustic transducers, making it cumbersome to transfer applications between devices, which consumes battery life and interrupts user experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a swipe gesture across the user interface of an electronic device identifies a companion device, allowing the transfer of a foreground application to that device with visual and haptic feedback, maintaining media continuity and application operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If electronic devices are made smaller to improve portability, then device size and weight are reduced, but user interface visibility and ease of use deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice weightVSAvoiduser interface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the user interface beyond the physical device boundaries by projecting a virtual interface onto a surface in the environment (e.g., table, wall, or air). This allows users to interact with applications on a larger scale without increasing device size, effectively solving the contradiction between small device footprint and large interactive interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary projection surface that acts as a mediator between the small electronic device and the user's hands/eyes. This intermediate layer provides a larger interaction area while the device itself remains compact, addressing the usability issues caused by miniaturization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual transfer methods are used to move applications between devices, then application transfer is achieved, but user experience is interrupted and battery life is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication transfer capabilityVSAvoiduser experience continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the user interface of multiple devices by projecting one device's interface onto the environment near another device. This allows seamless interaction with applications across devices without requiring manual transfer operations, maintaining user experience continuity and reducing battery consumption associated with data synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or projection of the application interface on an external surface, allowing users to interact with the application remotely. This copying mechanism enables application control and interaction without actual data transfer, preserving battery life and user experience flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional transfer methods are used between devices, then application data is transferred, but the process is cumbersome and interrupts media playback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interoperabilityVSAvoidtransfer operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (physically moving devices, connecting cables, navigating menus) with a gesture-based control system. Users can control applications on one device from another device's interface projection, eliminating cumbersome transfer operations while maintaining media playback continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250328234A1Electronic Devices and Corresponding Methods for Transferring Application Operations Between Devices Using Swipe Gestures

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

A method in an electronic device includes receiving, by a user interface, a swipe gesture identifying a companion electronic device operating within an environment of the electronic device. The method then transfers, by one or more processors using a communication device in response to the swipe gesture, operation of an application operating on the one or more processors to the companion electronic device identified by the swipe gesture.