Swipe Gesture Application Transfer Across Companion Devices
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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 challenging to consume content without sacrificing usability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a swipe gesture on a user interface allows a processor to select a companion device based on predefined criteria, such as proximity and optimization, to transfer the operation of an application seamlessly to that device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If electronic devices are made smaller to improve portability, then device size and weight are reduced, but user interface quality deteriorates due to smaller displays and acoustic transducers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the user interface experience from two-dimensional mobile device screens to three-dimensional spatial distribution across multiple devices including desktop computers, tablets, and smart displays. This dimensional expansion allows content to be consumed on larger screens while maintaining portability benefits, as the mobile device acts as a remote control for the extended display ecosystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables a single mobile device to control and extend its interface across multiple types of companion devices (desktop computers, tablets, smart displays, televisions). This multi-functionality allows the mobile device to maintain small form factor while providing access to various display sizes and form factors depending on the user's needs and environment.
2Reliability
If application operations are transferred between devices to maintain content consumption, then user experience continuity is improved, but system complexity increases due to device selection and transfer management
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages application transfer between devices without requiring explicit user intervention. The mobile device automatically detects available companion devices, determines the most appropriate target device based on context, and initiates transfers autonomously. This self-service approach maintains content consumption continuity while minimizing the complexity burden on the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational state of both the mobile device and companion devices, using this feedback to dynamically determine when and where to transfer applications. This feedback mechanism ensures seamless content consumption by automatically routing applications to the most appropriate device based on real-time conditions such as device availability, user presence, and application type.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a user interface, a communication device, and one or more processors operable with the user interface and communication device. The one or more processors, in response to the user interface receiving a swipe gesture across a surface of the user interface, prioritize a plurality of companion electronic devices as a function of at least one predefined criterion to select a companion electronic device and cause the communication device to transfer operation of a foreground application operating on the one or more processors to the companion electronic device selected.