Tab Window Management for Heterogeneous Application Grouping

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch screen terminals face challenges in effectively managing multiple applications executed simultaneously, leading to reduced readability and difficulty in controlling individual applications due to limited screen size and window management limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for managing a tab window that allows users to select and group heterogeneous applications, generating an application group based on user input, and outputting a tab window to indicate this group, enabling efficient management and control of multiple applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are executed simultaneously in separate windows, then application functionality is improved, but screen readability and user control are deteriorated due to limited screen size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication execution capabilityVSAvoiduser control and readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple application windows into a single tab window interface. Instead of displaying separate windows for each application, the system combines them into one unified window with multiple tabs, allowing users to access different applications through tab switching while maintaining a single window footprint on the screen. This resolves the contradiction by preserving multi-application functionality while improving screen readability and user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional organization method by using tabs as a third dimension for application management. Rather than arranging applications spatially across the limited 2D screen area, the system organizes them vertically through tab layers, effectively adding a Z-dimension to the interface. This allows multiple applications to coexist without competing for screen real estate, thereby maintaining readability while supporting versatile application execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal screen size is increased to accommodate multiple application windows, then application management is improved, but device portability and compactness are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-application managementVSAvoidterminal screen size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple application windows into a single tab window interface. Instead of displaying separate windows for each application, the system combines them into one unified window with multiple tabs, allowing users to access different applications through tab switching while maintaining a single window footprint on the screen. This resolves the contradiction by preserving multi-application functionality while improving screen readability and user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional organization method by using tabs as a third dimension for application management. Rather than arranging applications spatially across the limited 2D screen area, the system organizes them vertically through tab layers, effectively adding a Z-dimension to the interface. This allows multiple applications to coexist without competing for screen real estate, thereby maintaining readability while supporting versatile application execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If individual application windows are displayed separately, then application independence is maintained, but screen space efficiency and readability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication independenceVSAvoidscreen space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple application windows into a single tab window interface. Instead of displaying separate windows for each application, the system combines them into one unified window with multiple tabs, allowing users to access different applications through tab switching while maintaining a single window footprint on the screen. This resolves the contradiction by preserving multi-application functionality while improving screen readability and user control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250094024A1Method and device for managing tab window indicating application group including heterogeneous applications

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and a device for managing a tab window indicating a group including heterogeneous applications. The method includes outputting a display window comprising at least one or more objects for executing one or more applications on a terminal window, receiving a user input that selects the at least one or more objects and moves the selected at least one or more objects to a region excluding the display window, generating an application group comprising at least one or more applications corresponding to the selected at least one or more objects according to the received user input, and outputting a tab window indicating the generated application group to the terminal window.