Terminal Control Method for Hidden Icon Management via Multi-Touch Gestures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for hiding application icons on mobile terminals are complex and inefficient, requiring frequent interface switching, which complicates the process of managing hidden icons.

Innovation Solution

A terminal control method that detects multiple touch points on the screen interface, allowing for the quick opening of a management interface for hidden icons without switching interfaces, by sliding touch points in opposite directions, enabling convenient and efficient hiding or un-hiding of icons through a dual-area display system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the traditional method of hiding application icons is used (calling up function menu and selecting hide apps), then the application icons can be hidden, but the operation becomes complicated due to frequent interface switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of hiding application iconsVSAvoidinterface switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hidden icon management interface with the desktop interface by displaying it in a transparent overlay mode. This allows users to manage hidden icons directly on the desktop without switching to a separate full-screen interface, thereby simplifying the operation flow while maintaining the hiding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional layer by displaying the hidden icon management interface as a transparent overlay on top of the desktop. This layered approach allows simultaneous access to both desktop functionality and icon management, eliminating the need for interface switching while preserving both functionalities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the hidden icon management interface is displayed as a transparent overlay on the desktop, then interface switching is eliminated and operation becomes more efficient, but the display layout becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiency of hidden icon managementVSAvoiddisplay layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the hidden icon management interface into distinct functional regions: a list area displaying hidden icons, a selection area for choosing icons to unhide, and a confirmation area. This segmentation organizes the complex display into manageable, intuitive sections that guide user interaction while maintaining transparency and overlay functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3096214B1Terminal control method and terminal control device
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 YULONG COMPUTER TELECOMM SCI (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3096214B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3096214B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3096214B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

The present invention provides a terminal control method and a terminal control device. The terminal control method includes: detecting multiple touch points formed on a screen interface; displaying a management interface of a hidden icon on the screen interface if at least one of the touch points slides to a first direction and at least one of the remaining touch points slides to a second direction opposite to the first direction. In the technical solution of the present invention, by detecting the movement tracks of the multiple touch points on the screen interface of the terminal, the management interface of the hidden icon can be opened quickly without interface switching, and the operation is convenient and efficient.