Thumbnail-Based Information Display for Social Media Browsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited screen area of social media platforms like Moments results in users having to manually swipe through numerous messages to find relevant content, leading to interference from useless information and inefficient browsing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where thumbnails representing target information are displayed on a terminal's screen, allowing users to quickly browse and view large amounts of information by extracting key content such as keywords or images, and enabling the thumbnails to be adjusted and moved by user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If new Moments messages are sorted in a display page by update time with manual swiping, then the display mode is simple to implement, but the user cannot quickly browse and view large amounts of content due to limited screen area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrowsing efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay mode complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information display into two distinct modes: a traditional sequential display mode for detailed viewing and a new thumbnail-based overview mode for quick browsing. The thumbnail mode divides content into visual summaries that can be scanned simultaneously, while the sequential mode remains available for in-depth reading. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate browsing strategy based on their needs, dramatically improving efficiency without permanently complicating the basic display functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to the display system by adding thumbnail previews that provide a condensed visual representation of message content. Instead of only displaying full messages sequentially in one dimension (time-based scrolling), the system adds a spatial dimension through thumbnails that allow parallel viewing of multiple messages. This dimensional expansion enables users to quickly assess multiple pieces of content without linearly scrolling through each one.

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

2Loss of information

If a large amount of information content is displayed in a display page, then more content is visible, but a large amount of useless information interferes with the user's browsing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation filteringVSAvoidbrowsing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential information from each message and presents it in a condensed thumbnail format. Instead of displaying the complete message text which may contain irrelevant details, the system extracts key visual elements and summaries into thumbnails. This extraction process filters out useless information while preserving the core content, allowing users to quickly identify relevant messages without being overwhelmed by unnecessary text.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different display qualities to different parts of the information hierarchy. Thumbnails provide a condensed, visually optimized summary view for quick scanning, while full messages maintain their detailed text format for in-depth reading. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize each display level for its specific purpose: thumbnails for rapid filtering and full messages for comprehensive understanding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If users manually swipe down to view Moments messages one or two at a time, then the display is simple, but users have to swipe for a long time to find what they are truly interested in

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to find contentVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by generating and displaying thumbnail previews of message content before the user commits to reading the full message. These thumbnails provide advance information about the message content, allowing users to pre-assess relevance and make informed decisions about which messages warrant further attention. This preliminary viewing step prevents users from spending time on irrelevant content and accelerates the process of finding interesting messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies of the original messages in the form of thumbnails. These thumbnail copies contain condensed visual representations and key information from the full messages, serving as stand-ins that allow users to evaluate content without engaging with the complete original. This copying mechanism enables rapid scanning and comparison of multiple messages while preserving the ability to view full content when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3920013B1Information display method and terminal
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3920013B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3920013B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3920013B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an information display method and a terminal. The method includes: obtaining target information in an information presentation page, where the information presentation page is used to present information posted by at least one account; and displaying, in the information presentation page, a thumbnail corresponding to each piece of target information, where the thumbnail includes information content extracted from the target information.