Timeline User Interface for Application History Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for electronic devices do not conveniently manage or identify previously executed or future-use applications, lacking a function to track user patterns and associate past and future usage.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method that display a user interface with a timeline view, allowing users to identify past and future object usage by arranging objects in time order on a home screen, with a pointer to navigate through past and future blocks, providing information on a preview screen and executing objects with gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If applications are displayed as icons on home screen for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but ability to identify and manage previously executed or future applications is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timeline dimension to the traditional icon-based home screen. Instead of only spatial arrangement of icons, the system adds a temporal dimension by displaying application usage history in chronological order along a timeline, allowing users to identify and manage past and future applications while maintaining easy icon-based access.
Solution Approach 2:
The home screen is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first region for displaying application icons for quick access, and a second region for displaying the timeline with application usage history. This segmentation allows both easy icon-based operation and comprehensive history identification to coexist without interference.
2Device complexity
If traditional icon-based home screen is used, then device complexity is kept simple, but functionality for managing application history and schedule is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The timeline interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays application usage history, shows scheduled applications, provides chronological navigation, and enables management of both past and future applications. This multi-functionality is achieved without significantly increasing device complexity, as it builds upon the existing icon-based interface.
3Loss of information
If applications are arranged chronologically on timeline, then ability to identify past and future applications is improved, but ease of quickly launching applications is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into two distinct regions: the first region displays application icons for rapid launching, while the second region displays the chronological timeline for history identification. This segmentation ensures that quick access functionality and history visibility functionality do not interfere with each other, allowing both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to various examples, an electronic device can comprise: a display; and a control unit for controlling the display such that the display displays a user interface on which at least one object is arranged according to a sequence of time and displays information on an object selected from among the at least one object arranged on the user interface while displaying the user interface.