Touch Interface Application Switching via Spatial-Temporal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing concurrently open applications on portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces are cumbersome and inefficient, leading to a cognitive burden on users and excessive energy consumption in battery-operated devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and interface for managing concurrently open applications on multifunction devices with touch-sensitive displays, involving displaying a first application view, detecting inputs to enter an application view selection mode, and displaying open application icons in a predefined area, with gestures allowing users to select and view individual application views without displaying others simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple application views are displayed concurrently on a small touch screen, then users can see and manage multiple applications at once, but the screen real estate is insufficient and the interface becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from displaying multiple application views concurrently in the same spatial plane to displaying them sequentially in time. The user interface presents one application view at a time, with previous views being suspended and made available for restoration through gesture controls, effectively moving the problem from spatial to temporal domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the application management interface into distinct functional areas: a current application display area and a separate indicator area showing available application views. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple applications without displaying them all simultaneously, reducing clutter while maintaining accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to switch between applications, then application switching is possible, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares application view indicators in advance, displaying thumbnails or icons of suspended application views in a dedicated area. This preliminary presentation of available views allows users to quickly identify and select the desired application without going through lengthy switching procedures, reducing both cognitive load and switching time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gesture-based interaction as an intermediary between the user and application switching. Specific gestures (such as swiping or tapping patterns) serve as mediators that trigger application view transitions, making the switching process more intuitive and efficient compared to conventional button-based or menu-driven methods.
3Productivity
If application switching takes longer than necessary, then users can manage applications, but energy is wasted in battery-operated devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous availability of application views by suspending rather than fully closing applications when switching between them. The suspended views remain in memory and are quickly restorable, eliminating the need for repeated application launches and reducing overall system processing time and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages application view states, suspending and restoring views based on user gestures without requiring manual intervention for each transition. This automated view management reduces the cognitive burden on users and optimizes energy usage by maintaining applications in a low-power suspended state rather than fully active or completely closed states.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes displaying a user interface (UI) in a first position on a touch-sensitive display. While displaying the UI in the first position, the method includes: detecting a first input and, in response: shifting the UI from the first position to a second position including sliding a portion of the UI off the display while maintaining display of another portion, the shifting including removing the UI from a respective region of the display; and displaying at least some of a plurality of UI elements for opening recently used applications in the respective region. While displaying the UI in the second position, the method includes: detecting a second input; and, in response: shifting the UI back from the second position to the first position so that the UI is displayed in the respective region; and ceasing to display the UI elements for opening recently used applications in the respective region.