Touch Screen Folder Creation via Drag-and-Drop Docking Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating new folders on touch screen devices are inefficient and non-intuitive, requiring reserved space and manual selection of compatible files, which limits user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method and terminal for creating a new folder by detecting and allowing the selection of objects within a preset time range and dragging them to a specific area, enabling folder creation at any vacant position without pre-reserving space and determining compatibility in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an empty folder is created by selecting through a menu mode, then a new folder can be created, but the current page needs space to put the newly-created folder and the operation mode is not intuitive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitiveness of folder creationVSAvoidspace required on current page
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual docking area that appears temporarily when objects are dragged, allowing folder creation without consuming permanent screen space. This transient spatial dimension resolves the contradiction by providing operational space only when needed.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual docking area acts as an intermediary between the dragged objects and the final folder creation. This mediator enables intuitive drag-based folder creation while managing space requirements through temporary visualization only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the collision of two files forms a folder, then a new folder can be created, but it must find two files which are considered to be of one kind

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of folder creationVSAvoidflexibility in folder creation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines folder compatibility and creates folders through drag operations without requiring users to pre-select or classify files. The system serves itself by autonomously handling the compatibility checking and folder creation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from selecting files based on type classification to dragging files to a docking area where compatibility is dynamically assessed. This parameter change enables both simplicity and flexibility simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If folder creation requires reserved space and manual selection of compatible files, then folder creation can be controlled, but user efficiency and experience are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser efficiency in folder creationVSAvoidcomplexity of folder creation process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complexity of compatibility checking and folder creation from the user's manual process. The system takes out these complex operations and handles them automatically through the drag-to-docking-area mechanism, improving efficiency while reducing perceived complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual docking area is prepared in advance as a ready-received state, eliminating the need for users to search for appropriate locations or determine compatibility beforehand. This preliminary preparation streamlines the folder creation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2806344B1Method and terminal for creating new folder on touch screen equipment
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 ZTE CORP
  • EP2806344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2806344B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2806344B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A method and terminal for creating a new folder on a touch screen device are provided. One method includes: creating a new folder at any vacant position on a current interface after a touch screen device detects that an object on the current interface is selected and dragged to a specific area and released, and saving the object in the new folder. Another method includes: creating a new folder at any vacant position on a current interface after the touch screen device detects that at least two objects on the current interface are successively selected and within a preset time range, dragged in succession to a specific area and released; and saving the at least two objects in the new folder. Compared with the related art, the creation of a new folder is more intuitive in the present invention, and it is unnecessary to reserve space for a newly created folder or unnecessary to determine the type of file in advance. The present invention can further improve user operation efficiency of creating and successively adding into a folder, thereby improving the user experience.