Touch Screen Icon Folder Creation via Drag Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch screen interfaces for electronic devices require cumbersome multi-step processes to create and manage folders, which hinders user convenience and efficiency in organizing applications and files.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically create a new folder on a touch sensitive display device by detecting when two icons are moved together, allowing users to organize icons into folders in a single step without needing to access an options menu, and enabling the automatic inclusion of associated resources into the new folder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a menu-type application with create folder application is used, then folders can be created and items can be organized, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires multiple steps including edit mode and menu access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolder creation processVSAvoidtime required for folder creation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enters edit mode automatically when icons are dragged, preparing the system in advance for folder creation without requiring users to navigate through menus. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate menu access and edit mode activation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the folder creation function from the complex menu system and integrates it directly into the icon dragging operation. By taking out the folder creation capability from the multi-step menu process and embedding it in the drag operation itself, the system reduces the number of steps required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If traditional menu-based folder creation is used, then folders can be created, but the device complexity increases due to multiple modes and menu structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveicon organizationVSAvoidinterface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the folder creation function with the icon dragging operation. Instead of having separate menu structures and edit modes, the drag operation itself triggers folder creation, combining multiple functions into a single unified interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drag operation is given multiple functions: it can move icons, create folders, and organize items all through the same gesture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate interface elements and modes, simplifying the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2372516B1Methods, systems and computer program products for arranging a plurality of icons on a touch sensitive display
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
  • EP2372516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2372516B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2372516B1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2F

AI summary

Systems and methods of arranging a plurality of icons on a touch sensitive display device of a computing device include receiving contact information from the touch sensitive display device indicating a first and a second one of the plurality of icons have been moved until they touch each other on the touch sensitive display device. A new folder is automatically created responsive to the received contact information indicating the first and second icons have been moved until they touch. The new folder includes stored resources of the computing device associated with the first and the second icons. The first and second icons are replaced on the touch sensitive display device with a new icon associated with the new folder.