Touch Screen Region Management for Multi-Application Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices with limited display size and user interface face challenges in executing and managing multiple applications simultaneously, requiring repetitive execution and closing processes, which is inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A method for a display device with a touch screen that allows multiple application execution windows to be displayed and controlled by setting regions on the screen and using a button to manage these regions, enabling easy execution and control of multiple applications without closing previous ones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mobile device displays only one application at a time on the entire display area, then the application execution screen is clear and full-screen, but the user must repeatedly close and open applications to switch between them, reducing convenience and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConvenience of switching between applicationsVSAvoidTime spent on repetitive execution and closing processes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into multiple regions, with each region capable of displaying a different application execution window. This segmentation allows multiple applications to be visible and accessible simultaneously, eliminating the need to close applications to switch between them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of switching applications through time (closing one to open another), the system adds a spatial dimension by displaying multiple application windows concurrently in different screen regions, enabling parallel access to multiple applications.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display screen is divided into multiple regions to show multiple applications simultaneously, then application switching convenience is improved, but the control complexity of multiple application windows increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to execute multiple applications simultaneouslyVSAvoidComplexity of controlling multiple application windows
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A control window is introduced as an intermediary element that mediates between the user and multiple application windows. The control window displays thumbnails of all application windows and provides unified control functions, simplifying the management of multiple applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control window serves multiple functions: displaying thumbnails of all application windows, enabling selection of active windows, and providing unified control operations. This multi-functional design consolidates control mechanisms and reduces overall system complexity.

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

3Productivity

If multiple application execution windows are displayed on the screen, then the user can access multiple applications simultaneously, but the display area available for each application is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEfficiency of executing multiple applicationsVSAvoidDisplay area of each application window
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The regions displaying application windows are designed to be dynamically resizable and repositionable. Users can adjust the size and position of each application window according to their needs, allowing flexible optimization of display area allocation while maintaining multi-application capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3859501B1Application execution method by display device and display device thereof
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3859501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859501B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3859501B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for executing at least one application by a display device having a touch screen. An application execution method according to the present invention may include the steps of: displaying a window for executing an application in each of a plurality of areas arranged on a touch screen; displaying a button on at least one boundary line dividing the plurality of areas; receiving an input for selecting the button; and displaying, in a predetermined area, on the basis of the received input, a list of at least one application executed in the predetermined area among the plurality of areas.