Touchscreen Toolbar Menu for Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touchscreen user interfaces are difficult to adopt for mobile terminals due to their limited display size, requiring a more efficient and intuitive interaction method.

Innovation Solution

A toolbar menu mode system for mobile terminals with a touchscreen, where icons representing applications are arranged on a toolbar that can be dragged and dropped onto a main display window to activate functions, including a configuration that adapts to device orientation and provides intuitive function activation and information display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional touchscreen user interfaces are used, then the interface is suitable for large display panels, but it is difficult to adapt to mobile terminals with limited display size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different display sizesVSAvoiduser interaction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into a toolbar area and a main display area, allowing independent optimization of each region. The toolbar contains condensed function icons that can be efficiently accessed on small screens, while the main display shows detailed information. This segmentation enables the interface to adapt to limited display size without compromising ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from traditional full-screen display to a two-area layout with toolbar and main display regions. This dimensional reorganization allows efficient use of vertical space on mobile terminals, placing frequently accessed functions in the toolbar while maintaining adequate display area for content, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.

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

2Ease of operation

If more functions are displayed on the screen, then user access to applications is improved, but the limited display size causes crowding and reduced usability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to applicationsVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Functions are segmented and organized in the toolbar area separately from the main display area. This allows multiple application icons to be accessible in the toolbar without crowding the main display, enabling users to access numerous applications while maintaining adequate display space for active content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The toolbar is designed to be dynamically adjustable in size and position, allowing it to adapt to different display orientations and content requirements. This dynamic behavior enables the interface to provide extensive function access while maintaining optimal use of limited display area under various conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3611608B1User interface method and apparatus for mobile terminal having touchscreen
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3611608B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3611608B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3611608B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

An interface method and a portable communication device having a touchscreen are provided. The portable communication device further comprises a memory configured to store an image associated with an external device and identification information corresponding to the external device; communication circuitry to establish a communication connection with a wireless network; and a processor configured to: present, via the touchscreen display, a first image corresponding to the stored image, the first image including at least a portion of the stored image; and receive, via the touchscreen display, a first user input with respect to the first image. The processor is further configured to present, via the touchscreen display, in response to the first user input, a window including a second image corresponding to the stored image and a plurality of items, the second image including at least a portion of the stored image, the plurality of items including a specified item indicative of a specified function to be performed with respect to the external device; receive, via the touchscreen display, a second user input with respect to the specified item; and perform the specified function in response to the second user input, the performing of the specified function including transmitting, via the communication connection, a signal to the external device using the identification information.