Touchscreen UI Realignment for TV Navigation Across Input Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing diversity of content types on electronic devices like TVs necessitates improved navigation functions for users to efficiently search and interact with GUI items, especially as traditional remote control-based navigation methods become cumbersome with complex content structures.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a touch panel and processor that can transition between focus and touch modes, allowing realignment of GUI items based on touch inputs, and provide floating menus for seamless navigation and control via remote control signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional remote control-based navigation methods are used, then the electronic apparatus can maintain simple operation, but the navigation efficiency deteriorates when content structures become complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching between focus mode and touch mode based on user interaction. The UI navigation system transitions from remote control-based focus navigation to direct touch navigation when the user touches the screen, enabling adaptive operation methods that optimize navigation efficiency for complex content structures while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic mode detection and switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display provides diverse content types, then the content variety increases, but the navigation complexity increases making it harder to search desired content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent varietyVSAvoidnavigation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the navigation system into two distinct operational modes: focus mode for structured navigation using remote control, and touch mode for direct manipulation. This segmentation allows the system to handle diverse content types effectively by providing appropriate navigation methods for different content structures, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining high adaptability to various content varieties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The touch screen acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between diverse content types and user navigation needs. By detecting touch positions and converting them into meaningful navigation actions, the system simplifies the interaction process while maintaining the ability to navigate complex, diverse content structures efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UI screen includes multiple GUI items, then the functionality increases, but the user interaction difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiduser interaction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of UI behavior based on interaction mode. In touch mode, the system provides direct touch response for immediate interaction with GUI items, while in focus mode, it provides structured navigation assistance. This dynamic adaptation reduces user interaction difficulty for complex functional interfaces by automatically selecting the appropriate interaction paradigm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service navigation assistance by automatically detecting user intent through touch position analysis and initiating appropriate navigation actions. The UI adapts to user needs without requiring manual configuration, reducing interaction difficulty while maintaining comprehensive functionality across multiple GUI items

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4722880A1Electronic apparatus and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4722880A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4722880A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4722880A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a display including a touch panel, memory storing one or more instructions, a communication interface, and at least one processor that is operatively connected with the display, the memory, and the communication interface, wherein the at least one processor may, by executing the one or more instructions, while a user interface (UI) screen including a plurality of graphic user interface (GUI) items and a focus GUI located on any one GUI item among the plurality of GUI items is being provided through the display, control a display state of the UI screen according to a control signal received from a remote control apparatus through the communication interface, and based on identifying a touch input for one area of the display, provide a touch mode by realigning the locations of the plurality of GUI items while a location of a GUI item related to the one area wherein the touch input was identified is fixed.