Wearable Device Multitasking via Nested Display Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices face challenges in displaying a large amount of data or information due to their smaller screen size, making it difficult to simultaneously show data from multiple applications, which limits user access to information from multiple sources.

Innovation Solution

A method is implemented to display the execution screens of multiple applications on a wearable device's touch screen, allowing interaction between them, where one application's screen is shown in a central part and another's in a surrounding part, enabling efficient use of the limited display space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are executed simultaneously on a wearable device, then application functionality is improved, but display space utilization deteriorates due to limited screen size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication execution capabilityVSAvoiddisplay space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is segmented into a central display area and a surrounding display area, allowing different applications to be displayed in different regions simultaneously. This spatial segmentation enables multiple applications to coexist on the limited screen space without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between executing multiple applications and maintaining adequate display space for each.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If data from multiple applications is displayed simultaneously, then information accessibility is improved, but display clarity deteriorates due to screen size constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display screen are allocated with different qualities and functions. The central display area provides high-clarity, focused display for primary application information, while the surrounding display area provides supplementary information with potentially reduced detail. This local quality differentiation allows comprehensive information display while maintaining clarity where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the display area is expanded to show more applications, then multitasking capability is improved, but screen real estate for individual applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultitasking capabilityVSAvoidscreen real estate per application
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display structure implements a nested arrangement where one application interface is positioned in the central area and another application interface surrounds it. This nesting configuration allows both applications to be actively displayed and accessible simultaneously, improving multitasking capability while ensuring each application retains sufficient display real estate for its core functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3508969B1Wearable device for executing plurality of applications and method of operating same
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3508969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3508969B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3508969B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

Disclosed is a wearable device including a touch screen and a processor configured to display an execution screen of a first application on the touch screen, receive a first input for simultaneously executing the first application and a second application related to the first application, and display a first execution screen corresponding to the execution screen in a first part of the touch screen and a second execution screen among a plurality of execution screens corresponding to the second application in a second part of the touch screen, different from the first part, in response to the first input, wherein the second part surrounds the first part.