The invention generally relates to arrangement of application icons in smart devices.
More particularly, the invention relates to pattern recognition of application icons and
automatic arrangement thereof.
BACKGROUND
With increasing number of applications that can be installed in smart devices, such as
smartphones, tablets, phablets, smart TV, etc., it is becoming difficult to arrange application
icons on the home or other screens of the smart devices. Conventionally, users manually
arrange the icons of popular or frequently used applications, for instance, based on usage
frequency, relatedness, closeness to thumb, or aesthetics. Some smart devices offer static
methods for rearrangement of application icons in order to allow changes to a default
arrangement of application icons. Examples of such static methods include sorting
application icons by name, date, size, download, or type. Apart from this, some devices offer
a grid view and/or a list view for viewing application icons.
Some existing systems provide a feature that when a motion of the icon is on the
move, positions of the remaining other icons are automatically updated. If the user moves a
specific icon to a specific position, icons, which exist at next positions, are re-arranged while
their priorities are decreased by one level. Some existing systems provide a feature to
identify recently installed applications on a portable electronic device. A visual indicator may
be displayed on an icon associated with an application that was recently installed on the
portable electronic device. Some existing systems provide a feature to display the icons
corresponding to a same functional property on a same position. Some existing systems
provide a feature for icon arrangement that includes at least one of most recently/frequently
used, time, place, pattern of program use, and category. Some existing systems provide
analysis of unsupervised learning, pattern recognition, and parallel algorithms to identify the
dense clusters in the noisy data.
Despite the previously mentioned teachings, it can be said that there is still need to
provide for improvements in this area of technology as managing many icons on a display
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screen is a cumbersome job for any user, especially when users install or un-install apps
frequently. Whenever an old app is deleted, the icon is removed from the home screen and a
blank space is created in its place. It is not replaced automatically by any other icon, while
users prefer their own patterns for arranging the app icons on the screen. None of the existing
solutions allow users to create their own pattern for icon placement of apps. Users have to
manually place the app icons each time whenever a new app is installed or deleted from a
smart device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the purposes of the invention, the present invention as embodied
and broadly described herein, provides a solution that can automatically recognize the user’s
behaviour of arranging the icons and can accordingly do automatic placement of the icons
whenever a new app is installed or deleted from a smart device.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method for automatically arranging a new
icon on a display comprises: detecting a current icon arrangement pattern; adding a new icon
on the display; and arranging the new icon in a vacant space on the display such that the new
icon maintains continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for automatically arranging
remaining icons on a display, comprises: detecting a current icon arrangement pattern;
detecting an event resulting in deletion of an icon from the display; and arranging at least one
remaining icon on the display such that the remaining icons maintain continuity with the
current icon arrangement pattern.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for automatically arranging
icons on a display, comprises: displaying a layout to a user; receiving from the user an icon
arrangement pattern; storing the icon arrangement pattern in a storage device; detecting a
condition requiring arrangement of at least one icon on the display; and fetching the icon
arrangement pattern from the storage device and arranging at least one icon on the display in
accordance with the icon arrangement pattern.
According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic device comprises: a
pattern determining sub-component being in operational interconnection with a display for
detecting a current icon arrangement pattern; and a processing sub-component being in
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operational interconnection with the pattern determining sub-component and the display for
adding a new icon on the display, the processing sub-component being further configured to
arrange the new icon in a vacant space on the display such that the new icon maintains
continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic device comprises: a
pattern determining sub-component being in operational interconnection with a display for
detecting a current icon arrangement pattern; a detecting sub-component for detecting an
event resulting in deletion of an icon from the display; and a processing sub-component being
in operational interconnection with the pattern determining sub-component, the detecting
sub-component and the display for arranging at least one remaining icon on the display such
that the remaining icons maintain continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
According to another aspect of the invention, an electronic device comprises: a
display for displaying a layout to a user; an input means for receiving an icon arrangement
pattern from the user; a storage device in operational interconnection with the input means for
storing the icon arrangement pattern thus received from the user; a detecting sub-component
for detecting a condition requiring arrangement of at least one icon on the display; and a
processing sub-component for fetching the icon arrangement pattern from the storage device
and arranging at least one icon on the display in accordance with the icon arrangement
pattern.
These and other aspects as well as advantages will be more clearly understood from
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method for automatically arranging a new icon on a
display, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
5
Figure 2 illustrates another exemplary method for automatically arranging remaining
icons on a display, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates another exemplary method for automatically arranging icons on a
display, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 4-6 illustrate an exemplary electronic device, in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary column based pattern, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary row based pattern, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figures 9-14 illustrate a use case for dynamic pattern recognition, in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention.
Figure 15 illustrates an exemplary predefined pattern, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 16 illustrates an option to set user mode, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
Figures 17-24 illustrate a use case for following a predefined pattern, in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention.
Figures 25-28 illustrate another use case for dynamic pattern recognition, in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
Figure 29 illustrates a flow chart for dynamic pattern recognition, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 30 illustrates a flow chart for automatic icon arrangement, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to
represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been
necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the
6
drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of
aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented
in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific
details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to
obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the
embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be
implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The
present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings,
and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation
illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended
claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.”
Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all”
would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no
embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments.
Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one
embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and
illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit,
restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,”
“comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact
limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more
features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude
the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise
stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
7
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once,
either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or
“at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or
more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature
or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one
or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific
terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one
having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an
embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements
presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of
illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements
of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a
further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”
“multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further
embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do
NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more
particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments
may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be
found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more
features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment,
or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the
context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately
or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements
described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing
together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and
therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The
attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments
other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.
8
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary method (100) for automatically arranging a new
icon on a display. In one embodiment, said method (100) comprises detecting (101) a current
icon arrangement pattern; adding (102) a new icon on the display; and arranging (103) the
new icon in a vacant space on the display such that the new icon maintains continuity with
the current icon arrangement pattern.
In a further embodiment, detecting (101) the current icon arrangement pattern
comprises: determining (104) co-ordinates of plurality of icons already placed on the display;
and determining (105) the current icon arrangement pattern on the basis of the co-ordinates of
said plurality of icons already placed on the display.
In a further embodiment, the co-ordinates of the icon is determined with reference to
an M*N grid.
In a further embodiment, the method (100) comprises artificially segmenting (105)
the display into an M*N grid such that each icon already placed on the display occupies a
location of the M*N grid.
In a further embodiment, the method (100) comprises detecting (106) a vacant space
on the display for location of a new icon.
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary method (200) for automatically arranging remaining
icons on a display. In one embodiment, said method (200) comprises: detecting (201) a
current icon arrangement pattern; detecting (202) an event resulting in deletion of an icon
from the display; and arranging (203) at least one remaining icon on the display such that the
remaining icons maintain continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
In a further embodiment, detecting (201) the current icon arrangement pattern
comprises: determining (204) co-ordinates of plurality of icons already placed on the display;
and determining (205) the current icon arrangement pattern on the basis of the co-ordinates of
said plurality of icons already placed on the display.
In a further embodiment, the co-ordinates of the icon is determined with reference to
an M*N grid.
In a further embodiment, the method (200) comprises artificially segmenting (205)
the display into an M*N grid such that each icon already placed on the display occupies a
location of the M*N grid.
9
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary method (300) for automatically arranging icons on a
display. In one embodiment, said method (300) comprises: displaying (301) a layout to a
user; receiving (302) from the user an icon arrangement pattern; storing (303) the icon
arrangement pattern in a storage device; detecting (304) a condition requiring arrangement of
at least one icon on the display; and fetching (305) the icon arrangement pattern from the
storage device and arranging at least one icon on the display in accordance with the icon
arrangement pattern.
In a further embodiment, the layout displayed to the user is segmented into an M*N
grid.
In a further embodiment, the condition requiring arrangement of at least one icon on
the display includes: addition of a new icon to the display; deletion of an existing icon from
the display; modification of a size of an existing icon on the display; or movement of an icon
to be placed at an alternative location on the display.
In a further embodiment, arranging the icons on the display in accordance with the
icon arrangement pattern includes placing the icons on the display such that each icon
occupies a location of an M*N grid.
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary electronic device (400), which may include a
controller (401), a memory (402), and a display (403). In one embodiment, the electronic
device (400) comprises: a pattern determining sub-component (404) being in operational
interconnection with the display (403) for detecting a current icon arrangement pattern; and a
processing sub-component (405) being in operational interconnection with the pattern
determining sub-component (404) and the display (403) for adding a new icon on the display
(403), the processing sub-component (405) being further configured to arrange the new icon
in a vacant space on the display (403) such that the new icon maintains continuity with the
current icon arrangement pattern.
In a further embodiment, the pattern determining sub-component (404) comprises: coordinate
determining sub-component (406) for determining co-ordinates of plurality of icons
already placed on the display (403); and pattern determiner (407) for determining the current
icon arrangement pattern on the basis of the co-ordinates of said plurality of icons already
placed on the display (403).
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In a further embodiment, the electronic device (400) comprises a segmenting subcomponent
(408) for artificially segmenting the display (403) into an M*N grid such that
each icon already placed on the display (403) occupies a location of the M*N grid.
In a further embodiment, the electronic device (400) comprises a sub-component
(409) for detecting a vacant space on the display (403) for location of a new icon.
Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary electronic device (500), which may include a
controller (501), a memory (502), and a display (503). In one embodiment, the electronic
device comprises: a pattern determining sub-component (504) being in operational
interconnection with the display (503) for detecting a current icon arrangement pattern; a
detecting sub-component (505) for detecting an event resulting in deletion of an icon from the
display (503); and a processing sub-component (506) being in operational interconnection
with the pattern determining sub-component (504), the detecting sub-component (505), and
the display (503) for arranging at least one remaining icon on the display (503) such that the
remaining icons maintain continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
In a further embodiment, the pattern determining sub-component (504) comprises: coordinate
determining sub-component (507) for determining co-ordinates of plurality of icons
already placed on the display (503); and pattern determiner (508) for determining the current
icon arrangement pattern on the basis of the co-ordinates of said plurality of icons already
placed on the display (503).
In a further embodiment, the electronic device (500) comprises: a segmenting subcomponent
(509) for artificially segmenting the display into an M*N grid such that each icon
already placed on the display (503) occupies a location of the M*N grid.
Figure 6 illustrates an electronic device (600), which may include a controller (601),
a storage device (602), a display (603), and an input means (604). In one embodiment, the
electronic device (600) comprises: the display (603) for displaying a layout to a user; the
input means (604) for receiving an icon arrangement pattern from the user; the storage device
(602) in operational interconnection with the input means (604) for storing the icon
arrangement pattern thus received from the user; a detecting sub-component (605) for
detecting a condition requiring arrangement of at least one icon on the display; and a
processing sub-component (606) for fetching the icon arrangement pattern from the storage
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device (602) and arranging at least one icon on the display (603) in accordance with the icon
arrangement pattern.
Conventionally, a user has to manually place applications, hereinafter referred to as
apps, when the user wants to place these apps in a particular pattern on a display screen. To
this end, the present invention describes identifying the dynamic pattern of placement of the
apps by a user on the display screen and then automatically place app icons as per the
identified pattern whenever any app is installed or deleted. In other words, the present
invention provides a self-adaptive process, which can dynamically identify the user pattern of
icon placement on a display screen and which can automatically place next icon on a next
spot in the identified user pattern whenever a new icon is added or an old icon is removed.
For this purpose, a user’s behaviour is learned and a pattern algorithm is established which
can map icons to the learned pattern. For automatic placement of app icons, a response
module may be provided in electronic devices, which can automatically place the icons
according to the identified pattern whenever a new icon is added or deleted and a new app is
installed or deleted. In one example, a user may prefer to place all the icons in a dynamic and
automatic pattern that includes, but is not limited to a row pattern, column pattern, centre
pattern, corner pattern, etc. Figure 7 illustrates a corner column pattern (700), where all icons
are in corner columns as shown, while Figure 8 illustrates an alternative row pattern (800),
where all icons are in alternative rows. In both that cases, the system recognises dynamic
pattern to place icons automatically in the continued pattern. The present invention also
allows flexibility to a user to place applications as per a desired pattern. For instance, a user
may set a predefined pattern, say, for cases where number of icons in a current display screen
is too small.
In one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented using two modules,
that is, a Dynamic Pattern Identifier and an Auto Icon Arranger. These modules can be
implemented as a software module or as a dedicated hardware module, for example, a
programmable chip. However, implementing it as a complete software solution in
conventional electronic devices means that there is no extra hardware cost that will be
incurred to implement the above modules. The Auto Icon Arranger handles automatic
placement of icons based upon static algorithms. This module works in coordination with the
Dynamic Pattern Identifier to identify the pattern at run time and place the icons accordingly.
This module identifies the need of automatic placement of icons whenever an icon is added
or removed, while the Dynamic Pattern Identifier is a module responsible for identifying the
12
dynamic pattern followed by a user to place icons on a display screen. The flow of this
module can be based upon the following points: (1) different users place apps differently;
identifying dynamic pattern of arranging apps for a particular user; (3) categorizing the
pattern; and (4) store the pattern in a data structure, such as array, grid, matrix, etc. Some of
the most used dynamic patterns can be categorized as: row based patterns, column based
pattern, centre based patterned, corner based patterns, alternative patterns; etc.
Different kinds of user dynamic patterns shown in various figures are exemplary only,
there can be N number of such patterns, which different users may follow. Accordingly,
identifying and categorizing a pattern to a particular pattern category is an important step of
present invention. One of the way in which this particular module can be implemented is
explained here. Firstly, identify the perimeter boundary of the screen or identify the matrix
size of the screen and then keep filling the matrix indexes when an icon is placed to identify
shape of the pattern. After that, identify the number of just next vacant matrix spaces with
respect to horizontal, vertical, and diagonal pattern for the last updated icon by the user.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the maximum for all the directions with respect to
an icon can be eight. Subsequently, the system saves the indexes of matrix that are filled by
the users and join their centres to identify the shape. Now, the system starts understanding the
pattern the user wants to set along with the help of information available as mentioned above
and also on the direction of growth, number of nodes in one particular set and so on.
Once the user sets few of the icons in a pattern, the system starts learning and
understanding this pattern of the user. The system then tries to identify the possible known
shapes and pattern from the database available and compare with the shape of saved indexes
of matrix. Once, it finds a known shape or thinks itself adapted to understanding of the
pattern, it starts auto arranging the icons, which are either added or removed. If the user is ok
and does not replace the auto placement of the pattern of icon, it will continue in the same
manner of auto arranging. However, if the user changes the icon placement, the method resets
the pattern understanding, updates the information again as mentioned above and starts the
learning again to understand the pattern of the user again.
Figure 9 illustrates a display screen (900) having no icons. The table 1 given below
provides a corresponding matrix, where matrix size is 3*4, no cells are filled, no cell is last
updated, number of just next vacant cells is unknown, and direction of growth is not known.
As the user starts updating the screen, the values of the matrix change accordingly.
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Matrix Size 3*4
Filled Cells _
Last updated Cell _
No. of just next vacant cells _
Direction of Growth _
Table 1
Figure 10 illustrates a display screen (1000) where user has added one icon at cell
R2C1, i.e., Row 2nd & Column 1st. The table 2 given below provides a corresponding matrix.
Accordingly, matrix size is 3*4, only R2C1 cell is filled, R2C1 cell is the one last updated,
number of just next vacant cells is 5, and direction of growth is still not known.
Matrix Size 3*4
Filled Cells R2C1
Last updated Cell R2C1
No. of just next vacant cells 5
Direction of Growth _
Table 2
Figure 11 illustrates a display screen (1100) where user has added another icon at
R3C1 cell. The table 3 given below provides a corresponding matrix. Accordingly, matrix
size is 3*4, R2C1 & R3C1 cells are filled, R3C1 cell is the one last updated, number of just
next vacant cells is 4, and direction of growth is VD, i.e., Vertical Downward.
Matrix Size 3*4
Filled Cells R2C1, R3C1
Last updated Cell R3C1
No. of just next vacant cells 4
Direction of Growth VD
Table 3
Figure 12 illustrates a display screen (1200) where user has added another icon at
R4C1 cell. The table 4 given below provides a corresponding matrix. Accordingly, matrix
size is 3*4, R2C1, R3C1, & R4C1 cells are filled, R4C1 cell is the one last updated, number
of just next vacant cells is 2, and direction of growth is still VD.
Matrix Size 3*4
Filled Cells R2C1, R3C1, R4C1
Last updated Cell R4C1
No. of just next vacant cells 2
Direction of Growth VD
Table 4
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This is where the present invention tries to understand the pattern sequence, which the
user is trying to set. From the information available through the above table and the
information available through the database, the present invention tries to understand the
pattern sequence.
Figure 13 illustrates a display screen (1300), where another icon is automatically
added at R2C2 cell based on the previously identified pattern. The table 5 given below
provides a corresponding matrix that is automatically updated by the system. Accordingly,
matrix size is 3*4, R2C1, R3C1, R4C1, & R2C2 cells are filled, R2C2 cell is the one last
updated, number of just next vacant cells is 5, and direction of growth remains VD.
Matrix Size 3*4
Filled Cells R2C1, R3C1, R4C1, R2C2
Last updated Cell R2C2
No. of just next vacant cells 5
Direction of Growth VD
Table 5
Once the system identifies the pattern, it starts auto arranging the icons. If the pattern,
which is followed by auto placement, is as per the user desire, the same process follows for
the next icon that is added or removed. Nevertheless, if the user wanted it in some other way,
the system modifies the pattern in the following way:
Figure 14 illustrates a display screen (1400), where previously added icon that was
auto arranged against user’s desire is now manually placed by the user at a desired cell R2C3.
The system then automatically updates the matrix. Accordingly, the matrix size is 3*4, R2C1,
R3C1, R4C1, & R2C3 cells are filled, R2C3 cell is the one last updated, number of just next
vacant cells is 5, and direction of growth becomes A-VD, i.e., Alternate Vertical Downward .
Matrix Size 3*4
Filled Cells R2C1, R3C1, R4C1, R2C2
Last updated Cell R2C2
No. of just next vacant cells 5
Direction of Growth VD
Table 5
In this way, the system updates the values of matrix to find out that the user is trying
to make an alternate column based pattern. Therefore, any further addition or deletion of
icons follows the same approach. At any point of time, if the user does not find the auto
placement of icons as per his desire, then the icons can be manually placed by the user and
15
the system also learns the new pattern at that time. This is one of the way in which invention
can be implemented. There can be N number of ways in which this invention can be
implemented with N number of algorithms, which would learn and update itself to user’s
pattern. Furthermore, once the first screen is completely filled with the user desired pattern,
the same sequence that may or may not be followed for other/next screens. This can be done
by providing a user interface option, say, “Continue Pattern to Other Screens” which may be
set as either “Yes” or “No” by the user. In this way, the same pattern can be maintained
throughout various screens as per the user choice of pattern.
The invention can be implemented to follow a predefined pattern provided by user
through touchscreen gesture input, in placed of following a learned pattern. In this
implementation, a user can set a predefined pattern at the very beginning of the pattern
sequence on a display screen (1500) shown in Figure 15. The system stores the pattern set by
the user in the beginning and implements the auto arrangement of icons in the same way as
set by the user for any addition or removal of the icons in the display screen. The user can be
provided with an option (1601) to turn on this user mode as shown in the partial display
screen (1600) of Figure 16. Once the option for user mode is turned on, the screen will be
ready to capture the gesture of the user on the screen and store such a pattern as set by the
user. Once a user turns ON the User Mode, the screen would be receptive to the finger touch.
The user can run down finger impression on the screen and the same would be captured and
saved once confirmed from the user. The saved impression would be now set for the auto
arrangement of pattern whenever there is addition or removal of any icon on the screen.
In one example, a user has run his finger on the screen for an L shaped pattern starting
from top. Therefore, the icons would be placed in the L shape on the screen (1700-2400).
Figure 17 illustrates that the first icon added starts from the top to form the L Shape. Figure
18 illustrates that the second icon added also follows to form the L Shape. Figure 19
illustrates that the third icon added also follows to form the L Shape. Figure 20 illustrates
that the fourth icon added also follows to form the L Shape. Figure 21 illustrates that the fifth
icon added also follows to form the L Shape. Figure 22 illustrates that the fourth icon is
removed by the user, then the fifth icon is shifted to fourth icon’s position automatically to
follow the L Shape pattern. Figure 23 illustrates that the new fifth icon added also follows L
Shape pattern. Figure 24 illustrates that the sixth icon added also follows L Shape pattern. In
these figures 17-24, one can see user had enabled the user mode and had tapped the screen
with finger to let system identify the pattern what user wants to set. In the above example, the
16
pattern was set to L shape. Therefore, after the detection of the pattern, whenever a new icon
is added or removed from the screen, this method will automatically place the icons
following the L based pattern approach. This method provides flexibility to user to allow the
system to save the pattern so that manual efforts are reduced.
To understand usefulness and benefits of present invention, the following example
may be referred. Suppose, the user has weather widget on his/her home screen that he does
not want to hide it by the apps. Therefore, the user is adding the apps on home screen in a
way that they do not hide the widget and this invention will try to learn the same pattern and
auto place the icons in the same way. Here, in the figures 25 and 26, the user has manually
placed the icon in the screen as per his convenience and need. The analyzer is trying to
understand the pattern, update the values in its system and will try to auto place the icons. In
the figure 27, the user has again set the third icon in the continuation of the same pattern that
he was following for the previous two icons (figures 25 & 26) in the home screen. Now, as
the user adds the 4th icon as shown in the figure 28, the fourth icon is auto placed as per the
understanding and learning of the user pattern sequence method. This way now, the user does
not need to manually set the icon for any further icon that is added or removed. This helps to
serve the purpose of the user to display icons without hiding the weather widget.
Figure 29 illustrates an overall flow chart (2900) for dynamic pattern recognition.
Whenever a user turns on the settings of dynamic pattern recognition, the system analyses a
current pattern and then checks for its type, which may be static or dynamic. A static pattern
means a user is using conventional methods of arranging app icons. Hence, no action needs to
be taken, while a dynamic pattern indicates that the user has a habit of manually arranging the
icons. In case of a dynamic pattern, the system identifies and categorizes the dynamic pattern
so that whenever a new app is installed or deleted, the system can automatically re-arrange
the icons according to the identified dynamic pattern. Once dynamic pattern recognition is
turned on (step 2901), a current pattern is analysed (step 2902) to find out whether it is a
static pattern (step 2903, No path). If it is not, then the current pattern is identified (step
2904). If it is a user defined dynamic pattern (step 2905), then the dynamic pattern is
categorized (step 2906) and pattern recognition process ends (step 2907). The pattern
recognition may abruptly end if it is found the current pattern is a static pattern (step 2903,
Yes path). The pattern recognition may abruptly end if it is found the current pattern is not a
user defined dynamic pattern (step 2905, No path).
17
Figure 30 illustrates an overall flow chart (3000) for automatic arrangement of icons.
After start (step 3001), it is checked whether dynamic pattern recognizer is enabled or not
(step 3002). If the dynamic pattern recognizer is enabled (step 3002, Yes path), then a current
icon arrangement is analysed (step 3003). At the same time, a current dynamic pattern is
identified using stored matrix values and the available database of pattern and shapes (step
3004).Now, this process will be suspended in background. At any point of time, if any icon is
added or removed (step 3005), then the suspended process is invoked immediately and the
icons are automatically arranged (step 3006). If any existing icon is adjusted by a user (step
3007), then the new icon arrangement is analysed (step 3004) and the process is repeated
from there, otherwise the process ends (step 3008). The process may abruptly end if the
dynamic pattern recognizer is disabled at any point of time (step 3002, No path). In this way
there is no manual intervention by the user for re-arranging the apps each time. The present
invention is really beneficial for all the smart device users who have a habit of arranging
icons as per their desired patterns.
The advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to completely
automatic arrangement of apps on display screen, automated dynamic re-arrangement of apps
based upon the user-preferred patterns, applicability to all display devices that give users an
option to arrange app icons, self-learning dynamic pattern recognition, adaptive method to
analyse and rearrange icons dynamically. Further, the system creates a database of patterns
and can even suggest patterns to new users from the same database. Further, users can also
set the predefined patterns using the user mode.
While certain present preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated
and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For
example, the invention can be implemented using cloud technology and social applications
where similar user interest group can be identified and most commonly used patterns by those
groups of similar interest can be recommended to a new user. In another example, the user
can save his or her preferences of patterns, and use across all registered devices on his or her
name. Clearly, the invention may be otherwise variously embodied, and practiced within the
scope of the following claims.

We Claim:-
1. A method for automatically arranging a new icon on a display, said method
comprising:
detecting a current icon arrangement pattern;
adding a new icon on the display; and
arranging the new icon in a vacant space on the display such that the new icon
maintains continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detecting the current icon arrangement
pattern comprises:
determining co-ordinates of plurality of icons already placed on the display;
and
determining the current icon arrangement pattern on the basis of the coordinates
of said plurality of icons already placed on the display.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the co-ordinates of the icon is determined
with reference to an M*N grid.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising: artificially segmenting the
display into an M*N grid such that each icon already placed on the display occupies a
location of the M*N grid.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: detecting a vacant space on the
display for location of a new icon.
6. A method for automatically arranging remaining icons on a display, said method
comprising:
detecting a current icon arrangement pattern;
detecting an event resulting in deletion of an icon from the display; and
arranging at least one remaining icon on the display such that the remaining
icons maintain continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
19
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein detecting the current icon arrangement
pattern comprises:
determining co-ordinates of plurality of icons already placed on the display;
and
determining the current icon arrangement pattern on the basis of the coordinates
of said plurality of icons already placed on the display.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the co-ordinates of the icon is determined
with reference to an M*N grid.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: artificially segmenting the
display into an M*N grid such that each icon already placed on the display occupies a
location of the M*N grid.
10. A method for automatically arranging icons on a display, said method comprising:
displaying a layout to a user;
receiving from the user an icon arrangement pattern;
storing the icon arrangement pattern in a storage device;
detecting a condition requiring arrangement of at least one icon on the display;
and
fetching the icon arrangement pattern from the storage device and arranging at
least one icon on the display in accordance with the icon arrangement pattern.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the layout displayed to the user is
segmented into an M*N grid.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the condition requiring arrangement of at
least one icon on the display includes:
addition of a new icon to the display;
deletion of an existing icon from the display;
modification of a size of an existing icon on the display; or
movement of an icon to be placed at an alternative location on the display.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein arranging the icons on the display in
accordance with the icon arrangement pattern includes placing the icons on the
display such that each icon occupies a location of an M*N grid.
20
14. An electronic device comprising:
a pattern determining sub-component being in operational interconnection
with a display for detecting a current icon arrangement pattern ; and
a processing sub-component being in operational interconnection with the
pattern determining sub-component and the display for adding a new icon on the
display, the processing sub-component being further configured to arrange the new
icon in a vacant space on the display such that the new icon maintains continuity with
the current icon arrangement pattern.
15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pattern determining sub-component
comprises:
co-ordinate determining sub-component for determining co-ordinates of
plurality of icons already placed on the display; and
pattern determiner for determining the current icon arrangement pattern on the
basis of the co-ordinates of said plurality of icons already placed on the display.
16. The device as claimed in claim 14 further comprising: a segmenting sub-component
for artificially segmenting the display into an M*N grid such that each icon already
placed on the display occupies a location of the M*N grid.
17. The device as claimed in claim 14 further comprising: a sub-component for detecting
a vacant space on the display for location of a new icon.
18. An electronic device comprising:
a pattern determining sub-component being in operational interconnection
with a display for detecting a current icon arrangement pattern;
a detecting sub-component for detecting an event resulting in deletion of an
icon from the display; and
a processing sub-component being in operational interconnection with the
pattern determining sub-component, the detecting sub-component and the display for
arranging at least one remaining icon on the display such that the remaining icons
maintain continuity with the current icon arrangement pattern.
19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pattern determining sub-component
comprises:
21
co-ordinate determining sub-component for determining co-ordinates of
plurality of icons already placed on the display; and
pattern determiner for determining the current icon arrangement pattern on the
basis of the co-ordinates of said plurality of icons already placed on the display.
20. The device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising: a segmenting sub-component
for artificially segmenting the display into an M*N grid such that each icon already
placed on the display occupies a location of the M*N grid.
21. An electronic device comprising:
a display for displaying a layout to a user;
an input means for receiving an icon arrangement pattern from the user;
a storage device in operational interconnection with the input means for
storing the icon arrangement pattern thus received from the user;
a detecting sub-component for detecting a condition requiring arrangement of
at least one icon on the display; and
a processing sub-component for fetching the icon arrangement pattern from
the storage device and arranging at least one icon on the display in accordance with
the icon arrangement pattern.