The present invention relates to a method of controlling display of multiple applications
simultaneously on a display device and an electronic device including a touch screen that
implements the control method.
Background of the Invention:
As demand for smart phones, tablets, and other similar portable electronic devices has rapidly
increased, research on user interface methods associated with a touch screen contained in the
smart phones, the tablets, and the portable electronic devices has been actively conducted.
One of the technical advancements in this direction is the concept of multi-window or multiview
display, wherein multiple applications are simultaneously depicted on the display
device.
From single user perspective, while accessing applications in multi-window scenario, we
came across situations where different applications are having their different best view modes
e.g. portrait or landscape. In that scenario user will change applications orientation very
frequently. That will result in user inconvenience, UI lagging, more GPU processing and
more power consumption.
When the user performs multi-tasking using a plurality of applications, there may be an
inconvenience to the user in that the user continuously performs manipulation for switching a
screen between applications, and there may be a drawback in that the user may not readily
recognize or easily determine the progress of the applications executing tasks or operations.
On the other hand, when a plurality of users use a single smart phone or tablet, there may be
an inconvenience in that a workspace of each user may overlap each other. Additionally, in
the current multi-window scenario it is almost impossible for multiple users to work on their
different applications simultaneously, as all windows are aligned in same direction.
Therefore, there is a need for a method for effectively displaying a plurality of applications in
a multi-window (or multi-view configuration).
Summary of the Invention:
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method that displays simultaneously multiple
applications on a display (in multi-window environment) and receives input from user(s) and
rotates the application, independent of other applications, in any direction which is
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convenient to the user or users. In an alternative, the present invention provides a method that
displays simultaneously multiple applications on a display (in multi-window environment),
detects location of user(s) with respect to the display device and rotates the applications,
independent of other applications, in a direction which is convenient to the user or users.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is appreciated that these figures 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 figures.
Brief Description of Figures:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method corresponding to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a flow chart of a method corresponding to another embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a method corresponding to yet another embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a method corresponding to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow
charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction
of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the
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figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
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Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Referring to Figure 1, the present invention provides a method (100) implemented in an
electronic device for controlling display of plurality of application in a multi-window
configuration. The method (100) comprises displaying (101) simultaneously a plurality of
applications in a first display direction, receiving (102) a user input in respect of a first
application and in response thereto, rotating a display direction of the first application to a
second display direction. The method further comprises blocking (103) detection of rotation
of the electronic device and displaying (104) the plurality of applications such that the first
application is displayed in the second display direction and remaining application(s) is
displayed in the first display direction.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of applications is displayed in a
multi-window configuration.
In still another embodiment, the present invention may further comprise receiving (105) a
user input in respect of at least one further application and in response thereto, rotating
display direction of said at least one further application to a second display direction. Once
the further application has been rotated, the method further comprises displaying (106) the
plurality of applications such that the first application and said at least one further application
are displayed in the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the
first display direction.
In another embodiment, the method of the present invention may further comprise storing
(107) the user input in respect of the first application in a memory device. The stored user
input can be used while launching of the first application i.e. for displaying (109) the first
application in accordance with the user input thus stored the next time the first application is
launched.
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Likewise, in case a user input in respect of at least one further application such user input can
be stored (108) in respect of said at least one further application in a memory device. The
stored user input can be used while launching of said at least one further i.e. for displaying
(110) said at least one further application in accordance with the user input thus stored the
next time said at least one further application is launched.
It can be seen that the above described method involves blocking detection of rotation of the
electronic device, which is performed automatically. Because detection of rotation of the
electronic device has been blocked, the each of the plurality of applications is rendered as per
the user’s choice irrespective of the orientation of the electronic device. Some of the results
of blocking detection of rotation of the electronic device include increasing user convenience,
avoiding lagging of the user interface (which other happens), less amount of graphical
processing and less power consumption.
In an alternative, the present invention further provides a method (200) implemented in an
electronic device for controlling display of plurality of application in a multi-window
configuration which is based on NOT blocking detection of rotation of the electronic device.
The method (200) in accordance with the aforesaid embodiment is illustrated in detail in
figure 2 and comprises displaying (201) simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first
display direction, receiving (202) a user input in respect of a first application and in response
thereto, rotating a display direction of the first application to a second display direction and
displaying (203) the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in the
second display direction and a remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display
direction. In contrast to the method (100) described above, the method (200) comprises
detecting (204) a rotation of the electronic device and determining (205) a change in display
configuration in response to an angle of rotation being in excess of a predetermined value. In
case the angle of rotation being in excess of a predetermined value the method comprises
displaying (206) the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in a
third display direction and the remaining application(s) is displayed in a fourth display
direction.
According to the method (200), the applications are displayed after rotation (which is in
accordance with the user inputs) and detection of rotation of the device is enabled. In case the
device is rotated, the angle of rotation is determined and checked with a predetermined
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threshold value. In case the angle of rotation is in excess of the predetermined threshold
value, all of the applications are rotated and freshly displayed on the display device.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the third display direction is rotated with respect to the
second display direction by 180 degree (or multiples of 180) and likewise, the fourth display
direction is rotated with respect to the first display direction by 180 degree (or multiples of
180).
Similar to what has been illustrated in figure 1, the method (200) may further comprise
receiving (207) a user input in respect of at least one further application and in response
thereto, rotating display direction of said at least one further application to a second display
direction. Once the further application has been rotated, the method (200) further comprises
displaying (208) the plurality of applications such that the first application and said at least
one further application are displayed in the second display direction and remaining
application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
In another embodiment, the method of the present invention may further comprise storing
(209) the user input in respect of the first application in a memory device. The stored user
input can be used while launching of the first application i.e. for displaying (211) the first
application in accordance with the user input thus stored the next time the first application is
launched. Likewise, in case a user input in respect of at least one further application such user
input can be stored (210) in respect of said at least one further application in a memory
device. The stored user input can be used while launching of said at least one further i.e. for
displaying (212) said at least one further application in accordance with the user input thus
stored the next time said at least one further application is launched.
Without wanting to be limited, the user input in both of the aforesaid embodiments can be
selected from a group comprising:
 a screen reverse gesture to reverse a top side to a bottom side;
 a screen reverse gesture to reverse a bottom side to a top side;
 a screen reverse gesture to reverse a left side to a right side;
 a screen reverse gesture to reverse a right side to a left side;
 a drag gesture from a top side to a bottom side;
 a drag gesture from a bottom side to a top side;
 a drag gesture from a right side to a left side;
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 a drag gesture from a left side to a right side;
 a drag gesture from a top side to a left side;
 a drag gesture from a left side to a top side;
 a drag gesture from a top side to a right side;
 a drag gesture from a right side to a top side;
 a drag gesture from a bottom side to a left side;
 a drag gesture from a left side to a bottom side;
 a drag gesture from a bottom side to a right side;
 a drag gesture from a right side to a bottom side;
 a screen rotate gesture;
 a screen rotate icon activation; and
 a motion to rotate the electronic device while touching the first application.
It can be seen that in the aforesaid methods (100 and 200), the user provides manual input for
rotating the application. In an alternative embodiment the method can be modified such that
location of the user relative to the electronic device is automatically detected and the first
application is rotated to the second direction based on the location of the user. In this
embodiment, while the first application is rotated to the second direction, it is NOT essential
that all applications which are being simultaneously being displayed are rotated. This aspect
of the invention is illustrated in figure 3, which shows a flow chart of a method (300)
comprising the steps of displaying (301) simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first
display direction, detecting (302) location of a user relative to the electronic device and
rotating (303) a display direction of the first application to a second display direction based
on the location of the user. The method further comprises displaying (304) the plurality of
applications such that the first application is displayed in the second display direction and
remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
Although not essential, the method (300) may further comprise rotating at least one further
application to a third direction based on the location of the user. In this regard, the method
(300) can receive (305) user input in respect of at least one further application and in
response thereto, rotate display direction of said at least one further application to a third
display direction. Once the further application has been rotated, the method further comprises
displaying (306) the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in the
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second direction, said at least one further application is displayed in a third display direction
and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
In an alternative to steps 305 and 306 (which are based on manual input), the method (300)
may further comprise rotating (308) at least one further application to a third direction based
on the location of the user as sensed in the earlier step (302). Once the further application has
been rotated, the method further comprises displaying (309) the plurality of applications such
that the first application is displayed in the second direction, said at least one further
application is displayed in the third display direction and remaining application(s) is
displayed in the first display direction.
Similar to the method illustrated in figure 2, the method (300) can enable detection of further
rotation of the device or movement of the user with respect to the device, in which case,
rotation of the electronic device is detected (310), a change in display configuration is
determined (311) in response to an angle of rotation is in excess of predetermined threshold
value and all of the applications are rotated and freshly displayed (312) on the display device.
Especially in case where location of the user is automatically detected, the method (400) can
be further elaborated as illustrated in figure 4 to comprise of the steps of displaying (401)
simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display direction, detecting (402) location
of a first user relative to the electronic device and detecting (403) a first application as viewed
by the first user. The method further comprises rotating (404) a display direction of the first
application to a second display direction based on the location of the user and displaying
(405) the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in the second
display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
Especially to cater to multi-user scenario, once the first application has been displayed in the
second direction (with the remaining application(s) being displayed in the first direction), it is
also possible to obtain orient any of the further application(s) to cater to the requirement of
the plurality of users.
This embodiment is illustrated in figure 4 and it can be noticed that the method (400) after the
step of displaying (405) the plurality of applications such that the first application is
displayed in the second direction and the remaining application(s) is displayed in the first
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direction, the method can comprise a procedure for orienting a second application to suit the
needs of a second user.
The procedure for orienting the second application to suit the needs of the second user can
comprise, detecting (406) location of the second user relative to the electronic device and
detecting (407) a second application as viewed by the second user. Based on the above, the
method further comprises rotating (408) a display direction of the second application to a
third display direction based on the location of the user. Alternatively such procedure can
comprise, receiving input from the second user in respect of a second application and rotating
the display direction of the second application to a third direction (which is in accordance
with the input provided by the second user) (409).
Although not illustrated in figure 4, once the rotation of the second application has been
performed, the method may further include displaying the plurality of applications such that
the first application is displayed in the second display direction which based on (a) the
location of the first user or (b) in accordance with the input received from the first user; the
second application is displayed in a third display direction which is based on (a) the location
of the second user or (b) in accordance with the input received from the second user; and the
remaining application(s) is displayed in the first direction.
The aforesaid process can be repeated for any further user(s) and as illustrated in figure 4, can
comprise detecting (410) location of at least one further user relative to the electronic device
and detecting (411) one further application as viewed by said at least one further user. Based
on the above, the method further comprises rotating (412) a display direction of said one
further application to further display direction based on the location of said at least one
further user. Alternatively such procedure can comprise, receiving input from said one further
user in respect of said at least one further application and rotating the display direction of the
one further application to a further direction (which is in accordance with the input provided
by the second user) (413).
Now referring to figure 5, there is illustrated construction of an electronic device (500) that
can implement the method as illustrated in any of figures 1 or 2. The electronic device can
comprise a display device (501) for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a
first display direction, a user input receiver (502) for receiving a user input in respect of a
first application, an electronic device rotation sensor (503) for detecting rotation of the
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electronic device, and a controller (504) being in operational interconnection with the display
device (501), the user input receiver (502) and the electronic device rotation sensor (503).
While implementing the method illustrated in figure 1, the controller (504) is configured to
rotate a display direction of the first application to a second display direction in response to
receiving the user input, block detection of rotation of the electronic device and display the
plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in the second display
direction and a remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
On the other hand, while implementing the method illustrated in figure 2, the controller (504)
is configured to rotate a display direction of the first application to a second display direction
in response to receiving the user input, displaying the plurality of applications such that the
first application is displayed in the second direction and remaining application(s) is displayed
in the first direction, detect rotation of the electronic device, determine a change in display
configuration in response to an angle of rotation being in excess of a predetermined value,
and display the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in a third
display direction and the remaining application(s) is displayed in a forth display direction.
Now referring to figure 6, there is illustrated construction of an electronic device (600) that
can implement the method as illustrated in figure 3. The electronic device can comprise a
display device (601) for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display
direction, a sensor (602) for sensing location of user(s) relative to the electronic device (600),
and a controller (603) being in operational interconnection with the display device (601) and
the sensor (602). The controller (603) is configured to rotate a display direction of the first
application to a second display direction based on the location of the user and display the
plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in the second display
direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
Now referring to figure 7, there is illustrated construction of an electronic device (700) that
can implement the method as illustrated in figure 4. The electronic device can comprise a
display device (701) for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display
direction, a sensor (702) for sensing location of a first user relative to the electronic device
(700), a sensor (703) for detecting a first application as viewed by the first user and a
controller (704) being in operational interconnection with the display device (701), the sensor
(702) for sensing location of the user and the sensor (703) for detecting the first application.
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The controller (704) is configured to rotate a display direction of the first application to a
second display direction and display the plurality of applications such that the first
application is displayed in the second display direction and remaining application(s) is
displayed in the first display direction, said second display direction being dependent upon
the location of the first user.
In the following paragraphs, the invention is explained with reference to some examples
which are provided merely for the purposes of illustration.
The present invention provides for window rotation of 2 or more windows in any direction
independent of each other. The windows can be rotated either manually using finger, gesture
or any other user input receiving means including but limited to mouse, roll-ball, keypads,
etc. Alternatively, the rotation can be done automatically, by detecting the location of the
user, for example using a camera sensor. Preferably, the detection of location of the user can
be done such that the application which the user is viewing can also be sensed. This can be
done, by way of example, be detecting eye position of the user(s). Especially in relation to
operation of the electronic device by a single user, the user can rotate the applications in their
best suited direction, which optimizes the device usage. On the other hand, when it comes to
multi-user scenario, the feature of rotation can be preferably used to facilitate the multiple
users to easily view or read or work on applications of their choice in the respective window.
Especially with a mobile, the display device can be segmented so as to display two windows
and rotation of the content of each window can be individually controlled by one or two
users. In respect of tablets or display devices having a larger screen (as compared to mobiles),
the display device can be segmented into 4 segments and rotation of the content of each
window can be controlled independently by up to 4 users.
Presently, multi-window feature allows user to open multiple applications at a time on single
display device of an electronic device such as a phone screen but their viewing
direction/alignment remains same. This makes very difficult for multiple users to work
simultaneously on their apps at same time. In accordance with the teachings of the present
invention, the users are provided the flexibility to rotate the multiple applications independent
of each other. Additionally, the restrictions are cast on detection of change in display
configuration of the electronic device. In one alternative, the sensors which provide input in
relation to the angle of rotation of the electronic device are blocked (or in other words, the
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input is not acted upon). In another alternative, a change in display configuration is detected
only if the electronic device has rotated by an angle in excess of a threshold value, for
example, 180o.
Now referring to figure 8, there is illustrated a prior art scenario wherein a user launches two
applications (801 and 802) on a mobile device for display on the associated display device.
As it can be seen from figure 8a, which illustrates a first orientation direction of the mobile
device, the first application 801 appears in a compressed form while the second application
802 appears in a normal form as per prior art. It can be further observed from figure 8b that in
case the electronic device is oriented to a second orientation direction (which is 90o shifted
with respect to the first orientation) the first application 801 appears in a normal form while
the second application 802 appears in a compressed form as per prior art. Thus, it can be seen
that neither the user is able to independently rotate the applications in accordance with his
choice (or as per his location) nor does any rotation of the electronic device assists in
displaying the first and the second applications in a manner optimal form.
In terms of present invention, while the electronic device may initially display the first
application and the second application in the first direction, similar to what is illustrated in
figure 8a. However, since the first and the second applications are thereafter rotated
independent of each other, as illustrated in figure 9, both the first application (801) and the
second application (802) are now displayed in a normal form. Now referring to figure 10, the
rotation of the first application (801) can be performed manually, for example, in respect of a
touch screen display device by touching the screen and performing a rotation action (1001).
Referring to figure 11a, in an alternative embodiment, the location of the user with respect to
the electronic device is sensed (1101) and as illustrated in figure 11b, on the basis of the
location of the user, the rotation of the first application (801) is rotated, while the second
application (802) is displayed in the original direction.
In case of a multiple user scenario, the orientation of the applications can be based on the
inputs provided by one or more of users or alternatively based on the location of multiple
users with respect to the electronic device. The electronic device even under this scenario
may initially display the first application (801) and the second application (802) in the first
direction, similar to what is illustrated in figure 8a. Thereafter, in one embodiment, the first
user may provide command for rotation of the first application in a direction suitable to him,
as illustrated by the rotation arrow (1201) shown in Figure 12. In response to the rotation
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command which is received only in respect of the first application (801), the display direction
of the first application is changed while the display direction of the second application is
maintained (or not changed). Subsequent to the display of the first and the second
applications, the electronic device either blocks detection of rotation of the electronic device
or detects a change in display configuration only if an angle of rotation of the electronic
device is in excess of a predetermined value.
In an alternative mechanism, the electronic device detects the location of the first user and the
second user with respect to the electronic device. The electronic device further detects
whether the first user is viewing the first application or the second application (1202).
Assuming that the first user is viewing the first application, the electronic device now rotates
the first application in accordance with the location of the first user. The electronic device
further detects whether the second user is viewing the first application or the second
application (1203). Assuming that the second user is viewing the second application, the
electronic device rotates the second application in accordance with the location of the second
user. In the illustrated case, it however happens that the display direction of the second
application is already in accordance with the location of the second user and hence, no action
is taken. In case, it is detected that both the first user and the second user are viewing the first
application (i.e. although the display device is displaying the second application, the same is
not being viewed by either of the first user or the second user), the device may display the
first application either in accordance with the location of the first user (in which case, the
electronic device may prompt the second user to shift the location) or display the first
application either in accordance with the location of the second user (in which case, the
electronic device may prompt the second user to shift the location). In order to detect as to
which application a particular user is viewing, reliance can be placed on the position of the
eyes of the respective user, as illustrated in figure 12.
While figure 12 shows the implementation of the present invention in an electronic device
which is held in a portrait mode, figure 13 illustrates implementation of the present invention
in an electronic device which is held in a landscape mode. Similar to what was described
with reference to figure 12, in figure 13, the first user provides command for rotation of the
first application in a direction suitable to him, as illustrated by the rotation arrow (1301) and
in response thereto, the display direction of the first application is changed while the display
direction of the second application is maintained (or not changed). In the alternative
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mechanism, the electronic device detects the location of the first user and the second user
with respect to the electronic device and the application being viewed by each of the first and
the second user based on the position of the eyes (1302 and 1303). Thereafter, the electronic
device now rotates the first application and/or the second application in accordance with the
location of the first user and/or the second user.
It may be noted that the number of applications being simultaneously displayed by the
electronic device is not restricted by the implementation of the present invention. For
example, considering a case wherein a display device is displaying four applications (1401,
1402, 1403 and 1404) as illustrated in figure 14, the method of the present invention can be
implemented even under the aforesaid scenario.
As illustrated in figure 15, assuming that four different users are viewing the four
applications (1401, 1402, 1403 and 1404) displayed by the display device, the electronic
device in one embodiment may:
receive rotation command from the first user in respect of the first application (1401), as
illustrated by the hand gesture (1501),
receive rotation command from the second user in respect of the second application (1402),
as illustrated by the hand gesture (1502),
receive rotation command from the third user in respect of the third application (1403), as
illustrated by the hand gesture (1503),
receive rotation command from the fourth user in respect of the fourth application (1404), as
illustrated by the hand gesture (1504).
In response thereto, the display directions of each of the first application, the second
application, the third application and the fourth application is changed in accordance with the
respective command. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 15, it is assumed that the gesture
command from the fourth user in respect of the fourth application is to retain the display
direction and hence, the display direction of the fourth application is maintained (or not
changed).
In the alternative mechanism, the electronic device detects the location of each of the first,
second, third and fourth users with respect to the electronic device. The electronic device
further detects the application being viewed by each of the first, second, third and fourth
users based on the position of the eyes (as illustrated by 1505, 1506, 1507 and 1508).
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Thereafter, the electronic device now rotates one or more of the first to the fourth applications
in accordance with the in accordance with the location of the first user to fourth users.
The present invention can be provide substantial advantages as compared to the conventional
processes. By way of non-limiting example, in case an electronic device is being used by a
single user in multi-window mode, the present invention can provide for:
 Lagless: No lag while switching between applications since no rotation is performed;
 User Convenience: Due to fixed screen directions, less re-rendering will occur which
will minimize delays or fluctuations and user will get a feel of smooth and fast work
experience;
 Power Saving: Reduce number of renderings will result in less GPU operations or
processing and hence will increase overall battery life;
 Better Resource Utilization: Reduce number of renderings will put less load on GPU
hence it can be utilize to handle other tasks;
 Faster processing of the applications due to better utilization of CPU/ GPU resources;
 Accidental touch avoidance: The accidental touch between multiple applications can
be avoided.
By way of another non-limiting example, in case the electronic device is being used by
multiple users in multi-window mode, the present invention can provide for:
 Users Convenience: Application windows can be easily rotated in desired user
directions, which will be very convenient for multiple users for using them. They can
view/read/work on their respective application windows simultaneously.
 Quick Alignment: By using camera sensor, automatically application windows can be
aligned quickly in respective user direction.
 Accidental Touch Avoidance: It will avoid accidental touch between multiple
applications while accessing them by more than one user.
 Extendibility: It can be easily extendible to N number of windows for N number of
users. Presently possible use cases are Mobile (2 windows) and Tablet devices(4
windows). Also applicable for both touch and non-touch devices.
 Time Saving: When multiple users work on their application independently from
different directions then obviously the time taken by them to finish the task will be
less as compared to the time when they all do it from single direction.
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While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive
concept as taught herein.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a
single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple
functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the
manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.
Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the
other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences
in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at
least as broad as given by the following claims.

We Claim:-
1. A method implemented in an electronic device, the method comprising:
displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display direction;
receiving a user input in respect of a first application and in response thereto, rotating
a display direction of the first application to a second display direction;
blocking detection of rotation of the electronic device; and
displaying the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in
the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first
display direction.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of applications is displayed in
a multi-window configuration.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: storing the user input in respect
of the first application in a memory device.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising: displaying the first application
in accordance with the user input thus stored in response to launching of the first
application.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: receiving a user input in respect
of at least one further application and in response thereto, rotating display direction of
said at least one further application to a second display direction.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: displaying the plurality of
applications such that the first application and at least one further application are
displayed in the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in
the first display direction.
7. The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: storing the user input in
respect of said at least one further application in a memory device.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user input is selected from a group
comprising:
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a top side to a bottom side;
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a screen reverse gesture to reverse a bottom side to a top side;
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a left side to a right side;
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a right side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a top side to a bottom side;
a drag gesture from a bottom side to a top side;
a drag gesture from a right side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a left side to a right side;
a drag gesture from a top side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a left side to a top side;
a drag gesture from a top side to a right side;
a drag gesture from a right side to a top side;
a drag gesture from a bottom side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a left side to a bottom side;
a drag gesture from a bottom side to a right side;
a drag gesture from a right side to a bottom side;
a screen rotate gesture;
a screen rotate icon activation; and
a motion to rotate the electronic device while touching the first application.
9. A method implemented in an electronic device, the method comprising:
displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display direction;
receiving a user input in respect of a first application and in response thereto, rotating
a display direction of the first application to a second display direction;
displaying the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in
the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first
display direction;
detecting a rotation of the electronic device;
determining a change in display configuration in response to an angle of rotation
being in excess of a predetermined value; and
displaying the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in a
third display direction and the remaining application(s) is displayed in a fourth display
direction.
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10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third display direction is rotated with
respect to the second display direction by 180 degree.
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fourth display direction is rotated with
respect to the first display direction by 180 degree.
12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of applications is displayed in
a multi-window configuration.
13. The method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising: storing the user input in respect
of the first application in a memory device.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: displaying the first application
in accordance with the user input thus stored in response to launching of the first
application.
15. The method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising: receiving a user input in respect
of at least one further application and in response thereto, rotating display direction of
said at least one further application to a second display direction.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising: displaying the plurality of
applications such that the first application and at least one further application are
displayed in the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in
the first display direction.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising: storing the user input in
respect of said at least one further application in a memory device.
18. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein rotating the display direction of the first
application includes:
a screen reversal from a top side to a bottom side;
a screen reversal from a bottom side to a top side;
a screen reversal from a left side to a right side;
a screen reversal from a right side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a bottom side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a top side;
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a screen rotation from a left side to a right side;
a screen rotation from a right side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a right side;
a screen rotation from a right side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a bottom side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a right side; and
a screen rotation from a right side to a bottom side.
19. A method implemented in an electronic device, the method comprising:
displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display direction;
detecting location of a user relative to the electronic device;
rotating a display direction of a first application to a second display direction based on
the location of the user; and
displaying the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in
the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first
display direction.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of applications is displayed
in a multi-window configuration.
21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein rotating the display direction of the first
application includes:
a screen reversal from a top side to a bottom side;
a screen reversal from a bottom side to a top side;
a screen reversal from a left side to a right side;
a screen reversal from a right side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a bottom side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a right side;
a screen rotation from a right side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a top side;
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a screen rotation from a top side to a right side;
a screen rotation from a right side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a bottom side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a right side; and
a screen rotation from a right side to a bottom side.
22. The method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising: receiving a user input in
respect of at least one further application and in response thereto, rotating display
direction of said at least one further application to a third display direction.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising: displaying the plurality of
applications such that the first application is displayed in the second display direction,
said at least one further application is displayed in the third display direction and
remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
24. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising: storing the user input in
respect of said at least one further application in a memory device.
25. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the user input in respect of said at least
one further application is selected from a group comprising:
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a top side to a bottom side;
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a bottom side to a top side;
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a left side to a right side;
a screen reverse gesture to reverse a right side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a top side to a bottom side;
a drag gesture from a bottom side to a top side;
a drag gesture from a left side to a right side;
a drag gesture from a right side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a top side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a left side to a top side;
a drag gesture from a top side to a right side;
a drag gesture from a right side to a top side;
a drag gesture from a bottom side to a left side;
a drag gesture from a left side to a bottom side;
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a drag gesture from a bottom side to a right side;
a drag gesture from a right side to a bottom side;
a screen rotate gesture;
a screen rotate icon activation; and
a motion to rotate the electronic device while touching the first application.
26. The method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising:
rotating a display direction of at least one further application to a third display
direction based on the location of the user; and
displaying the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in
the second display direction, said at least one further application is displayed in the
third display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display
direction.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein rotating the display direction of said at
least one further application includes:
a screen reversal from a top side to a bottom side;
a screen reversal from a bottom side to a top side;
a screen reversal from a left side to a right side;
a screen reversal from a right side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a bottom side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a right side;
a screen rotation from a right side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a top side to a right side;
a screen rotation from a right side to a top side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a left side;
a screen rotation from a left side to a bottom side;
a screen rotation from a bottom side to a right side; and
a screen rotation from a right side to a bottom side.
28. The method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising: detecting a rotation of the
electronic device; determining a change in display configuration in response to an
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angle of rotation being in excess of a predetermined value; and displaying the
plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in a fourth display
direction and the remaining application(s) is displayed in a fifth display direction.
29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fourth display direction is rotated
with respect to the second display direction by 180 degree.
30. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the fifth display direction is rotated with
respect to the first display direction by 180 degree.
31. The method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising: blocking detection of rotation
of the electronic device.
32. A method implemented in an electronic device, the method comprising:
displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first display direction;
detecting location of a first user relative to the electronic device;
detecting a first application as viewed by the first user;
rotating a display direction of the first application to a second display direction, the
second display direction being dependent upon the location of the first user; and
displaying the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in
the second display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first
display direction.
33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the plurality of applications is displayed
in a multi-window configuration.
34. The method as claimed in claim 32 further comprising:
detecting location of a second user relative to the electronic device;
detecting a second application as viewed by said second user; and
rotating a display direction of the second application to a third display direction, the
third display direction being dependent upon the location of the second user.
35. The method as claimed in claim 32 further comprising:
detecting location of at least one further user relative to the electronic device;
detecting at least one further application as viewed by said at least one further user;
and
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rotating a display direction of said at least one further application to at least one
further display direction based dependent upon the location of the said at least one
further user.
36. The method as claimed in claim 32 further comprising: receiving a user input from a
second user in respect of a second application and in response thereto, rotating display
direction of said second application to a third display direction.
37. The method as claimed in claim 32 further comprising: receiving input from at least
one further user in respect of at least one further application and in response thereto,
rotating a display direction of said at least one further application to at least one
further display direction.
38. An electronic device, comprising:
a display device for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first
display direction;
a user input receiver for receiving a user input in respect of a first application;
an electronic device rotation sensor for detecting rotation of the electronic device; and
a controller being in operational interconnection with the user input means, the
electronic device rotation sensor and the display device;
the controller being configured to rotate a display direction of the first application to a
second display direction in response to receiving the user input, block detection of
rotation of the electronic device and display the plurality of applications such that the
first application is displayed in the second display direction and remaining
application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
39. An electronic device, comprising:
a display device for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first
display direction;
a user input receiver for receiving a user input in respect of a first application;
an electronic device rotation sensor for detecting rotation of the electronic device; and
a controller being in operational interconnection with the user input means, the
electronic device rotation sensor and the display device;
the controller being configured to rotate a display direction of the first application to a
second display direction in response to receiving the user input, displaying the
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plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in the second
direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first direction, detect
rotation of the electronic device, determine a change in display configuration in
response to an angle of rotation being in excess of a predetermined value, and display
the plurality of applications such that the first application is displayed in a third
display direction and remaining application(s) is displayed in a forth display direction.
40. An electronic device, comprising:
a display device for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first
display direction;
a sensor for sensing location of a user relative to the electronic device; and
a controller being in operational interconnection with the sensor for sensing location
of the user and the display device;
the controller being configured to rotate a display direction of the first application to a
second display direction based on the location of the user and display the plurality of
applications such that the first application is displayed in the second display direction
and remaining application(s) is displayed in the first display direction.
41. An electronic device, comprising:
a display device for displaying simultaneously a plurality of applications in a first
display direction;
a sensor for sensing location of a first user relative to the electronic device;
a sensor for detecting a first application as viewed by the first user; and
a controller being in operational interconnection with the sensor for sensing location
of the user, the sensor for detecting the first application and the display device;
the controller being configured to rotate a display direction of the first application to a
second display direction and display the plurality of applications such that the first
application is displayed in the second display direction and remaining application(s) is
displayed in the first display direction, said second display direction being dependent
upon the location of the first user.