Adaptive Application Views for Faster, Lower-Power Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for selecting and opening applications on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses and wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and interfaces that allow for the display of a set of application views including preselected and adaptive views, with automatic updates based on predetermined criteria, reducing the need for user input and optimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used for selecting and opening applications, then applications can be accessed, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of application selectionVSAvoidtime for application selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and pre-displays thumbnail views of recently used applications in a dock at the bottom of the screen. This preliminary action allows users to access frequently used applications instantly without navigating through menus or pressing multiple keys, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The application selection interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: the dock area for quick access to recent applications, the preview area for thumbnail views, and the main workspace. This segmentation allows users to quickly locate and select applications without processing the entire interface, improving operational efficiency and reducing selection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If existing techniques are used for selecting and opening applications, then applications can be accessed, but device energy is wasted particularly in battery-operated devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication access efficiencyVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic updates of application thumbnails in the dock based on recent usage patterns, rather than continuously refreshing all application states. This periodic action maintains productivity by keeping relevant applications accessible while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous updates of all system states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the essential information needed for quick application access (thumbnail previews and basic metadata) and displays it in the dock, while leaving detailed application states to be loaded only when actually opened. This extraction approach maintains application access efficiency while minimizing the energy required to maintain the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If a comprehensive set of application views is displayed, then user efficiency is enhanced, but cognitive burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the interface provide different levels of information density: the dock area shows compact thumbnail previews for quick identification, while the main workspace provides full application views when needed. This local quality variation enhances user efficiency by making information accessible at appropriate detail levels without overwhelming the user with complexity throughout the entire interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The interface dynamically adapts its complexity based on user interaction patterns. Frequently used applications are prominently displayed in the dock with larger thumbnails, while less used applications are minimized. The interface transitions from a simplified dock view to more detailed views only when users interact with specific elements, thereby enhancing efficiency without permanently increasing cognitive burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4632547A1Displaying and updating a set of application views
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 APPLE INC
  • EP4632547A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4632547A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4632547A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to viewing and updating application views. A device receives a user input, the input, when received initiating display of a plurality of application views of a set of application views. The device, in response to receiving the user input, displays the plurality of application views of the set of application views, wherein the set of application views includes preselected application views and an adaptive view that corresponds to a most recently opened application that is not one of the preselected application views.