Cross-Device App Continuity Using Lock Screen State Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to enable seamless transitions between electronic devices, requiring users to manually launch applications on different devices, leading to cognitive burden and redundant user inputs.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a touch-sensitive display detects an external device executing a first application in a locked state, displays an affordance, and upon contact, launches a corresponding second application with the same state as the first, allowing for continuous user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual application launching is used on each device, then device operation control is achieved, but cognitive burden increases and user productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the external device and pre-displaying the affordance on the lock screen before the user actually needs to switch devices. This anticipatory approach eliminates the need for manual application launching on each device, reducing cognitive burden and maintaining productivity during device transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The affordance acts as an intermediary element that bridges the lock screen and the application. By displaying the affordance on the lock screen, the system creates a seamless transition path that eliminates the need for full device unlocking and manual application launching, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If applications are manually launched on each device, then device functionality is utilized, but time is lost due to redundant user inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the external device and prepares the affordance display in advance on the lock screen. This preliminary action reduces the transition time by eliminating the need for sequential manual operations (unlocking, navigating to app drawer, launching application), while maintaining the adaptability to work across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by preserving the application state across device transitions. The affordance displays the current application state, and when activated, restores the same application state on the new device, ensuring the user's workflow continues without interruption or time loss.
3Ease of operation
If device transitions are enabled between locked and unlocked states, then user experience continuity is improved, but processor and battery power are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs only the necessary partial action of displaying the affordance on the lock screen rather than fully unlocking the device or launching the application in the background. This selective approach maintains user experience continuity by allowing quick access to application information and state while minimizing processor and battery power consumption.
4Ease of operation
If application states are maintained across devices, then cognitive burden is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by creating a visual representation (affordance) of the application state on the lock screen of the new device. This copy allows the user to recognize and continue their workflow without transferring actual application data or complexity between devices, reducing cognitive burden while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
At an electronic device, detecting a compatible external device, where the external device is executing or has executed a first application. The detection may be made wirelessly. The electronic device also receives usage information regarding the first application from the external device. Display an affordance for user selection based on the received information. When the affordance is selected, launch a second application on the electronic device, the second application corresponding to the first application. In some examples, the second application is a different version of the first application. Launching the second application may additionally include bringing the second application to the same state as the first application. For example, if e-mail is being drafted on the external device, the electronic device may launch an e-mail editor showing the draft. In this way, a user can seamlessly transition from the use of one electronic device to another electronic device.