Date-Specific Mode Switching for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices can only automatically change wallpapers based on user history, which is limited and does not extend to other device functions, making it inadequate for notifying or enhancing user experience on specific days.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that automatically change an electronic device's mode to a date-specific mode, including lock screen wallpaper, touch effects, ringtone, and sound effects, and allow for transmitting these effects to other devices within a predetermined distance, enhancing user interaction and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the electronic device automatically changes wallpaper based on use history, then the user is notified of particular days, but the functionality of the electronic device cannot be extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification effectivenessVSAvoiddevice functionality extension
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the date-based customization feature from merely changing wallpapers to controlling multiple device functions including display brightness, audio output, vibration patterns, and home screen layout. This multi-functionality approach allows a single mechanism (date detection) to universally control various device aspects, thereby extending functionality while maintaining the core notification purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the device's operational parameters into distinct controllable aspects (display, audio, vibration, layout) that can be independently customized for different dates. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized separately while being coordinated by the unified date-based control system, enabling extended functionality without creating a monolithic complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the electronic device provides only wallpaper changes for particular days, then the implementation is simple, but the user experience is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiduser experience quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple specialized modes corresponding to different dates (e.g., birthday mode, anniversary mode, holiday mode). When a particular date is detected, the system automatically activates the pre-prepared mode without requiring real-time complex processing or user intervention, thus maintaining implementation simplicity while delivering rich user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the device interface and behavior adaptable based on the detected date. The system dynamically switches between different specialized modes, each with customized display layouts, color schemes, and functional priorities. This dynamic adaptation enhances user experience without requiring permanent structural changes to the device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the electronic device changes multiple modes (wallpaper, sound, vibration) for particular days, then the user experience is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experience qualityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple control functions into a unified specialized mode framework. Instead of implementing separate independent systems for wallpaper management, audio control, vibration patterns, and display layout, the system combines these into integrated date-specific modes. Each mode encapsulates a coherent set of customized parameters across different device aspects, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2996317B1Method for providing specialized mode according to date and electronic device supporting the same
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2996317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2996317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2996317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an electronic device for providing a specialized mode according to a date are provided. The method includes determining whether a current date corresponds to a particular day, changing a mode of the electronic device to a specialized home screen mode related to the particular day, when the current date corresponds to the particular day, and displaying a home screen in the changed specialized mode e.g. showing special widgets or icons etc..