Display Notification Highlighting via Screen Content Darkening

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Solution Overview

Problem

In smart terminals, notification messages are often overshadowed by remaining display content when the screen is in a screen-off state, leading to poor presentation and user experience, as the screen must be switched on to display these messages, which can divert attention from important notifications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that darken remaining display content on the screen when switching from a screen-off to a screen-on state, using a darkening image or selectively enabling/disabling display pixels to highlight notification messages, allowing for customizable presentation based on priority and user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the screen is switched on to display notification messages, then the notification messages can be presented, but the remaining display content may overshadow the notification messages and divert user attention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification message prominenceVSAvoiddistraction from notification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies darkening (color/brightness change) to the remaining display content to make it less visually prominent, while keeping the notification message area bright and visible. This creates a visual contrast that ensures notification messages are the focal point without requiring the entire screen to be fully illuminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements selective darkening where only specific regions of the display (the remaining content areas) are darkened, while the notification message region maintains normal brightness. This local differentiation allows the notification to stand out without completely activating the entire display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the entire screen is switched on to display notification messages, then the messages are visible, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification message visibilityVSAvoiddisplay energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent activates only the specific pixel regions corresponding to the notification message area, while keeping other regions in a darkened or off state. This localized activation significantly reduces the total power consumption compared to full-screen activation, while ensuring the notification remains fully visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fully activating the entire display screen, the patent applies partial activation by illuminating only the necessary notification message region. This partial action achieves the essential function of notification delivery with reduced energy expenditure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the screen remains in screen-off state to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but notification messages cannot be effectively presented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay energy consumptionVSAvoidnotification message presentation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial screen activation where only the notification message region is illuminated rather than the entire screen. This partial action provides sufficient visibility for notification delivery while avoiding the full energy cost of complete screen activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses brightness modulation to create distinct visual states: the notification area is kept bright and visible, while other areas are darkened or turned off. This brightness differentiation allows effective notification presentation with minimal energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3113001B1Method and apparatus for displaying information
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3113001B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3113001B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~2A
  • EP3113001B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2D

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for displaying information. The method includes: receiving (101) a notification message to be presented when a display screen is in a screen-off state; and performing (102) a darkening process for an object to be hidden on the display screen and displaying the notification message, when the display screen is switched into a screen-on state from the screen-off state; wherein the object to be hidden comprises a whole or a part of remaining display content displayed on the display screen except the notification message. According to the present invention, the object to be hidden can be darkened on the display screen while the notification message can be highlighted, such that presented content on the display screen is concise and easy to be read, facilitating a user to focus on the notification message quickly.