Dynamic Screen-Off Animations for Real-Time Usage Status

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing always on display methods for electronic devices are monotonous and do not convey real-time usage status effectively, making the content not interesting and lacking visual engagement.

Innovation Solution

The method involves displaying screen-off animations associated with the latest usage data of the electronic device, such as charge state and power information, to convey the current power status and other usage details in a vivid and interactive manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a preset screen-off animation is displayed in the screen-off state, then the user's visual experience is improved, but the display mode becomes monotonous and the always on display content is not real-time and not interesting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual experienceVSAvoiddisplay mode variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the screen-off animation content changeable and adaptive. Instead of displaying a fixed preset animation, the system dynamically selects and displays animations that correspond to the current usage status of the electronic device (such as charging state, music playback, exercise activity). This allows the display content to be real-time and varied, resolving the contradiction between visual experience and display mode variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the animation content based on changes in device usage parameters. When the usage status changes (e.g., from charging to not charging, or different exercise levels), the system changes the displayed animation to match the new parameter state. This creates a dynamic, real-time display experience that is both visually engaging and informative.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the screen-off animation displays static content, then power consumption is reduced, but the always on display content becomes not real-time and not interesting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreal-time usage status
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by updating the screen-off animation content at specific intervals or when usage status changes occur. Instead of continuously updating the display (which would consume more power), the system periodically refreshes the animation to reflect current device state, achieving a balance between power efficiency and real-time information display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects usage status changes and updates the animation accordingly without requiring user intervention. The electronic device monitors its own state (charging, music playback, exercise) and self-adjusts the display content, maintaining real-time information while minimizing unnecessary power consumption from continuous updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the full screen is kept on to display information, then all information is visible, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation visibilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information display function from the full-screen display and implements it through a simplified screen-off animation format. By taking out the core need to convey usage status and implementing it through targeted animations rather than full-screen interfaces, the system maintains information visibility while dramatically reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses lightweight, simple animation objects that consume minimal power to convey information. Instead of maintaining a complex full-screen interface, the system employs simple animated graphics that can be quickly rendered and updated with minimal energy expenditure, achieving effective information communication at low power cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4206891B1Always on display method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4206891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4206891B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4206891B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An always on display method and an electronic device are provided and relate to the field of terminal technologies, to perform always on display according to a usage status of the electronic device, so that the usage status of the electronic device is vividly and effectively conveyed to a user in a screen-off state, making always on display content more real-time and interesting. The method includes: receiving, by an electronic device, a screen-off event; in response to the screen-off event, entering, by the electronic device, a screen-off state; and displaying, by the electronic device, a first target screen-off animation in a first display area, where the first target screen-off animation is associated with usage data of the electronic device, and the usage data is used to indicate a usage status of the electronic device.