Exercise Watch Face Complications for Wearable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing timekeeping and exercise-related information on portable multifunction devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring complex user interfaces that consume time and device energy, and often lack essential functionalities like notifications and email access.

Innovation Solution

The development of faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for providing exercise-based watch faces and complications, which reduce cognitive burden, minimize redundant inputs, and conserve processor power, allowing users to access fitness information and other functionalities seamlessly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing techniques are used to manage timekeeping and exercise-related information, then the device can provide both timekeeping and exercise functionalities, but the user interface becomes complex and time-consuming to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines timekeeping and exercise functionalities into a unified watch face interface. The exercise complications are integrated directly into the watch face display, allowing users to access both time and exercise information through a single, cohesive interface rather than separate applications or screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The watch face serves multiple functions simultaneously - displaying time, showing exercise metrics (heart rate, calories, distance), and providing quick access to exercise controls. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate interfaces for timekeeping and fitness tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If complex user interfaces are used to access exercise information, then comprehensive fitness data can be displayed, but device energy is consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitness information accessVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Exercise metrics are pre-calculated and displayed as complications on the watch face during or immediately after exercise sessions. This allows users to view fitness information without triggering additional processing or data retrieval operations that would consume extra energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically tracks and displays exercise metrics without requiring users to manually initiate data collection or navigation through multiple screens. The watch face self-updates with exercise information based on sensor data already being collected during the workout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If multiple key presses or screen navigations are required to access fitness information, then detailed exercise data can be retrieved, but user time is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise data retrievalVSAvoiduser time consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Exercise information is segmented into multiple complication elements displayed simultaneously on the watch face (heart rate, calories, distance, time). Users can view all these metrics at once without needing to navigate through separate screens or press multiple buttons to access different data points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a linear, sequential information access model (multiple screens) to a parallel, spatial display model (multiple complications on one face). All exercise metrics are arranged in a two-dimensional layout that can be viewed simultaneously, eliminating the need for sequential navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If redundant user inputs are required to access exercise features, then comprehensive control can be achieved, but cognitive burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Exercise control functions (start, pause, stop) are merged with the watch face display and integrated into the complication interface. Users can control exercise sessions through the same interface used to view exercise data, eliminating the need for separate control menus or additional input sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10304347B2Exercised-based watch face and complications

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 APPLE INC

AI summary

Exercise-based watch faces and complications for use with a portable multifunction device are disclosed. The methods described herein for exercise-based watch faces and complications provide indications of time and affordances representing applications (e.g., a workout application or a weather application). In response to detecting a user input corresponding to a selection of the affordance (e.g., representing a workout application), a workout routine can optionally be begun. Further disclosed are non-transitory computer-readable storage media, systems, and devices configured to perform the methods described herein, as well as electronic devices related thereto.