Location-Based Communication Interface With Fewer User Inputs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing location-related communications on electronic devices are cumbersome, inefficient, and often require excessive user input, wasting time and energy, particularly in battery-operated devices, while providing insufficient notice and security for sensitive communications.

Innovation Solution

Faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing location-related communications, reducing cognitive burden and conserving power by optimizing user interactions and device energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used for managing location-related communications, then the system can perform location tracking and communication management, but the user interface becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoidtime required for user input
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically obtaining location information from the electronic device without requiring user input. The location data is retrieved in advance and used to determine whether communications should be blocked, eliminating the need for users to manually enter location details or navigate complex interfaces during communication management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically using the electronic device's built-in location tracking capabilities to manage communications. The device independently determines location-based communication blocking without requiring user intervention, reducing the cognitive burden and time investment needed from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If existing techniques are used for managing location-related communications, then communication management is possible, but device energy is wasted and battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic location updates from the electronic device to manage communications efficiently. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system checks location information at appropriate intervals to determine whether communications should be blocked, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective communication management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device serves itself by using its own location tracking resources to manage communications. The device's existing location determination capabilities are leveraged without requiring additional energy-intensive user input processes, optimizing battery power usage while maintaining communication management functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If existing techniques are used for managing location-related communications, then basic communication control is achieved, but sufficient notice and security for sensitive communications is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity and notice provisionVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides preliminary notice and security measures by automatically determining location-based communication blocking before communications occur. The system pre-establishes location thresholds and communication blocking rules, providing advance notice to users about potential communication restrictions without requiring complex interface interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4387282B1User interfaces for location-related communications
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 APPLE INC
  • EP4387282B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4387282B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4387282B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to managing location-related communications of an electronic device associated with a user account.