Medication Tracking Interface With Dynamic Option Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medication tracking techniques on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring multiple key presses and wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing faster and more efficient user interfaces that allow for streamlined selection and display of medication options based on predefined criteria, including options for different medication forms and strengths, and utilizing clinical health records to optimize interface display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex user interface with multiple key presses is used to track medications, then the system can provide comprehensive medication tracking functionality, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication tracking functionalityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures medication forms and strengths based on the selected medication type, so that when a user selects a medication, the interface automatically displays relevant pre-categorized options (e.g., tablet, capsule, liquid) with associated strength levels, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through comprehensive medication databases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The medication tracking interface is segmented into hierarchical levels: first selecting the medication type, then selecting the medication form (tablet, capsule, liquid), and finally selecting the strength. This segmentation breaks down the complex task into manageable steps, making the interface easier to navigate while maintaining comprehensive functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple key presses are required to select medication options, then the system can accurately capture user selections, but user time and device energy are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection accuracyVSAvoiduser time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically adapts its complexity based on the selection state. After the user selects a medication type, the interface dynamically updates to show only the relevant medication forms and strengths, reducing the number of required selections while maintaining accurate capture of the complete medication specification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary layer of pre-categorized medication forms and strengths that mediates between the user's high-level medication selection and the detailed tracking requirements, allowing users to make selections more quickly without sacrificing accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a comprehensive medication selection interface is displayed, then all medication options are available, but the cognitive burden on the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication options availabilityVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface applies local quality by displaying different levels of detail at different stages: initially showing broad medication categories, then progressively showing more specific forms and strengths only when needed. This ensures that comprehensive options are available while presenting only relevant information at each step, reducing cognitive load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260018271A1User interfaces to track medications

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for tracking medications, managing logging actions (e.g., for tracked medications), and/or displaying summaries of tracked medications.