Proximity-Aware Widget Display for Privacy and Battery Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for displaying widgets on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring multiple key presses and consuming excessive user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and interfaces that dynamically adjust displayed content based on user proximity and privacy levels, allowing for efficient and power-conserving interaction with user interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used to display widgets, then content can be displayed, but the user interface becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoidtime to display widget

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and prepares widget content and configuration data before user requests, so that when a widget needs to be displayed, the information is already ready and can be shown immediately without requiring multiple user inputs or processing delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects user presence, determines appropriate content based on user context, and displays widgets without requiring user initiation or multiple key presses - the system serves itself by proactively providing relevant information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If existing techniques are used to display widgets, then content can be displayed, but excessive device energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidget display efficiencyVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic user presence detection and context assessment to determine when widget display is appropriate, rather than continuously monitoring and displaying - energy is consumed only during relevant periods when users are actually present and need information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts widget content and display parameters based on local user context (proximity, device orientation, environmental conditions) rather than using a fixed high-energy display mode for all situations - energy consumption is optimized for each specific context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If content is displayed without considering user proximity, then all users can see content, but privacy concerns arise and user experience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent adaptability to user contextVSAvoidprivacy information protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides different content in different spatial zones around the device - users at different distances or positions receive appropriately filtered information based on their location, ensuring privacy-sensitive content is only visible to authorized nearby users while maintaining adaptability to each user's context

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260050322A1User interfaces and techniques for presenting content

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces.