Remote Locator Interface for Automatic Item Naming and Finding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for electronic devices to efficiently name and locate remote locator objects, reducing cognitive burden on users and minimizing processor and battery power waste from redundant user inputs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of user interfaces on electronic devices that allow users to define identifiers for remote locator objects, locate them, provide information, and display notifications or generate alerts, utilizing touch-sensitive displays and sensors to enhance interaction efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually name and locate remote locator objects, then users can track and find items, but user interaction time increases and cognitive burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoiduser interaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic naming of remote locator objects using sensor data without requiring user input. The electronic device autonomously generates identifiers and names for tracked items, eliminating the need for manual naming while maintaining tracking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes sensor data to automatically generate and assign names to remote locator objects before user interaction is needed. This preliminary automatic naming reduces the cognitive burden and interaction time required during actual tracking operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If users manually define identifiers for remote locator objects, then tracking precision improves, but processor power and battery power are wasted on redundant user inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocating precisionVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device autonomously generates and assigns identifiers to remote locator objects using sensor data processing, eliminating redundant user inputs. This automatic identifier generation maintains locating precision while reducing battery power consumption by removing unnecessary manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts meaningful identifier information directly from sensor data without requiring user input. By extracting and utilizing existing data elements for naming and identification, the system maintains precision while eliminating energy-wasting manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If the system processes and displays information about remote locator objects, then user awareness of tracked items improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation managementVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates simplified visual representations and notifications of remote locator objects rather than displaying full detailed information. This copying approach maintains user awareness of tracked items while reducing interface complexity by presenting essential information in condensed formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4201086B1User interfaces for tracking and finding items
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 APPLE INC
  • EP4201086B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4201086B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4201086B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In some embodiments, an electronic device presents user interfaces for defining identifiers for remote locator objects. In some embodiments, an electronic device locates a remote locator object. In some embodiments, an electronic device provides information associated with a remote locator object. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays notifications associated with a trackable device. In some embodiments, a first device generates alerts.