Shared-Content Session Interface for Concurrent Output and Low Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for communication and information sharing using electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses and wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and interfaces that detect shared-content sessions to output notifications and content efficiently, reducing cognitive burden and conserving power by allowing devices to output content concurrently with external systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used for communication and information sharing, then content can be output, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidtime for content output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a shared-content session in advance where content is pre-loaded and configured for automatic output. When the external device sends content, the local device is already prepared to receive and display it immediately without requiring users to perform multiple setup actions or key presses during the content transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shared-content session enables automatic content transfer and display without requiring continuous user intervention. Once the session is active, the system autonomously handles content reception, processing, and output, eliminating the need for users to manually configure each content item or perform multiple input actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If existing techniques are used for content sharing, then content can be transferred, but device energy is wasted particularly in battery-operated devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharing speedVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously monitoring and processing all possible content streams, the system establishes a periodic shared-content session that is activated only when needed. The device enters a low-power state between sessions and quickly transitions to active content reception when the external device initiates sharing, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining fast content transfer capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the essential content transfer function from the full content sharing ecosystem, creating a streamlined shared-content session that handles only the necessary content transmission tasks. This extraction eliminates unnecessary processing, display updates, and system interactions that would consume battery power, focusing energy only on the actual content transfer operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex user interface is used for content sharing, then detailed control is possible, but cognitive burden on the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent control flexibilityVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shared-content session creates a universal interface that handles multiple content types and transfer scenarios through a single unified mechanism. Rather than requiring users to understand different control procedures for various content types, the system provides a consistent, simplified interaction model that works for all shared content, reducing cognitive load while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared-content session acts as an intermediary layer between the external device and the local device's content display system. This intermediary handles the complexity of content format conversion, timing coordination, and display management automatically, presenting users with a simple receive/accept interface while shielding them from the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12541338B2Shared-content session user interfaces

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for managing shared-content sessions. In some embodiments, content is shared with a group of users participating in a shared-content session. In some embodiments, the content is screen-share content that is shared from one device to other participants of the shared-content session. In some embodiments, the content is synchronized content for which output of the content is synchronized across the participants of the shared-content session.