Shared-Content Session Interfaces with Preloaded Content Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing shared-content sessions on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes, wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing shared-content sessions are provided, reducing cognitive burden on users and conserving power by minimizing redundant user inputs and optimizing processor usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used for managing shared-content sessions, then the user interface can be implemented, but it requires multiple key presses or keystrokes which increases operation time and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface operationVSAvoidtime for multiple key presses

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically selecting and preparing content items before the user needs to share them. The user interface pre-loads available content, maintains a list of shareable items, and prepares them for rapid selection during the sharing session, eliminating the need for multiple sequential key presses to navigate through menus and folders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard input system with a touch-based selection interface. Instead of requiring multiple key presses, users can directly tap on content items in a visual display, and the system automatically handles the selection and sharing process, substituting mechanical input with graphical user interface interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If existing techniques require multiple key presses, then the user interface can be implemented, but it increases device energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface operationVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically selecting and preparing content items before the user needs to share them. The user interface pre-loads available content, maintains a list of shareable items, and prepares them for rapid selection during the sharing session, eliminating the need for multiple sequential key presses to navigate through menus and folders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard input system with a touch-based selection interface. Instead of requiring multiple key presses, users can directly tap on content items in a visual display, and the system automatically handles the selection and sharing process, substituting mechanical input with graphical user interface interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex user interface is used for managing shared-content sessions, then functionality can be achieved, but it increases cognitive burden on the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshared-content session functionalityVSAvoidcognitive burden on user

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into distinct functional areas: a visual display of available content items, selection controls for choosing what to share, and sharing destination options. This segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable sections, making it easier for users to understand and interact with the system without overwhelming cognitive load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard input system with a touch-based selection interface. Instead of requiring multiple key presses, users can directly tap on content items in a visual display, and the system automatically handles the selection and sharing process, substituting mechanical input with graphical user interface interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4372533B1Shared-content session user interfaces

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 APPLE INC

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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.