Sleep Schedule Interface for Battery-Aware Mode Change Reminders

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interfaces for establishing and adjusting sleep schedules on 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 improved methods and interfaces that allow users to easily set and adjust sleep schedules through intuitive user interfaces, including touch-sensitive displays and gestures, to enhance compliance with sleep schedules and conserve power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional user interfaces are used for establishing sleep schedules, then users can set sleep-related functions, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setting sleep scheduleVSAvoidtime to establish sleep schedule

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sleep-related functions (Do Not Disturb mode, sleep schedule, alarm clock, sleep quality tracking) into a single integrated user interface. This allows users to configure all sleep-related settings in one location rather than navigating through multiple separate applications and settings menus, thereby reducing the time and number of key presses required to establish a sleep schedule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface is designed to provide universal access to multiple sleep-related functions through a single interface. Users can manage Do Not Disturb mode, set sleep schedules, configure alarms, and track sleep quality all through one unified interface, eliminating the need to switch between different applications and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users navigate through obscure settings interfaces to adjust sleep functions, then functions can be modified, but user cognitive burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to adjust sleep functionsVSAvoidcomplexity of user interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user interface into distinct, clearly labeled sections for different sleep-related functions (Do Not Disturb mode, sleep schedule, alarm clock, sleep quality tracking). Each section is independently accessible and configured through simple, dedicated controls rather than buried within complex system settings, reducing cognitive burden while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If existing methods are used to establish sleep schedules, then sleep functions can be enabled, but device energy is wasted due to prolonged setup time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sleep schedule setupVSAvoidbattery power consumption during setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is pre-configured with default sleep schedule options and commonly used settings that users can accept or modify with minimal input. This preliminary setup reduces the time users spend navigating through settings, thereby reducing the duration of high-power display and processor activity during the setup process and conserving battery energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12511028B2System, method and user interface for supporting scheduled mode changes on electronic devices

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device displays a reminder for increasing the first battery level above a first preset battery level when the a current time is within a first preset time period preceding a scheduled mode change and the first battery level is below a first preset battery level. The electronic device forgoes displaying the reminder for increasing the first battery level above the first preset battery level when the current time is outside of the first preset time period and the first battery level is below a first preset battery level.