Unified Sleep Schedule Interface for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user interfaces for managing sleep schedules on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring users to navigate through multiple applications and complex settings, wasting time and energy, especially in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that displays different user interfaces based on preset time periods and battery levels, allowing users to easily set and adjust sleep schedules, with visual indications and mode changes to promote compliance and conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users navigate through multiple applications and complex settings to manage sleep schedules, then comprehensive sleep management functions can be achieved, but user time and device energy are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sleep schedule managementVSAvoidtime for setting 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 Timer, Bedtime mode, and sleep schedule management) into a single integrated user interface. This allows users to manage all sleep-related settings from one location rather than navigating through multiple applications and complex settings menus, directly reducing the time and effort required to configure sleep schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified user interface serves multiple functions simultaneously - it manages Do Not Disturb mode, sets sleep timers, configures bedtime modes, and establishes sleep schedules. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate applications for each sleep-related task, improving ease of operation while reducing the time users spend navigating between different settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If users navigate through multiple applications and complex settings to manage sleep schedules, then comprehensive sleep management functions can be achieved, but device energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sleep schedule managementVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple sleep management functions into a single user interface, the system reduces the computational overhead associated with launching and switching between multiple applications. The integrated interface maintains all sleep-related settings in one location, reducing the energy consumption that would otherwise be spent on app transitions and repeated setting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to pre-configure sleep schedules and related settings in advance through the unified interface. Once configured, these settings are automatically applied during scheduled times without requiring users to manually activate multiple applications or settings during nighttime hours, thereby conserving device energy when the device is least actively used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If complex user interfaces with multiple key presses are used, then detailed sleep schedule control can be achieved, but user cognitive burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep schedule configuration efficiencyVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sleep management controls into a single unified user interface that presents all sleep-related options (Do Not Disturb, Sleep Timer, Bedtime mode, and schedule settings) in one coherent view. This integration simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need to navigate through multiple applications and complex settings menus, thereby reducing cognitive burden while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are used for sleep management, then comprehensive sleep functions can be provided, but coordination between applications becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep management functionalityVSAvoidapplication coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple sleep management functions that would otherwise require separate applications into a single integrated user interface. This unification eliminates coordination problems between applications by having all sleep-related settings and controls managed through one consistent interface, ensuring reliable and coherent operation of all sleep functions without the need for inter-application communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11669235B2System, method and user interface for supporting scheduled mode changes on electronic devices

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 APPLE INC

AI summary

A computer system displays a respective user interface corresponding to a restricted state. Displaying a first user interface that corresponds to the restricted state when a current time is outside a first preset time period, and displaying a second user interface that corresponds to the restricted state when the current time is within the first preset time period. While displaying the respective user interface, detecting a first input. In response to detecting the first input that meets first criteria, directed to the first user interface, replacing display of the first user interface with a third user interface different from the first and second user interfaces. In response to detecting the first input that meets second criteria different from the first criteria, directed to the second user interface, replacing display of the second user interface with display of the first user interface.