Smart Device Alarm Setting via Direct Time Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing alarm clock applications on smart devices require complex and tedious operations to set an alarm, especially when the device is in a screen-locked state, affecting user experience, particularly for temporary alarms that need to be set quickly.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to set an alarm by adjusting time information displayed on the screen through touch-control operations, such as swiping, directly on the time-display area, without needing to unlock the device or navigate through multiple menus, enabling rapid and convenient alarm setting even in a locked state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users follow the conventional alarm setting process through settings application and multiple menus, then the alarm can be set accurately, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm setting accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential alarm setting function from the complex settings application and menu system. By allowing direct time input through the notification interface without requiring users to navigate through settings menus, it separates the core alarm setting capability from the redundant administrative layers, achieving both accuracy and simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the alarm setting process into distinct, manageable components: time selection, alarm type selection (snooze or repeat), and confirmation. This segmentation allows users to complete each step independently through simple gestures, reducing overall operational complexity while maintaining setting precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If users unlock the device before setting alarm, then full functionality is accessible, but the overall process becomes even more tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefull functionality accessVSAvoidtotal operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables alarm setting actions to be performed in advance while the device is still locked. Users can directly interact with the notification interface to set alarms without needing to unlock the device first, effectively performing the alarm setting action before the usual prerequisite of device unlocking, thereby saving time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If users set temporary alarm with repetition options, then alarm functionality is complete, but user attention and time are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm functionality completenessVSAvoiduser attention time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically handles alarm configuration based on user preferences. Once users select their desired alarm type (snooze or repeat), the system automatically configures the appropriate settings without requiring users to manually adjust multiple parameters or spend additional time fine-tuning the alarm behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10274903B2Setting an alarm clock on a smart device

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application relate to a method and apparatus for setting an alarm clock. The method includes receiving an input directed at a time-display area on a display screen of a device, adjusting time information displayed on the display screen according to the input, and setting an alarm clock according to the adjusted time information.