Event-Driven Time User Interface Background Color Updates for Lower Power

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for displaying background regions on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses and consuming excessive user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and interfaces that allow for the display of time user interfaces with background regions to change colors in response to update events, reducing the need for redundant user inputs and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques are used to display background regions, then the time user interface can be displayed, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects update events and changes the background region color without requiring user intervention. The interface serves itself by monitoring for updates and automatically refreshing the display when needed, eliminating the need for users to manually trigger background region updates through multiple key presses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If existing techniques are used to display background regions, then the time user interface can be displayed, but excessive device energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic event-driven updates rather than continuous processing. The background region color changes only when an update event is detected, allowing the system to enter low-power states between events. This periodic action based on actual update needs significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous or manual update methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing techniques are used to display background regions, then the interface can be updated, but the cognitive burden on the user increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface update capabilityVSAvoidcognitive burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface automatically manages its own state updates by detecting when data changes are available and refreshing the background region accordingly. Users simply view the interface without needing to understand or trigger update processes, eliminating the cognitive burden of managing interface updates while maintaining full adaptability to data changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If existing techniques are used to display background regions, then the time user interface can be displayed, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display updates only when update events occur rather than continuously or on fixed intervals. This event-driven periodic action allows the processor and display to remain in low-power states between updates, significantly extending battery life while ensuring the display functionality remains reliable and current when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20250231531A1Displaying background regions for time user interfaces

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to displaying time user interfaces.