Timeline User Interface Integrating Sunrise Sunset Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart watches and similar devices face challenges in presenting sufficient information due to their limited screen size, making it difficult for users to plan activities effectively, especially regarding natural light availability like sunrise and sunset times, without requiring larger screens or magnification.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that displays a time axis on a device's screen, incorporating indications of sunrise and sunset times, allowing users to scroll and interact with calendar events, and providing context-based information to optimize activity planning within available daylight hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a smart watch uses a larger screen to present sufficient information, then the quantity of information displayed is improved, but the device size and wearability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional linear or grid-based information presentation to a temporal dimension approach, displaying calendar events and sunrise/sunset information along a time axis. This dimensional change allows comprehensive information presentation within the constrained screen area by utilizing the time dimension effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface segments information into distinct visual elements: calendar events are represented by symbols, sunrise/sunset times are shown as separate indicators, and the time axis provides structural organization. This segmentation allows multiple information types to coexist on a limited screen without overwhelming the user.
2Loss of information
If a traditional calendar application is used on a personal computer, then the quantity of information presented is improved, but the portability and accessibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface design that adapts calendar functionality to work effectively on wearable devices with limited screens. The time-axis-based presentation and symbolic representation make the calendar application portable and accessible across different device types, from personal computers to smart watches.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface changes key parameters of information presentation: using symbols instead of text for events, displaying time as a spatial axis rather than numerical values, and showing sunrise/sunset as visual indicators rather than raw data. These parameter changes enable effective calendar usage on small wearable screens.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sunrise and sunset information is displayed in detail, then the usefulness for activity planning is improved, but the screen space consumption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sunrise and sunset information into the temporal dimension of the calendar interface, displaying them as indicators along the time axis rather than as separate detailed data blocks. This allows the information to be presented in a space-efficient manner while maintaining its utility for activity planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface merges sunrise/sunset indicators with the calendar event display system, using the same time axis and symbolic representation approach. This integration allows multiple information types (calendar events, sunrise, sunset) to share the same screen space without requiring separate display areas.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing core, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processing core, cause the apparatus at least to obtain at least one of a sunrise time and a sunset time for a current location of the apparatus; obtain a plurality of calendar events from a calendar application; display a time axis on a screen, and display, relative to the time axis, a plurality of symbols corresponding to at least part of the plurality of calendar events, and display, relative to the time axis, at least one of: an indication of sunrise corresponding to the sunrise time, and an indication of sunset corresponding to the sunset time.