Touch-Sensitive Device Content Surfacing for Faster App Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of handheld electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays face inefficiencies in locating desired applications and functions, as well as managing the continuous stream of information, often requiring multiple inputs and consuming battery power.

Innovation Solution

The system proactively identifies and surfaces relevant content by detecting search activation gestures, displaying a search interface with predictions based on application usage history and location data, allowing users to select and execute actions without additional inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually locate and navigate to desired applications through home screens and search interfaces, then applications can be accessed, but users spend significant time and require multiple inputs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication access speedVSAvoidtime to locate application
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying and surfacing relevant content (applications, information, functions) before the user explicitly requests them. The search interface displays predictions and suggested actions based on usage history, context, and time of day, allowing users to immediately execute desired applications with a single touch input rather than manually navigating through home screens and search interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If users manually navigate through home screens and search interfaces to locate applications, then applications can be accessed, but multiple touch inputs are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of inputs requiredVSAvoidapplication access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system serves itself by automatically generating and displaying relevant content predictions without requiring users to manually search or navigate. The search interface proactively surfaces applications and functions based on the user's usage patterns, context, and needs, allowing the system to identify and present the desired application automatically rather than requiring the user to manually locate it through multiple inputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the search interface proactively displays predictions and suggested actions, then user efficiency is enhanced, but battery power is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser efficiencyVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by displaying a limited set of predicted actions and suggestions rather than exhaustively listing all possible applications and functions. The search interface shows only the most relevant predictions based on usage history and context, allowing users to quickly identify desired content without the system needing to process and display every possible option, thereby reducing computational overhead and power consumption while maintaining high user efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Loss of information

If users continuously interact with the touch-sensitive display to locate information, then information can be found, but the display life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation retrievalVSAvoiddisplay life
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively surfacing relevant information and applications before users need to manually search for them. The search interface displays predictions and suggested actions that anticipate user needs based on usage patterns and context, allowing users to quickly locate and access desired information with minimal touch inputs rather than continuously tapping and scrolling through the display, thereby extending display life while ensuring information retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4340408B1Systems and methods for proactively identifying and surfacing relevant content on a touch-sensitive device
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 APPLE INC
  • EP4340408B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4340408B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4340408B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Systems and methods for proactively identifying and surfacing relevant content on an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the method includes executing, on the electronic device, an application in response to an instruction from a user of the electronic device. While executing the application, the method further includes collecting usage data. The usage data at least includes one or more actions performed by the user within the application. The method also includes: automatically, without human intervention, obtaining at least one trigger condition based on the collected usage data and associating the at least one trigger condition with a particular action of the one or more actions performed by the user within the application. Upon determining that the at least one trigger condition has been satisfied, the method includes providing an indication to the user that the particular action associated with the trigger condition is available.