Virtual Environment Time-of-Day Adaptation for XR Sessions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for interacting with virtual and augmented reality environments are cumbersome, inefficient, and complex, leading to a significant cognitive burden on users and excessive energy consumption, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing computer systems with improved user interfaces that reduce the number and nature of user inputs by providing intuitive feedback, allowing for efficient interaction through touch, gaze, hand tracking, and voice inputs, and enhancing visual and tactile feedback, while optimizing power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional user interfaces for virtual reality environments are used, then users can interact with virtual objects, but the interaction becomes cumbersome and creates significant cognitive burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts environment presentation based on time of day without requiring user input. The computer system monitors system settings and autonomously modifies lighting, contrast, and other visual parameters of the virtual environment to match real-world time conditions, eliminating the need for manual user adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback by detecting changes in real-world time and corresponding system settings, then adjusting the virtual environment presentation accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures the virtual environment continuously adapts to match user expectations based on time of day.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If conventional interaction methods are used, then users can manipulate virtual objects, but the process takes longer than necessary and wastes energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary adjustments to the virtual environment presentation based on predicted time of day changes and system setting modifications. By proactively adjusting environment parameters before user requests, the system reduces latency and eliminates unnecessary processing steps that would consume energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12524956B2Methods for time of day adjustments for environments and environment presentation during communication sessions

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 APPLE INC

AI summary

In some embodiments, a computer system applies a time of day setting to a virtual environment. In some embodiments, the time of day setting is updated based on an event. In some embodiments, a computer system displays content in an expanded display mode. In some embodiments, computer systems join a communication session while maintaining display of respective environments. In some embodiments, a computer system moves a portal based on user movement. In some embodiments, computer systems share a virtual environment. Computer systems can display media with simulated lighting. Computer systems can share an environment. In some embodiments, a computer system selects a position relative to content. A computer system can present representations of communication session participants based on content. A computer system can present user interfaces to control visual appearances of an environment including media. Computer systems can change an appearance of an environment based on environmental modes.