Apple's Patent Background

Many electronic devices can include displays on which information could be provided to a user. The amount of information displayed, as well as the distribution of the information on the display, can be set by an application, firmware or an operating system running on the device, or combinations of these. The information provided could have any suitable prominence, including for example different sizes or location based on the relative importance of the information.

In some cases, a user could perform an activity while using the electronic device, where the activity requires either the user to move relative to the device, or the device to move relative to the user. For example, a user could run or walk while holding the electronic device. As another example, a user could move a device to provide an input corresponding to an application (e.g., a game). When the device moves relative to the user's eyes, the user may have difficulty viewing content on the display. In particular, the user may have difficulty discerning information provided with smaller types, information disposed near edges or corners of the display, or information in a color similar to a background color.

To improve a user's ability to view information of interest, the electronic device could automatically adjust the information displayed based on the relative movement of the device. For example, in response to detecting that the device is moving more than a threshold amount, the electronic device could automatically adjust the size, disposition, and content provided on the display. For example, the electronic device can identify the particular content that is most relevant to the user, and display the particular content in a prominent position using a large type.

In some cases, however, the particular content of most interest to a user could change while the device moves relative to the user. To change the most prominent content displayed, or to display more prominently different content, a user may be required to provide a corresponding input. This may be difficult for the user to do as the user moves, or may be distracting if the user is concentrated on a particular task at hand.

Apple's Solution: Automatic Adjustment of a UI Composition

Apple's patent presents the ability to automatically change the prominence of displayed information while a device moves based on the occurrence of an event or on nearing the termination of an event. In particular, this is directed to adjusting information corresponding to an event that is displayed, where the event information of interest changes as the event nears its completion (e.g., when the user nears a workout target or goal).

Using an electronic device, a user could view information related to one or more events. For example, a user could view information related to an ongoing workout tracked by the device. When the user moves relative to the device (e.g., as the user runs), the user may have difficulty viewing displayed information. The electronic device can therefore automatically adjust the prominence of displayed workout information in response to determining (e.g., from a sensor) that the device is moving.

When the user reaches an event, however, the user may be interested in different information than was initially provided on the display. For example, a user may be more interested in pace or time information towards the end of a distance-based workout. Accordingly, the electronic device could monitor the data stream corresponding to the event and detect when the data stream reaches a threshold corresponding to the end of the event. In response to determining that the event end is approaching, the electronic device can identify other information to display, and replace the initially displayed information with different workout information.

In some embodiments, the electronic device could adjust the displayed information based on an event that spans several shorter events. For example, the electronic device could adjust a display in response to detecting a milestone workout event that is reached over several workouts. In particular, the electronic device could adjust a display when distance, pace, or time milestones are met. As another example, the electronic device can adjust a display when a fitness goal or coach-defined goal is met.

Apple's patent FIG. 5 is a block diagram of electronic device modules for adjusting a device display; Patent FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device display in which the prominence of displayed content is adjusted based on device movement; and Patent FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an illustrative display of information provided when the device moves

Apple's patent application was originally filed in Q2 2010 by inventors Michael Ingrassia, Allen Haughay Jr. and Benjamin Rottler.

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