/Patent Tracker
AppleGranted patentPhones & computersInterest 4/10

Apple patents screen changes based on device state and capabilities

Apple has been granted a patent for a system that changes what is shown on a screen depending on the device's current state and its specific hardware abilities. The invention allows an electronic device to detect when its status changes, such as moving from one mode to another, and then display different types of visual information accordingly. It also involves managing how an external device handles media playback requests based on its configuration.

Why it mattersThis filing describes a method for making user interfaces more responsive to the physical condition and capabilities of the hardware, which could lead to smoother transitions between different usage modes on Apple devices.

In the filing’s own words

The present disclosure generally relates to managing dynamically-available media playback and adapting visual outputs based on device capabilities and a state of the device. In some embodiments, a computer system manages whether an external electronic device is configurable to be available for a first media playback function. In some embodiments, a computer system selective causes an external electronic device to respond to a request to perform a media playback operation. In some embodiments, an electronic device adapts visual outputs based on device capabilities and a state of the device.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device that includes a set of one or more visual components, comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for: while the electronic device is operating in a first state, detecting a change from the first state to an updated state; and in response to detecting the change from the first state to the updated state: in accordance with a determination that the updated state is a second state, different from the first state: in accordance with the set of one or more visual output devices having a first set of visual output capabilities, providing, via the set of one or more visual output devices, a first type of visual output; and in accordance with the set of one or more visual output devices having a second set of visual output capabilities, different from the first set of visual output capabilities, providing, via the set of one or more visual output devices, a second type of visual output, different from the first type of visual output; and in accordance with a determination that the updated state is a third state, different from the first state and the second state: in accordance with the set of one or more visual output devices having a third set of visual output capabilities, providing, via the set of one or more visual output devices, a third type of visual output; and in accordance with the set of one or more visual output devices having a fourth set of visual output capabilities, different from the third set of visual output capabilities, providing, via the set of one or more visual output devices, a fourth type of visual output, different from the third type of visual output.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Interfaces and devices for dynamically-available media playback
Patent number
US12744843B2
Application number
19020992
Filed
Jan 14, 2025
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
33

Classified under

H04M 1/72415 Electricity & electronicsG06F 3/0482 Physics & computingH04M 1/72412 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/72454 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/72463 Electricity & electronics

More from Apple in Phones & computers

Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.