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ApplePatent applicationAI & softwareInterest 6/10

Apple patents system that changes how it reacts to nearby people

Apple describes a method where a computer detects a person in its physical surroundings and estimates how likely that person is to interact with the device. Based on this likelihood, the system chooses to display information using one type of output, such as a visual screen, or a combination of outputs, like adding sound or haptics.

Why it mattersThis could make future devices feel more responsive by only engaging users who are actually trying to use them, rather than reacting to everyone in the room.

In the filing’s own words

The present disclosure generally relates to displaying content. Some techniques are for emphasizing content in accordance with some embodiments. Other techniques are for removing content in accordance with some embodiments. Other techniques are for displaying content in accordance with some embodiments. Other techniques are for changing modality of output in accordance with some embodiments.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, comprising: at a computer system that is in communication with one or more input devices and one or more output devices: detecting, via the one or more input devices, a subject in a physical environment; and in response to detecting the subject in the physical environment: in accordance with a determination that the subject has a first likelihood of interaction with the computer system, outputting, via the one or more output devices, a first modality of output without outputting, via the one or more output devices, a second modality of output different from the first modality of output; and in accordance with a determination that the subject has a second likelihood of interaction with the computer system, outputting, via the one or more output devices, the first modality of output and the second modality of output, wherein the second likelihood of interaction is different from the first likelihood of interaction.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
USER INTERFACES AND TECHNIQUES FOR REPRESENTING INTERACTIONS
Publication number
US20260267400A1
Application number
19462990
Filed
Jan 28, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
23

Classified under

G06F 3/011 Physics & computingG06F 3/0481 Physics & computingG06F 3/167 Physics & computingH04N 23/695 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.