Apple patents watch interface that tracks time with moving clock hand
Apple has filed a patent for a smartwatch interface that lets users adjust a graphical indicator on an analog clock face. When the user moves this indicator to align with a clock hand, the screen displays how much time has passed since a specific action was started.
In the filing’s own words
The present disclosure generally describes user interfaces related to time. In accordance with embodiments, user interfaces for displaying and enabling an adjustment of a displayed time zone are described. In accordance with embodiments, user interfaces for initiating a measurement of time are described. In accordance with embodiments, user interfaces for enabling and displaying a user interface using a character are described. In accordance with embodiments, user interfaces for enabling and displaying a user interface that includes an indication of a current time are described. In accordance with embodiments, user interfaces for enabling configuration of a background for a user interface are described. In accordance with embodiments, user interfaces for enabling configuration of displayed applications on a user interface are described.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer system, comprising: one or more display generation components; one or more input devices; 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: displaying, via the one or more display generation components, a watch user interface, the watch user interface including an analog clock face that includes a first clock hand and a graphical indicator, wherein the graphical indicator is displayed at a first position relative to the analog clock face; while displaying the watch user interface, detecting, via the one or more input devices, a first user input; in response to detecting the first user input, moving the graphical indicator to a second position relative to the analog clock face such that the graphical indicator is aligned with the first clock hand; and while the graphical indicator is displayed at the second position relative to the analog clock face, displaying a graphical indication of an amount of time that has elapsed between: a time at which a user input that starts a counter functionality related to the graphical indicator was detected; and a current time.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- USER INTERFACES RELATED TO TIME
- Publication number
- US20260277428A1
- Application number
- 19664751
- Filed
- Apr 30, 2026
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 6
- Claims
- 16
Classified under
G06F 3/0487 Physics & computingG04G 9/0064 Physics & computingG04G 9/007 Physics & computingG04G 9/0076 Physics & computingG04G 21/02 Physics & computingG04G 21/025 Physics & computingMore from Apple in Wearables
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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.