Apple patents app settings that auto-change during Do Not Disturb
Apple describes a system where apps send a list of possible settings to the operating system before Do Not Disturb is turned on. When the mode activates, the system picks one setting, such as blocking notifications or hiding certain features, and tells the app to use it without the app needing to know why.
In the filing’s own words
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for configuring application behavior during an interruption control mode on an electronic device. An application process provides a system process with a template defining multiple configuration options for the application. The system process associates the configuration options with interruption control mode identifiers and, upon activation of the interruption control mode, returns information indicating a selected configuration option. The application process operates in accordance with the selected configuration option without requiring direct awareness of the interruption control mode. Configurations may include disabling features, filtering application data, or modifying user interface elements or notifications. In some implementations, a default identifier is exchanged to restore a prior configuration upon exit from the interruption control mode. The template may be provided in advance to enable selection without runtime interaction with the application, reducing latency and improving system efficiency.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed by a device cause the device to effectuate operations comprising: sending, by an application process and to a system process, a template associated with an application, the template comprising a plurality of configuration options for the application; receiving, by the application process and from the system process, information indicating a selected configuration option of the plurality of configuration options, the receiving being while the device is operated in an interruption control mode; and in response to receiving the information, operating, by the application process, in accordance with the selected configuration option.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- APPLICATION-SPECIFIC DO NOT DISTURB CONFIGURATION
- Publication number
- US20260281232A1
- Application number
- 19667513
- Filed
- May 4, 2026
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04M 1/72463 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/72469 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/72484 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in AI & software
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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.