Methods for adjusting and/or controlling immersion associated with user interfaces

US11520456B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Ieyuki Kawashima · Pleasanton, US
• Stephen O. Lemay · San Francisco, US
• William A. Sorrentino, III · Mill Valley, US
• Alan C. Dye · San Francisco, US
• M. Evans Hankey · San Francisco, US
• Julian Jaede · San Francisco, US
• Jonathan P. Ive · San Francisco, US
• Kristi E. BAUERLY · Sunnyvale, US
• Benjamin H. BOESEL · Cornelius, US
• Shih-Sang CHIU · San Francisco, US
• David Huang · Melbourne, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2021
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F2203/04804
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

In some embodiments, an electronic device emphasizes and/or deemphasizes user interfaces based on the gaze of a user. In some embodiments, an electronic device defines levels of immersion for different user interfaces independently of one another. In some embodiments, an electronic device resumes display of a user interface at a previously-displayed level of immersion after (e.g., temporarily) reducing the level of immersion associated with the user interface. In some embodiments, an electronic device allows objects, people, and/or portions of an environment to be visible through a user interface displayed by the electronic device. In some embodiments, an electronic device reduces the level of immersion associated with a user interface based on characteristics of the electronic device and/or physical environment of the electronic device.