Neil Hughes
Apple is interested in dynamically adjusting iOS notifications based on a user's physical activity, such as silencing an iPhone or perhaps even a mythical "iWatch" when the user is exercising, or bugging them to get moving after an extended period of inactivity.
The fitness-focused concepts were revealed in a new Apple patent application published this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, first discovered on Thursday by AppleInsider. Entitled "Method and Apparatus for Automatically Adjusting the Operation of Notifications Based on Changes in a Physical Activity Level," it describes how a user's iPhone might take on a more active or passive role based on the current circumstances.
The application repeatedly mentions the "Do Not Disturb" mode Apple introduced to its iOS platform beginning with the launch of iOS 6. In one example, Apple says that if a user enabled the setting, an iPhone could automatically enter a Do Not Disturb state when the device detects that the person is exercising.
Apple notes that an iPhone or other portable device could analyze data from its own onboard sensors, or from external connected devices such as a step tracker or heart rate monitor. If any of these detect that the person has a high activity level, notifications for text messages, emails and phone calls could be disregarded for the duration of the workout.
The concept also requires that activity continue for a certain amount of time for Do Not Disturb to be enabled, ensuring that the system doesn't incorrectly interpret a brief high-activity event — such as walking up a flight of stairs — as a workout.
"In this way, a short burst of activity — Â e.g., running to catch a bus — Â is not mistaken for the beginning of an exercise workout," the filing reads.
In another method, Apple states that a user could manually enable Do Not Disturb at the start of a workout, and the system would automatically deactivate it at the conclusion of the exercise.
Apple's system wouldn't just prevent annoyances during a workout — Â it would do exactly the opposite if a user hasn't been active enough. The filing states that reminders could be sent to the user's device if they haven't gone for a run in a few days, or it could simply advise them to get up from their desk if they've been sitting for too long.
As with the existing Do Not Disturb function in iOS, Apple notes that certain notifications could be an exception to the rule. For example, texts or calls from certain contacts might be approved to send notifications no matter what, while repeated calls from the same contact could also be allowed to send an alert.
Apple's application was first filed with the USPTO in January of 2013 before it was publicly disclosed this week. The proposed invention is credited to Natalia A. Ziemianska and Devrim Varoglu.
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18 Comments
Strapping a big iPhone 6 to ones arm is going to be pretty bulky. I don't like going anywhere without a phone. It would be nice if the iWatch could actually be a phone. If Apple could ever get the carriers to go along with a software programable SIM, perhaps there would be a way to transfer the phone number back and forth between devices so you could exercise with just the iWatch.
In before people complain about how they don't want their phone or watch nagging them to exercise and annoying them when they aren't interested... It already says you would have to turn it on in settings / opt in.
Now if we could get iOS to send out tweets to friends when it detects we're in a boring meeting (no activity, indications of drowsiness in the fitness monitors, etc), imploring them to send us messages and cat videos... that would be awesome!
Oh, and having iOS send us fake "emergency txt" notifications whenever it detects we need rescuing from a "bad date", all the better! iOS could become my best friend.... :P
I wouldn't mind this feature...but then I say "thank you" to Siri after she creates a new reminder or new note. :)
Best.