The Innovation

This patent application, filed by Apple Inc., concerns a method for generating haptic outputs on computing devices. Specifically, it involves a technique for dynamically controlling the prominence and noticeability of alerts provided by a haptic generator, based on an alert-salience setting. The invention distinguishes between two types of events: those affected by the alert-salience setting, which can have their salience increased or not, and those not affected by this setting. This system allows users to increase the importance of certain alerts temporarily, particularly beneficial for users with sensory impairments.

Technical Contribution

The technical contribution of this invention lies in its ability to offer a nuanced and user-customizable alert system. The decision emphasizes that the key technical effect of the distinguishing features is the dynamic increase in the importance of alerts for certain predefined events. This is achieved by switching the alert-salience setting from “off” to “on,” thereby allowing the user to temporarily heighten the salience of associated haptic output alerts. This feature is especially crucial for users with sensory impairments who might not hear audible alerts or have diminished sensitivity to haptic outputs. In contrast, prior art required users to re-customize haptic outputs for each event type to achieve increased alert salience, a more cumbersome and less resource-efficient approach. The decision notes that the invention provides an efficient level of customization, enabling control over alert salience without negatively impacting device usage. The objective technical problem addressed is to develop a more sophisticated alert system than existing ones, like that disclosed in D5. The board’s decision thus holds that the subject-matter of claim 1, along with corresponding independent claims, involves an inventive step and meets the requirements of Article 56 EPC (Reasons no. 4, 5, 6)​​.

Key Findings

• Dynamic control of alert salience based on an alert-salience setting – technical
• Distinction between events affected by the alert-salience setting and those not affected – technical
• Ability to increase salience of alerts for predefined events – technical
• System efficiency and customization without impacting device usage – technical

Read the full decision here: T 1988/21 (Haptic output setting/APPLE) 15-11-2023