{
  "patent_number": "US 10466883",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Apple Watches Use a Rotating Dial to Navigate Menus",
  "original_title": "Screenreader user interface",
  "summary": "A method for using a physical rotating dial on a device to scroll through lists and menus while providing audio feedback for accessibility.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes how a physical rotating input mechanism, like the Digital Crown on an Apple Watch, interacts with a software interface. When a user turns the dial, the device moves a visual highlight between items in a list and simultaneously plays a sound associated with the new item. A key feature is the non-linear relationship between the dial's movement and the menu scrolling; turning the dial faster can skip more items than turning it slowly. The system also distinguishes between when this navigation mode is active and when it is not, ensuring the dial only controls the menu when specifically intended.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover touch-based scrolling that does not involve a physical rotating mechanism.",
    "Does not cover navigation systems that use linear sliders or buttons instead of a rotatable dial.",
    "Does not cover volume control gestures that do not involve the specific rotary navigation mode described.",
    "Does not cover voice-command-only navigation interfaces."
  ],
  "filed": "2015-08-28",
  "granted": "2019-11-05",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Apple Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/apple-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Aaron EVERITT",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/aaron-everitt"
    },
    {
      "name": "Christopher Fleizach",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/christopher-fleizach"
    },
    {
      "name": "Eric T. Seymour",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/eric-t-seymour"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 8,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "software"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present disclosure relates to screenreader techniques and volume control techniques for electronic devices. In some embodiments, a device displays a plurality of user interface objects in an ordered progression. A rotation of a rotary input mechanism is detected. In response to the rotation of the rotary input mechanism, if a rotary screenreader navigation mode is activated, a visual highlight is displayed and an auditory output is produced. In some embodiments, a device has a volume setting. A gesture is detected, and a volume adjustment mode is activated. The gesture ends with a contact being maintained, and the volume setting is adjusted in accordance with detected movement of the contact.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10466883/apple-arcade",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10466883/apple-arcade/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US10466883",
  "relatedPatents": []
}