Application suggestion features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9547683-B2
Application number	US-201414501000-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2014
Priority date	May 30, 2014
Publication date	Jan 17, 2017
Grant date	Jan 17, 2017

Abstract

This application relates to features for a mobile device that allow the mobile device to assign utility values to applications and thereafter suggest applications for a user to execute. The suggested application can be derived from a list of applications that have been assigned a utility by software in the mobile device. The utility assignment of the individual applications from the list of applications can be performed based on the occurrence of an event, an environmental change, or a period of frequent application usage. A feedback mechanism is provided in some embodiments for more accurately assigning a utility to particular applications. The feedback mechanism can track what a user does during a period of suggestion for certain applications and thereafter modify the utility of applications based on what applications a user selects during the period of suggestion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for managing a prioritized list of suggested applications at an electronic device, the method comprising:
by the electronic device:
receiving a selection of a first application installed on the electronic device, wherein the first application is associated with a first environmental utility value; and
in response to receiving the selection of the first application:
displaying the first application on a display of the electronic device,
adjusting the first environmental utility value to modify a ranking of the first application relative to one or more other applications included in the prioritized list of suggested applications,
determining at least one environmental circumstance that is present in conjunction with receiving the selection of the first application, and
associating the at least one environmental circumstance with the first application so that the first environmental utility value is configured to be dynamically adjusted in conjunction with a subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein dynamically adjusting the first environmental utility value in conjunction with the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance comprises increasing the first environmental utility value.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
assigning, for each other application of the one or more other applications, a respective other environmental utility value to be associated with the other application.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein dynamically adjusting the first environmental
utility value in conjunction with the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance causes an adjustment in the respective other environmental utility value.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
adjusting the prioritized list of suggested applications in accordance with the first environmental utility value and the respective other environmental utility value.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one environmental circumstance is associated with at least one of a geographical location of the electronic device, a time, a future event or weather.

7. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out steps that include:
receiving a selection of a first application installed on the computing device, wherein the first application is associated with a first environmental utility value; and
in response to receiving the selection of the first application:
displaying the first application on a display of the computing device,
adjusting the first environmental utility value to modify a ranking of the first application relative to one or more other applications included in a prioritized list of suggested applications,
determining at least one environmental circumstance that is present in conjunction with receiving the selection of the first application, and
associating the at least one environmental circumstance with the first application so that the first environmental utility value is configured to be dynamically adjusted in conjunction with a subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein dynamically adjusting the first environmental utility value in conjunction with the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance comprises increasing the first environmental utility value.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the steps further include:
assigning, for each other application of the one or more other applications, a respective other environmental utility value to be associated with the other application.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein dynamically adjusting the first environmental utility value in conjunction with the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance causes an adjustment in the respective other environmental utility value.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the steps further include:
adjusting the prioritized list of suggested applications in accordance with the first environmental utility value and the respective other environmental utility value.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein the at least one environmental circumstance is associated with at least one of a geographical location of the computing device, a time, a future event, or weather.

13. A portable electronic device, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable electronic device to perform steps that include:
receiving a selection of a first application installed on the portable electronic device, wherein the first application is associated with a first environmental utility value; and
in response to receiving the selection of the first application:
displaying the first application on a display of the portable electronic device,
adjusting the first environmental utility value to modify a ranking of the first application relative to one or more other applications included in a prioritized list of suggested applications,
determining at least one environmental circumstance that is present in conjunction with receiving the selection of the first application, and
associating the at least one environmental circumstance with the first application so that the first environmental utility value is configured to be dynamically adjusted in conjunction with a subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the steps further include:
assigning, for each other application of the one or more other applications, a respective other environmental utility value to be associated with the other application.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein dynamically adjusting the first environmental utility value in conjunction with the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance causes an adjustment in the respective other environmental utility value.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the steps further include:
adjusting the prioritized list of suggested applications in accordance with the first environmental utility value and the respective other environmental utility value.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein dynamically adjusting the first environmental utility value in conjunction with the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance comprises increasing the first environmental utility value.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 17 , wherein, following the subsequent occurrence of the at least one environmental circumstance, the steps further include:
decreasing the first environmental utility value.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein associating the at least one environmental circumstance with the first application is further configured to cause the first environmental utility value to be dynamically adjusted based on the at least one environmental circumstance being predicted to occur.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the at least one environmental circumstance is

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Peters Stephen C
• Wan Kit-Man
• Kapoor Gaurav

Classifications

• G06F3/04842

  Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F3/04847

  Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials · CPC title

• G06F3/0482 Primary

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• G06F3/04883

  for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text · CPC title

• G06F16/23

  Updating · CPC title