Apple has been granted a patent (number US 12099654 B1) for “Adaptation of Electronic Content” that shows that future Vision Pros and follow-up devices could offer features to users suffering from discomfort.
It could also refer to Macs, iPhones, and iPads. However, considering the details of the patent, it seems to make more sense for its features to be implemented in an immersive environment
About the patent
The patent relates to presenting content via electronic devices, and in particular, to systems, methods, and devices that present content to mitigate the perception of discomfort or otherwise provide relief from discomfort, for example, discomfort due to a In the patent Apple says a device user’s attentive state while experiencing discomfort can have a significant effect on how the user perceives the discomfort. Discomfort may feel less intense or otherwise be made more bearable, for example, by distracting a user’s attention away from the discomfort.
For example, this may include dynamically changing the content being viewed by a spatial computer user, moving the content in a way configured to draw the user’s attention to the content, enlarging content to draw attention to the content, changing contrast of content to make the content more easily perceptible, increasing volume or changing spatialization of audible content to draw attention to the content, and/or extending the period of time during which the content is presented, as examples.
Apple says that the modification of the content may shift the user’s attention away from his or her discomfort and, over a period of time, help ensure that a user is distracted fromhis or her discomfort. Such distraction may reduce the perception of discomfort and reduce a user’s need for and/or reliance upon discomfort relief medication, and ultimately lower risks associated with developing dependence upon opioids and other such discomfort medications.
Per the patent, discomfort is a general term that describes uncomfortable sensations in the body and stems from activation of the nervous system. Discomfort can range from annoying to debilitating and may be experienced by or perceived by different people in different way. Discomfort may be experienced as a sharp stab, a dull ache, throbbing, pinching, stinging, burning, or soreness.
Apple says that its patents involves systems and ways for those suffering from from discomfort to experience the same uncomfortable sensation but at a lesser level. Such mitigation may substantially improve a user’s experience.
“The mitigation of the perception of discomfort may also enable patients to be ambulatory sooner after a surgical procedure,” Apple says. “The mitigation of the perception of discomfort may help patients resolve fears of certain medical techniques and procedures, e.g., needle-phobia. The techniques disclosed herein may be used to help users with discomfort, including but not limited to aches, undesirable sensations, acute pain, and chronic pain.”
Summary of the patent
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: “Devices, systems, and methods that provide content that distracts a user’s attention away from discomfort, for example, occurring due to a prior injury or ongoing medical condition. The content is adjusted over time based on tracking the user’s attentiveness towards the content.
“Specifically, the user’s current attentive state may be tracked using physiological sensors and used to adapt content to mitigate the perception of discomfort. In some implementations, the user’s stress is also assessed and used an indication of the user’s current discomfort level to better track when the user’s attentive state is shifting from the content to the discomfort and adjust the content accordingly.”
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