Application Activity State Reminder System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reminder systems on devices are limited in functionality as they only provide notifications with user-provided text at a specified time, lacking the ability to launch applications in a specific state or activity, which can be inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
The system allows users to create reminders that include an activity state of an application, enabling the device to launch the application in a specific view or state when trigger criteria are met, such as location or time, using voice commands or user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually navigate to required functionality after receiving a reminder notification, then the reminder can be simple and provide basic notification, but user convenience and efficiency deteriorate due to manual navigation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the reminder to include the target application's activity state information. When the reminder is triggered, the system automatically restores or launches the specified application in the exact state it was in when the reminder was created, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through the application. This is achieved by capturing the activity state (such as view position, selected items, or screen context) at reminder creation time and using it to automatically restore the application state when the reminder fires.
2Productivity
If the reminder system launches applications in specific states, then user efficiency improves by eliminating manual navigation, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a reminder system that can handle multiple types of applications and activity states through a unified interface. The system can capture and restore various application states (maps, messages, documents, etc.) using the same reminder mechanism, rather than requiring separate systems for each application type. This multi-functional approach improves productivity while managing system complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a snapshot or copy of the application's activity state at the time the reminder is set. This copied state information (including view context, position, and other relevant data) is stored with the reminder and used to restore the application to that exact state when triggered. This allows the system to reproduce the application state without requiring the original application instance to remain active, reducing complexity while maintaining functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reminders only provide text notifications at specified times, then the reminder system remains simple, but functionality and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing the application's activity state (such as current screen, view position, or selected content) at the moment the reminder is created. This state information is stored alongside the reminder parameters. When the reminder is triggered, the system automatically restores or launches the application in that pre-captured state, providing context-aware reminders that adapt to the user's needs without requiring complex real-time analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for creating and providing reminders that involve an activity states of an application on a device. An activity state can correspond to a particular view within an application, e.g., a view that was reached after several inputs from a user. A user can provide a specification of an activity state in a variety of ways, e.g., providing a reminder command while the application is executing in the foreground with the desired activity state or by voice commands that specify the activity state. A user can provide one or more trigger criteria. Once the reminder is triggered, the specified activity state can be provided to the user.