Adaptive Message Notification Display with Direct Action Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for generating message notifications on computing devices do not effectively provide a balance between minimizing intrusion and allowing direct actions on messages received by mobile devices, especially when users are interacting with other computing devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that generates a first display representation of a received message indicator on a computing device, determining positioning information from an input component, and creating a second display representation that includes at least a portion of the message and an action area for direct action, based on specific display criteria, allowing users to interact with notifications in a controlled and non-intrusive manner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a notification presents the full message content on a computing device, then the user can access complete information and perform direct actions, but the notification becomes more intrusive and disrupts the current operating context

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage information completenessVSAvoidnotification intrusiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system segments message information into two levels: a condensed preview portion displayed in the notification to minimize intrusion, and a full message portion accessible through direct interaction. This segmentation allows the notification to provide essential information without presenting the complete message, thereby reducing intrusiveness while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial dimension to notification interaction by detecting pointer proximity or hover states. When the pointer approaches the notification, the system transitions from a condensed view to a expanded view with direct action capabilities. This dimensional approach allows the notification to adapt its information density based on user engagement level, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and intrusiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a notification provides direct action capabilities, then the user can respond to messages efficiently, but the notification interface becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage response efficiencyVSAvoidnotification interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification interface employs dynamic behavior where direct action capabilities are revealed or hidden based on pointer interaction. When the pointer hovers over or approaches the notification, the system dynamically transitions to show action buttons or response options. This dynamic approach provides direct action capabilities only when needed, maintaining interface simplicity during normal display while enabling efficiency during interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a notification displays only a portion of the message, then the current operating context is preserved, but the user loses access to complete message information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating context continuityVSAvoidmessage content accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by preparing the full message content and action capabilities in advance, hidden within the notification structure. When the user interacts with the notification through pointer hover or click, this pre-prepared content is immediately revealed without requiring the user to navigate away or open a separate application, thus maintaining operating context continuity while providing complete information access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3693845B1Generating message notifications providing direct actions
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3693845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3693845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3693845B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

There is provided a method for generating message notifications at a computing device 206. The method comprising: receiving 1502 at the computing device 206 a received message indicator 214 from a mobile device 102, wherein the received message indicator 214 is for a message 212 received at the mobile device 102; generating 1504 at the computing device 206 a first display representation 218 of the received message indicator 214; determining 1506 at the computing device 206 positioning information from an input component 302; and generating 1508 a second display representation 310 comprising at least a portion of the message received at the mobile device 102 and an action area 320 for performing a direct action 322 in response to the received message 212 when the determined positioning information satisfies one or more display criteria associated with the second display representation 310.