Context-Aware Alarm Notification System for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device alarms lack contextual awareness, making it difficult for users to distinguish between routine and critical alarms, and may cause important notifications to be missed when audible alerts are suppressed during bedtime mode.
Innovation Solution
The mobile device modifies alarm notifications based on predetermined events, such as urgent messages or calendar reminders, by changing the visual or audible alerts to provide contextual awareness, ensuring users are notified of important events without needing to access other applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If alarms are customized with different types and schedules, then alarm functionality is improved, but alarms become difficult to distinguish from each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different visual characteristics (colors, icons, display patterns) to different alarm types. Each alarm type receives specific visual properties that make it distinguishable, such as using different colors for different alarm categories or times of day, while maintaining the overall alarm notification system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes to differentiate between various alarm types and priorities. Different alarm notifications are displayed with distinct colors, allowing users to quickly identify the nature and urgency of each alarm without having to examine detailed settings, thus resolving the distinction problem while preserving customization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If audible alerts are suppressed during bedtime mode, then user comfort is improved, but important notifications may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual notifications as an intermediary when audible alerts are suppressed. During bedtime mode, the system replaces sound-based notifications with visual displays, allowing important information to be conveyed without the harmful effect of disturbing audible alerts, thus maintaining both comfort and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the acoustic notification mechanism with a visual notification mechanism during bedtime mode. Instead of using sound waves (acoustic field) to deliver notifications, the system uses light/display (optical field) to convey the same information, eliminating the harmful effect of audible alerts while preserving notification delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple alarms are set within a particular day, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but alarm management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by visually separating and organizing multiple alarms within a day. Each alarm is presented as a distinct, visually differentiated item in the alarm list, making it easier for users to manage and identify individual alarms among multiple scheduled notifications without being overwhelmed by complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for outputting alarm notifications. The method comprises: prior to activating an alarm on the electronic device, determining, from data stored on the electronic device, whether at least one of a predetermined type of event exists; and outputting a first modified alarm notification to indicate a relatively more urgent alarm if at least one of the predetermined type of event exists.