Covert and Overt Alert Segmentation for Wireless Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless telephone users face challenges in selectively being alerted to certain incoming calls or messages while keeping others private, and in maintaining a private communication history that is not accessible to others, as existing systems lack mechanisms for covert alerts and secure communication management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a communication device that allows users to initiate covert communication alerts by entering a secret mode, processing instructions for covert communication sources, and providing subtle visual or silent alerts for covert communications, while providing overt alerts for non-covert communications, and managing communication history and billing separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wireless telephone provides alert for all incoming calls, then the user is notified of all communications, but the user cannot maintain privacy for certain communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication alerts into two distinct categories: overt alerts for non-private communications and covert alerts for private communications. This segmentation allows the system to provide reliable notification for all incoming calls while simultaneously protecting the privacy of sensitive communications through separate, discrete alert mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different alert qualities to different communication sources. Covert alerts use subtle, localized indicators (such as discrete visual cues or silent vibrations) that do not draw attention, while overt alerts use prominent, noticeable indicators. This local differentiation enables privacy protection for specific communications without compromising overall notification reliability.
2Loss of information
If a wireless telephone provides discrete covert alert, then the user maintains privacy for specific communications, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal alert system where a single communication device handles both overt and covert alerting functions. The system uses multi-functionality to provide different alert types based on communication source characteristics, avoiding the need for separate devices or complex external systems while maintaining privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the communication device to automatically determine whether to provide overt or covert alerts based on the communication source and user preferences. The system self-manages the complexity by autonomously selecting appropriate alert types without requiring manual user intervention for each incoming communication, thereby reducing operational complexity.
3Loss of information
If a wireless telephone allows selective alerting for different communication sources, then the user can control notification privacy, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows users to pre-configure which communication sources should receive covert alerts during setup or contact management. By performing this configuration action in advance, users avoid having to make complex decisions about each incoming communication, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving selective privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides feedback mechanisms that allow users to review and adjust their covert alert preferences based on actual communication patterns. This feedback loop simplifies operation by automatically learning from user behavior and adjusting alert configurations, reducing the manual effort required to maintain selective privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for operating a source communication device. The source communication device receives a first request from a user through a user interface requesting a first communication session with a target communication device. The source communication device transfers a first signal to a network requesting the first communication session with the target communication device, wherein the target communication device provides an overt communication alert for the first communication session. The source communication device receives a second request from the user requesting a second communication session requesting that the target communication device provide a covert communication alert for the second communication session. The source communication device transfers a second signal to the network requesting the second communication session with the target communication device and indicating the request for the covert communication alert, wherein the target communication device provides the covert communication alert for the second communication session.