Cross-App Sensory Adjustment Mechanism for Reduced User Distraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users with sensory sensitivities, such as those with Autism, face challenges in managing overwhelming sensory inputs from devices, leading to unfavorable user experiences due to distractions from varying levels of sensory input.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that detects adjustments to sensory parameters in applications, counts them, and prompts users to select a preconfigured parameter adjustment set when a threshold is met, applying it to minimize distractions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users manually adjust sensory parameters individually in each application, then sensory sensitivity needs can be addressed, but the complexity and time required for configuration increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensory parameter adjustment capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal sensory adjustment mechanism that operates across multiple applications simultaneously. A single configuration made in one application automatically applies to other applications, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust settings in each application individually. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by providing broad sensory adaptation capability while minimizing configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary sensory parameter adjustments by detecting when a user manually modifies settings and then proactively applying similar adjustments across other applications before the user would need to configure them manually. This advance configuration reduces the overall time and effort required for setup while ensuring consistent sensory adaptation across the user's application ecosystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually configure sensory settings in each application, then customization to individual needs is achieved, but the time required for configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensory customizationVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects user sensory adjustments and self-configures other applications without requiring additional user intervention. The mechanism monitors parameter changes, identifies patterns in user preferences, and autonomously applies appropriate settings across the application landscape, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual configuration process while maintaining high customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple applications provide varying levels of sensory input, then application functionality is maintained, but users with sensory sensitivities experience overwhelming distractions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidsensory distractions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes sensory parameters across applications based on detected user preferences and patterns. By monitoring manual adjustments users make in one application, the system automatically modifies corresponding sensory parameters in other applications to maintain consistent, user-friendly levels of visual, auditory, and other sensory input. This resolves the contradiction by preserving application functionality while eliminating overwhelming sensory distractions for users with sensitivities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12487727B2Sensory adjustment mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A computer implemented method detects adjustments to sensory parameters in one or more applications. The computer implemented method, counts the adjusted number of sensory parameters and compares the number of adjustments, to a threshold number of sensory parameters adjusted. If the number of adjustments meet the threshold, a user receives a prompt to select a set of preconfigured sensory parameter adjustments. The selected set of preconfigured sensory parameter adjustments is applied to at least one of the or more applications.