Cross-Device Message Alert Coordination by Location and Device Mode
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems result in redundant alerts across multiple devices used by a single user, increasing server load and user annoyance, as each device independently alerts to the same event.
Innovation Solution
A coordinating device detects a message, determines device location and activity status, and selectively transmits alerts to minimize redundant notifications by choosing one device to present an alert based on proximity and activity mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each device independently presents alerts for the same message, then message notification reliability is improved, but redundant alerts increase causing user annoyance and increased server load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges alert presentation coordination across multiple devices by having devices communicate with each other through a communication channel. When one device presents an alert, it notifies other devices to suppress their alerts, combining the alert presentation function into a single device while maintaining message notification reliability across the device ecosystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where devices send signals to each other through a communication channel to indicate alert presentation status. When a device determines it should present an alert, it sends a signal to other devices to suppress their alerts, creating a feedback loop that eliminates redundant alerts while maintaining reliable notification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are configured to access the same email account, then user accessibility to messages is improved, but server load increases due to multiple alert generations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alert generation function across multiple devices by implementing inter-device communication. Instead of each device independently generating alerts and consuming server resources, the system coordinates alert presentation so that only one device generates and presents the alert, reducing server load while maintaining message accessibility across all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication channel between devices that mediates alert presentation. This intermediary mechanism allows devices to coordinate and determine which device should present the alert, reducing redundant server communications while maintaining user accessibility to messages on any device.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a coordinating device sends alert coordination signals to mobile devices, then redundant alerts are reduced, but communication protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alert coordination logic from the complex multi-device system and concentrates it in a coordinating device. The coordinating device sends simplified signals to mobile devices to suppress alerts, taking out the coordination complexity from the overall system and placing it in a single device, thereby reducing redundant alerts while managing protocol complexity centrally.
4Ease of operation
If devices determine active mode status before presenting alerts, then user convenience is improved by selecting the most appropriate device, but device coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having devices determine their active mode status before presenting alerts. Devices check whether they are in active mode (e.g., being worn, held, or actively used) before generating alerts, and the coordinating device uses this information to select the most appropriate device for alert presentation, improving user convenience while managing coordination complexity through pre-assessment of device states.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present invention can detect and evaluate new messages at a coordinating device to determine whether to forward the message to a wearable device. In this manner, a server can reduce a number of devices that it is to communicate a message to, while still allowing the message to be availed to multiple devices. Further, certain embodiments relate to coordinating alerts (e.g., audio or haptic alerts) to reduce redundant alerts of a single message amongst spatially clustered devices.