Do Not Disturb Filter for Selective Message Notification Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic messaging systems often distract users with constant notifications, reducing productivity, as existing solutions to minimize distractions, such as exiting or minimizing the email client application, prevent users from reading or composing messages.
Innovation Solution
A 'Do Not Disturb' (DND) filter that suppresses notifications for a specified time period, allowing users to read and send messages without interruptions, while still notifying them of important messages like meeting updates, by hiding or not delivering new messages during the DND time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If users exit or minimize the e-mail client application to avoid interruptions, then notification distractions are eliminated, but users cannot read or compose messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the notification system by introducing a Do Not Disturb filter that selectively blocks notifications during specified time periods while maintaining separate functionality for reading and composing messages. This allows the message handling capability to remain accessible independently of notification delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The Do Not Disturb filter acts as an intermediary component between message receipt and notification delivery. It intercepts incoming messages during DND periods, prevents notification delivery, but still allows users to access and interact with messages through the client application interface
2Productivity
If users minimize the graphical user interface window to reduce distractions, then notification interruptions are reduced, but users cannot view new incoming messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the notification delivery function from the message visibility function. The DND filter selectively removes only the notification aspect (visual, auditory, or other alerts) while preserving the underlying message receipt and accessibility, allowing users to view messages without being notified of their arrival
3Loss of information
If the system provides continuous notification for all new messages, then users stay informed of all communications, but productivity is significantly reduced due to constant interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic notification delivery by introducing Do Not Disturb time periods during which notifications are suppressed. Messages continue to be received and stored, but notification delivery occurs periodically only when DND mode is inactive, reducing interruptions while maintaining information awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system transitions from a static continuous delivery mode to a dynamic mode that can be adjusted between active notification and Do Not Disturb states. Users can flexibly switch between these states based on their current work needs, allowing the system to adapt notification behavior to contextual requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Data is received defining a time period during which a notification of receipt should not be provided when an electronic message is received. Data may also be received defining certain types of messages for which notification of receipt should be provided during the time period. During the duration of the time period, no notification of receipt is provided for received electronic messages that are not within one of the specified types. After the time period has elapsed, notification of receipt is provided for electronic messages received during the time period and for which no notification of receipt was previously provided. Electronic messages may be sent during the time period and electronic messages received prior to the time period may be displayed for reading during the time period.