Dynamic Menu List for Mobile Notification Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile electronic devices require inefficient and resource-intensive processes to modify notification settings, as users must navigate complex menus to locate and change specific settings, leading to increased wear and tear on input devices and excessive system resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that dynamically modify notification settings by adding a 'notification setting change option' to the menu list when a notification event occurs, allowing users to quickly select and change settings directly from the menu list, which is then removed after a specified time period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users navigate through complex menu systems to access notification settings, then all notification settings can be accessed and modified, but the input device experiences increased wear and tear and system resources are inefficiently used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessing notification settingsVSAvoidmenu system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification settings access process is segmented into two modes: a simplified context-aware mode that provides direct access to recently used notification settings, and a complete settings mode that provides access to all notification settings. The system dynamically switches between these segments based on user context, reducing unnecessary navigation through complex menus while preserving full functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by maintaining a history of recently accessed notification settings and pre-positioning quick-access options in the menu list. When a notification event occurs, the menu list is automatically updated to include quick-access options for modifying the specific notification setting that was just triggered, eliminating the need for users to navigate through the entire settings hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If users navigate through complex menus to locate and change specific notification settings, then all notification settings can be modified, but excessive system resources are consumed and input devices experience increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification settings coverageVSAvoidsettings modification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The menu list is made dynamic by automatically updating its contents based on the current notification context. When a notification event is detected, the system dynamically inserts quick-access options into the menu list that are specifically tailored to modifying that notification's settings. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide efficient access to specific settings without requiring users to navigate through static, comprehensive menu structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The menu list serves as an intermediary layer between the notification event and the settings modification process. Instead of directly accessing deep settings menus, users interact with the simplified menu list that contains pre-filtered options related to the current notification context. This intermediary structure reduces the complexity of the interaction path while maintaining access to all necessary settings through a streamlined interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a comprehensive notification settings application is used, then all notification settings can be accessed, but the process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettings access completenessVSAvoidtime to modify notification settings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The menu list provides local quality by offering context-specific quick-access options tailored to the current notification event. Instead of presenting a uniform comprehensive settings menu, the system locally adapts the menu content to include only the most relevant notification setting options for the current context, such as ringtone, volume, or vibration settings for the specific notification that just occurred. This localized approach reduces the time required to access settings while maintaining the ability to access all settings when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2378755B1Method and apparatus for modifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device
Publication Date: 2017.01.25 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2378755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2378755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2378755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for modifying notification settings on a mobile electronic device is provided, the mobile electronic device comprising a processing unit, a display, a memory, an input device, and at least one notification device. It is determined that the at least one notification device has been activated using a given notification setting. A menu list is responsively changed to include a notification setting change option, the menu list associated with the input device and stored in the memory, such that when the input device is activated, the display is controlled by the processing unit to provide a representation of the menu list such that the notification setting option can be selected and the given notification setting changed.