Interrupt Control Module for Multi-Device Silent Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices often generate distracting interrupts in response to various conditions, such as incoming calls or messages, which can be a nuisance and require effective blocking techniques.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize an interrupt control module within electronic devices to block interrupts by sending a silent mode command to associated devices, allowing users to manage interrupt settings through a user interface, thereby overriding application operations or hardware-level outputs to prevent alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If interrupt blocking is implemented at the hardware level to effectively prevent distractions, then the reliability of interrupt blocking is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for interrupt control modules and coordination across multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterrupt blocking effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupt blocking system is segmented into multiple independent components: an interrupt control module that receives blocking requests, application modules that generate interrupts, and output modules that deliver interrupt signals. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently while maintaining overall system reliability through coordinated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interrupt control module serves as an intermediary between application modules and the interrupt handling system. It receives blocking requests, manages the blocking state, and controls whether interrupts are allowed to proceed, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable interrupt blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If hardware-level outputs are overridden to block interrupts effectively, then the reliability of interrupt blocking is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot easily adjust interrupt settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterrupt blocking effectivenessVSAvoidinterrupt setting adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupt blocking system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The interrupt control module can transition between different states (blocking and non-blocking) based on received requests. Users can dynamically adjust interrupt settings by sending blocking or non-blocking requests at any time, making the system both reliable and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the interrupt control module monitors the blocking state and can notify users or other system components about the current interrupt status. This feedback loop ensures users have visibility into the system state while maintaining the ability to adjust settings as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9304956B2Interrupt blocker

Publication Date: 2016.04.05 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A method comprises maintaining, in a first electronic device, a list of one or more electronic devices associated with a user, receiving, in the first electronic device, a first command, in response to the first command, forwarding a command to block interrupts on one or more electronic devices on the list of electronic devices. Other embodiments may be described.