Interruption Routine Control via User Interaction Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In computer systems with multitasking capabilities, interruption routines often cause unwanted interruptions to active applications, especially as the number of running applications increases, disrupting the user's current interaction.

Innovation Solution

A method that detects user interaction data to control the execution of interruption routines, executing a first sub-routine when no interaction is detected and a second sub-routine when interaction is present, thereby limiting interruptions during active user engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If interruption routines are executed for every application requesting attention, then all applications can alert the user, but the user's current interaction with the active application is frequently disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to alert user of eventsVSAvoidunwanted interruptions of user interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of interruption execution by detecting user interaction state (active vs. inactive) and selectively executing different sub-routines based on this state, thereby adapting the interruption behavior to current user needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The interruption routine becomes dynamic by having two different execution paths (first sub-routine when user is active, second sub-routine when user is inactive), allowing the system to adapt its behavior based on real-time user interaction detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of running applications is increased for multitasking, then application versatility is improved, but the number of interruptions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication multitasking capabilityVSAvoiduser interaction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors user interaction parameters (input data detection) and changes the interruption execution parameter accordingly, allowing multiple applications to run without proportionally increasing interruptions to the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If interruption routines are executed immediately when requested, then response time is reduced, but user attention is unnecessarily switched from the active application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterruption response timeVSAvoiduser time spent dismissing interruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user interaction state before executing the interruption routine, allowing it to prepare the appropriate sub-routine execution path and avoid unnecessary user attention switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from user interaction detection (input data) to dynamically control whether to execute the first or second sub-routine, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to user needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7444449B2Method, computer program product and computer system for controlling execution of an interruption routine

Publication Date: 2008.10.28 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method, a computer program product and a computer system for controlling the execution of an interruption routine for interrupting an active application. The computer system may include a first detector unit operable to detect if any application of multiple other applications is requesting interruption of the active application. Furthermore, the computer system may include a second detector unit operable to detect input data generated in response to a user interacting with the computer system. The computer system may also include a processing unit operable to execute a first sub-routine of the interruption routine when the input data has not been detected and a second sub-routine of the interruption routine when the input data has been detected. The execution of any interruption routine may be controlled in dependence of whether it is detected that input data has been generated in response to a user interacting with the computer system.