Mobile Device Sensor-Based Online Presence Automation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current network-based messaging applications require user attention to maintain online availability and do not allow passive changes, especially in socially unacceptable situations like driving or business meetings, lacking automation for updating presence states.

Innovation Solution

The method leverages mobile computing device sensors to measure state changes and rate of changes, comparing this data with predefined rules to automatically update the user's online presence state, enabling passive and efficient management of availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If user manually sets online availability state through network-based messaging application, then online availability can be updated, but user attention is required which is not available in socially unacceptable situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic presence state updateVSAvoidaccuracy of presence information
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses device sensors (accelerometer, GPS, microphone) to automatically detect user context and update presence state without manual intervention. The device serves itself by monitoring its own state and environment, enabling automatic presence updates that reflect actual user availability while maintaining reliability through multi-sensor validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If current network-based messaging applications determine online availability via computer use or manual setting, then presence information can be tracked, but it does not allow passive changes in situations where active changes are not socially acceptable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassive presence managementVSAvoidcontextual accuracy of availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (clicking presence buttons) with automatic sensor-based detection. Accelerometers detect device orientation and motion, GPS detects location context, and microphones detect ambient noise levels. These sensor measurements automatically translate to presence states, providing passive management while preserving contextual accuracy through environmental awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If user actively changes presence state throughout the day, then online availability can be kept up to date, but user attention is required which conflicts with social etiquette in certain situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of presence managementVSAvoidsensor integration and rule processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments presence management into independent sensor modules (accelerometer for orientation/motion, GPS for location, microphone for noise detection) and processes them through separate rule evaluation functions. Each sensor operates independently and contributes specific data to the overall presence determination, reducing complexity through modular design while improving productivity through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2652926B1Augmenting personal availability using a mobile device
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2652926B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2652926B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2652926B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An online presence may be augmented by leveraging mobile computing device sensors in a mobile computing device. State change and/or rate of change data measured by the mobile computing device sensors may be received. The state change and/or rate of change data may be compared with a set of rules to determine a matching online presence state for the mobile computing device. The set of rules may describe different online presence states associated with a user of the mobile computing device. A current online presence associated with the user of the mobile computing device may then be updated to the matching online presence state.