Notification Manager Context-Aware Haptic Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face distractions and inefficiencies due to concurrent and redundant notifications across multiple devices, with existing systems failing to effectively direct attention to the most appropriate device for handling notifications.

Innovation Solution

A haptic notification management system that uses haptic feedback to direct users' attention to the most appropriate device for each notification, based on context, notification type, and user interaction, by integrating a haptic notification manager module that determines the best modality and device for notification delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple devices send concurrent notifications to the user, then the user receives all notifications, but the user experiences distraction and cannot efficiently determine which device to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification deliveryVSAvoiduser attention management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a notification manager as an intermediary system that receives notifications from multiple devices and intelligently routes them to the most appropriate device. This mediator analyzes notification types, user context, and device availability to direct notifications, thereby maintaining reliable delivery while eliminating user distraction from receiving redundant notifications across multiple devices simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If devices are unaware of each other's notifications, then each device can notify the user independently, but redundant and competing notifications occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidredundant notifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the notification management capabilities of multiple independent devices into a unified system through the notification manager. While devices remain independent in their ability to generate notifications, the manager combines their notification streams and coordinates delivery, eliminating redundancy while preserving device independence and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If the user must decide which display to use for each notification, then all notifications can be received, but time is lost in decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification coverageVSAvoiddecision time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The notification manager performs preliminary analysis of each notification's type, importance, and appropriate delivery device before the user receives it. By pre-determining the optimal device for each notification based on established criteria and user preferences, the system eliminates the need for users to spend time deciding which device to use, while ensuring comprehensive notification coverage across all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively reduces distraction by directing users' attention to the most suitable device for notifications, enhancing user experience by minimizing disruption and improving handling of notifications across multiple devices.

Implementation Method 1

Devices, such as mobile devices, touchscreen devices, and personal computers, can be configured to generate haptic effects. In general, calls to embedded hardware capable of generating haptic effects (such as actuators) can be programmed within an operating system ("OS") of the device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHaptic feedback: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2950182B1Notification manager
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 IMMERSION CORP
  • EP2950182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2950182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2950182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A notification manager is provided that manages notifications for a user. The notification manager detects a notification event and determines a context of the notification event. The notification manager determines a target device for the notification event based on the determined context and one or more available displays. The notification manager then generates a notification on one or more of the one or more available displays to direct the user's attention to the target device.