Notification Processing for Foreground Application Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices often experience interference and disruption when receiving notification messages, especially when a user is engaged in tasks like gaming, as notifications can obscure the screen and incorrectly switch the user to another application, leading to a poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device method that determines the notification type based on the current application interface displayed, processing notifications in a way that minimizes interference by using different notification types for different interfaces, such as sound, banner, or no notification, depending on the application and its priority.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the electronic device displays the notification message on the screen, then the user is notified of the notification message, but the notification message obscures the current application interface and causes visual interference to the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification message deliveryVSAvoidvisual interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the notification delivery mechanism by separating the notification message from the main screen display. Instead of displaying the notification on the screen, the system uses a notification bar at the top of the screen that can be independently managed. The notification bar can be configured to display notification messages without obstructing the main application interface, thus segmenting the display space and reducing visual interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension for notification display by using a notification bar at the top of the screen, which is a different spatial dimension from the main application interface. This allows notification messages to be displayed in a separate area that does not obstruct the primary viewing area, effectively adding a dimensional separation between notification and application content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If the electronic device displays the notification message on the screen, then the user is notified of the notification message, but the user may accidentally touch the notification message area and be incorrectly switched to another application, interrupting the current application process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification message deliveryVSAvoidapplication process continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interactive area by creating a notification bar that is visually distinct from the main application interface. The notification bar is positioned at the top of the screen and can be configured with different interaction behaviors. This segmentation prevents accidental touches on the notification bar from triggering application switches, as the notification bar is designed to be non-interactive or has different interaction characteristics compared to the main application areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notification bar acts as an intermediary element between the notification message and the main application interface. It serves as a buffer that prevents direct interaction between the user and the notification message that could lead to unintended application switching. The notification bar can be configured to provide contextual information without requiring user interaction that would disrupt the current application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the electronic device uses a unified notification processing method, then the implementation is simple, but the notification message cannot adapt to different application interfaces and causes interference to the foreground application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification processing implementationVSAvoidnotification adaptability to different interfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities to the notification bar, allowing it to adapt its behavior based on the current application context. The notification bar can be configured to display different types of notifications, adjust its visibility, and modify its interaction characteristics depending on the foreground application. This dynamic adaptability allows the notification system to respond to different application interfaces without requiring a complete redesign of the notification processing method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes in the notification bar configuration based on the current application state. System parameters such as notification visibility, bar height, and interaction enabled/disabled can be dynamically adjusted according to the foreground application type. This allows the notification system to adapt to different application interfaces by changing parameters rather than requiring a unified complex implementation for every possible scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3820130B1Method and electronic device for processing notification message
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3820130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820130B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820130B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a notification message processing method and an electronic device, and relates to the field of electronic technologies, to determine a notification type of a notification message based on an application displayed in the foreground, thereby reducing interference from the notification message to the application displayed in the foreground. An electronic device displays a first interface of a first application on a touchscreen, receives a first notification message of a second application, determines a first target notification type of the first notification message based on the first interface, and processes the first notification message based on the first target notification type; and displays a second interface of the first application on the touchscreen, receives a second notification message of the second application, determines a second target notification type of the second notification message based on the second interface, and processes the second notification message based on the second target notification type, where the second target notification type is different from the first target notification type.