Sensor-Based Device Interruption and Application Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often face difficulties in getting attention while immersed in device usage, leading to repetitive attempts or disruptive methods to interrupt them.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing sensors, a processor, and memory to detect voice cues or proximity-based interrupts, allowing for controlled interruption and resumption of device applications, including pausing, powering off, or presenting notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the user is fully immersed in device usage, then device productivity and engagement are improved, but the user becomes difficult to reach and requires disruptive methods to get attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary interruption system that mediates between the user's immersive device usage and external communication needs. The system uses sensors to detect user state and automatically manages interruptions, serving as a mediator that protects user concentration while enabling necessary interactions without direct user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The interruption management system operates autonomously to detect user immersion state and manage interruptions without requiring user action. The system self-regulates by detecting when the user is immersed and automatically handling interruption scenarios, freeing the user from needing to manually manage their availability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional methods are used to get user attention (asking repeatedly, yelling, poking), then user accessibility is improved, but user experience deteriorates and becomes disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical and social disruption methods (poking, tapping, yelling) with an electronic sensor-based system. The interruption management uses sensors to detect user state and automatically manages interruptions, substituting physical disruption with intelligent electronic mediation that preserves user experience while enabling accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If automatic interruption management is implemented, then user accessibility and experience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interruption management system is designed to work across multiple applications and device states, providing universal interruption handling. By creating a multi-functional layer that operates across different contexts (calls, messages, notifications), the system manages complexity through generalization rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each scenario.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple sensors and processing layers are added for intelligent interruption detection, then user experience is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor inputs (proximity, light, motion) and processing functions into a unified interruption management system. By merging these functions into an integrated architecture rather than separate independent systems, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the intelligent detection capabilities that improve user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for interrupting a device. A method includes detecting, by use of a processor, an interrupt cue in response to input received from the one or more sensors. The method further includes determining one or more actively executing applications on an information handling device. The method also includes interrupting the one or more actively executing applications in response to the interrupt cue.