Silent Mode Alarm Configuration via Priority Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices in silent mode may disrupt events or cause users to miss important alarms due to the inability to differentiate between priority and non-priority alarms, leading to unintended prolonged silent mode operation.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows users to selectively configure alarms before entering silent mode, enabling prioritization and tailored notification methods, such as audible, vibrational, or visual alerts, to ensure important alarms are acknowledged without disrupting silent mode operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If all alarms are suppressed during silent mode, then disruption to events is minimized, but users may miss important alarms and events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments alarms into different priority levels (high priority and low priority). During silent mode, high priority alarms are still announced while low priority alarms are suppressed. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between important and non-important alarms, resolving the contradiction by preventing disruption from non-critical alarms while ensuring critical alarms are not missed.
2Loss of information
If all alarms are announced during silent mode, then users remain informed of all events, but disruption and embarrassment occur at attended events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides alarms into priority categories and selectively announces only high priority alarms during silent mode. This segmentation enables the system to maintain user awareness of important events while avoiding disruption from less critical alarms, thus resolving the contradiction between informing users and preventing embarrassment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different announcement qualities to different alarm types during silent mode. High priority alarms receive full announcement treatment while low priority alarms receive suppressed treatment. This local differentiation in announcement quality allows the system to tailor the response to each alarm's importance, resolving the contradiction by providing appropriate notification levels.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If silent mode is maintained for extended periods, then disruption is avoided, but users may forget to cancel it and miss important notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing advance warning to users about upcoming alarms before silent mode begins. The system identifies alarms scheduled during the silent period and notifies users in advance, allowing them to prepare or adjust settings. This preliminary notification prevents users from forgetting about important alarms while maintaining silent mode operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that inform users about the status of silent mode and upcoming alarms. The system provides feedback to users regarding which alarms will be announced during silent mode, enabling users to make informed decisions about maintaining or canceling silent mode. This feedback loop prevents users from inadvertently missing important notifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to selectively configure alarms prior to commencement of a silent mode of operation. In the context of a method, an indication of at least a start time for a silent mode of operation of a device is received. Responsive to the indication of at least the start time for the silent mode of operation, one or more alarms are identified. Each alarm has an activation mode and an activation time during the silent mode of operation of the device. Responsive to identifying one or more alarms and prior to commencing the silent mode of operation, the method also causes a prompt to be presented regarding a potential change to at least one of the activation mode or the activation time for at least one alarm that was identified.