Temporary Notification Profile Switching on Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile electronic devices lack an automated means to conveniently switch between notification profiles, often requiring manual changes that can be forgotten, leading to distractions and missed notifications during events like meetings.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically switching between notification profiles on mobile devices, allowing users to set temporary profiles for specific events with a defined expiration time, automatically reverting to the previous profile after the event, and providing options to extend or make the profile non-expiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual switching between notification profiles is implemented, then users can control notification behavior, but users may forget to switch profiles leading to distractions and missed notifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification delivery reliabilityVSAvoidprofile switching operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically switching to the appropriate notification profile before the user needs it. The profile switching is triggered by location-based events (arriving at a destination) or time-based events, so the user doesn't need to manually switch profiles and won't forget to do so.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically managing profile switching based on pre-configured preferences and triggers. The device monitors its own location and time, and autonomously switches profiles without requiring user intervention, making the system self-sufficient for this task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If automated profile switching based on location is implemented, then profile switching is automatic and reliable, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile switching automationVSAvoidprofile management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the device's existing location tracking capabilities (already present for other purposes like maps and navigation) to trigger profile switching. This multi-functional use of the location service avoids adding dedicated hardware or complex separate systems for profile management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the state parameter of the notification profile based on location or time parameters. By monitoring changes in location coordinates or time values and responding with profile state changes, the system achieves automation through simple parameter monitoring rather than complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If temporary notification profiles with expiration times are implemented, then users can set profiles for specific events, but the profile management system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification profile adaptabilityVSAvoidprofile switching system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Users pre-configure their profile switching preferences and expiration criteria in advance. The system stores these preferences and automatically executes them when the specified conditions (location arrival, time elapsed) are met, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during profile switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about which profile is currently active and when a temporary profile is set to expire. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the system state and manage their profiles effectively without requiring complex internal management logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2113105B1Temporary notification profile switching on an electronic device
Publication Date: 2011.10.05 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2113105B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2113105B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP2113105B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Automated switching of notification profiles is provided on a mobile electronic device having a plurality of different notification profiles each specifying event notification behavior for the mobile electronic device. The device switches to a first notification profile to specify event notification behavior for the mobile electronic device, the first notification profile having a specified expiration time; monitors for expiration of the first notification profile in dependence on the expiration time; and switches, upon expiration of the first notification profile, to a second notification profile to specify event notification behavior for the mobile electronic device.