Visual Event Notification on Handheld Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld communication devices rely on audible and tactile notifications, which can be disruptive and do not provide meaningful information about the event, leading to potential missed important events due to notification disablement in quiet environments.
Innovation Solution
A handheld communications device that provides visual informative notifications on a display device, using a light source and motion sensor to activate and maintain the notification based on user interaction, allowing for detailed event information to be displayed without disturbing others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audible notifications are used, then the user can receive notification without the device being in immediate proximity, but the notification disturbs individuals nearby
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces audible (acoustic) notification with visual display notification. Instead of using speakers to produce sound waves that propagate through air and disturb others, the invention uses a display device to present visual information about the event, thereby eliminating the harmful audible disturbance while maintaining notification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual display as an intermediary between the event notification system and the user. Rather than directly notifying the user through sound, the system uses visual display elements (such as icons, text, or images on the display device) to convey event information, allowing the user to understand the notification without auditory disturbance to others.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tactile notifications are used, then the notification does not disturb individuals nearby, but the notification provides no meaningful information about the event
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces tactile (mechanical vibration) notification with visual display notification. Instead of using vibration motors to produce tactile feedback that conveys no semantic information, the invention uses the display device to present meaningful visual information about the event, such as message content, caller identification, or event details, thereby eliminating information loss while maintaining discretion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the notification parameter from tactile vibration (physical sensation without semantic content) to visual display parameters (images, text, colors) that can encode meaningful event information. This parameter change allows the notification to convey detailed information about the event while remaining visually discrete and not disturbing others auditorially.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If notification function is disabled to avoid disturbing others, then the environment remains quiet, but important events may occur without notice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the disabled audible notification system with an active visual display notification system. By substituting acoustic notifications with visual displays, the system maintains notification reliability in quiet environments where audible notifications would be inappropriate, allowing users to receive meaningful event information without disturbing others.
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
Enables users to receive detailed information about events without disturbing others, reducing the likelihood of missing important notifications while maintaining a quiet environment.
Implementation Method 1
a display device, and an event notifier in communication with the display device
Implementation Method 2
The communications device may comprise a user data input device, and the display device may include a light source for illuminating information rendered on the display device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of event notification on a handheld communications device involves first receiving an indication of an occurrence of an event at the handheld communications device. The communications device comprises a display device, and the event has an associated notification definition for providing a visual notification of the occurrence of the event. The notification definition comprises a content parameter that specifies a scope of the content of the visual notification, and an action parameter that specifies the action to be taken on the communications device after the visual notification is initiated. Then, a visual notification of the occurrence is provided on the display device in accordance with the associated notification definition. The visual notification provides particulars of the event.