System and method for optimizing user notifications for small computer devices

• US 20020116541A1
• Filed: 12/19/2000
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Vale, Peter, Parker, Kathryn L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 719/318
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/02 manually operated with input through keyboard and computation using a built-in program, e.g. pocket calculators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location

Abstract

A system and method for notifying users in a manner that is appropriate for the event and the environment for the user. The method of the present invention relates to determining the desired properties of an event and assigning varying notification characteristics to that event. Profiles are created of the various events, wherein each profile relates to a different mode or situational environment, such as a meeting environment, an office or normal environment, a louder outside-type environment, etc. The invention further relates to placing the small computer device in a particular mode, either automatically or manually. Once in a particular mode the device provides notifications according to that mode.

Claims

1. A method of notifying a user of a notification event occurring in a small computer device, the small computer device having a memory, the method comprising:

storing at least one profile of notification events in the memory of the small computer device, wherein the notification events are associated with at least one notification type; and

notifying a user of an event according to the stored profile.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein more than one profile is stored in memory and wherein the method further comprises:

associating each profile with a unique notification mode;

receiving a selection signal to select one notification mode;

applying the selected notification mode to the small computer device and wherein the device remains in the selected mode until another mode is selected and wherein the user is notified of events according to the selected notification mode.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the method further comprises:

receiving an indication to select a notification mode;

displaying a notification mode menu; and

wherein the received selection signal relates to a selection from the displayed notification mode menu.

4. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the computer system further comprises a calendar-type application program storing reminder events and wherein the selection signal is generated by the calendar-type application program.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the notification type is a vibrating signal, audible signal, visual signal or off.

6. A computer program product readable by a computer and encoding instructions for executing a computer process for notifying a user of notification events, the process comprising:

storing at least one profile of notification events, wherein the notification events are associated with at least one notification type;

associating each profile with a unique notification mode;

receiving a selection signal to select one notification mode;

applying the selected notification mode to the small computer device and wherein the device remains in the selected mode until another mode is selected and wherein the user is notified of events according to the selected notification mode.

7. A computer program product as defined in claim 6 wherein the process further comprises:

receiving an indication to select a notification mode;

displaying a notification mode menu; and

wherein the received selection signal relates to a selection from the displayed notification mode menu.

8. A computer program product as defined in claim 6 wherein the computer further comprises a calendar-type application program storing reminder events and wherein the selection signal is generated by the calendar-type application program.

9. A computer system for notifying a user of notification events, the system comprising:

a memory unit for storing a plurality of profiles, the profile relating notification events with notification types;

a first output device for notifying the user of a notification event using a first notification type;

a second output device for notifying the user of the notification event using a second notification type wherein the second notification type is different from the first notification type;

a processing unit for automatically determining whether to notify the user using the first notification type or the second notification type.

10. A computer system as defined in claim 9 wherein the notification event is the reception of email over a wireless network.

11. A computer system as defined in claim 9 wherein the notification event is a calendar event stored by a calendar-type application program.

12. A computer system as defined in claim 9 wherein the first notification type is an audible signal and the second notification type is a visual display.

13. A computer system as defined in claim 9 wherein each notification types the first notification type is a vibration signal and the second notification signal is an audible signal.