Device and method for generating user notifications associated with tasks that are pending completion

• US 20070036300A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Brown, Michael, Kirkup, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,697,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.220
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

A device and method for generating user notifications associated with tasks that are pending completion on a mobile device. When additional input is required from a user of the mobile device to complete performance of a task and is not being received from the user within a predefined time period, at least one form of user notification is generated. The particular form or forms of user notification are defined by a user profile associated with the user. User notifications may comprise visual, audible, and/or vibratory alerts, and different forms of these user notifications may be generated in a sequence. The volume of audible alerts or the period between periodic user notifications may vary over time.

Claims

1. A method of generating user notifications associated with tasks that are pending completion on a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving input from a user to initiate performance of a task on the mobile device; and

when additional input is required to complete performance of the task,

prompting the user for the additional input,

determining if the additional input is not being received from the user within a predefined time period, and

generating at least one form of user notification as defined by a user profile associated with the user, if the additional input is not being received from the user within the predefined time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one form of user notification is generated at the generating step until the additional input is being received from the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one form of user notification is generated periodically at the generating step.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the period at which the at least one form of user notification is generated at the generating step varies.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one form of user notification is generated at the generating step until a second predefined time period has elapsed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile defines the at least one form of user notification that is to be generated at the generating step based on a state of the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the state of the mobile device is a state selected from the following group:

the mobile device is in a cradle;

the mobile device is in a holster; and

the mobile device is neither in a cradle nor in a holster.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one form of user notification consists of at least one of the following:

a visual alert, an audible alert, and a vibratory alert.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one form of user notification varies over time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile defines a plurality of forms of user notification that is to be generated in a sequence at the generating step.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the task comprises processing a message composed by the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the input received from the user at the receiving step comprises a direction that the message is to be sent.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the processing of the message comprises encoding the message using PGP.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the processing of the message comprises encoding the message using S/MIME.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the task comprises searching messages.

16. A computer-readable medium upon which a plurality of instructions are stored, the instructions for performing the steps of the method of claim 1.

17. A mobile device adapted to perform the steps of the method of claim 1.