Noise-sensitive alert presentation
First Claim
1. A method of presenting an alert to a user in an environment on a device having a processor, the method comprising:
- executing on the processor instructions that cause the device to;
detect a noise level of the environment;
compare the noise level of the environment to a noise level threshold;
if the noise level is below the noise level threshold, present the alert to the user; and
if the noise level is above the noise level threshold, refrain from presenting the alert to the user until the noise level is below the noise level threshold;
wherein executing the instructions on the processor further causes the device to;
upon refraining from presenting the alert, store the alert in an alert log;
store at least one additional alert in the alert log; and
wherein presenting the alert to the user further comprises;
consolidating the alerts stored in the alert log;
presenting the alert log.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Many devices are configured to present alerts notifying a user of device events, but the user may not notice the alert due to a noisy environment. A user may mitigate missed alerts by increasing the alert volume or choosing a vibration mode, but such techniques depend upon the knowledge, attention, and memory of the user to adjust the device before the alert. Instead, a device may compare the noise level of the environment with a noise level threshold. If the noise level is below the threshold, the device presents the alert; but if the noise level is above the threshold, the device defers the presentation of the alert until the noise level diminishes below the threshold, and then presents the alert. The device may also send an automated response to the message, notifying a sender that the user may return the message upon leaving the noisy environment.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of presenting an alert to a user in an environment on a device having a processor, the method comprising:
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executing on the processor instructions that cause the device to; detect a noise level of the environment; compare the noise level of the environment to a noise level threshold; if the noise level is below the noise level threshold, present the alert to the user; and if the noise level is above the noise level threshold, refrain from presenting the alert to the user until the noise level is below the noise level threshold; wherein executing the instructions on the processor further causes the device to; upon refraining from presenting the alert, store the alert in an alert log; store at least one additional alert in the alert log; and wherein presenting the alert to the user further comprises; consolidating the alerts stored in the alert log; presenting the alert log. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of presenting an alert to a user in an environment on a device having a processor, the method comprising:
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executing on the processor instructions that cause the device to; detect a noise level of the environment; compare the noise level of the environment to a noise level threshold; if the noise level is below the noise level threshold, present the alert to the user; and if the noise level is above the noise level threshold, refrain from presenting the alert to the user until the noise level is below the noise level threshold;
wherein;the alert is presented in a first sensory modality comprising an audio alert; and executing the instructions on the processor further causes the device to, upon refraining from presenting the alert to the user, present an alternative alert in a second sensory modality comprising a vibration alert.
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9. A device that presents alerts to a user in an environment, the device comprising:
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an alert memory that, upon receiving an alert, stores the alert; a noise level detector that detects a noise level of the environment; and an alert presenter that, while the alert memory stores at least one stored alert; compares the noise level of the environment to a noise level threshold; and upon determining that the noise level of the environment is below the noise level threshold; presents the stored alert to the user, and removes the stored alert from the alert memory; wherein the noise level detector detects the noise level by; while the noise level is below the noise level threshold, detecting the noise level at a first period duration; and while the noise level is above the noise level threshold, detecting the noise level at a second period duration that is shorter than the first period duration. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-readable memory device storing instructions that, when executed on a processor of a device, cause the device to present alerts to a user by:
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detecting a noise level of the environment; compare the noise level of the environment to a noise level threshold; upon determining that the noise level is below the noise level threshold, present the alert to the user; and upon determining that the noise level is above the noise level threshold, refrain from presenting the alert to the user until the noise level is below the noise level threshold; wherein; the alert is presented within a frequency range of a frequency spectrum; and comparing the noise level of the environment further comprises; identifying a noise level of the environment within the frequency range of the alert; and comparing the noise level with the noise level threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification