System and method for optimizing user notifications for small computer devices

• US 8,839,273 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2013
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Parker, Kathryn L., Vale, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Haresh N
• Application Number:
  US13/733,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20130125142A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 719/318, 709200-203, 709217-228, 700/66
• 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 for automatically notifying a user of notification events with predetermined notification types depending on the user'"'"'s environment and stored notification profiles, the method comprising:

operating, by a processor, in a first notification mode associated with a first set of notification types, wherein the first set of notification types comprise a silent notification;

detecting, by the processor, a calendar-related event;

determining, by the processor, whether a second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event, wherein the second notification mode is associated with a second set of notification types, and where wherein the second set of notification types comprise a tactile or audible notification;

upon determining that the calendar-related event is associated with the second notification mode, notifying the user of the calendar-related event using the second notification mode, wherein notifying comprises sending a first event reminder using the second notification mode; and

upon determining that the calendar-related event is not associated with the second notification mode, notifying the user of the calendar-related event using the first notification mode, wherein notifying comprises sending a second event reminder using the first notification mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the calendar-related event further comprises accessing a calendar-type application capable of storing calendar-related events.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting the calendar-related event further comprises reminding the user of upcoming calendar-related events scheduled in the calendar-type application.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event when the event is added.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event after the event is added.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the calendar-related event is a set of appointments.

7. One or more computer storage media having computer-executable components that upon execution perform a method for automatically notifying a user of notification events with predetermined notification types depending on the user'"'"'s environment and stored notification profiles, the method comprising:

operating, by a processor, in a first notification mode associated with a first set of notification types, wherein the first set of notification types comprise a silent notification;

detecting, by the processor, a calendar-related event;

determining, by the processor, whether a second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event, wherein the second notification mode is associated with a second set of notification types, and where wherein the second set of notification types comprise a tactile or audible notification;

upon determining that the calendar-related event is associated with the second notification mode, notifying the user of the calendar-related event using the second notification mode, wherein notifying comprises sending a first event reminder; and

upon determining that the calendar-related event is not associated with the second notification mode, notifying the user of the calendar-related event using the first notification mode, wherein notifying comprises sending a second event reminder.

8. The computer storage medium of claim 7, wherein detecting the calendar-related event further comprises accessing a calendar-type application capable of storing calendar-related events.

9. The computer storage medium of claim 8, wherein detecting the calendar-related event further comprises reminding the user of upcoming calendar-related events scheduled in the calendar-type application.

10. The computer storage medium of claim 7, wherein the second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event when the event is added.

11. The computer storage medium of claim 7, wherein the second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event after the event is added.

12. The computer storage medium of claim 7, wherein the calendar-related event is a set of appointments.

13. The computer storage medium of claim 7, wherein the second notification type is a vibration.

14. A computer system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, the memory having computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor, provide a method for automatically notifying a user of notification events with predetermined notification types depending on the user'"'"'s environment and stored notification profiles, the method comprising;

operating, by a processor, in a first notification mode associated with a first set of notification types, wherein the first set of notification types comprise a silent notification;

detecting, by the processor, a calendar-related event;

determining, by the processor, whether a second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event, wherein the second notification mode is associated with a second set of notification types, and where wherein the second set of notification types comprise a tactile or audible notification;

upon determining that the calendar-related event is associated with the second notification mode, notifying the user of the calendar-related event using the second notification mode, wherein notifying comprises sending a first event reminder; and

upon determining that the calendar-related event is not associated with the second notification mode, notifying the user of the calendar-related event using the first notification mode, wherein notifying comprises sending a second event reminder.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein detecting the calendar-related event further comprises accessing a calendar-type application capable of storing calendar-related events.

16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein detecting the calendar-related event further comprises reminding the user of upcoming calendar-related events scheduled in the calendar-type application.

17. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event when the event is added.

18. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the second notification mode is associated with the calendar-related event after the event is added.

19. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the second notification type is a vibration.

20. The computer storage medium of claim 14, wherein the second notification type further comprises a volume level.