U.S. patent application number 14/619775 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-09 for limiting notification interruptions.
The applicant listed for this patent is Google Inc.. Invention is credited to Alexander Faaborg, Tristan Harris, Austin Robison.
Application Number | 20150194165 14/619775 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52272948 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150194165 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faaborg; Alexander ; et
al. |
July 9, 2015 |
LIMITING NOTIFICATION INTERRUPTIONS
Abstract
Techniques for a computing device operating in limited-access
states are provided. One example method includes determining, by a
computing device, that a notification is scheduled for output by
the computing device during a first time period and that a pattern
of audio detected during the first time period is indicative of
human speech. The method further includes delaying output of the
notification during the first time period and determining that a
pattern of audio detected during a second time period is not
indicative of human speech. The method also includes outputting at
least a portion of the notification at an earlier in time of an end
of the second time period or an expiration of a third time
period.
Inventors: |
Faaborg; Alexander;
(Mountain View, CA) ; Harris; Tristan; (Santa
Rosa, CA) ; Robison; Austin; (Sunnyvale, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Google Inc. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52272948 |
Appl. No.: |
14/619775 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14150391 |
Jan 8, 2014 |
9037455 |
|
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14619775 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
704/270.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3629 20130101;
G01C 21/3655 20130101; G06F 3/167 20130101; G10L 21/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G10L 21/00 20060101
G10L021/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: determining, by a computing device, that a
notification is scheduled for output by the computing device during
a first time period; responsive to determining that a pattern of
audio detected during the first time period is indicative of human
speech, delaying, by the computing device, output of the
notification during the first time period; and outputting, by the
computing device, at least a portion of the notification responsive
to a first to occur of (1) determining that a pattern of audio
detected during a second time period is not indicative of human
speech and (2) an expiration of a maximum delay period for output
of the notification.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the
computing device, which portion of the notification to output based
at least in part on the pattern of audio detected during the second
time period.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining which portion of the
notification to output comprises determining to output only a
portion of the notification, wherein the portion of the
notification is capable of being fully output by the computing
device during a portion of the second time period during which no
audio indicative of human speech is detected by the computing
device.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: continuously
monitoring and analyzing audio detected by a microphone operatively
coupled to the computing device; storing a representation of the
audio to a storage device; analyzing the representation of the
audio; and responsive to analyzing the representation of the audio
determining, by the computing device, that the pattern of audio
detected during the first time period is indicative of human
speech.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a type of
the notification; and determining a duration of the maximum delay
period based at least in part on the type of the notification.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the
pattern of audio detected during the second time period indicates
that the second time period is suitable for outputting an entirety
of the notification, wherein outputting at least the portion of the
notification comprises outputting the entirety of the
notification.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the pattern of
audio detected during the first time period is indicative of human
speech further comprises: querying a database for one or more
stored human speech patterns; comparing the pattern of audio
detected during the first time period with the one or more stored
human speech patterns; and determining that the pattern of audio
detected during the first time period is indicative of human speech
in response to determining that the pattern of audio detected
during the first time period matches one of the one or more stored
human speech patterns within a threshold matching level.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring, by the
computing device, an ambient noise level of audio, wherein
outputting at least the portion of the notification further
comprises outputting at least the portion of the notification
responsive to the ambient noise level being below a threshold noise
level.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises an
audio notification, and wherein outputting at least a portion of
the audio notification further comprises outputting, by a speaker,
at least a portion the audio notification.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: executing, by the
computing device, a navigation application; generating, by the
navigation application and responsive to commencement of the first
time period, the audio notification, wherein the audio notification
includes directional information; and determining the maximum delay
period for output of the notification based on a time of
commencement of the first time period and a time at which at least
part of the directional information would become incorrect.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the portion of the notification
includes the directional information, further comprising:
responsive to determining that the maximum delay period has not yet
been reached, outputting the directional information responsive to
determining that the pattern of audio detected during the second
time period is not indicative of human speech; and responsive to
determining that the maximum delay period has been reached before
the directional information becomes incorrect, outputting the
directional information before determining that a pattern of audio
detected during the second time period is not indicative of human
speech.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving, by the
computing device, an incoming request for communication;
generating, by the computing device at commencement of the first
time period, the audio notification that indicates the request for
communication has been received; and determining the maximum delay
period based on a time of commencement of the first time period and
a time when the request for communication would expire.
13. A computing device, comprising: a microphone; an output device;
and one or more processors operable to: determine that a
notification is scheduled for output by the computing device during
a first time period; responsive to determining that a pattern of
audio detected during the first time period is indicative of human
speech, delay output of the notification during the first time
period; and output at least a portion of the notification
responsive to a first to occur of (1) determining that a pattern of
audio detected during a second time period is not indicative of
human speech and (2) an expiration of a maximum delay period for
output of the notification.
14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the one or more
processors is further operable to: determine which portion of the
notification to output based at least in part on the pattern of
audio detected during the second time period.
15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the one or more
processors is further operable to: determine a type of the
notification; and determine a duration of the maximum delay period
based at least in part on the type of the notification.
16. The computing device of claim 13, wherein determine that the
pattern of audio detected during the first time period is
indicative of human speech further comprises: query a database for
one or more stored human speech patterns; compare the pattern of
audio detected during the first time period with the one or more
stored human speech patterns; and determine that the pattern of
audio detected during the first time period is indicative of human
speech when the pattern of audio detected during the first time
period matches one of the one or more stored human speech patterns
within a threshold matching level.
17. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the notification
comprises a first notification, and wherein the one or more
processors is further operable to: receive an incoming request for
communication; generate, at commencement of the first time period,
a second notification to indicate the request for communication has
been received; and determine a maximum delay period for the second
notification based on a time of commencement of the first time
period and a time when the request for communication would
expire.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a
computing device, cause the one or more processors to: determine
that a notification is scheduled for output by the computing device
during a first time period; responsive to determining that a
pattern of audio detected during the first time period is
indicative of human speech, delay output of the notification during
the first time period; and output at least a portion of the
notification responsive to a first to occur of (1) determining that
a pattern of audio detected during a second time period is not
indicative of human speech and (2) an expiration of a maximum delay
period for the notification.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
18, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more
processors to: determine a type of the notification; and determine
a duration of the maximum delay period based at least in part on
the type of the notification.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
18, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more
processors to: query a database for one or more stored human speech
patterns; compare the pattern of audio detected during the first
time period with the one or more stored human speech patterns; and
determine that the pattern of audio detected during the first time
period is indicative of human speech when the pattern of audio
detected during the first time period matches one of the one or
more stored human speech patterns within a threshold matching
level.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/150,391, filed on Jan. 08, 2014, the entire content of which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Computing devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers,
global positioning system (GPS) devices, etc.) can generally
perform various functions, such as executing applications stored
thereon and outputting information. For example, an application may
output documents, e-mails, pictures, etc. for display on a screen
and/or audio for output by a speaker. Certain computing devices
output notifications that provide information related to, for
example, a condition of the computing device, one or more
applications executed by the computing device, a time, or a
location of the computing device. In some examples, these
notifications are outputted at an inopportune time and may
interrupt a function of the computing device or a non-computing
task currently being engaged in by a user of the computing
device.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one example, the disclosure is directed to a method
determining, by a computing device, that a notification is
scheduled for output by the computing device during a first time
period. The method also includes determining, by the computing
device, that a pattern of audio detected during the first time
period is indicative of human speech and delaying, by the computing
device and in response to determining that the pattern of audio
detected during the first time is indicative of human speech,
output of the notification during the first time period. The method
additionally includes determining, by the computing device, that a
pattern of audio detected during a second time period is not
indicative of human speech. The method further includes outputting,
by the computing device, at least a portion of the notification at
an earlier in time of an end of the second time period or an
expiration of a third time period.
[0004] In another example, the disclosure is directed to a
computing device comprising a microphone, an output device, and one
or more processors. The one or more processors are operable to
monitor audio detected by the microphone, wherein the audio is
detected during at least a first time period and a second time
period. The one or more processors are further operable to
determine that a notification is scheduled for output by the
computing device during a first time period and determine that a
pattern of audio detected during the first time period is
indicative of human speech. In response to determining that the
pattern of audio detected during the first time is indicative of
human speech, the one or more processors are further operable to
delay output of the notification during the first time period. The
one or more processors are further operable to determine that a
pattern of audio detected during a second time period is not
indicative of human speech and output at least a portion of the
notification at an earlier in time of an end of the second time
period or an expiration of a third time period.
[0005] In another example, the disclosure is directed to a
computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that,
when executed by one or more processors of a computing device,
cause the one or more processors to determine that a notification
is scheduled for output by the computing device during a first time
period. The instructions further cause the one or more processors
to determine that a pattern of audio detected during the first time
period is indicative of human speech. In response to determining
that the pattern of audio detected during the first time is
indicative of human speech, the instructions further cause the one
or more processors to delay output of the notification during the
first time period. The instructions further cause the one or more
processors to determine that a pattern of audio detected during a
second time period is not indicative of human speech and output at
least a portion of the notification at an earlier in time of an end
of the second time period or an expiration of a third time
period.
[0006] The details of one or more examples are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,
objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the
description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example
computing device that is configured to delay output of a
notification, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing
device configured to delay output of a notification, in accordance
with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing
device that outputs a notification at an opportune time, in
accordance with one or more techniques of the present
disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a
computing device configured to delay output of a notification based
at least partially on determination of a pattern of detected audio
indicates human speech, in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Techniques of this disclosure are directed to a computing
device configured to delay output of a notification. A notification
may be any output (e.g., visual, auditory, tactile, etc.) that a
computing device provides to convey information. In some
implementations, a computing device may delay outputting a
notification at a first time because the computing device
determines that detected ambient noise has a pattern indicative of
human speech. For example, the computing device does not output an
audio notification during a time period in which the computing
device determines that speech is taking place in proximity to the
computing device. In some implementations, the computing device
delays outputting the audio notification until the computing device
determines that audio data detected during a second time period do
not have a pattern indicative of human speech. When the computing
device determines there is no detected audio pattern indicative of
human speech, the computing device outputs at least part of the
notification.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example
computing device 2 that is configured to delay output of a
notification, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
disclosure. In the example of FIG. 1, computing device 2 is
illustrated as a mobile computing device. However, in other
examples, computing device 2 may be a desktop computer, a mainframe
computer, tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
laptop computer, a portable gaming device, a portable media player,
an e-book reader, a watch, television platform, a global
positioning system (GPS) receiver, or another type of computing
device.
[0013] Computing device 2 includes one or more user interface
devices (UIDs) 4. For clarity, singular terms may be used herein
for features where, in some examples, there may be two or more of
those features. UID 4 of computing device 2 may function as an
input device and as an output device for computing device 2. UID 4
may be implemented using various technologies. For instance, UID 4
may function as an input device using a presence-sensitive display,
such as a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic wave
touchscreen, a capacitive touchscreen, a projective capacitance
touchscreen, a pressure sensitive screen, an acoustic pulse
recognition touchscreen, or another presence-sensitive display
technology. UID 4 may function as an output device using any one or
more of a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, dot matrix
display, light emitting diode (LED) display, organic light-emitting
diode (OLED) display, electronic ink, or similar monochrome or
color display capable of outputting visible information, such as to
a user of computing device 2.
[0014] UID 4 of computing device 2 may include a presence-sensitive
display that may receive both tactile and motion-based input from,
for example, a user of computing device 2. UID 4 may receive
indications of the tactile user input by detecting one or more tap
and/or non-tap gestures from a user of computing device 2 (e.g.,
the user touching or pointing to one or more locations of UID 4
with a finger or a stylus pen or the user holding computing device
2 by touching UID 4). The presence-sensitive display of UID 4 may
present output to a user. UID 4 may present the output as a user
interface which may be related to functionality configured into
computing device 2. For example, UID 4 may present various user
interfaces of applications (e.g., an electronic message
application, an Internet browser application, etc.) executing at
computing device 2. A user of computing device 2 may interact with
one or more of these applications to perform a function with
computing device 2 through the respective user interface of each
application. Furthermore, UID 4 may present various notifications,
which may provide information related to one or more applications
executing at computing device 2.
[0015] Computing device 2 may also include one or more microphones
4 and one or more speakers 6. Microphone 4 detects audio incident
upon microphone 4, such as, for example, in an environment of
computing device 2. Microphone 4 may detect an ambient noise level
of the audio. Further, microphone 4 may detect audio over one or
more time periods. In some examples, microphone 4 may continuously
monitor for audio. In some examples, microphone 4 monitors audio
only when an ambient noise level is above a noise level
threshold.
[0016] Computing device 2 may include user interface device module
6, notification module 10, and application modules 12A-12N
(collectively referred to herein as "application modules 12").
Modules 6, 10, and 12 may perform operations described using
software, hardware, firmware, or a mixture of both hardware,
software, and firmware residing in and executing on computing
device 2. Computing device 2 may execute modules 6, 10, and 12 with
multiple processors. Computing device 2 may execute modules 6, 10,
and 12 as a virtual machine executing on underlying hardware.
[0017] UID module 6 may cause UID 4 to present graphical user
interface 14 (referred to herein as "user interface 14"). User
interface 14 includes graphical elements 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30
displayed at various locations of UID 4. FIG. 1 illustrates an
example user interface 14 providing an indication that computing
device 2 has delayed a notification for a navigation application
that computing device 2 is executing.
[0018] In the example of FIG. 1, user interface 14 includes element
20 that is an image of a map having a route imposed thereon.
Element 22 indicates an upcoming direction that, if taken, follows
the route indicated in element 20. For example, element 22 depicts
an icon of an arrow pointed to the right, a direction "turn right"
and a distance of 0.7 kilometers ("km") to the turn. Computing
device 2 may generate an audio notification that includes
information indicative of the direction, such as a
computer-generated voice that says "turn right." The example
elements shown in FIG. 1 are merely included for illustrative
purposes; computing device 2 may display other, different
elements.
[0019] User interface 14 also includes an icon 24 that is, in the
example of FIG. 1, an image of a microphone. The presence of icon
24 in user interface 14 may indicate that microphone 7 is powered
on and currently capable of detecting audio. Graphical element 26
functions as a visual signal strength indicator for microphone 7.
In the example of FIG. 1, graphical element 26 indicates the
strength or volume of the audio that microphone 7 receives through
computing device 2 the color of bars shown in graphical element 26.
For example, graphical element 26 is showing four out of five bars
with a dark color, indicating that microphone 7 received an ambient
noise level that is relatively high. This may be because, for
example, a user of computing device 2 may be participating in a
conversation near microphone 7.
[0020] User interface 14 may also include graphical element 28 that
provides an indication that an audio notification is delayed. For
example, graphical element 28 may be a pop-up window that provides
information such as "audio output delayed due to detected noise"
that is displayed during a time period when computing device 2 is
delaying output of the audio notification. In that example,
computing device 2 has determined that the time period, or time
instance as it may be, is not suitable for outputting an audio
notification. For example, computing device 2 may have determined
that an ambient noise level is too high at the time, such that the
audio notification likely could not be heard if computing device 2
outputted it at that time via one or more speakers 8. Thus,
computing device 2 temporarily delays output of the audio
notification until either computing device 2 determines the ambient
noise level is low enough, that the detected audio is not
indicative of human speech, or that a time period for maximum delay
of the notification has expired.
[0021] In some examples, an option may be provided to turn off the
delay notification functionality of computing device 2. User
interface 14 includes graphical element 30 that provides an option
to override the delay of the notification. In some examples,
graphical element 30 is an interactive graphical element, such as,
for example, a touch-target that may be toggled by touching user
interface 14 at approximately the location of graphical element 30.
When computing device 2 determines graphical element 30 has been
interacted with, computing device 2 may output the audio
notification despite the ambient noise level or a detected pattern
indicative of human speech.
[0022] In some examples, the delay notification functionality of
computing device 2 may be turned on or off, and/or settings may be
adjusted for how computing device 2 performs the delay notification
functionality. For example, a maximum time period for which a
notification may be delayed may be set by a user. Additionally, in
some examples, user interface 14 may not include any of one or more
of graphical elements 20-30. In other examples, user interface 14
may include other graphical elements.
[0023] UID module 6 may act as an intermediary between various
components of computing device 2 to make determinations based on
input detected by UID 4 and to generate output presented by UID 4.
For instance, UID module 6 may receive an indication of user input
received at user interface 14. UID module 6 may receive, as an
input from input module 10, a sequence of touch events generated
from user input detected at UID 4. UID module 6 may determine,
based on the location components in the sequence touch events,
which of one or more location components approximate a selection of
one or more graphical elements (e.g., UID module 6 may determine
the location of one or more of the touch events corresponds to an
area of UID 4 that presents graphical element 30 used to override
the delayed output of the audio notification). UID module 6 may
provide, as input to notification module 10, the sequence of touch
events received at user interface 14, including the locations where
UID 4 presents each of the graphical elements 20-30. In response,
UID module 6 may receive, as an output from notification module 10,
instructions for updating user interface 14 based on the indication
of user input received at user interface 14. UID module 6 may
update user interface 14 to reflect the status of audio
notifications. UID module 6 may cause UID 4 to present an updated
user interface 14.
[0024] Computing device 2 may further include one or more
application modules 12. Application modules 12 may include any
other application that computing device 2 may execute in addition
to the other modules specifically described in this disclosure. For
example, application modules 12 may include a web browser, a media
player, a file system, a navigation program, a communication
program, or any other number of applications or features that
computing device 2 may execute. Application modules 12 may
determine that notifications should be provided related to a
particular application. In some examples, an application run via an
application module 12 determines a notification should be provided.
In some examples, application modules 12 may detect one or more
events that trigger output of a notification. An event requiring a
notification as detected by application module 12 may include, for
example, receiving an email message, receiving a text message,
receiving a phone call, a clock alarm, a calendar reminder, etc.
The corresponding notifications may be audio, visual, haptic
feedback, or any other form of output. In accordance with the
techniques of this disclosure, notification module 10 may interact
with application module 12 of computing device 2 to delay output of
the notifications in certain circumstances, as described herein.
Application module 12 may provide one or more signals to
notification module 10 responsive to application module 12
determining a notification to be outputted. The one or more signals
may include information of what the notification should include and
what time to output the notification. Notification module 10 delays
output of the notification in response to determining that the time
period in which the notification is meant to be output overlaps
with a time period in which the detected conditions indicate the
time period is an inopportune time to output the notification.
[0025] In the example of FIG. 1, computing device 2 outputs for
display a user interface 14 for display at a presence-sensitive
display. As described above, FIG. 1 illustrates an example user
interface 14 that provides graphical elements 20-30. UID module 6
may generate user interface 14 and include graphical elements 20-30
in user interface 14. UID module 6 may send information to UID 4
that includes instructions for displaying user interface 14 at a
presence-sensitive device of UID 4. UID 4 may receive the
information and cause the presence-sensitive device of UID 4 to
present user interface 14 including one or more of graphical
elements 20-30.
[0026] While computing device 2 presents user interface 14,
notification module 10 of computing device 2 may receive
information from microphone 7 about detected audio signals, such as
an ambient noise level or a pattern of audio. Based on information
about the detected audio, notification module 10 may determine
whether to delay a notification. Notification module 10 may further
determine, based on additional detected audio, whether to output
the delayed notification.
[0027] In this way, the techniques of the disclosure may enable a
computing device to delay outputting notifications to avoid
outputting the notifications at inopportune times. For example,
computing device 2 configured with techniques of the disclosure may
delay outputting an audio notification during a time period in
which computing device 2 determines that circumstances may prevent
the audio from being heard. The techniques described herein provide
an increased likelihood that computing device 2 would output the
audio at a time when a user may hear and understand the
notification. Additionally, in some examples, the techniques
described herein may prevent an action performed by a user with
computing device 2, such as a scroll function, from being
interrupted with a notification. Thus, computing device 2 using
techniques described herein may provide an improved user
experience.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing
device 2 configured to delay output of a notification, in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
Computing device 2 of FIG. 2 is described below within the context
of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates only one particular example of
computing device 2, and many other examples of computing device 2
may be used in other instances. Other examples of computing device
2 may include a subset of the components included in example
computing device 2 or may include additional components not shown
in FIG. 2.
[0029] As shown in the example of FIG. 2, computing device 2
includes UID 4, one or more processors 40, one or more input
devices 42, one or more communication units 44, one or more output
devices 46, one or more sensors 48, one or more power sources 52,
and one or more storage devices 60. Storage devices 60 of computing
device 2 also include UID module 6, notification module 10,
application modules 12A-12N, speech patterns database 62, and one
or more operating systems 64. One or more communication channels 50
may interconnect each of the components 4, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 52,
and 60 for inter-component communications (physically,
communicatively, and/or operatively). In some examples,
communication channels 50 may include a system bus, a network
connection, an inter-process communication data structure, or any
other method for communicating data.
[0030] One or more input devices 42 of computing device 2 may
receive input. Examples of input are tactile, motion, audio, and
video input. Input devices 42 of computing device 2, in one
example, includes a presence-sensitive display, touch-sensitive
screen, mouse, keyboard, voice responsive system, video camera,
microphone or any other type of device for detecting input from,
for example, a human or machine. In some examples, an input device
42 is a microphone, such as microphone 7 of FIG. 1.
[0031] One or more output devices 46 of computing device 2 may
generate output. Examples of output are tactile, audio, and video
output. Output devices 46 of computing device 2, in one example,
includes a presence-sensitive display, speaker, cathode ray tube
(CRT) monitor, liquid crystal display (LCD), motor, actuator,
electromagnet, piezoelectric sensor, or any other type of device
for generating output to a human or machine. Output devices 46 may
utilize one or more of a sound card or video graphics adapter card
to produce auditory or visual output, respectively. In some
examples, an output device 46 is a speaker, such as speaker 8 of
FIG. 1.
[0032] One or more communication units 44 of computing device 2 may
communicate with external devices via one or more networks by
transmitting and/or receiving network signals on the one or more
networks. The one or more networks may be, for example, the
Internet. Computing device 2 may use communication unit 44 to
transmit and/or receive radio signals on a radio network such as a
cellular radio network. Likewise, communication units 44 may
transmit and/or receive satellite signals on a Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNNS) network such as the Global Positioning
System (GPS). Examples of communication unit 44 include a network
interface card (e.g., an Ethernet card), an optical transceiver, a
radio frequency transceiver, a GPS receiver, or any other type of
device that can send or receive information. Other examples of
communication units 44 may include Bluetooth.RTM., GPS, 3G, 4G, and
Wi-Fi.RTM. radios found in mobile devices as well as Universal
Serial Bus (USB) controllers.
[0033] Computing device 2 also includes UID 4, which may include
functionality of one or more input devices 42 and/or output devices
46. In the example of FIG. 2, UID 4 may be or may include a
presence-sensitive display 54. In some examples, presence-sensitive
display 54 may detect an object at and/or near presence-sensitive
display 54. As one example range, presence-sensitive display 54 may
detect an object, such as a finger or stylus that is within a
specified range of presence-sensitive display 54.
Presence-sensitive display 54 may determine a location (e.g., an
(x,y) coordinate) of presence-sensitive display 54 at which the
object was detected. A detectable object may be, for example,
graphical element 30 of FIG. 1. Presence-sensitive display 54 may
determine the location of presence-sensitive display 54 selected by
a user's finger using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical
recognition techniques. In some examples, presence-sensitive
display 54 provides output to a user using tactile, audio, or video
stimuli as described with respect to output device 46. In the
example of FIG. 2, UID 4 presents a user interface (such as user
interface 14 of FIG. 1) at presence-sensitive display 54 of UID
4.
[0034] While illustrated as an internal component of computing
device 2, UID 4 also represents an external component that shares a
data path with computing device 2 for transmitting and/or receiving
input and output. For instance, in one example, UID 4 represents a
built-in component of computing device 2 located within and
physically connected to the external packaging of computing device
2 (e.g., a screen on a mobile phone). In another example, UID 4
represents an external component of computing device 2 located
outside and physically separated from the packaging of computing
device 2 (e.g., a monitor, a projector, etc. that shares a wired
and/or wireless data path with a tablet computer).
[0035] One or more sensor devices 48 of computing device 2 may
detect input, which may be user input. Example sensor devices 48
include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an ambient light sensor, a
proximity sensor, a barometer, magnetometer, or other sensor
devices. Computing device 2 may include one or more of each sensor
device. User input detected by sensor devices 48 may include data
related to acceleration, orientation, light intensity, proximity of
an object to computing device 2, an ambient pressure, magnetic
field strength and polarity, or other sensor reading. In some
examples, sensor devices 48 may be an input device 42. One or more
sensor devices 48 may detect user input. For example, a gyroscope
may detect changes in orientation when computing device 2 is
handled by a user interacting with computing device 2.
[0036] Computing device 2 may include one or more power devices 52,
which may provide power to computing device 2. In one example,
power device 52 includes one or more batteries included in
computing device 2. The one or more batteries may be rechargeable
and provide power to computing device 2. The one or more batteries
may, in some examples, be made from nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, or
other suitable material. In other examples, power device 52 may be
a power source capable of providing stored power or voltage from
another power source, which may be external to computing device
2.
[0037] One or more storage devices 60 within computing device 2 may
store information for processing during operation of computing
device 2 (e.g., characteristic database 62 of computing device 2
may store data related to characteristics of user inputs and
corresponding characteristic threshold information as well as
sensor input thresholds, accessed by access module 8 during
execution at computing device 2). In some examples, storage device
60 functions as a temporary memory, meaning that storage device 60
is not used for long-term storage. Storage devices 60 on computing
device 2 may be configured for short-term storage of information as
volatile memory and therefore not retain stored contents if powered
off. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories
(RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access
memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the
art.
[0038] Storage devices 60, in some examples, also include one or
more computer-readable storage media. Storage devices 60 may be
configured to store larger amounts of information than volatile
memory. Storage devices 60 may further be configured for long-term
storage of information as non-volatile memory space and retain
information after power on/off cycles. Examples of non-volatile
memories include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppy discs,
flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories
(EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM)
memories. Storage devices 60 may store program instructions and/or
data associated with UID module 6, notification module 10, and
application modules 12.
[0039] One or more processors 40 may implement functionality and/or
execute instructions within computing device 2. For example,
processors 40 on computing device 2 may receive and execute
instructions stored by storage devices 60 that execute the
functionality of UID module 6, notification module 10, and
application modules 12. These instructions executed by processors
40 may cause computing device 2 to store information within storage
devices 60 during program execution. Processors 40 may execute
instructions in UID module 6 and notification module 10 to cause
one or more of application modules 12 to delay output of
notifications at inopportune times (such as when a user is speaking
or interacting with computing device 2).
[0040] In accordance with aspects of this disclosure, computing
device 2 of FIG. 2 may output for display at presence-sensitive
display 54 of UID 4, a graphical user interface that indicates
information related to an application run at computing device 2,
such as GUI 14 of FIG. 1. For example, when a notification is
generated, notification module 10 of computing device 2 may
determine whether the notification should be outputted at the
particular time. Whether notification module 10 determines to delay
or output the notification, UID module 6 may transmit a display
command and data over communication channels 50 to cause UID 4 to a
present user interface at presence-sensitive display 54 of UID 4.
UID module 6 may send information to UID 4 that includes
instructions for displaying user interface 14 at presence-sensitive
display 54. UID 4 may receive the display command and data from UID
module 6 and cause presence-sensitive display 54 of UID 4 to
present a user interface, such as user interface 14 of FIG. 1.
[0041] Computing device 2 may receive an indication of user input
detected at presence-sensitive display 54 of UID 4. Receiving the
indication of user input may comprise receiving an indication of
one or more gestures, taps, or the like detected at
presence-sensitive display 54. Alternatively, receiving the
indication of a user input detected at presence-sensitive display
54 of UID 4 may comprise receiving an indication of one or more
non-tap gestures detected at presence-sensitive display 54. In
other words, a user may provide tap and/or non-tap gestures as
input to computing device 2, and computing device 2 may receive
either type of input as an indication of user input. In some
examples, UID module 6 may receive the indication of user input,
analyze and interpret the user input, and provide data related to
the received indication of user input to other modules of computing
device 2, such as notification module 10.
[0042] In some examples, notification module 10 provides
instructions for UID module 6 to output a notification.
Notification module 10 may provide instructions for a different
output device 46, such as speaker 8 of FIG. 1, to output the
notification. Notification module 10 may provide instructions to
output the notification based on notification module 10 detecting
the occurrence of one or more conditions. These conditions may be,
for example, a completion of an interaction with computing device 2
(such as a typed word is completed, a gesture is completed, a
scrolling function is completed, etc.), an ambient noise level is
below a threshold level, microphone 7 does not detect audio
indicative of human speech, or a maximum delay time period is
reached.
[0043] As shown in the example of FIG. 2, one or more storage
devices 60 of computing device 2 may include speech pattern
database 62. In some examples, speech pattern database 62 may be
stored externally to computing device 2. In such an example,
computing device 2 may access speech pattern database 62 remotely.
Speech pattern database 62 may contain data related to
characteristics of audio that are indicative of human speech. The
characteristics may include, for example, tone, sound quality, type
of sound, and the like. In some examples, speech pattern database
62 contains information related to an algorithm that may be used to
determine if detected audio is indicative of human speech. In
another example, speech pattern database 62 contains data
representative of samples of human speech that notification module
10 may use to compare to detected audio to determine if the
detected audio is indicative of human speech. Speech pattern
database 62 may also include selected threshold levels for
notification module 10 to match the detected audio to any
particular speech pattern. Notification module 10 may use one or
more of these selected threshold levels may to determine whether
the detected audio is indicative of human speech. A threshold level
may be any value determined by or set for computing device 2, and
the threshold may be such that if the threshold is exceeded, it is
likely that the detected audio is indicative of human speech. A
value exceeding a threshold may mean the value is less than, less
than or equal to, greater than or equal to, or greater than the
threshold.
[0044] Notification module 10 may determine when to delay, and for
how long, a notification. As such, notification module 10 can
enable computing device 2 to provide notifications when they are
more likely to be noticed and when they are less likely to
interrupt an action being performed at computing device 2.
Notification module 10 may be configured to prevent computing
device 2 from outputting audio notifications when the environment,
of computing device 2 is noisy. The techniques may further enable
computing device 2 to delay outputting pop-up notifications until a
time when notification module 10 determines that no user is
physically interacting with computing device 2 (such as interacting
with presence-sensitive display 54, scrolling, typing a message, or
the like).
[0045] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing
device 100 that outputs graphical content for display at a remote
device, in accordance with one or more techniques of the present
disclosure. Graphical content, generally, may include any visual
information that may be output for display, such as text, images, a
group of moving images, etc. The example shown in FIG. 3 includes a
computing device 100, presence-sensitive display 101, communication
unit 110, projector 120, projector screen 122, mobile device 126,
and visual display device 130. Although shown for purposes of
example in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a stand-alone computing device 2, a
computing device such as computing device 100 may, generally, be
any component or system that includes a processor or other suitable
computing environment for executing software instructions and, for
example, need not include a presence-sensitive display.
[0046] As shown in the example of FIG. 3, computing device 100 may
be a processor that includes functionality as described with
respect to one or more processors 40 in FIG. 2. In such examples,
computing device 100 may be operatively coupled to
presence-sensitive display 101 by a communication channel 102A,
which may be a system bus or other suitable connection. Computing
device 100 may also be operatively coupled to communication unit
110, further described below, by a communication channel 102B,
which may also be a system bus or other suitable connection.
Although shown separately as an example in FIG. 3, computing device
100 may be operatively coupled to presence-sensitive display 101
and communication unit 110 by any number of one or more
communication channels.
[0047] In other examples, such as illustrated previously by
computing device 2 in FIGS. 1-2, a computing device may refer to a
portable or mobile device such as mobile phones (including smart
phones), laptop computers, etc. In some examples, a computing
device may be a desktop computers, tablet computers, GPS devices,
smart television platforms, cameras, personal digital assistants
(PDAs), servers, mainframes, etc.
[0048] Presence-sensitive display 101, such as an example of user
interface device 4 as shown in FIG. 1, may include display device
103 and presence-sensitive input device 105. Display device 103
may, for example, receive data from computing device 100 and
display graphical content associated with the data. In some
examples, presence-sensitive input device 105 may determine one or
more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch gestures,
single-touch gestures, etc.) at presence-sensitive display 101
using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques
and send indications of such user input to computing device 100
using communication channel 102A. In some examples,
presence-sensitive input device 105 may be physically positioned on
top of display device 103 such that, when a user positions an input
unit over a graphical element displayed by display device 103, the
location at which presence-sensitive input device 105 corresponds
to the location of display device 103 at which the graphical
element is displayed. In other examples, presence-sensitive input
device 105 may be positioned physically apart from display device
103, and locations of presence-sensitive input device 105 may
correspond to locations of display device 103, such that input can
be made at presence-sensitive input device 105 for interacting with
graphical elements displayed at corresponding locations of display
device 103.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, computing device 100 may also include
and/or be operatively coupled with communication unit 110.
Communication unit 110 may include functionality of one or more
communication units 44 as described in FIG. 2. Examples of
communication unit 110 may include a network interface card, an
Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency
transceiver, or any other type of device that can send and receive
information. Other examples of such communication units may include
Bluetooth, 3G, and WiFi radios, Universal Serial Bus (USB)
interfaces, etc. Computing device 100 may also include and/or be
operatively coupled with one or more other devices, e.g., input
devices, output devices, memory, storage devices, and the like,
such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0050] FIG. 3 also illustrates a projector 120 and projector screen
122. Other such examples of projection devices may include
electronic whiteboards, holographic display devices, and any other
suitable devices for displaying graphical content. Projector 120
and projector screen 122 may include one or more communication
units that enable the respective devices to communicate with
computing device 100. In some examples, one or more communication
units may enable communication between projector 120 and projector
screen 122. Projector 120 may receive data from computing device
100 that includes graphical content. Projector 120, in response to
receiving the data, may project the graphical content onto
projector screen 122. In some examples, projector 120 may determine
one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures, multi-touch
gestures, single-touch gestures, etc.) at projector screen using
optical recognition or other suitable techniques and send
indications of such user input using one or more communication
units to computing device 100. In such examples, projector screen
122 may be unnecessary, and projector 120 may project graphical
content on any suitable medium and detect one or more user inputs
using optical recognition or other such suitable techniques.
[0051] Projector screen 122, in some examples, may include a
presence-sensitive display 124. Presence-sensitive display 124 may
include a subset of functionality or all of the functionality of UI
device 4 as described in this disclosure. In some examples,
presence-sensitive display 124 may include additional or different
functionality. Projector screen 122 (e.g., an electronic
whiteboard), may receive data from computing device 100 and display
the graphical content. In some examples, presence-sensitive display
124 may determine one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous
gestures, multi-touch gestures, single-touch gestures, etc.) at
projector screen 122 using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical
recognition techniques and send indications of such user input
using one or more communication units to computing device 100.
[0052] FIG. 3 also illustrates mobile device 126 and visual display
device 130. Mobile device 126 and visual display device 130 may
each include computing and connectivity capabilities. Examples of
mobile device 126 may include e-reader devices, convertible
notebook devices, hybrid slate devices, etc. Examples of visual
display device 130 may include other semi-stationary devices such
as televisions, computer monitors, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, mobile
device 126 may include a presence-sensitive display 128. Visual
display device 130 may include a presence-sensitive display 132.
Presence-sensitive displays 128, 132 may include a subset of
functionality or all of the functionality of presence-sensitive
display 54 as described in this disclosure. In some examples,
presence-sensitive displays 128, 132 may include additional
functionality. In any case, presence-sensitive display 132, for
example, may receive data from computing device 100 and display the
graphical content. In some examples, presence-sensitive display 132
may determine one or more user inputs (e.g., continuous gestures,
multi-touch gestures, single-touch gestures, etc.) at projector
screen 122 using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition
techniques and send indications of such user input using one or
more communication units to computing device 100.
[0053] As described above, in some examples, computing device 100
may output graphical content for display at presence-sensitive
display 101 that is coupled to computing device 100 by a system bus
or other suitable communication channel. Computing device 100 may
also output graphical content for display at one or more remote
devices, such as projector 120, projector screen 122, mobile device
126, and visual display device 130. For instance, computing device
100 may execute one or more instructions to generate and/or modify
graphical content in accordance with techniques of the present
disclosure. Computing device 100 may output data that includes the
graphical content to a communication unit of computing device 100,
such as communication unit 110. Communication unit 110 may send the
data to one or more of the remote devices, such as projector 120,
projector screen 122, mobile device 126, and/or visual display
device 130. In this way, computing device 100 may output the
graphical content for display at one or more of the remote devices.
In some examples, one or more of the remote devices may output the
graphical content at a presence-sensitive display that is included
in and/or operatively coupled to the respective remote devices.
[0054] In some examples, computing device 100 may not output
graphical content at presence-sensitive display 101 that is
operatively coupled to computing device 100. In other examples,
computing device 100 may output graphical content for display at
both a presence-sensitive display 101 that is coupled to computing
device 100 by communication channel 102A, and at one or more remote
devices. In such examples, the graphical content may be displayed
substantially contemporaneously at each respective device. For
instance, some delay may be introduced by the communication latency
to send the data that includes the graphical content to the remote
device. In some examples, graphical content generated by computing
device 100 and output for display at presence-sensitive display 101
may be different than graphical content display output for display
at one or more remote devices.
[0055] Computing device 100 may send and receive data using any
suitable communication techniques. For example, computing device
100 may be operatively coupled to external network 114 using
network link 112A. Each of the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3
may be operatively coupled to network external network 114 by one
of respective network links 112B, 112C, and 112D. External network
114 may include network hubs, network switches, network routers,
etc., that are operatively inter-coupled thereby providing for the
exchange of information between computing device 100 and the remote
devices illustrated in FIG. 3. In some examples, network links
112A-112D may be Ethernet, ATM or other network connections. Such
connections may be wireless and/or wired connections.
[0056] In some examples, computing device 100 may be operatively
coupled to one or more of the remote devices included in FIG. 3
using direct device communication 118. Direct device communication
118 may include communications through which computing device 100
sends and receives data directly with a remote device, using wired
or wireless communication. That is, in some examples of direct
device communication 118, data sent by computing device 100 may not
be forwarded by one or more additional devices before being
received at the remote device, and vice-versa. Examples of direct
device communication 118 may include Bluetooth, Near-Field
Communication, Universal Serial Bus, Wi-Fi, infrared, etc. One or
more of the remote devices illustrated in FIG. 3 may be operatively
coupled with computing device 100 by communication links 116A-116D.
In some examples, communication links 116A-116D may be connections
using Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication, Universal Serial Bus,
infrared, etc. Such connections may be wireless and/or wired
connections.
[0057] In accordance with techniques of the disclosure, computing
device 100 may be operatively coupled to visual display device 130
using external network 114. For example, computing device 100 may
output a notification for display at presence-sensitive display 132
when computing device 100 determines the notification may be
outputted. For instance, computing device 100 may send data that
includes a representation of a notification to communication unit
110. Communication unit 110 may send the data that includes the
representation of the notification to visual display device 130
using external network 114. Visual display device 130, in response
to receiving the data using external network 114, may cause
presence-sensitive display 132 to output the notification.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a
computing device configured to delay output of a notification based
at least partially on determination of a pattern of detected audio
that indicates human speech, in accordance with one or more aspects
of the present disclosure. The computing device may be computing
device 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2, or computing device 100 as described
herein.
[0059] The example operations include determining, by a computing
device, that a notification is scheduled for output by the
computing device during a first time period (202). For example, an
application run via an application module 12 determines a
notification should be provided. The notification may be, for
example, a pop-up graphical element, an audio-based notification,
tactile feedback, or the like. For example, an application module
12 of computing device 2 determines that an audio notification is
to be outputted. A notification may be scheduled for output
whenever an application module 12 determines a notification for
outputting. In some examples, application module 12 may schedule a
notification in advance (e.g., a routine maintenance message, a
calendar reminder, etc.) or may schedule a notification in an ad
hoc manner (e.g., when computing device 2 receives a message, when
a battery level reaches a charge threshold, etc.).
[0060] The example operations further include determining, by the
computing device, that a pattern of audio detected during the first
time period is indicative of human speech (204). For example,
notification module 10 of computing device 2 determines that audio
detected via microphone 7 is indicative of human speech. For
example, notification module 10 queries a database, such as speech
pattern database 62, for one or more stored human speech patterns.
Notification module 10 compares the pattern of audio detected
during the first time period with the one or more stored human
speech patterns. Notification module 10 determines that the pattern
of audio detected during the first time period is indicative of
human speech when the pattern of audio detected during the first
time period matches one of the one or more stored human speech
patterns within a threshold matching level.
[0061] The example operations also include delaying, by the
computing device, output of the notification during the first time
period (206). That is, for example, notification module 10 delays
output of the notification during the first time period because
notification module 10 determined that there was an audio pattern
indicative of human speech detected proximate to computing device 2
during the first time period.
[0062] The operations further include determining, by the computing
device, that a pattern of audio detected during the second time
period is not indicative of human speech (208). In some examples,
notification module 10 determines that the pattern of audio
detected during the second time period is not indicative of human
speech when the pattern of audio detected during the second time
period does not match one of the one or more stored human speech
patterns of speech pattern database 62 within the threshold
matching level.
[0063] The example operations may further include outputting, by
the computing device, at least a portion of the notification at an
earlier in time of an end of the second time period or an
expiration of a third time period (210). For example, notification
module 10 instructs one or more output devices 46, such as speaker
8, to output at least a part of the notification. The operation may
further include determining, by the computing device, which portion
of the notification to output based at least in part on the pattern
of audio detected during the second time period. For example, if
notification module 10 determined there was a lull in a detected
conversation during the second time period, then notification
module 10 may determine to only output a portion of the
notification that would fit within the lull.
[0064] The operations may further include monitoring, by the
computing device, audio detected by a microphone, wherein the audio
is detected during at least the first time period and the second
time period. For example, computing device 2 receives audio data in
the environment of computing device 2 via microphone 7. The audio
may be detected during at least a first time period and a second
time period. For example, microphone 7 may detect the audio
continuously, discontinuously, or sporadically during the first and
second time periods. In some examples, a computing device 2 may
include a separate module for detecting speech in the audio
data.
[0065] In some examples, the third time period is a selected
maximum delay period. Notification module 10 may determine a type
of the notification, and the duration of the third time period is
based on the determined type of the notification. For an example
where the notification is an audio notification of a turn from a
navigation application, for example, the third time period may be
based on a time it will take for a vehicle transporting computing
device 2 to arrive at a turn.
[0066] Additionally, notification module 10 may determine that the
pattern of audio detected during the second time period indicates
the second time period is suitable for outputting the entire
notification, wherein outputting at least the portion of the
notification comprises outputting the entire notification. In some
examples, outputting at least the portion of the notification
further comprises outputting at least the portion of the
notification when the ambient noise level is below a threshold
noise level.
[0067] In examples where the notification is an audio notification,
speaker 8 may output least a portion of the audio notification. In
some examples, computing device 2 executes a navigation application
using an application module 12. The navigation application may
generate, at a beginning of the first time period via application
module 12, the audio notification that includes directional
information. Notification module 10 may determine the third time
period based on the beginning of the first time period and a time
when at least part of the directional information would become
incorrect. For example, a GPS system in a car detects if the
passengers are speaking, and alerts the driver of upcoming
directions when the passengers in the car are silent so that it
does not interrupt anyone (if the GPS system still has enough time
to deliver the message). In some examples, notification module 10
may differentiate between voices of different speakers that
microphone 7 detects, and may use this information to determine
when to output the notification.
[0068] The notification may be a notification for an incoming
request for a communication, such as a received phone call, in some
examples. Computing device 2 may receive an incoming request for
communication. Computing device 2 may generate, at a beginning of
the first time period, the audio notification that indicates the
request for communication has been received. Notification module 10
may determine the third time period based on the beginning of the
first time period and a time when the request for communication
would expire.
[0069] In some examples, computing device 2 does not record the
audio detected via microphone 7. For example, computing device 2
does not store a copy of the audio in any storage device, such as
storage device 60. In this sense, computing device 2 is not
"listening" to any conversations or determining the content of the
conversations. Instead, even though microphone 7 may be receiving
audio data, computing device 2 does not make any records or
determines the contents of the audio data.
[0070] In another example, if a user is speaking near computing
device 2, notification module 10 may output portions of the
notification to alert the user of the information to reduce a
likelihood of interrupting the user. For example, notification
module 10 may output part of a notification during a quiet moment
of a conversation when computing device 2 is functioning as a cell
phone. In another example, if an email application receives an
email into an inbox while a user is composing an email,
notification module 10 delays outputting the notification until the
user stops typing. In some examples, an additional pause threshold,
such as thirty seconds or one minute, may be reached before
notification module 10 instructs an output device to output the
notification. In another example, notification module 10 defers
interruption if a user is in the midst of performing an operation,
such as a scroll operation, and has not yet completed the
operation.
[0071] Thus, a computing device 2 configured to perform techniques
described herein may wait to give audio notifications, such as
driving directions, until determining that people have stopped
talking, to reduce the likelihood that someone speaks over the
instructions. Computing device 2 may interrupt user actions, such
as scrolling or speaking, upon certain conditions, such as before a
vehicle transporting computing device 2 passes a road to turn onto
indicated in the instructions. Thus, computing device 2 may perform
an intelligent interruption through receiving audio data via
microphone 7 and analyzing the audio data to determine if someone
is speaking proximate to computing device 2.
[0072] Thus, computing devices implementing techniques described
herein can suppress notifications until a suitable output time is
determined. Notification module 10 may not deliver a notification
immediately upon its generation and instead may take into account
an environment of computing device 2 or how a user is interacting
with computing device 2. Notifications may not interrupt the user
as often, which causes UID 4 to behave in a more predictable manner
and leads to improved user experience. In contrast, for example, if
a user is trying to tap on a particular graphical element displayed
on GUI 14 and, while the user is moving a finger to tap on the
graphical element, notification module 10 causes a notification to
be outputted over the graphical element, the user may tap on the
notification instead of the graphical element. Furthermore,
computing device 2 does not merely schedule notifications to appear
at a certain time, because there is no guarantee that a user will
not be attempting to interact with computing device 2 at the
scheduled time.
[0073] A computing device configured according to techniques
described herein may output notifications in response to
determining that there is a pause in the user's interactions with
other users or with the computing device. The computing device may
output notifications that require immediate output right way while
delaying the output of other, less urgent, notifications for up to
some period of time (e.g., 0.1 seconds, 1 second, etc.). Each
different notification type may have a different delay threshold
(e.g., 100 milliseconds for a text message, 2 seconds for an email,
5 seconds for navigation directions, etc.). If the condition
causing the delay of the notification is still present at the
expiration of the delay window, the computing device outputs the
notification. Thus, techniques described herein provide a way for
computing device 2 to minimize the distractions caused by
notifications (e.g., by not interrupting a current user task) while
also increasing the likelihood that the user will actually receive
the notification.
[0074] In one or more examples, the functions described may be
implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination
thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on
or transmitted over, as one or more instructions or code, a
computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based
processing unit. Computer-readable media may include
computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible
medium such as data storage media, or communication media including
any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one
place to another, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In
this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to
(1) tangible computer-readable storage media, which is
non-transitory or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or
carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available media that
can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors
to retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for
implementation of the techniques described in this disclosure. A
computer program product may include a computer-readable
medium.
[0075] By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM,
CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or
other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium
that can be used to store desired program code in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. It should be
understood, however, that computer-readable storage media and data
storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals,
or other transient media, but are instead directed to
non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk and disc, as used
herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,
digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where
disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce
data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also
be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0076] Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such
as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose
microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent
integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term
"processor," as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing
structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the
techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the
functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated
hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques could be
fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.
[0077] The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a
wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless
handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip
set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this
disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to
perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require
realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described
above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided
by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or
more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable
software and/or firmware.
[0078] Various examples have been described in this disclosure.
These and other examples are within the scope of the following
claims.
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