Situationally-Aware Alerts

Abstract

An electronic device that provides situationally-aware alerts determines to provide an alert output (such as haptic, audio, visual, and so on) via an output device, determines a movement pattern based on one or more signals from one or more sensors indicating information relating at least to movement of the electronic device, and adjusts the alert output to account for the movement pattern. In some implementations, the electronic device may adjust the alert output by delaying the alert output. In other implementations, the electronic device may adjust the alert output by altering the alert output to be discernible despite the movement pattern based on a cadence of the movement pattern. In still other implementations, the electronic device may determine to provide the alert output in response to receiving an incoming communication and may adjust the alert output differently based on a priority associated with the incoming communication.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device that provides situationally-aware alerts, comprising:
 a haptic output device;   a communication unit operable to receive incoming communications; and   a processing unit, connected to the communication unit and the haptic output device, that is configured to:
 determine a priority of an incoming communication; 
 provide a haptic output using the haptic output device in a first manner when the priority is determined to be a first priority; and 
 provide the haptic output using the haptic output device in a second manner when the priority is determined to be a second priority. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines the priority to be:
 the first priority when a source of the incoming communication is a first source; and   the second priority when the source of the incoming communication is a second source.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines the priority using a priority indicator included in the incoming communication that indicates the first priority or the second priority. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines the priority to be:
 the first priority when the incoming communication is a first type of communication; and   the second priority when the incoming communication is a second type of communication.   
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines the priority using an assignment by a user. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit determines the priority using an assignment by a sender of the incoming communication. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second manner includes delaying the haptic output. 
     
     
         8 . An electronic device that provides situationally-aware alerts, comprising:
 a haptic output device;   a communication unit operable to receive incoming communications; and   a processing unit, connected to the communication unit and the haptic output device, that is configured to:
 provide a haptic output via the haptic output device; 
 determine an acknowledgement to the haptic output was not received; and 
 escalate the haptic output by providing an additional haptic output via the haptic output device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the processing unit escalates the haptic output:
 in a first manner when an incoming communication associated with the haptic output has a first priority; and   in a second manner when the incoming communication has a second priority.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the first manner is more intense than the second manner. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the first manner includes increasing an amplitude of a vibration. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the first manner includes increasing a frequency of a vibration. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the first manner includes increasing a phase of a waveform provided to the haptic output device. 
     
     
         14 . An electronic device that provides situationally-aware alerts, comprising:
 a haptic output device;   a sensor operable to produce a signal indicating information relating to movement of the electronic device; and   a processing unit connected to the sensor and the haptic output device that is configured to:
 determine to provide a haptic output via the haptic output device; 
 determine a movement pattern using the signal; and 
 adjust the haptic output to account for the movement pattern by delaying the haptic output. 
   
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the movement pattern indicates changes in elevation; and   the processing unit delays the haptic output until the changes in elevation cease.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the sensor includes a pressure sensor;   the processing unit is configured to determine that the movement pattern indicates the changes in elevation using the pressure sensor; and   the processing unit is configured to delay the haptic output until the processing unit determines, using the pressure sensor, that the changes in elevation have ceased.   
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the processing unit is configured to:
 determine a first period, using the movement pattern, where the electronic device will be less proximate to a user;   determine a second period, using the movement pattern, where the electronic device will be more proximate to the user; and   delay the haptic output from the first period to the second period.   
     
     
         18 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the processing unit delays the haptic output:
 for a first period when the movement pattern indicates a first type of movement; and   for a second period when the movement pattern indicates a second type of movement.   
     
     
         19 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the signal includes information indicating a heart rate of a user is elevated; and   the processing unit delays the haptic output until the heart rate of the user reduces.   
     
     
         20 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the processing unit:
 estimates a time when the haptic output will be salient despite the movement pattern; and   delays the haptic output until the time.