Time-Based Computer Control

Abstract

A computer system includes a calendar containing appointments. The system also includes one or more logic modules. Each logic module specifies a condition and a corresponding action. The profile may be applied to context data, such as data representing the current time, to perform the actions specified by the logic modules in response to detecting that the context data satisfies the conditions specified by the logic modules. In particular, the actions specified by the logic modules may be performed in response to detecting that the current time falls within the time period of an appointment on the calendar.

1 . A method performed by at least one computer processor, the method comprising:
 (1) determining that a first profile is active;   (2) in response to determining that the first profile is active:
 (2)(A) performing a first action specified by the first profile, the first action comprising preventing a first notification of a first message transmissible via a first communication mode from being manifested; and 
 (2)(B) performing a second action specified by the first profile, the second action comprising preventing a second notification of a second message transmissible via a second communication mode from being manifested, wherein the second communication mode differs from the first communication mode; 
   (3) deactivating the first profile;   (4) activating a second profile;   (5) while the second profile is active and the first profile is inactive:
 (5)(A) allowing a third notification of a third message transmissible via the first communication mode to be manifested; and 
 (5)(B) allowing a fourth notification of a fourth message transmissible via the second communication mode to be manifested. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (6) after preventing the first notification from being manifested, allowing the first notification to be manifested; and   (7) after preventing the first notification from being manifested, allowing the first notification to be manifested.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (5) comprises:
 determining that the second profile is active; and   in response to determining that the second profile is active, performing (5)(A) and (5)(B).   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first communication mode comprises one of an email communication mode, a text message communication mode, and a voice call communication mode;   wherein the second communication mode comprises one of the email communication mode, the text message communication mode, and the voice call communication mode.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (6) before (1):
 (6)(A) receiving first user input specifying the first action; 
 (6)(B) storing, in the first profile, a first action specifier that specifies the first action; 
 (6)(C) receiving second user input specifying the second action; and 
 (6)(D) storing, in the first profile, a second action specifier that specifies the second action. 
   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (3) comprises deactivating the first profile in response to an input received from a user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein (4) comprises activating the second profile in response to the input received from the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein (4) comprises activating the second profile in response to deactivating the first profile. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (3) comprises deactivating the first profile in response to determining that an output from a time sensor satisfies a condition. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (4) comprises activating the second profile in response to determining that the output from the time sensor satisfies the condition. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein (4) comprises activating the second profile in response to deactivating the first profile. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, the computer program instructions being executable by at least one computer processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
 (1) determining that a first profile is active;   (2) in response to determining that the first profile is active:
 (2)(A) performing a first action specified by the first profile, the first action comprising preventing a first notification of a first message transmissible via a first communication mode from being manifested; and 
 (2)(B) performing a second action specified by the first profile, the second action comprising preventing a second notification of a second message transmissible via a second communication mode from being manifested, wherein the second communication mode differs from the first communication mode; 
   (3) deactivating the first profile;   (4) activating a second profile;   (5) while the second profile is active and the first profile is inactive:
 (5)(A) allowing a third notification of a third message transmissible via the first communication mode to be manifested; and 
 (5)(B) allowing a fourth notification of a fourth message transmissible via the second communication mode to be manifested. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises:
 (6) after preventing the first notification from being manifested, allowing the first notification to be manifested; and   (7) after preventing the first notification from being manifested, allowing the first notification to be manifested.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein (5) comprises:
 determining that the second profile is active; and   in response to determining that the second profile is active, performing (5)(A) and (5)(B).   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 :
 wherein the first communication mode comprises one of an email communication mode, a text message communication mode, and a voice call communication mode;   wherein the second communication mode comprises one of the email communication mode, the text message communication mode, and the voice call communication mode.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises:
 (6) before (1):
 (6)(A) receiving first user input specifying the first action; 
 (6)(B) storing, in the first profile, a first action specifier that specifies the first action; 
 (6)(C) receiving second user input specifying the second action; and 
 (6)(D) storing, in the first profile, a second action specifier that specifies the second action. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein (3) comprises deactivating the first profile in response to an input received from a user. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein (4) comprises activating the second profile in response to the input received from the user. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein (4) comprises activating the second profile in response to deactivating the first profile. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein (3) comprises deactivating the first profile in response to determining that an output from a time sensor satisfies a condition.