Microsoft patents focus mode that blocks off-topic app notifications
Microsoft has been granted a patent for a feature that helps computer applications ignore distractions during specific work periods. The system uses machine learning to check if incoming alerts match a user-selected topic, automatically hiding notifications that do not fit the current focus mode.
In the filing’s own words
A computer-implemented method comprising detecting, by an application in a focussed operating mode, a trigger event; determining, using machine learning (ML) content classification applied to content associated with the trigger event, that content associated with the trigger event does not match a permitted topic associated with the focussed operating mode; and based on determining that the second content does not match the permitted topic applicable to the focussed operating mode, suppressing, by the application in the focussed operating mode, notification of the second trigger event.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: determining a focus time interval; storing a first indication of the focus time interval; storing, in association with the first indication of the focus time interval, a second indication of a permitted topic associated with a focussed operating mode of an application; generating, in a user interface, a visual representation of the focus time interval and the permitted topic; activating, responsive to commencement of the focus time interval, the focussed operating mode of the application; detecting, by the application in the focussed operating mode, a trigger event; determining, using machine learning (ML) content classification applied to content associated with the trigger event, that content associated with the trigger event does not match the permitted topic associated with the focussed operating mode; and responsive to determining that the content does not match the permitted topic associated with the focussed operating mode, suppressing, by the application in the focussed operating mode, notification of the trigger event.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Automated content management in computer applications with focus mode
- Patent number
- US12731045B2
- Application number
- 18209949
- Filed
- Jun 14, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 19
Classified under
G06N 5/022 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.