Context-aware notifications

Abstract

Systems and approaches are provided for presenting incoming notifications to a computing device based on a determined context of the computing device. Various sensors of the device can be used to determine the context of the device with respect to a user, the state of the device itself, or the context of the device with respect to the environment in which the device is situated. The user can then be informed of received notifications in a manner likely to get the user's attention while not being overly obtrusive to the user or others within the vicinity of the user.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A computing device, comprising:
 at least one image sensor;   a display;   at least one processor; and   memory, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, enable the computing device to:
 receive a first notification; 
 determine, using at least image data generated by the at least one image sensor, that an object is in a field of view of the at least one image sensor; 
 determine that the object is a face of a recognized individual; and 
 display information representing the first notification on the display. 
   
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one infra-red (IR) sensor,   wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 determine a position of at least one pupil of the recognized individual; 
 determine a first gaze direction of the recognized individual, based on the position of the at least one pupil; and 
 display the information representing the first notification based at least in part on the first gaze direction. 
   
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 3 , wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 determine a second gaze direction of the recognized individual, based on the position of the at least one pupil;   determine that the recognized individual is looking away from the display based at least on the second gaze direction; and   provide, using at least one of a vibration or an audio signal, information representing a second notification.   
     
     
         5 . The computing device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a light-detecting sensor,   wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 determine, using at least the light-detecting sensor, that the computing device is in relative or complete darkness; and 
 adjust functionality of the computing device. 
   
     
     
         6 . The computing device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one temperature sensor,   wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 determine, using the at least one temperature sensor, a first value representing a first surface temperature of the computing device; and 
 determine, based at least in part on the first value, that the computing device is in proximity to the recognized individual. 
   
     
     
         7 . The computing device of  claim 6 , wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 determine, using the at least one temperature sensor, a second value representing a second surface temperature of the computing device; and   provide, based at least in part on the first value and the second value, information representing a second notification using a vibration.   
     
     
         8 . The computing device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one geographic position sensor,   wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 determine, using the at least one geographic position sensor, that the computing device should operate in a quiet mode; 
 receive a second notification; and 
 provide information representing the second notification using a vibration. 
   
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the information representing the first notification includes at least one of a badge notification, a toast notification, a banner notification, an in-line notification, and a notification area icon. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one image sensor includes at least one of a still camera, a video camera, or an infra-red sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the instructions when executed further enable the computing device to:
 retrieve preferences for the recognized individual; and   display the information representing the first notification according to the preferences for the recognized individual.   
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving a first notification;   determining, using at least image data, that an object is in a field of view of at least one image sensor;   determining that the object is a face of a recognized individual; and   displaying information representing the first notification on a display screen of a computing device.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining a position of at least one pupil of the recognized individual;   determining a first gaze direction of the recognized individual, based on the position of the at least one pupil; and   display the information representing the first notification based at least in part on the first gaze direction.   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 determining a second gaze direction of the recognized individual, based on the position of the at least one pupil;   determining that the recognized individual is looking away from the display based at least on the second gaze direction; and   providing, using at least one of a vibration or an audio signal, information representing a second notification.   
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining, using at least a light-detecting sensor, that the computing device is in relative or complete darkness; and   adjusting functionality of the computing device.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 ,
 determining, using at least one temperature sensor, a first value representing a first surface temperature of the computing device; and   determining, based at least in part on the first value, that the computing device is in proximity to the recognized individual.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 16 ,
 determining a second value representing a second surface temperature of the computing device; and   providing, based at least in part on the first value and the second value, information representing a second notification using a vibration.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 ,
 determining, using at least one geographic position sensor, that the computing device should operate in a quiet mode;   receiving a second notification; and   provide information representing the second notification using a vibration.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing the information representing the first notification as at least one of a badge notification, a toast notification, a banner notification, an in-line notification, and a notification area icon. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising generating the image data using at least one of a still camera, a video camera, or an infra-red sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 retrieving preferences for the recognized individual; and   displaying the information representing the first notification according to the preferences for the recognized individual.