Computer system and method for inhibiting interruption of a user that is actively using the computer system

A computer comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a memory coupled to the at least one processor;
• a do not disturb mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the do not disturb mechanism comprising:
• a do not disturb specification that comprises specified user input and a specified time period, a user input monitor that monitors input from a user and determines that the user is actively using the computer if input from the user satisfies the specified user input and if the input occurs within the specified time period of a potentially interrupting event;
• wherein the do not disturb mechanism inhibits the potentially interrupting event from interrupting the user when the user is actively using the computer.

A computer-implemented method for inhibiting a potentially interrupting event from interrupting a user of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) monitoring user input to determine whether the user is actively using the computer;
• (B) receiving a potentially interrupting event;
• and
• (C) if the user is actively using the computer, inhibiting the potentially interrupting event from interrupting the user.

A computer-implemented method for inhibiting a potentially interrupting event from interrupting a user of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) the user defining a do not disturb specification that specifies user input and a time period;
• (B) monitoring user input to determine whether the user is actively using the computer by determining whether the specified user input and a received potentially interrupting event are received within the specified time period;
• (C) if the user is actively using the computer, inhibiting the potentially interrupting event from interrupting the user;
• and
• (D) if the user is not actively using the computer, allowing the potentially interrupting event to occur.

A program product comprising:

• (A) a do not disturb mechanism comprising:
• (A1) a do not disturb specification that comprises specified user input and a specified time period, and
• (A2) a user input monitor that monitors input from a user and determines that the user is actively using the computer if input from the user satisfies the specified user input and if the input from the user and a potentially interrupting event occur within the specified time period;
• (A3) wherein the do not disturb mechanism inhibits the potentially interrupting event from interrupting the user when the user is actively using the computer;
• and
• (B) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the do not disturb mechanism.