Method and apparatus for reducing user distraction

A method for reducing user distraction, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining that a user is in an particular environment;
• restricting the viewing of a screen for a first period of time (Tblocked) while the user is in the particular environment;
• after the first period of time, determining that the user has glanced at the screen;
• allowing the user to view the screen for a second period of time (Tuse) beginning from when the user has glanced at the screen, and while the user is in the particular environment;
• determining that Tuse has expired and the user is still glancing at the screen;
• and
• again restricting the viewing of the screen while the user is in the particular environment;
• wherein the step of determining that the user is in the particular environment comprises the step of determining a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) incident identifier and basing the determination that the user is in the environment based on the CAD incident identifier.

An apparatus comprising:

• context-aware circuitry configured to determine that a user is in an particular environment;
• a timer;
• logic circuitry configured to use the timer to restrict the viewing of a screen for a first period of time while the user is in the particular environment, and after the first period of time, allowing the user to view the screen for a second period of time while the user is in the particular environment, and again restricting the viewing of the screen while the user is in the particular environment
• wherein the logic circuitry determines that the user is in the particular environment by determining a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) incident identifier and basing the determination that the user is in the environment based on the CAD incident identifier.