# US 2016/0259461 A1 · Method and apparatus for reducing user distraction > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0259461 A1 - Document ID: US20160259461A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/638,288 - Filed: 2015-03-04 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-04 - Assignees: Motorola Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Motorola Solutions, Inc - Inventors: ALAIN D. ABBATE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160259461A1 ## CPC - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 3/013: {Eye tracking input arrangements (G06F3/015 takes precedence)} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display} - G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34) - H04M 1/72454: according to context-related or environment-related conditions - H04M 1/724631: {by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad} - G06F 3/0416: {Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers} - H04M 1/72457: according to geographic location - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A method and apparatus for reducing user distraction is provided herein. During operation a user device will show content for limited periods of time during a context where the user is not to be distracted. So for example, a police officer driving may only be able to look at the screen of his device for a first period of time (e.g., 3 seconds). After that period of time, the device will prevent further viewing (preferably by turning off the screen). After a second period of time (e.g., 10 seconds), the device will again allow the officer to look at the screen for the first period of time. When the device has determined that user distraction does not need to be prevented, the device will allow full access to the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for reducing user distraction, the method comprising the steps of: determining that a user is in a particular environment; restricting the viewing of a screen for a first period of time while the user is in the particular environment; 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; 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining that the user is staring at the screen and wherein the second period of time is measured from when the user begins staring at the screen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: determining that the user is in the process of interacting with an application; and extending the second period of time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: determining that the user is inputting text; and extending the second period of time until the user has finished inputting text. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining that the user is in the particular environment comprises the step of determining a motion of an individual and basing the determination that the user is in the environment based on the motion of the individual. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining that the user is in the particular environment comprises the step of determining a location of an individual and basing the determination that the user is in the environment based on the location of the individual. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of restricting the viewing of the screen comprises the step of making the screen opaque or making a window on the screen opaque. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: determining that the user is in a safe environment; and eliminating any restrictions to viewing the screen. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: determining that the user is inputting text; and extending or shortening the second period of time until the user has finished inputting text. ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of determining that the user is in the particular environment comprises the step of determining a motion of an individual and basing the determination that the user is in the environment based on the motion of the individual. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the step of restricting the viewing of the screen comprises the step of making the screen opaque or making a window on the screen opaque. ### Claim 15 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.