Contextual models and methods for inferring attention and location

摘要

Determination of the current context of the user, such as the user's current location and attentional state, is disclosed. The determined context can be used to assist determination as to whether, when and how notifications intended for the user should be conveyed to him or her. In varying embodiments of the invention, the context is determined via one or more of: direct specification by the user; direct measurement using one or more sensors; a user-modifiable profile indicating context; one or more potentially user-modifiable rules that indicate context; and, and inferential analysis utilizing a model, such as a Bayesian network or other statistical model.