Enforced unitasking in multitasking systems
A computer system includes one or more devices that are capable of multitasking (performing at least two tasks in parallel or substantially in parallel). In response to detecting that one of the devices is performing a first one of the tasks, the system prevents the devices from performing at least one of the tasks other than the first task (such as all of the tasks other than the first task). In response to detecting that one of the devices is performing a second one of the tasks, the system prevents the devices from performing at least one of the tasks other than the second task (such as all of the tasks other than the first task).
1. A method performed by at least one computer processor, the method for use with a first device, the method comprising:
(A) determining that the first device is performing a first task, wherein the first task comprises composing a first message transmissible via a first communication mode,
wherein the first device includes a first module for performing the first task and a second module for performing a second task, wherein the second task comprises manifesting a notification of an incoming second message transmissible via a second communication mode,
wherein the first communication mode differs from the second communication mode;
(B) in response to the determination of (A), preventing the first device from performing the second task while the first device is performing the first task;
(C) determining that the first device is performing the second task; and
(D) in response to the determination of (C), preventing the first device from performing a third task while the first device is performing the second task, wherein the first device includes a third module for performing the third task, wherein the third task comprises manifesting a notification of an incoming third message transmissible via a third communication mode,
wherein the third communication mode differs from the first communication mode and the second communication mode.
2. The method of claim 1 :
wherein the first communication mode comprises one of an email communication mode and a text message communication mode.
3. The method of claim 2 :
wherein the second communication mode comprises a voice call communication mode.
4. The method of claim 3 :
wherein the third communication mode comprises one of the email communication mode and the text message communication mode.
5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer program instructions tangibly stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the instructions are executable by at least one computer processor to perform a method for use with a first device, the method comprising:
(A) determining that the first device is performing a first task, wherein the first task comprises composing a first message transmissible via a first communication mode,
wherein the first device includes a first module for performing the first task and a second module for performing a second task, wherein the second task comprises manifesting a notification of an incoming second message transmissible via a second communication mode,
wherein the first communication mode differs from the second communication mode;
(B) in response to the determination of (A), preventing the first device from performing the second task while the first device is performing the first task;
(C) determining that the first device is performing the second task; and
(D) in response to the determination of (C), preventing the first device from performing a third task while the first device is performing the second task, wherein the first device includes a third module for performing the third task, wherein the third task comprises manifesting a notification of an incoming third message transmissible via a third communication mode,
wherein the third communication mode differs from the first communication mode and the second communication mode.
6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 :
wherein the first communication mode comprises one of an email communication mode and a text message communication mode.
7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6 :
wherein the second communication mode comprises a voice call communication mode.
8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7 :
wherein the third communication mode comprises one of the email communication mode and the text message communication mode.