Abstract: The present invention provides a learning management system that is embedded in an application, operating system, or multiple applications. The learning management system is adapted to identify whether training courses would be desirable for a user, based on usage of one or more applications, installment of one or more applications, or occurrence of one or more key words within an application.

Abstract: Various disclosed help center features provide help to a user without a staffed help center, provide help to a user before the user recognizes the need, or create targeted commerce opportunities for a provider of goods or services. One help center feature provides a user with help that is specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and that is supplied to the help center feature by the component manufacturer. Another help center feature detects a condition that degrades performance, and hence user satisfaction, and alerts the user. Another help center feature detects an attempt by a computer system to inform the user of degraded performance and offers the user a solution. Another help center feature provides a user with a commerce opportunity specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and/or to the user's geographic location.

Abstract: A method and system for customizing form elements in a form building application. According to one embodiment, a form builder receives an identification of a user of the form building application, the form building application providing a graphical user interface for the manipulation of a set of form elements, and enables access to a subset of the form elements according to authorization rules, and an access manager determines the authorization rules associated with the user.

Abstract: A communication device may include a lens and processing logic. The lens may receive a gesture made by a user of the mobile terminal and the processing logic may identify the gesture. The processing logic may also generate a command based on the identified gesture, where the command instructs the mobile terminal or an external device to perform a control action.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a graphical user interface, including methods and apparatus for configuring and implementing such an interface. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a graphical user interface comprising a main window including a navigation viewport and a data viewport, the navigation viewport arranged to display navigation selectable elements and the data viewport arranged to display information associated with an application associated with one or more of the navigation selectable elements. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of configuring a graphical user interface based upon user or device information. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of controlling the navigation of the graphical user interface based upon user or device information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the graphical user interface is associated with a gaming system which includes at least one gaming device.

Abstract: A quantity totalizer for a three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD includes integrating means for referring to parts information stored in the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD and associating line information, which is separated from the parts information for storage and which is unique to a line, with the parts information to generate integrated information in which the quantity of parts is totalized; numbering means for systematically numbering the integrated information and outputting a quantity totalization result; and comparing means for comparing the quantity totalization result output by the numbering means with a parts number column in a design drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD to check the parts having the same parts information and line information against each other and replacing parts numbers in the parts number column in the design drawing produced with the three-dimensional arrangement and adjustment CAD with parts numbers in the

Abstract: A system, to persist state in a dynamic electronic form, may include a communications module to receive a request to load an electronic form, a merge module to merge a template associated with the electronic form and data values associated with the electronic form, a delta extractor to access delta data associated with the electronic form, and an overlay module to overlay the delta data onto the electronic form. The delta data, in an example embodiment, includes attributes and properties associated with the electronic form that are being designated to persist between editing sessions of the electronic form.

Abstract: Resource links also known as Unified Resource Links (URL's), bookmarks, hyperlinks etc. located in a category hierarchy. The resource links are used to navigate on the world wide web, on a local machine, on the internet, or on an intranet. A method of assessing a users competence in a category in the category structure comprising the steps of analysing the users interaction with the resource links placed in the hierarchy table for that category and extracting a competence level for the user in that category.

Abstract: A Web site, through the use of a Rules Engine, determines an expertise level of a User for one or more topics on a Web page. The Rules Engine may analyze User related data, such as the search term used by the User to find the Web site, the past products purchased by the User, the path through the Web site taken by the User, the usage history by the User on the Web site, the demographics of the User and/or the self declared expertise level of the User, to determine an expertise level of the User for the topics on the Web page. A Display Engine may customize a Web page based on the expertise levels of a User so that topics on the Web page are presented in a manner most appropriate for the User. An Email Engine may be used to customize emails to the User so that topics in the email are presented in manner most appropriate for the User. A Support Entity Engine may also be used to route an incoming support inquiries from a User to an appropriate technical support person for the User.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying a user interface as a function of the detected emotional state of a system user are described. In one embodiment, stress analysis is performed on received speech to generate an emotional state indicator value, e.g., a stress level indicator value. The stress level indicator value is compared to one or more thresholds. If a first threshold is exceeded the user interface is modified, e.g., the presentation rate of speech is slowed. If a second threshold is not exceeded, another modification to the user interface is made, e.g., the speech presentation rate is accelerated. If the stress level indicator value is between first and second thresholds, user interface operation continues unchanged. The user interface modification techniques of the present invention may be used in combination with known knowledge or expertise based user interface adaptation features.

Abstract: System and method for generating information regarding the functionality of a system. Input specifying at least a portion of functionality of a system may be received, e.g., from a user via a graphical user interface (GUI), and may specify one or more components of the system at a component level. The input may specify one or more components of the system, e.g., software component(s), hardware device(s), function(s) of the system, etc. Information, e.g., help information and/or documentation, describing one or more aspects of the functionality of the system may be automatically generated based on the input. The descriptions of the aspects may include information regarding the synergistic/combinatorial interactions of the components at a system level, e.g., via calculation or derivation from data retrieved from various sources regarding the components of the system. The information may be automatically stored and/or automatically displayed in the GUI substantially in real-time.

Abstract: Markers that describe a user's actions are monitored in order to determine his or her level of proficiency with a user interface. A proficiency level is determined based on the markers. The proficiency level is adjusted periodically or in response to trigger events, to provide updated proficiency level information as the user becomes more experienced. One or more user interface features are automatically configured according to the detected proficiency level, so that the user is presented with an interface that is appropriate for his or her level of proficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a customized installation procedure to a consumer purchasing a build to order system. A particular consumer may provide personal information at a point of sale along with component selections for a build to order system. A manufacturer may assemble the personal information and selection list to generate a customized installation procedure for each consumer. The customized installation procedure may be placed upon a compact disk and may be inserted upon a first boot of a purchased build to order computer system. The customized installation procedure may provide a visual presentation on the complete installation of the computer system including software installation and connection of hardware components.

Abstract: An interface is presented that can be used by those with little or no computer skills and little or no reading skills. In an exemplary embodiment, the icon pictures are detailed enough that they do not need text to be understood. Most icons do not require that they be clicked to be selected, rather they select on cursor hover. When an icon is hovered over, in an exemplary embodiment, it increases in size to make it easier for a user to select it. The interface has a help function that provides a voice that tells the function of an icon when the icon is moused over or otherwise tentatively chosen by a user. The help function voice may be accompanied by a virtual companion—a picture of a person, who, in some embodiments, is animated and appears to be speaking the help text.

Abstract: A method for contextual assistance application management is disclosed. The method comprises launching a help application, determining, by the help application, that a predefined event has occurred with a target application and presenting, in response to the occurrence of the predefined event, a help feature on a user interface. Then, determining that the help feature has been presented a predetermined number of times; and as a result disabling the help feature.

Abstract: In a system and method for providing user help information, based on a user history it may be determined that an event has previously occurred, based on the determination a portion of stored user help information that includes information indicating how to avoid recurrence of the event may be automatically and selectively provided without receiving a request for the provided portion.

Abstract: In a system and method for providing user help information, based on a user history, a user proficiency category may be determined, at a point during execution of a sequence of program instructions, it may be determined based on the user proficiency category whether to output a portion of stored user help information that is, in particular, associated with the point in the execution, and based on the latter determination, the portion may be automatically provided without receiving a request for user help information.

Abstract: A capture system captures detectable attributes of a user. A differential system compares the detectable attributes with a normalized model of attributes, wherein the normalized model of attributes characterize normal representative attribute values across a sample of a plurality of users and generates differential attributes representing the differences between the detectable attributes and the normalized model of attributes. Multiple separate avatar creator systems receive the differential attributes and each apply the differential attributes to different base avatars to create custom avatars which reflect a selection of the detectable attributes of the user which are distinguishable from the normalized model of attributes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical apparatus for diagnosis and/or treatment using a procedure (20), with an operating console (11) to control the use of components of the procedure (20), the operating console (11) having an input device (22), an output device (27) and an assistance module (26) to assist the user, which can be adapted to users' varying levels of training. This enables the user interfaces of the operating console to be adapted to the varying levels of knowledge of the medical operating personnel, so that the user in question is offered only those commands, with corresponding additional information, which the user has for example already learned during training.

Abstract: A learning management system includes a content storage unit for storing learning content, a user modeling unit in signal communication with the content storage unit and having a user model, a personalization unit in signal communication with the content storage unit for personalizing the learning content stored in the content storage unit in response to the user model, and a user interface in signal communication with the content storage unit for enabling a user to interact with the learning management system, wherein the learning management system delivers content responsive to user interaction with the learning management system.

Abstract: A system operative to execute and train at least one avatar for each user of an interactive environment comprising a knowledge engine operative to continuously monitor each user's response to events in the interactive environment while each user controls the at least one avatar, a knowledge base operative to store each of the monitored user responses to events in the interactive environment and an action engine operative to control one or more actions of the at least one avatar for each user in the interactive environment based on the stored monitored responses regardless of each user's control of the at least one avatar.

Abstract: A method includes determining an initial experience-level of a user based on an initial usage of an application by the user, where the application includes a plurality of selectable features, selecting one or more first features from the selectable features to provide to the user, where the selected first features are based on the initial experience-level of the user, and providing a first user interface to the application to enable the user to utilize the first features. A subsequent experience-level of the user is determined based on the user's interactions with the one or more first features, one or more second features are selected from the selectable features to provide to the user, where the selected second features are based on the subsequent experience-level of the user, and a second user interface to the application is provided to enable the user to utilize the second features.

Abstract: Various implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for interactive scripting in a distributed computing system. One implementation provides a method for displaying alert information on a display device. In this implementation, the method includes displaying work information in a work area of the display device, wherein the work information relates to an interactive session between a user and a specified person. The method further includes displaying alert information in a reserved area of the display device, wherein the alert information relates to a business-relevant situation for the interactive session between the user and the specified person. The reserved area of the display device is located in proximity to the work area of the display device and is persistently viewable by the user while the user is working in the work area.

Abstract: A system for interfacing a user with an electronic device. An accessor device provides a user interface matched to the needs, abilities and intentions of the user and translates the user input commands and data into commands for the electronic device. An intelligent access port translates commands from the accessor into an input format required by the electronic device. A communication link connects the accessor device with the intelligent access port to send the translated user input commands and data from the accessor to the intelligent access port. The accessor device contains an intelligent access module and an interactive display. The intelligent access module contains a driver device for routing message packets, an interaction processor for processing incoming message packets and generating a message packet for the electronic device, and a communications channel. Communications between system components take place over a universal serial bus or over a wireless fidelity or ZigBee device.

Abstract: A service management method of the present invention is provided so as to enable a service provider to easily obtain information on a user's usage conditions after the sales of a software package, and to provide the user with service to give him a chance and motivation to use a function which is available in the software package but is seldom used. To attain these objects, the service management method of the present invention includes a step for preparing a file showing usage conditions of a plurality of functions constituting the software package, a step for detecting that a function is selected or performed, and a step for updating the file so as to distinguish the detected function from an undetected function.

Abstract: Various disclosed help center features provide help to a user without a staffed help center, provide help to a user before the user recognizes the need, or create targeted commerce opportunities for a provider of goods or services. One help center feature provides a user with help that is specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and that is supplied to the help center feature by the component manufacturer. Another help center feature detects a condition that degrades performance, and hence user satisfaction, and alerts the user. Another help center feature detects an attempt by a computer system to inform the user of degraded performance and offers the user a solution. Another help center feature provides a user with a commerce opportunity specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and/or to the user's geographic location.

Abstract: An information processing device according to the present invention is included in an information processing apparatus and outputs guidance information for an operation performed for the information processing apparatus by a user. In the information processing device, a user information acquisition unit identifies a user who is operating the information processing device, and an input control unit identifies the type of operation performed by the user. The information processing device also includes an operation history database for storing operation history information unique to the user and a voice guidance database for storing at least one piece of guidance information on the operation. A guidance selection unit selects appropriate guidance information on the basis of the operation history information on the operation unique to the user, and a voice output unit outputs the selected guidance information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for remotely managing metadata associated with a metadata generator in a broadcast system, are disclosed. The method includes providing a targeted user interface to a current user, and managing remotely the metadata using the targeted user interface.

Abstract: A stent-graft planning system is a web-based system that assists a physician in selecting and ordering the right stent-graft online in real-time. The stent-graft planning system includes a graphic user interface that provides a physician with a two-dimensional (2D) graphic model reflecting the individual vessel anatomy, e.g., aneurismal anatomy, and the selected stent graft in that anatomy. A data entry region in the graphic user interface is used in collecting each measurement. A stent-graft planning progress guide region of the graphic user interface tells a user the active step in the stent-graft-planning process. A navigation region of the graphic user interface includes features for navigating the stent-graft planning process.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for presenting a help source. A help system is maintained that comprises a single set of one or more help source files. A request is received by the help system to present one or more of the help source files (or information from within one or more of the help source files). A help history file is obtained in response to the request, wherein the help history file stores information relating to a usage of the help system. A customized presentation of the help source file is then displayed based on the information stored in the help history file.

Abstract: A system and method for visualizing and navigating document content using a condensed representation of a document to provide both a global overview of the distribution of key search terms as well as their immediate context. The invention supports rapid skimming of documents and document collections and enables efficient information finding, in some cases entirely eliminating the need to scroll within a document as with a conventional browser tool. The invention is of particular utility with personal digital assistants, which generally have small displays and limited storage capacity and communication bandwidth in comparison to personal computers. Documents may include conventional text and image files, web pages, audio files, and video files. The invention may also apply to collections of documents.

Abstract: The execution process registration unit is a function unit for causing a user to register in advance the information about the process (function) that is assigned to each button, and for storing the information. A command display unit controls an initial screen display, an execution process display unit controls the screen display during operation, and a command execution unit executes the process in accordance with the operation (time), on the basis of the information that is registered in advance.

Abstract: A user-centered interface agent learns user preferences and typical behaviors and, based on what is learned, predicts the user's preferred user interface for different types of host computers. The interface agent consists of a learning program which operates on the user's primary computer, a shadow program which is installed on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and a remote program which operates on host computers. The PDA transfers data between the primary and remote machines, and can also be used as the user's primary computer. On the primary computer, the agent learns a user's preferences automatically by observing the user's actions, requiring minimal initialization by the user. The learning algorithm may be statistical, rule-based, case-based, neural network, or employ any other technique for reasoning under uncertainty.

Abstract: The invention determines when an Internet browsing customer should be provided assistance by monitoring factors such as the customer profile saved at the server or in cookies, the time a customer spends on particular web pages, errors in forms submitted by the customer, web pages repeatedly viewed by a customer, and statistically established abandon points. When the invention determines a customer should be provided assistance, the invention reviews the availability and probability of availability of the customer service representatives (CSRs). If a CSR is available or predicted to be available, the customer is presented with a HELP option. If the customer does not respond to the HELP option within a predetermined time, the HELP option is removed. By dynamically determining the appropriate time to provide a HELP option and only providing the HELP option when a CSR is available, the invention proactively provides meaningful service at the critical time.

Abstract: Resource links also known as Unified Resource Links (URL's), bookmarks, hyperlinks etc. located in a category hierarchy. The resource links are used to navigate on the world wide web, on a local machine, on the internet, or on an intranet. A method of assessing a users competence in a category in the category structure comprising the steps of analysing the users interaction with the resource links placed in the hierarchy table for that category and extracting a competence level for the user in that category.

Abstract: An adaptive training system for use with an adaptive testing tool includes a user interface receptive of a field of application selection from a user. A plurality of task items are stored in a data store. The plurality of task items are organized by field of application and ranked by difficulty level. An adaptive item selector selects unfamiliar task items as training items based on the selected field of application and a user ability. These training items range in order of difficulty from items slightly below a user's ability to items sufficiently far above that level to allow for learning effects. The user ability is a function of previous user performance on an adaptive test in the selected field of application. The main purpose of the adaptive item selector is to ensure that training items are neither too easy nor too difficult for a person.

Abstract: A user interface for controlling and displaying information about devices in a system is disclosed. The user interface is designed to meet the needs for different types of users. A user with no familiarity with the system is provided with a customized message on the display of the user interface. A user with limited experience using the interface may be provided with one or more dedicated input devices for obtaining further information about the system. For a more experienced user, a touch screen is provided allowing the user to control devices from the user interface.

Abstract: A method for controlling displayed contents on a display device upon starting an application is adapted that an operator can start the application while confirming the position and aspect size of a new window corresponding to this application by himself. Upon starting an desired application by a calling point, the calling point is dragged from a calling start point in the pull down menu or the pop-up menu to an arbitrary point on the display screen, thereby defining a window of the desired application as a window with diagonal line formed by a line connecting between said calling start point and a calling cancellation point when the calling state is canceled, and this cancellation of the calling state makes said defined window open to start said desired application.