Abstract: A system and method for guiding a user in building a query are disclosed. The method includes providing an interaction space in which a user formulates a query using a plurality of query building blocks selected from a predefined set of query building blocks. The user's formulation of the query is guided. Guiding selection of at least a next building block is provided by at least one of a content-based mechanism which limits the selection of the next building block to those which will yield at least one result from an indexed collection of documents, a structure-based selection mechanism which limits the selection of the next building block to those which meet a predefined grammar, and a usage-based selection mechanism which proposes a next building block based on patterns of building blocks used in building prior queries. Each of these guidance mechanisms may be provided with the result that the next block proposed is informed by each of the mechanisms.

Abstract: Systems and methods are employed to quantify resource usage for review by a user. Marking engine data contains information related to a print job sent to the marking engine and community data relates to resource usage by members of a plurality of communities within a system. A resource profiling component receives the marking engine data and the community data to evaluate resource usage by a user compared to one or more of a user within their community. A visualization component receives the evaluation from the resource profiling component, generates a graphic associated with the evaluation and presents and distributes the graphic to one or more recipients.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining when to escalate from one support level to a higher support level in assisting a user resolve a problem with a device. The method includes storing information on past users' interactions with a self help server during prior self help sessions, the self help server providing a first remote support level for troubleshooting a problem with a device. Information is stored on a current user's interactions with the self help server during a current self help session for troubleshooting the current user's problem with a device. A determination of when to provide for escalation to a higher remote support level for troubleshooting the current user's problem with the device is based on the stored information on the past users' interactions and the current user's interactions.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user to connect a problem with a device, such as a printer includes extracting, from records comprising user actions on the device, string of user actions on the device. The string of user action is compared with at least one predetermined sequence of user actions for correction of predefined problem with the device. Based on the comparison, an evaluation is made as to whether at least one prior user has attempted the predetermined sequence and, if so, a procedure is implemented to avoid a user repeating the prior attempt.

Abstract: A time-to-collect measure is disclosed which may be used in generating a model for predicting an expected time-to-collect for print jobs. In the case of incomplete data, an algorithm recovers an optimal assignment of links between submission and collection events which allows a time to collect to be computed for one or more prior print jobs. A printing system may incorporate a time-to-collect system for making decisions based on the measure, such as the scheduling of pending print jobs or planning placement of printers.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user to develop a query in a natural language includes receiving a user's query in a natural language and, while the user's query is being entered, presenting a subset of ranked query suggestions from a collection of ranked query suggestions to the user as candidates for user queries. The subset is based on that portion of the user's query already entered. The query suggestions in the subset of query suggestions are presented according to their respective rankings in the collection. Each of the query suggestions in the collection is formulated to retrieve at least one responsive instance in the knowledge base. The rankings of the query suggestions in the collection are based at least in part on stored logs of prior user sessions in which user queries were input to a search engine for retrieving responsive instances from the knowledge base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to support the coordination of geographically distributed activities, e.g. printing and, in particular, a method for mixed human and computer-supported distributed scheduling of a task according to scheduling decisions within a plurality of workplaces. The workplaces are connected to each other and to a shared negotiation facility via a computer network. The method involves expressing a first scheduling decision by manual modification in a scheduling board within a first of said workplaces, recording said first scheduling decision and creating computer-readable first scheduling decision data. These first scheduling decision data are transferred via the computer network to the shared negotiation facility, where said task is negotiated by combining the first scheduling decision data with second scheduling decision data received from at least a second of said workplaces. Negotiation results are transferred to at least said first workplace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to support the coordination of geographically distributed activities, e.g. printing and, in particular, a method for mixed human and computer-supported distributed scheduling of a task according to scheduling decisions within a plurality of workplaces. The workplaces are connected to each other and to a shared negotiation facility via a computer network. The method involves expressing a first scheduling decision by manual modification in a scheduling board within a first of said workplaces, recording said first scheduling decision and creating computer-readable first scheduling decision data. These first scheduling decision data are transferred via the computer network to the shared negotiation facility, where said task is negotiated by combining the first scheduling decision data with second scheduling decision data received from at least a second of said workplaces. Negotiation results are transferred to at least said first workplace.