U.S. patent application number 13/329744 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-20 for method and apparatus for initiating a task based on contextual information.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nokia Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Matthias Pfaff. Invention is credited to Matthias Pfaff.
Application Number | 20130159404 13/329744 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48611309 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130159404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pfaff; Matthias |
June 20, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INITIATING A TASK BASED ON CONTEXTUAL
INFORMATION
Abstract
An approach for initiating a computing task based on generation
of a statement or question formed using context information related
to a user is described herein. A request generation platform
determines an input from a device specifying at least one term.
Context information associated with the device, a user of the
device, one or more other devices, one or more other users, or a
combination thereof is then determined. The request generation
platform further causes, at least in part, a generation of at least
one question, at least one statement, or a combination thereof
based, at least in part, on the at least one term and the context
information.
Inventors: |
Pfaff; Matthias; (Berlin,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pfaff; Matthias |
Berlin |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Nokia Corporation
Espoo
FI
|
Family ID: |
48611309 |
Appl. No.: |
13/329744 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G06F 16/2428 20190101; G06F 16/9535 20190101; G06F 16/9537
20190101; G06F 40/186 20200101; G06F 16/248 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or
processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one
signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one
signal based, at least in part, on the following: an input from a
device specifying at least one term; at least one determination of
context information associated with the device, a user of the
device, one or more other devices, one or more other users, or a
combination thereof; and a generation of at least one question, at
least one statement, or a combination thereof based, at least in
part, on the at least one term and the context information.
2. A method of claim 1, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: a transmission of the at least one question, the
at least one statement, or a combination thereof to at least one or
more social networks.
3. A method of claim 1, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: an initiation of (a) a query, (b) an application,
(c) a service, or (d) a combination thereof based, at least in
part, on the at least one question, the at least one statement, or
a combination thereof.
4. A method of claim 1, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: a rendering of one or more elements of the at
least one question, the at least one statement, or a combination
thereof in a user interface, wherein the one or more elements are
associated with the at least one term, one or more other terms, or
a combination thereof included in the at least one question, the at
least one statement, or a combination thereof.
5. A method of claim 1, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: another input for selecting at least one of the
one or more elements; and a modification of the at least one term,
the one or more other terms, or a combination thereof associated
with the selected at least one of the one or more elements.
6. A method of claim 5, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: a presentation of one or more alternative terms
for the selected at least one of the one or more elements, wherein
the modification is based, at least in part, on the one or more
alternative terms.
7. A method of claim 1, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: a categorization of (a) the at least one
question, (b) the at least one statement, (c) one or more responses
to the at least one question, the at least one statement, or a
combination thereof, or (d) a combination thereof according to one
or more contextual parameters, wherein the one or more contextual
parameters include, at least in part, a location parameter, a
temporal parameter, or a combination thereof.
8. A method of claim 7, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: a presentation of a mapping interface for
rendering the at least one question, the at least one statement, or
a combination thereof in relation to one or more places, one or
more points of interest, or a combination thereof based, at least
in part, on the one or more contextual parameters.
9. A method of claim 7, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information
and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part,
on the following: a ranking of the one or more responses based, at
least in part, on profile information, reputation information,
feedback information, or a combination thereof associated with one
or more responding users providing the one or more responses.
10. A method of claim 1, wherein the input includes, at least in
part, one or more keywords, one or more images, one or more audio
inputs, or a combination thereof.
11. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least
one memory including computer program code for one or more
programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code
configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus
to perform at least the following, determine an input from a device
specifying at least one term; determine context information
associated with the device, a user of the device, one or more other
devices, one or more other users, or a combination thereof; and
cause, at least in part, a generation of at least one question, at
least one statement, or a combination thereof based, at least in
part, on the at least one term and the context information.
12. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, a transmission of the at least
one question, the at least one statement, or a combination thereof
to at least one or more social networks.
13. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, an initiation of (a) a query,
(b) an application, (c) a service, or (d) a combination thereof
based, at least in part, on the at least one question, the at least
one statement, or a combination thereof.
14. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, a rendering of one or more
elements of the at least one question, the at least one statement,
or a combination thereof in a user interface, wherein the one or
more elements are associated with the at least one term, one or
more other terms, or a combination thereof included in the at least
one question, the at least one statement, or a combination
thereof.
15. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: receive another input for selecting at least one of the
one or more elements; and cause, at least in part, a modification
of the at least one term, the one or more other terms, or a
combination thereof associated with the selected at least one of
the one or more elements.
16. An apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, a presentation of one or more
alternative terms for the selected at least one of the one or more
elements, wherein the modification is based, at least in part, on
the one or more alternative terms.
17. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, a categorization of (a) the at
least one question, (b) the at least one statement, (c) one or more
responses to the at least one question, the at least one statement,
or a combination thereof, or (d) a combination thereof according to
one or more contextual parameters, wherein the one or more
contextual parameters include, at least in part, a location
parameter, a temporal parameter, or a combination thereof.
18. An apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, a presentation of a mapping
interface for rendering the at least one question, the at least one
statement, or a combination thereof in relation to one or more
places, one or more points of interest, or a combination thereof
based, at least in part, on the one or more contextual
parameters.
19. An apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is further
caused to: cause, at least in part, a ranking of the one or more
responses based, at least in part, on profile information,
reputation information, feedback information, or a combination
thereof associated with one or more responding users providing the
one or more responses.
20. An apparatus of claim 11, wherein the input includes, at least
in part, one or more keywords, one or more images, one or more
audio inputs, or a combination thereof.
21-48. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless,
cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and
convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling
network services. One area of interest is providing a more
effective means of initiating computing or device tasks based on
the specific needs of a user. Tasks may include, for example,
performing a query, posting information to a social network,
submitting an application request, or the like. In the case of a
query, search indexes are useful for retrieving information
regarding a subject of interest. However, the means of providing
input for executing the search is based solely on manual data
entry. The user must enter one or more keywords, phrases and other
information to render a truly useful search result. Similarly, when
the user wants to generate a statement or question regarding a
specific subject for posting at a social networking service, they
are required to formulate the message themselves. Hence, there is
currently no convenient way for enabling a user to automatically
generate questions or statements surrounding in relation to a task
based on the unique context of the user.
SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0002] Therefore, there is a need for an approach for initiating a
computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user.
[0003] According to one embodiment, a method comprises determining
an input from a device specifying at least one term. The method
also comprises determining context information associated with the
device, a user of the device, one or more other devices, one or
more other users, or a combination thereof. The method further
comprises causing, at least in part, a generation of at least one
question, at least one statement, or a combination thereof based,
at least in part, on the at least one term and the context
information.
[0004] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at
least one processor, and at least one memory including computer
program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one
memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to
determine an input from a device specifying at least one term. The
apparatus is also caused to determine context information
associated with the device, a user of the device, one or more other
devices, one or more other users, or a combination thereof. The
apparatus is further caused to generate at least one question, at
least one statement, or a combination thereof based, at least in
part, on the at least one term and the context information.
[0005] According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage
medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions
which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in
part, an apparatus to determine an input from a device specifying
at least one term. The apparatus is also caused to determine
context information associated with the device, a user of the
device, one or more other devices, one or more other users, or a
combination thereof. The apparatus is further caused to generate at
least one question, at least one statement, or a combination
thereof based, at least in part, on the at least one term and the
context information.
[0006] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises
means for determining an input from a device specifying at least
one term. The apparatus also comprises means for determining
context information associated with the device, a user of the
device, one or more other devices, one or more other users, or a
combination thereof. The apparatus further comprises means for
causing, at least in part, a generation of at least one question,
at least one statement, or a combination thereof based, at least in
part, on the at least one term and the context information.
[0007] In addition, for various example embodiments of the
invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising
facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2)
information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2)
information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part,
on (or derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of
methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to
any embodiment of the invention.
[0008] For various example embodiments of the invention, the
following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating
access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at
least one service, the at least one service configured to perform
any one or any combination of network or service provider methods
(or processes) disclosed in this application.
[0009] For various example embodiments of the invention, the
following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating
creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user
interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface
functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element
and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based,
at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or
any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this
application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or
at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of
methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to
any embodiment of the invention.
[0010] For various example embodiments of the invention, the
following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or
modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2)
at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least
one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device
user interface functionality based at least in part on data and/or
information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or
processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any
embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting
from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in
this application as relevant to any embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes)
can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile
device side or in any shared way between service provider and
mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.
[0012] For various example embodiments, the following is
applicable: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method
of any of originally filed claims 1-10, 21-30, and 46-48.
[0013] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description, simply by illustrating a number of particular
embodiments and implementations, including the best mode
contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also
capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details
can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
accompanying drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of initiating a
computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user, according to
one embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a request
generation platform, according to one embodiment;
[0017] FIGS. 3A-3C are flowcharts of processes for initiating a
computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user, according to
various embodiments;
[0018] FIGS. 4A-4F are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the
processes of FIGS. 3A-3C, according to various embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to
implement an embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to
implement an embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset)
that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for
initiating a computing task based on generation of a statement or
question formed using context information related to a user are
disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the
invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that
the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these
specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other
instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block
diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
embodiments of the invention.
[0023] Although various embodiments are described with respect to
computing tasks, it is contemplated the approach described herein
may be used with any device, server, application or programming
task and/or process execution.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of initiating a
computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user, according to
one embodiment. By way of illustration, the system includes a
request generation platform 111 that is configured to automatically
generate statements or questions for initiating a task--i.e., a
query, application or service. The statement or question is
formulated based on context information related to the user or
their environment, such as the user's current location, current
weather conditions or temporal information. Once formulated, the
statement or question is submitted to an application for execution
and/or executed by the device of the user for which the statement
or question is based.
[0025] Computing tasks requiring some means of user provided input
includes the performing of a search (e.g., via an online search
index), posting of a message to a social networking site, entry of
a command to an application, etc. Typically, the user's ability to
initiate their desired task or application request is based solely
on the information provided by the user. For example, in the case
of a device user employing a mapping application and/or search
index to identify the location of the closest hotel to their
present location while they are traveling on a business trip, the
application and/or index are limited in their ability to render a
result set befitting the specific needs of the user at that moment.
This is because contextual details regarding the user such as the
fact they are traveling away from home, are on a business trip, may
be hungry, etc., are not factored into the result generation
process. At best, the user must continually refine their query by
manually providing additional details in the form of keywords,
phrases, etc. Hence, the user may go from entry of the term "Hotels
in Chicago, Ill." to "Hotels in Chicago, Ill. that are good for
business travelers." In the latter scenario, the query is more
elaborate and may render some additional results, but still may not
reflect what the user requires at the moment. Furthermore, the
input for generating the request (e.g., query) requires much user
intervention. There is currently no convenient means of
automatically generating requests, including statements or
questions that are contextually relevant to the user for initiating
a computing or application related task. Likewise, current user
input means are not user-friendly and don't allow for easy
adaptation of one or more parameters of the request for achieving a
more accurate result.
[0026] To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces
the capability to use context information associated with the user
to drive generation of a question or statement for initiating a
task. The question or statement may include a plurality of terms,
wherein one or more of the terms are based upon or directly
inserted into the question or statement as a result of the gathered
context information. Furthermore, the question or statement may be
related to a specific input term, as entered by a user of a device
101, for initiating generation of the question or statement. By way
of example, entry of the term "food" may be processed by the
request generation platform 111 with respect to context information
such as current time and location information. This term may then
be translated into the question, based on the context, of "Where
can I find good food for dinner around River Park." In this
example, the request generation platform 111 relies upon temporal
information to determine the context of "dinner" while location
information is used to determine the locale context of "River
Park," a local children's park. One or more user preferences may
also be specified, such as by way of one or more profile settings
established by the user for directing the question or statement
generation process of the platform 111 relative to specific user
interests,
[0027] In certain embodiments, the request generation platform 111
presents an input selection user interface for enabling user entry
of a term for which to base a request on. The input selection user
interface (referred to herein also as user interface) also enables
presentment of the rendered question or statement as generated
pursuant to the entry. In addition, the request generation platform
111 also enables a user to readily modify several elements (e.g.,
terms) of the question or statement; and resultantly, refine the
task to be executed. For example, in the case of the above
statement regarding good food, the user can modify the term "good"
to "Soul" so that the question reads "Where can I find Soul food
for dinner around River Park." The modification can be made
directly from the user interface by way of a keyboard update.
Alternatively, the user may be presented with one or more
alternative selections to choose from, such as by way of a
selection menu or the like. As such, the user is able to quickly
and seamlessly adapt a question or statement to suit their
purpose.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the input selection user interface
may also be integrated for use in connection with various other
applications and device tools. The integration may include the
development and use of application programming interfaces (APIs)
and other integration approaches. For example, the request
generation platform 111 may be configured to cause presentment of a
mapping interface for rendering a question or statement in relation
to one or more places or points of interest. As before, the
returned result set would be based one or more contextual
parameters, and in the case of the question regarding Soul food,
one or more restaurants related to this genre are returned. In
another example, the same question or statement can be submitted to
a social networking service 113 for posting and viewing by one or
more friends. Under this scenario, the friends of the user of a
device from which the posting was executed, i.e., UE 101, a can
respond to the question or statement. In addition, the user can
rank or categorize the responses for enabling them to be used for
subsequent task executions.
[0029] It is noted that external resources such as weather data,
news feed data, traffic data, etc., may be accessed by the request
generation platform 111 for determining user and/or device context.
For example, in the case of a mapping application, current traffic
conditions relative to the determined location of the user may be
factored into the question or statement generation process. Under
this scenario, a question "What is the most scenic route from here
to my destination?" is presented, based on unfavorable traffic
conditions, as "What is the best route from here to my destination
during rush hour?"
[0030] As noted, the request generation platform 111 relies on
context information gathered via a user device 101 to determine
which question or statement to present to the user interface in
response to entry of a term. For example, if a user is currently
using a mapping application at 12:30 pm, this activity information
and timing info is used to guide the input variable of "pizza" to a
question of "where is the best place for pizza during lunch?" One
or more question/statement templates 115 are employed by the
platform 111 for processing the context information and generating
the question. In certain embodiments, the templates 115 may include
one or more conditions, rules or guidelines for selection or
generation of a question or statement based on the context. In the
case of question selection, the templates 115 also enable the
request generation platform 111 to select from a bank of
predetermined or prior generated questions or statements. Under
this scenario, historical contextual scenarios may be used by the
platform in generating a statement. By way of example, entry of the
term "workout" to the interface at 11:30 am at the location of the
user's martial arts club can be readily translated into the
statement "I am doing my martial arts workout." This statement is
selected based on prior instances of the statement being generated
during the same time of day for the same location.
[0031] It is noted in certain embodiments that the statement or
question generated via the platform 111 can be subsequently issued
to or passed onto an application 109n, search index 109a, or other
application for initiation of a task. Also, with respect to the
example above, the statement "I am doing my martial arts workout"
can be caused to initiate a posting of the message to a social
networking service 113 for enabling the user to convey their
current activity with friends.
[0032] By providing a question or statement for the user in
response to a provided input term, the amount of time and effort
required of the user to initiate a viable message for execution of
a query or post, or execution of an application or service is
minimized. Instead, more readily discernible, contextually relevant
messages are created for selection and use by the user. Automated
creation or retrieval of statements or questions based on context
information increases the likelihood of defining the unique needs
of the user based on at least a single input term. It is noted that
multiple terms may also be provided as input via the input
selection interface. The input selection interface is discussed
more fully later on with respect to FIGS. 4A-4F.
[0033] In certain embodiments the request generation platform 111
performs one or more of the following: (1) provides an input
selection interface for enabling the inputting and/or modifying of
terms or keywords expressed in a provided statement or question;
(2) determines to receive an input term (e.g., keyword) upon which
to base a question or statement; (3) processes context information
regarding the user, the UE 101 upon which the request was made, or
other devices related to or interacting with the UE 101 of the
user; (4) formulates a question or statement related to the term
based on, or inclusive of, the context information; (5) enables
categorization of one or more responses to a statement or question;
and (6) enables initiation of an application or device task based
on the statement or question. It is also noted that the statement
or question generated may also be formulated as a command, such as
for initiating a processing task by an application 109n.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a user
equipment (UE) 101 having connectivity to the request generation
platform via a communication network 105. In certain embodiments,
context information is gathered by way of one or more sensors of
the respective UE 101a-101n and subsequently shared with the
request generation platform 111 by way of a context processing
module 107a-107n respectively. The context processing modules
107a-107n convey context information to the platform 111 in the
form of location information, motion information, device usage
information, device status information, or a combination thereof.
Sensors employed by the context processing module 107 for gathering
such data may include a gyroscope, weather sensor, temporal sensor,
global positioning sensor, motion detection sensor, or the like
[0035] By way of example, the communication network 105 of system
100 includes one or more networks such as a data network, a
wireless network, a telephony network, or any combination thereof.
It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area
network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network
(WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range
wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network,
such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network,
e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or
any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be,
for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies
including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general
packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile
communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS),
universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as
any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide
interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution
(LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code
division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi),
wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth.RTM., Internet Protocol (IP) data
casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or
any combination thereof.
[0036] The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal,
or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit,
device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node,
communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer,
netbook computer, tablet computer, personal communication system
(PCS) device, personal navigation device, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder,
positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver,
electronic book device, game device, or any combination thereof,
including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any
combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can
support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable"
circuitry, etc.).
[0037] By way of example, the UE 101, the request generation
platform 111, service 113, search index 109a and source application
109n communicate with each other and other components of the
communication network 105 using well known, new or still developing
protocols. Alternatively, the source application 109n may reside on
a given UE 101 for direct execution. In this context of a network
based communication, a protocol includes a set of rules defining
how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact
with each other based on information sent over the communication
links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation
within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of
various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals,
to the format of information indicated by those signals, to
identifying which software application executing on a computer
system sends or receives the information. The conceptually
different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a
network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
Reference Model.
[0038] Communications between the network nodes are typically
effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet
typically comprises (1) header information associated with a
particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the
header information and contains information that may be processed
independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the
packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and
indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes
information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the
length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol.
Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes
a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a
different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for
a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next
protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is
said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers
included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks,
such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1)
header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3)
header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application
(layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headers as defined by the OSI
Reference Model.
[0039] It is noted that the request generation platform 111 may be
implemented for use over the communication network 105 as a hosted
solution or subscription service. This may include, for example,
the telecommunications service provider that supports execution of
UE 101a-101n via the communication network 105. Alternatively, the
request generation platform 111 can be directly integrated for
execution by UE 101a-101n. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the request
generation platform, according to one embodiment.
[0040] By way of example, the request generation platform 111
includes one or more components for initiating a computing task
based on generation of a statement or question formed using context
information related to a user. It is contemplated that the
functions of these components may be combined in one or more
components or performed by other components of equivalent
functionality. In this embodiment, the request generation platform
111 includes an authentication module 201, context information
processor 203, activation module 205, communication interface 207,
term input monitor 209, question/statement generator 211,
categorization module 213 and user interface module 215.
[0041] In addition, the modules 201-215 access various databases
including a profile database 219 for maintaining profile
information associated with one or more subscribed users, a
question/statement template database 115 for maintaining one or
more question/statement templates, and a question/statement bank
217 for maintaining one or more questions/statements. The
aforementioned modules 201-215 access one or more of the databases
115, 217 and 219 for enabling execution of its various
functions.
[0042] In one embodiment, an authentication module 201
authenticates users and user devices 101a-101n for interaction with
the notification service 103. By way of example, the authentication
module 201 receives a request to subscribe to the request
generation platform 111. The subscription process may include the
establishing of one of more question and/or statement preferences,
one or more sensor type settings, preferred social networks, etc.
Other preferences and settings may also be established based on the
features of the device or the type of private resource(s) capable
of being accessed by the device. Preferences and settings
information may be referenced to a specific user, user device,
wireless device, or combination thereof, and maintained as profile
information 219. It is noted that the user may establish which
devices to associate with its user profile in connection with the
platform 111.
[0043] The authentication process performed by the module 201 may
also include receiving and validating a login name and/or user
identification value as provided or established for a particular
user during a registration process with the service provider. The
login name and/or user identification value may be received as
input provided by the user from the user device 101 or other device
via a graphical user interface to the platform 103 (e.g., as
enabled by user interface module 215). Profile data 217 for
respective subscribers, which contain pertinent user or device
information, can be cross referenced as part of the login process.
Alternatively, the login process may be performed through automated
association of profile information 215 maintained as registration
data with an IP address, a carrier detection signal of a user
device 101, mobile directory number (MDN), subscriber identity
module (SIM) (e.g., of a SIM card), radio frequency identifier
(RFID) tag or other identifier.
[0044] In one embodiment, the term input monitor 209 processes a
term provided by a user via the input selection interface as
provided by the user interface module 215 and passes this term on
to the question/statement generator 211. In addition, the term
input monitor 209 determines the adapting of any additional words,
terms or other elements of a question or statement as already
rendered. For example, the term input monitor 209 detects changes
to various elements of the question "Where's the best place for
pizza in Chicago for lunch?" Under this scenario, the term input
monitor 209 recommends various terms in place of the element "best"
in the statement above. It is noted that, in certain instances, the
term input monitor 209 performs a term lookup, spell check or
initiates a basic search related to the term for informing the
question/statement generator 211.
[0045] In one embodiment, the context information processor 203
analyzes the context information provided by context modules
107a-107n of the various devices of the user. This analysis is
performed in concurrence with processing of the input by the term
input monitor 209, such as to determine a relevant context of the
user, the UE, or other UEs at the moment of input entry. The
determined context of the user as well as the input term as
provided are then provided to the question/statement generator
211.
[0046] In instances where a device associated with the user is not
equipped with a context module 106, the context information
processor 203 interprets data collected by one or more sensors of
the device to generate context information. The data is processed
according to the sensor type--i.e., if the sensor is a network
detection sensor, it processes and interprets the network data
(e.g., internet protocol address information). Once processed, the
context information processor 203 further determines the current
state, activity or actions of the user, UE 101, or other UEs (e.g.,
within proximity).
[0047] In one embodiment, the question/statement generator 211
receives a term provided as input from the term input monitor 209
as well as the context information as provided by the context
information processor 203. In response, the generator 211 retrieves
a corresponding question and/or statement to convey to the user for
responding to the input term. The question and/or statement are
retrieved from the question/statement bank 217, such as based on
context information processed by the context information processor
203. Hence, the one or more question/statement templates 115
include various rules, criteria and conditions for guiding the
construction of a statement or question. This may include, for
example, the processing of historical data (e.g., prior generated
statement or questions) as well as various conditional scenarios
(e.g., IF term input=______ AND condition A=______ THEN execute
condition B).
[0048] Still further, the question/statement generator 211 may be
configured to monitor the response of a user to one or more
rendered statements or questions, such as to train its responses.
For example, when an input term and set of contextual conditions
are determined to repeat over time, the question or statement
provided in response is prioritized. Future occurrences of the same
or similar input and contextual conditions are then readily
associated with this particular question or statement. Under this
scenario, the question/statement generator 211 may also access
profile information 219 regarding a user for directing the question
or statement generation process.
[0049] As another example, a response to a query or posted question
may also be monitored to determine the effectiveness of the search
results or the level of feedback of the posting. The response to a
question may be ranked, such as by the user, then added to the
question/statement bank 217 in association with the ranking It is
noted that the ranking may be a feedback level, a like/dislike
rating, a number of stars, etc. In one embodiment, the
categorization module 213 operates in connection with the
question/statement generator 211 in order to maintains a
categorization of the question or statement as well as causing, at
least in part, a categorization of (a) the at least one question,
(b) the at least one statement, (c) one or more responses to the at
least one question, the at least one statement, or a combination
thereof, or (d) a combination thereof according to one or more
contextual parameters,
[0050] In certain embodiments, the activation module 205 is
configured to initiate a task based on the particular question or
statement generated in response to the input term. For example, the
task to be initiated may be a query, (b) an application, (c) a
service, or (d) a combination thereof. By way of example, the query
may be directed to a search index for retrieving information or
resources related to the question or statement. As another example,
the query may be directed to a mapping application for enabling
retrieval of places, venues, maps and other information related to
the question or statement. It is noted that the activation module
205 may operate in connection with one or more API functions of the
requesting user device. As such, one or more function calls for
posting, entering, executing, editing or other executions may be
performed.
[0051] In one embodiment, a communication interface 207 enables
formation of a session over a network 105 between the request
generation platform 111 and the UE 101a-101n. By way of example,
the communication interface 207 executes various protocols and data
sharing techniques for enabling collaborative execution between a
subscriber's user device 101a-101n (e.g., mobile devices, laptops,
smartphones, tablet computers, desktop computers) and the request
generation platform 103 over the network 105. It is noted that the
communication interface 207 causes transmission of the at least one
question, the at least one statement, or a combination thereof to
at least one or more social networks. The social networks and
corresponding access credentials are specified as profile
information.
[0052] In another embodiment the user interface module 215 enables
presentment of a graphical user interface for presenting the input
selection interface, mapping interface, social networking
interface, etc. By way of example, the user interface module 215
generates the interface in response to application programming
interfaces (APIs) or other function calls corresponding to the
browser application or web portal application of the user devices
101a-101n; thus enabling the display of graphics primitives. Hence,
the input selection interface may be a browser based application
or, in certain instances, implemented as an executable application
operable by a given UE 101. The user interface module 215 causes a
rendering of one or more elements of the at least one question or
statement in a user interface of the device. Of note, the user
interface module 215 may operate in connection with the term input
monitor 209 for detecting adaptation of a particular element of a
question or statement by the user.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for initiating a
computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user, according to
one embodiment. In one embodiment, the request generation platform
111 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a
chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 6.
[0054] In step 301, the platform 111 determines an input from a
device specifying at least one term. As noted previously, the input
includes at least in part one or more keywords, one or more images,
one or more audio inputs, or a combination thereof. In another step
303, the platform 111 determines context information associated
with the device, a user of the device, one or more other devices,
one or more other users, or a combination thereof. Per step 305,
the platform 111 causes generation of at least one question and/or
at least one statement based on the at least one term and the
context information. As noted, the context information enables the
platform 111 to perceive various contextual details for guiding
formation of a useful, humanistic question or statement. As such,
the question or statement relating to the user is formed with
minimal user intervention. Also, the platform 111 determines
whether or not to form a question or statement intuitively based on
the contextual factors and requirements of the user at the
moment.
[0055] In step 307 of process 306 (FIG. 3B), the platform 111
causes transmission of the at least one question and/or the at
least one statement to at least one or more social networks. In
another step 309, the platform causes initiation of (a) a query,
(b) an application and/or (c) a service based on the at least one
question and/or the at least one statement. Hence, the question or
statement generated by the platform may be passed, pushed,
transferred, called, or otherwise executed in connection with a
specific application task. In certain embodiments, the question or
statement as generated may be further translated into an
instruction for execution of various device or operating system
tasks.
[0056] In step 311, the platform 111 causes a rendering of one or
more elements of the at least one question and/or the at least one
statement in a user interface. As noted, the one or more elements
are associated with the at least one term, one or more other terms,
or a combination thereof included in the at least one question, the
at least one statement, or a combination thereof. Per step 313, the
platform 111 receives another input for selecting at least one of
the one or more elements, and further causes modification of the at
least one term and/or the one or more other terms associated with
the selected at least one of the one or more elements (step 315).
As noted, the user interface may present one or more alternative
terms for selection by the user for adapting the one or more
elements. Under this approach, the user is able to adapt the
question or statement with minimal effort.
[0057] In step 317 of process 316 (FIG. 3C), the platform 111
causes categorization of (a) the at least one question, (b) the at
least one statement and/or (c) one or more responses to the at
least one question and/or the at least one statement according to
one or more contextual parameters. As noted above, the one or more
contextual parameters include, at least in part, a location
parameter, a temporal parameter, etc. In another step 319, the
platform causes a presentation of a mapping interface for rendering
the at least one question and/or the at least one statement in
relation to one or more places and/or one or more points of
interest based on the one or more contextual parameters. By way of
example, the mapping interface may be integrated with the input
selection interface for enabling dynamic generation of mapping
information, search results, etc. Hence, the mapping interface may
be caused to adapt in direct response to the adaptation of one or
more elements of a question or statement rendered by the platform
111.
[0058] Step 321 corresponds to the social networking or shared
communication exchange executions of the platform. In this step,
the platform 111 causes a ranking of the one or more responses
based on profile information, reputation information and/or
feedback information associated with one or more responding users
providing the one or more responses. Users can rank or categorize
the responses for enabling them to be used for subsequent task
executions. In the context of a search or inquiry, for example, the
input selection interface may be offered as a service/API for
social networks to provide answers and rankings of answers. The
answers as ranked can also be considered a search result in
addition to that provided by a search index.
[0059] FIGS. 4A-4F are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the
processes of FIGS. 3A-3C, according to various embodiments. For the
purpose of illustration, the diagrams are presented with respect to
a use case of a user querying friends via a social networking
application and performing a search via a mapping application. In
this scenario, the request generation platform 111 generates a
question based on the context of the user. It is noted, however,
that a statement may also be formed.
[0060] In FIG. 4A, the user enters a keyword into an input field
403 of the input selection interface 401. As the user types the
word "Pizza" into the input field 403, the request generation
platform 111 renders a dynamic (immediate) output 405 for
indicating the search term is being translated into a user friendly
question. Concurrent with entry of the term, the platform 111 also
processes context information 407 related to the user or the device
of the user. In this example, the context information includes
location information corresponding to Mitte Berlin, weather
information for indicating it is a rainy day, and temporal
information for indicating the current time of day and
corresponding date.
[0061] Based on the input term ("Pizza") and the determined context
information, the platform 111 generates the question 409 of "Where
is the best pizza place around here to have business lunch at on a
rainy day?" The various elements of the question are formulated
with keywords that are directly related to the user based on
available context information. For example, the keyword/phrase
"around here" is directly related to the known location information
of Mitte Berlin in Germany. The keyword/phrase "business lunch" is
directly related to the known temporal information, which suggests
it is lunch time and the user is still at work. Still further, the
keyword/phrase "rainy autumn day" is directly related to the known
weather and date information. Of note, the resulting question 409
is produced with minimal input provided by the user.
[0062] The user has the option of modifying any of the elements or
terms comprising the question 409, as shown in FIG. 4B. Adaptation
of the term may also cause adaptation of the task to be performed
based o the question. In the current example, the user decides to
change the term "best" to "cheapest" for producing a new question
421 of "Where is the cheapest pizza place around here to have
business lunch at on a rainy day?" This is performed by the user
through direct keyboard (or voice) entry via the interface 401.
Alternatively, the user can click on or mouse over various terms of
the question 407 for revealing one or more suggestions. For
example, when the user clicks on or mouses over the term "best", a
recommendation menu 415 is presented. The user can then select any
of the terms to change the meaning of the question 409 and thus
produce question 421.
[0063] Once the new question 421 is generated, the user may select
from various action buttons to initiate a task. By way of example,
when the user selects the POST action button 411, this causes the
question 409 to be posted to a profile page of a user designated
social networking service. The SEARCH and MAP action buttons 423
and 427 respectively cause the question 421 to be submitted to an
application or index for performing a query or to a mapping
application for generating mapping information (e.g., places,
landmarks, addresses, etc. To discontinue use of the interface 401,
the user selects the "EXIT" action button 429.
[0064] FIG. 4C depicts the process that occurs when the "POST"
action button 425 is selected. The request generation platform 111
initiates submission of the post request, as indicated by the arrow
427 being directed towards a social networking interface 431. This
causes the question 421 to be posted to the interface 431 for
viewing and response by various other members of the same social
networking service. Optionally, the context information upon which
the question is based is also posted so that the potential
responders understand the context of the question.
[0065] In this example, a friend of the user named Leo and the
user's Mother respond to the question. Each of them submits
responses 436 and 438, and both responses feature a link 435 and
437 respectively for providing location information suited to
answering the question. The user can generate a response message or
be alerted of any subsequent responses at a later time. In
addition, the user can assign a ranking to the particular
responder, the response they provided, or both. For example, after
reviewing all the responses to the query 421, the user ranks the
response by his Mom as a four-star response 439 while ranking the
response by his friend as a two-star response.
[0066] FIGS. 4D-4E depicts the interaction between the input
selection interface 401 and a mapping application 441. The mapping
application 441 is called for execution in response to user
selection of the MAP action button 427. For the purpose of
illustration, the input selection interface 401 is integrated
within the mapping application 441, such that the interface 401 is
presented as a left frame of content and the mapping application
441 is presented as a right frame of content. In this example, the
mapping application 441 displays icon 445 for representing the
location of the user and an icon 443 for representing the location
of a restaurant. The restaurant location, as represented by the
icon 443, is a response to the question 421 as presented to the
mapping application 441 via the input selection interface 401 of
the platform 111.
[0067] The user may also select an action button 447 for generating
driving/walking directions from their present location to the
restaurant. In addition, the user can select an action button 449
for enabling the recommendations provided by various friends to be
posted to the mapping application interface 441. When the user
selects this button 449, additional icons for representing the
locations of places recommended by friends via the social
networking service in reference to the question are shown in
addition to the general search results. Hence, the platform 111
supports the juxtaposing of search result sets for enabling the
fulfilling of tasks.
[0068] By way of example, in FIG. 4E, an icon representing the
location of the places recommended by the different social
networking friends are shown. Icon 447 corresponds to the location
of Gino's Pizza, the restaurant suggested by the mother of the user
and that was ranked highest. Icon 449 corresponds to the home
location of the friend as suggested. The user can click on either
of the icons to generate an expanded view of the map relative to
the location anchor. Also, the user can mouse-over or click on an
icon to generate a window for providing additional details
regarding the recommended locations.
[0069] Still further, the user can make a modification to one or
more of the terms of the question 421 to further refine the
results. By way of example with respect to FIG. 4F, when the user
changes the term "cheapest" to "closest," the resulting question
451 is "Where is the closest pizza place around here to have
business lunch at on a rainy day?" In response, the request
generation platform 111 immediately submits the query to the
mapping application 441 to generate a new result. The icons 447 and
449 for representing responses to the other question 421 are
removed from the map, while only the icon 451 for presenting a
location of a restaurant that conforms to the question 461 as posed
is presented.
[0070] The processes described herein for initiating a computing
task based on generation of a statement or question formed using
context information related to a user may be advantageously
implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of
software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the
processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via
processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application
Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays
(FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described
functions is detailed below.
[0071] FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 500 upon which an
embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer
system 500 is depicted with respect to a particular device or
equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment
(e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 5 can deploy
the illustrated hardware and components of system 500. Computer
system 500 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or
instructions) to initiating a computing task based on generation of
a statement or question formed using context information related to
a user as described herein and includes a communication mechanism
such as a bus 510 for passing information between other internal
and external components of the computer system 500. Information
(also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a
measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including,
in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic,
pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and
quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields,
or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0,
1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of
a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum
states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A
sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is
used to represent a number or code for a character. In some
embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a
near continuum of measurable values within a particular range.
Computer system 500, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for
performing one or more steps of initiating a computing task based
on generation of a statement or question formed using context
information related to a user.
[0072] A bus 510 includes one or more parallel conductors of
information so that information is transferred quickly among
devices coupled to the bus 510. One or more processors 502 for
processing information are coupled with the bus 510.
[0073] A processor (or multiple processors) 502 performs a set of
operations on information as specified by computer program code
related to initiating a computing task based on generation of a
statement or question formed using context information related to a
user. The computer program code is a set of instructions or
statements providing instructions for the operation of the
processor and/or the computer system to perform specified
functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer
programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set
of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the
native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of
operations include bringing information in from the bus 510 and
placing information on the bus 510. The set of operations also
typically include comparing two or more units of information,
shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or
more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or
logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each
operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the
processor is represented to the processor by information called
instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A
sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 502, such as
a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions,
also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer
instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical,
electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components,
among others, alone or in combination.
[0074] Computer system 500 also includes a memory 504 coupled to
bus 510. The memory 504, such as a random access memory (RAM) or
any other dynamic storage device, stores information including
processor instructions for initiating a computing task based on
generation of a statement or question formed using context
information related to a user. Dynamic memory allows information
stored therein to be changed by the computer system 500. RAM allows
a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address
to be stored and retrieved independently of information at
neighboring addresses. The memory 504 is also used by the processor
502 to store temporary values during execution of processor
instructions. The computer system 500 also includes a read only
memory (ROM) 506 or any other static storage device coupled to the
bus 510 for storing static information, including instructions,
that is not changed by the computer system 500. Some memory is
composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored
thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 510 is a
non-volatile (persistent) storage device 508, such as a magnetic
disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information,
including instructions, that persists even when the computer system
500 is turned off or otherwise loses power.
[0075] Information, including instructions for initiating a
computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user, is provided to
the bus 510 for use by the processor from an external input device
512, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a
human user, a microphone, an Infrared (IR) remote control, a
joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, a touch screen, or a sensor. A
sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those
detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable
phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 500.
Other external devices coupled to bus 510, used primarily for
interacting with humans, include a display device 514, such as a
cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light
emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a
plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a
pointing device 516, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction
keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small
cursor image presented on the display 514 and issuing commands
associated with graphical elements presented on the display 514. In
some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer
system 500 performs all functions automatically without human
input, one or more of external input device 512, display device 514
and pointing device 516 is omitted.
[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware,
such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 520, is
coupled to bus 510. The special purpose hardware is configured to
perform operations not performed by processor 502 quickly enough
for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics
accelerator cards for generating images for display 514,
cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent
over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special
external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning
equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of
operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.
[0077] Computer system 500 also includes one or more instances of a
communications interface 570 coupled to bus 510. Communication
interface 570 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling
to a variety of external devices that operate with their own
processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In
general the coupling is with a network link 578 that is connected
to a local network 580 to which a variety of external devices with
their own processors are connected. For example, communication
interface 570 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a
universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some
embodiments, communications interface 570 is an integrated services
digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card
or a telephone modem that provides an information communication
connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some
embodiments, a communication interface 570 is a cable modem that
converts signals on bus 510 into signals for a communication
connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a
communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another
example, communications interface 570 may be a local area network
(LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a
compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be
implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 570
sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic
or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals,
that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example,
in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell
phones, the communications interface 570 includes a radio band
electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio
transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface
570 enables connection to the communication network 105 for
initiating a computing task based on generation of a statement or
question formed using context information related to a user to the
UE 101.
[0078] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any medium that participates in providing information to processor
502, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take
many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage
medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission
media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include,
for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 508.
Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 504.
Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables,
coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves
that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic
waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and
infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in
amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical
properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms
of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper
tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns
of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory
chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a
computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is
used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except
transmission media.
[0079] Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or
both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media
and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 520.
[0080] Network link 578 typically provides information
communication using transmission media through one or more networks
to other devices that use or process the information. For example,
network link 578 may provide a connection through local network 580
to a host computer 582 or to equipment 584 operated by an Internet
Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 584 in turn provides data
communication services through the public, world-wide
packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly
referred to as the Internet 590.
[0081] A computer called a server host 592 connected to the
Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to
information received over the Internet. For example, server host
592 hosts a process that provides information representing video
data for presentation at display 514. It is contemplated that the
components of system 500 can be deployed in various configurations
within other computer systems, e.g., host 582 and server 592.
[0082] At least some embodiments of the invention are related to
the use of computer system 500 for implementing some or all of the
techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the
invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 500 in
response to processor 502 executing one or more sequences of one or
more processor instructions contained in memory 504. Such
instructions, also called computer instructions, software and
program code, may be read into memory 504 from another
computer-readable medium such as storage device 508 or network link
578. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory
504 causes processor 502 to perform one or more of the method steps
described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as
ASIC 520, may be used in place of or in combination with software
to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are
not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software,
unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.
[0083] The signals transmitted over network link 578 and other
networks through communications interface 570, carry information to
and from computer system 500. Computer system 500 can send and
receive information, including program code, through the networks
580, 590 among others, through network link 578 and communications
interface 570. In an example using the Internet 590, a server host
592 transmits program code for a particular application, requested
by a message sent from computer 500, through Internet 590, ISP
equipment 584, local network 580 and communications interface 570.
The received code may be executed by processor 502 as it is
received, or may be stored in memory 504 or in storage device 508
or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In
this manner, computer system 500 may obtain application program
code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.
[0084] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to
processor 502 for execution. For example, instructions and data may
initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such
as host 582. The remote computer loads the instructions and data
into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a
telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system
500 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses
an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a
signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link
578. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 570
receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal
and places information representing the instructions and data onto
bus 510. Bus 510 carries the information to memory 504 from which
processor 502 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of
the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data
received in memory 504 may optionally be stored on storage device
508, either before or after execution by the processor 502.
[0085] FIG. 6 illustrates a chip set or chip 600 upon which an
embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 600 is
programmed to initiating a computing task based on generation of a
statement or question formed using context information related to a
user as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor
and memory components described with respect to FIG. 5 incorporated
in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example,
a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more
materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g.,
a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as
physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of
electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain
embodiments the chip set 600 can be implemented in a single chip.
It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set
or chip 600 can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It
is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC
would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as
disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors.
Chip set or chip 600, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for
performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation
information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set
or chip 600, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for
performing one or more steps of initiating a computing task based
on generation of a statement or question formed using context
information related to a user.
[0086] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 600 includes a
communication mechanism such as a bus 601 for passing information
among the components of the chip set 600. A processor 603 has
connectivity to the bus 601 to execute instructions and process
information stored in, for example, a memory 605. The processor 603
may include one or more processing cores with each core configured
to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables
multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a
multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers
of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor
603 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem
via the bus 601 to enable independent execution of instructions,
pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 603 may also be
accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform
certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital
signal processors (DSP) 607, or one or more application-specific
integrated circuits (ASIC) 609. A DSP 607 typically is configured
to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time
independently of the processor 603. Similarly, an ASIC 609 can be
configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed
by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components
to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may
include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or
more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer
chips.
[0087] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 600 includes merely
one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting
and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.
[0088] The processor 603 and accompanying components have
connectivity to the memory 605 via the bus 601. The memory 605
includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable
optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for
storing executable instructions that when executed perform the
inventive steps described herein to initiating a computing task
based on generation of a statement or question formed using context
information related to a user. The memory 605 also stores the data
associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive
steps.
[0089] FIG. 7 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile
terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of
operating in the system of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In
some embodiments, mobile terminal 701, or a portion thereof,
constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of initiating
a computing task based on generation of a statement or question
formed using context information related to a user. Generally, a
radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end
characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of
the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses
all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this
application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1) hardware-only
implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or
digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and
software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the
particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including
digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work
together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server,
to perform various functions). This definition of "circuitry"
applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in
any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and
if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would
also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple
processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware.
The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the
particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or
applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a
similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other
network devices.
[0090] Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a
Main Control Unit (MCU) 703, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 705,
and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control
unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 707
provides a display to the user in support of various applications
and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of
initiating a computing task based on generation of a statement or
question formed using context information related to a user. The
display 707 includes display circuitry configured to display at
least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g.,
mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 707 and display
circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least
some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry
709 includes a microphone 711 and microphone amplifier that
amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 711. The
amplified speech signal output from the microphone 711 is fed to a
coder/decoder (CODEC) 713.
[0091] A radio section 715 amplifies power and converts frequency
in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a
mobile communication system, via antenna 717. The power amplifier
(PA) 719 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally
responsive to the MCU 703, with an output from the PA 719 coupled
to the duplexer 721 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in
the art. The PA 719 also couples to a battery interface and power
control unit 720.
[0092] In use, a user of mobile terminal 701 speaks into the
microphone 711 and his or her voice along with any detected
background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog
voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog
to Digital Converter (ADC) 723. The control unit 703 routes the
digital signal into the DSP 705 for processing therein, such as
speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In
one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units
not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such
as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet
radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications
(GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal
mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other
suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term
Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA),
wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity
(WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.
[0093] The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 725 for
compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur
during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude
distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 727
combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface
729. The modulator 727 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or
phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission,
an up-converter 731 combines the sine wave output from the
modulator 727 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 733
to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is
then sent through a PA 719 to increase the signal to an appropriate
power level. In practical systems, the PA 719 acts as a variable
gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 705 from
information received from a network base station. The signal is
then filtered within the duplexer 721 and optionally sent to an
antenna coupler 735 to match impedances to provide maximum power
transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 717 to a
local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied
to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The
signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may
be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a
land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN),
or other telephony networks.
[0094] Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 701 are
received via antenna 717 and immediately amplified by a low noise
amplifier (LNA) 737. A down-converter 739 lowers the carrier
frequency while the demodulator 741 strips away the RF leaving only
a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer
725 and is processed by the DSP 705. A Digital to Analog Converter
(DAC) 743 converts the signal and the resulting output is
transmitted to the user through the speaker 745, all under control
of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 703 which can be implemented as a
Central Processing Unit (CPU).
[0095] The MCU 703 receives various signals including input signals
from the keyboard 747. The keyboard 747 and/or the MCU 703 in
combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone
711) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input.
The MCU 703 runs a user interface software to facilitate user
control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 701 to
initiating a computing task based on generation of a statement or
question formed using context information related to a user. The
MCU 703 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the
display 707 and to the speech output switching controller,
respectively. Further, the MCU 703 exchanges information with the
DSP 705 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 749 and
a memory 751. In addition, the MCU 703 executes various control
functions required of the terminal. The DSP 705 may, depending upon
the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional
digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally,
DSP 705 determines the background noise level of the local
environment from the signals detected by microphone 711 and sets
the gain of microphone 711 to a level selected to compensate for
the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 701.
[0096] The CODEC 713 includes the ADC 723 and DAC 743. The memory
751 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is
capable of storing other data including music data received via,
e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM
memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable
storage medium known in the art. The memory device 751 may be, but
not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical
storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other
non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.
[0097] An optionally incorporated SIM card 749 carries, for
instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number,
the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security
information. The SIM card 749 serves primarily to identify the
mobile terminal 701 on a radio network. The card 749 also contains
a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text
messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.
[0098] While the invention has been described in connection with a
number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so
limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent
arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.
Although features of the invention are expressed in certain
combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these
features can be arranged in any combination and order.
* * * * *