WO2008008574A2 - Method and system for managing activity-contexts - Google Patents
Method and system for managing activity-contexts Download PDFInfo
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- WO2008008574A2 WO2008008574A2 PCT/US2007/070191 US2007070191W WO2008008574A2 WO 2008008574 A2 WO2008008574 A2 WO 2008008574A2 US 2007070191 W US2007070191 W US 2007070191W WO 2008008574 A2 WO2008008574 A2 WO 2008008574A2
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72448—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
- H04M1/72454—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions according to context-related or environment-related conditions
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to information management, and more specifically, to a method and system for managing activity -contexts.
- the enterprise network can include a number of resources and devices that are connected with each other. It may also include complex and substantial information varying from written documents, emails, stored telephone calls, wireless information transfer assistants, information related to projects, and so forth. Information related to one project may be scattered around various network devices and resources, in various forms. Users of the enterprise network are also more likely to work with multiple types of information resources such as different files, messages, records, and devices. With such a large range of resources and information available in the network, it is not easy to manage and retrieve relevant information.
- information is managed by storing it at specific locations.
- the relevant information can then be retrieved, based on the specific storage location.
- the most frequently retrieved information is stored in a separate location such as a main memory, a buffer memory, and a cache. Consequently, the relevant information can be retrieved from the separate location for fast retrieval.
- information can be indexed by using any of the known techniques. For example, special tags are allotted to the information. These tags, such as date or time, are added to the relevant information to arrange information systematically. However, indexing the relevant text does not result in a change in the relevancy pattern of the relevant information in the course of time.
- one or more existing methods do not provide feedback, based on the relevant information. Further, the existing methods do not enable seamless transfer of relevant information.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network where some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced
- FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary enterprise network, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity- contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing context-information, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- a method for managing activity-contexts using a wireless communication device includes determining one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device. Further, the method includes determining one or more activity-contexts based on the one or more context attributes. Moreover, the method includes presenting a list of the one or more activity-contexts at a user output. The method also includes determining from a user input of the wireless communication device a selected activity-context of the one or more activity-contexts. In addition, the method includes providing a feedback based on the selected activity-context. The feedback is used to optimize one or more future retrieval(s) of the selected activity-context.
- a wireless communication device includes a processing unit, a selection module, and a feedback module.
- the processing unit can determine one or more activity-contexts based on one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device.
- the selection module can enable the user to select at least one activity context from the one or more activity- contexts.
- the feedback module can provide a feedback to the processing unit based on the at least one activity-context. The feedback is used to optimize one or more future retrieval(s) of the at least one activity-context from a context- database.
- an enterprise network for managing at least one activity-context.
- the enterprise network includes a context discovery engine and a learning engine.
- the context discovery engine can identify one or more activity -contexts based on one or more context-attributes related to a user interaction with a wireless communication device. Further, the context discovery engine can provide at least one activity-context to the wireless communication device. The at least one activity-context is selected by a user of the wireless communication device.
- the learning engine can receive a feedback based on the at least one activity-context selected by the user.
- the learning engine can apply a predetermined function on the feedback to optimize future identification of at least one future activity -context of the one or more activity- contexts.
- a system for managing activity-contexts includes a wireless communication device and an enterprise network.
- the wireless communication device receives one or more activity- contexts based on one or more context attributes.
- the one or more context attributes are based on a user interaction with the wireless communication device. Further, the user selects the at least one activity-context from the one or more activity-contexts.
- the enterprise network provides the one or more activity- contexts to the wireless communication device.
- the enterprise network includes a learning engine capable of optimizing one or more future retrieval(s) of the at least one activity-context based on a feedback.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network 100 where some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced.
- the network 100 includes a plurality of wireless communication devices and an enterprise network.
- the network 100 is shown to include an enterprise network 102, and wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108.
- Examples of the wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108 include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and messaging devices.
- Examples of the enterprise network 102 include, but are not limited to, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network.
- LAN Local Area Network
- WAN Wide Area Network
- Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
- the enterprise network 102 can also include operational entities, for example, storage, communication, display, transmitting, and printing devices.
- a user of the enterprise network 102 may simultaneously use the operational entities to generate large amount of data and interact with more than one entity of different kinds and at different locations.
- the enterprise network 102 and the wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108 interact and exchange data with each other.
- the user of the wireless communication device for example, the wireless communication device 104 can retrieve relevant information from the enterprise network 102 while running an application on the wireless communication device 104.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device 200, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the wireless communication device 200 includes a processing unit 202, a selection module 204, and a feedback module 206.
- the processing unit 202 is configured to determine one or more activity-contexts based on the one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device 200.
- the one or more activity-contexts can be retrieved from a context-database.
- a context attribute can be defined as a set of information that can be used to identify activity-contexts.
- context attributes include, but are not limited to, identity of a caller (caller-id), name of the caller (caller-name), type of a call, Universal Resource Locators (URLs), location identities, entries in the calendars, entries in the task list, entries in the address book, email addresses, invitations, bookmarks, notices, cookies, attachments, subject headings, dates, time, organization structure, entries in the Versit (V) cards, search string entries, entries in project-tracking tools, assigned keywords, assigned codes, subject headings, authors, and the location of the creation of a document.
- An activity-context can be defined as a name or symbol that can be stored by a communication device or a system to represent a subject of a current communication session.
- the activity-context can be used to extract context-information from an enterprise database.
- the context-database can be stored in a memory module 210 of the wireless communication device 200.
- the context-database can be present at the enterprise network 102.
- the processing unit 202 further includes a processor 208.
- the processor 208 is configured to identify and retrieve a context- information from the enterprise database.
- the context-information is information associated with a particular user, activity focus of the particular user, or projects related to the user.
- the context-information is useful information that the user may need and use as a reference while communicating with another user. Examples of the context- information include written documents in various formats, e-mails, telephonic conversations, messages, faxes, instant message transcripts, voice mails, meeting records, website pages, spread sheets, graphic images, videos, information from the project-tracking tool, and so forth.
- the wireless communication device 200 can also include a receiver 212 that is configured to receive the context- information from the enterprise network 102.
- the selection module 204 enables the user to select at least one activity-context from the one or more activity-contexts determined by the processing unit 202.
- the at least one activity -context includes an activity-context selected from the one or more activity -contexts determined by the processing unit 202.
- the processing unit 202 retrieves the context-information based on the selected activity-context.
- a feedback for the selected activity-context may be provided by the feedback module 206 to the processing unit 202. The feedback may be used by the processing unit to optimize future retrieval of the at least one activity-context from the context-database.
- one or more activity-contexts such as, project A, project B, and project C are retrieved by the processing unit 202 using one or more context attributes that have been determined for a current phone call.
- the user selects project A.
- Feedback for optimizing the relationship of project A to the context attributes for future retrievals is provided by the feedback module 206 to the processing unit 202.
- the wireless communication device 200 can also include a transmitter 214 that is configured to seamlessly communicate, for example, the context attributes, and the user selected activity context or context- information across wireless or wired networks, depending on the type of embodiment.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary enterprise network 300, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the enterprise network 300 is capable of managing the at least one activity -context.
- the enterprise network 300 includes a context discovery engine 302, a learning engine 304, a feedback processing engine 306, and a context-database 308.
- the context discovery engine 302 is configured to identify the one or more activity-contexts.
- the one or more activity-contexts may be based on one or more context attributes determined from a user interaction with the wireless communication device 200 and transmitted to the enterprise network 300.
- the one or more activity-contexts may be included in an individual data element, which can be used to extract the context-information from an enterprise database.
- the one or more activity-contexts are stored in a context-database 308, present at the enterprise network 300.
- the context discovery engine 302 may be configured in some embodiments to provide at least one activity -context selected by a user of the wireless communication device 200.
- the at least one activity-context includes activity-context(s) selected from the at least one activity- contexts).
- the learning engine 304 can receive a feedback based on the at least one activity-context selected by the user.
- the learning engine is also configured to apply a predefined function on the feedback to optimize the identification of the at least one activity-context in future context discoveries.
- the learning engine 304 is also coupled with the feedback processing engine 306.
- the feedback processing engine 306 is configured to process the feedback. Examples of the predefined functions include, but are not limited to, neural network based functions and Bayesian probabilities based functions.
- the predefined function is applied to optimize future identifications of the selected activity-context, to suit the individual user.
- the enterprise network 300 can also include a communication gateway 310.
- the communication gateway 310 enables the enterprise network 300 to communicate with the wireless communication device 200.
- the enterprise network can also include an interaction processor.
- the interaction processor interprets the selected activity- context received from the wireless communication device 200 and communicates it to the enterprise network 300 through the communication gateway.
- the context-information is retrieved by the processing unit 202 based on the selected activity-context.
- the context-information is retrieved from the enterprise database present in the enterprise network 300.
- the context-information can be retrieved by the processing unit 202 from the wireless communication device 200.
- FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity- contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the method for managing the activity-contexts is initiated at step 402.
- one or more context attributes related to the user interaction with the wireless communication device 200 are determined.
- the one or more context attributes can be a set of information that can be used to identify one or more activity- contexts. For example, bookmarks related to the user interaction with the wireless communication device 200 can be provided.
- Examples of the one or more context attributes include, but are not limited to, identity of a caller (caller-id), name of the caller (caller-name), type of a call, Universal Resource Locators (URLs), location identities, entries in the calendars, entries in the task list, entries in address book, email addresses, invitations, bookmarks, notices, cookies, attachments, subject headings, dates, time, organization structure, entries in the Versit (V) cards, search string entries, entries in project-tracking tools, assigned keywords, assigned codes, subject headings, authors, and the location of the creation of a document.
- a previous record of the interaction with the wireless communication device 200 can also be provided. These previous records of interaction may include the last opened document and customized settings.
- one or more activity -contexts are determined based on the one or more context attributes. For example, an activity-context for a project A can be determined based on the entries in the project tracking tool, on receiving a call. A process of determining the one or more activity -contexts is further explained in conjunction with FIG. 5.
- a list of the one or more activity-contexts is presented at the user output. For example, a list of determined activity-contexts is displayed to the user through a display panel of the wireless communication device 200.
- a selected activity-context is determined from the one or more activity-contexts. The selected activity-context is determined from a user input of the wireless communication device 200. In an embodiment, the selected activity-context is used to retrieve context-information from the enterprise database.
- a feedback for activity-context is provided.
- the feedback is provided based on the selected activity-context.
- the feedback is provided to the feedback module 206.
- the feedback is provided to feedback processing engine 306.
- the feedback is used to optimize the future retrieval(s) of the selected activity -context from the context- database.
- optimizing the retrieval of the activity-context may include prioritizing a frequently selected activity-context or retrieving the most frequently selected activity-context, which may be identified as a most likely activity context.
- the most likely activity-context includes the most frequently selected activity-context or the one or more activity-contexts identified as most appropriate based on the one or more context attributes determined at step 404.
- the activity context may be used to retrieve relevant context-information from the enterprise database without user verification, and without feedback. Other approaches could be used. Approaches in which a most likely activity context is presented to the user are termed attempts for retrieval of the most likely activity context. In some embodiments, when the most likely activity context is not retrieved using the one or more activity -contexts, steps 408-412 are performed.
- the context-information is retrieved from the enterprise database, when an attempt to retrieve the most likely activity-context succeeds.
- the context-information can be seamlessly provided to one or more computational devices.
- the context- information may be provided automatically with no or very little user intervention.
- the context-information may or may not appear on both the communication device and the computational device simultaneously, with such selection being user made in some embodiments.
- a computational device can be selected based on the information of the computational device.
- the context-information is displayed on the computational device.
- the context-information can be provided to a computational device when better processing power is available at the computational device.
- the user of the wireless communication device 200 while using or running an application on the wireless communication device 200, may enter the vicinity of the enterprise network 300.
- the user may then choose to continue the application on a macro display device, for example, a projector, in the enterprise network 300.
- the wireless communication device 200 can seamlessly provide the context- information to the projector selected by the user.
- the projector then continues to display the application. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 414.
- FIG. 5 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the message-flow diagram includes references to a calling application 502, a calendar 504, and a phonebook 506 that are present in the wireless communication device 200.
- the calling application 502 receives a call signal for an incoming phone call 508 from the network 100.
- the calling application 502 retrieves caller information 510 from the phonebook 506.
- the caller information 510 may include, for example, the name of a caller and a photograph of the caller.
- the calling application 502 can retrieve information related to appointments with the caller in the calendar 504.
- the appointments may include information related to the birthday of the caller, the anniversary of the caller, or the time of an appointment with the caller.
- the user can be present in the enterprise network 300.
- the calling application 502 can also retrieve information from the enterprise network 300, such as information based on the history of the user interaction with the caller.
- the information may include information from, for example, the project-tracking tools and customer relationship management systems.
- context attributes for this call can include the number of the caller, the time of the call and the conversation during the call.
- the context discovery engine 302 can identify activity-contexts, for example, that whenever the caller calls the user of the wireless communication device 200 at 3:00 PM, then the call is related to a project A or project B. Further, the context discovery engine 302 provides a list of activity-context related to projects A and B to the wireless communication device 200. The user of the wireless communication device 200 can either select the activity-context related to project A or project B.
- context-information related to the selected activity-context can be retrieved from the enterprise database and provided to the wireless communication device 200.
- the context-information related to this call can be retrieved from the enterprise database.
- the context-information can be seamlessly provided to a macro display such as an over head projector for a larger display.
- FIG. 6 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
- the flow diagram includes references to the network 100, the calling application 502, the calendar 504, the phonebook 506, a personal computing device 602, a document repository 604, and an enterprise context engine 606.
- the calling application 502 receives the incoming phone call 508 from the network 100.
- the calling application 502 retrieves a context attribute from the calendar 504, and the caller information 510 from the phonebook 506.
- the calling application 502 can also retrieve the one or more activity-contexts from the context-database.
- An activity- context is selected by a user of the wireless communication device 200 from the one or more activity-contexts.
- the enterprise context engine 606 can retrieve a context-information from the document repository 604. The context information retrieved by the enterprise context engine 606 is based on the selected activity- context.
- the calling application is also capable of providing one or more selected activity-contexts to the personal computing device 602, and retrieving the context-information from the personal computing device 602. Examples of the personal computing device 602 include a computer, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobile phone, and the like.
- the context-information can be provided to a large display device, for example, a macro display, for convenience.
- the wireless communication device 200 retrieves context-information related to a presentation, the context-information can then be seamlessly provided to a projector.
- the projector can display the context- information on the macro display.
- the personal computing device 602 can retrieve information through the enterprise context engine 606 and provide it to the wireless communication device 200.
- the present invention provides a method and system for managing activity-contexts. Further, the management of the activity -contexts can be optimized by providing a feedback, based on, for example, previous activity- context selected by a user. In addition, context-information can retrieved from an enterprise database based on an activity -context. Moreover, the present invention provides a method and system for seamlessly providing the context-information from a wireless communication device to a personal computing device or a display device. The context-information can be provided to the personal computing device or a display device, when, for example, a more efficient processing power is available at the personal computing device, or a larger display is available at the display device. The method and system also utilizes user feedback and then updates the activity-contexts for optimized retrieval of the one or more activity -contexts.
Abstract
A method and system for providing and managing activity-contexts are disclosed. The method includes determining (404) one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with a wireless communication device (200). The method also includes determining (406) one or more activity-contexts based on the one or more context attributes. The method also includes presenting (408) a list of the one or more activity-contexts at a user output. Moreover, the method includes determining (410) from a user input of the wireless communication device a selected activity-context of the one or more activity-contexts. Further, the method includes providing (412) a feedback based on the selected activity-context. The feedback is used to optimize one or more future retrieval(s) of the selected activity-context.
Description
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING ACTIVITY-CONTEXTS
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention generally relates to information management, and more specifically, to a method and system for managing activity -contexts.
Background
[0002] With an increase in the volume of information and modes of data exchange, managing information and data has become a necessity. Managing and retrieving relevant information from a data pool can be a cumbersome task, for example, retrieving relevant information from a repository in an enterprise network. The enterprise network can include a number of resources and devices that are connected with each other. It may also include complex and substantial information varying from written documents, emails, stored telephone calls, wireless information transfer assistants, information related to projects, and so forth. Information related to one project may be scattered around various network devices and resources, in various forms. Users of the enterprise network are also more likely to work with multiple types of information resources such as different files, messages, records, and devices. With such a large range of resources and information available in the network, it is not easy to manage and retrieve relevant information.
[0003] There exist a number of techniques for managing information. According to one such technique, information is managed by storing it at specific locations. The relevant information can then be retrieved, based on the specific storage
location. For example, the most frequently retrieved information is stored in a separate location such as a main memory, a buffer memory, and a cache. Consequently, the relevant information can be retrieved from the separate location for fast retrieval. According to another technique, information can be indexed by using any of the known techniques. For example, special tags are allotted to the information. These tags, such as date or time, are added to the relevant information to arrange information systematically. However, indexing the relevant text does not result in a change in the relevancy pattern of the relevant information in the course of time. Moreover, one or more existing methods do not provide feedback, based on the relevant information. Further, the existing methods do not enable seamless transfer of relevant information.
Brief Description of the Figures
[0004] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages, all in accordance with the present invention. [0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network where some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary enterprise network, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity- contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing context-information, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Description
[0012] Before describing in detail the particular method and system for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to the method and system for managing the context-information. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are
pertinent for an understanding of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the description herein.
[0013] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms 'comprises,' 'comprising,' or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises ... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or apparatus that comprises the element. The term "another," as used in this document, is defined as at least a second or more. The term "includes", as used herein, is defined as comprising.
[0014] For one embodiment, a method for managing activity-contexts using a wireless communication device is provided. The method at the wireless communication device includes determining one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device. Further, the method includes determining one or more activity-contexts based on the one or more context attributes. Moreover, the method includes presenting a list of the one or more activity-contexts at a user output. The method also includes determining from a user input of the wireless communication device a selected activity-context
of the one or more activity-contexts. In addition, the method includes providing a feedback based on the selected activity-context. The feedback is used to optimize one or more future retrieval(s) of the selected activity-context. [0015] For another embodiment, a wireless communication device is provided. The wireless communication device includes a processing unit, a selection module, and a feedback module. The processing unit can determine one or more activity-contexts based on one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device. The selection module can enable the user to select at least one activity context from the one or more activity- contexts. The feedback module can provide a feedback to the processing unit based on the at least one activity-context. The feedback is used to optimize one or more future retrieval(s) of the at least one activity-context from a context- database.
[0016] For yet another embodiment, an enterprise network for managing at least one activity-context, is provided. The enterprise network includes a context discovery engine and a learning engine. The context discovery engine can identify one or more activity -contexts based on one or more context-attributes related to a user interaction with a wireless communication device. Further, the context discovery engine can provide at least one activity-context to the wireless communication device. The at least one activity-context is selected by a user of the wireless communication device. The learning engine can receive a feedback based on the at least one activity-context selected by the user. The learning engine can apply a predetermined function on the feedback to optimize future
identification of at least one future activity -context of the one or more activity- contexts.
[0017] For still another embodiment, a system for managing activity-contexts is provided. The system includes a wireless communication device and an enterprise network. The wireless communication device receives one or more activity- contexts based on one or more context attributes. The one or more context attributes are based on a user interaction with the wireless communication device. Further, the user selects the at least one activity-context from the one or more activity-contexts. The enterprise network provides the one or more activity- contexts to the wireless communication device. The enterprise network includes a learning engine capable of optimizing one or more future retrieval(s) of the at least one activity-context based on a feedback.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network 100 where some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced. The network 100 includes a plurality of wireless communication devices and an enterprise network. For the purpose of this description, the network 100 is shown to include an enterprise network 102, and wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108. Examples of the wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108 include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and messaging devices. Examples of the enterprise network 102 include, but are not limited to, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network. The enterprise network 102 can also include operational entities, for example, storage, communication, display, transmitting,
and printing devices. A user of the enterprise network 102 may simultaneously use the operational entities to generate large amount of data and interact with more than one entity of different kinds and at different locations. The enterprise network 102 and the wireless communication devices 104, 106, and 108 interact and exchange data with each other. For one embodiment, the user of the wireless communication device, for example, the wireless communication device 104 can retrieve relevant information from the enterprise network 102 while running an application on the wireless communication device 104.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device 200, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 200 includes a processing unit 202, a selection module 204, and a feedback module 206. The processing unit 202 is configured to determine one or more activity-contexts based on the one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device 200. The one or more activity-contexts can be retrieved from a context-database. A context attribute can be defined as a set of information that can be used to identify activity-contexts. Examples of the context attributes include, but are not limited to, identity of a caller (caller-id), name of the caller (caller-name), type of a call, Universal Resource Locators (URLs), location identities, entries in the calendars, entries in the task list, entries in the address book, email addresses, invitations, bookmarks, notices, cookies, attachments, subject headings, dates, time, organization structure, entries in the Versit (V) cards, search string entries, entries in project-tracking tools, assigned keywords, assigned codes, subject headings, authors, and the location of the
creation of a document. An activity-context can be defined as a name or symbol that can be stored by a communication device or a system to represent a subject of a current communication session. Further, the activity-context can be used to extract context-information from an enterprise database. For one embodiment, the context-database can be stored in a memory module 210 of the wireless communication device 200. For another embodiment, the context-database can be present at the enterprise network 102.
[0020] For one embodiment, the processing unit 202 further includes a processor 208. The processor 208 is configured to identify and retrieve a context- information from the enterprise database. The context-information is information associated with a particular user, activity focus of the particular user, or projects related to the user. The context-information is useful information that the user may need and use as a reference while communicating with another user. Examples of the context- information include written documents in various formats, e-mails, telephonic conversations, messages, faxes, instant message transcripts, voice mails, meeting records, website pages, spread sheets, graphic images, videos, information from the project-tracking tool, and so forth. For one embodiment, the wireless communication device 200 can also include a receiver 212 that is configured to receive the context- information from the enterprise network 102. The selection module 204 enables the user to select at least one activity-context from the one or more activity-contexts determined by the processing unit 202. For one embodiment, the at least one activity -context includes an activity-context selected from the one or more activity -contexts determined by the processing unit 202. The processing unit 202 retrieves the
context-information based on the selected activity-context. A feedback for the selected activity-context may be provided by the feedback module 206 to the processing unit 202. The feedback may be used by the processing unit to optimize future retrieval of the at least one activity-context from the context-database. For example, one or more activity-contexts, such as, project A, project B, and project C are retrieved by the processing unit 202 using one or more context attributes that have been determined for a current phone call. The user selects project A. Feedback for optimizing the relationship of project A to the context attributes for future retrievals is provided by the feedback module 206 to the processing unit 202. For one embodiment, the wireless communication device 200 can also include a transmitter 214 that is configured to seamlessly communicate, for example, the context attributes, and the user selected activity context or context- information across wireless or wired networks, depending on the type of embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary enterprise network 300, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The enterprise network 300 is capable of managing the at least one activity -context. The enterprise network 300 includes a context discovery engine 302, a learning engine 304, a feedback processing engine 306, and a context-database 308. The context discovery engine 302 is configured to identify the one or more activity-contexts. The one or more activity-contexts may be based on one or more context attributes determined from a user interaction with the wireless communication device 200 and transmitted to the enterprise network 300. The one or more activity-contexts may be included in an individual data element, which can be used to extract the
context-information from an enterprise database. For one embodiment, the one or more activity-contexts are stored in a context-database 308, present at the enterprise network 300. The context discovery engine 302 may be configured in some embodiments to provide at least one activity -context selected by a user of the wireless communication device 200. For one embodiment, the at least one activity-context includes activity-context(s) selected from the at least one activity- contexts).
[0022] For one embodiment, the learning engine 304 can receive a feedback based on the at least one activity-context selected by the user. The learning engine is also configured to apply a predefined function on the feedback to optimize the identification of the at least one activity-context in future context discoveries. The learning engine 304 is also coupled with the feedback processing engine 306. The feedback processing engine 306 is configured to process the feedback. Examples of the predefined functions include, but are not limited to, neural network based functions and Bayesian probabilities based functions. The predefined function is applied to optimize future identifications of the selected activity-context, to suit the individual user.
[0023] For one embodiment, the enterprise network 300 can also include a communication gateway 310. The communication gateway 310 enables the enterprise network 300 to communicate with the wireless communication device 200. For another embodiment, the enterprise network can also include an interaction processor. The interaction processor interprets the selected activity- context received from the wireless communication device 200 and communicates
it to the enterprise network 300 through the communication gateway. For one embodiment, the context-information is retrieved by the processing unit 202 based on the selected activity-context. The context-information is retrieved from the enterprise database present in the enterprise network 300. For another embodiment, the context-information can be retrieved by the processing unit 202 from the wireless communication device 200.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity- contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The method for managing the activity-contexts is initiated at step 402. At step 404, one or more context attributes related to the user interaction with the wireless communication device 200 are determined. The one or more context attributes can be a set of information that can be used to identify one or more activity- contexts. For example, bookmarks related to the user interaction with the wireless communication device 200 can be provided. Examples of the one or more context attributes include, but are not limited to, identity of a caller (caller-id), name of the caller (caller-name), type of a call, Universal Resource Locators (URLs), location identities, entries in the calendars, entries in the task list, entries in address book, email addresses, invitations, bookmarks, notices, cookies, attachments, subject headings, dates, time, organization structure, entries in the Versit (V) cards, search string entries, entries in project-tracking tools, assigned keywords, assigned codes, subject headings, authors, and the location of the creation of a document. For one embodiment, a previous record of the interaction with the wireless communication device 200 can also be provided. These previous records of interaction may include the last opened document and customized settings.
[0025] At step 406, one or more activity -contexts are determined based on the one or more context attributes. For example, an activity-context for a project A can be determined based on the entries in the project tracking tool, on receiving a call. A process of determining the one or more activity -contexts is further explained in conjunction with FIG. 5. At step 408, a list of the one or more activity-contexts is presented at the user output. For example, a list of determined activity-contexts is displayed to the user through a display panel of the wireless communication device 200. At step 410, a selected activity-context is determined from the one or more activity-contexts. The selected activity-context is determined from a user input of the wireless communication device 200. In an embodiment, the selected activity-context is used to retrieve context-information from the enterprise database.
[0026] At step 412, a feedback for activity-context is provided. The feedback is provided based on the selected activity-context. For one embodiment, the feedback is provided to the feedback module 206. For another embodiment, the feedback is provided to feedback processing engine 306. The feedback is used to optimize the future retrieval(s) of the selected activity -context from the context- database. For one embodiment, optimizing the retrieval of the activity-context may include prioritizing a frequently selected activity-context or retrieving the most frequently selected activity-context, which may be identified as a most likely activity context. The most likely activity-context includes the most frequently selected activity-context or the one or more activity-contexts identified as most appropriate based on the one or more context attributes determined at step 404. When the most likely activity context has an associated rating that indicates a first
(high) probability of correctness, the activity context has an associated rating that indicates a second (very high) probability of correctness, the activity context may used to retrieve relevant context-information from the enterprise database without user verification, and without feedback. Other approaches could be used. Approaches in which a most likely activity context is presented to the user are termed attempts for retrieval of the most likely activity context. In some embodiments, when the most likely activity context is not retrieved using the one or more activity -contexts, steps 408-412 are performed.
[0027] In some embodiments, the context-information is retrieved from the enterprise database, when an attempt to retrieve the most likely activity-context succeeds. For one embodiment, the context-information can be seamlessly provided to one or more computational devices. For example, the context- information may be provided automatically with no or very little user intervention. Further, the context-information may or may not appear on both the communication device and the computational device simultaneously, with such selection being user made in some embodiments. For some embodiments, a computational device can be selected based on the information of the computational device. Further, the context-information is displayed on the computational device. For example, the context-information can be provided to a computational device when better processing power is available at the computational device. Similarly, the user of the wireless communication device 200, while using or running an application on the wireless communication device 200, may enter the vicinity of the enterprise network 300. The user may then choose to continue the application on a macro display device, for example, a
projector, in the enterprise network 300. The wireless communication device 200 can seamlessly provide the context- information to the projector selected by the user. The projector then continues to display the application. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 414.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the network 100 and the enterprise network 300, the message-flow diagram includes references to a calling application 502, a calendar 504, and a phonebook 506 that are present in the wireless communication device 200. The calling application 502 receives a call signal for an incoming phone call 508 from the network 100. On receiving the incoming phone call 508, the calling application 502 retrieves caller information 510 from the phonebook 506. The caller information 510 may include, for example, the name of a caller and a photograph of the caller. Further, based on the caller information 510, the calling application 502 can retrieve information related to appointments with the caller in the calendar 504. The appointments may include information related to the birthday of the caller, the anniversary of the caller, or the time of an appointment with the caller. For one embodiment, the user can be present in the enterprise network 300. In this embodiment, the calling application 502 can also retrieve information from the enterprise network 300, such as information based on the history of the user interaction with the caller. For one embodiment, the information may include information from, for example, the project-tracking tools and customer relationship management systems.
[0029] For example, if the user of the wireless communication device 200 receives a call from the caller at 3:00 PM, context attributes for this call can include the number of the caller, the time of the call and the conversation during the call. For one embodiment, the context discovery engine 302 can identify activity-contexts, for example, that whenever the caller calls the user of the wireless communication device 200 at 3:00 PM, then the call is related to a project A or project B. Further, the context discovery engine 302 provides a list of activity-context related to projects A and B to the wireless communication device 200. The user of the wireless communication device 200 can either select the activity-context related to project A or project B. Further, context-information related to the selected activity-context can be retrieved from the enterprise database and provided to the wireless communication device 200. Similarly, if the user of the wireless communication device 200 receives a call from the caller at 11:00 AM, and the user of the wireless communication device 200 is present in a meeting room, the context-information related to this call can be retrieved from the enterprise database. Further, the context-information can be seamlessly provided to a macro display such as an over head projector for a larger display.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a message-flow diagram illustrating a method for managing activity-contexts, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the flow diagram includes references to the network 100, the calling application 502, the calendar 504, the phonebook 506, a personal computing device 602, a document repository 604, and an enterprise context engine 606. The calling application 502 receives the incoming phone call 508 from the network 100. On receiving the incoming phone call 508, the calling
application 502 retrieves a context attribute from the calendar 504, and the caller information 510 from the phonebook 506. The calling application 502 can also retrieve the one or more activity-contexts from the context-database. An activity- context is selected by a user of the wireless communication device 200 from the one or more activity-contexts. The enterprise context engine 606 can retrieve a context-information from the document repository 604. The context information retrieved by the enterprise context engine 606 is based on the selected activity- context. For one embodiment, the calling application is also capable of providing one or more selected activity-contexts to the personal computing device 602, and retrieving the context-information from the personal computing device 602. Examples of the personal computing device 602 include a computer, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobile phone, and the like. For one embodiment, the context-information can be provided to a large display device, for example, a macro display, for convenience. For example, if the wireless communication device 200 retrieves context-information related to a presentation, the context-information can then be seamlessly provided to a projector. The projector can display the context- information on the macro display. For one embodiment, the personal computing device 602 can retrieve information through the enterprise context engine 606 and provide it to the wireless communication device 200.
[0031] Various embodiments of the present invention offer the following advantages. The present invention provides a method and system for managing activity-contexts. Further, the management of the activity -contexts can be optimized by providing a feedback, based on, for example, previous activity-
context selected by a user. In addition, context-information can retrieved from an enterprise database based on an activity -context. Moreover, the present invention provides a method and system for seamlessly providing the context-information from a wireless communication device to a personal computing device or a display device. The context-information can be provided to the personal computing device or a display device, when, for example, a more efficient processing power is available at the personal computing device, or a larger display is available at the display device. The method and system also utilizes user feedback and then updates the activity-contexts for optimized retrieval of the one or more activity -contexts.
[0032] In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. All such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all the equivalents of those claims, as issued.
Claims
1. A method for managing activity-contexts using a wireless communication device, the method at the wireless communication device comprising: determining one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device; determining one or more activity-contexts based on the one or more context attributes; presenting a list of the one or more activity-contexts at a user output; determining from a user input of the wireless communication device a selected activity-context of the one or more activity-contexts; and providing a feedback based on the selected activity -context, wherein the feedback is used to optimize future retrievals of the selected activity -context.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: attempting a retrieval of a most likely activity-context, using the one or more activity-contexts as inputs; and performing the steps of presenting, determining the selected activity-context, and providing when the attempting fails.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: attempting a retrieval of a most likely activity-context, using the one or more activity-contexts as inputs; and retrieving context-information based on the selected activity-context, wherein the context-information is retrieved from an enterprise database, when the attempting succeeds.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising retrieving context- information based on the selected activity -context, wherein the context-information is retrieved from an enterprise database.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising providing the context- information to one or more computational devices, wherein the context-information is seamlessly provided to the one or more computational devices.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising: selecting a computational device from the one or more computational devices based on information related to the one or more computational devices; and displaying the context-information on the computational device.
7. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein, the context-information is provided to a macro display.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the one or more context attributes are selected from the group comprising phone numbers, identity of a caller (caller-id), name of the caller (caller name), type of a call, Universal Resource Locators (URLs), location identities, entries in calendars, entries in task lists, entries in address books, email addresses, invitations, bookmarks, notices, cookies, attachments, subject headings, dates, time, organization structure, entries in Versit (V) cards, search string entries, documents in an enterprise network, entries in project tracking tools, time of creation of a document, assigned keywords, assigned codes, subject headings, and authors.
9. A wireless communication device comprising: a processing unit capable of determining one or more activity-contexts, wherein the one or more activity-contexts are based on one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with the wireless communication device; a selection module enabling the user to select at least one activity -context from the one or more activity-contexts; a feedback module capable of providing a feedback to the processing unit based on the at least one activity-context, wherein the processing unit uses the feedback to optimize future retrieval of the at least one activity-context from a context-database.
10. The wireless communication device as recited in claim 9 further comprising a memory module capable of storing the context-database.
11. The wireless communication device as recited in claim 9, wherein the context- database is stored at an enterprise network.
12. The wireless communication device as recited in claim 9, wherein the processing unit comprises a processor capable of identifying a context-information based on the at least one activity-context and retrieving the context-information from an enterprise database.
13. The wireless communication device as recited in claim 9 further comprising a receiver capable of receiving a context-information based on the at least one activity- context selected by the user.
14. The wireless communication device as recited in claim 9 further comprising a transmitter capable of communicating seamlessly across wireless and wired networks.
15. An enterprise network capable of managing at least one activity-context, the enterprise network comprising: a context discovery engine capable of identifying one or more activity- contexts based on one or more context attributes related to a user interaction with a wireless communication device and providing the at least one activity-context to the wireless communication device, wherein the at least one activity-context is selected by a user of the wireless communication device; and a learning engine capable of receiving a feedback based on the at least one activity -context selected by the user and applying a predefined function on the feedback to optimize future identification of the at least one activity-context.
16. The enterprise network as recited in claim 15 further comprising a feedback- processing engine capable of processing the feedback.
17. The enterprise network as recited in claim 15, wherein the predefined function is one of neural networks based function and Bayesian probabilities based function.
18. The enterprise network as recited in claim 15 further comprising a communication gateway enabling the enterprise network to interact with the wireless communication device.
19. The enterprise network as recited in claim 18 further comprising a user interaction processor capable of providing an interaction between the wireless communication device and the enterprise network via the communication gateway.
20. The enterprise network as recited in claim 15 further comprising a context- database for storing the at least one activity -context.
21. The enterprise network as recited in claim 15, wherein the context discovery engine comprises a processor capable of identifying context-information based on the at least one activity-context and providing the context-information to the wireless communication device, wherein the context-information is retrieved from an enterprise database.
22. The enterprise network as recited in claim 21 further comprising an enterprise repository interface capable of providing an interaction between the enterprise database and the learning engine.
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