Patent ID: 7240009
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for controlling communication between a user and at least one processor controlled device capable of carrying out at least one task, the control apparatus comprising: dialog conducting means for conducting a dialog with the user to determine the task that the user wishes the device to carry out; device instructing means for instructing the device to carry out the determined task; event receiving means for receiving event information related to events that occur in relation to the device; task determining means for determining whether the user is involved with another task when the event receiving means receives event information; interrupt determining means for identifying interrupt status information associated with at least one of the events for which event information is received and said another task; interrupt control means for determining whether or not the user can be interrupted on the basis of the identified interrupt status information; and informing means for interrupting the dialog and advising the user of the received event information if the interrupt control means determines that the dialog with the user can be interrupted, and for advising the user of the received event information after finishing the dialog if the interrupt control means determines that the dialog with the user cannot be interrupted.