Patent Publication Number: US-2011055758-A1

Title: Smart navigator for productivity software

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to productivity software. The invention further relates to an office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. 
     2. Background Art 
     The use of productivity software has become widespread. One of the most common types of productivity software is the office software suite. An office software suite may provide software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. For example, OpenOffice.org is an office application suite available for a number of different computer operating systems. 
     The user interface for productivity software, and in particular for an office application suite, typically includes a menu bar, one or more tool bars, task panes, etc. A menu bar is a region where computer menus are housed. Its purpose is to house window- or application-specific menus which provide access to such functions as opening files, interacting with an application, or help. Menu bars are typically present in graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with windows. A toolbar is a GUI widget on which onscreen buttons, icons, menus or other input or output elements are placed. A task pane is a dockable dialog window that gives users a convenient way to use commands, gather information, and modify their documents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon is provided. The instructions direct a computer to, while running a productivity software application wherein a user chooses actions, monitor actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. The computer is further directed to generate data representing a navigation menu. The navigation menu includes a limited set of choices based on previous actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. Data representing the navigation menu is output for visual display. The computer is further directed to receive input indicative of a user choice from the limited set of choices in the navigation menu. 
     At the more detailed level, the invention comprehends a variety of features. One or more of the various additional features may be included in an embodiment of the invention, as appropriate for the implementation. 
     In one embodiment, while running the productivity software application, the user chooses actions from at least one of: a menu bar, a tool bar, and a task pane. The computer monitors actions chosen by the user from at least one of: a menu bar, a tool bar, and a task pane. The limited set of choices in the navigation menu is based on previous actions chosen by the user from at least one of: a menu bar, a tool bar, and a task pane. 
     It is appreciated that the navigation menu may include, among the limited set of choices, at least one navigation choice. Upon receiving input indicative of a user choice being a navigation choice, the computer generates data representing a next navigation menu. The next navigation menu includes a second limited set of choices based on the navigation choice, and further based on previous actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. Thereafter, the data representing the next navigation menu is output for visual display. 
     In some implementations, the navigation menu includes a preselected user choice. The user may navigate among the limited choices, or simply select the preselected choice. The navigation menu may include an undo/back choice. 
     Prior to the previous actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application being sufficient to determine the limited set of choices for the navigation menu, the navigation menu may include a default limited set of choices. 
     It is appreciated that embodiments of the invention are not limited to productivity software applications. Depending on the implementation, the navigation menus and associated functions may be provided for other software applications. As well, embodiments of the invention are not limited to desktop or laptop computers. In one implementation, when the embodiment is for a productivity software application, the productivity software application comprises an office software suite. 
     It is also possible for the computer to generate and display more than one navigation menu. As well, the computer may generate different navigation menus for different users. That is, actions chosen in the software application may be tracked on a per user basis. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the navigation menu includes, among the limited set of choices, at least one change mode choice. Upon receiving input indicative of a user choice being the change mode choice, the computer generates data representing a full navigation menu. The full navigation menu includes the limited set of choices and further includes a plurality of support choices. The additional support choices may include a help choice, a next choice, and a self choice. The help choice causes the computer to display help related information. The next choice causes the computer to display a next navigation menu including a second limited set of choices based on previous actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. The self choice causes the computer to display a next navigation menu including a second limited set of choices that are custom selected by the user (for example, a custom menu created by the user, or a custom menu downloaded by the user from the web). Some embodiments may omit the change mode selection, and always show the navigation menu in the full, more detailed mode. 
     There are many advantages associated with embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention may provide simple navigation inside software, with the navigator being self-learning. This navigation is in addition to classical navigation methods. In another advantage, the navigator may be useful as an accessibility feature. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an office application including a navigation menu in an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the office application including the navigation menu in the full, more detailed mode; 
         FIGS. 3-7  are block diagrams illustrating methods of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a computer system in an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an office application  10  in an embodiment of the invention. The office application  10  is a productivity software application running on a computer. In office application  10 , a user chooses actions from a menu bar and various tool bars. The computer monitors actions chosen by the user in the office application  10 . The computer also generates data representing a navigation menu, and outputs the data representing the navigation menu for visual display at  12 . The navigation menu  12  includes a limited set of choices  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  based on previous actions chosen by the user in the office application  10 . 
     The navigation menu  12  is in addition to traditional menus, tool bars, etc. for the office application  10 . The navigation menu  12  allows fast navigation inside office application  10  with minimal knowledge and efforts. 
     In this illustrated embodiment, the navigation menu  12  is completely operable by the arrow keys on the keyboard (up, down, left, right) which are for most people intuitively usable. Selection may be performed with the return key. In the alternative, a navigation menu may also be operated with a mouse, joystick, limited keyboard, on-screen keyboard devices or alternative accessibility devices, etc. The user of the office application  10  may, while using office application  10 , use the various menu and tool bars, and the navigation menu at the same time, switching between different ways to choose actions at the user&#39;s convenience. In addition to the choices  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 , undo/back choice  22  is also provided to give the user an easy way to undo a chosen action. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the navigation menu  12  shows only the four most probable choices  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  for the user, with the first choice  14  being preselected. Preselection is indicated in any suitable way to show emphasis, such as highlighting the current choice. A highlighted choice may be chosen by pushing the return key. 
     As mentioned above, the computer monitors actions chosen by the user in office application  10 . This is performed using suitable user tracking software, which will track every move of the user, if the user tracking has not been switched off. The information gathered during monitoring is utilized to provide a smart navigator for productivity software that is capable of learning and is not fixed in the way that an existing menu bar is fixed. The information gathered during monitoring is stored in a best-choices database. The information is used by the system to learn the best choices for presentation in the navigation menu  12 . As many users do the same things over and over again or search for things they have done before, the limitation of choices in the navigation menu  12  is advantageous, particularly when the presented choices are learned by monitoring user actions over time. It is appreciated that the computer may generate different navigation menus for different users. That is, actions may be tracked on a per user basis. 
     In another aspect of some embodiments of the invention, it may be possible to let the user create his or her own best choices. That is, the limited set of choices in the navigation menu  12  may be at least partially selected by the user to create a customized menu. It could also be possible for a user to download and install customized navigation menus from the web. Further, software may be provided to assist the user in setting up the navigation menu for use, giving the user the option to customize the menu or accept the default navigation menu, and the option to turn monitoring and learning on or off. 
     It is appreciated that embodiments of the invention may provide navigation as opposed to a single static set of possible selections as found in a traditional tool bar. That is, in  FIG. 1 , selection of one of the choices  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may cause the computer to display a next navigation menu based on the selected choice and based on past actions chosen by the user. That is, the user may navigate through possible actions, with only a limited set being presented at a given time. Embodiments of the invention advantageously provide only a limited number of smart choices, so as to consume only a limited area of the desktop (screen) space. As well, multiple navigators could be present on the screen at the same time. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , a change mode choice  24  is also provided in the illustrated embodiment. By selecting change mode choice  24 , an expanded functionality is made available. Turning to  FIG. 2 , the expanded functionality in the illustrated embodiment includes additional navigation support functions. 
     Upon receiving input indicative of a user choice being the change mode choice  24 , the computer generates data representing a full navigation menu  30  in  FIG. 2 . The full navigation menu  30  includes the limited set of choices and further includes a plurality of support choices. The additional support choices may include a help choice  32 , a next choice  34 , and a self choice  36 . The help choice  32  causes the computer to display help related information. The next choice  34  causes the computer to display a next navigation menu including a second limited set of choices based on previous actions chosen by the user in the office application  10 . Put another way, navigation menu  30  displays choices  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . Selecting next  34  will result in navigation menu  30  displaying new choices  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . The system could initially present the four most likely choices, with next  34  causing the fifth through eight likely choices to then be displayed in navigation menu  30 . 
     The self choice  36  causes the computer to display a next navigation menu including a second limited set of choices that are custom selected by the user as described previously. That is, the system would initially present the four most likely choices, with self  36  causing the four choices learned by the system to be replaced with four choices that are custom selected by the user. Some embodiments may omit the change mode selection  24 , and always show the navigation menu in the full, more detailed mode. Additional functionality may also be provided by self button  36 , such as the ability to change the appearance of the navigator in size, look and behavior. 
     It is appreciated that the kind of navigation provided by the navigation menus  12  and  30 , and by other embodiments of the invention, could be used for other software and is not limited to office application  10 . For example, portable applications such as those on personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc., may benefit from embodiments of the invention as the choices are probably better, the smaller the software (and its function set). As well, embodiments of the invention are well-suited for small keyboards or other inputting methods. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a method of the invention. At block  40 , the computer monitors actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. At block  42 , data is generated representing a navigation menu including a limited set of choices based on previous actions taken by the user. At block  44 , the data representing the navigation menu is output for visual display. At block  46 , the computer receives an input indicative of a user choice from the limited set of choices in the navigation menu. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating another method of the invention. At block  50 , the computer monitors actions chosen by the user. Block  50  specifically illustrates the case where the computer monitors actions chosen from a menu bar, a tool bar, and/or a task pane. At block  52 , data is generated representing a navigation menu including a limited set of choices based on previous actions chosen by the user from the menu bar, tool bar, and/or task pane. At block  54 , data representing the navigation menu is output for visual display. At block  56 , the computer receives input indicative of a user choice from the limited set of choices in the navigation menu. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a method of the invention is illustrated in further detail, illustrating the selection of a navigation choice and the navigation to a next navigation menu with additional choices. At block  60 , the computer monitors actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. At block  62 , the computer generates data representing a navigation menu including a limited set of choices including at least one navigation choice. At block  64 , the data representing the navigation menu is output for visual display. At block  66 , the computer receives an input indicative of a navigation choice. In response thereto, at block  68 , the computer generates data representing a next navigation menu including a second limited set of choices based on the navigation choice. At block  70 , the data representing the next navigation menu is output for visual display. Finally, at block  72 , the computer receives input indicative of a user choice from the limited set of choices in the next navigation menu. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another method of the invention. According to  FIG. 6 , prior to the previous actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application being sufficient to determine the limited set of choices for the navigation menu, the navigation menu may include a default limited set of choices. In more detail, block  80  depicts the computer generating data representing a navigation menu including a default limited set of choices. At block  82 , the data representing the navigation menu is output for visual display. At block  84 , the computer monitors actions chosen by the user in the productivity application. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another method of the invention, one in which there is a change mode choice available to switch between a simple navigation menu and a full navigation menu. At block  90 , the computer monitors actions chosen by the user in the productivity software application. At block  92 , the computer generates data representing a navigation menu including a limited set of choices including a change mode choice. At block  94 , the data representing the navigation menu is output for visual display. At block  96 , the computer receives input indicative of a change mode choice. At block  98 , the computer generates data representing a full navigation menu including the limited set of choices and a plurality of support choices. At block  100 , the data representing the full navigation menu is output for visual display. At block  102 , the computer receives input indicative of a user choice in the full navigation menu. 
       FIG. 8  is a computer system in an embodiment of the invention. The computer system includes computer  110 , display device  112 , input device  114 , and computer-readable storage medium  116 . The medium  116  has instructions stored thereon to direct the computer system to implement various methods of the invention. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.