Control apparatus
First Claim
1. Control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using user interface means the apparatus comprising:
- user interface management means having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode;
dialogue conducting means for conducting a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files;
mark-up language document file supplying means for supplying at least one mark-up language document file to the dialogue conducting means during the course of a dialogue with the user;
mode determining means for determining any user interface mode or modes specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means;
interface module determining means for determining whether the user interface management means has an interface module for the or each user interface mode specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means; and
interface module obtaining means for, when the interface module determining means determines that the user interface management means does not have an interface module for an interface mode, obtaining an interface module for that interface mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control apparatus (2) has a user interface manager (21;22) having at least one interface module (215,214,213,216,211;221,222,223,224) adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode. A dialogue manager (201) associated with a dialogue interpreter (202) is arrange to conduct a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files supplied to the dialogue conductor. In an embodiment, the control apparatus determines any user interface mode or modes specified by a received mark-up language document, determines whether the user interface manager has an interface module for the specified user interface mode or modes and, if not, obtains an interface module for that interface mode. In another embodiment, the mark-up language document files supplied to the user interface manager specify a type and/or accuracy or confidence level for the interface mode and the control apparatus selects the interface module or modules to be used on the basis of this information. In another embodiment, the control apparatus may be configured to treat an event as an input.
32 Citations
29 Claims
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1. Control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using user interface means the apparatus comprising:
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user interface management means having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode;
dialogue conducting means for conducting a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files;
mark-up language document file supplying means for supplying at least one mark-up language document file to the dialogue conducting means during the course of a dialogue with the user;
mode determining means for determining any user interface mode or modes specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means;
interface module determining means for determining whether the user interface management means has an interface module for the or each user interface mode specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means; and
interface module obtaining means for, when the interface module determining means determines that the user interface management means does not have an interface module for an interface mode, obtaining an interface module for that interface mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 29)
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9. Control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using user interface means, the apparatus comprising:
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user interface management means having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode, the or each interface module providing attribute data regarding at least one attribute of the corresponding interface mode;
dialogue conducting means for conducting a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files;
mark-up language document file supplying means for supplying different mark-up language document files to the dialogue conducting means during the course of a dialogue with the user;
attribute determining means for determining any user interface attribute specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means;
interface module selecting means for selecting the interface module or modules providing attribute data for the attribute or attributes specified by an mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means, thereby enabling use as an interface mode any user interface mode having the attribute or attributes specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 27)
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15. Control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using user interface means, the apparatus comprising:
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user interface management means having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding one of the user interface mode;
dialogue conducting means for conducting a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files;
mark-up language document file supplying means for supplying different mark-up language document files to the dialogue conducting means during the course of a dialogue with the user;
interface mode determining means for determining any user interface mode or modes specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means;
interface module activating means for activating the interface module for the or each user interface mode specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conducting means, wherein the user interface management means is configured to provide an event interface module and at least one mark-up language document file defines a type of event that may occur in the control apparatus or apparatus coupled thereto as an interface mode. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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21. A method of operating control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using a user interface, the apparatus having a user interface manager having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode, and a dialogue conductor that conducts a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files, the method comprising a processor of the control apparatus:
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supplying means for supplying different mark-up language document files to the dialogue conductor during the course of a dialogue with the user;
determining any user interface mode or modes specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor;
determining whether the user interface manager has an interface module for the or each user interface mode specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor; and
when it is determined that the user interface manager does not have an interface module for an interface mode, obtaining an interface module for that interface mode. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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22. A method of operating control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using a user interface, the apparatus having a user interface manager means having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode, each interface module providing attribute data regarding at least one attribute of the corresponding interface mode, and a dialogue conductor that conducts a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files, the method comprising a processor of the control apparatus:
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supplying means for supplying different mark-up language document files to the dialogue conductor during the course of a dialogue with the user;
determining any user interface attribute specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor; and
selecting the interface module or modules providing attribute data for the attribute or attributes specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor, thereby enabling the user to use as an interface mode any user interface mode having the attribute or attributes specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor.
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23. A method of operating control apparatus for enabling a user to communicate with a processor-controlled apparatus using a user interface, the apparatus having a user interface manager having at least one interface module adapted to receive data for a corresponding user interface mode and an event interface mode, and a dialogue conductor that conducts a dialogue with the user in accordance with mark-up language document files, the method comprising a processor of the control apparatus:
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supplying different mark-up language document files to the dialogue conductor during the course of a dialogue with the user;
determining any user interface mode or modes specified by a mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor;
activating the interface module for the or each user interface mode specified by the mark-up language document file supplied to the dialogue conductor; and
treating an event that may occur in the control apparatus or apparatus coupled thereto as an interface mode when a mark-up language document file defines a type of event as an interface mode.
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Specification