Electronically providing user assistance

• US 20080229198A1
• Filed: 01/30/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Lord, Robert W., Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D.
• Application Number:
  US12/012,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20080229198A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/708
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

Provided embodiments include a device, apparatus, system, computer program product, and method. A provided method includes receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device. The method also includes searching a file for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual. The method further includes generating a signal indicative of the assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual, wherein the manual is physically distinct from the apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the method includes facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device. The facilitating may include facilitating a projection of a display of the assistance from the electronic device. In another alternative embodiment, the method may include displaying at least two user-selectable portions of the manual.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device;

searching a file for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual; and

generating a signal indicative of the assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual,

wherein the manual is physically distinct from the apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device further includes:

receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of an electronically-implemented manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device further includes:

receiving a signal indicative of an optically-detected user selection of a portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the searching a file for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual further includes:

searching a file stored in a computer readable medium associated with at least one of the manual, the apparatus, or another electronic device for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the searching a file for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual further includes:

searching a file for an assistance pertaining to an aspect of the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device further includes:

facilitating a projection of a display of the assistance from the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device further includes:

facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a display surface physically associated with a user interface of the electronic device.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device further includes:

facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a light emitter physically associated with a physical element of the electronic device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device further includes:

facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface perceivable by the user of the electronic device.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least two user-selectable portions of the manual.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a communications link between the manual and the electronic device.

13. A system comprising:

an apparatus including;

a core device operable to perform a core function of the apparatus;

an electronic display circuit operable to present human-perceivable content using a user interface of the apparatus;

a user assistance manager including;

a receiver circuit operable to receive a signal originated by a manual having content pertaining to the apparatus, and indicative of a user-selected content portion of the manual,

a query circuit operable to search a file stored on a computer readable medium for a user assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected content portion of the manual, and

a signal generator operable to generate a signal indicative of the user assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected content portion of the manual.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the user assistance manager further includes:

a broadcast circuit operable to facilitate using the electronic display circuit a presentation of the assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected content portion of the manual.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the user assistance manager further includes:

a computer readable medium operable to save a file that includes at least two instances of user assistance pertaining to the apparatus.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the user assistance manager further includes:

a communication circuit operable to communicate with the apparatus.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further includes:

the user assistance manager.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further includes:

a communication circuit operable to communicate with the manual.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the system further includes:

the manual.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the manual further includes:

the user assistance manager.

21. A user manual device comprising:

a display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user; and

a user assistance manager that includes;

a sensor circuit operable to detect a human-user selection of a presented content portion of at least two portions of presented content,

an analytic circuit operable to search a file stored on a computer readable medium for a human-user assistance related to the user-selected content portion; and

a signal generator circuit operable to generate the signal indicative of the human user assistance related to the human user-selected content portion.

22. The user manual device of claim 21, wherein the display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user further includes:

an electronic display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user.

23. The user manual device of claim 21, wherein the display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user further includes:

at least one of a printed page(s) display surface, an electronically driven display surface, or an e-paper display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user.

24. The user manual device of claim 21, wherein the display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user further includes:

a display surface operable to present to a human-user at least two portions of content pertaining to an apparatus and selectable by the human-user, the content including at least one of an owners manual, a users guide, an instruction information, operators guide, or a parts list.

25. The user manual device of claim 21, wherein the user assistance manager further includes:

a computer readable medium operable to save a file that includes at least two instances of user assistance pertaining to the apparatus.

26. A computer program product comprising:

(a) program instructions operable to perform a process in a computing device, the process including

receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus, wherein the manual is physically distinct from the apparatus;

searching a file for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual; and

generating a signal indicative of the assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual; and

(b) a computer-readable storage medium bearing the program instructions.

27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the process further includes:

facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of an electronic device associated with the apparatus.

28. A machine comprising:

means for receiving a signal indicative of a user-selected portion of a manual pertaining to an apparatus that includes an electronic device;

means for searching a file for an assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual; and

means for generating a signal indicative of the assistance pertaining to the apparatus and corresponding to the user-selected portion of the manual,

wherein the manual is physically distinct from the apparatus.

29. The machine of claim 28, further comprising:

means for facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device.

30. The machine of claim 29, wherein the means for facilitating an electronic display of the assistance using a user interface of the electronic device further includes:

means for facilitating a projection of a display of the assistance from the electronic device.