Dynamic User Interface Customization

• US 20140115466A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LivePerson Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LivePerson Incorporated
• Inventors: Barak, Matan, Shub, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 9,563,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44526 Plug-ins; Add-ons
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamic user interface customization. A set of functions for a user interface is stored, each function comprising a function that can be added to the user interface. A first set of data is transmitted to a remote device that causes the user interface to be displayed on the remote device with a predetermined set of functions from the set of functions. Interaction data is received indicative of a user'"'"'s interactions with the user interface. A second set of data is transmitted to the remote device that causes the user interface to dynamically add a new function from the set of functions to the user interface based on the interaction data, wherein the new function is displayed as a selectable item in the user interface that the user can select to use a function associated with the new function.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for dynamically customizing a user interface, the method comprising:

storing, at a computing device, multiple functions for a user interface, wherein each of the stored functions is configured to operate on a remote user device, in conjunction with the user interface, and wherein the user interface is configured to operate at the remote user device;

transmitting a first set of data to the remote user device, wherein the first set of data causes a first one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, wherein operating on the remote user device includes operating in conjunction with the user interface;

receiving, at the computing device, interaction data associated with user interactions with the user interface, the interactions occurring at the remote user device;

identifying a second set of data based on the received interaction data, wherein the second set of data is identified at the computing device; and

transmitting the second set of data from the computing device to the remote user device, wherein the second set of data causes a second one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, in conjunction with the user interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first one of the stored functions is associated with a selectable display feature presented in conjunction with the user interface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first one of the stored functions is further configured to operate on the remote device in response to a user selecting the selectable display feature.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a chat window configured to facilitate chat between a user and a third party.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first one of the stored functions and the second one of the stored functions includes:

an agent function which provides information about an agent in communication with a user of the remote device;

a shopping cart function configured to identify a set of products selected by a user while browsing a website;

a data transfer function configured to download data to the remote user device or to enable data to be pushed to the remote user device;

a video function configured to provide a control mechanism to a user, the control mechanism for controlling playback of video content;

an audio function configured to provide an audio control mechanism to a user, wherein the audio control mechanism is for controlling playback of audio content;

a secure information transfer function configured to protect personal or confidential information being communicated through the user interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving data describing an agent device function, wherein the agent device function is configured to operate on a remote agent device, in conjunction with an agent user interface; and

storing the agent device function at the computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the interaction data from the computing device to a remote agent device.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving action data at the computing device, wherein the action data is transmitted by the remote user device, wherein the action data indicates the occurrence of a user action at the remote user device, and wherein the user action is associated with the first or second function; and

transmitting the action data to the remote agent device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving selection data from the remote user device, wherein selection data communicates information related to a user selection of one of the stored functions for the user interface; and

transmitting a third set of data to the remote user device, wherein the third set of data causes the selected one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, wherein operating on the remote user device includes operating in conjunction with the user interface, and wherein the selected one of the stored functions is different from the first one of the stored functions and the second one of the stored functions.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a fourth set of data based on the interaction;

transmitting the fourth set of data to the remote user device, wherein the fourth set of data causes a fourth one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the fourth stored function is for tracking events on the remote user device which occur in conjunction with the user interface.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the second set of data is further based on at least one of:

data indicative of a change made to the user interface; and

data indicative of user interface behavior.

13. A computer-implemented system for dynamically customizing a user interface, the system comprising:

one or more processors configured to perform operations, the operations including;

storing, at a computing device, multiple functions for a user interface, wherein each of the stored functions is configured to operate on a remote user device, in conjunction with the user interface, and wherein the user interface is configured to operate at the remote user device;

transmitting a first set of data to the remote user device, wherein the first set of data causes a first one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, wherein operating on the remote user device includes operating in conjunction with the user interface;

receiving, at the computing device, interaction data indicative of user interactions with the user interface, the interactions occurring at the remote user device;

identifying a second set of data based on the received interaction data, wherein the second set of data is identified at the computing device; and

transmitting the second set of data from the computing device to the remote user device, wherein the second set of data causes a second one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, in conjunction with the user interface.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first one of the stored functions is associated with a selectable display feature in the user interface.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first one of the stored functions is further configured to operate on the remote device in response to a user selecting the selectable display feature.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the user interface is a chat window configured to facilitate chat between a user and a third party.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first function and the second function of the stored set of functions includes:

an agent function which provides information about an agent in communication with a user of the remote device;

a shopping cart function configured to identify a set of products selected by a user while browsing a website;

a data transfer function configured to download data to the remote user device or to enable data to be pushed to the remote user device;

a video function configured to provide a control mechanism to a user, the control mechanism for controlling playback of video content;

an audio function configured to provide an audio control mechanism to a user, wherein the audio control mechanism is for controlling playback of audio content;

a secure information transfer function configured to protect personal or confidential information being communicated through the user interface.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further include:

receiving data describing a third function, wherein the third function is configured to operate on a remote agent device, in conjunction with an agent user interface; and

storing the third function at the computing device.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further include transmitting the interaction data to a remote agent device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the operations further include:

receiving action data, wherein the action data is transmitted by the remote user device, and wherein the action data indicates the occurrence of a user action at the remote user device, and wherein the user action is associated with the first or second function; and

transmitting the action data to the remote agent device.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further include:

receiving selection data from the remote user device, wherein selection data communicates information related to a user selection of a third one of the stored functions for the user interface; and

transmitting a third set of data to the remote device, wherein the third set of data causes the third stored function to operate on the remote user device, wherein operating on the remote user device includes operating in conjunction with the user interface.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations further include:

identifying a fourth set of data based on the interaction;

transmitting the fourth set of data to the remote user device, wherein the fourth set of data causes a fourth one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the fourth stored function is for tracking events on the remote user device which occur in conjunction with the user interface.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein identifying the second set of data is further based on at least one of:

data indicative of a change made to the user interface; and

data indicative of user interface behavior.

25. A computer-program product for dynamically customizing a user interface, the computer-program product including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions executable to cause a computing device to perform operations including:

storing, at the computing device, multiple functions for a user interface, wherein each of the stored functions is configured to operate on a remote user device, in conjunction with the user interface, and wherein the user interface is configured to operate at the remote user device;

transmitting a first set of data to the remote user device, wherein the first set of data causes a first one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, wherein operating on the remote user device includes operating in conjunction with the user interface;

receiving, at the computing device, interaction data indicative of user interactions with the user interface, the interactions occurring at the remote user device;

identifying a second set of data based on the received interaction data, wherein the second set of data is identified at the computing device; and

transmitting the second set of data from the computing device to the remote user device, wherein the second set of data causes a second one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device, in conjunction with the user interface.

26. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the first one of the stored functions is associated with a selectable display feature in the user interface.

27. The computer-program product of claim 26, wherein the first one of the stored functions is further configured to operate on the remote device in response to a user selecting the selectable display feature.

28. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the user interface is a chat window configured to facilitate chat between a user and a third party.

29. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first function and the second function of the stored set of functions includes:

an agent function which provides information about an agent in communication with a user of the remote device;

a shopping cart function configured to identify a set of products selected by a user while browsing a website;

a data transfer function configured to download data to the remote user device or to enable data to be pushed to the remote user device;

a video function configured to provide a control mechanism to a user, the control mechanism for controlling playback of video content;

an audio function configured to provide an audio control mechanism to a user, wherein the audio control mechanism is for controlling playback of audio content;

a secure information transfer function configured to protect personal or confidential information being communicated through the user interface.

30. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the operations further include:

receiving data describing a third function, wherein the third function is configured to operate on a remote agent device, in conjunction with an agent user interface; and

storing the third function at the computing device.

31. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the operations further include transmitting the interaction data to a remote agent device.

32. The computer-program product of claim 31, wherein the operations further include:

receiving action data, wherein the action data is transmitted by the remote user device, and wherein the action data indicates the occurrence of a user action at the remote user device, and wherein the user action is associated with the first or second function; and

transmitting the action data to the remote agent device.

33. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the operations further include:

receiving selection data from the remote user device, wherein selection data communicates information related to a user selection of a third one of the stored functions for the user interface; and

transmitting a third set of data to the remote device, wherein the third set of data causes the third stored function to operate on the remote user device, wherein operating on the remote user device includes operating in conjunction with the user interface.

34. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein the operations further include:

identifying a fourth set of data based on the interaction;

transmitting the fourth set of data to the remote user device, wherein the fourth set of data causes a fourth one of the stored functions to operate on the remote user device.

35. The computer-program product of claim 34, wherein the fourth stored function is for tracking events on the remote user device which occur in conjunction with the user interface.

36. The computer-program product of claim 25, wherein identifying the second set of data is further based on at least one of:

data indicative of a change made to the user interface; and

data indicative of user interface behavior.