Method for integrating user models to interface design

• US 7,526,731 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rakuten, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Labs Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bushey, Robert R., Deelman, Thomas, Mauney, Jennifer M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US11/448,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 715/700, 715741-748, 715/762, 715/764, 715/765, 715/866, 705/26, 705/40, 705/42, 705/43, 717/174, 717176-178, 725 45- 47, 725/132
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]

Abstract

A method that incorporates a detailed, precise procedure of designing a user interface by utilizing agent behavioral models. This method applies quantitative and qualitative agent behavioral models derived through the Categorize Describe-Model (CDM) methodology to the iterative design stage of interface development. The method includes: (1) categorizing at least two users; (2) validating targeted user behaviors and preferences; (3) capturing emergent behaviors and preferences; (4) tracking design requirements and implementations; (5) accommodating diversity in performance and preference during interactive testing; and (6) customizing a user interface design to each of the at least two users.

Claims

1. A method for designing a customized user interface, comprising:

categorizing a user population into at least two groups, describing the categorized groups, and modeling the described groups using qualitative and quantitative models, the categorizing, describing and modeling being based upon Categorize-Describe-Model (CDM) methodology; and

applying the models to interface design.

2. The method of claim 1, in which applying the models further comprises evaluating design ideas and/or design requirements with respect to each CDM group.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising describing how a group'"'"'s characteristics have been accommodated.

4. The method of claim 3, in which the accommodation describing further comprises rating based upon subjective opinions.

5. The method of claim 4, in which the rating further comprises evaluating how an individual fits in with design requirements.

6. The method of claim 4, in which the rating further comprises evaluating how an individual fits in with overall workflow.

7. The method of claim 4, in which the rating further comprises evaluating how an individual fits in across screen navigation.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising describing how a group'"'"'s characteristics have not been addressed.

9. The method of claim 8, in which describing how a group'"'"'s characteristics have not been addressed further comprises rating with YES/NO coding.

10. The method of claim 1, in which applying the models further comprises analyzing screen flow.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the screen flow analysis further comprises determining a prototypical screen flow.

12. A method for designing a customized user interface, comprising:

categorizing a user population into at least two groups, describing the categorized groups, and modeling the described groups using qualitative and quantitative models, the categorizing, describing and modeling being based upon Categorize-Describe-Model (CDM) methodology; and

applying the models to interface design by customizing the user interface based on behavioral characteristics of the user groups.

13. A method for designing a customized user interface, comprising:

categorizing a user population into at least two groups, describing the categorized groups, and modeling the described groups using qualitative and quantitative models, the categorizing, describing and modeling being based upon Categorize-Describe-Model (CDM) methodology;

applying the models to interface design by analyzing screen flow including a prototypical screen flow; and

creating the quantitative models based upon the screen flow analysis.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising indicating common interface screens visited during a customer/representative negotiation for at least one call type.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining the at least one call type based upon customer request consistency.

16. The method of claim 13, in which applying the models further comprises evaluating design ideas and/or design requirements with respect to each CDM group.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising describing how a group'"'"'s characteristics have not been addressed.

18. The method of claim 17, in which describing how a group'"'"'s characteristics have not been addressed further comprises rating based upon subjective opinions.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

validating targeted user behaviors and user preferences of the model; and

tracking design requirements for the validated user behaviors and user preferences.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising iteratively testing the design.