Providing software application help based on heuristics
First Claim
1. A method of providing help information for a tax software application having a plurality of user interface screens, the method comprising:
- determining, by a hardware processor and during a current session of the tax software application, an application context of the tax software application displayed to a user, wherein the application context comprises a user interface screen of the plurality of user interface screens;
retrieving, by the hardware processor and during the current session, a plurality of database entries corresponding to the application context and identifying a plurality of help files accessed by the user during a previous session of the tax software application;
assigning, by the hardware processor and during the current session, a plurality of priority values to the plurality of help files, wherein assigning the plurality of priority values comprises;
accessing a user profile in the tax software application for the user,identifying an itemized income tax deduction of the user from the user profile,identifying a first help file of the plurality of help files corresponding to the itemized tax deduction of the user, andassigning a first priority value to the first help file and a second priority value to a second help file of the plurality of help files, wherein the first priority value exceeds the second priority value in response to the first help file corresponding to the itemized income tax deduction of the user; and
presenting, by the hardware processor and during the current session, the plurality of help files to the user according to the plurality of priority values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Help information for a software application is provided based on a user help knowledge base. The user help knowledge base includes a user help profile indicating help information previously selected by the user. Examples of data tracked for the previously selected help information include the application context in which it selected, a presentation mode in which it was presented, at least one associated help topic, and a help content format. The user help knowledge base can further comprise a user profile maintained by the software application. Based on the information in the user help knowledge base, as well as the current context of the application and/or user data entered, the help module selects help information pertinent to the user and the current context of the application. A presentation mode, for example a video mode, an audio mode or a display mode, is selected for the help information as well based on the user help knowledge base.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of providing help information for a tax software application having a plurality of user interface screens, the method comprising:
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determining, by a hardware processor and during a current session of the tax software application, an application context of the tax software application displayed to a user, wherein the application context comprises a user interface screen of the plurality of user interface screens; retrieving, by the hardware processor and during the current session, a plurality of database entries corresponding to the application context and identifying a plurality of help files accessed by the user during a previous session of the tax software application; assigning, by the hardware processor and during the current session, a plurality of priority values to the plurality of help files, wherein assigning the plurality of priority values comprises; accessing a user profile in the tax software application for the user, identifying an itemized income tax deduction of the user from the user profile, identifying a first help file of the plurality of help files corresponding to the itemized tax deduction of the user, and assigning a first priority value to the first help file and a second priority value to a second help file of the plurality of help files, wherein the first priority value exceeds the second priority value in response to the first help file corresponding to the itemized income tax deduction of the user; and presenting, by the hardware processor and during the current session, the plurality of help files to the user according to the plurality of priority values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to, when executed by a hardware processor, implement a method of providing help information for a tax software application having a plurality of user interface screens, the method comprising:
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determining, during a current session of the tax software application, an application context of the tax software application displayed to a user, wherein the application context comprises a user interface screen of the plurality of user interface screens; retrieving, during the current session, a plurality of database entries corresponding to the application context and identifying a plurality of help files accessed by the user during a previous session of the tax software application; assigning, during the current session, a plurality of priority values to the plurality of help files, wherein assigning the plurality of priority values comprises; accessing a user profile in the tax software application for the user, identifying an itemized income tax deduction of the user from the user profile, identifying a first help file of the plurality of help files corresponding to the itemized tax deduction of the user, and assigning a first priority value to the first help file and a second priority value to a second help file of the plurality of help files, wherein the first priority value exceeds the second priority value in response to the first help file corresponding to the itemized income tax deduction of the user; and presenting, during the current session, the plurality of help files to the user according to the plurality of priority values. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer system, comprising:
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a hardware processor; a physical memory operatively connected to the hardware processor; and a plurality of software instructions stored in the physical memory and comprising functionality, when executed by the hardware processor, to implement a method of providing help information for a tax software application having a plurality of user interface screens, the method comprising; determining, during a current session of the tax software application, an application context of the tax software application displayed to a user, wherein the application context comprises one of a plurality of user interface screens of the tax software application; retrieving, during the current session, a plurality of database entries corresponding to the application context and identifying a plurality of help files accessed by the user during a previous session of the tax software application; assigning, by the hardware processor and during the current session, a plurality of priority values to the plurality of help files, wherein assigning the plurality of priority values comprises; accessing a user profile in the tax software application for the user, identifying an itemized income tax deduction of the user from the user profile, identifying a first help file of the plurality of help files corresponding to the itemized tax deduction of the user, and assigning a first priority value to the first help file and a second priority value to a second help file of the plurality of help files, wherein the first priority value exceeds the second priority value in response to the first help file corresponding to the itemized income tax deduction of the user; and presenting, during the current session, the plurality of help files to the user according to the plurality of priority values. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification