Information processing apparatus and method

Abstract

An information processing apparatus and method featuring a general self-administration model, which can be supplemented and augmented by other professional operation models. The apparatus is multi-function in that it includes within a portable and mobile housing, a plethora of peripheral devices such as printer, scanner, GSM modem, landline modem, camera, etc. The invention is self-optimizing for a particular user. This is accomplished by having the user's operation of the apparatus, in other words, the sequence of application buttons and predefined input fields that are selected to accomplish a task to be recorded and stored in a task list. The task list is updated and optimized dynamically by a corresponding server, which maintains a comprehensive and evolving list of all possible tasks. The execution of the tasks can occur with or without interaction from the user. Thus, the invention functions as a "virtual user'. In other words, a "digital clone' of the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relate generally to a computer system, more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method that, among other things, records and optimizes a user's application preferences and specific button selections indicating a user's procedures for performing tasks and then storing those tasks by providing an optimized task list, with each procedure being useable with changeable variables without the necessity of redefining the procedures for the selected tasks.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Present day personal computers and accompanying peripherals are commonplace in any typical business administration system. Many software packages are available which claim to simplify, automate and ease the administrative process . . . a process which can encompass the management of correspondence, the production of literature, accounting and financial administration, telecommunications and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0046] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and method that shortens the learning curve for the user.

[0090] The invention, in addition to providing all of the above benefits, also allows the user to seek a mentor via a proprietary Internet Service Provider (ISP). The mentor can be located anywhere in the world, again, as long as there is at least one method of electronic communication available to him / her. A mentor is not restricted to the form of a physical being. A software system containing the procedures of an expert, behaving as a digital representation of the expert, becomes possible. Such mentors are provided or facilitated by a corresponding infrastructure, that is, another apparatus having the same capabilities and design configurations of the invention. Consequently, the user is able to draw from the source of expert procedures that have been based on the knowledge of those who are recognized as the best in their field. As noted above, such procedures can emanate from other users of the invention, or from any other source of information, as long as the information can be transmitted and received by a sensible and feasible method as provided in accordance with the invention.

Problems solved by technology

Most, if not all, of the computer and, software packages' information are at least partially incompatible with one another.

This fact further exacerbates the difficulty in synergistically and cohesively integrating the separate and distinct computer unit / software combinations into an effective common tool for an organization.

Therefore, an enormous burden is placed on an entity to train its personnel in the use of such a "networked" system as well as maintain such systems, especially when adding or upgrading software / hardware, which is a monumental task.

It is no wonder that even modestly sized businesses have been forced into the expense of Information Processing Departments.

It is often the case, particularly with small businesses and individuals, that they can simply not afford the cost of software training.

For larger businesses, training does not produce immediate benefits, as it takes time for users to assimilate the information they are presented with at a training session.

Further, due to the inherent conflicts in naming screens, and procedure requirements to initiate a particular task in any given software program as compared to the next, a worker skilled in one brand of word processing software, for example, will have substantial difficulty when asked to start using a different brand.

Such errors in judgment cost time and money and either leave the user with hardware that they did not originally require or cannot operate, or software that they will not use to its full potential.

Consequently, the attempt to provide every possible software feature to every user necessitates the depth, nesting and complexity of current GUI systems.

As a result, the GUI is an inefficient fit, to a greater or lesser degree, for each individual user especially those unfamiliar with computers.

Because of their inherent limitations, none have been successful.

Users find it very difficult to develop an mnemonically consistent scheme for remembering such key combinations.

The combinations tend to be so arbitrary that it is difficult to use mnemonic logic to memorize the cryptic key combinations.

Further, many key combinations only work a given way in specific application programs, further restricting the combinations that are available.

The user's limited ability to remember and reflexively recall more than a few cryptic key combinations severely limits the usability of macro utilities.

Many people are so intimidated by the cryptic nature of macros they refuse to even consider their use.

To expect a new user to make use of this ability is not practical.

Recognition of the user's words by these utilities is limited to the purpose of replacing one text string with another.

They do not enable the user to use this concept for controlling computer processes and functions.

The existing shortcut utilities, however, do not offer the user an integrated approach to creating, managing and using shortcuts for content services, retrieval services and commands.

Their interfaces are inconsistent and far too difficult to organize and remember.

Because the user must assemble his / her shortcuts using a collection of different software products, he / she loses any potential advantage due to the delay with cumbersome and time-consuming management of these shortcuts.

Self-actualization is a difficult process.

In fact, most humans never reach self-actualization, in part, because of his / her inability to utilize the entire capacity of the brain as well as the demands of fulfilling basic needs first.

However, the prior art incorrectly attempts to solve this problem by creating macros and icons.

These disadvantages include: a long learning curve to master several software applications, the inability to ergonomically adapt to a particular user, the language barriers, the "80 / 20" problem, etc.

Although software exists that can do practically anything a user requires as noted above, the human user cannot keep abreast of the potential benefits of all existing software.

Rather, software applications vary so greatly with respect to general set-up that a computer user must learn every new application, making mastery of a great many applications time-prohibitive.

Rather, MICROSOFT OFFICE provides semi-similar screens, with very different applications, thereby making it virtually impossible to fully transfer the knowledge one has of WORD, for example, to EXCEL.

While the screens are similar, there are also significant differences between applications for, essentially, identical button selections.

Although this invention allows for user-specific menu options, the inherent problem still exists; the user must design these menus using his / her "vital few".

However, this does not solve the problem of providing a common tool bar for each application.

If it is required immediately after it was turned `off`, both the time required turning the device `off` and the time required to restore it to its power `on` state are wasted.

This delay will impact the responsiveness of the system.

However, the industry focuses on laptop computers only, and does not contemplate the potential of peripheral devices running off the laptop computer battery.

Peripheral modules such as a scanner, a printer, and a fax machine cannot be controlled by this programmable power supply.

Although this device minimally controls the life of the laptop battery, it does so only on an `all or nothing` basis.

Thus, this device is not conditioned by the use of certain components or modules connected with the laptop, but rather only by whether the laptop is turned `on` or `off`.

Therefore, considering the above inventions, although many attempts of curbing this problem have been publicly disclosed, these solutions would not be applicable to a device consisting of more than just the computer apparatus, such as peripheral computer modules including a fax machine, scanner, printer and the like.

However, these ever-expanding portable offices are very bulky, heavy and inconvenient.

These portable offices also lack such necessary items as a scanner, fax machine, photocopier and printer.

All of these attempts to create a "portable" office, although valiant, have not quenched the need of a truly portable and mobile office.

This integration of wireless communications and computing raises potential problems with Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).

During wireless transmission, high-power radiation from a transceiver interferes with the processors and other electronics in the computing section of the device.

Cross-talk between the transceiver and the computing electronics will likely disturb the signal levels in the digital electronics, giving rise to errors in the computing process.

However, now any electromagnetic radiation from the computing electronics can disturb the reception.

This is especially a problem in high-speed, digital electronics, where steep edges and spikes at the signal level transitions can produce considerable radiation.

With the ever-increasing clock frequencies of digital electronics, radiation from the computing electronics to the receiving unit will become more and more of a problem, irrespective of the kind of access method used (TDMA, FDMA, CDMA, etc.).

First, an interrupt signal is sent from a transceiver to a computing device when the transceiver is about to transmit or receive information.

Another problem experienced by today's "portable office" user is the threat of a breach of secure information.

To many, this is of utmost concern because his / her laptop often contains confidential files that have the potential of creating substantial damage if released to the public.

Often the passwords are short and the code can easily be broken.

Additionally, this security does not prevent someone from removing the hard drive or from simply taking the entire portable computer home with them to work on breaking the operating system security code.

Although these devices work well in a large scale building or office, the excess weight and space some of these devices would add to a portable office is significant, particularly considering the current desire to constantly design lighter and more compact portable computing units.

The voice recognition device, however, could be integrated into the hard drive of the unit and thus take up only limited memory space.

However, there is a disadvantage to a voice recognition device.

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