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Description  |
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to computer software, and in
particular to a method and apparatus for introducing new functions in a
computer program based upon a user's familiarity with the basics of the
program.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer software products are available in a myriad of areas. There are
software products that keep a daily calendar, provide a phone book,
provide tax preparation, have accounting information, receive and send
electronic mail, do word processing, and so on. These software products
may have a rich set of available functions which can overwhelm an initial
or novice user. There are numerous shortcuts, editing aids, help
functions, menus, etc., which are typically learned only through time by
experimentation and continued usage. However, since a novice user may have
sufficient difficulty just getting adjusted to the basics of a program,
he/she may never want or be able to use some of the more sophisticated
functions. In some cases, a novice user may become so overwhelmed with the
available functions on a software product that the product may not be used
at all or used on such a limited basis as to make it cost ineffective.
Traditionally, software is delivered to a customer with paper documentation
(a manual) to describe the full functions of the product. Thus a novice
user, or even a more experience user, may have to resort to a manual to
understand how certain functions work and interact with other functions. A
manual can be as overwhelming as the many features available on the
software. Many users shy away from manuals because they may be difficult,
as well as time-consuming to use.
Software packages may also be provided with help functions. Sometimes help
functions are too little or too much. In an attempt to resolve this
problem, it is known in the art to provide automatically adjustable help
information. For example, when a software application is initially
installed, it is assumed that the user is inexperienced and therefore,
help functions are more detailed. As usage of the software increases, it
is assumed that the user has learned the basics and therefore, the help
information displayed becomes progressively less detailed.
While a paper documentation of software may always be necessary, it is not
always desirable to need to refer to the paper documentation to learn
about more advanced functions. Thus, there is a need for a method and
apparatus which introduces more advanced functions of a software
application as the user becomes more familiar with the basics of the
application or as usage increases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of introducing new and/or enhanced
functions available to a computer software application which substantially
reduces or eliminates problems with the prior art. The present invention
allows a user of a software application to gradually learn proper use of
the enhanced features of the application.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of
introducing to a user a new and/or enhanced function available to a
computer software application is provided. Release of a new and/or
enhanced function to the user is predicated upon attainment of a
predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria may comprise a
specified amount of time, a predetermined number of events, or a manual
activation.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of
teaching a user of a computer software application the use thereof is
provided. Sufficient functions are initially presented to the user to
allow the learning of a basic level of usage. New functions are presented
to the user based upon predetermined criteria such as time or events.
The present invention provides a technical advantage in that a user of a
software application is not overwhelmed with too many functions until the
basics are learned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the Detailed Description
taken in conjunction with the attached Drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a data processing system in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a pop-up which would be presented to a user to indicate
the attainment of a predetermined level of usage;
FIG. 3 illustrates a pop-up presented to a user upon selection of a desire
to see more options;
FIG. 4 illustrates a pop-up of a new command "customize" and its related
subcommands upon attainment of a predetermined level of usage criteria in
accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, there is depicted a graphical representation of a data
processing system 8, which may be utilized to implement the present
invention. As may be seen, data processing system 8 may include a
plurality of networks, such as Local Area Networks (LAN) 10 and 32, each
of which preferably includes a plurality of individual computers 12 and
30, respectively. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
a plurality of Intelligent Workstations (IWS) coupled to a host processor
may be utilized for each such network. As is common in such data
processing systems, each individual computer may be coupled to a storage
device 14 and/or a printer/output device 16.
The data processing system 8 may also include multiple mainframe computers,
such as mainframe computer 18, which may be preferably coupled to LAN 10
by means of communications link 22. The mainframe computer 18 may also be
coupled to a storage device 20 which may serve as remote storage for LAN
10. Similarly, LAN 10 may be coupled via communications link 24 through a
subsystem control unit/communications controller 26 and communications
link 34 to a gateway server 28. The gateway server 28 is preferably an
individual computer or IWS which serves to link LAN 32 to LAN 10.
With respect to LAN 32 and LAN 10, a plurality of documents or resource
objects may be stored within storage device 20 and controlled by mainframe
computer 18, as resource manager or library service for the resource
objects thus stored. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that mainframe computer 18 may be located a great geographic distance from
LAN 10 and, similarly, LAN 10 may be located a substantial distance from
LAN 32. For example, LAN 32 may be located in California, while LAN 10 may
be located within Texas, and mainframe computer 18 may be located in New
York.
Stored computer software applications, whether they be for use through a
LAN, a mainframe computer or an IWS, may be provided with a rich set of
available functions. In fact, the available functions may be so rich as to
overwhelm a novice user. Traditionally, the only resources available to
learn how to use the many functions in an application come from some type
of on-line help feature or a paper manual. Unfortunately, on-line help and
paper manuals may be as confusing and difficult to use as the available
application functions. Once a user becomes familiar with the basic
functions, there may be a desire to use more advanced functions. However,
by this time, the user may have become too entrenched with the learned
functions to attempt more advanced functions.
In accordance with the present invention, design of an application will be
for phased sets of functions that start with basic user needs and
progressively and selectively move into more enhanced or enriched
functions. More enriched functions can be made available based upon a
predetermined criteria such as, for example, elapsed time since
installation of the application, a number of usage triggers or manual
activation. Thus, after a certain number of days or preferably after a
predetermined number of usage events, a new or more advanced function can
be introduced to the user. When the new function in introduced, a new set
of instructions or "helps" could simultaneously be introduced to assist
the user. It may be desirable to provide a manual "trigger" to allow a
user (or system administrator) to force the introduction of a new or of
all the functions.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, an example of how the present invention may
be utilized is shown. Referring first to FIG. 2, a predetermined number of
events has occurred, i.e. a total of 150 meetings has been posted to a
calendar application as shown by a message which is generally indicated by
the reference numeral 40. When the calendar application was developed, the
event trigger of 150 meetings posted was determined to be sufficient usage
for a user thereof to become reasonably familiar with the basics. Thus the
message 40 has been generated to let the user know that more features are
available if the user wants to use them. If the user decides that there is
no desire at this time for additional features, the option N (No) is
selected and the application will continue to run as before until another
predetermined number of events occurs.
If the user wants to see the new feature(s), Y (Yes) is selected. Referring
to FIG. 3, the message 40 has been replaced by a new message 42 as a
result of the user's selection of the Y option. The message 42 presents
the user with a plurality of options for learning the new function or an
option providing a second chance to learn about the new function at a
different time. If the user selects, for example, "Ask Again:.sub.-- " 44,
the application will revert to the previously available functions until
the appropriate new criteria occurs (the new criteria will be entered into
the space provided).
If the user selects, for example, "Take Tutorial" 46, the user will be
presented with the new function (as indicated by the reference numeral 52
in FIG. 4) upon completion of the tutorial. If the user selects, for
example, "Print Quick Reference" 48 or "Print User Manual" 50, the user
will be presented with the new function 52 (as well as the printed
information). The new function 52 will preferably be highlighted in some
manner (such as different color, bold print, etc.) to call the user's
attention thereto until a predetermined event occurs (such as the passage
of time, the selection of the option, movement to another panel, etc.).
Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart illustrating the present invention is
shown. After starting at 80, it is determined at decision block 82 whether
or not an installation specific profile is found. An installation specific
profile would be set by a System Administrator or Site Manager to allow an
entire location, group, etc. to have the same trigger for a function. In
addition, a single user could manually force the presentation of new
functions through decision block 82. If the response to decision block 82
is no, a default profile (set by the application developer) is read at
block 84. If the response to decision block 82 is yes, an installation
specific profile is read at block 86. Subsequent to block 84 or block 86,
it is determined at decision block 88 whether or not a user profile is
found. The user profile corresponds to the user's ability to accept or
reject the offering of a new/enhanced function as well as the current
level of functions available thereto. If the response to decision block 88
is yes, the user profile is read at block 90. If the response to decision
block 88 is no, or subsequent to block 90, it is determined at decision
block 92 whether or not usage has reached a threshold for an additional
level of function disclosure. If the response to decision block 92 is yes,
the user is notified of the attainment of a threshold at block 94. It is
then determined at decision block 96 whether or not the user wants to
invoke the next level.
If the response to decision block 96 is yes, a new level of data is stored
to memory at block 98. A new level of data is then written to the user
profile at block 100. If the response to decision block 96 is no, or if
the response to decision block 92 was no, or subsequent to block 100,
level flags are set for the current function/publications at block 102.
Activation of the level flags allows the previously unseen functions and
related on-line publications including "HELP" to be displayed to the user.
The function/publications are invoked per the level flags at block 104. It
is then determined at decision block 106 whether or not the user is
finished with this function. If the response to decision block 106 is no,
the present invention returns to block 104. If the response to decision
block 106 is yes, a usage counter is incremented for this function at
block 108. The usage counter is then updated in the user profile at block
110 and the present invention ends at 112.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a new or novice user of a
computer software application is allowed the opportunity to learn the
basics of the application before being presented with more functions than
he or she can initially handle. Upon the attainment of a certain level of
proficiency, as predetermined during the development of the application
(for automatic advancement) or as manually determined by the user,
new/enhanced functions are presented to the user. The user can force the
introduction of new/enhanced functions at any time or may continue to
delay the introduction thereof for as long as desired. As a result of the
present invention, a software application may be utilized more fully as
the user becomes more familiar with its use and, therefore, may be a more
marketable product.
Although the present invention has been particularly shown and described
with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
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