WO2000057653A1 - Gestion d'interfaces utilisateurs multicontextes de terminaux de telecommunication - Google Patents

Gestion d'interfaces utilisateurs multicontextes de terminaux de telecommunication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000057653A1
WO2000057653A1 PCT/IB2000/000238 IB0000238W WO0057653A1 WO 2000057653 A1 WO2000057653 A1 WO 2000057653A1 IB 0000238 W IB0000238 W IB 0000238W WO 0057653 A1 WO0057653 A1 WO 0057653A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
interaction
terminal
context
branch exchange
user
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2000/000238
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Rémi HOUDAILLE
Original Assignee
Lucent Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucent Technologies Inc filed Critical Lucent Technologies Inc
Priority to EP00905236A priority Critical patent/EP1163808A1/fr
Priority to CA002367569A priority patent/CA2367569A1/fr
Priority to AU26858/00A priority patent/AU2685800A/en
Publication of WO2000057653A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000057653A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
    • H04Q3/58—Arrangements providing connection between main exchange and sub-exchange or satellite
    • H04Q3/62—Arrangements providing connection between main exchange and sub-exchange or satellite for connecting to private branch exchanges
    • H04Q3/625—Arrangements in the private branch exchange
    • H04Q3/627—Details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
    • H04M1/2473—Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface)
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
    • H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
    • H04M3/42314—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers in private branch exchanges
    • H04M3/42323—PBX's with CTI arrangements

Definitions

  • the field of the invention is that of automatic branch exchanges for telecommunication systems and especially but not exclusively private automatic branch exchanges or PABXs.
  • the invention relates to a method for the management of the user interfaces of a plurality of user terminals connected to an automatic branch exchange.
  • an automatic branch exchange interacts with a plurality of users by means of a plurality of user terminals.
  • these terminals are distributed geographically within the premises of a firm.
  • it is possible to distinguish between two types of user terminals namely "internal" user terminals that are directly connected to the automatic branch exchange and "external" user terminals that are connected to the automatic branch exchange by means of a bus or a telephone network line (STN, ISDN, etc.).
  • the term « user terminal » is understood to mean any type of telecommunications equipment placed at the disposal of users. Such equipment includes especially but not exclusively telephone type terminals (for example simple or enhanced- function telephone sets) and computer type terminals (for example microcomputers emulating telecommunications functions). With a view to simplification, the expression “user terminal” is sometimes replaced by "terminal”.
  • the automatic branch exchange carries out a single-context management of the user interface of each terminal.
  • the automatic branch exchange can adapt the user interface of each terminal to only one context of use, sometimes also called a working context.
  • the term « user interface » of a terminal is understood to mean a man-machine interface of this terminal.
  • This term covers all types of input resources (keyboard keys, control buttons, etc.) and output resources (display screens, loudspeakers, light indicators, etc.) of the terminal whose use enables the automatic branch exchange and/or the terminal itself to communicate with the user.
  • the screen of the terminal displays a scrolling menu with a plurality of items corresponding to different possible functions or choices and, through the keys of the keyboard or the control buttons, the user can select and validate one of the items so that the corresponding function or choice can be activated (this may be, for example, the activation of the "add-on third party" function or again the choice of a volume of sound).
  • each new potential activity for example an incoming call
  • each new potential activity is a troublesome interruption that could cause a loss of the working context in progress.
  • two ways are proposed for processing such interruptions but neither of them is satisfactory.
  • Either the new activity effectively replaces the activity in progress (in the above-mentioned example, the call goes through) in which case its working context is imposed at the expense of the working context in progress which is then lost, or else the new activity is rejected so long as the activity in progress is not over (in the above- mentioned example, the terminal is seen to be busy and the call does not go through), and this is hardly acceptable.
  • interface mechanism is understood to mean a particular management of the user interface of the terminal, enabling this terminal to be matched with a given context of use. This lack of consistency between interface mechanisms can be explained by the fact that, to date, there are no efficient production tools. Indeed, different interface mechanisms are presently being developed independently of each other, and they are generally developed directly within a unique and complex main application that is implemented by the automatic branch exchange.
  • one of the goals of the present invention is to provide a method enabling a multiple-context management of the user interfaces of a plurality of user terminals connected to an automatic branch exchange.
  • Another goal of the invention is to provide a method of this kind enabling an improvement in the ergonomy of the user interfaces.
  • An additional goal of the invention is to provide a method of this kind enabling the implementation of efficient production tools, providing for the consistent development of the interface mechanisms.
  • the general principle of the invention therefore consists in passing from a single- context management to a multiple-context management of the user interface of each terminal.
  • the user of the terminal is provided with a simultaneity of activities having different working contexts without there being any consequent loss of one of the working contexts.
  • This simultaneity may be real (the user carries out several activities at the same time) or "false" (the user caries out several activities successively but wishes to be able to return to one of the previous activities without any loss of context).
  • said step of multiple-context management itself comprises the following steps for each terminal:
  • an interaction model is designed, based on the notions of total interaction profile and interaction panel.
  • This interaction model is not linked to a particular context, and is independent of the underlying means actually implemented in the user terminals. It therefore enables the setting up of efficient production tools providing for the consistent development of all the interface mechanisms and for an improvement in the ergonomy of the user interfaces.
  • the interaction panels are means for combining interactions pertaining to one and the same user activity, having its own context of use.
  • An interaction panel is not necessarily associated with the entire interaction context of a feature (or function). Indeed, if a feature requires a complex interaction, it may be subdivided into several contexts of activities, each associated with an interaction panel. Conversely, several features related to each other may be combined within one and the same context of use and may therefore be associated with one and the same interaction panel.
  • said at least one total interaction profile furthermore comprises at least one interaction background that is not associated with any specific context of use of said terminal. Said automatic branch exchange, within said at least one total interaction profile, permanently activates said at least one interaction background so that the user interface of said terminal always provides at least one form of interaction that is independent of said contexts of use and especially of the activated context or contexts of use.
  • said at least one total interaction profile comprises a single interaction background.
  • each interaction panel and/or each interaction background comprises at least one interaction element belonging to the group comprising:
  • composition elements each enabling the organization of a grouping of at least one interaction element included in said interaction panel
  • - triggering means each enabling a user to trigger at least one action in the automatic branch exchange and/or in one of said terminals by means of at least one terminal input resource.
  • an interaction panel combines all that is needed for a user to interact in a specific context. It may therefore include several types of interaction elements, on both the input and output aspects.
  • the four categories of interaction elements mentioned here above namely « composition » « output » « input » and « interaction ») may naturally each include a plurality of distinct interaction elements.
  • said total interaction profiles of said terminals are managed by said automatic branch exchange in an intermediate applications layer proposing generic services to at least one higher level applications layer.
  • said at least one total interaction profile furthermore comprises a plurality of links each bearing at least one connection between at least one of said interaction elements and at least one object of an application included in said at least one higher level applications layer.
  • each connection bears at least one object component belonging to the group comprising: attributes, associations and operations.
  • object is herein understood in the sense of the software development technique.
  • a total interaction profile comprises at least two activated interaction panels
  • said method comprises the following steps:
  • said activated interaction panels use the input and/or output resources of said terminals according to a predetermined strategy of use as a function of the ranks assigned to them.
  • the invention therefore relates to a method for the multiple-context management of the user interfaces of a plurality of user terminals connected to an automatic branch exchange.
  • the method comprises a step of multiple-context management which itself comprises the following steps:
  • each total interaction profile may include any number of interaction panels and any number of interaction backgrounds (even if the most frequent case of use is that of a single interaction background).
  • the different contexts of use imposed on the terminal may be imposed simultaneously (if the user is carrying out several activities simultaneously) or successively (if the user passes from one activity to another while wishing to return, without any loss of context, to one of his or her previous activities).
  • the present invention also includes the case where only one context of use is imposed on the terminal. In this case, apart from the interaction background, only the interaction panel associated with this context is activated.
  • Each interaction panel is associated with a particular context of use and its activation by the automatic branch exchange entails a matching of the user interface of the terminal to this particular context of use.
  • Each panel has one or more interaction elements.
  • Each interaction element controls a part of the user interface of the terminal so that this interface part is adapted to the context associated with the panel in which this interaction element is included.
  • the interaction elements are distributed into four groups 4 to 7, respectively comprising composition elements 4-
  • Each composition element 4-] , 42, etc. makes it possible to organize a grouping of at least one interaction element included in one and the same interaction panel. What has to be done for example is to organize the display, on one or more lines of a display screen, of a plurality of visual interaction elements so that they are all visible simultaneously or, on the contrary, so that only some of them are visible (if the size of the screen is not sufficient).
  • the following composition elements may be mentioned:
  • composition elements enabling the organization of the visual interaction elements on a screen by placing them for example one after the other from left to right;
  • the "flashing" composition elements enabling the alternative display, for a predetermined period, of several visual interaction elements on a screen;
  • Each output element 5-j , 52, etc. enables the automatic branch exchange and/or terminal to communicate information to a user, by means of at least one terminal output resource.
  • the information elements communicated are for example sounds, ringing or again messages displayed on a screen. They may be fixed or variable. In the latter case, they enable for example the user to be informed of a current value of a data element.
  • output resources of the terminal » must be understood to mean especially but not exclusively display units, portions of display units (for example screen lines), loudspeakers, ringing bells and light indicators (for example LEDs).
  • Each input element 6-) , 62, etc. enables a user to give information to the system (namely to the automatic branch exchange and/or terminal) by means of at least one terminal input resource.
  • the information given is for example data that the user enters through the keyboard.
  • terminal input resources » is understood to mean especially but not exclusively keys, touch screen pads, preprogrammed control buttons and programmable menu buttons. It must be noted that it is possible, while remaining within the context of the present invention, to combine the input and output aspects within one and the same element called an input/output element. This for example enables the user to have feedback (for example visual feedback) on the information that he has just entered (by the keyboard for example).
  • Each triggering element 7-j , 72, etc. enables a user to trigger at least one action in the system by means of at lest one terminal input resource.
  • the interaction background 3 comprises interaction elements. These elements are for example divided into four groups 4' to T of the same nature as the above-mentioned groups 4 to 7. They enable the user to be permanently provided with forms of interaction that are independent of the contexts of use imposed on the terminal by the application executed by the automatic branch exchange.
  • a distinct rank within a stack 12 is assigned dynamically to each of the interaction panels activated.
  • the activated interaction panels then use the input and/or output resources of the terminal according to a predetermined strategy of use as a function of the ranks assigned to them.
  • a predetermined strategy of use of the resources of the terminals For example the one referenced 23, is placed at the top of the stack 12. The other panels are then automatically shifted by one position downwards within the stack.
  • each output resource is either indivisible (this is for example the case of a loudspeaker, a bell ringing system or again a light indicator) or can be broken down into a plurality of output resource elements (this is the case for example of a display screen).
  • each output resource if it is indivisible
  • each output resource element if the output resource can be subdivided
  • the output element included in the panel which, among those likely to use it at this point in time, occupies the highest position within the stack.
  • the second type of conflict occurs when several input elements seek to make simultaneous use of one and the same input resource.
  • the rule adopted is as follows: only the interaction panel placed at the top of the stack 12 can use the input resource of the terminal.
  • the third type of conflict occurs between the interaction panels 2-
  • the rule adopted is as follows: with regard to the outputs, the interaction background 3 acts as if it were a panel placed at the bottom of the stack 12; with regard to the inputs, the interaction background 3 always receives the inputs if the panel placed at the top of the stack does not use the events.
  • the application performed by the automatic branch exchange which takes the form of a software program
  • layer N-1 an intermediate application layer
  • the intermediate applications layer comprises a man-machine interface management module 8 that manages the total interaction profiles 1 1 to 1 N.
  • This module 8 provides generic services to another module 9 included in the upper applications layer.
  • This other module 9 manages the core of the application executed by the automatic branch exchange, according to different predetermined scenarios expressed in detailed specifications.
  • the generic services built around the above-mentioned notions of interaction panels and interaction background generally relate to: - the management of the information outputs on a terminal intended for a user;
  • , 102, I O3, ... are used between firstly the interaction elements included in the interaction panels and, secondly, objects 11 -
  • the links enable the updating of the information communicated by the output elements as well as the taking into account of the information received by the input elements or action triggering requests received by the triggering elements.
  • Each total interaction profile comprises its own set of links.
  • Each link generally bears a connection between an interaction element and an object. It is clear however that the connection made by one and the same link may relate to several interaction elements and/or several objects.
  • each connection generally bears one of the following object components (or information categories): attribute, association or operation. It is clear however that one and the same connection can simultaneously bear several of these components.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de gestion multicontexte d'interfaces utilisateur d'une pluralité de terminaux d'utilisateurs connectés à un central automatique. Elle permet de faire correspondre l'interface utilisateur de chaque terminal avec un ou plusieurs contextes d'utilisation distincts et éventuellement simultanés imposés au terminal. Dans un mode d'application particulier, pour chaque terminal est défini au moins un profil d'interactions total (11 à 1N) contenant au moins un panel d'interaction (21 à 2K). Chaque panel d'interactions est associé à un contexte d'utilisation distinct. L'activation d'un panel d'interactions donné, par le central automatique, permet une mise en correspondance de l'interface utilisateur dudit terminal avec le contexte d'utilisation associé à ce panel d'interactions donné. Lors du fonctionnement, le central automatique, à l'intérieur au moins dudit profil d'interactions total, active le panel ou les panels d'interactions associés au contexte ou contextes d'utilisation imposés au terminal.
PCT/IB2000/000238 1999-03-22 2000-02-28 Gestion d'interfaces utilisateurs multicontextes de terminaux de telecommunication WO2000057653A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00905236A EP1163808A1 (fr) 1999-03-22 2000-02-28 Gestion d'interfaces utilisateurs multicontextes de terminaux de telecommunication
CA002367569A CA2367569A1 (fr) 1999-03-22 2000-02-28 Gestion d'interfaces utilisateurs multicontextes de terminaux de telecommunication
AU26858/00A AU2685800A (en) 1999-03-22 2000-02-28 Management of multi-context user interfaces of telecommunication terminals

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99460020 1999-03-22
EP99460020.3 1999-03-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000057653A1 true WO2000057653A1 (fr) 2000-09-28

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PCT/IB2000/000238 WO2000057653A1 (fr) 1999-03-22 2000-02-28 Gestion d'interfaces utilisateurs multicontextes de terminaux de telecommunication

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EP (1) EP1163808A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2685800A (fr)
CA (1) CA2367569A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000057653A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5371788A (en) * 1993-04-13 1994-12-06 At&T Corp. Arrangement for displaying menu screens on a telephone terminal
US5572648A (en) * 1993-01-19 1996-11-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha System for simultaneously displaying a static tool palette having predefined windowing tool functions and a dynamic tool palette which changes windowing tool functons in accordance with a context of an executed application program
DE19534938A1 (de) * 1995-09-20 1997-03-27 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zur Generierung von Benutzeroberflächeninformationen in einer Fernmeldevermittlungseinrichtung
US5754636A (en) * 1994-11-01 1998-05-19 Answersoft, Inc. Computer telephone system
WO1998048550A1 (fr) * 1997-04-23 1998-10-29 Northern Telecom Limited Interface graphique utilisateur multitache

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5572648A (en) * 1993-01-19 1996-11-05 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha System for simultaneously displaying a static tool palette having predefined windowing tool functions and a dynamic tool palette which changes windowing tool functons in accordance with a context of an executed application program
US5371788A (en) * 1993-04-13 1994-12-06 At&T Corp. Arrangement for displaying menu screens on a telephone terminal
US5754636A (en) * 1994-11-01 1998-05-19 Answersoft, Inc. Computer telephone system
DE19534938A1 (de) * 1995-09-20 1997-03-27 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zur Generierung von Benutzeroberflächeninformationen in einer Fernmeldevermittlungseinrichtung
WO1998048550A1 (fr) * 1997-04-23 1998-10-29 Northern Telecom Limited Interface graphique utilisateur multitache

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
SCHROETER E ET AL: "AN APPLICATION INTERFACE WITH MULTIPLE WORKSPACES: THE CONTEXT SWITCHER", PROCEEDINGS OF 6TH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE ON COMPUTER-HUMAN INTERACTION, HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND, 24-27 NOVEMBER 1996, pages 318 - 319, XP002105066 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2367569A1 (fr) 2000-09-28
EP1163808A1 (fr) 2001-12-19
AU2685800A (en) 2000-10-09

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