Interactive user support system and method using sensors and machine knowledge

A method of operating an image producing device using an interactive user support system, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing information and rules relating to operation of the image producing device;
• sensing the operation of the image producing device as a result of user actions;
• providing signals in accordance with said sensing step representative of a deviation between user expectations and the operation of the image producing device;
• enabling, with a user interface, an interactive dialogue between said system and said user;
• comparing the operation performed by a user on said image producing device based on said signals from said providing step with said information and rules;
• determining whether it is appropriate to communicate with said user in accordance with said comparing step;
• and
• controlling output of the user interface only if it is determined in said determining step that it is appropriate to communicate with said user.

An interactive user support system for an image producing device, comprising:

• storage means for storing information and rules relating to operation of the image producing device;
• sensing means for sensing the operation of the image producing device as a result of user action, said sensing means providing signals representative of a deviation between user expectations and the operation of the image producing device;
• user interface means for enabling an interactive dialogue between said system and said user;
• comparing means for comparing the operation performed by a user on said image producing device based on said signals from said sensing means with said information and rules stored in said storage means;
• and
• controlling means for controlling output of the user interface means if requested by said user or if said comparing means determines that said user performs an incorrect action, said incorrect action being an attempt of said user to complete an operation without first performing all of the steps of said operation without regard to the sequence of performance of said steps by said user.

An interactive user support system for an image producing device, comprising:

• storage means for storing information and rules relating to operation of the image producing device;
• sensing means for sensing the operation of the image producing device as a result of user action, said sensing means providing signals representative of a deviation between user expectations and the operation of the image producing device;
• user interface means for enabling an interactive dialogue between said system and said user;
• comparing means for comparing the operation performed by a user on said image producing device based on said signals from said sensing means with said information and rules stored in said storage means;
• and
• controlling means, said controlling means having a first mode and a second mode of operation,
• said first mode being a monitoring mode, said controlling means for monitoring said system and allowing said user to proceed even if said comparing means senses that said user performed an incorrect action, so long as said user corrects said incorrect action within one of a predetermined interval of time and a number of operations,
• said second mode being an assistance mode, said controlling means for assisting said user via said user interface means to correct said incorrect action by issuing instructions,
• wherein said control means remains in said monitoring mode and permits said user to perform the steps of a predetermined process out of sequence with respect to said information and rules stored in said storage means, so long as said user completes all of said steps of said predetermined process.

An interactive user support system for an image producing device, comprising:

• storage means for storing information and rules relating to operation of the image producing device;
• sensing means for sensing the operation of the image producing device as a result of user action, said sensing means providing signals representative of a deviation between user expectations and the operation of the image producing device;
• user interface means for enabling an interactive dialogue between said system and said user;
• comparing means for comparing the operation performed by a user on said image producing device based on said signals from said sensing means with said information and rules stored in said storage means;
• and
• controlling means for controlling output of the user interface means if requested by said user or if said comparing means determines that said user performs an incorrect action, wherein after said incorrect action has been determined, said controlling means begins assisting said user if said user fails to correct said incorrect action within one of a predetermined time limit and a number of operations.