Method and system for controlling presentation of information to a user based on the user's condition

A method for a computer to present information to a user on one of a plurality of available output devices, the method comprising:

• (a) monitoring the user to collect information about a current state of the user;
• (b) modeling a current user condition based on the collected information by,
• determining a current level of privacy desired by the user, the level of privacy indicating a group of people allowed to perceive information presented by the computer;
• determining a current scope of audience desired by the user, the scope of audience indicating how many people are intended to perceive information presented by the computer;
• or
• determining a current cognitive load of the user, the cognitive load indicating ability of the user to devote attention to the computer;
• (c) receiving output information to be presented to the user;
• receiving description information for the output information describing importance and deferability of the output information;
• and
• (d) presenting the output information in a manner consistent with the modeled current user condition and in a manner consistent with the description information by,
• selecting one of the plurality of output devices such that information presentation capabilities of the selected output device support the determined current desired level of privacy, the determined current desired scope of audience, and the determined current cognitive load;
• and
• presenting the output information to the user on the selected output device,
• so that the presentation of information by the computer satisfies the modeled current user condition.

A computer-implemented method for presenting output information to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a modeled property of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user;
• receiving description information indicating importance or deferability of the output information, and presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user property;
• and
• when no selectable output device is capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user property, deferring the presenting of the output information.

A computer-implemented method for presenting output information to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a modeled property of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user, the modeled user property being an indication of a degree of interruptibility of current activities of the user;
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user property;
• and
• presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user property.

A computer-implemented method for presenting output information to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a modeled property of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user, the modeled user property being a preference of the user for receiving information during current activities of the user;
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user property;
• and
• presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user property.

A computer-implemented method for presenting output information to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a modeled property of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user;
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user property, the selected output device including a range of information presentation capabilities;
• formatting the output information to select information presentation capabilities of the selected output device to be used such that the selected information presentation capabilities are consistent with the modeled user property;
• and
• after the formatting, presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user property.

A computer-implemented method for presenting output information to a user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a modeled property of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user, the modeled user property being an indication of appropriateness of presenting the output information in a manner perceivable by others;
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user property;
• and
• presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user property.

A method for a wearable computer to present output information to a user wearing the wearable computer, the wearable computer having a plurality of output devices from which the user can receive information, the method comprising:

• monitoring the user to collect information;
• characterizing the user based on the collected information so as to identify an ability of the user to currently receive the output information and a desire of the user of how to currently receive the output information;
• receiving description information indicating importance or deferability of the output information;
• selecting one of the plurality of output devices such that information presentation capabilities of the selected output device support the identified ability and desire and such that the selecting is performed in accordance with the description information;
• and
• presenting the output information to the user on the selected output device consistently with the identified ability and desire.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for presenting output information to a user, by performing a method comprising:

• receiving information about at least one modeled characteristic of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user;
• receiving the output information;
• receiving description information indicating importance and/or deferability of the output information,
• when a selectable output device is capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user characteristic and the description information, selecting the output device and presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user characteristic;
• and
• when no selectable output device is capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user characteristic deferring the presenting of the output information.

A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer to present output information to a user by:

• receiving information about a modeled property of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user;
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user property, the selected output device including a range of information presentation capabilities;
• formatting the output information, the formatting to select information presentation capabilities of the selected output device to be used such that the selected information presentation capabilities are consistent with the modeled user property;
• and
• after the formatting, presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user property.