Method and system for controlling presentation of information to a user based on the user's 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, the modeled user property indicating capabilities of the user for receiving presented output information such that a physical disability of the user prevents the user from perceiving some types of presentations of information;
• 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 such that the presenting is in a manner perceivable by the user.

A method for a computer to model properties of a user for use when presenting output information to the user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a current state of the user, the received information including multiple pieces of information that are inconsistent as to a current value for a property of the user to which the pieces of information relate;
• and
• modeling the property of the user by determining a current value for the property based on mediating the inconsistencies of the received pieces of information the user property affecting appropriateness of presenting output information to the user such that;
• the determined current values of the modeled user property can be used for presenting output information to the user in an appropriate manner.

A method for a computer to model properties of a user for use when presenting output information to the user, the method comprising:

• receiving information about a current state of the user and receiving a rating indicating quality of the received information;
• and
• for at least one of a plurality of properties of the user which affects appropriateness of presenting output information to the user, modeling the property by
• determining whether the received information relates to the property;
• and
• when the received information relates to the property, determining a current value for the property based on the received information in such a manner that the quality rating is reflected in the determined current values for the property,
• so that the determined current values of the modeled user properties can be used for presenting output information to the user in an appropriate manner.

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

• receiving information about at least one modeled characteristic of the user that indicates capabilities of the user for receiving presented output information such that a physical disability of the user prevents the user from perceiving some types of presentations of information:
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the modeled user characteristic;
• and
• presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the modeled user characteristic such that the presenting is in a manner perceivable by the user.

A data structure stored in the memory of a computer for use in presenting output information to a user, the data structure containing modeled information regarding the user, the data structure used by:

• extracting information from the data structure including a current value of a modeled ability of the user to currently receive the output information and/or of a modeled desire of the user of how to currently receive the output information, the extracted information reflecting a physical disability of the user that prevents the user from perceiving some types of presentations of information;
• selecting an output device capable of presenting the output information in accordance with the extracted information;
• and
• presenting the output information on the selected output device in accordance with the extracted information such that the presenting is in a manner perceivable by the user.

A computing system for presenting output information to a user, comprising:

• a first display device a first set of display characteristics;
• a second display device having a second set of display characteristics distinct from the first set;
• and
• an output device selection module configured to select the first and/or second display device based on a predicted preference of the user, the predicted preference being a predicted mental state of the user indicating display devices on which the user would prefer to receive output information, the selecting based at least in part on a mapping between the predicted mental state and the display devices that indicates which of the display devices are suitable for presenting information in accordance with various predicted mental states.