System for interactive help

摘要

Method and system for the provision of interactive assistance over a network for a user to complete a desired computing task on a user computing device. Task-guides are generated on task-guide generators operating on author user devices. Each task-guide includes a sequence of processes, each process including an action for the user to perform in association with a graphical user interface (GUI) object displayed on the user computing device. The process obtains information about the GUI object using at least one data-gathering technique. An administrator operating on a server computing device receives a task-assistance request from a task-guide executor operating on an end user device, and sends back at least one suitable task-guide over the network. The task-guide executor executes the task-guide on the end user device, displaying a sequence of instructions for the end user to follow in order to complete the desired computing task.

主权项

1. A method for the provision of interactive assistance over a network for a user to complete a desired computing task on a user computing device, the method comprising:
generating a plurality of task-guides comprising a sequence of processes, each of said processes comprising at least one action for said user to perform in association with at least one graphical user interface (GUI) object displayed on a user computing device; receiving from a user computing device a task-assistance request over said network; receiving information about at least one computing environment of said user computing device over said network; sending at least one task-guide of said plurality of task guides corresponding to: 1) said task-assistance request, and, 2) said at least one computing environment of said user computing device, to said user computing device over said network, said at least one task-guide presenting a sequence of processes in accordance with information about said at least one GUI object displayed on said user computing device; and, obtaining said information about said at least one GUI object displayed on said user computing device, using at least one data-gathering technique, said at least one data-gathering technique selected for obtaining said information about said at least one GUI object, over said network, while said at least one task guide is operating on said user computer.