Patent Application
20050060278
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of user interfaces and more particularly to the presentation of lists from which users will make a selection, such as drop-down lists and list boxes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Grammar files can be user generated or voice browser built-in grammars. A default arrangement of grammar files in a list is typically done alphabetically by their name. An alphabetical organization is optimal for some purposes, but not all. One situation in which an alphabetical arrangement is suboptimal is the presentation of grammar files in a callflow development graphical user interface (GUI), given that users can create their own grammar files. In such scenario, an alphabetical arrangement can be cumbersome and less than ideal.
Although there are numerous systems or methods using alphabetical or chronological arrangements, none are ideally suited where a user can create their own grammar files. Thus, a need exists for a system and method that can overcome the detriments described above.
Embodiments in accordance with the invention can enable callflow designers to work more efficiently with lists of grammar files in a graphical callflow builder, particularly where users can create their own grammar files. In such a situation, it is better to place the user created grammar files at the top of the list because they are the files that are most likely to be selected by a callflow designer.
In a first aspect of the invention, a method for arranging grammar files in a presentation list can include the steps of receiving a system request to display the grammar files in the presentation list, and sorting the grammar files by giving user defined grammar files greater priority over built-in grammar files and then sorting by a second criteria. The method can further include the step of displaying the grammar files when a user selects the grammar files and distinguishing between a user defined grammar and a built-in grammar.
In a second aspect of the invention, a system for arranging grammar files in a presentation list can include a memory and a processor programmed to receive a system request to display the grammar files in the presentation list and to sort the grammar files by giving user defined grammar files greater priority over built-in grammar files and then sorting by a second criteria.
In a third aspect of the invention, a computer program has a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform certain steps as described in the method and systems above.
There are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
Embodiments in accordance with the invention can provide a solution for optimally arranging grammar files in a presentation list where each file name in the list is sorted first based on whether the file is created by the user or is system or built-in, then on a secondary attribute such as position in an alphabetical list. Using this list strategy for grammar files, a callflow designer will be able to select grammar files faster, and with better accuracy.
For example, imagine a graphical callflow development system, in which a user generates the following grammar files:
Furthermore, a browser-defined subset of the grammars could be:
Exposing the combination of these two subsets of grammar files in a GUI, the combined list of grammar files listed in alphabetical order, would look like:
In this case, a callflow designer would have a cluttered view of the list of grammar files, where the user-defined grammar files are intermixed with the browser built-in grammar files. Furthermore, an ambiguous situation arises if a user creates a grammar file with the same name as a browser built-in grammar file. For example, a user might create a currency grammar file, which has additional functionality, but is named the same (currency.jsgf).
If the system would make a distinction between user-defined and built-in grammars, and used that information when sorting the two groups alphabetically and creating the grammar file order, putting user-defined grammar file names at the top of the list, the list would look like:
Additional visual aid could be presented to a user, in form of a partition of the two subsets of grammar files by a space, dashed line, or group header:
User-Defined Grammars:
Built-in Grammars:
This would make it much easier to work with the grammar files in this type of system, especially as the number of grammar files becomes larger.
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It should be understood that the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention can also be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
The present invention also can be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program or application in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
This invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
