A preview of Microsoft's direction in a patent application... http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220070300174%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20070300174&RS=DN/20070300174
A few extracts from this patent application... A unique monitoring system and method is provided that involves monitoring user activity in order to facilitate managing and optimizing the utilization of various system resources. In particular, the system can monitor user activity, detect when users need assistance with their specific activities, and identify at least one other user that can assist them. Assistance can be in the form of answering questions, providing guidance to the user as the user completes the activity, or completing the activity such as in the case of taking on an assigned activity. In addition, the system can aggregate activity data across users and/or devices. As a result, problems with activity templates or activities themselves can be more readily identified, user performance can be readily compared, and users can communicate and exchange information regarding similar activity experiences. Furthermore, synchronicity and time-sensitive scheduling of activities between users can be facilitated and improved overall. 1. An activity monitoring system that facilitates managing and optimizing user activity automatically to improve overall user productivity and efficiency comprising:a monitoring component that can monitor user activity conducted on one or more computing devices; and an activity management component 6. The system of claim 1 further comprises a detection component that identifies when assistance with a target activity is needed. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the detection component comprises one or more physiological or environmental sensors to detect at least one of heart rate, galvanic skin response, EMG, brain signals, respiration rate, body temperature, movement, facial movements, facial expressions, and blood pressure. The subject application provides one or more systems and methods that monitor online and/or offline activities of one or more users in order to identify users who have previously or who are currently involved in an activity similar or related to a target activity. In particular, the system, for example, can identify a current or target activity in which a user (e.g., target user) is engaged. The system can then recommend other users (e.g., assisting user(s)) to answer questions for or otherwise provide assistance to the target user. Assisting users can be identified and prioritized as such according to various parameters including but not limited to the target activity, experience with the target activity or certain aspects of the target activity, availability (e.g. free time, schedule open, proximity, or location), social distance from the target user, work patterns and interruptibility, success/failure history with respect to the target activity, cost, current state, current activity, and/or performance rating for the target activity or for activities related or similar to the target activity. The system can also automatically detect frustration or stress in the user via physiological and environmental sensors and then offer or provide some type of assistance accordingly. Baseline or "normal" parameters for each user can be established in view of the fact that different body types and sizes and personalities can display different physical, mental, and emotional responses to similar situations. For example, an elevated heart rate during tax return preparation may be considered normal for one user and not an indication that help is needed but for another user, the inverse may be true. Imagine the beta testing, and the impact of software bugs and applying patches. Hmm.... Happy New Year, everyone! Steve ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~
