Apple Inc.

John Powers

Michael Lane Gough

Patricia J Coleman

James Ieyasu Miyake

Greg Ames

Glenn Katz

Josh Jacobs

Jon Kalb

A computer-user interface facilitates interaction between the user and the computer in a manner which enables the computer to assist the user in accomplishing desired goals. Based upon a particular task to be performed, the computer interviews the user to obtain the information pertinent to that particular task. Once the information is provided to the computer, it works with the user to automatically perform desired tasks in response to triggering events designated by the user. In addition, the computer can notify the user whenever a task is being carried out. Any executable function can be designated by the user as the object of a task. The initiation of this task can be carried out in response to any programmatically detectable event, or trigger, which is also designated by the user. As a further feature, the user has the ability to select from among a number of different types of notification to be provided whenever the task is being performed. With the flexibility offered by this arrangement, the user can customize the operation of a computer to suit his or her particular needs.

Computer system for automatically instantiating tasks designated by a user

A computer-user interface facilitates interaction between the user and the computer in a manner which enables the computer to assist the user in accomplishing desired goals. Based upon a particular task to be performed, the computer interviews the user to obtain the information pertinent to that particular task. Once the information is provided to the computer, it works with the user to automatically perform desired tasks in response to triggering events designated by the user. In addition, the computer can notify the user whenever a task is being carried out. Any executable function can be designated by the user as the object of a task. The initiation of this task can be carried out in response to any programmatically detectable event, or trigger, which is also designated by the user. As a further feature, the user has the ability to select from among a number of different types of notification to be provided whenever the task is being performed. With the flexibility offered by this arrangement, he user can customize the operation of a computer to suit his or her particular needs.

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Monte Sereno, CA, United States of America

John Powers