Abstract: In order to capture current educational practices in eLearning courses, more advanced ‘learning design’ capabilities are needed than are provided by the open eLearning specifications hitherto available. Specifically, these fall short in terms of multi-role workflows, collaborative peer-interaction, personalization and support for learning services. We present a new specification that both extends and integrates current specifications to support the portable representation of units of learning (e.g. lessons, learning events) that have advanced learning designs. This is the Learning Design specification. It enables the creation of a complete, abstract and portable description of the pedagogical approach taken in a course, which can then be realized by a conforming system. It can model multi-role teaching-learning processes and supports personalization of learning routes. The underlying generic pedagogical modelling language has been translated into a specification (a standard developed and agreed upon by domain and industry experts) that was developed in the context of IMS, one of the major bodies involved in the development of interoperability specifications in the field of eLearning. The IMS Learning Design specification is discussed in this article in the context of its current status, its limitations and its future development.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a user profile and for using the user profile to order search results returned by a search engine. The user profile is based on search queries submitted by a user, the user's specific interaction with the documents identified by the search engine and personal information provided by the user. Generic scores associated with the search results are modulated by the user profile to measure their relevance to a user's preference and interest. The search results are re-ordered accordingly so that the most relevant results appear on the top of the list. User profiles can be created and/or stored on the client side or server side of a client-server network environment. text analysis.

Abstract: Education has undergone major changes in recent years, with the development of digital information transfer, storage and communication methods having a significant effect. This development has allowed for access to global communications and the number of resources available to today's students at all levels of schooling. After the initial impact of computers and their applications in education, the introduction of e-learning and m-learning epitomised the constant transformations that were occurring in education. Now, the assimilation of ubiquitous computing in education marks another great step forward, with Ubiquitous Learning (u-learning) emerging through the concept of ubiquitous computing. It is reported to be both pervasive and persistent, allowing students to access education flexibly, calmly and seamlessly. U-learning has the potential to revolutionise education and remove many of the physical constraints of traditional learning. Furthermore, the integration of adaptive learning with ubiquitous computing and u-learning may offer great innovation in the delivery of education, allowing for personalisation and customisation to student needs.

Abstract: Software applications continue to grow in terms of the number of features they offer, making personalization increasingly important. Research has shown that most users prefer the control afforded by an adaptable approach to personalization rather than a system-controlled adaptive approach. No study, however, has compared the efficiency of the two approaches. In a controlled lab study with 27 subjects we compared the measured and perceived efficiency of three menu conditions: static, adaptable and adaptive. Each was implemented as a split menu, in which the top four items remained static, were adaptable by the subject, or adapted according to the subject's frequently and recently used items. The static menu was found to be significantly faster than the adaptive menu, and the adaptable menu was found to be significantly faster than the adaptive menu under certain conditions. The majority of users preferred the adaptable menu overall. Implications for interface design are discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that employ user models to personalize generalized queries and/or search results according to information that is relevant to respective user characteristics. A system is provided that facilitates generating personalized searches of information. The system includes a user model to determine characteristics of a user. The user model may be assembled automatically via an analysis of a user's content, activities, and overall context. A personalization component automatically modifies queries and/or search results in view of the user model in order to personalize information searches for the user. A user interface receives the queries and displays the search results from one or more local and/or remote search engines, wherein the interface can be adjusted in a range from more personalized searches to more generalized searches.

Abstract: A system and method is described for instantly connecting and matching people and business entities with reciprocal interests in the location of their presence in real-time. Portable communication devices using wireless communication are used for transmitting data between users with reciprocal interests connected through a peer-to-peer network or in a client-server environment. Telephone users utilize an Interactive Voice Response system to communicate with other users of reciprocal interest. A matching algorithm running in a remote computer connected to the devices through network makes an initial assessment about the likelihood of a match, and then with the permission of the requester and the respondent, sets up communication sessions.

Abstract: Personalized support for learners becomes even more important, when e-Learning takes place in open and dynamic learning and information networks. This paper shows how to realize personalized learning support in distributed learning environments based on Semantic Web technologies. Our approach fills the existing gap between current adaptive educational systems with well-established personalization functionality, and open, dynamic learning repository networks. We propose a service-based architecture for establishing personalized e-Learning, where personalization functionality is provided by various web-services. A Personal Learning Assistant integrates personalization services and other supporting services, and provides the personalized access to learning resources in an e-Learning network.

Abstract: A key issue in enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation is how to find a match between the ERP system and an organization's business processes by appropriately customizing both the system and the organization. In this paper, we advance a framework for supporting management decision-making about customization choices and the capabilities required to accomplish them. In this framework, we identify various customization possibilities for business processes as well as ERP systems. We also identify technical and process change capabilities required for system and process customization. Combining customization options with change capabilities, we present a useful way for managers to identify feasible customization options for their particular organization. Such a framework also helps managers to recognize the gap between desired customization options and change capabilities. A case study is used to illustrate the application of the framework.

Abstract: Mass customization as a competitive strategy is getting progressively increasing attention in business and academic arenas due to its high potential to provide sustained strategic advantage in a unique fashion. It is well documented that a manufacturing company competes with others in its industry on five dimensions: Price, quality, flexibility, delivery, and service. According to the existing literature, mass customization provides significant strategic advantage in two of these dimensions—price and customization. We, however, argue that when properly implemented, the cellular manufacturing structure associated with the appropriate implementation of mass customization strategy, provides additional competitive value in quality and delivery. Furthermore by virtue of the customer co-design as an integral aspect of mass customization, customer satisfaction also improves under this strategy. Mass customization strategy, therefore, provides competitive advantage in all five competitive dimensions simultaneously—a truly unique strategic accomplishment. We also propose, in this paper, new metrics for mass customization strategy that measure the “mass” as well as the “customization” aspects of this strategy. Finally, we describe in the clearest terms the modus operandi of modularity in product design and the role it plays in bringing about high levels of customization on one hand and economies of scale at component level, on the other. We conclude with remarks that underscore the need for conducting research in the areas at the interface of mass customization and supply chain management.

Abstract: The acceptance of next-generation mobile communication systems depends to a large extent on the services and applications that can be offered to customers. Tailoring the services to actual user needs is considered to be crucial for the success of future wireless technology. The individual user, "I", has to be put in the center of service provisioning. In this article, we report the work developed by the Working Group 2 of the Wireless World Research Forum on a service infrastructure framework for the future wireless world. Major service capabilities such as personalization, ambient awareness, and adaptability are described along with a reference model focusing in I-centric communication.

Abstract: This paper investigates the use of unique finger traces, or doodles, as a means of authentication in a pervasive environment. Velocity here is investigated as means to uniquely identify a doodle. A blurred distribution grid created from combined training samples and the variance across this grid is also used for recognition. These three systems used together have produced accurate results for a population of ten users. The research presented here may have applications to hand writing and drawing recognition as well. 1 Lightweight Authentication Mechanisms New demands of authentication today are simplicity and effortlessness. Biometric technologies offer a partial solution but are be too robust for the relatively small issues such as personalization. Privacy concerns and trust also inhibit public acceptance due to the inextricable ties of biometric imprinting. The remainder of this paper discusses the design and implementation of a lightweight “passdoodle” system where a unique finger trace or doodle is used to quickly identify users in an integrated intelligent (or pervasive) computing environment. 1

Abstract: Interface agents are computer programs that provide personalized assistance to users with their computer-based tasks. Most interface agents achieve personalization by learning a user's preferences in a given application domain and assisting him according to them. In this work we adopt a different approach to personalization: how to personalize the interaction between interface agents and users in a mixed-initiative interaction context. We have empirically studied a set of interaction issues that agents have to take into account to achieve this goal and we present our results in this article. Some of these personalization issues are: discovering the type of assistant a user wants, learning when (and if) to interrupt the user, discovering how the user wants to be assisted in different contexts. As a result of our experiments, we have defined the components of a user interaction profile that models a user's interaction and assistance preferences. This profile will enable interface agents to enhance and personalize their interaction with users by discovering how to provide each user assistance of the right sort at the right time.

Abstract: A user interface for displaying a user profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of garners and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.

Abstract: The abundance of DTV (digital television) programs precipitates a need for new tools to help people personalize interesting TV content. We developed an adaptive assistant: TV3P (TV program personalization for PDR), which observes users' viewing behaviors in the background, updates users' profiles continuously arid autonomously, and then filters and recommends programs for different users according to their respective preference information. The novel aspect of this system is the evaluation of how much time and effort it takes the system to learn new preferences once it already is biased by old preferences. This has not been proposed in any other recommender systems before. It was also proved to match real world users whose preferences can change over time. Another attractive aspect of TV3P is it's employing an implicit and explicit profiling scheme.

Abstract: Electronic Commerce encompasses all electronically conducted business activities, operations, and transaction processing. With the development of electronic commerce in the Internet, companies have changed the way they connect to and deal with their customers and partners. Businesses now could overcome the space and time barriers and are capable of serving customers electronically and intelligently. However, it is quite a great challenge to attract and retain the customers over Internet due to the low barrier of entrance and severe competition. Personalization, a special form of differentiation, when applied in market fragmentation can transform a standard product or service into a specialized solution for an individual. In this research, an on-line personalized sales promotion decision support system is proposed. The proposed system consists of three modules: (1) marketing strategies, (2) promotion patterns model, and (3) personalized promotion products. The marketing strategies contain sales promotion strategies and pricing strategies. Promotion patterns are generated according to various sales promotion strategies, and the promoted prices for the promotion products are generated by considering both the current stages of business life cycle and product life cycle. In the promotion patterns model, by segmenting the market, customer behaviors of three categories can be analyzed by utilizing data mining techniques and statistical analysis to generate personalized candidate promotion products. Finally, multiple evaluation indicators are used and adjusted to rank and obtain the final personalized promotion products. With the promotion products based on customers' past frequent purchase patterns, it has the potential to increase the success rate of promotion, customer satisfaction, and loyalty. In this paper, a prototype system was developed to illustrate how the proposed on-line personalized promotion decision support system works in electronic commerce and a simplified case of performance analysis was conducted for evaluation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system for improving the general personal health of individuals by networking a plurality of individuals who with remote systems, preferably personal computers that are in communication with a central server through the internet. The remote systems also communicate with external servers storing documents relating to health information, non-health information, and entertainment content. In one embodiment of the present invention collect data relating to an individual's demography, personal health, familial health and personalization factors. Using this information, the system generates a health and preferred news and entertainment content profile of the individual. Embodiments thereby provide a healthcare information portal that provides directed healthcare information and other information to attract the individual's attention.

Abstract: This paper surveys important aspects of Web Intelligence (WI) in the context of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) research. WI explores the fundamental roles as well as practical impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced Information Technology (IT) on the next generation of Web-related products, systems, services, and activities. As a direction for scientific research and development, WI can be extremely beneficial for the field of AIED. Some of the key components of WI have already attracted AIED researchers for quite some time - ontologies, adaptivity and personalization, and agents. The paper covers these issues only very briefly. It focuses more on other issues in WI, such as intelligent Web services, semantic markup, and Web mining, and proposes how to use them as the basis for tackling new and challenging research problems in AIED.

Abstract: As computer applications become larger with every new version, there is a growing need to provide some way for users to manage the interface complexity. There are three different potential solutions to this problem: 1) an adaptable interface that allows users to customize the application to suit their needs; 2) an adaptive interface that performs the adaptation for the users; or 3) a combination of the adaptive and adaptable solutions, an approach that would be suitable in situations where users are not customizing effectively on their own. In this paper we examine what it means for users to engage in effective customization of a menu-based graphical user interface. We examine one aspect of effective customization, which is how characteristics of the users' tasks and customization behaviour affect their performance on those tasks. We do so by using a process model simulation based on cognitive modelling that generates quantitative predictions of user performance. Our results show that users can engage in customization behaviours that vary in efficiency. We use these results to suggest how adaptive support could be added to an adaptable interface to improve the effectiveness of the users' customization.

Abstract: A TV tag embedded in web-based content can be selected by a viewer to cause a system to perform an operation associated with the TV tag. Example operations include personalization of a TV planner to include programs that are related to the selected TV tag, scheduling of a particular program to be recorded, generation of an email reminder to be sent when a particular program is scheduled for broadcast, and so on. In an implementation that includes a TV planner, the TV planner may be personalized to include programs associated with a television series, an episode, a movie, a celebrity, a sports team, a topic, and /or a particular channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method and software to allow individuals or groups of individuals to view personalized digital media narrative. A personal attribute profile is created and stored for each individual and the profile is retrieved each time the individual enters the network or site. The digital media narrative contains digital media assets having attributes selected based upon the individual's or group's profile. The digital media narrative provides an enhanced, more impacting, and more personal narrative experience to the individual.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a portal, comprising providing a first user interface operable to define and/or manage the portal; providing a second user interface operable to define and/or manage personalization of the portal; and wherein the portal can include at least one of the following portal resources: a desktop, a book, a page, a portlet, a shell, a look and feel, and a layout.

Abstract: In recent years, clickstream-based Web personalization models for collaborative filtering recommendation have received much attention mainly due to their scalability [10,16,19]. The common personalization models are the Markov model, (sequential) association rule, and clustering. These models have shown strengths and weaknesses in their performance: for instance, the Markov model has higher precision and lower recall than (sequential) association rule and clustering, and vice versa [22]. In order to address the trade-off relationship of precision and recall, some study has combined two or more different models [22] or applied multi-order models [24,27]. The performance increases by these models, however, are at best marginal and still there is room for improving the performance because of their first order (one model type) application in making recommendation. We propose a new hybrid model for improving the performance, especially recall. The proposed hybrid model applies four prediction models - the Markov model, sequential association rule, association rule, and a default model [1,17] - in tandem in their precision order. We evaluated our model with Web usage data, and the result is promising.

Abstract: A personalization of a batch of smart cards is provided. A user is provided with a plurality of queries regarding smart card features. Responses to the plurality of queries are received from the user. A personalization data file is generated using the responses to the plurality of queries, where the personalization data file comprises values, which may be used to provide features on a batch of smart cards.

Abstract: The rapid e-commerce growth has made both business community and customers face a new situation. Due to intense competition on one hand and the customer's option to choose from several alternatives business community has realized the necessity of intelligent marketing strategies and relationship management. Web usage mining attempts to discover useful knowledge from the secondary data obtained from the interactions of the users with the Web. Web usage mining has become very critical for effective Web site management, creating adaptive Web sites, business and support services, personalization, network traffic flow analysis and so on. The study of ant colonies behavior and their self-organizing capabilities is of interest to knowledge retrieval/management and decision support systems sciences, because it provides models of distributed adaptive organization, which are useful to solve difficult optimization, classification, and distributed control problems, among others. In this paper, we propose an ant clustering algorithm to discover Web usage patterns (data clusters) and a linear genetic programming approach to analyze the visitor trends. Empirical results clearly shows that ant colony clustering performs well when compared to a self-organizing map (for clustering Web usage patterns) even though the performance accuracy is not that efficient when comparared to evolutionary-fuzzy clustering (i-miner) approach. KEYWORDS: Web Usage Mining, Swarm Intelligence, Ant Systems, Stigmergy, Data-Mining, Linear Genetic Programming.

Abstract: The multimedia content delivery chain poses today many challenges. The increasing terminal diversity, network heterogeneity and the pressure to satisfy the user preferences are raising the need for content to be customized in order to provide the user the best possible experience. This paper addresses the problem of multimedia customization by (1) presenting the MPEG-7 multimedia content description standard and the MPEG-21 multimedia framework; (2) classifying multimedia customization processing algorithms; (3) discussing multimedia customization systems; and (4) presenting some customization experiments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a digital identity or profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of gamers and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.

Abstract: Web usage mining is the application of data mining techniques to usage logs of large Web data repositories in order to produce results used in some aspects, such as Web site design, Web server design, users classification, creating adaptive Web sites and Web site personalization. Data preprocessing is a critical step in Web usage mining. The results of data preprocessing are relevant to the next steps, such as transaction identification, path analysis, association rules mining, sequential patterns mining, and so forth. An algorithm called "USIA" was presented and its advantage and disadvantage were analyzed, USIA is experimentally evaluated that not only its efficiency is high, but also it can identify user and session exactly.