Adaptive User Interfaces

Abstract

According to various embodiments, user performance and/or motivation for a computing system may be maximized by optimizing one or more target components of a user interface of the computing system. The target components may be aspects of the user interface that is perceived by the user. One or more input features and one or more output features may be identified, and data regarding these input and output features may be gathered. This data may be compared with the results generated by a set of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms to determine which of them provides the best fit with the data collected. Then, the selected artificial intelligence algorithm may be applied to the user interface to iteratively change the target components over time until the optimal settings for each user are discovered.

1 . A computer-implemented method for optimizing a user interface of a computing system using artificial intelligence, comprising:
 at a processor, identifying a first target component of the user interface, wherein the first target component is perceptible to a user via an output device;   at the processor, identifying at least one first output feature representing a measured indicator relating to the user;   at the processor, identifying at least one first input feature comprising at least one of:
 a first measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a first measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   at the processor, collecting data comprising a plurality of input measurements of the first input feature and a plurality of output measurements of the first output feature;   at the processor, selecting a first selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the first output feature for the user, based on comparison of the plurality of input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with a plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms; and   at the processor, applying the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the first output feature for the user by changing the first target component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at the processor, identifying a plurality of additional output features tracked by the computing system; and   at the processor, mathematically combining the plurality of additional output features with the first output feature to define a composite output feature;   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of output measurements of the composite output feature.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first output feature measures user activity tracked by the computing system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first output feature measures user motivation in relation to activity tracked by the computing system. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at the processor, identifying a second output feature representing a measured indicator relating to the user;   at the processor, identifying a second target component of the user interface, wherein the second target component is perceptible to the user via the output device;   at the processor, identifying a second input feature comprising at least one of:
 a second measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a second measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   at the processor, selecting a second selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the second output feature for the user, based on comparison of the plurality of input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with the plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms; and   at the processor, applying the second selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the second output feature for the user by changing the second target component;   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of input measurements of the second input feature and a plurality of output measurements of the second output feature.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first target component comprises a message delivered to the user by the computing system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 at the processor, identifying a plurality of candidate messages for the message; and   at the processor, ranking the candidate messages based at least in part on a frequency of use of language in each of the plurality of candidate messages outside the computing system;   wherein changing the first target component comprises changing the message to a selected message of the plurality of candidate messages.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the output device comprises a display screen, and wherein the first target component comprises a content display policy that controls how the user interface displays information to the user on the display screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at the processor, quantifying possible changes to the content display policy based on user awareness of the possible changes; and   at the processor, determining a maximum change in the content display policy that will avoid distracting the user;   wherein changing the first target component comprises changing the content display policy by a variation no greater than the maximum change.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first target component comprises award criteria for issuance of an adaptive reward to the user, the method further comprising:
 at the processor, determining that the user has accomplished a goal prior to issuance of the adaptive reward; and   notifying the user through the user interface that the adaptive reward has been issued.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the award criteria comprises a plurality of user-specific award criteria, each of which applies to one of a plurality of users of the computing system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at the processor, identifying a plurality of additional input features, each comprising at least one of:
 a measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of additional input measurements of each of the plurality of additional input features;   and wherein selecting the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm further comprises basing the selection on comparison of the plurality of additional input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with the plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first input feature comprises a personality type of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first input feature comprises a demographic of the user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first input feature comprises an action taken by the user relative to the user interface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data further comprise a plurality of reward scores, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of input measurements. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the data further comprises a plurality of quality scores, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of input measurements to indicate a quality of the associated input measurement relative to the other input measurements. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein collecting the data is carried out prior to at least one of identification of the at least one first output feature, identification of the first target component, and identification of the at least one first input feature. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein collecting the data is carried out after identification of the at least one first output feature, identification of the first target component, and identification of the at least one first input feature. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises selecting at least one of:
 an instance weight learning algorithm;   a genetic algorithm;   a single-layer perceptron;   a multi-layer perceptron;   a decision tree;   a support vector machine;   a naïve Bayes classifier;   a nearest neighbor-based algorithm;   a neural network;   a multiple output dependence algorithm;   a hierarchical based sequencing algorithm;   a multiple output relaxation algorithm;   a deep learning algorithm;   a derivative of an artificial intelligence algorithm; and   a combination of at least two artificial intelligence algorithms.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises:
 at the processor, identifying a plurality of versions of the first target component; and   at the processor, iterating through the plurality of versions of the first target component to identify a selected version of the plurality of versions that yields optimal results for at least one of performance and motivation of the user.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises a machine learning algorithm. 
     
     
         23 . A computer program product for optimizing a user interface of a computing system using artificial intelligence, comprising:
 a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and   computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 identifying a first target component of the user interface, wherein the first target component is perceptible to a user via an output device; 
 identifying at least one first output feature representing a measured indicator relating to the user; 
 identifying at least one first input feature comprising at least one of:
 a first measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a first measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
 
 collecting data comprising a plurality of input measurements of the first input feature and a plurality of output measurements of the first output feature; 
 selecting a first selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the first output feature for the user, based on comparison of the plurality of input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with a plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms; and 
 applying the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the first output feature for the user by changing the first target component. 
   
     
     
         24 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , further comprising computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 identifying a plurality of additional output features tracked by the computing system; and   mathematically combining the plurality of additional output features with the first output feature to define a composite output feature;   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of output measurements of the composite output feature.   
     
     
         25 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first output feature measures user activity tracked by the computing system. 
     
     
         26 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first output feature measures user motivation in relation to activity tracked by the computing system. 
     
     
         27 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , further comprising computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 identifying a second output feature representing a measured indicator relating to the user;   identifying a second target component of the user interface, wherein the second target component is perceptible to the user via the output device;   identifying a second input feature comprising at least one of:
 a second measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a second measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   selecting a second selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the second output feature for the user, based on comparison of the plurality of input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with the plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms; and   applying the second selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the second output feature for the user by changing the second target component;   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of input measurements of the second input feature and a plurality of output measurements of the second output feature.   
     
     
         28 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first target component comprises a message delivered to the user by the computing system. 
     
     
         29 . The computer program product of  claim 28 , further comprising computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 identifying a plurality of candidate messages for the message; and   ranking the candidate messages based at least in part on a frequency of use of language in each of the plurality of candidate messages outside the computing system;   wherein changing the first target component comprises changing the message to a selected message of the plurality of candidate messages.   
     
     
         30 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the output device comprises a display screen, and wherein the first target component comprises a content display policy that controls how the user interface displays information to the user on the display screen. 
     
     
         31 . The computer program product of  claim 30 , further comprising computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 quantifying possible changes to the content display policy based on user awareness of the possible changes; and   determining a maximum change in the content display policy that will avoid distracting the user;   wherein changing the first target component comprises changing the content display policy by a variation no greater than the maximum change.   
     
     
         32 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first target component comprises award criteria for issuance of an adaptive reward to the user, the computer program product further comprising computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 determining that the user has accomplished a goal prior to issuance of the adaptive reward; and   notifying the user through the user interface that the adaptive reward has been issued.   
     
     
         33 . The computer program product of  claim 32 , wherein the award criteria comprises a plurality of user-specific award criteria, each of which applies to one of a plurality of users of the computing system. 
     
     
         34 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , further comprising computer program code, encoded on the medium, configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 identifying a plurality of additional input features, each comprising at least one of:
 a measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of additional input measurements of each of the plurality of additional input features;   and wherein selecting the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm further comprises basing the selection on comparison of the plurality of additional input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with the plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms.   
     
     
         35 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first input feature comprises a personality type of the user. 
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first input feature comprises a demographic of the user. 
     
     
         37 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first input feature comprises an action taken by the user relative to the user interface. 
     
     
         38 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the data further comprise a plurality of reward scores, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of input measurements. 
     
     
         39 . The computer program product of  claim 38 , wherein the data further comprises a plurality of quality scores, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of input measurements to indicate a quality of the associated input measurement relative to the other input measurements. 
     
     
         40 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the computer program code is configured to cause the at least one processor to collect the data prior to at least one of identification of the at least one first output feature, identification of the first target component, and identification of the at least one first input feature. 
     
     
         41 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the computer program code is configured to cause the at least one processor to collect the data after identification of the at least one first output feature, identification of the first target component, and identification of the at least one first input feature. 
     
     
         42 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the computer program code configured to cause the at least one processor to select the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises computer program code configured to cause the at least one processor to select at least one of:
 an instance weight learning algorithm;   a genetic algorithm;   a single-layer perceptron;   a multi-layer perceptron;   a decision tree;   a support vector machine;   a naïve Bayes classifier;   a nearest neighbor-based algorithm;   a neural network;   a multiple output dependence algorithm;   a hierarchical based sequencing algorithm;   a multiple output relaxation algorithm;   a deep learning algorithm;   a derivative of an artificial intelligence algorithm; and   a combination of at least two artificial intelligence algorithms.   
     
     
         43 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the computer program code configured to cause the at least one processor to apply the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises computer program code configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the steps of:
 identifying a plurality of versions of the first target component; and   iterating through the plurality of versions of the first target component to identify a selected version of the plurality of versions that yields optimal results for at least one of performance and motivation of the user.   
     
     
         44 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises a machine learning algorithm. 
     
     
         45 . A system for optimizing a user interface of a computing system using artificial intelligence, comprising:
 an output device, configured to output at least one target component of the user interface;   in input device, configured to receive at least one input feature;   at least one processor, communicatively coupled to the output device and the input device, configured to:
 identify a first target component of the user interface, wherein the first target component is perceptible to a user via the output device; 
 identify at least one first output feature representing a measured indicator relating to the user; 
 identify at least one first input feature comprising at least one of:
 a first measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a first measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
 
 collect data comprising a plurality of input measurements of the first input feature and a plurality of output measurements of the first output feature; 
 select a first selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the first output feature for the user, based on comparison of the plurality of input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with a plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms; and 
 apply the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the first output feature for the user by changing the first target component. 
   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 identify a plurality of additional output features tracked by the computing system; and   mathematically combine the plurality of additional output features with the first output feature to define a composite output feature;   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of output measurements of the composite output feature.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first output feature measures user activity tracked by the computing system. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first output feature measures user motivation in relation to activity tracked by the computing system. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 identify a second output feature representing a measured indicator relating to the user;   identify a second target component of the user interface, wherein the second target component is perceptible to the user via the output device;   identify a second input feature comprising at least one of:
 a second measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a second measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   select a second selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the second output feature for the user, based on comparison of the plurality of input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with the plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms; and   apply the second selected artificial intelligence algorithm to maximize the second output feature for the user by changing the second target component;   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of input measurements of the second input feature and a plurality of output measurements of the second output feature.   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first target component comprises a message delivered to the user by the computing system. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 identify a plurality of candidate messages for the message; and   rank the candidate messages based at least in part on a frequency of use of language in each of the plurality of candidate messages outside the computing system;   and wherein changing the first target component comprises changing the message to a selected message of the plurality of candidate messages.   
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the output device comprises a display screen, and wherein the first target component comprises a content display policy that controls how the user interface displays information to the user on the display screen. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 quantify possible changes to the content display policy based on user awareness of the possible changes; and   determine a maximum change in the content display policy that will avoid distracting the user;   wherein changing the first target component comprises changing the content display policy by a variation no greater than the maximum change.   
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first target component comprises award criteria for issuance of an adaptive reward to the user, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 determine that the user has accomplished a goal prior to issuance of the adaptive reward; and   notify the user through the user interface that the adaptive reward has been issued.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the award criteria comprises a plurality of user-specific award criteria, each of which applies to one of a plurality of users of the computing system. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 identify a plurality of additional input features, each comprising at least one of:
 a measured aspect descriptive of the user; and 
 a measured aspect descriptive of the user's interaction with the computing system; 
   wherein the data further comprises a plurality of additional input measurements of each of the plurality of additional input features;   and wherein selecting the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm further comprises basing the selection on comparison of the plurality of additional input measurements and the plurality of output measurements with the plurality of candidate artificial intelligence algorithms.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first input feature comprises a personality type of the user. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first input feature comprises a demographic of the user. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first input feature comprises an action taken by the user relative to the user interface. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the data further comprise a plurality of reward scores, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of input measurements. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60 , wherein the data further comprises a plurality of quality scores, each of which is associated with one of the plurality of input measurements to indicate a quality of the associated input measurement relative to the other input measurements. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to collect the data prior to at least one of identification of the at least one first output feature, identification of the first target component, and identification of the at least one first input feature. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to collect the data after identification of the at least one first output feature, identification of the first target component, and identification of the at least one first input feature. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to selecting the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm by selecting at least one of:
 an instance weight learning algorithm;   a genetic algorithm;   a single-layer perceptron;   a multi-layer perceptron;   a decision tree;   a support vector machine;   a naïve Bayes classifier;   a nearest neighbor-based algorithm;   a neural network;   a multiple output dependence algorithm;   a hierarchical based sequencing algorithm;   a multiple output relaxation algorithm;   a deep learning algorithm;   a derivative of an artificial intelligence algorithm; and   a combination of at least two artificial intelligence algorithms.   
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to apply the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm by performing the steps of:
 identifying a plurality of versions of the first target component; and   iterating through the plurality of versions of the first target component to identify a selected version of the plurality of versions that yields optimal results for at least one of performance and motivation of the user.   
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the first selected artificial intelligence algorithm comprises a machine learning algorithm.