Method and apparatus providing an intelligent help explanation paradigm paralleling computer user activity

Patent 5239617 Issued on August 24, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 24, 2010. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Application

No. 461513 filed on 01/05/1990

US Classes:

706/11, HAVING PARTICULAR USER INTERFACE434/118, COMPUTER LOGIC, OPERATION, OR PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTION704/9, Natural language706/45, KNOWLEDGE PROCESSING SYSTEM706/934Information retrieval or information management

Examiners

Primary: MacDonald, Allen R.
Assistant: Joyner, Roger S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

McKechnie; Doug, Wadsworth; P. R., Block; M. S.

International Class

G06F 015/403

Abstract

A data processing includes an on-line, interactive, intelligent help system which provides suggestions as to actions a user can take after entry into the system of an erroneous command or a question. The system also responds with explanations of why the suggestions were made and how they work. The system includes a natural language analyzer for converting the questions into goals. A knowledge base and an inference engine further analyze the goals and provide one or more suggestions on how to achieve such goals. An explanation generator uses such analysis to dynamically generate the explanations which are tailored to the user's goal.

Other References

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