Patent EP0401975A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0401975A2
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EP
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Method for programming by example
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for programming by example using a computer system includes indicating if the user repeats a sequence of commands similar to an earlier sequence, and displaying an expected next command. Through further use a program is developed to allow the system to perform the sequence and its variations without further user input. This method is implemented by monitoring and recording user commands, searching back to detect earlier sequences of commands similar to the current sequence of commands, and developing an expected next command based on continuing any pattern of change observed from eariier to current occurrences of the command. The implementation can also develop a general program for performing the sequence and its variations, and if activated, execute the program, thereby performing the sequence and its variations.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen Cypher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/34; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/455; G06F9/45504; G06F9/45508; G06F9/45512
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands; detecting an earlier sequence of commands similar to a current sequence of commands, said sequences differing by a pattern of change; and developing an expected next command by applying said pattern of change to a next command in said earlier sequence.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands; detecting an earlier sequence of commands similar to a current sequence of commands, said sequences differing by a pattern of change; and developing an expected next command by applying said pattern of change to a next command in said earlier sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1, further comprising: developing a program for performing a next sequence differing from said current sequence by said pattern of change; and executing said program, thereby performing said next sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising: indicating on said display when said detection occurs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising: indicating on said display said expected next command.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands; detecting an earlier sequence of said commands similar to a current sequence of said commands, with corresponding commands between said similar sequences varying according to a pattern; indicating on said display when said detection occurs; and indicating on said display an expected next command based on a next command from said earlier sequence being modified according to said pattern of variation to form a corresponding expected next command of said current sequence.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands; detecting an earlier sequence of said commands similar to a current sequence of said commands, with corresponding commands between said similar sequences varying according to a pattern; indicating on said display when said detection occurs; and indicating on said display an expected next command based on a next command from said earlier sequence being modified according to said pattern of variation to form a corresponding expected next command of said current sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 5, further comprising: developing a program for generating further sequences similar to said similar sequences with corresponding commands between said further sequences varying according to said pattern; and executing said program, thereby performing said further sequences with continued variation of corresponding commands according to said pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 6, further comprising being activated by a user to execute said program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein said program is repetitively executed until a termination condition occurs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein developing a program comprises: defining a program loop; defining commands to be executed within said program loop; defining object variables to represent objects changing between said older sequence of commands and said most recent sequence of commands; defining program steps to increment and test said object variables within said program loop; defining termination variables to represent termination conditions; and defining program steps to test said termination variables within said program loop, allowing exit from said program loop.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands in a journal; comparing a received command to said journal to detect an eariier occurrence of said received command, said earlier occurrence defining the start of a matching sequence; and indicating to said display the expected next command based on following the sequence of commands in said matching sequence.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands in a journal; comparing a received command to said journal to detect an eariier occurrence of said received command, said earlier occurrence defining the start of a matching sequence; and indicating to said display the expected next command based on following the sequence of commands in said matching sequence.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method as in claim 10, further comprising: receiving a sequence of commands varying from the commands in said matching sequence according to a pattern; receiving a third occurrence of said received command, said third occurrence defining the end of said matching sequence and the start of a third repetition of commands varying according to said pattern from the commands in said matching sequence; receiving an activation command; and repetitively performing a sequence of commands varying according to said pattern from the commands in said matching sequence until a termination condition occurs.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which a cursor control device is used to select objects on a display and to select commands from a menu on said display, comprising: recording said selections; comparing a most recent sequence of said selections to an older sequence of said selections, and indicating when a matching sequence of selections which vary according to a pattern is detected; and indicating on said display an expected next selection based on applying said pattern of variation to said matching sequence to generate an expected next selection.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which a cursor control device is used to select objects on a display and to select commands from a menu on said display, comprising: recording said selections; comparing a most recent sequence of said selections to an older sequence of said selections, and indicating when a matching sequence of selections which vary according to a pattern is detected; and indicating on said display an expected next selection based on applying said pattern of variation to said matching sequence to generate an expected next selection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 12, further comprising; repetitively applying said pattern of variation to said matching sequence to generate expected next selections.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands in a journal; comparing a most recent sequence of said commands to an older sequence of said commands and indicating on said display when similarity of commands is detected; and indicating on said display an expected next command based on following the sequence of commands of said older sequence, but modifying said command to extend any pattern of variation detected from said older sequence to said most recent sequence.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for programming by example using a computer system in which commands are received and a display is produced, comprising: recording said commands in a journal; comparing a most recent sequence of said commands to an older sequence of said commands and indicating on said display when similarity of commands is detected; and indicating on said display an expected next command based on following the sequence of commands of said older sequence, but modifying said command to extend any pattern of variation detected from said older sequence to said most recent sequence.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 14, further comprising: developing a program to generate said expected next commands by applying said detected pattern of variation to said older sequence; and repetitively performing the commands of said program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein developing a program comprises: defining a program loop; defining commands to be executed within said program loop; defining object variables to represent objects changing between said older sequence of commands and said most recent sequence of commands; defining program steps to increment and test said object variables within said program loop; defining termination variables to represent termination conditions; and defining program steps to test said termination variables within said program loop, allowing exit from said program loop.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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