EP0436459A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method providing intelligent help explanation paralleling computer user activity
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-11-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A data processing system 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.
Inventors
- 👤 David Lloyd Gardner
- 👤 Donna Marie Lamberti
- 👤 John Martin Prager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; G06F9/453; G06F16/00; G06F16/30; G06F16/33; G06F16/332; G06F16/3329; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/902; Y10S706/934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
The method of operating a data processing system to provide an on-line, interactive intelligent help system, said data processing system comprising a memory system for storing programs and data, a processor for executing said programs, input means selectively actuated by said user to input user selected actions including commands and questions into said system, and output means to provide said user with visual suggestions and explanations, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inputting an action into said system; (b) formulating from said action a user goal; (c) creating in response to said user goal at least one suggestion describing a process for said user to follow and dynamically creating an explanation tailored to said user of why said suggestion was made; (d) and outputting said suggestion and explanation to said user by said output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 comprising: dynamically generating in step (c) an explanation of how said suggestion will achieve said goal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein step (a) comprises: inputting an action that is either an erroneous system command or a question for which assistance can be provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said method comprises: storing in said memory system an expert system comprising a rules base and an inferencing process, said rules base including various rules specifying commands executable in said data processing system and what actions a user can take in such system; and step (c) comprises executing said inferencing process which then accesses said rules base and determines which of said rules are applicable to accomplishing said goal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein: step (c) further comprises generating a trace of applicable rules, and from said trace dynamically creating said explanation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method in accordance with claim 5 comprising: storing in said memory system a plurality of templates each one being identified by a unique name and containing one or more general explanatory phrases; said trace comprising for each applicable rule a unique name and at least one parameter specific to said goal; and said dynamic creating step comprises searching on said unique name in said trace for a corresponding unique name in said templates and upon finding a match combining said explanatory phrases in such matching template with said parameter in such matching trace to form an explanation having grammatically correct sentences.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said input means is a keyboard, and said output means is a display, and said method comprises: inputting said actions through said keyboard, and outputting said suggestions and explanations on said display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method in accordance with claim 7 comprising: storing said suggestions and explanations in said memory system; outputting to said user on said display an indication that such suggestions and explanations are available; and outputting said suggestions and explanations selectively for viewing by said user upon said user inputting selections therefor into said system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a a data processing system providing an on- line, interactive intelligent help system, said data processing system comprising a memory system for storing programs and data, a processor for executing said programs, input means selectively actuated by said user to input user selected actions including commands and questions into said system, and output means to provide said user with visual suggestions and explanations, the combination comprising: (a) means for inputting an action into said system; (b) means for formulating from said action a user goal; (c) means for creating in response to said user goal at least one suggestion describing a process for said user to follow and for dynamically creating an explanation tailored to said user of why said suggestion was made; (d) and means for outputting said suggestion and explanation to said user by said output means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 9 comprising: means for dynamically generating an explanation of how said suggestion will achieve said goal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 10 wherein means (a) comprises: means for inputting an action that is either an erroneous system command or a question for which assistance can be provided.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 11 comprising: means for storing in said memory system an expert system comprising a rules base and an inferencing process, said rules base including various rules specifying commands executable in said data processing system and what actions a user can take in such system; and means (c) comprises means for executing said inferencing process to accesses said rules base and determine which of said rules are applicable to accomplishing said goal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 12 wherein: means (c) further comprises means for generating a trace of applicable rules, and from said trace dynamically creating said explanation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 13 comprising: means for storing in said memory system a plurality of templates each one being identified by a unique name and containing one or more general explanatory phrases; said trace comprising for each applicable rule a unique name and at least one parameter specific to said goal; and said dynamic creating means comprises means for searching on said unique name in said trace for a corre sponding unique name in said templates and upon finding a match combining said explanatory phrases in such matching template with said parameter in such matching trace to form an explanation having grammatically correct sentences
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said input means is a keyboard, and said output means is a display, and said system comprises: means for inputting said actions through said keyboard, and outputting said suggestions and explanations on said display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
A data processing system in accordance with claim 15 comprising: means for storing said suggestions and explanations in said memory system; means for outputting to said user on said display an indication that such suggestions and explanations are available; and means for outputting said suggestions and explanations selectively for viewing by said user upon said user inputting selections therefor into said system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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