Patent EP0566228A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0566228A2
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EP
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A system and method for proactively automating the use of a computer
Assignee: Gen Digital Inc
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Filing: 1993-02-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A system for proactively automating the use of a computer comprises a central processing unit (CPU), an input device, a display device and memory including a set of feature templates, context monitoring means, input monitoring means, feature presentation routines and feature implementation routines. The CPU is coupled to the display device and input devices for displaying information and receiving information, respectively. The CPU is also coupled to the input monitoring means and the context monitoring means to detect and record user manipulations of the input device and its context. The CPU is also coupled to a section of memory containing feature templates. Each template is a set of input manipulation steps and program contexts. The CPU compares the recorded user manipulations of the input and their corresponding program context with the feature templates stored in memory. If a match is found, the CPU uses the feature presentation routines to present different features on the display to the user and implements the features with the feature implementation routines according to user selection.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew J. Layman
- 👤 David C. Berkovec
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; G06F9/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for proactively automating the operation of a general purpose computer having, a central processing unit (CPU), a display device, an input device and memory with application programs and routines, said system comprising: an input monitoring means coupled to the CPU and the input device for detecting and recording the manipulation of the input device; a context monitoring means coupled to the CPU for detecting and recording the state of the application program during manipulation of the input device; a plurality of feature templates, each feature template specifying manipulations of the input device and corresponding contexts of the application program; and wherein said memory further comprises feature presentation routines for controlling the CPU to display features on the display device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said memory further comprises feature implementation routines for controlling the CPU to modify the state of the application program and implement a feature of the application program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the CPU compares information recorded by the context monitoring means and the input monitoring means to the plurality of feature templates, and uses the feature presentation routines to present the feature if a match is found between said information and a template.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, wherein each template corresponds to a set of input manipulation steps and program contexts that can be automated by using an existing feature in the application program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the input device is keyboard and a mouse-type controller, and the input monitoring means detects use of both devices.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for proactively automating the operation of an application program on a general purpose computer comprising an input device, a central processing unit, a display device and memory means, said memory means including a plurality of feature templates, feature presentation and implementation routines, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring for manipulation of the input device; monitoring a context of the application program in which the input device is manipulated; comparing the monitored manipulation of the input device and context of use to the plurality of feature templates stored in memory and corresponding to existing features provided by the application program; and presenting an automating feature on the display device if said step of comparing produces a match between a feature template and the monitored input.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of replacing the monitored manipulation with the automating feature corresponding to the matched template.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said steps of monitoring also record the manipulations of the input device and their context in the application program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said steps of monitoring, comparing and presenting are performed concurrently with the operation of the application program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of selecting the feature most likely to have the same effect as the monitored manipulation of the input device for presentation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of prioritizing features for the presenting step if there are a plurality of templates that match the monitored manipulation of the input device, and wherein the presenting step displays the feature with the highest priority.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the presenting step displays a plurality of features.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for checking for ambiguities and conflicts while an application program is operational on a general purpose computer comprising an input device, a central processing unit, a display device and memory means, said memory means including a plurality of feature templates, feature presentation and implementation routines, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring and recording a first manipulation and context of the input device; monitoring and recording a second manipulation of the input device with the same context; comparing the first and second direct manipulations and their contexts to a plurality of inconsistency templates; and displaying the inconsistency presented by the first and second monitored manipulations of the input device 12 if a match is found with a template in the comparing step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: prompting the user to resolve the ambiguity by choosing the first or second manipulations of the input device; and resolving the conflict with the input provided in response to the prompting step.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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