US5477447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing computer-implemented assistance
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-30
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Granted: 1995-12-19
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Expires: 2013-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing computer-assisted implicit and explicit assistance. If no implicit assist actions are desired or indicated, a logical process is initiated to determine whether explicit assistance should be undertaken. If implicit assistance is indicated, a list of action alternatives is displayed for the user. If explicit assistance is desired by the user, particular object(s) from which the assistance may be inferred are entered into an assistance operation. An attempt is made to recognize possible intents expressed by the objects entered into the assistance process. If no user intent is, in fact, recognized, the assist operation is usually terminated. If a possible intent is recognized, the actual intent is hypothesized. A check is further undertaken, to determine whether a hypothesis is in fact available. If no hypothesis is found, the process permits the user to supply a proposed action. If no hypothesis is found and no user action is proposed, assistance efforts terminate. However, if a hypothesis is available, preparations for execution are undertaken. A final inquiry is made as to whether to undertake the hypothesized assist. If the response to an inquiry whether to assist as hypothesized is affirmative, execution of the hypothesized action is undertaken. A pen-based computer preferably implements the indicated functions.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Luciw
- 👤 Stephen P. Capps
- 👤 Lawrence G. Tesler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/451; G06F9/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A method, implemented on a computer system, of executing an action on the computer system in response to high level information entered in the computer system, the computer system including a display screen and a pointer, the method comprising the following steps: (a) determining whether an assist function has been explicitly selected by interaction of the pointer with the display screen; (b) identifying one or more objects input into the computer system which are to be considered by the explicitly selected assist function, each of said objects having an object type recognized by the computer system including at least, persons, places, and particular actions; (c) comparing the one or more identified objects with a list of actions stored in the computer and available through the assist function, each action in said list specifying at least one action object and at least one other object of a type recognized by the computer system; (d) identifying at least one action available from the list of actions which includes at least one object of the same type as an object input in the computer system and identified in step (b); (e) selecting one action from the at least one action identified in step (d); and (f) executing the action selected in step (d).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
210 words
A method, implemented on a computer system, of executing an action on the computer system in response to high level information entered in the computer system, the computer system including a display screen and a pointer, the method comprising the following steps: (a) determining whether an assist function has been explicitly selected by interaction of the pointer with the display screen; (b) identifying one or more objects input into the computer system which are to be considered by the explicitly selected assist function, each of said objects having an object type recognized by the computer system including at least, persons, places, and particular actions; (c) comparing the one or more identified objects with a list of actions stored in the computer and available through the assist function, each action in said list specifying at least one action object and at least one other object of a type recognized by the computer system; (d) identifying at least one action available from the list of actions which includes at least one object of the same type as an object input in the computer system and identified in step (b); (e) selecting one action from the at least one action identified in step (d); and (f) executing the action selected in step (d).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether an assist function has been explicitly selected comprises a step of determining whether an assist button or icon on said computer system has been selected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying one or more objects input in the computer system which are to be considered by the explicitly selected assist function identifies those objects which were entered in the computer system within a predetermined time or space of one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying one or more objects input in the computer system which are to be considered by the explicitly selected assist function identifies those objects which are selected from a screen of said computer system by a user for consideration by the assist function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, in the step of comparing the one or more identified objects, the list of actions includes at least one of faxing a document, mailing a document, scheduling on a calendar, calling another computer system, printing a document, finding an object, filing a document, and formatting a document.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying one action available from the list of actions comprises identifying all actions from said list which have at least one object type in common with at least one object type of the objects identified in step (b).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of prioritizing actions identified in the step of identifying at least one action available from the list of actions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of displaying on a screen of said computer system a list of options for selection, the list of options being associated with the at least one action identified from the list of actions in step (d).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
195 words
A computer system comprising the following components: (a) a CPU; (b) a display screen sensitive to the position of a pointer and coupled to said CPU; (c) a memory coupled to said CPU; (d) an assist function button or icon which when selected launches an assist function stored in the computer system; (e) means for identifying one or more objects input into the computer system which are to be considered by the assist function, each of said objects having an object type recognized by the computer system including at least persons, places, and specific actions; (f) a list of actions available through the assist function, each action stored in said list specifying at least one action object and at least one other object of a type recognized by the computer system; (g) means for identifying at least one action stored in the list of actions which include at least one object of the same type as an object input in the computer system and identified by component (e); (h) means for selecting one action from the at least one action identified by component (g); and (i) means for executing the action selected by component h.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
195 words
A computer system comprising the following components: (a) a CPU; (b) a display screen sensitive to the position of a pointer and coupled to said CPU; (c) a memory coupled to said CPU; (d) an assist function button or icon which when selected launches an assist function stored in the computer system; (e) means for identifying one or more objects input into the computer system which are to be considered by the assist function, each of said objects having an object type recognized by the computer system including at least persons, places, and specific actions; (f) a list of actions available through the assist function, each action stored in said list specifying at least one action object and at least one other object of a type recognized by the computer system; (g) means for identifying at least one action stored in the list of actions which include at least one object of the same type as an object input in the computer system and identified by component (e); (h) means for selecting one action from the at least one action identified by component (g); and (i) means for executing the action selected by component h.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 9 wherein the computer system is a pen-based computer system and the display screen is sensitive to the position of a stylus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-12-18 | 1999-06-19 | 1999-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-06-19 | 2003-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-18 | 2007-06-19 | 2007-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |