Authoring knowledge-based systems using interactive directed graphs

Claim 3

A knowledge based system, as in claim 1, where the author provides information into a question data structure that is an order of importance of a question of the question node.

Claim 4

A knowledge based system, as in claim 1, where the author provides information into a question data structure that is one or more conditions that have to be present in order for a question in the question structure to be asked at the run time.

Claim 5

A knowledge based system, as in claim 1, where the author provides information into one of the question data structures, the information being one or more conditions that have to be absent in order for a question in the question structure to be asked at the run time.

Claim 6

A knowledge based system, as in claim 1, where the author provides information into one of the answer data structures that is a weight of importance of an answer in the answer data structure.

Claim 7

A knowledge based system, as in claim 1, where the author provides information into one of the answer data structures, the information being one or more global side effects that prevent the asking of one or more questions at the run time.

Claim 8

A knowledge based system, as in claim 1, where one or more of the templates is a multimedia object.

Claim 9

A knowledge based system, as in claim 7, where one or more of the question templates permits the author to select one or more question multimedia objects to be shown to the service user at run time.

Claim 10

A knowledge based system, as in claim 8, where one or more of the question multimedia objects explains the question associated with one of the question templates.

Claim 11

A knowledge based system, as in claim 7, where one or more of the answer templates is a multimedia object permitting the author to select one or more answer multimedia objects to be shown to the service user at run time.

Claim 12

A knowledge based system, as in claim 10, where one or more of the answer multimedia objects explains the answer associated with one of the answer templates.

Claim 17

A computer implemented method for authoring a knowledge data base on a knowledge based computing system, comprising the steps of: storing a question data structure and an answer data structure in computer memory; generating and displaying on a graphical interface to an author a QA directed graph at an authoring time by a knowledge base application installed on a computer, the QA directed graph having a plurality of question nodes and a plurality of answer nodes, the question nodes being represented by question templates and the answer nodes being represented by answer templates on the graphical interface, generating by the knowledge base application the knowledge data base for the knowledge based computing system using the question data structure and the answer data structure as the author inputs information in the question and answer templates, respectively; connecting the question and answer nodes to one another by the knowledge base application on one or more paths by a link between one or each of the question nodes and one of each of the answer nodes so that question nodes and answer nodes alternate as the path is traversed in a path direction; responding to the author selecting one or more of the question nodes on the QA directed graph by the knowledge base application prompting the author to add information to a question data structure by defining a question to ask in the question node; responding to a selection by the author of one or more of the answer nodes on the QA directed graph by the knowledge base application prompting the author to add information to an answer data structure by defining an answer to a parent question node; and laying out a screen to be displayed on the graphical interface to a service user at a run time, the screen displaying defined questions and defined answers.

Claim 18

A computer implemented method for authoring a knowledge data base on a knowledge based computing system, comprising the steps of: storing a question data structure and an answer data structure in computer memory; generating and displaying on a graphical interface to an author a QA directed graph at an authoring time by a knowledge base application installed on a computer, the QA directed graph having a plurality of question nodes and a plurality of answer nodes, the question nodes being represented by question templates and the answer nodes being represented by answer templates on the graphical interface, generating by the knowledge base application the knowledge data base for the knowledge based computing system using the question data structure and the answer data structure as the author inputs information in the question and answer templates, respectively; connecting the question and answer nodes to one another by the knowledge base application on one or more paths by a link between one or each of the question nodes and one of each of the answer nodes so that question nodes and answer nodes alternate as the path is traversed in a path direction; responding to the author selecting one or more of the question nodes on the QA directed graph by the knowledge base application prompting the author to add information to a question data structure by defining a question to ask in the question node; responding to a selection by the author of one or more of the answer nodes on the QA directed graph by the knowledge base application prompting the author to add information to an answer data structure by defining an answer to a parent question node; and laying out a screen to be displayed on the graphical interface to a service user at a run time, the screen displaying defined questions and defined answers.

Claim 19

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the question data structure by: b (ii). providing conditions present prior to asking the question at the run time.

Claim 20

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the question data structure by: b (ii). providing conditions absent prior to asking the question at the run time.

Claim 21

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the question data structure by: b (ii). selecting one or more multimedia objects for explaining the question at the run time.

Claim 22

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the question data structure by: b (ii). selecting one or more procedures for soliciting information from the service user at the run time.

Claim 23

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the question data structure by: b (ii). defining a question type in the question node.

Claim 24

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the answer data structure by: c (ii). selecting one or more multimedia objects for explaining the answer at the run time.

Claim 25

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the answer data structure by: c (ii). selecting a weight for one or more answers to determine an order of answer presentation at the run time.

Claim 26

A method, as in claim 14, where more information is added to the answer data structure by: c (ii). selecting a global effect for one or more answers to determine if one or more questions are presented at the run time.