US6501937B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Learning method and system based on questioning
Assignee: IP LEARN Inc
•
Filing: 1999-07-02
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2019-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and a system to teach a user a subject based on his questions. The system allows the user to control his learning process, and helps to fill in gaps of misunderstanding in the subject. In one embodiment, the system, including a database, presents study materials on the subject to the user. After working on the presented materials, the user enters his question into the system, which generates an answer to the question, and presents it to him. Then the system compares the question with one or more questions previously entered by the user to determine his understanding level in the subject. Based on the determination, the system may present to the user appropriate study materials. The user typically asks more than one question, and the process of answering his question by the system repeats.
Inventors
- 👤 Chi Fai Ho
- 👤 Peter P. Tong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:22
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B7/00; G09B7/02; G09B7/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/902; Y10S706/927; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 136
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the step of: presenting, by a first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system, with the response being generated by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the second system for generating the response, the response being generated by steps including: analyzing the quesion to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the quesion can have more than one responses, the method further comprises the step of having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the step of: presenting, by a first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system, with the response being generated by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the second system for generating the response, the response being generated by steps including: analyzing the quesion to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the quesion can have more than one responses, the method further comprises the step of having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the response is generated based on a context-free grammatical structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one other question entered into the first system is considered in generating at least one of the responses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second system includes a database, and the method further comprises the step of identifying by the second system one or more words in the database, for the user to select so as to inform the user about the subject.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein: a word in the question has at least two meanings; and the method further comprises the step of generating a response for each of the at least two meanings, if there is one.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the network includes a private network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the network includes a public network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: modifying, by the second system, the question; and allowing, by the second system, the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a first system, a respones to the subject related natural-language question by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the first system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the first system, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the method further comprises the step of having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the internet.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a first system, a respones to the subject related natural-language question by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the first system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the first system, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the method further comprises the step of having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the internet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the response is generated based on a context-free grammatical structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein at least one other question is considered in generating at least one of the responses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first system includes a database, and the method further comprises the step of identifying by the first system one or more words in the database, for the user to select so as to inform the user about the subject.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein: a word in the question has at least two meanings; and the method further comprises the step of generating a response for each of the at least two meanings if there is one.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the network includes a public network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the network includes a public network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: modifying, by the first system, the question; and allowing, by the first system, the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
164 words
A first system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first system comprising: a presenter configured to present a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system, with the response being generated by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the second system for generating the response, the response being generated by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the second system is also confugured to have at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the internet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
164 words
A first system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first system comprising: a presenter configured to present a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system, with the response being generated by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the second system for generating the response, the response being generated by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the second system is also confugured to have at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the internet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the response is generated based on a context-free grammatical structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 , wherein at least one other question entered into the first system is considered in generating at least one of the responses.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the second system including a database, and the second system is also configured to identify one or more words in the database, for the user to select so as to inform the user about the subject.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 , wherein: a word in the question has at least two meanings; and a response is generated for each of the at least two meanings if there is one.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 further comprising a voice recognition system configured to recognize the question entered by the user.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 wherein the presenter further comprises a voice synthesizer configured to present the response to the user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 wherein the network includes a private network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 wherein the network includes a public network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 wherein at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A first system as recited in claim 19 wherein the second system is configured to: modify the question; and allow the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
159 words
A first system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first system comprising: a database; and a generator coupled to the database, the generator configured to generate a response to the subject-related natural-language question by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the first system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the first system, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the generator is configured to having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the internet.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
159 words
A first system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first system comprising: a database; and a generator coupled to the database, the generator configured to generate a response to the subject-related natural-language question by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the first system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the first system, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the generator is configured to having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the internet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 , wherein the response is generated based on a context-free grammatical structure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 , wherein at least one other question is considered in generating at least one of the responses.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 , wherein the generator is also configured to identify one or more words in the database, for the user to select so as to inform the user about the subject.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 , wherein a word in the question has at least two meanings; and a response is generated for each of the at least two meanings if there is one.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 wherein the network includes a private network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 wherein the network includes a public network.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 wherein at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
A first system as recited in claim 30 wherein the first system is configured to: modify the question; and allow the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer readable media containing computer program code that is useful for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, said code when executed by a first computer, causing the first computer to perform a method comprising the steps of: generating a response to the subject-related natural-language question by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the code; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the code, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second computer, which is connected through a network to the first computer, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the method further comprises the step of having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer readable media containing computer program code that is useful for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, said code when executed by a first computer, causing the first computer to perform a method comprising the steps of: generating a response to the subject-related natural-language question by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the code; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the code, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second computer, which is connected through a network to the first computer, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the method further comprises the step of having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer readable media as recited in claim 39 , wherein the response is generated based on a context-free grammatical structure.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer readable media as recited in claim 39 wherein at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer readable media as recited in claim 39 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of: modifying the question; and allowing the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: retrieving, by a first system, a subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system; and generating, by the first system, a response to the question to be presented to the user by the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the method further comprises the step of having, by the first system, at least a second response available to be presented to the user if the question can have more than one responses; the first system has materials on the subject available to be presented to the user by the second system to inform the user about the subject; the materials on the subject include an answer for a commonly-asked question; the network includes the Internet; and at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: retrieving, by a first system, a subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system; and generating, by the first system, a response to the question to be presented to the user by the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the method further comprises the step of having, by the first system, at least a second response available to be presented to the user if the question can have more than one responses; the first system has materials on the subject available to be presented to the user by the second system to inform the user about the subject; the materials on the subject include an answer for a commonly-asked question; the network includes the Internet; and at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 43 further comprising the steps of: modifying, by the first system, the question; and allowing, by the first system, the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 44 , wherein the modification includes correcting the spelling of a word in the question.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
172 words
A first system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first system comprising: a retriever configured to retrieve a subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system; and a generator configured to generate a response to the question to be presented to the user by the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the generator is further configured to having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; the first system has materials on the subject available to be presented to the user by the second system to inform the user about the subject; the materials on the subject include an answer for a commonly-asked question; the network includes the Internet; and at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
172 words
A first system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first system comprising: a retriever configured to retrieve a subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into a second system, which is connected through a network to the first system; and a generator configured to generate a response to the question to be presented to the user by the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: if the question can have more than one responses, the generator is further configured to having at least a second response available to be presented to the user; the first system has materials on the subject available to be presented to the user by the second system to inform the user about the subject; the materials on the subject include an answer for a commonly-asked question; the network includes the Internet; and at least one of the responses does not depend on at least one word in the question.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
A first system as recited in claim 46 , wherein the first system is further configured to: modify the question; and allow the user to decide to have the modified question responded.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
A first system as recited in claim 47 , wherein the modification includes correcting the spelling of a word in the question.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: presenting, by a first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system, with the response being generated by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the second system for generating the response, the response being generated by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the second system also retrieves material on the subject to be presented by the first system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: presenting, by a first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system, with the response being generated by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the second system for generating the response, the response being generated by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the second system also retrieves material on the subject to be presented by the first system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 49 , wherein the second system comprises a database.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 50 , wherein, in generating the response to be presented to the user, the instruction is used to retrieve data from the database, and wherein the response is generated based on the retrieved data.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 49 , wherein the material on the subject to be presented is dependent on the subject-related natural-language question.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 49 , wherein the material on the subject to be presented is displayed on a display device associated with the first system.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 49 , wherein the material to be presented at the first system is presented after the subject-related natural-language question has been entered by the user into the first system.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a second system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question, entered into a first system, by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system for generating the response to be presented to the user by the first system, which is connected through a network to the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the second system also retrieves materials on the subject to be presented by the first system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a second system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question, entered into a first system, by steps including: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule in the second system; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the second system for generating the response to be presented to the user by the first system, which is connected through a network to the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the second system also retrieves materials on the subject to be presented by the first system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 55 , wherein the second system comprises a database.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 56 , wherein, in generating the response to be presented to the user, the instruction is used to retrieve data from the database, and wherein the response is generated based on the retrieved data.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 55 , wherein the material on the subject to be presented is dependent on the subject-related natural-language question.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 55 , wherein the material on the subject to be presented is displayed on a display device associated with the first system.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 55 , wherein the material to be presented at the first system is presented after the subject-related natural-language question has been entered by the user into the first system.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: presenting, by a first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system; and generating the response by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the response being generated by steps including analyzing the question using at least one grammatical rule and at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the first system also presents materials on the subject retrieved from the second system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: presenting, by a first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question entered by the user into the first system; and generating the response by a second system connected through a network to the first system, the response being generated by steps including analyzing the question using at least one grammatical rule and at least one semantic rule in the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the first system also presents materials on the subject retrieved from the second system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a second system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question, entered into a first system, by steps including analyzing the question using at least one grammatical rule and at least one semantic rule in the second system, with the response to be presented to the user by the first system, which is connected through a network to the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the second system also retrieves materials on the subject to be presented by the first system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the method comprising the steps of: generating, by a second system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question, entered into a first system, by steps including analyzing the question using at least one grammatical rule and at least one semantic rule in the second system, with the response to be presented to the user by the first system, which is connected through a network to the second system, so as to inform the user about the subject; wherein: the second system also retrieves materials on the subject to be presented by the first system so as to inform the user about the subject; and the network includes the Internet.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on a user asking subject-related natural-language questions, the method comprising: receiving, at a first system, a request to respond to a subject-related natural-language question entered by a user, the subject-related natural-language question being entered by the user at a second system, and the subject-related natural language question being associated with a subject; determining, at the first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question, said determining operates to at least analyze the subject-related natural-language question using at least one grammatical rule and at least one semantic rule; sending the response to the subject-related natural-language question from the first system to the second system via a network so as to inform the user about the subject; and sending materials on the subject of the subject-related natural language question from the first system to the second system via the network so as to inform the user about the subject.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of providing a user with information on a subject depending on a user asking subject-related natural-language questions, the method comprising: receiving, at a first system, a request to respond to a subject-related natural-language question entered by a user, the subject-related natural-language question being entered by the user at a second system, and the subject-related natural language question being associated with a subject; determining, at the first system, a response to the subject-related natural-language question, said determining operates to at least analyze the subject-related natural-language question using at least one grammatical rule and at least one semantic rule; sending the response to the subject-related natural-language question from the first system to the second system via a network so as to inform the user about the subject; and sending materials on the subject of the subject-related natural language question from the first system to the second system via the network so as to inform the user about the subject.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 63 , wherein the network comprises the Internet.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
15 words
a method as recited in calim 63 , wherein the first system comprises a database.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
15 words
a method as recited in calim 63 , wherein the first system comprises a database.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 63 , wherein the sending of the materials to the second system is performed after the receiving of the request to respond to the subject-related natural-language question.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of assisting a user in obtaining information about a subject in response to the user asking one or more subject-related questions at a first system, said method comprising: providing, at a second system, an information database about at least a first subject, the second system be coupleable to the first system via a network; determining, at the second system, a response to a natural-language question requested by the user at the first system, the natural-language question being associated with the first subject, said determining operating at least to analyze the natural-language question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule, transform at least one component of the natural-language question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule, and then use the instruction for obtaining the response from the information database.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of assisting a user in obtaining information about a subject in response to the user asking one or more subject-related questions at a first system, said method comprising: providing, at a second system, an information database about at least a first subject, the second system be coupleable to the first system via a network; determining, at the second system, a response to a natural-language question requested by the user at the first system, the natural-language question being associated with the first subject, said determining operating at least to analyze the natural-language question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule, transform at least one component of the natural-language question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule, and then use the instruction for obtaining the response from the information database.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as recited in claim 67 , wherein said method further comprises: sending the response from the second system to the first system so as to facilitate presentation of the response to the user, thereby informing the user about the first subject.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 67 , wherein the response is an answer to the natural-language question.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 67 , wherein the response comprises a question about the first subject.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 67 , wherein the first system comprises a client computer, and wherein the second system comprises a server computer.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 67 , wherein said determining operates to determine a plurality of responses to the natural-language question.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 67 , wherein the network comprises the Internet.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
164 words
A first computing system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first computing system comprising: a database; a generator coupled to the database, the generator configured to generate a response to the subject-related natural-language question by at least: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the first completing system, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second computing system, which is connected through a network to the first computing system, so as to inform the user about the subject; and a materials retriever configured to retrieves materials on the subject that are to be presented to the user at the second system so as to inform the user about the subject; and wherein the network includes the Internet.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
164 words
A first computing system for providing a user with information on a subject depending on the user asking a subject-related natural-language question, the first computing system comprising: a database; a generator coupled to the database, the generator configured to generate a response to the subject-related natural-language question by at least: analyzing the question to identify at least one component using at least one grammatical rule; and transforming at least one component of the question into at least one instruction using at least one semantic rule in the first completing system, for generating the response to be presented to the user by a second computing system, which is connected through a network to the first computing system, so as to inform the user about the subject; and a materials retriever configured to retrieves materials on the subject that are to be presented to the user at the second system so as to inform the user about the subject; and wherein the network includes the Internet.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer-implemented method for providing a user with information, said method comprising: sending informational materials from a first system to a second system via the Internet so as to inform a user of the second system about a subject; subsequently receiving, at the first system, a request to respond to a natural-language question asked by the user, the natural language question being asked by the user at the second system, and the natural language question being associated with the subject; determining, at the first system, a response to the natural-language question, said determining operating to at least analyze the natural-language question using at least grammatical and semantic processing; and sending the response to the natural-language question from the first system to the second system via the Internet, wherein said determining is independent of at least one word in the natural-language question; and the subject relates to a product that the user can obtain.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer-implemented method for providing a user with information, said method comprising: sending informational materials from a first system to a second system via the Internet so as to inform a user of the second system about a subject; subsequently receiving, at the first system, a request to respond to a natural-language question asked by the user, the natural language question being asked by the user at the second system, and the natural language question being associated with the subject; determining, at the first system, a response to the natural-language question, said determining operating to at least analyze the natural-language question using at least grammatical and semantic processing; and sending the response to the natural-language question from the first system to the second system via the Internet, wherein said determining is independent of at least one word in the natural-language question; and the subject relates to a product that the user can obtain.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 75 , wherein said method further comprises: referring the natural language question to a human representative to respond to the natural language question.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 76 , wherein said determining produces a plurality of responses, and wherein said sending operates to send the plurality of responses from the first system to the second system.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 77 , wherin said determining operates to transform at least a portion of the natural-language question into at least one instruction.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 78 , wherein the first system has a database coupled thereto, and wherein the instruction is a query for the database.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 79 , wherein at least one other question asked by the user is considered in determining the response.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 80 , wherein said method further comprises: adapting in real-time considering at least one additional input.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 81 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying additional informational materials related to the natural-language question; and sending the additional informational materials from the first system to the second system via the Internet.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 82 , wherein said sending of the additional informational materials is performed when requested by the user.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 82 , wherein said sending of the additional informational materials is automatically performed with said sending of the response.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 82 , wherein the natural language question is sent to the human representative without the need for the user to re-enter the question into the second system.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 85 , wherein the human representative is specifically for the subject, and a different human representative may be enabled for a different subject.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 82 , wherein the subject relates to a product that the user is interested in obtaining.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 81 , wherein said method further comprises receiving an identifier associated with and entered by the user, and the informational materials depend on the user identifier.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 79 , wherein said method further comprises receiving an identifier associated with and entered by the user.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 89 , wherein the informational materials depend on the user identifier.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 79 , wherein the question was entered through a voice recognition system at the second system.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 77 , wherein said method further comprises considering at least one additional input entered by the user in determining at least one of the responses.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implement method as recited in claim 92 , wherein the additional input is a response to an inquiry from the first system.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 93 , wherein the additional input is also a question from the user.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 93 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying additional informational materials related to the natural-language question; and sending the additional informational materials from the first system to the second system via the Internet.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 95 , wherein the first system keeps track of an identifier associated with and entered by the user.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 96 , wherein the natural language question is sent to the human representative without the need for the user to re-enter the question into the second system.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 97 , wherein the human representative is specifically for the subject, and a different human representative may be enabled for a different subject.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 96 , wherein the subject relates to a product that the user is interested in obtaining.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 92 , wherein the additional input is clarifying the natural language question.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 92 , wherein said method further comprises: sending a plurality of questions to the second system, and receiving, at the first system, at least an indication of a selection by the user of one of the plurality of questions to be utilized as the natural language question being asked by the user.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 101 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying additional informational material related to the natural-language question; and sending the additional informational materials from the first system to the second system via the Internet.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 102 , wherein the natural language question is sent to the human representative without the need for the user to re-enter the question into the second system.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 103 , wherein the human representative is specifically for the subject, and a different human representative may be enabled for a different subject.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 102 , wherein the subject relates to a product that the user is interested in obtaining.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 76 , wherein said method further comprises considering at least one additional input entered by the user in determining the response.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 106 , wherein the additional input is a response to an inquiry from the first system.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 107 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying additional informational materials related to the natural-language question; and sending the additional informational materials from the first system to the second system via the Internet.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 108 , wherein the question was entered through a voice recognition system at the second system.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 107 , wherein the question was entered through a voice recognition system at the second system.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 107 , wherein the informational materials depend on the user identifier.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 76 , wherein said method further comprises receiving an identifier associated with and entered by the user.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
40 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 112 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying additional informational materials related to the natural-language question; and sending the additional informational materials from the first system to the second system via the Internet.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 113 , wherein the quesion was entered through a voice recognition system at the second system.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 112 , wherein the informational materials depend on the user identifier.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 76 , wherein the question was entered through a voice recognition system at the second system.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 75 , wherein the question was entered through a voice recognition system at the second system.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 75 , wherein said method further comprises: referring the natural language quesion to a person to respond to the natural language question.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 118 , wherein the natural language question is sent to the person without the need for the user to re-enter the question into the second system.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 119 , wherein the person is specifically for the subject, and a different person may be enabled for different areas of the subject.
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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) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |