Software Tool for Creating Outlines and Mind Maps that Generates Subtopics Automatically
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- (A) identifying an input text string representing a topic;
(B) determining whether the input text string matches a text pattern specified by a premise of a predetermined rule;
(C) if the input text string satisfies the text pattern, then identifying a plurality of output text strings specified by a conclusion of the predetermined rule.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system automatically generates a text outline or mind map by applying pattern-matching translation rules to topic text. The system may be used as an educational aid for writing and/or brainstorming, or to enhance structured and in-depth thinking in any industry. A user may choose a topic, such as by choosing one of several topics displayed by the system or by typing a topic. In response, the system may apply rules to the topic to identify one or more relevant subtopics. The system may display the subtopics to the user. The user may select one of the subtopics, in response to which the system may apply the same or different rules to the subtopic to identify one or more additional subtopics. This process may be repeated to any depth to create and explore an outline, mind map, or other representation of topics related to the original topic.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
-
(A) identifying an input text string representing a topic; (B) determining whether the input text string matches a text pattern specified by a premise of a predetermined rule; (C) if the input text string satisfies the text pattern, then identifying a plurality of output text strings specified by a conclusion of the predetermined rule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19)
-
-
14. A computer-implemented method comprising:
-
(A) selecting, on a computerized display, an input text string representing a topic; (B) identifying a canonical text string by applying, to the input text string, a canonical transformation rule which maps a plurality of forms of sentences into a single canonical form; (C) for each rule R of a plurality of predetermined rules; (C1) identifying a text pattern specified by a premise of rule R; (C2) determining whether the identified canonical text string matches the text pattern specified by the premise of rule R; (D) if the identified canonical text string satisfies the text pattern specified by the premise of rule R, then identifying a plurality of output text strings specified by a conclusion of rule R; (E) outputting the plurality of output text strings on the computerized display. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
20. An apparatus comprising
means for identifying an input text string representing a topic; -
means for determining whether the input text string matches a text pattern specified by a premise of a predetermined rule; and means for identifying a plurality of output text strings specified by a conclusion of the predetermined rule if the input text string satisfies the text pattern, then.
-
-
21. An apparatus comprising:
-
means for selecting, on a computerized display, an input text string representing a topic; means for identifying a canonical text string by applying, to the input text string, a canonical transformation rule which maps a plurality of forms of sentences into a single canonical form; for each rule R of a plurality of predetermined rules; means for identifying a text pattern specified by a premise of rule R; means for determining whether the identified canonical text string matches the text pattern specified by the premise of rule R; means for identifying a plurality of output text strings specified by a conclusion of rule R if the identified canonical text string satisfies the text pattern specified by the premise of rule R; and means for outputting the plurality of output text strings on the computerized display.
-
Specification