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Method and system of hierarchical assistance

  • US 5,123,086 A
  • Filed: 02/02/1988
  • Issued: 06/16/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of hierarchical assistance executed by a data processing device, for operator interaction with the data processing device using productions and help messages stored in an internal memory of the device, the method comprising the steps of:

  • receiving an input query from an associated input device in electrical communication with the data processing device as a symbol in attention;

    storing the received symbol in attention into a memory location of the internal memory as a variable SYMBOL;

    outputting a help message predefined for the symbol in attention to an output device in electrical communication with said data processing device;

    determining whether the variable SYMBOL is a non-terminal symbol;

    storing, in the memory, a variable RULE NUMBER comprising an count of productions stored in the memory having the variable SYMBOL as their respective object arguments;

    initializing a first count value stored in a first counter to a first counter initial value;

    comparing the first count value with the variable RULE NUMBER;

    incrementing the first count value if the first count value does not match the variable RULE NUMBER;

    storing, in the memory, a variable ELEMENT NUMBER comprising a count value of symbols within a first production stored in the memory;

    initializing a second count value stored in a second counter to a second counter initial value;

    comparing the second count value with the variable ELEMENT NUMBER;

    incrementing the second count value if the second count value does not match the variable ELEMENT NUMBER;

    determining whether a SECOND COUNT VALUEth symbol of the first production is an implicit non-terminal symbol, and;

    outputting, to said output device in electrical communication with said data processing device, a help message defined for the SECOND COUNT VALUEth symbol of the first production to an associated output device when the SECOND COUNT VALUEth symbol of the first production is not an implicit non-terminal symbol.

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