Method and apparatus for interpreting data and accessing on-line documentation in a computer system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for assisting a user in solving computer system and application problems in a computer system which is capable of executing a plurality of independent application programs, the apparatus for assisting a user comprising:
- a working memory for storing a list of facts about the problem;
a modular knowledge base coupled to said working memory, said modular knowledge base having rules corresponding to meta knowledge, general knowledge, and a current knowledge module, wherein said meta knowledge and said general knowledge being application-independent, said current knowledge module being specific to a current application program selected for execution by the computer system, and said current knowledge module being replaceable by additional knowledge modules from additional ones of said application programs, wherein each of said additional knowledge modules corresponds to one of said additional application programs, wherein said additional application programs are distinct from said apparatus for assisting a user; and
an inference engine coupled to said working memory and said modular knowledge base, said inference engine for interpreting the facts in said working memory by applying the facts to said rules corresponding to meta knowledge, general knowledge, or said current knowledge module in said modular knowledge base to produce a valid conclusion about solving the problem, wherein when said inference engine is unable to produce a valid conclusion using said current knowledge module said inference engine selects one of said additional knowledge modules corresponding to one of said additional application programs and replaces said current knowledge module with said selected additional knowledge module such that said selected additional knowledge module becomes said current knowledge module.
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Abstract
A modular expert system that uses knowledge modules from multiple personal computer applications to solve a problem. The expert system accesses additional knowledge modules from independent computer applications to reach a conclusion regarding a computer system or application problem. A learning module records past problem-solving histories for reference by the expert system in enhancing problem solving capabilities. A knowledge acquisition module allows an application developer to create knowledge modules for new applications to be used with the modular expert system. A method for solving problems using modular knowledge modules from multiple applications is also described. The method compares a list of facts to rules in its current knowledge base. If a valid conclusion can not be reached then another knowledge module is selected by an inference engine to replace the existing knowledge module to provide further knowledge in solving the problem.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assisting a user in solving computer system and application problems in a computer system which is capable of executing a plurality of independent application programs, the apparatus for assisting a user comprising:
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a working memory for storing a list of facts about the problem; a modular knowledge base coupled to said working memory, said modular knowledge base having rules corresponding to meta knowledge, general knowledge, and a current knowledge module, wherein said meta knowledge and said general knowledge being application-independent, said current knowledge module being specific to a current application program selected for execution by the computer system, and said current knowledge module being replaceable by additional knowledge modules from additional ones of said application programs, wherein each of said additional knowledge modules corresponds to one of said additional application programs, wherein said additional application programs are distinct from said apparatus for assisting a user; and an inference engine coupled to said working memory and said modular knowledge base, said inference engine for interpreting the facts in said working memory by applying the facts to said rules corresponding to meta knowledge, general knowledge, or said current knowledge module in said modular knowledge base to produce a valid conclusion about solving the problem, wherein when said inference engine is unable to produce a valid conclusion using said current knowledge module said inference engine selects one of said additional knowledge modules corresponding to one of said additional application programs and replaces said current knowledge module with said selected additional knowledge module such that said selected additional knowledge module becomes said current knowledge module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a computer system having the ability to execute a plurality of independent application programs, a method for interpreting data from one or more of the computer application programs and from previous test results stored in a learning module to assist a user in solving a computer system and application problem, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:
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storing meta knowledge and general knowledge in a knowledge base, said meta knowledge being rules of logic, said general knowledge being application-independent rules; loading a first knowledge module into the knowledge base, said first knowledge module being specific to a first application program; receiving a list of facts about the problem; comparing a list of facts to the meta knowledge, general knowledge, or first knowledge module rules in the knowledge base, wherein said comparing the list of facts produces additional facts by application of the facts to the meta knowledge, general knowledge, or first knowledge module rules in the knowledge base, said comparing the list of facts being repeated until either a valid conclusion is reached or no additional facts are produced; determining whether the learning module stores previous test results that are relevant to solving the problem; comparing the previous test results that are relevant to solving the problem to the meta knowledge, general knowledge, or first knowledge module rules in the knowledge base, wherein said comparing the previous test results produces additional facts by application of the previous test results to the meta knowledge, general knowledge, or first knowledge module rules in the knowledge base, said comparing the previous test results being repeated until either a valid conclusion is reached or no additional facts are produced; and selecting a second knowledge module which provides additional information about solving the problem, wherein said second knowledge module being specific to a second application program, the first and second application programs being independent; wherein said comparing the list of facts, comparing the previous test results, and selecting a second knowledge module being performed by an inference engine, wherein said inference engine interprets the list of facts by applying the list of facts to the meta knowledge, general knowledge, or second knowledge module rules in the knowledge base to solve the problem. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification