Catherine A Abbott

US Patent:

57218455, Feb 24, 1998

Filed:

Feb 18, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/019239

Inventors:

Arthur James - San Jose CA
Catherine Anne Abbott - Campbell CA
Michael Andrew Arent - Albany CA
Gregory J. Czora - Cupertino CA
James M. Laffey - Sunnyvale CA
William W. Luciw - Morgan Hill CA
Mark Leslie Miller - San Carlos CA
Daniel E. Rose - Cupertino CA
James Clinton Spohrer - Santa Clara CA
James Reginald Winkles - Stanford CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

395326

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for formulating and responding to an inquiry through an interface which is topically organized. The dialogue system interface is comprised of various topical objects wherein each domain object has a set of object values. Selection of a desired object value of a domain object yields a set of potential inquiries, corresponding to the selected value, for selection. A selected inquiry is transmitted to an underlying system for formulation of a response. The formulated response of the underlying system is then transmitted to the user through the dialogue system interface. The dialogue system generates and displays further domain objects, object values, and inquiries that are logically anticipated from the selected inquiry.

US Patent:

58648445, Jan 26, 1999

Filed:

Oct 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/738463

Inventors:

Arthur James - San Jose CA
Catherine Anne Abbott - Campbell CA
Michael Andrew Arent - Albany CA
Gregory J. Czora - Cupertino CA
James M. Laffey - Sunnyvale CA
William W. Luciw - Morgan Hill CA
Mark Leslie Miller - San Carlos CA
Daniel E. Rose - Cupertino CA
James Clinton Spohrer - Santa Clara CA
James Reginald Winkles - Stanford CA

Assignee:

Apple Computer, Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

707 4

Abstract:

A method for enhancing a user interface with a computer based training tool comprising the steps of listing domain objects on a display; listing domain object values in response to a selection of one of the domain objects; generating a plurality of inquiries in response to a user selection of one of the domain object values; replying with a predetermined answer; identifying a new domain object value in the predetermined answer; and adding to the plurality of inquiries a new inquiry which incorporates both the selected domain object value and the new domain object value.