Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides, to a user, representations of a plurality of discriminants of meanings of a plurality of symbols in a natural language. Each of the plurality of discriminants is associated with a corresponding finite set of mutually exclusive answers to the discriminant. The discriminants are orthogonal to each other. The method receives, from the user, input representing a plurality of answers to the plurality of discriminants. Each of the plurality of answers from the user is selected from the finite set of mutually exclusive answers to the corresponding discriminant. The method generates, in response to the input, a data structure tangibly stored in a computer-readable memory. The data structure includes data representing the plurality of answers from the user and thereby represents a meaning of one of the plurality of symbols in the natural language.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides, to a user, representations of a plurality of discriminants of meanings of a plurality of symbols in a natural language. Each of the plurality of discriminants is associated with a corresponding finite set of mutually exclusive answers to the discriminant. The discriminants are orthogonal to each other. The method receives, from the user, input representing a plurality of answers to the plurality of discriminants. Each of the plurality of answers from the user is selected from the finite set of mutually exclusive answers to the corresponding discriminant. The method generates, in response to the input, a data structure tangibly stored in a computer-readable memory. The data structure includes data representing the plurality of answers from the user and thereby represents a meaning of one of the plurality of symbols in the natural language.

Abstract: Identifiers for events occurring at a network node are generated responsive to the time of the event, to a telephone number associated with the node, and to an event characteristic. In a network all of whose nodes use this method, an identifier can be generated at one node without reference to any other node, which will be unique over the network. An identifier generated by this method can be decomposed to recover the time of the event, the telephone number associated with the node at which the event occurred at the time of occurrence, or the event characteristic.

Abstract: A text-editing system having a keyboard for the input of character and text-editing operation signals, writable text storage, display and writable display storage, and control storage storing groups of microinstructions. A system control is responsive to an interrupt signal from the keyboard for decoding an input signal and deriving therefrom internal control signals for operation of the system, including modification of the display storage and text storage. Apparatus is provided for inputting the character and text-editing operation signals in either of two alternative modes. A select/store circuit is responsive to a select/store signal to select from the text storage character and operation signals modified according to a first alternative mode and to store them in a special condition storage. The system control is thereafter responsive to a recall signal to disable the keyboard interrupt, retrieve the stored signals, and operate according to them.

Abstract: An improvement in a text-editing system having a keyboard for inputting character and text-editing operation signals, a CRT display, display storage and text storage, and additional special condition storage; the system responds to a select/store signal to select a sequence of signals from text storage and store it into special condition storage, and thereafter responds to a recall signal to disable the keyboard, retrieve the stored sequence, and operate according to it. A keyboard interactive operation signal can be stored as part of such a sequence. The system responds to retrieval of this signal to permit input of a keystroke string through the keyboard to the display storage and text storage; the system further responds to a keystroke string end indicator, input through the keyboard, to resume recall and execution of the stored sequence.