Abstract: An object (icon) selecting method selects an object of a pictorial pattern for use in designing a pictorial symbol representing a system function. The method includes a first step of associating a system function with objects representing pictorial symbols, a second step for calculating relation of each associated object and the system function, a third step for narrowing down associated objects to an object with high relation with the system function in accordance with a predetermined criterion based on the relation, a fourth step for associating each narrowed object with a functional element, a fifth step for calculating relation of each associated functional element and each of the objects, and a sixth step for selecting an object which is easily associated with the system function from the objects in accordance with a predetermined criterion based on the relation and determining an object representing the system function.

Abstract: A function extraction apparatus comprises a display device for displaying a plurality of icons indicative of functions, an input device for selectively designating the icons displayed on the display device, an operator icon storage for storing information of operator icons each designated as an operator by the input device, an operand icon storage for storing information of operand icons each designated as an operand by the input device, an icon/attribute knowledge section for storing the attributes of operator and operand functions of each of all usable objects, and an function inference section for inferring the function, on the basis of the object information stored in the operator and operand icon storages and the knowledge information stored in the icon/attribute knowledge section.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a desired function from a computer system by selecting one or more pictorial symbols displayed on a display screen is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of attributes to at least part of the plurality of pictorial symbols, inferring by using a predetermined rule in accordance with the attributes when one or more of the plurality of pictorial symbols is selected, and obtaining a function of the computer system in accordance with the inferred result.