Abstract: A computer includes a data/knowledge base with a plurality of entries and further employs a user/computer interface for responding to a natural language form input. The interface, in combination with the computer, provides a help function that includes a browse search capability that responds to the natural language-form input by responding with matching knowledge base data.

Abstract: A user/computer interface is described that employ a constrained natural language-form input. The computer employs a feedback method to reinforce a user's confidence and knowledge that the computer comprehends a query or instruction. The user interface initially parses a user's natural language-form input into a case frame. The case frame is then filtered into a goal-expression that comprises a verb and remaining syntactical portions of the input query/instruction. The system then paraphrases the goal-expression into constrained natural language-form and communicates the paraphrase to the user for confirmation that the computer system has correctly interpreted the user input. The computer also compares the goal-expression with prestored goal-expressions to determine a match and then performs an action in response to a match being found.

Abstract: A data processing includes an on-line, interactive, intelligent help system which provides suggestions as to actions a user can take after entry into the system of an erroneous command or a question. The system also responds with explanations of why the suggestions were made and how they work. The system includes a natural language analyzer for converting the questions into goals. A knowledge base and an inference engine further analyze the goals and provide one or more suggestions on how to achieve such goals. An explanation generator uses such analysis to dynamically generate the explanations which are tailored to the user's goal.