Abstract: A user interface is provided for use with a machine which can use a number of natural language instructions to reach one of a plurality of possible machine states. In order to provide information to a user to enable them to more efficiently achieve the current machine state using natural language instructions, the current state of the machine is determined and used to generate information to inform the user of a natural language instruction which can be input to a machine to achieve the current state of the machine.

Abstract: A machine interface allows a user to select a machine operation. A plurality of questions are stored for output to a user. A score indicating the likelihood that the user will select a machine operation is stored for each corresponding machine operation. A next question for output to the user is selected from the stored questions by determining, for each of a plurality of the questions, an average of the least number of questions required to be answered by the user to arrive at each machine operation weighted by the respective scores, and selecting the question having the lowest average number. The selected question is output and an answer is received from the user. In response to the input answer a machine operation is carried out and/or the stored scores for each of the plurality of machine operations is adjusted. At least one further selection of a next question is then carried out for output to the user using the adjusted stored scores.

Abstract: A machine interface for interfacing a user to a machine receives input words from a user. Scores for at least some of the input words are determined using scores for words appearing in each passages of the text. A passage in the text having the highest combined score for the input words is identified and a corresponding dialogue instruction set is executed to generate words for output and to respond to input words from the user.

Abstract: A machine interface allows a user to select a machine operation. A plurality of questions are stored for output to a user. A score indicating the likelihood that the user will select a machine operation is stored for each corresponding machine operation. A next question for output to the user is selected from the stored questions by determining, for each of a plurality of the questions, an average of the least number of questions required to be answered by the user to arrive at each machine operation weighted by the respective scores, and selecting the question having the lowest average number. The selected question is output and an answer is received from the user. In response to the input answer a machine operation is carried out and/or the stored scores for each of the plurality of machine operations is adjusted. At least one further selection of a next question is then carried out for output to the user using the adjusted stored scores.

Abstract: A machine interface for interfacing a user to a machine receives input words from a user. Scores for at least some of the input words are determined using scores for words appearing in each passages of the text. A passage in the text having the highest combined score for the input words is identified and a corresponding dialogue instruction set is executed to generate words for output and to respond to input words from the user.

Abstract: A user interface is provided for use with a machine which can use a number of natural language instructions to reach one of a plurality of possible machine states. In order to provide information to a user to enable them to more efficiently achieve the current machine state using natural language instructions, the current state of the machine is determined and used to generate information to inform the user of a natural language instruction which can be input to a machine to achieve the current state of the machine.