A computer system is disclosed for preparing a complete set of architectural specifications for constructing a building, including, if desired, sets of instructions that will be used by personnel during preparation of construction drawings and during construction. A specifier uses brief symbolic characters representative of individual phrases from a large information repository called a Master Phrase Catalog, to mark decisions and phrase selections in code on an order form designed to facilitate the specifier's task. The information in the Master Phrase Catalog includes construction materials, techniques, reference information, testing and industry standards which are correlated with instructional information and work assignments for various groups of people. The specifier uses only a limited number of commands to completely specify a project. The code is fed into a computer which has all the information in the Master Phrase Catalog stored on permanent record file, called the specification data file, with an index file correlating the specifier's code with the phrases that will eventually make up the specification. The computer is programmed to edit the input code for errors, prepare a listing of the input specifier's code and prepare an architectural specification from the specification data file together with a table of contents and listing of errors, if any. If called for by the specifier, sets of instructions, correlated to the particular phrases selected from the Master Phrase Catalog and stored in permanent memory will be printed out as separate booklets.
A method of interpreting a problem statement and providing goals for solving the problem includes storing in electronic memory a plurality of goal statements, each indicating the educational purpose of a subject matter area; forming in electronic memory a semantic network by storing a plurality of key words associated with each of the goal statements; the goal statement address of each of said key words, a list of any synonyms for each of said key words, a list of any terms generic to each of said key words, and a list of any terms which are a species of said key words, each key word being given a specific address location, each of said key words, synonyms, generic and species terms being thereby interlinked to one another and to each goal statement associated therewith and for each goal statement, each key word thereof being linked to the corresponding key word in memory and to its synonyms, generic and species terms. In operation a problem statement is entered from which the key words of said statement are determined. The goal statements linked to each key word and its asssociated synonyms, generic and species terms are then located. A variety of selected information is also located, for each goal, that was linked to that goal or that was linked to key words associated to that goal.
A word processor comprises a keyboard for inputting characters, a text compiling unit for compiling a text by the characters inputted from the keyboard, a memory for storing the text compiled by the text compiling unit, a designation unit for designating ends of chapters or phrases of the text when the text is compiled by the text compiling unit, and a table of contents compiling unit for compiling a table of contents corresponding to the chapters or the paragraphs of the text in accordance with the designation of the ends of the chapters or the paragraphs by the designation unit.
Apparatus and methods which employ a machine learning system to "learn" the specification for a program from a trace of an execution of the program on a set of test problems. The program is instrumented to produce the trace. Performance is improved by means of a declarative bias which expresses knowledge of the user about the program and constrains the learning system to produce only specifications which are consistent with the declarative bias. The apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment are employed to learn specifications of views in a data base for a telephone switching system from traces produced by executing the programs which produce the views. Techniques for producing more than one specification and for dealing with views which involve conversions are also disclosed.
A system for use in mapping items such as financial transactions. Each transactions has line entries with each line entry relating to a particular object, such as an account. Each line entry has an entry in a first field or in a second field such as money entries in debit and credit fields. The system provides a graphical, visual representation linking objects (accounts) and illustrating (cash) flow between the objects (accounts). An item (transaction) memory stores entries relating to the items (transactions). A first object (account) memory stores entries relating to a first object (account). A second object (account) memory stores entries relating to a second object (account). An interface, keyboard or scanner inputs the line entries of the items (transactions) into the appropriate object (account) memory. A search engine searches the memories and locates the line entries which relate to each of the objects, such as entries which contribute money to or distribute money from an account. A graphics module responsive to the search engine and to the located line entries creates a map interrelating the (cash) flow between the objects (accounts) whereby the map provides the graphical representation interrelating the objects (accounts).
A machine-aided method for selecting roofing systems to match particular building roof design features. Logic branches are employed to guide a machine to the determination of an appropriate roofing system on the basis of design feature data entered by a user. Apparatus for specification generation are also disclosed wherein a roofing specification may be generated which corresponds to the selected roofing system. An illustrative example is also described.
