A system in which a case-based search engine is integrated into a "help" database. The help database may be organized in a predetermined manner and converted by a computer program into a case-based format. An operator of a "help" program (e.g., a user who desires on-line help) may request a case-based search of the case-base using case-based methods. The case-based search provides a set of likely cases, i.e., help topics, from among which the operator may select the next help topic to view. The system may also present matched objects in response to the query, may respond to iterative refinement of the query (in similar manner to known iterative case-based methods) and may order matched objects by quality of match.

A data processor for managing a multilevel application wherein the data processor includes a display controller that creates a three-level menu window and a data window. The menu window includes at least two levels that each incorporate select commands associated with discrete subjects wherein menu commands are concurrently displayed on screen to provide historical access information. Menu commands are converted into display presentations where each level defines a greater degree of information detail on a given subject. The data display window for these presentations is further divided into windows for text and graphics. The foregoing arrangement has been found to be exceptionally effective at providing educational or tutorial information access in a efficient manner.

An apparatus for producing an operational manual of an integraged services digital network (ISDN) terminal and supplying the same to an operator of the ISDN terminal. The operational manual teaching how to operate a minimum procedure to obtain one of functions. Each of the functions includes the plurality of minimum procedures which can no longer be segmented. The ISDN terminal and the apparatus are coupled to the ISDN terminal via the ISDN. The operator of the ISDN terminal requires the operational manual by means of a predetermined called party subaddress or a dial-in which are defined by CCITT. Since the apparatus produces the operational manual by properly combining the minimum procedures, the operational manual can satisfy the various levels of skills of the operator.

A system which is a combination of editor, window system, shell, and user interface and which provides a novel environment for the construction of textual applications such as browsers, debuggers, mailers, and so on. The system combines an extremely lean user interface with some automatic heuristics and defaults to achieve significant effects with minimal mouse and keyboard activity. The user interface is driven by a file-oriented programming interface that may be controlled from programs or even shell scripts. By taking care of user interface issues in a central utility, the system further simplifies the job of programming applications that make use of a bitmap display and mouse.

A menu displaying apparatus includes a display which has a menu display region for displaying a plurality of main items and at least one sub item, and a message display region for displaying various messages. Normally the sub massages are displayed within the menu display region, however, if the number of the sub items is larger than the available number of the lines of the menu display region, the apparatus enables the undisplayable sub item to be displayed in the message display region.