Method to input content in a structured manner with real-time assistance and validation

摘要

A user-defined, structured input is received via an element included in a user interface. In real time, an active input from the user-defined, structured input is selected based at least in part on context associated with the user interface. A context-sensitive rule that applies to the active input is determined. Guidance associated with the active input and the context-sensitive rule is provided in real time via the user interface.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving, via an element included in a user interface, a user-defined, structured input; selecting, in real time, an active input from the user-defined, structured input based at least in part on context associated with the user interface; using a processor to determine a context-sensitive rule that applies to the active input, wherein:
the context-sensitive rule requires that the active input be a specific data type; andusing the processor to determine the context-sensitive rule includes:
setting one or more of the following: a permitted values bit or a permitted formats bit;dividing, based at least in part on the active input, inactive inputs from the user-defined, structured input into two groups: (1) those inactive inputs that affect the active input with respect to a format or content limitation and (2) those inactive inputs that do not affect the active input with respect to a format or content limitation;determining if any inactive inputs affect the active input with respect to a format or content limitation; andin the event it is determined none of the inactive inputs affect the active input with respect to a format or content limitation:
determining, without taking into consideration any of the inactive inputs, if the active input is limited to certain permitted values; anddetermining, without taking into consideration any of the inactive inputs, if the active input is limited to certain permitted formats; and providing, in real time via the user interface, guidance associated with the active input and the context-sensitive rule, including by performing the following:
displaying, in the user interface, format assistance which includes one or more of the following: (1) identification of the specific data type that satisfies the context-sensitive rule or (2) automatic configuration of the user interface so that the active input has a data type which matches the specific data type that satisfies the context-sensitive rule; anddisplaying, in the user interface, format validation which indicates whether the context-sensitive rule is satisfied based at least in part on a current data type of the active input.