Method and system for providing an intelligent goal-oriented user interface to data and services

摘要

A buyer agent system is disclosed for assisting purchasers to retrieve data, obtain services, and purchase products on a computer network. One embodiment identifies a purchaser's goal and then uses a knowledge base to create a plan for meeting the determined goal. The system uses an inference engine such as a partial order planner, or a non-monotonic truth maintenance system to create plans. One embodiment of the present invention is an Internet browser plug-in for assisting purchasers in conducting electronic commerce.