Cloud Command Assistance Using Learned Syntax Templates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Command line interfaces require users to be familiar with numerous commands and their syntax, which can be challenging due to limited documentation and complex command structures, especially in cloud services with vast numbers of subcommands and parameters.

Innovation Solution

A command assistance tool that learns from telemetric data, scripts, and user documentation to form templates for command syntax, using weighted elastic search to provide examples and personalized parameter values, aiding users in correctly invoking commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cloud service provides automated command assistance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud service as an intermediary between the user and the complex command-line interface system. The cloud service receives natural language or simplified commands from the user, processes them through automated assistance mechanisms, and translates them into the appropriate complex commands for execution, thereby shielding the user from complexity while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction with complex command-line interfaces with an automated intelligent system. Instead of requiring users to manually type and understand complex commands, the system uses automated command assistance technologies including natural language processing and intelligent translation to substitute the manual mechanical process with an automated intelligent one

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If command-line interfaces are used for cloud services, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the command interface dynamic and adaptive. The system can switch between different interaction modes (natural language, simplified commands, or full command-line interface) based on user needs and expertise level. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high productivity for advanced users while providing ease of operation for beginners through natural language processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If automated command assistance is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated command assistance system provides real-time information about command translation, execution status, and system state to the user. This feedback loop ensures that users remain informed about what commands are being sent, what the system is doing, and what results are achieved, preventing information loss while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-translating and preparing commands before execution, and by providing users with advance information about what will happen. This includes showing users the translated commands before execution, providing context about system state, and preparing explanatory information in advance, thereby preventing information loss while maintaining user-friendly operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3877847B1Automated command assistance for a cloud service
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3877847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3877847B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3877847B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

An automated command assistance tool is provided for a browser-enabled command line interface of a cloud service. The automated command assistance tool provides examples illustrating the correct syntax for commands used to manage the resources of a cloud service. The command assistance tool learns the syntax of a command from usage patterns found in telemetric data, scripts and user documentation and forms templates containing a command's usage pattern and related information. The templates are used to generate examples that respond to a user query for assistance with usage of a particular command.