Self-learning mechanism for a set of nested computer graphics

In a computer-controlled system for an industrial plant having several parts, the computer having a memory and being provided with a graphics terminal having a display screen and means to manipulate a cursor to any desired screen position, the combination comprising:

• (A) a set of nested graphics containing diagrams of different parts of the plant, some of which include entry points identifying other graphics in the set;
• (B) a terminal console including Select, Next and Back keys;
• and
• (C) an operating mechanism in said terminal responsive to the keys and cooperating with the set of nested graphics, said mechanism including means for imparting thereto an automatic graphics interlinking path learning capability whereby an operator viewing a first graphic on the screen can position the cursor on any one of the entry points, and by pressing the Select key can then obtain access to a second graphic related to the selected point which is displayed on the screen when the Next key is operated, and by making an entry selection on the second graphic and repeating the selection procedure, can obtain access to and display a third graphic, thereby establishing a path interlinking the first, second and third graphics which is learned by the operating mechanism and held in the computer memory, thereby making it possible for the operator to move back on this path by operating the Back key and to move forward thereon by operating the Next key without the need for further entry point selection, the learning capability of the operating mechanism being constituted by software subroutines which after a set of nested graphics is constructed for the system are executed in regard to the entry points in the graphics and the vector paths established thereby among the graphics in the nested set.