Graphical user interface for non-disruptively displaying messages with an indication of context

• US 20030098887A1
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Li, Jin
• Application Number:
  US10/125,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098887A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/809
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A graphical user interface (GUI) dynamically displays a message in a popup upon the occurrence of a triggering event. The popup comprises a callout box having a body portion in which the message is displayed and at least one indicator portion extending from the body portion to the GUI component(s) which provide(s) context for the message. At least part of the popup is located proximately to the GUI component of most recent user interaction so that the popup is noticeable by the user. The popup remains displayed while the user continues with permissible GUI interactions, such as taking steps to address the message for example. The popup is removed automatically when the message has been addressed.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a message to a user in a graphical user interface (GUI), comprising:

displaying said message in a popup shaped to indicate association with at least one area of the GUI forming a context for said message, said popup being located, at least in part, proximately to a GUI control or field of most recent user interaction;

allowing at least some GUI interaction to occur while said popup is displayed; and

automatically dismissing said popup when said message has been addressed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said shape of said popup comprises a two-dimensional body portion with at least one indicator portion extending from said body portion towards said at least one GUI area.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein a 1-to-1 correlation exists between said at least one indicator portion and said at least one GUI area.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said at least one indicator portion comprises an arrow.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said popup comprises a modeless window.

6. A method of displaying an error message to a user in a GUI, comprising:

displaying said error message in a popup shaped to indicate association with at least one area of the GUI forming a context for said error message, said popup being located, at least in part, proximately to a GUI control or field of most recent user interaction;

allowing at least some GUI interaction to occur while said popup is displayed; and

automatically dismissing said popup when said error message has been addressed.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said shape of said popup comprises a two-dimensional body portion with at least one indicator portion extending from said body portion towards said at least one GUI area.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a 1-to-1 correlation exists between said at least one indicator portion and said at least one GUI area.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said at least one indicator portion comprises an arrow.

10. The method of any of claims 6 to 9 wherein said popup comprises a modeless window.

11. A GUI, comprising:

means for displaying a message in a popup shaped to indicate association with at least one area of the GUI forming a context for said message, said popup being located, at least in part, proximately to a GUI control or field of most recent user interaction;

means for allowing at least some GUI interaction to occur while said popup is displayed; and

means for automatically dismissing said popup when said message has been addressed.

12. The GUI of claim 11 wherein said shape of said popup comprises a two-dimensional body portion with at least one indicator portion extending from said body portion towards said at least one GUI area.

13. The GUI of claim 12 wherein a 1-to-1 correlation exists between said at least one indicator portion and said at least one GUI area.

14. The GUI of claim 12 wherein said at least one indicator portion comprises an arrow.

15. The GUI of any of claims 11 to 14 wherein said popup comprises a modeless window.

16. The GUI of any of claims 11 to 15 wherein said message is an error message.

17. A computer readable medium storing computer software that, when loaded into a computing device, adapts said device to display a message to a user in a GUI by:

displaying said message in a popup shaped to indicate association with at least one area of the GUI forming a context for said message, said popup being located, at least in part, proximately to a GUI control or field of most recent user interaction;

allowing at least some GUI interaction to occur while said popup is displayed; and

automatically dismissing said popup when said message has been addressed.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein said shape of said popup comprises a two-dimensional body portion with at least one indicator portion extending from said body portion towards said at least one GUI area.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein a 1-to-1 correlation exists between said at least one indicator portion and said at least one GUI area.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein said at least one indicator portion comprises an arrow.

21. The computer readable medium of any of claims 17 to 20 wherein said popup comprises a modeless window.

22. The computer readable medium of any of claims 17 to 21 wherein said message is an error message.

23. A computing device operable to display a message to a user in a GUI by:

displaying said message in a popup shaped to indicate association with at least one area of the GUI forming a context for said message, said popup being located, at least in part, proximately to a GUI control or field of most recent user interaction;

allowing at least some GUI interaction to occur while said popup is displayed; and

automatically dismissing said popup when said message has been addressed.

24. The computing device of claim 23 wherein said shape of said popup comprises a two-dimensional body portion with at least one indicator portion extending from said body portion towards said at least one GUI area.

25. The computing device of claim 24 wherein a 1-to-1 correlation exists between said at least one indicator portion and said at least one GUI area.

26. The computing device of claim 24 wherein said at least one indicator portion comprises an arrow.

27. The computing device of any of claims 23 to 26 wherein said popup comprises a modeless window.

28. The computing device of any of claims 23 to 27 wherein said message is an error message.