Computer-implemented graphical user interface previews

• US 20060107234A1
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAS Institute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SAS Institute Incorporated
• Inventors: Crabtree, Walden B., Tudor, Leslie G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,849,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/821
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

System and methods for generating previews of interfaces. When a user interface item receives focus via a user interface indicator, a preview of an interface that is associated with the user interface item is displayed to the user.

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method for defining data for use in an operation, wherein the data is defined through a plurality of displays, said method comprising:

receiving indication of a visual indicator receiving focus;

wherein the visual indicator is displayed with a first display;

wherein the first display is used to define first data;

wherein the visual indicator provides access to a second display for defining second data to be used during the operation;

displaying a preview of the second display based upon the first display'"'"'s visual indicator receiving focus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein content of the preview is based upon at least in part upon the content of the second display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the display of the preview occurs while the first display is active and being shown to the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an interface indicator associated with a pointing device is used to provide focus to the visual indicator.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the interface indicator is a mouse pointer displayed on a user'"'"'s interface and is manipulated through operation of a mouse pointing device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the visual indicator receiving focus includes a mouseover of the visual indicator through use of the mouse pointer;

wherein the second display is displayed if the visual indicator is clicked on.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a user'"'"'s keyboard is used to provide focus to the visual indicator;

wherein a tab key from the keyboard is used to provide focus to the visual indicator.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving indication of a second visual indicator receiving focus;

wherein the second visual indicator is displayed with the second display;

wherein the second display is used to define second data;

wherein the second visual indicator provides access to the first display which defines the first data to be used during the operation;

displaying a preview of the first display based upon the second visual indicator of the second display receiving focus.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving indication of a third visual indicator receiving focus;

wherein the third visual indicator is displayed with the second display;

wherein the second display is used to define second data;

wherein the third visual indicator provides access to a third display which defines third data to be used during the operation;

displaying a preview of the third display based upon the third visual indicator of the second display receiving focus.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving indication of a third visual indicator receiving focus;

wherein the third visual indicator is displayed with the second display;

wherein the second display is used to define second data;

wherein the third visual indicator provides access to a third display which defines third data to be used during the operation;

displaying a preview of the third display based upon the third visual indicator of the second display receiving focus.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving indication of a fourth visual indicator receiving focus;

wherein the fourth visual indicator is displayed with the third display;

wherein the third display is used to define third data;

wherein the fourth visual indicator provides access to the first display which defines first data to be used during the operation;

displaying a preview of the first display based upon the fourth visual indicator of the third display receiving focus.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein before the preview of the second display is displayed, a message is displayed to the user;

wherein the message is generated when the first display'"'"'s visual indicator receiving focus.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the message is a tool tip textual message;

wherein the preview of the second display is displayed if the first display'"'"'s visual indicator has received focus for a pre-selected duration of time.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation includes a database operation for retrieving data from a database;

wherein the first data and second data are used to determine what data is retrieved from the database.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview of the second display differs from a display of the second display in one of the following ways:

the preview is smaller in size than display of the display of the second display;

the preview is less saturated in color than the display of the second display; and

combinations thereof.

16. A data signal that is transmitted using a network, wherein the data signal includes the preview of claim 1;

wherein the data signal comprises packetized data that is transmitted through the network.

17. Computer-readable medium capable of causing a computing device to perform the method of claim 1.

18. A processor-implemented method for performing multiple steps used in defining data for use in accomplishing an operation within a content creation application, wherein the first step is able to be performed through a user interface generated by the content creation application, said method comprising:

receiving user interface interaction data indicative of a user interface indicator being at least in proximity with a first visual indicator on the user interface generated by the content creation application;

wherein the first visual indicator is associated with a second display for performing a second step of the operation;

displaying a first preview when the user interface indicator is at least in proximity of the first visual indicator;

wherein the first preview displays a screen shot whose content is based upon an interface that is displayed in order to perform the second step;

receiving user interface interaction data indicative of a user interface indicator being at least in proximity with a second visual indicator on the user interface generated by the content creation application;

wherein the second visual indicator is associated with a third display for performing a third step of the operation;

displaying a second preview when the user interface indicator is at least in proximity of the second visual indicator;

wherein the second preview displays a screen shot whose content is based upon an interface that is displayed in order to perform the third step.

19. A processor-implemented method for use within a content creation software application, said method comprising:

receiving indication of a first interface item receiving focus;

wherein the first interface item is accessible through a first interface;

wherein the first interface'"'"'s item provides access to a second interface for defining data to be used within the software application;

wherein the first interface and the second interface are determined and displayed by the content creation software application;

wherein the first interface and the second interface are for use in creating and handling the same content;

displaying a preview of the second interface based upon the first interface'"'"'s item receiving focus.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first interface item is a command button located on the first interface.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first interface item is a command button located on a toolbar of the first interface.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the first interface item is an application icon located on the first interface.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first interface item is an object located within a sub-window of the first interface.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the sub-window is a window located within the first interface that contains a plurality of objects arranged in a hierarchical structure;

wherein the sub-window allows for scrolling in order to view the objects;

wherein the objects are indicative of data stored within a database.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the first interface item is a hypertext link.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the preview includes a display of static information.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein the preview includes a partial display of dynamic information.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the operation includes a database retrieval operation;

wherein the preview displays metadata related to data items for use in the database retrieval operation.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the preview includes data that had been dynamically generated.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the first interface item is a menu item of the first interface.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein before the preview of the second display is displayed, a message is displayed to the user;

wherein the message is generated when the first display'"'"'s visual indicator receiving focus.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the message is a tool tip textual message;

wherein the preview of the second display is displayed if the first display'"'"'s visual indicator has received focus for a pre-selected duration of time.

33. The method of claim 19, wherein an open dialog user window is configured with a preview function, wherein the preview function includes when the user moves a mouse pointer over an object within the open dialog user window, a preview is displayed substantially at the location of the object;

wherein the preview is viewed without requiring an invocation of an open dialog operation.

34. The method of claim 19, wherein the content creation application includes a word processing application, spreadsheet application, an electronic mail application, and combinations thereof.

35. A data signal that is transmitted using a network, wherein the data signal includes the preview of claim 19;

wherein the data signal comprises packetized data that is transmitted through the network.

36. Computer-readable medium capable of causing a computing device to perform the method of claim 19.

37. A processor-implemented apparatus for defining data for use in an operation, wherein the data is defined through a plurality of displays, comprising:

means for receiving indication of a visual indicator receiving focus;

wherein the visual indicator is displayed with a first display;

wherein the first display is used to define first data;

wherein the visual indicator provides access to a second display for defining second data to be used during the operation;

means for displaying a preview of the second display based upon the first display'"'"'s visual indicator receiving focus.

38. A processor-implemented apparatus for use within a content creation software application, comprising:

means for receiving indication of a first interface item receiving focus;

wherein the first interface item is accessible through a first interface;

wherein the first interface'"'"'s item provides access to a second interface for defining data to be used within the software application;

wherein the first interface and the second interface are determined and displayed by the content creation software application;

wherein the first interface and the second interface are for use in creating and handling the same content;

means for displaying a preview of the second interface based upon the first interface'"'"'s item receiving focus.

39. A processor-implemented apparatus for use within a content creation software application, comprising:

first computer software instructions configured to receive indication of a first interface item receiving focus;

wherein the first interface item is accessible through a first interface;

wherein the first interface'"'"'s item provides access to a second interface for defining data to be used within the software application;

wherein the first interface and the second interface are determined and displayed by the content creation software application;

wherein the first interface and the second interface are for use in creating and handling the same content;

second computer software instructions configured to display a preview of the second interface based upon the first interface'"'"'s item receiving focus.