METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAY AREA OPTIMIZATION IN A ROLE-BASED USER INTERFACE

• US 20070266151A1
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Friedland, Liam, Hilgers, Peer
• Application Number:
  US11/383,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20070266151A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to making optimal use of display screen real estate in a role-based user interface. In an administrative mode of the user interface, a full range of navigation functions may be displayed. In a working mode of the user interface, navigation functions may be hidden to allow most screen area to be devoted to a working session of a transaction. This distribution of screen area more accurately reflects the amount of time a user spends in the administrative and working modes, respectively, and consequently makes the user interface easier and more convenient to use.

Claims

1. A method for operating a role-based user interface for an enterprise resource management application, the method comprising:

in an administrative mode of the user interface, presenting a full range of navigation functions in a navigation area of the interface; and

in a working mode of the user interface, hiding the navigation area while presenting a working session of a launched transaction corresponding to a role-based activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the administrative mode, the user interface further presents an aggregated list of selectable tasks.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the working mode, a session area comprising indicators of one or more previously launched transactions is displayed.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein an indicator for a currently selected transaction is highlighted.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein an indicator for a non-selected transaction is dimmed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in the working mode, a field for navigating directly to the administrative mode is displayed.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to a user input, navigating directly from the working mode to the administrative mode.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to a user input, navigating directly from the administrative mode to the working mode.

9. A machine-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions to perform a method according to claim 1.

10. A method for operating a role-based user interface for an enterprise resource management application, the method comprising:

entering an administrative mode of the interface, the administrative mode including a navigation area having a full range of navigation functions to navigate among role-based objects and activities;

from the administrative mode, navigating to a selected activity;

in response to an input in a transaction window of the selected activity, entering a working mode of the user interface, the working mode including launching a transaction corresponding to the selected activity;

hiding the navigation area while in the working mode;

displaying an indicator for the launched transaction in a session area;

displaying a field for navigating directly to the administrative mode;

in response to an input in the field, navigating directly from the working mode to the administrative mode.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of indicators of launched transactions.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

from the administrative mode, in response to an input in a selected indicator, switching to the working mode for the corresponding transaction.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein an indicator for a currently selected transaction is highlighted.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein an indicator for a non-selected transaction is dimmed.

15. A machine-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions to perform a method according to claim 10.