Method and system for presenting information in a summarizing accordion view
First Claim
1. A method of providing an interface between a user and at least one software application running on a computer platform, comprising:
- providing two or more windows for displaying information and for facilitating entry of information from a user, wherein the two or more windows are visually associated with one another;
requiring the user to sequentially access the two or more windows, and for each sequentially accessed window, complete at least one predetermined data entry task before accessing a subsequent window;
wherein each window, when sequentially accessed by the user, transitions to an expanded state to display one or more of (i) data entry fields, (ii) guidance information and (iii) commentary information; and
, wherein a window in the expanded state transitions to a collapsed state when the user accesses a different window, such that the window in the collapsed state displays summary information describing contents of the window in the collapsed state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface for providing an information gateway between a user and a computer platform includes two or more windows for displaying information, and for facilitating information entry from a user. The windows may be in the form of a rectangular box, although other shapes may be used. The size and/or shape of each of the windows changes as the window content changes. The user interface requires the user sequentially step through the windows, completing the required data entry for each window before proceeding to the subsequent window. As the user encounters a particular window, that window expands to display details of the window content. When the user completes the data entry fields of an expanded window and proceeds to the subsequent window, the completed window collapses to display a summary of the content. The expansion or collapse of a window may occur in a gradual or abrupt transition.
36 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of providing an interface between a user and at least one software application running on a computer platform, comprising:
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providing two or more windows for displaying information and for facilitating entry of information from a user, wherein the two or more windows are visually associated with one another;
requiring the user to sequentially access the two or more windows, and for each sequentially accessed window, complete at least one predetermined data entry task before accessing a subsequent window;
wherein each window, when sequentially accessed by the user, transitions to an expanded state to display one or more of (i) data entry fields, (ii) guidance information and (iii) commentary information; and
,wherein a window in the expanded state transitions to a collapsed state when the user accesses a different window, such that the window in the collapsed state displays summary information describing contents of the window in the collapsed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for providing an interface between a user and at least one software application, comprising:
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a computer platform including a display for presenting the interface to the user and a processor for executing the at least one software application and for executing interface software;
a storage device for storing the at least one software application and the interface software, and for providing the at least one software application and the interface software to the processor for execution;
wherein the interface software executing on the processor is operable to;
provide two or more windows for displaying information and for facilitating entry of information from a user, wherein the two or more windows are visually associated with one another;
require the user to sequentially access the two or more windows, and for each sequentially accessed window, complete at least one predetermined data entry task before accessing a subsequent window;
wherein each window, when sequentially accessed by the user, transitions to an expanded state to display one or more of (i) data entry fields, (ii) guidance information and (iii) commentary information; and
,wherein a window in the expanded state transitions to a collapsed state when the user accesses a different window, such that the window in the collapsed state displays summary information describing contents of the window in the collapsed state. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer processor are operable to perform the steps comprising:
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providing two or more windows for displaying information and for facilitating entry of information from a user, wherein the two or more windows are visually associated with one another;
requiring the user to sequentially access the two or more windows, and for each sequentially accessed window, complete at least one predetermined data entry task before accessing a subsequent window;
wherein each window, when sequentially accessed by the user, transitions to an expanded state to display one or more of (i) data entry fields, (ii) guidance information and (iii) commentary information; and
,wherein a window in the expanded state transitions to a collapsed state when the user accesses a different window, such that the window in the collapsed state displays summary information describing contents of the window in the collapsed state.
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Specification