Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display

• US 5,157,768 A
• Filed: 05/17/1991
• Issued: 10/20/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Mandler, Alan, Cox, Norman, Shea, Timothy, Hoeber, Anthony, Levine, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Application Number:
  US07/703,036
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 364/518, 364/521, 364/522, 340/747, 340/750, 340/706, 395/155, 395/156, 395/157
• US Class Current: 715/711
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23121 Display graphics with corresponding text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to a display for displaying graphic and other data. The CPU is further coupled to a cursor control device which permits a user to selectively position a cursor at a desired location on the display, and signal the CPU of selections. Images are generated in the form of "windows" by the CPU which include standard window features as well as text, icons, and buttons which correspond to functions to be executed by the CPU. The selection of certain buttons results in the generation and display of a menu which includes a plurality of functions which may be chosen by a user. Help information may be obtained by a user by positioning the cursor on the display using the cursor control device over an area of the window which the user desires the help information. After placing the cursor over a desired area, which may include by way of example an icon, window function, or other window image, the user depresses a predefined help key on a keyboard coupled to the CPU. The CPU then locates a help description which corresponds to the object or area over which the cursor has been placed. The CPU displays the appropriate help description within a help window.

Claims

1. In a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying help information pertaining to said images displayed, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a plurality of images on said display, each image of said plurality of images capable of being invoked to perform an application function;

(b) positioning a cursor on said display using a cursor control device coupled to said CPU, said cursor being placed over at least a portion of a first image on said display;

(c) providing a first signal to said CPU by depressing a predetermined help key on a keyboard coupled to said CPU to request help information pertaining to that portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed;

(d) generating and displaying a help window on said display, said help window comprising a first area and second area, said first area within said help window including a description of said portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, said description being retrieved by said CPU from an entry in a lookup table corresponding to said first image after said CPU identifies said first image based on the location of said cursor on said display, said lookup table having a plurality of descriptions as entries corresponding to said plurality of images on said display;

copying that portion of said first image disposed within a predetermined radius from said cursor, and displaying said portion of said first image in said second area within said help window;

(e) providing a second signal to said CPU to dismiss said help window such that said help window is no longer displayed once said description has been read by a user; and

(f) providing a third signal to said CPU to invoke an application function of said first image if said user desires;

whereby said help description displayed is a function of the position of said cursor on said display.

2. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said portion of said first image is displayed in said help window within an image of a magnifying glass.

3. The method as defined by claim 2, wherein said images on said display are disposed within windows.

4. In a computer control display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, an apparatus for displaying help information pertaining to said images to a user of said system, comprising:

first display means coupled to said CPU for generating and displaying said images on said display, each image of said plurality of images capable of being invoked to perform an application function;

cursor control means coupled to said CPU for selectively positioning a cursor on said display;

signal generation means coupled to said CPU for providing a first signal to said CPU by depressing a predetermined help key on a keyboard coupled to said CPU to request help information once said cursor has been placed over at least a portion of a first image on said display;

second display means coupled to said CPU for generating and displaying a help window on said display, said help window comprising a first area and second area, said first area within said help window including a description of said portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, said description being retrieved by said CPU from an entry in a lookup table corresponding to said first image after said CPU identifies said first image based on the location of said cursor on said display, said lookup table having a plurality of descriptions as entries corresponding to said plurality of images on said display;

said second display means copying that portion of said first image disposed within a predetermined radius from said cursor, and displaying said portion of said first image in said second area within said help window;

said signal generation means providing a second signal to said CPU to dismiss said help window such that said help window is no longer displayed once said description is no longer required by said user; and

said signal generation means providing a third signal to said CPU to invoke an application function of said first image if said user desires;

whereby said description displayed is a function of the position of said cursor on said display.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said portion of said first image is displayed within an image of a magnifying glass.

6. The apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said images on said display are disposed within windows.