Balloon help system
First Claim
1. A display system, comprising:
- (a) display means for displaying a plurality of icons;
(b) cursor positioning means for moving a first of said plurality of icons;
(c) means for detecting when said first of the plurality of icons is positioned proximal to a second icon of said plurality of icons;
(d) means for notifying said second of the plurality of icons when said first icon is proximal to said second icon;
(e) means for starting a timer when said first icon is proximal to said second icon;
(f) means for generating a help message indicative of valid actions that can be performed on said first icon and said second icon through communication between said first and second icons; and
(g) means for displaying said help message when said timer has expired.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system for providing help information to assist in using an object oriented operating system. The help technique is also oriented to the particular area on the screen that is indicated by a portion of the help information. When a user drags an object on a display screen and drops the object in close proximity with another object, a help display is presented with an indicator pointing to the associated area on the display. The help display provides information on the viability of the drop action and aids the user in navigating through the operation. In a preferred embodiment, the help display is presented in a balloon display pointing to the objects upon which the operation is transpiring.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A display system, comprising:
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(a) display means for displaying a plurality of icons; (b) cursor positioning means for moving a first of said plurality of icons; (c) means for detecting when said first of the plurality of icons is positioned proximal to a second icon of said plurality of icons; (d) means for notifying said second of the plurality of icons when said first icon is proximal to said second icon; (e) means for starting a timer when said first icon is proximal to said second icon; (f) means for generating a help message indicative of valid actions that can be performed on said first icon and said second icon through communication between said first and second icons; and (g) means for displaying said help message when said timer has expired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for displaying information, comprising the steps of:
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(a) displaying a plurality of icons; (b) moving a first of said plurality of icons; (c) detecting when said first of said plurality of icons is positioned proximal to said second icon of said plurality of icons; (d) notifying said second of the plurality of icons that said first icon is proximal to said second icon; (e) starting a timer when said first icon is proximal to said second icon; (f) generating a help message responsive to a context sensitive combination of said first icon and said second icon that clarify actions that can be performed utilizing said first icon and said second icon through communication between the first and second icons; and (g) displaying said help message when said timer has expired on said display. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A display system, comprising:
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(a) an object-oriented operating system; (b) a data processor controlled by said object-oriented operating system; (c) a display device controlled by said data processor for displaying information including a plurality of icons; (d) cursor positioning means for moving a first of said plurality of icons; (e) an object of said object-oriented operating system including logic for detecting when said first of the plurality of icons is positioned proximal to a second icon of said plurality of icons; (f) an object of said object-oriented operating system including logic notifying said second of the plurality of icons when said first icon is proximal to said second icon; (g) an object of said object-oriented operating system including logic for starting a timer when said first icon is proximal to said second icon; (h) an object of said object-oriented operating system including logic for generating a help message indicative of valid actions that can be performed on said first icon and said second icon through communication between said first and second icons; and (i) an object of said object-oriented operating system including logic for displaying said help message when said timer has expired. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification