Method and apparatus for providing visual cues in a graphic user interface
First Claim
1. In a data processing display system having a display, a method for providing visual cues to a user comprising the steps of:
- (a) displaying on said display a user interface having a plurality of objects;
(b) displaying on said display, in response to said user providing a first signal by inputting a help inquiry, a coach mark having at least one geometric shape to visually identify at least one of said objects on said user interface to said user,wherein said coach mark is displayed on said user interface such that said coach mark is rendered over time to achieve the visual appearance of being animated and drawn freehand on said user interface by a human being;
(c) displaying on said display an access window having a first working area and at least one access button function;
(d) selecting one of said at least one access button function;
(e) displaying a plurality of phrases in said first working area;
(f) selecting one of said displayed phrases; and
(g) displaying on said display a presentation window including instruction data related to said selected phrase.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the generation and display of entries in a predefined area of the access window. Upon the selection of one of the entries by a user, phrases related to the selected entry are displayed in a working area of the access window. The selection of one of the phrases results in the display of a presentation window containing help instruction data to guide the user in the particular help task specified by the entry and phrase selection. To further assist the user, visual cues in the form of coach marks are generated for identifying features on the display which relate to the information disposed within the presentation window, but may identify any feature on the display. The coach marks are displayed generally concurrently with the display of the presentation window. The coach marks are displayed such that they appear animated as if drawn by hand and appear to approximate a geometric object, such as an arrow, a circle, an X, and the like. The coach marks encircle, point to, and/or underline objects, features, icons, folders and other display elements to assist the user in operating the computer system.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a data processing display system having a display, a method for providing visual cues to a user comprising the steps of:
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(a) displaying on said display a user interface having a plurality of objects; (b) displaying on said display, in response to said user providing a first signal by inputting a help inquiry, a coach mark having at least one geometric shape to visually identify at least one of said objects on said user interface to said user, wherein said coach mark is displayed on said user interface such that said coach mark is rendered over time to achieve the visual appearance of being animated and drawn freehand on said user interface by a human being; (c) displaying on said display an access window having a first working area and at least one access button function; (d) selecting one of said at least one access button function; (e) displaying a plurality of phrases in said first working area; (f) selecting one of said displayed phrases; and (g) displaying on said display a presentation window including instruction data related to said selected phrase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A data processing display system for providing visual cues to a user, said data processing display system comprising:
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a display; and a data processing system, coupled to said display, for displaying on said display a user interface having a plurality of objects; said data processing system for displaying, in response to said user providing a first signal by inputting a help inquiry to said data processing system, a coach mark having at least one geometric shape to visually identify at least one of said objects on said user interface to said user; said data processing system displaying said coach mark on said user interface such that said coach mark is rendered over time to achieve the visual appearance of being animated and drawn freehand on said user interface by a human being; wherein said data processing system displays on said display an access window having a first working area and at least one access button function; said data processing system displaying a plurality of phrases in said first working area in response to said user selecting one of said at least one access button function; and said data processing system displaying on said display a presentation window in response to said user selecting one of said displayed phrases, said presentation window including help instruction data related to said selected phrase. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification