×

Interactive online tutorial system for software products

  • US 5,535,422 A
  • Filed: 10/20/1994
  • Issued: 07/09/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An interactive online tutorial system product operable in conjunction with a digital processing apparatus for providing instruction in the use of a software product operating on said digital processing apparatus, the data processing apparatus including a CPU, a data storage resource, an input system for receiving input from a user via a mouse or keyboard input device, and an output system for generating output images on a video display, and a multitasking operating system, said tutorial system comprising:

  • a data storage medium operable in conjunction with said digital processing apparatus;

    a tutorial control module encoded on said medium having a window control interface;

    a lesson control file encoded on said medium providing input to said tutorial control module;

    an information presentation module encoded on said medium and adapted for communication with said tutorial control module via said window control interface;

    a lesson display file encoded on said medium providing input to said information presentation module;

    first display control means provided by said tutorial control module, said window control interface and said information presentation module for generating a tutorial window in a first portion of the video display;

    second display control means provided by said tutorial control module for generating a product window in a second portion of the video display concurrently with said tutorial window;

    application execution means provided by said tutorial control module for commencing execution of said software product in said product window;

    tutorial presentation means provided by said tutorial control module, said window control interface, said information presentation module and said lesson display file for generating in said tutorial window a plurality of tutorial text panels, said tutorial text panels including one or more lesson panels and one or more step panels corresponding to each lesson panel, said lesson panels and step panels displaying instructional text illustrating a predetermined sequence of operations to be performed on said software product;

    lesson control means provided by said tutorial control module for dynamically adjusting a lesson control pointer in said lesson control file based on lessons displayed in said tutorial text panels;

    tutorial panel linking means provided by said information presentation module and said lesson control file for linking said lesson panels through a series of sequential links and for linking said lesson panels and their corresponding step panels through a series of hierarchical links; and

    tutorial panel selection means provided by said tutorial control module, said window control interface, said information presentation module and said lesson display file for selectively activating from a lesson or step panel a link to another lesson or step panel in order to display the panel so linked.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×