Pop-up help system for a computer graphical user interface
First Claim
1. A method of operating a computer having a display, the method comprising the steps of:
- display a graphical display element ("GDE") on said display;
detecting selection of said GDE;
responsive to selection of said GDE being detected, displaying on said display a help window associated with said GDE, said help window comprising help information regarding said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options;
determining selection of said help window; and
subsequent to said displaying said help window, responsive to a determination that both said GDE and said help window are not selected, concealing said help window.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for implementing a pop-up help system for a computer graphical user interface is disclosed. In a departure from the art, the pop-up help system provides help information on graphical display elements (GDEs), such as icons and text instructions, in the form of a help window that is not character or format limited and that is displayed when the associated GDE is selected. The pop-up help system also allows direct access to additional help information and provides for the display of graphics and the execution of multimedia objects. The pop-up help system comprises a GDE (a "help window"), which is displayed when the mouse pointer is moved over a GDE associated therewith. The help window comprises information regarding the associated GDE and may comprise multimedia objects or user activated buttons for accessing additional help information or for performing other actions. The help window is displayed until the neither the help window or GDE are selected and a user-specified time period has elapsed.
223 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer having a display, the method comprising the steps of:
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display a graphical display element ("GDE") on said display; detecting selection of said GDE; responsive to selection of said GDE being detected, displaying on said display a help window associated with said GDE, said help window comprising help information regarding said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options; determining selection of said help window; and subsequent to said displaying said help window, responsive to a determination that both said GDE and said help window are not selected, concealing said help window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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4. The method of claim 4 further comprising, subsequent to said determination that neither said GDE nor said help window is selected, waiting a first period of time prior to concealing said help window, wherein a length of said first time period is specified by a user.
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9. A method of operating a computer having a display, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a graphical display element ("GDE") on said display; detecting selection of said GDE; responsive to selection of said GDE being detected, displaying on said display a help window associated with said GDE, said help window comprising help information regarding said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options; and subsequent to said detecting selection of said GDE, waiting a first period of time prior to performing said displaying said help window, wherein a length of said first time period is specified by a user.
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10. A method of operating a computer having a display, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a graphical display element ("GDE"); responsive to placement of a mouse pointer over said ODE, thereby to select said GDE, displaying a help window associated with said GDE, said help window comprising information regarding the operation of said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options; determining placement of said mouse pointer on said help window; and subsequent to said displaying said help window, responsive to movement of said mouse pointer off of said GDE and said help window, concealing said help window. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a computer having a display, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying a graphical display element ("GDE"); responsive to placement of a mouse pointer over said GDE, thereby to select said GDE, displaying a help window associated with said GDE, said help window comprising information regarding the operation of said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options; and subsequent to said detecting selection of said GDE, waiting a first period of time prior to said displaying said help window, wherein a length of said first time period is specified by a user.
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15. In a computer having a display screen, a system for implementing a help system, the system comprising:
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means for displaying a graphical display element ("GDE"); means for detecting user selection of said GDE; means responsive to user selection of said GDE for displaying a help window associated with said GDE, said help window comprising information regarding said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options; means for determining user selection of said help window; and means responsive to a determination that both said GDE and said help window are not selected for concealing said help window. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A help system for implementation on a computer comprising a display and an input device, said help system being for presentation on said display and comprising:
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a graphical display element ("GDE"); a help window associated with said GDE and supporting a plurality of text formatting options; wherein responsive to user selection of said GDE, said help window is displayed; determining selection of said help window; and wherein responsive to a determination that both said GDE and said help window are not selected, said help window is concealed. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification