Method and apparatus for leading a user through a software installation procedure via interaction with displayed graphs
First Claim
1. A method for leading a user through a procedure on a computer via interactions with information presented on a display, comprising the steps of:
- a) displaying a map of a plurality of tasks in a plurality of paths that must each be traversed by said user during said procedure, said map comprising (1) for each of said plurality of tasks, an associated graphical icon that indicates a task execution status, and (2) graphical connectors between said graphical icons that designate an execution relationship between said plurality of tasks;
b) controlling program flow through said procedure in accordance with a selection, by said user, of one of said plurality of tasks from said map; and
c) modifying said graphical icon associated with said selected task.
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Abstract
The invention leads a user through an application program procedure via interactions with displayed information. A method incorporating the invention first displays maps (i.e., flow charts) of tasks required to be accomplished during the application procedure. The maps include various graphical icons, each of which provides an indication of job execution status; job names that are associated with at least some of the graphical icons; and connectors between the job names which designate an execution relationship therebetween. During the application program procedure, the presentation of a graphical icon is modified to indicate a readiness of an associated job to execute. Thereafter, the user selects the associated job for execution by entering a selection signal. The graphical icon'"'"'s presentation is modified to indicate completion of execution of the associated job and the presentations of one or more connectors are modified to indicate a completion of execution. A preferred application of the method of the invention is to an application program which enables installation of a complex software system such as a database, on a mainframe computer.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method for leading a user through a procedure on a computer via interactions with information presented on a display, comprising the steps of:
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a) displaying a map of a plurality of tasks in a plurality of paths that must each be traversed by said user during said procedure, said map comprising (1) for each of said plurality of tasks, an associated graphical icon that indicates a task execution status, and (2) graphical connectors between said graphical icons that designate an execution relationship between said plurality of tasks;
b) controlling program flow through said procedure in accordance with a selection, by said user, of one of said plurality of tasks from said map; and
c) modifying said graphical icon associated with said selected task. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A memory media for controlling a computer to lead a user through a procedure via interactions with information presented on a display, comprising:
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a) means for controlling said computer to display a map of a plurality of tasks in a plurality of paths that must each be traversed by said user during said procedure, said map comprising (1) for each of said plurality of tasks, an associated graphical icon that indicates a task execution status, and (2) graphical connectors between said graphical icons that designate an execution relationship between said plurality of tasks;
b) means for controlling said computer to control program flow through said procedure in accordance with a selection, by said user, of one of said plurality of tasks from said map; and
c) means for controlling said computer to modify said graphical icon associated with said selected task. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A computer system comprising:
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a display;
a memory including instructions for controlling the computer system to lead a user through a procedure via interactions with information shown on said display; and
a central processor unit (CPU) for operating in conjunction with said instructions and said display, said CPU;
a) causing said display to show a map of a plurality of tasks in a plurality of paths that must each be traversed by said user during said procedure, said map comprising (1) for each of said plurality of tasks, an associated graphical icon that indicates a task execution status, and (2) graphical connectors between said graphical icons that designate an execution relationship between said plurality of tasks;
b) controlling program flow through said procedure in accordance with a selection, by said user, of one of said plurality of tasks from said map; and
d) causing said display to modify said graphical icon associated with said selected task. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification