Multi-layer entry fields

• US 6,483,526 B1
• Filed: 08/24/1999
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Merrick, Roland Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Kieu D.
• Application Number:
  US09/379,860
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 345/780, 345/705, 345/714, 345/709, 345/768, 345/808
• US Class Current: 715/780
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A multi-layer entry field is disclosed comprising a number of layers including a base plane, a field prompt layer, a Help Prompt layer, a layer displaying the data entered, and an error message layer. The layers are displayed superimposed on one another to reduce the screen area required to display the entry-field and its associated information, making the invention especially useful for Palmtop computers.

Claims

1. A multi-layer entry field component for a graphic user interface, comprising:

an entry field on a screen display for display of text being entered by the user;

means for storing pre-set help text relating to the entry field and for displaying the help text within and only within said entry field and at the same time that said user entered text is being entered into said entry field;

means for storing a pre-set condition for determining when said help text is displayed; and

means for storing a pre-set prompt text relating to the entry field and for displaying the pre-set prompt text within and only within said entry field and at the same time that said user entered text is being entered into said entry field;

at least two of said user entered text, said pre-set prompt text and said help text being superimposed over each other within said entry field.

2. An entry field component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said user entered text is superimposed over said pre-set prompt text.

3. An entry field component as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means for storing a base plane object and for displaying said user entered text, said pre-set prompt text and said help text superimposed over said base plane object.

4. An entry field component as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means for storing an error message text and for displaying said error message text within and only within said entry field.

5. An entry field component as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for storing and displaying said error message text is responsive to an error condition to scroll said error message text through said entry field.

6. An entry field component as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and displaying the help text is responsive to said pre-set condition to scroll said help text through said entry field.

7. A computer program product comprising computer program code stored on a computer readable storage medium for, when executed on a computer, operating within a graphic user interface, the product comprising an entry field as claimed in claim 1.