Visual wizard launch pad

• US 6,833,847 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1999
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boegner, Marc D., Mayhew, Debra L., de Jesus Stoll, Maria Teresa, Kopp, Eileen Felicia, Wickham, Daina Pupons, Markov, Nikolay, Davison, Gordon Andrew, Santilli, Julie Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Sy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Mylinh T
• Application Number:
  US09/468,728
• Time in Patent Office: 1,827 Days
• Field of Search: 345/336, 345/329, 345/356, 345/302, 345/375, 345/700, 345/338, 345/335, 345/500, 345/705, 345/733, 345/853, 345/708, 345/744, 717/306
• US Class Current: 715/705
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system includes providing the plurality of wizards; providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, where selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and providing information pertaining to the wizard on the launch pad. The information includes a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system, elements of the computer system affected by the wizard, and/or how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task. The launch pads are interactive interfaces between a user of a computer system and wizards which exist on the computer system. The information is provided in the form of text and/or visual objects. The user has an overview of the complete process before the execution of each wizard.

Claims

1. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the plurality of wizards;

(b) providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizards, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizards;

(c) providing a high-level visual overview of a process of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards on the launch pad before a user selects the lunch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level overview comprises a relationship between the wizard and other wizard on the computer system

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step (c) comprises:

(c1) providing information pertaining to the wizard when a pointer is positioned over the link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises at least one of:

a description of a function of the wizard;

an order in which the wizard and the other wizards should be executed;

elements of the computer system affected by the wizard.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the how to information comprises at least one of:

graphics;

a sound chip; and

a textual description.

5. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the plurality of wizards;

(b) providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(c) providing a high-level overview of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards on the launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises elements of the computer system affected by the wizard

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the providing step (c) comprises:

(c1) providing information pertaining to the wizard when a pointer is positioned over the link.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises text comprising a description of the wizard.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object, wherein the visual object is a graphical element which represents hardware and/or software elements of an application on the computer system which is affected by an execution of the wizard.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises at least one of:

a description of a function of the wizard;

a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

an order in which the wizard and the other wizards should be executed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the how to information comprises at least one of:

graphics;

a sound chip; and

a textual description.

11. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing the plurality of wizards;

(b) providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(c) providing a high-level visual overview of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards on the launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the how to information comprises at least one of:

graphics;

a sound chip; and

a textual description.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises at least one of:

a description of a function of the wizard;

a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

an order in which the wizard and the other wizards should be executed; and

elements of the computer system affected by the wizard.

14. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing the plurality of wizards;

(b) providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(c) providing a high-level visual overview of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards on the launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

15. The medium of claim 14, wherein the providing instruction (c) comprises:

(c1) providing information pertaining to the wizard when a pointer is positioned over the link.

16. The medium of claim 14, wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises at least one of:

a description of a function of the wizard;

an order in which the wizard and the other wizards should be executed;

elements of the computer system affected by the wizard.

17. The medium of claim 16, wherein the how to information comprises at least one of:

graphics;

a sound chip; and

a textual description.

18. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing the plurality of wizards;

(b) providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(c) providing a high-level visual overview of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards on the launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises elements of the computer system affected by the wizard;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the providing instruction (c) comprises:

(c1) providing information pertaining to the wizard when a pointer is positioned over the link.

20. The medium of claim 18, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises text comprising a description of the wizard.

21. The medium of claim 18, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object, wherein the visual object is a graphical element which represents hardware and/or software elements of an application on the computer system which is affected by an execution of the wizard.

22. The medium of claim 18, wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises at least one of:

a description of a function of the wizard;

a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

an order in which the wizard and the other wizards should be executed.

23. The medium of claim 22, wherein the how to information comprises at least one of:

graphics;

a sound chip; and

a textual description.

24. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing the plurality of wizards;

(b) providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(c) providing a high-level visual overview of a process corresponding to the plurality of wizards on the launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

25. The medium of claim 24, wherein the how to information comprises at least one of:

graphics;

a sound chip; and

a textual description.

26. The medium of claim 24, wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises at least one of:

a description of a function of the wizard;

a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

an order in which the wizard and the other wizards should be executed; and

elements of the computer system affected by the wizard.

27. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(c) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(d) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

28. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(c) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(d) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises elements of the computer system affected by the wizard

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

29. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(c) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(d) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

30. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(c) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(d) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

31. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(c) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(d) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises elements of the computer system affected by the wizard;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

32. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(c) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(d) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task;

wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and the how to information.

33. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) providing a menu of the plurality of launch pads on the display;

(c) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads from the menu, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(d) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(e) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

34. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) providing a menu of the plurality of launch pads on the display;

(c) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads from the menu, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(d) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(e) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises elements of the computer system affected by the wizard;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system -to accomplish a task.

35. A method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) providing a menu of the plurality of launch pads on the display;

(c) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads from the menu, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(d) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(e) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task;

wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and the how to information.

36. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) providing a menu of the plurality of launch pads on the display;

(c) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads from the menu, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(d) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(e) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

37. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) providing a menu of the plurality of launch pads on the display;

(c) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads from the menu, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(d) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(e) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises elements of the computer system affected by the wizard;

wherein the high-level visual overview comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and a how to information, and

the how to information shows how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task.

38. A computer readable medium with program instructions for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) providing a plurality of launch pads on a display of the computer system;

(b) providing a menu of the plurality of launch pads on the display;

(c) receiving a selection of one of the plurality of launch pads from the menu, wherein the selected launch pad is associated with a group of wizards;

(d) providing a launch button on the selected launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and

(e) providing a high-level visual overview on the selected launch pad of a process corresponding to the group of wizards associated with the selected launch pad before a user selects the launch button to execute the wizard, wherein the high-level visual overview comprises how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task;

wherein the high-level visual overview further comprises a visual object for toggling between a conceptual view and the how to information.