Method and apparatus for improving a progress monitor during a long computer process
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A progress monitor comprising:
- a progress area used to indicate the progress of a process being monitored;
a progress indicator that progressively divides the progress area into a first part of the progress area and a second part of the progress area, where the first part of the progress area corresponds to the amount of completion of the process being monitored;
information, in addition to the progress of the process, progressively becoming visible in the first part of the progress area as the first part of the progress area becomes larger.
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Abstract
An improved progress monitor or progress dialog box for a computer system that uncovers or reveals information as the progress bar indicates progress in addition to changing the colors or shades of the progress bar. The information displayed can be the text of a story, the punch line of a joke, or any other information that can inform or entertain the user.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A progress monitor comprising:
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a progress area used to indicate the progress of a process being monitored; a progress indicator that progressively divides the progress area into a first part of the progress area and a second part of the progress area, where the first part of the progress area corresponds to the amount of completion of the process being monitored; information, in addition to the progress of the process, progressively becoming visible in the first part of the progress area as the first part of the progress area becomes larger. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of revealing information by a progress monitor during the monitoring of a process comprising the steps of:
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a) defining a progress area; b) dividing the progress area into a first part and a second part where the first part of the progress area corresponds to the amount of completion of the process being monitored; c) moving the dividing point between the first part and the second part of the progress area as the process progresses d) progressively revealing information in the first part of the progress area, as the first part of the progress area becomes larger; e) repeating steps c and d until the process being monitored has been completed.
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Specification