Method and apparatus for software technical support and training
First Claim
1. In a computer, an apparatus for providing software training and technical support to an end user, the apparatus comprising:
- a graphical user interface having selectable graphical user areas adapted to support multiple different tasks, each task activated through a respective sequence of steps executed by a user through interaction with the selectable graphical user areas;
a graphical overlay positioned over said graphical user interface, the graphical overlay including (i) a first step indication associated with a first step in a given task directing the user'"'"'s attention to a first selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a first interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the first step and (ii) a next step indication associated with a next step in the given task automatically displayed upon the user'"'"'s completion of the first step to indicate to the user a next interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the next step; and
descriptors, corresponding to the steps and distinct from the graphical user areas, that are highlighted in a manner indicating which step is being performed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Support and training are provided for a user in operating a software application. A list of task indications are coupled to a GUI window. A graphical overlay is positioned on top of the GUI window and coupled to it. A sequence of instructions associated with a respective task is displayed in the graphical overlay upon selection of a task indication by the user. Each instruction directs attention to a respective selectable graphical area in the GUI window. The user operates a selector coupled to the GUI window, where after selecting a task, the selector is used to select graphical areas in response to the sequence of instructions. Recorded voice files or a text-to-speech synthesizer may be coupled to the sequence of instructions, whereby the instruction being displayed is simultaneously presented audibly to the user. A user'"'"'s selection of one or more selectable graphical areas in a sequence before his or her selection of a task containing that sequence may result in a list of possible tasks being performed being highlighted automatically. The support and training are well suited for operating a computer controlling a system such as a data communication network, where the tasks displayed in the list of task indications are user-privilege specific.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. In a computer, an apparatus for providing software training and technical support to an end user, the apparatus comprising:
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a graphical user interface having selectable graphical user areas adapted to support multiple different tasks, each task activated through a respective sequence of steps executed by a user through interaction with the selectable graphical user areas; a graphical overlay positioned over said graphical user interface, the graphical overlay including (i) a first step indication associated with a first step in a given task directing the user'"'"'s attention to a first selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a first interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the first step and (ii) a next step indication associated with a next step in the given task automatically displayed upon the user'"'"'s completion of the first step to indicate to the user a next interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the next step; and descriptors, corresponding to the steps and distinct from the graphical user areas, that are highlighted in a manner indicating which step is being performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a computer, a method for providing software technical support and training to an end user, the method comprising:
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providing a graphical user interface having selectable graphical user areas adapted to support multiple different tasks, each task activated through a respective sequence of steps executed by a user through interaction with the selectable graphical user areas; forming a graphical overlay positioned over said graphical user interface; displaying a first step indication associated with a first step in a given task to direct the user'"'"'s attention to a first selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a first interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the first step; upon the user'"'"'s completion of the first step, automatically displaying a next step indication associated with a next step in the given task to direct the user'"'"'s attention to a next selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a next interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the next step; and highlighting descriptors, corresponding to the steps and distinct from the graphical user areas, in a manner indicating which step is being performed. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. In a computer, an apparatus for providing software technical support and training to an end user, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing a graphical user interface having selectable graphical user areas adapted to support multiple different tasks, each task activated through a respective sequence of steps executed by a user through interaction with the selectable graphical user areas; means for forming a graphical overlay positioned over said graphical user interface; means for displaying a first step indication in the graphical overlay, the first step indication associated with a first step in a given task directing the user'"'"'s attention to a first selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a first interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the first step; upon the user'"'"'s completion of the first step, means for automatically displaying a next step indication associated with a next step in the given task in the graphical overlay to direct the user'"'"'s attention to a next selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a next interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the next step; and means for highlighting descriptors, corresponding to the steps and distinct from the graphical user areas, in a manner indicating which step is being performed.
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24. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions, when executed by a digital processor, causing the processor to:
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provide a graphical user interface having a plurality of selectable graphical user areas adapted to support multiple different tasks, each task activated through a respective sequence of steps executed by a user through interaction with the selectable graphical user areas; and form a graphical overlay positioned over said graphical user interface; display a first step indication in the graphical overlay, the first step indication associated with a first step in a given task directing the user'"'"'s attention to a first selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a first interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the first step; upon the user'"'"'s completion of the first step, automatically display a next step indication associated with a next step in the given task in the graphical overlay to direct the user'"'"'s attention to a next selectable graphical user area to indicate to the user a next interaction with the graphical user interface the user is to perform to complete the next step; and descriptors, corresponding to the steps and distinct from the graphical user areas, that are highlighted in a manner indicating which step is being performed. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification