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Method and system in an office application for providing content dependent help information

  • US 7,363,348 B2
  • Filed: 05/23/2002
  • Issued: 04/22/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for providing on-line help information in an application comprising at least one object, the on-line help information being dependent on content of a selected object, the method comprising:

  • detecting an on-line help command as a result of a user action, the user employing the application;

    identifying the selected object;

    determining if the selected object comprises a user entry field of the application; and

    if the selected object comprises a user entry field;

    parsing the content of the user entry field to identify whether a predefined keyword is present, the predefined keyword being characterized by a character string;

    for the predefined keyword identified in the content of the user entry field;

    identifying predefined help information associated with the identified predefined keyword, the predefined help information specifying at least one parameter associated with the predefined keyword and at least one format and rule related to the at least one parameter;

    parsing content of the user entry field to identify therein the at least one parameter specified in the predefined help information;

    verifying that a format of the identified at least one parameter within the user entry filed satisfies the at least one format specified in the predefined help information;

    verifying that the identified at least one parameter within the user entry field satisfies the at least one rule specified in the predefined help information; and

    if the content of the user entry field does not satisfy the at least one format and/or rule specified in the predefined help information of the predefined keyword identified in the content of the user entry field;

    correcting content of the user entry field according to the at least one format or the at least one rule specified in the predefined help information, and displaying the corrected content to a user; and

    wherein the on-line help information comprises at least one predefined keyword recorded in a table, the table comprising for each predefined keyword;

    a character string identifying the predefined keyword; and

    help information, comprising;

    a parameter template specifying at least one parameter associated with the predefined keyword, and at least one format and rule related to the at least one parameter; and

    help text or a reference pointing to a location where the help text is recorded.

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