Temporary communication areas for a computer user interface

• US 8,176,436 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Arend, Udo, Eberleh, Edmund, Willumeit, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Pillai, Namitha
• Assistant Examiner(s): BADAWI, ANGIE M
• Application Number:
  US12/178,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20080282170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 715/804
• US Class Current: 715/804
• 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

Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, a first view is displayed on the display device, where the first view has at least a first work area. In response to the receipt of a first input received by the computer system, a second view is displayed on the display device. The second view includes the first work area and a temporary communication area, or “pop-in window,” included within the first work area. The temporary communication area has a defined function associated therewith requiring input from a user. The temporary communication area may close after the user provides the necessary input and the defined function is performed.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for receiving input from a user, the method comprising:

displaying a first view in a graphical user interface, the first view including a first input area located adjacent and non-overlapping a second input area;

receiving, while the first view is displayed, an input from a user generated using at least one of the first and second input areas, wherein further input from the user is required for processing the input;

displaying a second view in the graphical user interface in response to the input, the second view including the first and second input areas and a temporary communication area, the temporary communication area located adjacent and non-overlapping each of the first and second input areas and being accommodated by the second input area being relocated in its current shape away from the first input area;

receiving the further input while the second view is displayed, the further input generated using an input control in the temporary communication area; and

displaying a third view in the graphical user interface in response to the further input, wherein the temporary communication area is not included in the third view and the first input area is again located adjacent and non-overlapping the second input area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the temporary communication area comprises a dialog box for creating an electronic communication to another user; and

the processing of the input includes a transfer to another user of an electronic communication with attached information from a selected object from a list of database objects in the first view.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic communication transfer is an electronic mail message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic communication transfer is a facsimile message sent from a computer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the input to be ambiguous and to correspond to a plurality of potential inputs;

wherein the input control in the temporary communication area provides for making a selection of one of the plurality of potential inputs.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the temporary communication area identifies the plurality of potential inputs to allow the user to select among the plurality of potential inputs.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of potential inputs are identified in a drop-down list, enabling the user to choose among the plurality of potential inputs.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporary communication area is a modal dialog box upon which the user is required to act before proceeding with another function relating to at least one of the first and second input areas.

9. A computer program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and comprising instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for receiving input from a user, the method comprising:

displaying a first view in a graphical user interface, the first view including a first input area located adjacent and non-overlapping a second input area;

receiving, while the first view is displayed, an input from a user generated using at least one of the first and second input areas, wherein further input from the user is required for processing the input;

displaying a second view in the graphical user interface in response to the input, the second view including the first and second input areas and a temporary communication area, the temporary communication area located adjacent and non-overlapping each of the first and second input areas and being accommodated by the second input area being relocated in its current shape away from the first input area;

receiving the further input while the second view is displayed, the further input generated using an input control in the temporary communication area; and

displaying a third view in the graphical user interface in response to the further input, wherein the temporary communication area is not included in the third view and the first input area is again located adjacent and non-overlapping the second input area.

10. A method of receiving input from a user, the method comprising:

arranging contents including a first input area adjacent and non-overlapping a second input area;

receiving, while the contents are being displayed, an input from a user generated using at least one of the first and second input areas, wherein further input from the user is required for processing the input;

rearranging the contents, in response to the input, including moving the second input area in its current shape away from the first input area to accommodate a temporary communication area located adjacent and non-overlapping each of the first and second input areas;

receiving the further input generated using an input control in the temporary communication area; and

rearranging the contents, in response to the further input, including removing the temporary communication area and moving the second input area so that the first input area is again located adjacent and non-overlapping the second input area.