Method, system and computer program for providing interactive assistance in a computer application program
First Claim
1. A method of providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task;
(b) contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a program task; and
(c) detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are methods for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the methods comprising the steps of: determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task; contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a next task step; and detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window. Also provided are systems and computer program products for implementing the methods of the present invention.
94 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task;
(b) contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a program task; and
(c) detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting initiation by a user of a multi-step program task;
(b) determining the user steps, and sequence thereof, to be performed by the user to complete the multi-step program task;
(c) for each user step determined in step (b), determining content to be displayed in an assistance panel associated therewith and the context within the main user interface wherein the assistance panel is to be displayed;
(d) displaying in sequence and in context at least two assistance panels within the main user interface window based on the sequence and context determined in steps (b) and (c), wherein each user step described in an assistance panel is capable of being conducted by the user while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface, and the conducting of such step by the user initiates;
(i) execution of such step in the main user interface, (ii) closing of the displayed assistance panel, and (iii) the contextual display of the assistance panel associated with the next user step in the determined sequence.
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20. A system for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the system comprising:
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(a) means for determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task;
(b) means for contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a program task; and
(c) means for detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window.
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21. A system for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the system comprising:
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(a) means for detecting initiation by a user of a multi-step program task;
(b) means for determining the user steps, and sequence thereof, to be performed by the user to complete the multi-step program task;
(c) means for determining, for each user step determined by means (b), content to be displayed in an assistance panel associated therewith and the context within the main user interface wherein the assistance panel is to be displayed;
(d) means for displaying in sequence and in context at least two assistance panels within the main user interface window based on the sequence and context determined by means (b) and (c), wherein each user step described in an assistance panel is capable of being conducted by the user while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface, and the conducting of such step by the user initiates;
(i) execution of such step in the main user interface, (ii) closing of the displayed assistance panel, and (iii) the contextual display of the assistance panel associated with the next user step in the determined sequence.
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22. A computer program product for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the product comprising:
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(a) computer readable code for determining when a user needs assistance to perform a program task;
(b) computer readable code for contextually displaying an assistance panel within the main user interface window which panel describes a user step to be conducted to perform a program task; and
(c) computer readable code for detecting the user step conducted to perform the described task step while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface window.
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23. A computer program product for providing assistance to the user of a computer application program having a main user interface window, the product comprising:
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(a) computer readable code for detecting initiation by a user of a multi-step program task;
(b) computer readable code for determining the user steps, and sequence thereof, to be performed by the user to complete the multi-step program task;
(c) computer readable code for determining, for each user step determined by computer readable code (b), content to be displayed in an assistance panel associated therewith and the context within the main user interface wherein the assistance panel is to be displayed;
(d) computer readable code for displaying in sequence and in context at least two assistance panels within the main user interface window based on the sequence and context determined by computer readable code (b) and (c), wherein each user step described in an assistance panel is capable of being conducted by the user while the assistance panel is displayed within the main user interface, and the conducting of such step by the user initiates;
(i) execution of such step in the main user interface, (ii) closing of the displayed assistance panel, and (iii) the contextual display of the assistance panel associated with the next user step in the determined sequence.
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Specification