User interface element for displaying contextual information

• US 20070240057A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Satterfield, Jesse, Pearo, Christopher, Tarrats, Rodrigo, Harris, Jensen
• Application Number:
  US11/402,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20070240057A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/705
• 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 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A user interface element is provided near a focused-on button or control for providing an identification of an associated functionality and for providing display space for additional content such as help information and explanatory information related to the associated functionality.

Claims

1. An user interface element for providing information about a focused-on user interface control, comprising:

a display space for deploying in proximity to a focused-on user interface control;

a title field disposed in the display space for displaying a title of a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control;

a shortcut field disposed in the display space for displaying a keyboard shortcut for invoking a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control; and

a description field disposed in the display space for displaying textual information about the focused-on user interface control.

2. The user interface element of claim 1, further comprising an image field disposed in the display space for displaying an image that is contextually relevant to the focused-on user interface control.

3. The user interface element of claim 1, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display space for displaying textual information about the focused-on user interface control.

4. The user interface element of claim 1, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display space for displaying a command for causing a display of help content in the description field, the help content being about a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

5. The user interface element of claim 1, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display space for displaying a command for causing a display of help content in the footer field, the help content being about a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

6. The user interface element of claim 1, further comprising a footer field for displaying a command for invoking a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

7. An user interface element for providing information about a focused-on user interface control, comprising:

a display frame for deploying in proximity to a focused-on user interface control;

a title field disposed in an upper left corner of the display frame for displaying a title of a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control;

a shortcut field disposed in an upper right corner of the display frame for displaying a keyboard shortcut for invoking a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control; and

a description field disposed in the display frame beneath the title field and the shortcut field for displaying textual information about the focused-on user interface control.

8. The user interface element of claim 7, further comprising an image field disposed in the display frame adjacent to the description field for displaying an image that is contextually relevant to the focused-on user interface control.

9. The user interface element of claim 7, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display frame beneath the description field for displaying textual information about the focused-on user interface control.

10. The user interface element of claim 7, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display frame beneath the description field for displaying a command for causing a display in the description field of help content about a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

11. The user interface element of claim 7, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display frame for displaying a command for causing a display in the footer field of help content about a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

12. The user interface element of claim 7, further comprising a footer field disposed in the display frame beneath the description field for displaying a command for invoking a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

13. A computer-readable medium on which is stored computer executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform a method for providing contextually relevant information about a focused-on user interface control, comprising:

receiving an indication of a focus on a user interface control;

upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control, deploying a display frame in proximity to the focused-on user interface control;

upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control, displaying in the display frame a title field and displaying in the title field a name of a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control;

upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control, displaying in the display frame a shortcut field, and displaying in the shortcut field a keyboard shortcut for invoking the functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control; and

upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control, displaying in the display frame a description field, and displaying in the description field textual information about the focused-on user interface control.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control, displaying an image field in the display frame, and displaying in the image field an image that is contextually relevant to the focused-on user interface control.

15. The method of claim 13, upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control, displaying a footer field in the display frame, and displaying a command in the footer field for causing a display of help content about a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein deploying a display frame in proximity to the focused-on user interface control includes deploying the display frame such that the display frame does not cover from view any displayed user interface controls

17. The method of claim 13, wherein deploying the display frame in proximity to the focused-on user interface control upon receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control includes deploying the display frame after a specified delay period after receiving the indication of the focus on the user interface control.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising dismissing the display frame from view upon receiving a selection of the focused-on user interface control for invocation of a functionality associated with the focused-on user interface control.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising dismissing the display frame from view upon receiving an indication that a focus has been removed from the focused-on user interface control.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising dismissing the display frame from view after a specified delay period during which a focus is maintained on the focused-on user interface control.