System and method for enhancing conveyed user information relating to symbols in a graphical user interface
First Claim
1. For use with a graphical user interface computer system (GUI system), a method for providing a user with information on a plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with a symbol displayed on the GUI system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the user with user interface information to allow the user to select one of the plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with the displayed symbol; and
responsive to an initial user selection of one of the plurality of types of functionality, displaying a plurality of images, the plurality of images representing respective aspects of the selected type of functionality of the GUI system associated with the symbol, without requiring an intervening user action before each of the plurality of images are displayed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided, for use with a computer graphical user interface (GUI) system, for giving the user help information associated with displayed symbols, such as icons representing data objects, applications, etc. For a given icon or other symbol, a plurality of different images are provided. When help is invoked, such as in response to a user moving the display cursor onto the icon, the plurality of help images are displayed. The images may represent a sequence of actions the user is to take, in order to make use of the object represented by the icon. The images are then displayed in time sequence. The images may then include reminder images of what had taken place prior to the image currently being displayed. Alternatively, the images may represent a set of alternative uses to which the user may put the object. In this case, the images may also be displayed one at a time, for a given duration each, or may be displayed simultaneously, around the perimeter of the icon or otherwise near the icon, to allow the user to observe and choose from among the alternatives.
147 Citations
21 Claims
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1. For use with a graphical user interface computer system (GUI system), a method for providing a user with information on a plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with a symbol displayed on the GUI system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing the user with user interface information to allow the user to select one of the plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with the displayed symbol; and responsive to an initial user selection of one of the plurality of types of functionality, displaying a plurality of images, the plurality of images representing respective aspects of the selected type of functionality of the GUI system associated with the symbol, without requiring an intervening user action before each of the plurality of images are displayed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A graphical user interface computer system (GUI system) for providing a user with information on a plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with a symbol displayed on the GUI system, the GUI system comprising:
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a graphical user interface display; a user input device for allowing the user to provide a user input to the GUI system; means for providing the user with user interface information to allow the user to select one of the plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with the displayed symbol; and means, operable responsive to an initial user selection of one of the plurality of types of functionality, for displaying a plurality of images on the graphical user interface display, the plurality of images representing respective aspects of the selected type of functionality of the GUI system associated with the symbol, without requiring an intervening user action before each of the plurality of images are displayed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product, for use with a graphical user interface computer system (GUI system), for providing a user with information on a plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with a symbol displayed on the GUI system, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer-readable medium; and means, provided on the medium, for directing the GUI system to allow the user to provide a user input to the GUI system; means, provided on the medium, for directing the GUI system to provide the user with user interface information to allow the user to select one of the plurality of types of functionality of the GUI system associated with the displayed symbol; and means, provided on the medium, operable responsive to an initial user selection of one of the plurality of types of functionality, for directing the GUI system to display a plurality of images on the graphical user interface display, the plurality of images representing respective aspects of the selected type of functionality of the GUI system associated with the symbol, without requiring an intervening user action before each of the plurality of images are displayed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification