Instruction presentation apparatus

• US 6,750,884 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1999
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Red Oak Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Red Oak Knowledge Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Buehler, J. Scott, Steigerwald, Jeffrey J., Steigerwald, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadesse
• Application Number:
  US09/427,423
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 345/707, 345/705, 345/708, 345/854, 345/822, 345/771, 345/762, 345/763, 345/778, 345/866, 434/219
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31046 Aid for assembly, show display on screen next workpiece, task, position to be assembled, executed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31047 Display image of finished workpiece on screen, show how, where to mount next part
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The invention is an instruction presentation apparatus adapted to present a series of instruction screen displays to a user according to a predetermined sequence. Each instruction screen display includes both textual information describing the work to be done during execution of an instruction and graphical information correlated with the textual information graphically illustrating the machine that is worked on during execution of the instruction. The apparatus is configured to withhold display of a next instruction screen display in a series of instruction screen displays until the apparatus receives a user initiated command to display a next instruction screen display. By withholding display of text and graphics pertaining to an instruction until receipt of a user initiated command, and by simultaneously presenting textual and graphical information particularly associated with that textual information for each instruction that is executed, the apparatus significantly enhances a user'"'"'s ability to comprehend each instruction and to maintain attention on the instruction presently being executed.

Claims

1. An instruction presentation apparatus for presenting instructional information to a user of at least one machine, said apparatus comprising:

a display;

a processor system for controlling display of text and graphical information on said display, said computer system being adapted to receive a user-initiated command causing change in an output by said display;

a first instruction screen display for display by said display comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said first instruction screen display including text describing a first act to be performed on said machine, said correlated graphical information including at least a graphical depiction of said machine; and

a second instruction screen display for display by said display also comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said second instruction screen display describing a second act to be performed on said machine, wherein text of said second instruction screen display includes at least one distinguishing feature relative to text of said first instruction screen display, said correlated graphical information of said second instruction screen display including a graphical depiction of said machine, wherein graphics of said second instruction screen display include at least one distinguishing feature relative to graphics of said first instruction screen display, wherein said text information of said first instruction screen display and said second instruction screen display describe successive steps of a process to be performed relative to said machine

wherein said processor system changes an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display in response to receipt by said at least one processor system of a command to change an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display, and wherein said graphical information of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes a highlight indicia indicating an area on said machine to be acted on during execution of an act described in said text information associated with said graphical information of said at least one of said instruction screen displays, and wherein said highlight indicia is selected from the group consisting of a specific area of a machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphic, a specific area of said machine depiction being displayed in a different color than other areas of said machine depiction, and a specific area of said machine depiction being displayed in a different grey scale than other areas of said machine depiction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphics mode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a different color or grey scale from other areas of said machine depiction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said graphical information of either of said first or second instruction screen displays includes assembly state indicia illustrating said machine in a partially assembled or partially disassembled state.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said graphical information either of said instruction screen displays includes movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said graphical information of either of said instruction screen displays includes motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said graphical information section of said second instruction display includes assembly state indicia illustrating the state of assembly or disassembly of said machine resulting from an act described in said text information of said first instruction screen display.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said graphical information of said first instruction display and said second instruction screen display highlight successive steps of a process relative to said at least one machine.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor system includes windowing system capabilities, and wherein said at least one of either of said text or graphical information of said either of said first or second instruction screen displays is presented in a window adapted to present either dedicated text or dedicated graphical information.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor system includes windowing system capabilities, wherein said text information of each of said first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a text window, and wherein said graphical information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a dedicated graphics window.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one processor system includes a graphical user interface, wherein said at least one of said first or second instruction screen displays includes a control bar, and wherein said processor system receives said command to change an output of said display via said control bar.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a control interface for receiving said command to change an output of said display.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said control interface by a user.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said control interface is a key of a keyboard.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said control interface is a displayed control button displayed on said display.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said control interface is labeled with indicia comprising at least one of an arrow or the word “

NEXT.”

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface, and wherein said apparatus is adapted to display a previous instruction screen display on said display when said “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface is actuated by a user.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that describes an act of a process relative to said at least one machine.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said text information of said first and second instruction screen displays are designated by consecutive sequence-position indicating characters.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that is designated with a sequence-position indicating character.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein text of said first instruction screen display is devoid of text describing said second act.

22. An instruction presentation apparatus for presenting instructional information to a user of at least one machine, said apparatus comprising:

a display;

a processor system for controlling display of text and graphical information on said display, said computer system being adapted to receive a user-initiated command causing change in an output by said display;

a first instruction screen display for display by said display comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said first instruction screen display including text describing a first act to be performed on said machine, said correlated graphical information including at least a graphical depiction of said machine; and

a second instruction screen display for display by said display also comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said second instruction screen display describing a second act to be performed on said machine, wherein text of said second instruction screen display includes at least one distinguishing feature relative to text of said first instruction screen display, said correlated graphical information of said second instruction screen display including a graphical depiction of said machine, wherein graphics of said second instruction screen display include at least one distinguishing feature relative to graphics of said first instruction screen display, wherein said text information of said first instruction screen display and said second instruction screen display describe successive steps of a process to be performed relative to said machine;

wherein said processor system changes an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display in response to receipt by said at least one processor system of a command to change an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display, and wherein said graphical information of at least one of said first and second instruction screen displays includes at least one of a movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved and motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said graphical information of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes a highlight indicia indicting an area on said machine to be acted on during execution of an act described in said text information associated with said graphical information of said at least one of said instruction screen displays.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said highlight indicia includes an arrow graphic pointing to a specific area of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said highlight indicia includes a border outlining a specific area of said graphical machine depiction.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphics mode.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a different color or grey scale from other areas of said machine depiction.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said highlight indicia includes label indicia indicating an identification of a part or area of said machine depiction.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said highlight indicia includes a depiction of a specific tool type and its application at a specific location of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said highlight indicia further includes label indicia indicating an identification of said tool.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said graphical information of either of said first or second instruction screen displays includes assembly state indicia illustrating said machine in a partially assembled or partially disassembled state.

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said graphical information of either of said instruction screen displays includes movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved.

33. The apparatus of claim 22, when said graphical information of either of said instruction screen displays includes motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

34. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said graphical information section of said second instruction display includes assembly state indicia illustrating the state of assembly or disassembly of said machine resulting from an act described in said text information of said first instruction screen display.

35. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said graphical information of said first instruction display and said second instruction screens display highlight successive steps of a process relative to said at least one machine.

36. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said at least one processor system includes windowing system capabilities, and wherein said at least one of either of said text or graphical information of said either of said first or second instruction screen displays is presented in a window adapted to present either dedicated text or dedicated graphical information.

37. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said processor system includes windowing system capabilities, wherein said text information of each of said first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a text window, and wherein said graphical information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a dedicated graphics window.

38. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said at least one processor system includes a graphical user interface, wherein said at least one of said first or second instruction screen displays includes a control bar, and wherein said processor system receives said command to change an output of said display via said control bar.

39. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said apparatus includes a control interface for receiving said command to change an output of said display.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said control interface. by a user.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said control interface is a key of a keyboard.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said control interface is a displayed control button displayed on said display.

43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said control interface is labeled with indicia comprising at least one of an arrow or the word “

NEXT.”

44. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said apparatus further includes a “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface, and wherein said apparatus is adapted to display a previous instruction screen display on said display when said “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface is actuated by a user.

45. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that describes an act of a process relative to said at least one machine.

46. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said text information of said first and second instruction screen displays are designated by consecutive sequence-position indicating characters.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that is designated with a sequence-position indicating character.

48. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein text of said first instruction screen display is devoid of text describing said second act.

49. An instruction presentation apparatus for presenting instructional information to a user of at least one machine, said apparatus comprising:

a display;

a control interface;

a processor system for controlling display of text and graphical information on said display, said processor system being adapted to receive a user-initiated command entered via said control interface causing change in an output by said display;

a first instruction screen display for display by said display comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said first instruction screen display describing a first act to be performed on said at least one machine, said correlated graphical information of said first instruction screen display graphically illustrating an aspect of said first act; and

a second instruction screen display for display by said display screen also comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said second instruction screen display describing a second act to be performed on said at least one machine wherein text of said second instruction screen display includes at least one distinguishing feature relative to text of said first instruction screen display, said correlated graphical information of said second instruction screen display graphically illustrating an aspect of said second act, wherein graphics of said second instruction screen display including at least one distinguishing feature from graphics of said first instruction screen display;

wherein said processor system changes an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display in response to an actuation of said control interface, and wherein said graphical information of at least one of said first and second instruction screen displays includes at least one of a movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved and motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said graphical information of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes a graphical depiction of said at least one machine and highlight indicia indicating an area on said at least one machine to be acted on during execution of an act described in said text information associated with said graphical information of said at least one of said instruction screen displays.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said highlight indicia includes an arrow graphic pointing to a specific area of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said highlight indicia includes a border outlining a specific area of said graphical machine depiction.

53. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said highlight indicia includes specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphics mode.

54. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a different color or grey scale from other areas of said machine depiction.

55. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said highlight indicia includes label indicia indicating an identification of a part or area of said machine depiction.

56. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said highlight indicia includes a depiction of a specific tool type and its application at a specific location of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said highlight indicia further includes label indicia indicating an identification of said tool.

58. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said graphical information of either of said first or second instruction screen displays includes assembly state indicia illustrating said at least one machine in a partially assembled or partially disassembled state.

59. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said graphical indicia of either of said instruction Screen displays includes movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved.

60. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said graphical indicia of either of said instruction screen displays includes motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

61. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said graphical information of said second instruction display includes assembly state indicia illustrating the state of assembly or disassembly of said machine resulting from an act described in said text section of said first instruction screen display.

62. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein text of said second instruction screen display differs from text of said first instruction screen display essentially only in that text of said second instruction display screen includes text corresponding to said text information of said second instruction screen display.

63. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said processor system includes windowing system, capabilities, and wherein said at least one of either of said text or graphical information of said either of said first or second instruction screen displays, is presented in a window adapted to present either dedicated text or dedicated graphical information.

64. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said processor system includes windowing system capabilities, wherein said text information of each of said first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a text window, and wherein said graphical information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a dedicated graphics window.

65. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said processor system includes a graphical user interface, wherein said at least one of said first or second instruction screen displays includes a control bar, and wherein said processor system receives user-initiated change screen command via said control bar.

66. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said control interface by a user.

67. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said control interface is a key of a keyboard.

68. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said control interface is a displayed control button displayed on said display.

69. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said apparatus further includes a “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface, and wherein said apparatus is adapted to display a previous instruction screen display on said display when said “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface is actuated by a user.

70. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said first and second instruction screen displays that describes an act of a process relative to said at least one machine.

71. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is designated by consecutive sequence-position indicating characters.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that is designated with a sequence-position indicating character.

73. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein text of said first instruction screen display is devoid of text describing said second act.

74. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said text information of said first and second instruction screen displays describe successive steps of a process to be carried out relative to said machine.

75. An instruction presentation apparatus for presenting instructional information relating to a process to be performed relative to at least one machine, said apparatus comprising:

a display;

a processor system for controlling display of text and graphical information on said display, said processor system being adapted to receive a user-initiated command to cause change in an output by said display;

a first instruction screen display for display by said display comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said first instruction screen display describing a first act to be performed on said at least one machine, said correlated graphical information of said first instruction screen display graphically illustrating an aspect of said first act;

a second instruction screen display for display by said display also comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said second instruction screen display describing a second act to be performed on said at least one machine, said correlated graphical information of said second instruction screen display graphically illustrating an aspect of said second act, said graphical information of said second instruction screen display including at least one distinguishing feature from said graphical information of said first instruction screen display;

a third instruction screen display for display by said display screen also comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said third instruction screen display describing a third act to be performed on said at least one machine, said correlated graphical information of said third instruction screen display graphically illustrating an aspect of said third act, said graphical information of said third instruction screen display including at least one distinguishing feature from said graphical information of said second instruction screen display;

wherein said processor system changes an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display in response to receipt by said processor system of a first command to change an output of said display, and wherein said processor system changes on output of said display from said second instruction screen display to said third instruction screen display in response to receipt by said processor system of a second command to change an output of said display, and wherein said graphical information of at least one of said first, second, and third instruction screen displays includes at least one of a movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved and motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said graphical information of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes a graphical depiction of said at least one machine and highlight indicia indicating an area on said at least one machine to be acted on during execution of an act described in said text information associated with said graphical information of said at least one of said instruction screen displays.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia includes an arrow graphic pointing to a specific area of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

78. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia includes a border outlining a specific area of said graphical machine depiction.

79. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphics mode.

80. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a different color or grey scale from other areas of said machine depiction.

81. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia includes label indicia indicating an identification of a part or area of said machine depiction.

82. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia includes a depiction of a specific tool type and its application at a specific location of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

83. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein said highlight indicia further includes label indicia indicating an identification of said tool.

84. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said graphical information of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes assembly state indicia illustrating said at least one machine in a partially assembled or partially disassembled state.

85. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said graphical indicia of one of said instruction screen displays includes movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved.

86. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said graphical indicia of one of said instruction screen displays includes motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

87. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said graphical information of one of said instruction display includes assembly state indicia illustrating the state of assembly or disassembly of said machine resulting from an act described in said text section of an immediately previous instruction screen display.

88. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein both text and graphics of said second instruction screen display includes at least one distinguishing feature relative to text and graphics of said first instruction screen display.

89. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said apparatus includes a control interface for receiving said user-initiated command to change an output of said display.

90. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said user interface by a user.

91. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein said control interface is a key of a keyboard.

92. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein said control interface is a displayed control button displayed on said display.

93. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein said control interface is labeled with indicia comprising at least one of an arrow or the word “

NEXT.”

94. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is designated by consecutive sequence-position indicating characters.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said first and second instruction screen displays that is designated with a sequence-position indicating character.

96. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein text of said first instruction screen display is devoid of text describing said second act.

97. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein said text information of said first and second instruction screen displays describe successive steps of a process to be carried out relative to said machine.

98. A method for performing work relating to a machine, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a computer having a display and a user interface;

programming said computer with a program enabling said computer to display first and second of instruction screen displays, each of said first and second instruction screen display including a text section describing an instruction and a graphic section, graphically reinforcing said instruction, said text section of said first instruction screen describing a first act, said text section of said second instruction screen display describing said second act, and wherein said graphical section of at least one of said first and second instruction screen displays includes at least one of a movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved and motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location, said program further enabling said computer to change an instruction screen being displayed upon the actuation of said user interface;

running said program to display said first instruction screen display;

executing an instruction in accordance with said first instruction screen display;

actuating said user interface to display a second instruction screen display; and

executing an instruction in accordance with said second instruction screen display wherein text of said first instruction screen display is devoid of text describing said second act.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein said program enables said computer to display at least two instruction screen displays each having a distinct text and a distinct graphic.

100. The method of claim 98, further comprising the step of actuating said control to display a third instruction screen display;

and

executing an instruction in accordance with said third instruction screen display;

wherein said program enables said computer to display at least three instruction screen displays, each having distinct text and graphics.

101. The method of claim 98, wherein said graphic section of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes highlight indicia indicating an area on said machine to be acted on during execution of an act described in said text information associated with said graphic of said at least one of said instruction screen displays.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein said highlight indicia includes an arrow graphic pointing to a specific area of said graphical machine depiction of said graphic.

103. The method of claim 101, wherein said highlight indicia includes a border outlining a specific area of said graphical machine depiction.

104. The method of claim 101, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphics mode.

105. The method of claim 101, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a different color or grey scale from other areas of said machine depiction.

106. The method of claim 101, wherein said highlight indicia includes a label indicia indicating an identification of a part or area of said machine depiction.

107. The method of claim 101, wherein said highlight indicia includes a depiction of a specific tool type and its application at a specific location of said graphical machine depiction of said graphic.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein said highlight indicia further includes label indicia indicating an identification of said tool.

109. The method of claim 98, wherein said graphic section of each of said first and second instruction screen displays includes assembly state indicia illustrating said machine in a partially assembled or partially disassembled state.

110. The method of claim 98, wherein said graphic section of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved.

111. The method of claim 98, wherein said graphic section of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

112. The method of claim 98, wherein said graphic section of said second instruction display includes assembly state indicia illustrating the state of assembly or disassembly of said machine resulting from an act described in said text section of said first instruction screen display.

113. The method of claim 98, wherein said text section of said second instruction display includes at least one distinguishing feature from said text of said first instruction screen display.

114. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming steps include the step of programming said computer to include windowing system capabilities, and wherein said at least one of either of said text or graphic section of said either of said first or second instruction screen displays is presented in a window adapted to present either dedicated text or dedicated graphic information.

115. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step includes the step of configuring said computer to include windowing system capabilities, wherein said text of each of said first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a dedicated text window, and wherein said graphic of said each first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a dedicated graphics window.

116. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step includes the step of configuring said computer to include a graphical user interface, wherein said at least one of said first or second instruction screen displays includes a control bar, and wherein said user-interface is provided by said control bar.

117. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said user interface by a user.

118. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said user interface by a user.

119. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said control interface is a key of a keyboard.

120. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said control interface is a displayed control button displayed on said display.

121. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said control interface is labeled with indicia comprising one of an arrow or the word “

NEXT.”

122. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said computer further includes a “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface, and wherein said computer is adapted to display a previous instruction screen display on said display when said “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface is actuated by a user.

123. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said text sections of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that describes an act of a process relative to said at least one machine.

124. The method of claim 98, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said text sections of said each first and second instruction screen displays are designated by consecutive sequence-position indicating characters.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein said programming step further includes the step of programming said computer so that said text section of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that is designated with a sequence-position indicating character.

126. The method of claim 98, wherein said text sections of said first and second instruction screen displays describe successive steps of a process to be carried out relative to said machine.

127. An instruction presentation apparatus for presenting instructional information to a user of at least one machine, said apparatus comprising:

a display;

a processor system for controlling display of text and graphical information on said display, said computer system being adapted to receive a user-initiated command causing change in an output by said display;

a first instruction screen display for display by said display comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said first instruction screen display including text describing a first act to be performed on said machine, said correlated graphical information including at least a graphical depiction of said machine; and

a second instruction screen display for display by said display also comprising simultaneously displayed text and correlated graphical information, said text information of said second instruction screen display describing a second act to be performed on said machine, wherein text of said second instruction screen display includes at least one distinguishing feature relative to text of said first instruction screen display, said correlated graphical information of said second instruction screen display including a graphical depiction of said machine, wherein graphics of said second instruction screen display include at least one distinguishing feature relative to graphics of said first instruction screen display, wherein said text information of said first instruction screen display and said second instruction screen display describe successive steps of a process to be performed relative to said machine;

wherein said processor system changes an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display in response to receipt by said at least one processor system of a command to change an output of said display from said first instruction screen display to said second instruction screen display, and wherein said graphical information of said first instruction screen display and said second instruction screen display highlight successive steps of a process relative to said at least one machine.

128. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said graphical information of at least one of said instruction screen displays includes a highlight indicia indicting an area on said machine to be acted on during execution of an act described in said text information associated with said graphical information of said at least one of said instruction screen displays.

129. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said highlight indicia includes an arrow graphic pointing to a specific area of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

130. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said highlight indicia includes a border outlining a specific area of said graphical machine depiction.

131. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a flashing graphics mode.

132. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said highlight indicia includes a specific area of said graphical machine depiction being displayed in a different color or grey scale from other areas of said machine depiction.

133. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said highlight indicia includes label indicia indicating an identification of a part or area of said machine depiction.

134. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein said highlight indicia includes a depiction of a specific tool type and its application at a specific location of said graphical machine depiction of said graphical information.

135. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein said highlight indicia further includes label indicia indicating an identification of said tool.

136. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said graphical information of either of said first or second instruction screen displays includes assembly state indicia illustrating said machine in a partially assembled or partially disassembled state.

137. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said graphical indicia either of said instruction screen displays includes movement indicia indicating a direction in which a tool is to be moved.

138. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said graphical information of either of said instruction screen displays included motion indicia indicating motion of a machine or machine part from a first location to a second location.

139. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said graphical information section of said second instruction display includes assembly state indicia illustrating the state of assembly or disassembly of said machine resulting from an act described in said text information of said first instruction screen display.

140. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said graphical information of said first instruction display and said second instruction screens display highlight successive steps of a process relative to said at least one machine.

141. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said at least one processor system includes windowing system capabilities, and wherein said at least one of either of said text or graphical information of said either of said first or second instruction screen displays is presented in a window adapted to present either dedicated text or dedicated graphical information.

142. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said processor system includes windowing system capabilities, wherein said text information of each of said first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a text window, and wherein said graphical information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is displayed in a dedicated graphics window.

143. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said at least one processor system includes a graphical user interface, wherein said at least one of said first or second instruction screen displays includes a control bar, and wherein said processor system receives said command to change an output of said display via said control bar.

144. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said apparatus includes a control interface for receiving said command to change an output of said display.

145. The apparatus of claim 144, wherein an output of said display changes to a next instruction screen display upon a single actuation of said control interface by a user.

146. The apparatus of claim 144, wherein said control interface is a key of a keyboard.

147. The apparatus of claim 144, wherein said control interface is a displayed control button displayed on said display.

148. The apparatus of claim 144, wherein said control interface is labeled with indicia comprising at least one of an arrow or the word “

NEXT.”

149. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said apparatus further includes a “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface, and wherein said apparatus is adapted to display a previous instruction screen display on said display when said “

previous instruction screen display”

control interface is actuated by a user.

150. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said text information of said each first and second instruction screen displays is a bottommost displayed text of said each first and second instruction screen displays that describes an act of a process relative to said at least one machine.

151. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein said text information of said first and second instruction screen displays are designated by consecutive sequence-position indicating characters.

152. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein text of said first instruction screen display is devoid of text describing said second act.