Graphical control system, method, and product for task navigation
First Claim
1. A method for performing task navigation comprising the steps of(a) receiving a first control signal for initiating a task to be performed, which task comprises a sequence of a plurality of task steps, (b) displaying a first plurality of controls representative of a first set of the plurality of task steps, wherein the first plurality of controls represent a sequence of the first set of the plurality of task steps;
- (c) receiving a second control signal selecting a first control of the first plurality of controls; and
(d) displaying a second plurality of controls representative of a second set of the plurality of task steps generated in response to the second control signal, wherein the second plurality of controls represents a sequence of the second set of the plurality of the task steps.
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Abstract
The present invention relates in general to graphical user interfaces (GUI) in computer display systems, and in particular, to the instrumentation of graphical control for task navigation in a GUI system. The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and processing system for performing a step-by-step procedure using a task oriented interface integrated into a single, intuitive, graphical control/display that further controls the user'"'"'s ability to navigate through the steps and prevents the user from attempting to revise irreversible steps. The interface display graphically displays how many steps remain to be completed, and how many steps have already been completed. Additionally, it enables the user to deviate from the predefined order of steps and skip optional steps while compelling the user to complete the required steps. The display also differentially displays the completed steps to indicate which steps can be revised and which cannot.
37 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method for performing task navigation comprising the steps of
(a) receiving a first control signal for initiating a task to be performed, which task comprises a sequence of a plurality of task steps, (b) displaying a first plurality of controls representative of a first set of the plurality of task steps, wherein the first plurality of controls represent a sequence of the first set of the plurality of task steps; -
(c) receiving a second control signal selecting a first control of the first plurality of controls; and
(d) displaying a second plurality of controls representative of a second set of the plurality of task steps generated in response to the second control signal, wherein the second plurality of controls represents a sequence of the second set of the plurality of the task steps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for generating task navigation controls for a task orientation interface comprising the steps of:
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(a) determining a plurality of task steps for a task;
(b) sequencing a first set of task steps of the plurality of the task steps;
(c) generating a first set of controls that represent a sequence of the first set of task steps;
(d) receiving information upon selection of a first control in said first set of controls;
(e) sequencing a second set of task steps of the plurality of the task steps in response to said information; and
(f) generating a second set of controls that represent the sequence of a second set of task steps. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A data processing system for generating task navigation controls for a task orientation interface comprising circuitry operable for the generating task navigation controls, wherein said circuitry operable for the generating task navigation controls further comprises:
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(a) circuitry operable for determining a plurality of task steps for a task;
(b) circuitry operable for sequencing a first set of task steps of the plurality of the task steps, (c) circuitry operable for generating a first set of controls that represent a sequence of the first set of task steps;
(d) circuitry operable for receiving information upon selection of a first control in said first set of controls;
(e) circuitry operable for sequencing a second set of task steps of the plurality of the task steps in response to said information; and
(f) circuitry operable for generating a second set of controls that represent a sequence of the second set of task steps. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for generating task navigation controls for a task orientation interface, said method steps comprising:
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(a) determining a plurality of task steps for a task;
(b) sequencing a first set of task steps of the plurality of the task steps;
(c) generating a first set of controls that represent the sequence of a first set of task steps;
(d) receiving information upon selection of a first control in said first set of controls;
(e) sequencing a second set of task steps of the plurality of the task steps in response to said information; and
(f) generating a second set of controls that represent a sequence of the second set of task steps. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A graphical user interface comprising:
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(a) a plurality of task controls each representing a task step in a sequence of task steps;
(b) a forward control operable for permitting a user to proceed through the sequence of task steps, and (c) a backward control operable for permitting the user to reverse through the sequence of task steps, wherein a status for each of the task controls is determined, and each of said task controls is operable based upon the status determined for the task control. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification