Patent · US Expired

Hierarchical integrated help utility for a computer system

US5361361A · kind A · utility

71Cited by
2References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 1993
Grant dateNov 1, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99931
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for hierarchically integrating help information across multiple applications is disclosed. In a computer system having a first application program including a first set of help files and a second application program including a second set of help files, the integrated help utility of the present invention includes a process for displaying selected information in the first and second help files, the process comprises the steps of: 1) providing a first help directory associated with the first set of help files, the first help directory includes a first plurality of topic items corresponding to information provided in the first set of help files; 2) providing a second help directory associated with the second set of help files, the second help directory includes a second plurality of topic items corresponding to information provided in the second set of help files; 3) displaying the first plurality of topic items concurrently with the second plurality of topic items; 4) selecting a selected one of the topic items from either the first plurality of topic items or the second plurality of topic items; 5) accessing an individual help file of either the fir…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.