Patent · US Expired

Balloon help system

US5434965A · kind A · utility

166Cited by
28References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1992
Grant dateJul 18, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F8/24
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method, system for providing help information to assist in using an object oriented operating system. The help technique is also oriented to the particular area on the screen that is indicated by a portion of the help information. When a user drags an object on a display screen and drops the object in close proximity with another object, a help display is presented with an indicator pointing to the associated area on the display. The help display provides information on the viability of the drop action and aids the user in navigating through the operation. In a preferred embodiment, the help display is presented in a balloon display pointing to the objects upon which the operation is transpiring.

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