Method and apparatus for providing visual cues in a graphic user interface
US5488685A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/973
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The selection of one of the button functions results in the generation and display of entries in a predefined area of the access window. Upon the selection of one of the entries by a user, phrases related to the selected entry are displayed in a working area of the access window. The selection of one of the phrases results in the display of a presentation window containing help instruction data to guide the user in the particular help task specified by the entry and phrase selection. To further assist the user, visual cues in the form of coach marks are generated for identifying features on the display which relate to the information disposed within the presentation window, but may identify any feature on the display. The coach marks are displayed generally concurrently with the display of the presentation window. The coach marks are displayed such that they appear animated as if drawn by hand and a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.