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US Patent 5157768 - Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display
US Patent Issued on October 20, 1992
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
May 17, 2011Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
May 17, 2011Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to a display for displaying graphic and other data. The CPU is further coupled to a cursor control device which permits a user to selectively position a cursor at a desired location on the display, and signal the CPU of selections. Images are generated in the form of "windows" by the CPU which include standard window features as well as text, icons, and buttons which correspond to functions to be executed by the CPU. The selection of certain buttons results in the generation and display of a menu which includes a plurality of functions which may be chosen by a user. Help information may be obtained by a user by positioning the cursor on the display using the cursor control device over an area of the window which the user desires the help information. After placing the cursor over a desired area, which may include by way of example an icon, window function, or other window image, the user depresses a predefined help key on a keyboard coupled to the CPU. The CPU then locates a help description which corresponds to the object or area over which the cursor has been placed. The CPU displays the appropriate help description within a help window.Other References
| InventorsApplicationNo. 703036 filed on 05/17/1991US Classes:715/711, Tool tip (e.g., cursor position based)345/629, Merge or overlay715/708, Context sensitive715/781, Window or viewpoint715/810, Menu or selectable iconic array (e.g., palette)715/839Imitating real life objectExaminersPrimary: Harkcom, Gary V.Assistant: Nguyen, Phu K. Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent ReferencesRe32632, 4533910, Graphics display system with viewports of arbitrary location and contentIssued on: 08/06/1985 Inventor: Sukonick , et al.4555775, Dynamic generation and overlaying of graphic windows for multiple active program storage areas Issued on: 11/26/1985 Inventor: Pike4622545, Method and apparatus for image compression and manipulation Issued on: 11/11/1986 Inventor: Atkinson4748618, Telecommunications interface Issued on: 05/31/1988 Inventor: Brown , et al.4785408, Method and apparatus for generating computer-controlled interactive voice services Issued on: 11/15/1988 Inventor: Britton , et al.4789962, Methods of displaying help information nearest to an operation point at which the help information is requested Issued on: 12/06/1988 Inventor: Berry , et al.4812834, Graphics display system with arbitrary overlapping viewports Issued on: 03/14/1989 Inventor: Wells4847604, Method and apparatus for identifying features of an image on a video display Issued on: 07/11/1989 Inventor: Doyle4862385, Monitoring data display device Issued on: 08/29/1989 Inventor: Fujita , et al.4864517, Graphics display system using frame buffers Issued on: 09/05/1989 Inventor: Maine , et al.4879666, Information output device having data buffer for performing both character positioning and character expansion/compression Issued on: 11/07/1989 Inventor: Kembo4884223, Dynamic force measurement system Issued on: 11/28/1989 Inventor: Ingle, et al.4899136, Data processor having a user interface display with metaphoric objects Issued on: 02/06/1990 Inventor: Beard, et al.4914732, Electronic key with interactive graphic user interface Issued on: 04/03/1990 Inventor: Henderson, et al.4931783, Method and apparatus for removable menu window Issued on: 06/05/1990 Inventor: Atkinson4935865, Computer controlled electropolishing system Issued on: 06/19/1990 Inventor: Rowe, et al.4939507Virtual and emulated objects for use in the user interface of a display screen of a display processor Issued on: 07/03/1990 Inventor: Beard, et al. International ClassG06F 015/46 |
