CA1320588C - Method and apparatus for displaying context sensitive help information on a display - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION

A central processing unit (CPU) is provided and 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 adesired location on the display, and signal the CPU of selections in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 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 generationand 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 with a help window.

82225.PO63 ?? 3/15/89

Description

1320~$
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to Canadian patent applications Serial No. 613,985 filed September 28, 1989 and Serial No. 613,987 filed September 28, 1989.
s 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTI~N;
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for displaying and manipulating ~raphic in~ormation, and mor0 particulariy, ths present invention relates to a computer controlled display system for displaying0 help inforrnation based on the positionin~ of an on-scre~n cursor over a displayed image.

2. ART BAGKGROUN~:
It is common ~or current generation computer display systems to 5 utili~e multiple ~windows~ displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display in which combinations of text and graphics are disposed to convey information to a user. The windows may talce the ~orm of a variety of objects such as a fill8 folder, loose-leaf binder, or simple rectangle, and the windows may overlap one ano~her with the "top~ window fully visib1e constitutin~ the current work fil~.
These so-called "object oriented" display systems utilize various icons which symbolically indicat~ the type of operation the cornputer system will sxecute iSthe icon function is chosen. Frequently, these ioons are disposed within a window on the displ~y. The user may delet~ informa~ion ~rom ths window, move data from one window to another, and ~enerally operate on the window 25 82225.P063 -1~ 3/lS1~9 ,~
'~-132~

as if an actual file in an office is being manipulat~d. ~lumerous object oriented systems exist today and are displayed on computers manufactured by th~
assignee, Sun Microsystems, Inc., as weli as other manufactur~rs.
In the event a user requires help in determining what oommand is s appropnate to achieve the desired computer function, or wha~ a particular iconor "desktop" function represents, many systems refer the user 10 printed manuals ~or re~erence. Another attempt to assist the user in an object oriented computer system is the use of a "Help" command or key. Upon encountering difficulty, the user in such systems may press a predefined key to access a 0 help function. The help function simply displays one or more screens of various commonly used commands, or describes the various functions available, in the computer display system. Generally, a help screen in prior artsystems is simply a synopsis ef the description o~ the oommand normally found in a written manual accompanying the computer syst~m. The help display is typically stored on disk or in the m~mo~ of thle computer system.
Another effort to make comput~r display systems more personal and setf contained is found in ~he "Star User Interfac~: An Over~/iew`', Smith, et al., Nationa~ Computer Con~erence, 198~. Th~ Xerox 8010 Star intormation system introduced in April of 1981 incorporat~d a Help key on ths computer 20 keyboard. A user depressing the Hclp button on the Star system was shown a screen displaying ~he Help table of contents. The Star further included a context dependent invocati~n of the help function in which the command m~nu in eve~ indow con1ained a ~?~ command. By invoking the ~?" command, the Star system displayed that part of th~ help docum~ntation describin~ tha 25 window, its commands and its functions. Othern?" commands app~ar~d in various message areas of the screen; such ~ha~ invoking thcsa ~ help commands r~sulted in thc display of a d~scription of the method which was 82225.P06~ -2- ~115/89 ~32~5~

related to the particular help cornmand chossn. For example, a help cornmand disposed adjacent to a window would result in a help message describing what a window comprised in the Star system. In other words, selecting a "?~ on ~he dispiay resulted in the display of the associated help documentation relating tos the particular help icon "?" chcsen.
As will be described, the present invention provides apparatus and methods to permit a user to invoke a help ~unction on a computer display system. The help message displayed by lhe present invention is context sensitive based on the position of the cursor on the screen. The cursor, in turn, 0 is controlled through the use of a cursor control device operated by a user.
Accordingly, by simply placing or pointing the cursor at a particular object or area on th~ screen and depressing a help key, a help window is displayed which describes the particular object or area which the cursor has been placed over.

82225.P0~3 -3- ~115189 ~320~

~iUMMAP~Y ~F THE II~IVENTI~

An apparalus and method is disclosed which has application for use in computer controll~d display systems, and in particular, display systems 5 having object oriented graphic interfaces. A c0ntral prscessing unit (CPU) is provided and is coupled lo a display for displaying graphic and olher data.
The C;PU is further coupled to a cursor control device which permits a user to selectively position a cursor at a desired looation on the display, and signal the CPlJ of selections in accordance with the teachings of ths present invention.
0 Images are generated in the form of awindows" by the CPU which include standard window features as well as text, icons, and buttons whioh correspond to functions to be executed by the CPU. The sslection o~ certain buttons resultsin the genera~ion and display o7 a menu which includes a plurality of functions which may be chosen by a user. Help inforrnation may b~ obtained 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 ov~r a d~sired area, which may include by way o~ example an icon, window function, or other window imag~l the user depresses a predefined he1p key on a keyboard coupled to the CPU. The CPU locates a help description 20 which corresponds to the object or area over which the cursor has b~en placed. Tha CPU displays the appropriate help descri,otion within a help window. The help window further includes a magnifying glass icon within whîch is displayed a copy of the object or area over which the cursor has been placed. Ths image displayed within the magnifying glass icon corresponds to ~5 the help information displayed in the textural portion of the hel,o window. Tho help window ~urther includes a window mark, such that the placemont oi the cursor over the window mark, and the momentary dcpression and rel~ase of a B2225.P063 . -4- 9115189 132~8~

switch on the cursor control device, results in the CPU disrnissing th0 help window such th~t it is no long~r displayed.

8~225.P063 -5- 3/15189 1~2~5~

~lEF DE~RlPTi~)~ QF IHE DRAWINt;S

FIGURE 1 illustrates a computer incorporating the teachings of the present invention.

FJGURE 2 shows one arrangement of program storage ~or the system of Figure 1.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the selection of an icon prior to invocation 0 of the help tunction.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a hel,r,~ window which is context dependent based upon the location of the oursor on the clisplay screen.

FlGUæE 5 is a flow chart illustrating the sequence of steps utilized by the present invention to display a c:ontext sensitive help window.

82225.P~63 -6- 3/15189 - ~ \

~2~5~

NOT~TI~)N ~I~JOMENCLA~E

The de~ailed descriptions which follow are presented largely in terms of display images, algorithrns, and symbolic representations of operations5 of da~a bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their wsrk to others skilled in the art.
An algorithm is here, and gsnerally, conceived to be a self 0 consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. These steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantitiss. Usually, though not necessarily, these ~uantities ~ake ~he form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It proves convenient at times, principally for reasons of comrnon usage, to refer to these signal as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, images, terrns, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar t0rms ar~ 10 be associaled with the appropriate physical quantities and are mereiy convenient labels applied to these quantities.
Further, the manipulations performed ars oflen referred to in terms, 20 such as adding or comparing, which ~re commonly associated with mental operations performed by a human eperator. No such capability of a human operator is necessary, or desirable in most cases, in the operations described herein which form part of the pressnt invention. In the present cas~, ths operations are machine operations per~ormed in conjunction wi~h a human 25 operator. Useful machines ~r performing the operatiens of the pres~nt inventien include ~eneral purpose digital computers or other similar devices.
In all cases lher~ sheuld be borne in mind the distinetion betwean the method Q2225.P06~1 -7- 3115189 1~2~
operations of operating a computer and the method of computation itself. The present invention relates to method steps for operating a computer and processing electrical or other physical signals to generate other desired physical signals.
The present invention also relates to apparatus for performing these operations. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes or it may comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer.
The algorithms presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. In particular, various general purpose machines may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety o~E these machines will appear from the description given below.
Accordingly, in one its aspects, the present invention relates to a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, an apparatus for displaying help information pertaining to said images to a user of said system, comprising first display means coupled to said CPU
for generating and displaying said images on said display, each image of said plurality of images capable o~ being invoked to perform an application function, cursor control 132~5~
means coupled to said CPU for selectively positioning a cursor on said display, signal generation means coupled to said CPU for providing a first signal to said CPU by depressing a predetermined help key on a keyboard coupled to 5 said CPU to request help information once said cursor has been placed over at least a portion of a first image on said display, second display means couplad to said CPU for generating and displaying a help window on said display, said help window comprising a first area and second area, said first area within said help window including a description of said portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, said description being retrieved by said CPU from an entry in a lookup table corresponding to said first image after said CPU identifies said first image based on the location of said cursor on said display, said lookup table having a plurality of descriptions as entries corresponding to said plurality of images on said display; said second display means copying that portion of said first image disposed within a predetermined radius from said cursor, and displaying said portion of said first image in said second area within said help window, said signal generation means providing a second signal to said CPU to dismiss said help window such that said help window is no longer displayed once said description is no longer required by said user and said signal generation means providing a third signal to said CPU
to invoke an application function of said first image if -8a-~320~
said user desires; whereby said description displayed is a function of the position of said cursor on sa.id display.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying help information pertaining to said images displayed, comprising the steps of (a) generating a plurality of images on said display, each image of said plurality of images capable of being invoked to perform an application function, (b) positioning a cursor on said display using a cursor control device coupled to said CPU, said cursor being placed over at least a portion of a irst image on said display, (c) providing a first signal to said CPU by depressing a predetermined help key on a keyboard coupled ~o said CPU to request help information pertaining to that portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, (d) generating and displaying a help window on said display, said help window comprising a first ar~a and second area, said first area within said help window including a description of said portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, said description being retrieved ~y said CPU from an entry in a lookup table corresponding to said first image after said CPU identifies said first image based on the location of said cursor on said display, said lookup table having a plurality of descriptions as entries corresponding to said plurality of images on said display, copying that portion of -8b-,~

~2~
said first image disposed within a prede.termined radius from said cursor, and displaying said portion of said first image in said second area within said help window, (e) providing a second signal to said CPU to dismiss said help window such that said help window is no longer displayed once said description has been read by a user and (f) providing a third signal to said CPU to invoke an application function of said first image if said user desires, whereby said help description displayed is a function of the pos.ition of said cursor on said display.

-8c-,~

~321~58~

ETAILED PEscRlpTlc)N-~:)F I~ !NvENTl~N

The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for displaying help information pertaining to an image on a computer display. In 5 the following description, numerous specific details are set for~h such as computer display system elements, display formats, sample data, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. in other instances, well known circuits and 0 structures are not described in detail in order not to obscure the present invention unnecessarily.
Figwre 1 illustrates a computer based system ~or generating graphic ima~es in accordanc~ with the teachings o~ the present invention.
Shown is a computer 10 which comprises thre~ major components. The first of 15 thess is an inpuUoutput ~I/O) circuit 12 which is used to communicate information in appropriately slructured ~orm to and frorn other portions of the computer 10. In addition, computer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 14 coupled to the l/O circuit 12 and a rnemory 16. These elements are those typically found in most general purpos~ computers and, in fact, computer 20 10 is intended to be representative of a broad category of data processing devices. Also shown in Flgure 1 is a keyboard 18 to input data and oommands into computer 10; as is well known. A magnetic disk 20 is shown coupled to UO circuit 12 to provide additional storage ~apability for thc computer 10. It will be appreciated that additional devices may b~ coupled to 25 computer 10 for storing data such as magnetic tape drives, bubble mBmory devices, as well as networks which are in turn coupled îo other data processing syst~ms. As is w~ll known, disk 20 may store oth~r ccmputer 82225.P063 -~1- 3115/89 ~32~

programs, charactsrs, routines, etc., which may be accessed and exeouted by CPU 14. A raster display monitor 24 is shown coupled to the l/O circuit 12 and is used to display images generated by CPU 14 in accordance with the present invention. Any well known varie~y of cathode ray tube (CRT) display may bs 5 utilized as display 24. A cursor control device 28 is also shown coupled to computer 10 throu3h l/O circuit 12. Cursor control device 28 includes switches 30, 32 and 34 for signalling CPU 14 in accordance with the teaohings of the present invention. Cursor control device 28 (commonly known as a ~mouse") permits a user to select various command modes, modify ~raphiG
0 data, and input other data utili~ing switches 30, 32 and 34. More particularly, cursor control device 28 permits a user to selectively position a cursor 36 at any desired location on display 24 by movement of the cursor control device 28 over a sur~ace 40. In the presently preferred embodiment, cursor control 28 utilizes a well known optical method ~or signalling CPU 14 of positional 15 chan~s of cursor 36 by movement of cursor control ovar a grid disposed on sur~ace 40. However, it will be appreciated that a variety of wel! known cursor control devices may be utilized by the present invention, including other cursorcontrol devices such as mechanical mic~, track balls, joy sticks, etc.
Fi~ure 2 shows one arrangement of major programs contained 20 within the memory 16 illustrated in Figure 1. In particular, thar~ is shown aframe buffer 50, which comprises a bit map of display 24. Tho ~rame buffer 50 represents th~ Yideo memory for the display 24, wherein, each storage location in the frame buffer 50 corresponds to a pixel on the display 24. Thus, the fram~buffer comprises a two dimensional array of pnints having known coordinatos 25 corresponding to the pixels on the raster display. In its simplest form, frame buffer 50 compris~s a contiguous block of memory which is allocat~d such that each m~mory locatlon is mapped onto the correspondin~ pixel on th~ tasto~

82225.P063 -10- 3115/89 ~3205~

display 24. Memory 16 also includes a variety of oth~r programs S4 for execution by the CPU 14. For example, a vanety of control, display, and calculating programs impl~mentin~ the op~rations and routincs described in this Specification may be stored in memory 16, as well as monitor control 5 programs and disk operating systems. Moreover, memory 16 further includes space ~or other programs and spare memory 56 which may be used ~or a variety of other well known functions and operations in data processing systems.
Re~erring now to Figure 3, in the presently preferred 0 embodiment, a variety o~ "windows" may be displayed on display 24. As shown in Fi~ure 3, a representative window includes a variety oi data within the bounded window, in ths form of graphics, text and symbols. For example, in Fi~urc 3 therc is shown a representative window identificd g~nerally by the numeral 80, which is in the form of a rectangular area on display 24. In the 15 example of Figure 3, window 80 includes a window title 82 (in th~ prescnt example "editn) and a window mark 84 which is displayed at the lefl side of the header in the window. By placing cursor 36 on the wlndow mark 34, and momenlarily activating cursor control switch 30, th~ window is "disrnissed" and closed. Once closed, the window 80 is no long~r dispiayed on display 24. A
20 control area 86 is provided for the display of button functions, which will b0 described in more delail below. Window 80 further includes resize corners 90 through 93 which are used to shrink or expand th~ bordars of window 80, thereby changing the arca of the window without changin~ the relativa sizs of the controls, fonts, icons, etc. displayed within window 80. CPU 14 further 25 displays the image of a vertical scroll bar 100, as shown, which p~rmi~s text, ~raphics and the like within ~h~ working arca 106 o~ window 80 to b~ scroll~d inthc direction in which the scroll bar is ~pull~dn. The scroll bar, in th~ pressntly 822~!5.P063 ~ 3115/89 pre~erred embodiment may be moved by placing cursor 36 over the arrows lsee Fl~ur~ 3] of the scroll bar and activating a selected switch on cursor contrQI
device 28, or alternatively, by placing the cursor 36 on the scroll bar, depressing a preselected switch on cursor control 28, and moving the cursor 5 control device in the direction in which the text or the like within the working area 1 û6 is to be scrolled. Although not shown, window 80 may also incorporate the use of a horizontal scroll bar to selectively scroll horizon~ally throu~h ths text, graphics, etc. disposed within the working area 106.
As shown in Figur~ 3, a plurality of button functions may b~
0 disposed within window 80. Although the button functions (in the present example entitled: "file", "edit", ~display", and "~indn) are illustrated in area 86, the button control functions may be displayed in other control areas as well as on menus, as wiil be described below. Although illustrated horizontally, button functions may also be array0d vertically within th~ window, and button function 5 narnes may be in th~ form of text and/or ~raphics. In the presently preferred embodiment, button functions may take the form of a singl~ button ~unction or butlon stacks. A single button function is us~d for a single ~mmand to bB
exQcuted by CPU 14 (for examplc "copy"), wher~in a button stack is used to group commands ~ogether in logical sets on a m~nu which is displayed wh~n 20 the particular button stack is chosen by a user. Typically, the label on tha button stack is the title o~ the ~roup of commands on ths menu and subm~nus, and not on~ o~ the commands (~or example, "editn).
Appropriat~ programming o~ computer 10 is provided such that a plurality of button stacks and/or buttons ars display~d within window 80. In the25 example of Figure 3, window 80 includes four button stacks, identiSi~d as "edit", ~ile", Udisplay~ and "find". The placement of cursor 36, cv~r the ~edit~button s~ack of Fi~ure 3 by a user utilizing cursor control dcvica 28, and the s222s.Pos3 -12- 311~/89 ~32~$
aclivation of a switch (for ~xample, switch 34) on th0 cursor control devic~ 28 by a user, results in computer 10 generatin~ and displaying a menu 120 below the corresponding button stack 5in the present example, "edit~) as illustrated.
As shown, menu 120 includes a plurality o~ single button funGtions which correspond to executable functions by CPU 14. In the present example, buttons disposed within menu 120 include such fùnctions as "cutn, "copy", ~pasten, "again'` and Wundon, which may be chosen by a user utilizing.cursor control device 28. The selection of any of these button ~unctions by a user results in the immediate execution of the function by CPU 14.
0 As previously discussed, a user may desire information related toa particular object, area, or function within window 80 in order to assist the user in operating the computer display system. In the present invention, the user places cursor 36 over an area of window 80 for which the user desires he1p in~ormation. In the example of Figur~ 3 ~and the sequence of steps illus~ra~ed in Figure 4), the user has placed cursor 36 over a push pin icon 130 (see Canadian paten~ application, Serial No. 613,985, filed September 28, :L989 for a description related to push pin 130). Upon placin~ cursor 36 over push pin icon 130, the user depress0s a prsdefined help k~y on keyboard 18 to invoke th~ help ~unction. Th~ depression of tha help key 135 on keyboard 1~ results in the generation and display of a help window. Upon the depression of key 135, CPU 14 exarnines that portiorl of th~ window 80 which is at tha location ofcursor 36. In th~ present example, CPU 14 det~rmines that the push pin 130 is below cursor 36. The CPU then utilizes a lookup table within memory 16 10 locate lhe appropriate h~lp description r~lating 10 the push pin 130. CPU 14 retrieves the appropriate h01p Tnformation relating to th~ object/imag~ over which cursor 36 has been placed, and ~enerates a help window.

82225.P063 -13~ 5t89 f~

~3205~

Referring now to Fl~ure 4, ~he help window which, in the present example, describes push pin 130 is illustrated. As shown, th~ help window includes the standard elements of a base window, including a titl~ bar 140 and a window mark 145. The help window in the presantly preferred ~mbodiment is s sufficiently iarge 10 display fifty characters and ten lines of help text which is centered vertically within the help window 138. If the help text to be displayedexceeds ten lines, the help window 138 will include a scroll bar and resize corners similar to that illustrated in Figure 3 for window 80. A "more~ button 148 is provided if the particular help description includes additional help text0 which may be selected by the user in a similar fashion to other buttons within a window of the present invention. In addition, upon the display of help window 138, CPU 14 places cursor 36 over window mark 145. Tha dèpression of a key on curscr control deviee 28 in conjunction with having the cursor 36 over the window mark 145 results in the dismissal of the help window. Upon the 5 dismissal of the help window, such that it is no longsr displayed, cursor 36 returns to its last location (in the pr~sent example over push pin 130).
In addition to the written text, help window 138 fuRher includes a magnifying glass icon 150 in which is displaysd an ima~e of the ~bject which is the subjec~ of thc help request. In the example of Flgure 4, an imag~ of push 20 pin 130 is illustrated along with a copy of all pixels comprising window 80 within a predefined radius R from push pin 13Q. In the presen11y praferred ~mbodiment, CPU 14 copiss pixels within a diameter D which corresponds to the diameter of the magnifying glass icon 1 5û. Thus, ~he object over which cursor 36 has been placed, along with 1he area immediately surrounding the 25 object, Ts copied from the bit map of fram~ buffer 50 and r~displayed within tha magni1ying glass icon 150 within the help window 138. Aocordin~ly, in addition tb viewinQ tho help t~xt, the USef iS also provided with an image of tho B2225.P063 -1 4- 3/15~9 132~

object over which cursor 36 has been placed, which is the subjec~ o~ the displayed help text. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that, unlika prior art help systems, the present invention permits a user to place cursor 36 over any area, icon, or irnage within a window displayed on display 24 and obtain help information as a function of the location of the cursor 36. Unlike the prior art systems, the present invention doss not require the placement or selection of a ~?'' command to invoke the help documentation. The present invention provides a help system whioh is sensitive to the context of the image over which cursor 36 has been placed.
0 Accordingly, the present invention has been disclosed which provides apparatus and methods whereby context sensitive help information may be obtained by a user of a computer display system. While the present invention has been described with reierence to Figures 1-5, it will b~
appreciated ~hat the flgures are for illustration only and do not limit the spirit and l 5 scope o~ the invention.

- 82225.P063 -15- 3115/89

Claims (6)

1. In a computer controlled display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, a method for displaying help information pertaining to said images displayed, comprising the steps of:
(a) generating a plurality of images on said display, each image of said plurality of images capable of being invoked to perform an application function;
(b) positioning a cursor on said display using a cursor control device coupled to said CPU, said cursor being placed over at least a portion of a first image on said display;
(c) providing a first signal to said CPU by depressing a predetermined help key on a keyboard coupled to said CPU to request help information pertaining to that portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed;
(d) generating and displaying a help window on said display, said help window comprising a first area and second area, said first area within said help window including a description of said portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, said description being retrieved by said CPU from an entry in a lookup table corresponding to said first image after said CPU identifies said first image based on the location of said cursor on said display, said lookup table having a plurality of descriptions as entries corresponding to said plurality of images on said display;
copying that portion of said first image disposed within a predetermined radius from said cursor, and displaying said portion of said first image in said second area within said help window;
(e) providing a second signal to said CPU to dismiss said help window such that said help window is no longer displayed once said description has been read by a user; and (f) providing a third signal to said CPU to invoke an application function of said first image if said user desires;
whereby said help description displayed is a function of the position of said cursor on said display.

2. The method as defined by claim 1, wherein said portion of said first image is displayed in said help window within an image of a magnifying glass.

3. The method as defined by claim 2, wherein said images on said display are disposed within windows.

4. In a computer control display system having a display coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) for displaying images, an apparatus for displaying help information pertaining to said images to a user of said system, comprising:

first display means coupled to said CPU for generating and displaying said images on said display, each image of said plurality of images capable of being invoked to perform an application function;
cursor control means coupled to said CPU for selectively positioning a cursor on said display;
signal generation means coupled to said CPU for providing a first signal to said CPU by depressing a predetermined help key on a keyboard coupled to said CPU to request help information once said cursor has been placed over at least a portion of a first image on said display;
second display means coupled to said CPU for generating and displaying a help window on said display, said help window comprising a first area and second area, said first area within said help window including a description of said portion of said first image over which said cursor has been placed, said description being retrieved by said CPU from an entry in a lookup table corresponding to said first image after said CPU identifies said first image based on the location of said cursor on said display, said lookup table having a plurality of descriptions as entries corresponding to said plurality of images on said display; said second display means copying that portion of said first image disposed within a predetermined radius from said cursor, and displaying said portion of said first image in said second area within said help window; said signal generation means providing a second signal to said CPU to dismiss said help window such that said help window is no longer displayed once said description is no longer required by said user; and said signal generation means providing a third signal to said CPU to invoke an application function of said first image if said user desires;
whereby said description displayed is a function of the position of said cursor on said display.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said portion of said first image is displayed within an image of a magnifying glass.

6. The apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said images on said display are disposed within windows.