GB2290209A - Graphical user interface for a help system - Google Patents

Graphical user interface for a help system

Info

Publication number
GB2290209A
GB2290209A GB9514574A GB9514574A GB2290209A GB 2290209 A GB2290209 A GB 2290209A GB 9514574 A GB9514574 A GB 9514574A GB 9514574 A GB9514574 A GB 9514574A GB 2290209 A GB2290209 A GB 2290209A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
window
access
alpha
displayed
presentation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9514574A
Other versions
GB2290209B (en
GB9514574D0 (en
Inventor
James Edward Palmer
Iii John Richard Powers
Patricia J Coleman
Gregory Scott Brewer
Jeffrey Alan Herman
Eli Cochran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Apple Inc
Original Assignee
Apple Computer Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/010,063 external-priority patent/US5825355A/en
Priority claimed from US08/010,064 external-priority patent/US5469540A/en
Priority claimed from US08/010,062 external-priority patent/US5488685A/en
Application filed by Apple Computer Inc filed Critical Apple Computer Inc
Publication of GB9514574D0 publication Critical patent/GB9514574D0/en
Publication of GB2290209A publication Critical patent/GB2290209A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2290209B publication Critical patent/GB2290209B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0489—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
    • G06F3/04895—Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/0485—Scrolling or panning
    • G06F3/04855—Interaction with scrollbars
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/451—Execution arrangements for user interfaces
    • G06F9/453—Help systems

Abstract

The help system includes 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 which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display. Both the access and presentation windows "float" above all other layered windows being displayed regardless of the application currently being executed by the user. Both the access and presentation windows remain active and may be operated upon by the user, as does the topmost window immediately below the access or presentation windows being displayed. Other layered windows under the topmost application window are inactive, and must be brought to the "top" of the stack immediately below the access or presentation window to be operated upon. The access window of the present window includes a alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. A plurality of alpha-numeric, symbolic or other characters (collectively "characters") are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar. A slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in the CPU displaying data corresponding to the character selected. Entries are displayed in the defined area beginning alphabetically with the letter over which the slider has been placed. <IMAGE>
GB9514574A 1993-01-27 1994-01-25 Graphical user interface for a help system Expired - Lifetime GB2290209B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1006193A 1993-01-27 1993-01-27
US08/010,063 US5825355A (en) 1993-01-27 1993-01-27 Method and apparatus for providing a help based window system using multiple access methods
US08/010,064 US5469540A (en) 1993-01-27 1993-01-27 Method and apparatus for generating and displaying multiple simultaneously-active windows
US08/010,062 US5488685A (en) 1993-01-27 1993-01-27 Method and apparatus for providing visual cues in a graphic user interface
PCT/US1994/000919 WO1994017469A1 (en) 1993-01-27 1994-01-25 Graphical user interface for a help system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9514574D0 GB9514574D0 (en) 1995-09-27
GB2290209A true GB2290209A (en) 1995-12-13
GB2290209B GB2290209B (en) 1997-03-19

Family

ID=27485966

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9514574A Expired - Lifetime GB2290209B (en) 1993-01-27 1994-01-25 Graphical user interface for a help system
GB9514573A Expired - Lifetime GB2290208B (en) 1993-01-27 1994-01-25 Graphical user interface for a help system

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9514573A Expired - Lifetime GB2290208B (en) 1993-01-27 1994-01-25 Graphical user interface for a help system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
JP (4) JPH08509308A (en)
AU (1) AU6232394A (en)
DE (1) DE4490464T1 (en)
GB (2) GB2290209B (en)
WO (1) WO1994017469A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5963950A (en) * 1996-06-26 1999-10-05 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Method and system for facilitating access to selectable elements on a graphical user interface
US20070107038A1 (en) * 2005-11-10 2007-05-10 Martin Aronsson Methods and devices for presenting data
US7958456B2 (en) * 2005-12-23 2011-06-07 Apple Inc. Scrolling list with floating adjacent index symbols
US20070132789A1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-14 Bas Ording List scrolling in response to moving contact over list of index symbols
US7786975B2 (en) 2005-12-23 2010-08-31 Apple Inc. Continuous scrolling list with acceleration
US8564544B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2013-10-22 Apple Inc. Touch screen device, method, and graphical user interface for customizing display of content category icons
US8689132B2 (en) 2007-01-07 2014-04-01 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying electronic documents and lists
US8405621B2 (en) 2008-01-06 2013-03-26 Apple Inc. Variable rate media playback methods for electronic devices with touch interfaces
US8839155B2 (en) 2009-03-16 2014-09-16 Apple Inc. Accelerated scrolling for a multifunction device
US8984431B2 (en) 2009-03-16 2015-03-17 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for moving a current position in content at a variable scrubbing rate
US8624933B2 (en) 2009-09-25 2014-01-07 Apple Inc. Device, method, and graphical user interface for scrolling a multi-section document
KR20130081503A (en) * 2012-01-09 2013-07-17 삼성전자주식회사 Display apparatus and control method thereof
CN104331215B (en) * 2012-06-29 2017-11-10 北京奇虎科技有限公司 The data input device and method of a kind of extension
CN107526505B (en) * 2013-12-27 2021-07-16 联想(北京)有限公司 Data processing method and electronic equipment

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0325443A2 (en) * 1988-01-22 1989-07-26 Hewlett-Packard Company Help facility shared by a plurality of applications
EP0342964A2 (en) * 1988-05-17 1989-11-23 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Data retrieval system
EP0428261A2 (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-05-22 Lotus Development Corporation Computer user interface
WO1992008184A1 (en) * 1990-11-02 1992-05-14 Consilium, Inc. Apparatus and method for viewing relationships in a factory management system

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02120980A (en) * 1988-10-31 1990-05-08 Hitachi Ltd Network display system
JPH01276194A (en) * 1988-04-28 1989-11-06 Hitachi Ltd Multiwindow display system
JPH0442323A (en) * 1990-06-07 1992-02-12 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Menu display control method

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0325443A2 (en) * 1988-01-22 1989-07-26 Hewlett-Packard Company Help facility shared by a plurality of applications
EP0342964A2 (en) * 1988-05-17 1989-11-23 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Data retrieval system
EP0428261A2 (en) * 1989-11-13 1991-05-22 Lotus Development Corporation Computer user interface
WO1992008184A1 (en) * 1990-11-02 1992-05-14 Consilium, Inc. Apparatus and method for viewing relationships in a factory management system

Non-Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
AN OBJECT THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON' *
HELP SCREEN FUNCTION' *
IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN vol.34, no. 8, Jan. 1992 p208-209 XP302094 'NON-VERBAL ANIMATED *
IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN vol.34,no.11, April 1992,p68-69 XP303187 'OS/2:CONTEXTUAL ANIMATED *
IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN vol.35,no.6, Nov. 1992,pp 99-101 XP314078 'PRESENTING MESSAGES ON *
'Macintosh Reference System 7' 1991, APPLE COMPUTER, P 30 *
-OPEN WINDOW CONTROL' *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1994017469A1 (en) 1994-08-04
JP2005011367A (en) 2005-01-13
DE4490464T1 (en) 1996-02-22
JP2010244574A (en) 2010-10-28
GB2290208A (en) 1995-12-13
JP2007334910A (en) 2007-12-27
GB2290208B (en) 1997-07-02
GB2290209B (en) 1997-03-19
GB9514573D0 (en) 1995-09-27
JPH08509308A (en) 1996-10-01
AU6232394A (en) 1994-08-15
GB9514574D0 (en) 1995-09-27

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20140124