United States Patent (19)
`Crawford
`
`USOO5754176A
`Patent Number:
`11
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`5,754,176
`May 19, 1998
`
`54). POP-UP HELP SYSTEM FOR A COMPUTER
`GRAPHICAL, USER INTERFACE
`
`75 Inventor: Chris Crawford, Fort Worth, Tex.
`73) Assignee: AST Research, Inc., Irvine, Calif.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 538,017
`22 Filed:
`Oct. 2, 1995
`(5) Int. Cl. ... G06F 3/00
`52 U.S. Cl. ....................................................... 345/338
`58) Field of Search ..................................... 395/338,336,
`395/353, 347
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,789,962 12/1988 Berry et al. ............................. 395/338
`5,155,806 10/1992 Hoeber et al. .......................... 395/338
`5,287,448 2/1994 Nicol et al. ......
`... 395/338 X
`5.434,965 7/1995 Matheny et al..
`... 395/338
`5.442,687 8/1995 Miller ...........
`... 379/100
`5,47575 11/1995 Giansante ........
`395/338 X
`5483,632 1/1996 Kuwamoto et al. .................... 395/338
`5.546,521
`8/1996 Martinez ................................. 395/338
`
`Primary Examiner-A. Katbab
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear
`LLP
`ABSTRACT
`57
`A system for implementing a pop-up help system for a
`computer graphical user interface is disclosed. In a departure
`from the art, the pop-up help system provides help infor
`mation on graphical display elements (GDEs), such as icons
`and text instructions, in the form of a help window that is not
`character or format limited and that is displayed when the
`associated GDE is selected. The pop-up help system also
`allows direct access to additional help information and
`provides for the display of graphics and the execution of
`multimedia objects. The pop-up help system comprises a
`GDE (a "help window"), which is displayed when the mouse
`pointer is moved over a GDE associated therewith. The help
`window comprises information regarding the associated
`GDE and may comprise multimedia objects or user activated
`buttons for accessing additional help information or for
`performing other actions. The help window is displayed
`until the neither the help window or GDE are selected and
`a user-specified time period has elapsed.
`
`30 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`STATIONARY ONG
`ENOUCH
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`504
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`POINTER
`N HOT ZONE
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`506
`
`YES
`DISPLAY COOL TIP
`FOR HOT ZONE
`
`C8
`
`
`
`IS THERE
`A MULMEDA
`OBJECT?
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`50
`
`PLAY MULTIMEDIA
`OBJEC
`
`YES
`
`54
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`PERFORM
`ACTION
`
`516
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`CONCEA,
`COOL TIP
`
`S COO
`P BUTTON
`PRESSED?
`
`
`
`
`
`PONTER OUT
`OF HO 70NE AND
`COOL Tip?
`
`MAX
`DISPLAY
`TIME
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`
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`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 1 of 11
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 19, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,754,176
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`14
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`Cetting Started lets you:
`0 Start using the applications loaded
`on your computer.
`See the kinds of things you can do
`with your computer.
`Explore your computer hardware.
`See what kind of help you can get.
`
`4S.
`
`COMPUTER
`
`6
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`
`
`E.oSoft
`Xchange
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`38
`
`26
`Ask Asra)
`GETTING
`STARTED
`AST WORKS
`HELP
`WINDOWS 95
`HELP
`APPLICATION
`HELPS
`REFERENCE
`MANUALS
`
`
`
`
`
`TUTORIALS
`
`COMMON
`QUESTIONS
`GLOSSARY
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`
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`
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`PROCESSOR
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`20
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`FIC. 1
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`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 2 of 11
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 19, 1998
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,754,176
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`32
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`Tool Bor
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`W Suites
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`O
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`It is is GF
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`38
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`GETTING
`STARTED
`AST WORKS
`HELP
`WINDOWS 95
`HELP
`APPLICATION
`HELPS
`REFERENCE
`MANUALS
`
`TUTORIALS
`
`COMMON
`QUESTIONS
`GLOSSARY
`
`FIC. 2
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`
`Folders
`J4
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`400
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`
`
`Properties
`Exit
`About Help Windows
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`FIC 4A
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`N-36
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`300
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`OX
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`E?EHow to use Getting Storted
`Help Topics
`Back
`Options
`Running Getting Started:
`Getting Started may be run from two areas:
`1. From Spot, select the Ask AST quadrant and choose
`the button labeled "Getting Started"
`. From the Windows 95 Star Menu, select Programs,
`then "Spot", then click on the submenu item marked
`"Getting Started".
`
`FIC. 3
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`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 3 of 11
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 19, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,754,176
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`EHelp Windows Properties
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`Activate
`Activate Help Windows
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`
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`Help Windows Properties
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`Time before Help Window appears Slow-fast
`Time before Help Window disappears Slow HFast
`
`422
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`FIG. 4C
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`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 4 of 11
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 19, 1998
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`5,754,176
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`502
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`
`
`POINTER
`STATIONARY LONG
`ENOUGH
`
`504
`
`
`
`POINTER
`IN HOT ZONE
`p
`YES
`506- DISPLAY COOL TIP
`FOR HOT ZONE
`
`508
`NO
`
`IS THERE
`A MULTIMEDIA
`OBJECT?
`
`YES
`PLAY MULTIMEDIA
`OBJEC
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`S COOL
`TIP BUTON
`PRESSED?
`
`YES
`
`514
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`PERFORM
`ACTION
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`516
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`CONCEAL
`COOL TIP
`
`POINTER OUT
`OF HOT ZONE AND
`COOL TIP?
`
`
`
`522
`NO
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`
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`MAX
`DISPLAY
`TIME?
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`
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`FIC. 6
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`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 5 of 11
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
`
`

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`1.
`POP-UP HELP SYSTEM FOR A COMPUTER
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
`
`5,754,176
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`5
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`O
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`25
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`35
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The invention relates generally to user interfaces for
`computers and, more particularly, to a pop-up help system
`for a computer graphical user interface.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Graphical user interfaces, or "GUIs" as they are often
`designated, have become an increasingly common and
`popular feature of computers, especially personal computers
`(PCs). One of the many advantages of such GUIs is that they
`allow a user to enter commands by selecting and manipu
`lating graphical display elements (GDEs), such as icons,
`usually with a pointing device, such as a mouse. A mouse is
`an input device which, when moved over a surface. moves
`a mouse pointer across the PC display in a corresponding
`manner. Typically, a mouse has at least two buttons which
`when pressed, generate to the PC an input relating the user
`and the location of the mouse pointer on the PC display.
`"Clicking" will be used herein to refer to the pressing and
`releasing of a mouse button, usually the left mouse button,
`unless otherwise specified. The icons of a GUI are designed
`to behave in a manner similar to the objects they represent.
`The Apple Macintosh user interface and Microsoft Windows
`operating environment are two common and very popular
`examples of GUIs, illustrating the fact that the advantages of
`GUIs over conventional text-based user interfaces are
`widely recognized.
`One of the principal advantages GUIs have over text
`based user interfaces is the reduction in the amount of
`information that a user must recall in order to effectively use
`the PC. For example, instead of having to remember the
`name of an application program and the location of the
`program on a particular disk and within a particular folder or
`directory, the user need only remember the icon associated
`with the application. Once the icon is located, the user
`merely places the mouse pointer over the icon and clicks on
`the icon to activate the application. However, with the
`advent and introduction of increasingly powerful PCs and
`the rapidly growing array of application programs, the
`number of associated icons on the PC desktop has mush
`roomed. Moreover, each individual application may contain
`45
`hundreds of individual commands which are typically rep
`resented by either terse linear instructions or additional
`icons. When confronted with so many applications and
`instructions, even in iconized form, it is often difficult for a
`user to determine which icon will allow him or her to
`perform a desired function.
`This problem is exacerbated by the fact that many icons
`and instructions are grouped as a series of linear menus.
`Generally, a linear menu comprises an initial menu that is
`displayed on the PC's display and includes a plurality of
`menu picks each of which, when selected by a user, results
`in the display of another menu associated with the selected
`menu pick. This continues until the user makes a final
`selection associated with an application or instruction.
`Therefore, unless a user is intimately familiar with all of the
`successive menus, as well as the respective menu picks
`thereof, navigation using a succession of linear menus can
`be extremely complicated. in that a user must know exactly
`which pick to make from each menu in order to implement
`the desired functionality.
`Additionally, as discussed above, many applications have
`far more instructions than a typical PC user normally uses.
`
`2
`One of the reasons for the unused functionality is that the
`user seldom has the time to investigate "mystery" com
`mands that are present on the desktop. This increasingly
`leads to underutilization of application programs and user
`inefficiency. For example, with the limited time available to
`most PC users, they are often driven to explore new options
`only when their particular demands necessitate. They sel
`dom have the opportunity to explore various options with
`the goal being the uncovering of new and useful function
`ality which they had not previously used.
`In order to remedy the above deficiencies, attempts have
`been made to provide "help" sub-programs designed to
`assist users with the selection of particular applications and
`instructions, as well as to provide a mechanism to assist
`users in learning the various functions of particular appli
`cations. As users of PCs will readily appreciate, in order to
`use standard help commands, a user is often required to
`discontinue the particular action being undertaken, locate
`and access a help sub-program, follow the instructions and
`menus provided by the help sub-program, find the action
`desired, read the help information on the particular topic.
`then remember that information and execute the instructed
`actions after exiting the help sub-program. This form of help
`is difficult to efficiently utilize and, based on its interaction,
`is almost exclusively used to find a method to perform a
`particular function once the user knows the function they
`desire to perform.
`Other examples of help features are found in the Apple
`Macintosh operating system's "balloon help" and the vari
`ous Microsoft Windows systems' "tooltips." Both of these
`features are used primarily to provide information in con
`nection with small GDEs. For example, a small button with
`an obscure graphic might have associated therewith a tooltip
`comprising a small textbox that provides a short description
`of the button, such as the menu name for the particular
`function, which is displayed when the mouse pointer is
`placed over the button for a predetermined period of time.
`However, these tooltips and balloon help windows have
`been used almost exclusively in connection with buttons. are
`limited to providing only eighty (80) characters of text, with
`no text formatting and word wrapping, and do not provide
`direct access to help sub-programs. Clearly, the inability to
`provide more than eighty (80) characters of text, as well as
`the inability to access help sub-programs directly from the
`text box severely limit the effectiveness of these help fea
`tures.
`Clearly, current GUIs have significant limitations.
`Accordingly, what is needed is a pop-up help system that
`directly provides help information as the user encounters
`icons and instructions, that is capable of directly providing
`access to additional help information. and that is not limited
`to providing only textual information in a static format.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The foregoing problems are solved and a technical
`advance is achieved by a system for implementing a pop-up
`help system for a computer user interface. In a departure
`from the art, the pop-up help system of the present invention
`provides help information in connection with GDEs, such as
`icons, buttons. windows and text, in the form of a help
`window that is not character- or format-limited and that is
`displayed when a GDE is selected by the user's resting the
`mouse cursor over the GDE for a preselected period of time.
`The pop-up help system also enables direct access to addi
`tional help information through additional buttons within a
`help window and provides for the display of graphics and the
`execution of multimedia objects.
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`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
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`

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`3
`In a preferred embodiment, the pop-up help system com
`prises a GDE. hereinafter referred to as a "help window."
`that is displayed when the mouse pointer is moved over
`another GDE with which the help window is associated. The
`help window comprises information regarding the associ
`ated GDE and may comprise multimedia objects or user
`activated buttons for accessing additional help information
`or for performing other actions related to the GDE. The help
`window is displayed until neither the help window or GDE
`are selected, i.e. until the mouse pointer is moved off of the
`GDE and help window, and a preselected time period has
`elapsed.
`In one aspect of the invention, the pop-up help system
`determines whether the help window would be displayed too
`close to the edge of the display, such that a portion of the
`help window would extend beyond the edge of the display,
`and automatically repositions the help window so that all of
`the help window is visible on the display.
`In another aspect of the invention, the user may alter
`certain aspects of the behavior of the help window via a
`pop-up menu associated therewith, which menu is accessible
`by clicking the right mouse button while the mouse pointer
`rests on the help window.
`A technical advantage achieved with the invention is that
`it provides help information as the user selects GDEs.
`A further technical advantage achieved with the invention
`is that it allows direct access to additional help information
`via buttons and other GDEs within the help window.
`Yet another technical advantage achieved with the inven
`tion is that it enables the use of graphics and multimedia
`objects in connection with help windows to provide empha
`sis on certain features and additional information on selected
`GDES to the user.
`
`25
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system for implementing a
`GUI employing a pop-up help system of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a GUI for use with the present invention.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a help window of the pop-up help
`system of the present invention.
`FIG. 4A illustrates a pop-up menu associated with the
`pop-up help system of the present invention.
`FIG. 4B illustrates an Options page for enabling a user to
`specify various functional features of the pop-up help sys
`tem of the present invention.
`FIG. 4C illustrates a Delays page for enabling a user to
`specify various aspects of the behavior of the pop-up help
`system of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred method of
`implementing the pop-up help system of the present inven
`tion.
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODEMENTS
`Referring to FIG. 1, a help window 10 of a pop-up help
`system of the present invention is shown in connection with
`a spot GDE 12, hereinafter referred to as a "spot interface."
`as described below, both overlaid on a window 14 of a
`graphical user interface (GUI). In the illustrated
`embodiment, the window 14 is the main window of the
`Windows 95 GUI developed by Microsoft Corporation of
`Redmond. Wash. Although the preferred embodiment of the
`pop-up help system of the present invention includes the use
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`of the spot interface 12 in connection with the Windows 95
`GUI, it is anticipated that the pop-up help system can be
`implemented in any number of different GUI operating
`systems and environments. It is understood that the help
`window 10, spot interface 12 and window 14 are generated
`by a PC 16 comprising a display 18, a central processing unit
`(CPU) 20, storage media 22, a mouse input device 24 for
`manipulating a mouse pointer 26 and other input/output
`("I/O”) devices 28, including a keyboard, interconnected in
`a conventional manner via a bus 30. As used herein. the term
`"storage media" is intended to comprise any number and
`combination of electronic storage devices, for example,
`RAM, ROM, CD-ROM and hard disk drives.
`The spot interface 12, as more fully described in
`commonly-owned copending U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 08/431.280 (Atty. Docket No. 17705.53), filed Apr. 28,
`1995, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
`reference in its entirety, is designed to float on top of the
`window 14 and all other open windows without obstructing
`much, if any, of the information displayed thereon. Referring
`to FIG. 2, placement of the mouse pointer 26 over the spot
`interface 12 results in the display of a collar 32 encircling the
`spot interface 12. When first displayed, the collar 32 com
`prises four quadrants, such as the quadrant 34, each of which
`correspond to a secondary interface. Movement of the
`mouse pointer 26 into one of the quadrants results in the
`immediate display of the corresponding secondary interface.
`In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the quadrants
`of the collar 32 corresponds to a secondary interface 36,
`designated “ASKAST." The ASKAST interface 36 com
`prises a plurality of access buttons 38, each of which
`corresponds to a particular task or tasks, such that selection
`of one of the access buttons 38 opens, or launches, the
`corresponding task.
`Referring now to FIG. 1, the help window 10 is displayed
`by placing the mouse pointer 26 on a "hot zone." in this
`embodiment access button 38, for a preset period of time. A
`hot zone is a GDE or other mouse pointer-sensitive area, on
`the PC desktop. In accordance with a feature of the present
`invention, a hot zone may take on any shape or size and may
`be associated with any of a number of types of GDEs, such
`as an access button 38 or the spot interface 12. Display of the
`help window 10 occurs without the user having to click on
`any element using the mouse 24; rather, simply moving the
`pointer 26 into a hot zone will cause a help window 10
`associated with that hot zone to be displayed. In the embodi
`ment shown, the help window 10 is displayed in connection
`with the mouse pointer 26 resting over the GETTING
`STARTED button 38 hot zone. As shown, the help window
`10 is itself a GDE, or window, that describes the use and
`functionality of the GETTING STARTED button 38. By
`associating help windows 10 with all application icons and
`instruction text in an application, so-called "mystery com
`mands" are eliminated and the user is greatly assisted
`navigating and activating menus and applications. In a
`preferred embodiment, as long as the mouse pointer 26 is
`positioned over the help window 10 or the hot zone, the help
`window 10 will continue to be displayed. Only after the
`mouse pointer 26 is moved outside the help window 10 and
`the hot zone will the help window 10 be concealed after a
`predetermined delay.
`Also as shown in FIG. 1, the help window 10 is not
`character and format limited, as in pre-existing help box
`systems, such as tool tips and balloon help. As a result, a
`variety of character pitches and fonts, as well as graphical
`elements, can be displayed within the help window 10.
`While the help window 10 is shown in this embodiment as
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`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 7 of 11
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`a rectangle, the pop-up help system allows the help window
`10 to be displayed as any arbitrary shape or size. Although
`not shown, it is understood that the help window 10 may also
`be displayed with an attractive background, and associated
`Sounds, music, pictures and movies may be played along
`with the help window 10. These actions enable the help
`window 10 to draw attention to itself and to provide visual
`and aural content to the user in a manner that has heretofore
`been unavailable.
`Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the help window 10 may
`contain any number of buttons, such as button 10a, enabling
`the user directly to access additional help windows, such as
`the window 300 shown in FIG. 3, or to assist the user in
`directly carrying out desired tasks. It should be recognized
`that the button 10a operates in a conventional manner in that
`they enable the user to open additional windows or initiate
`execution of application programs simply by clicking on the
`appropriate button(s).
`In a preferred embodiment of the pop-up help system.
`before a help window is displayed, a determination is made
`whether its default location on the desktop is too close to the
`edge of the display 18 such that a portion of the help window
`would extend beyond the edge of the display 18. If this
`condition is determined, the help window is automatically
`repositioned to the side of the access button 38 such that all
`of the help window is visible on the display 18.
`In one aspect of the invention, various features of the help
`window may be customized by the user. In particular,
`clicking the right mouse button while the mouse pointer 26
`is positioned over any part of the help window 10 causes a
`pop-up menu 400, as shown in FIG. 4A to be displayed. In
`the illustrated embodiment, the menu 400 includes three
`menu picks, including "About Help Windows," selection of
`which results in the display of a dialog box informing the
`user about the help windows interface, "Exit,” selection of
`which results in the display of a message box informing the
`user that he or she is about to exit the help windows menu
`400 and prompting the user to confirm whether he or she
`wishes to exit, and "Properties," the purpose of which is
`described in greater detail below.
`In particular, clicking on the Properties menu pick results
`in the display of a tabbed dialog box comprising an
`"Options" page and a "Delays" page. An exemplary Options
`page 410 is shown in FIG. 4B. The Options page 410
`enables a user to modify the behavior of the help windows
`of the pop-up help system by specifying, in an "Activate"
`section 412, whether help windows are to be displayed
`In addition, the Properties dialog box has a page for
`"Delays." An exemplary Delays page 420 is shown in FIG.
`4C. The Delays page 420 enables a user to modify the
`behavior of the help windows 10 by specifying, in a "Delay"
`section 422, the time delay between the mouse pointer 26
`being positioned over the hot zone, such as button 38, and
`the help window 10 being displayed, as well as the time
`delay between the mouse pointer 26 being moved off the
`help window 10 and the help window 10 being concealed.
`Although it is anticipated that most users will find it more
`convenient to interact with the system of the present inven
`tion using the mouse 24, the system is also easily manipu
`lated using a keyboard. In particular. when the help window
`10 is displayed by the user positioning the mouse pointer
`over a hot zone in any conventional fashion, a help window.
`such as the help window 10, will automatically be displayed,
`just as if the user had moved the mouse pointer 26 over the
`access button 38. As shown in FIG. 1, the button 10a, which
`appears on the help window 10, has an underlined letter, just
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`like menu items, in order to facilitate keyboard selection of
`a button on the help window 10.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of implementing the
`help window 10 in accordance with the above-described
`features of the present invention. It should be understood
`that instructions for implementing the method are stored in
`storage media 22 (FIG. 1). Execution begins in step 500
`upon initiation of the pop-up help system. In step 502. a
`determination is made whether the mouse pointer 26 has
`been held stationary for a sufficient amount of time to invoke
`a help window. It is understood that in one embodiment of
`the invention, the user may set the delay time period by
`means of the Delays page 420. If in step 502 it is determined
`that the mouse pointer 26 has not been stationary for a
`sufficient amount of time to invoke the help window, execu
`tion remains at step 502 until the mouse pointer 26 is
`stationary for a sufficient time to invoke the help window.
`Upon a determination that the mouse pointer 26 has been
`stationary for a sufficient amount of time to invoke the help
`window, execution proceeds to step 504. in which a deter
`mination is made whether the mouse pointer 26 is located
`over a hot zone that has an help window associated there
`with. If in step 504 it is determined that the mouse pointer
`26 is not located over a hot zone, execution returns to step
`502. If the mouse pointer 26 is located over a hot zone,
`execution proceeds to step 506 where the help window
`associated therewith is displayed.
`After the help window is displayed in step 506, execution
`proceeds to step 508 where a determination is made whether
`there is a multimedia object, such as music or a movie,
`associated with the help window. If so, the multimedia
`object is executed in step 510; otherwise, execution pro
`ceeds to step 512.
`In step 512, a determination is made whether a help
`window button has been selected. Abutton may be selected
`in conventional manner, including the user moving the
`mouse pointer 26 to rest on a button 10a and clicking, or the
`user placing the pointer over the button 10a and pressing the
`<ENTER> key. If a button has been selected, execution
`proceeds to step 514, in which an action associated with the
`button is performed. After execution of the action in step
`514, execution proceeds to step 516, in which the help
`window is concealed and execution is returned to step 500.
`If in step 512 a button has not been selected, execution
`proceeds to step 518.
`In step 518, a determination is made whether the user has
`depressed any key, other than a key which would activate a
`button in the help window, as determined in step 512. If a
`key has been depressed, execution proceeds to step 516, in
`which the help window is concealed and execution is
`returned to step 500. If a key has not been depressed, then
`execution proceeds to step 520. This enables a user to easily
`remove a help window from the desktop by merely pressing
`a key, such as the spacebar.
`In step 520, a determination is made whether the mouse
`pointer 26 is still within the original hot zone or within the
`help window displayed in step 506. If the mouse pointer 26
`is still within the hot zone or the help window, execution
`returns to step 512. If the mouse pointer 26 has moved out
`of the hot zone and the help window. execution proceeds to
`step 522.
`In step 522, a determination is made whether the help
`window has been displayed for its maximum time. It is
`understood that in one embodiment of the invention the user
`may set the maximum display time by means of the Delays
`page 420. If the help window has not been displayed for its
`
`Ebay Exhibit 1009, Page 8 of 11
`Ebay, Inc. v. Lexos Media IP, LLC
`IPR2024-00337
`
`

`

`7
`maximum time, then execution returns to step 512. If the
`help window has been displayed for its maximum time.
`execution proceeds to step 516. in which the help window is
`concealed and execution returns to step 500.
`In the manner described above, a pop-up help system is
`provided that enjoys distinct advantages over previous help
`systems. In particular, the system of the present invention
`includes help windows that make full use of text formatting,
`e.g., bullets, fonts, other graphics, and can include graphical
`treatments, audio, animations and video. In addition, the hot
`area for initiating the help window may be any size or shape
`and the help window itself may be any number of different
`shapes. Moreover, interactive GDEs may be provided within
`the help window for facilitating direct access to other help
`windows providing additional information on a related
`topic. None of the foregoing features are currently available
`in a text box-type help system.
`It is understood that the present invention can take many
`forms and embodiments, the embodiments shown herein are
`intended to illustrate rather than limit, the invention, it being
`understood that variations may be made without departing
`from the spirit of the scope of the invention. For example,
`the help window need not permit all of the variations
`suggested herein, and the help window may be displayed in
`connection with application program instructions, iconized
`or text, as well as with GUI menus and application icons.
`The help window need not contain merely help information.
`but could also provide marketing and other information. The
`help window need not necessarily operate within Windows
`operating environments and may instead be operated in
`other GUI environments.
`Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have
`been shown and described, a wide range of modification,
`change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclo
`sure and in some instances some features of the present
`invention may be employed without a corresponding use of
`the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the
`appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner
`consistent with the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of operating a computer having a display, the
`method comprising the steps of:
`display a graphical display element ("GDE") on said
`display;
`detecting selection of said GDE;
`responsive to selection of said GDE being detected,
`displaying on said display a help window associated
`with said GDE. said help window comprising help
`information regarding said GDE and supporting a plu
`rality of text formatting options;
`determining selection of said help window; and
`subsequent to said displaying said help window, respon
`sive to a determination that both said GDE and said
`help window are not selected, concealing said help
`window.
`2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, subsequent
`to said displaying said help window. responsive to a deter
`mination said help window has a multimedia object associ
`ated therewith, executing said associated multimedia object.
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein said help window
`comprises at least one user-selectable button for executing
`an action, the method further comprising, subsequent to said
`displaying said help window, responsive to user selection of
`said at least one button, executing said action.
`4. The method of claim 4 further comprising, subsequent
`to said determination that neither said GDE nor said help
`
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`55
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`65
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`5,754,176
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`8
`window is selected, waiting a first period of time prior to
`concealing said help window, wherein a length of said first
`time period is specified by a user.
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein selection of an item
`from a group of items comprising said GDE and said help
`window is performed by positioning a mouse pointer over
`said item.
`6. The method of claim 5 wherein said item remains
`selected only so long as said mouse pointer is positioned
`over said item.
`7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to said
`displaying said help window, responsive to a determination
`that said help window would be displayed on said display
`less than a minimum distance from one or more edges of
`said display. repositioning said help window on said display
`such that said displayed help window is located at least said
`minimum distance from said one or more display edges.
`8. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a
`menu associated with said help window for enabling a user
`to specify a behavior of said help window.
`9. A method of operating a computer having a display, the
`method comprising the steps of:
`displaying a graphical display element ("GDE') on said
`display;
`detecting selection of said GDE;
`responsive to selection of said GDE being detected,
`displaying on said display a help window associated
`with said GDE, said help window comprising help
`information regarding said GDE and supporting a plu
`rality of text formatting options; and
`subsequent to said detecting selection of said GDE, wait
`ing a first period of time prior to performing said
`displaying said help window, wherein a length of said
`first time period is specified by a user.
`10. A method of operating a computer having a display,
`the method comprising the steps of:
`displaying a graphical display element ("GDE");
`responsive to placement of a mo