US5715415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer application with help pane integrated into workspace
Assignee: Microsoft Corp
•
Filing: 1996-06-05
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Granted: 1998-02-03
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Expires: 2016-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A computing device has a processor, a display, and an operating system which executes on the processor to provide a graphical user interface environment capable of presenting graphical windows on the display. A computer application runs on the operating system and is presented within a graphical application window of the graphical user interface. The computer application is configured to present a help pane for showing help content to a user without requiring the user to open a separate graphical window to show the help content. The help pane is positioned adjacent to a workspace to assist the user with context specific, step-by-step, instructions. When the help pane is active, the focus remains on the application and on the work being performed in the workspace, as opposed to being transferred to the help pane. As a result, the user can directly implement the instructions provided in the help pane without having to remember to switch the focus between the help and application, as is required when separate help windows are used.
Inventors
- 👤 Byron Dazey
- 👤 Christopher R. Jones
- 👤 Paul C. Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489; G06F3/04895
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A computer-implemented method for executing a computer application in a graphical user interface windowing environment, comprising the following steps: presenting a workspace within a graphical window; and displaying help content in a help pane as part of the graphical window without opening a separate graphical window to display the help content and without losing focus to the graphical window the help pane being displayed irrespective of pointer position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A computer-implemented method for executing a computer application in a graphical user interface windowing environment, comprising the following steps: presenting a workspace within a graphical window; and displaying help content in a help pane as part of the graphical window without opening a separate graphical window to display the help content and without losing focus to the graphical window the help pane being displayed irrespective of pointer position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning the help pane beside the workspace within the graphical window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the following steps: displaying a work in the workspace; and re-sizing the work within the workspace when the help pane is displayed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of expanding the help pane to show an index to the help content.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of selectively displaying and hiding the help pane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, wherein the help content exceeds a content space of the help pane, further comprising the following steps: displaying a portion of the help content in the help pane; enabling a user to scroll through the help content to display other portions of the help content within the content space; and in the event that the help pane is hidden and subsequently displayed again, displaying the portion of the help content which was last displayed in the help pane prior to the help pane being hidden.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of converting the help pane to a separate graphical window independent of the graphical window containing the application.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented publishing application executable on a processor to direct the processor to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer programmed to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable memory which directs a computer to perform the steps in the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a graphical window containing a computer application, a computer-implemented method for offering help content comprises the step of partitioning the graphical window to define a help pane for showing the help content without opening a separate graphical window to show the help content and without losing focus to the graphical window the help pane being displayed irrespective of pointer position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a graphical window containing a computer application, a computer-implemented method for offering help content comprises the step of partitioning the graphical window to define a help pane for showing the help content without opening a separate graphical window to show the help content and without losing focus to the graphical window the help pane being displayed irrespective of pointer position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the following steps: defining a workspace within the graphical window; displaying a work in the workspace; and re-sizing the work within the workspace when the help pane is shown.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of expanding the help pane to show an index to the help content.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of selectively displaying and hiding the help pane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 14, wherein the help content exceeds a content space of the help pane, further comprising the following steps: displaying a portion of the help content in the help pane; enabling a user to scroll through the help content to display other portions of the help content within the content space; and in the event that the help pane is hidden and subsequently displayed again, displaying the portion of the help content which was last displayed in the help pane prior to the help pane being hidden.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11, further comprising the step of converting the help pane to a separate graphical window independent of the graphical window containing the application.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented publishing application executable on a processor to direct the processor to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer programmed to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable memory which directs a computer to perform the steps in the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 11.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computer-implemented method for executing a computer application in a graphical user interface windowing environment, comprising the following steps: presenting the computer application in a graphical window; displaying help content in a help pane as part of the graphical window without opening-a separate graphical window to display the help content; and subsequently converting the help pane to a separate graphical window independent of the graphical window containing the application.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
A computer-implemented method for executing a computer application in a graphical user interface windowing environment, comprising the following steps: presenting the computer application in a graphical window; displaying help content in a help pane as part of the graphical window without opening-a separate graphical window to display the help content; and subsequently converting the help pane to a separate graphical window independent of the graphical window containing the application.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of automatically converting the help pane to a separate graphical window upon occurrence of a triggering event.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of altering the help content from content related to the application to content related to issues of the triggering event.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of converting the help pane to a separate graphical window upon occurrence of a triggering event selected from a group of events comprising activation of a message box and activation of a dialog box.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of changing the separate graphical window containing the help content back to a help pane of the graphical window containing the application.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer-implemented publishing application executable on a processor to direct the processor to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer programmed to perform the steps of the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer-readable memory which directs a computer to perform the steps in the computer-implemented method as recited in claim 20.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computing device comprising: a processor; a display; an operating system executing on the processor which provides a graphical user interface environment capable of presenting at least one graphical window on the display and a pointer; and an application running on the operating system and being presented within an application window of the graphical user interface, the graphical application window having a help pane for showing help content without opening a separate graphical window to show the help content and without losing focus to the graphical window, the help pane being displayed irrespective of where the pointer is positioned.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computing device comprising: a processor; a display; an operating system executing on the processor which provides a graphical user interface environment capable of presenting at least one graphical window on the display and a pointer; and an application running on the operating system and being presented within an application window of the graphical user interface, the graphical application window having a help pane for showing help content without opening a separate graphical window to show the help content and without losing focus to the graphical window, the help pane being displayed irrespective of where the pointer is positioned.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computing device as recited in claim 28, wherein the application is selected from a group of applications comprising a publishing application, a spreadsheet application, a word processing application, and a database application.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computing device as recited in claim 28, wherein the application is configured to enable selective display and hiding of the help pane.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computing device as recited in claim 28, wherein the graphical application window has a workspace and the help pane is arranged adjacent to the workspace.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
A computing device as recited in claim 28, wherein: the graphical application window has a workspace for containing a work; and the application being configured to enable selective displaying of the help pane and to re-size the work within the workspace when the help pane is displayed.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computing device as recited in claim 28, wherein the application is configured to expand the help pane to show an index to the help content.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computing device as recited in claim 28, wherein the application is configured to convert the help pane to a separate graphical window independent of the graphical application window.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |