Patent
1996-06-05
1998-02-03
Bayerl, Raymond J.
G06F 300
Patent
active
057154155
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.
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patent: 5287448 (1994-02-01), Nicol et al.
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Dazey Byron
Elliott Paul C.
Jones Christopher R.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Katbab A.
Microsoft Corporation
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