Strategies for providing just-in-time user assistance

Details Strategies for providing just-in-time user assistance Strategies for providing just-in-time user assistance

2004-05-28

2008-03-18

Hutton, Doug (Department: 2176)

Data processing: presentation processing of document, operator i

Operator interface

Help presentation

C715S810000, C715S711000, C715S710000, C715S715000, C715S716000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07346846

ABSTRACT:
Help functionality is described for integrating help information into a primary application in a just-in-time fashion. The help functionality can perform this task by providing a see-through panel which is presented on top of an application interface provided by the primary application. A user can move a mark on the see-through panel to identify features of the application interface concerning which he or she may have questions. The help functionality responds by presenting potentially context-sensitive help information to the user in audio mode and/or visual mode. If the visual mode is selected, the help functionality can present the help information on the see-through panel itself, and/or can dynamically move parts of the application interface to accommodate the display of the help information. The help functionality can supply the help information from a local source and/or a remote source, in an automated manner and/or a manual manner (e.g., using a remote human assistant).

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