Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-17
2001-04-17
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer programs providing tutorial aid, particularly in a personal computer environment.
Personal computer application programs generally include help files which form a part of the application program. Some programs, such as the Windows® 95 operating system, includes on a separate CD-ROM tutorial sessions intended to acquaint a user with the features of the program. In some cases, the tutorial sessions are accessed and executed separately, that is, there is no link between the application program and the tutorial session; in other cases, a user can operate the application under the direction and control of the tutorial.
Some applications provide on-line help in the form of an on-line help file, specifically tailored to the current application program. The user selects, or enters in a separate on-line help window, a topic for which he seeks help, and then receives information pertaining to the selected topic. Often, the help files include hypertext links allowing the user to navigate within the help file to obtain information on related topics. However, the help files are frequently inadequate to guide the user through a complex sequence of steps, and it can be difficult for the user to find the information he is looking for. Usually, to find help on an aspect of the user interface, the user has to navigate a table of contents or index. Each application uses a different organization for its help system, making it difficult to find help.
Some applications provide help using a built-in facility in Windows for Computer Based Training (CBT). However, this requires access to the host program's source code.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features methods and apparatus for providing tutorial information for a computer program application through a training agent activated by a user of the application. The agent takes control of the application interface and performs actions, such as finding and displaying tutorial information, in response to application user interface commands. The relation between the user interface commands and the actions is stored in a database used by the agent.
The present invention features methods and apparatus for providing tutorial information for a computer program application through a training agent activated by a user of the application. The agent takes control of the application interface and performs actions, such as finding and displaying tutorial information, in response to application user interface commands. The relation between the user interface commands and the actions is stored in a database used by the agent.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system for providing information to a user of a computer program application. The system has a training agent for finding and displaying tutorial information to a user of a computer program application, a database, and a means for activating the training agent. The training agent does not include any portion of the computer program application. A database provides a computer-readable description of an application user interface, sources of computer-readable tutorial information, and linking information associating elements of the application user interface with sources of computer-readable tutorial information. When the training agent is activated, it operates to redirect user-selected user interface commands from the application user interface to a presentation program. The presentation program operates to obtain data from the database and to present tutorial information to the user according to a user-selected user interface command, the computer-readable description of the application user interface, and linking information associating the user-selected command to a source of computer-readable tutorial information.
Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. The tutorial information may have a video clip, and the video clip may include sound. The training agent may act without affecting the running of the application and without affecting the behavior of the application. The training agent may be operable to provide training for multiple applications simultaneously, and may access an Internet site for a source of computer-readable tutorial information.
In general, in another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of adding help functionality to a computer program application having a user interface without modifying the application. A training agent is provided to run on the same computer with the application. A database is provided describing the user interface of the application and defining help actions to be performed by the training agent. The training agent is operable to intercept user commands directed to the application and to perform the help actions in response to user commands intercepted by the training agent. Tutorial information is provided for the training agent to present to the user by performing the help actions.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for providing tutorial information to a user of a computer program application having an application user interface. A database is provided having a computer-readable description of the application user interface and sources of computer-readable tutorial information. The database provides linking information between the application user interface and the tutorial information. A training agent operable to use the database is provided to find the tutorial information relating to the computer program application based on user input received from the application user interface. The training agent is activated in response to a user-selected activation command. When the training agent is activated, it redirects application user interface commands so as to invoke the tutorial information via the application user interface for presentation to the user.
Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features . The training agent may be activated for more than one computer program application. The activation command may be generated by pressing a predetermined hotkey. The tutorial information may comprise video, audio or text information. Operable hooks may be installed to take control of a computer program application in response to input commands such as mouse commands, keyboard commands and messages.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a computer program product stored on a tangible medium for adding tutorial help functionality to a computer program application. The computer product is a training agent having instructions operable on a computer to find tutorial information relating to a computer program application based on user input intercepted from a user interface of an application, and to cause the tutorial information to be presented to a user.
Implementations of the invention can include one or more of the following advantageous features. A database may have a computer-readable description of the user interface of the application and sources of computer-readable tutorial information. The database may provide linking information between the application user interface and the tutorial information.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for providing tutorial information on demand to a user of a computer program application. In the method, a hotkey input is received. The hotkey input is followed by an application control input from a user running a computer program application on a computer. Thereupon tutorial information is provided to the user.
Advantages that may be seen in implementations of the invention include one or more of the following. The invention provides a powerful, flexible, and intuitive mechanism for providing tutorial information to a user of a computer program. The invention can be implemented without affecting, or requiring any reprogramming of, the computer program. The invention can easily be configured to provide tutorial information in any format, in
Bayerl Raymond J.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Luu Sy D.
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