Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2004-12-21
Luu, Sy D. (Department: 2174)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06833847
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to graphical user interfaces in computer systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many software applications provide “wizards” to guide and assist users to perform specific tasks through the applications. Several wizards may also exist for each application.
FIG. 1
illustrates a conventional workstation or computer which has wizards. Several wizards
102
exist on the computer
104
. The user
106
must know which of the wizards
102
to execute to perform a particular function. However, frequently several tasks, each with its own wizard, must be executed in order to perform the function. In this situation, the user
106
must know which wizards
102
to execute, how the wizards
102
relate to each other, and in which order the wizards
102
are to be executed in order to perform the function properly.
For example, assume that the user
106
wishes to replicate data in a database system. In order to do so, the user
106
need to perform four tasks: setup, define the source, define the subscription, and capture or apply. Assume also that there is a wizard
102
for each of these tasks. In order to perform the replication, the user
106
must execute the setup wizard, the define source wizard, the define subscription wizard, and the capture/apply wizard, in this order. However, the user
106
may be a novice or unfamiliar with the database system, or may be dealing with a complex database system. Thus, the user
106
may not understand the system enough to know which wizards
102
to execute and when. The user
106
may not even know what wizards
102
exist to help him/her perform the replication function. The user
106
must then expend time and energy to learn or discover how to use the wizards. This leads to a high risk of mistakes and a loss of productivity which increases costs to the database owner.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a method for providing an improved interface between a user and wizards in a computer system. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for interfacing with a plurality of wizards in a computer system. The method includes providing the plurality of wizards; providing a launch button on a launch pad, the launch button associated with a wizard, wherein selection of the launch button executes the wizard; and providing information pertaining to the wizard on the launch pad. The information includes a relationship between the wizard and other wizards on the computer system, elements of the computer system affected by the wizard, and/or how to information showing how to use a user interface of an application on the computer system to accomplish a task. The present invention provides launch pads as interactive interfaces between a user of a computer system and wizards which exist on the computer system. In a preferred embodiment, the launch pads comprise links to wizards available for the performance of a particular task. A user may interface with the launch pad to obtain information associated with each wizard. and also to execute the wizards. The information is provided in the form of text and/or visual objects. The text and visual objects assist the user in understanding the function of each wizard, the relationships between the wizards, and the order in which they should be executed in order to perform the task properly. The user has an overview of the complete process before the execution of each wizard. The user may perform functions more quickly and with less mistakes, boosting his/her productivity.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4772206 (1988-09-01), Kerr et al.
patent: 5263167 (1993-11-01), Conner, Jr. et al.
patent: 5388993 (1995-02-01), McKiel et al.
patent: 5442759 (1995-08-01), Chiang et al.
patent: 5539869 (1996-07-01), Spoto et al.
patent: 5581684 (1996-12-01), Dudzik et al.
patent: 5627958 (1997-05-01), Potts et al.
patent: 5745738 (1998-04-01), Ricard
patent: 5760771 (1998-06-01), Blonder et al.
patent: 5781190 (1998-07-01), Gorbet et al.
patent: 5782642 (1998-07-01), Goren
patent: 6053951 (2000-04-01), McDonald et al.
patent: 6110834 (1994-04-01), None
Boegner Marc D.
Davison Gordon Andrew
de Jesus Stoll Maria Teresa
Kopp Eileen Felicia
Markov Nikolay
International Business Machines - Corporation
Luu Sy D.
Sawyer Law Group LLP
Tran Mylinh T
LandOfFree
Visual wizard launch pad does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Visual wizard launch pad, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Visual wizard launch pad will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3272404