The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 02, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 13, 1992
Cynthia L Bieniek, Bellevue, WA (US);
Ross A Hunter, Woodinville, WA (US);
Timothy P McKee, Seattle, WA (US);
David H Schroeder, Redmond, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A method and computer system for coaching a user how to perform application program tasks is provided. The user activates the coaching program of the present invention while an application program is running on the computer system. If the user needs such assistance, the coaching program helps the user determine the next task the user wishes to perform in the application program. The coaching program then determines if the application program is in the correct state for performance of the next task. If the application program is not in the correct state, the coaching program guides the user through performing essential preliminary tasks that place the application program in the correct state for performance of the next task. The computer system simultaneously displays on the display screen output, such as application program instructions, generated by the coaching program and a user interface display generated by the application program. Output generated by the coaching program always overlays the user interface display in such a way that it does not block the working portion of the user interface display and it does not interrupt the operation of the application program. The user performs the next task in the application program by interacting with the working portion of the user interface display, while the computer system continues to display the output generated by the coaching program. This enables the user to read instructions displayed on the display screen on how to perform the next task during performance of the next task.