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:
Oct. 20, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1996
Dennis M Habib, Redmond, WA (US);
Mindy J Engelberg, Coarsegold, CA (US);
Kathryn A McNutt, Des Moines, WA (US);
Colby E Kinser, Woodinville, WA (US);
Charles E Lynch, II, North Bend, WA (US);
Chauncey L Williams, Redmond, WA (US);
Wall Data Incorporated, Kirkland, WA (US);
Abstract
An interactive help system allows a user to retrieve information concerning how to complete a particular task in an underlying computer program. Upon selecting the help system, the computer system re-sizes the window of the underlying program and generates a help window containing a list of topics that are available. A help window is created beside the underlying program window that lists those steps required to complete a desired task. The help system disables that portion of the underlying program window containing options that are inappropriate for the user to select at that time in order to complete the desired task. In addition, the help system shows the user how to complete the next step in the list of desired steps. Alternatively, the user can have the help system show the user how to perform all the steps required to complete a given task.