초록 ▼

The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may al

The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The windows include defined areas having window features such as menu bars, command options, text, icons and/or button functions to be executed by the CPU. The help system includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display. Both the access and presentation windows “float”above all other layered windows being displayed regardless of the application currently being executed by the user. Both the access and presentation windows remain active and may be operated upon by the user, as does the top most window immediately below the access or presentation windows being displayed. Other layered windows under the top most application window are inactive, and must be brought to the “top”of the stack immediately below the access or presentation window to be operated upon.

대표청구항 ▼

In a computer display system having a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a display such that data is displayed on said display in a plurality of windows, a method for displaying said windows and operating upon said windows and said data in said windows by a user, comprising the steps of: gener

In a computer display system having a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a display such that data is displayed on said display in a plurality of windows, a method for displaying said windows and operating upon said windows and said data in said windows by a user, comprising the steps of: generating and displaying each of said plurality of windows at a different window layer according to a window order, wherein any portion of a window at a higher window layer that overlaps with any portion of a window at a lower window layer is displayed such that the portion of the window at the higher window layer covers the portion of the window at the lower window layer, wherein said step of generating and displaying each of said plurality of windows comprises the steps of generating and displaying a first window at a first window layer, wherein said first window layer is a highest window layer; generating and displaying a second window at a second window layer, wherein said first window has a portion that does not overlap with said second window; said user operating on both said first window and said second window without altering the window order of said plurality of windows; wherein said step of generating and displaying each of said plurality of windows further includes the step of generating and displaying a third window at a third window layer; wherein said second window layer is higher than said third window layer, said second window is active and said third window is inactive; and in response to said user selecting said third window, performing the steps of altering said window order to cause said third window to assume a higher window layer than said second window, deactivating said second window, and activating said third window.