Abstract: Multiple information snippets are simultaneously presented in a computer screen. Auto-zooming of a snippet may be provided to enable the user to quickly obtain additional information associated with a selected snippet. Concurrent with the automatic zooming of one of the snippets on a screen, attributes including size, location, context, etc. of the other snippets on the screen may be adjusted to maintain a reasonable relationship with the zoomed snippet. The size and other display characteristics of the snippets on the screen may be automatically determined and adjusted so that the content of each snippet, and the relationship among all the snippets in the screen, may be presented to the user in a reasonable and logical manner.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to providing access to database objects. A first view displays first and second database access mechanisms. The first database access mechanism includes at least one database access pattern including a predefined search of the database. The second database access mechanism includes at least one selection function and an input function, for searching a selected subset of the database for objects having an input value. The second database access mechanism is also capable of adding a database access pattern to the first database access mechanism. A third database access mechanism comprises an attribute choice and an input field to search for database objects having the input value associated with a chosen attribute.

Abstract: A user interface template for generating a computer user interface through which a user may perform a task. The user interface template includes a window on a computer screen comprising: a first pane displaying two or more view selection links, the first pane having one of the two or more view selection links selected at any point in time; a second pane displaying one content pattern selected from two or more content patterns, wherein the two or more content patterns are associated with the respective two or more view selection links and wherein the one content pattern selected is selected based on the selected one of the two or more view selection links; and a third pane displaying one or more links to activities that are directly related to the one content pattern selected from the two or more content patterns but that are not directly related to the task.

Abstract: A method and system for disclosing to a computer user structured database information for making a decision regarding an event is described. The method comprises: alerting the user to the event; receiving a first request for the structured database information relating to the event; providing a first portion of the structured database information relating to the event; receiving a second request for additional structured database information and options relating to the event; and providing a second portion of the structured database information and the options relating to the event, the second portion being larger than the first portion, the options including a mechanism for making the decision.

Abstract: A user interface for guiding a user through a sequential task requiring user interaction in a plurality of ordered steps. The user interface includes a window on a computer screen comprising: a first pane displaying an active roadmap of two or more of the ordered steps and for indicating a selected one of the two or more sequential steps; a second pane for providing a user interface pattern, the user interface pattern corresponding to the selected one of the two or more sequential steps; and a third pane for displaying one or more activities related to activities displayed in the user interface pattern.

Abstract: A method of modifying a user interface for displaying structured database information in two or more ordered steps in work panes of a window. The method comprises: displaying a first work pane having a first user interface pattern associated with a first of the two or more sequential steps; displaying a second work pane after display of the first work pane, the second work pane having a second user interface pattern associated with a second of the two or more sequential steps; receiving a command from a user to display the first work pane and the second work pane simultaneously; and displaying the first work pane and the second work pane in the window.

Abstract: A user interface for providing an entry point to processing a business activity. The user interface includes a window on a computer screen comprising: a first pane in the window for displaying one or more links to actions related to the business activity and for receiving a selection from a user of one of the one or more links, wherein one or more respective miniviews are associated with the one or more respective links, wherein each miniview displays structured and unstructured data corresponding to the respective link's actions; and a second pane for displaying one of the one or more miniviews associated with the selected link.

Abstract: A user interface for assisting the user in performing a task and shielding the user from complex data. The user interface includes a window on a computer screen comprising: a first pane for displaying instructions to a user regarding the task; a second pane for displaying a content form and receiving the user's input into the content form, wherein the content form displays only a subset of the available data objects relating to the task; and a third pane for displaying actions related to the task. A method for providing a user interface for performing a task is provided. The method provides a user interface including a window having: a first pane for displaying instructions to a user regarding the task; a second pane for displaying a content form and receiving the user's input into the content form; and a third pane for displaying activities related to the task.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for searching and displaying search hits in a hierarchy of objects. In one implementation, a method is provided for searching and displaying search hits as a hierarchy of objects in a computed-based environment. The method may include performing a search on the objects based on search criteria entered by the user, and identifying search hits based on the search performed on the objects, each search hit corresponding to an object matching the search criteria. Further, the method may include providing a display including a hierarchy of objects and indicating the search hits identified from the search to the user, and providing a set of control buttons to permit the user to navigate the display and view the search hits.

Abstract: A user interface for displaying view sets of an object for data input. The user interface includes a first pane for receiving search criteria for a search among objects, for displaying results of the search and for receiving a selection of an object in the results. The user interface includes a second pane for selecting a view set for the object selected in the first pane. The second pane includes first and second selection mechanisms. The first selection mechanism may be used for selecting between categories of view sets. The second selection mechanism may be used for selecting one of the view sets of the category selected with the first selection mechanism. The user interface includes a third pane for displaying the view set selected in the second pane and for receiving user input of data for the selected object.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for interacting with a user entering information for a computer application. In one general aspect, the invention provides for displaying a pane as a user interface for a user to enter information in a sequence of steps. The pane includes an information entry area, an interactive first step symbol capable of initiating a first step in the sequence, and a first indicator placed after the first step symbol. The first indicator indicates that a selection of a step to follow the first step depends on information received in the first step. A second step is selected to follow the first step using information received in the first step, and the first indicator is removed. An interactive second step symbol capable of initiating the second step is placed after the first step symbol.

Abstract: A prototype page for simulating navigation between objects in a computer program. A selection of a distribution of presentation areas is received. A placement of first and second icon symbols in at least one of the presentation areas is received. The first and second icon symbols represent first and second objects, respectively, of a computer program. A placement of a navigation symbol is received. The navigation symbol represents a navigation between the first and second objects. Markup language code is provided for a prototype page. The code includes location indicating code corresponding to the distribution of presentation areas. The code includes picture code for first and second pictures corresponding to the first and second icon symbols, respectively. The markup language code further includes interaction code corresponding to the navigation symbol. The prototype page is capable of simulating the navigation between the first and second objects in the computer program.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, a first view is displayed on the display device, where the first view has at least a first work area. In response to the receipt of a first input received by the computer system, a second view is displayed on the display device. The second view includes the first work area and a temporary communication area, or “pop-in window,” included within the first work area. The temporary communication area has a defined function associated therewith requiring input from a user. The temporary communication area may close after the user provides the necessary input and the defined function is performed.

Abstract: Creating user interfaces by identifying specific tasks to be carried out by users, matching the specific tasks with generic tasks, and creating the user interface from generic user-interface components associated with the generic tasks. The generic user-interface components are specified with the details of the specific tasks. The generic user-interface components may be assembled in a generic floor plan. The specific and/or generic tasks may be identified by a reverse-engineering process including the analysis of a number of existing user interfaces.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, a first view is displayed on the display device, where the first view has a plurality of objects in a first format and a first object control mechanism. An input is received to minimize the first view, and in response thereto a second view is displayed on the display device. The second view includes a second object control mechanism and one or more objects that are a subset of the plurality of objects in a second format. The second view may include, from the objects displayed in the first view, only those objects contained in the subset of the plurality of objects.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to providing access to database objects. A first view displays first and second database access mechanisms. The first database access mechanism includes at least one database access pattern including a predefined search of the database. The second database access mechanism includes at least one selection function and an input function, for searching a selected subset of the database for objects having an input value. The second database access mechanism is also capable of adding a database access pattern to the first database access mechanism. A third database access mechanism comprises an attribute choice and an input field to search for database objects having the input value associated with a chosen attribute.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for displaying information to a user on a display device of a computer system. In one general aspect, the invention provides for the display of a first view having a plurality of objects in a table of rows and columns on the display device. Each object is displayed as a row in the table and has a plurality of fields, where each field is in a column of the table. A blank input row corresponding to the table is displayed, having input fields corresponding to the columns of the table. An input is received in the form of a character string in a selected input field of the input row. A filter command is received, causing a filtering function to be performed on a field of the objects corresponding to the selected input field of the input row using the character string, and filtered data is displayed.