Overlay Help System Using Mask Cutouts for Dynamic Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional help systems for computer programs are constrained by limited screen space and are not fully responsive to user interactions, failing to effectively display help information in a dynamic and user-friendly manner.
Innovation Solution
An improved help system uses a mask with cutouts to focus user attention, employing an intelligent placement algorithm to dynamically position help information, allowing user interaction through cutouts while blocking interactions under the mask, and adjusting size and shape based on context and user input to avoid overlaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If help information is displayed in separate windows or panels, then help information can be displayed in detail, but screen space is consumed and user interaction is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from displaying help information in separate windows (2D spatial separation) to overlaying help information directly on the user interface elements (integrating help into the same spatial dimension as the UI). This allows help information to be displayed in context without consuming additional screen real estate, as the help content is layered over the existing UI rather than occupying separate window space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display qualities to different regions of the interface: UI elements receive detailed, context-specific help information overlaid directly on them, while other areas maintain their normal appearance. This localized approach ensures help information is provided where needed without globally consuming screen space or altering the entire interface layout.
2Ease of operation
If help information is displayed as coach marks, then user attention can be focused, but screen space is constrained and overlaps occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of help information that automatically adjusts based on the user's cursor position and the current UI state. Unlike static coach marks with fixed positions, the help information moves and repositions itself in real-time to maintain optimal visibility and avoid overlaps, adapting its location dynamically as the user interacts with different UI elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user interactions and cursor position, then provides feedback by repositioning help information accordingly. The help system detects when overlap would occur and automatically adjusts the position of help content to avoid obscuring UI elements or creating visual conflicts, creating a responsive feedback loop between user action and help display positioning.
3Device complexity
If help information is statically positioned, then placement is simple, but overlaps occur and responsiveness to user interaction is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and reserves optimal placement positions for help information based on the UI layout and anticipated user interactions. Before displaying help content, the system determines suitable positions that avoid overlaps and maintains readiness to reposition if needed, performing the positioning action in advance rather than reactively resolving conflicts after they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved help system for a user interface of a computer program uses a mask with one or more cutouts to focus a user's attention to the cutout portion(s) and uses the mask to display dynamically positioned help information, such as roll over hints, in the available space on the mask. An intelligent placement algorithm is used to control placement of the help information to avoid overlaps among the help information displayed on the mask. The portions of the user interface (UI) under the mask not selectable while under the one or more masks and the other portions of the UI are selectable while in the one or more cutouts. The roll over hints can be similar to coach marks that include arrows that point from the help information on the mask to an associated UI command in a cutout.