Patent ID: 6175363
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A user interface of a window of a windows-based computer environment that provides means for allowing a user to change the way in which functionality of network and systems management applications is presented to the user, comprising:one or more approach controls; andone or more functionality controls through which the user can access functionality,wherein manipulation of an approach control of the one or more approach controls of the user interface selects a user interface approach of a plurality of user interface approaches of the user interface available to the user for presenting functionality to the user,wherein the plurality of user interface approaches from which the user interface approach is selected comprises two or more of the following user interface approaches: a task-based approach in which the user is assisted to complete one or more tasks, an object-based approach in which the user is assisted to manipulate objects, an information-based approach in which the user is presented with requested information, and a tools-based approach in which the user is provided with tools necessary to accomplish tool-based activities, andwherein upon selection of the user interface approach, the one or more functionality controls correspond to the selected user interface approach and functionality of the selected user interface approach can be accessed by selecting a functionality control of the one or more functionality controls.