Patent Abstract:
A computer system includes a processing unit that processes data in response to instructions read from memory. Before being ready for a user to make use of a loaded application, the system initially loads executable instructions from permanent storage (such as a magnetic disc drive) during a loading process. In order to make better use of this time, operation related data (that is data for assisting a user to operate the system) is displayed during the loading process. The operation related data is stored in a user accessible file. Furthermore, the application itself facilitates the user re-configuration of the user accessible file under the control of the processing unit when the processing unit is executing the instructions; it not being necessary to use a third party text editor and navigate through the file structure. Then, during a subsequent instruction loading process, the user re-configured data is read.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/488,834, filed Jul. 21, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to operation related data for an application.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In computer systems, processing units process data in response to instructions read from memory. The computer&#39;s main memory is usually volatile in that the instructions are lost when power is removed and it is this feature which leads to the flexibility of computer systems in that many different program suites may be loaded thereby allowing the computer system to perform many different tasks, usually referred to as “applications”.  
         [0006]     Executable instructions are loaded into memory from permanent storage, which may take the form of a local disc drive or a networked drive or an array of drives etc. The time taken for the loading process to be carried out may vary from a few seconds to several minutes depending upon the size of the application. Furthermore, after loading instructions, the computer system may need to perform internal initialisation tasks before being placed in a condition suitable for receiving user input.  
         [0007]     The time taken for loading is also increased significantly if additional programs are required, such as those provided by third party vendors and often referred to as “plug-ins”. During the loading process, it is known to display information to users in the form of images and text that have become known as “splash screens”. However, when users are very familiar with a particular application, much of the information conveyed to them in this way is often little interest. Thus, problem exists in terms of making better use of a user&#39;s time during the loading and initialisation processes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention generally facilitates the display and re-configuration of operation related data for an application. The operation related data is stored in a user accessible file and may be displayed during loading of the application. Displaying the operation related data and permitting a user to re-configure the operation related data during loading and initialization of the application allows the user to accomplish configuration of the application while the application is being loaded.  
         [0009]     Various embodiments of the invention include a computer readable medium storing instructions for causing a computer to re-configure operation related data by reading operation related data stored in a text file during an application loading process, displaying a first splash screen including the operation related data, receiving an input specifying a modification to the operation related data, and producing re-configured operation related data including the modification. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an environment for processing three dimensional image data, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  details components of the computer system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates operations performed by the system shown in  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  shows procedures for loading an application, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a splash screen image, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  shows procedures for responding to a user input, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a procedure for the customisation of shortcut key allocations, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a VDU screen display, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  shows a second stage VDU display, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  shows a third stage VDU display, according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  shows an example of a text file, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  shows an overview of operations performed by one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an environment for processing three dimensional image data, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Data processing is effected by a programmable computer system  101  that responds to input data from a user via a keyboard  102 , and a mouse  103 , or similar manually operable input devices. Output data from computer system  101  is displayed to the user via a visual display unit  104 . A network connection  105  allows the computer system  101  to communicate with a local server and also facilitates communication externally via the internet.  
         [0024]     Computer system  101  receives input data from the keyboard  102  and other input devices via cable connections although in alternative embodiments radio interfaces could be provided. Many different types of programmable computer system  101  could be deployed and in alternative embodiments the functionality could be provided using dedicated hardware.  
         [0025]     Instructions executable by computer system  101  are installed via an instruction carrying medium such as a CD-ROM  106  or a similar instruction carrying medium such as a DVD etc. The computer system  101  may also have devices for recording output data, such as CD-ROM burners or DVD burner  107  or removable magnetic disk storage device  108 , for example.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram including the components of computer system  101 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, the components are based upon the Intel® E7505 hub-based Chipset.  
         [0027]     The system includes an Intel® Pentium™ Xeon™ DP central processing unit (CPU)  201  running at three Gigahertz (3 GHz), which fetches instructions for execution and manipulates data via an Intel® E7505 533 Megahertz system bus  202  providing connectivity with a Memory Controller Hub (MCH)  203 . The CPU  201  has a secondary cache  204  comprising five hundred and twelve kilobytes of high speed static RAM, for storing frequently-accessed instructions and data to reduce fetching operations from a larger main memory  205  via the memory controller hub  203 . The memory controller hub  203  thus co-ordinates data and instruction flow with the main memory  205 , which is at least one gigabyte in storage capacity, in this embodiment of the present invention. Instructions and data are thus stored in the main memory  205  and the cache  204  for swift access by the CPU  201 .  
         [0028]     A hard disk drive  206  provides non-volatile bulk storage of instructions and data via an Input/Output Controller Hub (ICH)  207 . The controller hub  207  also provides connectivity to storage devices  108  and  109 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . USB 2.0 interface  211  also provides connectivity to manually operable input devices, such as  102 ,  103  and  104 .  
         [0029]     A graphics card  212  receives graphic data and instructions from the CPU  201 . The graphics card  212  is connected to the memory controller hub  203  by means of a high speed AGP graphics bus  213 . A PCI interface  214  provides connections to a network card  215  that provides access to the network connection  106 , over which instructions and or data may be transferred. A sound card  216  is also connected to the PCI interface  214  and receives sound data or instructions from the CPU  201 .  
         [0030]     The equipment shown in  FIG. 2  constitutes the components of a high-end IBM™ PC compatible processing system. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, similar functionality is achieved using an Apple™ PowerPC™ architecture-based processing system.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates operations performed by the system shown in  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. After starting operation at step  301 , instructions defining an operating system are loaded at step  302 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the operating system is Microsoft™ Windows™ but in alternative embodiments of the present invention other operating systems may be used such as MacX™ or Linux, for example.  
         [0032]     At step  303  instructions for the application of an embodiment of the present invention are loaded and initialised resulting in a user interface being displayed at step  304 .  
         [0033]     At step  305  a user input command is received either in response to operation of keyboard  102  or in response to operation of the mouse  104 .  
         [0034]     At step  306  a question is asked as to whether a shutdown command has been received and if this is answered in the affirmative the application is shut down at step  308  and the procedure is stopped  309 . Alternatively, if the question asked at step  306  is answered in the negative, the application responds to the user input (received at step  305 ) at step  307 . Thereafter, further input commands are received at step  305  and further responses are made at step  307  until a shutdown command is received and the question asked at step  306  is answered in the affirmative.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows procedures for loading an application, according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step  401  first program components are loaded such that, at step  402  splash screen components are loaded and then subsequently displayed at step  403 . The splash screen represents a window of information displayed to a user to show that progress is being made in terms of loading the application and, in this embodiment of the present invention, allows operation related data to be displayed to the user during the loading process. As used herein, operation related data concerns information that assist the user in terms of their use of the application itself. In one embodiment of the present invention, the operation related data is stored in a user accessible file thereby facilitating user reconfiguration of the file. Furthermore, it is possible for this reconfiguration to be performed under the control of the processing unit when the processing unit is executing instructions of the application.  
         [0036]     Consequently, at step  404  remaining program components are loaded whereafter, in many situations, additional programs, often provided by third party vendors are loaded for inclusion within the application itself. These additional programs are often referred to as “plug-ins” and may be acquired separately or in combination with the application itself. Many applications facilitate a degree of customisation and this degree is significantly enhanced by the inclusion of a specific selected set of plug-ins. Thus, applications that at first appear similar may in fact perform very different tasks given the availability of plug-ins provided for them.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a splash screen image, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As previously stated, the splash screen is displayed at step  403  resulting in an image of the type shown in  FIG. 5  being displayed on monitor  104 . In one embodiment of the present invention, as user interacts with the application in order to create, modify or manipulate image data such as machine-readable definitions of three dimensional objects. However, it should be appreciated that many other embodiments of the present invention are possible, such as those manipulating other types of image data or those manipulating different types of data, such as text, communications data or audio etc.  
         [0038]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the operation related data presented to the user relates to the availability of shortcut keys. As their name suggests, shortcut keys may be invoked (for example) by depressing a character key (a letter key) while the control key is held down. A particular function is associated with the shortcut key and that function is called when the shortcut key is pressed. Thus, these keys allow functions to be selected quickly, as an alternative to selecting the functions from a pull-down menu or similar graphical representation requiring operation of mouse  103 .  
         [0039]     In some applications, the assignment of shortcut keys is fixed such that any user using an application, possibly on a different computer system, will be aware to the availability of shortcut keys will therefore not require any additional training when using a different machine.  
         [0040]     However, other types of application exist in which the application may perform different functions in different environments. In such applications many functions may be available but it is likely that a particular user type would require regular access to a particular subset of these functions with a different user environment requiring a different subset of functions. Consequently, in order to optimise the use of shortcut keys, particularly in an environment where users are under pressure to complete work within cost effective time scales, shortcut key allocation is made configurable, as in one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]     Furthermore, in order to remind a user of the shortcut key allocation that has been made, a particular shortcut key definition is selected during the initialisation of the system and is presented as a splash screen, as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0042]     In the present application, all twenty six letter keys may be allocated to provide a shortcut for a specified function. During start-up, one particular key is selected (effectively pseudo-randomly) and identified to the user as part of the splash screen. In the splash screen shown in  FIG. 5 a  logo and a message is displayed to the user at  501 . This remains constant for each splash screen and would be application specific, possible identifying the source of the application followed by the application specific name and possibly a version number.  
         [0043]     A splash screen window  502  is displayed in which a specific shortcut key  503  is presented along with notes at  504  detailing attributes of the particular function that will be selected by operation of shortcut key  503 .  
         [0044]     Thus the application, once running, facilitates user configuration of the user accessible file so as to allow reconfiguration (in this embodiment of the present invention) of shortcut key allocations. Furthermore, on start-up, user reconfigured operation related data is read and presented to the user, in the form of the splash screen shown in  FIG. 5 , so as to remind the user of shortcut key allocations that have been made. This provides an “aid memoirs” to the user who has redefined the shortcut keys. Furthermore, it also provides information to other users who may, for what ever reason, be in a position to use the reconfigured machine.  
         [0045]     Thus, a technical effect enhances the usability of the system and, in particular, ensures the efficiency of a regular user within a professional environment in which complex applications are being exercised under time and money constraints. It is acknowledged that it would be desirable for the loading and the initialisation process to be performed more quickly. However, there has been a tendency for applications to grow in line with enhanced transfer and storage speeds. Furthermore, the main provider of the application often has little control over the extent to which plug-ins are required for a specific user and the loading of plug-ins will inevitably increase the time during which the loading process occurs.  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows procedures for responding to a user input, according to one embodiment of the present invention. At  601  a user may customise shortcut allocations and, in one embodiment of the present invention, these customisations will be reflected in splash screens presented to the user during the loading and initialisation stages, as previously described.  
         [0047]     After shortcut allocations have been customised a user may initiate a new job or load an existing job at step  602 .  
         [0048]     At step  603  modifications to application generated data are made in response to user input. When completed, the job is saved at step  604  and at step  605  a question is asked as to whether another job is to be processed. If this question is answered in the affirmative, control is returned to step  602  and work then commences on the next job. When no further jobs are required for modification, the question asked at step  605  is answered in the negative which may then result in the application being shut down as previously described.  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  shows procedures  601  for the customisation of shortcut allocations, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A user makes a selection to the effect that shortcut allocation customisation mode is required and this is then confirmed to the user at step  701  to the effect that this mode has been entered.  
         [0050]     At step  702  the system receives an identification from the user of a shortcut key for reallocation.  
         [0051]     At step  703  a menu of functions is displayed to the user such that, at step  704 , the system receives an indication of a particular function for shortcut key allocation in response to a function being selected from the menu being displayed at step  703 .  
         [0052]     At step  704  the system asks for the allocation to be confirmed such that a question is asked as to whether the allocation has been confirmed. If the allocation is not confirmed control is returned to step  702  allowing an alternative shortcut key to be selected. When the allocation is confirmed and the question asked at step  705  is answered in the affirmative, a text file is updated at step  706  whereafter control is returned to the main display at step  707 .  
         [0053]     As previously described, step  702  requires an identification of a shortcut key to be received. In order to receive this information, the system displays a screen to the user on VDU  104 .  FIG. 8  shows a VDU screen display, such as VDU  104 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The displayed screen confirms at  801  that a shortcut selection is to take place. In addition, a user is invited to press a shortcut key which is then confirmed by the key character appearing in a display box  802 . Having selected this character, a user, by operation of mouse  103 , is invited to confirm, by the operation of a button  803 , that the selection is correct. Alternatively, in response to activation of button  804 , the operation is cancelled. In one embodiment of the present invention, activation of a cancel button at any time during the allocation procedures results in control being directed to step  602 .  
         [0054]     Reception of the shortcut key identification is made to the system on activation of confirm button  803 . As previously described, the system then displays a menu of available functions at step  703  as detailed in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 9  shows a second stage VDU display, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The second stage screen shown in  FIG. 9 , generated in response to step  704 , again results in the shortcut selection procedures being identified as such at  901 . This is followed by a request at  902  inviting the user to identify a function from the selected shortcut key. In  FIG. 9 , the available functions, that will vary significantly depending upon the nature of the application, are illustrated by references  911  to  925 . In this embodiment of the present invention, substantially more functions are available that may be accessed by operation of scroll bar  903 . Thus, a specific function  911  to  925  is selected by operation of mouse  103  whereafter further operation of mouse  103  results in a confirm button  904  being selected or a cancel button  905  being selected. Operation of the cancel button, as previously described, results in control being directed to step  602 . Alternatively, activation of confirm button  904  results in the system receiving an identification of the function selected as required at step  704 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 10  shows a third stage VDU display, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A third level screen is shown in  FIG. 10  which again presents confirmation at  1001  to the effect that shortcuts selection mode has been requested.  
         [0057]     The shortcut key specified and reflected at box  802  is again reflected in box  1002 . Furthermore a selected function  1003  is shown in box  1004 . The user is then invited to make a selection from three buttons consisting of an apply button  1005 , a reselect button  1006  and a cancel button  1007 . As previously stated, operation of cancel button  1007  results in control being directed to step  602 . Application, via mouse  103 , of the reselect button  1006  results in the question asked at step  705  being answered in the negative and control being returned to step  702  such that an alternative identification may be made.  
         [0058]     Activation of apply button  1005  results in the question asked at step  705  being answered in the affirmative, resulting in the text file being updated as part of the reconfiguration.  
         [0059]     As previously stated, step  706  involves the updating of a text file.  FIG. 11  shows an example of this text file  1001 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The text file records the configuration to the effect that shortcut key “A” will result in function one being selected as defined at line  1102 . Similarly, the activation of shortcut key “B” will result in the selection of function two as illustrated at  1103 . Similarly, the activation of shortcut key “C” will result in the selection of function three as illustrated at  1104  and function four will be selected by the activation of shortcut key “D” as illustrated at  1105 . Thus, the file  1101  allows all twenty-six letter keys to be allocated as shortcut function-select keys up to key “Z” shown at  1106  that selects function twenty-six.  
         [0060]     In an embodiment of the present invention, the application concerns the manipulation of three-dimensional image data and therefore the shortcut keys are allocated to functions relevant to this environment. Thus, purely as an illustrative example, control Q could be allocated to a move function, control W could be allocated to a select function, control E could be allocated to a zoom function and control R could be allocated to a scale function etc. In this embodiment of the present invention, shortcut keys have been identified as requiring application of the control key but in some application environments this may not be necessary and a shortcut function could be achieved without application of the control character. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, control keys and other similar keys may be used in order for the letter keys to be used in several different ways thereby increasing the availability of shortcut functions. Furthermore, it can also be appreciated that as number of shortcut functions available within an application increases, the desirability to remind a user at start up of the specific allocations (particularly when a reconfiguration has occurred) becomes even more attractive.  
         [0061]      FIG. 12  shows an overview of operations performed by one embodiment of the present invention. System start-up is illustrated at  1201  resulting in text file  1202  being read. This text file includes information to the effect that activation of shortcut key “B” results in the application of function three, a zoom for example. During the start-up process, this information is displayed in the form of a splash screen  1203  to the effect that shortcut key “B” results in the zoom function F 3  being selected.  
         [0062]     After the loading process has been completed, a user may interact with the main application as illustrated at  1204 . This may result in a selection being made to the effect that a reconfiguration of a shortcut key allocation is considered appropriate, as illustrated at  1205 . Thus, a reallocation is defined to the effect that the pressing of shortcut key “B” now results in the application of function F 4 , such as a re-scaling in this example.  
         [0063]     A subsequent start-up (not necessarily the next start-up) is illustrated at  1207  which again results in file  1202  being read. Again, for the purposes of this example, shortcut key “B” is selected for display resulting in information being displayed at  1209  to the effect that the pressing of shortcut key “B” now results in the application of function F4.  
         [0064]     Thus, without incurring any significant additional overhead, it is possible to achieve a significant technical effect in terms of bringing useful operation related data to the notice of the user during a period (that is during start-up) where the user is required in order to initiate the process but the extent to which the user may do useful work is limited while the main application and its associated plug-ins are loaded.  
         [0065]     The invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. Persons skilled in the art will recognize, however, that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The listing of steps in method claims do not imply performing the steps in any particular order, unless explicitly stated in the claim.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6