Abstract:
In general, a plurality of embodiments include an animated &#34;target&#34; icon and/or cursor for guiding a user to take a desired action. In particular, the user is guided to click on the target icon, thereby to initiate the completion of the installation of factory installed software. In one embodiment, the target icon resembles a locked padlock and the mouse cursor resembles a key, thus implying a connection therebetween. When the user places the key-shaped mouse cursor over the padlock-shaped target icon and clicks on the target icon, the appearance of the padlock-shaped icon changes to reflect its now &#34;unlocked&#34; state and completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     One embodiment relates generally graphical user interfaces (&#34;GUIs&#34;) and, more particularly, to a technique for compelling a computer user to take a desired action. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typically, when a user turns on or reboots a computer, one or more factory installed software applications are initialized and automatically begin executing. As a result, the applications pop up windows, toolbars, and/or dialog boxes for use in connection therewith. 
     Software specifications issued by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., in connection with its Windows operating systems require that, when the user first turns on the computer, a &#34;Welcome to Windows&#34; dialog box is the first and only item displayed to the user. Not until the user closes the &#34;Welcome&#34; dialog box are the above-noted windows, toolbars, and dialog boxes permitted to be displayed. As a result, computer manufacturers typically cannot complete the factory installation of software; therefore, the process must be completed by the user after he or she closes the &#34;Welcome to Windows&#34; dialog box. Unfortunately, users, who are usually not aware of the restrictions imposed by Microsoft, must be instructed to take steps to initiate the completion of this process. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a strategy that guides users to complete the configuration of factory installed software. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, a plurality of embodiments include a technique for compelling a user to take a desired action. In several embodiments, the user is guided to click on a target icon, thereby to initiate the completion of the installation of factory installed software. In one embodiment, the target icon resembles a locked padlock and a mouse cursor resembles a key, thus implying a connection therebetween. When the user places the key-shaped mouse cursor over the padlock-shaped target icon and clicks on the target icon, the appearance of the padlock-shaped icon changes to reflect its now &#34;unlocked&#34; state and completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated. 
     In a second embodiment, when the mouse is idle, the mouse cursor is slowly automatically &#34;drawn&#34; toward the target icon. When the user clicks on the icon, completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated. 
     In a third embodiment, the target icon flashes at one rate and the mouse cursor flashes at a different rate, such that the icon and cursor are flashing out of sync with one another. As the user moves the mouse cursor closer to the icon, the flashing becomes more synchronized, such that when the cursor is positioned over the icon, the cursor and icon are completely in sync. When the user clicks on the icon, completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated. 
     In a fourth embodiment, the target icon follows or tracks the mouse cursor around the screen, so that the user has no choice but to follow the forced path of clicking on the icon, which initiates the completion of the factory-installed software installation process. 
     In a fifth embodiment, the underlying functions of all desktop icons are usurped, such that the user&#39;s clicking on any icon will initiate the completion of the factory-installed software installation process. 
     In a sixth embodiment, the color of the target icon and/or the mouse cursor is gradually changed from blue, representing &#34;cold&#34; or &#34;far,&#34; to red, representing &#34;hot&#34; or &#34;close,&#34; as the user moves the mouse cursor toward the target icon. When the user clicks on the icon, completion of the factory-installed software installation process is initiated. 
     In a seventh embodiment, auditory clues, e.g, &#34;closer&#34; or &#34;farther&#34; are used to indicate the cursor&#39;s distance from the target icon. The user&#39;s clicking on the target icon initiates the completion of the factory-installed software installation process. 
     A technical advantage achieved is that no visible or audible automatically started applications are used prior to the appearance of the Microsoft &#34;Welcome to Windows&#34; dialog box. 
     A further technical advantage achieved is that users are subtly compelled to take action to compete the installation of factory-installed software. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a personal computer embodying features of one or more embodiments. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a first embodiment. 
     FIG. 2C is a flowchart of the operation of the first embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of a second embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of a third embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a fourth embodiment. 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a fifth embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of a sixth embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of a seventh embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system for implementing one or more of the preferred embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 8 includes a chassis 10, a monitor 11 having a display area 12 with a one or more desktop icons 13 displayed thereon, and various I/O devices, such as a mouse 14 and a keyboard 16 and storage devices (not shown) connected to and/or integrated into the chassis 10. It will be recognized that, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 8 includes various other devices and subsystems, such as a central processing unit (&#34;CPU&#34;) and other processors, installed in the chassis 10 that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art and therefore not further described herein. It will be further recognized that software instructions for implementing the features described herein are stored within the computer 8 in appropriate storage devices for access and execution by the CPU and other processors as necessary. 
     Each of the embodiments described in greater detail below involve a target icon 18 and a mouse cursor 20. Selection of the target icon 18, which is typically accomplished by using the mouse 14 to position the mouse cursor 20 over the icon 18 and then depressing a mouse button, initiates the completion of the factory-installed software installation process. As used herein, the phrases &#34;clicking on an icon&#34; and &#34;selecting an icon&#34; are used interchangeably. 
     FIG. 2A illustrates a first embodiment in which the target icon 200 initially resembles a locked padlock and the mouse cursor 202 resembles a key, thus implying to a user a connection between the icon and the mouse cursor. As shown in FIG. 2C, subsequent to display of the target icon 200 and mouse cursor 202, in step 210, a determination is made whether the user has clicked on the target icon 200. If not, execution remains at step 210 until the user clicks on the target icon 200, at which point execution proceeds to step 212, in which the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed. Finally, in step 214, the target icon 200 is deactivated and set to an unlocked state in which it resembles an open padlock and the mouse cursor is restored to its normal appearance, as shown in FIG. 2B. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the target icon 18 and mouse cursor 20 may have any appearance. In step 300, a determination is made whether the mouse 14 is idle. If so, execution proceeds to step 302 in which the mouse cursor 20 is moved closer to the target icon 20. After a slight delay 304, execution returns to step 300. 
     If in step 300 it is determined that the mouse 14 is not idle, execution proceeds to step 306, in which a determination is made whether the user has clicked on the target icon 18. If the user has not clicked on the target icon 18, execution returns to step 300; otherwise, execution proceeds to step 308, in which the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed. Finally, in step 310, the target icon 18 is deactivated or removed. 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operation of a third embodiment. In this embodiment, in step 400, a determination is made whether the mouse 14 has moved. If not, execution proceeds to step 402, in which a determination is made whether the user has clicked on the target icon 18. If the user has clicked on the target icon 18, execution proceeds to step 404, in which the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed, and then to step 405, in which the target icon 18 is deactivated or removed. If in step 400 a determination is made that the mouse 14 has not moved, execution proceeds to step 406, in which the flash rate of the mouse cursor 20 is adjusted based on the distance between the cursor 20 and the target icon 18. For example, if the distance between the cursor 20 and target icon 18 has increased as a result of the mouse 14 movement, the flash rate of the mouse cursor 20 will increase, indicating a greater urgency. On the other hand, if the distance between the cursor 20 and icon 18 has decreased as a result of the mouse 14 movement, the flash rate of the mouse cursor 20 will decrease, indicating that success is close at hand. Upon completion of step 406, execution proceeds to step 408. In step 408, the target icon 18 and cursor 20 are flashed at their respective rates and execution returns to step 400. If in step 402 a determination is made that the user did not click on the target icon 18, execution proceeds directly to step 408. 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a fourth embodiment. In step 500, a determination is made whether the mouse 14 has moved. If so, execution proceeds to step 502, in which the target icon 18 is moved to underlie the mouse cursor 20 and execution returns to step 500. If in step 500 it is determined that the mouse 14 has not moved, execution proceeds to step 504, in which a determination is made whether the user has clicked on the target icon 18. If not, execution returns to step 500; otherwise, execution proceeds to step 506, in which the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed, and then to step 508, in which the target icon 18 is either deactivated or removed. In this fifth embodiment, therefore, the target icon 18 follows or &#34;tracks&#34; the movement of the mouse cursor 20 such that the user will have no choice but to eventually click on the target icon. 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of a fifth embodiment. In step 600, all desktop icons 13 are redirected such that selection of any icon results in the initiation and completion of the factory-installed software installation process rather than in the execution of the corresponding application. In step 602, a determination is made whether the user has clicked on an icon. If not, execution remains at step 602; otherwise, execution proceeds to step 604. In step 604, the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed. In step 606, the respective functions of all desktop icons 13 are restored such that selection of any icon results in the execution of the corresponding application. In addition, the target icon 18 is either deactivated or removed. 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a sixth embodiment. In step 700, a determination is made whether the mouse 14 has moved. If not, execution proceeds to step 702, in which a determination is made whether the user has clicked on the target icon 18. If it is determined that the user has clicked on the target icon 18, execution proceeds to step 704, in which the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed, and then to step 705, in which the target icon 18 is either deactivated or removed. 
     If in step 700 it is determined that the mouse 14 has not moved, execution proceeds to step 706, in which the color of the mouse cursor 20 is adjusted based on the distance between the cursor 20 and the target icon 18. For example, the greater the distance between the cursor 20 and icon 18, the &#34;bluer&#34; (i.e., &#34;colder&#34;) the cursor, while the smaller the distance between the cursor 20 and icon 18, the &#34;redder&#34; (i.e., &#34;hotter&#34;) the cursor. Upon completion of step 706, execution proceeds to step 708. Similarly, if in step 702 it is determined that the user did not click on the target icon 18, execution proceeds directly to step 708. In step 708, the color of mouse cursor 20 is adjusted and execution returns to step 700. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a seventh embodiment. In step 800, a determination is made whether the mouse 14 has moved. If not, execution proceeds to step 802, in which a determination is made whether the user clicked on the target icon 18. If it is determined that the user clicked on the target icon 18, execution proceeds to step 804, in which the factory-installed software installation process is initiated and completed, and then to step 805, in which the target icon 18 is either deactivated or removed. If in step 800 it is determined that the mouse 14 has moved, execution proceeds to step 806, in which an audio cue is selected based on the difference in the distance between the cursor 20 and icon 18 prior to and after the movement of the mouse 14. For example, if as a result of the mouse 14 movement the distance is smaller, the audio cue might be &#34;closer&#34;, while if the distance is greater, the audio cue might be &#34;farther.&#34; In step 808, the selected audio cue is played to the user. Alternatively, if in step 802, the user did not click on the target icon 18, execution proceeds to step 808. 
     Although an illustrative embodiment has been shown and described, other modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.