Importance

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Abstract

An interactive process navigation window is a hybrid of a file-based paradigm and a task-based paradigm. The window contains multiple panes, in which at least one pane (object pane) lists objects, while another pane lists tasks which are applicable to a selected object in the object pane, and which serves as a launchpad for various application software. A root object pane is placed in the upper left portion of the window, displaying groupings and sub-groupings of objects. A content object pane is placed in the upper right portion, the content pane displaying the contents of a group selected from the root pane. A task pane occupies the bottom of the window, the task pane displaying tasks applicable to the group selected from the root pane. In one embodiment, the task pane is divided into two parts, one of which displays tasks related to a selected group from the root pane, as described above, while the other displays a user-configurable list of frequently performed tasks, which does not vary with the contents of the object pane(s). The navigation window described herein provides diverse users with an interface which is both task-oriented and object-oriented, making it easy to switch from one paradigm to the other, depending on user preference, the type of task to be performed, or other appropriate factors.

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First Claim