Method and apparatus for providing a help based window system using multiple access methods

In a computer display system having a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a display such that data is displayed on said display in windows, a method for instructing a user on how to perform operations using said CPU, the method comprising the steps of:

• A. generating and displaying an access window on said display;
• B. generating and displaying within said access window a first access function, a second access function, and a third access function;
• C. performing the following steps upon selection of said first access function by a user
• 1) displaying a plurality of headings on said display, wherein each heading of said plurality of headings corresponds to a set of operations;
• 2) displaying a plurality of phrases on said display responsive to said user selecting one of said headings, wherein said selected heading corresponds to a first set of operations, wherein each of said plurality of phrases corresponds to an operation in said first set of operations;
• 3) displaying at least one presentation window that contains instruction data related to a selected phrase on said display in response to said user selecting one of said displayed phrases, said instruction data indicating how to perform the operation that corresponds to said selected phrase;
• D. performing the following steps upon selection of said second access function by said user
• 1) displaying a search subwindow on said display;
• 2) receiving through user input a search word into said search subwindow;
• 3) receiving though user input a first signal to search for said search word;
• 4) displaying in said access window a plurality of phrases related to said search word, wherein each of said plurality of phrases corresponds to an operation in a second set of operations;
• 5) displaying at least one presentation window that contains instruction data related to a selected phrase on said display in response to said user selecting one of said displayed phrases, said instruction data indicating how to perform the operation that corresponds to said selected phrase;
• E. performing the following steps upon selection of said third access function by said user
• 1) displaying an index window on said display, said index window having a scroll bar including:
• a plurality of characters displayed along said scroll bar;
• a slider which may be selectively positioned over at least a portion of each of said characters using slider positioning means coupled to said CPU;
• 2) displaying a plurality of headings that correspond to a desired character in response to receiving user input that positions said slider over a portion of said desired character;
• 3) displaying a plurality of phrases on said display responsive to said user selecting one of said headings, wherein said selected heading corresponds to a third set of operations, wherein each of said plurality of phrases corresponds to an operation in said third set of operations;
• 4) displaying at least one presentation window that contains instruction data related to a selected phrase on said display in response to said user selecting one of said displayed phrases, said instruction data indicating how to perform the operation that corresponds to said selected phrase.