METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARIABLE COMPLEXITY USER INTERFACE IN A DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

摘要

RO9-91-005 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARIABLE COMPLEXITY USER INTERFACE IN A DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM A method and apparatus for enhanced user interface in a data processing system for use with a multiple function application. Multiple user interfaces are established for selected functions within a multiple function application and stored within a data processing system. Each of the multiple user interfaces preferably has a different level of complexity. User profiles for selected users within the data processing system are then utilized to specify desired levels of complexity for particular functions for each selected user. Thereafter, these user profiles are utilized to automatically select a particular one of the multiple user interfaces within a multiple function application in response to a selection of a particular function by a user. In one depicted embodiment of the present invention a user may selectively alter a user profile or alternatively, the user profile may be automatically altered by the occurrence of a selected event, such as the lapse of a selected period of time or the completion of an education course by a user. In either event a default user interface is also provided for utilization in situations wherein a user profile does not specify a desired level of complexity for a selected function.