METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND DISPLAYING MULTIPLE SIMULTAN- EOUSLY-ACTIVE WINDOWS

The display system includes at least one central processing unit (CPU) which is coupled through appropriate input/output (I/O) circuitry to input devices, such as a keyboard, digital pad, mouse and/or trackball. The CPU is coupled to a hard disk drive for the storage of programs and data, and may also be coupled to a network through which the CPU may communicate with a variety of other system resources and devices. The CPU is further coupled to a display device such as a CRT or liquid crystal display, on which the present invention is displayed. The windows include defined areas having window features such as menu bars, command options, text, icons and/or button functions to be executed by the CPU. The help system includes an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined which results in the CPU generating and displaying a presentation window on the display. Both the access and presentation windows "float" above all other layered windows being displayed regardless of the application currently being executed by the user. Both the access and presentation windows remain active and may be operated upon by the user, as does the top most window immediately below the access or presentation windows being displayed. Other layered windows under the top most application window are inactive, and must be brought to the "top" of the stack immediately below the access or presentation window to be operated upon.