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EP0632362A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for providing a two-dimensional position-sensitive scroll icon in a data processing system user interface

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1994-05-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-05-25
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Abstract

Abstract A two-dimensional scroll icon is provided for scrolling data in a window or panel. The scroll icon has a home position. The scroll icon can be dragged in any direction away from the home position to provide scrolling. Scrolling is in the direction along an imaginary vector extending from the home position to the scroll icon. The rate of scrolling is proportional to the distance of the scroll icon from the home position. The scroll icon also has characters located thereon. Selecting the characters toggles the visibility on and off of the vertical and horizontal scroll bars along the sides of the windows.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thom R. Haynes

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 12:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0486; G06F3/0485; G06F3/04855

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 74 words
A method of two-dimensionally scrolling data in a client area of a window on a user interface of a data processing system, comprising the steps of: a) displaying an object associated with said window, said object occupying a home position; b) allowing a user to move said object in a composite direction from said home position, said composite direction comprising two-dimensions; and c) scrolling said data in said client area in said composite direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a) allowing said user to release said object; b) returning said released object to said home position; and c) stopping the scrolling of said data when said object is released.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of: a) determining the distance that said object is located from said home position; and b) said step of scrolling said data further comprises the step of scrolling said data at a rate that is proportional to said distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 48 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a) determining the distance that said object is located from said home position; and b) said step of scrolling said data further comprises the step of scrolling said data at a rate that is proportional to said distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said step of scrolling said data at a rate that is proportional to said distance further comprises the step of increasing the rate of scrolling as said distance increases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of displaying said object further comprises the step of displaying a scroll icon in a corner of said window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 57 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a) displaying first and second one dimensional scroll bars in said window; b) allowing said user to select a portion of said object; and c) toggling the visibility of a respective one of said first and second one dimensional scroll bars in response to said user selection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying first and second one dimensional scroll bars in said window, with each of said scroll bars having a respective scroll button movable along said respective scroll bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of moving said scroll buttons in response to said scrolling of data in said composite direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 77 words
An apparatus for two-dimensionally scrolling data in a client area of a window on a user interface of a data processing system, comprising: a) means for displaying an object associated with said window, said object occupying a home position; b) means for allowing a user to move said object in a composite direction from said home position, said composite direction comprising two-dimensions; and c) means for scrolling said data in said client area in said composite direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 43 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a) means for allowing said user to release said object; b) means for returning said released object to said home position; and c) means for stopping the scrolling of said data when said object is released.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 46 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a) means for determining the distance that said object is located from said home position; and b) said means for scrolling said data further comprises means for scrolling said data at a rate that is proportional to said distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: a) means for determining the distance that said object is located from said home position; and b) said means for scrolling said data further comprises means for scrolling said data at a rate that is proportional to said distance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means for scrolling said data at a rate that is proportional to said distance further comprises means for increasing the rate of scrolling as said distance increases.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for displaying said object further comprises means for displaying an icon in a corner of said window.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 60 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a) means for displaying first and second one dimensional scroll bars in said window; b) means for allowing said user to select a portion of said object; and c) means for toggling the visibility of a respective one of said first and second one dimensional scroll bars in response to said user selection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 37 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for displaying first and second one dimensional scroll bars in said window, with each of said scroll bars having a respective scroll button movable along said respective scroll bars.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for moving said scroll buttons in response to said scrolling of data in said composite direction.

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