Method and apparatus for controlling computer displays by using a two dimensional scroll palette

Claim 2

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said lay screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; and moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion.

Claim 3

The process as in claim 1 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said step of moving said third window region comprising: positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for movement while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; and moving said third window region by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 4

The process as in claim 2 wherein said process further including the step of resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display said second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, wherein said third window region includes a second predetermined area associated with said third window region, said step of resizing comprising: positioning said cursor over said second predetermined area; operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for resizing while said cursor is positioned over said second predetermined area; and resizing said third window region by operating said cursor device to move said cursor.

Claim 5

The process as in claim 2 including the step of dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol, said step comprising: dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol to one of a plurality of cursor symbols associated with said first predetermined area as said cursor is positioned within said first predetermined area.

Claim 6

The process as in claim 1 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a data storage means coupled to said processor, said process including the step of saving parameters in said data storage means, said step comprising: retrieving and storing parameters associated with said second window region and said third window region in said data storage device such that said parameters can be recovered from said data storage device when said second window region is selected for display and said second and third window regions can be restored to the saved configuration.

Claim 7

The process as in claim 1 wherein said first window region is not visible on said display screen.

Claim 8

The process as in claim 1 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen without any of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 9

The process as in claim 1 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen with a reduced scale replica of a portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 10

The process as in claim 1 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said step of moving said third window region comprising: positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for movement in the horizontal direction only while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; moving said third window region in the horizontal direction only by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 11

The process as in claim 1 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said step of moving said third window region comprising: positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for movement in the vertical direction only while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; moving said third window region in the vertical direction only by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 12

The process as in claim 1 wherein the location of said second window region on said data display screen changes in corresponding fashion when said first window region is moved.

Claim 13

The process as in claim 1 wherein said second window region and said third window region are automatically terminated from said data display screen when said step of moving said third window region is completed.

Claim 14

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; and resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion.

Claim 15

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; and resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion.

Claim 16

The process as in claim 13 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said step of moving said third window region comprising: positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for resizing while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; and resizing said third window region by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 17

The process as in claim 14 including the step of dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol, said step comprising: dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol to one of a plurality of cursor symbols associated with said first predetermined area as said cursor is positioned within said first predetermined area.

Claim 18

The process as in claim 13 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a data storage means coupled to said processor, said process including the step of saving parameters in said data storage means, said step comprising: retrieving and storing parameters associated with said second window region and said third window region in said data storage device such that said parameters can be recovered from said data storage device when said second window region is selected for display and said second and third window regions can be restored to the saved configuration.

Claim 19

The process as in claim 13 wherein said first window region is not visible on said display screen.

Claim 20

The process as in claim 13 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen without any of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 21

The process as in claim 13 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen with a reduced scale replica of a portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 22

The process as in claim 13 wherein the location of said second window region on said data display screen changes in corresponding fashion when said first window region is moved.

Claim 23

The process as in claim 13 wherein said second window region and said third window region are automatically terminated from said data display screen when said step of resizing said third window region is completed.

Claim 24

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen and interactively controlling a window region which is displayed within said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion; resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display said second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region; moving said second window region in two dimensions within said display screen simultaneously with the corresponding movement of said third window region; and terminating and removing said second window region from said display screen simultaneously with the corresponding termination and removal of said third window region.

Claim 25

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen and interactively controlling a window region which is displayed within said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion; resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display said second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region; moving said second window region in two dimensions within said display screen simultaneously with the corresponding movement of said third window region; and terminating and removing said second window region from said display screen simultaneously with the corresponding termination and removal of said third window region.

Claim 26

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information within a region of said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; and moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion; expanding said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display all of said displayable information within said border of said first window region.

Claim 27

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a computer implemented process for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information within a region of said display screen, said process comprising the steps of: generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen; generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region; and moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion; expanding said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display all of said displayable information within said border of said first window region.

Claim 28

The process as in claim 23 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said second window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said step of expanding said third window region comprising: positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for expansion while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area.

Claim 29

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: a means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; a means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor; and means for moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion, said means for moving said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 30

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: a means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; a means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor; and means for moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion, said means for moving said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 31

The device in claim 25 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said means for moving said third window region comprising: means for positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; means for operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for movement while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; and means for moving said third window region by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 32

The device as in claim 26 wherein said device further including the means for resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display said second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, wherein said third window region includes a second predetermined area associated with said third window region, said means for resizing comprising: means for positioning said cursor over said second predetermined area; means for operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for resizing while said cursor is positioned over said second predetermined area; and means for resizing said third window region by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 33

The device as in claim 26 including the means for dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol comprising: means for dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol to one of a plurality of cursor symbols associated with said first predetermined area as said cursor is positioned within said first predetermined area, said means for dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol being coupled to said processor.

Claim 34

The device as in claim 25 wherein said computer-controlled display system includes a data storage means coupled to said processor, said device further including means for saving parameters in said data storage means, said means for saving parameters coupled to said processor, said means for saving parameters comprising: means for retrieving and storing parameters associated with said second window region and said third window region in said data storage device such that said parameters can be recovered from said data storage device when said second window region is selected for display and said second and third window regions can be restored to the saved configuration.

Claim 35

The device as in claim 25 wherein said first window region is not visible on said display screen.

Claim 36

The device as in claim 25 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen without any of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 37

The device as in claim 25 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen with a reduced scale replica of a portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 38

The device in claim 25 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said means for moving said third window region comprising: means for positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; means for operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for movement in the horizontal direction only while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; means for moving said third window region in the horizontal direction only by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 39

The device in claim 25 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said means for moving said third window region comprising: means for positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; means for operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for movement in the vertical direction only while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; means for moving said third window region in the vertical direction only by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 40

The device as in claim 25 wherein the location of said second window region on said data display screen changes in corresponding fashion when said first window region is moved.

Claim 41

The device as in claim 25 wherein said second window region and said third window region are automatically terminated from said data display screen when said step of moving said third window region is completed.

Claim 42

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: a means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; a means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor; and means for resizing said third window region into dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion, said means for resizing said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 43

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: a means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; a means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor; and means for resizing said third window region into dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion, said means for resizing said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 44

The device in claim 37 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said third window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said means for resizing said third window region comprising: means for positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; means for operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for resizing while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area; and means for resizing said third window region by operating said cursor control device to move said cursor.

Claim 45

The device as in claim 38 including the means for dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol comprising: means for dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol to one of a plurality of cursor symbols associated with said first predetermined area as said cursor is positioned within said first predetermined area, said means for dynamically changing the displayed cursor symbol being coupled to said processor.

Claim 46

The device as in claim 37 wherein said computer-controlled display system includes a data storage means coupled to said processor, said device further including means for saving parameters in said data storage means, said means for saving parameters coupled to said processor, said means for saving parameters comprising: means for retrieving and storing parameters associated with said second window region and said third window region in said data storage device such that said parameters can be recovered from said data storage device when said second window region is selected for display and said second and third window regions can be restored to the saved configuration.

Claim 47

The device as in claim 37 wherein said first window region is not visible on said display screen.

Claim 48

The device as in claim 37 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen without any of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 49

The device as in claim 37 wherein said second window region is displayed on said data display screen with a reduced scale replica of a portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said second window region.

Claim 50

The device as in claim 37 wherein the location of said second window region on said data display screen changes in corresponding fashion when said first window region is moved.

Claim 51

The device as in claim 37 wherein said second window region and said third window region are automatically terminated from said data display screen when said step of moving said third window region is completed.

Claim 52

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: a means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; a means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor, means for moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion, said means for moving said third window region being coupled to said processor; means for resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said means for resizing said third window region being coupled to said processor; means for moving said second window region in two dimensions within said display screen simultaneously with the corresponding movement of said third window region, said means for moving said second window region being coupled to said processor; means for terminating and removing said second window region from said data display screen simultaneously with the corresponding termination and removal of said third window region, said means for terminating and removing said second window region and said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 53

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: a means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; a means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor, means for moving said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said second displayed portion being different from said first displayed portion, said means for moving said third window region being coupled to said processor; means for resizing said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display a second displayed portion of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said means for resizing said third window region being coupled to said processor; means for moving said second window region in two dimensions within said display screen simultaneously with the corresponding movement of said third window region, said means for moving said second window region being coupled to said processor; means for terminating and removing said second window region from said data display screen simultaneously with the corresponding termination and removal of said third window region, said means for terminating and removing said second window region and said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 54

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said data display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor; and means for expanding said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display all of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said means for expanding said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 55

In an interactive computer-controlled display system having a processor, means for accessing displayable information having predetermined dimensions, a data display screen coupled to said processor for displaying said displayable information, and a cursor control device coupled to said processor for interactively positioning a cursor on said display screen, a device for interactively selecting a portion of said displayable information which is displayed within a region of said display screen, said device comprising: means for generating and displaying a first window region on said data display screen, said first window region having a border, a first displayed portion of said displayable information being displayed within said border of said first window region such that an undisplayed portion of said displayable information is not displayed on said data display screen, said means for generating and displaying said first window region being coupled to said processor; means for generating and displaying a second window region being associated with said first window region on said data display screen, said second window region having a border, said second window region being displayed concurrently on said data display screen with said first window region, said border of said second window region corresponding to said predetermined dimensions of said displayable information, said second window region having a third window region within said second window region, said third window region having a border corresponding to said first displayed portion of said displayable information, said third window region being located in a different position on said data display screen than a position of said first window region, said means for generating and displaying said second window region being coupled to said processor; and means for expanding said third window region in two dimensions within said second window region to selectively display all of said displayable information within said border of said first window region, said means for expanding said third window region being coupled to said processor.

Claim 56

The device in claim 47 wherein said computer-controlled display system further includes a signal generation means coupled to said processor, said second window region includes a first predetermined area associated with said third window region, said means for moving said third window region comprising: means for positioning said cursor over said first predetermined area; means for operating said signal generation means to signal the selection of said third window region for expansion while said cursor is positioned over said first predetermined area.