Abstract A method and system are disclosed for permitting multi-dimensional scrolling of overlapping data collections which are displayed in multiple layers or in a simulated three-dimensional manner within a data processing system. A moveable and selectable control icon, such as the scroll box, is displayed within a scroll bar in the data processing system in association with a display of a portion of a selected data collection. The portion of the selected data collection which is displayed may be scrolled in a vertical or horizontal direction by moving a control icon in a so-called "drag and drop" technique or by designating a new location within the scroll bar utilizing a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse. A display of a portion of an alternate data collection may be provided in response to a selection and manipulation of the scroll box by a user and the physical appearance of the depth of the scroll box is altered to provide a graphic indication of relative display position within the multiple layers of data collections thus displayed.
A method of selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within a data processing system, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a moveable and selectable control icon within a scroll bar within said data processing system; altering a display of a portion of a selected one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a movement of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; displaying at least a portion of an alternate one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; and altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection of and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar wherein a graphic indication of display position within said plurality of overlapping data collections is provided.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within a data processing system, said method comprising the steps of: displaying a moveable and selectable control icon within a scroll bar within said data processing system; altering a display of a portion of a selected one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a movement of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; displaying at least a portion of an alternate one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; and altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection of and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar wherein a graphic indication of display position within said plurality of overlapping data collections is provided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within a data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said step of altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon comprises varying the display of said moveable and selectable control icon relative to a visual depth cue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within a data processing system according to claim 1 wherein said step of altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon comprises the step of varying the size of an element of said moveable and selectable control icon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
A data processing system for selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within said data processing system, said data processing system comprising: means for displaying a moveable and selectable control icon within a scroll bar within said data processing system; means for altering a display of a portion of a selective one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a movement of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; means for displaying at least the portion of an alternate one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; and means for altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon wherein a graphic indication of display position within said plurality of overlapping data collections is provided.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
A data processing system for selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within said data processing system, said data processing system comprising: means for displaying a moveable and selectable control icon within a scroll bar within said data processing system; means for altering a display of a portion of a selective one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a movement of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; means for displaying at least the portion of an alternate one of said plurality of overlapping data collections in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar; and means for altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon wherein a graphic indication of display position within said plurality of overlapping data collections is provided.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The data processing system for selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within said data processing system according to claim 4 wherein said means for altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon comprises means for varying a display of said moveable and selectable control icon with respect to a visual depth cue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
The data processing system for selectively manipulating a display of a plurality of overlapping data collections within said data processing system according to claim 4 wherein said means for altering an appearance aspect of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar comprises means for altering the size of a display of an element of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar in response to a selection and manipulation of said moveable and selectable control icon within said scroll bar.