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US5528259A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and system for multi-dimensional scrolling of displayed data collections in a data processing system

Assignee: Pendragon Networks LLC
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Filing: 1992-10-29
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2012-10-29
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Abstract

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.

Inventors

  • 👤 Cary L. Bates
  • 👤 Jeffrey M. Ryan

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 19:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0484; G06F3/0485; G06F3/04855

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
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 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.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US4965558A Cited
JPH01193786A Cited
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JPH02204786A Cited
US5333256A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-06-18 1999-12-18 2000-06-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-06-18 2003-12-18 2004-06-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-06-18 2007-12-18 2008-06-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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