Zooming controller
First Claim
1. A method for accessing a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:
- selecting a first scale from a variable scale for controlling a magnification for accessing data within the data field;
moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field; and
changing simultaneously the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for accessing a broad data field having a fine resolution. The user selects a scale which can be varied. The scale controls a range within the data field. By moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field, the user can scan that portion of the data field. The present invention allows the user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field. Thus, the user can “zoom in” and “zoom out” of different portions of the data field.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a particular piece of data within the broad data field can be accessed. First, the scale is selectively varied, thereby controlling a range within the data field. Then, the range is moved to encompass portions of the data field in which the piece of data resides. Next, the scale is successively decreased while, simultaneously, points successively closer to the location are kept with the range. The scale is decreased (i.e., increasing the range'"'"'s resolution) and the range is moved in this manner until the piece of data is actually accessed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for accessing a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:
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selecting a first scale from a variable scale for controlling a magnification for accessing data within the data field;
moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field; and
changing simultaneously the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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12. A method for accessing a particular piece of data within a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:
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selectively varying a scale, thereby determining a range, the range spanning a portion of the data field;
moving the range relative to the data field, thereby encompassing portions of the data field such that the particular piece of data lies within the range;
locating a first point close to the location of the particular piece of data;
decreasing the scale, thereby increasing the range'"'"'s resolution, while simultaneously moving the range relative to the data field to keep the first point within the decreased range;
locating a second point which is closer to the location of the particular piece of data than the first point'"'"'s location;
decreasing the scale while simultaneously moving the range relative to the data field to keep the second point residing within the range; and
successively decreasing the scale while scanning across the range, locating points successively closer to the location of the particular piece of data, and keeping the point that is closest to the location of the particular piece of data within the range, until the particular piece of data is actually accessed.
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16. An apparatus for accessing a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:
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a variable scale for controlling a range within the data field;
a means for moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field; and
a means for enabling a user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field.
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22. A method for accessing a data set containing a plurality of items comprising:
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providing an input device having two degrees of freedom in a first and a second axis;
providing a means for selecting a scale of access to the data set;
providing a means for adjusting a position of access at the selected scale;
selecting the scale by controlling the input device with relation to the first axis; and
selecting the position of access by controlling the input device with relation to the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for accessing a particular piece of data within a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:
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providing an input device having a first and a second degree of freedom;
providing a variable scale to depict the data field at different magnification levels, the scale being controlled by the first degree of freedom of the input device;
providing a range which encompasses a continuous portion of the data set;
selecting a scale wherein the particular piece of data lies within the range;
decreasing the scale such that the magnification level is increased;
changing the span of the data field covered by the range, according to the scale selected;
moving the data field such that the particular piece of data falls within the range, the movement controlled by the second degree of freedom; and
successively repeating the steps of decreasing the scale and moving the data field such that the particular piece of data falls within the range, until the particular piece of data is actually accessed.
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Specification