Method for handling obscured items on computer displays

• US 5,689,666 A
• Filed: 07/12/1996
• Issued: 11/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Company
• Original Assignee: 3M Company
• Inventors: Robins, Althea M., Kozak, Janelle J., Grunes, Mitchell B., Kruse, John M., Kenner, Martin A., Eisenberg, Peter M., Munson, Cindy L., Berquist, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): dela Torre, Crescelle N.
• Application Number:
  US08/679,191
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 395/345, 395/342, 395/343, 395/344, 395/346, 395/340, 395/335, 395/339, 395/348, 395/350, 395/761, 395/792, 395/773, 395/135, 345/113, 345/114, 345/118, 345/119, 345/145
• US Class Current: 715/797
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/169 Annotation, e.g. comment data or footnotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

Program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers. Items may be, for example, icons, tool bars, directories, documents, notes, and/or the like. Program code is also executed in the data processing system in order to select an item so that each of the other items, which is displayed in a layer above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure the selected item, is cut out in order to expose at least a portion of the selected item and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected item. A cut-out border may be provided around the selected item so that an item layered below the selected item is revealed.

Claims

1. A method of displaying items in layers, the method comprising the steps, performed in a data processing system of:

executing first program code to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers, wherein one of the items is a note; and

,

executing second program code to select the note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of creating a cut-out area so as to expose the exposed portion of the selected note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the item revealed through the cut-out area is a first item, and wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of attaching a second item to the first item revealed through the cut-out area.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the second item is a second note, wherein the step of attaching the second item to the first item comprises the steps of (i) attaching the second note to the first item revealed through the cut-out area and (ii) creating a new cut-out area so as to expose an as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the second note.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of moving the item revealed through the cut-out area.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the item that is moved is a first item, and wherein the step of moving the item comprises the step of attaching the first item to a second item revealed in the cut-out area.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of attaching the first item to a second item comprises the step of creating a new cut-out area so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the first item and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the first item.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of executing second program code to move the item comprises the step of selecting the item.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of attaching the note to the item revealed through the cut-out area.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of attaching the note to the item revealed through the cut-out area comprises the step of creating a new cut-out area so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the selected note is a first note, wherein the item revealed through the cut-out area of the selected note is a second note, and wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of moving the second note.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving the second note comprises the step of attaching the second note to an item revealed in the cut-out area.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of attaching the second note to an item revealed in the cut-out area comprises the step of creating a new cut-out area so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the second note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the second note.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving the second note comprises the step of selecting the second note.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of designating the selected note as a note which can only be attached to a particular layer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of designating the selected note as a note which can only be attached to a particular layer comprises the step of moving the designated note so that the designated note is attached to the particular layer, so that the designated note cuts through those items which are displayed in layers above the designated note and which would otherwise obscure the designated note in order to expose at least a portion of the designated note, and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the designated note is revealed.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the steps of (i) creating the selected note, and (ii) moving the selected note to a layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving the selected note comprises the step of moving an active note.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving the selected note comprises the step of moving an inactive note.

20. The method of claim 17 comprising the further step of executing program code to select the selected note so that any active items remain active.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of (i) moving the selected note to a first location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed, and (ii) moving the selected note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the selected note at the first location until the move of the selected note to the second location is completed.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of moving the selected note to a second location comprises the step of moving the selected note to the second location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its second location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of (i) moving the selected note to a first location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed, and (ii) moving the selected note to a second location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its second location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the item, which is layered below the selected note and which has the revealed portion, is accessible.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the accessible item is accessible by way of its revealed portion.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of displaying a cut-out border around the selected note, and wherein the revealed portion of the accessible item is accessible through the cut-out border.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of accessing the revealed portion of the accessible item through the cut-out border by way of an indicator.

28. The method of claim 26 comprising the further step of executing program code to select the accessible item.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible item comprises the step of selecting the accessible item so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected accessible item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected accessible item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected accessible item.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible item comprises the step of selecting the accessible item so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible item.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein the item, which is layered below the selected note and which has the revealed portion, is a note and is accessible.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the accessible note is accessible by way of its revealed portion.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of displaying a cut-out border around the selected note, and wherein the revealed portion of the accessible note is accessible through the cut-out border.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of accessing the revealed portion of the accessible note through the cut-out border by way of an indicator.

35. The method of claim 33 comprising the further step of executing program code to select the accessible note.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible note comprises the step of selecting the accessible note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected accessible note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected accessible note, are cut out in order to expose the portion of the selected accessible note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible note is revealed.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible note comprises the step of selecting the accessible note so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible note.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of displaying a cut-out border around the selected note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out by the cut-out border in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed through the cut-out border.

39. The method of claim 38 comprising the further step of executing program code to move the selected note so that the cut-out border continues to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note and so that the cut-out border continues to reveal the otherwise obscured portion of the item which is layered below the selected note.

40. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of executing program code to select an item so that any active items remain active.

41. A method of displaying items in layers, the method comprising the steps, performed in a data processing system, of:

executing first program code to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers, wherein one of the items is a note; and

,

executing second program code to move the note to a layer so that, when the moved note is at the layer, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the steps of (1) creating the moved note, and (ii) moving the moved note to a layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note comprises the step of moving an active note.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note comprises the step of moving an inactive note.

45. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note comprises the step of moving the note so that any active items remain active.

46. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note to a layer comprises the steps of (i) moving the moved note to a first location so that, when the moved note is at the first location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed, and (ii) moving the moved note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the moved note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the moved note at the first location until the move of the moved note to the second location is completed.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the step of moving the note to a second location comprises the step of moving the moved note to the second location so that, when the moved note is at the second location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed.

48. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note to a layer comprises the steps of (i) moving the moved note to a first location so that, when the moved note is at the first location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed, and (ii) moving the moved note to a second location so that, when the moved note is at the second location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed.

49. The method of claim 41 wherein the item, which is layered below the moved note and which has the revealed portion, is accessible.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the accessible item is accessible by way of its revealed portion.

51. The method of claim 47 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of displaying a cut-out border around at least a portion of the moved note, and wherein the revealed portion of the accessible item is accessible through the cut-out border.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of accessing the revealed portion of the accessible item through the cut-out border by way of an indicator.

53. The method of claim 51 comprising the further step of executing program code to select the accessible item.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible item comprises the step of selecting the accessible item so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected accessible item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected accessible item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected accessible item.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible item comprises the step of selecting the accessible item so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible item.

56. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of displaying a cut-out border around the moved note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out by the cut-out border in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed through the cut-out border.

57. The method of claim 56 comprising the further step of executing program code to move the moved note so that the cut-out border continues to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the moved note and so that the cut-out border continues to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note.

58. A method of displaying items in layers, the method comprising the steps, performed in a data processing system, of:

executing first program code to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers, wherein one of the items is a note; and

,

executing second program code to select the note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed through a cut-out border around the note.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of attaching a note to an item revealed through the cut-out border.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of attaching a note to an item revealed through the cut-out border comprises the step of creating a new cut-out border so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the attached note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the attached note.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the item revealed through the cut-out border of the first note is a second note, and wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of moving the second note.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the step of moving the second note comprises the step of attaching the second note to an item revealed in the cut-out border.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of attaching the second note to an item revealed in the cut-out border comprises the step of creating a new cut-out border so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the second note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the second note.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the second note comprises the step of selecting the second note.

65. The method of claim 58 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of designating the note as a note which can only be attached to a particular layer.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the step of designating the note as a note which can only be attached to a particular layer comprises the step of moving the designated note so that the designated note is attached to the particular layer, so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the designated note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the designated note, are cut out in order to expose the portion of the designated note, and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the designated note is revealed.

67. The method of claim 58 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the steps of (i) creating the note, and (ii) moving the note to a layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note comprises the step of moving an active note.

69. The method of claim 67 wherein the step of executing second program code to move the note comprises the step of moving an inactive note.

70. The method of claim 67 comprising the further step of executing program code to select an item so that any active items remain active.

71. The method of claim 58 further comprising the steps of (i) moving the note to a first location so that, when the note is at the first location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed through a cut-out border, and (ii) moving the note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the note at the first location until the move of the note to the second location is completed.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the step of moving the note to a second location comprises the step of moving the note to the second location so that, when the note is at the second location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed through a cut-out border around the note.

73. The method of claim 58 further comprising the steps of (i) moving the note to a first location so that, when the note is at the first location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed through a cut-out border around the note, and (ii) moving the note to a second location so that, when the note is at the second location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed through a cut-out border around the note.

74. The method of claim 58 wherein the item, which is layered below the note and which has the revealed portion, is accessible.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein the accessible item is accessible by way of its revealed portion.

76. The method of claim 74 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of accessing the revealed portion of the accessible item through the cut-out border by way of an indicator.

77. The method of claim 74 comprising the further step of executing program code to select the accessible item.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible item comprises the step of selecting the accessible item so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected accessible item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected accessible item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected accessible item.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein the step of executing program code to select the accessible item comprises the step of selecting the accessible item so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible item.

80. The method of claim 58 comprising the further step of executing program code to move the note so that the cut-out area continues to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the note and so that the cut-out border continues to reveal the otherwise obscured portion of the item which is layered below the note.

81. A method of displaying items in layers, the method comprising the steps, performed in a data processing system of:

executing first program code to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that the items have an order of layering, wherein one of the items is a note; and

,

executing second program code to select the note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that the order of layering of the items is not changed.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the step of designating the selected note as an item which can only be attached to a particular layer.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the step of designating the selected note as an item which can only be attached to a particular layer comprises the step of moving the designated selected note so that the designated selected note is attached to the particular layer and so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the designated selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the designated selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the designated selected note.

84. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of executing second program code to select the note comprises the step of selecting an active note.

85. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of executing second program code to select the note comprises the step of selecting an inactive note.

86. The method of claim 81 comprising the further step of executing program code to select an item so that any active items remain active.

87. The method of claim 81 wherein the step of executing second program code comprises the steps of (i) creating the selected note, and (ii) moving the selected note to a layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

88. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer readable storage medium; and

,

program code stored on the computer readable storage medium, wherein the program code is arranged so that, when the program code is executed by a computer, (i) a note is selected, and (ii) items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

89. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein program code is arranged to create a cut-out area so as to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so as to reveal the otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note.

90. The article of manufacture of claim 89 wherein the selected note is a first note, and wherein the program code is arranged to attach a second note to the revealed item through the cut-out area.

91. The article of manufacture of claim 90 wherein the program code is arranged to create a new cut-out area so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the second note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the second note.

92. The article of manufacture of claim 89 wherein the selected note is a first note, wherein the item revealed through the cut-out area of the first item is a second note, and wherein the program code is arranged to move the second note.

93. The article of manufacture of claim 92 wherein the program code is arranged to attach the second note to an item revealed in the cut-out area.

94. The article of manufacture of claim 93 wherein the program code is arranged to create a new cut-out area so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the second note and so as to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the second note.

95. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged to designate the selected note as an item which can only be attached to a particular layer.

96. The article of manufacture of claim 95 wherein the program code is arranged to move the designated selected note so that the designated selected note is attached to the particular layer, so that the designated selected note cuts through those items which are displayed in layers above the designated selected note and which would otherwise obscure the designated selected note in order to expose at least a portion of the designated selected note, and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the designated selected note is revealed.

97. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged (i) to create the selected note, and (ii) to move the selected note to a layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

98. The article of manufacture of claim 97 wherein the program code is arranged to move an active selected note.

99. The article of manufacture of claim 97 wherein the program code is arranged to move an inactive selected note.

100. The article of manufacture of claim 97 wherein the program code is arranged to select an item so that any active items remain active.

101. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged (i) to move the selected note to a first location of a first layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed, and (ii) to move the selected note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of the item which is layered below the selected note at the first location until the move of the selected note to the,second location is completed.

102. The article of manufacture of claim 101 wherein the program code is arranged to move the selected note to the second location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its second location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

103. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged (i) to move the selected note to a first location of a first layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed, and (ii) to move the selected note to a second location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its second location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed.

104. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged so that the item, which is layered below the selected note and which has the revealed portion, is accessible.

105. The article of manufacture of claim 104 wherein the program code is arranged so that the accessible item is accessible by way of its revealed portion.

106. The article of manufacture of claim 104 wherein the program code is arranged to display a cut-out border around the selected note and so that the revealed portion of the accessible item is accessible through the cut-out border.

107. The article of manufacture of claim 106 wherein the accessible item is a note, wherein the program code is arranged to select the accessible note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected accessible note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected accessible note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected accessible note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible note is revealed.

108. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged to display a cut-out border around the selected note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out by the cut-out border in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed through the cut-out border.

109. The article of manufacture of claim 108 wherein the program code is arranged to move the selected note so that the cut-out border continues to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note and so that the cut-out border continues to reveal the otherwise obscured portion of the item which is layered below the selected note.

110. The article of manufacture of claim 88 wherein the program code is arranged to move the selected note so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of the item which is layered below the selected note until the move of the selected note is completed.

111. A computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon, wherein the program code is arranged so that, when the program code is executed by a computer, (i) a note is moved to a layer on a display, and (ii) when the moved note is at the layer, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note, and an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed.

112. The computer readable storage medium of claim 111 wherein the program code is arranged to (1) create the moved note, and (ii) to move the moved note to a layer so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed.

113. The computer readable storage medium of claim 111 wherein the program code is arranged (i) to move the moved note to a first location so that, when the moved note is at the first location, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed, and (ii) to move the moved note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the moved note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of the item which is layered below the moved note at the first location until the move of the moved note to the second location is completed.

114. The computer readable storage medium of claim 111 wherein the item, which is layered below the moved note and which has the revealed portion, is accessible, and wherein the program code is arranged to access the revealed portion of the accessible item through a cut-out border by way of an indicator.

115. The computer readable storage medium of claim 111 wherein the program code is arranged to display a cut-out border around the moved note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved note, are cut out by the cut-out border in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note is revealed through the cut-out border.

116. The computer readable storage medium of claim 115 wherein the program code is arranged to move the moved note so that the cut-out border continues to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the moved note and so that the cut-out border continues to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note.

117. The computer readable storage medium of claim 111 wherein the program code is arranged to move the moved note so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the moved note and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of the item which is layered below the moved note until the move of the moved note is completed.

118. The computer readable storage medium of claim 111 wherein program code is arranged to create a cut-out area so as to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so as to reveal the otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved note.

119. The computer readable storage medium of claim 118 wherein the moved note is a first note, and wherein the program code is arranged to attach a second note to the revealed item through the cut-out area.

120. The computer readable storage medium of claim 118 wherein the moved note is a first note, wherein the item revealed through the cut-out area of the first item is a second note, and wherein the program code is arranged to move the second note.

121. A computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon, wherein the program code is arranged so that, when the program code is executed by a computer, a note is selected so that items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed through a cut-out border.

122. The computer readable storage medium of claim 121 wherein the selected note is a first item, wherein the item revealed through the cut-out area is a second item, and wherein the program code is arranged to attach a third item to the second item revealed through the cut-out border.

123. The computer readable storage medium of claim 121 wherein the selected note is a first item, wherein the item revealed through the cut-out area of the first item is a second item, and wherein the program code is arranged to move the second item and to attach the second item to an item revealed through the cut-out border.

124. The computer readable storage medium of claim 121 wherein the program code is arranged (i) to move the selected note to a first location so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out by a cut-out area in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note is revealed through a cut-out border, and (ii) to move the selected note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the selected note at the first location until the move of the selected note to the second location is completed.

125. The computer readable storage medium of claim 121 wherein the item, which is layered below the selected note and which has the revealed portion, is accessible through the cut-out border, wherein the program code is arranged to select the accessible item so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected accessible item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected accessible item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected accessible item and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected accessible item is revealed.

126. The computer readable storage medium of claim 121 wherein the program code is arranged to move the selected note so that the cut-out area continues to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note and so that the cut-out border continues to reveal the otherwise obscured portion of the item which is layered below the selected note.

127. An article of manufacture comprising:

a computer readable storage medium; and

,

program code stored on the computer readable storage medium, wherein the program code is arranged so that, when the program code is executed by a computer, (i) a note is selected, and (ii) items, which are displayed in layers above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note, and the order of layering of the items is not changed.

128. The article of manufacture of claim 127 wherein the selected note is at a first location, and wherein the program code is arranged (i) to cut out layers, which are above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note, and to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note, and (ii) to move the selected note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the selected note at the first location until the move of the selected note to the second location is completed.

129. The article of manufacture of claim 127 wherein the program code is arranged to display a cut-out border around the selected note.

130. The article of manufacture of claim 129 wherein the selected note is at a first location, and wherein the program code is arranged (i) to cut out layers, which are above the selected note at its first location and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected note, in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note, and to reveal an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected note, and (ii) to move the selected note to a second location so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note at the first location and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the selected note at the first location until the move of the selected note to the second location is completed.

131. The article of manufacture of claim 127 wherein the program code is arranged to move the selected note so as to continue to cut out the cut out items displayed in layers above the selected note and so as to continue to reveal at least a portion of an item which is layered below the selected note until the move of the selected note is completed.