Scrollable display window

• US 6,067,068 A
• Filed: 07/17/1996
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Business Machines Inc (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Business Machines Inc (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Hussain, Arshad
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/682,349
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 345/123, 345/121, 345/122, 345/124, 345/125, 345/112, 345/341, 345/340, 345/509, 345/116, 345/145, 345/130, 345/508, 395/774, 364/518, 364/521
• US Class Current: 345/686
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/123 with age lists, e.g. queue, most recently used [MRU] list or least recently used [LRU] list
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/346 for systems having a bit-mapped display memory

Abstract

A system to scroll a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen. The system includes storage of the second image in a VRAM, designation of display addresses in the VRAM corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen, storage of the first image in a memory different from the VRAM, definition of a pointer indicating a first portion of the image to be displayed in the window, and copying of the first portion of the first image from the memory to the VRAM at the display addresses based on the pointer. The system further includes display of the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image, acceptance of user interface commands to scroll the first image and changing the value of a pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicative of a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window, and repetition of the copying step and the displaying step with respect to the second portion.

Claims

1. A method for scrolling a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen comprising the steps of:

storing the second image in a VRAM;

designating display addresses in the VRAM corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

storing the first image in a memory different from the VRAM;

defining a pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

copying the first portion of the first image from the memory to the VRAM at the display addresses in the VRAM based on the pointer;

displaying the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image;

accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image and changing a value of the pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window; and

repeating said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the second portion.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions of the first image have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image downward.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by y.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by an integer multiple of y.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions of the first image have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image upward.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by y.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by an integer multiple of y.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first image is stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image rightward.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by one.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by an integer.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first image is stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image leftward.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by one.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by an integer.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the display addresses in the VRAM are mapped to the location of the window on the display screen.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein, when a value of the pointer reaches a predetermined value, the pointer is reset to an initial value.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein a size of said second image is n (n is an integer) times a size of said first image.

17. An apparatus for scrolling a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen, said apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing program instruction sequences; and

a processor for executing the program instruction sequences stored in the memory,

wherein said program instruction sequences include (a) a storing step for storing the second image in a VRAM, (b) a designating step for designating display addresses in the VRAM corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen, (c) a storing step for storing the first image in a memory different from the VRAM, (d) a defining step for defining a pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window, (e) a copying step for copying the first portion of the first image from the memory to the VRAM at the display addresses in the VRAM based on the pointer, (f) a displaying step for displaying the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image, (g) an accepting step for accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image and changing a value of the pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window, and (h) a repeating step for repeating said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the second portion.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first and second portions of the first image have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image downward.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by y.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by an integer multiple of y.

21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first and second portions of the first image have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image upward.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by y.

23. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by an integer multiple of y.

24. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first image is stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image rightward.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by one.

26. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by an integer.

27. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first image is stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image leftward.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by one.

29. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by an integer.

30. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the display addresses in the VRAM are mapped to the location of the window on the display screen.

31. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, when a value of the pointer reaches a predetermined value, the pointer is reset to an initial value.

32. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a size of said second image is n (n is an integer) times a size of said first image.

33. Computer executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps for scrolling a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen, comprising:

a storing step to store the second image in a VRAM;

a designating step to designate display addresses in the VRAM corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

a storing step to store the first image in a memory different from the VRAM;

a defining step to define a pointer indicating a portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

a copying step to copy the first portion of the first image from the memory to the VRAM at the display addresses in the VRAM based on the pointer;

a displaying step to display the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image;

an accepting step to accept user interface commands to scroll the first image and changing a value of the pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window; and

a repeating step to repeat said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the second portion.

34. Computer executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein said first and second portions of the first image have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image downward.

35. Computer executable process steps according to claim 34, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by y.

36. Computer executable process steps according to claim 34, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by an integer multiple of y.

37. Computer executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein said first and second portions of the first image have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image upward.

38. Computer executable process steps according to claim 37, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by y.

39. Computer executable process steps according to claim 37, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by an integer multiple of y.

40. Computer executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein the first image is stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image rightward.

41. Computer executable process steps according to claim 40, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by one.

42. Computer executable process steps according to claim 40, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the pointer by an integer.

43. Computer executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein the first image is stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image leftward.

44. Computer executable process steps according to claim 43, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by one.

45. Computer executable process steps according to claim 43, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the pointer by an integer.

46. Computer executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein the display addresses in the VRAM are mapped to the location of the window on the display screen.

47. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein, when a value of the pointer reaches a predetermined value, the pointer is reset to an initial value.

48. Computer-executable process steps according to claim 33, wherein a size of said second image is n (n is an integer) times a size of said first image.

49. A method for scrolling a first image and a second image inside a window of a third image displayed on a display screen comprising the steps of:

storing the third image in a first memory used for storing images to be displayed on the display screen;

designating first display addresses and second display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

storing the first image in a second memory, the second memory being different from the first memory;

storing the second image in a third memory, the third memory being different from the first memory;

defining a first pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

defining a second pointer indicating a first portion of the second image to be displayed in the window;

copying the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the first display addresses based on the first pointer;

copying the first portion of the second image from the third memory to the first memory at the second display addresses based on the second pointer;

displaying the first portion of the first image and the first portion of the second image in the window of the third image;

accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images, and changing a value of the first pointer, a value of the second pointer, or both values in response thereto, the changed value or values indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window, a second portion of the second image to be displayed in the window, or both; and

repeating said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the portion or portions indicated by the changed value or values.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the first and second portions of the first and second images have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images downward.

51. A method according to claim 50, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by y.

52. A method according to claim 50, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer multiple of y.

53. A method according to claim 50, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by y.

54. A method according to claim 50, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer multiple of y.

55. A method according to claim 49, wherein the first and second portions of the first and second images have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images upward.

56. A method according to claim 49, wherein the first image and the second image are stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images rightward.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by one.

58. A method according to claim 56, wherein said accepting step further comprises increasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer.

59. A method according to claim 49, wherein the first image and the second image are stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting step comprises accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images leftward.

60. A method according to claim 59, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by one.

61. A method according to claim 59, wherein said accepting step further comprises decreasing the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer.

62. A method for scrolling a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen comprising the steps of:

storing the second image in a first memory used for displaying images on the display screen;

designating display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

storing the first image in a second memory different from the first memory;

defining a pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

copying the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the display addresses based on the pointer;

displaying the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image;

accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image and changing a value of the pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window; and

repeating said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the second portion.

63. A method according to claim 62, wherein, in said designating step, first display addresses and second display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen are designated, wherein, in said storing step, the first image and a third image are stored in the second memory, wherein, in said defining step, a first pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window and a second pointer indicating a first portion of the third image to be displayed in the window are defined, wherein, in said copying step, the first portion of the first image is copied from the second memory to the first memory at the first display addresses based on the first pointer and the first portion of the third image is copied from the second memory to the first memory at the second display addresses based on the second pointer, wherein, in said displaying step, the first portion of the first image and the first portion of the third image are displayed in the window of the second image, and wherein, in said accepting step, user interface commands to scroll the first image, the third image, or both are accepted and a value of the first pointer, a value of the second pointer, or both is changed in response thereto.

64. An apparatus for scrolling a first image and a second image inside a window of a third image displayed on a display screen, comprising:

a first memory for storing the third image, the first memory for storing images to be displayed on the display screen;

designation means for designating first display addresses and second display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

a second memory for storing the first image, the second memory being different from the first memory;

a third memory for storing the second image, the third memory being different from the first memory;

defining means for defining a first pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

defining means for defining a second pointer indicating a first portion of the second image to be displayed in the window;

copying means for copying the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the first display addresses based on the first pointer;

copying means for copying the first portion of the second image from the third memory to the first memory at the second display addresses based on the second pointer;

display means for displaying the first portion of the first image and the first portion of the second image in the window of the third image; and

accepting means for accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images, and for changing a value of the first pointer, a value of the second pointer, or both values in response thereto, the changed value or values indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window, a second portion of the second image to be displayed in the window, or both,

wherein said copying and said displaying are repeated with respect to the portion or portions indicated by the changed value or values.

65. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the first and second portions of the first and second images have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting means accepts user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images downward.

66. An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said accepting means decreases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by y.

67. An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said accepting means decreases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer multiple of y.

68. An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said accepting means increases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by y.

69. An apparatus according to claim 65, wherein said accepting means increases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer multiple of y.

70. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the first and second portions of the first and second images have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein said accepting means accepts user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images upward.

71. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the first image and the second image are stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting means accepts user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images rightward.

72. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said accepting means increases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by one.

73. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said accepting means increases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer.

74. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the first image and the second image are stored horizontally, and wherein said accepting means accepts user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images leftward.

75. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said accepting means decreases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by one.

76. An apparatus according to claim 74, wherein said accepting means decreases the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers by an integer.

77. An apparatus for scrolling a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen, comprising:

a first memory for storing the second image, the first memory used for displaying images on the display screen;

designation means for designating display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

a second memory for storing the first image, the second memory different from the first memory;

defining means for defining a pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

copying means for copying the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the display addresses on the basis of the pointer;

display means for displaying the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image; and

accepting means for accepting user interface commands to scroll the first image and for changing a value of the pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window,

wherein said copying and said displaying are repeated with respect to the second portion.

78. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said designating means designates first display addresses and second display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen area in the first memory, wherein said storing means stores the first image and image a third image in the second memory, wherein said defining means defines a first pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window and a second pointer indicating a first portion of the third image to be displayed in the window, wherein said copying means copies the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the first display addresses based on the first pointer and copies the first portion of the third image from the second memory to the first memory at the second display addresses based on the second pointer, wherein said displaying means displays the first portion of the first image and the first portion of the third image in the window of the second image, and wherein said accepting means accepts user interface commands to scroll the first image, the third image, or both and changes a value of the first pointer, a value of the second pointer, or both in response thereto.

79. Computer executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the steps to scroll a first image and a second image inside a window of a third image displayed on a display screen, the steps comprising:

a storing step to store the third image in a first memory used for storing images to be displayed on the display screen;

a designating step to designate first display addresses and second display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

a storing step to store the first image in a second memory, the second memory being different from the first memory;

a storing step to store the second image in a third memory, the third memory being different from the first memory;

a defining step to define a first pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

a defining step to define a second pointer indicating a first portion of the second image to be displayed in the window;

a copying step to copy the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the first display addresses based on the first pointer;

a copying step to copy the first portion of the second image from the third memory to the first memory at the second display addresses based on the second pointer;

a displaying step to display the first portion of the first image and the first portion of the second image in the window of the third image;

an accepting step to accept user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images, and changing a value of the first pointer, a value of the second pointer, or both values in response thereto, the changed value or values indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window, a second portion of the second image to be displayed in the window, or both; and

a repeating step to repeat said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the portion or portions indicated by the changed value or values.

80. Computer executable process steps according to claim 79, wherein the first and second portions of the first and second images have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein, in said accepting step, user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images downward are accepted.

81. Computer executable process steps according to claim 80, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is decreased by y.

82. Computer executable process steps according to claim 80, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is decreased by an integer multiple of y.

83. Computer executable process steps according to claim 80, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is increased by y.

84. Computer executable process steps according to claim 80, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is increased by an integer multiple of y.

85. Computer executable process steps according to claim 79, wherein the first and second portions of the first and second images have a height of x pixels and a width of y pixels and wherein, in said accepting step, user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images upward are accepted.

86. Computer executable process steps according to claim 79, wherein the first image and the second image are stored horizontally, and wherein, in said accepting step, user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images rightward are accepted.

87. Computer executable process steps to claim 86, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is increased by one.

88. Computer executable process steps according to claim 86, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is increased by an integer.

89. Computer executable process steps according to claim 79, wherein the first image and the second image are stored horizontally, and wherein, in said accepting step, user interface commands to scroll the first image, the second image, or both images leftward are accepted.

90. Computer executable process steps according to claim 89, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is decreased by one.

91. Computer executable process steps according to claim 89, wherein, in said accepting step, the value of the first pointer, the second pointer, or both pointers is decreased by an integer.

92. Computer executable process steps stored on a computer-readable medium, the process steps to scroll a first image inside a window of a second image displayed on a display screen, the steps comprising:

a storing step to store the second image in a first memory used for displaying images on the display screen;

a designating step to designate display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen;

a storing step to store the first image in a second memory different from the first memory;

a defining step to define a pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window;

a copying step to copy the first portion of the first image from the second memory to the first memory at the display addresses based on the pointer;

a displaying step to display the first portion of the first image in the window of the second image;

an accepting step to accept user interface commands to scroll the first image, and to change a value of the pointer in response thereto, the changed value indicating a second portion of the first image to be displayed in the window; and

a repeating step to repeat said copying step and said displaying step with respect to the second portion.

93. Computer executable process steps according to claim 92, wherein, in said designating step, first display addresses and second display addresses in the first memory corresponding to a location of the window on the display screen are designated, wherein, in said storing step, the first image and a third image are stored in the second memory, wherein, in said defining step, a first pointer indicating a first portion of the first image to be displayed in the window and a second pointer indicating a first portion of the third image to be displayed in the window are defined, wherein, in said copying step, the first portion of the first image is copied from the second memory to the first memory at the first display addresses based on the first pointer and the first portion of the third image is copied from the second memory to the first memory at the second display addresses based on the second pointer, wherein, in said displaying step, the first portion of the first image and the first portion of the third image are displayed in the window of the second image, and wherein, in said accepting step, user interface commands to scroll the first image, the third image, or both are accepted and a value of the first pointer, a value of the second pointer, or both is changed in response thereto.