Visual scrolling feedback and method of achieving the same
First Claim
1. A method of providing visual feedback to a user while scrolling a document through a window, comprising:
- overlaying a semi-transparent visual feedback layer on a newly exposed region of the document as scrolling is initiated, for enhancing the user'"'"'s ability to maintain spatial context while scrolling the document; and
causing the visual feedback layer to gradually fade until it becomes transparent to allow for an unobstructed view of the document.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A new technique is described which provides realtime visual feedback to the user while scrolling in standard windowing environments. This visual scrolling technique makes use of a transient overlay which provides direct visual cues to the user about the new areas of the scrolled document that have been exposed to view by the scrolling action. After a predetermined period of time or as soon as the user stops scrolling, the overlay fades from view. This feedback can substantially enhance the user'"'"'s ability to maintain spatial context while the document moves, reducing error and strain, and enhancing ease of use and productivity. The visual scrolling technique can be used for both one-dimensional scrolling such as in long galleys of text, and two-dimensional scrolling and zooming such as in maps and technical drawings. It is especially useful for small displays, such as in handheld devices.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of providing visual feedback to a user while scrolling a document through a window, comprising:
-
overlaying a semi-transparent visual feedback layer on a newly exposed region of the document as scrolling is initiated, for enhancing the user'"'"'s ability to maintain spatial context while scrolling the document; and
causing the visual feedback layer to gradually fade until it becomes transparent to allow for an unobstructed view of the document. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of providing visual feedback to a user while zooming out of a document, comprising:
-
overlaying a semi-transparent visual feedback layer on a newly exposed region of the document as zooming out is initiated, for enhancing the user'"'"'s ability to maintain spatial context while zooming the document; and
causing the visual feedback layer to gradually fade until it becomes transparent to allow for an unobstructed view of the document. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of providing visual feedback to a user while panning a document, comprising:
-
overlaying a semi-transparent visual feedback layer on a newly exposed region of the document as panning is initiated, for enhancing the user'"'"'s ability to maintain spatial context while panning the document; and
causing the visual feedback layer to gradually fade until it becomes transparent to allow for an unobstructed view of the document. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
wherein causing the visual feedback layer to gradually fade occurs when panning ceases; and
wherein overlaying the semi-transparent visual feedback layer on the document resumes if any one or more of the following actions occurs;
panning, zooming or scrolling.
-
-
20. The method according to claim 18, wherein overlaying the visual feedback layer includes using a periodic, spatially-repetitive pattern.
Specification