Method and apparatus for improved scrolling functionality in a graphical user interface utilizing a software tether

• US 5,874,957 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cline, Troy Lee, Poston, Ricky Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cao H.
• Application Number:
  US08/808,377
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 345/339, 345/340, 345/341, 345/342, 345/354, 345/345
• US Class Current: 715/786
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

A method and apparatus for scrolling functionality in a graphical user interface utilizing a software tether. Preferably, the invention is utilized in a data processing system which supports a graphical user interface which is utilized by the operator to create, modify, or review software objects. At least one particular work space is provided in the graphical user interface. A scroll bar activation function is provided which initiates scroll bar functionality after a predefined interaction of the graphical pointing device with said graphical user interface. The data processing system is utilized to monitor for interaction between the graphical pointing device and the graphical user interface, which satisfies the scroll bar activation function. After detection of satisfaction of the scroll bar activation function, the at least one scroll bar functionality is associated with the graphical pointing device. Then, a visually perceptible connection is generated which associates the at least one scroll bar functionality with the graphical pointing device in the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A method in a graphical user interface of a data processing system, including at least particular work space, for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality, comprising the data processing implemented steps of:

(a) providing a scroll bar activation function which initiates scroll bar functionality after predefined interaction of a graphical pointing device associated with said data processing system and said graphical user interface;

(b) monitoring for interaction between said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface which satisfies said scroll bar activation function;

(c) after detection of satisfaction of said scroll bar activation function, associating said scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device; and

(d) visually representing said association of said scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device with a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines extending entirely across said at least one particular work space and bounding said graphical pointing device within said at least one particular work space;

(e) monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device within a region of said at least one particular workspace bounded by said pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines; and

(f) scrolling, in a predefined manner, through a software object maintained in said at least one particular work space upon detection of relocation of said graphical pointing device.

2. A method according to claim 1:

wherein said scroll bar functionality comprises a horizontal scroll bar functionality and a vertical scroll bar functionality;

wherein said visually perceptible connection comprises a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines extending horizontally across said at least one particular work space bounding said graphical pointing device, and a pair of generally parallel relatively thin nonobtrusive lines extending vertically across said at least one particular work space bounding said graphical pointing device.

3. A data processing system for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality, comprising:

(a) means for providing at least one work space in a graphical user interface;

(b) means for providing a graphical pointing device;

(c) a scroll bar activation routine which initiates scroll bar functionality after detection of a predefined interaction of said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface;

(d) means for monitoring for interaction between said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface which satisfies said scroll bar activation routine;

(e) means for associating said at least one scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device after detection of satisfaction of said scroll bar activation routine;

(f) means for visually representing said association of said at least one scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device with a visually perceptible connection in said graphical user interface to said graphical pointing device, including;

(1) a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines, extending entirely across said at least one workspace, and bounding said graphical pointing device.

4. A data processing according to claim 3, further comprising:

(g) means for monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device relative to said pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines; and

(h) means for scrolling a software object, in a predefined manner, in response to detection of relocation of said graphical pointing device relative to said pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines.

5. A data processing system according to claim 3:

wherein said at least one scroll bar functionality comprises at least one horizontal scroll bar functionality and a vertical scroll bar functionality;

wherein said visually perceptible connection comprises a pair of relatively thin nonobtrusive lines extending horizontally across at least a portion of said at least one workspace and bounding said graphical pointing device, and a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin nonobtrusive lines extending vertically across at least a portion of said at least one work space and bounding said graphical pointing device.

6. A method in a graphical user interface of a data processing system for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality, comprising the data processing implemented steps of:

(a) receiving and processing data processing instructions which generate a work space in said graphical user interface;

(b) receiving and processing instructions which generate a graphical pointing device in said graphical user interface;

(c) receiving and processing data processing instructions which provide a scroll bar activation function which initiates scroll bar functionality after detection of a predefined interaction of said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface;

(d) utilizing said data processing system for monitoring for interaction between said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface which satisfies said scroll bar activation function;

(e) after detection of satisfaction of said scroll bar activation function, receiving and processing data processing instructions for associating at least one scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device; and

(f) receiving and processing data processing instructions for visually representing said association of said at least one scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device with a visually perceptible connection in said graphical user interface which extends across at least a portion of said work and is adjacent said graphical pointing device which includes a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines extending entirely across said at least one particular wore space which bound said graphical pointing device.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising:

(g) monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device relative to said pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines; and

(h) receiving and processing data processing instructions for scrolling a software object maintained in said work space in response to detected relocation of said graphical pointing device.

8. A method according to claim 6:

wherein said at least one scroll bar functionality comprises a horizontal scroll bar functionality and a vertical scroll bar functionality;

wherein said visually perceptible connection comprises a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin nonobtrusive lines extending horizontally toward, and bounding, said graphical pointing device, and a pair of generally parallel relatively thin nonobtrusive lines extending vertically toward, and bounding, said graphical pointing device.

9. A method in a graphical user Interface of a data processing system, including at least particular work space with a software object located therein, for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality, comprising the data processing implemented steps of:

(a) providing a scroll bar activation function which initiates scroll bar functionality after predefined interaction of a graphical pointing device associated with said data processing system and said graphical user interface;

(b) monitoring for interaction between said graphical pointing device and said graphical user Interface which satisfies said scroll bar activation function;

(c) after detection of satisfaction of said scroll bar activation function, associating said scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device;

(d) providing a visually perceptible representation of said scroll bar functionality adjacent said graphical pointing device including a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines extending entirely across said at least one particular work apace which bound said graphical pointing device; and

(e) automatically adjusting the size of said visually perceptible representation to provide a visual indication of the relative portion of said software object which is currently visible in said at least one particular workspace.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

(e) monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device relative to said pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines; and

(f) scrolling said software object in response to detected relocation.

11. A data processing system for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality, comprising:

(a) means for providing at least one work space in a graphical user interface;

(b) means for providing a graphical pointing device;

(c) a scroll bar activation routine which initiates scroll bar functionality after detection of a predefined interaction of said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface;

(d) means for monitoring for interaction between said graphical pointing device and said graphical user interface which satisfies said scroll bar activation routine;

(e) means for associating said at least one scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device after detection of satisfaction of said scroll bar activation routine;

(f) means for providing a visually perceptible representation of said scroll bar functionality adjacent said graphical pointing device including a pair of generally parallel, relatively thin, nonobtrusive lines extending entirely across said at least one particular work space which bound said graphical pointing device; and

(e) means for automatically adjusting the size of said visually perceptible representation to provide a visual indication of the relative portion of said software object which is currently visible in said at least one particular workspace.