Method and apparatus for improved scrolling functionality in a graphical user interface utilizing a transparent scroll bar icon

• US 6,069,626 A
• Filed: 02/27/1997
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• 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:
  US08/807,356
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326, 345/344, 345/352, 345/432, 345/433, 345/434, 345/435, 345/339, 345/341, 345/347, 345/123
• US Class Current: 715/786
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improved 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, but transparent, scroll function icon 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 one particular work space displaying at least one particular software object, 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 with one particular software object of said at least one particular software object;

(d) visually representing said association of said scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device with a visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon, including at least one scroll bar function track and at least one scroll bar function slider, in said graphical user interface located proximate to said graphical pointing device without otherwise affecting display of said at least one particular software object in at least one particular work space;

(e) monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device;

(f) adjusting the position of said visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon in response to relocation of said graphical pointing device without selection of said scroll function icon;

(g) moving said one particular software object through said at least one particular work space in a predefined manner in response to detected relocation of said visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon;

(h) providing a visual indication of a relative portion of said one particular software object which is within present view through the relative position of said at least one scroll bar function slider relative to said at least one scroll bar function track.

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, but transparent, scroll function icon comprises at least one horizontal scroll function icon extending horizontally across said at least one particular work space adjacent said graphical pointing device, and at least one vertical scroll function icon extending vertically across said at least one particular work space adjacent said graphical pointing device;

wherein movement of said horizontal scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object horizontally through said at least one particular work space; and

wherein movement of said vertical scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object vertically through said at least one particular work space.

3. A data processing system for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality of at least one particular software object displayed therein, 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 and with one particular software object of said at least one particular software object;

(f) means for visually representing said association of said at least one scroll bar functionality with said graphical pointing device with a visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon, including at least one scroll bar function track and at least one scroll bar function slider, in said graphical user interface without otherwise affecting display of said at least one particular software object displayed in said at least one work space in said graphical user interface;

(g) means for monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device;

(h) means for adjusting the position of said visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon in response to relocation of said graphical pointing device without selection of said scroll function icon; and

(i) means for providing a visual indication of a relative portion of said one particular software object which is within present view through the relative position of said at least one scroll bar function slider relative to said at least one scroll bar function track.

4. A data processing system according to claim 3:

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 horizontal scroll function icon extending horizontally across at least a portion of said at least one workspace and adjacent said graphical pointing device, and a vertical scroll function icon extending vertically across at least a portion of said at least one work space and adjacent said graphical pointing device;

wherein movement of said horizontal scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object horizontally through said at least one particular work space; and

wherein movement of said vertical scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object vertically through said at least one particular work space.

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

(a) providing in said graphical user interface a visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon;

(b) monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device;

(c) adjusting the position of said visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon in response to said relocation of said graphical pointing device and to maintain said scroll function icon relatively close to said graphical pointing device without selection of said scroll function icon;

(d) utilizing said scroll function icon to provide a visual indication of a relative portion of said one particular software object which is within present view.

6. A method according to claim 5:

wherein said visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon includes at least one horizontal scroll function icon extending horizontally across said at least one particular work space adjacent said graphical pointing device, and at least one vertical scroll function icon extending vertically across said at least one particular work space adjacent said graphical pointing device;

wherein movement of said horizontal scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object horizontally through said at least one particular work space; and

wherein movement of said vertical scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object vertically through said at least one particular work space.

7. A data processing system for providing an indication of selected scrolling functionality of at least one particular software object displayed therein, comprising:

(a) a visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon;

(b) means for monitoring for relocation of said graphical pointing device;

(c) means for adjusting the position of said visually perceptible, but transparent, scroll function icon in response to said relocation of said graphical pointing device and to maintain said scroll function icon relatively close to said graphical pointing device without selection of said scroll function icon; and

(d) means for providing a visual indication of a relative portion of said one particular software object which is within present view through said scroll function icon.

8. A date processing system according to claim 7:

wherein said visually perceptible connection comprises a horizontal scroll function icon extending horizontally across at least a portion of said at least one workspace and adjacent said graphical pointing device, and a vertical scroll function icon extending vertically across at least a portion of said at least one work space and adjacent said graphical pointing device;

wherein movement of said horizontal scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object horizontally through said at least one particular work space; and

wherein movement of said vertical scroll function icon results in movement of said at least one particular software object vertically through said at least one particular work space.