Method and apparatus for displaying and scrolling data in a window-based graphic user interface
US5859638A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S715/974
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A user interface includes an object oriented graphic user interface having overlapping windows and provides an access window having topics, index and look for button functions for selection by a user. Through the use of the topics, index or look for functions, a help inquiry is defined. The access window includes an alpha scroll bar horizontally spanning a defined area of the access window. A plurality of alpha-numeric, symbolic or other characters (collectively "characters") are displayed along the length of the alpha scroll bar. A slider is provided which may be selectively positioned over a character displayed on the alpha scroll bar. The slider may be positioned through user manipulation of a cursor control device. The placement of the slider over a character on the alpha scroll bar results in a central processing unit (CPU) displaying data corresponding to the character selected. Entries are displayed in the defined area beginning alphabetically with the letter over which the slider has been placed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.