Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Oracle America, Inc.

Fazeel Mufti

Annette M Wagner

Richard Berlin

Osana Tishkova

Michael A Arent

Michael Arent

An intuitive scrolling feedback mechanism is provided to enable novice and infrequent computer users to understand and to utilize the scrolling functionality offered by a computing device. Scrolling feedback is provided by displaying a portion of a set of information in a display area. In addition, a control region is displayed, comprising one or more activable controls. These controls, when activated by a user via a user interface, cause a different portion of the set of information to be displayed in the display area. In addition, a status region is displayed, comprising a plurality of location indicators. A subset of the location indicators is displayed in a first manner (e.g. a darker color), while the remainder of the location indicators is displayed in a second and different manner (e.g. a lighter color). The subset of the indicators is determined based upon the portion of the set of information that is currently being displayed in the display region. In effect, the location indicators provide the user with an indication as to where the currently displayed portion is relative to the entire set of information. As the user scrolls forward in the set of information, more location indicators are &ldquo;filled in&rdquo; with the darker color. As the user scrolls backward, location indicators are &ldquo;unfilled&rdquo;. At any time, the user can get a sense of how far into the set of information he has scrolled by simply viewing the status region. This &ldquo;filling&rdquo; and &ldquo;unfilling&rdquo; of the location indicators gives the user a very intuitive feel of the scrolling process.

Mechanism for providing intuitive scrolling feedback

The present invention comprises a method for providing feedback to the user of a graphical user interface using visual and operational clues. In an embodiment of the invention, the user is provided visual clues that inform the user in what direction the display area can be scrolled. The display area may contain a list, a text box, a pop-up menu or any kind of data. Operational clues help the user determine what actions move the list and what actions do not move the list. The invention can be implemented in the form of a list. A list is comprised of one or more fields. At the top of the list and at the bottom of the list is a blank space that functions as one of the visual clues. The purpose of the blank space is to inform the user they are at the top of the list and cannot scroll any further up or that they are at the bottom of the list and cannot scroll any further down. Another form of visual clue is provided through the use of partially visible fields. Partially visible fields help the user know in which direction the list can be scrolled by indicating to the user that additional fields are present beyond the partially visible one.

Method and apparatus for providing feedback while scrolling

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Fazeel Mufti