Stationary scrolling for user interfaces

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for viewing objects on a display that allows a user to scroll through the objects by varying a non-positional display attribute of the objects. This non-positional display attribute may include attributes such as transparency, fadedness and size. The system operates by receiving an intrinsic value for an object, which specifies a value for a display attribute associated with the object. The system also receives a reference value for the display attribute against which intrinsic values for objects are compared. This reference value may be received from a user through a scroll bar that is manipulated by the user. The system uses the intrinsic value and the reference value to compute a display value for the object. Next, the object is displayed using the display value to specify the non-positional display attribute for the object. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, objects that have an intrinsic value equal to reference value are displayed normally (opaquely) without any fading. Other objects that have a display value close the reference value are displayed translucently, giving the impression that objects are “emerging from the fog” or gradually “fading away.” Objects with a large difference between the intrinsic value of the object and the reference value are not displayed at all.