Zooming controller

A method for accessing a particular piece of data within a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:

• selectively varying a scale, thereby determining a range, the range spanning a portion of the data field;
• moving the range relative to the data field, thereby encompassing portions of the data field such that the particular piece of data lies within the range;
• locating a first point close to the location of the particular piece of data;
• decreasing the scale, thereby increasing the range's resolution, while simultaneously moving the range relative to the data field to keep the first point within the decreased range;
• locating a second point which is closer to the location of the particular piece of data than the first point's location;
• decreasing the scale while simultaneously moving the range relative to the data field to keep the second point residing within the range;
• and
• successively decreasing the scale while scanning across the range, locating points successively closer to the location of the particular piece of data, and keeping the point that is closest to the location of the particular piece of data within the range, until the particular piece of data is actually accessed.

An apparatus for accessing a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:

• a variable scale for controlling a range within the data field;
• a means for moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field;
• and
• a means for enabling a user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field.

A method for accessing a data set containing a plurality of items comprising:

• providing an input device having two degrees of freedom in a first and a second axis;
• providing a means for selecting a scale of access to the data set;
• providing a means for adjusting a position of access at the selected scale;
• selecting the scale by controlling the input device with relation to the first axis;
• and
• selecting the position of access by controlling the input device with relation to the second axis.

A method for accessing a particular piece of data within a broad data field having fine resolution comprising:

• providing an input device having a first and a second degree of freedom;
• providing a variable scale to depict the data field at different magnification levels, the scale being controlled by the first degree of freedom of the input device;
• providing a range which encompasses a continuous portion of the data set;
• selecting a scale wherein the particular piece of data lies within the range;
• decreasing the scale such that the magnification level is increased;
• changing the span of the data field covered by the range, according to the scale selected;
• moving the data field such that the particular piece of data falls within the range, the movement controlled by the second degree of freedom;
• and
• successively repeating the steps of decreasing the scale and moving the data field such that the particular piece of data falls within the range, until the particular piece of data is actually accessed.