Method and Apparatus for Implementing Slider Detents

A computer readable medium including at least tangible computer program code stored thereon for operating a pointing device with respect to display screen of a computing device, said computer readable medium comprising:

• computer code for determining when a user interface control displayed on the display screen has been selected using the pointing device;
• computer code for moving the user interface control at a first speed, the first speed being imparted by the pointing device;
• computer code for displaying a position indication on the display screen, the position indication being arranged to represent a current position of the pointing device and a current position of the user interface control;
• computer code for determining whether the current position is in a first zone of slowed movement;
• computer code for providing a first set of information to the pointing device when the current position is in the first zone of slowed movement, the first set of information being arranged to reduce the first speed;
• and
• computer code for providing a second set of information to the pointing device when the current position is not in the first zone of slowed movement, the second set of information being arranged not to reduce the first speed.

A computing system, comprising:

• a display screen for presenting a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface having at least one slider arrangement, the slider arrangement including a slider and a bar, the bar including at least a first zone of slowed movement, wherein the slider is arranged to move relative to the bar;
• a pointing device for a user to provide user input so as to manipulate a position indicator being displayed on the display screen, the pointing device further being arranged to allow the user to engage the slider and to manipulate the slider relative to the bar;
• and
• a movement control system configured to receive the user input via the pointing device, determine whether the slider is at least partially positioned in the zone of slowed movement, and automatically slow movement of the slider when the slider is at least partially positioned in the zone of slowed movement.