Method and apparatus for browsing information in a computer database

A method of browsing information stored in a computer database on a computer system with a graphics display screen, said method comprising the steps of:

• displaying said information from said computer database on said graphics display screen;
• rendering a moveable browsing tool having a viewing area with a magnification area disposed therein on said graphics display screen over said information from said computer database;
• positioning said moveable browsing tool on said graphics display screen in response to input signals from an operator, said information from said computer database visible in said viewing area allowing said operator to selectively target a portion of said information with said magnification area;
• and
• enhancing said information within said magnification area immediately after said operator ceases positioning said moveable browsing tool for a predetermined amount of time and displaying an enhanced image of said information in said viewing area of said moveable browsing tool.

A computer apparatus, said computer apparatus having a database containing a plurality of data, said apparatus comprising the elements of:

• a graphic display system;
• display means for displaying a graphic representation of said data from said database on said graphic display system;
• rendering means for rendering a movable browsing tool on said graphic display system over said graphic representation of data, said movable browsing tool having a viewing area for viewing said graphic representation of said data, said viewing area having a magnification area disposed in said viewing area to selectively target a portion of said graphic representation of said data contained in said viewing area;
• positioning means for an operator to position said movable browsing tool on the graphic display system;
• and
• enhancement means for enhancing the graphic representation of the data within the magnification area of the moveable browsing tool immediately after said operator ceases positioning said moveable browsing tool for a predetermined amount of time such that an enhanced graphic representation of the data from the database provides additional information in said viewing area.