US 5,854,629 A · Enhanced scrolling technique for context menus in graphical user interfaces

Abstract

A technique is provided for permitting only a predetermined number of panes of a context menu to be displayed and the scrolling of the context menu for undisplayed panes. Before a context menu is displayed in a graphical user interface, it is determined whether the total number of panes or options in the context menu exceeds the number of panes or options to be displayed at one time. If so, upon displaying the context menu, a selectable mechanism is displayed along the bottom edge of the context menu. User selection of the selectable mechanism causes the context menu to scroll up to display previously undisplayed panes or options. When it is determined that panes logically exist above the top most displayed pane, a selectable mechanism is displayed along the top edge of the context menu, such that user selection of the top mechanism causes the scrolling of the panes down. Alternatively, top and bottom scrolling mechanisms may permanently be displayed along the top and bottom edges of the context menu, with the mechanisms being non-selectable when no panes logically exist above or below the respective mechanisms.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Computer readable code embodied on a computer readable-medium for use in a computing environment for providing a scrolling function for a context menu which logically comprises a first number of panes and for which a second number of panes may be displayed at a time via a graphical user interface, and the first number of panes is larger than the second number of panes, comprising:

first subprocesses for displaying a predetermined number of panes in a context menu;
second subprocesses for determining whether the predetermined number of panes is less than a total number of panes logically associated with the context menu;
third subprocesses for displaying a selectable mechanism along a bottom edge of the context menu if it is determined that the total number of panes is greater than the predetermined number of panes, wherein the selectable mechanism is a bar having a width substantially equal to that of the context menu;
and
fourth subprocesses for causing the panes displayed in the context menu to logically scroll down one pane upon selection of the mechanism by a user.

2 more elements

A method for scrolling panes within a context menu which does not display all of its panes at a time, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining whether a total number of panes logically associated with a context menu exceeds a number of display slots to be displayed for the context menu;
(b) displaying the context menu;
(c) displaying a selectable mechanism along a bottom edge of the context menu if it is determined by said step (a) that the total number of panes exceeds the number of display slots, wherein the selectable mechanism is a bar having a width substantially equal to that of the context menu;
and
(d) scrolling the panes through the display slots of the context menu upon user selection of the selectable mechanism, the panes displayed in the context menu logically being scrolled down one pane upon the user selection.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Enhanced scrolling technique for context menus in graphical user interfaces

Life of this patent

Enhanced scrolling technique for context menus in graphical user interfaces

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13