Graphical interface with event horizon

A method for viewing a plurality of objects on a graphical display, the graphical display including a space for displaying objects, the method comprising:

• receiving a command from a user;
• if the command is a first command and an object is located outside a sink containing objects that are not visible on the graphical display, moving the object closer to a representation of the sink on the graphical display;
• wherein if the object moves within a proximity of the representation, the object leaves the graphical display and enters the sink;
• and
• if the command is a second command and the object is located outside the sink, moving the object farther from the representation of the sink.

A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for viewing a plurality of objects on a graphical display, the graphical display including space for displaying objects, the method comprising:

• receiving a command from a user;
• if the command is a first command and the object is located outside the sink, moving the object closer to a representation of the sink on the graphical display;
• wherein if the object moves within a proximity of the representation, the object leaves the graphical display and enters the sink;
• wherein if the object is already at a highest level of the sink, the object leaves the sink and enters the graphical display at a location near the representation;
• and
• if the command is the second command and the object is located outside the sink, moving the object farther from the representation of the sink.

An apparatus for viewing a plurality of objects on a graphical display, comprising:

• a processor;
• the graphical display including a space for displaying objects;
• a representation of a sink on the graphical display, the sink containing objects that are not visible on the graphical display;
• an input device on the apparatus for receiving a command;
• and
• an object moving mechanism, that is configured to,
• move an object a level deeper into the sink if the command is a first command and the object is inside the sink,
• move the object closer to the representation of the sink on the graphical display if the command is the first command and the object is located outside the sink on the graphical display, wherein if the object moves within a proximity of the representation, the object leaves the graphical display and enters the sink;
• move the object a level higher in the sink if the command is a second command and the object is located inside the sink, wherein if the object is already at a highest level of the sink, the object leaves the sink and enters the graphical display at a location near the representation, and
• move the object farther from the representation if the command is the second command and the object is located outside the sink on the graphical display.

An apparatus for viewing a plurality of objects on a graphical display, comprising:

• a means for receiving a command from a user;
• a means for compressing objects that operates by,
• moving an object a level deeper into a sink containing objects that are not visible on the graphical display if the object is inside the sink;
• moving the object closer to a representation of the sink on the graphical display if the object is located outside the sink on the graphical display, wherein if the object moves within a proximity of the representation, the object leaves the graphical display and enters the sink;
• and
• a means for expanding objects that operates by,
• moving the object a level higher in the sink if the object is located inside the sink;
• wherein if the object is already at a highest level of the sink, the object leaves the sink and enters the graphical display at a location near the representation, and
• moving the object farther from the representation if the object is located outside the sink on the graphical display.