Patent ID: 6433798
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for viewing a plurality of objects on a graphical display that allows a user to scroll through the plurality of objects by varying transparency of the plurality of objects, comprising:receiving an intrinsic value for an object, the intrinsic value specifying a value for a non-positional display attribute for the object; receiving a reference value for the non-positional display attribute against which intrinsic values for objects are compared, the reference value being received from a scroll bar that is manipulated by the user; computing a display value for the object as a function of a difference between the intrinsic value and the reference value, wherein the function assumes a higher value when an absolute value of the difference approaches zero and a lower value when the absolute value of the difference becomes large; and displaying the object using the display value to specify a transparency for the object; wherein the steps of, receiving the intrinsic value, receiving the reference value, computing the display value and displaying the object are repeated for the plurality of objects on the graphical display.