Patent ID: 6816174
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for scrolling through at least part of a complete multimedia data set including still images, video, audio, and text, the method comprising:receiving the size of a complete data set; displaying a first scrollable region of indicators that represent the complete data set, the first scrollable region having a first marker to indicate a current selection from the complete data set; displaying a second scrollable region of indicators that represents a subset of the complete data set in the first scrollable region, the subset containing less data than is contained in the complete data set and the second scrollable region containing a second marker indicating the current selection from the complete data set; displaying a third region for displaying a current selection from the complete multimedia data set; and receiving user input to move the second marker between a first indicator and a second indicator in the second scrollable region of indicators whereby the current selection in the third region is changed to correspond to a new selection from the complete multimedia data set corresponding to the second indicator; wherein the step of displaying a second scrollable region includes displaying a second scrollable region formed to illustrate an expansion of the subset of the complete data set as a geometric shape selected from the group of geometric shapes consisting of trapezoids, rhombuses, triangles and rectangles, wherein the geometric shape comprising a scroll area forming a base, a top, a first side and a second side, the scroll area oriented so that the top is parallel to the first area and in close proximity thereto, and the base is positioned near the second area, and a series of separators defining a plurality of continuous regions within the scroll area wherein the regions are formed closer together at the top of the scroll area and the regions fan-out to be further apart at the bottom of the scroll area.