Patent Publication Number: US-2010131886-A1

Title: Display system and method for generating enhanced scrollbar

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to graphical user interfaces and, more particularly, to a system (e.g., an aircraft display system) and method for generating an enhanced scrollbar. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, a graphical user interface may include a viewport or window (e.g., an area in which data, such as text, is displayed) and at least one virtual widget with which a user may interact to control the interface. Often, a text document or other such data list is too lengthy to be displayed within a viewport while maintaining desired viewing settings (e.g., zoom level). Consequently, only a portion of the data list may displayed within the viewport at a given time and a scrollbar may be generated adjacent the viewport to permit the user to navigate through the data list as desired. A representative scrollbar includes a long rectangular area (referred to herein as an “elevator shaft” and also commonly referred to as a “trough”) containing an elevator (also commonly referred to as a “bar,” “thumb,” “puck,” “wiper,” or “knob”), which may be moved within the elevator shaft. The position of the elevator within the elevator shaft corresponds to the portion of the data list displayed within the viewport; e.g., if the elevator is located at the bottom of a vertically-oriented elevator shaft, the viewport will display the lower portion of the data list. Similarly, the height of the elevator relative to the height of a vertical elevator shaft is generally proportional to the length of the displayed portion relative to the data list&#39;s total length; e.g., if the length of the displayed portion is 20% the total length of the data list, the elevator&#39;s height will be approximately 20% the height of the elevator shaft. 
     Utilizing a cursor device, such as a mouse, trackball, touchpad, or keyboard-mounted knob (commonly referred to as a “pointing stick”) a user may interact with the scrollbar to determine which portion of the data list is displayed within the viewport at a given time. For example, and again referring to a vertically-oriented elevator shaft, a user may drag the scrollbar&#39;s elevator to a desired location to scroll the displayed data list portion upward or downward. A user may also move the displayed portion of the data list up or down a full screen by selecting (“clicking”) an area of the elevator shaft above or below the elevator, respectively. Finally, if virtual arrow buttons are provided near the top and bottom of the elevator shaft, a user may selected the upper or lower arrow buttons, respectively, to move the displayed portion of the data list upward or downward by a single line. 
     In certain cases, a data list may include multiple prioritized sections. As a general example, an aircraft display system may convey navigational information to pilot and crew utilizing a data list containing messages of varying criticality. As a more specific example, a Crew Alert System (CAS) display system may be deployed on the flight deck of an aircraft. The CAS display system includes a monitor (e.g., a multi-function display) on which a CAS data list is displayed. The CAS data list contains one or more of the following sections: (i) a “Warning Section” listing critical items that should be addressed immediately by the pilot or crew; (ii) a “Caution Section” listing important alert messages that should be heeded by the pilot and crew, but do not require immediate attention; and (iii) an “Information Section” listing informational items of lesser importance. If the CAS data list is only partially displayed within a viewport, a scrollbar of the type described above is produced adjacent the viewport. The scrollbar provides crewmembers with a relatively intuitive means for navigating through the CAS data list; however, the scrollbar does not provide any indication of the number, the relative length, and the priority of the sections included within the CAS data list. As a result, an aircraft crewmember is generally required to undergo the somewhat cumbersome process of scrolling through the entire CAS data list to determine this information. Notably, in the context of a CAS display system or other such aircraft display system, a crewmember may move the elevator within the elevator shaft by rotating a ruggedized dial mounted near the display system&#39;s monitor instead of selecting virtual arrow buttons, the elevator shaft, or other widgets with a cursor graphic. 
     Considering the above, it is desirable to provide a system (e.g., an aircraft display system) and method for generating an enhanced scrollbar that visually indicates the number, relative length, and priority of multiple sections included within a given data list. It would also be desirable for such an enhanced scrollbar to provide information regarding the content of each of the different data list sections. Finally, it would also be desirable for such an enhanced scrollbar to permit a user to easily center the scrollbar&#39;s elevator as desired. Other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent Detailed Description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this Background. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A display system is provided for displaying a categorized data group divided into multiple data group sections by at least one section break. In one embodiment, the display system includes a monitor, a cursor device; and a controller operably coupled to the monitor and to the cursor device. The controller is configured to generate on the monitor: (i) a viewport displaying a portion of the categorized data group, (ii) a scrollbar adjacent the viewport, and (iii) a cursor graphic positioned in accordance with user input received via the cursor device. The cursor device permits a user to interact with the scrollbar to select which portion of the categorized data group is displayed within the viewport. The scrollbar includes a visual representation of each section break included within the categorized data group. 
     A method is also provided for generating an enhanced scrollbar on the monitor of a display system, which displays a portion of a categorized data group containing multiple data group sections each separated by a section break. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining the length of the categorized data group and the location of each section break included within the categorized data group, and generating on the monitor: (i) an elevator shaft; (ii) an elevator within the elevator shaft, and (iii) at least one section break graphic representative of each section break included within the categorized data group. The height of the elevator relative to the height of the elevator shaft generally corresponds to the length of the displayed portion of the categorized data group relative to the categorized data group&#39;s total length; and the section break graphic visually divides the elevator shaft into multiple shaft portions each corresponding to, and generally proportional with, a different data group section included within the categorized data group. 
     A program product is further provided for execution by an aircraft display system including a controller, at least one monitor, and a cursor device. The aircraft display system is configured to display a categorized data group including multiple data group sections each separated by a section break. In one embodiment, the program product includes an avionics display program adapted to generate on the monitor: (i) a viewport displaying a portion of the data list, (ii) a scrollbar adjacent the viewport and including a visual representation of each section break included within the categorized data group, and (iii) a cursor graphic positioned in accordance with user input received via the cursor device. The cursor device permits a user to interact with the scrollbar to select which portion of the categorized data group is displayed within the viewport. The program product further includes computer-readable media bearing the avionics display program. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       At least one example of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a generalized display system suitable for generating an enhanced scrollbar in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary data list including three prioritized data sections list sections that may be generated on a monitor included within the generalized display system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are screenshots of an exemplary viewport and an exemplary enhanced scrollbar that may be generated by the display system shown in  FIG. 1  utilizing the data list shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a screenshot of the exemplary viewport and exemplary enhanced scrollbar shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrating one manner in which the enhanced scrollbar may visually indicate the content of a data list section corresponding to a selected elevator shaft portion; 
         FIG. 6  is a screenshot of the exemplary viewport and exemplary enhanced scrollbar shown in  FIGS. 3-5  illustrating one manner in which a user may center the scrollbar elevator at a desired location; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process that may be carried out by the display system shown in  FIG. 1  to generate a visual representation of the data list shown in  FIG. 2  and the enhanced scrollbar shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following Detailed Description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding Background or the following Detailed Description. 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a generalized display system  20 . Display system  20  includes at least one monitor  22 , a controller  24 , a plurality of data sources  26 , and a cursor device  28 , such as a trackball, mouse, touchpad, or keyboard-mounted knob (commonly referred to as a “pointing stick”). In embodiments wherein display system  20  assumes the form of an aircraft display system, cursor device  28  may also comprise (e.g., in addition to a trackball) a ruggedized concentric knob or dial mounted within the aircraft cockpit proximate monitor  22 . Controller  24  has at least first and second inputs, which are operatively coupled to data sources  26  and to cursor device  28 , respectively; and at least one output, which is operatively coupled to monitor  22 . Monitor  22  may comprise any suitable image-generating device including various analog devices (e.g., cathode ray tube) and digital devices (e.g., liquid crystal, active matrix, plasma, etc.). Controller  24  may comprise, or be associated with, any suitable number of individual microprocessors, memories, power supplies, storage devices, interface cards, and other standard components known in the art. In this respect, the controller  24  may include or cooperate with any number of software programs or instructions designed to carry out the various methods, process tasks, calculations, and control/display functions described below. 
     During operation of display system  20 , controller  24  drives monitor  22  to produce a visual display  30  thereon. Display  30  includes a viewport  32  in which a portion of a categorized data group is displayed. As described below, the categorized data group may be a graphic, such as a geographical map. However, in a preferred group of embodiments, the categorized data group assumes the form of a data list, such as a text document. In such embodiments, the data list may be compiled from data provided by data sources  26  and/or data stored within a memory associated with controller  24 . When the data list is too lengthy to be displayed entirely within viewport  32 , controller  24  generates a portion of the data list within viewport  32 . In such cases, controller  24  further generates an enhanced scrollbar adjacent viewport  32  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Utilizing cursor device  28 , a user may interact with the enhanced scrollbar to manipulate the portion of the data list displayed within viewport  32 . An exemplary embodiment of an enhanced scrollbar that may be generated by controller  24  on monitor  22  is described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 3-6 . 
     In one group of embodiments, display system  20  may be deployed on the flight deck of an aircraft. In such embodiments, monitor  22  may assume the form a Multi-Function Display (MFD) included within a Crew Alert System (CAS), such as an Engine Instrument and Crew Advisory System (EICAS). Similarly, controller  24  may assume the form of, for example, a Flight Management Computer of the type commonly deployed within a Flight Management System (FMS); and data sources  26  may include one or more of the following systems: various operational sensors onboard the aircraft, a runaway awareness and advisory system, an instrument landing system, a flight director system, a weather data system, a terrain avoidance and caution system, a traffic and collision avoidance system, a terrain database, an inertial reference system, and a navigational database. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary data list  34  that may be generated, in part, on monitor  22  by controller  24  ( FIG. 1 ). In this particular example, data list  34  assumes the form of a CAS data list divided into three data list sections; i.e., (i) a Warning Section, (ii) a Caution Section, and (iii) and Information Section. As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the Warning Section includes five separate warning messages, the Caution Section includes twelve separate alert messages, and the Information Section includes three separate informational items. The warning messages contained within the Warning Section are labeled generically in  FIG. 2  as “CAS Warning  1 ,” “CAS Warning  2 ,” “CAS Warning  3 ,” and so on. The caution messages contained within the Caution Section and the informational items contained within the Information Section are also generically labeled in a similar manner. The different sections of data list  34  are separated by section breaks  36 , which are represented in  FIG. 2  by first and second solid lines. As used herein, the term “section break” is defined broadly to encompass a location at which one category of data (e.g., a first data list section) generally ends and a second category of data (e.g., a subsequent data list section) generally begins. The section breaks may not be visible within the viewport in alternative embodiments. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the different data list sections included within data list  34  are prioritized. More specifically, the Warning Section is considered high priority and contains critical warning messages that should be immediately addressed by the pilot or crew; the Caution Section is considered moderate priority and contains alert message that should be heeded by the pilot and crew, but do not require immediate attention; and the Information Section is considered low priority and contains miscellaneous informational items. “FAILURE # 2  ENGINE” is an example of a high priority warning that might be included within the Warning Section, “ONE HOUR FUEL REMAINING” is an example of a moderate priority caution that might be included within the Caution Section, and “DATABASE UPDATE DUE IN 3 DAYS” is an example of a low priority informational message that might be included within the Information Section. 
     Depending upon viewing settings (e.g., the selected zoom level), viewport  32  ( FIG. 1 ) may only be capable of displaying a portion of data list  34  at a given time. For example, and as indicated in  FIG. 2  by the bracket labeled “VIEWPORT CAPACITY,” viewport  32  may be able to display approximately 25% of data list  34  at a given time. Therefore, to permit a user to navigate through data list  34  with the aid of cursor device  28 , controller  24  further generates an enhanced scrollbar adjacent viewport  32 . The scrollbar generated by controller  24  is considered “enhanced” in that it indicates the number and relative length of sections included within data list  34 . In certain embodiments, the enhanced scrollbar may also indicate the priority of the different data list sections and, perhaps, the content thereof. In further embodiments, the scrollbar may also permit the user to easily center the scrollbar&#39;s elevator at a desired location. An example of such an enhanced scrollbar will now be described in conjunction with  FIGS. 3-6 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are screenshots of viewport  32  and an exemplary enhanced scrollbar  40  that may be generated on monitor  22  by controller  24  ( FIG. 1 ). In keeping with the example introduced above, controller  24  may generate a portion of CAS data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ) within viewport  32 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , scrollbar  40  includes: (i) a vertically-oriented elevator shaft  42 , (ii) a elevator  44  within elevator shaft  42 , and (iii) first and second virtual arrow buttons  46  and  48  positioned near the top and bottom of elevator shaft  42 , respectively. The position of elevator  44  within elevator shaft  42  generally corresponds to the portion of data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ) displayed within viewport  32 . Similarly, the height of elevator  44  relative to the height of a vertical elevator shaft  42  is generally proportional to the length of the displayed portion of data list  34  relative to total length of data list  34 . 
     A cursor graphic  50  is also generated on the display and positioned in accordance with user input received via cursor device  28  ( FIG. 1 ). Utilizing cursor device  28  and cursor graphic  50 , a user may adjust the position of elevator  44  within elevator shaft  42  to specify which portion of data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ) is displayed within viewport  32  at a given time. For example, a user may adjust the position of elevator  44  by: (i) dragging elevator  44  to a desired location within elevator shaft  42  to scroll the displayed portion of data list  34  upward or downward; (ii) selecting (“clicking”) an area of elevator shaft  42  directly above or below elevator  44  to move the displayed portion of data list  34  upward or downward, respectively, a full screen (indicate in  FIG. 4  by re-positioned cursor graphic  50 ); and/or (iii) selecting upper virtual arrow button  46  or lower virtual arrow button  48  to move the displayed portion of data list  34  upward or downward, respectively, by a single line. In addition, and in contrast to conventional graphic user interface (GUI) scrollbars, a user may also center elevator  44  at a desired location by selecting (“clicking”) a chosen portion of elevator shaft  42  outside of the path of travel of elevator  44  as described more fully below in conjunction with  FIG. 6 . 
     The foregoing example notwithstanding, enhanced scrollbar  40  may assume other visual forms and have different functionalities in alternative embodiments. When display system  20  assumes the form of an aircraft display system, such as a CAS display system, enhanced scrollbar  40  may not include virtual arrow buttons  46  and  48 . Furthermore, a crewmember may not move elevator  44  within elevator shaft  42  by selecting arrow buttons  46  and  48 , by selecting an area of elevator shaft  42  directly above or below elevator  44 , or by dragging elevator  44  to a desired location utilizing cursor graphic  50  in the manner described above. Instead, a crewmember may move elevator  44  within elevator shaft  42  by rotating a ruggedized knob or dial (or other such user input) included within cursor device  28 . In this case, the dial may be selectively activated by aircraft display system  20  when appropriate; e.g., when a window containing enhanced scrollbar  40  is selected by a crewmember utilizing cursor device  28 . To visually indicate that the dial is activated and may now be utilized to move elevator  44  within elevator shaft  42 , aircraft display system  20  may generate a graphic (e.g., a scroll icon resembling a curly-cue) on monitor  22  proximate scrollbar  40 . 
     It will be appreciated that certain graphical elements included within scrollbar  40  (e.g., elevator  44  and virtual arrow buttons  46  and  48 ) are similar to those included within conventional GUI scrollbars. However, as compared to elevator shafts commonly included within conventional GUI scrollbars, elevator shaft  42  includes several unique features. For example, elevator shaft  42  includes a visual representation of each section break  36  included within data list  34 . In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the section breaks  36  are visually indicated by line break graphics  52 ; e.g., solid lines generally transecting elevator shaft  42 . Line break graphics  52  visually divide elevator shaft  42  into three shaft segments  54 ,  56 , and  58 , which correspond to the Warning Section, the Caution Section, and the Information Section of data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ), respectively. By visually dividing elevator shaft  42  into shaft segments corresponding to the various sections included within data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ), line break graphics  72  quickly provide the viewer (e.g., aircraft crewmember) with an intuitive indication of the number of sections included within the data list. In addition, line break graphics  72  are distributed along elevator shaft  42  at positions corresponding to the relative positions of section breaks  36  included within data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ). As a result, the relative lengths of shaft segments  54 ,  56 , and  58  are generally proportional with the relative lengths of the Warning Section, the Caution Section, and the Information Section included within data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ). Thus, a viewer glancing at elevator shaft  42  may quickly ascertain that the Warning Section is of moderate length (and, therefore, likely contains a moderate number of warning messages), that the Caution Section is relatively lengthy (and, therefore, likely contains a relatively high number of alert messages), and that the Information Section is relatively short (and, therefore, likely contains relatively few informational items). 
     Enhanced scrollbar  40  may further provide a visual indication of the relative priority of the different sections included within data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ). In a preferred embodiment, scrollbar  40  visually indicates the priority of the different sections of data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ) by color coding elevator shaft segments  54 ,  56 , and  58  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . For example, shaft segment  54  may be partially or fully filled with a first color (e.g., red) to indicate that the data list section to which segment  54  corresponds (i.e., the Warning Section) is of high priority; shaft segment  56  may be partially or fully filled with a second color (e.g., yellow) to indicate that the data list section to which segment  56  corresponds (i.e., the Caution Section) is of moderate priority; and shaft segment  58  may be partially or fully filled with a third color (e.g., blue or white) to indicate that the data list section to which segment  56  corresponds (i.e., the Information Section) is of low priority. Of course, visual means other than color coding may also be utilized to indicate the relative priority of the data list sections; e.g., a first symbology or graphical patterning (e.g., cross-hatching) may be generated within shaft segment  54  to indicate that the Warning Section is of high priority status, a second symbology or graphical patterning may be generate within shaft segment  56  to indicated that the Caution Section is of moderate priority status, etc. Alternatively or additionally, visual effects (e.g., flashing graphics, reverse video, etc.) may be utilized to indicate priority of the shaft segments and the data list sections corresponding thereto. Although the data list segments are presented in order of descending criticality in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, this need not always be the case. 
     Preferably, enhanced scrollbar  40  further provides a visual representation of the type of data contained within each data section of data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ). This visual representation may be continually displayed within scrollbar  40 . In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, shaft segment  54  is patterned with a repeating character (i.e., the letter “W”) representative of the type of data contained within the data list corresponding to shaft segment  54  (i.e., warnings contained within the Warning Section). Similarly, shaft segments  56  and  58  are also pattered with repeating characters (i.e., the letters “C” and “I”) representative of the type of data contained within their corresponding data list sections (i.e., the cautions contained within the Caution Section and informational items contained within the Information Section, respectively). Providing both color coding and graphical pattering of shaft segments  54 ,  56 , and  58  in this manner increases the speed and accuracy with which a viewer (e.g., an aircraft crewmember) is able to comprehend the relative priority of different sections included within data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Enhanced scrollbar  40  may also be configured to indicate the content of a particular section of data list  34  ( FIG. 2 ) when a user selects a segment of elevator shaft  42  corresponding to a particular data list section. Further emphasizing this point,  FIG. 5  is a screenshot illustrating enhanced scrollbar  40  after a user has utilized cursor device  28  ( FIG. 1 ) to “hover” cursor graphic  50  (i.e., allow cursor graphic  50  to remain substantially motionless) over a particular shaft segment (e.g., segment  54 ) for a predetermined time period (e.g., 2-3 seconds). In response, controller  24  ( FIG. 1 ) has generated a text box  60  proximate the selected shaft segment (i.e., segment  54 ). Text box  60  indicates the type of data (i.e., warning messages) contained within the data list section corresponding to the selected shaft segment (i.e., the Warning Section corresponding to shaft segment  54 ). Text box  60  may also briefly summarize the content of one or more of the messages contained within the Warning Section (e.g., via a text message, such as “Failure # 2  Engine”). Similar text boxes may also be generated for the Caution Section and the Information Section if a user utilizes cursor device  28  to hover cursor graphic  50  over shaft segment  56  or shaft segment  58 , respectively, in a similar manner. 
     In addition to providing an intuitive visual indication of the number, relative length, and priority of multiple data list sections, enhanced scrollbar  40  also permits a user to quickly center elevator  44  at a desired location within elevator shaft  42 . Referring now to  FIG. 6  in conjunction with  FIGS. 3-5 , it will be noted that the width of elevator shaft  42  is greater than the width of elevator  44 . Elevator  44  is positioned to one side of elevator shaft  42  (i.e., the left side shown in example shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ) thus leaving a vertical portion of elevator shaft  42  outside of the elevator&#39;s path of travel. As noted above, a user may select (“click”) an area of elevator shaft  42  directly above or below elevator  44  (i.e., within the elevator&#39;s path of travel) to move the displayed portion of data list  34  upward or downward, respectively, a full screen. However, if the user instead selects (“clicks”) an area of elevator shaft  42  outside of the elevator&#39;s path of travel (i.e., to the right of elevator  44  in the example shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ), controller  24  ( FIG. 1 ) will re-position elevator  44  to be centered with respect to the selected area of elevator shaft  42 . Thus, in  FIG. 6 , a user has utilized cursor device  28  ( FIG. 1 ) to select an intermediate portion of shaft segment  56 , and controller  24  has centered elevator  44  with respect to the selected portion of segment  56 . In addition, controller  24  has altered the portion of data list  34  displayed within viewport  32  accordingly. 
     In certain embodiments, controller  24  ( FIG. 1 ) may be configured to render at elevator  44 , or at least a portion of elevator  44 , semi-transparent. In this manner, elevator shaft  42 , and any graphic patterning or line break graphics contained therein, will remain visible even when covered by elevator  44 . Alternatively, one or more windows may be provided through elevator  44  as indicated in  FIG. 6  at  62 . 
     The foregoing has thus described an exemplary embodiment of display system configured to produce an enhanced scrollbar that visually indicates the number, relative length, and priority of multiple sections included within a data list. In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, the enhanced scrollbar also permitted a user to easily center the scrollbar&#39;s elevator at a desired position. While the above-described exemplary embodiment generated an enhanced scrollbar including a vertically-oriented elevator shaft, alternative embodiments of the enhanced scrollbar may instead include a horizontally-oriented elevator shaft. Furthermore, while the above-described exemplary embodiment was generally described in the context of a Crew Alert System (CAS), it should be appreciated that other types of display systems, both avionic and non-avionic, may also be configured to generate the enhanced scrollbar. For example, in a second embodiment, the display system may be deployed on an aircraft and configured to superimpose the enhanced scrollbar over a moving map display. In this case, the enhanced scrollbar may be generated adjacent a viewport displaying a data list including: (i) high priority missed approach instructions, (ii) low priority remarks, and/or (iii) frequencies relative to the aircraft&#39;s approach. In a third embodiment, the display system may be deployed on an aircraft and configured to generate the enhanced scrollbar adjacent a viewport displaying a data list including prioritized text messages contained within a weather briefing. 
     While an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above in the context of a fully functioning computer system (i.e., display system  20  shown in  FIG. 1 ), those skilled in the art will recognize that the mechanisms of the present invention are capable of being distributed as a program product (e.g., an avionics display program) and, furthermore, that the teachings of the present invention apply to the program product regardless of the particular type of computer-readable media (e.g., floppy disc, hard drive, memory card, optical disc, etc.) employed to carry-out its distribution. Similarly, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a method. To further emphasize this point, an exemplary method for generating enhanced scrollbar  40  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) will now be described in conjunction with  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method that may be carried out by controller  24  ( FIG. 1 ) to generate enhanced scrollbar  40  ( FIGS. 3-6 ) on monitor  22  ( FIG. 1 ). To commence (STEP  70 ), controller  24  determines the length of the data list to be displayed on monitor  22  (e.g., data list  34  shown in  FIG. 2 ), as well as the location of each section break included within the data list. Next (STEP  72 ), controller  24  generates the following visual elements on monitor  22 : (i) an elevator shaft (e.g., elevator shaft  42  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ), (ii) an elevator within the elevator shaft (e.g., elevator  44  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ), (iii) at least one section break graphic representative of each section included within the data list (e.g., section break graphics  52  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ), and (iv) a cursor graphic positioned in accordance with user input received via cursor device  28  (e.g., cursor graphic  50  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ). As noted above, the section break graphics visually divide the elevator shaft into multiple shaft segments (e.g., shaft segments  54 ,  56 , and  58  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ) each corresponding to a different data list section included within the data list. After performing STEP  72 , controller  24  next identifies the priority of each section included within the data list (STEP  74 ) and subsequently modifies the appearance of the shaft portions to indicate the priority of each data list section associated therewith (STEP  76 ). For example, and as discussed above in conjunction with  FIGS. 3 and 4 , controller  24  may color code each of the shaft portions in accordance with the priority of the data list sections corresponding thereto; e.g., the shaft portion or portions corresponding to high priority data list sections may be color coded red. At STEP  78 , controller  24  determines if the cursor graphic (e.g., cursor graphic  50  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ) has hovered over a particular shaft portion for a predetermined time period (e.g., 2-3 seconds). If the cursor graphic has not hovered over a particular shaft portion for the predetermined time period, controller  24  returns to STEP  70  and the process is repeated. If, instead, the cursor graphic has hovered over a particular shaft portion for a predetermined time period, controller  24  generates a text box (e.g., text box  66  shown in  FIG. 5 ) proximate the scrollbar indicating the content of the data list section corresponding to selected shaft portion (STEP  80 ). Controller  24  then returns to STEP  70 , and the process is repeated. The exemplary process illustrated in  FIG. 7  may be continually repeated at a desired refresh rate to update the scrollbar to reflect changes that may occur to the data list (e.g., the addition or deletion of warnings, cautions, or informational items from data list  34  shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     As noted briefly above, embodiments of the enhanced scrollbar may be utilized in conjunction with categorized data groups other than data lists. As defined herein, the term “categorized data group” encompasses any compilation of information including at least two categories of data, whether the compilation of information assumes a graphical form, a textual form, or both a graphical and textual form when produced on the display system&#39;s monitor. The categorized data group may be a prioritized data list containing a number of prioritized data list sections, such as data list  34  described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-6 . Alternatively, the categorized data group may be a graphic, such as a geographical map. In such embodiments, the categorized data group may be divided into categories based on terrestrial features, such as terrain type or topography. As a first example, display system  20  ( FIG. 1 ) may generate within viewport  32  a portion of a top-down moving map display. In this case, a first portion of the enhanced scrollbar may visually indicate that a first section of the geographical map corresponding thereto is primary comprised of mountainous terrain, and a second portion of the scrollbar may visually indicate that a second map section corresponding thereto is primary comprised of water. Thus, a user may refer to the scrollbar to quickly determine the general make-up of the geographical map (e.g., the amount of mountainous terrain relative to the amount of water) and the location of the terrain types relative to the currently-displayed portion of the map. As a second example, display system  20  ( FIG. 1 ) may generate within viewport  32  a portion of a vertical map display wherein geographical features (e.g., areas of a mountain range) are color coded to indicate the altitude thereof. In this case, a first portion of the enhanced scrollbar may be color coded with a first color (e.g., green) to indicate that the corresponding map section contains terrain (e.g., mountain peaks) characterized by a higher altitude range, and a second portion of a first portion of the scrollbar may be color coded with a first color (e.g., brown) to indicate that the corresponding map section contains terrain characterized by a lower altitude range (e.g., the mountain&#39;s base). 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing Detailed Description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing Detailed Description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set-forth in the appended Claims.