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US5877761A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for smooth scrolling of text using window

Assignee: Sofmap Future Design Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-12
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2016-07-12
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Abstract

Abstract Text image on a monitor can be scrolled pixel-by-pixel instead of line-by-line or character-by-character. An application window (for showing images generated by an application) and a child window are generated. The text image is drawn on the child window instead of on the application window. The size of the application window is smaller than the child window. Only the portion of the child window overlapping the application window is displayed by a computer screen. If a user desires scrolling, the child window is moved, a pixel at a time, in a direction corresponding to the direction of scrolling. When a full line or a full character is scrolled, the child window clears itself and returns to its original position. At the same time, the text image is scrolled one line or one character on the child window so as to match the pixel-based scrolling. As a result, the user sees a smooth scrolling of a text image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wataru Shoji
  • 👤 Daisuke Tabuchi
  • 👤 Ichiro Nakajima

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/34; G09G5/346; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/465; G09G5/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 241 words
A method for a user to scroll a text image containing alphanumeric characters that are generated by a computer system from a text-based file, said computer system containing means for scrolling said text image at a granularity defined by said alphanumeric characters, said method comprising the steps of: generating a first window having a client area and displayed at a location on a computer monitor; generating a second window having a client area that is larger than said client area of said first window; positioning said client area of said second window such that said client area of said first window is positioned completely within said client area of said second window; said second window being blocked from displaying on said computer monitor except for a portion of its client area which overlaps said client area of said first window; drawing a first text image from said text-based file on said client area of said second window; moving said second window from a starting location in a direction desired by said user, thereby displaying different portions of said text image on said computer monitor during moving; returning said second window to said starting location when said text image has been moved in said moving step a distance corresponding to said granularity; and drawing a second text image from said text-based file on said client area of said second window such that said first and said second images differ by said granularity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 241 words
A method for a user to scroll a text image containing alphanumeric characters that are generated by a computer system from a text-based file, said computer system containing means for scrolling said text image at a granularity defined by said alphanumeric characters, said method comprising the steps of: generating a first window having a client area and displayed at a location on a computer monitor; generating a second window having a client area that is larger than said client area of said first window; positioning said client area of said second window such that said client area of said first window is positioned completely within said client area of said second window; said second window being blocked from displaying on said computer monitor except for a portion of its client area which overlaps said client area of said first window; drawing a first text image from said text-based file on said client area of said second window; moving said second window from a starting location in a direction desired by said user, thereby displaying different portions of said text image on said computer monitor during moving; returning said second window to said starting location when said text image has been moved in said moving step a distance corresponding to said granularity; and drawing a second text image from said text-based file on said client area of said second window such that said first and said second images differ by said granularity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said client area of said second window is larger than said client area of said first window by at least one character vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said client area of said second window is larger than said client area of said first window by at least one character horizontally.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second window is a child window of said first window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said moving step moves said second window a pixel at a time.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

EP0121015A1 Cited
US4714919A Cited
US4922238A Cited
US5333247A Cited
EP0513553A2 Cited
US5519875A Cited
EP0592091A2 Cited
WO1994028480A1 Cited
US5691743A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-03-01 2002-08-31 2003-03-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-03-01 2006-08-31 2007-03-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-03-01 2010-08-31 2011-03-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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