Zooming Controller

Abstract

A method and device for accessing a broad data field having a fine resolution. The user selects a scale which can be varied. The scale controls a range within the data field. By moving the range to encompass different portions of the data field, the user can scan that portion of the data field. The present invention allows the user to simultaneously select the scale while moving the range over different portions of the data field. Thus, the user can “zoom in” and “zoom out” of different portions of the data field. In one embodiment of the present invention, a particular piece of data within the broad data field can be accessed. First, the scale is selectively varied, thereby controlling a range within the data field. Then, the range is moved to encompass portions of the data field in which the piece of data resides. Next, the scale is successively decreased while, simultaneously, points successively closer to the location are kept with the range. The scale is decreased (i.e., increasing the range's resolution) and the range is moved in this manner until the piece of data is actually accessed.

1 . A method for accessing a data field in a data processing system, the method comprising:
 when the data processing system is in a first mode:   scrolling a region of a scrollable user interface in response to input from a touch input device, wherein a portion of the user interface within the window is displayed on a display device;   receiving a signal to enter into a second mode;   when the data processing system is in the second mode:   remapping control of the touch input device to control both a scale and a range, the scale and the range specifying a portion of the data field for access;   adjusting the scale if the touch input device detects motion along a first axis;   adjusting the range if the touch input device detects motion along a second axis.   
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein in the second mode:
 the scale is increased when the touch input device detects an upward motion; and   the scale is decreased when the touch input device detects a downward motion.   
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 2  wherein in the second mode:
 a later portion of the data field is selected when the touch input device detects a motion to the right; and   an earlier portion of the data field is selected when the touch input device detects a motion to the left.   
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 3  wherein, to enter the second mode, the signal is received when the touch input device detects a plurality of taps. 
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 3  wherein, to enter the second mode, the signal is received when a button is pressed. 
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting, by the touch input device, a simultaneous motion along the first axis and the second axis;   adjusting the scale and the range simultaneously according to the simultaneous motion.   
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 3  wherein the data field represents a video clip. 
   
   
       8 . A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause the data processing system to perform operations that process data, the operations comprising:
 when the data processing system is in a first mode:   scrolling a region of a scrollable user interface in response to input from a touch input device, wherein a portion of the user interface within the window is displayed on a display device;   receiving a signal to enter into a second mode;   when the data processing system is in the second mode:   remapping control of the touch input device to control both a scale and a range, the scale and the range specifying a portion of the data field for access;   adjusting the scale if the touch input device detects motion along a first axis;   adjusting the range if the touch input device detects motion along a second axis.   
   
   
       9 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 8  wherein in the second mode:
 the scale is increased when the touch input device detects an upward motion; and   the scale is decreased when the touch input device detects a downward motion.   
   
   
       10 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 9  wherein in the second mode:
 a later portion of the data field is selected when the touch input device detects a motion to the right; and   an earlier portion of the data field is selected when the touch input device detects a motion to the left.   
   
   
       11 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 10  wherein, to enter the second mode, the signal is received when the touch input device detects a plurality of taps. 
   
   
       12 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 10  wherein, to enter the second mode, the signal is received when a button is pressed. 
   
   
       13 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 8  further comprising:
 detecting, by the touch input device, a simultaneous motion along the first axis and the second axis;   adjusting the scale and the range simultaneously according to the simultaneous motion.   
   
   
       14 . A computer-readable storage medium as in  claim 10  wherein the data field represents a video clip. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for accessing a data field in a data processing system, the apparatus comprising:
 means for determining when the data processing system is in a first mode;   when the data processing system is in the first mode:   means for scrolling a region of a scrollable user interface in response to input from a touch input means, wherein a portion of the user interface within the window is displayed on a display means;   means for receiving a signal to enter into a second mode;   means for determining when the data processing system is in the second mode;   when the data processing system is in the second mode:   means for remapping control of the touch input means to control both a scale and a range, the scale and the range specifying a portion of the data field for access;   means for adjusting the scale if the touch input means detects motion along a first axis;   means for adjusting the range if the touch input means detects motion along a second axis.   
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein in the second mode:
 the scale is increased when the touch input means detects an upward motion; and   the scale is decreased when the touch input means detects a downward motion.   
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as in  claim 16  wherein in the second mode:
 a later portion of the data field is selected when the touch input means detects a motion to the right; and   an earlier portion of the data field is selected when the touch input means detects a motion to the left.   
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as in  claim 17  wherein, to enter the second mode, the signal is received when the touch input means detects a plurality of taps. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as in  claim 17  wherein, to enter the second mode, the signal is received when a button means is pressed. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  further comprising:
 means for detecting, by the touch input means, a simultaneous motion along the first axis and the second axis;   means for adjusting the scale and the range simultaneously according to the simultaneous motion.   
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as in  claim 17  wherein the data field represents a video clip.