Importance

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Abstract

A sequential information controller for use in combination with a computer comprising a slider bar, integrating standard velocity and direction indicators, and a control icon. The user controls the playback velocity and direction of the sequential information, such as video information, on the display of the computer through an interactive user interface, which works in combination with the computer's system software. The interface includes an interactive slider bar and an interactive control icon which are depicted within an operating window of the display. The slider bar includes both playback direction/velocity indicators and control buttons. The playback of video information is primarily controlled by manipulating the image of the control icon with respect to the image of the slider bar. The image of the control icon is that of a human-like hand, which holds the slider bar image in either its open or closed hand, depending on the desired playback mode, and can be moved along the length of the slider bar image by a control device, such as a mouse, to control the playback direction and velocity of the video information on the display. When the control icon's hand is open, the control icon is spring loaded from the stop playback position of the slider bar. To keep the control icon from automatically returning to the stop playback position when the control icon's hand is open, the user must continue to hold the control icon in position with the mouse. When the control icon's hand is closed, the control icon will remain at any position along the slider bar it is placed, until moved by operation of the mouse, or until returned to the spring-loaded mode and released by the mouse, thereby allowing it to spring back to the stop position. The mode of the control icon is modulated by positioning the cursor over the control icon, selecting the control icon, and moving the cursor either up or down. Moving the cursor down, when the hand is open, closes the hand and freezes the playback velocity at the speed selected when the hand was closed. Moving the cursor up, when the hand is closed, opens the hand and spring loads the control icon. The control icon can also be rapidly moved to different positions by simply clicking on the slide bar with the mouse, regardless of the mode of operation.

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First Claim