Method for Handling Obscured Items on Computer Displays

The present invention relates to an arrangement in which a selected item, such as a software note, is made visible by cutting out those items which are in layers above the selected item and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the selected item. The cut-out area may also reveal an item below the selected item.

Computers are currently used to execute a wide variety of application programs. Such application programs include, for example, design and manufacturing programs, spread sheet programs, word processing programs, programs to facilitate access to data bases, programs to create graphics, and the like. As the number and kinds of application programs continue to proliferate, as computers become easier to use, and as people become increasingly accustomed to using computers, the types of application programs will continue to grow.

While a computer is executing such application programs, the computer user may be offered many occasions on which it would be desirable to create one or more notes. For example, on one occasion, a computer user may be working on one or more application programs when the computer user receives a telephone call. During that telephone call, the computer user may be presented with information which the computer user may wish to memorialize for later access and use or which may spark ideas which the computer user does not want to forget. On another occasion, the computer user may wish to be reminded of some action which the computer user desires, or is required, to take in the future, such as to make a telephone call or to fill out a time sheet. On yet another occasion, the computer user may want others to take some action, such as to review or revise a document.

On all of these occasions, a computer user would traditionally write down the appropriate information on paper notes. Paper Post-it.RTM. notes are very convenient forms of such paper notes. Paper Post-it.RTM. notes are simply removed from a dispenser pad of sticky-back paper Post-it.RTM. notes, and are applied to various surfaces such as documents, the tops of desks, telephones, or the like. Information can be written on paper Post-it.RTM. notes either before or after the paper Post-it.RTM. notes are detached from their dispenser pad or attached to their target surfaces. Paper Post-it.RTM. notes can be easily moved from one surface to another, such as between documents or between documents and the tops of desks, they can overlap edges or boundaries of documents, they can be layered, and they can be moved with the objects to which they are attached.

However, it is often more convenient for a computer user who is currently using a computer to create a software note on the computer instead of manually writing out a paper note. For example, the note may relate to the contents of one or more documents of the computer's application programs. In such cases, it may be much more convenient to associate the note with a document as the document is saved in the computer's memory, or as the document is displayed on the computer screen. On the other hand, even if the note does not specifically relate to such a document, it still may be more convenient for the computer user to create a note on the computer. For example, if the computer user must take some action while the computer user is using the computer, a reminder note is much more useful if it can be attached to the desktop of the computer display so that the reminder note remains in the computer user's view even while the computer user moves from application program to application program or when all documents are closed.

Application programs currently exist which permit a computer user to generate a software note, and to attach the software note to a document of an application program. Such a note can be created, deleted, edited, saved, and selectively viewed. A computer user may move such a note within a document, or between documents, by cutting the note from a document, storing the note in a clipboard, and then pasting the note to another area of the same document or to a different document. The contents of the note may be entered by use of a keyboard, or by taking a snapshot of a document or of a portion of a document. The background color and size of a note can be selected, the note can be hidden or shown on a selective basis, the note can be stacked with other notes, and the note can be resized. A note can be saved with or without a date and time stamp and, if it is saved with a date and time stamp, the note can be automatically called up as a reminder note on the day and/or at the time stored with the note.

However, current note software programs have a number of problems. For example, many current note software programs must be resident in an application program so that the note software program cannot be interfaced with other application programs installed on the same computer. Therefore, a note for an application program in which the note software is not resident, or moving a note from a document of an application program in which the note software is resident to a document of an application program in which the note software is not resident, is impossible.

Moreover, notes generated by current note software cannot be easily moved. Moving a note between documents in the same application program, between documents of different application programs, between desktops, and between documents and desktops, is cumbersome since the note must be cut from its existing location, saved in a clipboard, and then pasted to its new location.

Notes generated by current note software cannot be easily dispensed, cannot be dispensed from the title bar of a window, cannot overlap the boundary of a window, and cannot be automatically saved without additional user instruction. While notes created by current note software can be attached to a document within a window so that the note moves with the document, notes cannot be attached to an object, such as a character, a word, a sentence, a paragraph, a graphic, a cell, a page, a video, a video frame, a video segment, a sound, or the like, so that the note moves with the object to a new site in the same document or in a different document. Notes created by current note software cannot be attached to a window so that, if the note is attached to a first portion of the window, the note moves with a scrollable section of the window, and so that, if the note is attached to a second portion of the window, the note does not move with a scrollable section of the window.

The invention disclosed in the above mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/188,219 filed on Jan. 27, 1994 overcomes many of the problems discussed above. Prior note software has an additional problem, however, in that access to a software note is difficult if the software note is obscured by items in layers above the software note. For example, if a software note is attached to a desktop and is at least partially obscured, access to the entire software note can be obtained only in a limited number of ways, such as by moving the at least partially obscured desktop software note to a region where it is totally visible.

Moreover, accessing a software note attached to a surface other than the desktop has, in the past, produced side effects which may not always be desirable. For example, if a software note is attached to a window which is layered below other windows so that the software note is at least partially obscured, access to the entire software note has resulted in a reordering of the layers. That is, the selection of this software note causes its window to rise above the other layers and appear as the topmost layer. There may be times, however, when the user desires to preserve the order of the layers while, at the same time, gaining access to a software note layered below the topmost layer.

The present invention solves one or more of the above problems.

In one aspect of the present invention, first program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers. Second program code is executed in the data processing system to select one of the items so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected item and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the selected item is revealed.

In another aspect of the present invention, first program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers. Second program code is executed in the data processing system to move an item to a layer so that, when the moved item is at the layer, those items, which are displayed in layers above the moved item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the moved item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved item and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the moved item is revealed.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, first program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that at least portions of items in lower layers are obscured by items in upper layers. One of the items is a note. Second program code is executed in the data processing system to select the note so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the note, are cut out in order to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the note and so that an otherwise obscured portion of an item which is layered below the note is revealed.

In still another aspect of the present invention, first program code is executed in a data processing system in order to display a plurality of items so that each of the items is displayed as a different layer with respect to each of the other items and so that the items have an order of layering. Second program code is executed in the data processing system to select one of the items so that those items, which are displayed in layers above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected item, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected item and so that the order of layering of the items is not changed.

These and other features and advantages will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a note which can be used with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example type of note dispenser which can be used to dispense notes, such as the note illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a data processing system which can be configured in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a representation of a screen display showing an overview of notes attached to various surfaces;

FIG. 5 is a representation of a screen display showing the creation of notes;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a screen display showing note movement and attachment;

FIG. 7 is a representation of a screen display showing a note being moved to an illegal attachment site, such as a non-compliant window;

FIG. 8 is a representation of a screen display showing the effects of layering on notes;

FIG. 9 is a representation of a screen display showing note movement between active and inactive windows;

FIG. 10 shows the effects of scrolling a window having notes attached thereto;

FIG. 11 shows the effects of resizing a note and resizing a window;

FIG. 12 is a representation of a screen display showing movement of a note between desktops;

FIG. 13 is a representation of a screen display showing the repositioning of a desktop note dispenser;

FIG. 14 shows a selected note cutting out those items which are in layers above the selected note and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the selected note so as to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note;

FIG. 15 shows a selected note cutting out other items which are in layers above the selected note and which would have obscured at least a portion of the selected note so as to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note and so as to reveal portions of items, which portions would have been otherwise obscured;

FIG. 16 shows how, after moving a note from a first location to a second location, the moved note cuts out those items which are in layers above the moved note and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the moved note at its second location so as to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the moved note and so as to reveal portions of items which would have been otherwise obscured;

FIG. 17 shows how a first note may be selected through a cut-out border of a second note;

FIG. 18 shows how moving a note affects the cut-out border of the note;

FIG. 19 is a top level flow diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the Initialize Note Program block of FIG. 19 in additional detail;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the Process Note Program Event block of FIG. 19 in additional detail;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the A1 subroutine of FIG. 21 in additional detail;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the A2 subroutine of FIG. 21 in additional detail;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the Position Dispenser block of FIG. 23 in additional detail;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the Dispense Note block of FIG. 23 in additional detail;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the Get ATTACHMENT block of FIG. 25 in additional detail;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the Attach Note block of FIG. 25 in additional detail;

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the Edit Note Content block of FIG. 25 in additional detail;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the Select Option block of FIG. 23 in additional detail;

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the A3 subroutine of FIG. 21 in additional detail;

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the Reposition Note block of FIG. 30 in additional detail;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing the Remove Attachment block of FIG. 31 in additional detail;

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing the Resize note block of FIG. 30 in additional detail;

FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing the A4 subroutine of FIG. 21 in additional detail;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the Process Event In Note Program block of FIG. 19 in additional detail;

FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing the C1 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing the C2 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing the C3 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing the C4 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing the C5 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 41 is a flow chart showing the C6 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 42 is a flow chart showing the C7 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 43 is a flow chart showing the C8 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 44 is a flow chart showing the Display Note Appropriately block of FIG. 43 in additional detail;

FIG. 45 is a flow chart showing the C9 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail;

FIG. 46 is a flow chart showing the C10 subroutine of FIG. 35 in additional detail; and,

FIG. 47 is a flow chart showing the Draw Layers blocks FIGS. 26 and 30 in additional detail; and,

FIG. 48 is an example of an index containing information concerning existing notes.

Paper Post-it.RTM. notes have substantially changed the way that people operate not only in their business environments but also in their personal environments. For example, when a person wishes to annotate a document, create a reminder, provide information to or request an action from another person, or the like, the person fills out a paper Post-it.RTM. note and applies the paper note to a document, a top of a desk, a file cabinet, a telephone, or the like. Paper Post-it.RTM. notes are convenient because they can be moved from one surface to another, such as between documents or between a document and a top of a desk, they can be edited, they have different characteristics such as size, color, and shape, and they have many other useful attributes. The present invention is directed to attributes of software notes. However, it should be understood that, although the present invention is described in connection with software notes, the present invention applies to other items such as icons, tool bars, directories, documents, and the like.

An example of a software note 100 which may be used in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. However, this software note 100 is by way of example only, and it should be understood that the present invention may be used with any other forms of software notes. A software note will be referred to hereinafter more simply as a note. The note 100 may have a grab area 102, an options area 104, a notation area 106, and/or one or more control areas such as a sizing control area 108. The grab area 102 allows the note 100 to be moved from one location to another, such as between documents, between desktops, or between documents and desktops. The options area 104, when activated, provides options which are selectable by a computer user. These options may include, for example, hide/show, delete, font, color, size, duplicate, print, minimum/maximum, video/sound, drawings/graphics, cut/paste/copy, help, note information, preformatted notes, nonmove, content scrolling, navigation, and attachment layer. Any one or more of these options could be provided as a suitable area on the note 100.

The hide/show option allows the computer user to hide or to show the note 100. The delete option allows the note 100 to be deleted. The font option allows the computer user to select the font type, size, color, style, alignment, and the like, for the note 100. The color option allows the computer user to change the color of the note 100. The size option allows the size for the note 100 to be specified. Selection of the duplicate option allows the computer user to duplicate the note 100. Selection of the print option allows the computer user to print the note 100. The minimize/maximize option allows the computer user to select the minimum or maximum size of the note in a simple, one step operation. The video/sound option provides tools which can be used to manipulate and edit video and/or sound. The drawings/graphics option provides access to drawing and graphics manipulation features. The cut/paste/copy option provides basic editing tools for editing text, graphics, video, sound, and the like. The help option allows a computer user to ask for help in using the note program 318. Selection of the note information option provides information on the current note, such as creation time, last modification time, name of attached document, index number, etc. The preformatted note option allows preformatted notes, such notes in the format of a business form, notes with a computer user's name printed thereon, or notes having other specialized indicia, to be dispensed. The nonmove option has both a nonmoving state and a moving state so that, if the nonmoving state of the nonmove option is selected, the note does not move with a document being scrolled, and so that, if the moving state of the nonmove option is selected, the note moves with a document being scrolled. The content scrolling option, if selected, allows the contents of a note to be scrolled. The navigation option allows the computer user to navigate from one note to another on a document or between documents of the same or different application programs, and may include the additional functions of next note, previous note, first note, last note, go to a specific note, and the like. The attachment layer option allows the user to designate the layer or layers (e.g., windows) to which a note may be attached such that, if a layer is so designated, the note cannot be attached to non-designated layers.

Material, such as text, video, sound, or graphics, can be entered into the notation area 106 of the note 100, and the note 100 can be resized by the use of the sizing control area 108 in order to conform the size of the note 100 with the amount of information contained within the notation area 106, or for any other reason. The note 100 can be resized by positioning an indicator, such as a pointer or a cursor for example, over the sizing control area 108 of the note 100, by activating the cursor, by dragging the cursor to a different location, and by releasing the cursor. Although the term "cursor" is used herein, it should be clear that the term "cursor" is intended to broadly cover any type of indicator or pointer. As the cursor is dragged, an outline of the note 100 follows the cursor in order to indicate the changing size of the note 100. When the cursor is released, the note assumes the last indicated size of the note 100. Alternatively, the cursor can be positioned over the sizing control area 108 of the note 100, activated, and then activated again elsewhere on the viewing screen of a monitor of a display terminal to indicate a new corner location for the note 100. After this second activation, the note is resized. As a further alternative, the sizing control area 108 may comprise different size symbols each indicating a different size which may be selected for the note 100.

The grab area 102, the options area 104, the notation area 106, and the sizing control area 108 of the note 100 may be delineated by graphic design elements such as lines, shadings, color, or the like. The grab area 102 may be accessed, for example, by a cursor under control of a mouse, by arrow keys, or the like, in order to reposition the note 100. Either the grab area 102, or the notation area 106, or both, may be used to render the note active for such subsequent actions as adding information to, deleting information from, or editing information in, the notation area 106. A part of the display, when the options area 104 is accessed, may be a tool bar. Alternatively or in addition to the options area 104, the note 100 may contain a tool area which is always visible to the computer user.

The note 100 may be dispensed in a number of ways. One convenient way of dispensing the note 100 is from a note dispenser, an example of which is shown in FIG. 2. However, this software note dispenser 200 is by way of example only, and it should be understood that the present invention may be used with any other form of note dispenser. As shown in FIG. 2, a note dispenser 200 includes a note dispensing area 202 from which notes, such as the note 100, may be dispensed, a grab area 204 so that the note dispenser 200 may be repositioned, and an options area 206 which, when activated, presents options to the computer user. These options are selectable by the computer user, and may include, for example, options relating to the maximum and minimum size of notes, to hiding or showing all notes, to undeleting notes, to setting up a note appearance, to providing help, to specifying the color of notes, to printing a single note or a selected set of notes, to search for specific text, color, format, size, and/or the like of a note, and the like. The note dispensing area 202 represents a pad of notes from which notes may be dispensed one at a time, if desired. The areas of the note dispenser 200 may be delineated by graphic design elements such as lines, shadings, icons, color, and/or the like.

An index or directory listing of some or all of the notes may also be provided as a note option, a note dispenser option, an application program option, or otherwise.

One possible operating environment of the present invention is a data processing system such as a data processing system 300 shown in FIG. 3. However, it should be noted that the present invention can be used in any other operating environment. The data processing system 300, for example, can be a personal computer or work station which includes a processor 302, one or more display terminals 304, and one or more input devices 306. The display terminals 304 may include, for example, a monitor having a viewing screen, a printer, and/or the like. The input devices 306 may include, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or similar devices.

The processor 302 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 308 which communicates with the display terminals 304 and the input devices 306 through an input/output controller 310, and which processes program code stored in a memory 312. The program code stored in the memory 312 includes, at least in part, an operating system 314, various application programs 316, and a note program 318. The application programs 316 may include word processing programs, spread sheet programs, and the like. The note program 318 is executed by the processor 302 in order to perform the functions of the present invention.

The note program 318 may contain a default size and shape for the note 100. The note program 318 may also contain a default color for the note 100 when the note is first created, i.e. dispensed. The default characteristics of the note 100 may be configured by the data processing system 300 and/or by the computer user. Furthermore, the color of the note 100 may change based on its state. For example, the note 100 positioned on a currently active window may have a different color or shade of color from a note positioned on an inactive window. An active window is a window which has been selected by a computer user for some action. An active window may have a different appearance to indicate that it is active and that inactive window are not active. The color of an individual note may also be changed by the computer user after it is created.

The note program 318 can provide more than one note dispenser 200. Each such note dispenser 200 may have a different size and shape. The notes of such note dispensers can have different functions. The computer user may dispense a note from a note dispenser dependent upon the desired function of the note.

FIG. 4 illustrates one possible display 400 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application programs 316, and the note program 318. The display 400 includes a desktop 402 typically generated in response to execution of the operating system 314, an active window 404 typically generated in response to execution of one of the application programs 316, and an inactive window 406 also typically generated in response to execution of one of the application programs 316. The active window 404 contains a document 408, and the inactive window 406 contains a document 410. Each window, such as the active window 404, is typically defined by a boundary 412 which includes, in part, a title bar 414.

A note dispenser 418, which may be identical to the note dispenser 200 shown in FIG. 2, is positioned on the desktop 402. A plurality of notes are attached to various regions of the display 400. A region is defined herein as a window, or a desktop, or a document, or the like, but does not mean two areas of a document displayed in a window. For example, notes 420, 422, 424, 426, and 428 are attached to the desktop 402. These notes remain on the desktop 402 even though the active window 404 and the inactive window 406 are edited, are closed, or are replaced by other windows. Also, until these notes are deleted or edited, these notes may or may not, as desired, appear each time the data processing system 300 is initialized.

A note 430 is attached to the document 408 within the active window 404, and a note 432 is attached to the document 410 within the inactive window 406 so that it overlaps a right-hand edge of a boundary 434 of the inactive window 406. The notes 430 and 432 are saved so that they appear whenever their corresponding documents 408 and 410 appear, and the notes 430 and 432 appear on the viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 only when their corresponding documents 408 and 410 appear on the viewing screen of the monitor of the display terminals 304. The notes 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, and 432, and the note dispenser 418, are created in response to execution of the note program 318.

A note can be dispensed, for example, from the note dispenser 418 by positioning a cursor (e.g., by appropriately controlling a mouse) over a note dispensing area 436 of the note dispenser 418. By activating the cursor (e.g., by depressing the control button of the mouse), a note can be dragged from the note dispenser 418 to a desired location where it can be attached by deactivating the cursor (e.g., by releasing the control button of the mouse). Alternatively, by positioning a cursor over the note dispensing area 436 of the note dispenser 418 and by merely activating the cursor, a note can be caused to appear at locations of the display 400 as determined by the note program 318 and/or by the computer user. The notes can be moved from these locations by dragging the note to a desired attachment site.

Notes can be attached to an attachment site by selecting a note and by positioning the note on the attachment site to which the note is to be attached. For example, a cursor may be moved to the grab area of a note, such as the grab area 102 of the note 100. The cursor is activated, and the note is dragged to a desired attachment site. The note is then attached to the attachment site which is located under the cursor at the time that the cursor is deactivated. Alternatively, an attachment area can be provided on a note so that the note is attached to whatever attachment site is located beneath the attachment area of the note at the time that the cursor is deactivated. As another alternative, a note can be moved by clicking a mouse on the grab area of the note, and by then clicking the mouse again at a new attachment site.

If a note is attached so that the note is entirely within the boundary of a window, the attachment site of the note is easily discerned. However, when a note, such as the note 432, overlaps a boundary of a window, the attachment site of the note may be ambiguous. Thus, without any further indication, the note 432 could be attached either to the document 410 or to the desktop 402. Therefore, an indication may be provided to indicate the attachment site of the note. For example, a note attached to a window may have a different color, texture, border, or the like, than a note attached to a desktop. Alternatively, the options, tool, and size graphics can be removed from notes that are not attached to the top layered document. As another alternative, an attachment point on each note can be used to indicate the point to which the note is attached. Thus, a thumb tack graphic, or the like, can be used such that the point of the tack indicates the precise attachment point. Drop shadowing and/or border highlighting can be also used.

A note may or may not be attached to another note, as desired. In either event, however, notes can be layered with other notes so that the notes overlap parts of other notes, as illustrated by the notes 424, 426, and 428 of FIG. 4. Also, notes remain attached to documents as the documents travel, such as between terminals, and/or between terminals and a network server of a network, so that any computer user on the network receives the benefit of the notes as the computer user calls up documents to which the notes are attached.

When a new note is dispensed, the note can be displayed with an insert symbol (for example, a blinking vertical bar) at an insert point in the notation area of the note, such as in the notation area 106 of the note 100. Text or other material can be entered from a keyboard or other input device 306. If text is to be entered, for example, the computer user simply begins typing at the insert symbol within the newly dispensed (i.e., created) note. When an existing note is to be edited, a computer user positions an insert symbol within the notation area of the existing note and modifies the desired information as desired. In either case, the insert symbol moves with information entry to indicate the current insert point.

Preferably, although not necessarily, automatic word wrap is provided if text is entered into a note, or if a note having existing text is resized. When the entered text reaches the bottom right extent of the note, further entry of text is possible but is not seen by the computer user unless the computer user subsequently resizes the note, or makes the font size of the entered text smaller. Alternatively, additional text entry can be disallowed, and a beep can be sounded to indicate that the note is full. In another alternative, additional entry of text automatically expands the visible size of the note to accommodate the new text until the viewing screen of the data processing system is filled. Thereafter, text is scrolled up in the note as each new line of text is entered. Additional alternatives will be readily apparent.

The end of text entry can be invoked, for example, by clicking a mouse outside of the notation area of the note, which removes the insert symbol from the note. The end of text entry can also be invoked by pressing a key (such as the escape key) or a combination of keys. The amount of information that can be entered into a single note can be limited by the amount of memory provided by the system at the time that the note is created. Alternatively, a specific limit can be imposed on the amount that can be entered.

Drawings, video, and/or sound information can be added to the notation area of a note by copying them from another document and pasting them into the note. Alternatively, such information can be added to a note by using drawing, video, and/or sound tools available from the options area of a note or from a tool bar.

As mentioned previously and as shown in FIG. 5, notes can be dispensed in a variety of ways. For example, a note can be dispensed from a note dispenser, such as a note dispenser 500, which is located on a desktop 502 of a display 504. A note may be dispensed from the note dispenser 500 by moving a cursor to a note dispensing area 506 of the note dispenser 500, by activating the cursor (such as by clicking a mouse) to grab a note, and by dragging the note from the note dispensing area 506 to either the desktop 502 or to a window, such as a window 508. Thus, a note 510 can be grabbed by a cursor from the note dispensing area 506, and dragged by the cursor to a position on the desktop 502. The note 510 is attached to the desktop 502 by releasing the cursor. Alternatively, or additionally, a note 512 can be grabbed by a cursor from the note dispensing area 506, and dragged by the cursor to the window 508. The note 512 is attached to the window 508 by releasing the cursor. Alternatively, by positioning a cursor over the note dispensing area 506 of the note dispenser 500 and by merely activating the cursor, the note can be caused to appear in at locations of the display 504 as determined by the note program 318 and/or by the computer user.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, as part of the interface between the note program 318 and one or more of the application programs 316, a symbol, such as a note dispenser 513, appears in a title bar 514 of the window 508, although the note symbol, such as the note dispenser 513, may appear elsewhere on the window 508, such as in a tool bar or in a menu bar. The note dispenser 513 may be one or more words, icons, graphics, or the like. For example, the note dispenser 513 may comprise two parts, an options area 515 and a note dispensing area 516. As in the case of the note dispenser 500, a note, such as the note 512, can be dragged from the note dispensing area 516 by positioning the cursor over the note dispenser 516, by activating the cursor to grab a note from the note dispensing area 516, by dragging the note to any desired attachment site on either the window 508 or on the desktop 502, and by deactivating the cursor to attach the note to the desired attachment site. Alternatively, by positioning the cursor of the data processing system 300 over the note dispensing area 516 in the title bar 514, and by activating the cursor, a note, such as the note 512, is dispensed to a predetermined region of the display 504 as indicated by an arrow 518. The grab area of the note 512, such as the grab area 102 of the note 100 shown in FIG. 1, can be used to attach the note 512 to any desired attachment site either on the window 508 or on the desktop 502.

As shown in FIG. 6, notes can be moved directly between regions of a display 600, such as between regions resulting from execution of application programs and/or operating systems. Because notes can be moved directly from a first region to a second region, the notes are moved without first saving the notes in a clipboard or other intermediate memory before the notes are attached to the second region. For example, with the present invention, there is no need to first cut or copy a note from the first region, to then temporarily store the note in a clipboard, and to then paste the note to the second region. Thus, the notes of the note program 318 can be moved much more simply than are the notes of other note programs.

Accordingly, the display 600, which may, for example, be presented on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304, may contain regions such as a first window 602, a second window 604, and a desktop 606. The first and second windows 602 and 604 may appear in the display 600 as a result of execution of one or more of the application programs 316, and the desktop 606 may appear in the display 600 as a result of execution of the operating system 314. A note 608, which initially resides at a first location on the desktop 606 of the display 600, is moved directly from this first location on the desktop 606 to a document 610 in the first window 602. The note 608 may then be moved directly from the document 610 in the first window 602 to a document 612 in the second window 604. The note 608 may then be moved directly from the document 612 in the second window 604 to a second location on the desktop 606.

Since pre-existing notes can obscure potential attachment sites for a note being created or moved, all other visible notes may be changed to just outlines as soon as a selected note is in a moving state. Thus, anything under the note outlines becomes visible. Alternatively, only those notes under, or in the vicinity of, a moving cursor are changed to outline form only. A further alternative is to make either all notes, or the notes under a moving cursor, entirely transparent or translucent when any note is in a moving state so that a computer user can see through the nonmoving notes to the material below.

As shown by a display 700 in FIG. 7, a note can be moved only to a legal attachment site, e.g. a region of a viewing screen under control of a program which is compliant with the note program 318. A note 702 is currently attached to a compliant desktop 704, i.e. a desktop which results from execution of a program, such as the operating system 314, which is compliant with the note program 318. The note 702 cannot be moved to a document 706 contained within a noncompliant window 708, i.e. a window which results from execution of a program, such as one of the application programs 316, which is not compliant with the note program 318. An application program, or an operating system, is compliant with the note program 318 if the application program, or operating system, is interfaced with the note program 318. Similarly, an application program, or an operating system, is not compliant with the note program 318 if the application program, or operating system, is not interfaced with the note program 318. Moreover, certain windows, or even certain sections of windows, may be noncompliant with the note program 318 even though these windows, or sections of windows, are displayed as a result of the execution of programs which are compliant with the note program 318.

If an attempt is made to move the note 702 to the noncompliant window 708, an immediate feedback may be provided to the computer user that the program controlling the noncompliant window 708 will not, and cannot, accept the note 702 from the note program 318. This feedback may be provided by changing the cursor to a symbol, such as a symbol 710, which appears whenever the note 702 is dragged over a noncompliant region. Alternatively, this feedback may be provided simply by the disappearance of the note 702 from the noncompliant window 708 and the reappearance of the note 702 at its original location when the cursor moving the note 702 over the noncompliant window 708 is released. Moreover, instead of providing a visual feedback of an attempt to attach a note to an illegal attachment site, such as the noncompliant window 708, an auditory feedback, such as a beep or continuous sound, may be provided when the note is over the illegal attachment site. Another alternative is for the outline of the note, which appears while the note is being moved, to simply zoom back to its original location when an attempt is made to attach the note to an illegal attachment site.

Also, a note 712 is currently attached to a compliant window 714, i.e. a window which results from a program, such as one of the application programs 316, which is compliant with the note program 318. The note 712 cannot be moved to the document 706 contained within the noncompliant window 708. If an attempt is made to move the note 712 to the noncompliant window 708, an immediate feedback may be provided to the computer user that the program controlling the noncompliant window 708 will not, and cannot, accept the note 712.

Moreover, if the note program 318 is arranged so that a note dispenser 716, which may be similar to the note dispenser 513, appears in a title bar 718 of the compliant window 714, the computer user will understand that the compliant window 714 is a compliant window. On the other hand, if the note dispenser 716 appears in the title bar 718 of the compliant window 714 but a similar note dispenser does not appear in a title bar 720 of the noncompliant window 708, the computer user will understand that, while the compliant window 714 is a compliant window, the noncompliant window 708 is a noncompliant window.

As shown by a display 800 in FIG. 8, notes can be layered with windows. First, second, and third documents 802, 804, and 806 appear in corresponding first, second, and third windows 808, 810, and 812 as a result of execution of one or more application programs. The first, second, and third windows 808, 810, and 812 are shown on a desktop 814. The desktop 814 may appear on a monitor of the display terminals 304 as a result, for example, of execution of an operating system. The third window 812 is layered over a portion of the second window 810 so as to occlude a portion of the second document 804.

A first note 816 is attached to the first document 802 and is fully within the first window 808. A second note 818 is attached to the first document 802 but overlaps a right-hand edge 820 of a boundary of the first window 808. A third note 822 is attached to the second document 804 and is fully within the second window 810. A fourth note 824 is attached to the third document 806 but overlaps a right-hand edge 826 of a boundary of the third window 812. A fifth note 828 is attached to the desktop 814.

A note which is attached to a document appears as a layer over the document to which the note is attached. Thus, the content of the document underneath the note is occluded. Accordingly, for example, the first note 816 occludes that portion of the first document 802 which is underneath the first note 816. In order to access the information of the first document 802 underneath the first note 816, the first note 816 may be moved aside, or the options area of the first note 816, such as the options area 104 of the note 100, may be activated to reveal the hide/show option such that the hide option may be selected in order to hide the first note 816. Alternatively, a cursor may be activated over the grab area of the first note 816 in order to make the first note 816 invisible or translucent except for its outline, or in order to make the first note 816 entirely invisible or translucent.

As shown in FIG. 8, a portion of the fifth note 828 is layered under the second window 810. Thus, a portion of the fifth note 828 is obscured by the second window 810. The fifth note 828 can be grabbed and dragged, as shown by an arrow 830, to a location on the desktop 814 where the fifth note 828 is fully visible. (The fifth note 828 also can be grabbed and dragged from its location where it is partially obscured by the second window 810 to locations on any of the first, second, and/or third windows 808, 810, and 812.)

The layering of notes is affected by the layering of windows. Thus, since the third window 812 is layered over the second window 810, the third window 812 is also layered over any notes which are attached to the second window 810 and which are underneath the third window 812. As shown in FIG. 8, the third window 812 is layered over the third note 822. Accordingly, that portion of the third note 822 which is underneath the third window 812 is occluded by the third window 812.

When there are several notes on one window, the layering of these notes upon each other is based preferably, but not necessarily, on the recency of creation, editing, or selection of notes. That is, the topmost note of a plurality of layered notes is the note which was most recently created, edited, or selected. Accordingly, the selection of a note for creation, editing, or moving moves the note to the top layer of the notes and pushes all other notes down.

A note is associated with its attachment window so that the note becomes active when its attachment window becomes active. Moreover, if a window in a plurality of layered windows changes layers, any notes attached to that window which changes layers move along with that window which changes layers.

Furthermore, when a note attached to an inactive window is selected, the inactive window becomes active. In addition to the inactive window becoming active, if the selected note is among a plurality of layered notes on this window, the selected note moves to the top layer of the plurality of layered notes if the selected note is below the topmost note of the plurality of layered notes. (Alternatively, if the selected note is below the topmost note of a plurality of layered notes, the selected note need not move to the top layer of notes.)

A note can be moved to a window without affecting the existing layer of that window and without changing the active/inactive state of that window; however, as an alternative, the window may change its layer or state if a note is attached to it.

As shown by a display 900 in FIG. 9, notes may be moved between active and inactive windows appearing, for example, on the viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 of the data processing system 300. A first document 902 and a second document 904 appear in corresponding active and inactive windows 906 and 908 on a desktop 910. For example, the active and inactive windows 906 and 908 appear as the result of the execution of one or more application programs, and the desktop 910 appears as the result of execution of an operating system. As depicted in FIG. 9, active windows are displayed as active. As one possible example, shading, such as the shading of a title bar 912 of the active window 906, may be used to indicate that a window or a note is active.

A first note 914, which is originally inactive and which is originally attached to the desktop 910 at a first location, is moved to the active window 906, then to the inactive window 908, and finally back to the desktop 910 at a second location.

When a note is attached to an active window, the note becomes active if it was previously inactive, or remains active if it was previously active. When a note is attached to an inactive window, the note becomes inactive if it was previously active, or remains inactive if it was previously inactive. Thus, when the first note 914 is attached to the active window 906, the first note 914 becomes active, and when the first note 914 is attached to the inactive window 908, the first note 914 becomes inactive. When the first note 914, which is inactive on the inactive window 908, is reattached to the desktop 910, the first note 914 remains inactive.

A second note 916 is originally inactive because it is attached to the inactive window 908. When the second note 916 is moved to the active window 906, the second note 916 becomes active. A third note 918, which is inactive and which is originally attached to a third location of the desktop 910, is moved to a fourth location on the desktop 910 where the third note 918 remains inactive.

As shown in FIG. 10, notes may, or may not, move with the scrolling contents of windows appearing, for example, on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 of the data processing system 300. A window 1002 appears on a desktop 1004. As is typical of windows, the window 1002 has a first portion 1006, which may contain a document 1008, and a second portion 1010, which may contain a title bar or any other graphical region. The document 1008 within the first portion 1006 may be scrolled.

The first portion 1006 of the window 1002 may have one or more fixed note sections and one or more moving note sections. Accordingly, if a note is attached to one of these fixed note sections, this note does not move as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 is scrolled; however, if a note is attached to one of these moving note sections, this note does move with the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 as the document 1008 is scrolled.

Similarly, although the contents of the second portion 1010 generally are nonscrollable, the second portion 1010 of the window 1002 may have one or more fixed note sections and one or more moving note sections. Accordingly, if a note is attached to one of these fixed note sections, this note does not move as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 scrolled; however, if a note is attached to one of these moving note sections, this note does move as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 is scrolled.

It should also be understood that, even though a note is attached to a fixed note section of the window 1002, the note will move as the contents within the window 1002 are scrolled if the moving state of the note's nonmove option is selected, and that, even though a note is attached to a moving note section of the window 1002, the note will not move as the contents of the window 1002 are scrolled if the nonmoving state of the note's nonmove option is selected.

These actions of a note are illustrated by FIG. 10 wherein a first note 1012, having a grab area 1014, is attached to the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, a second note 1016, having a grab area 1018, is attached to the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, and a third note 1020, having a grab area 1022, is attached to the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002. One of the features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that, as long as any part of a predetermined area of a note, preferably the grab area, overlies a visible portion of a document in a window, the entire note is visible. Thus, as long as the grab area 1014 of the first note 1012 overlies a part of the document 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the entire first note 1012 is visible, and as long as the grab area 1022 of the third note 1020 overlies a part of the document 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the entire first note 1020 is visible.

A note which is attached to a moving note section of a window moves with the scrollable contents of the window, and a note which is attached to a fixed note section of a window does not move with the scrollable contents of the window. Thus, as shown by the window 1002 at the end of an arrow 1024, since the first note 1012 is attached to a moving note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the first note 1012 moves up with the document 1008 as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up. The second note 1016, which is attached to a fixed note section of the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, does not move up as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up. And, since the third note 1020 is attached to a fixed note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the third note 1020 does not move up with the document 1008 as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up.

Moreover, since no part of the grab area 1014 of the first note 1012 now overlies a part of the document 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, a portion of the first note 1012, commensurate with that part of the document 1008 which underlies the first note 1012 and which is no longer within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, is also not visible.

Finally, as shown by the window 1002 at the end of an arrow 1026, no part of the first note 1012 is visible since the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 has been scrolled up sufficiently that none of the document 1008 underlying the first note 1012 is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002. However, since the second note 1016, which is attached to a fixed note section of the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, does not move up as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up, all of the second note 1016 is still visible; and, since the third note 1020, which is attached to a fixed note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, does not move up as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up, all of the third note 1020 is still visible.

On the other hand, as shown by the window 1002 at the end of an arrow 1028, since the first note 1012 is attached to a moving note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the first note 1012 moves down as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled down. However, the second note 1016, which is attached to a fixed note section of the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, does not move down as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled down, and the third note 1020, which is attached to a fixed note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, does not move down as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled down.

Moreover, since the grab area 1014 of the first note 1012 still overlies a part of the document 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, all of the first note 1012 is visible.

Finally, as shown by the window 1002 at the end of an arrow 1030, no part of the first note 1012 is visible since the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 has been scrolled down sufficiently that none of the document 1008 underlying the first note 1012 is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002. However, since the second note 1016, which is attached to a fixed note section of the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, does not move down as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled down, all of the second note 1016 is still visible; and since the third note 1020, which is attached to a fixed note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, does not move down as the document 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled down, all of the third note 1020 is still visible.

A note, which has been scrolled out of a window, returns to view whenever any part of the document underlying the note is scrolled back into the window, provided that, whenever any part of the grab area of the note reappears in the window, the entire note is made visible.

As shown in FIG. 11, windows may be resized without affecting the size of a note, and a note may be resized without affecting the size of a window. As a window is resized, any note attached to it remains attached to its attachment site on the window. Preferably, the note cannot be detached from a window, or from a document within a window, due to resizing of the window.

As shown in FIG. 11, a first note 1102 is attached to a first document 1104 within a first window 1106. The first note 1102 has a grab area 1108 therein. As shown at the end of an arrow 1110, the first window 1106 has been resized by using, for example, standard window resizing techniques. As a result of the resizing of the first window 1106, a portion of the first document 1104 is removed from the visible portion of the first window 1106. The first note 1102, which is attached to the first document 1104, remains attached to the same attachment site in the first document 1104 even as the first window 1106 is resized. However, as shown in FIG. 11, since the first window 1106 is much smaller after resizing, the first note 1102, which retains its same size, overlaps the bottom edge of the boundary of the first window 1106. Also, because at least a portion of the grab area 1108 of the first note 1102 remains within the first window 1106, the entire first note 1102 is visible. If the first window 1106 were resized so that the grab area 1108 is no longer visible, only that part of the first note 1102 which overlies the part of the first document 1104 which remains within the first window 1106 is visible.

A second note 1112 is attached to a second document 1114 within a second window 1116. As shown at the end of an arrow 1118, the second note 1112, but not the second window 1116, has been resized. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second note 1112 cannot be resized so that it is no longer attached to the second window 1116. Thus, as the second note 1112 is resized, for example, from its right lower corner, there is a limit placed on the resizing operation to prevent the second note 1112 from being resized off of the second window 1116, e.g. so that a right-hand edge 1120 of the second note 1112 is prevented from being moved across a left-hand edge 1122 of a boundary of the second window 1116.

As shown by a display 1200 in FIG. 12, notes may be moved between desktops since, with current computer technology, multiple desktops may be simultaneously displayed on one or more monitors of the data processing system 300. As shown in FIG. 12, the display 1200 includes a first desktop 1202, a second desktop 1204, and a third desktop 1206. For example, the first desktop 1202 may be included within the display 1200 in response to execution of a first operating system, the second desktop 1204 may be included within the display 1200 in response to execution of a second operating system, and the third desktop 1206 may be included within the display 1200 in response to execution of a third operating system. Alternatively, the first, second, and third desktops 1202, 1204, and 1206 may be included within the display 1200 in response to execution of a single operating system, or in response to execution of any combination of operating systems.

As indicated by an arrow 1208, a note 1210 may be moved between the first and second desktops 1202 and 1204 as long as the operating system(s), the execution of which results in the first and second desktops and 1204, is/are compliant with the note program 318. As indicated by an arrow 1212, the note 1210 may also be moved between the first and third desktops 1202 and 1206 as long as the operating system(s), the execution of which results in the first and third desktops 1202 and 1206, is/are compliant with the note program 318. The note 1210 may also be moved between the second and third desktops 1204 and 1206 as long as the operating system(s), the execution of which results in the second and third desktops 1204 and 1206, is/are compliant with the note program 318. (The third desk-top 1206 may be a simple backdrop instead of a desk-top.)

As shown in FIG. 13, a display 1300 includes a note dispenser 1302 located at a first location within the display 1300. As shown by an arrow 1304, the note dispenser 1302 may be repositioned to a second location within the display 1300. For example, the note dispenser 1302 may be repositioned by positioning a cursor over a grab area 1306 of the note dispenser 1302, by activating the cursor, by dragging the note dispenser 1302 from its first location to the second location, and by deactivating the cursor to attach the note dispenser 1302 to the second location.

Activating the cursor while the cursor is over the grab area 1306 causes an outline of the note dispenser 1302 to appear in the display 1300 while the note dispenser 1302 is being dragged to the second location. On deactivating the cursor, the note dispenser 1302 is removed from the first location and appears at the second location. Alternatively, the cursor may be activated and deactivated (such as by clicking a mouse) over the note dispenser 1302, and then reactivated and re-deactivated at the second location. A further alternative is to access a dispenser option from an options area of the note dispenser 1302 and to select a new-coordinate option in order to designate new coordinates for the note dispenser 1302.

As shown in FIG. 8, a desktop note, which is layered under one or more items, may be moved to a region where the note is fully visible. According to the present invention, however, an otherwise obscured portion of a note may be made visible by instead cutting out those items which are in layers above the selected note and which obscure the obscured portion of the note.

FIG. 14 illustrates one possible display 1400 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application programs 316, and the note program 318. Four items in three layers are shown in the display 1400. From top to bottom, the four items shown in the display 1400 include a first window 1402, a second window 1404, a note 1406, and a desktop 1408. The first window 1402 is in a top-most first layer, the second window 1404 is in an intermediate second layer, the desktop 1408 is in a bottom-most third layer, and the note 1406 is attached to the third layer. These items are merely examples of the items which may be included in the display 1400. Other items, such as icons, tool bars, directories, documents, and the like, may be displayed instead of, and/or in addition to, the four items specifically shown in FIG. 14.

If the note 1406 is selected as shown by a display 1410 in FIG. 14, those items, which are in layers above the note 1406 and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the note 1406, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the selected note 1406. That is, the first and second windows 1402 and 1404 are cut out in order to expose that portion of the note 1406 which would have been otherwise obscured by the first and second windows 1402 and 1404. Accordingly, upon selection of the note 1406, the first and second windows 1402 and 1404 are cut out because each of these items (i.e., the first and second windows 1402 and 1404) are in layers above the note 1406 and because each of these items would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the note 1406. A note may be selected, for example, by positioning an indicator, such as a cursor, over the note and either clicking a mouse button once or twice while the indicator is over the note or pressing the enter or other key of a keyboard. Alternatively, or additionally, an option, an index, a keyboard combination, and/or other mechanisms can be used to select a note.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, a cut-out area, such as a cut-out border 1412 around the note 1406, may also be provided in order to permit access to items below the note 1406 which might otherwise be entirely, or at least partially, obscured. Access, as used herein, means visual access, manipulative access, and/or the like. In the case of FIG. 14, only one item is below the note 1406. This item is the desktop 1408. The portion of the desktop 1408 revealed by the cut-out border 1412 would have otherwise been obscured by the first and/or second windows 1402 and 1404. A cut-out border may be arranged in a form other than the specific cut-out border shown herein. For example, the cut-out border may have a different size and/or shape than that shown, and it may have different sizes and/or shapes dependent upon the layer to which its associated selected item is attached.

Furthermore, all of the note 1406 is exposed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, if desired, only part of the otherwise obscured portion of the note 1406 need be exposed. Also, the selection of the note 1406 does not, in the specific embodiment described herein, affect the layering of the items in layers above the note 1406. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, the window 1402 remains layered over the second window 1404, and the second window 1404 remains in a layer above the note 1406, even though the note 1406 is fully exposed. Accordingly, the order of the layering of the layered items 1402, 1404, 1406, and 1408 is visually preserved. The order of layering may also be physically preserved in the memory of the data processing system 300.

FIG. 15 illustrates another possible display 1500 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application programs 316, and the note program 318. Five items in two layers are shown in the display 1500. From top to bottom, these five items include a first note 1502, a window 1504, a second note 1506, a third note 1508, and a desktop 1510. The window 1504 is in a top-most first layer, the desktop 1510 is in a bottom-most second layer, the first note 1502 is attached to the first layer, and the second and third notes 1506 and 1508 are attached to the second layer. Again, these items are merely examples of the items which might be included in the display 1500.

If the second note 1506 is selected as shown by a display 1512 in FIG. 15, the items, which are in layers above the second note 1506 and which would have otherwise obscured the second note 1506, are cut out to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the second note 1506. Accordingly, upon selection of the second note 1506, the first note 1502 and the window 1504 are cut out since only the first note 1502 and the window 1504 are in a layer above the second note 1506 and since the first note 1502 and the window 1504 would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the second note 1506.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, a cut-out border 1514 may also be provided around the second note 1506. The cut-out border 1514 reveals a portion 1516 of the third note 1508 which would have otherwise been obscured by the first note 1502 and the window 1504. The cut-out border 1514 also exposes a portion 1518 of the desktop 1510 which is not under the third note 1508 and which would have otherwise been obscured by the first note 1502 and the window 1504.

Thus, the cut-out border 1514 permits access through the cut-out border 1514 to items which are below the first layer containing the first note 1502 and the window 1504. As shown in FIG. 15, the cut-out border 1514 reveals the portion 1516 of the third note 1508 and the portion 1518 of the desktop 1510.

Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the selection of the second note 1506 does not affect the layering of the items. Thus, the first note 1502 and the window 1504 remain in a layer above second note 1506. Accordingly, the order of the layering of the items 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, and 1510 is visually preserved. The order of layering may also be physically preserved in the memory of the data processing system 300.

FIG. 16 illustrates another possible display 1600 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application programs 316, and the note program 318. Four items in two layers are shown in the display 1600. From top to bottom, these four items include a window 1602, a first note 1604, a second note 1606, and a desktop 1608. The window 1602 is in a topmost first layer, the desktop 1608 is in a bottom-most second layer, and the first and second notes 1604 and 1606 are attached to the second layer.

As shown by a display 1610 in FIG. 16, the first note 1604 may be moved from its original location on the desktop 1608 to a new location on the desktop 1608 where it is still on the second layer but where it is now layered over the second note 1606. As a result of the move, and if the first note 1604 is a selected note, those items, which are in layers above the first note 1604 and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the first note 1604 at its new location on the desktop 1608, are cut out in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the first note 1604 at its new location. Accordingly, the window 1602 is cut out since only the window 1602 is in a layer above the first note 1604 and since the window 1602 would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the first note 1604. On the other hand, if the first note 1604 is not a selected note, those items, which are in layers above the first note 1604 and which obscure at least a portion of the first note 1604 at its new location, are not cut out in order to expose the obscured portion of the first note 1604. Thus, if the first note 1604 is not a selected note, it appears at its new location in the display 1610 as a layer under the window 1602, and it is at least partially obscured by the window 1602.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, a cut-out border 1612 may also be provided in order to reveal a portion 1614 of the second note 1606 which would have otherwise been obscured by the window 1602. The cut-out border 1612 also exposes a portion 1616 of the desktop 1608 which would have otherwise been obscured by the window 1602. Thus, the cut-out border 1612 permits access through the cut-out border 1612 to items below the window 1602.

FIG. 17 illustrates another possible display 1700 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application programs 316, and the note program 318. Five items in two layers are shown in the display 1700. From top to bottom, these five items include a window 1702, a first note 1704, a second note 1706, a third note 1708, and a desktop 1710. The window 1702 is in a top-most first layer, the desktop 1710 is in a bottom-most second layer, and the first, second, and third notes 1704, 1706, and 1708 are attached to the second layer. As shown in FIG. 17, the first, second, and third notes 1704, 1706, and 1708 are layered with respect to one another on the second layer containing the desktop 1710.

As shown by the display 1700 in FIG. 17, the first note 1704 has been selected so that the first note 1704 appears above any other notes with which it is layered (in this case, the second and third notes 1706 and 1708) and so that a cut-out border 1712 appears therearound to expose the first note 1704. Because of the selection of the first note 1704, those items, which are in layers above the first note 1704 and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the first note 1704, are cut out in order to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the first note 1704. Accordingly, the window 1702 is cut through since only the window 1702 is in a layer above the first note 1704 and since the window 1702 would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the first note 1704. Access is provided to a portion 1714 of the second note 1706 through the cut-out border 1712. Also, a portion 1716 of the desktop 1710 is revealed through the cut-out border 1712.

As shown by a display 1718 in FIG. 17, the second note 1706 may be selected. As a result of selection of the second note 1706, the second note 1706 rises to the top of the notes (the first note 1704 and the third note 1708) with which it is layered. Also, as a result of selection of the second note 1706, those items, which are in layers above the second note 1706 and which would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the second note 1706, are cut out by a cutout border 1720 in order to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the second note 1706. Accordingly, the window 1702 is cut through since only the window 1702 is in a layer above the second note 1706 and since the window 1702 would have otherwise obscured at least a portion of the second note 1706.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, a cut-out border 1720 may also be provided in order to reveal a portion 1722 of the first note 1704 and a portion 1724 of the third note 1708. Portions 1722 and 1724 would have otherwise been obscured by the window 1702. Accordingly, access is permitted to the portion 1722 of the first note 1704 and to the portion 1724 of the third note 1708 through the cut-out border 1720. The cut-out border 1720 also reveals a portion 1726 of the desktop 1710 which would have otherwise been obscured by the window 1702.

FIG. 18 illustrates another possible display 1800 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application programs 316, and the note program 318. Three items in two layers are shown in the display 1800. From top to bottom, these three items include a window 1802, a note 1804, and a desktop 806. The window 1802 is in a top-most first layer, the desktop 1806 is in a bottom-most second layer, and the note 1804 is attached to the second layer. Again, these items are merely examples of the items which might be included in the display 1800.

As shown by the display 1800 in FIG. 18, the note 1804 is in a first location on the desktop 1806 and has been selected so that the selected note 1804 cuts out the window 1802 so as to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the note 1804. Accordingly, as a result of cutting through the window 1802, a cut-out border 1808 appears around the note 1804 to expose the note 1804. Access is provided to a portion 1810 of the desktop 1806 through the cut-out border 1808.

As shown by an arrow 1812, the note 1804 is in the process of being moved. The note 1804 may be moved, for example, by positioning an indicator 1814 over the note 1804, by activating the indicator 1814, and by dragging the indicator 1814 to a new location where the note 1804 is to be attached. As the indicator 1814 is dragged, an outline 1816 of the note 1804 is dragged along with the indicator 1814. The indicator 1814 may be a cursor which may be positioned by use of a mouse, which may be activated by depressing a mouse button, and which may be deactivated by releasing the mouse button.

As the note 1804 is being moved, the note 1804 and its cut-out border 1808 remain in their original positions, and only the outline 1816 of the note 1804 moves with the indicator 1814. Instead of the outline 1816, other forms of manifestations may be used to indicate that the note 1804 is in a moving state. Also, although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the note 1804 and its cut-out border 1808 remain in their original positions while the note 1804 is in a moving state, and although movement of the note 1804 is manifested by the outline 1816, it is possible instead to move both the note 1804 and its cut-out border 1808 so that items below the moving note are revealed through the moving cut-out border 1808 as the note 1804 and the cut-out border 1808 are in a moving state.

As shown by a display 1818 in FIG. 18, after movement of the note 1804 is complete, the note 1804 appears at its new location on the desktop 1806 such that the cut-out border 1808 cuts out the window 1802 in order to expose an otherwise obscured portion of the note 1804 at its new location.

The functions described above are executed by the data processing system 300 based upon the note program 318 according to the flow chart shown in FIGS. 19-47. It is to be understood that, although the note program 318 is shown in sequential flow chart form, the operations and tests described in connection therewith may be performed either sequentially or independently in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 19, upon start up, a block 900 of the program code of the data processing system 300 initializes the data processing system 300. As part of this initialization, a desktop is made to appear, for example, on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display terminals 304 of the data processing system 300. A block 1902 initializes the note program 318. The initialization of the note program 318 will be described more fully in connection with FIG. 20.

Once the block 1902 initializes the note program 318, the data processing system 300 waits for an event to be chosen by the computer user, as illustrated by a block 1904. If a block 1906 determines that the chosen event to be processed by the data processing system 300 is not a note program event (i.e., is not an event to be executed by the note program 318), the data processing system 300 processes the event as indicated by a block 1908. If a block 1910 determines that, as a result of processing of the event in accordance with one or more of the application programs 316, further processing of the event by the note program 318 is required, a block 1912 further processes the event. The block 1912 is shown in additional detail in FIG. 35.

If the block 1906 determines that the event to be processed is a note program event, a block 1914 processes that note program event in a manner to be described more fully in connection with FIG. 21. If the block 1910 determines that further processing by the note program 318 is not required, or after the block 1912 further processes the event processed by the block 1908, or after the block 1914 processes a note program event, the program shown in FIG. 19 returns to the block 1904 in order to get, and process, the next event.

FIG. 20 shows the routine performed by the block 1902 of FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 20, a block 2000 loads a note dispenser, such as the note dispenser 200, in a video display memory, and a block 2002 causes the note dispenser stored in the video display memory to appear on the desktop displayed by a monitor of the display terminals 304. Next, a block 2004 loads any desktop notes (i.e., those notes attached to the desktop), which were previously created by the note program 318 and stored at the operating system level, into the video display memory, and a block 2006 causes these desktop notes to be displayed by the monitor of the display terminals 304. The data processing system 300 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows how a note program event is processed according to the block 1914 of FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 21, a block 2102 determines whether a cursor of the data processing system 300, as displayed by a monitor of the display terminals 304, is over a note. If the block 2102 determines that a cursor is over a note, such as the note 100, a subroutine A1 is executed by the data processing system 300 in order to change the character of the cursor, as appropriate. The subroutine A1 is shown in FIG. 22.

A block 2104 determines whether a desktop note dispenser event is selected by the computer user, such as by determining whether a changed cursor is activated while the changed cursor is over a desktop note dispenser. If the block 2104 determines that an event associated with a desktop note dispenser, such as the note dispenser 200, is to be processed, the subroutine A2 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine A2 is shown in FIG. 23.

A block 2106 determines whether a note event is selected by the computer user, such as by determining whether a changed cursor is activated while the changed cursor is over a note. If a note event is selected, the subroutine A3 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine A3 is shown in FIG. 30.

A block 2108 determines whether a title bar note dispenser event is selected by the computer user. If a title bar note dispenser event is selected, then the subroutine A4 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine A4 is shown in FIG. 34.

If a cursor of the data processing system 300 is not over a note, or if a desktop note dispenser event is not selected by the computer user, or if a note event is not selected by the computer user, or if a title bar note dispenser event is not selected by the computer user, or after execution of the appropriate subroutine A1, A2, A3, or A4, the program returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

As a cursor is passed over a note as determined by the block 2102 of FIG. 21, the character (e.g., appearance) of the cursor is changed according to the subroutine A1 shown in FIG. 22. In FIG. 22, a block 2200 determines whether the cursor is over the notation area of a note, such as the notation area 106 of the note 100. If so, a block 2202 changes the cursor to a data entry cursor. Data can be entered by a computer user by activating the cursor while the data entry cursor is over the notation area and by operating an appropriate input device, such as a keyboard.

A block 2204 determines whether the cursor is over a grab area of a note. If the cursor is over the grab area of a note, a block 2206 changes the cursor to a move cursor (which may have any desired appearance) so that, if the cursor is activated, the note under the cursor may be repositioned.

A block 2208 determines whether the cursor is over an options area of a note. If the cursor is over the options area, a block 2210 changes the cursor to an options selection cursor (which may have any desired appearance) so that, if the cursor is activated, options are displayed, and so that a computer user may select one of the displayed options.

A block 2212 determines whether the cursor is over another control area, if any, of a note. If the cursor is over another control area of a note, a block 2214 changes the cursor to a control cursor (which may have any desired appearance).

After operation of any of the blocks 2202, 2206, 2210, and 2214, or if the cursor is not over the notation area, the grab area, the options area, or another control area of the note, the program returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

If the block 2104 of FIG. 21 determines that an event associated with a desktop note dispenser is to be processed so that the subroutine A2 is entered, a block 2300 determines whether a grab area, such as the grab area 204 of the note dispenser 200, is selected by a computer user, such as by clicking a mouse while the mouse cursor is over the grab area. If the grab area is selected, then a block 2302 positions the desktop note dispenser to a location determined by the computer user. The block 2302 is shown in more detail in FIG. 24.

A block 2304 determines whether a note dispensing area, such as the note dispensing area 202 of the note dispenser 200, is selected by a computer user, such as by clicking a mouse while the mouse cursor is over the note dispensing area. If the note dispensing area is selected by a computer user, a block 2306 dispenses a note. The block 2306 is shown in more detail in FIG. 25.

A block 2308 determines whether an options area, such as the options area 206 of the note dispenser 200, is selected by the computer user. If the options area is selected by the computer user, a block 2310 selects an option as determined by the computer user. The block 2310 is shown in more detail in FIG. 29. After the block 2302 positions a desktop note dispenser, or after the block 2306 dispenses a note from a desktop note dispenser, or after the block 2310 selects an option from a desktop note dispenser, or if a grab area of a note dispenser is not selected by a computer user, or if a note dispensing area of a note dispenser is not selected by a computer user, or if an options area of a note dispenser is not selected by the computer user, the program returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

The Position Dispenser block 2302 of FIG. 23 is shown in more detail in FIG. 24. As shown in FIG. 24, a block 2400 selects a new attachment site for the desktop note dispenser, for example based upon movement of a cursor by a mouse of the data processing system 300. If a block 2402 determines that the new attachment site, as selected by the block 2400, is a legal attachment site, a block 2404 then removes the desktop note dispenser from its current attachment site, and a block 2406 displays the desktop note dispenser at the new attachment site. A block 2408 stores the desktop note dispenser at the new attachment site.

However, if the new attachment site is not a legal attachment site as determined by the block 2402, a block 2410 causes a display or other indication to be provided to the computer user indicating that the selected new attachment site is not a legal attachment site.

After the block 2408 stores the desktop note dispenser at its new attachment site, or after the block 2410 causes a display or other indication to be provided to the computer user indicating that the selected new attachment site is not a legal attachment site, the program returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

The Dispense Note block 2306 of FIG. 23 is shown in more detail in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 25, a block 2500 determines whether the note is dispensed from the desktop note dispenser. If the note is not dispensed from the desktop note dispenser, a block 2502 determines whether the note is dispensed from a note dispensing area of the title bar note dispenser. If the note is not dispensed either from a desktop note dispenser or from a note dispensing area of the title bar note dispenser, the note must have been dispensed by another means, such as by a note dispensing option of the options area of the title bar note dispenser.

A note, which is dispensed by a means other than a note dispenser on a desktop or in the title bar, is dispensed to the window from which the note is dispensed and at an attachment site which may be determined by the note program 318 or by the computer user. Accordingly, a block 2504 initially attaches this note to the window from which the note was dispensed. The note may then be moved from that initial attachment site, if desired.

If the note is dispensed from a desktop note dispenser as determined by the block 2500, or if the note is dispensed from a title bar note dispenser as determined by the block 2502, a block 2506, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 26, (i) appropriately draws the displayed layers as the dispensed note is being moved by the computer user, (ii) determines where the note is to be potentially attached, (iii) determines whether this potential attachment site is a valid attachment site, (iv) determines whether the potential attachment site relates to a program, such as an application program or an operating system, which is compliant with the note program 318, and (v) sets a site flag accordingly. A block 2508 determines whether the site flag indicates that the potential attachment site is legal or illegal.

If the block 2508 determines that the site flag indicates that the potential attachment site for a note dispensed from a note dispenser is legal, or if the block 2504 attaches a new note to the window from which the new note is dispensed, a block 2510 creates a note by forming the outline and areas as shown by the note 100 in FIG. 1. A block 2512, as shown in more detail in FIG. 27, attaches the note to the legal attachment site. A block 2514, as shown in more detail in FIG. 28, edits the contents of the attached note.

If the block 2508 determines that the site flag indicates that the potential attachment site is illegal, or after the block 2514 edits the contents of the note attached to a legal attachment site, the program returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

The Get ATTACHMENT block 2506 of FIG. 25 is shown in more detail in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 26, a block 2600, which is shown in additional detail in FIG. 47, appropriately draws the layers being displayed by a monitor of the display terminals 304 as a dispensed (or a repositioned) note is being moved by the computer user to an attachment site. Thus, while a dispensed note is being moved by the computer user, the block 2600 continues to draw the existing layers being displayed so that any note, which was previously selected, continues to cut out those portions of layers which are above the previously selected note and which would have otherwise obscured the previously selected note. Also, while the computer user moves the dispensed note by the use of a cursor of the data processing system 300, a block 2602 determines whether the cursor is over a valid or an invalid potential attachment site. An invalid potential attachment site, for example, may be a region, such as a window, which is under the control of a noncompliant program (i.e., a program which is not compliant with the note program 318), or an invalid portion of a region, such as a window, which is under the control of a compliant program (i.e., a program which is compliant with the note program 318), or a layer which is not an attachment layer as designated by the computer user by use of the attachment layer option of the note being moved.

If the cursor is over an invalid potential attachment site, a block 2604 indicates to the computer user that the potential attachment site is an invalid attachment site. For example, the block 2604 may cause a symbol, such as the symbol 710 shown in FIG. 7, to be displayed to the computer user to indicate to the computer user that the potential attachment site is invalid.

On the other hand, if the cursor is over is a valid potential attachment site, a block 2606 indicates to the computer user that the potential attachment site is a valid potential attachment site. For example, instead of displaying a symbol indicating to the computer user that the site is an invalid potential attachment site, the block 2306 may cause an outline of a note to be displayed to the computer user to indicate to the computer user that the potential attachment site is a valid attachment site.

After the block 2604 indicates that the cursor is over an invalid potential attachment site, or after the block 2606 indicates that the cursor is over a valid potential attachment site, a block 2608 determines whether the computer user has selected the potential attachment site as the attachment site, for example by determining whether the computer user released the control button of a mouse. If the block 2608 determines that an attachment site has not been selected by the computer user yet, the routine returns to the block 2600 so that the blocks 2600, 2602, 2604, and 2606 continue to perform their functions while the note is in a moving state.

When the block 2608 determines that the potential attachment site has been selected by the computer user as the attachment site, a block 2610 determines whether the selected attachment site is a valid attachment site. If the selected attachment site is not a valid attachment site, a block 2612 sets a site flag to null which indicates that the potential attachment site is not a valid attachment site. If, instead, the block 2610 determines that the selected attachment site is a valid attachment site, the site flag is not set to null. After the block 2612 sets the site flag to null, or if the block 2610 determines that the selected attachment site is a valid attachment site so that the site flag is not set to null, the program returns to the block 2508 which, as discussed above, determines whether the site flag has been set to null.

The Attach Note block 2512 of FIG. 25 is shown in more detail in FIG. 27. As shown in FIG. 27, a block 2700 determines whether the attachment site is on a desktop. If the attachment site is on a desktop, a block 2702 causes the note to be stored at the operating system level.

After the block 2702 stores the note information concerning a note which is to be attached to a desktop, or if the block 2700 determines that the new attachment site is not a desktop, a block 2704 adds appropriate note information to an index. The index is discussed more fully in connection with FIG. 48. A block 2706 determines whether the computer user is creating a new note or whether, for example, an existing note has been moved to a new attachment site. If the computer user is creating a new note, a block 2708 determines whether the selected attachment site is an active attachment site. If a new note is to be created, as determined by the block 2706, and if the attachment site for this newly created note is not active, as determined by the block 2708, a block 2710 makes the attachment site active.

If the block 2706 determines that a new note is not being created, e.g. a note is being moved from an old attachment site to a new attachment site, a block 2712 determines whether the new attachment site is active. If the new attachment site is not active, a block 2714 makes the note inactive. Thus, a note, which is moved to an inactive attachment site, is made inactive.

If a new note is to be created as determined by the block 2706 and if the attachment site for this newly created note is not active as determined by the block 2708 and after the block 2710 makes this attachment site active, or if a new note is to be created as determined by the block 2706 and if the attachment site for this newly created note is already active as determined by the block 2708, or if the block 2706 determines that a new note is not being created and if the block 2712 determines that the new attachment site is active, a block 2716 makes the note active. After the block 2716 makes the note active, or after the block 2714 makes the note inactive, a block 2718 displays the note at the new attachment site, and a block 2720 appropriately notifies the application program, which controls the new attachment site, that an attachment change has occurred. That is, the application program which controls the new attachment site is either notified that a new note has been created and has been attached to the new attachment site, or that an existing note has been moved from an old attachment site to the new attachment site. Accordingly, the note is attached to the new attachment site. After the block 2720 appropriately notifies an application program that a change has occurred, the program returns to the block 2514 of FIG. 25.

A note can be attached to window, to a desktop, to a document generally, to an object such as a character, a word, a sentence, a paragraph, a graphic, a cell, a page, a video, a video frame, a video segment, a sound, or to the like. If the note is attached to an object, special highlighting, pointers, or the like, may be used to indicate the object to which the note is attached.

The Edit Note Content block 2514 of FIG. 25 is shown in more detail in FIG. 28. As shown in FIG. 28, a block 2800 permits the computer user to update the contents of an existing note or to insert data into a newly created note. As an example, an edit or data entry cursor may appear in a note. The computer user can use a keyboard or other techniques to enter new data, or edit existing data, within the note at the data entry cursor.

If the note is attached to a desktop, as determined by a block 2802, a block 2804 causes the updated contents to be stored immediately (i.e., without a specific save instruction from the computer user) as data is added to the contents of the note or as the existing contents in the note are edited. On the other hand, if the note is not attached to a desktop as determined by the block 2802, a block 2806 appropriately notifies the application program of the updated contents. Either the note program 318 or an application program may be responsible for saving the updated contents. After the updated contents have been stored by the block 2804 for a note attached to a desktop, or after the block 2806 appropriately notifies the application program of the updated contents, the program returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

The Select Option block 2310 of FIG. 23 is shown in more detail in FIG. 29. As shown in FIG. 29, a block 2900 gets the options associated with any existing options area, such as the options area 206 of the note dispenser 200. A block 2902 causes the options to be displayed, and a block 2904 permits the computer user to select an option from the options displayed by the block 2902. A block 2906 executes the option selected by the computer user by way of the block 2904. The system returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

If the block 2106 of FIG. 21 determines that an event in a note is selected by the computer user so that the subroutine A3 is entered, a block 3000 determines whether a cursor, which is over the grab area of a note, such as the grab area 102 of the note 100, has been activated. If so, a block 3002, the details of which are shown in FIG. 31, causes this note to be repositioned.

A block 3004 determines whether the cursor is over the notation area of a note, such as the notation area 106 of the note 100, when the cursor is activated. If the cursor is over the notation area of a note at the time the cursor is activated, a block 3006, the details of which are shown in FIG. 28, edits the contents of this note.

A block 3008 determines whether the cursor is over the options area of a note, such as the options area 104 of the note 100, at the time that the cursor is activated. If so, a block 3010, the details of which are shown in FIG. 29, selects an option.

A block 3012 determines whether the cursor is over the sizing control area, such as the sizing control area 108 of the note 100, at the time that the cursor is activated. If so, a block 3014, the details of which are shown in FIG. 33, resizes the note.

As described herein, if a note is selected, those items, which are in layers above the note and which would have otherwise obscured the note, are cut out in order to expose the note. If the note is not selected, those items, which are in layers above the note and which obscure the note, are not cut out in order to expose the note. If a note is both manipulated and selected, those items, which are in layers above the manipulated and selected note and which would have otherwise obscured the manipulated and selected note, are cut out in order to expose the manipulated and selected note.

Thus, after the block 3002 repositions the note and if the note is selected, or after the block 3006 edits the contents of the note and if the note is selected, or after the block 3010 selects an option and if the note is selected, or after the block 3014 resizes the note and if the note is selected, or if a block 3016 determines that a note has been otherwise selected even though it has not also been manipulated, a block 3018, the details of which are shown in FIG. 47, appropriately draws the layers being displayed by a monitor of the display terminals 304. That is, after the note has been repositioned by the block 3002, and if the note is selected, the block 3018 draws the existing layers so that the repositioned and selected note cuts out those layers which are above the repositioned note and which would have otherwise obscured the repositioned note; or after the note has been edited by the block 3006 (such that, for example, the size of the note has been altered), and if the note is selected, the block 3018 draws the existing layers so that the edited and selected note cuts out those layers which are above the edited note and which would have otherwise obscured the edited note; or after an option of the note has been selected by the block 3010 (such that, for example, the size of the note has changed or a new note has been dispensed), and if the note is selected, the block 3018 draws the existing layers so that this selected note cuts out those layers which are above the note and which would have otherwise obscured the note; or after the note has been resized by the block 3014, and if the note is selected, the block 3018 draws the existing layers so that the resized and selected note cuts out those layers which are above the resized note and which would have otherwise obscured the resized note; or after the note has been otherwise selected as determined by the block 3016, the block 3018 draws the existing layers so that the selected note cuts out those layers which are above the selected note and which would have otherwise obscured the selected note.

If the cursor is not over the grab area of a note at the time that the cursor is activated, or if the cursor is not over the notation area of a note at the time that the cursor is activated, or if the cursor is not over the options area of a note at the time that the cursor is activated, or if the cursor is not over the sizing control area of a note at the time that the cursor is activated, or if a note is not selected, or after the layers are appropriately drawn by the block 3018, the program returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

The Reposition Note block 3002 of FIG. 30 is shown in more detail in FIG. 31. As shown in FIG. 31, a block 3100 causes the subroutine shown in FIG. 26 to be performed. A block 3102 determines whether the site flag is set to null. If the site flag is not set to null, a block 3104 causes the note to be removed from the old attachment site, and a block 3106 causes the subroutine shown in FIG. 27 to be performed so as to attach the note to the new attachment site. The block 3104 is shown in more detail in FIG. 32. If the block 3102 determines that the site flag is set to null, or after the block 3106 causes the note to be attached to the new attachment site, the program returns to the block 3018 of FIG. 30.

The Remove Attachment block 3104 of FIG. 31 is shown in more detail in FIG. 32. As shown in FIG. 32, a block 3200 removes the note information from the note index. A block 3202 removes the note from the current display, i.e. from the old attachment site of the note. A block 3204 determines whether the old attachment site is a desktop. If the old attachment site is a desktop, a block 3206 causes the information contained in the note at the operating system level to also be removed from memory. On the other hand, if the old attachment site is not a desktop, a block 3208 informs the application program controlling the old attachment site to remove the information relating to the note at the old attachment site. After the block 3206 removes from memory the information of a desktop note being removed from an old attachment site, or after the block 3208 informs the application program controlling the old attachment site, the program returns to the block 3106 of FIG. 31.

The Resize note block 3014 of FIG. 30 is shown in more detail in FIG. 33. As shown in FIG. 33, a block 3300 gets the new size for the note. For example, if the sizing control area 108 of the note 100 shown in FIG. 1 is to be used for resizing a note, a cursor is moved to the sizing control area 108. The cursor is activated and dragged. As the cursor is dragged, the outline of the note changes to indicate the changing size of the note.

Thereafter, a block 3302 determines whether the note, due to its new size as selected by the computer user, would be off of its attachment, such as off the window to which the note is attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, if the size of the note 1112 is made smaller in a direction which would otherwise pull the note entirely off of the window 1116 to which the note is attached, a block 3304 limits the resizing so that the note is kept attached to its window. On the other hand, if the new size of the note does not require the note to be off of its attachment as determined by the block 3302, a block 3306 determines whether the new size is less than a minimum allowable size for a note. If the new size is less than the minimum allowable size, a block 3308 sets the size of the note to its minimum allowable size. The minimum allowable size may be user selectable, or not, or may not be provided at all.

If the new size is not less than a minimum allowable size as determined by the block 3306, a block 3310 determines whether the new size is greater than a maximum allowable size. If the new size for the note is greater than a maximum allowable size, a block 3312 sets the size of the note to the maximum allowable size. The maximum allowable size may be user selectable, or not, or may not be provided at all.

After the block 3304 sets the size of the note so that the note is kept on its attachment, or after the block 3308 sets the size of the note to the minimum allowable size, or after the block 3312 sets the size of the note to the maximum allowable size, a block 3314 indicates to the computer user that the size of the note, as selected by the computer user, is inappropriate. For example, the note can be shaded, the note can be color changed, or the note program 318 can simply refuse to change the outline in a nonallowable method, so that the computer user is notified that the computer user has attempted an illegal operation.

After the block 3314 indicates that the selected size of the note is inappropriate, or if the block 3310 determines that the new size of the note is not greater than the maximum allowable size for a note, a block 3316 determines whether the size of the note has been selected by the computer user. For example, if the sizing control area 108 of the note 100 is being operated by a cursor under control of a mouse, the size is selected when the mouse button is released. If the block 3316 determines that the size of the note has not been selected, the routine shown in FIG. 33 returns to the block 3300 for continued resizing of the note. If the block 3316 determines that the size of the note has been selected, a block 3318 appropriately notifies the program controlling the attachment (e.g., a window) of the new size of the note. Thereafter, the program returns to the block 3018 of FIG. 30.

If the block 2108 of FIG. 21 determines that an event in the title bar note dispenser is selected by the computer user, the subroutine A4 shown in FIG. 34 is entered. A block 3400 of the subroutine A4 determines whether the event being requested is in a dispensing area of the title bar note dispenser. If the dispensing area in a title bar note dispenser is selected, a block 3402 dispenses a note as shown in FIG. 25. If the dispensing area of the title bar note dispenser is not selected, a block 3404 gets the title bar options, a block 3406 displays those options, and a block 3408 selects an option as chosen by the computer user. A block 3410 determines whether the selected option is a note creating option. If it is, the block 3402 dispenses a note. If the selected option is not a note creating option, a block 3412 executes the selected option. After the block 3402 dispenses a note, or after the block 3412 executes the selected option, the program returns to the block 1904 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 35 shows how the block 1912 further processes an event processed by the block 1908. As shown in FIG. 35, a block 3500 determines whether one of the application programs 316 has been started, i.e. has just been entered. If the block 3500 determines that an application program has just been started, a subroutine C1 is executed by the data processing system 300 in order to register that the application program is, or is not, compliant with the note program 318. The subroutine C1 is shown in FIG. 36.

A block 3502 determines whether a window has been moved. If the block 3502 determines that a window has been moved, a subroutine C2 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C2 is shown in FIG. 37.

A block 3504 determines whether a window has just been opened as a result of execution of one of the application programs 316 or the operating system 314. If the block 3504 determines that a window has just been opened, a subroutine C3 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C3 is shown in FIG. 38.

A block 3506 determines whether a window has been selected, i.e. made active. If the block 3506 determines that a window has been selected, a subroutine C4 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C4 is shown in FIG. 39.

A block 3508 determines whether a window has been de-selected, i.e. made inactive. If the block 3508 determines that a window has been de-selected, a subroutine C5 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C5 is shown in FIG. 40.

A block 3510 determines whether a window has been closed. If the block 3510 determines that a window has been closed, a subroutine C6 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C6 is shown in FIG. 41.

A block 3512 determines whether the contents of a window are being saved. For example, a computer user can select a save option. If the block 3512 determines that the contents of a window are being saved, a subroutine C7 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C7 is shown in FIG. 42.

A block 3514 determines whether a window has been resized by a computer user. If a window has been resized, a subroutine C8 is executed by a data processing system 300. The subroutine C8 is shown in FIG. 43.

A block 3516 determines whether an object within a window is being moved by the computer user. If the block 3516 determines that an object within a window is being moved by a computer user, a subroutine C9 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C9 is shown in FIG. 45.

A block 3518 determines whether a window is being scrolled by a computer user. If the block 3518 determines that a window is being scrolled by a computer user, a subroutine C10 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C10 is shown in FIG. 46.

If an application program has not just been started, or is a window has not been moved, or if a window has not just been opened, or if a window has not been selected, or if a window has not been de-selected, or if a window has not been closed, or if the contents of a window are not being saved, or if a window has not been resized by a computer user, or if an object within a window is not being moved by the computer user, or if a window is not being scrolled by a computer user, or after execution of the appropriate subroutine C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, or C10, the program returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

When the block 3500 determines that an application program is just started so that the subroutine C1 shown in FIG. 36 is entered, a block 3600 determines whether the application program just starting is compliant with the note program 318. In effect, the block 3600 determines whether an interface exists between the application program just started and the note program 318.

If the block 3600 determines that the application program just started is compliant with the note program 318, a block 3602 registers the fact that the application program just started is compliant with the note program 318. For example, a flag may be set indicating that the application program is compliant with the note program 318. On the other hand, if the block 3600 determines that the application program just started is not compliant with the note program 318, a block 3604 registers the fact that the application program just initiated is not compliant with the note program 318. For example, a flag may be set indicating that the application program is not compliant with the note program 318. After the block 3602 registers that the application program just started is compliant with the note program 318, or after the block 3604 registers that the application program just started is not compliant with the note program 318, the subroutine C1 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

When the block 3502 determines that a window has been moved so that the subroutine C2 shown in FIG. 37 is entered, a block 3700 determines whether there are any notes attached to the window being moved. If there are notes attached to the window being moved, the program corresponding to the window being moved is necessarily compliant with the note program 318. On the other hand, if there are no notes attached to the window being moved, the program corresponding to the window being moved may or may not be compliant with the note program 318.

If the block 3700 determines that there are notes attached to the moved window, a block 3702 determines whether there are any notes attached to the moved window remaining to be offset, i.e. to be moved to the new position of the moved window. If there are any such notes, a block 3704 removes a first of these notes remaining to be offset from the old position of the window, and a block 3706 determines the new coordinates for this first note. The new coordinates of this first note are those coordinates which maintain the original attachment site of this first note relative to the window when the window is at its new position.

A block 3708 determines if this note is to be displayed. For example, the block 3708 may determine whether a note is to be hidden or shown. If the block 3708 determines that this note is to be displayed, a block 3710 displays the note at its new position, i.e. at its new coordinates. After the block 3710 displays the note at its new position, or if the block 3708 determines that the note is not to be displayed, the subroutine C2 returns to the block 3702 to determine whether there are any more notes remaining to be moved to the new position of the window. If there are, the blocks 3704-3710 process each of the remaining notes as above. If the block 3700 determines that there are no notes attached to the moved window, or when the block 3702 determines that there are no more notes to be moved to the new position of the moved window, the subroutine C2 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

When a window is opened as determined by the block 3504 so that the subroutine C3 shown in FIG. 38 is entered, a block 3800 determines whether the application program corresponding to the window which has just been opened is compliant with the note program 318. If this application program is compliant with the note program 318, a block 3802 determines whether this particular window is one that can accept notes. That is, windows corresponding to application programs which are compliant with the note program 318 may have invalid attachment sites associated therewith. If the block 3802 determines that the newly opened window can accept notes, a block 3804 registers that the window is compliant with the note program 318. A block 3806 then places a note dispenser, such as the note dispenser 513, in the newly opened window. If the block 3800 determines that the application program corresponding to the newly opened window is not compliant with the note program 318, or if the block 3802 determines that, even though the window corresponds to an application program which is compliant with the note program 318, the particular window is not a valid attachment site for notes, or after the block 3806 places a note dispenser in the newly opened window, the subroutine C3 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

If the block 3506 determines that a window has been selected so that the subroutine C4 shown in FIG. 39 is entered, a block 3900 determines whether there are any notes attached to the selected window. If the block 3900 determines that there are notes attached to the selected window, a block 3902 determines whether there are any notes attached to the selected window which have not been activated. If there are any notes which have not been activated, a block 3904 activates a first of these inactive notes. The block 3902 determines whether there are any more notes which have not been activated. If so, the block 3904 activates another of the inactive notes. When the block 3902 determines that all notes have been activated, or if the block 3900 determines that there are no notes attached to the selected window, the subroutine C4 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

If the block 3508 determines that a window is de-selected so that the subroutine C5 shown in FIG. 40 is entered, a block 4000 determines whether there are any notes attached to the de-selected window. If there are notes attached to the de-selected window, a block 4002 determines whether there are any notes attached to the window which have not been deactivated, i.e. made inactive. If there are notes which have not yet been deactivated, a block 4004 deactivates one of these notes. Then, the block 4002 determines whether there are any more notes which have not been deactivated. If so, the block 4004 deactivates another of the notes which have not been deactivated. When the block 4002 determines that all notes attached to the de-selected window have been deactivated, or if the block 4000 determines that there are no notes attached to the de-selected window, the subroutine C5 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

If the block 3510 determines that a window has been closed so that the subroutine C6 shown in FIG. 41 is entered, a block 4100 determines whether there are any notes attached to the closed window. If there are notes attached to the closed window, a block 4102 determines whether there are any notes attached to the closed window which are still displayed. If the block 4102 determines that there are notes attached to the closed window which are still displayed, a block 4104 removes one of the notes from the display. Then, the block 4102 determines whether there are any other notes attached to the closed window which are still displayed. If so, the block 4104 removes another of the notes from the display. When the block 4102 determines that all notes have been removed from the display, or if the block 4100 determines that there are no notes attached to the closed window, the subroutine C6 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

If the block 3512 determines that contents of a window are being saved by a computer user so that the subroutine C7 shown in FIG. 42 is entered, a block 4200 determines whether there are any notes attached to this window. If the block 4200 determines that there are notes attached to this window, a block 4202 determines whether any of these notes contain information which has not been written, i.e. saved in memory. If the block 4202 determines that there are attached notes containing information which has not yet been written, a block 4204 writes the note information for one of these attached notes. Thereafter, the block 4202 determines whether there are any other notes containing information which has not been written. If so, the block 4204 writes the information of another of the notes. When the block 4202 determines that the information for all attached notes has been written, or if the block 4200 determines that there are no notes attached to the window which contents are being saved by the computer user, the subroutine C7 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

If the block 3514 determines that a window has been resized by a computer user so that the sub-routine C8 shown in FIG. 43 is entered, a block 4300 determines whether there are any notes attached to the resized window. If there are notes attached to the resized window, a block 4302 determines whether there are any such notes which have not yet been processed by a block 4304. If there are any notes attached to the resized window which have not yet been processed by the block 4304, the block 4304 processes one of the notes yet to be processed. The block 4304 is shown in additional detail in FIG. 44. After the note is processed by the block 4304, the block 4302 determines whether there are any more notes which have not been processed by the block 4304. If there are, the block 4304 processes another of these notes. When the block 4302 determines that all notes have been processed by the block 4304, or if the block 4300 determines that there are no notes attached to the resized window, the subroutine C8 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

Notes are processed by the block 4304 in accordance with the routine shown in FIG. 44. A block 4400 determines whether the note currently being processed is to be hidden. If the note is not to be hidden, a block 4402 determines whether any portion of the grab area of the note currently being processed, such as the grab area 102 of the note 100 shown in FIG. 1, is within the viewable region of the resized window. If some portion of the grab area of the note currently being processed is within the viewable region of the resized window, a block 4404 displays the entire note currently being processed.

On the other hand, if no portion of the grab area of the note currently being processed is within the viewable region of the resized window, a block 4406 determines whether any portion of the note currently being processed is within the viewable region of the resized window. If some portion of the note currently being processed is within the viewable region of the resized window, a block 4408 displays only that portion of the note currently being processed which is within this viewable region. If the block 4400 determines that the note currently being processed is to be hidden, or after the block 4404 displays the entire note currently being processed, or if the block 4406 determines that no portion of the note currently being processed is within the viewable region of the resized window, or after the block 4408 displays that portion of the note currently being processed which is within the viewable region of the resized window, the routine shown in FIG. 44 returns to the block 4302 shown in FIG. 43.

If the block 3516 determines that an object within a window is being moved so that the subroutine C9 shown in FIG. 45 is entered, a block 4500 determines whether there are any notes attached to the window within which an object is being moved. If so, a block 4502 determines whether there are any such notes which have not been processed. If the block 4502 determines that there are notes which have not been processed, a block 4504 determines whether a first of these notes is attached to an object being moved. If the block 4504 determines that a first of these notes is attached to an object being moved, a block 4506 moves this note along with the object to which it is attached so that this note remains attached to the object being moved. Thereafter, a block 4508 displays this note appropriately. The block 4508 executes the routine described previously in connection with FIG. 44.

If the block 4504 determines that this first note is not attached to an object being moved, or after the block 4508 displays this first note which is attached to an object being moved, the block 4502 determines whether there are any other notes which have not been processed by the blocks 4504, 4506 and 4508. If so, the next note is processed by these blocks. When the block 4502 determines that all notes, which are attached to this window within which an object is being moved, have been processed, or if the block 4500 determines that there are no notes attached to the window within which an object is being moved, the subroutine C9 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

If the block 3518 determines that a window is being scrolled so that the subroutine C10 shown in FIG. 46 is entered, a block 4600 determines whether there are any notes attached to this scrolled window. If there are, a block 4602 determines whether any of these notes have not been processed. If there are notes which have not yet been processed, a block 4604 determines whether a first of these notes which have not yet been processed is a moving note. A note is a nonmoving note if, for example, its nonmove option has been selected.

If the block 4604 determines that the first of these notes which have not yet been processed is a moving note, a block 4606 determines whether this note is attached to a moving note section of the window. For example, if the note is attached to a fixed note section of a window, the note is not moved as the scrollable contents of the window are scrolled.

If the block 4606 determines that the note is attached to a moving note section of a window, a block 4608 causes the coordinates of the note to be adjusted as the attachment site to which the note is attached scrolls with the contents of the scrolled window. Thereafter, a block 4610 causes the note to be displayed at the new coordinates. The block 4610 is executed in accordance with the routine shown in FIG. 44.

If the block 4604 determines that the note currently being processed by the blocks 4604-4610 is not a moving note, or if the block 4606 determines that this note is not attached to a moving note section of the scrolled window, or after this note is displayed by the block 4610, the block 4602 determines whether all of the notes attached to the scrolled window have been processed by the blocks 4604-4610. If all of the notes have not as yet been processed, the blocks 4604-4610 process another of the notes yet to be processed. When the block 4602 determines that all notes attached to the scrolled window have been processed, or if the block 4600 determines that there are no notes attached to this scrolled window, the subroutine C10 returns to the block 1904 shown in FIG. 19.

The Draw Layers block 2600/3018 of FIGS. 26 and 30 is shown in more detail in FIG. 47. The Draw Layers block 2600/3018 performs the functions illustrated by FIGS. 14-18. Accordingly, when the Draw Layers block 2600/3018 is entered, a block 4700 determines whether all layers have been processed. If all layers have not been processed, a block 4702 determines whether all of the items, which are in a first of the unprocessed layers, have been processed. If all of the items in this first unprocessed layer have not yet been processed, a block 4704 determines whether it is necessary to cut through a first of the unprocessed items of the first unprocessed layer in order to expose a selected item.

If it is not necessary to cut through the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer in order to expose the selected item, a block 4706 displays the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer normally, i.e. without cutting through the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer. On the other hand, if it is necessary to cut through the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer in order to expose a selected item, a block 4708 displays the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer by cutting through the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer in order to expose the selected item. If a cut-out border is to be provided, the block 4708 also cuts through the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer in order to additionally provide the cut-out border around the selected item.

After the block 4706 displays the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer normally, or after the block 4708 displays the first unprocessed item of the first unprocessed layer by cutting through it, the block 4702 determines whether all of the items of the first unprocessed layer have been processed by the blocks 4704, 4706, and 4708. If not, another of the unprocessed items of the first unprocessed layer is processed by the blocks 4704, 4706, and 4708. When the block 4702 determines that all of the items of the first unprocessed layer have been processed by the blocks 4704, 4706, and 4708, the block 4700 determines whether all layers have been processed. If not, the blocks 4702, 4704, 4706, and 4708 process the items of another unprocessed layer, and so on. When the block 4700 determines that all layers have been processed, the subroutine Draw Layers returns to the block 2602 of FIG. 26 or to the block 1904 of FIG. 19, as appropriate.

Accordingly, if the second note 1506 of the display 1512 of FIG. 15 is a selected item, for example, so that the Draw Layers block 2600/3018 is entered, the block 4700 determines whether the layers represented by the window 1504 and the desktop 1510 have been processed. If not, the block 4702 determines whether all items in a first unprocessed layer, such as the layer represented by the window 1504, have been processed. If not, the block 4704 determines whether it is necessary to cut through a first unprocessed item, such as the first note 1502 of the first unprocessed layer. Since it is necessary to cut through the first note 1502 in order to expose the selected second note 1506, the block 4708 displays the unprocessed first note 1502 by cutting through the unprocessed first note 1502 in order to expose the selected second note 1506. Also, if a cut-out border around the selected second note 1506 is to be provided, the block 4708 also cuts through the first note 1502 in order to provide this cut-out border.

The block 4702 then determines whether all other items in then first unprocessed layer have been processed. Since the window 1504 has not been processed, the block 4704 determines whether it is necessary to cut through the window 1504. Since it is necessary to cut through the window 1504 in order to expose the selected second note 1506, the block 4708 displays the window 1504 by cutting through the window 1504 in order to expose the selected second note 1506. Also, if a cut-out border around the selected second note 1506 is to be provided, the block 4708 also cuts through the window 1504 in order to provide this cut-out border.

When the block 4702 determines that all of the items in the layer represented by the window 1504 have been processed, the block 4700 determines whether all layers have been processed. Since the layer represented by the desktop 1510 has not yet been processed, the block 4702 determines whether all of the items in the layer represented by the desktop 1510 have been processed. If not, the block 4704 determines whether it is necessary to cut through a first of the unprocessed items of the layer represented by the desktop 1510, e.g. the selected second note 1506. Since the selected second note 1506 is the selected item, it is not necessary to cut through it. Therefore, the block 4706 displays the selected second note 1506 normally. Since it is not necessary to cut through the third note 1508 and the desktop 1510 to expose the selected second note 1506, these items are processed in a similar manner. When the block 4700 determines that all of the layers displayed in FIG. 15 have been processed, the subroutine Draw Layers returns to the block 2602 of FIG. 26 or to the block 1904 of FIG. 19, as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 16, if a moved item is a selected item, the Draw Layers block 2600/3018 cuts through those layers which are above the selected and moved item and which would otherwise obscure the selected and moved item in order to expose the selected and moved item when it reaches its attachment location. As shown by the display 1718 in FIG. 17, selection of an item (such as the second note 1706), which is layered under other items (such as the first note 1704) in the same layer as the selected item, causes the selected item to first rise to the top of the items in its layer, and then the Draw Layers block 2600/3018 cuts through those layers which are above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure the selected item in order to expose the selected item. As shown in FIG. 18, if an item is being moved from a first location, at which it was selected, to a second location, the Draw Layers block 2600/3018 continues to cut through the layers at the first location until the item is attached to its second location; at the second location, the Draw Layers block 2600/3018 cuts through those layers which are above the moved item and which would otherwise obscure the moved item in order to expose the moved item at its second location.

FIG. 48 provides an example of an index which can be maintained by the note program 318. This index contains the information added to it by the block 2704, and is useful, for example, in locating notes. As shown in FIG. 48, the index 4800 can be displayed within an index window 4802, and includes a listing of all, or some, of the notes created by the note program 318. As shown in FIG. 48 by way of example, each listing may include (i) all, or a portion, of a note's contents under a column designated Note, (ii) a region, such as the desktop or a document, to which the note is attached under a column designated Attachment, and (iii) a page number, if appropriate, of the document to which the note is attached.

The index window 4802 may include scroll controls 4804 so that a computer user may scroll through the note listings contained in the index 4800. The size of the index window 4802 for the index 4800 determines how many note listings are visible at one time within the index window 4802. However, the size of the index window 4802 may be adjustable by the computer user, if desired. If only a portion of the contents of a note is contained in a note listing, a series of periods may be used to indicate that the contents of the note are more extensive than shown in the index window 4802 of the index 4800.

Navigation controls can also be integrated into the index window 4802. Alternatively, navigation controls can be separate from, or in addition to, the index window 4802. For example, navigation controls can be integrated into windows or other items. For example, a Go To button 4806 may be used to go to a particular note after the computer user has selected a note from the list shown in the index window 4802. As shown in FIG. 48, a selected note may be indicated by shading in the index window 4802. A Next button 4808 may be used to go to the next note. The next note, which is accessed by the Next button 4808, may be a selected note so that those items, which are in layers above the next note and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the next note, are cut out so as to expose the otherwise obscured portion of the next note.

The index 4800 as shown in FIG. 48 is only an example of an index which can be provided. Note information which is different from, or in addition to, the note information shown in FIG. 2 can be provided. Also, the construction of the index window 4802 can be varied from that shown in FIG. 48. The index 4800 need not be displayed in a window. As an example, the index 4800 could instead be presented to the computer user as a menu.

Many alternatives and modifications have been described above. Many other alternatives and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, instead of displaying notes and windows in two dimensional regions on a conventional monitor, notes and windows may be displayed holographically, or otherwise, in three dimensional regions. Also, although "window" has been used herein in a conventional sense, the present invention is useful with windows having any number of shapes, sizes, colors, etc. Moreover, although the note 100 is shown as having a grab area 102 separate from the notation area 106, the grab area 102 and the notation area 106 may be coextensive. Furthermore, the note program 318 may be arranged, at the user's option, so that the selection of a note, which is attached to one of a plurality of layered windows, either causes the attachment window to rise to the topmost layer of the layered windows or causes those layers which are above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure the selected item to be cut through in order to expose the selected note. Alternatively, different actions (such as how a mouse button is clicked) may be used in selecting a note as opposed to activating a note. Thus, activating a note may cause the window to which the activated note is attached to rise to the topmost layer of a plurality of layered windows, while selecting a note may cause those layers which are above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure the selected item to be cut through in order to expose the selected note. Additionally, a selected note has been described herein as not occupying its own layer; thus, if the note is selected, only those layers, which are above the selected note and which would otherwise obscure the selected note, are cut through, and the selected note rises to the top of any notes with which it is layered. Instead, however, the selected note may occupy its own layer; thus, if the note is selected, it may cut through both layers and those notes with which the selected note is layered if these layers and notes are above the selected note and would otherwise obscure the selected note. Thus, for purposes of the present invention, a note may either occupy its own layer or not. Moreover, the attachment layer option is described herein as being selected from a option of the note itself. Alternatively, the attachment layer option could be provided in other ways, such as by an option of a dispenser so that, for example, all notes dispensed from that dispenser can be attached to a designated layer. Furthermore, when a plurality of items is referred to herein, this reference is to at least two items. In addition, although the selection of only one item has been shown as cutting out items which are above the selected item and which would otherwise obscure a portion of the selected item, it is possible to select multiple items so that each item, which is above one or more of the selected items and which would otherwise obscure a portion of one or more of the selected items, is cut out. All such alternatives and modifications are covered by the present invention.