CA2181342A1 - Software notes - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention implements, in a data processing environment, many of the attributes of paper Post-it notes. The note program of the present invention need not be resident in an application program, and the notes of the present invention may be moved directly between windows or between regions without being saved in an intermediate memory, may be easily dispensed either from a note dispenser of a window or on a desktop, may overlap the boundary of a window, may be automatically saved, may be attached to a document within a window so that the note moves with the document, may overlap a boundary of a window, may be resized with the constraint that the note may not be resized off of a window, may be moved across a window boundary, and may be attached to an object, such as a character, a word, a sentence, or paragraph of a document.

Description

~ W0 95/20794 2 ~ 8 ~ 3 ~ 2 r~"~ 171 r Sof~ re Notes TPrhn i cal Field of ~he Tnvention The present invention relate6 to an arr;~ L
5 which allows software notes to be used in much the same fashion as sticky-back paper Post-it~ notes are currently used.
Backar~ n~l of the Tnvent i ~ n Computers are currently used to execute a wide 10 variety of application ~L~/yLah.S. Such application ~LOyLall., include, for example, design and manufac-turing ~JL OyL -, spread sheet programs, word pro-cessing pLC/yLclm, ~L(JyLal~S to facilitate access to data bases, ~LOyLal.._~ to create graphics, and the like. As the number and kinds of appiication pro-grams continue to proliferate, as computers become easier to use, and as people become increasingly accustomed to using computers, the types of applica-tion ~L~JyL - will continue to grow.
While a computer i6 executing such application ~-JyLa~S~ 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 applica-25 tion pL~JyLal~ when the computer user receives a tel~rhrn~- call. During that ~ rh~n~ 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 usèr does not want to forget. On ;~n-other occasion, the computer user may wish to be reminded of some action which the computer user desires, or is reauired, to take in the future, such wo gs/207s 1 I ~ 171

2~ ~ 3~2 ~

as to make a telephone call or to fill out a time sheet. On yet another OCC~ , the computer user may want others to take some action, such as to review or revise a lo_ On all of these orc~ion~, a computer user would traditionally write down the ~rv~Liate in-formation on paper note6. Paper Post-it0 notes are very convenien1: forms of such paper notes. Paper Post-it~ notes are simply removed from a rl1~p--nenr pad of sticky-lback paper Post-it0 notes, and are applied to various sur~aces such as documents, the tops of desks, ~ r~n~, or the like . Inf ormation can be written on paper Post-it0 notes either before or after the paper Post-it0 notes are detached ~rom their ~ i ~r~n~:er pad or attached to their target surfaces. Paper Post-it~ notes can be easily moved from one surface to another, such as between docu-ments or between do l.~ and the tops of desks, they can overlap edges or lboundaries of d~ Ls, 2 O they can be lzlyered, and they can be moved with the objects to which they are attached.
However, it i8 often more convenient for a computer user who is currently using a computer to create a software note on the computer in6tead of manually writing out a paper note. For example, the note may rela~e to the contents of one or more docu-ments of the ~omputer's application ~IV~L . In ~;uch cases, it may be much more convenient to asso-ciate the note with a docu~nent as the ~ is

3 O saved in the computer ~ s memory, or as the do.
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 f or the computer user to create a note on the com-35 puter. For example, if the colGputer user must take ~ WO9S/20794 21813~2 r~ a,~ ~7l some action while the computer user is using the computer, a reminder note is much more useful if it can be attached to the de6ktop of the computer dis-- play so that the reminder note remain6 in the com-5 puter user's view even while the computer user moves from application program to application program or when all d~ Ls are closed.
Application EJLVyLCllU3 currently exist which permit a computer user to generate a software note, 10 and to attach the software note to a dn_ ~ L 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 docu-ment, or between ~c ,t', by cutting the note from 15 a ~' - L, storing the note in a cl ipho l~d, and then pasting the note to another area of the same document or to a different ~a L. The contents of the note may be entered by use of a keyboard, or by taking a snapshot of a dc L or of a portion 20 of a rlnc~lr- L. The backyrvu.ld color and size of a note can be selected, the note can be hidden or shown on a E;elective 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 25 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 pLVyL - have a 3 0 number of problems . For example, many current note software ~ YL must be resident in an application program so that the note software program cannot be interfaced with other application ~ VYLC~ installed on the same computer. Therefore, a note for an 35 application program in which the note software is -Wo sS/2~)79~ P~1~ ~ 171 3~

not resident, or moving a note from a document of an ~pplication program in which the note software is resident to a (~ of an application program in which the note software is not resident, is impos-5 sible.
Moreover, notes generated by current notQ sof t-ware cannot be easily moved. Moving a note between dc s in th~ same application program, between ~1~ ts of di~ferent application p~JyL~S~ between 10 desktops, and b~etween do Ls and desktops, is _ ' ~ - since the note must be cut from its ex-isting location, saved in a cl irhoArd~ and then pasted to its new location.
Notes generated by current note software cannot 15 be easily ~ Pn~r~d~ cannot be r~ ron~oll from the title bar of a win~ow, cannot overlap the boundary of a window, and cannot be automatically saved with-out additional use~ instruction. While notes creat-ed by current note software can be attached to a 20 dn_ L within a window so that the note moves with the document, notes cannot be attached to an object, such ~ 5 a character, a word, a sentence, a pa..~L~ , a graphic, a cell, a page, a video, a video frame, a video segment, a sound, or the like, 25 so that the no1:e moves with the object to a new site in the same do, L or in a dif f erent d~ _ L .
Notes created ]~y surrent note software cannot be at-tached to a wi~dow so that, if the note is attached to a first por~tion of the window, the note moves 30 with a scrollable section of the window, and so that, if the nDte is attached to a second portion of the window, the note does not move with a scrollable section of the window.
Icons have been used in connection with comput-35 er ~r~ra~1: to open do_ t6, to offer a selection .

4 2 1 8 1 3 4 2 F~~ c~t~

of menu options, and to perform functions such as - deleting do ~s. In some in6tances, icons are automatically saved. To a very limited extent, information, such as icon names, can even be insert-ed in cert~in icons which are created either by the computer program author or by the computer program user. However, even though limited information can be added to an icon, an icon is not a note. Unlike a note, an icon is merely a symbol which acts as a cormection to an object in order to permit access to that object. For example, an icon permits access to a document, or to options from a menu ~e~Le6~llLed by the icon. By cullL~ L, a note is the object itself .
A note can be ACCPCCP~l by way of an icon, and a note contains data. Data can be entered directly into a note, but data cannot be entered directly into an icon. The extent to which an icon can accept infor-mation is too limited to make the icon at all useful as a note.
The present invention C~V~LC -- one or more of the problems discussed above.
ry of the Invention In one aspect of the present invention, program code is executed in a data processing system so that first and second windows are displayed, and so that the first window has a note. The note is moved from the f irst window directly to the second window so that the note is mûved from the first window to the second window without storing the note in an inter-mediate storage location.
In another aspect of the present invention, a f irst program is executed in a data processing sys-tem, wherein a first region is displayed in response to executlon of the fir6t program, and wherein the Wo 95/20794 r~ ~ 171 f irst region has a note . A second program is exe-cuted in the data proc~cc;n~ system, wherein a sec-ond region is displayed in response to execution of the second progran~, and wherein the first and second

5 ~L~/yL<I~a are different ~JL~L~Lm~. The note is mov~d from the f irst region directly to the second region 50 that the note i5 moved from the f irst region to the second region without storing the note in an int~ ';Ate storage location.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an indicator of a data proc~Cc;n~ system is moved to a note d;cp-~nc~r. A first note is grabbed from the note fl; sp~ncer by use of the indicator, and the f irst note is l1oved to a location by use of the indicator. The indicator is moved to the note dis-penser. A second 1l0te is grabbed from the note rl ~ eL by use of the indicator, and the second note is moved to a location by use of the indicator.
In still anotller aspect of the present inven-tion, a window is displayed in Lc~ 8e to execution of program code in a data proc~sc; mJ system. A note overlapping a ]~ Ly of the window is displayed in ,--8~ to execution of program code in the data procf~C~in~ system.
In a still further aspect of the present inven-tion, program ~ode is executed in a data processing system to display a note in a region. Changes to the note are automatically saved without user in-struction .
In another aspect of the present invention, program code is executed in a data proc~cc; ng system so that a window is displayed, and 50 that the win-dow has an object therein. A note is attached to the obj ect in the window so that the note moves with the object.

~ W0 95/20794 2 1 8 ~ 3 4 2 r~ 71 In yet another aspect of the present invention, a window is displayed in r ec~u-lSe to execution of program code in a data processing 3y6tem, wherein the window has a f irst portion and a second portion .
5 A note i~ ~Ittached to one of the f irst and second portions of the window in rc:~,yu11Se to execution of program code in the data processing system so that, if the note is attached to the first portion of the window, the note moves with a scrollable section of lO the first portion of the window and so that, if the note is attached to the second portion of the win-dow, the note does not move with the scrollable section of the window.
In still another aspect of the present inven-15 tion, a window is displayed in response to executionof program code in a data proc~csi n~ system, wherein the window has a scrollable portion. A note is attached to the window in re~,.,se to execution of program code in the data processing system so that 20 the note does not move with the scrollable portion of the window.
In a still further aspect of the present inven-tion, a window is displayed in ~ u.,6e to execution of program code in a data prorPc-ci n~ system, wherein 25 the window has a portion within which contents, such a6 contents of a d~ , are visible. A note, having a pre~l~t~nmin~d area, is displayed in ~e~ ",se to execution of program code in the data pro~cs;n~ system so that, if any portion of the 30 predetenm;nc-~l area of the note is within the portion of the window, all of the note is displayed.
In yet a further aspect of the present inven-tion, program code is executed in a data processing system so that a window is displayed and so that the 35 window has a resizable note. Resizing of the note -Wo 95~2079~ F~ ' D ~ l7l 2~t~42 is limited 50 that the note cannot be resized of f of the window.
In another aspect of the present invention, program code 16 executed in a data proc~C~:; n~ system 50 a6 to display a window having a boundary and so as to display a note in Cr~nnpct; on with the window.
The note is moved across the boundary of the window.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a window having a title bar is displayed in Le~yonse to execution of program code in a data processing ~;ystem. A note symbol is displayed in the title bar in response to execution of program code in the data proces~ing system.
In still 2nother aspect of the prelaent inven-tion, program code is executed in a data processing system 80 that f iræt and second regions are dis-played, and 50 that the first region has a note.
The note is dragged from the first region directly to the second region.
In a further aspect of the present invention, program code i8 executed in a data processing system 80 that f irst and second regions are displayed in r~,~ol.se to execution of the program code . A f irst note is attached to the f irst region . A second note iB attached to the 6econd region. At least some information co~ rn;n~ the first and second notes is added to an index.
In still a further aspect of the present inven-tion, program ~ode is executed in a data processing system 50 that first and second notes are displayed, and the f irst note is moved so that the second note i8 changed to permit contents under the second note to be viewed.
In yet a further aspect of the present inven-tion, program code i5 executed in a data processing WO 95/20794 2 ~ ~ 1 3 ~ 2 . ~ ' t - 171 _ g _ system so that a note is created wherein the f irst note has an option, and wherein the option has first and second states. The note is attached to a region 50 that, if the first state of the option is 5 selected, the note moves as the region scrolls, and so that, if the second state of the option i8 selected, the note does not move as the region scrolls .
In still a further aspect of the present l0 invention, a f irst program is executed in a data proc~ in~ system, wherein the first prOgraD is an operating system, and wherein a first region is dis-played in r~ ,~u..se to eYecution of the f irst pro-gram. A second program is executed in the data pro-15 cessing system, wherein a second region i5 displayedin response to execution of the second program, and wherein the first and second E~LUyLc~ a are different IJLoyL<I.a. A third program is e~ ;uLed in the data processing system in order to attach a note to one 20 of the first and second regions, wherein the third program is compliant with the f irst and second pro-grams, and wherein the third program is not a part of the first and second ~JLUyL<~m~..
In another aspect of the present invention, an 25 apparatus includes a region displaying means for displaying f irst and second regions, a note displaying means for displaying a note at the first region, and note moving means f or moving the note from the f irst region directly to the second region 30 so that the note is moved from the first region to the second region without storing the note in an intermediate storage location.

Wo gs/2079~ l7l 21~1342 l~rief DescriPtion of thR Drawinq These and other features and ndvantages will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the invention when taken in conjunction with the 5 drawing in which:
Figure 1 illuEtrates a note according to one Qmbodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates one type of note .1; crc~nc~r which can be used to /li~cp~n~:e notes, such as the 10 note illustrated in Fisure 1;
Figure 3 is a block diagram of a data pro-cessing system which can be conf igured in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 is a representation of a screen5 display showing an overview of the preferred L of the present invention;
Figure 5 is à Le~L~ se.,~ation of a screen display showing the creation of notes;
Figure 6 is a ~e~, esel.~tion of a screen 20 display showing note ~, t and att~chr-nt;
Figure 7 is a representation of a screen display showing a note being moved to an illegal at-t~ ' L site, ~;uch as a n.,.. c , liant window;
Figure 8 is a representation of a screen 25 display showing the effects of layering on notes;
Figure 9 is a representation of a screen display showing note ~. ~ between active and inactive windows;
Figure 10 shows the effects of 8crolling a 3 0 window having notes attached thereto;
Figure 11 shows the effects of resizing a note and resizing a window;
Fi~ure 12 is a representation of a screen display howing movement of a note between d~c~tors;

WO95/20794 2 1 ~ 1 3~2 ~ 71 Figure 13 is a ~c~Lt:~e~.Lation of a screen display showing the repositioning of a desktop note rl; cpPncc~ri Figure 14 is a top level f low diagram of the present invention;
Figure 15 is a f low chart showing the Ini-tialize Note Program block of Figure 14 in additional detail;
Figure 16 is a flow chart showing the Process Note Program Event block of Figure 14 in additional detail;
Figure 17 is a f low chart showing the Al subroutine of Figure 16 in additional detail;
Figure 18 is a f low chart showing the A2 subroutine of Figure 16 in additional detail;
Figure 19 is a flow chart showing the Position Di~pen~Pr block of Figure 18 in additional detail;
Figure 20 is a flow chart showing the Dispense Note block of Figure 18 in additional detail;
Figure 21 is a flow chart showing the Get ATTACHMENT block of Figure 20 in additional detail;
Figure 22 is a flow chart showing the Attach Note block of Figure 20 in additional detail;
Figure 23 is a flow chart showing the Edit Note Contents block of Figure 20 in additional detail;
Figure 24 is a flow chart showing the Select Option block of Figure 18 in additional detail;
Figure 25 is a flow chart showing the A3 subroutine of Figure 16 in additional detail;
Figure 26 is a flow chart showing the Reposi-tion Note block of Figure 25 in additional detail;
Figure 27 i8 a flow chart showing the Remove Attachment block of Figure 26 in additional detail;
Figure 28 is a flow chart showing the Resize note block of Figure 25 in additional detail;

Wo 95/2079~ r~ ,,,J,~ 171 2181 ~

Figure 29 i6 a f low chart 6howing the A4 subroutine of Figure 16 in additional detail;
Figure 30 i6 a flow chart showing the Proces6 Event In Note Program block of Figure 14 in 5 additional detail;
Figure 31 is a flow chart showing the Cl 6ubroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 32 i6 a flow chart 6howing the C2 subroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 33 i5 a flow chart showing the C3 6ubroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 34 i6 a f low chart 6howing the C4 6ubroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 35 is a flow chart showing the C5 subroutine.of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 36 is a flow chart showing the C6 subroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 3 7 is a f low chart showing the C7 subroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 38 is a flow chart 6howing the C8 subroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 39 is a flow chart showing the Display Note Appropriately block of Figure 38 in additional detail;
Figure 40 is a flow chart showing the Cg subroutine of Figure 30 in additional detail;
Figure 41 is a f low chart showing the C10 subroutine of lFigure 30 in additional detail; and, Figure 42 is an eYample of an index containing information co:ncerning existing notes.
Det~; 1 ed Des~ri~tion Paper Post-it~D notes have substantially changed the way that people operate not only in their bl~ci necc environment6 but al60 in their per60nal W0 95/20794 r~ 71 environments. For example, when a person wishes to -annotate a do_ t, create a reminder, provide information to or request an action from another person, or the like, the person fills out a paper Post-it0 note and applies the paper note to a docu-ment, a top of a desk, a file cabinet, a telephone, or the like. Paper Post-it~ notes are convenient because they can be moved from one surface to another, such as between ~11. ts or between a dc ~ and a top of a desk, they can be edited, they have different attributes such as size, color, and shape, and they have many other useful characteristics. The present invention implements, in a data proc~;n~ environment, many of these and other attributes of paper Post-it ID notes .
An example of a software note 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. 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 do Ls, between desktops, or between do ts and desktops. The options area 104, when activated, provides options which are selectable by a computer user. These options include, for example, hide/show, delete, font, color, size, duplicate, print, m;ni /maximum, video/sound, drawings/graphics, cut/paste/copy, help, note information, preformatted notes, nonmove, content scrolling, and navigation. Any one or more of these options could be provided as a suitable area on the note lO0.

Wo 9~/20794 P~ll~J. ,S : ~71 2~ 8~ ~4~

The hide/show option allows the computer user to hide or to show the note lO0. The delete option allow6 the note loo to be deleted. The font option allow6 the computer user to select the font type, 5 6ize, color, sl:yle, ~ L, and the like, for the note 100. The color option allows the computer user to change the color of the note lO0. The size option allows the size for the note 100 to be specif ied . Selection of the duplicate option allows lO the computer u er to duplicate the note lO0.
sele~t; on of the print option allows the computer user to print the note lO0. The minimize/maximize option allows the computer u6er to select the minimum or maximum size of the note in a simple, one 15 step operation. The video/sound option provides tool8 which can be used to ~-nir~ te and edit video and/or sound. The drawings/graphics option provides acce8s to drawing and graphics r-nirlll~tion features. The cut/paste/copy option provides basic 20 editing tools for editing text, graphics, video, sound, and the like. The help option allows a computer user to a6k f or help in using the note pro-gram 318 . Se~l ection of the note inf ormation option provide6 infoL-mation on the current note, 6uch a6 25 creation time~ last modification time, name o~
attached document, index number, etc. The pre-formatted note option allows preformatted notes, such notes in the format of a bllc;n~ form, notes with a comput~r user ' s name printed thereon, or 30 notes having ~ther Epec!;Al;7sd indicia, to be ~i; sp-~n~ . 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 llo_ t being scrolled, and 80 35 that, if the moving state of the nonmove option is 2 ~ ~ 1 3~2 WO 95/20794 PCT/US95/00~71 selected, the note moves with a do. L being scrolled. The content scrolling option, if select-ed, allows the contents of a note to be scrolled.
The navigation option allows the computer user to 5 navigate from one note to another on a ~ln_ ~ L or between do, ts of the same or different applica-tion ~LOyLO,I...~ and may include the additional functions of next note, previous note, first note, last note, go to a specific note, and the like.
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 inf ormation 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 loca-tion, 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 as-sumes 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 ~ whl~re on the viewing screen of a monitor of a display t~rm;nill 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 Wo95l2079~ r~ 5.1~171 ~ t ~ 2 108 may comprise different size symbols each indicating a di f f erent size which may be selected for the note 100.
The grab area 102, the options area 104, the notation area ~06, and the sizing control area 108 of the note 100 may be delineated by graphic design elements such as lines, chA~;n~s, color, or the like. The grab area 102 may be ~-c~~d, 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 6uch subsequent actions as adding information to,, deleting information from, or edit-ing information in, the notation area 106. A part of the display, when the options area 104 is ac-cessed, 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 ~ number of ways. One conveni2nt way of rl;cp~nc;n-7 the note 100 is from a note .1; cp~.ns:~r~ an example of which is shown in Figur~ 2. A6 shown in Figure 2, a note di6pen6er 200 inr~ c a note dispensing area 202 ~rom which notes, such as the note 100, may be dis-pensed, a grab area 204 so that the note di6penser 200 may be repositioned, and an options are~ 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 WO 95l20794 2 1 8 1 3 4 2 r~ ^ l71 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 5 may be rlicp-~ncPcl one at a time, if desired. The ~reas of the note ~li cr~nR~r 200 may be delineated by graphic design elements such as lines, chAtiin ~c, icons, color, and/or the like.
An index or directory listing of some or all of 10 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 i6 a data processing system such 15 ~s a data processing system 300 shown in Figure 3.
However, it should be noted that the present invention can be used in any other operating environment. The data procoss;n~ system 300, for example, can be a personal computer or work station 20 which includes a ploc~ssor 302, one or more display t~rmin:~lc 304, and one or more input devices 306.
The display ~rminAlc 304 may include, for example, a monitor having a viewing screen, a printer, and/or the like. The input devices 306 may include, for 25 example, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or similar devic-es .
The processor 302 inrl-~ c a central processing unit (CPU) 308 which _ ; cAtes with the display t-~m;nAlc 304 and the input devices 306 through an 30 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 ~LUyra~l; 316, and a note program 318. The applica-35 tion p~:oy.~,m, 316 may include word processing WO95l2079~ 2~ 42 ~ . "l ~

ylvyL 1l..." spread slleet ~1UYLa~.~S~ and the like. The note program 318 i5 executed by the ~LocessvL 302 in order to perfo1-m tlle functions of the present inven-tion.
The note program 318 may contain a default size and shape for the note 100. The note program 318 may al60 contain a default color for the note 100 when the note is first created, i.e. dispensed. The default charac~eristics of the note 100 may be configured by ;the data processing system 300 and/or by the computer user. Furth~ ~, the color of the note 100 may cllange based on its state. For example, the note 100 positioned on a currently active window ~ay have a different color or shade of color from a n~te positioned on an inactive window.
An active wind~w 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 ~ p~n~ r 200. Each such note ~ r~n~r 200 may have a different size and shape. The notes of such note d; ~:pF-nCPrS can have different functions.
The computer user may d; ~!p~nC:~ a note from a note d; f:r~n!:~r dep~nd~rt upon the desired function of the note .
Figure 4 illustrate6 one possible display 400 3 0 which may appear on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display t~rm;n~l~ 304 during execution by the data processing system 300 of the operating system 314, the application ~LVYLal..~. 316, and the note program 318. The display 400 includes a desktop 402 35 typically generated in ~a~vllSe to execution of the ~ WO95/20791 2 1 8 1 342 1~ 171 operating system 314, an active window 404 typically - generated in response to execution of one of the application yL~yLcl~S 316, and an inactive window 406 - also typically generated in Lc~ol.~,e to execution of one of the application ~ yL-11.. 5 316. The active window 404 contains a t~ L 408, and the inactive window 406 contains a do~ L 410. Each window, 6uch as the active window 404, is typically defined by a boundary 412 which include6, in part, a title bar 414.
A note ~ p~n~-~r 418, which may be identical to the note ~ r~n~o~ 200 shown in Figure 2, is posi-tioned 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 dc- - t, 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 nttached 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 process-ing system 300 is initiAl;7~
A note 430 is attached to the dn nl 408 within the active window 404, and a note 432 is at-tached 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 4 3 0 and 4 3 2 are saved so that they appear whenever their uLLt::~ullding fl-~ Ls 408 and 410 appear, and the notes 430 and 432 appear on the viewing screen of a monitor of the display t~minAlF:
304 only when their C;ULL' "~n~l;n~ documents 408 and Wo 95/2079~ P~~ ~ 171 21~1~42 410 appear on the viewing screen of the monitor of the display t~rm;n;~lR 304. The notes 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, and 432, and the note d;cr~n~r 418, are created in lea~ol~s~ to execution of the note 5 program 318.
A note can be d;cp~nced~ for example, from the note d; cp~nc~r 418 by positioning a cursor (e.g., by ~PI~L~L iately controlling a mouse) over a note dispensing area 436 of the note d;~p~nc~r 418. By 10 activating the cursor (e.g., by depressing the control button of the mouse), a note can be draggcd from the note d; ~:r~n~:~r 418 to a desired location where it can be attached by deactivating the cursor (e.g., by releasing the control button of the 15 mouse). Alternatively; by positioning a cursor over the note d;~p-~nc;nq area 436 of the note ~;cr~n~r 418 and by merely activating the cursor, note can be caused to appear at locations of the display 400 as det~rm;n~d by 1:he L~ote program 318 and/or by the 2 o computer user . The notes can be moved f rom these locations by dragging the note to a desired attach-ment site.
Notes can be attached to an attA~ L site by selecting a note aLId by positioning the note on the 25 attR~ L site to which the note is to be attached.
For example, a cursor may be moved to the grab area o~ a note, sucll as the grab area 102 of the note 100. The cursor is activated, and the note is dragged to a desired att;~ site. The note is 30 then attached l:o the att~ site which is located under 1the cursor at the time that the cursor is deactivated. Alternatively, an at~ L area can be provided on a note so that the note is attached to whatever att~ L site is located 35 beneath the at~tachment area of the note at the time ~ W0 95/2079-1 2 ~ 8 ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 7l that the cursor i5 deactivated. As another alter-native, 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 att~At~ L site.
If a note is attached so that the note is entirely within the boundary of a window, the attA~ L site of the note is easily discerned.
However, when a note, such as the note 432, overlaps a boundary of a window, the attA~ L site of the note may be ambiguous. Thus, without any further indication, the note 432 could be attached either to the do., ~ 410 or to the desktop 402. Therefore, an indication may be provided to indicate the attA, t 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 ~ L. As another alternative, an attA~ L 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 atta~ L 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 Figure 4. Also, notes remain attached to ~ln_ Ls as the documents travel, such as between tC~nmin~lfi~ and/or between ~ m;nAl~: and a network server of a network, so that 3 5 any computer user on the network receives ~be Wo 95120794 P~ 171 benef it of the notes as the computer user calls up d- ts to which the notes are attached.
When a new note i8 dispensed, the note can be displayed with an insert 6ymbol (for example, a 5 hl ;nk;ng vertical bar~ at an insert point in the notation area of the note, such as in the notation area 106 of the note lO0. Text or other material can be entered from a keyboard or other input device 306. If text i6 to be entered, for example, the lO computer user imply begin6 typing at the in6ert symbol within the newly ~ pPncP-l ( i . e ., created) note. When an exi6ting note is to be edited, 2 computer user position6 an in6ert symbol within the notation area of the existing note and modif ies the 15 desired inform~tion a6 desired. In either ca6e, the insert 6ymbol move6 with information entry to indi-cate the current insert point.
Preferably, although not npcp~:sArilyl automatic word wrap i6 provided if text i6 entered into a 20 note, or if a note having existing text i6 resized.
When the entered text reache6 the bottom right extent of the note, further entry of text i6 possible but is not seen by the computer user unless the computer user subsequently resizes the note, or 25 makes the font size of the entered text smaller.
Alternatively, additional text entry can be di6allowed, and a beep can be sounded to indicate that the note is full. In another alternative, additional entry of text automatically expands the 30 visible size oi: the note to A~ te the new text until the viewing screen of the data processing 6ystem is filled. Thereafter, text is scrolled up in the note as eac11 new line of text is entered.
Additional alternatives will be readily apparent.

-WO 95/20794 . ~~ ~ 171 The end of text entry can be invoked, f or 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 inf ormation 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 Figure 5, notes can be d;f:p~n~ in a variety of ways. For example, a note can be d;~r~n~d from a note dis-penser, such as a note d;c:r~n~r 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 ~ p-~n~ - 500, by activating the cursor (such as by ~.l ;c~;n~ 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 addi-tionally, a note 512 can be grabbed by a cursor from WO 95/2079J r~ .. 171 2~8t342 the note dispensing area 506, and dragged by the cursor to the window 508. The note 512 is attached to the window 508 by rPlP;~-c;n~ the cursor. Alterna-tively, by positioning a cursor over the note 5 dispensing area 50~ of the note ~ pPn~Pr 500 and by merely activating the cursor, the note can be caused to appear in a1: locations of the display 504 as dotPrm;nPrl by 1:he note program 318 and/or by the computer user.
Also, as shown in Figure 5, as part of the interface between the note program 318 and one or more of the application ~LCJ.~L~II..4 316, a symbol, such as a note dis:pon~:Qr 513, appears in a title bar 514 of the window 508, although the note symbol, such as the note dispeMser 513, may appear elsewhere on the window 508, ~iu~h as in a tool bar or in a menu bar_ The note d;c:pP~cnr 513 may be one or more words, icons, graphics, or the like. For example, the note di~pPnF~Pr 513 l~ay compri6e two parts, an options area 515 and a note dispensing area 516. As in the case of the note di~pPnF~Pr 500, a note, such as the note 512, can be dragged from the note d;~LpQn-;ng area 516 by positioning the cursor over the note d;ç:pPn~Pr 516, by activating the cursor to grab a note from the note dil:pPn~e;n~ area 516, by dragging the note to any desired at~l L site on either the window 508 or on the de6ktop 502, and by deactivating the cursor to attach the note to the desired att~ ' L site. Alternatively, by posi-tioning the cursor of the data proces6ing 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 d;~pDn~ed to a prprlp~prminprl region of the display 504 as indicated by an arrow 518.
The grab area of the note 512, such as the grab area WO 95/2079~ 171 ~81342 102 of the note 100 shown in Figure 1, can be used - to attach the note 512 to any desired att~, 1 site either on the window 508 or on the desktop 502.
- As shown in Figure 6, notes can be moved 5 directly between regions of a display 600, such as between regions resulting from execution of applica-tion pL~J~L~Il Z and/or operating systems. Because notes can be moved directly from a f irst region to a second region, the notes are moved without f irst 10 saving the notes in a cl; rboArd or other intermedi-~te memory bef ore the notes are attached to the second region. For example, with the present inven-tion, there is no need to f irst cut or copy a note from the first region, to then temporarily store the 15 note in a cl ;rho~rd, and to then paste the note to the second region. Thus, the notes of the note program 318 can bè moved much more simply than are the notes of other note pL ~JyL - .
Accordingly, the display 600, which may, for 20 example, be presented on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display t~rm;n~l~ 304, may contain regions such a6 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 25 a result of execution of one or more of the applica-tion ~ JyLo.-..a 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 30 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 d~ L 610 in the first window 602 to a document 612 in the second window 604. The 35 note 608 may then be moved directly from the docu-Wo95/20791 1~~ 71 2~8~2 ment 612 in the second window 604 to a second location on the desktop 606.
Since pre~existing notes can obscure potential att~ L sites for a note being created or moved, all other visible notes may be changed to just out-lines as soon as a selected note is in a moving state. Thus, anyt~ing under the note outlines becomes visible. Alternatively, only those notes under, or in tlle vicinity of, a moving cursor are changed to outline form only. A further alternative is to make eit]ler all notes, or the notes under a moving cursor, entirely transparent or translucent when any note is in a moving 6tate so that a computer user~ ~an see through the non-moving notes to the materia 1 below .
A6 shown by a display 700 in Figure 7, a note can be moved only to a legal att~ site, e.g. a region of a vlewing screen under c:ontrol of a program which i6 ~ nt with the note program 318. A note 702 i8 currently attached to a compliant de6ktop 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 do. ~ 706 contained within a ~I-n~ nt window 708, i.e. a window which results from execution of a program, such as one of the application ~LU~La~ 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 inter-faced with the note program 318. Similarly, an application program, or an operating system, is not compliant with the note program 318 if the applicatlon program, or operating system, is not WO 9512079-1 2 1 8 1 3 4 2 P~ 71 interfaced with the note proqram 318. ~IOI~UV~I, - certain windows, or even certain sections of windows, m2y be noncompliant with the note program - 318 even though these windows, sections on windows, 5 are displayed as a result of the eYecution of 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 10 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 d i ~ rp~ ance of the note 702 f~om the noncompliant window 708 and the Le~l~yeaL~nce of the note 702 at its original 20 location When the cursor moving the note 702 over the noncompliant window 708 is released. r~ VV~aL ~
instead of providing a visual feedback of an attempt to attach a note to an illegal att~ ~ site, such a6 the noncompliant window 708, an auditory feed-25 back, such as a beep or continuous sound, may beprovided when the note is over the illegal att~ L 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 3 0 location when an attempt is made to attach the note to an illegal att~rh~ L 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 35 pLuyLcll"., 316, which is compliant with the note pr-WO 9~/2079~ ; P~ 5l- l7l 2t~t~2 ogram 318. The note 712 cannot be moved to the A~ 706 contained within the noncompliant window 708. If an attempt is made to move the note 712 to the noncompliant winaow 708, an immediate 5 f eedback may be provided to the computer user that the program controlling the noncompliant window 708 will not, and cannot, accept the note 712.
IlJLe~vél, if ~he note program 318 i5 arranged so that a note d i P:p~nFU~r 716, which may be similar 10 to the note d; cr~nCc-r 513, appears in a title bar 718 of the compliant window 714, the computer user will urldelDL~Ild 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 15 compliant window 714 but a similar note dispenser does not appear in a title bar 7 2 0 of the noncompliant window 708, the computer user will Understand tha~, while the coDpliant window 714 is a compliant wind~w, the noncompliant window 708 is a 20 noncompliant window.
As 8hown by a display 800 in Figure 8, notes can be layered with windows. First, second, and third documents 802, 804, and 806 appear in corre-~ront9;n~ first, second, and third window6 808, 810, 25 and 812 as a result of execution of one or more application ~ro~Lell~o. 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 ~rm;nAlc 304 as a result, for example, of 30 execution of an operating system. The third window 812 is layered over a portion of the second window 810 50 as to occlude a portion of the second document 804 .
A first ~ote 816 is attached to the first 35 document 802 and i5 fully wlthin the first window ~ W0 9~/20794 2 1 8 1 3 4 2 r~~ OC 171 808. A second note 818 is attached to the first 802 but overlaps a right-hand edge 820 of a boundary of the first window 808. A third note 822 i5 attached to the second document 804 and is fully within the second window 810. A fourth note 824 is attached to the third cln_ L 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 ~ L to which the note is attached. Thus, the content of the document under-neath the note i6 oc~ Ac-d . Accordingly, f or example, the first note 816 occludes that portion of the~first document 802 which i5 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 f irst 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 firat note 816 entirely invisible or translucent.
As shown in Figure 8, a portion of the fifth note 828 is layered under the second window 810.
Thus, a portion of the fifth note 828 is DbaL:u. ed 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 Wo 95/2079~ J.,,' . D~71 2~ 2 partially obsc~red by the second window 810 to locations on any o~ the first, second, and/or third windows 808, 8~0, 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 e attached to the second window 810 and which are underneath the third window 812. As shown in Figure 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 note6- upon each other is based preferably, bu1: not l~PCPf~ r ily~ on the recency of creation, editing, or selection of notes. That is, the topmost no1:e 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 tlle note6 and pushes all other notes down .
A note is associated with its att~ window so that the no1~e becomes active when its at~
window becomes active. Moreover, if a window in a plurality of layered windows changes layers, any notes attached to that window which changes layers nove along witll that window which changes layers.
3 0 Furthermore, when a note attached to an inactive window is sPlected, the inactive window be-comes active. In addition to the inactive window bP~ ; nq activ,e, if the selected note is among a plurality of layered notes on this window, the selected note moves to the top layer of the 2~81~42 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 5 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 r hAn~;n~ the active/inactive state of that 10 window; however, a6 an alternative, the window may change its layer or state if a note is attached to it.
As shown by a display 900 in Figure 9, notes may be moved between active and inactive windows ap-15 pearing, for example, on the viewing screen of amonitor of the display terminals 304 of the data processing system`300. A first document 902 and a second ~o L 904 appear in CUL1~ ""7;n~ active and inactive windows 906 and 908 on a desktop 910.
20 For example, the active and inactive windows 906 and 908 appear as the result of the execution of one or more application y~ o-~r~r" and the desktop 910 appears as the result of execution of an operating system. As depicted in Figure 9, active windows are 25 displayed as active. As one possible example, shad-ing, 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 30 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, 35 the note becomes active if it was previously Wo 95/2079 ~ r~ 171 .
2~3~42 inactive, or remains active if it was previously ac-tive. When a ~ote is attached to an inactive window, the note becomes inactive if it was previ-ou61y 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 ina,ctive. When the first note 914, which is inactive on the inactive window 908, is reattached to the desktop 91o, the first note 914 }emains 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 r 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 ~he third note 918 remains inac-tive .
As shown in Figure 10, notes may, or may not, move with the scrolling contents of windows ap-pearing, for example, on a viewing screen of a monitor of the display t~rm;nRl~: 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 d. -t 1008, and a second portion lolo, which may contain a title bar or any other graphical region.
The do~ t. 1008 within the first portion 1006 may be scrolled.
The first portion 1006 of the window 1002 may have one or more f ixed note sections and one or more 35 moving note se~tions. Accordingly, if a note is at-WO 95l2079.J ~ r ~7l 2~8t342 tached to one of these f ixed note sections, this note does not move as the ~ t 1008 within the first portion 1006 i5 scrolled; however, if a note is attached to one of these moving note sections, 5 this note doe6 move with the do~ L 1008 within the f irst portion 1006 as the ~ln_ L 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 f ixed note sections and one or more moving note sec-tions. Accordingly, if a note is attached to one of these f ixed note sections, this note does not move as the ~ t 1008 within the f irst portion 1006 15 is scrolled; however, if a note is attached to one of these moving note sections, this note does move as the document 1008 within the f irst 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 Figure 10 wherein a first note 1012, having a grab area 1014, is attached to the tl~ 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 35 third note 1020, having a grab area 1022, is Wo 95/20794 PCr/US95/00471 2~t~42 attached to the do~, L 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002. One of the fea-tures of the pref erred ~mhorl; L 0~ the present invention is that, as long as any part of a 5 pr~lP~rm;n/~ a~-ea of a note, pre~erably the grab area, overlies a visible portion of a ~d~_ t in a window, the entire note is visible. Thus, a6 long as the grab area 1014 of the first note 1012 overlies a part of the d~ ~ 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the entire first note 1012 i8 visible, and as long as the grab area 1~22 of the third note 1020 overlies a part of the do~ L 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, the entire first notè 1020 is visible.
A note which is attached to a moving note section of a window moves with the scrollable con-tents of the window, and a note which is attached to a f ixed 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 ;ltt~-h~d to a moving note section of the first portion 1006 o~ the window 1002, the first note 1012 moves up with the ~lo~ ~ 1008 as the do~ L 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 ~qn_ L 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up. And, since the third note 1020 is attached to a f ixed note section of ~the f irst por-tion 1006 of the window 1002, the third note 1020 does not move ~p with the d- - L 1008 as the docu-~, WO 9~/20794 2 1 8 ~ 3 ~ 2 r~ 171 ment 1008 within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is scrolled up.
Noreover, since no part of the grab area 1014 - of the f irst note 1012 now overlies a part of the ~ L 1008 which is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, a portion of the first note 1012, I clte 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 f irst portion 1006 of the window 1002 has been scrolled up sufficiently that none of the ~ 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 lolO of the window 1002, does not move up as the ~c_ ~ 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 f ixed note section of the f irst po-rtion 1006 of the window 1002, does not move up as the d~ L 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 35 down. However, the second note 1016, which is at-Wo95l2079~ r~ 7l 2 ~ 2 tached to a f ixed note section of the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, does not move down as the A~_ L 1008 ~ithin the first portion 1006 of the window 1002 is 6crolled down, and the third note 5 1020, which is attached to a fixed note section of the first portion 1006 of the window 1002, does not move down as the clo~ ~ 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 At~ 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 ~he ~ L 1008 within the first portion 1006 oE the window 1002 has been scrolled down sufficien~ly that none of the do-, t 1008 underlying the first note 1012 is within the first portion 1006 of the window 1002. However, since the second note 1016, which i5 attached to a fixed note section of the second portion 1010 of the window 1002, does not move down as the dc L 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 f ixed note section of the f irst po-rtion 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 A~ L underlying thQ note is scrolled back into the window, provided that, ~l.en~=v~:L any part of the Wo 95l20794 P~11~ 5~ ~ 171 grab area of the note reappears in the window, the entire note is made visible.
As shown in Figure 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 att~ L site on the window . Pref erably, the note cannot be detached from a window, or from a do. l within a window, due to resizing of the window.
As shown in Figure 11, a f irst note 1102 is at-tached to a f irst document 1104 within a f irst 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 fi~st do~ 1104 is removed from the visible portion of the first window 1106. The first note 1102, which is attached to the first dc -- t 1104, remains attached to the same attachment site in the first c'ic_ ~ 1104 even as the first window 1106 is resized. However, as shown in Figure 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 f irst note 1102 which overlies the part of the f irst do -nt 1104 which remains within the first window 1106 is visible.

W095/2079~ P~~ 71 2~81342 A second note 1112 iæ attached to a second L 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.
5 In accordance with the preferred ~ L of the present invention, the second note 1112 cannot be resized so that it is no longer attached to the sQcond window 1116. Thu~;, as the 6econd note 1112 i5 resized, for example, rrom its right lower cor-o ner, there is 21 limit placed on the resizing opera-tion to prevent the second note 1112 from being resized off of the ~econd window 1116, e.g. so that a right-hand edge 1120 of the second note 1112 i6 prevented from being moved across a left-hand edge 1122 of a boundary of the second window 1116.
As shown l~y a display 1200 in Figure 12, notes may be moved between desktops since, with current computer technology, multiple desktops may be simultaneously displayed on one or ~orQ monitors of 20 the data proce~sin~ system 300. As shown in Figure 12, the display 1200 ;n~ Af-s 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 Lc~.yOI~S~ to execution of 25 a first operating system, the second desktop 1204 may be ;nrl~lA~ within the display 1200 in response to execUtion of a second operating system, and the third desktop 1206 may be ;nrll~d~fl within the display 1200 in response to execution of a third 30 operating system. Alternatively, the ~irst, second, and third desktops 1202, 1204, and 1206 may be in-cluded within the display 1200 in response to execution of a single operating system, or in response to execution of any combination of 35 operating systems.

Wo 95/2079-1 P~ll.J., ~ ~71 2~813~2 -- 3g --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 f irst and second desktops 1202 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 2S the operating system(s), the execution of which results in the first and third desktops 1202 and 1206, is/are compliant with the note p~ogram 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 desktop 1206 may be a simple backdrop instead of a desktop. ) As shown in Figure 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 ~9;cp~nCc~r 1302 may be repositioned by positioning a cursor over a grab area 1306 of the note ~;cpPnc~r 1302, by activating the cursor, by dragging the note ~7;cp~nC~r 1302 from its first location to the second location, and by deactivating the cursor to attach the note ~l;cr~nc~r 1302 to the 3 0 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 35 second location. On deactivating the cursor, the Wo gsl2079~ r ~ r t - ~7l ~1~13~2 note dispenser 1302 is removed from the first location and appears at the second location.
Alternatively, l:he cursor may be activated and deactivated tsuch as by clicking a mouse) over the note ~licp~nc~r 1302, and then reactivated and re-deactivated at the cecond location. A further alternative i8 to access a ~;cp~nC~ option from an options area of the note dispenser 1302 and to select a n_-r G0~5. dinate option in order to designate new coordinates for the note dispenser 1302.
The functi~Dns described above are eYecuted by the data pro~ ~cc;nq system 300 based upon the note program 318 accDrding to the flow chart shown in Figures 14-41. 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 perf ormed either 5~ lt;Al ly or ;n~l~rPn~ntly in parallel.
As shown in Figure 14, upon start up, a block 1400 of the program code of the data processing system 300 ini~;Al;7oc 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 t~rm;nAlc 304 of the data proc~e:e;nq system 300. A block 1402 initiAl;7~C the note program 318. The initialization of the note program 318 will be described more fully in connection with Figure 15.
Once the block 1402 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 b~ock 1404. If a block 1406 deter-mines 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 Wo 95/2079~ r~ 171 2~ 81 :~42 note program 318), the data processing system 300 ~L~,cesses the event as indicated by a block 1408.
If a block 1410 ~lPtPrminp~ that, as a result of - processing of the event in accordance with one or 5 more of the application pL-J~L~ 316, further processing of the event by the note program 318 is required, a block 1412 further ~Loces~;es the event.
The block 1412 i5 shown in additional detail in Figure 3 0 .
If the block 1406 ~lPtPrm;nP~ that the event to be proce6sed is a note program event, a block 1414 o~ esses that note program event in a manner to be described more ~ully in connection with Figure 16.
If the block 1410 detPrmi nP~ that further processing 15 by the note program 318 is not required, or after the block 1412 further p~ocesses the event processed by the block 1408, or after the block 1414 processes a note program event, the program shown in Figure 14 returns to the block 1404 in order to get, and 2 0 process, the next event .
Figure 15 shows the routine performed by the block 1402 of Figure 14. As shown in Figure 15, a block 1500 loads a note rli~p~n~Pr, such as the note rlicpPn~Pr 200, in a video display memory, and a 25 block 1502 causes the note ~ pPnF:~r stored in the video display memory to appear on the desktop displayed by a monitor of the display tprminll~ 304.
Next, a block 1504 loads any desktop notes (i.e., those notes attached to the desktop), which were 30 previously created by the note program 318 and stored at the operating system level, into the video display memory, and a block 1506 causes these desktop notes to be displayed by the monitor of thc display terminals 304. The data processing system 35 300 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.

Wo95/20794 r~l/LJ. ' ~~71 2~ 42 Figure 16 shows how a note program event is ~r~cessed according to the block 1414 of Figure 14.
As shown in Figure 16, a block 1602 det~rm;n~C
whether a cursor of the data prQC~cs;n~ system 300, 5 as displayed by a monitor of the display tDrm;n~lc 304, is over a note. If the block 1602 rl~t~rm; n~c 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 10 cursor, as a~ruysiate. The subroutine Al is shown in Figure 17.
A block 1604 det~m;n~c whether a desktop note d; Rpc-nc-~r event is selected by the computer user, such as by detf~rm;l~;n~ whether a changed cursor is 15 activated while the changed cursor i8 over a desktop note d;cp-~nc~r" If the block 1604 det~rm;n~R that an event associated with a desktop note ~;Rp~nc~-r, ~uch as the nol:e d;Rp~nc,ar 200, is to be processed, the subroutine A2 is ~YP~-utec~ by the data proC~cs;n~
20 system 300. Tlle subroutine A2 is shown in Figure 18 .
A block 1~506 determines whether a note event is selected by the computer user, such as by determin-ing whether a ~hanged cursor is activated while the 25 changed cursor is over a note. If a note event is c~l ~ct,.~, the 5ubroutine A3 is executed by the data proc~c~; n~ system 300 . The subroutine A3 is shown in Figure 25.
A block 1608 det~rm; n~.c whether a title bar 3 0 note dispenser event is selected by the computer user. If a title bar note dispenser event is selected, then the subroutine A4 i~; executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine A4 is 8hown in ligure 29.

Wo 95J20794 r~~ ,s,/c 171 2~$~42 If a cursor of the data procPccin~ system 300 is not over a note, or if a desktop note rlicpPnC~r cvent is not sPl Pcted by the computer user, or if a - note event is not ~cel ecte~l by the computer user, or 5 if a title bar note rl i RponC~r event is not sP1~cte~
by the computer user, or after execution of the appropriate subroutine A1, A2, A3, or A4, the pro-gram returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
As a cursor is passed over a note as detPrmi n lO by the block 1602 of Figure 16, the character (e.g., appearance ) of the cursor is changed according to the subroutine A1 shown in Figure 17. In Figure 17, a block 1700 determines whether the cursor is over the notation area of a note, such as the notation area 106 of the note 1~0. If so, a block 1702 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 2 0 device, such as a keyboard .
A block 1704 de~Prminpc whether the cursor is over a grab area of a note. If the cursor is over the grab area of a note, a block 1706 changes the cursor to a move cursor (which may have any desired 25 appearance) so that, if the cursor is activated, the note under the cursor may be repositioned.
A block 1708 dPt~rmi nPc whether the cursor is over an options area of a note. If the cursor is over the options area, a block 1710 changes the 30 cursor to an options selection cursor (which may have any desired appearance) so that, if the cursor is activated, options are displayed, and 60 that a computer user may select one of the displayed options .

W095/2079J r~ 7l 2 ~ 4 2 A block 1712 dett~-min~c whether the cursor is over another Gontrol area, if any, of a note. If the cursor i8 over another control area of a note, a block 1714 changes the cursor to a control cursor 5 (which may have any desired appearance).
After operation of any of the blocks 1702, 1706, 1710, and 1714, or lf the cursor i5 not over the notation area, the grab area, the options area, or another control area of the note, the program returns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
If the block 1604 of Figure 16 det~rmi n--c that an event a6sociated with a desktop note tl; cp~nc~r is to be processQc~ so that the subroutine A2 i6 en-tered, a block 1800 tlF-t~ m;n~c 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 1802 positions the desktop note rl;~pl~nR~r to a location de~rm; n~rl by the computer user. The block 1802 is shown in more detail in Figure 19.
A block 1~304 det~rm; n~c whether a note dis-pensing area, such as the note dispensing area 202 of the note dispenser 200, is selected by a computer user, such as l~y clicking a mouse while the mouse cursor is over the note ~l;cp-~ncin~ area. If the notQ dispensing area is s~lectecl by a computer user, a block 1806 dispenses a note. The block 1806 is shown in more detail in Figure 20.
A block lB08 det~rm;n-~c whether an options area, such as the options area 206 of the note dispenser 200, is selected by the co~puter user. If the options area is selected by the computer user, a block 1810 selects an option as t9~tC~m;n~ by the 3 5 computer user . The block 1810 is shown in more WO95/2079J I ~l/~J..,5,~~ 171 2~81342 detail in Figure 24. After the block 1802 positions - a desktop note dicp~nc~r, or after the block 1806 dispenses a note from a desktop note dispenser, or after the block 1810 selects an option from a desktop note dirpQncPr, or if a grab area of a note ~licp~nc~r is not selected by a computer user, or if a note dispensing area of a note dispenser is not 6elected 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 1404 shown in Figure 14.
The Position Di Cp~ncl~r block 1802 of Figure 18 is shown in more detail in Figure 19. As shown in Figure 19, a block 1soo selects a new attachment site for the desktop note dicp~ncer, for eYample based upon ~ ~ c L of a cursor by a mouse of the data processing system 300. If a block 1902 det~rmi n~c that the new att~l L site, as selected by the block 1900, is a legal attA~ t site, a block 1904 then removes the degktop note ~licpc~ncPr from its current att.~ ` L site, and a block 1906 displays the desktop note d; cpc,ncor at the new att~ L site. A block 1908 stores the desktop note di cr~nC.or at the new attachment site.
However, if the new attA~ L site is not a legal attA~ ~ site as det~rm;"~cl by the block 1902, a block 1910 causes a display or other indication to be provided to the computer user indicating that the selected new att~: L site is not a legal attachment site.
After the block 1908 stores the desktop note ~licp-~ncF.r at its new attachment site, or afte~ the block 1910 causes a display or other indication to be provided to the computer user indicating that the selected new attachment site is not a legal at-Wogs/2079~ r~ r.,:~ 171 ~
218134~

t~ L 6ite, the program returns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
The Dispense Note block 1806 of Figure 18 i8 shown in more detail in Figure 20. As shown in Figure 20, a block 2000 ~lptprminpc whether the note i8 ~ rPnCP~ from the desktop note ~ pPncPr If the note i5 not ~ rPncPcl from the dela;ktop note dis-penser, a block 2002 detprm;npF: whether the note i6 pPn~:P~ from a note dispensing area of the title bar note dispenser. If the note is not rl;~pPncPrl either from a desktop note ~l;crPncPr or from a note dispensing area, of the title bar note dispenser, the note mu6t have been rl; I:pPncp~l by another means, such as by a note dispensing option of the options area of the title bar note dispenser.
A note which is ~ pPncpd by a means other than a note ~i; pPn~ r on a desktop or in the title bar is ; cpPn~:P~ to the window ~rom which the note i5 pPnl!:Pd and at an att~ L site which may be detPrm;nP~l by the note program 318 or by the computer user. Accordingly, a block 2004 initially attaches this note to the window from which the note was tl; CpPnCP~ . The note may then be move from that initial atta~ -nt site, if desired.
I~ the note is fli~:pPncPfl from a desktop note pPn~Pr as detPrm;n~ by the block 2000, or if the note is rl;cpPncP~l from a title bar note ~iicpDnf:Pr as detPrm;ne~ by l:he block 2002, a block 2006, which is shown in more detail in Figure 21, (i) det~rm;nP~:
where the note is to be potentially attached, (ii) determines whel:her this potential att~ L site is a valid attachment site, (iii) detprm;npc 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 WO 95/2079 1 ~ 7 1 318, and ( iv) sets a site f lag accordingly . A block 2008 det~rminPc whether the site flag indicates that the potential attachment site is legal or illegal.
If the block 2008 tlett~rm;npc that the site flag indicates that the potential at~a~ L site for a note t~icr~nct~cl from a note dicr~nc~r is legal, or if the block 2004 attaches a new note to the window from which the new note is tlicrt~nct~cl, a block 2010 creates a note by forming the outline and areas as shown by the note 100 in Figure 1. A block 2012, as shown in more detail in Figure 22, attaches the note to the legal atta~ l. site. A block 2014, as shown in more detail in Figure 23, edits the content of the attached note.
If the block 2008 determin~c that the site flag indicates that the potential attal L site is illegal, or after the block 2014 edits the contents of the note attached to a legal att~l 1 site, the program returns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
The Get ATTACEIMENT block 2006 of Figure 20 is shown in more detail in Figure 21. As shown in Figure 21, a block 2102 det~rm;n~s whether a cursor of the data proce6sing system is over a valid or an invalid potential att~t' t 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 ti.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) .
If the cursor is over an invalid potential attachment site, a block 2104 indicates to the computer user that the potential attachment site is Wo9Sl2079~ r~ J.. s~ ~71 ~,~ 8 1~ ~342 ~

an invalid attAt L site. For example, the block 2104 may cause a symbol, such as the symbol 710 qhown in Figure 7, to be displayed to the computer user to indicate to the computer user that the potential attA- site is invalid.
On the other hand, if the cursor i5 over iB a valid potential attA~- ~ site, a block 2106 indicates to the computer user that the potential attachment site i5 a valid potential attachment site. For example, instead of displaying a symbol indicating to the computer user that the site is an invalid potential attA~ L site, the block 2306 may cause an o~tline of a note to be displayed to the computer user to indicate to the computer user that the potential att -nt site is a valid attachment site.
After the block 2104 indicates that the cursor is over an invalid potential attA~ L site, or after the block 2106 indicates that the cursor i8 over a valid potential att~rhr ~ site, a block 2108 det~-rm; n~ whether the computer user has selected the potential s3ttA~ -L site as the attA~ L
6ite, for example l~y det~ nin~ whether the computer user ~-eleased the control button of a mouse. If the block 2108 det~rm; n~C: that an at-tAI' L site has not been selected by the computer user yet, the routine returns to the block 2102 80 that the compui~er user may move the cursor over other potential att:~ -nt sites.
On the ot]ler hand, if the block 2108 det~rmin/~F~
that the potential attAI L site has been selected by the computer user as the att~ L site, a block 2110 determines whether the selected attA~ L site is a valid attachment site. If the selected 35 attA~ hr-nt site is not a valid att ~ L site, a ~ Wo 95/2079-~ r~ ,95 t :171 21 ~ ~42 block 2112 sets a fiite flag to null which indicates - that the potential att~nh- L site is not a valid attn~ ~ site. If, instead, the block 2110 deter-mines that the selected attachment 6ite is a valid S att ~ L site, the site flag is not set to null.
After the block 2112 sets the site flag to null, or if the block 2110 ~PtP~rn;npc that the selected att~ L site is a valid attA~ L site so that the site flag is not set to null, the program 10 returns to the block 2008 which, as discussed above, detPrminpc whether the site flag has been set to null .
The Attach Note block 2012 of Figure 20 is shown in more detail in Figure 22. As shown in Figure 22, a block 2200 detprminpc whether the at~n~ ~ 6ite is on a desktop. If the attnch~
site is on a desktop, a block 2202 causes the note to be stored at the operating system level.
After the block 2202 stores the note informa-tion concerning a note which is to be attached to a desktop, or if the block 2200 ~lotprminpc that the new attachment site is not a desktop, a block 2204 adds appropriate note information to an index. The index is discussed more fully in c~nnPrt;on with Figure 42. A block 2206 determines whether the computer user is creating a new note or whether, for example, an existing note has been moved to a new at~ L site. If the computer user is creating a new note, a block 2208 detPnm;nP~ whether the selected att~ ~ site is an active attnnh- ~
site. If a new note is to be created, as ~PtPnm;n~d by the block 2206, and if the att~ ~ site for this newly created note is not active, as detPrm; nPd by the block 2208, a block 2210 makes the att~ L
site actlve.

Wo 9S/2079~ [ 71 2~ 42 If the block 2206 det~rmin~c that a new note i5 not being created, e.g. a note is being moved from an old att~ t site to a new attachment site, a block 2212 det~rm;n~ whether the new attAI- L
5 cite is active. If the new attA~ L site is not active, a blocl: 2214 makes the note inactive. Thus, a note, which is moved to an inactive att~ L
site, is made inactive.
If a new note i5 to be created as ti~tn~nli n~-rl by the block 2206 and if the attAc~ ~ 6ite for this newly created note is not active as de~nrm; nPd by the block 2208 and after the block 2210 makes this ~IttA~ ~ site active, or if a new note is to be created as tint~ m;nn~ by the block 2206 and if the 15 attachment site for this newly created note is already active as detnrminnd by the block 2208, or if the block 2206 - ~letnrm; nnc that a new note is not being created and if the block 2212 ~lntnrm; n~c that the new att~t~ L site is active, a block 2216 20 makes the note active. After the block 2216 makes the note active, or after the block 2214 makes the note inactive, a block 2218 displays the note at the new att 1~ L site, and a block 2220 appropriately noti~ies the application program, which controls the 25 new atfA~ h~ ~ site, that an attachment change has O`~:ULLed. That is, the application program which controls the new at~A~ - L site i6 either notif ied that a new note has been created and has been attached to th,e new attAt L site, or that an 30 existing note has been moved from an old attA~ L
site to the new attachment site. Accordingly, the note is attach~ed to the new atta~ L site. After the block 2220 appropriately notifies an application program that a change has OC~UL L ed, the program 35 returns to the block 2014 of Figure 20.

Wo 9S/20794 r~ 171 2~8~2 A note can be attached to window, to a desktop, to a ~ L 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 5 video segment, a sound, or to the like. If the note is attached to an object, special highl ;~hting, pointers, or the like, may be used to indicate the object to which the note is attached.
The Edit Note Contents block 2014 of Figure Z0 10 is shown in more detail in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 23, a block 2300 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 15 computer user can use a keyboard or other techniques to enter new data, or edit existing data, within the note at the data èntry cursor.
If the note is attached to a desktop, as deter-mined by a block 2302, a block 2304 causes the 20 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 25 attached to a desktop as determined by the block 2302, a block 2306 ~Lu~Liately 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.
30 After the updated contents have been stored by the block 2304 for a note attached to a desktop, or after the block 2306 appropriately notifies the application program of the updated contents, the program returns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.

WO 9S/20794 r~ 71 ~
~8~ ~4~

The Select Option block 1810 of Figure 18 is shown in more detail in Figure 24. As shown in Figure 24, a block 2400 gets the options associated with any existing options area, such as the options area 206 of the note ~iicrPnCPr 200. A block 2402 causes the options to be displayed, and a block 2404 permits the computer user to select an option from the options displayed by the block 2402. A block 2406 executes the option selected by the computer user by way of the block 2404. The system retUrns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
If the block 1606 of ~igure 16 ~Pt~rm; nPc that an event in a note is selected by the computer user so that the su~routine A3 is entered, a block 2500 ~Pt~rminPC 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 2502, the details of which are shown in Figure 26, causes this note to be repositioned.
A block 2504 determines whether the cursor iB
over the notation area of a note, such as the notation area l 06 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, 2S a block 2506, the details of which are shown in Figure 23, edits the contents of this note.
A block 2508 ~lPtPrminPC whether the cursor is over the options :~rea of a note, such a6 the options area 104 of the note 100, at the time that the cursor is activated. If so, a block 2510, the details of which are shown in Figure 24, 6elects an option .
A block 2512 ~PtPrm; nPc whether the cursor is over the sizing colltrol area, 6uch aB the sizing 35 control area 108 of the note 100, at the time that W0 95/20794 r ~ l / ~5, ~ 7 l 2~ 2 the cur60r is activated. If so, a block 2514, the - details of which are shown in Figure 28, resizes the note .
If the cursor is not over the grab area of a 5 note, or if the cursor is not over the notation area of a note, or if the cursor is not over the options area of a note, or if the cursor is not over the sizing control area of a note, at the time that the cursor is activated, or after the block 2502 lO repositions the note, or after the block 2506 edits the contents of the note, or after the block 2510 selects an option, or after the block 2514 resizes the note, the program returns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
The Reposition Note block 2502 of Figure 25 is shown in more detail in Figure 26. As shown in Figure 26, a block 2600 causes the subroutine shown in Figure 21 to be performed. A block 2602 det-orm;"~R whether the site flag is set to null. If the site flag is not set to null, a block 2604 causes the note to be removed from the old attach-ment site, and a block 2606 causes the subroutine shown in Figure 22 to be performed so as to attach the note to the new at~ site. The ~lock 2604 is shown in more detail in Figure 27. If the block 2602 d~t~rm;n~R that the site flag is set to null, or after the block 2606 causes the note to be attached to the new attA-` L site, the program re-turns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
The Remove Att;~l L block 2604 of Figure 26 is shown in more detail in Figure 27. As shown in Figure 27, a block 2700 removes the note information from the note index. A block 2702 removes the note from the current display, i . e . from the old 35 att~rhr L site of the note. A block 2704 Wo 95/2079~ P~l/~ s t- ~71 2~8t34?

det~ n-~S whether the old att ll t site is a desktop. If th~ old atta~ L site is a desktop, a block 2706 causes the information contained in the note at the operating 6ystem level to also be 5 removed from memory. On the other hand, if the old attachment site is not a desktop, a block 2708 informs the application program controlling the old att~ n~ site to remove the information relating to the note at the old attachment site. After the 10 block 2706 remcves from memory the information of a de6ktop note being removed from an old attA~ - t site, or after the block 2708 informs the application program controlling the old att~
site, the program returns to the block 2606 of Figure 2 6 .
The Resize note block 2514 of Figure 25 is shown in more detàil in Figure 28. A6 shown in Figure 28, a block 2800 gets the new size for the note. For eYaDIple, if the sizing control area 108 of the note 100 shown in Figure 1 15 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 2 5 the note .
Thereafter, a block 2802 det~rm;n~ whether the note, due to its new size as selected by the com-puter user, would be off of its at~A- ~, such as of f the window to which the note is attached . For example, as shown in Figure 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 2804 limits the resizing so that the note is kept 35 attached to its window. On the other hand, if the WO gS120794 1 ~1, ~J_ ~ 171 21~t342 new size of the note does not require the note to be - off of its att~ - L as defprminpcl by the block 2802, a block 2806 det~rm;npc whether the new size is le#s than a minimum allowable size for a note.
5 If the new size is less than the minimum allowable size, a block 2808 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 tlPtorm;ne~ by the block 2806, a block 2810 detPrmi nP~ whether the new size is greater than a maximum allowable size. If the new E;ize for the note is greater than a maximum 15 allowable size, a block 2812 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 2804 sets the size of the note 20 so that the note is kept on its att~ t, or after the block 2808 sets the size of the note to the minimum allowable size, or after the block 2812 sets the size of the note to the maximum allowable size, a block 2814 indicates to the computer user that the 25 size of the note, as selected by the computer user, is ina~yL~ iate. 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 30 is notified that the computer user has attempted an illegal operation.
After the block 2814 indicates that the selected size of the note is inappropriate, or if the block 2810 det~m; nPs that the new size Or the 35 note is not greater than the maximum allowable size Wo 95/2079~ t ~ ~71 2t~t~4~

for a note, a block 2816 ~ptprm~np whether the size of the note has been &~1 ectec9 by the computer user.
For example, if the sizing control area 108 of the note 100 i5 being operated by a cur60r under control 5 of a mou6e, the 6ize is selected when the mouse button is relea6ed. If the block 2816 dP~Prm; n~c that the 6ize of the note ha6 not been selected, the routine 6hown ill Figure 28 return6 to the block 2800 for continued re6izing of the note. If the block 2816 ~PtPrm;nP~ that the 6ize of the note ha6 been 6elected, a block 2818 appropriately notifies the program controlling the att,~,~ L (e.g., a window) of the new 6ize of the note. Thereafter, the program return6 to the block 1404 of Figure 14.
If the blo~k 1608 of Figure 16 deter~ine that an event in the title bar note d i l!:pPn~:Pr i6 6elected by the computer user 60 that the 6ubroutine A4 i5 entered, a block 2900 detprm;npc whether the event being requested i6 in a d i fipPnC; nq area of the title bar note di~:pPn~Pr. If the di6pen6ing area in a title bar note di crPnCPr i6 selected, a block 2902 d;f:p-~ncPc a note as 6hown in Figure 20. If the dis-pensing area of the title bar note d;cpPncPr i6 not selected, a blcck 2904 gets the title bar options, a block 2906 dis~lay6 tho6e options, and a block 2908 selects an option as chosen by the computer user. A
block 2910 dPt~rmi nPs whether the selected option is a note creatin~ option. If it is, the block 2902 dispenses a note. If the selected option is not a note creating option, a block 2912 executes the selected option. After the block 2902 dispenses a note, or after the block 2912 executes the selected option, the program returns to the block 1404 of Figure 14.

~Vo 95/20791 F~l~-J. ,~ ~ :171 2~i34~

Figure 30 shows how the block 1412 further - ~L~,cesOes an event processed by the block 1408. As shown in Figure 30, a block 3000 ~l~tPrm;n/~C whether one of the application ~CyLaL.., 316 has been started, i.e. has just been entered. If the block 3000 det~nminPc that an application program has just been started, a subroutine Cl 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 Cl is shown in Figure 31.
A block 3002 tl~tprTn;npc whether a window has been moved. If the block 3002 detprm; nPC that a window has been moved, a subroutine C2 is executed by the data procpcc;n~ system 300. The subroutine C2 is shown in Figure 3 2 .
A block 3004 detPnm;nPc whether a window has just been opened as a result of execution of one of the application ~JLVyr a.,.O 316 or the operating system 314. If the block 3004 determines that a window has just been opened, a subroutine C3 is executed by the data pro~pcc;n~ system 300. The subroutine C3 is shown in Figure 3 3 .
A block 3006 detPrm;nPc whether a window has been selected, i.e. made active. If the block 3006 detenm;nPc that a window has been selected, a subroutine c4 is executed by the data processing system 300. The subroutine C4 is shown in Figure 34 .
A block 3008 le~Prm;nPc whether a window has been de-selected, i.e. made inactive. If the block 3008 detPn~;n~c that a window has been de-cplpctp~
a subroutine C5 is executed by the data procF~c-c; ng system. he subroutine C5 is shown in Figure 35.
-Wo95l2079~ P~1l~J.. c :171 2 1 ~ 2 A block 3010 detprm; n~c whether a window has been closed. If the block 3010 det~ n~c that a window has bQen closed, a subroutine C6 is executed by the data pror~c-cin~ system 300. The subroutine C6 is shown in Figure 36.
A block 3012 rlpt~rmi n~c whether the contents of a window are being saved. For example, a computer user can select a save option. If the block 3012 det~rm;n~c that the contents of a window are being saved, a subroutine C7 is executed by the data pro-cessing system 300. The subroutine C7 is shown in Figure 37.
A block 3014 det~rminP~: 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 Figure 38.
A block 3016 detormi n~-c whether an object within a window is being moved by the computer user.
If the block 3016 ~ntnrmi n~c that an object within a window is being moved by a computer user, a subrou-tine C9 is executed by the data proc~ccin~ system 300. The subrcutine C9 is shown in Figure 40.
A block 3C18 determines whether a window is being scrolled by a computer user. If the block 3018 dnt~rmi n~c that a window is being scrolled by a computer user, a subroutine Clo is executed by the data processiny system 300. The subroutine Clo is shown in Figure 41.
If an ~ppl ication program has not just been started, or i5 a window has not been moved, or if a window has not just been openear or i~ 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 Wo 95l20794 ~ ~ 171 1 3~

a window ha6 not been resized by a computer user, or - if an object within a window i8 not being moved by the computer user, or if a window i6 not being scrolled by a computer user, or after execution of the dy~ iate subroutine Cl, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, or C10, the program returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
When the block 3000 det~rm;n~c that an appli-cation program is just started 50 that the sub-routine Cl shown in Figure 31 is entered, a block 3100 det~-rTn;n~oc whether the application program just starting is compliant with the note program 318. In e$fect, the block 3100 detPrm; n-~5 whether an interface exists between the application program just started and the note program 318.
If the block 3100 det~m;n~c that the applica-tion program just started is compliant with the note program 318, a block 3102 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 3100 det~r~n;n~c that the application program just started is not compliant with the note progra~ 318, a block 3104 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 3102 registers that the application program just started is compliant with the note program 318, or after the block 3104 registers that the application program just started is not co~liant with the note progr~m 318, the Wo 95120794 r~ c 171 2~ 4~ ~

subroutine C1 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
When the block 3002 ~PtPrm;nPC that a window has been moved 50 that the subroutine C2 shown in Figure 32 i5 entered, a block 3200 IlPtPrm; nPc whether there are any note6 attached to the window being moved. ~:f there are notes attached to the window being moved, the program ~c,LLr-~ in7 to the window being moved is npcpccArily compliant with the note program 3~L8. On the other hand, if there are no notes attached to the window being moved, the progra~ c~JLLp~ ;n7 to the window being moved may or may not be compliant with the note program 318.
If the block 3200 ~lPtPrmi nPC that there are notes attached to the moved window, a block 3202 detPrm;nPc whether there are any notes attached to the moved window re- ;n;n7 to be offset, i.e. to be moved to the new position of the moved window. If there are any ~uch notes, a block 3204 removes a first of these notes ~ ;nin~ to be offset from the old position of the window, and a block 3206 deter-mines the new coordinates for thig first note. The new coordinate~ of this f irst note are those coordinates which maintain the original attA~ L
site of this f irst note relative to the window when the window is ~t its new position.
A block 3208 clPtPrminpc if this note is to be displayed. For example, the block 3208 may deter-mine whether a note is to be hidden or shown. If the block 3208 detPr~inPc that this note is to be displayed, a block 3210 displays the note at its new position, i.e. at its new coordinates. After the block 3210 displays the note at its new position, or if the block 3208 det~rm;nPs that the note is not to be displayed, the subroutine C2 returns to the block Wo95l20794 1~~ 171 3202 to determine whether there are any more notes ,s ; n i nq to be moved to the new position of the window. If there are, the blocks 3204-3210 process each of the L~ in;nq notes as above. If the block 5 3200 det~rm;nPc that there are no notes attached to the moved window, or when the block 3202 det~nm; n~
that there are no more notes to be moved to the new position of the moved window, the subroutine C2 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
lo When a window is opened as de~erm;n~d by the block 3004 50 that the subroutine C3 shown in Figure 33 is entered, a block 3300 de~rm; n~5 whether the application program OLL~ dinq to the window which has just been opened is c 1 i ~nt with the 15 note program 318. If this application program i5 compliant with the note program 318, a block 3302 determines whether this particular window is one that can accept notes. That is, windows uuLLe~ond ing to application pL UyL aL~..S which are compliant with 20 the note program 318 may have invalid attachment sites associated therewith. If the block 3302 d~t~rm; n~F that the newly opened window can accept notes, a block 3304 registers that the window is compliant with the note program 318. A block 3306 25 then places a note d; Cp~ c~, such as the note dis-penser 513, in the newly opened window. If the block 3300 d~t~rmin~oc that the application program Curr-~ inq to the newly opened window is not compliant with the note program 318, or if the block 30 3302 det~-rm;n~ that, even though the window CULL t~ ,r,ds to an application program which is compliant with the note program 318, the particular window is not a valid att~ site for notes, or after the block 3306 places a note dispenser in the _ _ _ _ .. . . . .

Wo 95/20794 r~ ~ 171 ~8t~2 newly opened window, the subroutine C3 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
If the block 3006 detP~m; nPC that a window has been selected so that the subroutine C4 shown in Figure 34 is entered, a block 3400 dPt~rm;nps whether there are Any notes attached to the sPl er~e~
window. If the block 3400 detprm;npc that there are notes attached to the EPlPrte~l window, a block 3402 detPrm;nPc 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 3404 activates a first of these inactive notes . ~he block 3402 detprm; nPc whether there are any more notes which have not been activated. I~ so, the block 3404 activates another o~ the inactiYe notes. When the block 3402 ~P~cPrm;np~ that all notes have been activated, or if the block 3400 dptprm;npc that there are no notes attached to the selected window, the subroutine C4 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
I~ the block 3008 ~l~t~rm;nos that a window is de-cPl PrtPrl SO that the subroutine C5 shown in Figure 35 is elltered, a block 3500 determines whether there are any notes attached to the de-selected window. If there are notes attached to the de-selected window, a block 3502 llPtPrm;nPC whether there ~re any notes attached to the window which have not been ~eactivated, i . e. made inactive. If there are notes which have not yet been deactivated, a block 3504 deactivates one of these notes. Then, the block 3502 IlP~prm; nPC whether there are any more notes which have not been deactivated. If so, the block 3504 deactivates another of the notes which have not been deactivated. When the block 3502 ~PtPl m;nPC that all notes attached to the de-WO9S/20794 l~ cr~/71 selected window have been deactivated, or if the - block 3500 detPrmi nPC that there are no notes attached to the de-selected window, the subroutine C5 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
If the block 3010 detPrm;nPc that a window has been closed so that the subroutine C6 shown in Figure 36 is entered, a block 3600 detPrm;nPc whether there are any notes attached to the closed window. If there are notes attached to the closed window, a block 3602 ~lPtpnminpc whether there are any notes attached to the closed window which are still displayed. If the block 3602 detPrminpc that there are notes attached to the closed window which are still displayed, a block 3604 removes one of the note6 from ~he display. Then, the block 3602 tPrm;np~c whether there are any other notes attached to the closed window which are still displayed. If so, the block 3604 removes another of the notes from the display. When the block 3602 20 detP~minpc that all notes have been removed from the display, or if the block 3600 ~Ptprminpc that there are no notes attached to the closed window, the subroutine C6 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
If the block 3012 detPrmi nPc that contents of a window are being saved by a computer user 80 that the subroutine C7 shown in Figure 37 is entered, a block 3700 dPtPnminps whether there are any notes attached to thi~; window. If the block 3700 rl~-t~rm;nPc that there are notes attached to this window, a block 3702 detPrm;npc whether any of these notes contain information which has not been writ-ten, i.e. saved in memory. If the block 3702 deter-mines that there are attached notes containing information which has not yet been written, a block WOgsl20794 ~l"_ c~ 171 2 1 8 ~ 342 3704 writes the note information for one of these attached notes. Thereafter, the block 3702 determines whether there are any other notes containing information which has not been written.
If 80, the block 3704 writes the information of another of the notes. When the block 3702 det~rmin~c that the information for all attached notes has been written, or if the block 3700 det~rmin~ that there are no notes attached to the window which contents are being saved by the C ,_~L user, the subroutine C7 returns to the block 1404 sho~m in Figure 14.
If the block 3014 ~I tPrmin~c that a window has been resized by a computer user so that the sub-routine C8 sho~m in Figure 38 is entered, a block 3800 determines whether there are any notes attached to the resized window. If there are notes attached to the resized window, a block 3802 det~rmin~-c whether there are any such notes which have not yet been prc,cessed by a block 3804. If there are any notes attached to the resized window which have not yet been ~Loce:9bed by the block 3804, the block 3804 processes one Df the notes yet to be ~ uce:jsed . The block 3804 is showm in additional detail in Figure 39. After the note is processed by the block 3804, the block 3802 det~rrni n~c whether there are any more notes which have ~ot been processed by the block 3804. If there are, the block 3804 processes another of these notes. When the block 3802 deter-mines that all notes have been ~L~.essed by the block 3804, or if the block 3800 tlf~t~rminPc that there are no notes attached to the resized window, the subroutine C8 returns to the block 1404 showm in Figure 14.

W0 95/20794 2 1 8 t ~ ~ 2 P~ 7I

Notes are processed by the block 3804 in accor-dance with the routine shown in Figure 39. A block 3900 det~rmi"~fi whether the note currently being pL ~.cG~sed is to be hidden . If the note i5 not to be 5 hidden, a block 3902 detPrm;n~c whether any portion of the grab area of the note currently being ce~c,Gd, such as the grab area 102 of the note 100 shown in Figure l, i6 within the viewable region of the resized window. If some portion of the grab 10 area of the note currently being processed is within the viewable region of the re6ized window, a block 3904 display6 the entire note currently being processed .
On the other hand, if no portion of the grab 15 area of the note currently being ~rc ce~i~ed is within the viewable region of the resized window, a block 3906 de~prm;npc whether any portion of the note currently being ~oce~sed is within the viewable region of the resized window. If some portion of 2 0 the note currently being proce6sed is within the viewable region of the resized window, a block 3908 displays only that portion of the note currently being ~ ocGs.~ed which is within this viewable re-gion. If the block 3900 d~tprminc~c that the note 25 currently being processed is to be hidden, or after the block 3904 displays the entire note currently being processed, or if the block 3906 detprm;npc that no portion of the note currently being pLocessed is within the viewable region of the 30 resized window, or after the block 3908 displays that portion of the note currently being processed which is within the viewable region of the resized window, the routine shown in Figure 39 returns to the block 3802 shown in Figure 38.

Wo 95/2079~ r~ [ 171 2~8t~42 If the block 3016 cl~tp~m;nr~c that an object within a window is being noved 60 that the subroutine Cs shown in Figure 40 is entered, a block 4000 determines whel:her there are any notes attached to the window withill which an object is being moved.
If 80, a block 4002 de~ n~c whether there are any such notes Whic~l have not been ~L~d5~ed. If the block 4002 dete~mines that there are notes which have not been p~^ocessed, a block 4004 detr~rm; n~c whether a first of these notes is attached to an object being moved. If the block 4004 determines that a first of thQse notes is attachQd to an object being moved, a block 4006 moves this note along with the obj ect to which it i6 attached so that this note remains attAched to thQ object being moved.
Thereafter, a block 4008 displays this note ~r.,~L iately. The block 4008 executQs the routine described previously in c~nn~tion with Figure 39.
If the block 4004 det~rm;n~c that this first note is not attached to an object being moved, or ~ftQr the block 4008 displays this first note which i8 attached to an object bQing moved, the block 4002 ~-t~m; n eF whether there are any other notes which have not been ~Loc~:ssed by the blocks 4004, 4006 and 4008. If 80, the next note is ~L~Jc~sr~ed by these blocks. When the block 4002 d~tr~rm;n~c that all notes, which are attached to this window within which an object is being moved, havQ bQen ~ ocessed, or if the block 4000 d~t-~rm;n~c that there ~re no notes attached to the window within which an object is being moved, the subroutine C9 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
If thQ block 3018 determines that a window is being scrolled so that the subroutine C10 shown in 35 Figure 41 l5 e~ltered, a block 4100 dett-rm;nPc ~ W095,20794 ~ 3 ~ r~ 7l whether there are any notes attached to this scrolled window. If there are, a block 4102 ~PtQrminPP whether any of these notes have not been processed. If there are notes which have not yet 5 been ~ ssed, a block 4104 dPtprm;npc whether a f irst 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 4104 detPrminD~: that the first of these notes which have not yet been ~Loc~ssed is a moving note, a block 4106 rlPtprm;npc whether this note is attached to a moving note section of the window. For example, if the note is attached to a 15 f ixed note section of a window, the note is not moved as the scrollable contents of the window are scrolled .
If the block 4106 detprm;npc that the note is attached to a moving note section of a window, a 20 block 4108 causes the coordinates of the note to be adjusted as the att~ L site to which the note is attached scrolls with the contents of the scrolled window. Thereafter, a block 4110 causes the note to be displayed at the new coordinates. The block 4110 25 is eYecuted in accordance with the routine shown in Figure 3 9 .
If the block 4104 dptprm;npc that the note currently being processed by the blocks 4104-4110 is not a moving note, or if the block 4106 det~rm;nPC
30 that this note is not attached to a moving note section of the scrolled window, or after this note is displayed by the block 4110, the block 4102 detPrmi nPC whether all of the notes attached to the scrolled window have been processed by the blocks 35 4104-4110. If all of the notes have not as yet been WO 95l20794 PCT/US9~100471 2 ~ 2 ~r.,~s6ed, the blocks 4104-4110 process another of the notes yet to be processed. When the block 4102 determines that all notes attached to the scrolled window have been ~L~,cessed, or if th~ block ~100 5 detPrmin~c that there are no notes attached to this scrolled window, the subroutine C10 returns to the block 1404 shown in Figure 14.
Figure 42 provides an example of an index which can be maintained by the note program 318~ This 10 index contains the information added to it by the block 2204, an~ is useful, for example, in locating notes. As sho~n in Figure 42, the index 4200 can be displayed within an index window 4202, and inrl~
a listing of all, or some, of the notes created by the note program 318. As shown in Figure 42 by way of example, each listing may include (i) all, or a portion, of a notè's contents under a column designated Note, ~ii) a region, such as the desktop or a dG., ~, to which the note i5 attnched under a 20 column designai:ed Atta~' ~, and (iii) a page number, if a~,.-.~Liate, of the do, ~ to which the note is attached.
The index window 4202 may include scroll con-trols 4204 so that a computer user may scroll 25 through the note listings contained in the index 4200. The size of the index window 4202 for the index 4200 de~rm;n~ how many note listings are visible at one time within the index window 4202.
However, the size of the index window 4202 may be 30 adjustable by the computer user, if desirea. If only a portion of the contents of a note is contained in a note listing, a series of periods may be used to in~icate that the contents of the note are more extensive than shown in the index window 4202 of the index 4200.

W095/20794 2 ~ ~ J ~2 I~ 171 Navigation controls can also be integrated into the index window 42 02 . For example, a Go To button 4206 may be used to go to a particular note after the computer user has selected a note from the list 5 shown in the index window 4202. As shown in Figure 42, a selected note may be indicated by shading in the index window 4202. A Next button 4208 may be used to go to the next note.
The index 4200 as 6hown in Figure 42 is only an 10 example of an index which can be provided. Note information which is different from, or in addition to, the note information shown in Figure 2 can be provided. Also, the cc,-.,,L~u~ Lion of the index window 4202 can be varied from that shown in Figure 42. The index 4200 need not be displayed in a window. As an example, the index 4200 could instead be présented to the computer user as a menu.
Many alternatives and modifications have been described above. Many other alternatives and 20 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 25 regions. Also, although "window" has been used herein in a conventional sense, the present invention is usef ul with windows having any number of shapes, sizes, colors, etc. rsJre~veL, although the note 100 i5 shown as having a grab area 102 30 separate from the notation area 106, the grab area 102 and the notation area 106 may be coextensive.
All such alternatives and modif ications are covered by the present invention.

Claims (176)

CLAIMS:

1. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data proccesing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that first and second windows are dis-played, and so that the first window has a note;
and, moving the note from the first window directly to the second window so that the note is moved from the first window to the second window without storing the note in an intermediate storage location.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of execut-ing one or more application programs so that the first and second windows are displayed.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of execut-ing one or more operating systems so that the first and second windows are displayed.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the note resulted from execution of a note program, and wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of executing program code so that the first and second windows are compliant with the note program.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the note resulted from execution of a note program, and wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of executing program code so that the first window is compliant with the note program and so that the second window is noncompliant with the note program.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of providing immediate feedback that the second window will not accept the note.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first window is active, wherein the second window is inac-tive, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note from the active window to the inactive window without making the inactive window active.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of moving the note from the active window to the inac-tive window comprises the step of moving the note to the inactive window so that the note is inactive after the note is moved to the inactive window, and so that the note remains inactive until the note is made active.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first window is inactive, wherein the second window is inactive, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note from the first inactive window to the second inactive window without making the second inactive window active.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of moving the note from the first inactive window to the second inactive window comprises the step of moving the note to the second inactive window so that the note remains inactive after the note is moved to the second inactive window and until the note is made active, and so that the second inactive window remains inactive after the note is attached to the second inactive window and until the second inactive window is made active.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first window is inactive, wherein the second window is ac-tive, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note from the inactive window to the active window without making the inactive window active.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of moving the note from the inactive window to the active window comprises the step of moving the note to the active window so that the note becomes active after the note is moved to the active window, and so that the active window remains active after the note is attached to the active window and until the active window is made inactive.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the first or second window has a second note, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the first note so that the second note is changed to permit contents under the second note to be viewed.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note across a boundary of the first or second window.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of moving the note across a boundary comprises the step of attaching the note to an object in the second window so that the note moves with the object.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of moving the note across a boundary comprises the step of dragging the note from the first window directly to the second window.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of executing program code in the data processing system comprises the step of executing program code so that first and second notes are displayed, so that the first note is attached to the first window, so that the second note is attached to the second window, and so that at least some information concerning the first and second notes is added to an index.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of moving the note across a boundary comprises the step of dragging the note from the first window directly to the second window.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of executing program code in the data processing system comprises the step of executing program code so that first and second notes are displayed, so that the first note is attached to the first window, so that the second note is attached to the second window, and so that at least some information concerning the first and second notes is added to an index.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of dragging the first note from the first window directly to the second window.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of dragging the note from the first window directly to the second window.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of dragging the note comprises the step of attaching the note to an object in the second window so that the note moves with the object.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of attaching the note to an object in the second window so that the note moves with the object.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of displaying the note so that the note overlaps a boundary of the second window.

25. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing a first program in the data pro-cessing system, wherein a first region is displayed in response to execution of the first program, and wherein the first region has a note;

executing a second program in the data pro-cessing system, wherein a second region is displayed in response to execution of the second program, and wherein the first and second programs are different programs; and, moving the note from the first region directly to the second region so that the note is moved from the first region to the second region without storing the note in an intermediate storage location .

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of executing the first program comprises the step of executing a first operating system, and the step of executing the second program comprises the step of executing a second operating system.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of executing the first program comprises the step of executing a first application program, and the step of executing the second program comprises the step of executing a second application program.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of executing the first program comprises the step of executing an application program, and the step of executing the second program comprises the step of executing an operating system.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of executing the first program comprises the step of executing an operating system, and the step of executing the second program comprises the step of executing an application program.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein the note resulted from execution of a note program, wherein the step of executing a first program comprises the step of executing a first program which is compliant with the note program, and wherein the step of executing a second program comprises the step of executing a second program which is compliant with the note program.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein the note resulted from execution of a note program, wherein the step of executing a first program comprises the step of executing a first program which is compliant with the note program, and wherein the step of executing a second program comprises the step of executing a second program which is noncompliant with the note program.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of providing immediate feedback that the second program will not accept the note.

33. The method of claim 25 wherein the first region is active, wherein the second region is inac-tive, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note from the active region to the inactive region without making the inactive region active.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of moving the note from the active region to the inac-tive region comprises the step of moving the note to the inactive region so that the note is inactive after the note is moved to the inactive region, and so that the note remains inactive until the note is made active.

35. The method of claim 25 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein the second region is inactive, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region without making the second inactive region active.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of moving the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region comprises the step of moving the note to the second inactive region so that the note remains inactive after the note is moved to the second inactive region and until the note is made active, and so that the second inactive region remains inactive after the note is attached to the second inactive region and until the second inactive region is made active.

37. The method of claim 25 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein the second region is ac-tive, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note from the inactive region to the active region without making the inactive region active.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of moving the note from the inactive region to the active region comprises the step of moving the note to the active region so that the note becomes active after the note is moved to the active region, and so that the active region remains active after the note is attached to the active region and until the active region is made inactive.

39. The method of claim 25 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the first or second region has a second note, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the first note so that the second note is changed to permit contents under the second note to be viewed.

40. The method of claim 25 wherein one of the first and second regions has a boundary, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the note across the boundary.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of moving the note across the boundary comprises the step of attaching the note to an object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of moving the note across the boundary comprises the step of dragging the note from the first region directly to the second region.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of executing a first program in the data processing system comprises the step of executing a first program so that a first note is attached to the first region, wherein the step of executing a second program in the data processing system comprises the step of executing a second program so that the second note is attached to the second region, and further comprising the step of adding at least some information concerning the first and second notes to an index.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the step of moving the note across the boundary comprises the step of dragging the note from the first region directly to the second region.

45. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of executing a first program in the data processing system comprises the step of executing a first program so that a first note is attached to the first region, wherein the step of executing a second program in the data processing system comprises the step of executing a second program so that the second note is attached to the second region, and further comprising the step of adding at least some information concerning the first and second notes to an index.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of dragging the first note from the first region directly to the second region.

47. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of dragging the note from the first region directly to the second region.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the step of dragging the note comprises the step of attaching a note to an object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

49. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of attaching a note to an object in the second region so that the note moves With the object.

50. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of displaying the note so that the note overlaps a boundary of the second region.

51. A method of dispensing notes from a note dispenser, the method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
moving an indicator of the data processing system to the note dispenser;
grabbing a first note from the note dispenser by use of the indicator;
moving the first note to a location by use of the indicator;
moving the indicator of the data processing system to the note dispenser;
grabbing a second note from the note dispenser by use of the indicator; and, moving the second note to a location by use of the indicator.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the note dispenser is displayed in a title bar, wherein the note dispenser has a note dispensing area, and wherein each of the steps of moving an indicator of the data processing system to the note dispenser comprises the step of moving an indicator of the data processing system to the note dispensing area.

53. The method of claim 51 wherein the note dispenser has a note dispensing area, and wherein each of the steps of moving an indicator of the data processing system to the note dispenser comprises the step of moving an indicator of the data processing system to the note dispensing area.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the note dispenser has a note dispenser move area, and wherein the method comprises the further step of repositioning the note dispenser by use of the note dispenser move area of the note dispenser.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the note dispenser has an options area, and wherein the method comprises the further step of displaying options by use of the options area.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the note dispenser has a note dispenser move area, and wherein the method comprises the further step of repositioning the note dispenser by use of the note dispenser move area of the note dispenser.

57. The method of claim 51 wherein the step of moving a second note comprises the step of moving the second note so that the first note is changed to permit contents under the first note to be viewed.

58. The method of claim 51 further comprising the steps of displaying a window and of displaying one of the first and second notes so that it over-laps a boundary of the window.

59. The method of claim 58 further comprising the step of attaching one of the first and second notes to an object in the window so that the one of the first and second notes moves with the object.

60. The method of claim 51 further comprising the step of attaching one of the first and second notes to an object so that the one of the first and second notes moves with the object.

61. The method of claim 51 wherein the step of moving the first note comprises the step of moving the first note to a first region, wherein the first region is displayed in response to execution of a first program in the data processing system, wherein the step of moving the second note comprises the step of moving the second note to a second region, wherein the second region is displayed in response to execution of a second program in the data processing system, wherein the first and second pro-grams are different programs, and wherein the method comprises the further step of moving the first note from the first region directly to the second region so that the first note is moved from the first region to the second region without storing the first note in an intermediate storage location.

62. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:

displaying a window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system; and, displaying a note overlapping a boundary of the window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of scrolling the window so that the note overlaps the boundary of the window.

64. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of resizing the window so that the note overlaps the boundary of the window.

65. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of resizing the note so that the note overlaps the boundary of the window.

66. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of changing contents of the window so that the note overlaps the boundary of the window.

67. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a window comprises the step of executing an application program so that the window is dis-played, and wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of executing a note program, wherein the application program and the note program are compliant with one another.

68. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of moving the note so that the note overlaps the boundary of the window.

69. The method of claim 62 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of attaching a note to an object in the window so that the note moves with the object.

70. A method of saving a note comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system to display a note in a region; and, automatically saving changes to the note without user instruction.

71. The method of claim 70 further comprising the steps of executing an operating system to display the region.

72. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of automatically saving changes comprises the step of saving changes to a position of the note.

73. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of automatically saving changes comprises the step of saving changes to a size of the note.

74. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of automatically saving changes comprises the step of saving changes to a content of the note.

75. The method of claim 70 wherein the step of automatically saving changes comprises the step of saving changes to an attribute of the note.

76. The method of claim 70 further comprising the steps of executing an application program to display the region.

77. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that a window is displayed, and so that the window has an object therein; and, attaching a note to the object in the window so that the note moves with the object.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the step of attaching the note comprises the step of creating the note.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a character, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the character so that the note moves with the character.

80. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a word, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the word so that the note moves with the word.

81. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a sentence, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the sentence so that the note moves with the sentence.

82. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a graphic, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the graphic so that the note moves with the graphic.

83. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a cell, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the cell so that the note moves with the cell.

84. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a page, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the page so that the note moves with the page.

85. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a paragraph, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the paragraph so that the note moves with the paragraph.

86. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a video, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the video so that the note moves with the video.

87. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a video frame, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the video frame so that the note moves with the video frame.

88. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a video segment, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the video segment so that the note moves with the video segment.

89. The method of claim 77 wherein the object in the window is a sound, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the note to the sound so that the note moves with the sound.

90. The method of claim 77 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the object in the window is a second note, and wherein the attaching step comprises the step of attaching the first note to the second note so that the first note moves with the second note.

91. A method comprising the steps, performed in a data processing system, of:
displaying a window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system, wherein the window has a first portion and a second portion;
and, attaching a note to one of the first and second portions of the window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system so that, if the note is attached to the first portion of the window, the note moves with a scrollable section of the window and so that, if the note is attached to the second portion of the window, the note does not move with a scrollable section of the window.

92. A method comprising the steps, performed in a data processing system, of:

displaying a window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system, wherein the window has a scrollable portion; and, attaching a note to the window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system so that the note does not move with the scrollable portion of the window.

93. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
displaying a window in response to execution of program code in the data processing system, wherein the window has a portion within which contents, such as contents of a document, are visible; and, displaying a note, having a predetermined area, in response to execution of program code in the data processing system so that, if any portion of the predetermined area of the note is within the portion of the window, all of the note is displayed.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of displaying the note so that, as the contents of the window are scrolled, the note moves with the contents as the contents are scrolled, and so that all of the note is displayed even as the note moves.

95. The method of claim 93 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of displaying the note attached to the contents within the window so that, as the window is resized, the note stays attached to the contents.

96. The method of claim 93 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of displaying the note with the window so that, as the note is resized, the note stays with the window.

97. The method of claim 93 wherein the step of displaying a note comprises the step of displaying the note attached to the window so that, as the window is resized, the note stays attached to the window.

98. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that a window is displayed and so that the window has a resizable note; and, limiting resizing of the note so that the note cannot be resized off of the window.

99. The method of claim 98 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of creat-ing a resizable note having a sizing control, and wherein the step of limiting resizing comprises the step of resizing the note by use of the sizing con-trol.

100. The method of claim 98 further comprising the step of providing immediate feedback that resizing is being limited.

101. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so as to display a window having a boundary and so as to display a note in connection with the window; and, moving the note across the boundary of the window.

102. A method of dispensing a note from a title bar comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
displaying a window having a title bar in response to execution of program code in the data processing system; and, displaying a note symbol in the title bar in response to execution of program code in the data processing system.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein the note symbol is a note dispenser, and the method further comprising the step of activating the note dispenser to dispense a note.

104. The method of claim 103 further comprising the step of adding information to the note.

105. The method of claim 103 wherein the note dispenser an options area and a note dispensing area.

106. The method of claim 105 further comprises the steps of moving an indicator of the data processing system to the note dispensing area, grabbing a note, and moving the grabbed note by use of the indicator.

107. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that first and second regions are dis-played, and so that the first region has a note;
and, dragging the note from the first region direct-ly to the second region.

108. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of exe-cuting one or more application programs so that the first and second regions are displayed.

109. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of executing one or more operating systems so that the first and second regions are displayed.

110. The method of claim 107 wherein the note resulted from execution of a note program, and wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of executing program code so that the first and second regions are compliant with the note program.

111. The method of claim 107 wherein the note resulted from execution of a note program, and wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of executing program code so that the first region is compliant with the note program and so that the second region is noncompliant with the note program.

112. The method of claim 111 further comprising the step of providing immediate feedback that the second region will not accept the note.

113. The method of claim 107 wherein the first region is active, wherein the second region is inac-tive, and wherein the step of dragging the note com-prises the step of dragging the note from the active region to the inactive region without making the inactive region active.

114. The method of claim 113 wherein the step of dragging the note from the active region to the inactive region comprises the step of dragging the note to the inactive region so that the note is inactive after the note is dragged to the inactive region, and so that the note remains inactive until the note is made active.

115 . The method of claim 107 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein the second region is inactive, and wherein the step of dragging the note comprises the step of dragging the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region without making the second inactive region active.

116. The method of claim 115 wherein the step of dragging the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region comprises the step of dragging the note to the second inactive region so that the note remains inactive after the note is dragged to the second inactive region and until the note is made active, and so that the second inactive region remains inactive after the note is attached to the second inactive region and until the second inactive region is made active.

117. The method of claim 107 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein second region is active, and wherein the step of dragging the note comprises the step of dragging the note from the inactive region to the active region without making the inactive region active.

118. The method of claim 117 wherein the step of dragging the note from the inactive region to the active region comprises the step of dragging the note to the active region so that the note becomes active after the note is dragged to the active region, and so that the active region remains active after the note is attached to the active region and until the active region is made inactive.

119. The method of claim 107 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the first or second region has a second note, and wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of moving the first note so that the second note is changed to permit contents under the second note to be viewed.

120. The method of claim 107 wherein one of the first and second regions has a boundary, and wherein the step of dragging the note comprises the step of dragging the note across the boundary.

121. The method of claim 120 wherein the step of dragging the note across the boundary comprises the step of attaching the note to an object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

122. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of dragging the note comprises the step of attaching the note to all object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

123. The method of claim 107 wherein the step of moving the note comprises the step of displaying the note so that the note overlaps a boundary of the second region.

124. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that first and second regions are dis-played in response to execution of the program code;
attaching a first note to the first region;
attaching a second note to the second region;
and, adding at least some information concerning the first and second notes to an index.

125. The method of claim 124 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the steps of executing a first operating system so that the first region is displayed, and of executing a second oper-ating system so that the second region is displayed.

126. The method of claim 124 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the steps of executing a first application program so that the first region is displayed, and of executing a second application program so that the second region is displayed.

127. The method of claim 124 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the steps of executing an application program so that one of the first and second regions is displayed, and of executing an operating system so that the other of the first and second regions is displayed.

128. The method of claim 124 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of exe-cuting a single application program so that the first and second regions are displayed.

129. The method of claim 124 wherein the step of executing program code comprises the step of exe-cuting a single operating system so that the first and second regions are displayed.

130. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that first and second notes are displayed;
and, moving the first note so that the second note is changed to permit contents under the second note to be viewed.

131. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing program code in the data processing system so that a note is created, wherein the note has an option, and wherein the option has first and second states; and, attaching the note to a region so that, if the first state of the option is selected, the note moves as a scrollable portion of the region scrolls and so that, if the second state of the option is selected, the note does not move as a scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

132. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a fixed note section of a scrollable portion of the region, and wherein the first state of the note is selected so that the note moves as the scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

133. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a fixed note section of a scrollable portion of the region, and wherein the second state of the note is selected so that the note does not move as the scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

134. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a moving note section of a scrollable portion of the region, and wherein the first state of the note is selected so that the note moves as the scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

135. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a moving note section of a scrollable portion of the region, and wherein the second state of the note is selected so that the note does not move as the scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

136. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a fixed note section of a nonscrollable portion of the region, and wherein the first state of the note is selected so that the note moves as a scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

137. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a fixed note section of a nonscrollable portion of the region, and wherein the second state of the note is selected so that the note does not move as a scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

138. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a moving note section of a nonscrollable portion of the region, and wherein the first state of the note is selected so that the note moves as a scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

139. The method of claim 131 wherein the step of attaching the note to a region comprises the step of attaching the note to a moving note section of a nonscrollable portion of the region, and wherein the second state of the note is selected so that the note does not move as a scrollable portion of the region scrolls.

140. A method comprising the steps, performed by a data processing system, of:
executing a first program in the data pro-cessing system, wherein the first program is an operating system, and wherein a first region is displayed in response to execution of the first pro-gram;
executing a second program in the data pro-cessing system, wherein a second region is displayed in response to execution of the second program, and wherein the first and second programs are different programs; and, executing third program in the data pro-cessing system to attach a note to one of the first and second regions, wherein the third program is compliant with the first and second programs, and wherein the third program is not a part of the first and second programs.

141. The method of claim 140 wherein the second program is an application program.

142. The method of claim 141 wherein the first region is a desktop and the second region is a window.

143. The method of claim 140 wherein the second program is an operating system.

144. The method of claim 143 wherein the first region is a desktop and the second region is a desktop.

145. The method of claim 140 wherein the first region is active, wherein the second region is inactive, and wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the note from the active region to the inactive region without making the inactive region active.

146. The method of claim 145 wherein the step of moving the note from the active region to the inactive region comprises the step of moving the note to the inactive region so that the note is inactive after the note is moved to the inactive region and so that the note remains inactive until the note is made active.

147. The method of claim 140 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein the second region is inactive, and wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region without making the second inactive region active.

148. The method of claim 147 wherein the step of moving the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region comprises the step of moving the note to the second inactive region so that the note remains inactive after the note is moved to the second inactive region and until the note is made active, and so that the second inactive region remains inactive after the note is attached to the second inactive region and until the second inactive region is made active.

149. The method of claim 140 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein the second region is active, and wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the note from the inactive region to the active region without making the inactive region active.

150. The method of claim 149 wherein the step of moving the note from the inactive region to the active region comprises the step of moving the note to the active region so that the note becomes active after the note is moved to the active region, and so that the active region remains active after the note is attached to the active region and until the active region is made inactive.

151. An apparatus comprising:
region displaying means for displaying first and second regions;
note displaying means for displaying a note at the first region; and, note moving means for moving the note from the first region directly to the second region so that the note is moved from the first region to the second region without storing the note in an intermediate storage location.

152. The apparatus claim 151 wherein the region displaying means comprises a first operating system for displaying the first region and a second operat-ing system for displaying the second region.

153. The apparatus claim 151 wherein the region displaying means comprises a first application program for displaying the first region and a second application program for displaying the second region.

154. The apparatus claim 151 wherein the region displaying means comprises an application program for displaying the first region and an operating system for displaying the second region.

155. The apparatus claim 151 wherein the region displaying means comprises an operating system for displaying the first region and an application for displaying the second region.

156. The apparatus claim 151 wherein the note displaying means comprises a note program, wherein the region displaying means comprises a first program for displaying the first region, wherein the first program is compliant with the note program, and wherein the region displaying means comprises a second program for displaying the second region, wherein the second program is compliant with the note program.

157. The apparatus claim 151 wherein the note displaying means comprises a note program, wherein the region displaying means comprises a first program for displaying the first region, wherein the first program is compliant with the note program, and wherein the region displaying means comprises a second program for displaying the second region, wherein the second program is not compliant with the note program.

158. The apparatus of claim 157 further comprising means for providing immediate feedback that the second program will not accept the note.

159. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the first region is active, wherein the second region is inactive, and wherein the note moving means compris-es means for moving the note from the active region to the inactive region without making the inactive region active.

160. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein the means for moving the note from the active region to the inactive region comprises means for moving the note to the inactive region so that the note is inactive after the note is moved to the inactive region, and so that the note remains inactive until the note is made active.

161. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the first region inactive, wherein the second region inactive, and wherein the note moving means comprises means for moving the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region without making the second inactive region active.

162. The apparatus of claim 161 wherein the means for moving the note from the first inactive region to the second inactive region comprises means for moving the note to the second inactive region so that the note remains inactive after the note is moved to the second inactive region and until the note is made active, and so that the second inactive region remains inactive after the note is attached to the second inactive region and until the second inactive region is made active.

163. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the first region is inactive, wherein the second region is active, and wherein the note moving means com-prises means for moving the note from the inactive region to the active region without making the inactive region active.

164. The apparatus of claim 163 wherein the means for moving the note from the inactive region to the active region comprises means for moving the note to the active region so that the note becomes active after the note is moved to the active region, and so that the active region remains active after the note is attached to the active region and until the active region is made inactive.

165. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the note is a first note, wherein the first or second region has a second note, and wherein the note moving means comprises means for moving the first note so that the second note is changed to permit contents under the second note to be viewed.

166. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein one of the first and second regions has a boundary, and wherein the note moving means comprises means for moving the note across the boundary.

167. The apparatus of claim 166 wherein the means for moving the note across the boundary comprises means for attaching the note to an object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

168. The apparatus of claim 166 wherein the means for moving the note across the boundary comprises means for dragging the note from the first region directly to the second region.

169. The apparatus of claim 166 wherein the note displaying means comprises means for displaying first and second notes, and wherein the note moving means comprises means for attaching the first note to the first region, means for attaching the second note to the second region, and means for adding at least some information concerning the first and second notes to an index.

170. The apparatus of claim 169 wherein the means for moving the note across the boundary comprises means for dragging a note from the first region directly to the second region.

171. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the note displaying means comprises means for displaying first and second notes, and wherein the note moving means comprises means for attaching the first note to the first region, means for attaching the second note to the second region, and means for adding at least some information concerning the first and second notes to an index.

172. The apparatus of claim 171 wherein the note moving means comprises means for dragging the first note from the first region directly to the second region.

173. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the note moving means comprises means for dragging the note from the first region directly to the second region.

174. The apparatus of claim 173 wherein the means for dragging the note comprises means for attaching a note to an object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

175. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the note moving means comprises means for attaching a note to an object in the second region so that the note moves with the object.

176. The apparatus of claim 151 wherein the note moving means comprises means for displaying the note so that the note overlaps a boundary of the second region.