Design Pattern: IM(7) Scrolling

Context

The available display space is often smaller than the area populated with alarm activations . The human operator would like to explore an area with alarm activations that is larger than the alarm display.

Problem

The human operator needs to navigate across alarm activations that do not fit the display as a whole.
Solution

Slide elements vertically or horizontally based on scrolling. Scrolling is a display framing technique that allows the user to view a display as moving behind a fixed frame [140]. A scroll bar, keyboard arrow keys might perform scrolling, and keystroke commands. The scrolling action typically causes the data displayed at one end of the screen to move across it, toward the opposite end. When the data reach the opposite edge to the screen they are removed. Thus, old data are removed from one end while new data are added at the other. This creates the impression of the display space being on an unwinding scroll, with only a limited portion being visible at any time from the screen. Displays may be scrolled in the top-bottom direction, the left-right direction, or both.

Known uses
Fig1. Alarm list with scroll bar vertical enabled from a SCADA system interface
Fig2.Alarm list with scroll bar vertical enabled from a CYMDIST Distribution Analysis software
Rationale

Scrolling is faster for users than clicking. Users can see all content in order on the display without needing to click any links.

Relations