///--------------------------------------------------------------------
/// <summary>
/// Obtains a ScrollPattern control pattern from an 
/// automation element.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="targetControl">
/// The automation element of interest.
/// </param>
/// <returns>
/// A ScrollPattern object.
/// </returns>
///--------------------------------------------------------------------
private ScrollPattern GetScrollPattern(
    AutomationElement targetControl)
{
    ScrollPattern scrollPattern = null;

    try
    {
        scrollPattern =
            targetControl.GetCurrentPattern(
            ScrollPattern.Pattern)
            as ScrollPattern;
    }
    // Object doesn't support the ScrollPattern control pattern
    catch (InvalidOperationException)
    {
        return null;
    }

    return scrollPattern;
}

///--------------------------------------------------------------------
/// <summary>
/// Obtains a ScrollPattern control pattern from an automation 
/// element and attempts to horizontally scroll the requested amount.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="targetControl">
/// The automation element of interest.
/// </param>
/// <param name="vScrollAmount">
/// The requested vertical scroll amount.
/// </param>
///--------------------------------------------------------------------
private void ScrollElementVertically(
    AutomationElement targetControl,
    ScrollAmount vScrollAmount)
{
    if (targetControl == null)
    {
        throw new ArgumentNullException(
            "AutomationElement argument cannot be null.");
    }

    ScrollPattern scrollPattern = GetScrollPattern(targetControl);

    if (scrollPattern == null)
    {
        return;
    }
    
    if (!scrollPattern.Current.VerticallyScrollable)
    {
        return;
    }

    try
    {
        scrollPattern.ScrollVertical(vScrollAmount);
    }
    catch (InvalidOperationException)
    {
        // Control not able to scroll in the direction requested;
        // when scrollable property of that direction is False
        // TO DO: error handling.
    }
    catch (ArgumentException)
    {
        // If a control supports SmallIncrement values exclusively 
        // for horizontal or vertical scrolling but a LargeIncrement 
        // value (NaN if not supported) is passed in.
        // TO DO: error handling.
    }
}