JP2001092751A - Method for transmitting message, method for receiving message and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by reliably transmitting a message to an intended opposite side and simplifying a selection procedure of a message transmission destination. SOLUTION: Objects representing information processors of the transmission destinations on a network are displayed on a displaying means while being made to correspond to each of the information processors, when a selection operation of the objects is detected, an input area of a transmission message is shown on the displaying means in response to the selection operation and subsequently, message information in the input area is transmitted to an information processor corresponding to the selected object in response to a prescribed operation. The message transmission destination is designated and the input area of the transmission message is displayed simply by selecting the object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a message, a method for receiving a message, and an information processing device, and more particularly, a method for transmitting and receiving a pop-up message exchanged between information processing devices on a network, and transmission and reception of the same. The present invention relates to an information processing device to which the method is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, operating systems for information processing devices such as personal computers and workstations (hereinafter collectively referred to as "computers") have been standardized as NOS (Network Operating System).
In many cases, a network interface (NIC) is installed, and NIC (Network Interface C)
ard) and other networking materials have become available at low cost.

[0003] Against this background, large and small,
LAN (Local Area N) in various offices
network, and realizes data sharing and sharing of printers and the like. In such a LAN system, an application program for sending a message to another computer on the LAN and popping up and displaying the message on the screen of the other computer is known. For example, Windows 95 (Microsoft
Pop-up service (WIN)
POPUP. EXE), this application program is composed of two GUIs shown in FIG.
(Graphical user interface).

[0004] A first GUI is a message transmission window 1 and a second GUI is a pop-up service window 10. Immediately after the execution of the service, only the pop-up service window 10 is opened. When a message is transmitted, a sub-menu item (“not shown”) of the “message” menu of the pop-up service window 10 is selected. 1 is opened.

[0007] In FIG. 7A, a message transmission window 1 displays a predetermined title name (“Message transmission” in the figure) on a title bar 2, and a close button 3 is arranged on the right end thereof. To
Two grouped option buttons 4 and 5,
A text box 6 for one line, a text box 7 with a scroll bar, an OK button 8 and a cancel button 9 are arranged. The message is sent to a workgroup (a workgroup is a group of computers connected to a network. Most of the network resources to be used are usually located on computers in the same workgroup). You can choose between all computers or specific computers. That is, when the upper option button 4 is selected, a specific computer is set as a transmission destination, and when the lower option button 5 is selected, all computers in a work group are set as transmission destinations.

When a specific computer is set as the destination, the name of the computer is entered in the text box 6, and when all the computers in the work group are set as the destinations, the work group name is set in the text box 6. input. For example, when transmitting a message from a computer named “PC_1” to a computer named “PC_3”, the upper option button 4
Is selected, "PC_3" is entered in the text box 6, and an arbitrary character string ("TE
ST "), and then click the OK button 8.

In FIG. 7B, a pop-up service window 10 displays a predetermined title name (“pop-up service” in the figure) on a title bar 11 and has a close button 12 and a maximize button 1 at the right end thereof.
3 and the minimize button 14 are arranged, and the menu area 15
In the client area, a "Send" button 16, a "Delete" button 17, a "Previous" button 18, a "Next" button 19, a message title display column 20, and a scroll for displaying a message are displayed. A text box 21 with a bar is arranged.
When a message is received, the message title display field 2
0, for example, information on the source and destination of the message such as “Message from PC_1 to PC_3 99/09/18 15:25:00 PM” and the reception date and time are displayed, and the received message is displayed in the text box 21. (“TEST” in the figure) is displayed.

[0008] According to this, each computer connected to the LAN executes the above service (WINPOPUP.EX).
If E) is executed, a message is sent from any computer to a specific computer (or to all computers in the same workgroup), and the message is promptly displayed on the screen of the receiving computer. can do. Therefore, even when another operation is being performed on the receiving computer, the message can be confirmed without interrupting the operation, and a simple communication in the office, a general newsletter, and the like can be performed.

[0009]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional pop-up service, since the mechanism for manually inputting the destination of the message is used, the operation is troublesome and the input error cannot be denied. There was a problem that the message could not reach the other party (computer). As an improved pop-up service, a service that displays a list of computer names of destinations is also known. However, it is necessary to find and select a destination from the list, and there is room for improvement in operability. is there. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably transmit a message to an intended partner and to improve the operability by simplifying a procedure for selecting a message transmission destination.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a message transmitting method, wherein an object representing a destination information processing device on a network is displayed on display means in correspondence with each of the information processing devices, and When a selection operation for is detected, the input unit of the transmission message is displayed on the display means in response to the selection operation, and then, in response to a predetermined operation, the information is addressed to the information processing device corresponding to the selected object. It is characterized in that message information in the input area is transmitted. According to this, simply by selecting an object, designation of a message transmission destination and display of a transmission message input area are performed. In the message receiving method according to the second aspect, when receiving message information transmitted from an information processing device on a network, a display area of the received message is displayed near an object corresponding to the information processing device of the transmission source of the message. It is characterized by the following. According to this, the display area of the received message is displayed in response to the reception of the message, and the display position is set near the icon corresponding to the information processing device of the message transmission source. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the first display control means causes the display means to display an object representing the destination information processing device on the network in correspondence with each of the information processing devices, and a selection for the object. First detection means for detecting an action, second display control means for displaying an input area of a transmission message on the display means in response to a selection action on the object, and selection in response to a predetermined operation Transmitting means for transmitting message information in the input area to an information processing device corresponding to the object, second detecting means for detecting reception of the message information, and responding to the detection of the message information. Third display control means for displaying a display area of a received message near the object corresponding to the information processing device of the transmission source; Characterized by comprising. According to this, at the time of sending a message, only by selecting an object, designation of a message sending destination and display of an input area of a sending message are performed. The display area of the message is displayed, and the display position is set near the icon corresponding to the information processing device of the message transmission source. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the recording medium according to the first aspect, wherein:
A program for implementing the detecting means, the second display control means, and the transmitting means. According to this, the first display control means, the first detection means, the second display control means, and the transmission means are realized by the organic combination of the hardware asset including the microcomputer and the program. Is done. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the recording medium according to the third aspect, further comprising:
A program for realizing the above display control means is stored. According to this, the second detecting means and the third display control means according to the third aspect are realized by the organic combination of the hardware asset including the microcomputer and the program.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of an embodiment. PC_1 to PC_4 are computers, respectively, and LAN is a network connecting the computers. First, PC_1 to PC_4 and LA
Regarding N, a configuration necessary for realizing the present invention will be examined. Computers (personal computers and workstations) generally used in offices and the like are basically of a CPU (Central Processor Un-
A floppy drive unit, a hard disk unit, a keyboard device, a pointing device, a display, and the like are connected to a motherboard on which it), a main memory, peripheral circuits, and the like are mounted.

According to such a configuration, a general-purpose operating system such as Windows 95, for example, and a Microsoft-manufactured operating system such as Microsoft
By installing integrated application software such as file97, the environment necessary for ordinary office work such as document creation, spreadsheets, or data management can be changed to P.
This can be realized by C_1 to PC_4. The specific examples of the operating system and the application software are for convenience of explanation, and there is no particular meaning limited to these specific examples.

On the other hand, the configuration required for constructing a LAN can be pointed out in both hardware and software. First, as for hardware, a network board (hereinafter, “NIC”) is required for each of PC_1 to PC_4, and further, a network cable and a hub (or a router depending on the system scale) of the Ethernet standard are required. For software, a network protocol including a network operation system (hereinafter "NOC") is required. Fortunately, major general-purpose operating systems such as Windows 95 support these software resources as standard, and since many recent general-purpose computers are also equipped with NIC as standard, LAN
It is only necessary to prepare network cables and hubs. That is, after connecting the NIC of each of PC_1 to PC_4 and the hub with a network cable, the network setting may be performed in each of PC_1 to PC_4.

The simplest setting of the network is a "peer-to-peer" in which each of the PC_1 to PC_4 has a function of both a server and a client. According to this setting, resources of another computer (for example, a public folder on the hard disk) can be used from any computer.

Therefore, according to the network of FIG. 1 configured as described above, for example, the data stored in the public folder of PC_3 can be accessed and updated from another computer, and the data in the office can be updated. Can be shared. For example, if the hardware resources (for example, a printer) connected to the PC_3 are disclosed, the sharing of the hardware resources can be achieved. However, the sharing of the hardware resources is not directly related to the problem of the present invention. The explanation about is omitted.

FIG. 2 shows a part of a desktop screen 31 in Windows 95, a network computer icon 32 displayed on the screen 31, and a network computer window 33 which is opened when the icon 32 is double-clicked (described in the summary of the invention). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first display control unit and a first detection unit.

In this figure, a network computer window 33 displays a predetermined title character string (“network computer” in the figure) on a title bar 34, and a close button 35 and a maximize button 36 at the right end thereof.
And a minimizing button 37, and displays an icon group indicating the current network connection status in the client area 38.

In this embodiment, since the network system has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, if all of PC_1 to PC_4 are logged in, an icon (simulating a globe) indicating the entire network is displayed in the client area 38. 39 and an icon 40 (simulating a desktop computer) indicating each computer (PC_1 to PC_4)
To 43 (corresponding to the objects described in the summary of the invention) are displayed. For example, if a public folder is set in PC_3, the icon 42 is double-clicked to display an icon (not shown) of the public folder, and further double-clicked on the folder icon to display another icon. Computer (PC_1, PC_2)
Alternatively, the public folder can be accessed from PC_4).

<Message Pop-up Service> As described at the beginning, by using the pop-up service (WINPOPUP.EXE) included with Windows 95, simple messages can be exchanged between computers on the network. That is, for example, WINPOPUP.
By executing EXE and transmitting a message from PC_1 to PC_3, the message can be displayed in a pop-up display on the display of PC_3.

However, the pop-up service (WINPOPUP.EXE) is a Windows 95 service.
However, as described at the beginning, as described at the beginning, the computer name of the message transmission destination (hereinafter, for convenience, "PC_1" to
("PC_4") must be manually input, and the operation is troublesome, and there is a problem that an input error cannot be denied. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the computer icons 40 to
By simply selecting "43", it is possible to specify the destination of the message, thereby improving the operability of specifying the destination, eliminating the mistake of specifying the destination, and using the message transmission method and the message reception method. Provide an applied information processing device.

FIG. 3A is a screen display diagram of a computer that transmits a message (hereinafter referred to as “PC_1” for convenience). For example, when sending a message to PC_3, the network computer window 33
Is clicked on the icon 42 of PC_3 to select it. W
Due to the specifications of Windows 95, the icon in the selected state changes to a dark shade (the background is painted black for convenience in the figure) and can be distinguished from other icons. (Here, PC_3) can be specified without mistake. That is, the icons 40-recognized by the NOC
Since the message destination is specified by selecting from among 43 by mouse operation, it is possible to avoid erroneous specification such as a non-existent computer name or a computer name not logged in,
The certainty of destination specification can be improved.

Moreover, selection of an icon (designation of a transmission destination)
Text box 51 for message input in response to
Since the pop-up of (see FIG. 3B) pops up, it is possible to proceed to the input of the transmission message by performing only one procedure (designation of the destination), and to improve the operability including the designation of the destination. it can. The text box 51 corresponds to an input area described in the gist of the invention.

Text box 51 immediately after pop-up
In, a cursor 52 is displayed at the character input position, and an arbitrary character string can be input by operating the keyboard. For example, when transmitting the character string "Test message." To PC_3, after inputting the character string in the text box 51, a predetermined confirmation key (for example, En
ter key), the character string is changed to PC_3.
Can be sent to

FIG. 4 is a screen display diagram of the computer (PC_3) to which the message is sent. A text box 61 for displaying a message pops up near the “predetermined icon” in the network computer window 33, and the text box 61 is displayed. Displays the string "Test message." The text box 61 corresponds to a display area described in the gist of the invention. Here, the predetermined icon is a computer icon of a message transmission source, and in the above example, the icon 40 of PC_1. Therefore, the user of PC_3 can know that the sender of the message displayed in the text box 61 is the user of the icon 40.

The function of the pop-up service according to the present embodiment described above can be obtained by executing an application program including the following program processing on a computer that transmits a message and a computer that transmits a message.

First, the processing of the message transmission source will be described. FIG. 5A is a schematic flowchart of a click event processing procedure (procedure: synonymous with a program) for the computer icons 40 to 43 in the network computer window 33. This procedure is performed by clicking one of the computer icons 40 to 43. Then, text box 5 for message input
After displaying the pop-up 1 (step S11; corresponding to the second display control means described in the gist of the invention), the procedure is terminated. Therefore, by executing this procedure, the operations shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B can be obtained.

FIG. 5B is a schematic flowchart of a message transmission processing procedure. This procedure is performed by inputting an arbitrary character string into the text box 51 and pressing a predetermined confirmation key (eg, Enter key). Will be executed. When you execute the procedure,
It is determined whether a character string has been entered in the text box 51 (step S21). If the character string has not been input, the procedure is terminated without sending a message. If the character string has been input, the selected icon among the computer icons 40 to 43 of the network computer window 33, for example, the icon The computer name (PC_
3) is acquired (step S22). Next, the acquired computer name and the character string in the text box 51 are converted into a NOC.
And transmits the same character string to the same computer name (step S23; corresponding to the transmitting means described in the gist of the invention), and deletes the text box 51 and deselects the icon 42 (step S24). finish.

Therefore, by executing this procedure, the character string input to the text box 51 is transmitted to a predetermined computer name (the computer name set in the property of the icon in the selected state), and then the text is input. The box 51 can be deleted and the icon can be deselected.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of the message reception processing procedure.
This is executed in response to a message reception event from the OC. When the procedure is executed, first, it is determined whether or not the network computer window 33 is open (step S31). If not, the network computer window 33 is opened (step S32).

Next, the computer name ("PC_1" for convenience) of the message transmission source passed from the NOC is acquired (step S33), and the computer name is set near the icon (the icon 40 in this case) having the computer name as a property. A text box 61 for displaying a message is popped up (step S34; corresponding to the second detection means and the third display control means described in the gist of the invention), and the character string passed from the NOC is displayed in the text box 61. (Step S
35) After ending the procedure. Strictly speaking, the second detection means described in the gist of the invention is realized by a network protocol including NOC. Therefore, by executing this procedure, the text box 6 near the source computer icon 40 is displayed.
1 can be popped up to display the character string of the message, and the operation of FIG. 4 can be obtained.

<Summary> As described above, according to the present embodiment, just by selecting one of the icons 40 to 43 of the respective computers logged in to the LAN, the text for inputting a message addressed to the selected computer can be obtained. Box 51 can pop up. Therefore, the message transmission destination can be specified only by a general icon selection operation without performing any special operation, and the transmission destination specification error can be reliably avoided. Can be entered,
The operability of message transmission can be improved.

In the message receiving computer, the text box 6 is sent in response to the reception event.
1 pops up and a message is displayed in its text box 61, so no special operation is required.
You can check the message. Moreover, since the pop-up position of the text box 61 is near the computer icon of the message transmission source, a special effect that the transmission source can be easily and without error can be obtained.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, Windows 95 is shown as an example of the operating system. However, this is a typical operating system that supports a network protocol including NOC as a standard and is excellent in a GUI environment such as icons. Because it is a system. Of course, any type of operating system having such features (for example, UNIX or OS2) may be used. Or N
An operating system of a type that separately incorporates a network protocol including OC may be used.

The object indicating the computer logged in to the network is not limited to the "icon". Although it is contrary to GUI orientation, it may be a character string.
Further, the transmission message is not limited to a simple character string, but may be data such as a file.

The main functions of the present embodiment are functionally realized by an organic combination of a hardware asset including a microcomputer and software assets such as an operating system and various programs. Since the assets and the operating system can be general-purpose ones, it can be said that the essential items indispensable for the present invention are substantially collected in the procedure (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Accordingly, the present invention provides a storage medium, such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory, or a component (such as a unit product or Finished or semi-finished products). In addition, the storage medium or the component includes not only a storage medium itself but also a storage medium that is provided on a network and provides only recorded contents.

[0036]

According to the message transmitting method of the present invention, an object representing a destination information processing device on the network is displayed on the display means in association with each of the information processing devices, and the object is selected. Upon detecting the action, the display means displays the input area of the transmission message in response to the selection action, and then, in response to a predetermined operation, sends the input area to the information processing device corresponding to the selected object. Will send the message information in the
Simply by selecting an object, the destination of the message is specified and the input area for the transmitted message is displayed. Therefore, the message can be reliably transmitted to the intended partner, and the operability can be improved by simplifying the procedure for selecting the message transmission destination. According to the message receiving method of the second aspect, when the message information transmitted from the information processing device on the network is received, the display area of the received message is displayed near the object corresponding to the information processing device of the transmission source of the message. Since the message is displayed, the display area of the received message is displayed in response to the reception of the message, and the display position is set near the icon corresponding to the information processing device of the message transmission source. Therefore, the received message can be confirmed without performing any special operation, and the source of the message can be confirmed from the icon located near the message display area. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first display control means causes an object representing the information processing apparatus of the transmission destination on the network to be displayed on the display means in association with each of the information processing apparatuses; A first detection unit for detecting a selection operation on the object; a second display control unit for displaying an input area of a transmission message on the display unit in response to the selection operation on the object; Transmitting means for transmitting message information in the input area to the information processing device corresponding to the selected object, second detecting means for detecting reception of the message information, and in response to the detection of the message information, A third display control means for displaying a display area of the received message near the object corresponding to the information processing apparatus which has transmitted the message; When sending a message, simply select an object and specify the destination of the message and display the input area of the sent message. On the other hand, when receiving the message, The display area of the received message is displayed, and the display position is set near the icon corresponding to the information processing device of the message transmission source. Therefore, the message sending side can reliably send the message to the intended party, and can simplify the procedure for selecting the message sending destination to improve the operability. It is possible to check the received message without performing a complicated operation, and to check the source of the message from the icon located near the display area of the message. According to the recording medium of the fourth aspect, the first display control means, the first detection means, and the second display control means of the third aspect.
4. The first display control means according to claim 3, wherein a program for realizing the display control means and the transmission means is stored, and the hardware resources including the microcomputer are organically connected to the program. Means, a second display control means, and a transmission means. According to the recording medium of the fifth aspect, the program for realizing the second detection means and the third display control means of the third aspect is stored, so that the hardware assets including the microcomputer and the program The second detection means and the third display control means according to the third aspect can be realized by the organic combination of the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a desktop screen and a network computer window.

FIG. 3 is a screen display diagram on a computer which is a message transmission source.

FIG. 4 is a screen display diagram on a computer to which a message is transmitted.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a message transmission processing procedure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a message reception processing procedure.

FIG. 7 is a GUI diagram of a known pop-up service.

[Explanation of symbols]

LAN network PC_1 to PC_4 Computer (information processing device) S11 step (second display control means) S23 step (transmission means) S34 step (second detection means, third display control means) 33 network computer window (first Display control means, first detection means) 40 to 43 icons (objects) 51 text box (input area) 61 text box (display area)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An object representing an information processing device of a transmission destination on a network is displayed on display means in association with each of the information processing devices. When a selection operation for the object is detected, the object is responded to the selection operation. After displaying the input area of the transmission message on the display means, in response to a predetermined operation, the message information in the input area is transmitted to the information processing device corresponding to the selected object. Message sending method. 2. When receiving message information transmitted from an information processing device on a network, a display area of the received message is displayed near an object corresponding to the information processing device of the transmission source of the message. Message receiving method. 3. A first display control unit for displaying an object representing a destination information processing device on a network on a display unit in correspondence with each of the information processing devices, and a first display control unit for detecting a selection operation on the object. (1) detecting means; (2) second display control means for displaying an input area of a transmission message on the display means in response to a selection operation on the object; (2) corresponding to the selected object in response to a predetermined operation; Transmitting means for transmitting the message information in the input area to the information processing device; second detecting means for detecting reception of the message information; and information on the source of the message in response to the detection of the message information. And third display control means for displaying a display area of the received message near the object corresponding to the processing device. Characteristic information processing equipment. 4. A recording medium storing a program for realizing the first display control means, the first detection means, the second display control means and the transmission means according to claim 3. 5. A recording medium storing a program for realizing the second detection means and the third display control means according to claim 3.