JP2001356857A - Method for displaying command menu and device for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device for displaying a command menu capable of reducing the correction and change of a program to the minimum even when the menus of a hierarchized menu picture are increased or changed, and quickly starting a target program even when the hierarchy is deep by solving the problem that it is necessary to spend a long time in order to find the target program since it is necessary to find a target command or menu picture while opening a picture which is not used in the middle for starting a program in a lower rank layer at the time of selecting the hierarchized menu picture. SOLUTION: A picture or the name of a program to be started is preliminarily defined and stored as a hierarchical structure, and the menu item list of each picture including a lower rank layer is displayed, and the item in the list is selected so that a command or menu picture can be executed. Also, the number of times of the start of the started program is counted, and the program which is frequently used is displayed first so that a time required for starting the program can be shortened. Also, the start history is stored, and the menu item list is displayed based on this so that a time require for starting the program can be shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a graphical user interface (GUI), and more particularly, to a command menu display method and apparatus for controlling screen display / execution in a hierarchical business menu.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an operating system (OS) using a GUI in recent years, a program is started by searching for, defining, and executing a defined icon. In order to save the trouble, there has been an increase in software that defines and displays necessary program icons on a screen or groups and saves the trouble of selection. It is common to search for related programs according to their attributes or to group them by layering them. When selecting a program, a target program is found while tracing the lower definition in order from the top of the displayed program. For example, a business program that performs some kind of business processing is often composed of multiple programs for realizing multiple functions, so those functions are hierarchized or grouped in advance, and the hierarchy or group is traced on the screen. It is configured to reach a program of a desired function.

[0003]

However, the hierarchical display and grouping of business menus in the prior art are
It had to be created in advance as a program. For example, in a case where a program for realizing a function selected by a user is started for a plurality of programs for realizing a plurality of functions, a screen displaying options of a function in a higher hierarchy is displayed first, and the screen is displayed. One of the choices
When one is selected, the lower level options are displayed (for example, a new window is opened or the window is rewritten. In addition, depending on the menu selection, a lower submenu is displayed near the selected menu) Is displayed.), And by repeating this, the target program (including lower-level modules called so-called commands) is configured to be started. In such a case, the menu and icons are hierarchized. The display and grouping are created in advance as a program. For this reason, when the menu on the screen is increased or changed, there is a problem that the program must be corrected or changed. In addition, there is a problem that it takes time to find a target program as the hierarchy becomes deeper.

In recent OS including a GUI, link files for specifying programs to be started are grouped, link files of each group are stored in predetermined folders, and a hierarchical structure is introduced between the folders. Some implement a hierarchical menu display. In such a case, the menu can be added or changed by changing the setting of the link file or folder, but it is necessary to sequentially refer to the hierarchy from the top to the bottom until searching for the target program, It is troublesome and time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to minimize the modification / change of a program even when the number of menus on the screen is increased or changed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a command menu display method and apparatus which can quickly start a target program.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a method for displaying a command menu when one of a plurality of programs is selected and activated, wherein one of the plurality of programs is displayed. Creating a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for selecting and activating, and defining a menu screen or a program to be activated when the objects are executed for the objects arranged in the respective menu screens A step of storing the defined contents; and a step of displaying a menu item list for displaying a hierarchical relationship between the menu screen and the buttons on a single screen based on the stored defined contents according to a predetermined operation. Step, accepting selection execution of any item from the displayed menu item list, and selecting Characterized by comprising a step of activating a menu screen or a program to respond.

[0007] The program includes a subroutine-like module for realizing a predetermined function. The object is, for example, a push button or an icon.

[0008] The present invention also provides a command menu display method for selecting and starting one from a plurality of programs. A step of creating a menu screen, a step of defining a menu screen or a program to be started when the objects are executed for the objects arranged in each of the menu screens, and a step of storing the defined contents. When the menu screen or the program is activated, counting and storing the number of activations for each menu screen or program, and in response to a predetermined operation, the stored number of activations for each menu screen or program is stored. Items corresponding to the menu screen and the buttons in descending order of the count value based on the Displaying the list of menu items to be displayed on a single screen, receiving the selection and execution of any item from the displayed menu item list, and starting the menu screen or program corresponding to the selected and executed item And a step.

The present invention also relates to a method for displaying a command menu when one of a plurality of programs is selected and activated, and a command menu display method for selecting and activating one of the plurality of programs. A step of creating a menu screen, a step of defining a menu screen or a program to be started when the objects are executed for the objects arranged in each of the menu screens, and a step of storing the defined contents. Storing a history when a menu screen or a program is started, and a predetermined number of items corresponding to a recently executed menu screen and buttons based on the stored history information in response to a predetermined operation. Displaying a list of menu items on a single screen and displaying the list of menu items Characterized by comprising a step of accepting a selection execution of any item, and a step of starting the menu screen or a program corresponding to the selected execution item.

The above-mentioned command menu display methods may be switched.

[0011] Further, the present invention provides one program from a plurality of programs.
A command menu display device for selecting and activating one of the plurality of programs, and a means for creating a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for selecting and activating one of the plurality of programs; Means for defining a menu screen or a program to be started when those objects are executed for the objects arranged in the apparatus, means for storing the defined contents, and the stored definition contents according to a predetermined operation A means for displaying a menu item list for displaying a list of the hierarchical relationship between the menu screen and the buttons on a single screen, a means for receiving selection execution of an arbitrary item from the displayed menu item list, Means for activating a menu screen or a program corresponding to the selected item.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a user can arbitrarily create a task menu. In other words, a menu screen can be created by arranging push buttons and icons used when starting a program in a window and defining the contents to be executed when the push buttons and icons are pressed. A plurality of menu screens can be created to have a hierarchical relationship.

FIG. 2 shows a method of creating a push button in a menu screen. 3 to 5 show examples of the created menu screen. In these figures, the basic components of the window constituting the menu screen are a window frame 106, a system menu 103 prepared by the OS, a maximize button 101 for expanding the window to fill the screen, and an icon button for iconizing the window. 102, a file menu 1 in which the end of the menu screen is defined
04 and a help menu 105 for displaying version information, help and the like.

In such a window, as shown in FIG. 2, the size of the creation frame 201 indicating the push button is designated by the pointing device 202, and thereafter, the process is executed when the push button is pressed. Define the program. The push buttons 108 to 111 on the menu screen in FIG. 3 are buttons created in this manner. In addition to these, the character string 10 in FIG.
Character strings such as 7, 112 to 115 can be pasted, program icons can be arranged, and straight lines and rectangles can be drawn. Also, like the character string 107, by changing the character size and font from the other character strings 112 to 115, the character string can be set as a title character on the screen.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show menu screens created in the same manner. In FIG. 4, reference numerals 402 to 406 denote push buttons. Reference numeral 401 denotes a character string indicating the title of the menu screen, and reference numerals 407 to 411 denote character strings for explaining the push buttons. In FIG. 5, 50
2 to 506 are push buttons. Reference numeral 501 denotes a character string indicating the title of the menu screen.
1 is a character string for explaining the push button.

A hierarchical relationship can be provided between menu screens. For example, when the “job 3” button 110 on the menu screen in FIG. 3 is pressed, the menu screen in FIG.
When the "group 3" button 404 on the menu screen of FIG. 4 is pressed, the menu screen of FIG. 5 is opened.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which a menu item list 116 which is a feature of the present embodiment is displayed. FIG.
Is displayed, when a specific key is pressed or when a right-click operation of a pointing device (mouse) is performed, the menu item list 116 is first displayed as shown in FIG. Is done. The menu item list 116 is a list of push buttons and icon definitions defined by executable programs in the currently displayed menu screen. In FIG. 1, as can be seen from the title 107, a menu screen titled “Business Menu” is displayed. In the menu screen, push buttons 108 to 111 are defined. The definition contents of 108 to 111 are listed. An arbitrary item can be selected by moving the cursor (pointer) of the pointing device to each item in the menu item list 116 or pressing a cursor movement key of the keyboard. The selected item is displayed in a different color. In the menu item list 116 of FIG. 1, “job 3” is in a selected state.

When a link is provided from an item in the menu item list 116 to another menu screen, the content of the push button or icon definition defined in the menu screen of the selected item is displayed on the right. Are displayed, for example, as a menu item list 117. The item selection operation in the menu item list 117 is as follows.
Same as 16. In FIG. 1, a menu item list 116 is displayed.
4 is in a selected state, and the menu screen of “Business 3” is as shown in FIG. 4, so that the contents of the push buttons on the menu screen of FIG. 4 are displayed as a menu item list 117. Further, a menu item list 117
"Group 3" is in a selected state, and the corresponding menu item list 118 is displayed.

In the menu item list at any stage,
When an enter key (such as a left button of a pointing device or an enter key of a keyboard) is pressed, the content defined in the currently selected item is executed.
For example, when the enter key is pressed in the state of FIG. 1, the "command 1" in the lowermost layer is in a selected state, and the program corresponding to the "command 1" is executed. When the item in the selected state is an item of a link to the menu screen, the menu screen is activated (displayed).

In the conventional method, for example, the “job 3” button 110 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 3 to display the screen of FIG. 4, and the “group 3” button 404 is pressed on the screen of FIG.
Is displayed, and the “command 1” button 5 is displayed on the screen of FIG.
An operation of pressing 02 and starting a corresponding program was required. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by pressing a predetermined key or right-clicking the mouse from the screen of FIG. 3, even the lower-level menu items can be easily displayed as shown in FIG. is there. The menu screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 can be arbitrarily defined by the user in the manner described with reference to FIG. 2, and there is no need to change the program.

FIG. 18 is an overall configuration diagram of a task menu definition / execution device according to the present embodiment for performing the above-described display. This device includes an input device 1001 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device 100 such as a display.
8. It has a business menu definition / execution control program 1801 for controlling the definition of the business menu, the display of the business menu according to the definition, and the activation of the program. The business menu definition / execution control program 1801 includes a definition file creation program 1002, a definition file execution program 1402, and a definition file 1009.

The definition file creation program 1002 is
This is a program for creating and defining a menu screen as described with reference to FIGS. The menu screen is internally provided with a table as shown in FIGS.
9). Therefore, the definition file creation program 1002 performs processing for creating and defining tables as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 according to a user's instruction. The definition file execution program 1402 in FIG.
Reads a table (1009 in FIG. 18) created and defined as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and executes a predetermined process to obtain the menu item list 116 to 1 described in FIG.
18 and processing for executing the designated program.

The data structure of the definition file 1009 in FIG. 18 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 shows the definition file 100 of the screen shown in FIG.
9. Each item includes an item type 601, position information 602, a display title 603, a startup file name 604,
And other attributes 605. The push buttons 108 to 111 and the character string 1 are defined in FIG.
07, 112 to 115, and information corresponding to these is set in FIG. For example, push button 10
8, the item type 601 includes information indicating a push button, and the position information 602 includes upper left (X11, Y11) and lower right (X1
2, Y12), “Business 1” is displayed in the display title 603 of the push button, and “Filename1” is displayed in the startup file name 604 to be started when the push button is pressed.
Are set respectively. This Filename1 indicates a menu screen of the job 1 to be opened next. Other attribute 6
05 is nothing. In the case of the character string 107, the item type 601 includes information indicating that the item is a character in the position information 602.
Indicates the position information of the upper left (X51, Y51) and the lower right (X52, Y52).
However, font information for displaying a character string is set in the other attribute 605. In the character string 107, the startup file name 604 is blank.

FIG. 7 shows the definition file 100 of the screen shown in FIG.
9. FIG. 8 shows the definition file 1 of the screen shown in FIG.
009. 7 and 8 also have the same information as FIG. It is assumed that one definition file 1009 contains table data as shown in FIGS.

As the definition for the push button, a menu screen defined separately like the push buttons 108 to 111 can be specified in addition to the program. Thus, the menu screen can be hierarchized.

FIG. 9 shows an example of hierarchical menu screens. Each block shows one menu screen.
From screen A 901, “business 1” 902 to “business 4”
Links to four screens up to 905 are provided. These four screens are the push buttons 108 to 111 on the screen of FIG.
It can be activated by pressing. Further, another screen can be started from “business 3” 904, and “group 1” 906 to
It shows that three screens of “group 3” 908 can be activated from the push button. 3 corresponds to “Screen A” 901 in FIG. 9, FIG. 4 corresponds to “Business 3” 904, and FIG. 5 corresponds to “Group 3” 908.

Next, referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, FIG.
Will be described in detail.

FIG. 10 shows a detailed internal configuration of the definition file creation program 1002 for creating a menu screen. The input data analysis unit 1003 receives information from an input device 1001 such as a pointing device or a keyboard. In the case of creating an item such as a push button or a character string, first, the input data analysis unit 1003 accepts an input from the pointing device as described with reference to FIG. After determining the size of each item, the attribute setting unit 1004 displays an attribute setting screen according to each item, and accepts input data from the input device 1001. Attribute setting unit 1
The value input in 004 is sent to the input data analysis unit 1003 and stored as definition data 1006 together with the position information. The item display unit 1005 reads the definition data 1006 and draws the contents on the display device 1008 according to the position information, the item type, and the attribute information. When the creation of the menu screen is completed, the data input / output unit 1007 outputs the definition file 1009 to the magnetic disk device. As a result, a definition file 1009 having a data structure as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is created.

The previously created definition file 1009
The data input / output unit 1007 reads the definition file 1009, sets it in the memory as the definition data 1006, and displays the contents on the display by the item display unit 1005. It is.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the input data analysis unit 1003 when a menu screen definition file is created. When a double click is made on the creation screen, FIG.
Then, the attribute setting unit 1004 that performs the processing described later is called (step 1101). The attribute setting processing unit 1004 displays a screen for setting a color, a character type, and the like according to an object to be created, and allows the user to input necessary information. When a new item is created, the attribute setting process is also called (step 1).
102). After the processing of step 1105, the definition data 1006 is updated with the set contents (step 110).
6) The drawing is updated according to the definition data 1006 (step 1107), and the process ends. In step 1106, according to the position information of the object to be created and the information input by the attribute setting processing unit 1004,
The information of the definition data 1006 is updated. When changing the position and size of the item once created, the user changes the size and position of the creation frame 201 using the pointing device 201. In that case, step 1103 and step 110
In step 4, it is determined whether the position is moved or the size is changed.
After updating the definition data 1006 according to the change in 106, redrawing is performed in step 1107 according to the changed contents.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the attribute setting unit 1004 (step 1105 in FIG. 11). Here, each setting screen is displayed according to the creation item type received from the input data analysis unit 1003, and the input device 100
After receiving the information from the input data analysis unit 100,
Return to 3. First, in step 1201, it is determined whether the created item is a character string. If it is a character string, a character string attribute setting dialog of step 1205 is displayed, and the contents of the character string, the setting of the character font, etc. are performed. Step 12
In 02, it is determined whether the created item is a push button. If it is a push button, the push button attribute setting dialog of step 1206 is displayed, and the title,
Set the font. Next, a start program setting dialog of step 1207 is displayed, and the start program
Make settings such as startup arguments. In step 1203, it is determined whether the created item is an icon registration. If the icon is registered, a startup program setting dialog is displayed in step 1207, the startup program, startup arguments, and the like are set, and the process ends. In step 1204,
It is determined whether the created item is a straight line. If it is a straight line,
In step 1208, a straight line attribute setting dialog is displayed.
The line type is set, and the process ends.

FIG. 13 shows a flow of processing of the item display unit 1005. The drawing update processing 1107 in FIG. 11 is for performing the processing of the item display unit 1005 described here. The item display unit 1005 draws each item according to the definition data 1006. First, in step 1301, it is determined whether or not the read item is a character string. If it is a character string, the character string drawing processing in step 1307 is called. In step 1302, it is determined whether the read item is a push button. If the button is a push button, the push button drawing process of step 1308 is called. In step 1303, it is determined whether the read item is an icon registration. If the icon is registered, the icon drawing process of step 1309 is called. In step 1304, it is determined whether or not the read item is a straight line. If it is a straight line,
The straight line drawing process of step 1310 is called. In step 1305, it is determined whether the read item is a rectangle. If it is a rectangle, the rectangle drawing process of step 1311 is called. In each of the drawing processes 1307 to 1311, if there is a display title 603 at the position of the position information 602 in the definition data 1006, the content is displayed. If there is another attribute 605, each item is drawn according to the other attribute 605. I do. Step 1306 includes:
This is a determination process for performing a loop for the number registered in the definition data 1006.

As described above, a menu screen as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is defined, and a definition file 1009 having a data structure as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is created and displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 14 to FIG.
The definition file execution program 1402 will be described in detail.

FIG. 14 shows a detailed internal configuration of the definition file execution program 1402 for executing the defined menu screen.

The definition file execution program 1402 is
At the time of activation, the definition file 1009 is read via the data input / output unit 1409. The read data is stored on the memory as definition data 1407. Item display section 140
In 5, according to the definition data 1407, the display device 1
008 is drawn. The drawing routine by the item display unit 1405 is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG.
When the definition file execution program 1402 is started, the menu screen of the highest hierarchy in the read definition file 1009 (the menu screen of FIG. 3 is the highest in the screens of FIGS. 3 to 5 based on the hierarchical relationship of FIG. 9). ) Is displayed. After the menu screen is displayed, an input from the input device 1001 is accepted. When the icon is double-clicked, the push button is clicked, or the enter key is pressed, the input data analysis unit 1403 calls the program activation unit 1404 according to the input data. Thereby, a program corresponding to the icon or the push button is executed. If the icon or the push button is a link to the menu screen of the lower hierarchy, the menu screen of the link destination is activated and displayed by the item display unit 1405.

When the definition file execution program 1402 is started, the item list reading unit 1406 analyzes the read definition data 1407, and includes n levels (n is an arbitrary integer of 2 or more) including the currently displayed menu screen. The table in the definition data 1407 to which the link is linked is read, and the item list data 1408 is created. Details of the item list data 1408 will be described later. Since the item list data 1408 is prepared, the item display unit 1405 can display the menu item list as described with reference to FIG. 1 by right-clicking a specific key or a pointing device. In addition, when there is a menu item list in the upper hierarchy of the displayed menu item list, or when any item in the displayed menu item list is selected, the menu item list in the hierarchy above or below them should be displayed. Can be. When the enter key is pressed while an item in the menu item list is in a selected state, the program activation unit 1404 activates a program or a menu screen corresponding to the item. In the case of starting from the upper hierarchy, the item list data 14 obtained at the starting source is used.
In the case of 08, there is a case where the number of layers is not enough for n layers. Therefore, for the missing parts, the data of the missing table is read from the definition data 1407 and added to the item list data 1408.

FIG. 17 shows the data structure of the item list data 1408. The item list data of one menu screen includes a screen name 1701, a display title 1702, a type 17
03, startup file name 1704, and link destination 170
5 or m pieces of push button or icon registration information. m is the total number of push buttons and icon registrations registered on the menu screen. The item list data 1408 is configured by collecting these pieces of information on the necessary menu screens.

The display title 1702 is a character string displayed on the push button in the case of a push button.
Since there is no such character string in icon registration, the name of the program to be started is set. The type 1703 includes information indicating whether the object to be activated is a command (program) or a menu screen. The start file name 1704 is a command (program) name or a menu definition file name that is started when an item is selected. Link 1705
Is valid information when the type 1703 is a menu screen. For example, in the case of the push button 110 in FIG. 3, since the menu name whose screen name 1701 is the job 3 is to be called, the information of the link destination 1705 is set so as to point to the top of the table. Type 17
If 03 is a command, the information of the link destination 1705 is invalid.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the input data analysis unit 1403 when executing the menu screen. Step 1
At 501, it is determined whether the input from the pointing device is a double click. If it is determined that the double click has been made, it is determined in step 1506 whether or not the place where the double click was performed is an icon. If it is determined that the icon is a double click on the icon, the program registered in the icon is executed in the program execution process of step 1508.
If it is determined that the icon is not on the icon, step 150
At 7, it is determined whether or not a double click has been performed at the location of the push button. If the push button is determined, the program registered in the push button is executed in the program execution process of step 1508.
If it is determined that the double-clicked location is neither on the icon nor on the push button, it accepts the next input without doing anything.

In step 1502, it is determined whether the input from the pointing device is a click. If it is determined to be a click, step 150
At 7, it is determined whether a click has been made at the location of the push button. If the push button is determined, the program registered in the push button is executed in the program execution process of step 1508. If it is determined that the clicked place is not on the push button, the next input is accepted without doing anything.

In step 1503, it is determined whether the input from the keyboard is an enter key. If it is determined that the key is the enter key, the same processing as when the push button is clicked is performed.

In step 1504, T is input from the keyboard.
It is determined whether the AB key has been pressed. When the TAB key is pressed, in step 1509, a process of moving the focus of the current push button in the push button arranged in the screen in the forward direction is performed. In step 1505, it is determined whether the SHIFT + TAB key has been pressed from the keyboard. If pressed, in step 1509, a process of moving the focus of the current push button in the opposite direction within the push button arranged in the screen is performed.

In step 1510, it is determined whether a special key has been pressed on the keyboard. What is a special key?
This key is assigned in advance for instructing display of a menu item list. If special key is pressed, step 1
An item list display process of 512 is performed. In step 1511, it is determined whether the input from the pointing device is a right click. If it is determined that the right click has been performed, the item list display processing of step 1512 is performed, and the processing ends. If it is determined in step 1513 that the item list menu is being displayed, an item list display process in step 1512 is performed, and processes such as cursor movement are performed. Step 1
In the item list display processing of 512, the menu item list 11 described with reference to FIG.
6, 117 and 118 are displayed. The item list display processing will be described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the item list creation processing executed in the item list reading unit 1406. This processing is performed in the definition file 10 shown in FIGS.
The table data 09 is read to create the item list data 1408 in FIG. 17 and is executed when the definition file execution program 1402 is started.

In step 1601, a process is performed to retrieve one item from the read definition data 1407 (the data in FIGS. 6 to 8) in order from the top. In the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, processing is performed first from the table of FIG. In step 1602, it is determined whether the extracted item is a push button. If it is determined that the button is a push button, it is registered in the item list table of FIG. 17 in step 1604. In step 1603, it is determined whether or not the extracted item is an icon registration.
If it is determined that the icon is registered, step 160
At 4, the information is registered in the item list table of FIG. In step 1604, the display title 1702, type 1703, and start file name 1
704 is registered. The registration of the link destination 1705 will be performed later. In step 1605, it is determined whether or not the item data to be read has been read for the number registered in the definition file (that is, for the table in FIG. 6, the number of lines). If all items have not been read yet, the process returns to step 1601. When the reading is completed, a process of reading the data of the lower layer of the items extracted and registered in the item list registration in step 1604 and linked to the menu screen is performed.

First, in step 1606, step 16
One item is extracted from the head of the item list extracted in the processing up to 05. In step 1607, it is determined whether or not the extracted item is an item for starting the menu screen. When the menu screen is activated, the screen name 170
After registering 1, the flow of FIG. 16 is recursively called in step 1609 to create a list of items on the menu screen of the link destination. In step 1610, a count check of the read hierarchy is performed, and the reading is stopped when n layers have been read. When the reading is completed, the link destination 1705 to the menu screen called from the item is registered.
In step 1608, it is determined whether or not all items have been extracted from the extracted item list. If loops for the extracted number have not been completed, step 160
Return to 6.

As described above, the display of the menu item list described with reference to FIG. 1 and the activation of the program from the menu item list can be realized. That is, when the right click of the pointing device or the pressing of a specific key of the keyboard is performed during the execution of the menu screen of FIG. 3, the input data analysis unit 1402 of the definition file execution program 1402 of FIG.
3 issues an item list display instruction to the item display unit 1405. In the item display unit 1405, item list data 1408
Among them, the display title list of the currently displayed items of the menu screen of FIG. 3 is displayed as the menu item list 116. Thereby, the menu item list 116 of FIG. 1 is displayed. The selection cursor in the menu item list 116 is moved by a cursor key or a pointing device on the keyboard. When the selection cursor comes to the item of “job 3” in the menu item list 116, for example,
Following the link of “(business 3)” of the link destination 1705 in FIG. 17, the screen name 1701 points to the position in the table of “business 3”, and the display title 17 in the menu screen is displayed.
02 is displayed as an item list 117 (FIG. 1).
When the selection cursor in the item list 117 is moved to “Group 3”, the link “(Group 3)” of the link destination 1705 is followed, and the screen name 1701 points to the position in the table of “Group 3”. A list of display titles 1702 in the menu screen is displayed as an item list 118 (FIG. 1). In this way, the display of the menu item list of FIG. 1 is realized.

In FIG. 1, an example in which the menu item list is displayed from the top menu screen of FIG. 3 has been described.
In the device of the present embodiment, the same display can be performed from the menu screen in the middle of the hierarchy. FIG. 19 shows a menu item when a right-click of a pointing device or a press of a specific key on a keyboard is performed during execution of the menu screen of “Job 3” of FIG. 4, which is one layer below the menu screen of FIG. An example of a list display is shown. In this case, first, a menu item list 117 corresponding to the currently displayed menu screen “job 3” is displayed, and a higher-level menu item list 116 is displayed on the left side. If there is a higher-level menu item list, it is also displayed. A selection cursor can be moved in the displayed menu item list by a cursor key or a pointing device of a keyboard. When the item of the selection cursor is a link to the menu screen, a menu item list of the menu screen of the link destination is displayed.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which the selection cursor is positioned at the item of "group 3" in the menu item list 117, and the lower menu item list 117 is displayed. Further, by positioning the selection cursor at an item in the menu item list 116 higher in the menu item list 117, a menu item list in a lower menu item can be displayed. For example, when the selection cursor is positioned at “job 1” in the menu item list 116 from the state of FIG. 19, a lower menu item list is displayed, and the lower command can be easily executed.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the number of activations is counted up for each command, and a menu item list in which a command having a large number of activations is displayed first can be displayed. In order to perform such display, the counter file 1410 of FIG. 14 is used.

FIG. 20 shows the structure of the counter file 1410. The counter file 1410 has a table structure, and has a display title 20 indicating the content of the command.
01 and the start file name 200 which is the actual command name
2 and a counter 2003 indicating the number of times of activation. In FIG. 14, a program activation unit 1404
Is activated (regardless of whether it is activated from the menu item list display or the menu screen as shown in FIG. 5), the data input / output unit 1
409 searches the table shown in FIG. 20 with the display title and the start file name of the start command instructed from the program start unit 1404, and if the command is found, increments the count 2003 by +1. If not found, a new element, that is, a display title 2001 and a start file name 2002 is added to the table, and a count 2003 is added.
Is initially set to 1.

FIG. 21 shows a display example of a menu item list in which a command having a large number of activations is displayed first. When such a display is performed, the setting of the display content is first changed in the file menu 104. This is to change from the normal mode for displaying the menu item list as shown in FIG. 1 to the count order mode for displaying the menu item list according to the count value. When the pointing device is right-clicked or a special key is pressed in the count order mode, the content is not according to the hierarchical display of the menu screen as shown in FIG. 1 but according to the contents (FIG. 20) of the counter file 1410 as shown in FIG. Then, five items (the number may be determined as appropriate) in descending order of the number of activated commands are displayed as the contents of the menu item list 116. Item list 11 displaying the sixth to tenth as the sixth item
A link to the selection item No. 7 is displayed. Item list 117
In the sixth item, the top 11 to 15 are displayed in the same manner. The display processing procedure in the count order mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, the history of screens and commands activated by the user can be stored, and a menu item list corresponding to the history can be displayed. To perform such a display, the counter file 1
A history file similar to 410 is used.

FIG. 22 shows the structure of the history file. The history file has a table structure, in which the activated screen name 2201, display title 2202, type 2203,
It consists of a startup file name 2204 and a link destination 2205. These are the same as each field of the table of FIG. When the user executes a menu screen or a command (regardless of activation from the menu item list display or activation from the menu screen as shown in FIG. 5), the history is stored in FIG.
2 is stored in the history file.

FIG. 23 shows a display example of a menu item list according to the history. When such a display is performed, the setting of the display content is first changed in the file menu 104.
This is to change the display mode to the history order mode. If the pointing device is right-clicked or a special key is pressed in the history order mode, the menu item list 1 according to the contents of the history file as shown in FIG.
16 to 118 are displayed. If there is a large amount of history information in the history file, a display is performed according to the latest predetermined number of history information (the number may be determined as appropriate). An item such as “next” in FIG. 21 in the count order mode may be provided to sequentially display the next predetermined number. The display processing procedure in the history order mode will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, a procedure for displaying a menu item list in the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the contents of FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing the flow of an item list display process in Step 1512 of FIG. In step 2401, it is determined whether the display mode is the normal mode or the count order mode. If the mode is the count order mode, a count order item list display process is performed in step 2404, and the process ends. If the mode is not the count order mode in step 2401, step 2
At 402, it is determined whether the display mode is the history order mode. If the mode is the history order mode, a history order item list display process is performed in step 2405, and the process ends. If the mode is not the history order mode in step 2402, step 240
In step 3, a normal item list process is performed, and the process ends.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of the normal item list display processing in step 2403 of FIG. In step 2501, it is determined whether or not this is the first display of the menu item list. If it is the first display, the process proceeds to step 2506; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 250.
Proceed to 2. In step 2502, it is determined whether or not the type (1703) of the item at the current cursor position is on the menu screen. Step 2503 if not a menu screen
The process proceeds to step 2506 when the menu screen is displayed. In step 2503, it is determined whether there is a link of the upper screen. If there is a link, step 250
In step 4, the table pointer is changed, and the flow advances to step 2507. If there is no link from the upper screen in step 2503, cursor movement processing is performed in step 2505, and the processing ends.

In step 2506, the link destination in the table is followed. Next, at step 2507, the display title is read, and at step 2508, the pointer is moved to the next item. In step 2509, it is determined whether the screen name has no definition. If there is no definition, step 25
Return to 07. If not, step 2510
To display the list of items in the screen and end the process.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of the count order item list display processing in step 2404 in FIG. In step 2601, it is determined whether or not this is the first display of the menu item list. If it is the first display, the counter file is read in step 2604,
In step 2605, the next five items are read, and in step 2606, the items are displayed, and the process ends. If it is not the first display in step 2601,
At 02, it is determined whether the position of the cursor is the “next” item. When the item is “next”, the process proceeds to step 2605. If the item is not the “next” item, the cursor is moved in step 2603 and the process is terminated.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the flow of the history order item list display processing in step 2405 of FIG. In step 2701, it is determined whether or not this is the first display of the menu item list. If it is the first display, the history file is read in step 2704, and the
Proceed to 702. If it is not the first display in step 2701, a table pointer is set in step 2702,
After performing the normal item list display processing in step 2703,
The process ends.

According to the above embodiment, a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for activating a plurality of programs, buttons and icons therein are arbitrarily defined, and a menu item list is displayed by a predetermined operation. Since a program to be started can be specified from the menu item list, a desired menu screen can be displayed at a stretch or a desired command can be executed without displaying unnecessary screens.
There is an effect that operation time can be reduced. In addition, the program is frequently used because it counts the number of program starts and arranges the items in descending order of the count value to display a menu item list, stores screen transitions and startup history, and displays the menu item list according to the history. The program and the recently started program can be started immediately, and the operation time can be shortened. Further, when a screen or a startup program is added or changed, there is an effect that the program does not need to be changed.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is an effect that operation time can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram in which a specific key is pressed on a menu screen during execution, a menu item list is displayed, and a target command is selected.

FIG. 2 is a diagram in which the size of a creation item is specified using a pointing device when creating a menu screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of creating a menu screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of creating a menu screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example (part 3) of creating a menu screen.

FIG. 6 is a view showing contents of a definition file when the menu screen of FIG. 3 is defined.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the contents of a definition file when the menu screen of FIG. 4 is defined.

8 is a view showing the contents of a definition file when the menu screen of FIG. 5 is defined.

FIG. 9 is a related diagram when a plurality of menu screens are created and hierarchized.

FIG. 10 is a program configuration diagram when a menu screen is created.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an input data analysis unit when a menu screen is created.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an attribute setting unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an item display unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a program configuration for executing a menu screen.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the input data analysis unit when executing a menu screen.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an item list reading unit.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a data structure of item list data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the relationship between a control program and an input / output device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a case where an item list is displayed on a middle screen of a hierarchy.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a counter file.

FIG. 21 is a diagram when a program list based on a counter file is displayed.

FIG. 22 is a view showing the internal structure of a history file.

FIG. 23 is a diagram when a program list based on a history file is displayed.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of an item list display process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a normal item list display process.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a count order item list display process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a history order item list display process.

[Description of Signs] 101 Screen Maximization Button 102 Screen Minimization Button 103 System Menu Button 104 File Menu Item 105 Help Menu Item 106 Window Frame 107 Character String (Title) 108 Push Button for Starting “Business 1” 109 “Business 2” 110 to activate “Business 3” 111 Push button to activate “Business 4” 112 Character string describing “Business 1” 113 Character string describing “Business 2” 114 “Business 3” 115 Character string describing "Business 4" 116 Program list defined on this screen 117 Program list defined on business 3 screen 118 Program list defined on group 3 screen 201 Frame indicating the size of the created item 2 2 Cursor indicating the position indicated by the pointing device 401 Character string (title) 402 Push button for starting “Group 1” 403 Push button for starting “Group 2” 404 Push button for starting “Group 3” 405 “Command A” Push button 406 for starting “command B” 407 character string for explaining “group 1” 408 character string for explaining “group 2” 409 character string for explaining “group 3” 410 “command A” 411 Character string explaining “command B” 501 Character string (title) 502 Push button for starting “command 1” 503 Push button for starting “command 2” 504 Push for starting “command 3” Button 505 “Command 4” Push button to activate 506 Push button to activate “command 5” 507 Character string describing “command 1” 508 Character string describing “command 2” 509 Character string describing “command 3” 510 “command 4” Character string 511 to be described Character string 601 to describe “command 5” 601 Of the definition data, item type part 602 Of the definition data, position information part 603, display title part of the definition data 604, start file name of the definition data 604 Part 605 out of the definition data, other attribute part 901 screen A 902 which is a top menu screen 902 business 1 which is linked from screen A 903 business 2 which is linked from screen A 904 a link which is linked from screen A Task 3 905 Task 4 906 linked from screen A Group 1 907 linked from Business 3 Group 2 908 linked from Business 3 Group 3 linked from Business 3 1001 Input device 1002 Definition file creation program main body 1003 Input data analysis unit 1004 Attribute setting Unit 1005 item display unit 1006 definition data 1007 data input / output unit 1008 display device 1009 definition file 1402 definition file execution program 1403 input data analysis unit 1404 program start unit 1405 item display unit 1406 item list read unit 1407 definition data 1408 item list data 1409 Data input / output unit 1410 Counter file 1411 Definition file 1701 Screen name part of item list data 1702 Display title part of item list data 17 3 Type part 1704 of item list data Start file name part 1704 of item list data Link destination part 1801 of item list data Business menu definition / execution control program 2001 Display title in counter file 2002 Start file in counter file Name 2003 Counter file counter 2201 History file screen name 2202 History file display title 2203 History file type 2204 History file name 2205 History file link destination

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A command menu display method for selecting and starting one from a plurality of programs, wherein a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for selecting and starting one from the plurality of programs are provided. Creating an object, and for the objects arranged in each of the menu screens,
A step of defining a menu screen or a program to be started when those objects are executed; a step of storing the defined contents; and a menu screen and a button, based on the stored definition contents, in accordance with a predetermined operation. Displaying a menu item list for displaying a hierarchical relationship of a list on a single screen; receiving an execution of selection of an arbitrary item from the displayed menu item list; and displaying a menu screen or a menu corresponding to the selected and executed item. Starting a program. 2. A method for displaying a command menu when one of a plurality of programs is selected and activated, wherein a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for selecting and activating one of the plurality of programs. Creating an object, and for the objects arranged in each of the menu screens,
A step for defining a menu screen or a program to be started when the objects are executed; a step for storing the defined contents; and a step for each menu screen or a program when the menu screen or the program is started. Counting and storing, and in accordance with a predetermined operation, based on the stored count value of each menu screen or each program, a list of items corresponding to the menu screen and the buttons is displayed in descending order of the count value. A step of displaying a menu item list on a single screen; a step of accepting selection and execution of an arbitrary item from the displayed menu item list; and a step of starting a menu screen or a program corresponding to the selected and executed item. Command menu table characterized by having Method. 3. A command menu display method for selecting and activating one of a plurality of programs, wherein a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for selecting and activating one of the plurality of programs are provided. Creating an object, and for the objects arranged in each of the menu screens,
A step of defining a menu screen or a program to be activated when the objects are executed; a step of storing the defined contents; a step of storing a history of the menu screen or the program when the object is activated; Displaying, on a single screen, a menu item list displaying a list of a predetermined number of items corresponding to a recently executed menu screen and a button based on the stored history information in response to the operation; A command menu display method comprising: a step of receiving a selection execution of an arbitrary item from a menu item list; and a step of starting a menu screen or a program corresponding to the selected and executed item. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of switching between the command menu display method according to claim 1, the command menu display method according to claim 2, and the command menu display method according to claim 3. Command menu display method. 5. A command menu display device for selecting and activating one of a plurality of programs, wherein a plurality of hierarchical menu screens for selecting and activating one of the plurality of programs are provided. Means for creating, and for the objects arranged in each menu screen,
Means for defining a menu screen or a program to be activated when the objects are executed, means for storing the defined contents, and a menu screen and a button based on the stored definition contents in accordance with a predetermined operation. Means for displaying a menu item list for displaying a hierarchical relationship of a list on a single screen; means for receiving selection execution of an arbitrary item from the displayed menu item list; and a menu screen corresponding to the selected and executed item. A command menu display device, comprising: means for starting a program.