JPH07248891A - Controlling method for multiwindow screen - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To further improve the operability of a multiwindow system by properly moving the display location of the title of a window when the title is hidden when plural windows are opened in a display. CONSTITUTION:In parallel to a multiwindow system which is capable of displaying plural windows, whether the title of a window is hidden by other window so that the contents may not be discriminated or not is decided (step 101). When the title is hidden, whether a temporary display area which is capable of displaying the title of the window in a state that the title is annexed to the window and so as to discriminate the contents exists or not is confirmed (step 102). When the temporary display area exists, a processing that the title of the window is moved to the temporary display area (step 103) is executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to screen control in a multi-window system which plays a part of GUI (Graphical User Interface) and MMI (Man Machine Interface) in the field of electronic computers (computers). Regarding the method, in particular, the operability of the entire MMI is improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a multi-window system, a plurality of windows are generated on one display, and different contents are displayed on each window so that various kinds of information can be simultaneously displayed on one display. Has become. As a result, the operator can visually recognize a lot of information at the same time, so that the operability of the computer can be improved.

In the conventional multi-window system, when a plurality of (two in this example) windows 1 and 2 are generated on the display DP as shown in FIG. Since the display area of the display DP is limited, the window 1, which is currently being watched or is opened last, is displayed so as to be overlapped with another window 2.

[0004]

However, in the display method as described above, each window operates independently, and the display positions of other windows that are currently open and the relation between the windows are determined. Since the window display processing is performed without consideration, a part of one window is hidden by displaying a new window, moving the window being displayed, changing the size, or the like, as shown in FIG. As described above, in general, the title displayed at the center of the upper part of the window 1 may be hidden so that its content cannot be identified.

Even in such a situation where the title is hidden, since the processing for eliminating it has not been automatically executed, the operator has to move or resize the window. Either by dealing with unnecessary window destruction, or by inferring the contents of the window whose title is hidden from its own memory, the operator can immediately recognize the contents of each window. Since it is not possible to obtain the necessary information, it was difficult to obtain sufficient operability. Especially when the number of windows displayed on the display increases,
The number of incidental operations such as window movement other than the original operations that the operator should perform increases, and the operations become complicated.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the unsolved problem of the conventional technique as described above. When a plurality of windows are opened on the display, the operator can determine the contents of each window. It is intended to provide a display method of a multi-window screen that can be easily grasped.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention keeps a program for monitoring the state of each window running at all times, and the title of a window is hidden under the other windows. In this case, by appropriately moving the display position of the hidden title, at least the title of each window can be easily confirmed by the operator to improve the operability.

Specifically, the present invention is a method for controlling a multi-window screen applied to a system capable of displaying a plurality of windows on a display screen, wherein the title of one window is determined by the contents of another window. If it is determined that the title is so hidden that it cannot be identified, the title of the one window is attached to the window in the display screen and the content is It is confirmed whether or not there is a tentative display area that can be displayed in a distinguishable manner, and when the tentative display area exists, the title of the one window is moved to the tentative display area.

After the movement, it is determined whether or not the original display area of the title of the one window is restored to a state in which the title can be displayed. If it is determined that the title is restored, More preferably, the title of the one window is moved from the temporary display area to the original display area.

[0010]

In a system capable of displaying a plurality of windows at the same time, for example, a request for displaying a new window, a request for moving to an already opened window, a request for expanding the display area, or the like is made. When the display screen changes, some or all of the other windows may be hidden under the window.

In such a case, when the method according to the present invention is implemented, it is first determined whether or not the title of one window is hidden so that it cannot be identified. Although various methods can be considered as specific methods for the determination at this time, for example, the title display area of each window is compared with the display areas of all the other windows displayed in an overwritten form, and both are displayed. It is possible to make a determination by recognizing the degree of overlap.

If it is determined that the title is not hidden or that the content can be discriminated but the window title can be easily grasped by the operator, it is considered that The subsequent processing is not performed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the title is hidden so that it cannot be discriminated, it is determined whether or not there is a temporary display area in the display screen in which the title is attached to the window and the content can be discriminatively displayed. judge. As a concrete method of the determination at this time, for example, the following method can be considered.

That is, first, in the display area of the window in which the title is determined to be hidden (generally, an area surrounded by a square frame), the display appears on the display screen without being disturbed by other windows. The extent of the area is determined by comparing the area of the entire window with the display area of the other windows displayed on the display screen in the form of overwriting in the window. If it is determined that such a display area exists to the extent that the title can be displayed, the display area is set as the temporary display area.

However, if it is determined that there is not a sufficient exposed area in the display area of the window, the display area of the window and the area in contact with the outer frame of the display area are combined together. , How much of the exposed area is displayed on the display screen without being disturbed by other windows, and the combined area and the display area of all other windows displayed on the display screen in the form of overwriting the window Determined by comparing and. If it is determined that such a display area exists to the extent that the title can be displayed, the display area is set as the temporary display area.

With this configuration, since the temporary display area is set at least inside the position in contact with the outer frame of the window, the temporary display area attached to the window is set. Note that, for example, if the currently specified window has a size that covers the entire display screen,
Since the display area as described above does not exist, the temporary display area is not set. However, the fact that the display area does not exist can be considered to be the result of the operator thinking that the information of windows other than the currently specified window is unnecessary in the first place. It is safe to think that displaying is not required.

When the temporary display area is set, the title moves to the temporary display area, but the temporary display area is visible to the operator and is an area attached to the window. Easily identifies the content of the title and easily recognizes what information is displayed in the window. In addition,
After the movement, it is determined whether the original display area of the title is restored to a state in which the title can be displayed. If it is determined that the title is restored, the title is moved from the temporary display area to the original display area. If a process that moves to the display area of the title is executed, the original display area displays the title by, for example, moving, reducing the size, or destroying another window that covered the original display position of the title. Restoring to a possible state causes the title displayed in the temporary display area to move to the original display area.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, in which the present invention is applied to a general personal computer 10 equipped with a multi-window system.

First, the configuration will be described. The personal computer 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11
A main memory 12 for storing programs such as an OS (operating system) and other necessary information; an image memory 13; an interface circuit 14 for an external input device such as a keyboard 20 and a mouse 21; A system bus 15 that appropriately connects the main memory 12, the image memory 13, and the interface circuit 14, and an interface for supplying an output signal of the image memory 13 to a display (eg, CRT display, liquid crystal display) DP as a display screen. And a circuit 16 at least.

The operator of the personal computer 10 operates the keyboard 20, the mouse 21 and the like to cause the CPU 11 to execute a predetermined program, while the personal computer 10 executes a multi-window system. That is, a plurality of windows can be simultaneously displayed on the display DP according to the operation of the operator.

The main memory 12 stores a program (window control program) for controlling the display state of each window screen (in particular, the display state of the title of each window) in addition to the programs such as the OS. Thus, the CPU 11 always executes the window control program in parallel with other programs by, for example, time sharing.

Here, the window control program grasps the display position (starting point) of each window displayed on the display DP and the sizes (horizontal and vertical directions) of those windows, and displays the title of each window. By grasping the position and size of the title area (horizontal and vertical directions) and comparing the various information, the title of one window is hidden so that the contents cannot be discerned by other windows. Is created to execute a process (title moving process) of moving the title to a position where the operator can check the contents while keeping the state associated with the window.

The contents of the title moving process in this embodiment are, as shown in FIG. 2, which is a flowchart showing the outline of the procedure of the process, as shown in FIG.
1, the display area of the title of the one window,
By comparing with the display area of the entire other windows displayed above that window, the contents of the title are not recognized by the operator (for example,
It is designed to determine whether or not the area is hidden (50% or more of the area). The determination in step 101 is “N
In the case of "O", it is not necessary to move the title in particular, so the title display processing of this time is ended as it is. However, in the case of "YES", the process proceeds to step 102,
It is determined whether or not there is a temporary display area in which the title can be moved.

The temporary display area determined in this step 102 is an area attached to the window (inside the window and the periphery around the window), and when the title is displayed, the content is disturbed by other windows. It is a region having an area that can be recognized by an operator without any problem (may be disturbed to some extent). When setting the temporary display area, it is desirable not to affect the windows displayed below that window as much as possible.
When the influence cannot be avoided, the window that is least frequently used is determined, and the temporary display area is set at a position where it does not overlap with the title of the window.

If it is determined in step 102 that the temporary display area does not exist (for example, the other window to be overwritten has the maximum size), it is meaningless to move the title. Although the title display processing of this time is ended without executing the processing of step 103 and thereafter, the process proceeds to step 103 when it is determined that the temporary display area exists.

Then, in step 103, step 1
Only the title of the window determined to be hidden in 01 is moved to the temporary display area set in step 102. That is, in step 103, information for changing the display area of the title to the temporary display area is supplied to the window. Then, the window that received the information will change the starting point of the initial display area (default display area) of the title display area set for the window to the corresponding position in the temporary display area. There is. Alternatively, only the title of each window may be set as a different window, and a normal window display process may be applied to move only the title.

When the process of step 103 is completed, the process proceeds to step 104, and the management flag corresponding to the window in which the title has been moved is set. At this time, the original display area of the title is also stored. When the process of step 104 is completed, the title display process of this time is completed, and the same process is repeated from step 101 again at a predetermined timing.

Further, after the window control program moves such a title, that is, after the processing of step 104 of FIG. 2 is executed and the management flag is set, the original display area of the title is set to the title. A process that determines whether the content is being restored so that it can be displayed to the extent that the operator can recognize it, and if it is determined that the content is being restored, moves the destination title to the original display area (title Restoration process) is also executed.

The content of the title restoration process in this embodiment is, as shown in FIG. 3, which is a flow chart showing the outline of the procedure of the process, as shown in FIG.
In 1, it is determined whether or not the management flag corresponding to any of the windows is set, and particularly when this determination is "NO", step 202
Since it is not necessary to execute the subsequent processing, the title restoration processing of this time is ended as it is.

However, the determination in step 201 is "YE
In the case of "S", the process proceeds to step 202, and the default display area (original display area) of the title of the window in which the management flag is set, and all other windows displayed above that window. When the title is moved to the default display area, it is determined whether the operator can determine the content by comparing the display area with the display area.

If the determination in step 202 is "NO", it can be determined that the operability is higher as it is, so that the title restoration process of this time is ended as it is, but step 202 If the determination is “YES”, it is determined that returning the display position of the title to the original operation is higher in operability, and the process proceeds to step 203.

Then, in step 203, the information for requesting the restoration of the title is supplied to the window. Then, the starting point of the current title display area set in the window is changed to the initial starting point in the default display area. Step 203
When the process of step 204 is completed, the process proceeds to step 204, and the management flag determined to be set in step 201 is reset. When the process of step 204 is completed, the title restoration process of this time is completed. Then, the same processing is repeatedly executed from step 201 again at a predetermined timing.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with a specific situation. That is, FIG. 4 to FIG.
The transition of the display state of P is shown. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the window 2 is displayed on the upper side of the window 1, and the titles A and B of the windows 1 and 2 are both set by the operator. It is assumed that the state is identifiable.

In this state, the determination in step 101 of FIG. 2 is kept “NO”, so that the processing of step 102 and subsequent steps is not executed and the management flag is not set, so the processing of step 202 and subsequent steps of FIG. 3 is also executed. Not done.
However, in the state of FIG. 4, the operator selects the window 1, the window 1 is displayed on the window 2, and a part of the title B of the window 2 is hidden by the window 1 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that title B cannot be read by the operator.

Then, the determination in step 101 is "YE
Therefore, the process proceeds to step 102, and the existence of the temporary display area is determined. In the state of FIG. 5, window 2
Since there is a sufficient area in which the title B can be displayed, the determination in step 102 is “YES”, the temporary display area is set, and the process moves to step 103 to display the title B of the window 2 in the temporary display area. To the state shown in FIG.

As a result, the contents of the title B of the window 2 can be easily discriminated by the operator, and the operator can easily recognize the information displayed in the window 2 by relying on the title B. The operator can quickly search the screen and select the window. Then, from the state shown in FIG.
If is selected, window 2 is displayed on top of window 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The default display area for title B is
To a fully displayable state.

Then, since the judgments at both steps 201 and 202 are "YES", the process proceeds to step 203, and the title B in the temporary display area is changed as shown in FIG.
Since the display DP is moved to the original display area, the display DP is in the state as shown in FIG. In other words, if the processing according to the present embodiment is executed, the titles A and B of the windows 1 and 2 automatically settle in the state in which the operability is the best at the present time, so that the operability of the entire MMI is improved. Is achieved.

As a result of selecting the window 1 from the state shown in FIG. 4 and enlarging the size of the window 1, as shown in FIG.
Is hidden under the window 1, and the title B of the window 2 is completely invisible.
However, even in such a situation, since the temporary display area is set in the portion along the outer frame of the window 2 in step 102, for example, as shown in FIG. The title B is displayed on
The other information about the window 2 is barely visible, but at least only the title B of the window 2 can be discriminated by the operator, and the operator can also quickly search the screen and select the window.

Note that, for example, when the window 1 has the maximum size (size equivalent to the display range of the display DP), there is no temporary display area at all, so the determination in step 102 is "NO". Although B is not moved, such a situation is due to the operation of the operator in the first place, and since the operator needs only the information of the window 1, it is considered that the size is maximized. If the process of invading the display area and displaying the title B of the window 2 is executed, it will be an obstacle for the operator.
This leads to a drop in operability.

As described above, in this embodiment, even if the title of a window is hidden by another window, except for the case where the size of one of the windows becomes maximum, If the title is at the position associated with the window and is automatically moved so that the operator can distinguish it, and the original display area of the moved title is restored to the state before it was hidden. Since the title is moved from the temporary display area to the original display area, if the window title is hidden, it is not necessary to deal with it by moving, resizing or destroying the window by the operator's operation. Therefore, it is necessary to further improve the operability of the personal computer 10 equipped with the multi-window system. Can.

In the above embodiment, for the sake of convenience of description, the operation is described by taking the display DP in which the two windows 1 and 2 are displayed as an example, but the same applies when there are three or more windows. The same effect is exhibited by the treatment of. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the method according to the present invention is applied to the personal computer 10 has been described, but the application target of the present invention is not limited to this, and a multi-window system can be mounted, for example. The present invention can be applied to word processors, communication terminals, etc., and when applied to them, the same operational effects can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the title restoration processing is also automatically performed. However, if at least the title movement processing is executed, the operability is improved as compared with the conventional art, so the title restoration processing is performed. The processing may be configured to be executed by the operator's selection, for example.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a multi-window system, if the title of one window is hidden so that it cannot be discriminated by other windows, move the hidden title to a region that is attached to the window and can be easily discriminated by the operator. By doing so, there is an effect that the operability of the device equipped with the multi-window system can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of other processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a state diagram of a display for explaining the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 window 10 personal computer 11 CPU 12 main memory 13 image memory 14, 16 interface circuit 15 system bus DP display (display screen)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for controlling a multi-window screen applied to a system capable of displaying a plurality of windows on a display screen, wherein whether the title of one window is hidden so that the contents cannot be discriminated by other windows. If it is determined that the title is hidden to the extent that it cannot be discriminated, the title of the one window is displayed in the display screen in a state in which the title is associated with the window and the content can be discriminatively displayed. A method for controlling a multi-window screen, comprising: checking whether an area exists, and moving the title of the one window to the temporary display area when the temporary display area exists.