JPH08161368A - System for constructing user interface screen - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To automatically executes the generation of user interface parts and the lay-out of the generated parts on a screen. CONSTITUTION: A system is constituted in such a way that a text file 41 where plural character strings to be displayed on the generated parts are divided by a dividing code so as to be inputted is prepared in an external storage device 40, the character strings are successively read from the relevant file 41 by a text file input part 121 when the text file 41 is designated, an image to be a base for writing the character string from the character number, etc., of the character string is generated, the character image of the respective characters constituting the character string is written in the base image so as to generate the display image of the parts and the plural generated display image of the parts are automatically arranged in a grid-state or a circle-state by a lay-out rule applying part 123 in accordance with the lay-out rule of user designition controlled by a lay-out rule control part 122.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a user interface screen construction system for supporting a series of operations for creating and laying out user interface parts on the screen of a display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of creating and laying out user interface parts on the screen of a display device, it is general that the parts are first created one by one by a user (part creator) and then laid out. It was target.

For example, when creating a user interface screen (for a ticket issuing machine) for issuing a ticket,
It is necessary to display the station name on the user interface part. In the conventional user interface screen construction system, it is necessary for the user to create a part with this station name one by one and repeat the work of laying it out at an appropriate position on the screen.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional user interface screen construction system, the user manually creates user interface parts to be laid out on the screen one by one, and appropriately creates them on the screen. There was a problem that the complicated work of laying out in different positions had to be repeated.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a user interface screen construction system capable of automatically creating user interface parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface screen construction system capable of automatically laying out a plurality of automatically created parts on a screen according to a layout rule prepared in advance by the system.

Still another object of the present invention is to disperse a layout into a plurality of screens according to the applied layout rule when the number of parts to be laid out is large, or to arrange as many parts as possible. It is to provide a user interface screen construction system that can be laid out in one screen.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a display device used for displaying a user interface screen and the like, and a character delimited by a predetermined delimiter code displayed on each user interface component constituting the user interface screen. On the screen of the display device, a text file input means for sequentially reading the character strings delimited by the above delimiter code from a text file storing a text containing a group of columns and each user interface part created for constructing the interface screen are displayed. Layout rule management means for holding and managing one or more types of layout rules for layout, and various information inputs including selection designation input for selecting one of the layout rules managed by this layout rule management means Input device used for The image information of each user interface component that makes up the user interface screen is created in units of the character strings that are sequentially read by the A layout rule applying means for creating a plurality of interface parts having the image information and layout information on the screen by applying the layout rule selected from the managing means;
And a screen layout means for laying out each interface component of the user interface screen created by the layout rule applying means on the screen of the display device based on the image information and layout information of the component. It is a thing.

Further, according to the present invention, each time an interface component created by applying the selected layout rule cannot be laid out within one screen, a new screen is created by the layout rule applying means, and the new screen is created. It is also characterized in that the above-mentioned layout rule is applied to the image information of the succeeding interface component.

Further, according to the present invention, when the interface component created by applying the selected layout rule cannot be laid out within one screen, at least one of the size of the component and the layout interval of the component is applied to the layout rule applying means. It is also characterized in that it is adjusted in and laid out within one screen.

The present invention further comprises a data management means for holding and managing image information and layout information of each user interface component laid out on the screen of the display device for each corresponding user interface screen, and the completed user interface. It is also characterized in that each user interface component of the screen is held and managed so that it can be displayed again on the data management means.

[0012]

In the above configuration, by preparing a text file in which a text including a group of character strings separated by delimiter codes is stored, the image information of each user interface component laid out on the screen is displayed. The character string necessary for creation is sequentially extracted by the text file input means.

The layout rule applying means creates image information of each user interface part constituting the user interface screen in units of character strings sequentially extracted by the text file inputting means, and creates the image of each created user interface part. A plurality of user interface parts having the image information and the layout information are automatically created by applying the layout rule of the system (layout rule management means) selected according to the selection designation input from the input device to the information. . The layout rule applied here is a first layout rule for laying out the user interface components in a grid pattern at regular intervals, or a second layout rule for laying out the user interface components in an annular shape at a constant angle. There is.

In the automatic creation of user interface parts according to the layout rule, if all the parts cannot fit within one screen due to the relationship between the size of the screen and the number of user interface parts, the layout rule applying means newly creates the screen. And the process of laying out the remaining parts is repeated until all the parts can be laid out.

In addition, as processing of the layout rule applying means when all the parts do not fit within one screen, the size of the parts and the layout interval of the parts (the grid interval when the first layout rule is applied are used. , And adjust at least one of the angles (if the second layout rule is applied) to 1
It is also possible to lay out on the screen.

Each interface component created by the layout rule applying means as described above is laid out and displayed on the screen of the display device on a screen-by-screen basis based on the image information and layout information of the component. In this state, the user can operate the input device to correct the size and layout position of the user interface component on the screen.

Each user interface component of the completed user interface screen is held and managed by the data management means under the control of the screen layout means. Each user interface part of the user interface screen held and managed by the data management means is called by the screen layout means in response to a call instruction input from the input device and is displayed on the screen of the display device.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user interface screen construction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system shown in FIG. 1 manages the entire system.
A control unit 10 for controlling, a display device 20 (such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display) for displaying user interface parts, an input device 30 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an external storage such as a magnetic disk device. And the device 40.

The external storage device 40 is used to store a text file (character string file) 41 or the like prepared by the user for creating user interface parts.
The text file 41 is composed of a character string input by the user corresponding to each part and a specific code for separating the adjacent character strings.

The control unit 10 is realized by a CPU and a main memory, and is composed of respective functional blocks of a user interface unit 110, an automatic component processing unit 120, a data management unit 130, and a screen layout unit 140.

The user interface section 110 is for interacting with the user via the display device 20 and the input device 30. The automatic component processing unit 120 automatically creates a plurality of user interface components based on the text file 41 stored in the external storage device 40, and
The created parts are automatically laid out on the screen in accordance with the layout rule (the layout rule selected and specified by the user from among them) which the text file input unit 121 and the layout rule management unit 12 have.
2 and the layout rule application unit 123.

The text file input unit 121 sequentially reads a character string delimited by the specific code from the text file 41 stored in the external storage device 40.

The layout rule management unit 122 holds and manages one or more layout rules (here, two layout rules) prepared in advance in the system for automatically laying out user interface parts on the screen. It is a thing.

The layout rule application unit 123 creates a user interface component based on the character string read by the text file input unit 121, and the layout rule management unit 122 selects a layout rule by the user. Apply the selected rules,
The layout information on the screen is added to the parts created by itself.

The data management unit 130 holds and manages the user interface components laid out on the screen and the screen layout information, and the component management unit 13
1 and layout management unit 132.

The parts management unit 131 holds and manages parts information including image information and layout information linked to the parts laid out on the screen. The layout management unit 132 manages the parts laid out on the screen.

Next, the operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, when creating a user interface part to be laid out on the screen, conventionally, it is necessary for the user to create a part one by one and then repeat the work of laying out the part at an appropriate position. was there. However, for example, when creating a screen (user interface screen) of a ticket issuing machine that can be seen at a station or the like, or a geographic guidance system, it is very troublesome to create each part in which a station name, a place name, etc. are set. It is work.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the text file 41 created in advance by the user by inputting a character string (here, a station name or a place name) set in each user interface component necessary for constructing the user interface screen is externally stored. It is prepared in the device 40, and is read by the control unit 10 (the text file input unit 121 therein) to automatically create the parts as described later.

The text file 41 prepared in the external storage device 40 is assumed to be formed by a code according to a nationally or internationally standardized code system such as JIS code or SJIS code. In addition, it is assumed that a specific code (hereinafter referred to as a delimiter code) such as a carriage return or a line feed is used as a delimiter of a character string (station name, place name).

By reading such a text file 41 by the text file input unit 121, the layout rule applying unit 123 creates a component. The internal data (component data) structure of the component created by the layout rule application unit 123 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, the component is created as image data (image data). Therefore, the component (image data of the component) is composed of dots, which are called pixels, on the screen as a basic unit, and is created by arranging pixels vertically and horizontally.
If the image is black and white (monochrome), it has binary data as pixels, and if it is color, it has a value determined by three orthogonal coordinate systems such as R, G, and B.

Here, it is assumed that one of the plurality of character strings written in the text file 41 is the character string "Tokyo", and the part # 1 is created from the character string "Tokyo".

In this case, the internal data structure of the component # 1 is
As shown in FIG. 2, the part # when the upper left of the screen is the origin #
Coordinate value (offset value) 201 to the right (x direction) of the center of 1 and also downward (y direction) of the center of part # 1
Coordinate value (offset value) 202, width of part # 1 20
3, a height 204 of the component # 1, and image data 205 (image data displayed on the component # 1) 205 of the component # 1. The coordinate values 201 and 202 form position information (layout information) on the screen of the component # 1, the width 203 and the height 204 form the size of the component # 1, and the image data 205.
Is a part # of size indicated by width 203 and height 204
It makes the display image of 1.

The data structure of FIG. 2 (internal data structure)
FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the image data (bitmap) 205 of the component # 1 having the above. In FIG. 3, a large number of small quadrangles are pixels, and the component # 1 is a large quadrangle configured by arranging pixels vertically and horizontally.

Next, the creation of a part from the text file 41 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, taking the creation of the part # 1 having the data structure of FIG. 2 as an example.

First, it is assumed that the user operates the input device 30 to specify the part creation from the text file 41. This designation input is given from the user interface unit 110 to the automatic component processing unit 120.

Then, the text file input section 121 in the automatic parts processing section 120 is activated, and the external storage device 40 is activated.
The user-specified text file 41 stored in is opened (step S1).

If there is an unprocessed character string (a character string to be read) delimited by a delimiter code in the opened user-specified text file 41 (step S2), the text file input section 121 reads the text string and executes the layout rule. It is passed to the application unit 123 (step S3). Here, it is assumed that the character string (character code string) of “Tokyo” is passed to the layout rule application unit 123. In addition,
The reading of the character string is performed sequentially from the beginning of the text file 41.

When the layout rule applying section 123 receives the character string (character code string) of “Tokyo” read by the text file input section 121 from the input section 121, the layout rule applying section 123 recognizes each character of the character string. An image (large quadrangle in FIG. 3) serving as a base for writing the image (font image, character pattern) is created (step S4). This base image is basically the number of constituent characters of the character string and the size of the character font (here, 16 × 16 pixels or 24 × 24 in this case) that is selected and designated by the user using the input device 30 (parameter). It is created by calculating the image size based on one of the pixels).

More specifically, parts (part #
Regarding the vertical size of the base image, which is the height of 1), the size of the used character font (vertical size) and the vertical margin (2 Seed parameters). The upper and lower margins can be selected and designated by the user. Regarding the horizontal size of the base image, which is the width of the part (part # 1), the size of the used character font (horizontal size), the number of characters that make up the character string, and the character spacing (interval between characters) are used. It is determined.

When the layout rule applying section 123 creates a base image, the character images (font image, font image, font image) of the user-specified font sizes of "East" and "Kyo" forming the character string "Tokyo" to be written in the base image. (Character pattern) is searched by using the respective character codes of “east” and “Kyo” passed from the text file input unit 121, and is read (step S5).

In this embodiment, a Chinese character pattern RO (not shown) is used.
Since a large number of character images of, for example, two types of font sizes (16 × 16 pixels and 24 × 24 pixels) are registered in advance in M in correspondence with the character code, the above-mentioned search targets the kanji pattern ROM. Done.

It is also possible to prepare a Chinese character pattern data area (not shown) in the external storage device 40 and register a large number of character images in advance therein in association with character codes.

The layout rule application unit 123 displays the character image (of the user-specified font size corresponding to each character code of the characters "east" and "Kyo" passed from the text file input unit 121 in the process of step S5. When acquired, the character image is written in the base image created in step S4 (step S6). In this way, part # of FIG.
The image data in 1 (display image of component # 1) 205 is created.

FIG. 3 shows the image data (205) of the part # 1 created by writing the character images of "east" and "Kyo" described above in the base image.
As specific character image data here, in the case of binary data, the white pixel is “0”, and in the case of black pixel is “1”, “0” and “1” are consecutive, In the case of color data, for example, the values of the respective colors are set in the order of R, G, B.

In this embodiment, as parameters that can be selected and specified by the user, the font size, the vertical margin, the space between characters, and the position of the entire character string in the base image (for example, center, right-justified, left-justified) are used. Etc.), text color, and background color of text. Also, the image file specified by the user (color image inside) is not a single color as the background color of the characters.
It is also possible to use. In this case, the relationship with the character color is a problem, and the character may not be visible depending on the image to be read.Therefore, by displaying the same color pixels in reversed colors, the character is always kept identifiable. Preferably.

Further, in the present embodiment, the size as a component,
That is, it is possible to specify that the size of the base image is fixed. In this case, when the width is fixed, the character string is displayed (set) in a plurality of lines, for example, and when the height is fixed, a small font size is used.

Now, the layout rule applying section 123 uses the parts (part #
When the image data (display image) 205 of 1) is created, the position information of the part composed of the coordinate values 201 and 202 in FIG. 2 is determined to create (the data structure of) the part, and the image of the part is created there. The data 205 is written together with the size (width 203 and height 204) to complete the component (component # 1) (step S7). The determination of the component position information will be described later.

When the step S7 is completed, the layout rule applying section 123 returns to the step S2, and thereafter, repeats the above-described series of procedures for creating a part until there are no unprocessed character strings in the text file 41.

As described above, based on the input text file 41, the user interface parts are automatically created by the number of character strings separated by the delimiter code (a specific code such as a line feed code). You can

At this time, there is a problem in which position on the screen the plurality of created parts should be displayed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the system presents the layout rule so that the user can select how to lay out (place) the components on the screen. The layout rule management unit 122 holds and manages this layout rule.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the layout rule stored and managed by the layout rule management unit 122. In the example of FIG. 5, as layout rules, a layout rule # 1 for automatically arranging components in a grid pattern as shown in FIG. 6 and a layout rule for automatically arranging components on the circumference of a circle (annular shape) as shown in FIG. Two types of layout rule # 2 are prepared.

Rule # 1 has information indicating a grid and information indicating an interval S between grid points (unit is the number of pixels or centimeters, etc.). On the other hand, the rule # 2 includes information indicating a circle, the radius r of the circle (the unit is the number of pixels or centimeters, etc.),
It is an angle θ between each part (based on the center of the circle).

By applying the rule # 1 or the rule # 2 to each part in the layout rule applying section 123, the position information consisting of the coordinate values 201 and 202 in the part data of FIG. 2 can be acquired. . This rule # 1
Alternatively, which of rule # 2 is to be applied is determined by the input device 30.
Can be selected and specified by a user operation using.

Therefore, when the layout rule # 1 is selected, the image data (display image) of the part created in accordance with the processing procedure of FIG. 4 is laid out in a grid according to the rule # 1 (position information is determined). The processing procedure of the layout rule applying unit 123 in the case of) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the layout rule # 1 is selected and designated by the user's operation, the layout rule applying section 123 obtains the vertical size H and the horizontal size W of the screen on which the created parts are laid out (step S11). The vertical and horizontal sizes H and W of this screen are assumed to be stored at predetermined addresses in a memory (not shown).

Next, the layout rule application section 123 obtains the interval S of the grid (grid points) from the data of the layout rule # 1 managed by the layout rule management section 122 (step S12).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 sets the horizontal direction counter i and the vertical direction counter j for counting the number of repetitions of the component layout to the initial value 1 (step S13).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 calculates the coordinates (x, y) of the grid point (intersection of the grid) which is the center of the component to be laid out by x = S * i y = S * j (step S14). ).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 determines whether or not x is W or less based on the calculated coordinates (x, y) of the grid points (that is, the grid point of the component layout destination is horizontal from the screen). Check whether or not it comes off in the direction (step S1)
5).

If x is W or less, the layout rule applying unit 123 determines whether y is H or less based on the calculated coordinates (x, y) of the lattice points (that is, the component layout). It is checked whether or not the previous grid point is vertically displaced from the screen (step S16).

If y is equal to or less than H, that is, if the coordinate (x, y) of the grid point is within the screen, the layout rule application unit 123 determines the part (position is determined) before layout among the created parts. It is checked whether or not there is a component that has not been installed (step S17).

If there is a pre-layout component, the layout rule applying section 123 takes out one of the components, and the coordinates of the center point of the component are the grid points of the component layout destination (calculated in step S14). Coordinates (x, y)
Position coordinates of the part, for example, the upper left corner of the part (positional coordinates consisting of a rightward offset and a downward offset when the upper left corner of the screen is the origin), that is, the coordinate values in FIG. The position coordinates corresponding to 201 and 202 are calculated (step S18).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 increments the horizontal counter i by 1 (step S19) and returns to step S14. As a result, the same processing as described above is performed with the grid point on the right as a layout destination (candidate).

When it is detected that x is larger than W in step S15, the layout rule applying section 1
In 23, the parts come off the screen as they are,
The horizontal counter i is initialized to 1, and the vertical counter j is incremented by 1 (step S20).
Return to As a result, the same processing as described above is performed with the leftmost (first) grid point of the grid line immediately below as the layout destination (candidate).

Further, when it is detected in step S16 that x is larger than H, no more screen (lower screen) is displayed.
It means that no parts can be laid out in, but if there are no parts before layout (step S21),
The above series of processing is ended.

Further, even when it is detected in step S16 that x is equal to or less than H, if there are no pre-layout parts (step S17), the series of processes described above ends.

In this way, x is H in step S16.
If the layout positions of all the created parts are determined before it is detected that the size is larger, or step S
Even if it is detected that x is larger than H in 16, if the layout positions of all the created parts are already determined (when there is no pre-layout part), () The position coordinates (position information) indicating the layout position (determined in step S18) and the image data (20) of the part (created in the processing procedure of FIG. 4).
5) and the parts having the data structure shown in FIG. 2 are created.

The process in the case where x is detected to be larger than H in step S16 and the parts before layout still remain will be described later. Next, the layout rule application unit 12 in the case of laying out the parts created according to the processing procedure of FIG. 4 on the circumference (annular shape) according to the rule # 2 by selecting the layout rule # 2.
The processing procedure of No. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the layout rule # 2 is selected and designated by the user's operation, the layout rule applying section 123 determines from the data of the layout rule # 2 managed by the layout rule managing section 122 that the radius r of the circle and the part Angle θ
Is obtained (step S31).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 sets the counter i for counting the number of repetitions of the component layout to the initial value 0 (step S32). Next, the layout rule application unit 123 calculates the coordinates (x, y) of the center of the component to be laid out by x = rcos (θ * i) y = rsin (θ * i) (step S33).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 determines θ *
It is checked whether the value of i is 360 ° or less (step S34). If the value of θ * i is 360 ° or less, that is, the angle between the i-th placed component and the 0th (first) placed component with respect to the center of the circle of radius r If it is 360 ° or less, the layout rule application unit 1
In No. 23, it is determined that the part layout on the circumference of the circle has not completed, and there is still room for layout. In this case, the layout rule application unit 123 checks whether or not there is a pre-layout component (a component whose position has not been determined) in the created components (step S).
35).

If there is a pre-layout component, the layout rule applying section 123 takes out one of the components, and the coordinates of the center point of the component are coordinates (x, y) (calculated in step S33). Position coordinates of the part, for example, the upper left corner of the part (positional coordinates consisting of a rightward offset and a downward offset when the upper left corner of the screen is the origin), that is, the coordinate values in FIG. 201, 202
A position coordinate corresponding to is calculated (step S36).

Next, the layout rule applying section 123 increments the counter i by 1 (step S37), and the step S33.
Return to As a result, the same processing as described above is performed with the angle shifted by θ.

When all the parts thus created are laid out on the circumference of a circle having a radius r, θ * i is 36.
Even if it is 0 ° or less (step S34), since there are no parts left before layout (step S35), the series of processes described above ends.

Further, in step S34, θ * i is 360 °.
If it is detected that it is larger, it means that no new parts can be laid out on the same screen.
If there are no parts left before layout (step S
38), the above-mentioned series of processing ends.

Then, in step S34, θ * i is 360
If the layout positions of all the created parts are determined before it is detected that it is greater than 360 °, or even if θ * i is detected to be larger than 360 ° in step S34, When the layout position has already been determined (when there is no pre-layout component), position coordinates (position information) indicating the layout position (determined in step S36) for all components.
And the image data (205) of the relevant part (created in the processing procedure of FIG. 4), a component having the data structure shown in FIG. 2 is created.

In step S34, θ * i is 360 °.
The process in the case where it is detected that the size is larger and the pre-layout parts still remain will be described later. Now,
By applying the layout rule # 1 to the component created according to the processing procedure of FIG. 4, according to the processing procedure of FIG.
In the case of arranging in a lattice shape as shown in FIG. 4, if the vertical and horizontal sizes of the screen are determined, the maximum number N of the components that can be laid out on one screen is automatically determined by the spacing S of the lattice. The maximum number N of these parts is H when the vertical size of one screen is
Since the lateral size is W and the lattice spacing is S, N = {(H / S) -1} * {(W / S) -1}.

When the number of created parts exceeds the above N, another screen may be newly created and the parts that could not be laid out may be laid out. If there are parts that cannot fit on this new screen, the process of creating the next screen and laying it out may be repeated. At this time, flag information indicating that subsequent parts are laid out on the next screen is added to the last part laid out on the previous screen so that the next screen can be displayed. . FIG. 10 shows the data structure of the component laid out at the end of this one screen (here, it is assumed to be component # 1). This FIG.
2 has a form in which flag information 206 indicating the presence of the next screen is added to the data structure of the parts shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the component layout process according to the layout rule # 1, it is detected that x is larger than H in step S16 (that is, the component cannot be laid out on the same screen any more) as shown in the flowchart of FIG. If it is detected in step S21 that the pre-layout component still remains, the next screen presence flag information 20 for the preceding component as shown in FIG.
6 is added (step S22), and thereafter, the process returns to step S13 for component layout on a new screen.

If it is desired to fit the created parts in one screen as much as possible, the lattice spacing S can be adjusted. On the other hand, in the component layout process according to the layout rule # 2, that is, when the components are laid out on the circumference, the interval between the components is determined by the angle.
If the angle exceeds 360 °, the remaining parts are laid out on the next screen.

Therefore, in the component layout process according to the layout rule # 2, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, θ * i is larger than 360 ° in step S34 (that is, the component cannot be laid out on the same screen any more). ) Is detected, and it is further detected in step S38 that the pre-layout component still remains, the next screen presence flag information 206 is added to the preceding component (step S39), as shown in FIG. ), And then step S for component layout on a new screen.
It is supposed to return to 32.

If it is desired to fit the created parts within one screen as much as possible, the radius r or the angle θ of the circle can be adjusted. The components (component data) having the data structure shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 10 created by the layout rule application unit 123 (in the automatic component processing unit 120) as described above are displayed on the screen layout unit 140, for example, in screen units. Passed to.

When the screen layout unit 140 receives the one-screen component data from the layout rule application unit 123, the screen layout unit 140 uses the position information consisting of the coordinate values 201 and 202 forming each component data (with the width 204 and the height 205. A user interface screen in which a plurality of components are laid out as shown in FIG. 6 or 7 is displayed on the display device 20 in accordance with the component size shown and the image data 205 of the component. At this time, the screen layout unit 140 also displays a message indicating that the next screen is present if the next screen presence flag information is added to the last part data in one screen.

If the user looks at the user interface screen displayed on the display device 20 and needs to make corrections, he / she will do the same as in the conventional case where the parts are manually created one by one and laid out. Then, the size of the automatically created component, the layout position of the component, and the like are corrected.

Further, the user can automatically create a message even if the message that the next screen is displayed is displayed, that is, even if all the parts cannot be arranged on one screen by the part creation / layout process in the automatic part processing unit 120. If you want to fit the parts you have made into one screen as much as possible, operate the input device 30
When the layout rule # 1 is applied, the grid spacing S is adjusted, and when the layout rule # 2 is applied, the radius r or the angle θ of the circle is adjusted, and another component creation / layout process is requested. At this time, parameters such as font size can be changed.

When the user makes a request again for component creation / layout processing, the requested processing is performed again by the automatic component processing unit 120. If the number of remaining parts is also displayed when the message with the next screen is displayed, it becomes easier for the user to determine whether it is appropriate to request another part creation / layout process again. In addition, the layout rule applying unit 123 causes the layout rule #
If 1 is applied, how much can the grid spacing S be adjusted to fit on one screen? Similarly, if the layout rule # 2 is applied, how much the radius r or the angle θ of the circle is adjusted. Then, it may be calculated whether it can fit on one screen and presented to the user. Further, when adjustment is impossible (such as overlap between adjacent parts), the user may be informed of that fact.

Contrary to the above, even if all the parts fit on one screen and the number of parts is small and they are not evenly arranged on the screen, the lattice spacing S, the radius r of the circle or the angle θ is set. It is also possible to make an adjustment and request another part creation / layout process. If all the parts fit on one screen and the number of parts is too large to be crowded, the number of parts on one screen is limited according to the layout rule to be applied, and another screen is created. It is also possible. At this time, the lattice spacing S or the angle θ may be adjusted to a large value.

On the other hand, when there is no problem on the user interface screen displayed on the display device 20, the user uses the input device 30 to perform an input operation for notifying the system to that effect.

In this case, the screen layout section 140 holds each piece of component data forming the displayed user interface screen in the component management section 131 in the data management section 130. At the same time, the screen layout unit 140 is operated by the component management unit 13
The layout management unit 132 in the data management unit 130 holds the pointer to each component data held in 1. The data management structure of the component management unit 131 and the layout management unit 132 in the data management unit 130 is the same as the conventional one, and thus will not be described in detail. However, the pointer to the component data in the layout management unit 132 is displayed in screen units. Retained. Further, for example, at the end of the pointer group for each screen, a pointer (next screen pointer) that points to a pointer to the leading part data of the next screen is set. When the next screen pointer has a predetermined value (NULL value), there is no next screen. FIG. 11 shows an example of a data management structure in the parts management unit 131 and the layout management unit 132.

If there is a next screen, the screen layout section 140 requests the layout rule applying section 123 for the component data of the next screen. Thereafter, the same operation as described above is performed, and the component data for all screens is stored in the component management unit 1.
A pointer to the component data is stored in the layout management unit 132 in screen units.

Thereafter, the screen layout section 140 can display the completed user interface screen on the display device 20 based on the data held and managed by the component management section 131 and the layout management section 132.

[0094]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when it is desired to lay out a user interface component such as a station name, a place name, etc., which is different only in the character string to be displayed on the component, on the screen in advance, User interface parts can be created automatically by preparing a text file in which only columns are written and reading this file into the system.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of created user interface parts can be automatically laid out on the screen according to the layout rule prepared in the system.

Further, according to the present invention, when the number of parts to be laid out is large, the layout is dispersed over a plurality of screens according to the applied layout rule,
As many parts as possible can be laid out in one screen.

As described above, it is possible to remarkably improve the efficiency of the work of constructing the user interface screen, which has been conventionally performed by the user creating each component one by one.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user interface screen construction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of components laid out on a screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a bitmap of an image displayed on a component.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when creating a component from the text file 41 in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a layout rule stored and managed by a layout rule management unit 122 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example when components are laid out in a grid pattern.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example when components are laid out in a ring shape.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure for automatically laying out components in a grid pattern.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure for automatically laying out components in a ring shape.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data structure of components laid out on a screen when a next screen exists.

11 is a diagram showing an example of a data management structure in a component management unit 131 and a layout management unit 132 in the data management unit 130 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Control unit, 20 ... Display device, 30 ... Input device, 40
External storage device 41 Text file 110 User interface unit 120 Automatic component processing unit 12
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Text file input part, 122 ... Layout rule management part, 123 ... Layout rule application part, 130 ... Data management part, 131 ... Component management part, 132 ... Layout management part.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A display device used for displaying a user interface screen and the like, and a text containing a group of character strings separated by a predetermined delimiter code displayed on each user interface component forming the user interface screen is stored. A text file input means for sequentially reading a character string delimited by the delimiter code from the created text file, and a layout rule for laying out each user interface component created for constructing an interface screen on the screen of the display device. A layout rule management unit that holds and manages one or more types, and an input device used for various information inputs including a selection designation input for selecting one of the layout rules managed by the layout rule management unit, Sequential reading by the text file input means Image information of each user interface component forming the user interface screen is created in units of the character string to be displayed, and the layout rule management means is operated by selecting and inputting from the input device to the created image information of each user interface component. A layout rule applying unit that creates a plurality of interface parts having the image information and layout information on the screen by applying the layout rule selected from the user interface screen created by the layout rule applying unit. And a screen layout means for laying out each interface component on the screen of the display device based on image information and layout information of the component. 2. The layout rule applying means creates a new screen each time an interface component created by applying the selected layout rule cannot be laid out within one screen, and creates this new screen. The user interface screen construction system according to claim 1, wherein the layout rule is applied to image information of a subsequent interface component as a target. 3. The layout rule applying means, when the interface component created by applying the selected layout rule cannot be laid out within one screen, at least one of the size of the component and the layout interval of the components. 2. The user interface screen construction system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface screen construction system adjusts and lays out within one screen. 4. The layout rule management means includes at least one of a layout rule for laying out the user interface components in a grid pattern at a constant interval and a layout rule for laying out the user interface components in a ring shape at a constant angle. The user interface screen construction system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface screen construction system is managed. 5. The screen layout means further comprises a data management means for holding and managing image information and layout information of each user interface component laid out on the screen of the display device for each corresponding user interface screen. The user interface screen construction system according to claim 1, wherein each of the user interface parts of the completed user interface screen is held and managed by the data management means so as to be redisplayable.