FR3024913A1 - WINDOW FILLER CONTROL MODULE (S) COMPUTER PROGRAM, METHOD, AND MAN-MACHINE INTERACTION DEVICE THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

Window filling control module (7) for a touch table (1) having a screen (2) and keyboards (3_0, 3_1, 3_2), and adapted for following an opening command of a window (10) on the screen, if said window has not yet been associated with a subset of the keypads, selecting, according to at least one characteristic of said window, a strict subset of the keypad ( s), to associate said window and said strict subset of the keyboard (s) selected, and to store said association in a memory (6); said control module being adapted to allow the capture, in said window, of characters entered from a keyboard of the subset associated with the window and to prevent the capture, in said window, of characters entered from a keyboard that is not part of said subset associated with the window.

Description

The present invention relates to a window filling control module (s) for a human-human interaction device. machine comprising a screen and a plurality of keyboards each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display, in windows on the screen, said entered characters. Current human-machine interaction devices, generally including a display, a hardware keyboard, a CPU and a memory, are suitable for use by one user at a time. Typically, they include a single keyboard for user interaction with applications running on the CPU. In cases where it is possible to connect multiple hardware keyboards to the device, when a character input window is active, the inputs of all keyboards are captured in the active window.

Collaborative work develops, in which several users work together on a large screen of a human-machine interaction device, such as for example a touch table. It is necessary to have a human-machine interaction device allowing multiple users via respective hardware keyboards, to use the human-machine interaction device with a common screen, to perform their respective tasks . For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a window filling control module (s) of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it is adapted for following a command to open a window on the window. the screen, if said window has not yet been associated with a subset of said plurality of keyboards, selecting, according to at least one characteristic of said window, a strict subset of the keyboard (s) in said plurality of keyboards, for associating said window and said strict subset of the keyboard (s) selected, and for storing said association in a storage memory. Said control module being adapted to allow the capture, in said window, characters entered from a keyboard of the strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window and to prevent the capture, in said window, characters entered from a keyboard of said plurality of keyboards not being part of said strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window. By strict subset of the plurality of keyboards is meant that the strict subset comprises at least one keyboard of said plurality of keyboards and at most n-1 of said keyboards, if the plurality of keyboards comprises n keyboards.

Such a control module makes it possible to increase the interaction capabilities between the users and the human-machine interaction device, making processing operations faster and more flexible. Respective windows can be filled by respective keyboards, in parallel. In embodiments, the window filling control module (s) according to the invention further comprises one or more of the following features: it is adapted to allow first and second windows on the screen to be simultaneously active, allowing simultaneous captures of first characters in the first window and second characters in the second window, said first characters being entered from a first keyboard of the strict subset associated with the first window and said second characters being entered from a second keyboard of the strict subset associated with the second window; It is adapted to select said strict subset of the keyboard (s) associated with said window as a function of at least the position and / or the orientation of said window with respect to the screen and / or with respect to keyboards of said plurality of keyboards; it is adapted to select said strict subset of the keyboard (s) associated with said window as a function of at least the type of the window and according to a predefined correspondence table between window types and keyboards said plurality of keyboards; it is adapted to detect an event and to update, in said storage memory, the strict subset of keyboards associated with a window, following the detection of the event; Said detected event is a displacement of the window on the screen and / or the expiration of a given time delay. The present invention also proposes a display device comprising a screen and a plurality of keyboards each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display said characters in windows on the screen, said device being characterized in that it further comprises a window filling control module according to the invention as described above. The present invention further provides a window filling control method (s) for a display device having a screen and a plurality of keyboards each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display, in the form of windows on the screen, said characters entered, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps, following a command to open a window on the screen: if said window has not still associated with a subset of said plurality of keyboards, selecting, as a function of at least one feature of said window, a strict subset of keyboard (s) in said plurality of keyboards, associating said window and said strict subset of keyboard (s) selected, and storing said association in a storage memory; allow the capture, in said window, characters entered from a keyboard of the strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window; Prohibiting the capture, in said window, of characters entered from a keyboard of said plurality of keyboards that are not part of said strict subset of the keyboard (s) associated with the window. The present invention further provides a window filling control computer program (s) to be installed in a window fill control module (s) for a display device having a screen and a plurality of keyboards each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display said characters in windows on the screen, said program comprising instructions for implementing the steps of a method according to the invention during execution of the program by processing means of the control module.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a collaborative touch device comprising a touch screen, a processor, a memory comprising a software application adapted to be executed on the processor; said collaborative touch device being adapted for, when executing said application on said processor, opening on the touch screen a main window displaying a main view comprising information and giving access to at least one first tool for creating, or edit, in the main window, displayed information; said collaborative touch device being characterized in that it is adapted to detect a secondary window opening control and, following the detection of said secondary window opening control, extracting at least one section of the main view displayed in the main window, opening a secondary window on a subpart of the main window and displaying in said secondary window, said section extracted; said secondary window giving access to at least a second tool for creating or modifying displayed information in the secondary window; Said collaborative touch device being adapted to detect any modification and / or creation of information carried out in the secondary window by the second tool, respectively in the main window by the first tool, and to trigger, following said detection, display in the main window, respectively in the secondary window of said information as created and / or modified.

In embodiments, the collaborative touch device according to this second aspect of the invention further comprises one or more of the following features: It comprises a controller adapted to detect touch control from the touch screen and wherein: said detection a secondary window opening command is performed by said controller; and / or said detection of modification or creation of information in the secondary window, respectively the main window is performed by said controller; when the main window and several secondary windows are open on the touch screen, the collaborative touch device is adapted to detect any modification and / or creation of information made in one of said secondary windows, respectively in the main window, and to trigger following said detection, displaying in the main window, respectively in any other of said secondary windows, said information as created and / or modified; the collaborative touch device is adapted to detect a change of orientation control of the secondary window relative to the main window and to change the orientation of said secondary window according to said detected change of orientation command; The collaborative touch device is adapted to determine the section extracted from the main view as a function of a required user identification element following the detection of the secondary window opening control; the collaborative touch device is adapted to open on the touch screen said main window displaying said main view comprising a geographical map and objects among moving objects (buildings, aircraft, submarines etc.), human geography data defining for example, land routes, trajectories, zones; the collaborative touch device is adapted to give access, from the main window or the secondary window, to a third tool displaying on the main window or the secondary window, successive images of at least one section of the main view evolving from a first instant before 3024913 5 up to a second time according to the creations and modifications implemented by the first and second tools. The invention further proposes a data processing method by several users using a collaborative touch device comprising a touch screen, a processor, a memory comprising a software application adapted to be executed on the processor, comprising the following steps: when executing said application, opening on the touch screen of a main window displaying a main view comprising information and giving access to at least one first tool for creating or modifying, in the main window, information 10 displayed; said method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - detecting a secondary window opening command provided by a user and, following the detection of said command, extracting at least one section of the view main display in the main window, opening a secondary window on a sub-part of the main window and display in said secondary window, said extracted section; said secondary window giving access to at least a second tool for creating or modifying displayed information in the secondary window; detecting any modification and / or creation of information made in the secondary window by the second tool, respectively in the main window by the first tool, and triggering, following said detection, the display in the main window, respectively in the secondary window, said information as created and / or modified. These features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a touch table in a embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows steps of a method in one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a content of the touch screen of the table of Figure 1 in an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 4 is a flowchart of the steps of a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a touch table 1 in one embodiment of the invention.

In the case considered, this touch table 1 is disposed in the central operation of a combat vessel. The touch table 1 comprises a touch screen 2, here fixed, and a processing block 4. In embodiments, the touch table 1 further comprises means for selecting elements on the screen such as one or more mice (not shown). The processing block 4 comprises in particular a microprocessor 5, a memory 6, and an interface block 50. The memory 6 comprises a plurality of programs. Among these programs are in particular the operating system of the touch table 1 and at least one software application, named SUP below. The memory 6 further comprises a set of geographic data defining a geographical map 24 of a region covering the current situation of the ship and its next destination. The memory 6 further comprises supervision data.

The interface block 50 is particularly adapted to detect user commands provided tactilely via the touch screen or via keyboards or even mice, in connection with wired or wireless telecommunications, with the processing block, and for treat them in relation to the application (s) running. The microprocessor 5 is adapted to execute the software instructions of the programs stored in the memory 6, in particular according to user commands detected by the interface block 50. The touch screen 2 is of such dimensions that several users can be held around the touch screen and work together by simultaneously manipulating the items displayed on the screen 2.

Among these users include for example a U0 operator in charge of submarine warfare, a U1 operator in charge of anti-ship and a U2 operator in charge of intelligence tracks or items of interest. In this case, the dimensions of the touch screen 2 are at least 1 * 1.40 m 2.

The touch screen 2 is for example made using light-emitting diodes, called LEDS, infrared disposed on the edges of the screen and illuminating towards the opposite edge of the screen 2, thus producing a grid of light beams. . The application of a finger at a point on the screen 2 by a user thus performing an action, hereinafter referred to as a selection tactile action, causes the interruption of beams of the grid from the point of application of the finger. The interface block 50 is adapted to detect this point of application as a function of the interrupted beams, and if necessary to further detect the movement made by the point of application when a user then moves his finger on the beam. touch screen 2 (this action of the user is called touch action of "drag-and-drop" below), to deduce the corresponding command, furthermore depending on the content then displayed on the screen 2.

In place of a finger, the user can use a stylus, the hand etc. In addition to selections or tactile "drag and drop", the interface block 50 is adapted to detect such actions but this time implemented in a non-tactile manner, using a particular mouse. In a known manner, the interface block 50 is adapted to detect the touch controls provided with the aid of at least two fingers, such as the rotation, zoom / outsize etc. commands. Note that the interface block 50 is adapted to detect in parallel several selections or "drag-and-drop", tactile or not, at various points of application on the screen 2, for example corresponding to simultaneous commands of several 15 users. The interface block 50 is further adapted to detect in parallel the character input from several keyboards. According to a first aspect of the invention, the touch table 1 comprises a plurality of hardware keyboards. In the case considered, these keyboards are three in number, connected by connection cables 20 to the processing block 4. These keyboards, referenced 3_0, 3_1 and 3_2 are further associated with an identifier, respectively ID3_0, ID31, ID3_2. The keyboards, in the usual way, comprise keys of entry of characters. The keyboards occupy respective distinct positions, external to the screen 2 and in this case, fixed relative to the screen 2, to guard against the roll and pitch phenomena of the ship. The keyboard 3_0, 3_1, 3_2 respectively occupies the position Pu, P3_1, P3_2 respectively. Note that in the proposed application, the touch virtual keyboards are not very useful because, because of these movements of rolling and pitching, they give rise to frequent typing errors. In addition, the virtual keyboards occupy a display surface on the screen 2, which masks the useful information. The memory 6 further comprises a correspondence table 14 adapted to list identifiers of input windows, and to match for each window identifier listed, the identifier of at least one of the keyboards 3_0, 3_1, 3_2. The interface block 50 comprises a window filling controller 7.

The window filling controller 7 is adapted to control the filling, on the screen 2, of a character input window, by implementing the set of steps indicated below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2: - step 101: determining whether the identifier of the window is in the correspondence table 14 and whether there has been mapped the identifier of one or more keyboards 3_0, 3_1, 3_2; If yes, go to step 103; if no, go to step 102; step 102: if said window has not yet been associated with a subset of said plurality of keyboards in the correspondence table 14, select, according to the window, the keyboard (s) closest to the window among the keyboards 3_0, 3_1, 3_2, according to the position of the window in the screen 2 and the respective position of the keyboards and memorize in the correspondence table 14 the identifier of the window and the identifier of the keyboard selected; go to step 103; Step 103: allow the capture, in the window, of characters entered from a keyboard whose identifier is mapped to the identifier of the window in the correspondence table 14 and prohibit the capture, in the window, of characters entered from a keyboard whose identifier does not appear in correspondence with the identifier of the window in the correspondence table 14. In one embodiment, these steps of the controller 7 are implemented following the execution, on microprocessor 5, software instructions stored in memory 6. When executed on the processor 5, the application SUP gives rise to the opening and the display on the entire screen 2, a main window 8 comprising at least a part of the geographical map 24 defined by the geographical data stored in memory 6. The execution of the SUP application further comprises the display, on the geographical map 24, of elem The supervisory elements include, for example, one or more navigation routes corresponding to the actual or planned trajectory of the ship, represented by points connected by lines. These supervision elements still include objects representing moving objects such as boats, submarines, planes and their own traveling routes.

These supervision elements furthermore comprise icons called INF icons, connected by a segment on the map to other supervision elements such as a road, a point or a route or area right, an object, etc. Following the detection by the interface block 50 of the selection of such an INF 5 icon by a user, a pop-up window opens in overlay on the screen and the management data stored in memory 6 in combination with the selected INF icon are displayed in the opened window. The SUP application provides users with F1 functionality for creating a new INF icon, for example by touching the feature in a tool bar 27 displayed on the screen 2. Following the selection of this feature by a user, for example the Uo user, the SUP application requires the user to indicate on the card the supervisory element to be connected by a segment to the new INF icon to be created. Once the user has designated this supervision element, in the case considered, a point of a route (for example by touch selection), the SUP application creates a supervisory data input window to be memorized in association with this INF icon, the display on the screen 2 above the main window 8 and requires the input of supervision data in this input window created. The window is active, i.e. it captures / displays characters entered from a keyboard.

The user U0 located in front of the keyboard 3_0 moves and orients the window thus created, for example by means of a tactile drag and drop, to place it just in front of him on the screen 2, according to an orientation enabling him to to easily read the characters displayed in the window. This repositioned window is referenced 10 in FIG.

Then the user U0 begins to type the text that he wishes to insert in the window 10, by pressing the corresponding keys of his keyboard 3_0. The interface module 50 detects the text typed from the keyboard 3_0, identifies the active windows on the screen 2 - in this case, the window 10 is then the only active window, and requires the authorization of the filling controller 7 windows 30 to display in the window 10 the text entered from the keyboard 3_0, providing him, in his request, the identifier of the window 10 and the identifier of the keyboard 3_0. Following this request, the controller 7 scans the correspondence table 14. In a similar step in step 101, the controller 7 determines that the identifier of the window 10 has not yet been mapped in the table of Correspondence 14 with the identifier of any keyboard 3_0, 3_1 or 3_2.

In a step similar to step 102, the controller 7 determines that the keyboard 3_0 is the keyboard closest to the window 10, and the controller 7 then stores in the correspondence table 14 the identifier of the window 10. in correspondence with the identifier of the keyboard 3_0.

Then, during a similar step in step 103, the controller 7 responds to the request of the interface block 50 by allowing the capture, in the window 10, characters entered from the keyboard 3_0. The interface block 50 then displays, in the window 10, the characters entered by the user U0 from the keyboard 3_0.

These characters entered and displayed are furthermore stored in the supervision data corresponding to the INF icon created. Now consider that while the user U0 fills this window 10 from the keyboard 3_0, the user U1 selects, for example via a touch selection on the screen 2, a feature F2. This functionality F2 corresponds to a tool made available in the toolbar 27. For example, this tool makes it possible to create a working window, then to create navigation routes and to insert text into this work window, and then to insert the routes thus created on the geographical map 24 in the main window 8.

In response to this selection of the user U1, a new working window of F2 is created and displayed above the main window 8. The user U1 located in front of the keyboard 3_1 moves and orients the window thus created, for example, using a tactile drag-and-drop on the screen 2, to place it just in front of it, in an orientation allowing it to easily read the characters displayed in the window. This window, active and repositioned, is referenced 11 in Figure 1. Then the user U1 begins to type the text he wants to insert in the window 11, by tapping the corresponding keys on his keyboard 3_1. The interface module 50 detects the text typed from the keyboard 3_1, identifies the 30 active windows on the screen 2 - in this case, the windows 10 and 11, and requires the authorization of the window filling controller 7 for displaying in one of the windows 10, 11 the text entered from the keyboard 3_1, providing him, in his request, the identifier of each window 10,11 and the identifier of the keyboard 3_1. Following this request, the controller 7 scrutinizes the correspondence table 14.

In a step similar to step 101, the controller 7 determines that the identifier of the window 11 has not yet been matched, in the correspondence table 14, with the identifier of any keyboard. 3_0, 3_1 or 3_2. In a similar step in step 102, the controller 7 determines that the keyboard 5 3_1 is the keyboard closest to the window 11, then the controller 7 stores in the correspondence table 14 the identifier of the corresponding window 11 with the keyboard identifier 3_0. During a similar step in step 103, the controller 7 responds to the request of the processing block 4 by allowing the capture, in the window 11, of the characters entered from the keyboard 3_1 and prohibiting the capture, in the window 10, characters entered from the keyboard 3_1 (since the keyboard identifier 11 is not part of the keyboard identifiers mapped to the window 10). The interface block 50 then displays, in the window 11, the characters entered by the user U1 from the keyboard 3_1.

15 Now consider that while the user U0 fills the window 10 from the keyboard 3_0 and while in parallel, the user U1 fills the window 11 from the keyboard 3_1, the user U2 selects, by touch selection on the keyboard. screen 2, the F1 functionality in the toolbar 27.

Steps similar to those described above with reference to the windows 10 and 11 are then implemented, leading to the capture, in the window 12 shown in FIG. 1, of characters entered by the user U2 from the keyboard 3_2. The touch table 2 according to the invention thus makes it possible to enter characters entered in parallel from different hardware keyboards into input windows displayed on the screen 2 and simultaneously active. The processing block 4 is thus adapted to collect the streams of characters typed from different keyboards, and to selectively switch these streams to the active windows according to the predetermined keyboard-window associations, so as to display the stream coming from a keyboard 30 selectively in that of the active windows that is associated with this keyboard. The orientation of the displayed windows is arbitrary with respect to the orientation of the main window and the orientation of the screen 2. The selection of the keyboard (s) to be mapped to a window as described above is function of the distance between the window in question and the keyboards.

3024913 12 This distance is defined according to the case in different ways: for example between the center of gravity of a keyboard and that of a window, or the smallest distance between a point of the window and a point of the keyboard, etc. In other embodiments, the selection of the keypad (s) to be mapped to a window is a function of, or in addition to, this proximity criterion, one or more other characteristics of the proximity criterion. the window as (s) that: the position of the window relative to the screen; and / or the orientation of the window with respect to the orientation of the keyboards (for example, the orientation of the window is indicated by a mark of axes Xf, Yf such that the axis Xf in the plane of the window is parallel to a line of continuous character input without return to line, the axis Yf in the plane of the window being perpendicular to Xf, the orientation of a keyboard being indicated by an axis mark X, Y, such that the X axis is the axis along which extends the edge of the screen 2 facing the keyboard in the plane of the screen and the Y axis is the axis perpendicular to X, in the screen plane and / or the type of the window, according to predefined window types, each of these predefined window types being associated with the identifier of one of the three keyboards or two of the three keyboards in a specific look-up table, for example, in one embodiment, the input windows opened in the context of the n of the tool F2 are systematically associated in the correspondence table 14 with the keyboard 3_1. In one embodiment, a keyboard is associated with, at most, an active window.

In one embodiment, the contents of the correspondence table are updated as soon as the processing block 4 detects an event such as: a displacement on the screen 2 of an input window; and / or - an opening of an input window; and / or a closing of the input window; and / or the expiration of a timer. In the example described above, the window / keyboard (s) mapping was performed for a displayed active window, as soon as a character input was detected from a keyboard. In other embodiments and according to the characteristics considered for the mapping, this is done initially before the window is displayed.

In the example considered above, a single keyboard was mapped to a window; in other embodiments, one or more of the keyboards considered are mapped to an input window. In this case, the keyboards were considered to keep a substantially fixed position. In this example, the keyboards were connected by connection cables to the processing block 4, for security reasons imposed in the ship. However, any type of communication link can be implemented in place of the connection cable, for example a wireless connection type Bluetooth. The first aspect of the invention has been described above with reference to a touch table. Of course, the invention can be implemented in any type of human-machine interaction device comprising a display screen (in particular a wall) of character capture windows, the screen being tactile or non-tactile. In particular, window creation or window repositioning commands in embodiments are performed from a keyboard and / or a mouse.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the memory 6 further comprises an interaction support program, named INT. With reference to FIG. 3, when it is executed on the processor 5, the application SUP gives rise to the opening and the display on the whole of the screen 2, of a main window 8 comprising at least a portion of the geographical map 24 defined by the geographic data previously stored in memory 6. The execution of the application SUP further comprises the display on the geographical map of supervision elements according to supervision data previously stored in memory. memory 6.

These supervision elements comprise, for example, one or more navigation routes corresponding to the realized or planned trajectory of the ship and / or other objects in motion, said roads being represented by points connected by lines. These supervision elements still include objects representing moving objects such as boats, submarines, planes and their own traveling routes. Among the elements of supervision are further areas of interest corresponding to sensitive areas, submarine war zones, amphibious areas of operations, etc., these areas being represented by polygons 26 drawn 35 using points connected by straight lines.

These supervision elements furthermore comprise icons called INF icons, connected by a segment on the map 24 to other supervision elements such as a road, a zone, a point or a road right or zone, a object etc. Following the detection by the interface block 50 of the selection of such an INF icon by a user on the touch screen 2, a pop-up window pops up on the screen, including additional text or other information stored in the supervision data in memory 6 in association with the selected INF icon. Selection of a supervision element displayed in the main window causes the display of a local magnifying glass magnifying the selected supervision element (or the selected point on the element in the case of an extended element such as a road) on the view of the main window and further magnifying the contents of a circle disposed around the element supervision element, thus allowing the user to position or re-position the element supervision element with precision in its environment.

In the main window 8 is further displayed a toolbar 27, comprising a plurality of icons 28, called TOOL icons, each representing a different tool. Such a tool, and the functions it offers, are used following their selection on the touch screen 2 by a user.

A tool associated at least with the main window makes it possible to associate with particular points (or zones) of interest displayed in the main window of the zoom levels. A command, touch for example zoom, an operator in the main window for example at a first level of zoom level 3 to better view a ler point is detected; the zoom level of level 3 associated with the first point is then recorded in a first bookmark, for example following the detection of a corresponding command from the operator. The first bookmark then appears for example in the toolbar 27. Then the operator continuing his work will zoom to a zoom level 5 to better view a second point in the main window. This zoom control is detected. The zoom level 5 for the second point is then recorded in a second bookmark 30 in the toolbar 27. If the operator wishes to display the first point again with the zoom level 3, he just has to select the first one. bookmark in toolbar 27: on detection of this selection, the display of the first point at zoom level 3 is triggered in the window (the same for the 2nd point by selecting the 2nd bookmark). Among these tools is for example a route management tool for creating and displaying, in the main window 8, navigation routes by insertion on the geographical map of points and lines connecting these points; the route management tool 3024913 15 also makes it possible to modify created navigation routes displayed on the geographical map 24, to insert INF icons relating to the routes and to inform their contents. Among these tools is for example a zone management tool for creating and displaying zones, by insertion on the geographical map displayed in window 8, points and lines connecting these points and drawing a polygon. The zone management tool also makes it possible to modify the zones displayed on the geographical map 24, to insert INF icons relating to the zones and to inform their content. Among these tools is for example a measuring tool such that, on selecting this tool, appears in the window 8 a rule with a handle at each end. The selection on the touch screen 2 of a handle and the sliding to a given location makes it possible to move the selected handle to the given place, the other handle remaining fixed and the length of the ruler adapting to join the two handles, the length of the rule as connecting the two handles after displacement can then be read through the graduations on the rule or by direct display in a field on the rule. In one embodiment, the measuring tool operates according to a "magnetization" mechanism, ie if a handle is disposed in the vicinity of a specific element among the supervisory elements such as an object, a dot a route (etc. depending on the specific elements defined), the handle automatically moves to the location of the specific element of which it is closest. With the aid of these tools, each of the users gathered around the touch screen 2 can thus modify the contents of the main window 8 directly. The SUP application includes a history feature, logging chronologically in a log in the memory 6 all the actions performed on the touch screen 2 by the users, including the actions relating to the main window 8. According to the invention, one or more of the users may further open a secondary window, affixed to the main window 8, by selecting a tool 29 for creating secondary window (s), for example proposed in the toolbar 27 The selection of the secondary window creation tool (s) is detected by the interface block 50. The corresponding command is transmitted by the interface block 50 to the interaction support program INT. which in response, creates a new secondary window 80 affixed to the main window 8, extracts the contents of the main window 8 and displays in the newly created secondary window 80, the content thus extracted.

Each new secondary window 80 created is, by default, smaller than the size of the main window 8. This default secondary window size 80 is, for example, less than a quarter of the size of the touch screen 2. A secondary window 80 is displayed above the main window 8.

When it is opened, the content displayed in a secondary window 80 is an extraction of the content displayed in the main window 8: according to the embodiments, this content displayed in the secondary window 80 is the geographical map 24 and the supervision elements. displayed in the main window 8, on a reduced scale, or is only a section of this geographical map 24 and these supervision elements. In addition, each secondary window 80 proposes a menu of tools represented by the symbol 104 and including all or part of the tools proposed in the toolbar 27 of the main window 8, said tools being this time on the contents of the secondary window.

Once created, a secondary window 80 may be moved to a location different from where it was created by a drag-and-drop action performed by a user on the touch screen 2 and detected by the interface block 50 The orientation of a secondary window 80 may furthermore be modified with respect to its orientation when it is created and with respect to the orientation of the window 8, for example by applying a rotational movement applied to the window. at least two fingers of one hand on the secondary window 80, or using a window orientation tool for example made available in the tools menu 104 of the secondary window 80 Thus at least one or some of the operators located around the touch screen 2, for example the operator in charge of the submarine and / or the operator in charge of the ship's road opens their own. secondary window in parallel and so are in me sure to work in parallel on the view displayed. The operator in charge of the ship's route updates, completes and / or modifies on the view in his secondary window the navigation routes by using the road management tool of his secondary window and / or various actions relating to the contents of its secondary window using the tools of the tool menu 104. The submarine operator updates and / or modifies the combat zones concerning the ship on the view in its window secondary, using the zone management tool in its secondary window.

The program INT is adapted for following any creation or modification of a supervision element in a secondary window 80, to trigger the recording of said creation or modification in the memory 6, to trigger the taking into account in the displayed view. in the main window 8 of said created or modified element (when said element is located in this displayed view) and taking into account in the view displayed in any other secondary window of said created or modified element (when said element 5 is located in this view displayed). Similarly, any creation or modification of a supervision element in the main window 8 triggers the recording of said creation or modification in the memory 6 and the taking into account, in the view displayed in any open secondary window, of said supervision element. created or modified (when said element is located in this displayed view). In its secondary window 80, an operator can perform displacement actions, in particular by a tactile action of "drag-and-drop" or zooming, in particular by a tactile action using two fingers. These moving or zooming actions in a secondary window 80 do not affect the display of the view displayed in the main window 8 since the definition data of the geographical map and the supervision data are not affected. And more generally, the tools / actions relating to a better visualization of points / regions on the map in one window are not shared in the other windows. On the other hand, the information relating to the tactical situation is shared.

All actions performed on the touch screen 2 by the users via the secondary windows are also recorded and dated in the log by the history feature. In one embodiment, when selecting from the toolbar 27 of the main window 8, the tool for creating secondary window (s), the creation of the secondary window thus controlled is conditioned. by the success of an identification and / or authentication procedure. In one embodiment, the section extracted from the main window 8 and displayed in the secondary window and / or the scale of the content displayed in the secondary window is a function of this authentication and / or identification.

The creations and modifications of roads, zones and INF icons made by the users on the view presented in the main window 8 and in any secondary window are recorded in real time in the supervision data in memory. In one embodiment, the present invention thus proposes a method of data processing by several users, for example implemented using the touch panel 2 as described above and comprising the following steps represented. in FIG. 4: in a step 200, during the execution of said SUP application, opening on the touch screen 2 of the main window 8 as described above; 5 - in a step 201, detecting a secondary window opening command provided by a user and, following the detection of said command, extracting at least a sub-part of the content displayed in the main window 8 and displaying the extracted content in a secondary window 80; the secondary window is affixed to the main window 8 and covers only a part, for example less than a quarter; In a step 202, any creation or modification of a supervision element in the secondary window 80 triggers the recording of said creation or modification in the memory 6, triggers the taking into account in the view displayed in the main window 8 said element created or modified (when said element is located in this displayed view) and taking into account, in the view displayed in any other secondary window, said created or modified element (when said element is located in this displayed view). Similarly, any creation or modification of a supervision element in the main window 8 triggers the recording of said creation or modification in the memory 6 and the taking into account, in the view displayed in any open secondary window, of said supervision element. created or modified (when said element 20 is located in this displayed view). According to the embodiments, these steps are implemented following the execution of corresponding software instructions on calculation means.

Thus, the second aspect of the invention provides a tactile device providing a collective view and further providing each user with a work area of his own, in which he updates the data relating to the collective view and of which he is aware. charge. This refresh is immediately available to all users on the shared view and in each other own workspace.

The entire processing performed is local to the touch device. The second aspect of the invention described above with reference to the figures is implemented in a touch table. However, in other embodiments, it is implemented in devices comprising a touch screen for the joint work of several users, for example a wall display panel larger than 70 cm * 70 cm. On the other hand, the commands shown above as touch-sensitive on the touch screen 2 may in embodiments be provided instead by peripheral control means, for example one or more keyboards with a device. pointing. On the other hand, the invention has been described above in a supervision environment of a combat ship, with geographical maps etc. Obviously, the second aspect of the invention is applicable in any type of field in which several operators simultaneously use a common touch screen on which are displayed data of any kind, that operators must complete or modify.

The first aspect of the invention and the second aspect may be implemented independently of one another or in combination with each other. For example, in one embodiment, the window 11 considered in the first aspect of the invention is a secondary window of the type of the window 80 created and synchronized with the main window 8 according to the second aspect of the invention.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS 1. Window filling control module (7) for a human-machine interaction device (1) comprising a screen (2) and a plurality of keyboards (3_0, 3_1, 3_2) each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display, in windows on the screen, said characters entered, said control module being characterized in that it is adapted for following a command to open a window ( 10) on the screen, if said window has not yet been associated with a subset of said plurality of keyboards, selecting, according to at least one characteristic of said window, a strict subset of the keyboard ( s) in said plurality of keyboards, for associating said window and said strict subset of the keyboard (s) selected, and for storing said association in a storage memory (6); said control module being adapted to allow the capture, in said window, characters entered from a keyboard of the strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window and to prohibit the capture, in said window, characters entered from a keyboard of said plurality of keyboards not being part of said strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window. 2.- Window filling control module (7) (s) according to claim 1, adapted to allow that first and second windows on the screen are simultaneously active, allowing simultaneous captures of first characters in the first window and second characters in the second window, said first characters being entered from a first keyboard of the strict subset associated with the first window and said second characters being entered from a second keyboard of the strict subset associated with the second window. 3.- window filling control module (7) (s) according to claim 1 or 2, adapted to select said strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with said window (10) according to at least the position and / or orientation of said window relative to the screen and / or with respect to the keyboards of said plurality of keyboards. 4.- Window filling control module (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, adapted to select said strict subset of the keyboard (s) associated with said window (10) as a function of at least the type of the window and according to a predefined correspondence table between window types and the keyboards of said plurality of keyboards. 5. Window filling control module (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to detect an event and to update, in said storage memory (6), the strict subset of keyboards associated with a window, following the detection of the event. 6. Window fill control module (7) according to claim 5, wherein said detected event is a movement of the window on the screen and / or the expiration of a given time delay. 7.- Display device (1) comprising a screen (2) and a plurality of keyboards (3_0, 3_1, 3_2) each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display said characters in windows on the screen. screen, said device being characterized in that it further comprises a window filling control module (7) according to any one of the preceding claims. 8. Display device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the screen is a touch screen. 9.- Display device (1) according to claim 8, adapted for, when performing an application by computing means of the display device, open on the touch screen a main window (8) displaying a main view including information and providing access to at least a first tool for creating, or modifying, displayed information in the main window; said display device being adapted to detect a secondary window opening control and, following the detection of said secondary window opening control, extracting at least a section of the main view displayed in the main window, opening a secondary window (80) on a subpart of the main window and displaying in said secondary window said extracted section; said secondary window giving access to at least a second tool for creating or modifying displayed information in the secondary window; said display device (1) being adapted to detect any modification and / or creation of information carried out in the secondary window by the second tool, respectively in the main window by the first tool, and to trigger, following said detection , The display in the main window, respectively in the secondary window, said information as created and / or modified. 10.- window filling control method (s) for a display device (1) comprising a screen (2) and a plurality of keyboards (3_0, 3_1, 3_2) each adapted for the input of characters, the device being adapted to display, in windows on the screen, said characters entered, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps, following a command to open a window (10) on the screen If said window has not yet been associated with a subset of said plurality of keyboards, selecting, according to at least one characteristic of said window, a strict subset of the keyboard (s) in said plurality keyboards, associating said window and said strict subset of the keyboard (s) selected, and storing said association in a storage memory; Authorizing the capture, in said window, of characters entered from a keyboard of the strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window; prohibit the capture, in said window, characters entered from a keyboard of said plurality of keyboards that are not part of said strict subset of keyboard (s) associated with the window. 20 11. The window filling control method according to claim 10, wherein first and second windows are simultaneously active by the implementation of the steps of authorization of simultaneous capture of first characters in the first window and of second characters in the second window, said first 25 characters being entered from a first keyboard of the strict subset associated with the first window and said second characters being entered from a second keyboard of the strict subset associated with the second window. 12. A window filling control method according to claim 10, wherein the step of selecting said strict subset of the keyboard (s) associated with said window (10) is a function of less the position and / or the orientation of said window relative to the screen and / or relative to the keyboards of said plurality of keyboards. 13. A window filling control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the step of selecting said strict subset of the keyboard (s) associated with said window (10) is function of at least the type of the window and function of a predefined correspondence table between window types and the keyboards of said plurality of keyboards. 14. A window filling control method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising steps of detecting an event and updating, in said storage memory (6), of the -Strong set of keyboards associated with a window, following the detection of the event. 15. The window fill control method according to claim 14, wherein said detected event is a movement of the window on the screen and / or the expiration of a given time delay. 16.- window filling control method (s) according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the screen is a touch screen (2). 15 17.- window filling control method (s) according to any one of claims 10 to 16, comprising, during the execution of an application by calculating means of the display device, the following steps: opening, on the touch screen (2), a main window (8) displaying a main view comprising information and giving access to at least one first tool to create, or modify, in the main window, information posted; - detection of a secondary window opening command; following detection of said secondary window opening command, extraction of at least one section of the main view displayed in the main window, opening of a secondary window on a subpart of the window main and display in said secondary window, said extracted section; said secondary window giving access to at least a second tool for creating or modifying displayed information in the secondary window; detecting any modification and / or creation of information carried out in the secondary window by the second tool, respectively in the main window by the first tool, and triggering, following said detection, the display in the main window, respectively in the secondary window, said information as created and / or modified. 35 18.- Computer program to be installed in a window filling control module (7) for a display device (1) comprising a screen and a plurality of 3024913 24 keyboards (3_0, 3_1, 3_2) each adapted for character input, the device being adapted to display said characters in windows on the screen, said program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of a method according to one of claims 10 to 17 when execution of the program by means of processing the control module.