GB2423682A - Controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items - Google Patents
Controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2423682A GB2423682A GB0503976A GB0503976A GB2423682A GB 2423682 A GB2423682 A GB 2423682A GB 0503976 A GB0503976 A GB 0503976A GB 0503976 A GB0503976 A GB 0503976A GB 2423682 A GB2423682 A GB 2423682A
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- Prior art keywords
- user interface
- interface elements
- size
- items
- collection
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
- G06F3/0483—Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
- G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
- G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
- G06F9/451—Execution arrangements for user interfaces
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Software Systems (AREA)
- User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
Abstract
Method, device and computer program for controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items in a display window of an information processing device. The display window being constituted of on or more pages. The method comprises a step of changing the size of the user interface elements so that to make all user interface elements fitting in a minimum number of pages of the display window. Furthermore, the changed size of the user interface elements is kept greater or equal than a predetermined minimum size to be able to detect a user selection.
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
METHOD, DEVICE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING THE
DISPLAY OF USER INTERFACE ELEMENTS REPRESENTING A COLLECTION
OF ITEMS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
1] The invention relates to a method, device and computer program for controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items.
Description of the Related Art
2] Modern MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) are frequently equipped with small touch screen displays for their control by the user. A collection of user interface elements, e.g. icons, displayed on the screen is used to represent a collection of selectable objects or items (such as printable documents) within an MFP user interface. The collection of user interface elements might be displayed in the form of a list running from the top to the bottom of the screen, or might also be distributed over the screen.
(0003] In existing MFPs user interface elements representing a collection of items are of a fixed and predetermined size, this leads to the occurrence of two major problems. Firstly, there may be only few items in the collection; their associated user interface elements may be small whereas the rest of the screen space is wasted.
Secondly, there may be just (perhaps only one or two) too many user interface elements to fit on the screen and a scrolj.bar or similar control is required to access the extra user interface elements. Consequently, the time to select items is increased. Furthermore, this may cause a user to miss inadvertently the existence of the extra user interface elements, and thus the items they represent.
(0004] Similar problems occur within the user interface of any information processing device having a limited size screen for displaying user interface elements representing a collection of items or when the display area is limited to a fixed size window within a larger screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
(0005] The present invention has been made in order to solve at least one of the problems described above.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items in a display window of an information processing device, wherein the display window is constituted of one or more pages. The method comprises a step of changing the size of the user interface elements so that to make all user interface elements fitting in a minimum number of pages of the display window, wherein the changed size of the user interface elements is kept greater or equal than a predetermined minimum size to be able to detect user selection.
(0006] The invention thus makes it possible to obtain fast and easy access by the user to the collection of items, and at the same time, always allows the detection of user selections. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conlunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
7] Fig. 1 illustrates component structure of a print control device (MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(0008] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multi function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.
(0009] Fig. 3a illustrates an example of control panel of the print control device displaying collection user interface elements in the form of a list.
(0010] Fig. 3b illustrates an example of control panel of the print control device displaying collection user interface elements that are distributed in the display window.
1] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of controlling the display of a collection of user interface elements in the display window of the print control device.
(0012] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process for the step of calculating the size of user interface elements shown in Fig. 4 when the collection of user interface elements is displayed in the form of a list.
3] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process for the step of calculating the size of user interface elements shown in Fig. 4 when they are distributed over the display window of the print control device.
4] Fig. 7a illustrates an example of control panel of the print control device after the execution of flowcharts of Fig. 4 and 5.
5] Fig. 7b illustrates an example of control panel o the print control device after the execution of flowcharts of Fig. 4 and 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
(0016] In the following, a detailed description will be given of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanied drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates component structure of a print control device (MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, although a multi function peripheral is shown as an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention is applied to any information processing device providing a user interface with a display and having means for executing an application controlling that display. Reference numeral 10 denotes the print control device which includes at least a user interface 12 and a user interface control application 13 stored in memory 11. The user interface is a touch screen display for example.
The control application 13 manages the way collection user interface elements and control buttons ("PRINT", "Cancel" and so on) are to be displayed (position, size, color, etc.).
The control application 13 also collects status information from the user interface following actions from the user (selection of an item for example) . Figures 3a and 3b are illustrative examples showing a collection user interface elements layout and control icons to be displayed on user interface 12 of the print control device 10.
(0017] The control application 13 provides an application program interface 15 (API) for accessing its functions from a system application 14. There may be many functions available in the API to manipulate the display. For example, it may provide an "AddElement" function that allows the system application to add a new item to the collection of items to be displayed, a "RemoveElement" function to remove an item from the collection, a "GetSelectedElement" function to access the currently selected item of the collection, a "GetNumberOfElements" function to return the number of items in the collection, etc. The collection of items that are to be displayed can be provided to the control application 13 by the system application 14 from a number of possible sources. For example, the collection items may be provided from a configuration file, perhaps in an xml format, designated by reference numeral 17 and stored in a device store (HD etc.) 16 of the print control device 10. It may also be provided from a mailbox 18 also stored in the device store 16. For example, documents can be received by the print control device 10 from an external computer (not shown in the embodiment) and stored in mailbox 18. A collection of items is thus created corresponding to the documents stored the mailbox. The print control device and the computer may be connected through an I/F unit as depicted in figure 2 below (reference numeral 23) [0018] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multi function peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 is a RA4 which functions as a main memory, a work area, etc., of CPU 20, and the memory capacity thereof can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not illustrated) CPU 20 is capable of executing instructions On powering up of the print control device from program ROM 22.
After the powering up, CPU 20 is capable of executing instructions from main memory 21 relating to system application 14 and control application 13 after those instructions being loaded from the HD 26 for example.
(0019] HD 26 stores system application 14, user interface control application 13, collection items document 17, possibly mailbox data 18, etc. Reference numeral 25 is a scanner part I/F and controls documents scanned by scanner part 28 (scanner engine). The scanned document may be printed by print engine 27 through the print part I/F 24 or sent to a remote device by using I/F unit 23 connected to a communication network (not illustrated) . Also, reference numeral 29 is an operation panel corresponding to the user interface 12, and user interface elements for operation shown in Figures 3a, 3b, 7a and 7b are disposed thereon.
0] Fig. 3a illustrates an example of control panel 29.
Main window 30 corresponds to the screen of the control panel. Within this main window there is included a display window 31 for displaying collection user interface elements 36. Display window 31 may contain one or more pages according the number of items to be displayed. Information on current page number and the total number of pages is provided to the user by information element 33. Page up button 32 and page down button 34 are provided to move from one page to another.
Items can be selected through a touch screen for example and control buttons 35 allow the user to perform actions (print,
cancel for example)
1] In fig. 3a, the collection of user interface elements 36 is displayed in the form of a list. Each user interface element occupies the total width of the display window 31 (padding space around each user interface element is considered being part of the user interface element itself) . Fig. 3b illustrates a control panel that is similar to one of fig. 3a but where the collection of user interface elements 37 is not displayed in the form of a list. User interface elements representing the collection items are distributed over all the display window 31. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate two alternative ways of displaying the collection of items. Furthermore, information indicating the existence of several pages might use also a scrolling bar 38 instead of the information element 33. The use of the scrolling bar 38 may allow to moving continuously from one page to another, whereas the use of information element 33 allows to "jumping" between pages.
2] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the process of controlling the display of a collection of user interface elements (corresponding to user interface control application 13) in the display window 31 executed by CPU 20.
When the system application 14 adds or removes one or more items from the collection of items using "AddElement" or "RemoveElement" functions, Cpu 20 executes the program instructions describing each step of the flowchart of Fig. 4 and the steps of either Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 as follows. At step 41, CPU 20 detects the addition or removal of items provided from the system application. The CPU 20 then determines the height of the display window 31 (step 42) and the total number of user interface elements to be displayed (step 43) . The total number of user interface elements, referred to as N, is obtained by taking into account all the items previously added to or removed from the collection.
When powering up the print control device the collection is assumed to be empty. CPU 20 then calculates at step 44 the size of user interface elements representing the collection items to make those icons fit into a minimum number of pages of the display window 31. Then CPU 20 draws each user interface element with the calculated size at step 45. If the collection user interface elements fit in more than one page, CPU 20 starts by drawing those belonging to the first - 10 - page of the display window. Those belonging to remaining pages are drawn when an input is received from the user through control buttons 32 and 34.
3] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process for the step of calculating the size of user interface elements shown in Fig. 4 when the collection of items is displayed in the form of a list. Because of the use of a list, user interface elements width is fixed and equal to the width of the display window 31 (WindowWidth). It suffices then for calculating the size of user interface elements to calculate their height (IconHeight) [0024] In the following we define the parameters MinlconHeight and DefaultlconHeight as representing the minimum and the default height of an user interface element.
The default height is the most convenient for the user. This height is selected when space is still available within the minimum number of pages. The minimum height is the lower limit acceptable. Below this limit the size of the user interface elements is too small and not appropriate for reading or performing selection for example. It should be noted that the values of these two parameters need to divide the height of the display window 31 (WindowHeight); i.e. the height of the display window shall be proportional to the values of these parameters. This is to avoid having user interface elements overlapping between two pages. However, - 11 this is not a requirement when using a scrolling bar 38 as shown in figure 3b since it is possible to discover only part of the next page to fully display overlapping user interface elements. The values of the default and minimum height parameters can be stored in data ROM 22. CPU 20 reads their values from data ROM 22 when required for executing the steps of the flowchart.
(0025] At step 51, CPU 20 calculates the minimum number of pages of the display window (MinNumberOfPages) that are required to hold all collection user interface elements (N) if they were to be drawn using the minimum height allowed (MinlconHeight). This is obtained by dividing MinlconHeight x N by WindowHeight, and taking the smallest integer that is greater or equal to the result. At step 52, CPU 20 calculates the user interface element height (Iconlleight) by dividing MinWumberOfPage.s x WindowHeight by N. If the test at step 53 is positive, the calculated value is greater than the DefaultlconHeight. It shall then be set to the value of DefaultlconHeight (step 54) . If the test at step 53 is negative, the calculated value is then between MinlconHeight and DefaultlconHeight, but may not divide the value of WindowHeight. However, to avoid the overlapping problem as described above, and similarly to MinlconHeight and DefaultlconHeight, WindowHeight needs to be proportional to IconHeight. This is performed at step 55 by CPU 20, where the notation [X] represents, similarly to that used at step 51, the smallest integer that is greater or equal to X. [0026] When user interface elements representing collection items are not in the form of a list but distributed over the display window 31, it is necessary for calculating their size to calculate both their height (IconHeight) and width (Iconfrljdth). Different approaches exist for calculating this size. One possible approach is to generalize the flowchart of Fig. 5 to two dimensions. An alternative approach is to consider only a predetermined number of size values (minimum and default only, or minimum, medium and default for example) which may be sufficient for most user interface displays.
7] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process for the step of calculating the size of user interface elements shown in Fig. 4 when they are distributed over the display window 31 and when their size can take only two predetermined values (minimum and default) . This flowchart can be generalized to more than two predetermined size values. If the default size is used, the display is divided into NA columns and NB lines, so that NA x NB user interface elements can fit therein. When the minimum size is used, the display is divided into NA+1 columns arid NB+l lines, so that (NA+l)x(NB+1) user interface elements can fit therein.
I
- 13 - [0028] In Fig. 6, Cpu 20 calculates at step 61 the minimum number of pages of the display window (MinNuiuberOfPages) that are required to hold all collection user interface elements (N) if they were to be drawn using the minimum size (corresponding to a minimum height MinlconHeight, and a minimum width Min. rconWjdth). This is obtained by dividing N by (NA+1) (NB+1), and taking the smallest integer that is greater or equal to the result. The selection between the default and the minimum size is performed by comparing the total number of user interface elements (N) to the number of user interface elements at default size that can be hold within the minimum number of pages (step 62) . If they can fit, the default size is selected (step 63), otherwise the minimUm size is selected (step 64) [0029] Fig. 7a illustrates an example of control panel 29 after the execution of flowcharts of Fig. 4 and 5 when the collection of user interface elements is displayed in the form of a list. It is assumed for the execution of flowchart of Fig. 4 that an additional item (document4) is added to the initial collection of items as depicted in Fig. 3a. User interface elements representing all collection items are displayed within only one page of the display window. Fig. 7b illustrates an example of control panel 29 after the execution of flowcharts of Fig. 4 and 6 when the display of user interface elements representing the collection of items
I
- 14 - is d1strihued over the display window. It is assumed for the execution of flowchart of Fig. 4 that two additional items (document4 and document5) are added to the initial.
collection of items as depicted in Fig. 3b. User interface elements representing all collection items are displayed within only one page of the display window.
0] As described above, the minimum size of the user interface element (list 36 or icon 37) is kept greater or equal than a predetermined minimum size to be able to detect a user selection on a touch screen of the display.
Claims (11)
- - 15 - WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A method for controlling the display of userinterface elements representing a collection of items in a display Window of an information processing device, wherein the display window is constituted of one or more pages, the method is characterized in that it comprises a step of changing the size of the user interface elements so that to make all user interface elements fitting in a minimum number of pages of the display window, wherein the changed size of the user interface elements is kept greater or equal than a predetermined minimum size to be able to detect a user selection.
- 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of changing the size of user interface elements comprises the steps of: calculating the number of pages required to hold user interface elements of all collection items when said user interface elements are displayed with the predetermined minimum size; and calculating the greatest size of user interface elements possible to keep all user interface elements fitting in the calculated number of pages.- 16 -
- 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the changed size of user interface elements divides the size of the display window.
- 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of changing the size of user interface elements comprises a step of selecting a size from a set of predetermined size values.
- 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of changing the size of user interface elements is executed after the addition or removal of one or more items from the collection of items.
- 6. An information processing device comprising: a display window for the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items, wherein the display window is constituted of one or more pages; and a controller for controlling the display of the user interface elements; characterized in that said controller comprises a means for changing the size of the user interface elements so that to make all user interface elements fitting in a minimum number of pages of the display window, wherein the changed size of the user interface elements is kept greater or equal - 17 than a predetermined minimum size to be able to detect a user selection.
- 7. The information processing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for changing the size of user interface elements comprises: means for calculating the number of pages required to hold user interface elements of all collection items when said user interface elements are displayed with the predetermined minimum size; and means for calculating the greatest size of user interface elements possible to keep all user interface elements fitting in the calculated number of pages.
- 8. The information processing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for changing the size of user interface elements comprises a means for selecting a size from a set of predetermined size values.
- 9. The information processing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the controller comprises further a means for adding and removing one or more items from the collection of items, and wherein changing the size of user interface elements by the changing means is executed after the addition or removal of one or more items by the adding- -and removnq means.
- 10. A computer program to be executed in an information processing device, the program comprising: a code to control the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items in a display window, wherein the display window is constituted of one or more pages, characterized in that the code to control the display comprises a code for changing the size of the user interface elements so that to make all user interface elements fitting in a minimum number of pages of the display window, wherein the changed size of the user interface elements is kept greater or equal than a predetermined minimum size to be able to detect user selection.
- 11. A memory medium storing the computer program according to claim 10.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0503976A GB2423682A (en) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-02-25 | Controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0503976A GB2423682A (en) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-02-25 | Controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0503976D0 GB0503976D0 (en) | 2005-04-06 |
| GB2423682A true GB2423682A (en) | 2006-08-30 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0503976A Withdrawn GB2423682A (en) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-02-25 | Controlling the display of user interface elements representing a collection of items |
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| Country | Link |
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| GB (1) | GB2423682A (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0249399A2 (en) * | 1986-06-05 | 1987-12-16 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Multiwindow control method and apparatus for work station having multiwindow function |
| EP0537097A1 (en) * | 1991-07-10 | 1993-04-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for incrementally changing window size on a display |
| US6133914A (en) * | 1998-01-07 | 2000-10-17 | Rogers; David W. | Interactive graphical user interface |
| US20020186253A1 (en) * | 1998-05-11 | 2002-12-12 | Rodden James F. | Method and system for automatically resizing and repositioning windows in response to changes in display |
-
2005
- 2005-02-25 GB GB0503976A patent/GB2423682A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0249399A2 (en) * | 1986-06-05 | 1987-12-16 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Multiwindow control method and apparatus for work station having multiwindow function |
| EP0537097A1 (en) * | 1991-07-10 | 1993-04-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and system for incrementally changing window size on a display |
| US6133914A (en) * | 1998-01-07 | 2000-10-17 | Rogers; David W. | Interactive graphical user interface |
| US20020186253A1 (en) * | 1998-05-11 | 2002-12-12 | Rodden James F. | Method and system for automatically resizing and repositioning windows in response to changes in display |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0503976D0 (en) | 2005-04-06 |
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| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |