JP2000357172A - Hierarchy definition file display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hierarchy definition file display system which facilitates structuring and correcting operation for a system. SOLUTION: The hierarchy definition file display system which displays, on a browser screen 3, a hierarchy definition file 1 wherein the hierarchical structure of multiple items made hierarchical is defined includes a variable (switch flag) for making control possible so that all the items constituting the hierarchy definition file 1 are displayed in one of a 1st display mode wherein the layer right below an item is expanded and displayed when the item has the lower layer and a 2nd display mode wherein the layer right below the item is displayed without being expanded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a hierarchical definition file display system for displaying a hierarchical definition file described in HTML or the like on a browser screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When explaining a certain matter, it is sometimes easy to understand if the matter is expressed in a hierarchical structure. For example, it is often easy to understand if the contents of one book are described in a hierarchy such as a section, a chapter, a section, or a section. The same applies when displaying document information on the browser screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which hierarchical information is displayed on a browser screen.

FIG. 6 shows Netsca, one of the typical browsers, on a display device of a personal computer.
A screen 20 displaying a table of contents of certain information using a pe Navigator is shown. That is, this screen 2
In the hierarchy display area 20a on the lower left side of 0, the highest hierarchy items 21a, 21b, 21c,... Constituting the "table of contents" are listed. Here, these items 21a, 21b, 2
1c,... Are called top-level items because the information “table of contents” has a hierarchical structure.
.., 21b, 21c,... means that there is a possibility that lower hierarchical items may exist below each of them.

[0005] These top-level items 21a, 21b,
The item 21a "Introduction" in the top line of the items 21c,... Is underlined in a color different from the underline added to other items, indicating that this item is in a state of being clicked with the mouse. However, black-and-white printing makes identification difficult. As described above, when the item 21a "Introduction" is clicked with the mouse, the content is displayed in the content display area 20b on the right side of the hierarchical display area 20a as shown in the figure.

In FIG. 6, an icon (pictogram) 22a indicating that the book is closed is placed at the top of all items.
Is displayed, which indicates that the item is not hierarchically expanded. In addition to the icon 22a, as shown in FIG. 8C, the icon 22b indicates that the item is expanded in a hierarchy, the icon 22b indicates the open state of the book, and the icon itself is displayed. There is an icon 22c in which the upper right part of the page is turned to indicate that the icon 22c is turned off.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional mechanism for hierarchically displaying information on a browser screen.

FIG. 7 shows HTML (HyperText Marku) which is the original information of the screen 20 shown in FIG.
A hierarchical definition file 31 described in p Language, etc., and a pattern file selected from the hierarchical definition file 31 are displayed on the browser screen 30 through the RAM 32. The user can change the display state of the screen by clicking a desired portion on the screen 30 with the input device 33 such as a mouse.

The hierarchy definition file 31 includes a hierarchy definition file 31_1 defining the display state of only the top item,
The hierarchy definition file 31_2_1 defining the display state when the item "Introduction" is expanded among the top items, and the hierarchy definition file 31_2_2 defining the display state when the item "1. System Overview" is expanded among the top items ,
31_2_3,..., The item “Introduction” among the top items
And a hierarchy definition file 31_3 that defines the display state when the two items “1.
_1, 31_3_2, 31_3_3,... Further, although not shown in FIG. 7 due to space limitations, three of the top items, four items,
There are a number of hierarchical definition file groups that define the display state when one item,... Is expanded.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a process in which the table of contents on the screen shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is hierarchically expanded.

FIG. 8A shows the same screen as the screen 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 (b) is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in the lower left area of the screen of FIG. 8 (a). Here, assuming that the user operates the mouse and clicks, for example, “1. System Overview” among a plurality of items shown in FIG. 8B, the item “1. As shown in FIG. 8 (c), the lower item "1.1.
Overview ”and“ 1.2. Notes ”are displayed.

Further, among the plurality of items shown in FIG. 8C, for example, "3. ICAD / MX → ICAD / PC"
If you click on “B”, the item “3.
X → ICAD / PCB ”is hierarchically expanded, and as shown in FIG. 8D, the lower items“ 3.1. Conversion overview ”and“ 3.
2. "Conversion specifications", "3.3. How to use", and "3.4. Troubleshooting" are displayed.

Further, if the user clicks, for example, "3.2. Conversion specification" among the plurality of items shown in FIG. 8D, the item "3.2. Conversion specification" is expanded hierarchically. As shown in FIG. 8 (e), the lower item “3.2.1.
D / MX operation "and" 3.2.2. Conversion specification "are displayed.

In the display state shown in FIG. 8 (e), for example, if "1. System Outline" which is currently hierarchically expanded is clicked with a mouse, a sub-item of the item "1. System Outline" is displayed. “1.1. Overview”, “1.2.
The hierarchical expansion of “Notes” is canceled, and the next item “2. Tutorial” is displayed immediately below the item “1. System overview” as shown in FIG.

[0016]

As described above,
The conventional hierarchical definition file has the advantage that the file structure is simple and easy to understand. However, if an attempt is made to actually construct a hierarchical definition file display system using this method, as described above, the number of hierarchical definition files becomes extremely large. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to construct the system. In addition, the deeper the hierarchy, the more complicated the relationship between the definition files becomes. Therefore, when performing correction work such as adding or deleting items to each definition file, a huge number of data between the definition files is required. It is necessary to carry out the correction work while maintaining the matching, which requires enormous costs. Therefore, it is practically very difficult to construct a hierarchical definition file having a large number of items and a deep hierarchical structure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a hierarchical definition file display system that facilitates system construction and modification.

[0018]

A hierarchical definition file display system according to the present invention for achieving the above object displays a hierarchical definition file in which a hierarchical structure of a plurality of hierarchical items is defined on a browser screen. In the hierarchical definition file display system, when the hierarchical definition file includes a plurality of items constituting the hierarchical definition file, if the item has a lower hierarchy, the hierarchy immediately below the item is expanded. A display mode in which the item is controlled to be displayed in one of a first display mode for displaying in a state and a second display mode for displaying without expanding a layer immediately below the item. It is characterized by including a control structure.

Here, the display mode control structure sets, for each item, which of the first display mode and the second display mode is used to display the item. It is preferable that the mode switching is described using a variable that can be freely changed.

Further, the display mode control structure is Java.
It is preferably written in a language.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a computer system on which a hierarchical definition file display system of the present invention is constructed.

The hierarchical definition file display system of the present invention is constructed and operated on a computer system as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM
(Random access memory), a hard disk, a main body 101 incorporating a communication board, etc., a CRT display 102 for displaying a screen according to instructions from the main body 101, a keyboard 103 for inputting user's instructions and character information into the computer, A mouse 104 for designating an arbitrary position on the screen of the CRT display 102 and inputting an instruction corresponding to the position, and a communication cable 105 for connecting this computer to another computer
It has.

The main body 101 is a floppy disk or MO
A floppy disk insertion slot 101a and an MO insertion slot 101b into which an (optical hard disk) is removably inserted, a floppy disk inserted therein, a floppy disk drive for driving the MO,
MO drive is built-in.

A program for constructing the hierarchical definition file display system of the present invention on the computer system 100 is stored on such a floppy disk or MO, and the floppy disk or MO on which the program is stored is stored on the floppy disk or MO. The program is inserted into the floppy disk insertion slot 101a or MO insertion slot 101b, and the program is installed on a hard disk in the main body 101. Thus, the computer system 100
Next, the hierarchical definition file display system of the present embodiment is constructed.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the computer system 100 having the appearance shown in FIG.

In this hardware configuration diagram, the CPU 11
1, RAM 112, hard disk controller 11
3, a floppy disk drive 114, an MO drive 115, a mouse controller 116, a keyboard controller 117, a display controller 118, and a communication board 119, which are connected to the bus 11
0 are mutually connected. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the floppy disk drive 114 and the MO drive 115
Floppy disk 12 inserted into insertion slot 101b
1. The MO 122 is accessed.

The communication board 119 includes a communication cable 105
The computer system 100 is interconnected with other computer systems via the.

FIG. 2 shows the hard disk 12 accessed by the hard disk controller 113.
0, a mouse 104 controlled by a mouse controller 116, a keyboard 103 controlled by a keyboard controller 117, and a CRT display 102 controlled by a display controller 118.

Here, the keyboard 103 and the mouse 10
4 is operated by the user to operate the hierarchical definition file display system, and the result is displayed on the CRT display 102.

As described above, the floppy disk 12
1 or the MO 122 stores a program of the hierarchical definition file display system of the present embodiment, and is stored in the floppy disk drive 114 from the floppy disk 121 or the MO drive 115 in the MO.
The program of the layered definition file display system of the present embodiment is read from 122 and stored in the hard disk 120 by the hard disk controller 113 via the bus 110. In actual execution of the system, a program stored in the hard disk 120 is loaded on the RAM 112 and executed by the CPU 111.

As the computer system 100, any type of computer system such as a client server system and a stand-alone system can be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a hierarchical definition file display system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a process definition file provided in the hierarchical definition file display system shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating contents of an initial value definition file.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hierarchical definition file display system includes the hierarchical definition file 1 stored in the hard disk 120 of the computer system 100 shown in FIGS. The hierarchical definition file 1 includes a process definition file 1_1 and an initial value definition file 1_2. The process definition file 1_1 includes all the items 1_1a, 1_1b, 1_1c,. It is described in a state where it is expanded over all layers. Each item 1_1a, 1_1b, 1_ of the process definition file 1_1
1c,..., A first display mode in which a hierarchy immediately below the item is expanded when a lower hierarchy exists for the item, and a display without expanding the hierarchy immediately below the item. And a display mode control structure for controlling the item to be displayed in one of the second display modes.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, for each item constituting the process definition file 1_1, a first display mode for expanding and displaying the item and a second display for displaying without expanding the item. A description is given of a display control mechanism using a switch flag for controlling in which display mode the image is displayed. In the present embodiment, the display mode control structure using this switch flag is JavaSc.
This is described by "ript".

For example, the first line L4a_1 in FIG.
Has a variable “intro” which is one of the switch flags.
If the value “intro.value” is not 0, that is, 1, the variable “intro” is set to 0 as described in the second line L4a_2, and the action definition and image when the corresponding hierarchical item is clicked are set. The data and the item name are displayed, and further, as described in the third line L4a_3, the operation definition at the time of clicking the lower item to which it belongs and the control to display the image data and the item name are described. Have been.

On the other hand, the value “intr” of the variable “intro”
o. If the value “value” is 0 (the fourth line L4a_
4) As described in the fifth line L4a_5, the variable "intro" is set to 1 and the control to perform the operation definition at the time of clicking the corresponding hierarchical item, the image data, and the display of the item name is described. ing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the initial value definition file 1
In _2, the initial value of the switch flag of each item set in the process definition file 1_1 is defined. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the first row L4b_1 to the fifth row L4b_5, initial values of variables (switch flags) having all lower layers are set using FORM. I have. For example, in the second line L4b_2, the variable “intro” has a hidden (“hidden”) attribute so as not to be displayed on the browser screen 3;
The initial value of “tro” is set to 0, and the third line L4b
The initial value of the variable “sysinfo” is set to 0 in _3 in order to make the variable “sysinfo” a hidden attribute.

Further, in the sixth line L4b_6 to the ninth line L4b_9 of FIG. 4B, processing contents for dividing the screen into two right and left using FRAMESET are described. That is, in the seventh line L4b_7, a definition file “name.htm” with the name “name” is displayed in the left area of the screen, and in the eighth line L4b_8, “view” is displayed in the right area of the screen. With the name "fir
st. htm "is defined to be displayed.

Thus, the process definition file 1_1 and the initial value definition file 1_2 are read into the RAM 2,
The display mode is controlled for each item depending on whether the switch flag set for each item is 1 or 0, and the browser screen 3 displays either the first display mode or the second display mode. The display is performed in the display mode.

Here, the user operates the input device 4 such as a mouse.
By clicking the icon 22 (see FIG. 6) provided at the head of the item displayed on the screen, the display mode of the item is changed from the first display mode to the second display mode or to the second display mode. Can be dynamically switched from the display mode to the first display mode.

FIG. 5 is a processing flow of display mode control in the hierarchical definition file display system of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the processing of this system is started, the processing definition file 1_1 and the initial value definition file 1_2 are read into the system, and the display character strings of all hierarchical items are defined (step S1). S1).

Next, a variable is checked for the first item of all items described in the process definition file 1_1 (step S2). If the variable is set to 1, the process proceeds to step S3, and the variable is changed to the first item. Set to 0 to display the action definition, image data, and item name when clicking on the corresponding hierarchical item, and display the action definition, image data, and item name when clicking on all lower-level items belonging to the relevant layer. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S5. That is, in step S3, the item is displayed in the above-described first display mode.

On the other hand, if the variable is set to 0 in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4, the variable is set to 1, and the operation definition, image data and item name when the corresponding hierarchical item is clicked are displayed. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S5. That is, in step S4, the display of the item is performed in the above-described second display mode.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not the processing for all items has been completed. If the processing for all items has not been completed, the process returns to step S2, and the processing for the next item is repeated. If the result of determination in step S5 is that all items have been processed, the process ends.

In this embodiment, an example in which the above-described display mode control structure is described in JavaScript is described. However, the language for describing the display mode control structure is not limited to the above-described JavaScript. The display mode control structure can be described using variables that can freely switch the display mode as described in the above embodiment, and the hierarchical definition file can be displayed on the browser screen in the controlled display mode. Any language may be used as long as it is a language.

[0049]

As described above, according to the hierarchical definition file display system of the present invention, a system for displaying a hierarchical definition file in which a hierarchical structure of a plurality of hierarchical items is defined on a browser screen. In the first display mode, the hierarchical definition file displays a plurality of items constituting the hierarchical definition file, in a case where a lower hierarchy exists in the item, in a state where a hierarchy immediately below the item is expanded. And a display mode control structure for controlling the item to be displayed in one of the second display modes for displaying the item immediately below the item without expanding the hierarchy. Even if it has a deep hierarchical structure, it is only necessary to create two files, it is easy to build a hierarchical definition file display system, and the file modification work is also performed. It can be realized very easily layering definition file display system as compared to the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a computer system in which a hierarchical definition file display system of the present invention is constructed.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer system 100 having the appearance shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a hierarchical definition file display system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing contents (a) of a process definition file and contents (b) of an initial value definition file provided in the hierarchical definition file display system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a processing flow of display mode control in the hierarchical definition file display system of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which hierarchical information is displayed on a browser screen.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of hierarchical display of information on a conventional browser screen.

8 is a schematic diagram showing a process of hierarchically expanding a table of contents on the screen shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Hierarchical definition file 1_1 Process definition file 1_1a, 1_1b, 1_1c, ... Item 1_2 Initial value definition file 2 RAM 3 Browser screen 4 Input device 20 Screen 20a Hierarchical display area 20b Content display area 21a, 21b, 21c, ... Item 22 Icon 30 screen 31 Hierarchical definition file 31_1 First hierarchical definition file 31_2_1, 31_2_2, 31_2_3, ... Second hierarchical definition file 31_3-1, 31_3_2, 31_3_3, ... Third hierarchical definition file 32 RAM 33 Input device 100 Computer system 101 Main unit 101a Floppy disk Insertion slot 101b MO insertion slot 102 CRT display 103 keyboard 104 mouse 105 communication cable 110 bus 111 CPU 112 RAM 113 c Disk controller 114 Floppy disk drive 115 MO drive 116 Mouse controller 117 Keyboard controller 118 Display controller 119 Communication board 120 Hard disk 121 Floppy disk 122 MO

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 15/403 380E F-term (Reference) 5B075 NK04 NK43 PP02 PP03 PP13 PQ02 UU06 5B082 GA02 GC02 5E501 AA02 AC20 AC35 BA05 CA03 CB02 CB09 CC17 DA05 EA05 EA11 FB34

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A hierarchical definition file display system for displaying, on a browser screen, a hierarchical definition file in which a hierarchical structure of a plurality of hierarchical items is defined, wherein the hierarchical definition file includes A first display mode for displaying, in a state where a hierarchy immediately below the item is expanded when a lower hierarchy is present in the item, for a plurality of constituent items, and without expanding the hierarchy immediately below the item. A hierarchical definition file display system comprising a display mode control structure for controlling the item to be displayed in one of the second display modes for display. 2. The display, wherein the display mode control structure sets, for each item, which of the first display mode and the second display mode is used to display the item. 2. The hierarchical definition file display system according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching is described using a variable that can be freely changed. 3. The hierarchical definition file display system according to claim 2, wherein said display mode control structure is described in Java language.