JP2001282516A - User interface device and recording medium recording program for the device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a user interface device capable of quickly preparing a user interface having high extendability without requiring specific programming technology. SOLUTION: When the display of a user interface screen is instructed, an HTML generator 23 reads out an attribute value necessary for the screen display from an attribute buffer 21 and changes an input element in an HTML type template file stored in a template memory 22 in accordance with the attribute value. A browser 24 displays the input element as a list box or the like to urge a user to input the element. When the browser 24 transmits an input result to a server 25 on the basis of the HTML file, the server 25 changes the contents of the buffer 21 in accordance with the input result and a plotting editor part 12 updates the attribute value while referring to the buffer 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a drawing editor device capable of changing attribute values by displaying attribute values of graphic elements arranged on a screen and changing the display.
The present invention relates to a user interface device having an input unit that receives an input from a user and an updating unit that updates state data indicating a state of an editing target according to an input result, and particularly, design of an interface format when prompting an input. / User interface device that can be easily changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a graphic element is arranged on a screen, and an attribute value (attribute value) of each graphic element, such as a position, a size, or a color, is set. A drawing editor device for drawing is widely used.

The drawing editor device displays a user interface screen, such as a dialog box, for prompting the user to input an attribute value, in order to provide the user with an attribute setting function. The attribute value is changed based on the result.

[0004] The display of the user interface screen is specified by a programming language such as the BASIC language, for example. The creator of the drawing editor apparatus is required to provide a screen display operation and an input operation for each user interface screen. Create

[0005]

However, in the above configuration, when it is necessary to create / add or modify a user interface screen, it is necessary to create / change a program. However, there is a problem that it takes time to add or correct.

More specifically, when a user interface screen is newly created or added / modified, not only a desired user interface screen but also a person having knowledge of a programming language needs to create / modify a program. is there. Therefore, not only are the people who can design and modify the user interface screen limited,
Even for these persons, a certain amount of time is required to create / modify the program.

In particular, a program whose time has passed since its creation is often difficult to understand even for the creator of the program, and the time required for modification tends to increase.
In addition, in a program distributed in a binary format, addition / change of a user interface screen is practically impossible because the source code of the program does not exist under the user of the program.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a user who can create a user interface with excellent expandability in a short period of time without requiring special programming techniques. It is to implement an interface device.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a user interface device according to the present invention provides presentation means for prompting a user to input, input means for receiving an input from the user, and an input means for receiving an input from the user. A user interface device having an updating unit for updating state data indicating a state to be edited is characterized by the following means.

That is, instruction data for a browser unit that controls the presentation means and the input means is generated based on instruction data in the same format as the data format of a hypertext document that can associate documents published on the Internet. Instruction data generating means, an operation of controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user for input in a predetermined interface format, and an operation of transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination A template storage means for storing a template file having the same contents except for a part changed by the state data and a part which does not change regardless of the interface format as compared with the generated instruction data. The data generation means is configured to generate the raw data based on the template file. To generate a post instruction data, said updating means, based on the input results transmitted to the destination, updating the state data.

[0011] The presenting means is means for prompting the user to input by using a screen display, sound, or the like, and the interface format may be an order for prompting input.
It may be a space or a time interval at the time of presentation. In addition, for example, an expression form when displaying a screen that prompts input, such as color or blinking, or an expression form when outputting a sound that prompts input, such as a frequency, may be used.

In the above configuration, when the instruction data generating means generates the post-generation instruction data including the above operations based on the template file, the browser unit controls the presenting means to display the interface format indicated by the post-generation instruction data. Prompts the user for input. Here, when the user makes an input, the browser unit transmits the input result to the transmission destination indicated by the post-generation instruction data. On the other hand, the updating means receives the result of input to the transmission destination and reflects the result on the status data. As a result, the user interface device can prompt the user for input in the interface format described in the template file, and can change the status data according to the input result.

Here, the data format of the template file does not change irrespective of the interface format, for example, if there is a portion that changes according to the state data, such as a portion that is not related to a fixed phrase or an interface. Except for the part, the content is the same as the instruction data to the browser unit. Therefore, the template file can be edited / created even if the user does not have knowledge of the programming language, as in the case of creating a hypertext document that can associate each document published on the Internet.

As a result, when changing the user interface, the user interface can be edited / designed more easily than in the prior art where knowledge of the programming language is indispensable. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended, and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user interface device, comprising: a presentation unit for prompting a user to input; an input unit for receiving an input from the user; Updating means for updating state data indicating a target state, wherein the presenting means is provided to the user in the same format as the data format of a hypertext document capable of associating documents published on the Internet. Template storage means for storing a template file indicating an interface format for prompting input; operation for controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user for input in the interface format indicated by the template file; The input result to a predetermined destination And instruction data generating means for outputting the generated instruction data to the browser unit which controls the presenting means and the input means. The updating means includes an input result transmitted to the transmission destination. The state data is updated based on the

As in the first aspect, the presenting means is means for prompting the user to input by using a screen display or a sound, and the interface format may be an order for prompting the input. It may be a space or a time interval at the time of presentation. In addition, for example, an expression form when displaying a screen that prompts input, such as color or blinking, or an expression form when outputting a sound that prompts input, such as a frequency, may be used.

In the above configuration, when the instruction data generating means provides the generated instruction data indicating the above operations to the browser unit based on the template file, the browser unit controls the input means and the presentation means to control the template file. Prompts the user for input in the interface format shown by. On the other hand, the updating means reflects the user's input to the status data based on the input result from the browser unit, as in the first aspect.

Since the template file has the same format as the hypertext document, the template file can be easily edited / created even if the user does not have knowledge of the programming language. As a result, the user interface can be easily expanded and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced, as in the first aspect.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the user interface device according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a presentation unit for prompting a user to input, an input unit for receiving an input from the user, and an editing unit according to the input result. In a user interface device having an updating unit for updating state data indicating a target state, the following means are provided. That is, for the element for prompting input and the element for display, based on the instruction data including the schematic arrangement on the screen, the presentation means determines the arrangement data when presenting each element on the screen. Instruction data generating means for generating, an operation of controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user for input in a predetermined interface format, and an operation of transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination Compared with post-generation instruction data that includes a template storage unit that stores a template file having the same contents except for a part that changes according to the state data and a part that does not change regardless of the interface format, The instruction data generating means generates the post-generation instruction data based on the template file. Together, said updating means, based on the input results transmitted to the destination, updating the state data.

In the above configuration, similarly to the first aspect, when the instruction data generating means generates post-generation instruction data indicating each of the operations based on the template file, the browser unit controls the input means and the presentation means. Then, the user is prompted for input in the interface format indicated by the generated instruction data. Further, the updating means reflects the user's input in the status data based on the input result from the browser unit.

Here, the template file includes:
Only the general arrangement of the input elements and display elements is described, and the browser unit arranges each element on the screen of the presentation unit based on the instruction data after generation. Therefore, the template file can be edited / created more easily than when the display operation and the input operation on the screen of the presentation means are described in the programming language. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended, and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the user interface device according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the instruction data generating means refers to the status data to generate the interface format. The template file is changed to generate the post-generation instruction data so that the initial value when prompting the user to input indicates the status data.

In the above configuration, the initial value for prompting the input is:
Since it is set according to the status of the edit target,
The current state can be reliably grasped, and when a part of the current state is changed, only the part needs to be changed, so that the operability can be improved.

Incidentally, the user interface device may be constituted only by hardware, or may be realized by a computer executing a program.
Specifically, the recording medium according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium in which a program for operating a computer having a presentation unit for prompting a user to input and an input unit for receiving an input from the user as a user interface device is recorded. A medium for controlling the presenting means and the inputting means based on instruction data having the same format as the data format of a hypertext document capable of associating each document published on the Internet with a view to solving the above problem Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for the browser unit, an operation for controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user for input in a predetermined interface format, and an input result received by the input means for a predetermined destination Compared with the post-generation instruction data that includes the operation to send to the And a template storage unit storing a template file having the same contents except for a part that changes according to the state data indicating the state and a part that does not change regardless of the interface format, and based on the input result transmitted to the transmission destination. As an updating means for updating the state data, a program for operating the computer is recorded, and the program includes:
The instruction data generating means includes a program for generating the post-generation instruction data based on the template file.

When the program having the above configuration is read and executed by a computer, the computer operates as the user interface device. Therefore, when changing the user interface, the user interface can be edited / designed more easily than in the prior art where knowledge of the programming language is essential. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended, and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The following is a description based on FIG.
That is, the editor device (user interface device) 1 according to the present embodiment arranges a plurality of graphic elements to which attributes are added on one screen such as a screen of a control display device such as a programmable display. A device for creating a screen composed of, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT and an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse or a touch panel. An input / output unit 11 for processing a screen, a drawing editor unit 12 for interactively creating a screen in response to an instruction from the input / output unit 11, and a screen data memory 13 for storing screen data indicating the created screen. Have.
The input / output unit 11 corresponds to a presentation unit and an input unit described in the claims.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drawing editor section 12 includes an editing area D1 on the display screen of the input / output section 11.
In addition, a screen to be drawn can be displayed, and icons indicating graphic elements that can be arranged in the editing area D1 can be displayed side by side in the palette area D2 of the display screen with reference to a library file (not shown). Further, the drawing editor unit 12 can select an icon in the palette area D2 by an operation such as drag and drop and arrange the icon in the editing area D1.

Each of the graphic elements E arranged in the editing area D1 has a predetermined type of attribute. As attributes of the graphic element E, in addition to a name for identifying each graphic element E, a position and a size at which the graphic element E is arranged, for example, the graphic element E may be a straight line or a curve, or a polygon or a circle. In the case of the graphic element E represented by a line, a line color, a line type, and the like are added. Further, a graphic element E having an internal area such as a polygon or a circle has a color or a fill pattern of the internal area as an attribute. Further, irrespective of the presence or absence of the internal area, a background color and a fill pattern are added as attributes to each graphic element E. The attribute of each graphic element E is, for example, as shown in the table of FIG.
A combination of an attribute name indicating the type of the attribute and an attribute value indicating the value of the attribute is stored in one area of the screen data memory 13, and the drawing editor unit 12 performs processing for all graphic elements E in the screen data. , Refer to the attribute and edit area D
1, a figure corresponding to the attribute is drawn at the position indicated by the attribute.

For example, FIG. 3 shows the attributes of a rectangular graphic element E1. As an attribute value of the attribute name "name", a value "Rectan" that can distinguish the graphic element E1 from other graphic elements E.
gleZ01 ”is stored. In the present embodiment, the position of each graphic element E is stored as the upper left coordinate of the rectangular area occupied by the graphic element E, and specifies the rectangular area along with the width and height. For example, in FIG.
The attribute value “200” of the attribute name “top position” and the attribute value “310” of the attribute name “left position” are stored.
Similarly, the attribute value “47” of the attribute name “width” and the attribute value “214” of the attribute name “height” are stored in the screen data memory 13.
Is stored in Therefore, the drawing editor unit 12
Represents the coordinates (20) of the editing area D1 as the graphic element E1.
0,310) is the upper left corner, width 47, height 2
Display 14 squares. Further, in the graphic element E1 shown in FIG. 3, the attribute values of the attribute names "line color", "line width" and "line type" are set to "black", "1" and "solid line", respectively. Therefore, when drawing the graphic element E1 in the editing area D1, the drawing editor unit 12 draws the drawing element with a black solid line having a line width of 1.

The drawing editor unit 12 can change not only the position and size of the attributes of the graphic elements E arranged in the editing area D1 according to operations such as drag and drop, but also, for example, The user interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the correspondence between the attribute name and the attribute value is displayed, and the attribute value can be directly input or the attribute value can be selected from a predetermined list.

Here, the editor device 1 according to the present embodiment
Includes an attribute buffer 21 for storing a combination of an attribute value and an attribute name necessary for displaying the user interface screen so that the user interface screen can be created (modified) without requiring any special programming technique; HTM showing user interface screen
A template memory (template storage means) 22 in which a template file for creating an L (HyperText Markup Language) file is stored, and the attribute buffer 21 and the template are displayed when the display of the user interface screen is instructed from the drawing editor unit 12. With reference to the memory 22, an HTML generator (instruction data updating means) 23 for generating an HTML file in which an operation of displaying an attribute value so as to be changeable and an operation of transmitting a change result to a server 25 (described later) are described; As the user interface screen, the HTML generator 23
A browser (browser unit) 24 for displaying the HTML file generated by the browser and a server (update means) 25 for changing the contents of the attribute buffer 21 based on the change result notified from the browser 24 are provided. .

The browser 24 is a general-purpose browser capable of browsing HTML files and image files distributed on the Internet.
As a client such as a perText Transfer Protocol (Client), each file is obtained from a server (not shown) on the Internet, or an element is extracted from an obtained or given HTML file, and a character string or image indicated by a display element, or , A text box or a list box indicated by an input element can be arranged on the screen of the input / output unit 11. Further, as described below, HTM
If the L file contains elements for input, the HTM
The input result can be transmitted to the server described in the L file.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the template file stored in the template memory 22 displays attribute values such as an attribute value displayed as an initial value and a name of a graphic element E displayed on a screen. Except for the part to be executed, the file has the same contents as the HTML file generated by the HTML generator 23 and is prepared for each user interface screen for which the drawing editor unit 12 instructs display. These template files are
Since it is an HTML file, for example, an HTML not shown
By using an editor or the like, it is possible to create / modify even those having no particular programming knowledge.

Further, in the template file according to the present embodiment, the value in the HTML file is associated with the attribute name and the attribute value of the graphic element E by using the value
Attributes and name attributes are used. Accordingly, even when a plurality of attribute values are displayed on the user interface screen, that is, even when there are a plurality of portions corresponding to the attribute values in the template file, the HTM
The L generator 23 and the server 25 can associate each part with the attribute of the graphic element E without any problem.

More specifically, for example, when the user interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, an HTML file as shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the template memory 22 as a template file.

In the HTML file, for example, "<! D
In addition to the character string B1 necessary for the HTML file, such as OCTYPE HTML ...>"and"<html>", and the character string B2 indicating the element arranged on the screen and displayed regardless of the attribute value A character string (C1) indicating an element for displaying an attribute value, a character string (C2 to C4) indicating an element for displaying an attribute value so as to be changeable,
Elements for instructing transmission of change results (C11, C12
Etc.) are included.

Here, W3C (World Wide Web Consori)
In the HTML 4.0 specification published by Tium), a FORM is sent to a predetermined server in order to transmit the result input by the client displaying the HTML file.
The element is defined, and the template file in the template memory 22 includes the F
URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) of the server 25 are described as attribute values of the action attribute of the ORM element.

In addition, the above-mentioned specification defines, for example, an INPUT element whose Type attribute is “SUBMIT” in order to display a button for instructing a client to transmit an input result. In the figure, P
As shown in FIG. 12, the INPUT element is described.

In the above specification, for example, in order to display a selection menu for selecting and inputting from predetermined options, such as a list box, a SELECT element indicating the selection menu and an option in the selection menu are displayed. Is defined. Where S
A name attribute can be added to the ELECT element.
In the ION element, not only a character string for display but also val
ue attribute can be added. In this case, when transmitting the input result, the client selects the OP corresponding to the selected option.
A combination of the value of the value attribute of the TION element and the value of the name attribute of the SELECT element is transmitted. Also, the selected attribute can be added to the OPTION element, and the client displays the OPTION element with the selected attribute added as an initial value of the selection menu.

Therefore, on the user interface screen, for example, as shown in A2 and A4 in FIG.
When a selection menu for selecting an attribute value is displayed, as shown in C2 and C4 in the figure, a SELECT element and an OP
A TION element is described.

Here, in the template file shown in FIG. 5, the character string of each OPTION element is, for example, "
A character string to be displayed as an option is described, such as "0: solid line" or "1: broken line".
The option that displays “0: solid line” in the “alue” attribute
A graphic element E corresponding to the option, such as "0"
A value that specifies the attribute value of is described. On the other hand,
As the name attribute of the T element, a value for specifying the attribute name of the graphic element E (for example, “line type” in the case of C2) is described. Thereby, the HTML generator 23
The server 25 can associate each element or input result of the HTML file with the attribute of the graphic element E.

The specification also defines an INPUT element whose type attribute is "text" in order to display, for example, an input field for inputting a character string. In this element, similarly to the SELECT element, a name attribute can be added. When transmitting the input result, the client transmits a combination of the character string input to the input field and the value of the name attribute. Further, the element has a value attribute indicating an initial value and a read attribute indicating that the value cannot be changed.
Only attribute can be added.

Therefore, when the attribute value of the graphic element E is simply displayed on the user interface screen as indicated by A1 in FIG. 4, the template file includes
As shown in C1 of FIG. 5, the element having the readonly attribute is described, and the value of the name attribute is set to the attribute name of the graphic element E (in this case, “type”).

When an input field for inputting the attribute value of the graphic element E is displayed as shown at A3 in FIG. 4, the value of the name attribute is changed to the attribute of the graphic element E as shown at C2 in FIG. Character string indicating the name (in this case, "line width")
Are described in the template file.

As described above, the template file is H
This is a TML file that has the name attribute and OPTION
HTML generator 23 such as value attribute of element
Used by the user or the server 25 for associating the HTML file element with the attribute of the graphic element E;
Except for the location that specifies the server 25, such as the action attribute of the ORM element, it can be created / modified using, for example, an HTML editor. Therefore, for example, if it is desired to display the character string P13 of the line type in italics,
13 can be made italic by adding an I element. Also IM
An image can be displayed by describing the G element. Also, in the HTML file, the display element such as a character string or an image or the above-described input element is described in a rough arrangement such as specifying an alignment attribute and specifying line alignment. To place. Therefore, a template file showing a user interface screen with rich expressiveness can be created even if the user does not particularly have programming knowledge.

In the above configuration, the operation of the editor device 1 when editing the attribute value on the user interface screen will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, in step 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as S1), when the user instructs the drawing editor unit 12 to display the user interface screen via the input / output unit 11, in step S2, the drawing editor unit 12 For the attribute values required for displaying the user interface screen, a combination of the attribute value and the attribute name is stored in the attribute buffer 21.

For example, the user interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is a screen that displays the type of the graphic element E for the selected graphic element E and prompts the user to input a line type, a line width, and a foreground color. Therefore, for example, in a case where the graphic element E1 shown in FIG. 2 is selected, the drawing editor unit 12 outputs, for example, the attributes shown in FIG.
, The combination of the attribute name “type” and the attribute value “square” is stored in the attribute buffer 21. Similarly, the attribute names “line type”, “line width”, and “foreground color” are stored in association with the respective attribute values “0: solid line”, “1”, and “black”.

When the combination of the attribute value and the attribute name is stored in the attribute buffer 21 in S2, the HTML generator 23 refers to the correspondence table between the screen and the template file in S3, for example. The template file corresponding to the designated screen is read from the template memory 22. Further, the HTML generator 23 parses the template file, extracts an element having the same attribute name as the attribute name stored in the attribute buffer 21 and the value of the name attribute, and according to the attribute value stored in the attribute buffer 21, Change the element. This allows
Even if a plurality of portions corresponding to the attribute values exist in the user interface screen, the HTML generator 23 can output the HTML file in which each is changed without any trouble. Further, in S4, the browser 24 displays the HTML file generated in S3 on the input / output unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 as a user interface screen.

For example, taking the template file of FIG. 5 as an example, an INPUT element whose type attribute is “text”
The value attribute is displayed as an initial value. Therefore, when the combination of the attribute name “type” and the attribute value “square” is stored in the attribute buffer 21, the HTML generator 23 outputs the name “nam” from the template file.
e element whose attribute is “type” is extracted,
In the case of a PUT element, as shown in C1a of FIG.
The value attribute of “square” is added. In this way, in S4, the browser 24 displays “square” as shown by A1 in FIG. 4. Similarly, the HTML generator 23 sets the C3a in FIG. , A value attribute “1” is added to an element whose name attribute is “line width”,
The browser 24 displays "1" as an initial value, as indicated by A3 in FIG.

On the other hand, in the case of the SELECT element, SEL
Of each OPTION element included in the ECT element, se
Since the OPTION element to which the “selected” attribute is added is displayed as an initial value, a combination of “line type” and a value “0” indicating a solid line is stored in the attribute buffer 21 as a combination of the attribute name and the attribute value. H if
The TML generator 23, as shown in C2a in the figure,
In each of the OPTION elements, the selected attribute is added to the element having the same value (“0”) in the value attribute (in this case, “0: solid line”). Like A2 shown in FIG.
0: a solid line "is displayed as a selection menu displayed as an initial value. Similarly, the HTML generator 23 displays the selection menu in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4a, the SEL whose name attribute is “foreground color”
Of the OPTION elements included in the ECT element, val
The selected attribute is added to the element whose ue attribute is "1", and the browser 24 displays the option "1: white" of the element as an initial value.

At S4, when the browser 24 displays the HTML file, if an inputtable area such as an input field or a selection menu is included in the display,
The user can operate the mouse and keyboard of the input / output unit 11 to input values in these areas (S5). Further, the user presses the button A12 shown in FIG.
When the operation described in the file is performed, in S6, the browser 24 transmits the input result to the destination described in the HTML file, that is, the server 25, and
7, the server 25 stores the input result in the attribute buffer 21.
To reflect.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the line type "1: dashed line" is selected by operating the selection menu A2,
In step S6, the browser 24 determines the value “line type” of the name attribute of the SELECT element together with other input results,
Value "1" of the value attribute of the selected OPTION element
For example, "name =" line type ", value ="
Send as a character string such as 1 "". On the other hand, the server 25 searches the attribute buffer 21 and finds an attribute having the same attribute name as the value corresponding to the name attribute (in this case, “line type”) from the received combination, and The attribute value is changed to a value corresponding to the value attribute (in this case, “1”). Thereby, the server 25
Can reflect the input result to the attribute buffer 21 without any problem even if there are a plurality of portions corresponding to the attribute names in the user interface screen.

At S7, the server 25 sends the browser 24
When the attribute value stored in the attribute buffer 21 is updated in accordance with the input result of
At a predetermined timing such as a predetermined time interval or a reception operation of the server 25, the attribute value is read from the attribute buffer 21, a new attribute value is written to the screen data memory 13, and as shown in FIG. The display of the editing area V1 is updated (S8).

The processing of S1 to S8 is repeated for each display instruction of the user interface screen, and the user of the editor device 1 can set the attribute value of the graphic element E by inputting to the browser 24.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the elements of the HTML file are associated with the attributes of the graphic element E stored in the attribute buffer 21 by using the name attribute or the like. is not.
For example, a portion changed in accordance with the attribute value in the HTML file may be associated with a specific character indicating the attribute. In this case, in order to determine a specific character separately from the display of the user interface screen, it is preferable that the character is not displayed, for example, a comment.

However, as in the present embodiment, in the HTML file such as the elements and attributes of the HTML file,
In the case of associating with a code (character string) that can be associated with an input element or a display element, it can be extracted and changed by a general-purpose HTML parser. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor when manufacturing the HTML generator 23.

In the above embodiment, the case where the HTML file itself is stored as a template file has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
After creating the ML file, a template file may be created by manually inserting a predetermined character string into a portion corresponding to the attribute. However, in this case, it takes time and effort to insert a character string in the portion corresponding to the attribute,
There is a possibility that the edited template file cannot be edited with the HTML editor. Therefore, it is preferable to use the HTML file itself as a template file as in the present embodiment. In addition, for example, if a storage method such as compression, division, or integration can convert a edited HTML file and a template file in a reversible manner, the same effects as those of the present embodiment can be obtained regardless of the method of storing the template file. Can be

Further, in the above embodiment, the browser 24
Has been described as an example in which an HTML file is displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a file in another format such as an XML file may be displayed. In this case, the format of the template file in the template memory 22 and the operations of the HTML generator 23 and the server 25 are also set according to the format displayed by the browser 24. Either format is a format that can be edited without knowledge of the programming language. In addition, a display screen for input is displayed on the browser 24 and the input result is displayed on the server 2.
5, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the user interface screen is displayed by the general-purpose browser 24 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an input display unit capable of displaying a similar format is created. You may. Also in this case, since a template file can be created without knowledge of a programming language, substantially the same effect can be obtained.

However, if the general-purpose browser 24 is used as in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a separate browser even when the editor apparatus 1 browses a document on the Internet or an intranet. As a result, the configuration of the editor device 1 can be simplified, and the user of the editor device 1 does not need to learn new software operations, so that the burden on the user can be reduced.

Further, a template file can be created by an editor for creating documents on the Internet or an intranet, and software for creation can be shared. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of creating software for creation,
Since the creator of the template file does not need to learn the operation of the new software, the burden on the creator can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the editor device creates a screen configured by arranging a plurality of graphic elements. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be widely applied to any user interface device that prompts the user for input by using a screen or voice.

[0063]

As described above, the user interface device according to the present invention generates instruction data in the same format as the data format of the hypertext document and gives the instruction data to the browser unit. In order to prompt the user for input, the post-generation instruction data including an operation of controlling the presenting means and an operation of transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination are compared with the above-described state. A portion excluding a portion that changes according to data and a portion that does not change irrespective of the interface format includes a template storage unit that stores a template file having the same content.The instruction data generation unit, based on the template file, While generating the post-generation instruction data, the updating means includes:
The status data is updated based on an input result transmitted to the transmission destination.

In the above configuration, when the instruction data generating means generates the generated instruction data including the above-described operations based on the template file, the browser unit controls the presenting means to change the interface format indicated by the generated instruction data. Prompts the user for input, and transmits the input result to the destination indicated by the instruction data after generation. On the other hand, the updating means receives the result of input to the transmission destination and reflects the result on the status data. Here, the template file has the same format as the hypertext document except for the part that changes according to the state data and the part that does not change regardless of the interface format. Can edit / create files.

Therefore, when changing the user interface, the user interface can be edited / edited more easily than in the prior art where knowledge of the programming language is essential.
Can be designed. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced.

In the user interface device according to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the template file indicating the interface format when the presenting means prompts the user to input is stored in the same format as the data format of the hypertext document. Template storage means, an operation for controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user for input in an interface format indicated by the template file, and transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined transmission destination And instruction data generating means for generating post-generation instruction data that includes an operation and outputting the generated instruction data to a browser unit that controls the presentation means and the input means. Based on this configuration, the status data is updated.

In the above configuration, when the instruction data generating means provides the generated instruction data indicating each of the above operations to the browser unit based on the template file, the browser unit controls the input means and the presentation means, and Prompts the user for input in the interface format shown by. On the other hand, the updating means reflects the user's input to the status data based on the input result from the browser unit, as in the first aspect.

Here, since the template file has the same format as the hypertext document, the template file can be easily edited / created even if the template file has no knowledge of the programming language. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced, as in the first aspect.

In the user interface device according to the third aspect of the present invention, as described above, the element for prompting the input and the element for the display are provided by the presenting means on the basis of the instruction data including the schematic arrangement on the screen. Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for a browser unit for determining an arrangement when presenting the information on the screen, an operation of controlling the presenting means so as to prompt a user to input in a predetermined interface format, Comparing the input data received by the means with the post-generation instruction data including an operation of transmitting the input result received to a predetermined destination, and excluding a portion that changes according to the state data and a portion that does not change regardless of the interface format. A template storage means for storing a template file having the same contents as the instruction data generating means. , Based on the template file, generates the instruction data after the generation, the update unit, based on the input results transmitted to the destination, is configured to update the status data.

In the above configuration, similarly to the first aspect, when the instruction data generating means generates post-generation instruction data indicating each of the operations based on the template file, the browser unit controls the input means and the presentation means. Then, the user is prompted for input in the interface format indicated by the generated instruction data. Further, the updating means reflects the user's input in the status data based on the input result from the browser unit.

Here, the template file includes:
Only the general arrangement of the input elements and display elements is described, and the browser unit arranges each element on the screen of the presentation unit based on the instruction data after generation. Therefore, the template file can be edited / created more easily than when the display operation and the input operation on the screen of the presentation means are described in the programming language. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as described above, in the configuration of the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, the instruction data generating means includes:
With reference to the state data, the template file is changed so that the post-generation instruction data is generated so that an initial value when prompting the user to input in the interface format indicates the state data.

In the above configuration, the initial value for prompting the input is:
Since it is set according to the status of the edit target,
The current state can be reliably grasped, and when a part of the current state is changed, only the part needs to be changed, so that operability can be improved.

A recording medium according to a fifth aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which a program for operating a computer as the user interface device according to the first aspect is recorded as described above. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect, when changing the user interface, the user interface can be edited / designed more easily than in the related art in which knowledge of the programming language is indispensable. As a result, the user interface can be easily extended and the time required for editing / designing the user interface can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an editor device.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the editor device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a table stored in a screen data memory of the editor device, and is an explanatory diagram showing attributes related to graphic elements.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface screen displayed by the editor device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a template file corresponding to the user interface screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the editor device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a table stored in an attribute buffer of the editor device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an HTML file generated by an HTML generator of the editor device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an editing operation on the user interface screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the editor device and illustrating a state after the attribute is changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 editor device (user interface device) 11 input / output unit (presentation means: input means) 22 template memory (template storage means) 23 HTML generator (instruction data generation means) 24 browser (browser unit) 25 server (update means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A user interface device comprising: a presentation unit for prompting a user to make an input; an input unit for receiving an input from the user; and an updating unit for updating state data indicating a state to be edited in accordance with an input result. Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for a browser unit for controlling the presenting means and the input means based on instruction data in the same format as the data format of a hypertext document capable of associating documents published on the Internet; A post-generation instruction data including an operation of controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user to input in a predetermined interface format, and an operation of transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination; The part that changes according to the above status data and the interface format A template storage unit that stores a template file having the same contents except for a portion that does not change regardless of whether the instruction data generation unit generates the post-generation instruction data based on the template file; The user interface device, wherein the updating means updates the status data based on an input result transmitted to the destination. 2. A user interface device comprising: a presentation unit for prompting a user to input; an input unit for receiving an input from the user; and an updating unit for updating state data indicating a state to be edited according to the input result. Template storage means for storing a template file indicating the interface format when the presenting means prompts the user for input, in the same format as the data format of the hypertext document capable of associating each document published on the Internet, After generation, the method includes an operation of controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user for input in an interface format indicated by the template file, and an operation of transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination. It generates instruction data and controls the presentation means and the input means. And a instruction data generating means for outputting to the browser unit, said updating means, based on the input results transmitted to the destination, a user interface unit and updates the state data. 3. A user interface device comprising: a presentation unit for prompting a user to input; an input unit for receiving an input from the user; and an updating unit for updating status data indicating a status of an editing target according to the input result. For the element for prompting input and the element for display, the presentation means generates instruction data for a browser unit that determines the arrangement when presenting each element on the screen based on the instruction data including the schematic arrangement on the screen. Instruction data generating means, an operation of controlling the presenting means so as to prompt the user to input in a predetermined interface format, and an operation of transmitting the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination Compared with the post-generation instruction data, the part changed by the status data and the part changed regardless of the interface format Template storage means for storing a template file having the same contents except for the part not to be generated, wherein the instruction data generating means generates the post-generation instruction data based on the template file, and the updating means A user interface device for updating the status data based on an input result transmitted to the transmission destination. 4. The instruction data generating means refers to the state data so that an initial value when prompting a user to input in the interface format indicates the state data.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the template file is modified to generate the post-generation instruction data.
User interface device as described. 5. A recording medium on which is recorded a program for operating a computer having a presentation means for prompting a user for input and an input means for receiving an input from the user as a user interface device, and is disclosed on the Internet. Instruction data generating means for generating instruction data for a browser unit for controlling the presenting means and the input means based on instruction data in the same format as the data format of a hypertext document capable of associating each document; An operation to control the presenting means and an operation to transmit the input result received by the input means to a predetermined destination are compared with the generated instruction data so as to prompt the The part that changes depending on the state data indicating the state of the A template storage unit that stores a template file having the same contents except for a part that does not change regardless of the format, and an update unit that updates the state data based on an input result transmitted to the destination. A recording medium storing a program for operating the computer, and including a program for causing the instruction data generating means to generate the post-generation instruction data based on the template file.