JP2002229704A - Information processor, window display method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform input operation in a window of a lower hierarchy hidden by a window of an upper hierarchy. SOLUTION: In this information processor of a system in which a first window for current input operation is displayed in a screen display device and a second window is displayed, overlapping an upper surface of the first window, when the first window is being inputted (Yes in S1), whether an input position designated by a cursor in the first window is apart from the second window by a given distance or not is determined (S2), when the designated input position is determined not to be apart from the second window by the given distance, the second window is processed not to be within a range of the given distance from the designated position (S3).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a window display method, and a storage medium. The present invention relates to a device, a window display method applied to the information processing device, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the window display method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a multi-window operating system, since a plurality of windows are displayed on a display screen of a limited size, the windows may overlap each other.

In such an apparatus, when an input is performed using a pointing device, the input is performed after a window in which the input operation is to be performed is set to a state in which the input operation can be performed (active state).

When a window is activated, the window is displayed in front of a plurality of overlapping windows, so that input can be performed easily without obstructing the window area by other windows. .

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional apparatus as described above, input is continuously performed using a pointing device in a certain window, and input is performed while moving the pointing device. When you move the cursor to the "a window"
If an "other window" (for example, a toolbar child window of the active window, an IME toolbar, or any other window that is always displayed on top) is displayed in the foreground position, it interferes with the input.
The input in "a certain window" was temporarily interrupted, the "other window" was activated and moved to a position out of the way, and then "a certain window" was activated and the input was resumed .

This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 showing display screens of a conventional multi-window system.

In this system, it is assumed that a free drawing application is being executed, and an application window 100 is displayed on the display as a "certain window". The floating menu bar 102 in the free drawing application is “another window” and the application window 100
Is displayed on the upper surface of.

In FIG. 11, when drawing is to be performed on the portion of the application window 100 which is hidden under the floating menu bar 102 while drawing using the cursor 101 in the application window 100, the user interrupts the drawing operation. I do. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, in order to display the portion on the upper surface, the floating menu bar 102 in the upper hierarchy is selected and moved to the upper part of the screen (there may be deformation or deletion). After that, the input operation in the application window 100 is restarted, such as selecting the lower-level application window 100 and moving the cursor 101.

As described above, conventionally, complicated operations such as interrupting the drawing and moving the window of the floating menu bar 102 in the middle of drawing are required.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is an information which enables an input operation to a lower layer window hidden in an upper layer window to be easily performed. It is an object to provide a processing device, a window display method, and a storage medium.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system having at least a screen display device, wherein a plurality of windows can be simultaneously displayed on the screen display device. In the processing device, a first window currently being subjected to an input operation,
Determining whether or not the second window displayed on the upper surface of the first window and the input position specified by the cursor on the first window are separated from the second window by a predetermined distance. Means,
When the determination unit determines that the specified input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance, the second window is not positioned within the range of the predetermined distance from the specified input position. And processing means for performing the processing.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the designated input position is not apart from the second window by the predetermined distance, the processing means may determine whether the designated input position is the second window. And a resuming means for resuming the display of the second window on the screen display device when the first window is no longer an input operation target. I do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the designated input position is not apart from the second window by the predetermined distance, the processing means switches the second window to the second window. First display means for displaying the lower side of the first window, and displaying the second window on the upper side of the first window when the first window is no longer an input operation target. And second display means for displaying on a hierarchy.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the second window is displayed, the processing means displays the entire area of the second window without missing, and the entire area is Determining means for determining a display position that is not included in the range of the predetermined distance from a designated input position; and moving means for moving the second window to the display position determined by the determining means. It is characterized by.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the processing means has a window which has a shape which is not included in the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position, and which can be displayed without missing the entire region of the window. Is created based on the second window, and display means for displaying the window created by the creating means is provided.

According to the present invention, at least a screen display device is provided, on which the first window currently being subjected to the input operation is displayed and the first window is displayed. Of the second window
In a window display method applied to an information processing apparatus of a type in which a window is displayed, an input position designated by a cursor on the first window is:
A determining step of determining whether or not the specified input position is separated from the second window by the predetermined distance; and The second
And a processing step for processing the window so as not to be located within the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position.

Further, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
At least a screen display device is provided, and the first window currently being subjected to an input operation is displayed on the screen display device, and a second window is displayed on the upper surface of the first window. In a computer-readable storage medium storing a window display method applied to an information processing apparatus of a system as a program, the window display method may be configured such that an input position designated by a cursor on the first window is A determining step of determining whether or not the specified input position is separated from the second window by the predetermined distance; and Second
And a processing step of processing such that the window is not located within the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on a display in the multi-window system according to the present invention. Although not shown, the present multi-window system is a computer system having at least a graphic display and a pointing device. In this system, for example, a free drawing application is executed.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote windows, window 1 is a window in which an input position is specified by a cursor 4, and window 2 is
Even when the input position is designated by the cursor 4 in the active state of the window 1, the window is always displayed in a higher hierarchy than the window 1. In addition,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a client window.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the display processing according to the present invention executed in the present multi-window system.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the window 1 is in the input state in which the input position is designated by the cursor 4. In step S2, the window 1 is positioned near the current position of the cursor 4 to prevent the input. It is determined whether or not the window 2 exists. That is, it is determined whether or not at least a part of the window 2 exists within a predetermined distance from the current position of the cursor 4. If both the answers in step S1 and step S2 are affirmative (Yes), the display state of the window 2 is changed without depending on the operation of the user (S3). Four methods for changing the display state will be described with reference to FIGS. The user selects any one of these four methods in advance.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display when the window 2 is hidden. FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a first process (non-display of the window 2) among processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the window 2 is set to an invisible state (non-display) (S4). The dotted rectangle 2 'in FIG. 2 indicates that the window 2 is not displayed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the window 1 is in the input state in which the input position is specified by the cursor 4 (S5). When the cursor input state is completed, the process proceeds to step S6, where 2 is made visible (display).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display when the window 2 is hidden below the window 1. FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a second process (a process of hiding window 2 under window 1) among the processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given along the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 while appropriately referring to FIG.

First, the current display hierarchy of the window 2 is obtained and stored (S7).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the display hierarchy of the window 2 is changed so that the window 2 is hidden below the window 1 in the input state (S8).

Here, it is determined whether or not the window 1 is in the input state (S9). When the cursor input state is completed, the process proceeds to step S10, where the display hierarchy stored in step S7 is read out. , Window 2 is displayed on the original display level.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a screen displayed on the display when the window 2 is moved in accordance with the position of the cursor 4. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a third process (moving the window 2 in accordance with the position of the cursor 4) among the processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given along the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 while appropriately referring to FIG.

First, in step S11, a movable area of the window 2 is obtained. If window 2 can be moved anywhere on the desktop screen, the movable area is equal to the desktop screen. Then, in the movable area, as shown in FIG. 4, the entire area of the window 2 can be displayed, and the display position where the entire area of the window 2 is separated from the position of the cursor 4 by a certain distance T is calculated. I do.

Next, the window 2 is moved to the calculated display position (S12).

As a result, the window 2 is not displayed within a range of the fixed distance T from the position of the cursor 4, and the window 2 does not hinder the drawing near the position of the cursor 4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display when the shape of the window 2 is modified. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a fourth process (deformation of the shape of the window 2) among the processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given along the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 while referring to FIG. 5 as appropriate.

First, it is determined whether or not the window 2 is a deformable window (S13). If the window 2 cannot be deformed, the process proceeds to any of the first to third processes (S16). Here, the term “deformation” refers to changing the display form from, for example, horizontal display to vertical display without adjusting the information displayed in the window.

If the window 2 is a deformable window, the flow advances to step S14 to acquire the movable area of the window 2 and the current position of the cursor 4.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The window 2 is deformed so that the new window 2a obtained by modifying the window 2a is located within the movable area, and the entire area of the new window 2a is located at a distance T or more from the current position of the cursor 4 ( S15).

As described above, no matter which of the first to fourth processes is executed, the window 2 displayed at a higher hierarchy than the window 1 in the input state is at least the window 2 Cursor 4 at 1
Is not displayed in the vicinity of, so that the input operation in the window 1 is not obstructed. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the user is released from the operation of interrupting the input operation in the window 1 and moving or deleting the window 2 displayed on the upper hierarchy.

A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the program in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus set.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS or the like running on the computer operates based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. .

[0044]

As described in detail above, claims 1 and 6 have been described.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the first window currently being subjected to the input operation is displayed on the screen display device, and the second window overlaps the upper surface of the first window. In the information processing apparatus of the displayed type, it is determined whether an input position designated by a cursor on the first window is separated from the second window by a predetermined distance, and the designated input position is When it is determined that the second window is not apart from the second window by the predetermined distance, processing is performed so that the second window is not located within the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position.

Thus, when a user who has been performing an input operation in the first window wishes to perform an input operation in a part of the first window of the lower hierarchy hidden by the second window of the upper hierarchy. Even if the user interrupts the previous input operation and does not perform an operation such as moving or deleting the second window, the second window automatically disappears from the part, and the part can be easily deleted. The input operation can be performed at the same time, and the operability at the time of input to the input destination window can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display in a multi-window system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display when an upper window is hidden.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display when an upper window is hidden below a lower window.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display when an upper window is moved according to the position of a cursor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a display when the shape of a window is modified.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a display processing according to the present invention executed in the multi-window system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a first process among processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a second process among the processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a third process among the processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a fourth process among the processes that can be executed in step S3 shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen of a conventional multi-window system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen of a conventional multi-window system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Window (first window in lower layer) 2 Window (second window in upper layer) 3 (upper layer) window 4 Cursor

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having at least a screen display device, wherein a plurality of windows can be simultaneously displayed on the screen display device, wherein: a first window currently being subjected to an input operation; Of the second window displayed on top of the window
A determination unit that determines whether an input position designated by a cursor on the first window is separated from the second window by a predetermined distance; and the determination unit determines the input position. Processing means for processing, when it is determined that the second window is not apart from the second window by the predetermined distance, so that the second window is not located within the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to stop displaying the second window on the screen display device when it is determined that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a restart unit configured to restart display of the second window on the screen display device when the first window is no longer an input operation target. apparatus. 3. The processing means, when it is determined that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance, moves the second window downward from the first window. First display means for displaying, and second display for displaying, when the first window is no longer a target of an input operation, the second window on an original display level above the first window. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means. 4. The processing means, when the second window is displayed, displays the entire area of the second window without missing, and the entire area is located at a predetermined distance from the designated input position. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determining unit that determines a display position that is not included in the range, and a moving unit that moves the second window to the display position determined by the determining unit. Information processing device. 5. The processing unit according to claim 2, wherein the second window is a window having a shape that is not included in the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position and that can be displayed without missing the entire region of the shape. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a creating unit configured to create the window based on the creating unit; and a display unit configured to display the window created by the creating unit. 6. At least a screen display device, wherein a first window currently being subjected to an input operation is displayed on the screen display device, and a second window overlaps with an upper surface of the first window. In a window display method applied to an information processing apparatus of a type in which a window is displayed, it is determined whether an input position designated by a cursor on the first window is separated from the second window by a predetermined distance. A determining step of determining; and determining, by the determining step, that the specified input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance, the second window is moved from the specified input position by the predetermined distance. A processing step of performing processing so as not to be located within the range. 7. The stopping of stopping the display of the second window on the screen display device when it is determined that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance. 7. The window display according to claim 6, further comprising: a step of restarting the display of the second window on the screen display device when the first window is no longer an input operation target. Method. 8. The processing step includes: when it is determined that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance, the second window is moved to a lower surface side with respect to the first window. A first display step for displaying, and a second display for displaying, when the first window is no longer a target of an input operation, the second window on an original display level above the first window. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: 9. The processing step includes, when the second window is displayed, displaying the entire area of the second window without missing, and the entire area is located at a predetermined distance from the designated input position. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: determining a display position that is not included in the range; and moving the second window to the display position determined by the determining step. Window display method. 10. The processing step includes, as the second window, a window having a shape not included in the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position and capable of displaying the entire region of the shape without lacking. 7. The window display method according to claim 6, further comprising: a creating step of creating a window based on the creating step; and a displaying step of displaying the window created by the creating step. 11. At least a screen display device, wherein a first window currently being subjected to an input operation is displayed on the screen display device, and a second window is overlapped on the upper surface of the first window. In a computer-readable storage medium storing a window display method applied to an information processing apparatus of a type in which a window is displayed as a program, the window display method is designated by a cursor on the first window. A determining step of determining whether the input position is separated from the second window by a predetermined distance; and determining by the determining step that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance. When the second window is moved within the predetermined distance from the designated input position. And a processing step of performing processing so as not to be located in the storage medium. 12. The processing step comprises: stopping the display of the second window on the screen display device when it is determined that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, further comprising: a step of: restarting the display of the second window on the screen display device when the first window is no longer an input operation target. . 13. The processing step includes, when it is determined that the designated input position is not separated from the second window by the predetermined distance, the second window is positioned on a lower surface side than the first window. A first display step for displaying, and a second display for displaying, when the first window is no longer a target of an input operation, the second window on an original display level above the first window. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, comprising: 14. The processing step, wherein, when the second window is displayed, the entire area of the second window is displayed without missing, and the entire area is located at a predetermined distance from the designated input position. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: a determining step of determining a display position that is not included in the range; and a moving step of moving the second window to the display position determined by the determining step. Storage media. 15. The processing step includes, as the second window, a window having a shape not included in the range of the predetermined distance from the designated input position and capable of displaying the entire region of the shape without lacking. 12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising: a creating step of creating a window based on the creating step;
The storage medium according to the above.