JP2002259009A - Tool bar display method and its recoding medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tool bar display, superior in display performance and operability by plainly displaying start icons or the like of many programs, so that they will not be in the way. SOLUTION: A tool bar display method is comprised of a step, where a horizontal or vertical band-shaped master screen window 16 is opened and displayed in a display screen 11 by selection of a tool bar display 13, a step where actuation is made by display of the window 16 to reserve an area for a slave screen window 17 on the window 16, a step where activation is made by this area reservation to select and initially display prescribed one of a lot of tool screen 19a to 19d like launcher screens registered in a storage part 15 in the slave screen window 17, and a step where respective tool screens in the storage part 25 are selected and displayed in the window 17 in order by switching of the tool bar display 13 after this initial display, and tool screen 19a to 19d in the storage part 25 are switched and displayed in the window 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying a toolbar on a display screen of a computer having a multi-window display function, and a recording medium therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a computer device having a multi-window display function, there are a Windows OS of Microsoft Corporation, an X Window OS developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a personal computer and a workstation equipped with a Mac OS of Apple Inc.

[0003] These computer devices can open and display a plurality of application program windows on a display screen by the multi-window function.

In this case, a computer device equipped with a Microsoft Windows OS will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, windows 2a to 2d of a plurality of application programs executed on the Windows OS are superimposed on a display screen 1 of the computer. Is displayed.

Next, in these computer devices, a graphical user interface (GU) is used.
Using I), a toolbar is also displayed on the display screen.

In the case of the Windows OS, as shown in FIG. 11, there are a toolbar display 4 such as a task bar display 3 with a start button of the attached program and a tool bar display 4 such as a launcher screen of a utility program. Screen.

[0007] When the toolbar display 4 is a launcher screen display, start icons of registered application programs and icons for selecting / designating conditions are arranged and displayed in the band-shaped screen. Is selected by mouse operation or the like, a program registered corresponding to those icons is executed.

[0008] This type of toolbar display is useful as a means for effectively utilizing the display screen of a computer device.

[0009]

In the conventional toolbar display, as will be described below, when the number of registered programs is increased and the number of icons to be displayed is increased, the display becomes difficult to see. Conversely, the toolbar display becomes large, the area occupied by the toolbar display on the display screen increases, and the work area (desktop area) of the display screen decreases.

That is, in the conventional toolbar display with a fixed occupation area, a fixed area 5 of the toolbar display 4 is used for displaying icons and the like of a registered program, as shown in FIG.

If the number of registered programs is two, A and B, as shown in FIG. 12B, the area 5 is divided into an area SA of _A and an area SB of _B separated by a broken line. When the program is divided into two and icons and the like of both programs are displayed, and the number of registered programs is increased to three, that is, A, B, and C, the area 5 becomes the area S of A, B, and C as shown in FIG. _a ', S _B', when it is divided into three S _C, icons of each program are displayed.

Further, when the number of registered programs is A, B, C,
D, the display area 5 becomes A, B, C, and D areas S _A ″, S _B ″, S _C ′, and _D ′ as shown in FIG.
Icon of each program is displayed divided into four S _D.

Therefore, as the number of registered programs increases, the display space for each icon and the like becomes narrower.
They are displayed in reduced size or some icons are hidden, making it difficult to see.

On the other hand, in the occupied area variable type toolbar display 4 'shown in FIG. 13, the display area of one registered program is constant, and four programs A, B, C, and D are registered. And the toolbar display 4 'becomes a so-called two-stage display, where the areas T _A and T _{B of A} and _B are located in the upper part, and the areas T _C and T _D of C and D are located in the lower part. The area of the toolbar display 4 'is increased in proportion, and as a result, the work area (desktop area) of the display screen 1 is reduced, and the toolbar display 4' is obstructed.

Therefore, in the conventional toolbar display, the number of programs that can be registered is limited, and there is a problem that a large number of application programs cannot be registered and displayed as icons.

Conventionally, even simple utility programs such as a display of a free memory capacity and a mail reception status display must be opened and displayed in a work area of the display screen, and the display screen is displayed. There is also a problem that the utilization efficiency of the work area is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new toolbar display for easily displaying a large number of program startup icons and the like without enlarging an occupied area on a display screen. It is also an issue to plan.

[0018]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a toolbar display method according to the present invention, by selecting a toolbar display, a strip-shaped main screen window in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction is displayed on the display screen of the computer device. Opening and displaying, and starting by displaying the parent screen window, securing a child screen window area having a display width along the window in the parent screen window, and starting by securing this area, A step of selecting a predetermined tool screen from a plurality of tool screens registered in a storage unit such as a launcher screen in which icons are arranged and initially displaying the selected tool screen in a sub-screen window, and switching the display after the initial display to each of the storage units. Selecting the tool screens in the registered priority order and displaying them in the sub-screen window. To c, the display is switched each tool screen of the storage unit.

Therefore, when the toolbar display is selected, a band-shaped main screen window is displayed on the display screen of the computer device, and a sub-screen window is secured in this window. Are switched and displayed in priority order.

At this time, icons and the like are arranged on each tool screen in consideration of the viewability, and the icons and the like are opened in the work area (desktop area) of the display screen by switching the tool screens. Can be displayed easily so as not to disturb the window.

Further, by switching the tool screen, a simple utility program window can be opened in the area of the child screen, and the screen can be displayed in an easy-to-view manner. In this case, the display is not disturbed. Therefore, a new toolbar display excellent in displayability and operability can be provided.

When the tool bar display after the initial display is switched by sequentially selecting each tool screen of the storage unit by rotating a wheel such as a mouse with a wheel, the so-called wheel operation makes the toolbar display extremely easy. The tool screen can be switched and selected, and the operability of the display is further improved.

Next, in the recording medium of the present invention, a computer device having a multi-window display function
A step of opening and displaying a horizontal or vertical band-shaped main screen window on the display screen by selecting the toolbar display; and displaying a child screen having a display width along the window, which is activated by the display of the main screen window. Securing a screen window area, and selecting a predetermined tool screen from a plurality of tool screens activated by securing the area and registered in a storage unit such as a launcher screen in which a plurality of icons are arranged, and setting a child screen. Computer reading for executing a process of initially displaying the window in the window and a step of selecting the tool screens in the storage unit in the registered priority order and displaying the window in the sub-screen window by switching the toolbar display after the initial display. Provide a possible program.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording medium that realizes the above-mentioned toolbar display method.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows an external view of a computer device 6 having a multi-window display function. This computer device 6 is, for example, a notebook-type personal computer equipped with a Microsoft Windows OS, and is pointed to a main body 8 having a keyboard 7. A mouse 9 as a device is connected by wire or wirelessly. This mouse 9 is a so-called mouse with a foil, and has left and right click parts 9a and 9b and a foil part 9c.

The computer device 6 has a liquid crystal display unit 10, and a display screen 11 of the display unit 10 has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and a task bar display 12 with a band-shaped start button is positioned at the lower end. In the upper end portion, a bar-shaped toolbar display 13 in the left-right direction of the present invention is located.
13, windows 15 a and 15 of a plurality of application programs are provided in a central desktop area 14.
b, 15c and 15d are opened and displayed.

The display positions of the task bar display 12 and the toolbar display 13 are set so as to be movable by mouse operation or the like. In some cases, the display positions are displayed on the left and right end portions of the display screen 11 in a vertical band shape. In addition, the length of both displays 12 and 13 matches the width of the normal display screen 11 in the left and right or up and down directions.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the toolbar display 13 comprises a strip-shaped main screen window 16 and a sub-screen window 17 opened at the center of the window 16. Here, the display of both windows is performed. Each width is set to the display width of one column or one row.

The left end of the main screen window 16 is an information area 16a for displaying the menu screen of the toolbar display 13 and the title of the sub screen window 17, and the right end is provided with a plurality of operation button icons 18a, 18b,
The control area 16b is provided with 18c and 18d.

An icon 18 a is a selection button for various setting screens of the toolbar display 13, and an icon 18 b is a tool screen 2 (to be described later) displayed in the sub screen window 17.
A screen switching button, an icon 18c is a button for sequentially switching and displaying a tool screen, and an icon 18d is a selection button for opening a window for displaying a list of tool screens.

Further, in the sub-screen window 17, for example, a plurality of tool screens 19a, 19b, 19c, and 19d shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are assigned priorities. Is displayed selectively.

The tool screens 19a to 19d are arranged in various sizes such as various icons 20, such as start icons of various registered application programs, a selection window 21, such as a file name, and a status display window 22, in a suitable size. For example, the tool screen 19a is
Start icon 2 of appropriate number of application programs
It is a launcher screen in which 0s are arranged.

Next, the main body 8 has a circuit configuration as shown in FIG. 6, for example. A CPU 24, a storage unit 25 such as a hard disk, a keyboard 7, a mouse 9 and the like are connected to a common bus 23. The ROM 26 in which the basic program is written and the working RAM 27 are connected.

The programs of the parent screen window 16 and the child screen window 17 are provided by a CD-ROM as a recording medium together with a display control program (main program) as a computer readable application program for displaying a toolbar. , C
The program is read from the CD-ROM by the PU 24 and stored in the storage unit 25 in advance, and the programs of the tool screens 19 a to 19 d are registered in the program of the child screen window 17 and stored in the storage unit 25.

The program on each of the tool screens 19a to 19d can be added, registered,
Deletion etc. can be performed, and the program of the child screen window 17
It is registered freely with a priority order.

When the personal computer 6 is powered on and started, the CPU 24 executes the Windows OS program in the storage unit 25, displays the initial screen of the Windows OS on the display screen 10, and then displays the initial screen of the task bar display 12. A startup program such as a program is executed, and a task bar display 12 is provided at a lower end of the display screen 11.

The toolbar display 13 is automatically selected as a start-up program or selected by a mouse operation. With this selection, the control program of the toolbar display 13 in the storage unit 25 is called by the CPU 24 and executed. Based on this execution, the programs of the parent screen window 16 and the child screen window 17 of the storage unit 25 are executed. For example, the toolbar display 13 is displayed at the upper end of the display screen 11.

The display method of the toolbar display 13 comprises the following steps (i) to (iv). When the mouse 9 is operated, the tool screens 19a to 19d of the storage unit 25 are switched to the child screen window 17. Is displayed.

(I) By selecting the toolbar display 13,
Step of opening and displaying a horizontal or vertical band-shaped main screen window 16 on the display screen 11 (ii) Activated by the display of the main screen window 16, and one line or one along the window 16 in the main screen window 16 Step (iii) of allocating the area of the child screen window 17 having the display width of the line. (Iii) A plurality of tool screens 19a to 19d activated by allocating the area and registered in the storage unit 25 such as a launcher screen where a plurality of icons are arranged. From the above, a step of selecting a predetermined tool screen 19a to 19d and initially displaying the tool screen 19a to 19d in the child screen window 17 (iv) By switching the toolbar display after the initial display, the respective tool screens 19a to 19d of the storage unit 25 are registered and registered Step of selecting in order and displaying on the sub-screen window 17

More specifically, when the CPU 24 operates as shown in FIG. 7 and the control program of the toolbar display 13 in the storage unit 25 is called by the CPU 24 and the toolbar display 13 is selected, step Q in FIG. transition from ₁ to step Q ₂ to which corresponds to the step (i), the storage unit 2
5 is called and executed, and the display screen 11 is displayed.
The parent screen window 16 is opened and displayed.

Next, in step Q _3, which corresponds to the step (ii), calls the sub-screen program storage unit 25 in conjunction with the display of the main screen window 16, and up and running this program, The central part of the main screen window 16 is released from the control of the program of the main screen window 16 and the area of the child screen window 17 is secured.

[0042] Further, in step Q _4, which corresponds to the step (iii), the tool screen priority one of each tool screen 19a~19d registered are given the priority to the child screen program, for example, launcher The program on the tool screen 19a, which is a screen, is executed, and the tool screen 19a is executed.
a is displayed in the sub screen window 17.

[0043] Then, a desired icon 20 is clicked portion 9a of the mouse 9 of the tool screen 19a, is clicked by 9b, the process proceeds to step Q ₈ via step _{Q 5, Q 6, Q 7} , the CPU24 The program of the icon 20 in the storage unit 25 is executed, and the window of the program is displayed on the desktop area 14 of the display screen 10 as an active window.

Next, in this embodiment, in order to easily switch the tool screens 19a to 19d, when the display cursor is on the toolbar display 13, the wheel section 9c of the mouse 9 is turned to perform the wheel operation. performing the positive of the predetermined angle, for each reverse rotation, step (i step Q ₅ in FIG. 7
v proceeds to step Q ₉ corresponding to), closed for example tool screen 9a in the display, after the priority one ahead or, in particular tool screen 9b of the second priority or priority 4 or 9
By executing the program d, the display of the child screen window 17 is switched from the tool screen 9a to the tool screen 9b or the tool screen 9d.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the tool screen displayed in the child screen window 17 is changed from the tool screen 9a to the tool screens 9b and 9 for each wheel operation of the mouse 9.
c, 9d to the tool screen 9a or the tool screen 9
The screen is switched from a to the tool screen 9a via the tool screens 9d, 9c, 9b so as to rotate.

Next, the mouse 9 is moved to the parent screen window 16.
Information area 16a, the control click is operated in the area 16b, the process proceeds to step Q ₁₁ through step Q _6, Q _7, Q ₁₀ Step Q ₅ in FIG. 7, the storage unit corresponding to the region 16a, 16b 25 Execute the program stored in.

At this time, the icon 18 in the control area 16b
In the case of the click of b, the tool screen of the child screen window 17 is easily switched from the displayed tool screen to the previous and subsequent tool screens according to the click position on the icon.

If the icon 18c in the control area 16b is clicked, the tool screen to be displayed is sequentially switched for each click based on the execution of the program, and there is no problem even when a mouse without the wheel 9c is used. It does not happen.

Further, the icon 18d in the control area 16b
8, all registered tool screens 19a to 19d are displayed in a list as shown in FIG. 8. When a desired tool screen is clicked from this list display, the tool screen is displayed in the sub-screen window 17. Is done.

Next, by selecting the end of the toolbar display from the menu screen of the information area 16a, the process proceeds to step Q ₁₂ through step Q ₆ Step Q ₅ in FIG. 7, the parent being displayed, the child window 16, The program 17 is terminated, the windows 16 and 17 are closed, and the display of the toolbar is deleted from the display screen 11.

Each of the tool screens 19a to 19 is displayed on a small screen window 17 having a fixed area of one column display or one line display.
Since d is switched and displayed, an appropriate number is registered and arranged in each of the tool screens 19a to 19d so that a large number of icons 20 such as utility programs and windows 21 and 22 are all displayed in an easily viewable size. Various utility programs and the like can be easily executed by the displayed and toolbar display 13, and the toolbar display 13 does not disturb the display.

In this embodiment, the tool screen 19
A to 19d are easily switched to rotate by the wheel operation of the mouse 9, and the operability is extremely excellent.

The switching of the tool screen by the wheel operation has a remarkable effect also on the drag and drop file transfer described below.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the file (target file) displayed in the window 21 of the tool screen 19x being displayed is replaced with the tool screen 19 which is not displayed.
When the target file is transferred to the y window 21 by the drag and drop method, the tool screen displayed by the wheel operation of the mouse 9 is switched to the tool screen 9y while the target file is dragged by the operation of the click portion 9a of the mouse 9. ,
The target file can be dropped and transferred to the window 21, and the file transfer and the like can be easily performed on the toolbar display 13.

In the case of the conventional toolbar display, a file cannot be directly transferred to a holder or the like that is not displayed on the toolbar.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the object α of the active window 15x displayed on the front of the desktop area 14 of the display screen 11 is hidden by the window 15x of the rear window 15y. In the case of moving to the position β, even if the object α is dragged by the mouse operation, conventionally, the active window cannot be switched only by the mouse operation, and it is difficult to move the active window to the target position β. In the case of,
By switching the tool screen of the toolbar display 13 by the wheel operation of the mouse 9, the icon 20x of the window 15y is displayed, and the object α is moved and dropped on this icon 20x, as shown in FIG. 10B. Is switched to the window 15y, and it is very easy to attach the object α to the target position β.

In the above-described embodiment, the tool screen is switched by the wheel operation of the mouse 9. However, the switching may be performed by operating a trackball or a keyboard. It is not limited to. Further, the number, configuration, and the like of the tool screens 19a to 19d may be any.

Further, a plurality of tool screens may be simultaneously displayed in the child screen window 17 vertically and horizontally, and each tool screen may be switched and displayed in plurals.

At this time, the display widths of the sub screen window 17 and each tool screen are not limited.

Further, the display width of the child screen window 17 may be smaller than the display width of the parent screen window 16, and their dimensions and shapes are appropriately set so as not to disturb the display of the desktop area 14. Needless to say, at this time, a plurality of child screen windows may be displayed in parallel in the parent screen window 16, and the tool screen of each child screen window 17 may be individually switched and displayed.

The present invention can be applied to computer devices of various OSs having a multi-window display function and having a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0062]

The present invention has the following effects. When the toolbar display is selected, a band-shaped main screen window 16 is displayed on the display screen 11, and in this window 16, an area 17 of a sub-screen window having a display width of one column or one line is secured. In the window 17, a plurality of tool screens 19a to 19d of the storage unit 25 can be switched and displayed. In this case, each of the tool screens 19a to 19d is displayed.
By arranging a number of icons and the like in the 19d in consideration of the viewability, registration of a large number of programs is accepted, and by switching the tool screens 19a to 19d, the icons and the like are displayed in an easy-to-read manner without disturbing. Can be
It is possible to provide a toolbar display excellent in display performance and operation performance and its recording medium.

When switching of the toolbar display after the initial display is performed by sequentially selecting the tool screens 19a to 19d of the storage unit 25 by rotating a wheel such as a mouse with a wheel, a so-called wheel operation is performed. The display of the tool screens 19a to 19d can be easily switched, the operability can be further improved, and, for example, drag and drop to a holder or the like where a file is not displayed can be performed.
Transfer by drop and the like can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of switching of a toolbar display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external explanatory view of a computer device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a toolbar display of FIG. 3;

5 (a) to 5 (d) are explanatory diagrams of a tool screen displayed in the child screen window of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a main body of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a list display of the toolbar display of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of file transfer using the toolbar display of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of object transfer using the toolbar display of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of a conventional example.

12A to 12D are explanatory diagrams of an example of a toolbar display on the display screen of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of another example of a toolbar display on the display screen of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 Mouse 9c Wheel unit 11 Display screen 13 Tool bar display 16 Main screen window 17 Sub screen window 19a to 19d, 19x, 19y Tool screen 20 Icon 25 Storage unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for displaying a toolbar on a display screen of a computer device having a multi-window display function, comprising: opening a horizontal or vertical band-shaped main screen window on the display screen by selecting a toolbar display. Displaying, starting the display of the parent screen window, and securing an area of the child screen window having a display width along the window in the parent screen window; Selecting a predetermined tool screen from a plurality of tool screens registered in a storage unit such as a launcher screen in which a plurality of tool screens are arranged, and initially displaying the selected tool screen in the sub-screen window; Select each tool screen in the storage unit in the registered priority order and Consists of a step of displaying a window, the child picture plane window, the toolbar display method and displaying by switching the tool screen of the storage unit. 2. The tool bar display after the initial display is switched by sequentially selecting each tool screen of the storage unit by rotating a wheel such as a mouse with a wheel.
The described toolbar display method. 3. A recording medium for displaying a toolbar on a display screen of a computer device having a multi-window display function, wherein the computer device displays a toolbar in a horizontal or vertical direction on the display screen by selecting a toolbar display. Opening and displaying a main screen window; activating a display of the main screen window to secure an area of a child screen window having a display width along the window in the main screen window; A step of selecting a predetermined tool screen from a plurality of tool screens registered in a storage unit such as a launcher screen in which a plurality of icons are arranged, and initially displaying the selected tool screen in the child screen window; and a toolbar after the initial display. By switching the display, each tool screen in the storage unit is selected in the registered priority order Recording medium for providing a computer-readable program for executing the processing of the step of displaying the small picture window Te.