JP2004021596A - Information processing device having communication function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To symultaneously display on a main window and a subwindow at the same time and to simultaneously display mail information in the both windows in different display methods for clear recognition and for improvement in workability in an information processing device having a communication function. <P>SOLUTION: A display control part 13 is provided with a function for displaying a selection menu, by which the separate subwindow is displayed at the same time when the main window is displayed, displaying the subwindow according to the menu when the menu is selected, and displaying mail information cooperatively in both of the subwindow and the main window, a function for displaying mail information displayed in the both windows in different display methods so that important mail information can be distinguished from other mail information, and a function for indicating the sub window selection menu again according to an instruction from the outside for switching the subwindow during its display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a communication function usable for a personal computer, a workstation, a PDA, a portable telephone, etc., capable of transmitting and receiving electronic mail.
[0002]
2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example will be described below.
[0003]
(1): Overview
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an information processing apparatus having a communication function such as transmission and reception of electronic mail (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “mail”) in personal computers, workstations, PDAs, mobile phones, and the like. In the following description, an example of a personal computer will be described.
[0004]
In a conventional personal computer, when sending and receiving mail, information of the received mail (hereinafter, also referred to as “mail information”) (hereinafter, referred to as “mail information”) is displayed on a display screen of a display device of the personal computer (this screen). Is referred to as a “main window”).
[0005]
In this case, there are many methods for displaying the subject of the e-mail, for example, date and time (sending date and time and receiving date and time) display, importance order display, display by sender, and so on. And it will be displayed in only one window. That is, at present, one window (main window) is provided for a plurality of display methods.
[0006]
(2): Explanation of the time series state of the window
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a conventional time-series display state of a window. Hereinafter, a conventional example (an example of “Netscape Messenger 4.75” (registered trademark)) will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 15, (1), (2), (3), and (4) indicate states of the display screen that change in a time-series state (temporarily (1) → (2) → (3) → ▲). 4). The bold line in the figure indicates unread mail, and the thin line indicates already read mail.
[0007]
In this example, when the display of the incoming mail is set to "Date", pressing the receive button on the screen of the personal computer retrieves the latest incoming mail from the mail server, and when it is displayed, New mail with a date older than the last time the mail server was retrieved for incoming mail (also called "new mail") is buried in the lower part of the screen (when the upper part is set to a new time). Would.
[0008]
In FIG. 15, for example, it is assumed that the reception button is pressed at time = 20: 00. At this time, mail information such as the subject, sender, and time is displayed on the screen (1). When all the mails are read in this state, all the mail information is in a read state (display in fine print) as shown in (2).
[0009]
Next, it is assumed that the reception button is pressed again at time = 20: 10. At this time, as shown in (3), the mail transmitted before time = 20: 00 is buried in the read mail, but at this time, the cursor is set to this mail.
[0010]
In (4), when the receiving button is pressed again at time = 20: 10, if there are two or more newly arrived e-mails, it is difficult to understand at a glance. In addition, it is more difficult to understand if there is an email that has been read but not read because it is read once and then read back again.
[0011]
(3): Explanation of unread, read, new, and old combinations at the time of mail display "status"
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional state change at the time of displaying a mail. FIG. 16 shows the state of the unread, read, new, and old combinations at the time of the mail display “state”.
[0012]
For example, in “Netscape Messenger 4.75”, the identification of read and unread is “read: thin type” and “unread: bold type”. It is possible to return it to bold, and if you do so, it will not be read and it will remain as it is, and it will be difficult to find new mail if you increase the number of such mails, There is a risk of skipping this.
[0013]
If the upper part of the display of the incoming mail is set to “latest” in the “state”, the combination of unread, read, new, and old is as shown in FIG. If the display is set to "Date" and the display is set to "Status" while the cursor is on a relatively new mail, the cursor is set to the read mail that is closest to the oldest unread mail. You have to move the cursor a long distance to see new unread mail.
[0014]
For those who normally set the display of incoming mail to "date" at the top during normal use, the user must intentionally change the setting to "state" and search for new and old mail. In this way, it is inconvenient to change the settings on purpose, wait for the PC processing until the new display is completed, move the cursor from the redisplayed screen, search for it, find it, and then restore it again. .
[0015]
The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.
[0016]
That is, in the related art, when displaying mail reception information on a display screen at the time of receiving a mail (at the time of an incoming call), when it is desired to compare the subject and the like of the mail in different display states, an operation of changing the setting is performed. Will be needed. Even if you set it, you have to wait for it to be displayed.
[0017]
The present invention solves such a conventional problem and displays a sub window different from the conventionally displayed main window, and displays the subject of the mail and the like in the sub window simultaneously with the main window in a plurality of different methods. By doing so, it is an object to make the mail information easy to see and improve the work efficiency.
[0018]
The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.
[0019]
(1): A device main body having an e-mail transmission / reception function and a display device for displaying information, and a function of causing the device main body to display e-mail reception information on a main window of a display screen of the display device. In an information processing apparatus having a communication function provided with a display control unit, the display control unit is configured to display a sub window different from the main window at the same time as displaying the main window in response to an external instruction. A function of displaying a selection menu, and when detecting that a selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, displaying a sub-window according to the selected menu, and receiving an e-mail in conjunction with the main window in the sub-window. A function for displaying information, the main window and A function of displaying the received information of the e-mail displayed in the sub-window in different display methods so that new and unimportant e-mail information including unread and other read e-mail information can be distinguished. And a function of enabling the sub-window selection menu to be displayed again in response to receiving an instruction from the outside so that the sub-window can be switched while the sub-window is being displayed.
[0020]
(2): In the information processing apparatus having the communication function of (1), when the display control means detects that a selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, the display control means displays a sub-window according to the selected menu. In the sub-window, the received mail information including the subject, transmission date and time, and the sender's name of the received e-mail are grouped into a new group of mail information of high importance including unread, and a group of other mail information including read. The function to display the mail information separately from the most important mail information in the main window and the sub-window, and the other mail information when it detects that the mail information is changed to other mail information To the sub window where the mail information with the higher importance is changed to other mail information The quenched from the group of high importance e-mail information, new, characterized in that it comprises a function to appear in the group of mail information include other read.
[0021]
(3): In the information processing apparatus having the communication function of (1), when the display control unit detects that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, the mail information displayed in the sub-window is displayed. Among them, a feature is provided that a function of simplifying the display of mail information is provided by leaving only predetermined important information and not displaying other unnecessary information.
[0022]
(Action)
The operation of the present invention based on the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0023]
(A): In the above (1), the display control unit 13 (display control means) is configured to display a main window and simultaneously display a sub window different from the main window by an external instruction. (A menu for displaying the mail information in the subwindow in a plurality of different ways). When a selection operation (for example, a click operation with a mouse) is performed by the operator on the displayed sub-window selection menu and the operation is detected by the display control unit 13, the display control unit 13 according to the selected menu. A sub-window is displayed, and the received information of the e-mail is displayed in the sub-window in conjunction with the main window.
[0024]
In this case, of the received information of the e-mails displayed in the main window and the sub-window, the mail information which is new and has high importance including unread, and the other mail information including read, can be distinguished from each other. Display in the display method. As this display method, for example, the mail information with the higher importance is displayed in bold and the other mail information is displayed in thin.
[0025]
In addition, in response to receiving an instruction from the outside (for example, an instruction by a click operation with a mouse of an operator) during the display of the sub-window, the sub-window selection menu is displayed again. Enable switching of sub-windows.
[0026]
By doing so, the sub-window is displayed at the same time as the main window, and the mail information is displayed simultaneously in these two windows in different display methods, so that the mail information can be easily viewed and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0027]
(B): In the above (2), the display control means is selected when the operator performs a selection operation (for example, a click operation with a mouse) on the sub-window selection menu and the operation is detected by the display control unit 13. Display the sub window according to the menu, and display the mail information including the subject, sent date and time, and the sender's name of the received e-mail in the sub window, the new and unimportant mail information group including unread, and other read The mail information is divided into groups and displayed.
[0028]
Then, in response to detecting that the mail information displayed in the main window and the sub-windows has been changed from the mail information having higher importance to other mail information, the mail information is changed to another display method. The mail information of the sub window that has been changed from the high-importance mail information to other mail information is deleted from the high-importance mail information group, and newly added to the other read-including mail information group including read. Let it appear.
[0029]
By doing so, the sub-window is displayed at the same time as the main window, and the mail information is displayed simultaneously in these two windows in different display methods, so that the mail information can be easily viewed and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0030]
(C): In the above (3), the display control means performs a selection operation (for example, a click operation with a mouse) on the sub-window selection menu by the operator and, when the operation is detected by the display control unit 13, displays the display on the sub-window. Only predetermined important information is left out of the e-mail information, and other unnecessary information is not displayed. By doing so, the sub-window is displayed at the same time as the main window, and the mail information is displayed simultaneously in these two windows in different display methods, so that the mail information can be easily viewed and the work efficiency can be improved. In this case, the display of the mail information can be simplified.
[0031]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0032]
§1: Outline explanation
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. Hereinafter, a processing outline of the information processing apparatus having a communication function will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing apparatus having a communication function according to the present embodiment has the following units and functions.
[0033]
(1): The information processing apparatus having a communication function according to the present embodiment includes a device main body 6 having an e-mail transmission / reception function and a display device 1 for displaying information. A display control unit 13 having a function of displaying e-mail reception information on a main window of a display screen, a mail transmission / reception unit 11 for performing mail transmission / reception processing, a memory 12, and the like are provided.
[0034]
Then, when the mail is received, the mail is stored in the memory 12, and thereafter, the display control unit 13 extracts and edits the mail information stored in the memory 12, and displays the main window and the main window on the display screen of the display device 1. Displays sub-windows, and displays the mail information in each window at the same time.
[0035]
(2): The display control unit 13 displays a main window and, at the same time, displays a sub-window selection menu for displaying a sub-window different from the main window in response to an instruction from the operator (for example, a click operation on the screen with a mouse). Is displayed.
[0036]
When detecting that the selection operation of the sub window selection menu has been performed, the sub window is displayed according to the selected menu, and the reception information of the e-mail is displayed in the sub window in conjunction with the main window.
[0037]
In this case, of the received information of the e-mails displayed in the main window and the sub-window, the mail information which is new and has high importance including unread, and the other mail information including read, can be distinguished from each other. Display in the display method. Further, the sub-window selection menu is displayed again in response to receiving an instruction from the outside, so that the sub-window can be switched while the sub-window is being displayed.
[0038]
(3): The display control means, when detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, displays the sub-window according to the selected menu, and the subject, transmission date and time, and the sender of the received e-mail in the sub-window. The received mail information including the first name is displayed separately in a group of newly arrived mail information including unread and of high importance, and a group of other mail information including read.
[0039]
Further, when it is detected that the mail information displayed in the main window and the sub-window has changed from the mail information having higher importance to other mail information, the mail information is changed to another display method, and the mail information is changed to another display method. The mail information in the sub-window which has been changed from the high-level mail information to the other mail information disappears from the high-priority mail information group, and newly appears in the other mail information group including read.
[0040]
(4): The display control means, when detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, leaves only predetermined important information out of the mail information displayed in the sub-window, and other unnecessary information. The display of e-mail information is simplified by preventing the display of unnecessary information.
[0041]
(5): In addition, it has the following functions.
[0042]
{Circle around (1)} In this apparatus, windows in which a subject and the like are displayed are simultaneously displayed by a plurality of different methods. For example, the display based on “date” is displayed on the main window as usual, and the “status” window is displayed as a subwindow.
[0043]
{Circle over (2)} When a display of an incoming mail is set to “date”, a new dedicated mail and an unread mail are opened in a separate window for exclusive use. Here, it is assumed that when the read state is set, the window is deleted from this dedicated window and only the window of the normal “date” setting display appears. This saves time in searching.
[0044]
{Circle around (3)} In addition to the above, a separate dedicated window can be set for display. In this case, the following is possible.
[0045]
A: The user can set whether to display the incoming unread mail between when and when.
[0046]
B: Even if the status is unread, the mail that has already been read may be read again later, so that it can be displayed even in the unread state.
[0047]
C: Display in order of importance.
[0048]
D: Display child mail tree (to confirm history).
[0049]
§2: Explanation of the example of the device
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the device configuration. The example shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which an information processing apparatus having a communication function according to the present invention is realized by a personal computer (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “computer”). A display device (display device) 1, an input device 3 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a removable disk drive (RDD) 4, a hard disk device (HDD) 5, and the like are provided.
[0050]
The computer main body 2 includes a mail transmitting / receiving unit 11 for transmitting / receiving mail, a memory 12 for storing received mail (incoming mail), a main window and a sub window on a display screen of the display device 1. And a display control unit 13 that controls editing and display of mail information.
[0051]
In this case, the mail transmitting / receiving unit 11 and the display control unit 13 are configured by a program. The computer main body 2 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a communication control unit for controlling communication when communicating with the outside, and the like, but these are not shown.
[0052]
The processing performed by the mail transmission / reception unit 11 and the display control unit 13 is executed by controlling a program (not shown) stored (recorded or stored) on a magnetic disk of the hard disk device (HDD) 5 in advance. Reading is performed by the CPU executing the read program.
[0053]
However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a program may be stored in the magnetic disk of the hard disk device 5 as follows, and the program may be executed by the CPU to execute the processing. It is possible.
[0054]
{Circle around (1)} A program (program data created by another device) stored on a removable disk (floppy disk, CD-ROM, other optical disk, etc.) created by another device is read by the removable disk drive 4. Is stored in a recording medium (magnetic disk) of the hard disk device 5.
[0055]
{Circle over (2)} Receiving data such as a program transmitted from another device via a communication line such as a LAN or the Internet via a communication control unit, and transmitting the data to a recording medium (magnetic disk) of the hard disk device 5. Store.
[0056]
§3: Explanation of window display
FIG. 3 is a display example of another window. The display screen of the display device 1 displays information of the received e-mail (incoming mail) (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “mail information”), and the display screen in this case is called a “main window”. While the main window is displayed, another window (one or more windows) is displayed at the same time as the main window, and this another window is referred to as a “sub window”.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 3, ordinary mail information is displayed in the main window 50 (the same display as in the conventional example), but is simultaneously displayed with the main window 50 by an external instruction (for example, a click operation with a mouse on the screen). The sub window 51 is additionally displayed. The sub window 51 displays the same mail information (information on the subject, transmission date and time, sender, etc. of the incoming mail) in conjunction with the main window 50. Hereinafter, the display method will be specifically described.
[0058]
{Circle around (1)} The display method based on “date” is a method of arranging the sender (sender) from the newest transmission time in order from the upper side. In this specification, the term “date” is used to include not only the date but also the date and time.
[0059]
{Circle over (2)} The display method according to the “state” means that the subject, date, sender (sender name), etc. are displayed in bold in order from the newest transmission time of the sender (sender). It is a method of arranging in order.
[0060]
{Circle around (3)} In the present embodiment, the new mail is set to be displayed in bold, and once read (when the mail is opened and read), it becomes thin. However, it has been adopted that even the read mail is judged to be important (it is necessary to read it again), and the read mail is displayed in bold again to make it stand out at the same level as new mail. I have.
[0061]
{Circle over (4)}: The mail information can be displayed at the same time without switching the display between the "date" and the "state".
[0062]
{Circle over (5)} Since an e-mail is a report and an instruction, even a message that has become insignificant due to a small print, only a window in which the subject of the e-mail that the user (operator etc.) attaches importance to appears. This is dangerous, and the display functions of Examples 1 to 6 described below can avoid this.
[0063]
§ 4: Explanation of window display example by specific example
(1): Window display of Example 1
FIG. 4 is a display screen of Example 1. In Example 1, the display method of the main window is “date”. The display method of the sub-window is “status”, and the display content is an example of subject / date / sender.
[0064]
As described above, in Example 1, the information (subject / date / sender) of the received mail is displayed on the main window 50, and the sub-window 51 is displayed based on the instruction of the operator. In this example, the subject / date / sender is displayed in the displayed sub-window 51. In this case, the same mail information is displayed simultaneously in the mail information displayed on the main window and the sub window.
[0065]
In this case, the main window displays the e-mail information including the subject, date (sent date and time) and the sender's name of the received (received) e-mail, a group of new and unimportant e-mail information including unread, It is assumed that the mail information is displayed separately from the group of mail information including read.
[0066]
In addition, in Example 1, the upper third of the sub window 51 is bold, but the entire screen may be bold or vice versa. Further, the subject, date, and sender of the sender are displayed in the sub-window, but the size is not specified in this sub-window 51.
[0067]
Furthermore, the order of the overlapping of the main window and the subwindow can be realized (changed) by placing the cursor on the window to be displayed in the foreground and clicking, and can be changed on the task bar.
[0068]
(2): Window display of Example 2
FIG. 5 is a display screen of Example 2. In Example 2, the display method of the main window is “date”. The display method of the sub-window is “status”, and the display content is an example in which the subject is a subject.
[0069]
Thus, in Example 2, only the subject is displayed in the subwindow. That is, in this example, only the subject is displayed without displaying the date / sender displayed in the sub window 51 of the first example. Thus, the display of the sub window 51 can be simplified.
[0070]
(3): Window display of Example 3
FIG. 6 is a display screen of Example 3. In Example 3, the display method of the main window is only “contents” (text). The display method of the sub-window is “date”, and the display content is an example of subject / date / sender.
[0071]
As described above, in Example 3, only the contents of the mail are displayed on the main window, and the subject / date / sender is displayed on the sub-window. This example has a feature that the entire mail can be easily seen.
[0072]
That is, in contrast to the display of Example 1, a portion for displaying information such as the subject, date, and sender in the main window 50 is eliminated, so that a space for displaying the contents of the mail can be widened. This is because information such as the subject is often unnecessary when reading the contents of the mail.
[0073]
(4): Window display of Example 4
FIG. 7 is a display screen of Example 4. This example is an example in which a tree of the currently displayed content is displayed in the subwindow 51 of Example 3 so that the user can systematically grasp the related mail. In this case, the lower part of the sub-window 51 is a tree 52, which displays all replies to a certain mail (related mail).
[0074]
In this case, as an example of the tree, for example, when a certain mail (first mail) has a plurality of child mails related to the mail, the first mail is used to check the mail history. This is edited into data expressing the relationship between and child mail in a tree shape. In this processing, the mail information stored in the memory 12 by the display control unit 13 is extracted, edited, and displayed. In addition to the above, necessary tree-shaped data may be arbitrarily created from the mail information and displayed. The tree may be created by implementing a predetermined editing procedure using a program of the display control unit 13.
[0075]
(5): Window display of Example 5
FIG. 8 is a display screen of Example 5. Example 5 is an example in which when the character of the mail information becomes thin (when the mail is read), it disappears from the state display portion and another subject appears at the same time. Specifically, it is as follows.
[0076]
{Circle around (1)}: Example 5 divides the subwindow into right and left, sets the left subwindow as the left subwindow 53, sets the right subwindow as the right subwindow 54, sets “date” in the left subwindow 53, and sets “state” in the right subwindow 54. Is displayed. This is a combination of Examples 1 and 2.
[0077]
{Circle around (2)} It is assumed that the subject “Re: LVP Request FPCA 02-001” has been selected and the content has been displayed. Then, this e-mail is displayed in fine characters and displayed as in Example 6 described below.
[0078]
(6): Window display of Example 6
FIG. 9 is a display screen of Example 6. In this example, the subject “Re: LVP Request FPCA 02-001” of Example 5 has disappeared from the bold type display in the right sub-window 54 because it has become a thin type. After that, in the right sub-window 54, the data is moved up one by one from bottom to top as much as one is lost. Then, in the right sub-window 54, the character is changed to a fine character at that position.
[0079]
§5: Flowchart description of processing
(1): Common display processing
FIG. 10 is a display processing flowchart. Hereinafter, the common display process will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, S1 to S8 indicate each processing step.
[0080]
First, it is assumed that the display control unit 13 displays a main window as in the conventional example, and displays information (mail information) of an incoming mail on the main window. In this case, the main window displays the e-mail information including the subject, date (sent date and time) and the sender's name of the received (received) e-mail, a group of new and unimportant e-mail information including unread, It is assumed that the mail information is displayed separately from the group of mail information including read. The following processing is performed in this state.
[0081]
First, the display control unit 13 determines whether or not a sub-window call instruction (an instruction to be performed by the operator by clicking the displayed sub-window call information with a mouse) has been received (S1). When the sub window is called, the sub window selection screen is displayed (S2).
[0082]
In this case, a plurality of "display menus" prepared in advance are displayed on the sub window selection screen. In this example, an example in which there are six types of menus, display menu # 1 to display menu # 6, will be described. .
[0083]
Note that the “display menu # 1” is a menu for displaying the example 1, the “display menu # 2” is a menu for displaying the example 2, and the “display menu # 3” is "Display menu # 4" is a menu for displaying the example 4, and "Display menu # 5" is a menu for displaying the example 5. And "display menu # 6" is a menu for displaying the example 6.
[0084]
When the operator selects an arbitrary menu (for example, clicks with a mouse) from the plurality of “display menus” (# 1 to # 6) as described above (any of S3 to S8), a display described below is displayed. The processes of menus # 1 to # 6 are executed, and the screen of the selected menu is displayed on the next screen.
[0085]
(2): Processing of display menus # 1 and # 2
FIG. 11 is a processing flowchart of the display menus # 1 and # 2. Hereinafter, the processing of the display menus # 1 and # 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The following process is a process performed by the display control unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 2, and S11 to S18 indicate each processing step. This processing is an example of processing for displaying the display screen of Example 1 or Example 2.
[0086]
First, in the processing of S2 shown in FIG. 10, when the display menu # 1 or # 2 is selected (selected by an operation of an operator or the like), the display control unit 13 performs the following processing. As described above, when the display menu # 1 or # 2 is selected, the display control unit 13 displays a sub-window (see Examples 1 and 2) according to the selected menu (S11).
[0087]
Thereafter, the display control unit 13 determines whether or not the mail whose subject is written in bold (new mail and mail information of high importance including unread) has been selected (whether or not it has been clicked by the mouse by the operator's operation). (S12) If it is not selected, wait for it to be selected, and if it is selected, thin the characters such as the subject of the mail in the main window (S13).
[0088]
At the same time, the characters such as the subject of the mail (read mail) in the sub window are thinned (S14). Next, the status display such as the subject of the mail is erased from the bold group in the sub-window (control not to delete but to display) (S15). Next, the status display such as the subject of the mail is made to appear in the group of small characters in the sub-window (S16). Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the sub-window has been received (S17). If the instruction to change the sub-window has not been received, the sub-window being displayed is deleted (18). Then, the process proceeds to the process of S2 (see FIG. 10).
[0089]
(3): Processing of Example 3
FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart of the display menu # 3. Hereinafter, the process of the display menu # 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, S21 to S28 indicate each processing step. This processing is an example of processing for displaying the display screen of Example 3.
[0090]
First, when the display menu # 3 is selected (selected by the operation of the operator or the like) in the processing of S2 shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 13 performs the following processing. As described above, when the display menu # 3 is selected, the display control unit 13 displays a subwindow (see Example 3) according to the selected menu (S21).
[0091]
Next, the display control unit 13 erases (does not display) the subject and the like of all the emails in the main window and expands the display of the content body there (the area where the subject and the like have disappeared) (S22). . Next, in the sub-window, it is determined whether or not an e-mail whose subject is written in bold (e-mail information that is new and has high importance including unread) has been selected (whether or not it has been clicked with the mouse by an operator's operation) (S23). If not selected, wait for the selection, and if selected, the display control unit 13 makes the subject and the like of the mail in the sub-window thin (S24) and displays the status display of the subject and the like of the mail in the sub-window. It is erased from the bold group (control not to delete but to display) (S25).
[0092]
Next, the status display such as the subject of the mail is made to appear in the group of small characters in the sub window (S26). Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the sub-window has been received (S27). If the instruction to change the sub-window has not been received, the sub-window being displayed is deleted (S28). Then, the process proceeds to the process of S2 (see FIG. 10).
[0093]
(4): Processing of Example 4
FIG. 13 is a processing flowchart of the display menu # 4. Hereinafter, the processing of the display menu # 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, S31 to S39 indicate each processing step. This processing is an example of processing for displaying the display screen of Example 4.
[0094]
First, in the process of S2 shown in FIG. 10, when the display menu # 4 is selected (selected by the operation of the operator or the like), the display control unit 13 performs the following process. As described above, when the display menu # 4 is selected, the display control unit 13 displays a sub window (see Example 4) according to the selected menu (S31).
[0095]
Next, the display control unit 13 erases (does not display) the subject and the like of all the mails in the main window and expands the display of the content body there (the area where the subject and the like have disappeared) (S32). .
[0096]
Next, in the sub-window, it is determined whether or not an e-mail whose subject is written in bold is selected (S33). If it is not selected, the process waits as it is. A tree of information is created, and a tree screen is displayed in the sub window (S34).
[0097]
In this case, as an example of the tree, for example, when a certain mail (first mail) has a plurality of child mails related to the mail, the first mail is used to check the mail history. This is edited into data expressing the relationship between and child mail in a tree shape. In this process, the display control unit 13 extracts, edits, and displays the mail information stored in the memory 12.
[0098]
Next, the display control unit 13 makes the characters such as the subject of the mail in the sub-window into thin characters (S35), and the status display such as the subject of the mail disappears (instead of being deleted) from the bold group in the sub-window. (Simply not displaying) (S36). Next, the status display such as the subject of the mail is displayed in the group of small characters in the sub window (S37). Then, it is determined whether or not a sub-window change instruction has been received (S38). If no change instruction has been received, the sub-window is left as it is. If the change instruction has been received, the displayed sub-window is deleted (S39). Then, the process proceeds to the process of S2 (see FIG. 10).
[0099]
(5): Processing of display menus # 5 and # 6
FIG. 14 is a processing flowchart of the display menus # 5 and # 6. Hereinafter, the processing of the display menus # 5 and # 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, S41 to S48 indicate each processing step. This processing is an example of processing for displaying the display screens of Examples 5 and 6.
[0100]
First, in the process of S2 shown in FIG. 10, when the display menu # 5 or # 6 is selected (selected by an operation of an operator or the like), the display control unit 13 performs the following process. As described above, when the display menu # 5 or # 6 is selected, the display control unit 13 divides the sub window (see Examples 5 and 6) into right and left according to the selected menu, and displays “date” on the left. , "Status" is displayed on the right side (S41).
[0101]
Next, the display control unit 13 deletes (does not display) the subject and the like of all the mails in the main window and expands the display of the content body here (S32). Next, it is determined whether an e-mail whose subject is written in bold is selected in the sub-window (S43). If the e-mail is not selected, the process waits as it is. The characters such as the subject are thinned (S44), and the status display such as the subject of the mail disappears from the bold group in the sub-window (control not to delete but to display) (S45).
[0102]
Next, the status display such as the subject of the mail is made to appear in the group of small characters in the sub-window (S46). Then, it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the sub-window has been received (S47). If the instruction to change the sub-window has not been received, it is left as it is, and if the instruction to change has been received, the currently displayed sub-window is erased (S48). Then, the process proceeds to the process of S2 (see FIG. 10).
[0103]
(Other explanations)
(1): Although the above-described example has been described with respect to an example applied to a personal computer, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and can be similarly realized by any computer such as a workstation. Further, the present invention is not limited to a computer, and can be implemented in a PDA, a mobile phone, or the like in the same manner as described above.
[0104]
(2): In the above-described example, the mail information that is new and has high importance including unread and the mail information including other read messages are displayed in different display methods so that they can be distinguished from each other. In this case, an example has been described in which mail information with high importance is displayed in bold and other mail information is displayed in thin, but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and other methods can be used.
[0105]
For example, newly arrived mail information having a high degree of importance including unread and mail information including other read messages can be displayed by being distinguished by color coding, underlining, shading, or the like. In this case, whether the importance is high or low may be determined by an operator operating a personal computer or the like and inputting the data and control information.
[0106]
(Note)
The following configuration is added to the above description.
[0107]
(Appendix 1)
A display control unit having a device main body having an e-mail transmission / reception function and a display device for displaying information, and having the function of causing the device main body to display e-mail reception information on a main window of a display screen of the display device. In an information processing apparatus having a communication function provided,
The display control means,
A function of displaying a sub window selection menu for displaying a sub window different from the main window at the same time as the main window is displayed by an external instruction;
When detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, a function of displaying a sub-window according to the selected menu, and displaying the reception information of the e-mail in conjunction with the main window,
Among the received information of the e-mails displayed in the main window and the sub-window, different display methods are used so that new and new mail information including unread and high importance can be distinguished from other mail information including read. Function to display with,
In response to receiving an instruction from the outside, the sub window selection menu is displayed again, so that a sub window can be switched while the sub window is displayed. Information processing device.
[0108]
(Appendix 2)
The display control means,
Upon detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu has been performed, a sub-window is displayed according to the selected menu, and the received mail information including the subject, transmission date and time, and the sender name of the received e-mail is displayed in the sub-window. And a group of mail information of high importance including unread, and a group of other mail information including read,
When it is detected from the mail information displayed in the main window and the sub-window that the mail information has changed from high-priority mail information to other mail information, the mail information is changed to another display method, and the high-priority mail information is changed. The mail information of the sub window changed from mail information to other mail information is deleted from the group of mail information of high importance, and a function to newly appear in the group of mail information including other read information is provided. The information processing apparatus having a communication function according to claim 1, wherein
[0109]
(Appendix 3)
The display control means,
When detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu has been performed, of the mail information displayed in the sub-window, only predetermined important information is left, and other unnecessary information is not displayed. 2. The information processing apparatus having a communication function according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus has a function of simplifying the display of mail information.
[0110]
(Appendix 4)
The display control means,
A function of displaying a sub window according to the selected menu when detecting that a selection operation of the sub window selection menu is performed;
A function of deleting the subject and the like for all the mail information in the main window, and expanding and displaying the text of the mail even in the deleted area;
An information processing apparatus having a communication function according to (Appendix 1), further comprising a function of creating a tree of mail information and displaying the tree in a sub window.
[0111]
(Appendix 5)
The display control means,
When detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, the sub-window is divided into right and left according to the selected menu, and a function is provided for displaying a date on one side and a status on the other side. An information processing device having a communication function according to (Additional remark 1).
[0112]
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
[0113]
(1): In claim 1, the display control means displays a sub-window selection menu for displaying a sub-window different from the main window simultaneously with the display of the main window in response to an external instruction. When a selection operation is performed by the operator on the displayed sub-window selection menu and the operation is detected by the display control means, the display control means displays a sub-window according to the selected menu, and displays the main window in the sub-window. The e-mail reception information is displayed in conjunction with.
[0114]
In this case, of the received information of the e-mails displayed in the main window and the sub-windows, different display is performed so that new and new mail information including unread and high-importance mail information can be distinguished from other mail information including read. Display by method. As this display method, for example, the mail information with the higher importance is displayed in bold and the other mail information is displayed in thin.
[0115]
In addition, in response to receiving an instruction from the outside (for example, an instruction by a click operation with a mouse of an operator) during the display of the sub-window, the sub-window selection menu is displayed again. Enable switching of sub-windows.
[0116]
By doing so, the sub-window is displayed at the same time as the main window, and the mail information is displayed simultaneously in these two windows in different display methods, so that the mail information can be easily viewed and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0117]
(2): In claim 2, the display control means performs a selection operation (for example, a click operation with a mouse) by the operator on the sub-window selection menu, and, when the operation is detected by the display control means, according to the selected menu. Display a sub-window and display the mail information including the subject, sent date and time, and the sender's name of the received e-mail in the sub-window. And display them separately.
[0118]
Then, in response to detecting that the mail information displayed in the main window and the sub-windows has been changed from the mail information having higher importance to other mail information, the mail information is changed to another display method. The mail information of the sub window that has been changed from the high-importance mail information to other mail information is deleted from the high-importance mail information group, and newly added to the other read-including mail information group including read. Let it appear.
[0119]
By doing so, the sub-window is displayed at the same time as the main window, and the mail information is displayed simultaneously in these two windows in different display methods, so that the mail information can be easily viewed and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0120]
(3): In claim 3, the display control means determines a predetermined one of the mail information displayed in the sub-window when a selection operation is performed by the operator on the sub-window selection menu and the operation is detected by the display control means. Only important information, and not to display other unnecessary information.
[0121]
By doing so, the sub-window is displayed at the same time as the main window, and the mail information is displayed simultaneously in these two windows in different display methods, so that the mail information can be easily viewed and the work efficiency can be improved. In this case, the display of the mail information can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a device configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a display example of another window according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a display screen of Example 1 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a display screen of Example 2 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a display screen of Example 3 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a display screen of Example 4 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a display screen of Example 5 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a display screen of Example 6 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a display processing flowchart according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a processing flowchart of display menus # 1 and # 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart of display menu # 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a processing flowchart of display menu # 4 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a processing flowchart of display menus # 5 and # 6 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional time-series display state of a window.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional state change at the time of displaying a mail.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Display device
2 Computer body
3 Input device
4 Removable disk drive (RDD)
5 Hard disk drive (HDD)
11 Mail sending and receiving unit
12 memory
13 Display control unit
50 Main Window
51 Subwindow

Claims (3)

A display control unit having a device main body having an e-mail transmission / reception function and a display device for displaying information, and having the function of causing the device main body to display e-mail reception information on a main window of a display screen of the display device. In an information processing apparatus having a communication function provided,
The display control means,
A function of displaying a sub window selection menu for displaying a sub window different from the main window at the same time as the main window is displayed by an external instruction;
When detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu is performed, a function of displaying a sub-window according to the selected menu, and displaying the reception information of the e-mail in conjunction with the main window,
Among the received information of the e-mails displayed in the main window and the sub-window, different display methods are used so that new and new mail information including unread and high importance can be distinguished from other mail information including read. Function to display with,
In response to receiving an instruction from the outside, the sub window selection menu is displayed again, so that a sub window can be switched while the sub window is displayed. Information processing device. The display control means,
Upon detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu has been performed, a sub-window is displayed according to the selected menu, and the received mail information including the subject, transmission date and time, and the sender name of the received e-mail is displayed in the sub-window. And a group of mail information of high importance including unread, and a group of other mail information including read,
When it is detected from the mail information displayed in the main window and the sub-window that the mail information has changed from high-priority mail information to other mail information, the mail information is changed to another display method, and the high-priority mail information is changed. The mail information of the sub window changed from mail information to other mail information is deleted from the group of mail information of high importance, and a function to newly appear in the group of mail information including other read information is provided. The information processing apparatus having a communication function according to claim 1, wherein The display control means,
When detecting that the selection operation of the sub-window selection menu has been performed, of the mail information displayed in the sub-window, only predetermined important information is left, and other unnecessary information is not displayed. 2. The information processing apparatus having a communication function according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus has a function of simplifying the display of mail information.

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