JP2005084699A - Multiwindow display controller and computer system using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multiwindow display controller and a computer system using it by which a window status (position, size, overlapping) for each business on a personal computer is discriminated and stored for each business, and a user can freely restore it and can easily reconstruct a window status for each different business. <P>SOLUTION: A multiwindow display device comprises a window controller which controls windows on the multiwindow display device; a window attribute management device which manages and operates an attribute set of a plurality of windows by identifiers; a window attribute registration device which converts a window status at the time of operation to the attribute set, allocates an identifier to the set, and registers it with the window attribute management device by operation input for display status storage; and a window restoration device which uses a plurality of window attributes at any arbitrary time point which have been registered with the window attribute management device to restore the window display status at the time point, by operation input for display status restoration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-window display control device that displays a plurality of windows on a screen of a display device by computer processing, and a computer system using the same.

A technique for performing multi-window control in which a plurality of windows are displayed on a screen of a display device by computer processing is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1 provides a multi-window display control system that can easily return to the original display contents on the multi-window control device. As a method, there is a multi-window display control unit, a display state storage unit, and a display state restoration unit, which saves the window state at a certain point according to the operation of the operator and stores it according to another operation. Restore state.
JP 05-233203 A

However, it is not considered to manage multiple window states, and it is not possible to open unnecessary windows because there is no processing that does not open unnecessary windows by checking the overlapping of windows when restoring the display state. There is sex. Also, there is no mention of manipulating the window state once saved.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to distinguish and save the window state (window position, size, overlap) on the display device for each job performed on the personal computer for each job. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-window display control device and a computer system that reduce the processing for reconstructing the window state each time a different job is performed by providing an environment in which the user can freely restore it. .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 1, in a multi-window display device that controls a plurality of windows simultaneously, a window control device having a function of controlling windows on the multi-window display device, The window attributes obtained from the window controller at the time of operation are converted into an attribute set by a window attribute management apparatus that manages and operates by identifiers and a display state save operation input. A window attribute registration device that converts and allocates identifiers and registers them in the window attribute management device, and a plurality of windows grouped together at any time registered in the window attribute management device by an operation input for display state restoration Use the attribute to set the current window display state. The most important feature multi-window display control device and a window restoration device for original.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the window attribute includes window position, window size, hierarchy position, and window state, and the window restoration device determines the visible area of the window using the information and designated conditions. The main feature of the multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein execution / non-execution of restoration is determined.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the multi-window display control device according to the first aspect, wherein the restored window state can be changed from the window state at the time of saving by adding an operation to the window attribute on the window attribute management device. Main features.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the multi-window display control apparatus according to the first aspect restores a window state registered in advance at a designated date and time by using date and time information as an operation for restoring the display state to the window restoration apparatus. Features.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as the display state restoration operation for the window restoration device, when the screen resolution of the display destination is changed, each restoration included in the window attribute according to the ratio of the changed resolution. The multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subsequent window position and size are changed without operation.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the window attribute management device stores the attribute of each window in an area that can be referenced from any window control device on the network. Features.
In the invention according to claim 7, when there is a window state to be restored at a date and time determined by the window management device and the window control device, and a connection is made to a network from a device other than the device that saved the window state The main feature of the multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 4 or 6 is that a window state to be restored exists for an apparatus connected to the network.
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the computer system using the multi-window display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is the main feature.

According to the first aspect, the window attribute registration device assigns a unique identifier to the window attribute set, registers it in the window attribute management device, and the window restoration device 4 generates the window attribute set of the window state desired by the user (operator). The window state at an arbitrary time desired by the user can be easily reconstructed by performing a process of obtaining and restoring from the window attribute management device.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the visible area of the window is determined by [attribute: upper left position of the window] [attribute: width of the window] [attribute: window height] [attribute: hierarchy position]. By not restoring the window, it is possible to speed up the restoration process and to eliminate the process in which the user closes a useless window during the window attribute saving process.
According to claim 3, by providing an environment in which information in the window attribute set DB is simultaneously accessed to a plurality of window attribute sets via the window attribute management device, the windows are restored one by one. It becomes possible to make changes at once without making changes, and the processing of the user can be reduced.
According to the fourth aspect, each window attribute set in the window attribute set DB is given [attribute: activation date / time], and the window attribute set is used at a certain date / time to restore the window state by the window restoration device. In addition to making the window state the same at a fixed date and time, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting a job to be performed at a fixed time.
According to claim 5, even when the display capability of the display device is changed, the environment close to the state of the saved window is prepared by correcting the window size / position according to the resolution ratio. to enable.
According to the sixth aspect, even when the display capability of the display device is changed, it is possible to easily construct an environment close to the state of the saved window by correcting the window size / position according to the resolution ratio. to enable.
According to the seventh aspect, the state of the window to be restored at the set time is maintained on the server, and the time is monitored, so that even when the user who saved it is connected to the network from another system, Can be utilized.
According to claim 8, it is possible to provide a computer system capable of easily reconstructing the window state at an arbitrary time desired by the user.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the multi-window display control apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, the display device 6 is a device that can display a multi-window, such as a display.
The input device 7 is a means for an operator to input information to a PC (personal computer) such as a keyboard and a mouse. An OS (Operating System) 8 realizes basic functions as PC functions such as file input / output, memory management, input / output device management, and application execution management.
The window control device 1 manages window information on the display device 6 among the functions included in the OS 8. The window attribute management device 2 has a function of collecting current window attribute information as one set, assigning identifiers, and requesting to a window attribute registration device 3 described later in response to a request from the operator.
The window attribute registration device 3 has a function of registering the window attribute set delivered by the window attribute management device 2 in a window attribute set DB 5 described later. Further, it has a function of searching for a specific window attribute set in response to a request from the window restoration device 4 described later.
Further, the window attribute registration device 3 provides an interface for an operator to freely access the window attribute set DB 5.
The window restoration device 4 has a function of analyzing an arbitrary set of window attributes according to a request from an operator or date and time information, generating a window, adjusting a size, etc., and restoring a window state.
The window attribute set DB 5 is a database in the device that stores the window attribute set assigned with the identifier.

FIG. 2 shows the data structure of the window attribute set DB as a table. The data structure of the window attribute set DB 5 used in the computer system using the present invention is as shown in FIG.
For each item in FIG. 2, “identifier” is information for identifying window attribute set information in the window attribute set DB 5. “Application name” represents the application that generated the window.
The “file name” indicates a file operated by the application indicated by the “application”.
“The upper left coordinate of the window” is a relative position when the upper left coordinate is (0, 0) in the display area managed by the window control device 1 on the display device 6 of FIG. The horizontal position from the top (x), the vertical position from the top (y)).
“Window width” represents the width of the window. “Window height” represents the height of the window. The “window state” indicates whether or not the target window is minimized.
The “hierarchy position” is set to 0, 1,... So as not to overlap in the same window attribute set. . The window hierarchy position is higher in order from 0 (0 is the lowest).
The “time-based activation flag” indicates whether or not a window attribute set having the identifier is restored at a certain time. “Activation time” indicates when the window attribute set is set to be restored at a certain time according to the “activation flag by time”.
“Unnecessary window determination processing” represents whether or not to display a window that is entirely covered by another window and a minimized window during window restoration.

A system constructed using the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the processing for saving the window state. First, in order to use the system, an operator (user) activates the system in advance and prepares an interface on the screen. Next, a window necessary for a certain job is opened, and a window state that facilitates the job is constructed.
The operator uses the input device 7 to request the window attribute registration device 3 to save the current window state on the display screen via the interface. The window attribute registration device 3 requests the current state of the window on the display device 6 from the window control device 1 and acquires the state information.
The window attribute registration device 3 inquires of the operator what identifier is assigned to the window state. The operator uses the input device 7 to inform the system of an identifier assigned to the window state.
The window attribute registration device 3 creates a window attribute set having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 using the window information obtained by the window information acquisition and identifier input and the identifier.
The window attribute registration device 3 requests the window attribute management device 2 to register the created (constructed) window attribute set in the window attribute set DB 5.
The window attribute management device 2 checks whether the identifier of the window attribute set requested to register the window attribute set does not overlap with the window attribute set in the window attribute set DB 5. Request that the identifier be set again.
When there is no overlap, the window attribute set requested to be registered is registered in the window attribute set DB 5.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a case where the window state is restored. When restoring the window state, the operator requests the system to restore the window via the interface I.
The window restoration device 4 requests the window attribute management device 2 to obtain identifiers of all window attribute sets registered in the window attribute set DB 5.
The window attribute management device 2 checks the values of [attribute: identifier] of all the window attribute sets in the window attribute set DB 5 and notifies the window restoration device 4 of them.
The window restoration device 4 inquires of the operator which window attribute set having the identifier is used for restoration.
The window restoration device 4 requests the window management device 2 for the window attribute set of the identifier obtained by the identifier input.
The window management apparatus 2 searches the window attribute set in the window attribute set DB 5 to find the window attribute set having the identifier passed by the window attribute set construction, and notifies the window restoration apparatus 4 of it.
The window restoration device 4 requests the window control device 1 for the current window state. In addition to eliminating the process of closing a useless window by the operator when saving window attributes, the restoration process is speeded up.
The window restoration device 4 creates a window attribute set for the window state obtained by window attribute set registration, and compares it with a window attribute set having an identifier to be restored obtained by window attribute set construction.
Then, windows having similar [attribute: application name] [attribute: file name] are prevented from being reopened. At the same time, the window attribute set identifier acquisition process described later is used to prevent unnecessary windows from being opened.
The window restoration device 4 starts an application and opens a file if necessary based on the result of the window restoration judgment. After that, the window size and position are adjusted using [attribute: upper left of window] [attribute: width of window] [window height]. Finally, the window state is restored by activating the windows in order from 0 of [attribute: hierarchical position].

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow for determining execution / non-execution of window restoration. The information on the target window here is not on the current display device but on the window attribute set registered in the window attribute set DB 5 and being restored by the operator.
It is determined whether [attribute: unnecessary window determination processing = on] (S1), and if so, it is repeated for all windows (S2). One unselected window (A) is selected (S3). When similar changes occur in the attributes of a plurality of registered windows or when changes are made, the processing of the operator is reduced.
It is determined whether [attribute: window state = minimized] in (A) (S4). If not, it is determined whether window (A) is covered (S5). (S6) and (A) are excluded from restoration targets (S7).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining whether the window (A) in FIG. 5 is covered. Repeat for all windows other than (A) (S8). One unselected window (B) is selected (S9).
It is determined whether or not [attribute: window state = minimized] in (B) (S10). If not, it is determined whether or not the window (B) is covered (S11). (S12) and (B) are to be restored (S13).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a case where the window state is changed. The operator requests the window attribute management device 2 to change the attributes in the window attribute set DB 5 via the interface I.
The window attribute management device 2 acquires all window attribute sets in the window attribute set DB 5. The operator selects, using [attribute: identifier], which window attribute set to change, via the interface I (multiple selection is possible).
The operator selects any attribute value via the interface I and registers a new value. The window attribute management device 2 reflects the attribute change request and changes the attribute value of the target window attribute set. Next, the changed window attribute set is registered in the window attribute set DB 5.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the window attribute change result in a table format. This figure shows the result of changing [attribute: file name] from sample.txt to edit.txt for the window attribute sets “task 1 (ID1)” and “task 2 (ID2)”.
Such frequent file name changes can be done for multiple window attribute sets at once, and the saved window attribute set cannot be used because the value of the original resource has been changed. Disappear.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining automatic restoration of a window according to time. In this process, the window restoration device 4 always acquires the current time. When performing a similar job at a fixed date and time, it is automated to specify and execute a set of window attributes to be restored each time, and prevent a user from forgetting a job to be performed at a fixed time.
The window restoration device 4 requests the window attribute management device 2 for a window attribute set in which [attribute: activation flag by time] is on and [attribute: activation time] matches the current time.
The window attribute management device 2 searches for a window attribute set that matches the condition indicated by the window attribute set acquisition request, and returns the result to the window restoration device 4. As a result of searching with the date and time information, when a window attribute set that matches the condition of the window attribute set acquisition request is found, the window control device 1 acquires the current window state.
The window restoration device 4 creates a window attribute set for the window state obtained by acquiring the window state, and compares it with the window attribute set having the identifier to be restored obtained by the window attribute set acquisition request.
[Attribute: Application name] [Attribute: File name] is similar so that the window is not reopened. At the same time, the window attribute set identifier acquisition process described above is used to prevent unnecessary windows from being opened.
The window restoration device 4 starts an application and opens a file if necessary based on the result of the window attribute. After that, the window size and position are adjusted using [attribute: upper left of window] [attribute: width of window] [window height]. Finally, the window state is restored by activating the windows in order from 0 of [attribute: hierarchical position].

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing for changing the window state in accordance with the display device. It is determined whether the resolution of the display device 6 (FIG. 1) has been changed since the window state was saved (S20). If not changed, the process proceeds to the processing step (S23).
Even if the resolution of the window display device is changed, the processing of the operator who reconstructs an equivalent window environment is reduced.
If the resolution has been changed, the ratio between the resolution at the time of storage and the current resolution is acquired (S21), and the position and size are changed (S22). Each window is restored (S23).
FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration in the case where the window state attribute is stored on the network. This system saves the window state on the network. Request window restoration on other systems.
The state of the window saved on the network of the first system 8 is acquired from the network, and the state of the window saved by the second system 9 is acquired. Perform restoration of each window. In a system connected to a network, it is possible to easily construct a window environment equivalent to the usual even when going out.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining automatic window restoration by time via a network. In this process, the server side checks whether there is a stored attribute set for which the time-based activation flag is on (S30).
If it exists, when the set time comes (S31), it is checked whether or not the operator who saved the window state exists on the network (S32). If there is a user on the network, a window restoration request message at the set time is transmitted to the user (S33).
On the client (operator) side, a message from the server can be received. When a window restoration request message is received from the server according to the set time (S34), it is checked whether the environment is an environment in which the window state can be restored (S35).
If the window state can be restored, the restoration process (S36) is performed. If the window state cannot be restored, the operator is notified of the request (S37). In a system connected to a network, when the user can connect to the network even when away from home, it is possible to notify that there is a task to be executed.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the multi-window display control apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows the data structure of window attribute set DB as a table | surface. The block diagram explaining the process which preserve | saves a window state. The block diagram explaining the case where a window state is restored | restored. The flowchart explaining the flow which determines the restoration | reconstruction execution / non-execution of a window. The flowchart explaining determination of whether the window (A) of FIG. 5 is covered. The block diagram which shows the case where the state of a window is changed. The figure which shows the change result of a window attribute in a table format. The block diagram explaining the automatic restoration of the window by time. The flowchart explaining the process which changes a window state according to a display apparatus. The block diagram explaining the structure in the case of preserve | saving the attribute of a window state on a network. The flowchart explaining automatic restoration of the window by time via a network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Window control apparatus 2 Window attribute management apparatus 3 Window attribute registration apparatus 4 Window restoration apparatus 5 Window attribute set DB
6 Display device 7 Input device 8 System 9 Second system

Claims (8)

  In a multi-window display device that controls a plurality of windows at the same time, a window control device having a function of controlling the windows on the multi-window display device, and a window attribute management that manages and manipulates the attributes of the plurality of windows together by identifiers A window attribute registration device that converts the window state obtained from the window control device at the time of operation into an attribute set by assigning an identifier and registering it in the window attribute management device by an operation input for saving the display state; A window restoration device that restores the window display state at that time by using a plurality of window attributes collected at an arbitrary time point registered in the window attribute management device by an operation input of state restoration; Multi-window display system featuring Apparatus.   As window attributes, the window position, window size, hierarchy position, and window state are used. Using the information and designated conditions, the window restoration device determines the visible area of the window and executes / does not execute restoration. The multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made.   2. The multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restored window state can be changed from the window state at the time of saving by adding an operation to the window attribute on the window attribute management apparatus.   2. The multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein date and time information is used as an operation for restoring the display state to the window restoration apparatus, and a window state registered in advance at a designated date and time is restored.   As the display state restoration operation for the window restoration device, when the screen resolution of the display destination is changed, the window position and size after each restoration included in the window attribute are operated according to the ratio of the changed resolution. The multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi-window display control apparatus is changed to none.   2. The multi-window display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the window attribute management apparatus stores an attribute of each window in an area that can be referred to from an arbitrary window control apparatus on the network.   When there is a window state to be restored at a date and time determined by the window management device and the window control device, and the network is connected to a network from a device other than the device that saved the window state, the network is connected 7. The multi-window display control device according to claim 4, wherein there is a window state to be restored for the device. A computer system using the multi-window display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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