JP2006018631A - Web document browsing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse related web documents while holding web document display which is a standard. <P>SOLUTION: When a web document to be displayed in a main window 400 is specified by inputting an URL to an URL input part 402 or the like, the document is taken out from a server 20 or the like and displayed in the main window 400. Thereafter, when the link area A of the web document displayed in the main window 400 is pointed and fixed time elapses, the web document of the link destination of the link area A is taken out from the server 20 or the like and displayed in a sub window 500. The display is reduced. Thereafter, when a pointing position is moved to a link area B and held for the fixed time or longer, the web document of the link destination of the link area B is taken out from the server 20 or the like and updated and displayed in the sub window 500. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a web browsing technique for displaying a document linked by a hyperlink such as an HTML document (hereinafter also referred to as a web document), and in particular, sequentially browses the linked web document while browsing the web document. It can be displayed in a mode suitable for the above.

  An Internet web browser (also called a web browser or a browser, but not limited to browsing content on the Internet) is a computer program for browsing content on a so-called web server on a client computer. That is, the browser downloads documents and images described in HTML format from a computer (server) on which they are installed to a computer (client) to be displayed through a network such as the Internet, and displays characters, It is a computer program that can be displayed in various forms (web pages) mixed with images or moving images.

  There are reference tags called hyperlinks (links) for transitioning to other webpages in a webpage. Usually, the pointer is placed on the display position of those links and the mouse button is pressed (clicked). , Transition the current page to the page referenced by the link. (navigation)

  This method is a very simple, visual, and intuitive method that simply clicks the pointer and clicks, but if you click, a new page is displayed, and the page that was displayed until then is basically It will be lost from the current screen. In order to return to the previous page, the user usually clicks the “Back” button provided on the toolbar of the browser.

  In order to make up for the disadvantage that the previous page is lost, various convenient methods such as a frame method, a pop-up window method, and a tab method have been devised and put to practical use.

  The current client computer has a standard screen with a resolution of about 640 × 480 to 1600 × 1200 pixels and an actual size of about 14 to 21 inches. However, due to limitations mainly due to this physical size, All of these methods are not methods that allow the operator to freely select the page that he wants to remain visible (visible) as the base axis.

  In the frame method, a part of the page that you want to make visible is divided in advance by the creator of the page, and even if you click the link included in the frame, that part is not lost, but in another frame This is a method of transition of the page. This is a very good method, but unfortunately the operator does not decide which page he wants to keep visible, but the creator needs to design it in advance, so it is free to the viewer's will Cannot be operated. More specifically, since it is limited to description by tags such as <FRAME> or <IFRAME>, it cannot be operated with the operator's free will.

  The pop-up window method is a method in which another window completely different from the main window can be created and operated independently as a new main window. More specifically, a new window is created using the “target =” attribute in the <A> tag, the <AREA> tag, and other tags for navigation, or an operation similar thereto. While this method allows the viewer to keep the page visible almost at will, the limited computer screen size causes windows to overlap, making it difficult to know where the page you want to keep visible. In fact, it is almost impossible to call it visible.

  The tab method compensates for this drawback, and manages overlapping windows by operating buttons such as folder tabs on multiple pages. Also, it is not an operation based on tags in HTML, but a function that the browser has as a program individually, and is different from the frame method in that the operator can freely select it. However, it is a method that makes it easy to return the page to the visible state by clicking the tab, and after all, the desired page cannot always be kept visible.

  In addition to the above, the main window can be freely changed to various pages depending on the operator's preference using history or bookmark list display, etc. Such a display by some images, and the characteristic of visual and intuitive hyperlinks, which is the greatest feature of a web page, is lost.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and displays a linked web document with the web document being browsed being displayed as it is even when there is no description such as a frame or pop-up window method. It aims to provide web browsing technology that can be used.

  According to the principle configuration example of the present invention, another child window (also referred to as sub-window) associated with the main window adjacent to the main window (also referred to as main window) of the browser (web document browsing apparatus). ) And a reduced screen of the web page is displayed in the sub-window, allowing the operator to freely view it within a limited screen size while retaining the characteristics of a visual and intuitive hyperlink. Hold the page you want to keep.

  The subwindow may be disconnected while maintaining the parent-child relationship. Here, the “parent-child relationship” indicates that these two windows have a relationship (to be described later) in which they can navigate each other. In addition, when the main window is behind another window, if you bring it to the front by clicking on it (activate it), the sub-window will be activated at the same time immediately before or after the main window. By doing so, the operator can always operate the separated two parent-child windows as a single unit.

  Also, the subwindow can be displayed or temporarily hidden by a button operation or the like. In some cases, it is possible to display only the sub-window and temporarily hide the main window.

  To display (navigate) the desired web page in the sub-window, hold the mouse over the link in the main window for a certain period of time, then draw a line (trace), draw a circle, shake left and right, and from there Operation in a way that does not involve a click, such as going out in a certain direction, is possible. Depending on the preference of the operator, a click method may be used, such as double-clicking or displaying a menu by right-clicking (in the case of right-handed setting) and selecting navigation from there to a subwindow. A link may be pointed after performing a specific operation, for example, an old operation to the left or right, or a specific operation may be performed after pointing the link. The pointing may be around the link.

  The size of the sub window can be changed by a frame operation, a button operation, a menu operation, or the like. At that time, the display contents of the sub window are reduced or enlarged in accordance with the operation. Here, reduction / enlargement does not increase or decrease the area within the frame of the displayable area, but the image as a whole web page composed of characters, images, frames, etc. is reduced as a zoom effect while maintaining its aspect ratio Refers to being enlarged.

  Of course, when the reduction / enlargement ratio is set to 1, that is, it is possible to display at the same magnification without reduction or enlargement. Furthermore, when the display content is out of the child window, it is possible to scroll and change the display area in the sub-window.

  By reducing the entire web page, the legibility of characters is somewhat lost, but by making it possible to zoom in and out, it is easy to see the part you want to keep visible in a limited screen size Is possible.

  On the other hand, the fact that an entire image of a large-sized web page that does not fit on the normal screen can be easily confirmed on the screen is an advantage obtained only by reduction. Many web pages use links using images. In such cases, reduction is not a problem in many cases, and the operability can be expected to be improved as the moving distance of the mouse is reduced.

  In addition, the hyperlinks in the sub-window can be highlighted with a surrounding line so that the operator can easily understand the link position even in a reduced display. Furthermore, when the mouse pointer is brought to the link position, the contents of the link can be displayed in characters at an easy-to-understand position on the computer screen to provide a more convenient operation method for the operator.

  The number of subwindows is not limited to one and may be plural. For example, it is possible to divide a sub-window, create a plurality of selectable windows, navigate in order from the main window, or automatically list a plurality of reduced images (thumbnail display). .

  The subwindow can itself operate as a normal web browser, and the content of the subwindow can be changed to the reference destination by clicking the link.

  The method of navigating the main window from the sub-window is the same as the method described for navigating the sub-window from the main window. Depending on the setting, a single click can be used to navigate the main window. good.

  The association between these series of operations and operations can be changed by individual settings according to the preference of the operator.

  The present invention will be further described.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the web browsing apparatus: window display means for simultaneously displaying the first window and the second window; and the web displayed on the first window Web document designating means for designating a document; first web document display means for displaying the designated web document in the first window; and a predetermined pointing operation for the link of the web document displayed in the first window Accordingly, second web document display means for displaying the web document pointed to by the link is provided in the second window.

  The “web document browsing device” may be any device that can browse a linked document using a hyperlink in the document, and is typically called a web browser or browser. It is not limited. Home electric appliances such as TV receivers and data broadcast receivers having such functions may also be used.

  In this configuration, since the desired web document is displayed in the first window and the linked web document of the web document is displayed in the second window, the linked web document is sequentially displayed from the base web document. Ideal for browsing web documents.

  In this configuration, there may be further provided means for displaying the web document indicated by the link in the first window in response to a predetermined pointing operation for the link of the web document displayed in the second window.

  In this way, the web document displayed in the second window is the most suitable for sequentially browsing the web document linked to the web document as a basic axis.

  Preferably, the predetermined pointing operation is a pointing operation different from a standard pointing operation. When the link of the web document displayed on the first web document by the standard pointing operation is pointed, the first window, the frame in the first window, or a new one according to the description of the link of the web document A web document indicated by the link is displayed in a simple window.

  The predetermined pointing operation is, for example, an operation in which a pointing display used for the pointing operation is placed in the area of the link or in the vicinity thereof for a predetermined time or more, and the standard pointing operation is a click operation on the link.

  In the predetermined pointing operation, a pointing display used for the pointing operation is arranged in the area of the link or in the vicinity thereof, and an operation other than the left click operation is performed before or after the link display area. The operations other than the above left click operation are, for example, the above-described operation of holding the mouse on the link for a certain period of time, drawing a line there (tracing), drawing a circle, shaking left and right, and exiting in a certain direction from there. Operation.

  Preferably, the web document is reduced and displayed in the second window. In this case, it is preferable to further provide means for changing at least one of the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the screen of the second window.

  In this case, the width or height of the web document is preferably reduced and displayed so as to fit in the second window. The image may be reduced (enlarged) at a magnification specified by the user.

  In this case, it is preferable that the web document is reduced and displayed while maintaining the aspect ratio of the web document displayed in the second window.

  Further, the original display size of the web document is a display size that is optimally developed in consideration of unnecessary scrolling in each frame of the web document, and the web document is displayed in the second window. It is preferable that the image is reduced and displayed without scrolling.

  The second window may display the web document at the same magnification or magnification.

  In addition, even when a predetermined pointing operation is performed on the link of the web document displayed in the first window while the web document is displayed in the second window, the web displayed in the second window is displayed. It is preferable to further provide means for setting a locked state in which the document is not changed. This locked state can be released.

  Further, it is preferable to further include means for displaying the web document displayed in the first window in the second window.

  Further, it is preferable to further provide means for displaying the web document displayed in the second window in the first window.

  The first window and the second window are connected, for example, on one side or separated from each other. The first window and the second window may be arranged side by side, vertically, or diagonally. In the case of a vertically long document, it may be arranged horizontally and in the case of a horizontally long document, it may be arranged vertically. The arrangement may be determined appropriately based on the document attributes, or may be specified by the user.

  The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus or a system but also as a method. Of course, a part of the invention can be configured as software. Of course, software products used for causing a computer to execute such software are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  These and other aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims and will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to hold on the screen a web page that is desired to be kept visible according to the intention of the operator, instead of following the description of HTML.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to this, but according to the specific configuration, it is possible to view the web page to which the link refers by simply pointing the pointer without clicking the link. From the browsing pattern “Press the back button → Find next link” to the pattern “Fit to link → Browse”, there is almost no need to press the “Back” button.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a web browsing apparatus according to the present invention. In this figure, a web browsing apparatus 100 is mounted on a client terminal 10 such as a personal computer. The client terminal 10 includes various hardware resources such as an arithmetic device 101, a storage device 102, an input device 103, a display device 104, and a communication device 105, and various software resources such as an operating system 106, an Internet browser 107, and a plug-in 108. It is equipped with. The client terminal 10 comprises the web browsing apparatus 100 of this invention with these hardware resources and software resources. The Internet browser 107 can use various available web browsers. The plug-in 108 realizes the web browsing apparatus 100 of the present invention by strengthening the function of a normal Internet browser 107. Of course, a web browser incorporating the contents of the present invention may be developed from the beginning.

  The client terminal 10 is connected to the server 20 via a network 30 such as the Internet, and acquires content such as a web document from the server 20 according to the HTTP protocol. Although only one server 20 is shown, there may be many. The network 30 may be a LAN. The web browsing device configured by the client terminal 10 can browse web documents on the Internet, web documents on the LAN, local web documents, and the like.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the web browsing apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 1, focusing on its function. In this figure, the web browsing apparatus 100 includes a window display unit 151, a first web document display. Unit 152, second web document display unit 153, pointing unit 154, event detection unit 155, display unit 156, document acquisition unit 157, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the window display unit 151 displays the main window 400 and the subwindow 500 on the window screen 40. The main window 400 and the sub window 500 will be described in detail later. The first web document display unit 152 displays the designated web document on the main window 400. Second web document display unit 153 displays the designated web document in sub-window 500. The pointing unit 154 instructs a point on the display screen using the input device 103, for example, a mouse device. The pointing position is displayed by, for example, a mouse cursor (indicated by reference numeral 600 in FIG. 4). The event detection unit 155 detects the event and sends it to the window display unit 151, the first web document display unit 152, and the second web document display unit 153. The window display unit 151, the first web document display unit 152, and the second web document display unit 153 receive various events and perform various operations. These operations will also be described in detail later. The document acquisition unit 157 acquires the designated document from the server 20 via the network 30 and supplies it to the first web document display unit 152 and the second web document display unit 153.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the second web document display unit 153. Of course, the configuration of the second web document display unit 153 is not limited to this, and can take various forms. As shown in FIG. 3, the first process 107 a (also simply referred to as the main browser 107 a) of the Internet browser 107 displays the web browser screen 40. The web browser screen 40 includes a main window 400, a sub window 500, a command bar 401 for the main window 400, and the like. On the other hand, the second process 107b (also referred to as sub-browser 107b) of the Internet browser 107 constitutes a non-displayed web browser screen 40b. The web browser screen 40b has a non-display display attribute. The image creation unit 108a of the plug-in 108 creates a reduced image from the web browser screen 40b and pastes it on the sub window 500.

  In this example, the second web document display unit 153 includes a first process 107 a of the Internet browser 107, a second process 107 b, and an image creation unit 108 a of the plug-in 108. Of course, other configurations may be employed, and the object may be directly displayed in the sub-window 500.

  In this embodiment, a pointing operation different from the pointing operation used for normal web document acquisition / display is defined, and navigation unique to the present invention is performed based on the newly defined pointing operation. The newly defined pointing operation is typically placing the cursor in the link area for a certain period of time, but is not limited to this. For example, operations such as drawing a line in the link area (tracing), drawing a circle, shaking left and right, and exiting in a certain direction (signature) can be performed without clicking. Depending on the preference of the operator, a click method may be used, such as double-clicking or displaying a menu by right-clicking (in the case of right-handed setting) and selecting navigation from there to a subwindow.

  The normal pointing operation is typically a left click (once), but in this case, it operates in the same manner as a normal web browser. Other operations are basically the same as normal operations.

  The pointing operation for performing the navigation unique to the present invention may be the same (similar in form) in the main window 400 and the subwindow 500, or may be different.

  The navigation specific to this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8. FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when a web document displayed on the main window 400 is designated by inputting a URL into a URL input unit (message input unit) 402, the document is taken out from the server 20 or the like, and the main window 400. Is displayed. Thereafter, when the link area A of the web document displayed in the main window is pointed and a predetermined time elapses, the linked web document in the link area A is taken out from the server 20 or the like and displayed in the sub window 500. This display is reduced. After that, when the pointing position is moved to the link area B as shown in FIG. 5 and held for a certain period of time, the linked web document in the link area B is taken out from the server 20 or the like and updated and displayed in the sub window 500. This display is also reduced.

  Similarly, by pointing the link area for a predetermined time or longer, the linked web document of the link area is sequentially updated and displayed in the sub-window 500 (reduced display).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the link area is pointed for a predetermined time or longer in the reduced display of the web document displayed in the sub-window 500, pop-up hint information is displayed, and when pointing for a predetermined time or longer, the link area is displayed. The linked web document is updated and displayed on the main window 400. When another link area is similarly pointed in the sub window 500, the linked web document of the link area is updated and displayed on the main window 400 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a tool bar for the sub window 500. When a button 502, 503 ("forward" button, "back" button. If there is no corresponding history, the history is displayed inactive). The corresponding web document is displayed based on the above, and when the button 504 (main URL acquisition button) is operated, the web document displayed in the main window 400 is displayed in the sub window, and when the button 505 (sub URL reflection button) is operated. The web document displayed in the sub window 500 is displayed in the main window 400. When the button 506 (lock button) is operated, the display content of the sub window 500 is prevented from being changed regardless of the pointing operation in the main window 400 (locked) or released. When a button 507 (setting button) is operated, a menu is displayed, and emphasis setting, font size setting, delay time, moving image processing stop, JAVA applet (trademark) processing stop, and the like can be set. When the button 508 (close button) is operated, the sub-window is closed. When the subwindow is closed, a button (open button, not shown) for opening the subwindow is displayed in a predetermined area.

  Next, a detailed operation will be described.

[Install plug-ins]

  FIG. 10 shows the installation process of the plug-in 108 (FIG. 1), and the plug-in 108 of this embodiment is registered in the Internet browser 107 (S100). Plug-in registration depends on the browser.

[Start process]

  FIG. 11 shows the startup process of the web browsing device. In FIG. 11, when a startup event is detected, a hidden sub-browser is created, a sub-window is created, and display / non-display of the sub-window is determined. If not displayed, only the display related to the main window is performed, and if the display of the sub window is set, the sub window is also displayed (S110 to S114).

[Operation when an object event is detected in the main window]

  FIG. 12 shows an operation when an object event is detected in the main window 400. When the web document is displayed in the main window 400, the event occurrence source data table of FIG. 13 is prepared. In addition, navigation prohibition determination data is prepared in advance. For example, only HTTP and HTTPS are permitted for the protocol, application content is not permitted for Mime, and PDF is not permitted for the extension, for example. If the URL contains “?” (Parameter) or “#” (table of contents display), the URL is determined to be a web document and navigated.

  Returning to FIG. In FIG. 12, when an onMouseOver event (occurred when the mouse is over the object of the target area or link) is detected (S120), the URL of the event source object is shown in the event source data table of FIG. (S121), it is determined from the navigation prohibition determination data or the like in FIG. 14 whether the URL is a navigation prohibition URL (S122). If the navigation is prohibited, the process is terminated. The process proceeds (S123). Thereafter, a flag indicating whether or not the subwindow is in a locked state is acquired from a predetermined memory (S124). If the subwindow is in the locked state, the process is terminated, and if not in the locked state, the process proceeds to the next (S125). Next, whether or not the waiting time has passed is obtained from a predetermined timer, and if the waiting time has not passed (the mouse over is short), the processing is terminated, and the URL is displayed to the non-display sub browser 107b after the waiting time has passed. Notice. The non-display sub-browser 107b acquires the linked web document using the URL and expands it in a non-display state (see FIG. 15).

[Hidden sub-browser event]

  Next, the operation at the time of event detection relating to the non-display sub-browser 107b will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 15, when a URL notification event (step S127 in FIG. 12) is detected, the URL is stored in the URL history (S151). Thereafter, a document transmission request (GET, POST) is sent to the server using the URL (S152), a web document (object data in the document) is acquired, and an image of the web document is developed (S153). Next, the size of the web document (natural size, which will be described later) is calculated, and the image of that size is expanded and updated (S154). ) A display screen is created (S156). Further, when the emphasis mode is set (see FIG. 9), the emphasis display is synthesized (S157), and then the zoom screen is displayed on the sub window 500 (S158). The in-document object data is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Note that the size of the web document displayed on the non-display sub-browser 107b is the size of a window that is optimally developed in consideration of the need for scrolling within each frame (referred to as a natural size). It is calculated from the size attribute, scrolling (scrollable) attribute, scroll width attribute, scroll height attribute, etc. of each frame.

  To explain in more detail, each frame is considered to have a fixed value, variable value, and scrolling attribute of width and height preset by the HTML designer. If set, the size of the frame that does not require scrolling is calculated from the scroll width attribute and scroll height attribute of the document in the frame. Each frame may further include child frames, in which case the natural size calculation is recursively repeated, and the outer frame of the sub-browser is changed based on the result.

  Since the web browser may dynamically rearrange the elements inside the page document, if the width or height is still too small and the scroll bar is displayed as a result of the above outer frame setting change, or vice versa If a blank area is displayed, the above-mentioned attributes after changing the outer frame setting may be reexamined, and the entire natural size calculation may be repeated recursively.

  If the document is set to the natural size, there are cases where the display is not preferable because of the relationship between the display position of the sub-window and the aspect ratio based thereon and the aspect ratio of the natural size of the web document. In that case, an upper limit value may be set for the width or height of the natural size calculation result. Or you may make it change the display position of a subwindow based on the calculation result.

  When the button 504 (main URL acquisition button) for displaying the web document in the main window 400 in the sub window 500 is operated (S159), the URL of the document in the main window 400 is acquired (S160), and the same steps are performed thereafter. S151 to S158 are executed, and the document is displayed as a reduced (enlarged) image in the sub window 500.

  When a button for browsing a URL document stored in the URL history ("forward" button, "back" button) is operated (S161), the URL of the document to be acquired is acquired from the URL history data ( S162) Further, the URL history data is updated (S163), and thereafter, similarly, Steps S151 to S158 are executed, and the document is displayed as a reduced (enlarged) image in the sub window 500. The URL history data table is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  The operation of the sub browser 107b is emulated on the sub window 500 as will be described later with reference to FIG. That is, the event of the sub window 500 is handled as the event of the sub browser 107b. When an emulation operation is detected based on a mouse event on the sub window 500 (S165), the event is emulated (S165), and the processes of steps S156 to S157 are performed thereafter.

[Sub window mouse event]

  FIG. 18 shows the processing of the mouse event in the sub window 500. In FIG. 18, when a mouse movement event is detected (S180), the object information in the object data table in the document is searched to determine the overlap (S181). , S182). The position information of the object data table in the document (FIG. 17) may be that of the sub browser 107b, or may be corrected for the sub window 500 with the enlargement / reduction ratio. When the data of the sub browser 107b is used as it is, it is corrected by the enlargement / reduction ratio and used for the overlap determination. If there is no overlap, the process ends. If there is an overlap, it is determined whether or not there is an event. If there is an overlap, the sub-browser 107b is notified to emulate the event, and the process proceeds to step S185. If there is no event, the process proceeds to step S185. Next, it is determined whether or not the waiting time has elapsed (S185). If it has not elapsed, the processing is terminated, and if it has elapsed, the title of the object is displayed as a pop-up hint (S186). Further, it is determined whether or not the waiting time has elapsed. If it has not elapsed, the processing is terminated, and if it has elapsed, the URL is notified to the main browser 107a (S188). Upon receiving the URL notification, the main browser 107a takes out the document of the URL and displays it on the main window 400.

[Mouse click event of subwindow]

  FIG. 19 shows the processing of the mouse click event in the sub window 500. When a mouse click event is detected in the sub window 500 (S190), the object information in the object data table in the document is searched and overlapped. Is determined (S191, S192). If there is no overlap, the process ends. If there is an overlap, the URL is notified to the non-display sub-browser 107b (S193). Thereafter, the processing after step S150 in FIG. 15 is performed by the sub browser 107b.

[Sub URL reflection button operation]

  FIG. 20 shows the operation when the button (sub URL reflection button) 505 for displaying the document displayed in the sub window 500 on the main window 400 is operated. In this figure, to the sub URL reflection button. Is detected (S200), the URL of the document in the subwindow 500 is acquired (S201), and the URL is notified to the main browser 107a (S202). The main browser 107a acquires a document from the server or the like using the URL and displays it on the main window 400.

[Sub window display change event processing]

  FIG. 21 shows the processing of the subwindow display change event. In this example, a display frame size change event (for example, the boundary of the sub window 500 is changed by dragging), a ratio change button event (an event of a button for setting a ratio. For example, realized as a menu of a setting button), emphasis Although an event for a setting change button (a button for setting whether to highlight a link area, for example, realized as a menu of a setting button) is employed, the present invention is not limited to this.

In FIG. 21, when a display change event is detected (S210), the enlargement / reduction ratio is recalculated accordingly (S211), a zoom display screen is created (S212), and the emphasis display is synthesized (S213). The zoom display screen of the sub window 500 is updated (S214). In this example, the horizontal width of the document is sufficiently accommodated in the sub window 500. If the horizontal width of the sub window 500 is doubled, the horizontal resolution is substantially doubled. When the contents are desired to be viewed in detail, the width of the sub window 500 is increased, and when the details are not important and the whole can be viewed from the lower side, the width of the sub window 500 may be decreased. The aspect ratio of the displayed document is made constant (the same enlargement / reduction ratio is used). Note that the display magnification of the sub window 500 may be designated by a slide bar, numerical value input, or the like independently of the size change of the sub window 500. In this case, it is preferable that the display can be scrolled vertically or horizontally.

  When the ratio change button event is detected (S215), steps S211 to S214 are executed in the same manner.

  When an emphasis setting change button event is detected (S216), steps S212 to S213 are executed.

[Scroll sub window]

  FIG. 22 shows the processing of the scroll event of the sub window 500 (the display is moved up and down by the scroll button). When the scroll event is detected in this figure, the display of the sub window 500 reflects the scroll. (S220, S221).

  This is the end of the description of the embodiment. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, both the operation for performing the navigation centering on the display of the main window 400 and the operation for performing the navigation centering on the display of the sub window 500 are employed, but only one of them may be employed.

  In the above, in addition to the acquisition of web documents by normal mouse click, related web documents are displayed sequentially in the subwindow with the main window as the main axis, or related web documents are sequentially displayed in the main window with the subwindow as the main axis. However, the newly added display operation may be performed without performing the normal web document acquisition operation.

  The subwindow may be disconnected while maintaining the parent-child relationship. Here, the “parent-child relationship” means that these two windows are in a relationship in which they can navigate each other. In addition, when the main window is behind another window, if you bring it to the front by clicking on it (activate it), the sub-window will be activated at the same time immediately before or after the main window. By doing so, the operator can always operate the separated two parent-child windows as a single unit.

  Also, the subwindow can be displayed or temporarily hidden by a button operation or the like. In some cases, it is possible to display only the sub-window and temporarily hide the main window.

  The method of displaying (navigating) a desired web page in the sub-window is not limited to the method of holding the mouse for a certain period of time or longer in the link in the main window, which is adopted in the above-described embodiment. Trace), draw a circle, shake left and right, and go out from there in a certain direction, etc. It is also possible to do operations without clicking. Depending on the preference of the operator, a click method may be used, such as double-clicking or displaying a menu by right-clicking (in the case of right-handed setting) and selecting navigation from there to a subwindow.

  In the above example, browsing content on the Internet is taken into consideration, but the content may be located anywhere. For example, it may be on a LAN or may be arranged on a local computer. In short, the document is not limited to an HTML document as long as it can be followed by a hyperlink, and may be, for example, stream information or broadcast data. Web documents here broadly refer to content that can be followed by hyperlinks.

  In addition, various changes in the description and obvious changes can be made.

  In the above-described example, zooming (enlargement / reduction, reduction in many cases) is performed as appropriate, and the display is basically performed without scrolling in the sub-window. To switch between a normal display with scrolling and a zoom (in many cases reduced) display without scrolling. This switching may be performed together with the navigation or independently of the navigation. Basically, the image may be displayed at a zoom without scrolling, and an enlargement instruction (enlargement release instruction) may be issued to enable enlargement display (return to normal display).

It is a figure explaining the example of a mounting structure of the web browsing apparatus of the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the above-mentioned Example typically focusing on a function. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the 2nd web document display part of the above-mentioned Example. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement which displays a related web document on a subwindow based on a main window in the above-mentioned Example. It is another figure explaining the operation | movement which displays a related web document on a subwindow based on a main window in the above-mentioned Example. It is a figure explaining the highlight display of the link area of a subwindow. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement which displays a related web document on a main window on the basis of a subwindow in the above-mentioned Example. It is another figure explaining the operation | movement which displays a related web document on a main window on the basis of a subwindow in the above-mentioned Example. It is a figure explaining the example of the button group of the toolbar for sub windows of the above-mentioned Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of plug-in registration of the said Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of the starting event detection of the said Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of the object event detection of the main window of the said Example. It is a figure explaining the example of the object generation source data of the above-mentioned Example. It is a figure explaining the example of the navigation prohibition determination data of the above-mentioned Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of the event detection of the non-display subbrowser of the said Example. It is a figure explaining the example of URL history data of the above-mentioned example. It is a figure explaining the example of the object data in a document of the above-mentioned Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of the mouse event detection of the subwindow of the said Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of the mouse click event detection of the subwindow of the said Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of sub URL reflection button operation detection of the toolbar for sub windows of the said Example. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement when the display change event of the subwindow of the said Example is detected. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement when the scroll event of the subwindow of the said Example is detected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Client terminal 20 Server 30 Network 40 Web browser screen 100 Web browsing apparatus 101 Arithmetic apparatus 102 Storage apparatus 103 Input apparatus 104 Display apparatus 105 Communication apparatus 106 Operating system 107 Internet browser 107a Main browser 107b Sub browser 108 Plug-in 108a Image creation part 151 Window display unit 152 First web document display unit 153 Second web document display unit 154 Pointing unit 155 Event detection unit 156 Display unit 157 Document acquisition unit 400 Main window 400b Web browser screen 401 Command bar 500 Subwindow 501 button 503 button 504 button 505 button 506 button 507 button 600 mouse cursor

Claims (18)

Window display means for simultaneously displaying the first window and the second window;
Web document designating means for designating a web document to be displayed in the first window;
First web document display means for displaying the designated web document in the first window;
And second web document display means for displaying the web document indicated by the link in the second window in response to a predetermined pointing operation for the link of the web document displayed in the first window. Web document browsing device.   2. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a web document indicated by the link in the first window in response to a predetermined pointing operation with respect to the link of the web document displayed in the second window.   The predetermined pointing operation is a pointing operation different from the standard pointing operation, and when the link of the web document displayed on the first web document is pointed by the standard pointing operation, the description of the link of the web document 3. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the web document indicated by the link is displayed in the first window, a frame in the first window, or a new window.   4. The predetermined pointing operation is an operation in which a pointing display used for a pointing operation is arranged in a region of the link or in the vicinity thereof for a predetermined time or longer, and the standard pointing operation is a click operation on the link. Web document browsing device.   2. The predetermined pointing operation is one in which a pointing display used for a pointing operation is arranged in the area of the link or in the vicinity thereof, and an operation other than a single left click operation is performed before or after the link display. Or the web document browsing apparatus of 3 description.   6. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a web document is reduced and displayed in the second window.   The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the web document is displayed by being reduced so that the width or height of the web document fits in the second window.   The original display size of the web document is a display size that is optimally developed in consideration of unnecessary scrolling in each frame of the web document, and the web document is scrolled in the second window. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the web document browsing apparatus is reduced and displayed without accompanying.   9. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8, further comprising means for changing at least one of a length in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction on the screen of the second window.   10. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the web document is reduced and displayed while maintaining the aspect ratio of the web document displayed in the second window.   6. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a web document is displayed in the second window at an equal magnification or enlarged.   Even when a predetermined pointing operation is performed on the link of the web document displayed in the first window while the web document is displayed in the second window, the web document displayed in the second window is not displayed. The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that sets a lock state that is not changed.   The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a web document displayed in the first window in the second window.   The web document browsing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying a web document displayed in the second window in the first window.   The web browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first window and the second window are arranged so as to be connected on one side.   The web browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first window and the second window are arranged separately. Simultaneously displaying the first window and the second window by the window display means;
Designating a web document to be displayed in the first window by web document designating means;
Displaying the web document designated by the first web document display means in the first window;
Displaying a web document indicated by the link in the second window in response to a predetermined pointing operation for the link of the web document displayed in the first window by the second web document display means. Web document browsing method. Simultaneously displaying the first window and the second window by the window display means;
Designating a web document to be displayed in the first window by web document designating means;
Displaying the web document designated by the first web document display means in the first window;
Causing the computer to execute a step of displaying the web document indicated by the link in the second window in response to a predetermined pointing operation for the link of the web document displayed in the first window by the second web document display means. A computer program for browsing a web document, characterized by being used for the purpose.