JP2007018089A - Information processor, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor, an information processing method and a program for improving operability. <P>SOLUTION: In an information processor for controlling the display of a display screen, a CPU 101 arranges a window at the arbitrary position of a display screen, and detects that the window is larger than the display screen, and generates an enlarged display region where the display screen is virtually enlarged according to the detection result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for controlling display on a display screen.

  In an information processing apparatus typified by a personal computer equipped with a display device, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that allows a user to visually operate the information processing apparatus is introduced. Application software such as word processing software and spreadsheet software is displayed in each window by the GUI window system. A user manages a running application by operating a mouse or a keyboard and switching windows.

  For example, in word processing software, when the input text exceeds the display area of the window, a scroll bar is displayed on the right side of the window, and the user moves the scroll bar up and down to move the desired position in the input text. It is possible to move the cursor (caret). As a result, the usability of the window is improved.

  In addition, since a plurality of applications can be activated, when a plurality of windows exist in the display screen, the user can arbitrarily move or overlap the windows.

  A technique is disclosed that automatically displays a scroll bar attached to a window in the display screen automatically when the window protrudes outside the display screen as the window moves (see Patent Document 1).

According to this technology, for example, even when a part of the window protrudes from the right side of the display screen, the window scroll bar and icon outside the display screen are moved to the right edge of the display screen, so that the positional relationship of the windows is maintained. However, it is possible to prevent a decrease in operability.
JP 2001-290574 A

  However, in the conventional window display method using the GUI, when the window is moved to a position that protrudes from the display screen and then the protruding portion of the window is displayed, the window is moved again to a position that fits within the display screen. Need to fix.

  In other words, the conventional GUI window display method is not a display mode in which a desired window is displayed while maintaining the positional relationship of a plurality of windows.

  In addition, although multiple windows can be activated, the size of the display screen of the information processing apparatus is physically limited. For example, when viewing multiple windows at the same time, the user can minimize unnecessary windows. It is necessary to perform operations such as making a window or moving the window to a position that extends beyond the display screen. That is, there is a problem that operability is poor.

  Moreover, in the technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1, the area of the window displayed in the display screen is automatically reduced by moving the scroll bar and icon of the window outside the display screen into the display screen. When a plurality of windows are displayed, there are problems that a plurality of small windows are displayed, resulting in poor operability. In addition, if the area of the window displayed in the display screen is kept constant, there is a problem that the window needs to be moved again, and the operability is deteriorated.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of improving operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus for controlling display of a display screen, wherein window placement means for arranging a window at an arbitrary position of the display screen; A window protrusion detection means for detecting that the image protrudes from the screen, and a display area enlargement means for generating an enlarged display area in which the display screen is virtually enlarged according to a detection result by the window protrusion detection means. And

  The information processing method according to claim 6, wherein a window arrangement step of arranging a window at an arbitrary position on the display screen and detecting that the window protrudes from the display screen are performed in the information processing method for controlling display of the display screen. And a display area enlargement process for generating an enlarged display area in which the display screen is virtually enlarged according to the detection result of the window protrusion detection process.

  The program according to claim 7 is a program executed by a computer that controls display of a display screen, wherein a window arrangement module that arranges a window at an arbitrary position of the display screen, and the window protrudes from the display screen. A window protrusion detection module to be detected, and a display area enlargement module that generates an enlarged display area in which the display screen is virtually enlarged in accordance with a detection result by the window protrusion detection module.

  According to the present invention, it is detected that the window has protruded from the display screen, and an enlarged display area is generated in which the display screen is virtually enlarged according to the detection result. This eliminates the need for window relocation operations. As a result, operability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  The computer 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 that executes a window management program and application program, a RAM 102 that is used as a work area when executing the window management program and application program, and the information device of this embodiment. And an external storage device 103 that stores application programs and data used in the system. As long as the external storage device 103 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash ROM, the format of the storage medium does not matter.

  The computer 100 further includes an LCDC (liquid crystal display controller) 104, a display memory 105, an LCD panel 106, a keyboard 107, a mouse 108, an I / O control unit 109, and a system bus 110. A CPU 101, a RAM 102, an external storage device 103, a display memory 105, and an I / O control unit 109 are connected to the system bus 110.

  An LCDC (liquid crystal display controller) 104 controls the LCD panel 106. The LCDC 104 generates display data to be displayed on the LCD panel 106 when display source data to be displayed on the LCD panel 106 is stored in the display memory 105 by the CPU 101. In the window management of the present embodiment, the display memory 105 secures a sufficient storage capacity (for example, 8 MB or more) in order to secure a virtual and vast display area from the display screen.

  The I / O control unit 109 controls input devices such as the keyboard 107 and the mouse 108. The CPU 101 accesses the RAM 102, the external storage device 103, the display memory 105, and the I / O control unit 109 via the system bus 110.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the LCD panel 106.

  In FIG. 2, the LCD panel 106 displays a window of word processing software 202 that is a running application software, a window of drawing software 203, and an icon 204 implemented by a GUI.

  In FIG. 2, two windows are within the display screen, and do not protrude outside the display screen, but are in a state of overlapping. In this state, the window management method in the present embodiment is the same as the conventional window management method. In FIG. 2, the word processor software 202 (word.exe) at the top of the screen is selected (execution state). ). When the user wants to see the window of the drawing software 203 (draw.exe) on the back side of the word processing software 202 (when it wants to be the top surface), the user clicks the drawing software 203 window with the mouse to display the drawing software 203 window. Can be selected to bring it to the foreground. If it is desired to view both the word processor software 202 and the draw software 203 at the same time, it is possible to view both windows simultaneously by arranging the windows side by side. At this time, the two windows may not fit within the display screen. The window management in the present embodiment has a feature in the window management method when a plurality of windows are activated as described above.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of detecting the protrusion of a window protruding from the display screen. This overhang detection process is executed by the CPU 101, and attributes such as coordinates, size, and color of the activated window are held in the RAM 102 or the external storage device 103 as individual information of each window. When the window attribute is changed in accordance with the movement or size change of the window, the CPU 101 also updates the individual information of the window.

  The coordinates of the four corners of the display screen are (X1, Y1), (X1, Y2), (X2, Y2), (X2, Y1) in the order of upper left, lower left, lower right, and upper right, and the window coordinates are upper left, lower left, Assume that (A1, B1), (A1, B2), (A2, B2), (A2, B1) in the order of lower right and upper right. Further, the value of X coordinate increases as it moves to the right, and the value of Y coordinate increases as it moves down.

  First, when the window is moved (step S301), it is compared with the X coordinate of the display screen in order to determine the protrusion of the window in the X direction. That is, the X coordinate (A1) of the left edge of the window is the left edge of the display screen. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the X coordinate (X1) (step S302).

  If the X coordinate (A1) of the left edge of the window is smaller than the X coordinate (X1) of the left edge of the display screen, it is determined that the window protrudes further to the left than the left edge of the display screen (step S304). The process proceeds to S305.

  If the X coordinate (A1) of the left edge of the window is larger than the X coordinate (X1) of the left edge of the display screen, is the X coordinate (A2) of the right edge of the window larger than the X coordinate (X2) of the right edge of the display screen? It is determined whether or not (step S303).

  In step S303, if the X coordinate (A2) of the right edge of the window is larger than the X coordinate (X2) of the right edge of the display screen, it is determined that the window protrudes further to the right than the right edge of the display screen (step S304), the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S303, if the X coordinate (A2) of the right edge of the window is smaller than the X coordinate (X2) of the right edge of the display screen, the process proceeds to step S305, and the protrusion determination in the Y direction is performed next to the X direction.

  In step S305, a comparison is made with the Y coordinate of the display screen in order to determine the protrusion in the Y direction, that is, whether the Y coordinate (B1) of the upper end of the window is larger than the Y coordinate (Y1) of the upper end of the display screen. Determine.

  If the Y coordinate (B1) of the upper end of the window is smaller than the Y coordinate (Y1) of the upper end of the display screen in step S305, it is determined that the window protrudes further upward than the upper end of the display screen ( Step S307), this process ends.

  In step S305, if the Y coordinate (B1) of the upper end of the window is larger than the Y coordinate (Y1) of the upper end of the display screen, the Y coordinate (B2) of the lower end of the window is changed to the Y coordinate (Y2 of the lower end of the display screen). It is discriminated whether or not (step S306).

  If the Y coordinate (B2) of the lower end of the window is smaller than the Y coordinate (Y2) of the lower end of the display screen in step S306, the present process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the Y coordinate (B2) of the lower end of the window is larger than the Y coordinate (Y2) of the lower end of the display screen in step S306, it is determined that the window protrudes further downward than the lower end of the display screen ( Step S307), this process ends.

  As described above, the window protrusion detection process is configured to detect the protrusion to the outside of the display screen accompanying the movement of the window by comparing the coordinates of the window with the coordinates of the display screen. The CPU 101 identifies whether the protruding direction is the X direction or the Y direction, and displays a scroll bar on the display screen.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing scroll bar display processing and erasure processing. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  First, when the movement of the window is detected (step S401), it is determined whether or not the window protrudes from the display screen by the window protrusion detection process (step 402).

  If the window does not protrude from the display screen in step S402, it is determined whether or not the scroll bar is already displayed on the display screen (step S411).

  In step S411, if the scroll bar is already displayed on the display screen, the scroll bar is deleted (step S412), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the scroll bar is not displayed on the display screen, Step S412 is skipped and this process is terminated.

  If the window protrudes from the display screen in step S402, it is determined whether or not there is a Y-direction window protrusion based on the detection result of the window protrusion detection process (step S403).

  In step S403, if the Y-direction window protrudes, a vertical scroll bar 601 described later is displayed on the display screen (step S404), and the process proceeds to step S405. In step S403, if the Y-direction window does not protrude, it is determined whether or not the vertical scroll bar 601 is displayed on the display screen (step S407).

  If the vertical scroll bar 601 is displayed on the display screen in step S407, the vertical scroll bar 601 is deleted (step S408), and the process proceeds to step S405 while the vertical scroll bar 601 is displayed on the display screen. If not, step S408 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S405.

  Next, based on the detection result of the window protrusion detection process, it is determined whether or not there is an X-direction window protrusion (step S405).

  If there is an X-direction window protruding in step S405, a horizontal scroll bar 301 to be described later is displayed on the display screen (step S406), and this process ends.

  If there is no protrusion of the X-direction window in step S405, it is determined whether or not the horizontal scroll bar 301 is displayed on the display screen (step S409).

  If the horizontal scroll bar 301 is displayed on the display screen in step S409, the horizontal scroll bar 301 is deleted (step S410), and this process is terminated, while the horizontal scroll bar 301 is displayed on the display screen. If not, step S410 is skipped and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for displaying the left end of the virtual display area that is enlarged in the horizontal direction from the size of the display screen 201. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the right end of the virtual display area with the horizontal slider 302 set to the right end.

  5 and 6, 301 is a horizontal scroll bar, and 302 is a horizontal slider for adjusting the scroll position. The horizontal scroll bar 301 and the horizontal slider 302 are virtually created as GUI components on the display memory 105.

  5 and 6 show an example in which the horizontal scroll bar 301 is displayed at the bottom of the display screen. However, the display position of the horizontal scroll bar 301 can be arbitrarily set on the screen, for example, by the user moving it up by a mouse operation. It can be set to the position. Further, when the protrusion detection is detected in both the X direction and the Y direction, the horizontal scroll bar 301 and the vertical scroll bar 601 are respectively displayed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which both the horizontal scroll bar 301 and the vertical scroll bar 601 are displayed on the display screen.

  In FIG. 7, 601 is a vertical scroll bar, and 602 is a vertical slider for adjusting the scroll position. As a result, the virtual display area is expanded in the X direction and the Y direction from the display screen. When the virtual display area is wider than the display screen, the horizontal scroll bar 301 and the vertical scroll bar 601 are unnecessary when the window of the word processor software 202 in FIG. 7 is rearranged to a position that fits within the display screen by a mouse operation. Therefore, it is erased by the erase process of the scroll bar in FIG. At the same time, the horizontal slider 302 and the vertical slider 602 are also erased.

  Further, when the window of the word processor software 202 is rearranged at a position that fits in the display screen only in the vertical direction from the state of FIG. 7, the vertical scroll bar 601 and the vertical slider 602 displayed in the display screen are deleted. Similarly, when the window of the word processor software 202 is rearranged at a position that fits in the display screen only in the horizontal direction, the horizontal scroll bar 301 and the horizontal slider 302 are deleted.

  FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing a process of virtually expanding the display area as the window extends. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  When the protrusion of the window occurs, the CPU 101 secures a display area that is virtually larger than the display screen on the display memory 105.

  The coordinates of the four corners of the display screen are (X1, Y1), (X1, Y2), (X2, Y2), (X2, Y1) in the order of upper left, lower left, lower right, and upper right. For convenience, the upper left coordinates (X1, Y1) of the display screen are set to the origin (0, 0), and X2> X1, Y2> Y1.

  When the movement of the window is detected (step S801), it is determined whether or not the window protrudes from the display screen by the window protrusion detection process (step 802).

  If the window does not protrude from the display screen in step S802, it is not necessary to virtually enlarge the display area, so the size in the X direction is set to X2, and the size in the Y direction is set to Y2 (step S803). This process is terminated. In this case, the size of the display area can be calculated by X2 * Y2.

  If it is determined in step S802 that the window protrudes from the display screen, it is determined whether or not the window in the Y direction protrudes (step S804).

  If there is no protrusion of the Y-direction window in step S804, the Y-direction size is set to Y2 (step S805), and the process proceeds to step S811.

  If there is a Y-direction window protrusion in step S804, it is determined whether or not there is a window protrusion above Y1 (step S806). If there is no protrusion of the window above Y1, the size in the Y direction is set to the Y coordinate of the lower end of the window below Y2 (step S807), and the process proceeds to step S811.

  If it is determined in step S806 that the window protrudes above Y1, it is determined whether or not the window protrudes below Y2 (step S808).

  If the window does not protrude below Y2 in step S808, the size in the Y direction is set to “Y2− (Y coordinate of the upper end of the window above Y1)” (step S809), and the process proceeds to step S811. .

  In step S808, if the window extends beyond Y2, the size in the Y direction is expressed as “(Y coordinate of the lower end of the window below Y2) − (Y coordinate of the upper end of the window above Y1). (Step S810), and the process proceeds to step S811.

  In step S811, it is determined whether there is an X-direction window protrusion. If there is no protrusion of the window in the X direction, the size in the X direction is set to X2 (step S812), and the process proceeds to step S818.

  If there is an X-direction window protrusion in step S811, it is determined whether or not there is a window protrusion on the left side of X1 (step S813).

  If it is determined in step S813 that the window protrudes to the left of X1, the size in the X direction is set to the X coordinate of the right edge of the window on the right of X2 (step S814), and the process proceeds to step S818.

  In step S813, if there is no window protrusion on the left side of X1, it is determined whether or not there is a window protrusion on the right side of X2 (step S815).

  In step S815, if there is no protrusion of the window on the right side of X2, the size in the X direction is set to “X2- (X coordinate of the left end of the window on the left side of X1)” (step S816), and the process proceeds to step S818.

  In step S815, if the window protrudes to the right of X2, the size in the X direction is set to “(X coordinate of the right edge of the window on the right side of X2) − (X coordinate of the left edge of the window on the left side of X1)”. Set (step S817), the process proceeds to step S818.

  As described above, the sizes in the X direction and the Y direction are set according to the protruding form of the window, the size of the display area is calculated by multiplying both the set sizes (step S818), and the display memory 105 The storage capacity corresponding to the size of the display area is secured (step S819), and this process is terminated.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a virtual display area and an actual display portion actually displayed on the display screen within the area.

  The actual display portion of the virtual display area can be moved to an arbitrary position in the virtual display area in accordance with an input from the keyboard 107 or the mouse 108. For example, the actual display portion is moved by changing the image displayed on the display screen by operating the horizontal slider 302 on the horizontal scroll bar 301 and the vertical slider 602 on the vertical scroll bar 601 displayed on the display screen. It is realized by doing.

  In FIG. 10, the coordinates of the four corners of the display screen are (X1, Y1), (X1, Y2), (X2, Y2), (X2, Y1) in the order of upper left, lower left, lower right, and upper right, Similarly, the coordinates of the four corners of the display area are (P1, Q1), (P1, Q2), (P2, Q2), (P2, Q1). P1, P2, X1, and X2 of each coordinate and Q1, Q2, Y1, and Y2 have a relationship of the following expressions (1) and (2), respectively.

P1 <X1 <X2 <P2 (1)
Q1 <Y1 <Y2 <Q2 (2)
In this way, the virtual display area is expanded in the X and Y directions as compared to the actual display portion.

  The CPU 101 sets the horizontal scroll bar 301 to take a range from P1 to P2- (X-direction display screen size) and the vertical scroll bar 601 from Q1 to Q2- (Y-direction display screen size).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the movement process of the actual display portion in the virtual display area. This process is executed by the CPU 101.

  When the operation of the horizontal scroll bar 301 or the vertical scroll bar 601 is input by the mouse operation (step S1101), it is determined whether the horizontal slider 302 has been moved (step S1102).

  If the horizontal slider 302 is moved in step S1102, the value of X1 is updated to the value of the horizontal slider 302 (step S1103). On the other hand, if the horizontal slider 302 has not been moved, step S1103 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S1104.

  Next, it is determined whether the vertical slider 602 has been moved (step S1104). If the vertical slider 602 has been moved, the value of Y1 is updated to the value of the vertical slider 602 (step S1105), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the vertical slider 602 has not been moved in step S1104, step S1105 is skipped and the process ends.

  The value of X2 can be calculated from the display screen size in the X1 + X direction, and the value of Y2 can be calculated from the display screen size in the Y1 + Y direction.

  As a result of this processing, the actual display portion is also moved in accordance with the protrusion of the window.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the CPU 101 detects that the window has protruded from the display screen, and generates an enlarged display area in which the display screen is virtually enlarged according to the detection result. This eliminates the need for rearrangement of the windows due to the projection and overlap of the screens due to the movement of the windows, thereby improving operability and work efficiency.

  In addition, since the actual display part of the enlarged display area displayed on the display screen is moved in accordance with the operation content for the scroll bar, the operation of window rearrangement is not required, improving the operability and work efficiency. Can be planned.

  When the CPU 101 detects that there is a request to move the window to a position protruding from the display screen, the CPU 101 displays a horizontal or vertical scroll bar in the display screen (steps S404 and S406), so that operability and work efficiency are displayed. Can be improved. On the other hand, when it is detected that there is no request to move the window to a position that protrudes from the display screen, the horizontal or vertical scroll bar displayed in the display screen is deleted (steps S408, S410, and S412). Wide and effective use of the screen display area.

  In the above embodiment, the computer 100 is assumed as the information processing apparatus. However, the information processing apparatus is not limited to this, and may be a portable computer, a mobile phone, a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction peripheral, a digital camera, or the like.

  In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus as a storage medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.

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

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD. -RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of an LCD panel 106. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the protrusion detection process of the window which protruded from the display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the display process and deletion process of a scroll bar. It is a figure which displays the right end of the virtual display area expanded in the horizontal direction rather than the size of the display screen. It is the figure which set the horizontal slider 302 to the right end, and has shown the left end of the virtual display area. It is a figure which shows the example in which both the horizontal scroll bar 301 and the vertical scroll bar 601 are displayed on the display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process which expands a display area virtually with the protrusion of a window. It is a flowchart which shows the process which expands a display area virtually with the protrusion of a window. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a virtual display area and the actual display part actually displayed on a display screen within the area. It is a flowchart which shows the movement process of the real display part in a virtual display area.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
102 RAM
103 External storage device 104 LCDC (liquid crystal display controller)
105 Display Memory 106 LCD Panel 107 Keyboard 108 Mouse 109 I / O Control Unit 301 Horizontal Scroll Bar 302 Horizontal Slider 601 Vertical Scroll Bar 602 Vertical Slider

Claims (7)

In an information processing apparatus that controls display of a display screen,
Window arrangement means for arranging a window at an arbitrary position of the display screen, window protrusion detection means for detecting that the window protrudes from the display screen, and the display screen according to a detection result by the window protrusion detection means An information processing apparatus comprising: a display area enlarging unit that generates an enlarged display area that is virtually enlarged.   The window protrusion detecting means displays a horizontal or vertical scroll bar in the display screen when detecting that there is a request to move the window to a position protruding from the display screen. Item 6. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1.   When the window protrusion detection unit detects that there is no request to move the window to a position protruding from the display screen, the window protrusion detection unit deletes a horizontal or vertical scroll bar displayed in the display screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display area moving means for moving an actual display portion of the enlarged display area displayed on the display screen in accordance with an operation content on the scroll bar. .   5. A storage area securing means for securing a storage area for data to be displayed on the display screen according to the size of the enlarged display area generated by the display area expanding means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims. In an information processing method for controlling display of a display screen,
A window arrangement step of arranging a window at an arbitrary position of the display screen; a window protrusion detection step of detecting that the window protrudes from the display screen; and the display screen according to a detection result of the window protrusion detection step. An information processing method comprising: a display area enlarging step that generates an enlarged display area that is virtually enlarged. In a program executed by a computer that controls display of a display screen,
A window arrangement module that arranges a window at an arbitrary position of the display screen; a window protrusion detection module that detects that the window protrudes from the display screen; and the display screen according to a detection result by the window protrusion detection module. And a display area enlargement module for generating an enlarged display area that is virtually enlarged.

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