JP2018005945A - Task management device, task management system, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology related to a window control device capable of reducing a workload by a user, and increasing operability and working efficiency.SOLUTION: A plurality of sub-menu items are associated with a main menu item, and a program start part starts a plurality of processing programs 36 respectively corresponding to those sub-menu items, and a display control part displays a start menu area including items corresponding to the started processing programs, and displays windows indicating operation areas based on the started processing programs. A storage part (database) 30 stores the processing programs 36 and user registration information 35 of each user who manages a task. The display control part displays an alignment method selection menu for allowing a user to select one alignment method from among a plurality of alignment methods of the windows respectively corresponding to the plurality of started processing programs. Thus, it is possible to increase operability and working efficiency of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of an information processing apparatus having a window display function.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-window information processing apparatus that provides an environment in which work efficiency can be improved by continuously storing / reproducing an arrangement with high work efficiency for a user for each of a plurality of related windows. It is disclosed. Specifically, this multi-window information processing apparatus groups one of the windows displayed on the screen with at least one other window, and processes the grouped window group in conjunction with each other. (For example, refer to paragraph [0057] of the specification of Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-169545

In general, if there are too many windows on the screen, work efficiency and operability may deteriorate. In this regard, the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 groups related windows and stores their relative arrangement, so that the work efficiency is considered to be improved. However, it is necessary for the user to set grouping settings and window arrangements, for example, initial settings become complicated.
For example, when a plurality of windows are displayed, it is desirable that the user can easily perform the operation.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a business management device, a business management system, and a program thereof that can reduce the operational burden on the user and improve the operability and work efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, a business management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides:
A plurality of submenu items, which are subordinate menus of at least one of the main menu items, are associated with the plurality of main menu items, and a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items are activated. An activation part;
Displaying the plurality of main menu items and the plurality of submenu items on a screen, and further displaying an activation menu area including items corresponding to the processing program activated by the activation unit in the screen; A display control unit for displaying a window indicating an operation area based on the activated processing program;
In the business management apparatus comprising the processing program and a storage unit that stores user registration information for each user who manages the business,
The display control unit causes the user to select one of a plurality of alignment methods of the windows for each of the windows corresponding to the plurality of processing programs activated by the activation unit. Display the menu.

A business management system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
A business management system comprising a computer, a server and a database connected to a network,
The computer
A plurality of submenu items, which are subordinate menus of at least one of the main menu items, are associated with the plurality of main menu items, and a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items are activated. An activation part;
Displaying the plurality of main menu items and the plurality of submenu items on a screen, and further displaying an activation menu area including items corresponding to the processing program activated by the activation unit in the screen; A display control unit for displaying a window indicating an operation area based on the activated processing program,
The server stores, in the database, the processing program and user registration information for each user who manages the business.
The display control unit causes the user to select one of a plurality of alignment methods of the windows for each of the windows corresponding to the plurality of processing programs activated by the activation unit. Display the menu.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention is:
A plurality of main menu items are associated with a plurality of submenu items that are subordinate menus of at least one of the main menu items, and the screen includes the plurality of main menu items and the plurality of submenu items. A program to be executed by a displayable business management device,
The business management device includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items, and user registration information for each user who manages the business,
Starting one or more programs of the plurality of programs;
Displaying a startup menu area including items corresponding to the activated processing program in the screen, and displaying a window indicating an operation area based on the activated processing program;
Displaying an alignment method selection menu for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of alignment methods of the windows for each of the windows corresponding to the activated processing programs. Let the management device execute it.

In order to achieve the above object, a window control device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main menu area in which a plurality of main menu items are arranged, and a subordinate of at least one main menu item among the plurality of main menu items. A window in the screen including a submenu area including a plurality of submenu items that are menus is controlled. The window control device includes an activation unit and a display control unit.
The activation unit activates one or more processing programs corresponding to one or more submenu items among the plurality of submenu items.
The display control unit arranges the plurality of main menu items in a first direction which is one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction on the screen, and the first control item is arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions on the screen. A screen in which the plurality of submenu items are arranged in a second direction different from the direction is generated. Further, the display control unit displays an activation menu area including an item corresponding to the processing program activated by the activation unit in the generated screen along the first direction or the second direction. A window showing an operation area based on the activated processing program is displayed.

  The display control unit displays an alignment method selection menu that allows a user to select one alignment method among a plurality of alignment methods of a plurality of windows respectively corresponding to a plurality of processing programs activated by the activation unit. You may display in.

  The display control unit may display the alignment method selection menu for each window so as to overlap or be adjacent to the windows.

  The display control unit may display the alignment method selection menu in response to an operation input to a button provided on the frame of the window.

  The window control device may further include a setting unit that associates priority information with at least one of the plurality of processing programs, and sets a form of the windows based on the associated priority information.

  The setting unit may set the sizes of the windows according to the window size priority information.

  The setting unit may set the arrangement of the windows according to the arrangement priority information.

  The plurality of alignment methods include at least one of the arrangement in the horizontal row, the arrangement in the vertical direction, the arrangement in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and the arrangement in which the horizontal and vertical directions are shifted from each other by a predetermined distance. Two may be included. Alternatively, the plurality of alignment methods may include an array corresponding to priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of processing programs and at least two of the four arrays.

  Among the plurality of alignment methods, when the number of the processing programs activated by the activation unit is an odd number, and the arrangement is selected in both the horizontal and vertical directions as the alignment method, the display control unit The plurality of windows may be displayed such that at least one window size of the plurality of windows is larger than two or more other window sizes.

  The display control unit includes: a first screen in which the plurality of main menu items are arranged in the first direction; and a second screen in which the plurality of main menu items are arranged in the second direction. The output may be switched according to the operation input.

  The window control device responds to an operation input to one of the windows corresponding to the at least two processing programs when at least two associated processing programs are activated among the plurality of processing programs. When the process is executed, an execution unit that executes the same process as the operation input may be further provided in one or more other windows among the windows.

A window control system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image data storage unit, a program storage unit, an activation unit, and a display control unit.
The image data storage unit includes a main menu area in which a plurality of main menu items are arranged, and a sub menu including a plurality of sub menu items which are subordinate menus of at least one main menu item among the plurality of main menu items. The image data in the screen including the area is stored.
The program storage unit stores a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items.
The activation unit activates one or more processing programs corresponding to one or more submenu items among the plurality of submenu items.
The display control unit arranges the plurality of main menu items in a first direction which is one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction on the screen, and the first control item is arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions on the screen. A screen in which the plurality of submenu items are arranged in a second direction different from the direction is generated. Further, the display control unit displays an activation menu area including an item corresponding to the processing program activated by the activation unit in the generated screen along the first direction or the second direction. A window showing an operation area based on the activated processing program is displayed.

A window control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a main menu area in which a plurality of main menu items are arranged in a first direction that is one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction on a screen, and the plurality of main menus. A submenu in which a plurality of submenu items that are subordinate menus of at least one main menu item among the items are arranged in a second direction different from the first direction in the horizontal and vertical directions on the screen Generating a screen including the area.
One or more processing programs corresponding to one or more submenu items among the plurality of submenu items are activated.
An activation menu area including items corresponding to the activated processing program is arranged along the first direction or the second direction in the generated screen, and is based on the activated processing program A window showing the operation area is displayed.

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the window control method.

  As mentioned above, according to this invention, the operation burden by a user can be reduced and operativity and work efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the window control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the PC shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart mainly showing the operation of the PC when the initial screen is displayed. FIG. 4 conceptually shows the relationship between main menu items, submenu items, and processing programs. FIG. 5 is a flowchart mainly showing processing for opening a window and displaying a tab corresponding to the window in step 107 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart mainly showing processing for aligning a plurality of windows. FIG. 7 shows an example of the first screen as the initial screen. FIG. 8 shows an example of a second screen as an initial screen in which the arrangement of main menu items is different from that of the first screen. FIG. 9 shows an example of the arrangement of submenu items displayed in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen in a state where a window is opened by clicking a submenu item. FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen in which a submenu area is further displayed from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen in which another window is opened by clicking a submenu item from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen on which an alignment method selection menu area is displayed. FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a matrix. FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen in which a plurality of windows are arranged so as to be partially overlapped with each other. FIG. 18 shows an example of a screen in which three windows are “displayed side by side”. 19A and 19B show examples of screens in which five windows are “displayed side by side”. FIG. 20 shows the contents of the database connected to the server in the business management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows the specific contents of the priority information stored in the database. 22A and 22B respectively show examples of a plurality of window forms when “size” is set as the priority parameter. FIG. 23 shows an example of the form of a plurality of windows when “placement” is set as the priority parameter. FIG. 24 shows an example of the form of a plurality of windows when “highlighting” is set as the priority parameter.

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

  [First Embodiment]

<Business management system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the window control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a mode in which the window control system is applied to the business management system 100 will be described.

  The business management system 100 is a system that performs a wide range of business management such as salary calculation, bonus calculation, year-end adjustment, attendance management, and personnel management.

  The business management system 100 includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 10, a server computer (hereinafter referred to as a server) 20, and a database 30. The number of PCs 10 may be singular or plural, and a plurality of PCs are shown in FIG.

  Each PC 10 is connected to the server 20 via a hub (not shown) so as to be communicable with each other via a computer network. The server 20 and the database 30 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

  The server 20 and the database 30 may be an integrated device. The network connecting the PC 10 and the server 20 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The PC 10 or the server 20 functions as a “window control device”. The network connection may be wired or wireless.

  The database 30 stores a plurality of user registration information 35, a plurality of processing programs 36, and the like. In this case, the database 30 functions as a “program storage unit” that stores at least the processing program 36.

  If it is not a registered person, the business management system 100 cannot be used. Therefore, an authorized administrator registers the ID information of the worker engaged in the task management in the task management system 100 as the user registration information 35. Accordingly, the registered worker (hereinafter referred to as a user) operates one of the PCs 10 to log in, and the plurality of processing programs 36 for business management provided by the business management system 100 are stored. It is possible to start up at least one of the processing programs 36 and perform business management.

  Typically, the PC 10 is configured to be able to access the database 30 via the server 20 using a Web browser and receive the processing program 36 from the server 20. Further, the PC 10 is configured to be able to receive provision of image data and the like within a screen that can be displayed on the display device 15 (see FIG. 2) described later from the server 20. In the latter case, the storage device in the server 20 functions as at least an “image data storage unit”.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the PC 10 shown in FIG.

  For example, the PC 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a communication interface 13, an input device 14, a display device 15, a program activation unit 16, a display control unit 17, and the like.

  The memory 12 includes, for example, a semiconductor storage device and a hard disk, and stores, for example, a program activation unit 16. The communication interface 13 is an interface that enables information communication with the server 20. The input device 14 includes, for example, a mouse and a keyboard.

  The CPU 11 functions as the program activation unit 16 and the display control unit 17 as described later by activating the processing program 36 transmitted from the server 20 and temporarily stored in the memory 12. The CPU 11 and the program activation unit 16 or the display control unit 17 may be physically integrated devices or separate devices.

  The program activation unit 16 receives at least one of the plurality of processing programs 36 stored in the database 30 via the server 20 and activates it in response to a user operation input. The display control unit 17 generates a screen and performs necessary control for displaying the generated screen on the display device 15.

<Operation of business management system>
(Basic operation)
Next, the operation of the business management system 100 will be described. 3, 5, and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the PC 10 in particular, and shows the operation after the user logs into the server 20 based on the user registration information 35 via the PC 10.

  The following processing of the PC 10 is realized by cooperation of hardware resources such as the CPU 11 of the PC 10 and software resources (including software resources temporarily provided from the server 20). That is, the CPU 11 executes processing in cooperation with the memory 12, the communication interface 13, the program starting unit 16, or the display control unit 17. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the subject of processing is referred to as CPU 11.

  First, the CPU 11 displays an initial screen as shown in FIG. 7 or 8 on the display device 15 (step 101). An initial screen (hereinafter referred to as a first screen) 51 shown in FIG. 7 includes a mark 58 such as a logo, a main menu area 53, and a browsing / working area 54.

  For example, the main menu area 53 is arranged on the left side of the screen. The main menu area 53 includes a plurality of main menu items 53a (“AAA”, “BBB”, “CCC”,...), And these are arranged in the vertical direction of the screen. The main menu item 53a includes a large number of menus related to business management such as “schedule management”, “time attendance management”, “salary management”, “personnel management”, and the like.

  An initial screen (hereinafter referred to as a second screen) 52 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a main menu area 53 including a plurality of main menu items 53a. On the second screen 52, the main menu items 53a are arranged in the horizontal direction, which is different from the vertical direction shown in FIG.

  At least the mark 58 and the plurality of main menu items 53a are associated with link information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

  The “vertical direction” is the “vertical direction” of the screen. “Horizontal direction” is the “horizontal direction” of the screen. The “screen” is not limited to a screen displayed on the vertically installed display device 15, but includes a display screen of a portable computer such as a tablet PC that can take any posture. The aspect ratio of the screen is not necessarily a horizontally long rectangle, and includes a screen that changes to a vertically long rectangular screen by changing the holding posture.

  In FIG. 8, a main menu area 53 extending in the horizontal direction is arranged above the center in the vertical direction of the screen and immediately below the mark 58. Below the main menu area 53 is a browsing / working area 54. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each main menu item 53a can be slid and displayed in the vertical and horizontal directions by a slide operation unit 57 such as a scroll bar.

  After step 101, for example, when the mark 58 is selected by a user's operation input (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “click” for convenience), the CPU 11 changes from the first screen 51 to the second screen 52. Or the display is switched from the second screen 52 to the first screen 51. That is, every time the mark 58 is clicked, the CPU 11 can alternately switch between the first screen 51 and the second screen 52 by a toggle operation, as shown in steps 102 to 106. The user can select a favorite initial screen from the first and second screens 52. Hereinafter, a case where the user selects the second screen 52 will be described.

  After step 106, based on the user's operation input, the CPU 11 performs window processing and processing by the processing program 36 (step 107). FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of step 107.

  In step 201, when the user clicks any one of the plurality of main menu items 53a, the CPU 11 displays a sub menu area 63 including a plurality of sub menu items 63a (step 202).

  As shown in FIG. 4, for each main menu item 53a, a plurality of submenu items 63a and a plurality of processing programs 36 are associated. Specifically, link information (for example, an execution file name, URL, etc.) possessed by the submenu item 63a and the processing program 36 are associated with each other and stored in the database 30. Two or three or more different submenu items 63a may be associated with the same processing program 36.

  A single main menu item 53a is associated with a plurality of submenu items 63a, which are subordinate menus. Some main menu items 53a are associated with only one submenu item 63a with one main menu item 53a.

  The sub menu area 63 arranges the sub menu items 63a in the vertical direction which is a direction different from the horizontal direction in which the main menu items 53a are arranged. The sub menu area 63 is arranged on the left side of the screen, for example. In FIG. 9, the main menu item “CCC” is selected, and submenu items 63 a (“ccc1”, “ccc2”,...) Are displayed in the submenu area 63.

  In step 203, when the user clicks any one of the plurality of submenu items 63a, the CPU 11 activates the processing program 36 corresponding to the clicked submenu item 63a (step 204). Then, for example, the CPU 11 deletes the display of the submenu area 63 displayed in FIG. 9 and displays the window W indicating the operation area of the user based on the processing program 36 in the browsing / work area 54 (step 205). ).

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen in a state where the window W is opened by clicking the submenu item 63a. The window W is maximized and displayed on the entire browsing / working area 54 by default, for example. However, it may be displayed in a part of the browsing / working area 54.

  Further, the CPU 11 displays an activation menu area 64 including, for example, a tab 64a, which is an item corresponding to the processing program 36, so as to be arranged along the horizontal direction (step 206). That is, the contents shown in the tab 64a (information “ccc4” represented by characters in FIG. 10 for example) match the submenu items corresponding to the activated processing program 36. Thus, the user can recognize what category or type of processing program the currently activated processing program 36 is based on the contents of the tab 64 a displayed in the activation menu area 64.

  The activation menu area 64 is arranged above the main menu area 53 along the horizontal direction, for example. The currently selected main menu item 53a and sub menu item 63a (corresponding tab 64a) are highlighted and are indicated by hatching in the figure. As a specific method of highlighting, various methods such as changing the color, shape, pattern, and size can be used.

  Steps 204 to 206 are substantially the same, but the time order of steps 205 and 206, for example, does not matter.

  The displayed window W has a bar (or frame) Wb provided at the upper portion, for example, like a window of a Windows (registered trademark) system. When the bar Wb is highlighted (for example, displayed in a dark color), it indicates that the window W is active. In the figure, the highlighting is represented by hatching.

  Further, on the right end portion of the window W on the bar Wb, for example, “Close”, “Maximize”, and “Minimize” buttons Wc are provided. As will be described later, in addition to these buttons Wc, a button (hereinafter referred to as an alignment button) Wa for selecting an alignment method of the windows W is provided on the bar Wb.

  The user can perform work based on the processing program “ccc4” in the window W, and the CPU 11 executes processing according to the operation of the user (step 207).

  Next, it is assumed that the user opens another processing program 36 and works in parallel with the processing program “ccc4”. For example, when the processing program “ccc4” is an attendance management program, for example, it may be desired to reflect an input result or processing result of the work status in one or more other related processing programs 36. The attendance management program can be associated with, for example, a weekly report notification processing program, a monthly report notification processing program, or a salary management program.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, when the main menu item 53a (for example, “EEE”) is clicked (Yes in step 201), the CPU 11 superimposes on the already opened window W, for example. 63 is displayed (step 202).

  Note that the submenu area 63 is not limited to being displayed on the window W, and the size of the window W is reduced from the state shown in FIG. 10, and accordingly, in the remaining area in the browsing / working area 54. A sub menu area 63 may be displayed.

  When one submenu item 63a (for example, “eeee1”) is clicked (step 203 Yes), the CPU 11 corresponds to the submenu item “eeee1” on the already opened window W as shown in FIG. The processing program 36 to be started is started (step 204). The window W to be opened later is maximized and opened in the same manner as the window W that has already been opened. Similarly to the above, the CPU 11 displays the window W corresponding to the processing program “eeee1” and the corresponding tab 64a (steps 205 and 206).

  In step 204, the CPU may display the window W that will be opened later side by side with the window W that has already been opened.

  As described above, a plurality of windows W can be opened in order by repeating the processes of steps 201 to 206.

(Arrange multiple windows)
Next, when a plurality of windows W are opened as described above, processing for aligning these windows W on the screen will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing.

  For example, the PC 10 repeats the process shown in FIG. 5 and opens four windows W. Below, the case where these four windows W are arranged is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the user clicks the above-described alignment button Wa in the window W (Yes in step 301). Then, the CPU 11 displays an alignment method selection menu (hereinafter referred to as an alignment method selection menu area 61) for allowing the user to select the alignment method of the windows W by a pull-down method (step 302). The alignment method selection menu area 61 includes a plurality of alignment method selection menu items 61a.

  The alignment method selection menu item 61a includes, for example, “align horizontally”, “align vertically”, “display side by side”, and “display side by side”.

  When “Arrange horizontally” is selected (step 303 Yes), the CPU 11 arranges the windows W in a row in the browsing / working area 54 as shown in FIG. 14 (step 304). FIG. 14 shows a state in which the windows W are arranged in a horizontal row. For each window W, an alignment button Wa (in addition, a maximization button Wc) is provided. The active window W in this screen corresponds to the processing program of the submenu item “ttt3”, which is the window W that is opened last or the sort button Wa that is clicked last is provided.

  Note that the active window W is not limited to the last opened window W, and may be the first opened window W or another window W.

  When “Arrange vertically” is selected (Step 305 Yes), as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 11 arranges the windows W in a row in the viewing / work area 54 in a vertical direction (Step 306).

  When “display side by side” is selected (step 307 Yes), as shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 11 arranges the windows W both horizontally and vertically in the browsing / work area 54 (step 308). That is, the windows W are arranged in a matrix.

  When “overlapping display” is selected (step 309 Yes), as shown in FIG. 17, the windows W are arranged so as to be shifted from each other so as to partially overlap in the browsing / working area 54 (step 310). For example, the windows W are arranged with a predetermined distance in the horizontal and vertical directions. “Overlapping display” is an effective means mainly for arranging the arrangement of a large number of scattered windows in the order of opening.

  In step 311, the CPU 11 performs processing based on at least one of these processing programs 36 in accordance with a user operation input.

  If the TOP button (displayed in the upper right of the screen) 55 is clicked, the CPU 11 shuts down the processing program 36, closes the window W, and displays the initial screen (step 313). When a plurality of windows W are opened, all processing programs and all windows W are closed. When displaying various screens after FIG. 8 after login (when the TOP button 55 is displayed), the CPU accepts the shutdown processing of the processing program by the TOP button 55 at any time. . Of course, the TOP button 55 may also be displayed on the first screen 51 of FIG. Further, a dialog (not shown) for confirming whether to proceed to the shutdown process or canceling may be displayed, and when a confirmation is input, the process may proceed to the shutdown process.

  In the above “display side by side” example, the number of windows W arranged in the vertical direction is two, but may be three or more. The number of horizontal windows W may be four or more. In the present embodiment, the number of windows (processing programs) that can be opened simultaneously is 6, but it may be 7 or more.

  When a plurality of windows W are opened as described above, the window W corresponding to the highlighted tab 64a among the plurality of tabs 64a in the activation menu area 64 corresponding to them is activated. The CPU 11 can switch the active window W every time the tab 64a (highlighted active tab) is switched in response to a user operation input (click on the tab to be selected 64a). This facilitates switching of the active window W by the user.

  Further, even after the windows W are arranged, the CPU 11 can individually move each window W to an arbitrary position in accordance with an operation input such as dragging by the user.

(Example of the layout of other “Tile” windows)
The case where there are four (even) windows W has been described above. However, when the number of windows W is odd, for example, when there are three, when “display side by side” is selected in step 307, the windows W are arranged as shown in FIG. The CPU 11 increases the size of only one predetermined window W, makes the other two sizes the same, and arranges the browsing / working area 54 so as to be filled with all the windows W.

  Note that the screen example shown in FIG. 18 may be an example of an arrangement according to the process of “arranging vertically” three windows.

  In this case, it is only necessary that one window W, which is a target for which the window size is larger than the others, be set in advance. The target window W is, for example, the last opened window W, the first opened window W, or the window W arranged at a predetermined position (in the example of FIG. 18, in the upper part of the browsing / working area 54). Arranged windows W) and the like.

  In the case of five windows W, as shown in FIG. 19A, one window size may be larger than the other four (the other four sizes are the same). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19B, the two window sizes (the two sizes are the same) may be larger than the other three (the other three sizes are the same).

<Summary>
As described above, the PC 10 opens the window W corresponding to the activated processing program 36 and arranges the activation menu area 64 along the horizontal direction (see, for example, FIG. 12). By switching the tab 64a in the activation menu area 64, the user can easily select one processing program 36 from among the plurality of processing programs 36 being activated (executed) and perform work. Therefore, the operational burden on the user can be reduced, and operability and work efficiency can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the user can select an alignment method that suits himself or has good work efficiency from a plurality of alignment method selection menu items 61a, and improves workability when a plurality of windows W are opened. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, since the alignment button Wa is provided for each window W, the user can easily and immediately switch the alignment method. The operation target of the user is the window W, and the user operates while looking at the window W. Therefore, the alignment button Wa is not arranged at a predetermined position on the entire screen, but the alignment button Wa is provided for each window W, so that the alignment method selection menu area 61 is displayed at a position easy for the user to see. This contributes to improved operability.

  An alignment method selection menu area 61 is displayed when the alignment button Wa is clicked. Therefore, it can be displayed only when alignment is necessary for the user, which contributes to improved operability.

  In the embodiment described above, in the case of “display side by side” as the alignment method of the windows W, the display / work area 54 is displayed so as to occupy the entire viewing / working area 54 regardless of the number of windows. However, for example, even when the number of windows is an odd number, all the windows W may be arranged in an equal size and displayed so that a part of the browsing / working area 54 is left.

  In the above embodiment, the operation from the second screen 52 shown in FIG. 8 as the initial screen has been described. However, the same applies to the operation from the first screen 51. That is, when the first screen 51 is displayed, when the main menu item 53a is clicked, the submenu area 63 is arranged in the horizontal (or vertical) direction at a predetermined position in the screen. Is displayed.

  [Second Embodiment]

<Business management system configuration>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 20 shows the contents of the database 30 connected to the server 20. In the following description, the same functions and the like included in the business management system 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description is simplified or omitted, and different points are mainly described. Explained.

  The database 30 stores window alignment priority information (hereinafter referred to as priority information) 37 in addition to a plurality of user registration information 35 and a plurality of processing programs 36. The priority information 37 is information indicating which of the plurality of windows W is to be displayed with priority when the CPU 11 arranges the windows W.

  FIG. 21 shows the contents of the priority information 37. There are a plurality of priority information 37, and typically stored for each user registered in the database 30, that is, for each user registration information 35. The priority information 37 includes a priority parameter 37a, a setting value 37b, and information (program ID or the like) 37c indicating a processing program to be prioritized.

  The “priority parameter” indicates a parameter to be prioritized, such as size, arrangement, and highlighting, for the window W displayed in the browsing / working area 54.

  The “set value” is a value (or type) for each parameter. The user can set these priority parameters 37a, setting values 37b, and the like to arbitrary values using a GUI (not shown) using a setting program provided from the server 20 to the PC 10.

  “Information indicating the target processing program” is information indicating the target processing program 36 to be prioritized.

  The setting program (and a CPU that executes the setting program) associates priority information 37 with at least one processing program 36 among the plurality of processing programs 36, and corresponds to the processing program 36 based on the associated priority information 37. It functions as a “setting unit” for setting the form of the window W. The window form is a window form based on the priority parameter.

<Screen example>
(When the priority parameter is "Size")

  For example, when “size” is set as the priority parameter 37a, the database 30 stores as a set value 37b how much size is displayed for one window W to be given priority (highest priority). The setting value 37b of “size” may be a ratio with respect to other (non-priority) window sizes, or may be an absolute value, or may be a priority object occupied in the browsing / work area 54. It may be a ratio of the area of the window W.

  As a setting method of the setting value 37b by the setting program, for example, a method in which the user selects one from a plurality of predetermined setting values may be employed.

  22A and 22B show examples of forms of a plurality of windows W in the browsing / work area 54 when “size” is set as the priority parameter 37a, for example.

  The left figure of FIG. 22A shows an example in which the size corresponding to substantially half of the browsing / working area 54 is set as the size of the priority target window W (hereinafter referred to as priority window WP). The other windows W are displayed with an equal size.

  Even when the number of windows is increased to four as shown in the right figure from the three windows W shown in the left figure of FIG. 22A, the size of the priority window WP is maintained and the size of other windows W is equalized. Maintained.

  In the left diagram of FIG. 22B, the size of the priority window WP is set so that one of the two windows W is larger than half of the browsing / working area 54. In the right figure, when the number of windows is increased to three, for example, the size of the priority window WP is about half of the browsing / working area 54, and the size of the priority window WP is smaller than when the number of windows is two. . That is, in the example of FIG. 22B, the size of the priority window WP is variably controlled according to the number of windows.

  In the example of FIG. 22B, the setting unit can set the window size as the maximum setting value 37b when there are two windows W, for example. The reduction ratio according to the number of windows may be a specified value of the setting program.

  22A and 22B show the size of the window W immediately after the alignment button Wa is pressed. Thereafter, the user can arbitrarily change the size of the window W by dragging the window W or the like.

(When the priority parameter is “Placement”)
When “placement” is set as the priority parameter 37a, the database 30 stores, as the setting value 37b, the position in the browsing / working area 54 where one window W to be prioritized is placed. The setting value 37b of “placement” is “center”, “right end”, “upper right”, “lower left”, “always in front”,. “Always in front” can be set in combination with another set value 37b.

  In the example shown in the left diagram of FIG. 23, three windows W are displayed. “Center” is set as the setting value 37b, the priority window WP is displayed in the center of the browsing / working area 54 with a predetermined size, and the other two are displayed behind the priority window WP.

  As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 23, when the number of windows increases to four, the priority window WP maintains the center position, and the newly increased one active window WA (non-priority) becomes the priority window WP. Is placed in front of. The non-prioritized three windows W are maintained to have an equal size, for example.

  It should be noted that the priority window WP is always arranged in front of the active window WA by the setting combining “always in front” and the example shown in FIG.

  The example of FIG. 23 described above shows the arrangement of the windows W immediately after the alignment button Wa is pressed or immediately after the “display side by side” item 61 a is selected in the alignment method selection menu area 61. . Therefore, after that, the user can arbitrarily change the arrangement of the window W by a drag operation or the like on the window W.

(When the priority parameter is “Highlight”)
When “highlighted display” is set as the priority parameter 37a, the database 30 stores the position in the browsing / working area 54 where the priority window WP is arranged as the setting value 37b. Setting that sets the color, pattern, shape, etc. of the window W to be prioritized (the bar constituting it or the background in the window W) different from those of one or more other windows W as the “highlight” setting value 37b There is. In addition, there are settings such that the thickness of the bars and frames of the priority window WP are different from those of one or more other windows W.

  In the example shown in FIG. 24, the lower right window W among the four windows W of equal size is highlighted and displayed. For example, the frame of the priority window WP is displayed so as to be thicker than the others.

<Summary>
As described above, the priority information 37 is set in the window W (processing program 36), which contributes to improvement of user operability and work efficiency. For example, operability and work efficiency can be improved by setting priority information 37 for the processing program 36 frequently used by the user.

  In the second embodiment described above, the example in which the priority information 37 is set for one processing program 36 has been described. However, the priority information 37 may be set for two or more processing programs 36, respectively. In this case, the same setting value 37b may be set uniformly for two or more processing programs 36.

  Alternatively, different setting values 37b for two or more processing programs 36, that is, two or more levels of priority may be set. For example, the first processing program 36 may have a first priority, and the second processing program 36 may have a second priority that is different from the first priority. Good. As an example, the size of the window W can be set in stages according to the priority. Alternatively, the windows W can be arranged in the arrangement order set in advance by the user according to the priority.

  It is also possible to set by combining at least two of the above three parameters “size”, “arrangement”, and “highlight display”.

  The arrangement of the windows W based on the priority information 37 according to the present embodiment may be included as one of the items 61a in the alignment method selection menu area 61 in the first embodiment described above. In this case, the item may be displayed by character information such as “priority display” or an icon.

  [Other Embodiments]

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and other various embodiments can be realized.

  The PC 10, particularly the server 20, may further include an “execution unit” that executes simultaneous processing. Specifically, when at least two associated processing programs 36 are activated, that is, when at least two windows W are opened, the execution unit sets the user to one window W among the windows W. When the operation input is performed and the process is executed, the same process as the operation input is executed on one or more other windows W among the windows W.

  For example, the server 20 can perform processing corresponding to simultaneous input and simultaneous editing of the same data by a user for a plurality of windows W. For example, for input contents that are relatively frequently used, such as name, department, and title, simultaneous input and simultaneous editing can be performed as usual. In this case, for example, the server 20 or the database 30 has master data and can cope with it by rewriting the master data. The simultaneous input function described here allows the PC 10 or the server 20 to perform simultaneous input and simultaneous editing over a plurality of windows W, for example, for comments and special notes that are relatively infrequently used. Is. For example, in a business management system, when a user makes a leave transfer application for a holiday attendance with a long leave application, there is a special reason for the application reason so that it is not necessary to input it repeatedly. Can take. That is, the leave application program and the transfer application program are opened in order, and both windows are simultaneously activated by a specific selection method (for example, Ctrl on the keyboard and clicking on the window). If you enter a comment such as “I will be on vacation for a while.”, Both programs will process the input.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the main menu area 53 along the horizontal direction is arranged above the center of the screen, and the sub menu area 63 along the vertical direction is arranged on the left side of the screen. However, the main menu area 53 may be arranged on the lower side, or the sub menu area 63 may be arranged on the right side.

  In the above embodiment, the first initial screen displaying the main menu area 53 along the vertical direction and the second initial screen displaying the main menu area 53 along the horizontal direction are switched by the selection operation. However, in the case of a tablet PC or the like, the type of the initial screen may be changed in accordance with the change in the screen orientation of portrait or landscape.

  In each of the above embodiments, the alignment method selection menu area 61 is displayed in a pull-down manner. However, the alignment method selection menu area 61 may be arranged so as to overlap the window W or in an area outside the window W and adjacent to the window W.

  The alignment method selection menu item 61a is displayed as character information, but may be displayed as a design such as an icon. For example, in the case of a design such as an icon, the user may be able to intuitively understand the arrangement method at a glance. The design that can be understood intuitively at a glance is, for example, one that shows the arrangement of only the frame of the window W (such as those shown in FIGS. 19 and 22).

  In the above embodiment, the tabs 64a in the activation menu area 64 are arranged in the horizontal direction. However, they may be arranged in the vertical direction.

  The system according to the above embodiment relates to a business management system. However, the technology according to the present invention may be applied to other application programs such as document creation, spreadsheet, CAD (Computer Aided Design), and games. In this case, the PC 10 may be a stand-alone type.

  In the above embodiment, the PC 10 mainly has the functions of the program starting unit 16 and the display control unit 17. However, the server 20 may be configured so as to exhibit these functions through the operation of the PC 10.

  The alignment button Wa is not provided in all windows, but may be provided in any one window. An arbitrary window is, for example, an active window or the above priority window.

  It is also possible to combine at least two characteristic parts among the characteristic parts of the embodiments described above.

10 ... PC
11 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Program start part 17 ... Display control part 20 ... Server 30 ... Database 36 ... Processing program 37 ... Priority information 53 ... Main menu area 53a ... Main menu item 61 ... Alignment method selection menu area 61a ... Alignment method selection menu item 63 ... Submenu area 63a ... Submenu item 64 ... Startup menu area 64a ... Tab 100 ... Business management system

Claims (12)

A plurality of submenu items, which are subordinate menus of at least one of the main menu items, are associated with the plurality of main menu items, and a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items are activated. An activation part;
Displaying the plurality of main menu items and the plurality of submenu items on a screen, and further displaying an activation menu area including items corresponding to the processing program activated by the activation unit in the screen; A display control unit for displaying a window indicating an operation area based on the activated processing program;
In the business management apparatus comprising the processing program and a storage unit that stores user registration information for each user who manages the business,
The display control unit causes the user to select one of a plurality of alignment methods of the windows for each of the windows corresponding to the plurality of processing programs activated by the activation unit. A business management device that displays menus. The business management device according to claim 1,
Priority information set for each of the users included in the user registration information is associated with at least one of the plurality of processing programs, and when the plurality of windows are aligned based on the associated priority information The business management device further comprising a setting unit for setting the form of the windows. The business management device according to claim 1 or 2,
The alignment method selection menu is expanded from an alignment button for allowing the user to select one of the plurality of alignment methods displayed on the frame for each window to be aligned, A business management device that is displayed in a pull-down manner over the window. The business management device according to claim 3,
The arrangement method selection menu displayed by the pull-down method is displayed by an icon indicating an arrangement of the frame of the window. The work management apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The said setting part is a business management apparatus which sets the size of those windows according to the priority information of window size. The work management apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The setting unit sets the arrangement of the windows according to the arrangement priority information. The window control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The plurality of alignment methods include at least one of the arrangement in the horizontal row, the arrangement in the vertical direction, the arrangement in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and the arrangement in which the horizontal and vertical directions are shifted from each other by a predetermined distance. Business management device including two. The business management device according to claim 7,
The plurality of alignment methods include an array corresponding to priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of processing programs, and at least two of the four arrays. The business management device according to claim 7,
Among the plurality of alignment methods, when the number of the processing programs activated by the activation unit is an odd number, and the arrangement is selected in both the horizontal and vertical directions as the alignment method, the display control unit The business management device displays the plurality of windows so that at least one of the plurality of windows has a size larger than the other two or more window sizes. The business management device according to claim 1,
When at least two associated processing programs are activated among the plurality of processing programs, the processing is executed in response to an operation input to one of the windows corresponding to the at least two processing programs. In this case, the business management apparatus further includes an execution unit that executes the same processing as the operation input in one or more other windows among the windows. A business management system comprising a computer, a server and a database connected to a network,
The computer
A plurality of submenu items, which are subordinate menus of at least one of the main menu items, are associated with the plurality of main menu items, and a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items are activated. An activation part;
Displaying the plurality of main menu items and the plurality of submenu items on a screen, and further displaying an activation menu area including items corresponding to the processing program activated by the activation unit in the screen; A display control unit for displaying a window indicating an operation area based on the activated processing program,
The server stores, in the database, the processing program and user registration information for each user who manages the business.
The display control unit causes the user to select one of a plurality of alignment methods of the windows for each of the windows corresponding to the plurality of processing programs activated by the activation unit. A business management system that displays menus. A plurality of main menu items are associated with a plurality of submenu items that are subordinate menus of at least one of the main menu items, and the screen includes the plurality of main menu items and the plurality of submenu items. A program to be executed by a displayable business management device,
The business management device includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of processing programs respectively corresponding to the plurality of submenu items, and user registration information for each user who manages the business,
Starting one or more programs of the plurality of programs;
Displaying a startup menu area including items corresponding to the activated processing program in the screen, and displaying a window indicating an operation area based on the activated processing program;
Displaying an alignment method selection menu for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of alignment methods of the windows for each of the windows corresponding to the activated processing programs. A program to be executed by the management device.

Images