JP2929750B2 - Window management device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a window management device for multi-window display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multi-window environment is divided into a divided type in which the entire screen is divided and each divided area is used as a window, and a window in which a document is placed on a desk. There are two types of overlapping types that can be operated freely. In the split type, the overlap type is currently the mainstream because the degree of freedom is low, such as making a certain window larger and making another window smaller.

[0003]

However, in the overlapping type multi-window environment, there is a problem that one window may be completely hidden under some other windows. In such a case, in order to use the target window, move the window above it or make it temporarily invisible as shown in Fig. 10, and bring the target window to the top But
This is the same as searching for documents from a scattered desk,
There is no advantage of using a computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a more comfortable operation environment by automating a manual window search operation conventionally performed by an operator and causing the computer to perform the search. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a window management apparatus according to the present invention comprises a window management unit for displaying a plurality of mutually overlapping windows, and
The required display contents are provided based on the input search instructions.
Search for the window you want to
In a window management device including a search instruction unit that requests the window management unit, a window display content,
The attribute value including the purpose of use, the identifier of the window, and
Providing an electronic bookmark having a body identifier, wherein the window
The management unit communicates with the input search instruction and the electronic watermark.
The attribute values of the electronic bookmarks
The window indicated by the window identifier is set as an operation target.

[0006]

Further, the window identifier of the electronic bookmark points to a plurality of associated windows.
Conversely, the window identifiers of a plurality of electronic bookmarks point to the same window.

The attribute value of the electronic bookmark is created in accordance with a predetermined rule, and if the search instruction is not created in accordance with the predetermined rule, the window management unit stores the search instruction in the predetermined instruction. The electronic bookmark is re-created according to the rules, and the electronic bookmark is collated based on this.

Further, the window management unit displays icons of the already generated windows, and selects a window to be subjected to an operation including visibility and movement from the icons.

[0010] When the window management unit selects a plurality of windows based on the search instruction, the windows are kept in an operable state.

When the window management unit selects a plurality of windows based on the search instruction, a new search instruction is input until a desired window is obtained.

When the window management unit selects a plurality of windows based on the search instruction, the window management unit can operate the windows and input a new search instruction as needed to select a desired window. To get.

Further, when a new window is created and when a window is operated, the window management unit stores the electronic bookmark information such as a creation time, a creation requester, and a latest operation time related to these operations. Create or update attribute values.

[0014]

The window management device stores the display items displayed in the generated window. When the display items are input as search instructions from the search instruction unit, the display items are collated and displayed. Is displayed in a visible position on the upper surface of the screen. However, the window cannot be searched even if a word that expresses the same thing in content is different from the display item displayed in the window. For example, if the search instruction is "XX
You can search for document information such as "window displaying the word" x "", but if you search for the purpose of use such as "window used for the job" xxx "", the purpose is obtained from the displayed items Cannot be searched because it cannot be done.

Therefore, an attribute value representing the contents of the item displayed in the window in the electronic bookmark, the identifier of the window having this attribute value, and its own identifier are described, and the search instruction section sets the search instruction as the search instruction item. Enter this attribute value. The window management unit collates the attribute value of the electronic bookmark with the search instruction according to the identifier of the electronic bookmark, and when it matches, can search for a target window from the window identifier of the compatible electronic bookmark.

One electronic bookmark can designate an arbitrary number of windows. When a plurality of windows are used for one job, the contents of the job are input as a search target, and the electronic bookmark is searched. , All windows corresponding to the job can be operated at once. On the other hand, an arbitrary number of electronic bookmarks can be associated with one window so that one window can be searched by a plurality of search targets.

The attribute value recorded in the electronic bookmark is created according to a predetermined rule, and when the search instruction is created according to this rule, it is possible to search by this search instruction, but it is created according to this rule. If not, the window management unit generates new search information from the search instruction according to the rule and performs the search.

If the display contents of the window can be directly obtained, a small figure called an icon is generated from the attribute value of the electronic bookmark and displayed on the screen if it cannot be directly obtained, and the window used by the user is selected from these. it can.

It is possible to select a plurality of windows that match the search instruction and make these windows visible or ready to be pulled out.

After a plurality of windows that match the search instruction are searched, the plurality of windows are narrowed down by the next search instruction to further narrow down, and by repeating the search, a desired window or a group of windows is searched. It is also possible to search a plurality of windows first so that these windows can be operated, and if necessary, further narrow down the number by a new search instruction.

The window management unit generates the attribute value of the electronic bookmark when a new window is generated, and updates the attribute value of the electronic bookmark when the window is operated, so that the user can save time and error. Will not be.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the electronic bookmark will be described. You can search for the character string displayed in the window to find the window that has this character string, but if this character string is the word "patent application," the window displaying the manuscript for the patent application will In many cases, the word "patent application" does not always exist. In such a case where a search is desired from the meaning of a word, an interpreter such as an electronic bookmark for interpreting the content of the search request is inserted, and the requested window is searched by the pointer indicated by the interpreter.

In other words, an electronic bookmark has the same meaning as adding that information in the form of a bookmark because there is no information on "how far you read" in the book. You can write a memo such as "What day and how much you read this far" on the bookmark. Similarly, arbitrary information can be described in the electronic bookmark.

One electronic bookmark can be attached to any number of windows. This means that when multiple windows are used for one job, input the job contents as a search target, search for electronic bookmarks, and set all corresponding windows to be operated at once. It is to be able to do it. Further, an arbitrary number of electronic bookmarks can be attached to one window. This indicates that one window can be searched by a plurality of search targets.

To describe these things in a metaphor, names that are related to the contents of the document in advance (they do not need to be related)
If you attach a bookmark or attach a bookmark to the outline of the documents, it means that even if the desk is scattered, you just say the job contents and all the necessary documents will appear. Figure 1 shows the window operation using an electronic bookmark.
Each window has an electronic bookmark attached. As the patent application manuscript, electronic bookmarks are attached to the document and drawing windows, respectively. If the search instruction relates to the patent application manuscript, the drawing of the patent application manuscript and the window of the document appear on the screen so as to be seen.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a state when a window is generated. The window management unit 1 newly adds the window 2
Is generated, the window identifier 21 is registered in the window identifier list 11. When the window 2 has the electronic bookmark 3 in advance, the electronic bookmark identifier 31 is registered in the electronic bookmark identifier list 12. The electronic bookmark 3 includes an electronic bookmark identifier 31, a window identifier list 32, and search information 33. The window identifier 21 of the corresponding window 2 is stored in the window identifier list 32.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a state when an electronic bookmark is generated. When the electronic bookmark 3 is generated, the operator inquires of the corresponding window 2 and registers the window identifier 21 of the obtained window 2 in the window identifier list 32. Also, the electronic bookmark identifier of the electronic bookmark 3 itself.
Reference numeral 31 is registered in the electronic bookmark identifier list 12 of the window management unit 1. The order of these two registrations does not matter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state at the time of a search request.
If the search instruction 4 relates to image information or to document information, and the display of the window 2 itself can be acquired as document information, the window management unit 1
Using 21, the display of the window 2 is acquired and collated, and the corresponding item is set as a search result and set as a window operation target.

If the search instruction 4 is for document information, but the display of the window 2 itself cannot be obtained as document information, or if the search is for a purpose of use, the electronic bookmark identifier 31 in the electronic bookmark identifier list 12 Is compared with the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3 indicated by the above, and the window 2 having the window identifier 21 in the window identifier list 32 of the corresponding search result is set as a window operation target.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the case where the window management unit 1 generates search information conforming to the rule when the search request is not created in accordance with the rule for creating the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3. In normal operation, a program called a window management program is running, and when you move the mouse or press the mouse button, etc.,
It understands which window this window management program is operating on and performs appropriate operations.

A new operation similar to pressing a mouse button is added to this window management program, and when the operation is performed, the user is requested to input a character string, and the electronic bookmark 3 containing the content is searched. Although the method of selecting a target window from the window identifier list 32 of the electronic bookmark 3 has been described above, the method shown in FIG. Rather than searching, once information for search
The electronic bookmark 3 is converted to 33, and the electronic bookmark 3 having the content matching the search information 33 is found.

Search information 33 recorded in the electronic bookmark 3
Is created according to a predetermined rule. If the search instruction input by the user conforms to this rule, the window management unit 1 can search for the electronic bookmark 3 by this search instruction. New search information 33 is generated to match. It is assumed that the window management unit 1 manages the display items displayed in the window by saying what is the attribute of “display item”. As shown in FIG. 5, if the user gives an instruction that “the window displaying the document is brought up” as a search request, the electronic bookmark 3 cannot be searched by this request as it is. The window management program in the unit 1 converts "displaying a document" so that the attribute "display item" has a value "text data". In this manner, the item matches the item of the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3, and the search for the electronic bookmark can be performed.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the user gives a search instruction directly with a character string. If this search instruction is created in accordance with the rule that created the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3, it can be used as it is as a search condition. If not created, the window management program performs a conversion to match as described above, and then searches for the electronic bookmark 3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of window selection by icon display. If a small figure called an icon can be obtained directly from the window display information, it is based on this. If not, the search information of the electronic bookmark 3 is used.
Generate from 33 etc. This icon is displayed on the screen and provided to the user, and the user selects a desired window from the icon.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where a plurality of windows matching the search instruction are selected. As a result of the search based on the search condition 1, there may be a plurality of windows that satisfy the search condition. The plurality of windows are all made visible. Alternatively, even if all of them cannot be made visible due to screen restrictions, they should always be made visible.

However, it is also possible to add the search condition 2 one after another until the search condition 2 is further added to one window. The operations in these two cases can be selected as necessary.

FIG. 9 shows search information recorded in the electronic bookmark 3.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of automatically setting a part of a part 33; This figure shows a case in which a special attribute of the search information 33 is automatically set. Search conditions such as “newest (latest creation time) window” or “window that has not been operated for more than 10 minutes since the last operation” may be requested by the user. For such a search, the attributes "window creation time" and "last operation time" are required as window attributes. These attributes must be set immediately each time they are created / operated, but manually setting these values by the user is extremely cumbersome and has a high risk of causing errors. Only special attributes can be automatically set by the window management program.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can completely search for a window specified by a search instruction directly or via an electronic bookmark, which is a problem unique to an overlapping multi-window environment. A window that is difficult to search because it is below another window can be easily made visible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a window operation using an electronic bookmark.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state when a window is generated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when an electronic bookmark is generated.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state at the time of a window search request.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a case where a window management unit interprets a search request.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a search request is input as a character string.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating window selection by icon display.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of selecting a plurality of windows.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating automatic setting of a part of search information of an electronic bookmark.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation of bringing a hidden window to the front according to a conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Window management unit 2 Window 3 Electronic bookmark 11 Window identifier list 12 Electronic bookmark identifier list 21 Window identifier 31 Electronic bookmark identifier 32 Window identifier list 33 Search information

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A window management unit for performing a plurality of window display that can overlap each other, the input search instructions
Search for windows with desired display content based on
And operating the window with the window management unit.
In a window management apparatus provided with a search instruction unit for requesting a window , an attribute value including a display content and a purpose of use of the window and the window
Electronic bookmarks with window identifiers and their own identifiers
And the window management unit includes the input search instruction
And the attribute value of the electronic bookmark are compared.
A window management apparatus wherein a window indicated by the window identifier of an electronic bookmark is to be operated. 2. A window identifier of the electronic bookmark, wherein
2. The window management device according to claim 1 , wherein identifiers of a plurality of consecutive windows are described . 3. The electronic bookmark according to claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of electronic bookmarks is provided with a respective one of
The same window is described in the window identifier, and one window
2. The window management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the window can be searched from a plurality of electronic bookmarks . 4. An electronic bookmark according to a predetermined rule.
Therefore, the search instruction is made according to this predetermined rule.
If not created according to the rules
Department recreates the search instructions in accordance with the prescribed rules.
And, window management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the matching the electronic bookmark on this basis. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the window management unit has already been generated.
Window icon, and select the
Claim 1, wherein selecting a window to
5. The window management device according to any one of items 1 to 4 . 6. The search instruction item according to claim 1, wherein
If you select multiple windows based on the
The window management device according to claim 1, wherein the window can be operated . 7. When the window management unit selects a plurality of windows based on the search instruction, a desired window is selected.
Window management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that there was a new search by slide into entering the instructions <br/> Unishi until a window. 8. When the window management unit select multiple windows based on the search instructions are those c
Windows can be operated, and new searches can be performed if necessary
Window management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that to obtain the desired window Yuki to input instructions. 9. The window management unit according to claim 1, wherein the window management unit includes a new window.
When a window is created and when the window is manipulated
The attribute value of the electronic bookmark related to these operations
The window management device according to claim 1, wherein the window management device is created or updated .