JP3054120B2 - Multi-window display device, multi-window display method, and computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-window display device for displaying a plurality of windows superimposed on the same screen, a multi-window display method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a multi-window display device, a plurality of windows can be displayed on the same screen in a superimposed manner. This allows you to perform operations with reference to data displayed in other windows,
Without launching multiple applications each time, multiple operations could be performed efficiently and efficiently.

For example, if a document is created by word processing software, spreadsheet processing is performed by spreadsheet software, a plurality of image files are opened as separate windows while starting paint software, and a plurality of image files are opened by paint software. Processing such as coloring an image could be performed efficiently.

At this time, it is necessary to select one window from a plurality of windows and make it active (operable). In conjunction with the activation, the activated window is displayed on the foreground so as not to be hidden by other windows. The process of switching the hierarchical order of the windows is performed every time the active is switched, and the overlapping state of the windows on the screen changes depending on which window is switched to the active window.

[0005] Further, as prior arts relating to multi-windows, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-48326 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There are techniques described in JP-A-9411, JP-A-6-242760, and JP-A-6-28141.

[0006]

However, in the above prior art, the active window is always displayed in the foreground in conjunction with the switching of the active window depending on the display positions and display sizes of the plurality of windows. Therefore, there is a problem that a hierarchical order that is not intended by the operator, that is, an overlapping state occurs.

For example, when coloring a plurality of image data with a window opened, if the paint software is activated to specify the color to be colored, the entire window of the paint software is displayed on the foreground. When the paint software window hides the image of the target, and you decide the color to be colored while viewing both the image and the color palette at the same time, frequently switch the active or change the window or position. There has been a problem that the operation becomes complicated, such as changing each time, and efficient processing cannot be performed.

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem of the conventional example, in a multi-window display device in which a plurality of windows are superimposed and displayed on the same screen, an operator is provided by displaying the windows in a fixed hierarchical order. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-window display device, a multi-window display method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, a multi-window display device according to the present invention includes a display unit that superimposes and displays a plurality of windows on the same screen, and specifies a desired window among the plurality of windows displayed by the display unit. Window designating means, and the window designated by the window designating means is displayed at the position overlapping with the window counted from the frontmost window in the back direction or from the window displayed at the back to the front. A hierarchical order setting means for setting the hierarchical order of the number of the displayed overlaps; and controlling the display means to set a window specified by the window specifying means by the hierarchical order setting means. Display control means for always displaying in the hierarchical order.

According to the present invention, the specified window is always displayed in the set hierarchy order, so that even if the active window is switched, the hierarchy order of the specified window is not changed. Therefore, a desired window is not concealed by the active window against the operator's intention during the work, and even the inactive window can be displayed in front of the active window. Efficient processing when using multiple windows, such as processing an active window while referring to the display contents of the inactive window without changing the display position or size of the window or the inactive window, is possible.

Further, a multi-window display device according to the present invention provides a display means for displaying a plurality of windows superimposed on the same screen, and designates a desired one of the plurality of windows displayed by the display means. A window designation unit, a hierarchy order setting unit for setting a hierarchy order so that the window designated by the window designation unit is displayed in a rearmost hierarchy order, and a display unit controlled by the window designation unit. Display control means for always displaying the designated window in the hierarchy order set by the hierarchy order setting means.

According to the present invention, the hierarchical order is set so that the window is displayed in the lowest hierarchical order, so that the operator can always display a desired window on the rearmost. Since it is possible to operate on the window set at the back without hiding all other windows, switching of windows unintended by the operator is prevented, and efficiency is improved when using multiple windows Processing is possible.

Further, the multi-window display device according to the present invention comprises a display means for displaying a plurality of windows superimposed on the same screen, and a desired window and a hierarchical order among the plurality of windows displayed by the display means. Window designating means for designating a reference window serving as a reference, and a hierarchy of the order in which the desired window designated by the window designating means is displayed in a frontward or rearward direction counted from the reference window. A hierarchy order setting unit for setting an order; and a display control unit for controlling the display unit to always display the window specified by the window designating unit in the hierarchy order set by the hierarchy order setting unit. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, since the hierarchical order is set based on the relative relationship with other windows, the hierarchical order relationship of a plurality of windows always changes even if the hierarchical order of other windows changes. However, a plurality of windows can be handled as one, and a plurality of windows can be easily and efficiently operated.

Also, in the multi-window display device according to the present invention, when the hierarchy order setting means receives a request for setting the same hierarchy order as the already set hierarchy order, the already set hierarchy order is set. After the setting of the order is released, the hierarchical order is set according to the setting request.

According to the present invention, after the already set hierarchy order is canceled, the hierarchy order is set according to the setting request. Therefore, when the same hierarchy order is newly set by another window, the same is set. The trouble of canceling the setting of the hierarchical order can be omitted, and the setting of the hierarchical order can be changed quickly and efficiently.

Further, in the multi-window display device according to the present invention, the display control means controls the display means so that the window specified by the window specifying means is placed in the hierarchical order set by the hierarchical order setting means. And the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchical order is set by the hierarchical order setting means.

According to the present invention, the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchical order is set, so that the operator can easily grasp the information on the hierarchical order of each window, and the hierarchical order is determined. It is possible to eliminate operation errors caused by the setting.

Further, in the multi-window display device according to the present invention, the hierarchy order is set by the hierarchy order setting means, so that the window which is always displayed on the back side of the other windows is displayed on the front side. A window that changes the display size or display position of the window in front or the window to be concealed so that all or part of the window to be concealed can be displayed when completely concealed by the window in It is characterized by having a state changing means.

According to the present invention, the display size or the display position of the window is changed so as to display a window which is not always displayed according to the setting of the hierarchy order. It is possible to easily and efficiently operate the window.

Further, the multi-window display method according to the present invention is a multi-window display method for displaying a plurality of windows in a superimposed manner on the same screen, the first step of designating a desired window among the plurality of windows. The number of the desired window specified in the first step displayed in the back direction from the window displayed in the foreground, or the number of the window counted in the front direction from the window displayed in the back. A second step of setting a hierarchical order of whether the display is superimposed on the first,
A third step of always displaying the window specified by the step in the hierarchical order set by the second step.

According to the present invention, the specified window is always displayed in the set hierarchy order, so that even if the active window is switched, the hierarchy order of the specified window is not changed. Therefore, a desired window is not concealed by the active window against the operator's intention during the work, and even the inactive window can be displayed in front of the active window. Efficient processing when using multiple windows, such as processing an active window while referring to the display contents of the inactive window without changing the display position or size of the window or the inactive window, is possible.

Also, the multi-window display method according to the present invention is a multi-window display method for displaying a plurality of windows superimposed on the same screen, the first step of designating a desired window among the plurality of windows. Setting a hierarchical order such that the window specified in the first step is displayed in the lowest hierarchical order.
And a third step of always displaying the window specified in the first step in the hierarchical order set in the second step.

According to the present invention, since the hierarchical order is set so that the window is displayed in the lowest hierarchical order, the operator can always display a desired window on the rearmost. Since it is possible to operate on the window set at the back without hiding all other windows, switching of windows unintended by the operator is prevented, and efficiency is improved when using multiple windows Processing is possible.

The multi-window display method according to the present invention is a multi-window display method for displaying a plurality of windows in a superimposed manner on the same screen. And a second step of setting a hierarchical order in which the desired window specified in the first step is displayed in the frontward direction or the rearward direction counting from the reference window. Process and
A third window that always displays the desired window specified in the first step in the hierarchical order set in the second step.
And a step.

According to the present invention, the hierarchical order is set based on the relative relationship with the other windows. Therefore, the relationship between the hierarchical orders of the two windows always changes even if the hierarchical order of the other windows changes. However, two windows can be handled as one, and a plurality of windows can be easily and efficiently operated.

[0027] The multi-window display method according to the present invention provides the multi-window display method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein
In the second step, when there is a request for setting the same hierarchical order as the already set hierarchical order, after canceling the setting of the already set hierarchical order, the hierarchical order is set according to the setting request. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, after the already set hierarchy order is canceled, the hierarchy order is set according to the setting request. Therefore, when the same hierarchy order is newly set by another window, the same is set. The trouble of canceling the setting of the hierarchical order can be omitted, and the setting of the hierarchical order can be changed quickly and efficiently.

Further, in the multi-window display method according to the present invention, in the invention according to any one of claims 7 to 10, the third step sets the window designated by the first step by the second step. And displaying the hierarchical order information at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchical order has been set in the second step.

According to the present invention, the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchical order is set, so that the operator can easily grasp the information on the hierarchical order of each window, and It is possible to eliminate operation errors caused by the setting.

The multi-window display method according to the present invention, in any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, further comprises setting a hierarchical order in the second step, so that the window is always behind the other windows. When the window to be displayed is completely concealed by the window on the front, the window on the front or the concealed window is displayed so that all or a part of the concealed window can be displayed. The method includes a fourth step of changing the display size or the display position of the window.

According to the present invention, the display size or the display position of the window is changed so as to display the window which is not always displayed according to the setting of the hierarchy order. Therefore, the hierarchy order is set in the back direction. It is possible to easily and efficiently operate the window.

The storage medium according to the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the embodiments of the present invention, so that the program becomes machine-readable. Can be realized by a computer.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a multi-window display device, a multi-window display method according to the present invention, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments will be described in detail.

(Embodiment 1) First, the hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including a multi-window display device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 1, 101 is a CPU for controlling the whole system, 102 is a ROM storing a boot program and the like, 103 is a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 101, and 104 is an HD ( A hard disk drive (HDD) 105 controls reading / writing of data from / to a hard disk (105), an HD 105 stores data written under the control of the HDD 104, and a data 106 to an FD (floppy disk) 107 under the control of the CPU 101. And a detachable FD 107 for storing data written under the control of the FDD 106.
108 denotes a display for displaying a document, an image, function information, and the like.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a network connected to a network NET via a communication line 110,
And the interface that controls the internal interface (I
/ F), 111 is a keyboard provided with keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. 112 is used to move the cursor, select a range, move or change the size of the window, and furthermore, to change the size of the active window. A mouse for switching or the like, a scanner 113 for optically reading an image, a printer 114 for printing the contents displayed in a window, and the like, and a bus 115 for connecting the above components are shown.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment. 2, the multi-window display device has a configuration including a display unit 201, a window designation unit 202, a hierarchy order setting unit 203, a display control unit 204, and the like.
Further, a desired window specifying unit 221 is provided in the window specifying unit 202, and a hierarchy order determination table 230 is provided in the hierarchy order setting unit 203.

The display unit 201 displays a window and a document including an image and a character string in a file opened by the window based on the control of the display control unit 204. The display unit 201 is, for example, the display 108, and the display 108 is a CRT.
And a liquid crystal display.

The window designating section 202 designates a desired window among the windows displayed on the display screen of the display section 201 by the desired window designating section 221. As a procedure for specifying the window, for example,
There is a method of specifying a desired window by using a mouse 112 and clicking a button or a specific icon at a predetermined position in a desired window area.

The designated window can be displayed to the operator by displaying the frame of the window with a bold frame or by changing the entire window to a predetermined color. . Alternatively, a desired window may be specified by directly inputting a file name or the like of the window from the keyboard 211.

The hierarchy order setting unit 203 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 201, and sets the hierarchy order for a desired window specified by the window specification unit 202. Here, the hierarchical order indicates the order of the hierarchical order when a plurality of windows are simultaneously opened on the same screen.

More specifically, the number of the overlapped window counted from the frontmost window which is displayed in the foreground and is not obscured by other windows, or is displayed in the rearmost position. This is a rank indicating the number of overlapping windows counted from the rearmost window, which does not hide the window, toward the front. Details of the process of setting the hierarchy order by the hierarchy order setting unit 203, including the description of the hierarchy order determination table 230, will be described later.

The display control unit 204 is a control unit that controls the display unit 201 and displays a plurality of windows on the display screen of the display unit 201 in a superimposed manner. The display control unit 204 superimposes and displays the windows specified by the window specification unit 202 and for which the hierarchy order is set by the hierarchy order setting unit 204 so that the windows always have the hierarchy order.

Therefore, in the window in which the hierarchy order is set, the displayed hierarchy order does not change even when the active window is switched. The same applies to the case where the window is switched as the active window and the case where another window is switched as the active window. The details of the display control process by the display control unit 204 will also be described later.

The window specifying unit 202, the hierarchical order setting unit 203, and the display control unit 204 are each provided in the ROM 1
02, the RAM 101 or the hard disk 105, the CPU 101 and the like execute instruction processing in accordance with instructions written in a program recorded on a recording medium such as the floppy disk 107, thereby realizing the functions of the respective units.

Next, the data structure of the window hierarchy information will be described. The hierarchy information of the window is stored in the hierarchy order determination table 23 provided in the hierarchy order setting unit 203.
0 is managed. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the hierarchy order determination table 230 provided in the hierarchy order setting unit 203 of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the hierarchy order determination table 23
0 indicates a column “layer order” 301 indicating a layer order, a column “window name” 302 indicating a window name of a displayed window, and a column “window” indicating whether a window is fixed at a predetermined layer order. Fixed "303
And a column “active” 304 indicating whether or not the window is an active window.

In the column “layer order” 301, in order from 1, the same number n of layer order data as the total number of windows currently open on the screen is prepared. Therefore, by further opening one window, the number n
Is increased by one, and conversely, closing one window reduces the number n of this window by one. The window corresponding to the hierarchical order data of "1" is the foreground window, and the window corresponding to the hierarchical order data of "n" is the backmost window.

In the column "window name" 302, the name of the window opened corresponding to the column "layer order" 301 is written. Therefore, when changing the hierarchical order of windows, this column "window name"
This is performed by rewriting the data of 302.

The name of the window may be any as long as it can specify the window. Usually, the name of the window can be considered as the file name of the window. The name may be given separately. In the present embodiment,
For convenience of explanation, the names of the windows are "A", "B",
"C". . . And so on.

In the column “fixed” 303, data for specifying whether or not the window is fixed in the corresponding hierarchical order so as to correspond to the column “window name” 302 is written. For example, normally, if not fixed, data “0” is written in the column “fixed” 303, and when there is an instruction to fix it,
The data “0” is rewritten to “1”.

As a result, the corresponding window is fixed at the corresponding hierarchical order. Similarly, when an instruction to release the fixation is received, the column “fixed” 303
The fixed state can be released by rewriting the data “1” of “1” to “0”.

In the column “active” 304, data for specifying whether or not the window is an active window is written. For example, when the window is an active window, data “1” is written, and data other than the window is written as data “0” as an inactive window.

When an instruction to switch the active window is given, the data of the window in which data "1" has been written is rewritten to "0", and the data of the window newly designated as the active window is changed to "1". Rewrite to Data "1" is always written in one window as an active window, and data in other windows is "0".

As described above, in FIG. 3, n windows are opened, and the window name “A” is assigned to the hierarchical order “1”, and the window name “B” is assigned to the hierarchical order “2”.
The window name “C” is written in the hierarchy order “3”, the window name “N” is written in the hierarchy order “n”, and the window with the window name “B” is written in the hierarchy order “2”. It can be seen that it is fixed to. Furthermore, it can be seen that the window with the window name “A” is the active window.

Next, the process of setting the hierarchy order by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchy order setting screen displayed on the display unit 201 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, a hierarchy order setting window 401 includes a hierarchy order designation frame 402, a hierarchy order input frame 403 in the hierarchy order designation frame 402, a setting button 404, a release button 405, and a cancel button 4
06 and a designated window display frame 408. Note that the hierarchy order setting window 401 is displayed in a pop-up by selecting from a predetermined menu.

The hierarchy order designation frame 402 is provided with a hierarchy order input frame 403 in which a number can be input. For example, a hierarchy order can be designated by inputting a number directly from the keyboard 111. At this time, if a number larger than the total number n of windows opened on the display screen is input, a hierarchy display cannot be set, and a warning display (not shown) indicating an input error is displayed.

By clicking the arrow key 407 provided at the right end of the hierarchical order input frame 403 with a button such as the mouse 112, the number in the hierarchical order input frame can be increased or decreased. With this, it is also possible to specify the hierarchical order. Also in this case, the range in which the number can be increased is up to the total number n of the windows opened on the display screen. In FIG. 4, it is specified that the hierarchical order is “1”, that is, it is displayed in the foreground.

The designated window display frame 408
Displays the window name designated by the designation unit 202 for confirmation. In FIG. 4, the window name “A” is displayed. The designation of the window may be changed by directly inputting into the display frame 408 with the keyboard 111 or the like.

Further, the designated window display frame 40
When an arrow key 409 provided at the right end of the window 8 is clicked, the window names of all currently opened windows are displayed as pull-down menus, and a desired window name can be specified by selecting a desired window name from the pull-down menu. Can be changed.

After inputting a number in the hierarchical order input box 403,
By clicking the “setting” button 404 with a button such as the mouse 112, the setting of the hierarchical order is completed. Upon completion of the setting of the hierarchy order, the hierarchy order setting window 40
1 is also controlled to close.

The "cancel" button 405 is a button for canceling the setting of the hierarchical order that has already been set.
When the “cancel” button 405 is pressed, the setting of the hierarchy order is cancelled, and the number displayed in the hierarchy order input frame 403 becomes “0” to indicate that. The setting of the hierarchy order is also canceled by directly inputting the number “0” into the hierarchy order input frame 403 without pressing the “cancel” button 405.

A “cancel” button 406 is for canceling the operation of setting the hierarchy order and closing the hierarchy order setting window 401. "Cancel" button 406
Is pressed, all the setting operations up to that point are invalidated, and the hierarchy order returns to the state before the hierarchy order setting window 401 was opened.

Next, the display control process of the display control unit 204 when the hierarchy order is set by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 will be described. FIGS. 5 to 7 show an example of the hierarchy order determination table 230 set by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 and the window display displayed on the screen of the display unit 201 based on the hierarchy order determination table according to the first embodiment. FIG.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, (a) shows an example of the hierarchy order determination table 230, and (b) is displayed based on the hierarchy order determined by the hierarchy order determination table 230 of (a). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an overlapping state of windows displayed on a screen of a unit 201.

In FIG. 5, as can be seen from (a) or (b), the hierarchical order is displayed in the order of window “A”, window “B”, window “C” from the frontmost side. As can be seen from (a), the hierarchical order is set so that the window “B” is fixedly displayed at the hierarchical order “2”. The current active window is the window “A”.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the active window is switched from the window "A" to the window "B" in the same state for setting the hierarchical order. This can be understood from the fact that the column “active” 304 is rewritten in FIG. However, the window “B” is in the hierarchical order “2”.
Because it is set to, it is not displayed in the foreground even though it is an active window. Therefore, the hierarchy order is not changed in the order of "A", "B" and "C", the window "B" is displayed on the back side of the window "A", and a part of the window is hidden by the window "A". It remains as it was.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a state where the setting of the hierarchical order is the same, and this time the state where the active window is switched to the window “C”. By switching the active window to the window “C”, the hierarchical order of the window “C” becomes “1”.

However, since the hierarchical order of the window “B” is set to “2”, the hierarchical order of the window “A” can be set to “2” which is the next hierarchical order after “1”. Instead, it is “3”, which is the next hierarchical order after “2”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the window “C” is displayed in the foreground, and subsequently, the window “B” and the window “C” are displayed in this order.

It is needless to say that the active window can be easily switched by clicking the area of the window to be switched to the active window with the mouse 112 or the like.

Next, a series of processing procedures of the window specifying unit 202 and the hierarchical order setting unit 203 will be described. FIG. 8 shows window specifying section 202 and hierarchical order setting section 20 of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processing procedures of No. 3;

In the flowchart of FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether or not a desired window has been designated by the window designation section 202 (step S801). In step S801, the process waits until a window is specified (Yes in step S801), and then determines whether or not the hierarchy order has been set by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 (step S802). In step S802, when there is no instruction to set the hierarchy order (step S802
If not, the process moves to step S806.

On the other hand, if the hierarchical order is set in step S802 (Yes in step S802), the column “window name” 302 of the hierarchical order determination table 230 is rewritten so that the window has the set hierarchical order (step S802). Step S803).

Next, the column "fixed" of the window
The data of 303 is rewritten from "0" to "1" (step S804), and the hierarchical order of windows other than the window is arranged (step S805). The arrangement of the hierarchical order is performed in the same manner as the method shown in FIG.

After step S806 or in the case of a negative determination in step S802, it is next determined whether or not an instruction to cancel the hierarchical order has been issued (step S806). Here, when there is no instruction to cancel the hierarchical order (step S
If 806 is negative, the process moves to step S801 without doing anything.

On the other hand, if there is an instruction to cancel the hierarchical order in step S806 (Yes in step S806)
Indicates that the data in the “fixed” column of the window is “1”.
Is rewritten to "0" (step S807).
The process moves to step S801 and the same steps are repeated.

Next, the processing procedure of the display control unit 204 when the active window is switched in a state where the hierarchical order is set will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the display control unit 204 of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 9, first, it is determined whether or not the active window has been switched (step S901), and the process waits for the active window to be switched (step S901: affirmative) before proceeding to the next step.

If the active window has been switched (Yes at step S901), it is determined whether or not a hierarchy order has been set for the window newly designated as the active window (step S902). If the hierarchical order is not set in step S902 (No in step S902), the youngest hierarchical order among the hierarchical orders not set by another window,
That is, the data of the hierarchy order table 230 is rewritten so that the hierarchy order is the foremost direction (step S90).
3) Then, the process proceeds to step S904.

On the other hand, if the hierarchical order has been set in step S902 (Yes in step S902),
Since the data has been rewritten so as to have the hierarchy order that has already been set (see FIG. 8), nothing is performed and step S90 is performed.
Move to 4.

Next, "+1" is added to the data of the hierarchy order in the hierarchy order determination table 230 of the window in which the hierarchy order is not set among the windows other than the active window (step S904). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a hierarchy order has already been set to the added hierarchy order by another window (step S905).

If it is determined in step S905 that the hierarchical order has already been set by another window (Yes in step S905), the process proceeds to step S904, and “+1” is further added (step S904). In this way, it is determined that the hierarchy order has not been set by another window (No in step S905).
The processes of steps S904 and S905 are sequentially repeated from the window having the lowest hierarchical order until the data is rewritten so as to have the hierarchical order (step S904).
906).

Steps S904 to S90
The processing up to 6 is performed on all windows, other than the window that has become the active window, for which the hierarchical order is not set (step S90).
7) When all is completed (Yes at Step S907),
The process moves to step S901. Thereafter, the same steps are repeated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the window specified in the set hierarchy order is always displayed. Therefore, even if the active window is switched, the hierarchy order of the specified window remains unchanged. It does not change.
Therefore, a desired window is not concealed by the active window unexpectedly during the work, and the inactive window can be displayed in front of the active window. Processing in the active window can be performed with reference to the display contents of the inactive window without changing the display position or size of the window or the inactive window.

Although the first embodiment has been described with reference to the foreground, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hierarchy order may be determined with reference to the foreground.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, the hierarchical order is designated by a numeral, and the window is always displayed in the hierarchical order designated by the numeral. Embodiment 2
Instead of designating the hierarchical order by numbers, the bottom of all open windows may be designated, and the window may always be displayed in the lowest hierarchical order.

Since the hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Also, as for the functional configuration of the multi-window display device, since the other components except for the hierarchy order setting unit 203 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

Next, the hierarchy order setting section 203 will be described. The hierarchy order setting unit 203 sets the hierarchy order so that the desired window specified by the window specification unit 202 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 201 and displayed in the rearmost hierarchy order. . FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a hierarchy order determination table 230 provided in the hierarchy order setting unit 203 of the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 10, hierarchical rank test table 2
Numeral 30 indicates a state in which the window name “B” is set at the rearmost position. That is, the window name “B” is always stored in the table in a state where it is associated with the hierarchical order “n”. Therefore, even if the numerical value of “n” is changed due to an increase or decrease in the number of windows, the state where the window name “B” is always associated with “n” is maintained.

Next, the setting process of the setting order by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchy order setting screen displayed on the display unit 201 of the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in the hierarchy order setting window 401 according to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 11, a rearmost setting frame 1101 is selected instead of the hierarchy order setting frame 402. As a specific selection method, the setting can be performed by clicking the check box 1102 at the left end of the rearmost setting frame 1101 with a button such as the mouse 112. Alternatively, the rearmost setting frame 1101 may be selected using arrow keys or the like of the keyboard 111.

Next, the processing procedure of the display control unit 204 when the active window is switched in the state where the rearmost hierarchical order is set will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the display control unit 204 of the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 12, first,
It is determined whether or not the active window has been switched (step S1201), and the process waits for the active window to be switched (step S1201 affirmative) before proceeding to the next step.

If the active window has been switched (Yes at step S1201), it is determined whether or not the window specified as the active window has the rearmost hierarchical order set (step S1).
202).

If the rearmost hierarchical order has been set in step S1202 (Yes at step S1202), no change is made to the hierarchical order, so that the process proceeds to step S1201 without doing anything.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1202 that the rearmost hierarchical order has not been set (step S120)
If 2 is negative, the process moves to step S1203. Hereinafter, steps S1203 to S1207 are the same as steps S903 to S907 of the flowchart in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, a desired window can be set at the rearmost position.
For example, when always fixing the window of the color palette to the back and performing work such as coloring in other windows, it is possible to operate on the window set to the back without hiding other windows. it can.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 1 or 2 described above, the hierarchy order is set independently for each window. However, as in Embodiment 3 described below, there is a difference between other windows. The hierarchical order may be set based on the relative relationship.

Since the hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including the multi-window display device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 13 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the multi-window display device according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 13, the other units except the window specifying unit 202 and the hierarchy order setting unit 203 have the same configuration as the block diagram of FIG.

The window designating section 202 includes a display section 201
Is a designation unit for designating a desired window and a reference window which is a reference of a hierarchical order among a plurality of windows displayed in the window. The window designating unit 202 designates a desired window designating unit 221 for designating the desired window.
And a reference window specifying unit 222 for specifying the reference window.

The hierarchy order setting unit 203 sets the hierarchy order of each window designated by the desired window designation unit 221 and the reference window designation unit 222 of the window designation unit 202. In the hierarchy order determination table 230 of the hierarchy order setting unit 203, the hierarchy order “Z” of the window designated by the desired window designation unit 221 is as follows.

Z = X + Y Equation (1)

Z = XY—Equation (2)

"X" is the hierarchical order of the reference window specified by the reference window specifying unit 222.
“Y” is a numerical value indicating the order of setting the desired window with respect to the reference window. Equation (1) is for a case where the desired window is set to the back of the reference window, and conversely, equation (2) is for a case where the desired window is set to the front of the reference window.

Next, a description will be given of a window designation process and a hierarchy order setting process by the window designation unit 202 and the hierarchy order setting unit 203. FIG. 14 shows a display unit 201 of the multi-window display device according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchy order setting screen displayed in FIG. In FIG. 14, a hierarchy setting order setting window 1
The same reference numeral 401 designates the same configuration as that of the hierarchy order setting window 401 shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted.

The hierarchy order setting window 1401 further includes a display frame 1402 of the reference window and a front setting check box 1403 for setting the designated desired window in the front direction of the reference window (the above formulas (1) and (2)). "-") And a back setting check box 1404 (the above equation (1),
(2) corresponds to “+”), and a hierarchy order designation frame 1405 for designating the order to be set (the above equation (1),
(Corresponding to “Y” in (2)).

An arrow key is provided at the right end of each of the indication frame 1402 and the hierarchy order designation frame 1405 of the reference window, similarly to the display frame 408 of the designated window, and selectable candidates are indicated by a pull-down menu.

In FIG. 14, desired window "A"
Are set first in the rear direction of the reference window “B”. That is, the window next to the reference window “B” in the rear direction is set to be “A” at all times. Therefore, the relationship between the window “A” and the window “B” in the hierarchical order does not always change even if the hierarchical order of the other windows changes.

The hierarchical order of the reference window "B" may be changed by activating its own window or depending on the switching status of other windows. Even in this case, the absolute hierarchical order of the window “A” changes, but the relative hierarchical order with respect to the reference window “B” is always constant.

Next, a processing procedure of the display control unit 204 when the active window is switched in a state where the hierarchical order is set will be described. FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the display control unit 204 of the multi-window display device according to the third embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 15, first,
It is determined whether or not the active window has been switched (step S1501), and the process waits for the active window to be switched (Yes at step S1501) before moving to the next step.

If the active window has been switched (Yes at step S1501), it is determined whether the window newly designated as the active window is the reference window (step S1502).

If it is determined in step S1502 that the window is not the reference window (step S1502: NO), the data is rewritten so that the window is in the foremost hierarchical order (step S1504), and then step S151 is performed.
Move to 3. On the other hand, if it is the reference window in step S1502 (Yes in step S1502)
Determines whether the desired window is set in front of the reference window (step S).
1503).

If it is determined in step S1503 that the front window is not set, that is, if the back window is set (No in step S1503), the data is rewritten so that the reference window has the foremost hierarchical order (step S1511). . Next, the data of the desired window is rewritten so that the desired window has the t-th hierarchical order counted from the reference window (step S151).
2). By these two steps, the hierarchical order of the reference window and the desired window is determined.

Next, in step S1513, the data of the hierarchical order of the window which is not the reference window, the window which is not the desired window, or the window which is newly designated as the active window is respectively set to “+”.
"1" is added (step S1513). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the added hierarchical order has already become the hierarchical order of the desired window (step S1514).

If it is determined in step S1514 that the window is in the hierarchical order of the desired window (step S1514)
Affirmative) moves to step S1513, and
"1" is added (step S1513). In this manner, the process is repeated until it is determined that the hierarchical order of the desired window is not already reached (No in step S1514).
After that, the data is rewritten so as to have the hierarchical order (step S1515).

Next, it is determined whether or not the hierarchical order of the reference window has been changed as a result of the data rewriting in step S1515 (step S151).
6). If there is a change in the hierarchical order of the reference window (Yes at Step S1516), Step S150 is performed.
3 and the processing from steps S1503 to S1516 is repeated.

At step S1516, when there is no change in the hierarchical order of the reference window (step S15
16 No) is to determine whether or not the processing of steps S1513 to S1516 has been completed for all the windows other than the active window and not the reference window or the desired window (step S1517) until the processing is completed. Step S1
The processes of 513 to S1517 are repeatedly performed. When all processing is completed (Yes at Step S1517), Step S1 is performed.
The process proceeds to 501, and the same steps are repeated thereafter.

On the other hand, in step S1503, when the front side is set (Yes in step S1503)
Rewrites the data so that the desired window has the foreground hierarchy (step S1521). Next, the data of the reference window is rewritten so that the reference window has the t-th hierarchical order counted from the desired window (step S1522). By these two steps,
The hierarchical order of the reference window and the desired window is determined.

Next, the data of the hierarchical order of the window which is not the reference window or the window which is not the desired window is added by "+1" (step S1513). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the added hierarchical order is already the hierarchical order of the reference window (step S152).
4).

If it is determined in step S1524 that the hierarchical order is the rank of the reference window (step S1524)
Affirmative) moves to step S1523, and further proceeds to “+”.
"1" is added (step S1523). In this way, the process is repeated until it is determined that the hierarchical order of the reference window has not been reached (No in step S1524).
After that, the data is rewritten so as to have the hierarchical order (step S1525).

Next, it is determined whether or not the processing in steps S1523 to S1525 has been completed for all windows other than the active window and not the reference window or the desired window (step S1527), and the processing ends. The processing of steps S1523 to S1527 is repeated until.
When all processing is completed (Yes at Step S1527), the process proceeds to Step S1501, and thereafter, the same steps are repeated.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the hierarchy order is set independently for each window. However, as in the third embodiment described below, the relative relationship with other windows is set. , The relationship between the hierarchical order of the two windows does not always change even if the hierarchical order of the other windows changes, and the two windows can be treated as one. Can be easily and efficiently operated.

In the present embodiment, one desired window is set for the reference window. However, a plurality of desired windows may be set for the reference window. Also, a plurality of reference windows can be set, and in that case, a process that does not confuse other reference windows can be additionally provided.

(Embodiment 4) In the above-described first to third embodiments, it is assumed that the hierarchical order of a window is not set by another window when the hierarchical order of the window is set. However, as in the fourth embodiment described below, when there is a request to set the same hierarchical order as the already set hierarchical order, after canceling the setting of the already set hierarchical order Alternatively, the hierarchical order may be set according to the setting request.

The hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. FIG. 16 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 16, the other units except the hierarchy order setting unit 203 have the same configuration as the block diagram of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment or the block diagram of FIG. 13 of the third embodiment. I do.

In FIG. 16, the hierarchy order setting unit 203
Is configured to further include a hierarchy order canceling unit 231. The hierarchy order canceling unit 231 receives a request for setting the same hierarchy order as the already set hierarchy order,
The setting of the already set hierarchy order is canceled.

As a specific canceling method, the hierarchy order canceling unit 231 first checks the column “fixed” 303 in the hierarchy order determination table 230, and determines whether or not the hierarchy order is fixed. It is determined whether the data of “fixed” 303 is “1”. If it is "1", a warning dialog as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed to notify the operator of this.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a display displayed on the display screen of the display section 201 of the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 17, warning dialog 1
At 701, a content such as "Another window has already been set in this hierarchical order. Do you want to continue the setting process?" Is displayed. The operator presses a “Yes” button 1702 to continue the process, and presses a “No” button 1703 to stop the process.
Press 12 or the like.

When the “Yes” button 1702 is pressed, the hierarchy order canceling unit 231 sets the column “fixed” 303
By rewriting the data “1” of “1” to “0”, the setting of the hierarchical order is canceled.

Further, this warning dialog 1701 allows the operator to select in advance whether or not to display it by setting. Therefore, if you do not want to display,
When there is a request for setting the hierarchical order, the data “1” of the column “fixed” 303 that has already been set without confirmation from the operator
Is rewritten to “0”.

Next, the sequence of a series of processes performed by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 of the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a part of the sequence of a series of processes of the hierarchy order setting unit 203 of the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment.

In the flowchart of FIG. 18, first,
The process waits until the window for setting the hierarchy order is specified by the window specification unit 202 (Yes at Step S1801), and then it is determined whether or not an instruction for setting the hierarchy order has been given by the operator (Step S1802).

If there is no instruction to set the hierarchical order (No at Step S1802), Step S180
Move to 8. On the other hand, if there is an instruction to set the hierarchical order (Yes at step S1802), it is determined whether or not the hierarchical order has already been set by another window (step S1803). Here, when there is no setting of the hierarchical order by another window (step S18)
(No at 03), the process moves to step S1805 without doing anything. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1803 that the hierarchy order has already been set by another window (step S1803)
If the result is 1803 affirmative), the hierarchy order canceling unit 231 cancels the setting of the hierarchy order of the other window by the method described above (step S1804), and proceeds to step S1805.

Steps S1805 to S1809 are performed
Since the steps are the same as steps S803 to S807 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, after the already-set hierarchy order is canceled, the hierarchy order is set according to the setting request. Therefore, the same hierarchy order is set by another window. When a new setting is to be made, the trouble of canceling the setting of the hierarchical order that has already been made can be omitted, and the setting of the hierarchical order can be changed quickly and efficiently.

(Embodiment 5) In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4, it is determined whether the window is a window in which a hierarchy order is set, or to which hierarchy order the hierarchy order is set. Although it has not been possible to easily recognize whether or not the hierarchical order has been set, the hierarchical order information may be displayed at a predetermined position in a window in which the hierarchical order is set, as in the fifth embodiment described below.

The hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including the multi-window display device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. FIG. 19 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the multi-window display device according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 19, other units except for the display control unit 204 are the same as the block diagram of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the block diagram of FIG. 13 of the third embodiment, or the block diagram of FIG. 16 of the fourth embodiment. The description is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 19, display control unit 204 has a structure including a hierarchy order information display control unit 240, and controls display unit 201 so that a window designated by window designation unit 202 is assigned by hierarchy order setting unit 203. The display is always performed at the set hierarchy order, and the hierarchy order information is displayed at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchy order is set by the hierarchy order information display control unit 240.

Next, the display processing of the hierarchical order information by the hierarchical order information display control unit 240 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a window of the multi-window display device according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG.
(A) to (f) partially show the upper right end of the window. (A) is a state in which no hierarchical order information is displayed, that is, a display state of a window in which no hierarchical order is set.

(B) displays the character of “fix 3”, “fix” 2001 indicates that the hierarchical order is set, and “3” 2002 indicates the hierarchical order of the first embodiment. The setting unit 203 indicates that the window is set to the third hierarchical order counted from the front to the rear.

(C) displays the character of “fixed” 2003, which corresponds to the hierarchical order setting unit 2 of the second embodiment.
03 indicates that the window is set to the rearmost hierarchical order.

(D) displays the characters “base” 2004, which indicates that the window is the reference window in the third embodiment. When there are a plurality of reference windows, numbers or symbols for distinguishing them are further added.

(E) displays the characters “fixed base 1” 2005, which is the desired window in the third embodiment and is the first window in front of the reference window. In other words, it indicates that the hierarchy is set to the hierarchy order immediately before the reference window.

(F) displays the characters “fixed back 2” 2006, which is the same as the desired window in the third embodiment, and is displayed in the rear direction of the reference window. This indicates that the order is set to the second hierarchical order.

As described above, the hierarchical order information can be displayed at a predetermined position in each window. In the present embodiment, the display is made at the upper right end, but the display position is not limited to that position. Also, the display may be always displayed, or the display / non-display may be switched according to a predetermined instruction from the operator.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchical order is set, so that the operator can easily set the hierarchical order of each window. Information can be grasped, and an operation error caused by setting the hierarchical order can be eliminated.

(Embodiment 6) In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 5, the hierarchical order is set without changing the display size and display position of each window. As shown in FIG. 6, the display size or the display position of the window may be changed so as to display a window that is not always displayed according to the setting of the hierarchical order.

Since the hardware configuration of the entire information processing apparatus including the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 21 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 21, the other units except the window state changing unit 205 have the same configuration as those of the first to fifth embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 21, window state changing unit 2
05 is hidden when the hierarchy order is set by the hierarchy order setting unit 203 so that the window that is always displayed behind other windows is completely hidden by the window in front of it. The display size or display position of the front window or the concealed window is changed so that all or part of the window can be displayed.

Note that the window state changing unit 205
OM 102, RAM 103 or hard disk 10
5, CPU 10 according to instructions described in a program recorded on a recording medium such as floppy disk 107.
1 and the like execute the instruction processing to realize the function of each unit.

The display control unit 204 changes the display on the display screen of the display unit 201 based on the size or position changed by the window state changing unit 205.

Next, the contents of the change processing of the window state change unit 205 will be described. 22 to 25 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a display state of a window displayed on the display screen of the display unit 201.

First, a change process for changing the display size of a window will be described. In FIG. 22, (a) shows the state before the window state is changed, and (b) shows the state after the window state is changed.

In (a), the window “A” and the window “B” are both assigned a hierarchical order. In addition, the hierarchical order is set so that the window “A” is in front of the window “B”. Here, the window state changing unit 205 checks the display size and the display position of both windows. As a specific method, for example, information on the coordinate position of the upper left corner (or lower left corner) and the coordinate position of the lower right corner (or upper right corner) of each window is acquired. Thus, the display size and display position of each window can be specified.

Next, from the information on the coordinate position of each window, it is determined whether or not the window “B” whose hierarchical order is set in the rear direction is completely hidden by the window “A”. Specifically, the determination can be made by comparing the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction of the information on the coordinate position.

Next, as a result of judging whether or not the window is completely concealed, in (a), since the window "B" is completely concealed by the window "A",
As shown in (b), the window size is changed (reduced) so that the coordinates in the x-axis direction of the lower right corner (or upper right corner) of window “A” are smaller than the coordinates of window “B”. As a result, a part on the right side of the window “B” is displayed.

In FIG. 23, (a) corresponds to (a) of FIG.
Is the same as In FIG. 22B, the size of the window “A” is reduced. However, in FIG. 23C, the display size of the window “A” is not reduced, but instead is reduced. The display size of the window “B” is enlarged. Specifically, as shown in (c), the display size of the window “B” is changed so that the coordinates in the x-axis direction of the lower right corner (or upper right corner) of the window “B” are larger than the coordinates of the window “A”. Change (enlarge). As a result, a part on the right side of the window “B” is displayed.

In FIGS. 22 and 23, only the x-axis direction is changed, but the y-axis direction may be changed, or both the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction may be changed. Is also good.

Next, a change process for changing the display position of the window will be described. 24 and 25,
(D) shows the state before the window state is changed,
(E) and (f) show the state after the window state is changed.

In (d) of FIG. 24, the hierarchical order is set for both window “A” and window “B”, and window “A” is hierarchically arranged so as to be in front of window “B”. The order is set in the same manner as in FIG. Also,
(D) also shows that the window “B” is completely hidden by the window “A”.

Next, the display size of the window “A” and the window “B” are not changed, but the display position of the window “A” is changed instead. As shown in (d), the window “A” is moved to the left of the screen (negative direction of the x-axis) until a part of the window “B” is displayed. As a result, all or part of the completely hidden window can be displayed without changing the size of the window.

In FIG. 25, as in FIG. 24, all or part of a window completely hidden by changing the display position of the window is displayed.
(D) of FIG. 25 is the same as FIG. In FIG. 25, instead of changing the display position of the window “A” which is the window to be hidden in FIG. 24, the display position of the window “B” which is the window to be hidden is changed. As shown in FIG. 25E, the window "B" is moved to the left of the screen (negative direction of the x axis) until a part of the window "B" is displayed.

In FIGS. 24 and 25, only the x-axis direction is changed, but the y-axis direction may be changed, or both the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction may be changed. Is also good.

Next, the sequence of a series of processes performed by the window state changing unit 204 of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 26 shows a window state changing unit 2 of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment.
14 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a procedure of a series of processes of No. 04.

In the flowchart of FIG. 26, first,
It is determined whether there are two or more windows for which the hierarchical order is set (step S2601). Here, when there are no more than two (No at Step S2601),
Since there is no need to change the window state, the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S2601, if there are two or more windows in which the hierarchical order is set (Yes in step S2601), the window in which the hierarchical order is set in the most backward direction is extracted (step S2).
602), the extracted window is set to S (step S2603).

Next, it is determined whether or not there is another window in which the hierarchical order is set in the front direction of “S” (step S2604). Here, if there is no other window (No at Step S2604), the process ends. On the other hand, when there is another window (step S26)
04 affirmative) moves to step S2605.

In step S2605, it is determined whether or not “S” is completely hidden by the other window. If it is not completely hidden (No in step S2605), the process proceeds to step S2607 without doing anything. .
On the other hand, if it is completely hidden (Yes at step S2605), a window state change process is performed (step S2606).

Next, by excluding "S", the window whose hierarchy order is set to the rearmost direction, that is, the window whose hierarchy order is set to the back direction after "S" is extracted (step S1). S2607), Step S2
Shift to 603. In step S2603, the window extracted in step S2607 is newly set to "S". Hereinafter, steps S2604 to S2607
Are repeatedly performed until a negative result is obtained in step S2604.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the display size or the display position of the window is changed so as to display the window which is not always displayed according to the setting of the hierarchy order. It is possible to easily and efficiently perform an operation in a window in which the order is set in the rear direction.

The multi-window display method described in the first to sixth embodiments is realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is a hard disk, floppy disk, C
The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a D-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. This program can be distributed via the recording medium via a network.

[0174]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the specified window is always displayed in the set hierarchy order, even if the active window is switched, the hierarchy order of the specified window is not changed. Therefore, a desired window is not concealed by the active window against the operator's intention during the work, and even the inactive window can be displayed in front of the active window. Multi-window display that enables efficient processing when using multiple windows, such as processing the active window while referring to the display contents of the inactive window without changing the display position or size of the window or inactive window The effect that a device is obtained is produced.

According to the present invention, the hierarchical order is set so that the window is displayed in the rearmost hierarchical order, so that the operator can always display a desired window on the rearmost. It is possible to operate on the window set at the back without hiding all other windows, preventing the switching of windows unintended by the operator and improving efficiency when using multiple windows There is an effect that a multi-window display device capable of performing good processing can be obtained.

Also, according to the present invention, the hierarchical order is set based on the relative relationship with other windows, so that the hierarchical order relationship of a plurality of windows always changes even if the hierarchical order of other windows changes. This makes it possible to obtain a multi-window display device that can handle a plurality of windows as one and can easily and efficiently operate the plurality of windows.

Further, according to the present invention, after canceling the already set hierarchy order, the hierarchy order is set according to the setting request. Therefore, when the same hierarchy order is newly set by another window. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of canceling the setting of the hierarchical order that has already been performed, and to obtain a multi-window display device capable of changing the setting of the hierarchical order quickly and efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position in the window in which the hierarchical order is set, so that the operator can easily grasp the information on the hierarchical order of each window, and This has the effect of providing a multi-window display device that can eliminate operation errors caused by setting the order.

Further, according to the present invention, the display size or the display position of the window is changed so as to display a window which is not always displayed in accordance with the setting of the hierarchical order. There is an effect that a multi-window display device capable of easily and efficiently performing an operation on the set window is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the specified window is always displayed in the set hierarchy order, so that even if the active window is switched, the hierarchy order of the specified window is not changed. Therefore, a desired window is not concealed by the active window against the operator's intention during the work, and even the inactive window can be displayed in front of the active window. Multi-window display that enables efficient processing when using multiple windows, such as processing the active window while referring to the display contents of the inactive window without changing the display position or size of the window or inactive window This has the effect that a method can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, since the hierarchical order is set so that the window is displayed in the rearmost hierarchical order, the operator can always display the desired window on the rearmost. It is possible to operate on the window set at the back without hiding all other windows, preventing the switching of windows unintended by the operator and improving efficiency when using multiple windows There is an effect that a multi-window display method that can perform good processing can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the hierarchical order is set based on the relative relationship with the other windows, so that the relationship between the hierarchical orders of the two windows always changes even if the hierarchical order of the other windows changes. Therefore, there is an effect that a multi-window display method capable of operating two or more windows easily and efficiently can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, after canceling the already set hierarchy order, the hierarchy order is set according to the setting request. Therefore, when the same hierarchy order is newly set by another window. In addition, it is possible to omit the trouble of canceling the setting of the hierarchical order that has already been performed, and it is possible to obtain a multi-window display method that can change the setting of the hierarchical order quickly and efficiently.

Further, according to the present invention, the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position of the window in which the hierarchical order is set, so that the operator can easily grasp the information on the hierarchical order of each window, and There is an effect that a multi-window display method that can eliminate an operation error caused by setting the order can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the display size or the display position of the window is changed so as to display the window which is not always displayed according to the setting of the hierarchical order. There is an effect that a multi-window display method that can easily and efficiently perform the operation in the set window is obtained.

Further, the storage medium according to the present invention becomes readable by a computer by recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method described in the present invention, whereby the operation of the present invention can be performed by the computer. There is an effect that a recording medium that can be realized is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an entire information processing apparatus including a multi-window display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a hierarchy order determination table provided in a hierarchy order setting unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display displayed on a display unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a hierarchy order determination table set by the hierarchy order setting unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment and a window display displayed on the screen of the display unit based on the hierarchy order determination table. FIG.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the hierarchy order determination table set by the hierarchy order setting unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment, and another window display displayed on the screen of the display unit based on the hierarchy order determination table. FIG.

FIG. 7 shows another example of the hierarchy order determination table set by the hierarchy order setting unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment and a window display displayed on the screen of the display unit based on the hierarchy order determination table. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of processing procedures of a window specifying unit and a hierarchical order setting unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a display control unit of the multi-window display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a hierarchy order determination table provided in a hierarchy order setting section of the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchy order setting screen displayed on the display unit of the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a display control unit of the multi-window display device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a multi-window display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchy order setting screen displayed on the display unit of the multi-window display device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a display control unit of the multi-window display device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a multi-window display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an example of a display displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a part of a procedure of a series of processes of a hierarchy order setting unit of the multi-window display device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a multi-window display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of a window of the multi-window display device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram functionally showing a configuration of a multi-window display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of a window displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display state of the window displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display state of the window displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display state of the window displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a part of a series of processing procedures of a window state changing unit of the multi-window display device according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 HDD 105 HD 106 FDD 107 FD 108 Display 109 I / F 110 Communication line 111 Keyboard 112 Mouse 113 Scanner 114 Printer 115 Bus 201 Display unit 202 Window designation unit 203 Hierarchical order setting unit 204 Display control unit 205 Window state changing unit 221 Desired window specifying unit 222 Reference window specifying unit 230 Hierarchical order determination table 231 Hierarchical order canceling unit 240 Hierarchical order information display control unit 401 Hierarchical order setting window

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-7-160460 (JP, A) JP-A-3-103920 (JP, A) JP-A-61-258289 (JP, A) JP-A-3-48326 (JP) JP-A-8-212039 (JP, A) JP-A-4-49411 (JP, A) JP-A-62-103687 (JP, A) JP-A-5-282116 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/00 601-3/14 680 G06F 3/14-3/153

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] To 1. A same screen display means for displaying a plurality of stacked windows, among the plurality of windows displayed by the display means, and the window designation means for designating a desired window, before Symbol window specifying means The window specified by is displayed at the top of the window displayed in the back from the window displayed at the top, or displayed at the top of the window displayed at the back. Hierarchy order setting means for setting the hierarchy order; display control means for controlling the display means to always display the window designated by the window designating means in the hierarchy order set by the hierarchy order setting means. A multi-window display device comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the request for setting the same hierarchical order as the already set hierarchical order is issued, the setting of the already set hierarchical order is canceled. 2. The multi-window display device according to claim 1, wherein a hierarchy order is set according to the request. 3. The display control means controls the display means to always display a window designated by the window designation means in a hierarchy order set by the hierarchy order setting means, and to set the hierarchy order setting. claim 1 or and displaying said hierarchic sequence information in a predetermined position of the window hierarchical order is set by means
3. The multi-window display device according to 2. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchy order is set by the hierarchy order setting means so that a window that is always displayed on the back side of other windows is completely hidden by a window on the front side. Window state changing means for changing a display size or a display position of the front window or the concealed window so that all or a part of the concealed window can be displayed. multi-window display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The multi-window display method of displaying overlapping a plurality of windows on the same screen, among the plurality of windows, the first step of designating a desired window, designated by the previous SL first step The number of the window in which the desired window is displayed in the back direction from the window displayed in the foreground, or the number of the window displayed in the front direction from the window displayed in the back. A multi-window display, comprising: a second step of setting a hierarchical order; and a third step of always displaying the window specified by the first step in the hierarchical order set by the second step. apparatus. 6. The second step is performed when a request for setting the same hierarchical order as the already set hierarchical order is issued.
The multi-window display method according to claim 5 , wherein after canceling the setting of the already set hierarchy order, the hierarchy order is set according to the setting request. 7. The third step always displays the window specified in the first step in the hierarchical order set in the second step, and displays the window specified in the second step in the hierarchical order set in the second step. 7. The multi-window display method according to claim 5 , wherein the hierarchical order information is displayed at a predetermined position. 8. The method according to claim 8, wherein the hierarchical order is set in the second step so that a window that is always displayed on the back side of other windows is completely hidden by a window on the front side. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: changing a display size or a display position of the window on the front surface or the concealed window so that all or a part of the concealed window can be displayed. 8. The multi-window display method according to any one of 5 to 7 . 9. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 5 is recorded.