JPH04309121A - Window controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automate a window retrieving operation. CONSTITUTION:A window control part 1 is equipped with a window identifier list 11 for each window 2 and an electronic marker identifier list 12, and the window 2 is equipped with a window identifier 21. An electronic marker 3 is equipped with an electronic marker identifier 31, window identifier list 32 and information 33 for retrieval, when the window 2 can be directly retrieved with the instructed contents according to a retrieving instruction 4, the window 2 is directly retrieved and when the retrieval is disabled, the instructed window 2 is retrieved from the relevant window identifier list 32 by retrieving the information 33 for retrieval of the electronic marker 3.

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

[Prior Art] Conventionally used multi-window environments include a split type that divides the entire screen and uses each divided area as a window, and a split type that divides the entire screen and uses each divided area as a window, and a split type that divides the entire screen and uses each divided area as a window. There are two types of overlapping types that can be operated freely. The split type has a low degree of freedom, as if you make one window larger, you have to make other windows smaller, so the overlapping type is currently the mainstream.

0003

However, in an overlapping multi-window environment, there is a problem in that one window may be completely hidden under several other windows. In such a case, in order to use the desired window, move the window above it or make it temporarily invisible and bring the desired window to the top, as shown in Figure 10. However, this is the same as searching for documents on a scattered desk, without the advantage of using a computer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a more comfortable operating environment by automating the manual window search operations conventionally performed by workers and having the computer perform the search itself. The purpose is to provide

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the window management device of the present invention includes a window management unit that displays a plurality of windows that can overlap with each other, and a window management unit that changes the overlapping order of windows. In a window management device comprising a search instruction section that requests an operation including making a specified window visible or moving the specified window, the search instruction section is displayed on the window as a search instruction item. The window management unit selects the window having this display item as an operation target.

[0006] Furthermore, an electronic bookmark is provided which has an attribute value including display content and purpose of use of the window, an identifier of the window, and its own identifier, and the window management section stores the search instructions of the search instruction section and the electronic bookmark. When the attribute values of the electronic bookmark are matched, the window indicated by the window identifier of the electronic bookmark is targeted for operations including visualization and movement.

[0007] Furthermore, the window identifier of the electronic bookmark indicates a plurality of related windows. Moreover, on the contrary, the window identifiers of a plurality of electronic bookmarks are made to indicate the same window.

Further, the attribute values of the electronic bookmark are created according to a predetermined rule, and if the search instructions are not created according to the predetermined rules, the window management section converts the search instructions into the search instructions according to the predetermined rules. The electronic bookmark is remade according to the rules, and the electronic bookmarks are verified based on the rules.

[0009] Furthermore, the window management section displays icons of windows that have already been generated, and allows the user to select a window from among the icons for operations including visibility and movement.

Furthermore, when the window management section selects a plurality of windows based on the search instructions, the windows are kept in an operable state.

Further, when the window management section selects a plurality of windows based on the search instructions, new search instructions are inputted until the desired window is obtained.

Further, when the window management section selects a plurality of windows based on the search instructions, it allows those windows to be operated and inputs new search instructions as necessary to select the desired window. Try to get it.

[0013] Furthermore, when a new window is generated or when a window is operated, the window management unit records information about the electronic bookmark such as creation time, creation requester, and latest operation time related to these operations. Allow attribute values to be created or updated.

[0014]

[Operation] The window management device stores display items displayed in the generated window, and when this display item is input as a search instruction item from the search instruction section, it is compared with this display item and the display item is matched. Display a window with a visible position on the top of the screen. However, even if a user enters a word that is expressed in a different way than the display item displayed in the window but has the same content, the window cannot be searched. For example, change the search instruction to “×××
It is possible to search for document information such as ``window displaying the word ``, but if you search for purpose of use such as ``window in use for the job XX'', the purpose cannot be obtained from the displayed items. Since it is not possible to do so, it becomes impossible to search.

[0015] Therefore, an attribute value indicating the meaning of the item displayed in the window, an identifier of the window having this attribute value, and its own identifier are written in the electronic bookmark, and the search instruction section uses the attribute value as the search instruction item. Enter the value of this attribute. The window management unit compares the attribute value of the electronic bookmark with the search instruction item using the identifier of the electronic bookmark, and if they match, it can search for the target window from the window identifier of the matching electronic bookmark.

[0016] One electronic bookmark can specify any number of windows, and when multiple windows are used for one job, the content of the job can be entered as a search target and the electronic bookmark can be searched. , you can target all windows corresponding to that task at once. Moreover, on the contrary, it is also possible to associate an arbitrary number of electronic bookmarks with one window so that one window can be searched by a plurality of search targets.

[0017] Attribute values to be recorded in electronic bookmarks are created according to predetermined rules, and if search instructions are created according to these rules, it is possible to search using these search instructions; If not, the window management unit generates new search information from the search instructions according to these rules and performs the search.

[0018] If the displayed content of the window can be obtained directly, then if it cannot be obtained directly, a small figure called an icon is generated from the attribute value of the electronic bookmark and displayed on the screen, and the user selects the window to use from among these. can.

[0019] A plurality of windows matching the search instructions can be selected and these windows can be made visible or ready to be pulled out at any time.

After searching for a plurality of windows that match the search instructions, the multiple windows are further narrowed down using the next search instructions, and this process is repeated to search for a desired window or group of windows. It is also possible to initially search a plurality of windows so that these windows can be operated, and then further narrow down the number of windows by entering new search instructions as necessary.

[0021] Since 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, it saves the user's effort and prevents errors. There will be no.

[0022]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, electronic bookmarks will be explained. You can search for a string displayed in a window and find windows that have this string, but if this string is
If the word "patent application" is used, the window displaying the manuscript related to the patent application does not necessarily include the words "patent application" in many cases. When it is desired to search based on the meaning of a word, an interpreter called an electronic bookmark is installed to interpret the content of the search request, and the requested window is searched using the pointer indicated by this interpreter.

[0023] In other words, since electronic bookmarks do not have information on how far a book has been read, they have the same meaning as adding that information in the form of a bookmark. The bookmark says ``
You can write notes such as "What month and day did you read this far?" Similarly, any information can be written on electronic bookmarks.

[0024] One electronic bookmark can be pasted on any number of windows. This allows you to input the job content as a search target, search for electronic bookmarks, and target all corresponding windows at once when using multiple windows for one task. This is to make it possible to do so. Furthermore, any number of electronic bookmarks can be attached to one window. This indicates that one window can be searched by multiple search targets.

[0025] To describe these things metaphorically, a name that is related to the content of the document in advance (there is no need to be related)
If you keep a bookmark or write a booklet with a summary of the documents, even if your desk is cluttered, just mention the work details and all the necessary documents will appear. Figure 1
represents window operation using electronic bookmarks, each window has an electronic bookmark attached to it. As a patent application manuscript, electronic bookmarks are attached to each document and drawing window. If the search instruction is related to a patent application manuscript, windows for the drawings and documents of the patent application manuscript will appear on the screen.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the state at the time of window generation. Window management section 1 newly creates window 2.
When the window identifier 21 is generated, the window identifier 21 is registered in the window identifier list 11. When the window 2 has an 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 list 32 stores the window identifier 21 of the corresponding window 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the state when an electronic bookmark is generated. When the electronic bookmark 3 is generated, the operator is asked about the corresponding window 2, and the window identifier 21 of the obtained window 2 is added to the window identifier list 3.
Register for 2. Further, the electronic bookmark identifier 31 of the electronic bookmark 3 itself is registered in the electronic bookmark identifier list 12 of the window management section 1. The order of these two registrations does not matter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state at the time of a search request. If the search instruction 4 is related to image information or document information and the display itself of the window 2 can be acquired as the document information, the window management unit 1 uses the window identifier 21 in the window identifier list 11, Obtain and check the display of window 2,
The matching items are used as search results and are subject to window operations.

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

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of how the window management section 1 generates search information that meets the rules when the search request is not created according to the rules for creating the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3. During normal operation, a program called a window management program is running, and when you move the mouse or press a mouse button, this window management program understands which window you are operating on and takes appropriate actions. conduct.

[0031] A new operation similar to pressing a mouse button is added to this window management program, and when that operation is performed, the user is requested to input a character string, the electronic bookmark 3 whose contents are searched for, and the Up to now, we have explained that the target window is selected from the window identifier list 32 of the electronic bookmark 3, but the method shown in FIG. Rather than searching, the electronic bookmark 3 is first converted into search information 33 and an electronic bookmark 3 having content that matches this search information 33 is found.

[0032] Search information 33 recorded in the electronic bookmark 3
is created according to predetermined rules. If the search instruction entered by the user is created in accordance with this rule, the window management section 1 can search for the electronic bookmark 3 based on this search instruction, but if the search instruction is not in accordance with this rule, the window management section 1 will be able to search for the electronic bookmark 3. New search information 33 is generated to match. It is assumed that the window management unit 1 manages the display items displayed on the window by using an attribute called "display item". As shown in Figure 5, if the user gives the instruction to ``bring the window displaying the document to the top'' as a search request, the electronic bookmark 3 cannot be searched with this request as is, so the window management The window management program in part 1 converts ``a document is being displayed'' to mean that the attribute ``display item'' has a value of ``text data.'' In this way, the item matches the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3, and this electronic bookmark can be searched.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the user directly issues a search instruction using a character string. If this search instruction is created in accordance with the rules used to create the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3, it can be used as a search condition as is. If they are not created in a matching manner, the window management program converts them so that they match as described above, and then searches for the electronic bookmark 3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of window selection using icon display. A small figure called an icon is generated based on the display item of the window when it can be obtained directly, and from the search information 33 of the electronic bookmark 3 when it cannot be obtained directly. These icons are displayed on the screen and provided to the user, and the user selects a desired window from among the icons.

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 using search condition 1, there may be a plurality of windows that satisfy the search condition. Make all of these windows visible. Or, even if it is not possible to make everything visible due to screen constraints, it should be possible to make it visible at any time.

However, it is also possible to add search conditions 2 one after another until the search is narrowed down to one window. Further, the operation in these two cases can be selected as necessary.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for automatically setting a part of the search information 33 to be recorded in the electronic bookmark 3. This figure shows a case in which special attributes of the search information 33 are automatically set. Possible user requests include search conditions such as "the newest window (the latest created window)" or "a window that has not been operated for more than 10 minutes since the last operation." For such a search, attributes such as "creation time" and "last operation time" are required as window attributes. These attributes must be set immediately every time they are created or operated, but it is extremely troublesome for the user to manually set these values, and there is a high risk of errors, so it is necessary to include them. Only special attributes can be automatically set by a window management program.

[0038]

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the present invention can search for a window specified by a search instruction directly or via an electronic bookmark, so that it is possible to completely solve the problem peculiar to an overlapping multi-window environment. A window that is difficult to search because it is located below another window can be easily made visible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating 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 in which a window management unit interprets a search request.

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

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

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

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

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 department 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 (10)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A window management unit that displays a plurality of windows that can overlap each other, and a window management unit that allows the window management unit to change the overlapping order of windows to make a designated window visible or to move a designated window. In a window management device comprising a search instruction section that requests an operation including, the search instruction section instructs a display item displayed on the window as a search instruction item,
A window management device characterized in that the window management unit operates on a window having the display item. 2. An electronic bookmark having an attribute value including display content and purpose of use of a window, an identifier of the window, and its own identifier is provided, and the window management unit:
2. The window management device according to claim 1, wherein the search instruction item of the search instruction unit is compared with the attribute value of the electronic bookmark, and when a match is found, the window indicated by the window identifier of the electronic bookmark is set as an operation target. . 3. The window management device according to claim 2, wherein the window identifier of the electronic bookmark indicates a plurality of related windows. 4. The window management according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of electronic bookmarks describe the same window in each of the window identifiers, so that one window can be searched from a plurality of electronic bookmarks. Device. 5. The attribute value of the electronic bookmark is created according to a predetermined rule, and if the search instruction item is not created according to the predetermined rule, the window management unit changes the search instruction item to the predetermined rule. 3. The window management device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic bookmark is recreated according to a rule and the electronic bookmark is verified based on the rule. 6. The window management unit displays icons of already generated windows, and selects a window to be made visible from among the icons.
6. The window management device according to any one of . 7. Any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the window management unit selects a plurality of windows based on the search instructions, the windows are kept in an operable state. The window management device described in . 8. When the window management section selects a plurality of windows based on the search instructions, new search instructions are input until a desired window is obtained. 7. The window management device according to any one of 1 to 6. 9. When the window management section selects a plurality of windows based on the search instructions, the window management section allows the windows to be operated, inputs new search instructions as necessary, and selects the desired window. 7. The window management device according to claim 1, wherein the window management device is configured to obtain a window management device. 10. The window management unit creates or updates attribute values of the electronic bookmark related to these operations when a new window is generated and when a window is operated. The window management device according to claim 2.