JPH0546350A - Window display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily control an animation display at the time of converting an icon into a window. CONSTITUTION:At every prescribed time measured by a time measuring means 103, a window size variation function storage means 104 is referred to, and a window frame of size corresponding to a value of its function is displayed on a display means 107. Accordingly, by using this device, in an animation at the time when an icon is varied to a window, a user can change easily a variation pattern of size of the window. In such a way, the user can change easily the animation at the time of window display being an important factor of a user interface, and it is very useful for improving the user interface of a window system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for displaying icons and windows on a display screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A system for displaying icons and windows on a display screen is called a window system. Generally, in a window system, one icon is associated with one window. In that case, the icon is used to display one window in a simplified manner. When converting an icon displayed on the display screen into a corresponding window, the user of the system uses an input device such as a mouse to instruct conversion of the icon into the window.

When the icon changes to the window according to the user's instruction, there are a plurality of possible display methods of the changing process. For example, in the system called the presentation manager of OS / 2, the process of the change is not displayed, and the icon simply disappears and the window appears.
It is described in Fuji Software "OS / 2 Presentation Manager". In the Macintosh computer, when the icon changes to the window, in order to show that the icon gradually changes to the window, as shown in FIG. 11, only the window frame is moved from the icon position to the window display position. It is possible to enlarge the window gradually and display the entire window when the final display position is reached.
Ntosh System Software Use
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[0004]

However, there is a problem that the user cannot easily change the animation when the display is converted from the icon to the window. Generally, the animation when displaying a window is
Although it is an important factor that determines the user interface of the wind system, the optimal display method differs depending on personal preference. Therefore, since the animation cannot be easily changed, the user has to use the animation provided by the window system as it is even if he / she is dissatisfied.

[0005]

A first window display device of the present invention is a window display device capable of easily controlling an animation displayed when an icon on a screen is transformed into a window. Icon position storage means for storing the display position of the window, window position and size storage means for storing the display position and size of the window, time measuring means for measuring time, and a function for changing the window size in the animation. Window size change function storage means, window size change function setting means for setting the window size change function, display means for displaying the animation, output of the icon position storage means and output of the window position and size storage means And the output of the time measuring means and the window size change function Referring to the output means, characterized in that it consists of a window display control means for displaying control the animation on the display means.

The second window display device of the present invention is the first window display device.
The window size change function storage means in the device is replaced with a window position change function storage means for storing the function of the position change of the window during the animation, and the window size change function setting means sets the window position change function. It is characterized by being replaced by a window position change function setting means.

A third window display device of the present invention is the first window display device.
In the window display device, the window position change function storage means, the window position change function setting means, the content of the window size change function storage means and the function of rewriting by comparing the contents of the window position change function storage means Means, and the window display control means controls the display of the animation by also referring to the output of the window position change function storage means.

[0008]

The operation of the invention corresponding to the first device (Claim 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an example of a window size change function. This graph shows how the window size of the animation display changes when changing from the icon to the window when the finally displayed size of the window is 1. The horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents size. For example, assuming that the size is 0.3 after 0.5 seconds has elapsed, each side of the window that is animated is 0.3 times the length of the final side of the window. The size ratio may be considered as an area ratio, but here, it will be described as a ratio of side lengths. In this case, the center position of the window at each time is
It is calculated as moving at a constant speed from the animation start time to the animation end time.

The first device of the present invention can easily set a window size changing function as shown in FIG. 6 with an editor, and controls the window display based on this function. In that editor, the value of the function at each time may be selected on the screen or input by the keyboard. For example, when the window size changing function shown in FIG. 6 is set, the window frame is enlarged for 1.2 seconds and then reduced for 0.3 seconds to reach the final size. The entire window is displayed 1.5 seconds after the start of display.

Therefore, the window frame displayed on the display screen is as shown in FIG. Such a change in window size has the effect of exaggerating the change in size and making it look cartoonish, as compared with the conventional linear change in size as shown in FIG. It can be easily controlled by changing it.

The operation of the invention corresponding to the second device (claim 2) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows an example of the change function of the window position. This graph shows how the animation display window position changes when changing from the icon to the window when the distance from the icon position to the finally displayed window is 1. The horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents position (distance from the icon). However, a negative position indicates that the icon is moving in the opposite direction of the final window display device. For example, if the position is -0.3 after 0.3 seconds has elapsed, the window that is animated at that time must be moved from the icon by 0.3 in the direction opposite to the final window display position. Indicates. Also, in this case, the size of the window at each time is calculated as a constant expansion from the animation start time to the animation end time, and is therefore calculated.

The second device of the present invention can set a window position changing function as shown in FIG. 8 with an editor, and controls the display of the window frame based on this function.
For example, if the window size change function shown in FIG. 8 is set, the window frame moves in the opposite direction for 0.3 seconds and then returns, moves to a distance of 1.3 in 1.7 seconds from the start of movement, and then returns and moves again. The final position is reached 2.0 seconds after the start. At this time, the entire window is displayed.

Therefore, the window display on the display screen is as shown in FIG. Such a change in the window position has an effect of exaggerating the change in the position and making it look cartoonish as compared with the conventional linear change in the position as shown in FIG. It can be easily controlled by changing it.

The operation of the invention corresponding to the third device (claim 3) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10.
FIG. 6 shows the change function of the window size, and the window size becomes the final size 1.5 seconds after the start of display. FIG. 8 shows an example of the change function of the window position, which reaches the final position 2.0 seconds after the start of display. When I try to control the display of the window frame based on these graphs, both the size and position change are shown from the start of display to 1.5 seconds, but between 1.5 and 2.0 seconds. Is only defined by position.

The third device of the present invention compares the end time of the size change and the end time of the position change and corrects them so that they are the same. In the case of this example, the function is corrected assuming that the size 1 is 1.5 seconds to 2.0 seconds of the size change function. An example of the corrected size change function is shown in FIG. There are other correction means, and for example, the function can be complemented so that the size changes smoothly (the differential coefficient is finite) and becomes 1 at the final time. Contrary to this example, when the final time of the position change function is before the final time of the size change function, the position change function is supplemented.

The third device of the present invention corrects the functions of the window size change and the window position change as described above so that the final times become the same, and then controls the window display based on these functions. To do. The position and size control method is the same as in the case of the first device and the second device of the present invention. The display on the display screen is a composite of the change in size as shown in FIG. 7 and the change in position as shown in FIG. 8. Compared with the conventional linear change in position as shown in FIG. It has the effect of exaggerating both changes and making them look cartoonish.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention corresponding to claim 1. In FIG. Reference numeral 101 is an icon position storage means, and 102 is a window position and size storage means. Both 101 and 102 can use a semiconductor memory, a disk, or the like. 103 is a time measuring means, and a timer or the like can be used. Reference numeral 104 denotes a window size change function storage means, which can use a semiconductor memory, a disk, or the like. Reference numeral 105 is a window size change function setting means,
It can be configured by combining a microprocessor and an input / output device. This is, for example, the window size at each time,
It is a function editor that can be set by selecting a numerical value on the screen or inputting a numerical value from the keyboard.
Reference numeral 106 is a window display control means, and a microprocessor or the like can be used. Reference numeral 107 denotes a display unit, and a display device or the like can be used.

The operation of controlling the animation display when changing from the icon to the window using the window display device of the invention corresponding to claim 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the flowchart of FIG. To do.

First, when the time measuring means 103 waits for a certain time to elapse (step 401. The elapsed time at this time is tp), the time is stored in the window size change function storage means 104. It is checked whether or not the last time of the window size changing function (this time is set to tse) has passed (step 402). If not, first, the position of the window frame displayed by animation is calculated (step 403). The position of the window frame is tp / ts at the distance between the icon position stored in the icon position storage means 101 and the center position of the window stored in the window position and size storage means 102.
The length multiplied by e is the distance from the icon. That is, the window frame is assumed to move at the same speed from the icon position to the final position.

Next, the size of the window frame is calculated (step 404). The size of the window frame is obtained by multiplying the window position and the window size stored in the size storage means 102 by the value of the window size change function stored in the window size change function storage means 104 at time tp. When the calculation of the position and size of the window frame is completed, the window frame is rewritten (step 405). This is repeated at regular time intervals, and when the final time is exceeded (402), the final window is displayed (step 406).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining one embodiment of the invention corresponding to claim 2, and is for replacing the window size change function storage means 104 and the window size change function setting means 105 of FIG. belongs to. 204
Is a window position change function storage means, and a semiconductor memory, a disk or the like can be used. Reference numeral 205 denotes a window position change function setting means, which can be configured by a microprocessor and an input / output device. This is a function editor that can set the window position at each time by selecting a numerical value on the screen or inputting a numerical value from the keyboard.

The operation when controlling the animation display when changing from an icon to a window using the window display device according to the invention of claim 2 will be described with reference to the block diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the flowchart of FIG. It will be explained using.

First, when the time measuring means 103 waits for a certain time to elapse (step 401. The elapsed time at this time is tp), the time is stored in the window position change function memory means 204. It is checked whether or not the last time of the window position changing function (this time is defined as tpe) has passed (step 402). If not, first, the position of the window frame displayed by animation is calculated (step 403). The position of the window frame is the distance between the icon position and the center position 102 of the window stored in the window position and size memory 102 at the time tp of the window position change function stored in the window position change function storage means 204. The length multiplied by the value is the distance from the icon. At this time, the direction from the icon to the final window display position is a positive distance, and the opposite direction is a negative distance.

Next, the size of the window frame is calculated (step 404). The size of the window frame is obtained by multiplying the window size stored in the window position and size storage means 102 by tp / tpe. Multiply the length and width of the window by the same value. When the calculation of the position and size of the window frame is completed, the window frame is rewritten (step 4).
05). This is repeated at regular time intervals, and when the final time is exceeded (402), the final window is displayed (step 406).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining one embodiment of the corresponding invention of claim 3, for replacing the window size change function storage means 104 and the window size change function setting means 105 of FIG. belongs to. 301
Is a function correcting means, and a microprocessor or the like can be used.

The operation when controlling the animation display when changing from an icon to a window by using the window display device according to the invention of claim 3 is shown in the block diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 3 and FIGS. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of The flowchart of FIG. 5 is to be added to the beginning of the flowchart of FIG.

First, the function correcting means 301 includes the final time tse of the size change stored in the window size change function storage means 104 and the window position change function storage means 20.
The window position change final time tpe stored in 4 is compared (step 501), and if they are equal, the process proceeds to step 401. At this time, te is set equal to tse (= tpe). If they are not equal, the change function corresponding to the smaller one of tse and tpe is corrected (step 502).

The correction means will be described below. First, max
(Tse, tpe) is defined as te. When te = tse, a window position changing function from time tpe to te in which the window position changing function is not defined is appropriately defined. For example, the value of the window position change function at tpe is extended to te. The definition method is te
The value of the window position change function at is set to 1. When te = tpe, the window size change function may be corrected in exactly the same manner. After performing the above function correction, follow the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the time measuring means 103 waits for a certain time to elapse (step 401. The elapsed time at this time is tp), the time elapses.
It is checked whether or not the time te corrected by is passed (step 402). If not, first calculate the position of the window frame displayed in the animation (step 4).
03). The position of the window frame is the distance between the icon position and the center position 102 of the window stored in the window position and size storage means 102 at the time tp of the window position change function stored in the window position change function storage means 204. The length multiplied by the value is the distance from the icon. At this time, the direction from the icon to the final window display position is a positive distance, and the opposite direction is a negative distance.

Next, the size of the window frame is calculated (step 404). The size of the window frame is obtained by multiplying the window position and the window size stored in the size storage means 102 by the value of the window size change function stored in the window size change function storage means 104 at time tp. Multiply the length and width of the window by the same value. When the calculation of the position and size of the window frame is completed, the window frame is rewritten (step 40).
5). This is repeated at regular time intervals, and when the final time is exceeded (402), the final window is displayed (step 406).

[0031]

By using the device of the invention corresponding to claim 1, the user can easily change the change pattern of the size of the window in the animation when the icon changes to the window.

By using the device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can easily change the change pattern of the position of the window in the animation when the icon changes to the window.

By using the device of the invention corresponding to claim 3, the size when the icon changes to the window,
Both of the position change patterns can be easily changed by the user.

In any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, the user can easily change the animation at the time of window display, which is an important element of the user interface, and the user interface of the window system can be changed. Very useful for improvement.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a window display device corresponding to claim 1. FIG.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a window display device according to a second aspect of the present invention, showing a portion to be replaced with FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a window display device according to a third aspect of the present invention, showing a part to be replaced with FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a window is displayed by using the device corresponding to claim 1 or claim 2.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an additional portion to FIG. 4 in the flowchart of the processing procedure when a window is displayed using the device corresponding to claim 3.

FIG. 6 is an example of a window size change function.

FIG. 7 is an animation display example of a change in window size.

FIG. 8 is an example of a window position change function.

FIG. 9 is an animation display example of a change in window position.

FIG. 10 is an example of a window size change function after function correction.

FIG. 11 is an example of an animation display of a conventional window change.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 icon position storage means 102 window position and size storage means 103 time measuring means 104 window size change function storage means 105 window size change function setting means 106 window display control means 107 display means 204 window position change function storage means 205 window position change function Setting means 301 Function correcting means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A window display device capable of easily controlling an animation displayed when an icon on a screen is transformed into a window, the icon position storage means storing a display position of the icon, and the window display device. A window position and size storing means for storing a display position and a size, a time measuring means for measuring time, a window size changing function storing means for storing a function of a window size changing in the animation, and setting the window size changing function. A window size change function setting means
The display means for displaying the animation is referred to, the output of the icon position storage means, the output of the window position / size storage means, the output of the time measuring means, and the output of the window size change function storage means. And a window display control means for controlling the display of the animation. 2. The window size change function storage means is replaced with a window position change function storage means for storing a function of a position change of the window during the animation, and the window size change function setting means is used for the window position change function setting means. The window display device according to claim 1, further comprising a window position change function setting means for setting a change function. 3. The window position change function storage means,
The window display control means is provided with the window position change function setting means, and a function correcting means for comparing and rewriting the contents of the window size change function storage means and the contents of the window position change function storage means. The window display device according to claim 1, wherein display of the animation is controlled by also referring to an output of the function storage means.