JPH07200611A - Data processing device/method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a data processing device/method which can easily confirm the contents of data and also can easily start a program corresponding to the data. CONSTITUTION:A generating means 3 generates the header images to show the contents of each data, and a header storing means 4 stores the header images. An output means 5 outputs the header images in a list. Therefore a user can confirm the contents of data without starting a program at each time. Furthermore a starting means 7 starts a program corresponding to the selected header image and calls out the data corresponding to the header image after this image is selected by a user through a selector means 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements in a data processing device and a data processing method for processing various data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A data processing device (computer system) is a computer in which basic software such as an OS and a word processor / CAD (Computer Aided Desi
gn) ・ It has application software such as spreadsheet. A data processing device generally includes an information storage means such as a hard disk device, and each software (program) as described above and data to be processed by the program are recorded and stored in the information storage means. Here, the data is typically a group of information organized in a predetermined unit such as a document, a drawing, or a worksheet in a spreadsheet.

[0003]

However, in the conventional data processing apparatus, since the data to be processed by each program is generally represented only by the file name consisting of a character string, the specific contents of the data can be confirmed. In order to do so, a complicated operation of displaying the content of the data itself on the screen is required, and it is difficult to confirm the content of the data.

Especially, unlike a simple text file,
The data of many application programs accompanies various attribute (decoration) data, and the complicated work of starting the program itself is required to simply display the data.

Further, when the program is started for confirmation of contents and data processing, the file name of the program and the starting method have to be stored, and the starting operation is complicated.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a data processing device and a data processing method in which the confirmation of the data content is easy. is there. Further, another object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device and a data processing method in which a program corresponding to data can be easily started.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a data processing apparatus according to claim 1 has a data storage means for storing data, a program storage means for storing a program for processing the data, and each of the above. A headline storing unit configured to generate a headline image representing the content of each data based on the data; a headline storing unit storing the headline image; and an output unit outputting a list of the headline images. And

The invention of claim 2 is the data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the index storage means stores a correspondence relationship between each index image and at least one of the data or the program. And a selection means for selecting one or more of the heading images, and the activation of a program corresponding to the selected heading image or data corresponding to the heading image based on the correspondence relationship. And an activation means for performing at least one of the calls.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the data processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the output means is configured to display the headline image on a display screen, and the selection means is on the display screen. The selection is performed by designating the position of.

The invention according to claim 4 is the data processing device according to claim 2, characterized by further comprising setting means for setting the correspondence.

Further, the invention of claim 5 is the data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generating means is configured to generate the heading image when each of the data is generated or updated. It is characterized by

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the data processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the output means is configured to enlarge and display the desired headline image.

A data processing method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes the first step of storing the data, the second step of generating a heading image representing the content of each of the data based on the respective data, It is characterized by including a third step of storing each heading image and a fourth step of outputting a list of each heading image.

[0014]

The present invention having the above structure has the following functions. That is, in the inventions of claim 1 and claim 7, a heading image representing the content of each data is generated,
Each stored heading image is output as a list. For this reason,
The user can check the content of the data without starting the program each time.

Further, in the invention of claim 2, the headline storage means stores the correspondence between each headline image and at least one of the data and the program, and the user simply selects the headline image by the selecting means. Then, the activation means performs at least one of activation of a program corresponding to the index image and calling of data corresponding to the index image. Therefore, the user can easily start the program corresponding to the index image or call the data corresponding to the index image without designating the program name or the data name each time.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, the heading image is displayed on the display screen, and the user makes the selection by designating a position on the screen. Therefore, the selection can be made easily and surely. .

Further, in the invention of claim 4, the user can freely set the correspondence relationship suitable for the content of the data by the setting means, so that the data processing can be made efficient.

Further, in the invention of claim 5, the generating means comprises:
Since the heading image is generated when each data is generated or updated, the latest data content is reflected in the heading image.

Further, in the invention of claim 6, since the output means enlarges and displays the desired headline image, the contents of the headline image can be easily confirmed.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a data processing device (hereinafter referred to as "this device") which is an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The device is realized on a computer, and each function of the device is realized by operating the computer according to a predetermined procedure stored as a program. Therefore, the present apparatus will be described below assuming a virtual circuit block (means) having each function of the present apparatus.

First, the computer is generally a C
It has a PU (central processing unit) and a main storage device composed of a RAM (random writing / reading type storage element). The scale of the computer is arbitrary, and any scale such as a personal computer or a workstation may be used. The computer typically has an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, an external storage device such as a hard disk device, an output device such as a CRT display device and a printer printing device, and a necessary input / output control circuit. .

However, the configuration of the computer is arbitrary, and some of the above components may be added / changed / excluded as long as the contents of the present invention are not violated. For example, the type of CPU is arbitrary, and a plurality of CPUs may be used at the same time. Further, a single CPU may be used for time sharing (time sharing), and a plurality of processes may be simultaneously performed in parallel. Alternatively, a computer forming a network may be used. Further, in the computer, as an input device, another device, for example, a pointing device such as a touch panel, a light pen, a trackball, or a digitizer, an image input device such as an image reading device or a video camera, a voice identification device, and various sensors are used. You may use.

In the computer, another device such as a floppy disk device, a RAM card device, a magnetic tape device, an optical disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a bubble memory, or a flash memory is used as the external storage device. Good. Further, in the computer, as an output device, another device such as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, a video projector,
An LED display device, a sound generation circuit, and a voice synthesis circuit may be used. When using a printer printing device as an output device, the type is also free, for example, laser beam printer, inkjet printer, dot matrix printer, plotter printer, line printer, thermal transfer printer, discharge printer, electric typewriter, etc. Can be used for.

The software configuration of the computer is typically such that an OS (operating system) executes a program for realizing each function of the apparatus as an application program. Conceivable. However, the software configuration of the computer can be freely changed. For example, the OS does not necessarily have to be used, and each function of this device may be realized by a microprogram of a CPU.

The expression format of the program is also free, and typically, a high-level language or a machine language compiled (translated) from an assembler is considered, but an interpreter (sequential interpretation execution) language such as BASIC is used. You may use.

Each means in this specification is a conceptual one corresponding to each function realized by a computer, and does not necessarily mean mutually independent hardware. For example, one input unit and another input unit may be realized on the same keyboard, and similarly, one output unit and another output unit may be realized on the same image display device.
Further, one means may be realized by only one instruction or may be realized by a large number of instructions.

The storage mode of the program is also free, and it may be stored in a ROM (read-only memory) or stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk drive, when the computer is started, It may be loaded into the main memory at the start of processing. Alternatively, the program may be divided into a plurality of parts and stored in an external storage device, and only the necessary modules may be loaded (read) into the main memory at any time according to the processing content. further,
The parts of the program may be stored differently.

The "input" in this specification includes not only the original input of information but also other processing closely related to the input of information. Such processing is performed, for example, by echoing back the input content to the output device (output for confirmation),
It is correction / editing of input contents. In addition, "output" in this specification includes not only the original output of information but also other processing closely related to the output of information. Such processing is
For example, it is an input for limiting the output range or an instruction for scrolling information on the display screen. It should be noted that the input unit and the output unit may be realized as an integral part by an interactive interface method in actual implementation. Similarly, such integration of input and output can be applied to processing based on output information such as options such as “selection” and “specification”.

The storage means in this specification is for confirming the existence of information, and means all means capable of holding certain information for a certain period of time. Therefore,
The storage means in this specification does not mean only a specific information storage mode such as an external storage device or a file format. In particular, the cylindrical frame in the drawings of this specification is
It does not mean only a specific storage mode such as an external storage device such as a disk device or a file format.

The storage means referred to in this specification is sufficient if it can hold certain information for a certain period of time, and the mode of realization is arbitrary. The storage means is typically realized as a predetermined area on the main storage device. However, for example, the storage unit may be realized not only on the main storage device but also on the external storage device, and may use a register of the CPU or a cache memory. Further, when there are a plurality of storage means, the storage device in which each storage means is implemented may be of the same type or different types.

The storage means may be of any format, and may be realized by directly accessing the main memory or external storage device at an address or a physical recording position without taking the file format. Further, the storage means only needs to be temporarily present when necessary, and may disappear thereafter. Information that is not changed for the time being, such as a dictionary, may be stored in the ROM.

Further, each storage means does not have to be dedicated for the purpose of the present invention, and may simply serve as a portion for recording data. Further, the content and format of the information are arbitrary, and for example, the character string may be stored in the character unit code or the word unit code. Further, information stored in other storage means may be copied and used in each storage means.

Further, the description of the storage means does not deny the existence of information that is not specified regarding the storage means. Therefore, the device may provide other information necessary for the operation of the device (eg, various pointers, counters, flags, parameters,
Buffer, etc.) is used as appropriate.

Further, each step of each procedure in this embodiment may be executed in a different order, a plurality of steps may be executed at the same time, or a different order may be executed for each execution, as long as it does not violate its nature. Such an order change can be realized by a menu-type interface method, such as a user selecting an executable process.

The information required by each part of the apparatus for processing is obtained from other parts which hold the information based on the processing such as input, generation and storage unless otherwise noted. Such acquisition of information can be realized, for example, by accessing a variable or memory that stores the information. The information can be erased / erased by not actually deleting the content itself of the information from the storage area but by changing the meaning of the information, such as setting a flag indicating the deletion.

Although the apparatus is implemented on a computer, some of the functions of the apparatus may be implemented on a dedicated electronic circuit.

(1) Configuration of the Embodiment First, the purpose of this embodiment is to provide a data processing device in which the data content can be easily confirmed. Another object of the present embodiment is to provide a data processing device in which a program corresponding to data can be easily activated. Another object of the present embodiment is to provide a data processing device that can easily and surely select a heading image.
Further, another object of the present embodiment is to provide a data processing device which can make data processing efficient.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of this apparatus. That is, the present apparatus includes a data storage means 1 for storing data, a program storage means 2 for storing a program used for processing the data, and a generation means 3 for generating a heading image representing the content of each data based on the data. When,
It has a heading storage means 4 for storing each heading image and an output means 5 for outputting a list of each heading image. The headline storage unit 4 stores the correspondence between each headline image and at least one of the data and the program.

The present apparatus also includes a selecting means 6 for selecting a heading image, a starting means 7 for starting a program corresponding to the selected heading image and calling data corresponding to the heading image, and a program. It has a processing means 8 for processing data based on the above, and a setting means 9 for setting the correspondence.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a computer that realizes this apparatus. That is, this computer includes a keyboard 10 as an input device,
It has a mouse 11 as a pointing device, a CRT display device 12 as an output device, and a CPU, a main memory, and a hard disk device (not shown) built in a housing. These hardware are used not only for displaying the heading image and calling the program and data, but also for various inputs to the program and data and various outputs related to the program and data.

(2) Operation and effect of the embodiment The flowchart of FIG. 3 shows the operation procedure of the present apparatus. In this device, the user uses the processing means 8 (FIG. 1) to generate data by each program, but when the data is saved (step 38 in FIG. 3, corresponding to the first step). Then, the generating means 3 generates a heading image representing the content of each data based on each data (step 39 in FIG. 3, corresponding to the second step). This heading image can be generated by copying all or part of the data display screen,
It is also possible to thin out the color information and pixels of the display screen. The heading image may include any image such as characters, figures, and symbols. The generated headline image is stored in the headline storage means 4 (corresponding to the third step).

Then, in this apparatus, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a list of index images is output (list display) (step 31 in FIG. 3, corresponding to the fourth step).
In FIG. 4, the index images 18a to 18d are displayed in the list display screen 18 displayed on the CRT 12. Each of the index images 18a to 18d corresponds to a group of data, and the data corresponds to a specific program. For example,
The index image 18a represents data created by a word processor, the index images 18b and 18d represent data created by CAD, and the index image 18c represents data created by spreadsheet software. As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can check the content of the data without starting the program each time.

The user looks at this list display screen 18 and
An operation is input (step 32 in FIG. 3). At this time, since the user can make the selection by designating the position on the screen, the selection can be made easily and surely. That is, the position indicated by the mouse 11 (FIG. 2) is represented by the mouse cursor 13 (FIG. 4), and in order to activate the program, any one of the index images 18a to 18d is selected by the mouse cursor 13 and the It suffices to click (press a predetermined button of the mouse twice in succession at intervals of a predetermined time or less).

Further, in this step 32, the enlarged display can be selected. For this enlarged display, any one of the index images 18a, 18b, 18c or 18d can be designated by mouse clicking, and then the icon button [enlarge] on the screen can be selected. When an operation for enlarging the display is performed (step 33), one of the heading images 1
The contents of 8a, 18b, 18c or 18d are enlarged and displayed on the list display screen 18 (step 34). Using this enlarged display makes it easy to confirm the contents of the heading images 18a to 18d even when the heading images are crowded because the heading images 18a to 18d have small or large elements and the contents are difficult to understand.

The heading images 18a, 18b, 18c
Or, just select 18d and the index image 18
Alternatively, a, 18b, 18c or 18d may be enlarged and displayed, and the program may be started by clicking a predetermined area. In this case, the program contents can be started after confirming the data content to be processed by the enlarged heading images 18a, 18b, 18c or 18d.

When the operation to start the program is input (step 35), the starting means 7 starts the program corresponding to the selected heading image 18a, 18b, 18c or 18d (step 36), As processing targets of the program, the heading images 18a, 18b, 18
The data corresponding to c or 18d is called. Therefore, the user does not have to specify the program name or the data file name each time, and the headline images 18a, 18b, 1
The program corresponding to 8c or 18d can be easily started.

In FIG. 5, the user selects the CAD heading image 18b on the list display screen 18 of FIG.
It is an example of a display screen in a state where the program of D is activated. In this state, the CAD program is operating and the specific data corresponding to the index image 18b is called. Further, the menu bar and icon buttons in FIG. 5 are displayed by the CAD program, and when these are clicked with the mouse, a predetermined procedure in the CAD program is executed.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the correspondence relationship in this device. That is, the heading image 18 is provided in each of the four parts of the screen 18 which is vertically and horizontally divided into nine parts.
a to 18d correspond.

The headline storage means 4 stores the correspondence between each headline image 18a-18d and the data and programs. That is, each heading image 18a-1
8d constitutes the index image file 14, and this index image file 14 is stored in a part of the index storage means 4. An index file 15 is recorded in another area of the index storage unit 4, and the file names of programs and data corresponding to the index images 18a to 18d are recorded in this file 15.

For example, the index image 18b is associated with the index file 15b. In the index file 15b,
A program name and a data name corresponding to the headline image 18b are registered as a list. Here, the program name refers to the program file 19a, and the data name refers to the data file 19b. The data file 19b is
It usually consists of multiple files.

In this case, the user selects the heading image 1 on the screen.
When 8b is selected, the activation means 7 refers to these files, activates the program from the program file 19a, and automatically calls the data of the data file 19b as the processing target of this program.

Note that the user can freely set the correspondence relationship suitable for the content of the data by the setting means 9, so that the data processing can be made efficient. That is,
The user uses the setting means to set the index files 15a-1
The settings of the program name and data name registered in 5d can be freely changed. For example, when a program or data is called, another program or data that is closely related to the program or data may be called at the same time. In addition, a plurality of data are set as a group, and when any data in the group is called, other data in the same group is also called at the same time, and each data called in this way is a so-called It may be processed in multiple windows.

When the program is started, the user performs data processing and editing work on the keyboard 10 and the mouse 11.
Is performed (step 37), and when the editing of the data is completed, the edited data is saved in the data storage means 1 and the program ends (step 38). In this device, the heading image and the correspondence are updated not only when each data is generated for the first time but also when the data is saved and updated (step 39). Therefore, the latest data content is reflected in the heading image.

(3) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be carried out in various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. It also includes examples. For example, the type of data to be processed in the data processing device of the present invention is arbitrary, and for example, document data consisting of character codes, drawing data consisting of types of graphic elements and parameters, bitmap data, and combinations thereof can be used. Can be used. Further, the output of the list of heading images is to output a plurality of heading images in a state where they can be viewed at the same time, and a specific mode is arbitrary. For example, when there are many headline images, a predetermined number may be displayed on one screen and divided into a plurality of screens, or may be output from a printer printing device.

The heading image may be selected by displaying a unique number for each heading image and inputting this number from the keyboard. Also, a plurality of heading images may be selected at the same time. If the data can be displayed without depending on the program, such as a simple text file, only the data may be called without starting the program. Further, although the program corresponding to the index image is activated by performing a predetermined operation, the data corresponding to the index image may not be called.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, since it is possible to provide the data processing device and the data processing method in which the data content can be easily confirmed, the data processing can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a computer used in the data processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a screen display for outputting a list of index images in the data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen during program operation in the data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of a correspondence relationship in the data processing device according to the embodiment of this invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Program storage means 2 ... Data storage means 3 ... Generation means 4 ... Headline storage means 5 ... Output means 6 ... Selection means 7 ... Activation means 8 ... Data processing means 9 ... Setting means 10 ... Keyboard 11 ... Mouse 12 ... CRT 13 ... Mouse cursor 14 ... Headline image file 14a ... Headline image data 15a to 15d ... Index file 18 ... List display screen 18a to 18d ... Headline image 19a ... Program file 19b ... Data file 31 ... Each step of procedure

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data storage means for storing data, a program storage means for storing a program for processing the data, and a generation means for generating a heading image representing the content of each data based on each data. A data processing device comprising: a headline storage unit that stores the respective headline images; and an output unit that outputs a list of the respective headline images. 2. The headline storage means is configured to store a correspondence relationship between each of the headline images and at least one of the data or the program, and selects one or more of the headline images. And a starting means for activating at least one of a program corresponding to the selected heading image or a call of data corresponding to the heading image based on the correspondence relationship. The data processing device according to claim 1. 3. The output means is configured to display the heading image on a display screen, and the selection means is configured to perform the selection by designating a position on the display screen. The data processing device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising setting means for setting the correspondence relationship. 5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit is configured to generate the heading image when each of the data is generated or updated. 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output means is configured to display the desired heading image in an enlarged manner. 7. A first step of storing data, a second step of generating a heading image representing the contents of the respective data based on the respective data, and a third step of storing the respective heading images. A data processing method comprising: a step; and a fourth step of outputting a list of the respective heading images.