JPH0749901A - Active window management method at the time of dividing screen and cad device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute switching of an active window even when a plotting command is being executed. CONSTITUTION:This device is constituted of a CRT controller 71 for driving a display screen of a CRT 70 into plural windows, an information active window number 23 for showing which an operable screen is in the divided screens, a digitizer 60 for rewriting it, and a plotting command 16 for executing a screen operation command 54 by receiving an input from a keyboard 50, and generating graphic data in accordance with a prescribed event generated by the digitizer 60, and provided with functions of a plotting area processing 66 for extracting the prescribed event from a signal from the digitizer 60, and giving a timing for obtaining a coordinate to the plotting command 16, and the screen operation command 54 for extracting XY coordinate SW information 63, and rewriting active window information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for managing an active window when a screen is divided in a cad device and a cad device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a CAD system, it is sometimes convenient to divide a drawing area on a display screen into two or four parts when creating a drawing or editing a drawing. Of course, it is possible to reduce the entire screen on one screen, but in that case the details are difficult to see as a result of the reduction. (It will be called "window" if necessary)
It is convenient to work with. At this time, there is always only one window in which graphic input and graphic operation are possible at the same time. This window is generally called an active window, and the other windows are called inactive windows.

Incidentally, as an input device of the cad device, a coordinate input means (digitizer, mouse, etc.) is generally used in addition to a keyboard. Since both the digitizer and the mouse have a function of inputting the XY coordinates corresponding to the position designated by the operator to the computer, the coordinate input means will be hereinafter represented by the digitizer.

In the digitizer, a puck-shaped position indicator (referred to as a "cursor as a position indicator" or simply "cursor") is used as a position indicator which an operator can hold and move in the coordinate detection area. To use. When this cursor is moved on the plate surface (coordinate input surface) of the digitizer, the index (“cursor on screen” or simply “cursor”) displayed in the drawing area on the display screen as a crosshair, for example, corresponds to it. Since these two cursors move in a one-to-one correspondence with each other, there is little harm even if they are confused and used, so both of them will be confused and used as necessary below.

A switch (hereinafter referred to as "SW") is provided on the cursor as the position indicator, and the SW information is sent to the computer in addition to the XY coordinates. Conventionally, window activation at screen division in a cad device has been performed by hitting a desired screen with a cursor. here,
"Activation" means switching a window that has been in an active state until then to an inactive state, a desired screen that has been inactive until then into an active state, and switching the active window. Further, “hit the desired screen with the cursor” means turning on the SW while the cursor is moved to the desired screen. This hit is an event that is frequently used when starting a command or inputting coordinates in a cad device or the like. Here, an event refers to an event that triggers the generation of a signal input when the computer requires a signal input from the outside in order to perform some processing.

[0006]

As described above, in the active window, only the window is capable of screen operation, graphic operation, etc., and cannot be operated in the inactive state. . On the other hand, in general, commands such as figure selection and figure operation are inevitably accompanied by a cursor hit. For example, when inputting a line segment, the command is selected from the menu, etc., and then one end point is hit, and then the other end point is hit. The command is to hit the center point, then hit a point on the circumference, and so on.

Taking these two circumstances into consideration, when graphic input or graphic operation is performed over two windows, it is possible to input only within the range displayed in the window. This means, for example,
This means that when a user wants to draw a line segment between two windows, the start point and the end point must be displayed in each window in advance and the line segment creation command must be selected. When it was found that the end point position was actually outside the displayed range after selecting the line segment creation command, the line segment creation had to be abandoned.

An object of the present invention is to solve this problem, to provide a method capable of switching the active window at the time of screen division by a simpler operation, and to reduce the number of graphic operations between two windows. It is to provide a cad device that can be realized by operation.

In order to investigate in detail the cause of this problem,
The analysis of the conventional example will be tried with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a first conventional example.

The first conventional example shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The keyboard 50 and the digitizer 60 are input devices of the cad device, and the CRT 70 is a display device as an output device. The main body of the cad device is composed of a general computer. Key input controller 52, digitizer controller 64, screen operation command 54, CRT controller 71, drawing command 16, menu area processing 65, drawing area processing
66, menu reverse 67, active window processing 6
8. The cross-cursor display 69 shows the processing executed by the CPU of the computer by reading the necessary program. DB30, key data pool 53, XY
The coordinate SW information 63, the world coordinate 24, and the active window number 23 are information written at a predetermined address on the main memory of the computer and read as necessary, and may be stored in a secondary storage means such as a hard disk in some cases. It is saved. In addition, DB30 is data of a cad drawing, a cad database or a cad D
B is also called a drawing database or the like, and is hereinafter abbreviated as a cad DB or simply DB as necessary. Of the arrows drawn in FIG. 6, solid arrows show the flow of control, and broken arrows show the flow of data.

The individual data and processing depicted in FIG. 6 will be described. The key input controller 52 receives a signal input from the keyboard and delivers it to the screen operation command 54 or the drawing command 16 as useful information for the card device. If the signal input from the keyboard 50 is a character string input signal, etc., it is temporarily stored in the key data pool 53, and the character string data is input by the return key (RT key) input (passed to the drawing command 16). Be done). The signal input from the keyboard 50 is a control signal to the screen operation command 54 as a screen operation command start (scroll, enlargement, reduction, etc.) for inputting the arrow keys, roll-up key, roll-down key, etc. of the command assignment keys. To send. The screen operation command 54 is sent from the CRT controller 71 through the CRT based on the control signal.
Controls the display screen on 70. The CRT 70 has a DB (CARD DATABASE) under the control of the CRT controller 71.
Graphic data on 30 (generated by drawing command 16)
Is drawn, but the drawn content is the screen operation command
The signal from 54 is displayed after being translated and scaled.

On the other hand, the input signal from the digitizer 60 is processed by the digitizer controller 64. Roughly speaking, the processing of the digitizer controller 64 includes other processing (menu reverse 67, active window processing 68, cross cursor processing 69, etc.) for the XY coordinate SW information 63, which is the data sent from the digitizer, if necessary. It is to be delivered to. The digitizer controller 64 passes the processing to the menu area processing 65 when the XY coordinates are in the menu area, and passes the processing to the drawing area processing 66 when it is in the drawing area. Further, the menu area process 65 sends a command activation control signal to the drawing command 16 or the like when the SW (switch) is on, and performs the menu reverse 67 when the SW is off. The drawing command 16 is, for example, a command for creating a figure such as a line segment, a rectangle, or a circle. The menu reverse 67 reversely displays the menu corresponding to the input XY coordinates (display in a color other than the normal display)
This is the process of This is for clearly indicating to the operator the menu in the provisional selection state before the menu is determined.

The drawing area processing 66 displays an active window processing 68 when the SW is on, and a cross cursor display when the SW is off.
Hand over to 69. The active window processing 68 is X
If the Y coordinate (coordinates on the digitizer) is an inactive window area, that area is made active, the active window number 23 is rewritten, and that coordinate is set to world coordinates (coordinates usable for drawing commands).
, And at the same time, sends a control signal to the drawing command 16 to prompt input of coordinates. The cross-cursor display 69 displays an index having, for example, a cross shape at a position on the screen corresponding to the XY coordinates. Needless to say, this display is made by the CRT controller 71, but the arrow is omitted in order to avoid complication. The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 6 is based on the condition that the screen has already been divided, but the screen division itself can be made by a known method.

In the first conventional example shown in FIG. 6, a case of inputting a figure across two windows will be described. For example, consider the case of inputting a line segment across two windows. Now, assume that the line segment input of the drawing commands is selected by hitting a predetermined menu area. The drawing command 16 requests input of a start point and an end point that form a line segment. Active window processing
68, when there is a hit on any of the windows, if the window is an inactive window, the active window number 23 is rewritten (if it is an active window, it is not rewritten or is overwritten), and The XY coordinates, which are the digitizer coordinates acquired from the XY coordinate SW information 63, are converted into world coordinates (hereinafter also referred to as “xy coordinates” in lowercase letters if necessary) 24, and the drawing command 16
Send a control signal to prompt the coordinate input. The drawing command 16 is
In response to this, the active window number 23 and the world coordinates 24 are acquired, and the xy coordinates thereof are taken in as the first point of the line segment. Next, when the second point is input in a window different from the window in which the first point is input, the active window processing 68 rewrites the active window number 23 in the same manner as above, and further changes the XY coordinates into xy coordinates. Convert it and prompt the drawing command 16 to input coordinates. Construction command
In accordance with that, 16 takes in the coordinates as the second point, generates a line segment database, and stores it in the DB 30.

As described above, the first conventional example shown in FIG.
Since the active window is switched and the coordinates are input at the same time by hitting the second point, there is a convenient surface when the second point is to be input within the range displayed on the inactive window. However, if you try to input the second point and bring the cursor to that window, but if it is found that the point you want to input is not displayed in that window, the drawing command (line I had to give up the execution of the plotting command). This is because the screen operation command 54 refers to the active window number 23 and executes a screen operation such as a scroll process on the active window. Therefore, when executing a drawing command across two windows in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, first make sure that all the points desired to be input are surely displayed in both windows. I had to start the command from.

Since the first conventional example shown in FIG. 6 is an example of some conventional examples, other conventional examples will be considered. FIG. 12 shows a device configuration of a second conventional example. CPU1 as the center of the computer of the cad device
The bus 2 is connected to the bus 2, and the main storage means 3 is connected to the bus 2.
And the secondary storage means 4 are connected. A cad is a set of multiple programs in terms of software,
It is stored in the secondary storage means 4 as a plurality of files. Then, if necessary, it is read into the main storage means 3, and the CPU 1 executes the processing according to the program. It should be noted that although a ROM or the like in which a program for processing to be performed at the first power-on is written is required as the configuration of the computer, it is not particularly related to the card, so that FIG.
It is omitted in 2. In addition, although not shown, it is assumed that the computer has a general configuration.

The secondary storage means 4 is composed of, for example, a hard disk, and stores not only a program file but also data such as a graphic DB.
Further, the main storage means 3 is a so-called main memory, and when the memory is added and expanded and used, it includes them. Not only the necessary program files are read into the main storage means 3, but also necessary information is written and read during the processing. On the bus 2, a keyboard 50 is provided via a KB interface 51 and a digitizer 60 is provided via a DG interface 61.
However, the display device 70 has a print output means 82 and an output interface via the display device controller 71 and the video RAM 72.
A plotter 80 and a printer 90 are provided via 81. The KB interface 51 is a device configuration that converts an input signal from the keyboard 50 into a signal that can be transmitted to the CPU 1 of the computer. The DG interface is a device configuration that converts a signal from the digitizer 60 into a signal that can be transmitted to the CPU 1. When the digitizer 60 and a computer communicate with each other by, for example, the RS-232C standard,
This is a so-called RS-232C interface.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a second conventional example. In FIG. 13, the keyboard device 50, the digitizer 60, the display device 70, etc. in FIG.
It is positioned as Further, the CPU 1 executes various processes according to the program stored in the secondary storage means 4 as described above and read into the main storage means 3 as necessary. Focusing on whether or not the program is being executed, the expression "○○ means" is used in correspondence with the function, and the relationship between them is shown by a spatial positional relationship, that is, a functional block diagram. Therefore, the input signal processing means 11, the keyboard input processing means 52, the menu processing means 12, the area determination means 13, the tablet driver 62, the drawing processing means 14, the drawing processing means 15, R drawn in the frame of the cad device 10 are shown.
B (rubber band) display means 73, graphic development means 74, etc.
For convenience of explanation, the role played by the CPU 1 shown in FIG. 12 is disassembled and drawn. Coordinate conversion information 21, menu information 22, active window information 23, xy coordinates 24,
Number of hits already entered 25, figure DB 30, XY coordinate SW information 63
Etc. are written at a predetermined address in the main storage means 3 and are read or updated as needed, and are stored in the secondary storage means 4 in some cases.

The problem in the present invention is the active window switching at the time of screen division. However, since the problem is grasped in relation to the drawing process, FIG. 13 shows only the necessary process in that connection. It is extracted and drawn. Since the screen division itself is a well-known function, its processing is omitted. Now, assume that the screen is already divided, for example, the screen is divided into four.
Signals for operating the screen from the keyboard 50, for example, up / down scroll (for example, up / down arrow key input), left / right scroll (for example, left / right arrow key input), enlarged scaling (for example, roll up key input), reduced scaling (for example, roll down key) Input). The signal is input signal processing means via the KB interface 51.
Propagated to 11. This input signal processing has a central role in the active window switching.
When the input signal is from the keyboard,
The input signal processing means 11 sends the signal to the keyboard input processing means 52. The keyboard input processing means 52 refers to the active window information 23 and the coordinate conversion information 21,
The screen operation command is transmitted to the display device controller 71, and the coordinate conversion information 21 is updated. The display device controller 71 operates the display screen on the display device 70 by translating or scaling the image on the video RAM 72 based on the instruction.

On the other hand, the processing of the input signal from the digitizer 60 is performed by a slightly more complicated processing. Digitizer
The data sent from the 60 to the computer side is XY coordinates (XY coordinates defined on the digitizer are in XY capital letters.
We will refer to them as coordinates. ) And SW information (information about ON / OFF of the switch), the speed is mainly determined based on the specifications of the digitizer as a hardware device, and it depends on the manufacturer and model, but it is fast. It is about 200 times per minute and about 50 times for slower ones. Even if it is slower than this, it does not mean that it cannot be used, but if it is too slow, it may cause inconvenience that the RB (rubber band) display described later is not smooth or that the cursor is likely to be lost. The data transmission speed of the digitizer 60 may be adjustable within the digitizer itself,
Generally, it is sent out at the maximum speed of the digitizer, and the software is supported on the computer side. The means is the tablet driver 62. Tablet driver 62
Seen in terms of software, is so-called driver software, which is read into the main storage means 3 and functions. The signal input from the digitizer 60 is sent to the tablet driver 62 via the DG interface 61.
The tablet driver uses the XY coordinate SW information from the signal.
It is also possible to extract 63, thin it out if necessary, and deliver it to the input signal processing means 11. However, it is also possible to set the timing of inputting the coordinate information and the like to the timing when the input signal processing means 11 requests the coordinates.

The input signal processing means 11 cooperates with the area determining means 13 to hand over the processing to the menu processing means 12 if the XY coordinates are the menu area, and display the XY coordinates if it is the drawing area. The device controller 71 is notified and the cursor is displayed on the screen. Further, the area judging means 13 judges whether the XY coordinates inputted by referring to the active window information 23 belong to the active area or the inactive area, and when it is the active area, the drawing processing means.
The XY coordinate and SW information are delivered to 14. If it is in the non-active area, it is judged whether or not the SW information is on, and if it is on, the active window information 23 is rewritten and the process returns. This is nothing but the fact that the active window is switched. When the SW is off, the process returns without performing any processing. For this return, the input means 11 sends the next XY
This means returning to where to get the coordinate SW information 63.

Since the subject of the present invention is the active window switching process in relation to the drawing process, the drawing process means 14 and the post-drawing process means 15 will also be considered. Roughly speaking, the processing executed by the drawing processing means 14 refers to the menu information 22 to acquire the requested hit count and acquire the coordinates until the requested hit count is satisfied. Then, it is delivered to the post-drawing processing means 15. Post-drawing processing means
15 generates the figure DB 30 based on it. The generated graphic DB 30 is stored in the video RAM 72 by the graphic expanding means 74.
It is developed on the screen and displayed on the display device 70. Further, the RB display means 73 temporarily displays in a simulation manner before the final determination while the drawing processing means 14 is drawing. Unlike the XY coordinates referred to in the XY coordinate SW information 63, the xy coordinates 24 are not the coordinates on the digitizer,
The coordinates (world coordinates) directly connected to the drawing input on the active window, that is, the work area. The coordinate conversion information 21 is information required to convert the XY coordinates into the xy coordinates.
52 and the menu processing means 12. The reason why the menu processing means 12 is also used for updating is that the scroll screen operation is also possible by the menu operation. The drawing processing means 14 refers to the coordinate conversion information 21 and then converts the XY coordinates into xy coordinates and fetches them.

Next, referring to the flow charts of FIGS. 7 to 11, the second conventional example will be examined while tracing the passage of time. It should be noted that these flowcharts describe the flow of processing centered on the input signal processing. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the active window switching method of the second conventional example. First, when the split screen input signal processing is started (step 900), active window information is acquired (step 901). This is for identifying the screen to which the keyboard input process or the drawing process is applied. Input signal processing at the time of this screen division,
As described above, the input signal processing means 11 in FIG.
It is executed in cooperation with the area determination means 13. Next, it is determined whether the input signal is a keyboard input (step 902) or a digitizer input (step 903). This judgment can be made based on the difference in the data structure. If it is a keyboard input, the process proceeds to the keyboard input process shown in FIG. 8 (step 200). If neither,
Return (904). This return means returning to step 901. Although not shown in the figure to avoid complication, the acquired information (for example, here, step 901 is used).
If there is active window information obtained in step 2,
Discard it and return (the same applies below).

In case of digitizer input, XY coordinate S
The W information 63 is acquired (step 905), and it is determined whether it is the menu area (step 906) or the drawing area (step 907). Although illustration is omitted here to avoid complexity, it is necessary to refer to the menu area definition information in order to determine whether or not the area is the menu area. This is because, for example, as in the case where a dialog box, which is a so-called subordinate menu, is opened, the menu may be opened in a portion that is normally the drawing area. If it is the menu area, the process proceeds to the menu process (step 300). If neither is found, the process returns (step 908).

In the case of the drawing area, the cursor is displayed on the screen (step 909) to determine whether it is the active area (step 910) or whether it is the inactive area (step 9).
Judge 11). If it is the active area, the process proceeds to drawing processing (step 400). If neither, then return (step 912). This is because the input of the invalid area is excluded.

If it is an inactive area, a predetermined S
It is determined whether W is on (step 913), and if it is on, the active window information is rewritten (step 9).
15) and return (step 916). If the SW is not on, the process returns without doing anything (step 914).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the keyboard input process. Step 9 of input signal processing shown in FIG.
When it is determined that the input signal is a keyboard input signal in 02, this processing is started (step 200). Roll up (step 201) or roll down (step 20)
3), the arrow keys (step 205) are sequentially determined, and the display device controller 71 is instructed to perform enlargement processing (step 202), reduction processing (step 204), and scroll processing (step 600), respectively. After that, the coordinate conversion information is rewritten (step 206) and the process returns (step 207). If the key is not any key, the process proceeds to another process (step 500), but it is omitted because it is not directly related to the problem of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the menu processing. If it is determined in step 906 shown in FIG. 7 that the area is the menu area, menu processing (step 300)
Is started. First, it is determined whether or not a predetermined SW is on (step 301), and if it is off, the process returns (step 302). Next, it is judged whether or not it is a drawing menu (step 303). The drawing menu here is line segment, circle,
It is a menu for inputting arcs, rectangles, triangles, etc. If a menu other than the drawing menu is selected, the process proceeds to other menu processing (step 60).
0). Since the processing in this case is not directly related to the subject of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted. If it is a drawing menu, the selected menu is written in the menu information together with the requested number of hits (step 304). This writing means an update if there is previously written information. This is to enable reselection when the menu selection is incorrect. Then, the process returns (step 305). This is because the coordinates required for figure input are acquired.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the drawing process. When it is determined in step 910 in FIG. 7 that the area is the active area, this drawing process is started (step 4
00). First, referring to the coordinate conversion information 21, the XY coordinates are converted into xy coordinates on the active window (step 401). This is because the coordinates (world coordinates) are useful for creating a figure. Next, it is determined whether the menu information 22 has been written (step 402), and if there is, it is obtained (step 404). Step 4
This is because the number of required hits required for the determination in 10 is acquired, and the data necessary for generating the graphic DB is acquired in step 701 of the post-drawing processing described later. When there is no menu information, the process returns (step 403). This is because there is no need to obtain the coordinates because no menu selection has been made.

Next, it is judged whether or not a predetermined SW is on (step 405), and if it is off, the process returns (step 40).
6). This is because only the information at the time of hit is taken in.
When the SW is on, it is checked whether or not there are already acquired xy coordinates (step 407). If not, the xy coordinates are obtained (step 410), but if there is, further,
It is checked whether or not the acquired coordinates and (x, y) match (step 408). If they match, the process returns (step 409). If they do not match, the xy coordinates are acquired (step 410). ). The reason for this processing will be described. As described above, the digitizer sampling speed (the speed at which the digitizer detects coordinates) is extremely fast.
Now suppose that it is 100 times a second. by the way,
The switch provided on the cursor is limited to what is called a mechanical switch, and it is limited to a human being to operate the switch. However, there is a limit to how short the period in which the switch is in the ON state can be. Assuming that this limit is 0.1 seconds, it takes 0.1 seconds for the computer to finish receiving a series of processes and receive an input signal again.
It does not take a second, so no matter how hard you try, two signals with the switch on will be input in succession. This means that if the judgment in steps 407 and 408 is not made, for example, when trying to input a line segment, when the first point is hit as the starting point, the second hit is also input at the same point. This means that you will enter points instead of line segments. In order to prevent this, the problem can be solved by changing the frequency with which the input processing means 11 requests input information. However, as described above, the awkwardness of the RB display becomes a problem this time, and the cursor may not be tracked on the screen due to poor tracking performance. Therefore, steps 407 and 408 are provided so that information that is continuously input is not accepted. However, there is also a method in which the on / off state of the SW is monitored and the next coordinate is not acquired unless the switch is once turned off and then turned on again. Here, the same xy coordinates are taken into consideration in consideration of the grid. The grid is a process in which coordinates that are too fine for drawing are rounded to preset grid points because it is difficult to work on the contrary. Although not mentioned earlier when the coordinate conversion information 21 was described, the fineness of this grid is managed by the coordinate conversion information 21. Therefore, the coordinate transformation in step 401 takes this grid into consideration, and step 4
The 08 coordinate identity is for the rounded result considering the grid.

After acquiring the xy coordinates (step 410) and updating the input hit count (step 411), it is determined whether the input hit count has reached the requested hit count (step 412). If not satisfied, the process returns (step 413) to further acquire the coordinates. If the requested number of hits is satisfied, the process proceeds to post-plotting processing (step 700),
After the series of post-drawing processes is completed (step 706), the process returns (step 414).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the post-drawing processing. When it is determined in step 412 of FIG. 10 that the input hit count has reached the requested hit count, the process proceeds to the post-drawing process (step 700). This post-drawing process generates a graphic DB (database) 30 (step 701),
The generated database is stored (step 702), the acquired xy coordinates are deleted (step 703), the input hit count is initialized to zero (step 704), and the menu information is deleted (step 705).

In the above, the active window switching method of the conventional example has been briefly described in relation to the drawing processing, but the problem described at the beginning will be specifically examined with reference to these flowcharts. To do.

First, the flow will be followed for the case of inputting a line segment without switching the active window. When the line segment input menu area is hit, steps 901 and 9
02, 903, 905, 906, 300, 301, 30
The flow proceeds to 3, 304, 305, the line segment menu is selected, the requested hit number (2 in this case) is written in the menu information, and the process returns. At this time, even if the same signal is input several times in succession, this flow is only repeated, and there is no problem because the writing in step 304 means to overwrite the already written information as described above. The same applies when the menu is selected again. If you hit the first point in the active area, steps 901, 902,
903, 905, 906, 907, 909, 910, 4
00, 401, 402, 404, 405, 407, 41
After 0, 411 and 412, the process returns to step 901. At this time, if the same signal is continuously input, step 40
7,408,409 are excluded. Here, if the second point is hit without switching the active window, the process similarly proceeds to step 412 and the post-drawing process (step 70
Enter 0). Since there is a step 705 of deleting the menu information and initializing it in the post-drawing processing, even if the same signal is input continuously, there is no problem because it is skipped from step 402 to step 403. Thus, executing the line segment input without switching the active window can be realized without problems in the second conventional example.

Next, consider a case where the second point is hit within the range currently displayed on the inactive window while inputting the line segment. The same process as described above is performed for the menu selection and the first hit. If the second hit is on the inactive window, steps 901, 902, 903, 905, 90
6, 907, 909, 910, 911, 913, 915
And the active window information is rewritten, that is, the active window is switched and the process returns (step 9).
16). At this time, if the same signal is input,
Steps 901, 902, 903, 905, 906, 9
After 07, 909, and 910, this same point is a point on the active window, so the process proceeds to the drawing process 400 and steps 401, 402, 404, and 40.
5, 407, 408 and 410, the coordinates of the point at which the coordinates have been acquired and the window has been activated are input as the second point. This is convenient because it is not necessary to do it twice when it is desired to input the point currently displayed on the inactive window as the second point. However, as pointed out at the beginning, if the second point to be input is slightly out of the display range on the inactive window, the operator is forced to give up the line segment input. It was. Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to make the window active once to bring a desired point within the display range and then start the menu selection again. As described above, this is a problem common to both the first conventional example and the second conventional example.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of changing the active window even while a drawing command is being executed, and a cad device suitable for the method, even if the drawing command is being executed.

[0037]

In order to solve the above problems, the active window management method for dividing a screen according to the present invention is created by the drawing means of the cad device acquiring coordinates by an event from the coordinate input means. The display screen for displaying the drawing result is divided, and one of the windows is managed as an active window by the active window information so that only the active window can be operated, and the active window information is generated by any event from the coordinate input means. In the active window management method at the time of screen division for rewriting, the active window information is rewritten when the event information different from the event for the coordinate acquisition of the drawing means is obtained.

Further, the display screen for displaying the drawing result created by the drawing means of the cad device acquiring the coordinates by the event from the coordinate input means is divided, and one of the windows is used as the active window according to the active window information. In the active window management method at the time of screen division in which the active window information is managed and made operable only in the active window, and the active window information is rewritten by some event from the coordinate input means, the active window information can be operated by key input. Key active window information that specifies a specific active window and digital active window information that specifies the active window that can be input for coordinate input are separately managed and assigned to screen operation commands. When there is a keyboard input by the key, the key input window signal is received, the key operation window information is referred to, a screen operation command is executed for a window in which key input is possible according to the key active window information, and a predetermined When there is a coordinate input signal, the coordinate input signal is received, the digiactive window information is referred to, and a drawing command is executed for a window in which coordinates can be input according to the digiactive window information.

Further, in the above structure, an event for coordinate input from the coordinate input means is a switch operation of the position indicator, and an event for switching active window information or key active window information is a cursor as a position indicator. When the cursor as a position indicator is placed on the coordinate detection surface of the coordinate input means corresponding to the divided screen as an operation to place on the coordinate detection surface of the coordinate input means corresponding to the divided screen, the active window information is displayed. Alternatively, it is preferable to rewrite the key active window information.

Further, the cad device according to the present invention comprises display means for displaying the drawn figure, screen division means for dividing the display screen of the display means into a plurality of windows for display, and the divided plurality of windows. Of the screens, the active window information, which is information relating to which screen is operable, coordinate input means for generating some event for rewriting the active window information, and predetermined coordinate independent of the coordinate input means. A keyboard for generating a key input signal, screen operation means for executing a screen operation command upon receipt of a predetermined key input from the keyboard, and coordinate information acquisition in accordance with a predetermined event generated by the coordinate input means. In a cad device having a drawing means for creating graphic data, a predetermined event is input from the coordinate input means. From the input signal from the coordinate input means, which is different from the event acquired by the coordinate acquisition event determining means for giving the timing of coordinate acquisition to the drawing means and the event extracted by the coordinate acquisition event determining means. Window switching event determining means for extracting and rewriting the active window information.

Display means for displaying the drawn figure, screen dividing means for displaying the display screen of the display means by dividing the display screen into a plurality of windows, and operable screen among the plurality of divided screens. Active window information, which is information regarding which screen is displayed, coordinate input means for generating some event for rewriting the active window information, and a keyboard for generating a predetermined key input signal independently of the coordinate input means. A screen operation means for executing a screen operation command in response to a predetermined key input from the keyboard, and a drawing means for acquiring coordinate information and creating graphic data according to a predetermined event generated by the coordinate input means. In the cad device, the active window information is a window that enables screen operation by key input. Has two pieces of information independent of each other, that is, the key active window information for specifying the key active window information and the digital active window information capable of drawing operation by coordinate input, and the coordinate input means rewrites each of the two independent information. When the screen operation means has two different event generating means and executes the screen operation based on a predetermined key input, the screen operation means performs the screen operation on the operation target specified by the key active window information. , And has a relationship of referring to the key active window information with the key active window information, and when the drawing means executes a drawing operation based on a predetermined coordinate input, it is specified by the digital active window information. In order to execute the drawing operation for the operation target, The relationship of additional information can be made to have between the digital Akuteibu window information.

[0042]

[Operation] Rewriting the active window information by an event different from the coordinate acquisition event
It operates so that the switching of the active window and the coordinate input are handled independently.

The independent management of the key active window information and the digital active window information works so that the window can be operated by key input even for the window which is the inactive window due to the digital active window information. .

By setting the operation of placing the cursor on the coordinate detection surface corresponding to the divided screen as the event of rewriting the active window information, the active window can be switched by a very simple operation using the cursor position indicator. Work like to.

By providing at least two types of event determination means, different events can be used respectively for coordinate input and active window switching.

Providing two types of active window information serves to manage screen operations and drawing operations independently.

[0047]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of the active window switching method of the present invention. This first embodiment is an improvement of the first conventional example shown in FIG. The same components as those in the first conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals. In the first conventional example shown in FIG. 6, when a predetermined key input is made, the screen operation command 54 refers to the active window number 23, specifies the window to be the screen operation target, and specifies that window. Screen operations such as scrolling and enlarging / reducing. On the other hand, in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the screen operation command 54 refers to the XY coordinate SW information 63 without referring to the active window number 23 when there is a predetermined key input, The window corresponding to the XY coordinates (digitizer coordinates) (that is, corresponding to the cursor position) is specified as the active window related to the key input, and the screen operation is executed on the window.

This first embodiment contains four ideas (inventions) depending on the viewpoint.

First, when paying attention to what the event is, as for inputting the coordinates into the drawing command 16, the event is hit by the cursor (that is, in the state where the cursor is carried to a desired position). The cursor is turned on), but events other than the cursor hit are used for switching the active window.

Secondly, when paying attention to the active window information, in the conventional example, the active window number 23 is only the window specified by the number for the screen operation by the key input and the coordinate input by the coordinate input means. In contrast, the active window information 23 in the first embodiment of the present invention only specifies a window that can be input only for coordinate input, and the key It has no character as an active window for input. This leads to the idea that the active window information is managed by dividing it into key active window information that specifies a window that can be operated for key input and digital active window information that can be input for coordinate input. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it can be considered that the XY coordinate SW information 63 is used as the key active window information.

Thirdly, the idea is to adopt the operation of placing the cursor on the coordinate input surface corresponding to the desired screen as an event other than the hit of the cursor. Here, in FIG. 1, the digitizer 60 is shown as a representative of the coordinate input means, but the same can be done even when the coordinate input means is a mouse. Unlike the digitizer, it cannot be placed at the absolute position on the coordinate detection surface, but the mouse cursor on the screen can be moved freely because it is the same as the digitizer cursor.

Fourth, the idea of providing two event determining means. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, X
A coordinate acquisition event determining means for giving the timing of coordinate acquisition to the drawing command 16 by determining that the Y coordinate is in the drawing area and the SW is on;
Two event determining means are provided, one being a window switching event determining means (which is not shown in the figure, the screen operation command 54 plays its role) for determining which window area the coordinates are in and rewriting the active window information. is there.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a second embodiment of the active window switching method of the present invention. Regarding the device configuration, the same as in FIG. 12 showing the second conventional example,
Regarding the functional block diagram, FIG. 13 showing the second conventional example is shown.
Since it is the same as, the description will be omitted. The second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is an improvement of the second conventional example shown in FIG. Descriptions of points common to the second conventional example will be omitted. The difference between the second embodiment and the second conventional example is the difference in the event or event determining means for rewriting the active window information. In the second conventional example shown in FIG. 7, the active window information is rewritten (step 915) when it is a non-active area (step 911) and a predetermined SW is on.
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, when it is the inactive area (step 111), the active window information is rewritten without determining whether the SW is turned on or off. The second embodiment can be regarded as a product obtained by applying the first idea to the second conventional example, a product provided with the third idea, or a product having the fourth idea.

The second embodiment can be regarded as one in which one step is omitted from the flow chart of the second conventional example, but nevertheless, a useful improvement is added to the conventional example. This is because it has been customary to use a cursor hit as an event used for command execution and the like. For example, in the case of a mouse, you can hit it even if you look at various commercially available distribution software (in the case of a mouse, move the mouse cursor to the desired position and press the switch, in the case of a digitizer, move the cursor Most of the time, it is used to bring the cursor to a desired position and press the switch) as an event, and there is no example in which the event is simply to bring the cursor to that position. The second embodiment is an innovative one that breaks down such a conventional tradition and proposes a new usage of a mouse or a digitizer cursor.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a third embodiment of the active window switching method of the present invention. The third embodiment is another method of improvement of the second conventional example (different from the second embodiment). In the second conventional example, when the active window information was rewritten, the same input signal was taken in also in the drawing process (step 400), so there was a disadvantage that the active window was switched and the coordinate input was made at one time. . In order to solve this, as a method of making those events different from each other, after determining the inactive area (step 811) and the SW ON (step 813) and rewriting the active window information (step 815). , In step 816,
The XY coordinates at that time are written in the XY hit information, and the drawing processing (step 450) is also performed.
The processing of steps 460, 461, 463, and 464 is inserted to eliminate the input of the same signal. This is an embodiment that falls within the scope of the above idea because it can be seen that the drawing command has made the event determination means for acquiring coordinates more complicated.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the third embodiment. Since it is almost the same as the functional block diagram of the second conventional example shown in FIG. 13, detailed description will be omitted. The only improvement is the existence of XY hit information 41. The XY hit information 41 is updated when the area determination means 13 rewrites the active window information, and the information is updated by the drawing processing means 14.
Is referred to when determining whether to acquire coordinates.

As described above, the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the present invention,
Having described a third embodiment, reference will be made to other useful embodiments. Regarding the idea that an event different from the coordinate acquisition event is the active window switching event, as an example that the inventor recognizes as the best one, the cursor is moved to the window (the area on the coordinate input means corresponding to the window). ) Has been mentioned (first embodiment). However, as another embodiment, a fourth embodiment in which, for example, another switch (right button in the case of a mouse) of a cursor as a position indicator is used is also possible.

Further, as a fifth embodiment, there can be mentioned an embodiment in which when the same switch is used, the on / off rise and fall are observed. That is, it detects the event that the switch turns from off to on and switches the active window.
It detects the event of turning from off to on and gets the coordinates. In this case, for example, when trying to input the end point during execution of the line drawing command in the inactive window, if it is found that the desired input point is not displayed, first move the cursor in that window. Switch on the switch, and without releasing the finger, operate the arrow keys (roll down key if necessary) of the keyboard with the other hand to execute the scroll process (reduction process). When the desired point is displayed, move the cursor to that position and release the switch. By this operation, it is possible to freely execute drawing commands across two windows. In this case, when the desired point is displayed from the beginning, the operator does not have to be aware that the coordinates will be acquired at the fall, and the coordinates may be input when the switch is turned on normally. It can be operated without distinction.

[0060]

[Effects] The active window management method according to the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, and therefore has the following effects.
Since the active window information is rewritten by an event different from the coordinate acquisition event, switching of the active window and coordinate input can be handled independently.

Since the key active window information and the digital active window information are managed independently, the screen operation can be performed by key input even for the window which is the inactive window due to the digital active window information.

Since the operation of placing the cursor on the coordinate detection plane corresponding to the divided screen is the event of rewriting the active window information, the active window can be switched by a very simple operation using the cursor position indicator.

By providing at least two types of event determining means, different events can be used for coordinate input and active window switching.

Further, by providing two types of active window information, screen operation and drawing operation can be managed independently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of an active window switching method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the active window switching method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the active window switching method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a drawing process forming a part of the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a first conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing keyboard input processing which constitutes a part of the second conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing menu processing which constitutes a part of the second conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a drawing process forming a part of the second conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing post-drawing processing which constitutes a part of drawing processing which is a part of the second conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a second conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 Bus 3 Main Storage Means 4 Secondary Storage Means 10 Cradle Device 11 Input Signal Processing Means 12 Menu Processing Means 13 Area Judging Means 14 Drawing Processing Means 15 Drawing Post-Processing Means 16 Drawing Commands 21 Coordinate Conversion Information 22 Menu Information 23 Active Window information 24 xy coordinates 25 Number of hits entered 30 Graphic DB (drawing data) 50 Keyboard 51 KB interface 52 Key input controller 53 Key data pool 54 Screen operation command 60 Digitizer 61 DG interface 62 Tablet driver 63 XY coordinate SW information 64 Digitizer controller 65 Menu area processing 66 Drawing area processing 67 Menu reverse 68 Active window processing 69 Crosshair cursor display 70 Display device (CRT) 71 Display device (CRT) controller 72 Video RAM 73 RB display means 74 Graphic expansion means 80 Plotter 81 Output interface Interface 82 printout unit 90 printer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A display screen for displaying a drawing result created by the drawing means of the cad device acquiring coordinates by an event from the coordinate input means is divided, and one of the windows is used as an active window according to the active window information. In the active window management method at the time of screen division, in which the active window information is managed and made operable only in the active window, and the active window information is rewritten by some event from the coordinate input means, the event for the coordinate acquisition of the drawing means An active window management method at the time of screen division, characterized in that rewriting of the active window information is executed when information of an event different from the above is obtained. 2. A display screen for displaying a drawing result created by the drawing means of the cad device acquiring coordinates by an event from the coordinate input means is divided, and one of the windows is used as an active window according to the active window information. In the active window management method at the time of screen division in which the active window information is managed and made operable only in the active window, and the active window information is rewritten by some event from the coordinate input means, the active window information can be operated by key input. The active window information that specifies the active window and the digital active window information that specifies the active window that can be entered for coordinate input are separately managed, and the screen operation commands are assigned. When there is a keyboard input by a key, the input signal is received, the key active window information is referred to, the screen operation command is executed for the window in which the key can be input according to the key active window information, and the predetermined coordinate input is performed. When there is a signal, the coordinate input signal is received, the digiactive window information is referenced, and a drawing command is executed for a window in which coordinates can be input according to the digiactive window information. Active window management method. 3. The active window management method for dividing a screen according to claim 1, wherein an event for coordinate input from the coordinate input means is a switch operation of a position indicator, and active window information or key active window information. As an operation of placing an event for switching the position indicator on the coordinate detection surface of the coordinate input means corresponding to the divided screen, the cursor as the position indicator corresponds to the coordinate input means corresponding to the divided screen. The active window management method at the time of screen division, which is characterized by rewriting the active window information or the key active window information when placed on the coordinate detection surface of. 4. Display means for displaying a drawn figure,
Screen dividing means for displaying the display screen of the display means by dividing the display screen into a plurality of windows; and active window information which is information regarding which screen is operable among the plurality of divided screens. A coordinate input means for generating some event for rewriting the active window information, a keyboard for generating a predetermined key input signal independently of the coordinate input means, and a screen operation command upon receiving a predetermined key input from the keyboard. In a cad device having a screen operation means for executing the above and a drawing means for obtaining coordinate information in accordance with a predetermined event generated by the coordinate input means to create graphic data, a predetermined event is transmitted from the coordinate input means. Coordinate acquisition event determination means which extracts from the input signal and gives the timing of coordinate acquisition to the drawing means And a window switching event determination means for extracting an event of the coordinate input means different from the event extracted by the coordinate acquisition event determination means from the input signal from the coordinate input means and rewriting the active window information. A cad device characterized in that 5. Display means for displaying a drawn figure,
Screen dividing means for displaying the display screen of the display means by dividing the display screen into a plurality of windows; and active window information which is information regarding which screen is operable among the plurality of divided screens. A coordinate input means for generating some event for rewriting the active window information, a keyboard for generating a predetermined key input signal independently of the coordinate input means, and a screen operation command upon receiving a predetermined key input from the keyboard. In a cad device having a screen operation means for executing the above, and a drawing means for acquiring coordinate information in accordance with a predetermined event generated by the coordinate input means to create graphic data, the active window information is a screen operation by key input. Key active window information that specifies a window that can be used, and coordinate input It has two pieces of information independent from each other and the digital active window information capable of drawing operation by the coordinate input means, and the coordinate input means has at least two different event generating means for rewriting the two independent information, respectively. A relation in which the screen operation means refers to the key active window information in order to execute the screen operation for the operation target specified by the key active window information when executing the screen operation based on a predetermined key input. Between the key active window information and the drawing means, when the drawing means executes the drawing operation based on a predetermined coordinate input, executes the drawing operation for the operation target specified by the digital active window information. Therefore, the relationship of referring to the digital active window information is set to the digital active window. Kiyado apparatus characterized by having between the c information.