JPH08234955A - Method and system for icon control in data-processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively manage icons by forming a window in a small rectangle having a narrow width in the horizontal direction and a long length in the vertical direction and arranging the icons in a bookshelf area so that the icons can have unique symbols. SOLUTION: A window 28 is formed in a rectangle having a narrow width in the horizontal direction and a long length in the vertical direction as the back of a book has and iconized into icons 30, 32, and 34 each of which has such a single width size that can house a character title. The window is turned counterclockwise by 90 deg. and the icons 30, 32, and 34 are arranged in a section called 'bookshelf' at the lower left corner of a display screen. Therefore, the icons 30, 32, and 34 appear like the backs of books arranged on a bookshelf. The title is an unequivocal symbol belonging to the icons and can be distinguished visually from other icons arranged in another small-sized window.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to data processing methods and systems. In particular, it concerns systems and methods for managing and arranging multiple windows, and for windows to be miniaturized into icons depending on the graphical interface seen by the user.

[0002]

Data processing systems include using a graphical user interface to simulate a desktop on a display or monitor. Each program is presented to the user in a window. Then, this window is reduced to an icon or a unique symbol, and each program is identified by the icon or the unique symbol. Effective organization and management of windows and their icons is important because the system launches so many programs that they appear in separate windows.

To change the size of any window, specify one of the corners of the window with the mouse button and press the left mouse button or select "Size" from the system menu. And spread to the desired size. To move any window, select the window you want to move and press the left mouse button or select "Move" in the system menu to pull the window to the desired position. To minimize the window, click the Minimize Window button or select "Minimize" from the system menu. A typical icon display is a well-known one, or another graphic display with a unique symbol that can distinguish between icons.

The icons of the activity programs are automatically displayed, usually linearly spaced apart along the buttons of the monitor, and separately positioned by the mouse pointer. The problem with this icon management system results in its efficiency in the location and recovery of numerous icons. Since a large number of icons occupy a large space, it takes time to select and position one icon among a large number of icons in a complicated window environment. Therefore, effective techniques for managing and displaying icons are required.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an effective method and system for window miniaturization and icon display, and their management.

[0006]

The above objective is accomplished as described below. Disclosed is a method and system for improving window miniaturization, alignment, and display on a monitor in a window-based computer program data management system. The window has been miniaturized into an icon that visually simulates the spine of a book, which is a rectangle that is narrow horizontally and vertically long. The icon has a unique symbol in it to allow other icons of similarly miniaturized windows to be distinguished from similar icons arranged in a predetermined bookshelf area of the monitor. The second and subsequent miniaturized window icons are arranged linearly adjacent to the previous icon, and the symbols in the icons are alphabetical, that is, symbol titles, and the classification is adjacent in alphabetical order of alphabetic titles. And line up. The size of the icon is essentially a single size, with the smallest width that can accommodate an alphabetic or symbolic title. This miniaturization is done using an operator input device such as a mouse.

[0007]

1 shows one data processing system in which an embodiment of the present invention is implemented.
The illustrated personal computer includes a data processing unit 12, a video display or monitor 14, a screen 16, a keyboard 18 and a mouse 20. As the personal computer 10, for example,
IBM, a product of International Business Machines, Inc. in Armonk, New York
A computer such as PS / 2 may be used. PS /
2 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. of Armonk, NY. Although a personal computer is used in the illustrated embodiment,
Other types of data processing systems such as intelligent work stations or minicomputers may be used in embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows four windows arranged in a cascade on the screen 16 of the video display 14, these windows being referred to as "Microsoft Windows" by Microsoft Corporation for graphic users. It is one of the arrays of windows used for the interface. Each window is window 2
Display a data processing program with a unique title such as "TITLE BAR TEXT 1" shown near the top of 2.

The present invention reduces the size of the windows on screen 16 to improve their layout and display.
The window 22 shown in FIG. 2 is converted into an icon 30 shown in FIG. This icon 30 is a horizontally narrow, vertically long rectangle that resembles the narrow spine of a book and has a single dimension width wide enough to accommodate a character title. In the preferred embodiment, window 22 is counterclockwise 90 with the text title.
It is rotated and placed at the bottom left corner of the display. This location is referred to herein as the "bookshelf." As shown in FIG. 3, the icon 30 bears the narrow back of a book placed on a bookshelf. The title "TITLE BAR TEXT 1" is a unique symbol belonging to this icon, which visually distinguishes it from other icons of the window which is also miniaturized.

In FIG. 4, the window 24 is miniaturized as an icon 32 and arranged linearly with the icon 30. FIG. 5 shows the miniaturization and arrangement of the window 26, in which the icon 34 is arranged on the "bookshelf" together with the icons 30 and 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the icon 32 and subsequent miniaturized icons are placed in the "bookshelf" position in a linear alignment with the previously miniaturized icons. Here, the icons are successively arranged in the order of miniaturization. However, if the ABC order of the icons is different, the corresponding icons are arranged in the ABC order, and a large number of icons are arranged. Provide for convenience.

FIG. 6 is a high level logic flow chart.
2 illustrates a process for implementing the window miniaturization and icon placement when implemented in the processor 12 of FIG.
As shown in the figure, the process begins at block 50 labeled "Start" and then loads the initialization program (I
PL) and go to block 52 which indicates the start of the system.

The process then enters block 54 to determine whether to iconify the window. When it is determined that the iconification is performed, the process is block 56.
Skip to and repeat the same judgment when not doing. The process at block 56 then determines if any of the windows are already iconified. If there is already an iconized window, the process will block 58.
Enter to sort the previously iconified windows and the newly iconized windows. The process then enters block 60 to create a new book spine icon. The process then enters block 62 to rotate the icon and the icon's text title. The process enters block 64 and inserts the icon at the appropriate location on the "bookshelf". The process then enters block 66,
The symbol title and its icon are displayed in the order of ABC.

If none of the windows are iconified at block 56, the process jumps to block 68 to miniaturize the window of interest into a book spine icon. The process then enters block 70 to rotate the icon and the symbol title within this icon. The process then enters block 72 to display the icon and symbol title at the predetermined "bookshelf" location. The process enters block 74 from block 66 or 72 and returns from there.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method and system of the present invention provide improved window miniaturization and icon display within a monitor in a window-based computer program data management system. I understand. A large number of icons can be effectively managed by miniaturizing the icons on the spine of a book and continuously arranging the icons at the bookshelf position. Unlike conventional systems, where icons occupy a large amount of space, the icons according to the invention occupy a very small amount of space, and are small rectangles, resembling the narrow backs of books, in an easy-to-identify and intuitive arrangement Has become. Each icon has a unique symbol that follows the alphabet,
Arranged in a given bookshelf area of a monitor or display to allow equally miniaturized windows to be visually distinguished from each other. The icons are arranged in alphabetical order (ABC) with alphabetic titles for icons that are successively stacked for easy identification and modification.

Although the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited. Other modifications of the disclosed embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In summary, the following matters will be disclosed regarding the configuration of the present invention. (1) A method for miniaturizing, arranging, and displaying windows on a monitor in a window-based computer program management system, wherein the windows are narrow horizontally and vertically long in response to user input. With the step of miniaturizing to an icon that looks like a book spine in appearance,
The icon has a unique symbol in it to allow it to be visually distinguished from other similarly miniaturized window icons, and the icon is placed in a given bookshelf area along with other similar icons. A method for managing icons in a data processing system, the method including: (2) A method for icon management in a data processing system as set forth in (1), including the step of the second and subsequently miniaturized icons being linearly aligned with the previously miniaturized icons. . (3) The method for icon management in the data processing system according to (1), wherein the symbol is a symbol title using an alphabet. (4) The method for managing icons in a data processing system according to (3), wherein each of the titles includes a step of being arranged in alphabetical order by the alphabetical titles of the icons. (5) The method for managing icons in a data processing system according to (4), including the step of arranging the icons adjacent to each other. (6) For the icon management in the data processing system according to (5), wherein each of the icons is essentially of a single size with a width sufficient to store the symbol title using the alphabet. the method of. (7) The method for icon management in a data processing system according to (1), wherein the miniaturization includes steps performed using an operator input device. (8) The operator input device is a mouse,
A method for managing icons in the data processing system according to (7). (9) A system for reducing, arranging, and displaying windows on a monitor in a window-based computer program management system, wherein the windows are narrow horizontally and vertically long in response to user input. With a means to miniaturize into an icon that looks like a book spine in appearance,
The icon is also miniaturized, with a means that has a unique symbol in it so that it can be visually distinguished from other window icons, and the icon is placed in a given bookshelf area with other similar icons. For managing icons in a data processing system, including: (10) A system for icon management in a data processing system as set forth in (9), wherein the second and subsequently miniaturized icons include means for linearly overlapping the previously miniaturized icons. . (11) The system for icon management in the data processing system according to (10), wherein the symbol is a symbol title using an alphabet. (12) The system for icon management in a data processing system according to (11), wherein each of the titles includes means arranged in alphabetical order by the title using the alphabet of the icon. (13) The system for icon management in the data processing system according to (12), wherein the icons include a unit that is arranged adjacent to each other. (14) For the icon management in the data processing system according to (13), wherein each of the icons is essentially of a single size with a width sufficient to store a symbol title using the alphabet. System. (15) The system for icon management in the data processing system according to (9), wherein the miniaturization includes a means that is performed by using an operator input device. (16) The system for managing icons in the data processing system according to (15), wherein the operator input device includes a means that is a mouse.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a representation of a data processing system used to implement the method and system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the video display or monitor of FIG. 1 and four windows in a cascade arrangement containing a data processing program and a unique title.

Figure 3 Iconizes the first of the cascaded windows and rotates it to one corner of the display. "
Display of video display moved to "bookshelf" position.

FIG. 4 shows a video display with two iconified windows rotated and moved to the "bookshelf" position.

Figure 5: Display of video display with three iconified windows rotated and moved to the "bookshelf" position.

FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram illustrating a method and system of the present invention.

[Description of sign]

 14 video display or monitor 16 screen 20 mouse 30 icon 22 window

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor David Kay Clark United States 75038, Texas, Irving, West Country Club 346, number 363 (72) Inventor William Jay Johnson United States 75028, Texas, Flager・ Mound, Sedalia Drive 1445

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A method for downsizing, arranging, and displaying windows on a monitor in a window-based computer program management system, the windows being narrowed horizontally and vertically in response to user input. A step of miniaturizing to a long rectangular icon that looks like a book spine in appearance, and the above icon has a unique symbol in it so that it can be visually distinguished from the icons of other similarly miniaturized windows. A method for managing icons in a data processing system, the method including the steps of placing the icon in a predetermined bookshelf area with other similar icons. 2. The icon management in a data processing system of claim 1, wherein the second and subsequently miniaturized icons include the step of being linearly aligned with the previously miniaturized icons. the method of. 3. The method for managing icons in a data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the symbols are alphabetic symbol titles. 4. The method for icon management in a data processing system of claim 3, wherein each of said titles comprises the step of being alphabetized by said alphabetic title of said icon. 5. The method for icon management in a data processing system of claim 4, wherein the icons include the step of overlaying adjacent icons. 6. The icon management in a data processing system according to claim 5, wherein each of the icons is essentially of a single size with a width sufficient to store a symbol title using only the alphabet. Way for. 7. The method for icon management in a data processing system of claim 1, wherein the miniaturization includes steps performed using an operator input device. 8. The method for icon management in a data processing system of claim 7, wherein the operator input device is a mouse. 9. A system for downsizing, arranging, and displaying windows on a monitor in a window-based computer program management system, wherein windows are narrowed horizontally and vertically in response to user input. A means of miniaturizing a long rectangular icon that looks like a book spine in appearance, and the icon is also miniaturized, with a unique symbol in it so that it can be visually distinguished from the icons of other windows. A system for icon management in a data processing system, including means for holding and means for arranging the above icon together with other similar icons in a predetermined bookshelf area. 10. The icon management in a data processing system according to claim 9, wherein the second and subsequently miniaturized icons include means for linearly overlapping the previously miniaturized icons. System. 11. The system for managing icons in a data processing system according to claim 10, wherein the symbol is a symbol title using an alphabet. 12. The system for icon management in a data processing system of claim 11, wherein each of said titles includes means arranged alphabetically by said alphabetic title of said icon. 13. The system for managing icons in a data processing system according to claim 12, wherein the icons include means that are arranged adjacent to each other. 14. The icon management in a data processing system according to claim 13, wherein each of said icons is essentially of a single size with a width sufficient to store only said alphabetic symbol title. System for. 15. The system for managing icons in a data processing system according to claim 9, wherein said miniaturization includes means performed using an operator input device. 16. The system for managing icons in a data processing system according to claim 15, wherein said operator input device includes means that is a mouse.