JPH11306002A - Editing device and editing method for gui environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To design to have only an item charge of which is useful to a user presented and to have only a changeable candidate presented in a user's editing graphical user interface(GUI) environments. SOLUTION: Each resource database is referred to by an application initial value database 21, a user database 22 and an application priority set database 23 in this order. As for overlapping data with regard to the same item of a GUI environment, data obtained by the user database 22 have priority over data obtained by the application initial value database 21, and data obtained by the application priority set database 23 take priority over the former. Thus, an item corresponding to the data obtained from the application priority set database 23 is disabled to be virtually changed by a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a GUI environment editing device and a GUI environment editing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, various kinds of application software executed on a computer system adopt a graphical user interface environment called a GUI. In this GUI environment, generally, small pictures (graphics) called icons are displayed on a screen of a display device such as a CRT or an LCD in a computer system.

The icons include, for example, a picture imitating a printer which is a kind of printing apparatus, a picture imitating a floppy disk which is a kind of storage device, a picture imitating a folder for storing documents and the like, and a picture imitating scissors. There is. Each icon is assigned to a function assigned to each icon during execution of the application software, for example, by pointing the icon with a mouse pointer that can be arbitrarily moved on the screen and clicking a mouse button (pressing the button). It is supposed to run.

For example, a function of "execute printing" is assigned to a printer icon, and when this icon is clicked, printing of a document or the like being edited is executed.
The icon of the floppy disk is assigned a function called "save data", and by clicking this icon, a document or the like being edited is stored in a predetermined storage device, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk device, or another magneto-optical disk. Is done.

[0005] A function of "opening a file" is assigned to a folder icon. By clicking this icon, a file such as a document stored in a storage device is displayed on a screen for editing or the like and edited. It is possible. The icon for the scissors is "cut"
By selecting an arbitrary part (text) of the document being edited and clicking this icon, the selected text is deleted from the document.

As described above, in the GUI environment, the user can execute various functions by operating a pointing device such as a mouse or a tablet. Therefore, as in the conventional command line interface environment, the user does not need to press a number of keys on the keyboard one by one to input a predetermined command, a file name, and the like. In addition, there is an advantage that specialized knowledge of a large number of commands is not required and even a novice can handle.

By the way, in GUI environment type application software, usually, a group of icons of functions assumed to be used by a user is previously selected by a designer of the software. When the application software is executed, the icon group is displayed on the screen. However, depending on the user, those prepared icons, that is, functions, may not be sufficient.

[0008] Further, depending on the user, an infrequently used icon group may be included in the prepared icon group. In order to cope with such a case, the user can add or delete an icon, that is, a function according to his / her preference. That is, the user can edit the GUI environment according to his / her preference. GUI
There is also an editing system. According to such a GUI editing system, improvement in usability of application software is expected.

[0009]

In the conventional GUI editing system, in many cases, all the parts which can be changed in principle, that is, all the parts which can be edited are presented to the user. However, even when actually changed, it may not be useful to the user, or it may be difficult to understand the setting contents for the change.

Therefore, in the GUI editing system, it is preferable that the portion of the GUI that is difficult to understand when changed is not allowed to be changed. Then, for example, it is preferable that a portion, such as a menu arrangement of application software, which is more convenient when changed according to the user's convenience can be changed.

If there is a limit to the range that can be changed when editing the GUI, it is preferable to present a changeable candidate to the user. Then, the user can appropriately select from the candidates according to his / her preference, thereby facilitating the editing work of the GUI environment.

However, in the conventional GUI editing system, sufficient consideration is not always given to the balance between the changeable items and the non-changeable items described above and to the presentation of changeable candidates. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a GUI environment editing apparatus and a GUI environment in which items useful for a user are presented as being changeable.
It is to provide a method for editing an environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a GUI environment editing apparatus and a GUI environment editing method in which candidates that can be changed during GUI editing are presented.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a GUI environment editing apparatus according to claim 1 has at least three resource databases, and the resource databases are provided to application software in advance. An application initial value database storing data of a settable and changeable GUI environment, a user database storing a GUI environment data obtained by arbitrarily changing a GUI environment of the application software, and an application software. And an application priority setting database storing unchangeable GUI environment data set in advance and referring to the three databases in a predetermined order to obtain data for each item obtained from the plurality of databases. Data consisting of Control means for generating a GUI environment based on the GUI, displaying an edit screen for the GUI environment generated by the control means, and indicating whether the contents of the item can be changed or not on the edit screen It is characterized by comprising a display means for displaying information, and a selection means for selecting an arbitrary change content for a changeable item of the GUI environment.

According to the present invention, the GUI environment is generated by referring to the application initial value database, the user database, and the application priority setting database in a predetermined order, and the item contents of the GUI environment can be changed. By displaying to the user whether or not the item can be changed, it is indicated that the changeable item among the items of the GUI environment can be changed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a GUI environment editing apparatus.
The invention according to claim 1, further comprising an application setting candidate database storing candidate data that can be changed for the changeable item, wherein the control unit refers to the application setting candidate database to set the data. Candidate data is obtained, and the display means displays the setting candidate data.

According to the present invention, the setting candidate data is obtained from the application setting candidate database for the changeable items among the items of the GUI environment, and is displayed, so that the changeable items are displayed. A changeable candidate is presented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a GUI environment editing apparatus.
3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the control unit refers to each database in the order of an application initial value database, a user database, and an application priority setting database, and receives data from a plurality of databases for the same item. When obtained, data obtained later is made valid.

According to the present invention, the data obtained from the user database has priority over the data obtained from the application initial value database, and the data obtained from the application priority setting database has priority over that. The items corresponding to the data obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed substantially, and the items useful for the user among the items in the GUI environment can be changed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a GUI environment editing apparatus.
3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the control unit refers to each database in the order of the application priority setting database, the user database, and the application initial value database, and refers to a database before referring to one database. The database is referred to only for items for which no data has been obtained.

According to the present invention, data is obtained from the user database for items for which there is no data corresponding to the application priority setting database. Since data can be obtained from the application initial value database for items that do not exist, items corresponding to data obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed substantially, and the user among the items in the GUI environment cannot be changed. Items that are useful can be changed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a GUI environment editing apparatus.
The invention according to claim 1, wherein the display means is controlled so as to display information indicating that an item for which data has been obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed. .

According to the present invention, it is displayed that the item corresponding to the data obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for editing a GUI environment.
An application initial value database storing data of a changeable GUI environment preset for application software, and a GUI arbitrarily changing the GUI environment of the application software
At least 3 including a user database storing environment data and an application priority setting database storing unchangeable GUI environment data set in advance for application software.
When editing a GUI environment using a GUI environment editing device having two resource databases,
Generating a GUI environment based on a data group consisting of data for each item obtained from a plurality of databases by referring to the two databases in a predetermined order; and displaying an edit screen for the generated GUI environment; and A step of displaying information indicating whether or not the item contents can be changed on the editing screen; and a step of selecting an arbitrary change content for a changeable item in the GUI environment. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate the GUI environment by referring to the application initial value database, the user database, and the application priority setting database in a predetermined order, and whether the item contents of the GUI environment can be changed. Alternatively, by displaying to the user whether or not it is impossible to change, it is presented that the changeable items among the items of the GUI environment can be changed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for editing a GUI environment.
The invention according to claim 6, wherein the database structure further includes an application setting candidate database storing candidate changeable data for changeable items, and refers to the application setting candidate database. A step of obtaining the data of the setting candidate by performing the setting, and a step of displaying the data of the setting candidate.

According to the present invention, the setting candidate data is obtained from the application setting candidate database for the changeable items among the items of the GUI environment, and is displayed, so that the changeable items are displayed. A changeable candidate is presented.

[0029] A method for editing a GUI environment according to claim 8 is as follows.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of generating the GUI environment includes the step of referring to each database in the order of an application initial value database, a user database, and an application priority setting database. When data is obtained from a plurality of databases, validating the data obtained later.

According to the present invention, the data obtained from the user database is given priority over the data obtained from the application initial value database, and the data obtained from the application priority setting database is given priority over that. The items corresponding to the data obtained from the setting database cannot be changed substantially, and the items useful for the user among the items in the GUI environment can be changed.

A method for editing a GUI environment according to claim 9 is as follows.
8. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the step of generating the GUI environment includes a step of referring to each database in the order of an application priority setting database, a user database, and an application initial value database, and referring to the database. The step is characterized in that it includes a step of referencing only one database for which no data has been obtained before referring to the database.

According to the present invention, data is obtained from the user database for an item having no data corresponding to the application priority setting database, and further, there is no corresponding data in both the application priority setting database and the user database. Since the data for the item is obtained from the application initial value database, the item corresponding to the data obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be substantially changed, and is useful for the user among the items in the GUI environment. Items can be changed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the editing method of the GUI environment according to the sixth aspect, the step of displaying the information on whether the contents of the item can be changed or not is performed by obtaining data from an application priority setting database. Displaying information indicating that the item cannot be changed.

According to the present invention, it is displayed that the item corresponding to the data obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a GUI environment editing apparatus and a GUI environment editing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating functions of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database structure according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a GUI environment editing method according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 illustrates a GU according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an I environment editing method.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a computer system used in the present embodiment includes a processor (hereinafter, referred to as MPU) 11, a nonvolatile memory 12 such as a ROM, and a volatile memory such as a DRAM. 13, a computer main unit 1 having a bus 14 for transmitting information, a keyboard 15, a pointing device such as a mouse 16, a storage device 17 such as a magnetic disk device, and a display device such as a CRT (CRT) or LC
And a display device 18 such as D (liquid crystal display device).

The MPU 11 executes a GUI environment editing process according to the present invention. The non-volatile memory 12 is, for example, M
Control program executed by PU11 or M
The fixed data processed by the PU 11 is stored. The volatile memory 13 is a work area for temporarily storing data and the like while the MPU 11 is executing an instruction.
MPU 11, nonvolatile memory 12, and volatile memory 1
3 are mutually connected via a bus 14. Note that the computer main body 1 may include other circuit devices and the like.

The storage device 17 stores a program of application software and data used when the program is executed. These programs and data are read from the storage device 17, stored in the volatile memory 13 in the computer main body 1, and executed or processed. Further, the storage device 17 stores, for example, a plurality of resource databases that construct a database structure according to the present invention. The keyboard 15, the mouse 16, the storage device 17, and the display device 18 are connected to the computer main body via an input / output interface (not shown) provided in the computer main body 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer system includes, for example, five resource databases, that is, an application initial value database 21, a user database 22, an application priority setting database 23, an application setting candidate value database 24, and a window management. It has a database 25 for use. These resource databases are provided by dividing the single storage device 17 into, for example, five software components.

Application Initial Value Database 2
1 stores data of a GUI environment (that is, a default GUI environment) prepared in advance in the application software. This default GUI environment is
This is a reference when the user performs the editing. User is a GU
If no changes have been made to the I environment, the default GUI
Environment.

The user database 22 stores the G
G used by the user to change the UI environment and changed by the user
Stores UI environment data. The application priority setting database 23 stores data that cannot be changed by the user in a default GUI environment prepared in advance in the application software.

The application setting candidate value database 24 stores changeable candidate data prepared in advance in the application software. This candidate is used when the user changes the GUI environment.

The window management database 25 stores an edited GUI environment obtained by synthesizing the application initial value database 21, the user database 22, and the application priority setting database 23. When the application software is executed after editing the GUI environment, the data of the GUI environment is read from the window management database 25,
A GUI environment is constructed.

Each resource database is managed by the resource management unit 30 or a management unit 31, 32, 33, 3 dedicated to the resource management unit 30 and each resource database.
4. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the resource management unit 30 receives an application initial value database management unit 31, a user database management unit 32, an application priority setting database management unit 33, and an application setting candidate value database management unit 34. Respectively manage an application initial value database 21, a user database 22, an application priority setting database 23, and an application setting candidate value database 24.

The application initial value database management unit 31 stores the application initial value database 2
1 controls data input when a designer of application software stores design data and data output when reading data of a GUI environment from the application initial value database 21. The user database management unit 32 controls data input when storing data changed by the user in the user database 22 and data output when reading GUI environment data from the user database 22.

The application priority setting database management unit 33 inputs data when the designer of the application software stores design data in the application priority setting database 23, and reads data of the GUI environment from the application priority setting database 23. Control the data output at the time. The application setting candidate value database management unit 34 inputs data when the application software designer stores design data in the application setting candidate value database 24, and reads candidate data from the application setting candidate value database 24. Control the data output at the time.

The management units 31 and 3 for each of these databases
2, 33, and 34, each database and resource management unit 30 sends G to the window management database 25 in a predetermined order or timing by the resource management unit 30.
It controls data output when reading data in the UI environment and data input when storing the edited data in the window management database 25.

The computer system includes a GU
Editing support unit 36 for creating I, editing support unit 3 for customizing
7 and a window management unit 38 are provided.

The GUI creation editing support unit 36 and the customization editing support unit 37 change the resource database in order to realize the actual GUI editing function,
It has a function of immediately reflecting the changed content on the GUI editing screen displayed on the display device 18. The GUI creation editing support unit 36 is used by a designer of application software when developing a GUI environment. On the other hand, the customization editing support unit 37 is used when the user edits the GUI environment. The reason why the editing support unit is provided independently for the designer and for the user is that the user
This is because the work contents are different between the case where the UI environment is edited and the case where the designer edits the GUI environment. That is, when the user edits, the data is stored and updated in the user database 22, but when the designer edits, the application initial value database 21, the application priority setting database 23, and the application The corresponding data is stored and updated in the setting candidate value database 24.

The window management unit 38 constructs an actual GUI environment based on each resource database. The window management unit 38 realizes the separation between the GUI and the program.

The editing support unit 36 for GUI creation, the editing support unit 37 for customization, the window management unit 38, and the resource management unit 30 are related to perform the following processing. That is, when the designer or the user operates the keyboard 15 or the mouse 16 to newly develop or edit the GUI environment, the GUI creation editing support unit 36
Alternatively, the customizing editing support unit 37 receives the contents of the operation. Then, the GUI creation editing support unit 36 or the customization editing support unit 37
To obtain the data of the GUI environment from the desired resource database via Further, the window management unit 38 receives the data of the GUI environment from the resource management unit 30 and causes the display device 18 to display a GUI editing screen based on the data. At the time of new development of the GUI environment, no data is stored in any resource database.
The UI editing screen is blank.

When the designer or the user operates the keyboard 15 or the mouse 16 to change a part of the GUI,
The GUI creation edit support unit 36 or the customization edit support unit 37 receives the contents of the operation. And the GUI
The editing support unit 36 for creation or the editing support unit 37 for customization updates the corresponding database via the resource management unit 30. The changed content is sent to the window management unit 38 via the resource management unit 30 and immediately reflected on the editing screen.

Accordingly, the resource management unit 30, the application initial value database management unit 31, the user database management unit 32, the application priority setting database management unit 33, the application setting candidate value database management unit 34, and the GUI creation editing support unit 36, customization editing support unit 37 and window management unit 3
8 refers to the application initial value database 21, the user database 22, the application priority setting database 23, and the application setting candidate value database 24 in a predetermined order or at a predetermined timing, and based on the obtained data group, a GUI. It has a function as control means for generating an environment. The function of the control unit is realized by the MPU 11 executing a GUI environment editing process described later.

The resource databases used in this embodiment are all X Window System
This is the same as the resource database in em, and for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a hierarchical description corresponding to the hierarchical configuration of the GUI parts can be made. The attribute of each component is set as a unit, and is composed of a set of each attribute and its corresponding value. In the example shown in FIG. 3, “menu0” is “menu01”, “menu02”, “menu0”.
"Menu3", "menu01" has "add", "menu02" has "delete",
“Menu03” is displayed as “line”.

In this embodiment, when editing the GUI environment,
Although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 4, a component pallet 51 in which various GUI components prepared in application software are arranged, and a GUI confirmation screen 52 showing a GUI component selected in the current GUI environment. A window hierarchy diagram 53 showing the hierarchical configuration of GUI parts and a resource editing screen 54 showing resources of an arbitrary GUI part are displayed on the screen 18a of the display device 18. The window hierarchy 53 may not be displayed.

Then, the mouse 16 is operated to place the mouse pointer on an arbitrary GUI part in the parts palette 51, and the mouse pointer is moved on the GUI confirmation screen 52 while clicking the mouse button, and then the mouse button is moved from the mouse button to the hand. Is released (this series of operations is referred to as “drag and drop”), so that the dragged and dropped GUI part is the GUI component being edited.
Added to the environment. Also, drag and drop an arbitrary GUI part on the GUI confirmation screen 52 onto the parts palette 51.
By dropping, the drag-and-dropped GUI component is deleted from the GUI environment being edited.

Any GUI in the GUI confirmation screen 52
By dragging and dropping the part on the resource edit screen 54, the resource of the dragged and dropped GUI part is displayed on the resource edit screen 5.
4 is displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, when the contents of a changeable item (displayed as “OK” in the “change” column) on the resource edit screen 54 are clicked with the mouse 16, the item is changed. , A candidate selection screen 55 showing a list of candidates that can be changed is displayed. Use the mouse 1 to select an arbitrary candidate value in the displayed candidate selection screen 55.
By clicking in step 6, the setting value of the item is changed. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, “Helveti” in the candidate selection screen 55a showing a list of font convertible candidates
Clicking “ca” changes the font of the part named [abc] from “Time-Roman” to “Helve”.
tica ". Therefore, in this example, the mouse 16 has a function as a selecting means for selecting an arbitrary change content for the item of the GUI environment. For items that cannot be changed (displayed as "impossible" in the "change" column), a list of candidates is not displayed even when clicked.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, for the part [abc], a font candidate selection screen 55a and a candidate selection screen 55b showing a list of character color convertible candidates are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a candidate selection screen 55c showing a list of font-convertible candidates and a candidate selection screen 55d showing a character-color-convertible candidate list for a component named [def] are displayed. Is displayed. Comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, two font candidate selection screens 55a
And 55c are for example not found to be identical. That is, “Tim” is displayed on the font candidate selection screen 55a of FIG.
e-Roman "," Helvetica "," Cou
rier "," Arial ", and" Modern "are displayed. On the other hand, the font candidate selection screen 5 of FIG.
5c includes "Time-Roman" and "Helvetti".
"ca", "Courier" and "Arial" are displayed.

The two character color candidate selection screens 55b and 55d are not the same, for example. “Cream Yellow” is displayed on the character color candidate selection screen 55b in FIG.
"Pigeon Gray", "Kaki", "Ir
is Green "," Platinum "," Mos
s Green "," Ice Green "," Aqu
a Gray "and" Marine Blue "are displayed. On the other hand, the character color candidate selection screen 55d of FIG.
"Rose Pink" and "Rose Stone"
e "," Wine Red "," Salmon Pin "
k "," Ash Gray "," Copper Re "
d "," Cream Yellow "," Pigeon "
"Gray" and "Kaki" are displayed.
That is, in the present embodiment, individually changeable candidates are set for each item of each GUI component.

The candidate values individually set for each GUI component item are stored in the application setting candidate value database 24 as shown in FIG.

Next, an example of display processing of the resource editing screen 54 when the user edits the GUI environment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the user
When the editing of the UI environment is started, the resource management unit 30
G from the application initial value database 21 via the application initial value database management unit 31
Read the initial setting data of the UI environment (step S
1).

Application Initial Value Database 2
FIG. 9 shows an example of each item of the GUI environment when “1” is loaded.
This is shown in the table of FIG. For example, according to this table,
"Part name" is "abc", "Menu character" is "ad"
d "," font name "is" Time-Roman ",
"Character size" is "12", "Character color" is "white",
"Background color" is "blue", "width" is "80", "height is"
Is “16”.

Next, the resource management unit 30 reads the user setting data of the GUI environment from the user database 22 via the user database management unit 32 (step S2). When new data is read for the same item as the data item read in step S1 (step S3), the data read later, that is, the data read from the user database 22, is validated and the application Is replaced with the data in the initial value database 21 (step S4).

According to the example of FIG. 9B showing an example of each item of the GUI environment when the user database 22 is loaded, “character color: light blue”, “ “Background color: brown” and “character size: 14” are read. Therefore, in the table of FIG. 9B, “character size” is “14”,
“Text color” has been changed to “light blue” and “background color” has been changed to “brown”.

In step S3, when data is not read for the same item as the data item read in step S1, the process proceeds to step S5.

Subsequently, the resource management unit 30 reads the setting data that cannot be changed by the user from the application priority setting database 23 via the application priority setting database management unit 33 (step S5). When new data is read for the same item as each data item read in step S1 or step S2 (step S6), the data read later is
That is, the application priority setting database 23
The data read from is validated and replaced with the data read before (step S7).

According to the example of FIG. 9C showing an example of each item of the GUI environment when the application priority setting database 23 is loaded, “character” is used as the setting data that cannot be changed from the application priority setting database 23. Size: 12 "," width: 80 "and" height:
16 "has been read. Therefore, in the table of FIG. 9C, the “character size” is changed from “14” in FIG.
2 ". “Width: 80” and “Height: 1”
"6" is the same as that in FIG. 9A to 9C are shown for convenience of explanation, and are not displayed on the screen of the display device 18.

For the item whose data has been replaced in step S7, the attribute indicating whether the data can be changed is set to "impossible" (step S8). Also, the attribute is "impossible" in step S8.
With respect to items other than the item described above, the attribute indicating whether or not the change is possible is set to "permitted" (step S9). Then, the resource management unit 30 executes the processing shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the screen of the display device 18 (step S10), and the display processing of the resource editing screen is ended.

In step S6, when data is not read in the same item as the data item read in step S1 or step S2, the attribute indicating whether or not change is possible for all items in the GUI environment is set to "OK". (Step S11). Then, the process proceeds to step S10, where the resource editing screen 54 is displayed on the screen of the display device 18, and
The display processing of the resource edit screen ends.

When the user subsequently edits the GUI environment, the user operates the mouse 16 to add necessary GUI components from the component pallet 51 to the GUI confirmation screen 52 as described above, or to execute the GUI confirmation screen 52. The GUI parts to the parts pallet 51 from the GUI, that is, the GUI confirmation screen 52
The GUI environment is changed by deleting unnecessary GUI parts from the GUI or displaying the resource edit screen 54 and the candidate selection screen 55.

Next, another example of the display processing of the resource edit screen 54 when the user edits the GUI environment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the user starts editing the GUI environment, the resource management unit 30 reads the setting data that cannot be changed by the user from the application priority setting database 23 via the application priority setting database management unit 33 (step S10).
1).

There is an item other than the item corresponding to the data read in step S101, ie, step S1
When there is an item for which data has not been read in 01 (step S102), the attribute indicating whether or not the item can be changed is set to “impossible” for the item corresponding to the data read in step S101 (step S103). ). For items other than the item whose attribute is set to “impossible” in step S103, the attribute indicating whether the change is possible is set to “permitted” (step S104).

Subsequently, the resource management unit 30 sends the user database 2 via the user database management unit 32.
2 to read the user setting data of the GUI environment (step S105). At this time, in step S104, only the data corresponding to the item whose attribute indicating whether or not the change is possible is set to "permitted".

Step S101 or step S105
There is an item other than the item corresponding to the data read in Step S101 or Step S105.
If there are still items for which data has not been read (step S106), the resource management unit 30
Is the application initial value database management unit 31
The GUI environment initial setting data is read from the application initial value database 21 via the application (step S).
107). Then, the process proceeds to step S108, where the resource edit screen 54 is displayed on the screen of the display device 18, and the display processing of the resource edit screen is terminated.

In step S102, step S1
If the data read in step 01 corresponds to all items in the GUI environment, the attribute indicating whether or not all items can be changed is set to "impossible" (step S109), and step S109 is performed.
Proceed to 108. In step S106, the GUI
If the data has already been read for all items of the environment, the process proceeds to step S108, and the resource edit screen 54 is displayed.
Is displayed on the screen of the display device 18 and the display processing of the resource edit screen is terminated.

According to the above-described embodiment, the user can use the GUI
When editing the environment, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the application initial value database 21, the user database 22, and the application priority setting database 2
If the resource databases are referred to in the order of 3 and data is obtained from a plurality of databases for the same item in the GUI environment, the data is obtained from the user database 22 rather than the data obtained from the application initial value database 21. The given data is given priority, and the data obtained from the application priority setting database 23 is given priority over that.

Alternatively, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the application priority setting database 23, the user database 22, and the application initial value database 2
Each resource database is referred to in the order of 1, and data is obtained from the user database 22 for items for which there is no data corresponding to the application priority setting database 23. Further, the application priority setting database 23 and the user database 22 Data is obtained from the application initial value database 21 for items for which there is no corresponding data for both.

For this reason, it is impossible for the user to substantially change the items corresponding to the data obtained from the application priority setting database 23, and the change is not useful to the user in the application priority setting database 23. By storing the data of such items, it is possible to change only the items that are useful to the user among the items of the GUI environment.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the user
When editing the UI environment, a resource editing screen 54 for the GUI environment is displayed, and G is displayed on the editing screen 54.
It is displayed whether the item contents of the UI environment can be changed or not. Therefore, it is presented to the user that the changeable items among the items of the GUI environment can be changed.
The user can easily know the items that can be changed by looking at.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the user
When editing the UI environment, the application setting candidate database 2 is used for the items that can be changed in the GUI environment.
4 to obtain setting candidate data, which is displayed on the candidate selection screen 55. For this reason, candidates that the user may select are presented to the user.
5 can be selected as an arbitrary candidate.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the user
When editing the UI environment, it is displayed on the resource editing screen 54 that the item whose data has been obtained from the application priority setting database 23 cannot be changed. Therefore, since it is presented to the user that the items that cannot be changed among the items of the GUI environment cannot be changed, the user can easily know the items that cannot be changed by looking at the resource editing screen 54. it can.

According to the above embodiment, the application initial value database 21, the application priority setting database 23, and the application setting candidate value database 24 are all X Window.
It is the same as the resource database in System. Therefore, application software designers can create new databases using existing general-purpose database editing software, eliminating the need to develop or use database editing software dedicated to the application software.
Easy database development.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, when the user edits the GUI environment, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly specifying an invalid setting.
The setting operation itself can be easily understood, and an effect that the GUI environment can be easily edited can be obtained. In addition, since the designer of the application software does not need to develop dedicated database editing software, the development cost and the like can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the mouse 16 is used as the selecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a pointing device other than a mouse, such as a tablet, or the keyboard 15 may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, five resource databases are stored in the single storage device 17, but the present invention is not limited to this.
Or three or four magnetic disk devices or the like, or may store the database one by one in five magnetic disk devices or the like. They may be divided and stored in six or more magnetic disk devices or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, not only changeable items but also non-changeable items are displayed on the resource edit screen 54. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be displayed. Furthermore, each resource database does not necessarily need to be the same as the resource database in the X Window System.

[0088]

According to the present invention, when the user edits the GUI environment, the user is prevented from erroneously specifying an invalid setting, and the setting operation itself can be easily understood. Editing of the environment becomes easier.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing functions of a computer system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a database structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a GUI environment editing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram specifically explaining a state of processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of a GUI environment editing method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 15 keyboard (selection means) 16 mouse (selection means) 18 display device (display means) 21 application initial value database 22 user database 23 application priority setting database 24 application setting candidate value database 30 resource management unit 31 application initial Value database management unit 32 User database management unit 33 Application priority setting database management unit 34 Application setting candidate value database management unit 36 GUI creation editing support unit 37 Customization editing support unit 38 Window management unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 8, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0047

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The management units 31 and 3 for each of these databases
2, 33 and 34 are stored in the database by the resource management unit 30 in a predetermined order or timing.
The resource management unit 30 outputs data when reading GUI environment data from the window management database 25, and outputs data when the edited data is stored in the window management database 25. Control the input.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 5

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 6

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An application initial value database storing at least three resource databases, the application database storing data of a changeable GUI environment set in advance for application software, and an application initial value database. A user database storing GUI environment data obtained by arbitrarily changing the GUI environment; and an application priority setting database storing unchangeable GUI environment data set in advance for the application software. Control means for referencing the three databases in a predetermined order and generating a GUI environment based on a data group consisting of data for each item obtained from the plurality of databases; and a GUI ring generated by the control means. Display means for displaying an edit screen for the environment, and displaying information indicating whether the content of the item can or cannot be changed on the edit screen; A GUI environment editing device, comprising: selecting means for selecting a change content. 2. An application setting candidate database storing candidate changeable data for a changeable item, wherein the control means refers to the application setting candidate database and sets setting candidate data. 2. The GUI environment editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays data of the setting candidate. 3. The control means refers to each database in the order of an application initial value database, a user database, and an application priority setting database, and when data is obtained from a plurality of databases for the same item. 3. The GUI environment editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data obtained later is validated. 4. The control means refers to each database in the order of an application priority setting database, a user database, and an application initial value database, and obtains data before referring to one database. 3. The GUI environment editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database is referred to only for items that have not been set. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is controlled so as to display information indicating that an item for which data has been obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed. 3. The editing device for a GUI environment according to claim 1. 6. An application initial value database storing changeable GUI environment data set in advance for application software, and a GUI environment data obtained by arbitrarily changing the GUI environment of the application software. A G comprising at least three resource databases including a stored user database and an application priority setting database storing unchangeable GUI environment data preset for application software.
In editing the GUI environment using the editing device of the UI environment, the three databases are referred to in a predetermined order, and the GUI environment is generated based on a data group including data for each item obtained from a plurality of databases. Displaying an edit screen for the generated GUI environment, and displaying information indicating whether or not the item contents can be changed on the edit screen; and Selecting an arbitrary change content for the item; and editing the GUI environment. 7. The database structure further includes an application setting candidate database storing candidate changeable data for changeable items, and referring to the application setting candidate database for setting candidates. The method of editing a GUI environment according to claim 6, further comprising: a step of obtaining the data of (1), and a step of displaying the data of the setting candidate. 8. The step of generating the GUI environment includes: a step of referring to each database in the order of an application initial value database, a user database, and an application priority setting database; and data from a plurality of databases for the same item. 8. The GU according to claim 6, further comprising: when デ ー タ is obtained, validating data obtained later.
How to edit I environment. 9. The step of generating a GUI environment includes a step of referring to each database in the order of an application priority setting database, a user database, and an application initial value database. 8. The GUI environment editing method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of referring to the database only for items for which data has not been obtained before the reference is made. 10. The step of displaying the information indicating whether the item contents can be changed or not can include the step of displaying information indicating that the item whose data has been obtained from the application priority setting database cannot be changed. The method for editing a GUI environment according to claim 6, wherein the editing method includes: