JPS6324474A - Multiwindow display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To switch a window at high speed by calculating a visible area (effective picture area) only on the extracted window when a window priority switching (change) is requested. CONSTITUTION:A memory 20 has a program part 14, a window register part 16 to which window information is set for window unit, a display priority register part 18 and a video register part 20 of a two-dimentional array for storing an effective picture area occupied on the physical picture of a window area. When the change of the display priority of an arbitrary window is instructed, whether the present display priority of the window to be changed is higher or lower than an object display priority is decided, based on the decision result and the present display priority of the window to be changed and the object display priority, a display priority memory means 18 for storing the window display priority is referred, thereby, a priority changed window in which the display priority is changed according to the change in the display priority of the window to be changed is detected. The visible area is obtained only on the priority changed window and the window to be changed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a multi-window display device capable of displaying multiple windows in a superimposed manner, and particularly relates to a processing method for changing the window display priority order. .

(Prior Art) In general, in this type of multi-window display device, shortening the window switching time (that is, the window display priority switching time) determines whether or not a man-machine interface can be implemented. Particularly in a bitmap memory type display device, the amount of data handled is enormous compared to a code memory type display device, and therefore it is even more important to shorten the window switching time.

Now, in a window system having a window frame, switching between windows involves transferring a display image from the window frame to the bitmap memory. On the other hand, in a window system that does not have a window frame, switching windows involves redrawing the bitmap memory. In addition, in a system (multi-window system) that allows overlapping (overlapping windows), in addition to transferring the display image to the bitmap memory or redrawing it, it is necessary to calculate the visible #A area for each window. Become.

Conventionally, the visible area was calculated for all windows on the physical screen. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to calculate the visible area, and it also takes a long time to transfer the display image to the bitmap memory or redraw it.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, conventionally, when switching windows, the visible area of all windows is calculated, so that window switching cannot be performed quickly.

This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to calculate the visible area only for windows whose display is affected by the switching when window priority switching (change) is requested. An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-window display device capable of reducing window switching time.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means and Effects for Solving Problems)] In this invention, when an instruction is given to change the display priority of an arbitrary window, the current display priority of the window to be changed is changed to the target display (7) destination. Reference is made to the display priority storage means that determines whether the window display priority is higher or lower than the ranking and stores the window display priority based on the determination result of this determination means and the current display priority and target display priority of the window to be changed. By doing so,
It is designed to detect a rank changing window whose display priority changes as the display priority of the window to be changed is changed, and to obtain the visible area only for this rank changing window and the window to be changed.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a multi-window display 8@ according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a control processor that controls the entire device, and 12 is a memory. The memory 12 includes a program unit 14 that stores programs used for control processing of the control processor 10, a window register unit 16 that stores window information indicating the position of the window on the physical screen, etc. for each window.
A display priority register section 18 that indicates the display priority of each window, and a two-dimensional array video register section that stores the effective screen area (visible area, window piece) that occupies on the physical screen out of the window area (rectangle in this case). 20
etc. will be ensured.

22 is a keyboard; 24 is a pointing device, such as a mouse having a left button 26 and a right button 28;
30 is an input interface that controls input from the keyboard 22, mouse 24, and the like. 32 is a display monitor such as a CRT monitor; 34 is a bitmap memory that stores the screen data displayed on the display monitor 32 as a bit image; and 36 is a memory that updates the contents of the bitmap memory 34 and displays the screen on the display monitor 32. This is a display processor that performs display. Memory 12, input interface 30 and bitmap memory 34 are connected to an internal bus 38 of control processor 10.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the window register section 16 and the structure of window information set in the register section 16. The window register unit 16 consists of a plurality of register areas allocated in units of windows (window numbers that identify them), and window information regarding the window of the corresponding window number is set in each register area. This window information includes the starting position Xs, Ys (coordinates of the upper left corner), size Lx (horizontal length), Ly (vertical length), as shown in Figure 3. ) and information indicating display priority.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the display layer priority order register section 18. The display priority register unit 18 consists of register areas 19-O to 19-n to which window display priorities are assigned. The window number of the window whose display priority is 1 is set in the register area 19i (i-0 to n).

Note that in the display priority order in this embodiment, O has priority over R, and the priority becomes lower in the order of 1, 2, and so on.

Next, the operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 6 to 11.

It is now assumed that a plurality of windows A to E are displayed on the display monitor 32 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 6, window A is placed at the forefront of the screen (a position where the entire area of the window can be seen), and windows B to E are placed at the rear of the screen.

They are arranged in the order of E. As is clear, the display priority of windows A to E is that window A has the highest priority, followed by B, C, D, and E in that order. In this case, the contents of the display priority register section 18 are as shown in FIG. That is, the window number of window A is set in the register m119-0 for display priority O of the display priority register unit 18, and the window number of window B, which has the next highest priority after window A, is set in the register area 191. It is set. Similarly, the window numbers of windows C to E are set in register areas -2 to 19-4 of the display priority register section 18.

Now, in such a state, for example, a display priority change instruction specifying to change the current display priority OL (0L-2 in this case) of window C to NL is 1. It is assumed that the information is given to the control processor 10 by the user operating the mouse 24 or by a program stored in the program section 14 of the memory 12. When the control processor 10 detects a window display priority change instruction, it starts a window display priority change processing routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this processing routine, the control processor 10 first determines whether the current display priority (current display priority) OL of the window C to be changed in display priority is lower or higher than the target display priority NL. (step device). Note that the current display priority OL of the window C used for the determination in step S1 can be obtained from window information set in a register area in the window register unit 16 specific to the window number of the window C. Furthermore, by detecting the register area in the display priority register unit 18 in which the window number of window C is set, it is also possible to obtain the current display priority OL of window C.

Here, set the display priority of window C to, for example, 1 (NL
=1). In this case, the control processor 10 sets the current display priority 0L (=2) of the window C to the target display priority NL (=1).
It is determined in step S1 that OL>NL is lower.

If OL>NL, the control processor 10 searches the display priority register section 18 and determines the display priority NL (=1).
(here register area 19-
0L-N1 pieces starting with 1) (2-1=1 here)
window (here, window B) set in the register area (here, one of the register areas 19-1).
) as the window number of the window whose display priority changes (rank change window, hereinafter referred to as related window) as the display priority of the change target window (window C here) changes (step S2). That is, when the display priority of the window to be changed becomes higher than the current one, the control processor 10 selects the windows whose display priority matches the target display priority NL (display priority after change).
The windows whose display priority is one higher than the window to be changed (that is, the window immediately before the window to be changed) are determined as related windows. 0L=2. N
In this example with L=1, the only relevant window is window B, which has a display priority matching NL=1, as described above.

Now, if the display priority of the window to be changed becomes higher than the current one, the effective screen area occupied on the display screen (i.e., physical screen) of the display monitor 32 will be expanded only for the window to be changed, and the effective screen area of the related window will be expanded. The area remains the same or shrinks. Figure 8 shows this state in the above-mentioned 0
L=2. The example shows a case where NL=1, that is, a case where the window to be changed is window C and the related window is window B.

Therefore, when the control processor 10 obtains the related window in step S2, it reduces the effective screen area (window piece, video information) of the related window (here, window B) and changes the size of the relevant window stored in the video register section 20. Rewrite the data (step 83
). Next, the υ110 processor 10 expands and changes the effective screen area (window piece, video information) of the window to be changed (window C in this case), and rewrites the corresponding data stored in the video register unit 20. 84). Set display priority of window C to 1
In this example, window C is changed to immediately before window B by using the information in the video register section 20 changed in the processing of steps 33 and 34 above.

Note that in the processing of steps 83 and 84, it is necessary to find the overlapping part p of windows B and C shown in FIG. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted.

After completing step S4, the control processor 10 updates the contents of the window register section 16 (step S4).
5). That is, the control processor 10 rewrites the display priority order of the window information set in the register area in the window register unit 16 corresponding to the in-to window and the related window to be changed. Next, the control processor 10
updates the contents of the display priority register section 18 (step S6).

That is, the control processor 10 sets the display priority order NL to ○L-.
The window number of the related window (here, window B) set in the register area in the display priority register section 18 (here, register area 1419-1) corresponding to display priority register section 1419-1 is set in the register area whose display priority is one lower. (here, register area 19-2), and set the window number of the window to be changed (window C) in the register area (here, register 19-1) in the display priority register section 18 corresponding to display priority NL. do. As a result, the contents of the display priority register section 18 are updated as shown in FIG.

Next, in step S1, the current display priority of window C is
L is higher than the target display fluorescence rank NL, that is, OL<N
A case where L is determined will be explained. Assume that an instruction is now given to change the display priority of window C to, for example, 3 (NL=3). In this case, the control processor 10 determines that the current display priority of window C is 0L (=2
> is higher than the target display priority NL (=3), that is, it is determined in step S1 that OL<NL. ○ShukuN
In the case of L, the control processor 10 searches the display priority register section 18 and selects a register area (here, register area 19-3) corresponding to the display priority OL+1 (=3).
The window number of the window (window D in this case) set in NL-〇 (3-2-1 in this case) register areas (one of the register areas 19-3 in this case) starting with . The window number is determined as the window number (step 87). That is, the control processor 10
If the display priority of the window to be changed becomes lower than the current one, the target display priority NL is set from the window whose display priority is only one lower than the window to be changed (that is, the window immediately after the window to be changed). (Display priority after change) The windows with the display priority matching (display priority after change) are determined as related windows. 0L=2
．． In this example with NL=3, the associated window is window D with display priority matching NL=1 as described above.
Only.

Now, if the display priority of the window to be changed becomes lower than the current one, the change in the effective screen area on the display screen (i.e. physical screen) of the display monitor 32 will tend to shrink the window to be changed, and There is no change or there is a tendency to expand. FIG. 10 shows this state as described above with 0L=2. The example shows a case where NL=3, that is, a case where the window to be changed is window C and the related window is window D.

Therefore, when the control processor 10 obtains the related window in step $7, it expands and changes the effective screen area (window piece, video information) of the related window (here, window D), and stores it in the video register section 20. Rewrite the corresponding data (step S8
). Next, the control processor 10 expands and changes the effective screen area (window piece, video information) of the window to be changed (window C in this case), and rewrites the corresponding data stored in the video register unit 20 (
Step 89). In this example, in which it is instructed to change the display priority of window C to 3, the video register section 20 that has been changed in the processing of steps 88 and 89 above is
By using the information of window C, window C is changed to immediately after window D.

In addition, in the processing of steps 88 and 89, it is necessary to find the overlapping part q of windows C and D shown in FIG.
The means for determining the overlapping portion q is unique to each case and is not the gist of the present invention, so a description thereof will be omitted.

After completing step S9, the control processor 10 updates the contents of the window register section 16 in step S5. Next, the control processor 10 updates the contents of the display priority register section 18 in step S6. That is, the control processor 10 determines the window number of the related window (here, window D) set in the register area (here, register area 19-3) in the display priority register unit 18 corresponding to the display priorities OL+1 to NL. , the display priority moves to the register area one level higher (register area 19-2 here), and changes to the register area in the display priority register section 18 corresponding to the display priority NL (register 19-3 here). Set the window number of the target window (window C).

As a result, the contents of the display priority register section 18 are
The information is updated as shown in Figure 1.

[Effect of the Invention 1] As detailed above, according to the present invention, when a window priority switch (change) is requested, the window whose display is affected by the switch, that is, the order change window (related window), is Since the visible area (effective screen area) is calculated only for the extracted window, the visible area can be calculated in a short time, and the time required to transfer the display image to the bitmap memory or redraw it is reduced. Since the time period can also be shortened, the window switching speed can be increased.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-window display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the structure of the window register section 16 shown in FIG. 1 and the structure of window information set in the register section 16. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the window position margin, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the priority order register section 18 (display shown in FIG. 1).
Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-window display screen, and Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of the display priority register section 18 in the display state shown in the figure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the window to be changed and related windows when window C is changed immediately before window B in the display state shown in FIG. , FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the display priority register section 18 when window C is changed immediately before window B, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of the display priority register section 18 when window C is changed to immediately after window D in the display state of FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the display priority register unit 18 when window C is changed immediately after window D. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... ill tll processor, 12... memory, 16... window register section, 18... display priority register section, 20... video register section, 2
4...Mouse, 32...Display monitor, 34...Bitmap memory, 36...Display processor. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a multi-window display device capable of displaying multiple windows in a superimposed manner, a display priority storage unit stores the display priority of the plurality of windows, and a display priority change instruction instructs to change the display priority of any window. means, a determining means for determining whether the current display priority and the target display priority of the change target window whose display priority change is instructed by the instruction means are high or low, and the determination result of the determination means and the change target window. Detection means refers to the display priority storage means based on the current display priority and the target display priority and detects a rank change window whose display priority changes as the display priority of the change target window changes; , a first changing means for reducing or expanding the video information of the rank change window detected by the detecting means according to the judgment result of the judgment means; The second one changes depending on the expansion or contraction.
A multi-window display device comprising: changing means.