JPS63287993A - Display device with multi-window display function - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention has a multi-window display function suitable for use in various data processing devices such as personal computers, office computers, word processors, and DPS (data processing systems). In particular, regarding the improvement of display devices.

The present invention relates to a display device that simplifies an operator's window screen switching operation and improves the operability of a data processing device by configuring so that mutually related windows can be selected in groups from among a large number of windows.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, display devices having a multi-window display function, so-called multi-window display systems, have been used by being connected to personal computers, word processors, and other various data processing devices.

Multi-window display uses CR, which is a physical display device.
This is a display method in which the display screen of a display device such as T is divided into an arbitrary number of sections and separate data is displayed in each section.

Its original purpose was to display one limited physical display device.
By creating and displaying a plurality of virtual screens called windows, the operability is improved and at the same time, the usage efficiency of the physical display device is increased.

However, on the other hand, when a large number of windows are displayed on one physical screen, the screen becomes crowded and becomes difficult to see, which reduces operability. There is this inconvenience.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a window configuration diagram in a display device equipped with a conventional multi-window display function. In one drawing, WBM is a virtual screen memory (window buffer), and FBM is a physical screen memory (frame buffer). , and W^ to Wc indicate each window.

In the window configuration example shown in FIG. 17, virtual screens are allocated to each program on one virtual screen (window buffer) WBM.

That is, it has windows W^ to WC, and the contents of these screens are transferred to a physical screen memory (frame buffer) FBM based on window information and displayed in one overlapping manner.

In this way, multi-window display displays multiple virtual screens (windows W^~Wc) on only one physically existing display device, thereby improving the effective use of the device and increasing mutual interaction. This is one method for improving the processing efficiency of related jobs.

In a display device equipped with a multi-window display function, in order to display windows W^ to WC as shown in FIG. 17 above, each window has a window list in which information about that window is stored. ing.

Each window list is sequentially connected in the order in which they are displayed on the screen of the display device, so-called priority order, and a multi-window is displayed.

Next, window management information used in the multi-window display device will be explained.

Window management information is roughly divided into two parts, consisting of one window information list and a window list for each window.

FIG. 18 is an example of window management information used in a conventional display device with a multi-window display function, and shows an example of the structure of a window information list.

The window information list is as shown in FIG.
It consists of a "start pointer" and an "end pointer".

The "start pointer" points to the top of the window list, and the designated window becomes active.

The "last pointer" points to the last window list.

FIG. 19 is an example of window management information used in the same conventional display device having a multi-window display function, and shows an example of the structure of window information (window list).

Window information for each window is created as a window information list as shown in FIG. 19, and is stored and maintained.

In FIG. 19, the primary window pointer is set with information indicating the primary window list, that is, the window list for the window located below that window (having the next priority).

The "previous window pointer" is set with information indicating the previous window list, that is, the window list for the window located above the current window (high priority).

Information on the actual display position on the screen is set in the "physical display position".

Information about the actual display size on the screen is set in "Physical Display Size."

Information about the display data transfer start position on the virtual screen is set in the "logical display position".

"Logical screen size" is set to information about the logical size visible to the program.

A pointer to the view list is set in "pointer to view list." The view list is an area that stores information about the visible area of the window.

“Title J is set to the title (window name) to be displayed in the folder (frame) portion of the window, etc.

[Window 1. The number assigned to each window is set in the DJ.

The window list for each window is
The configuration is as shown in the figure, and these window lists are
The window information list shown in FIG. 18 is combined as a series of information in one display order.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the position on the virtual screen and the position on the physical screen in the same conventional display device equipped with a multi-window display function. It is the same as the figure, and X, Y are the coordinates of the transfer start position on the virtual screen WBM, ΔX, ΔY are the size of this virtual screen WBM, XyY are the coordinates of the display position on the physical screen FBM, ΔX, Δy is this physical screen FBM
indicates the size of

In the case of FIG. 20, the "Physical display position" in the window list shown in FIG. 19 includes seat 1! II (x.

y) is set, and ΔX, Δ
y is set.

Also, in the "logical display position", seat 41N (X, Y)
is set, and the "logical screen size" is set to ΔX.

ΔY is set.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen in a display device equipped with a conventional multi-window display function and data areas transferred from each virtual screen according to the display order. The symbols are the same as those in FIG. 17, and ■ to ■ indicate each area on the virtual screen.

In the display screen shown in Fig. 21, there are three windows W^~
We are displayed and its priority is.

The order is windows W^ to WC.

Therefore, all data in window W^ is visible.

However, the next ranking window WB has three areas ■~
It is divided into ■, and ■ and ■ are visible, but ■ is a window W^
You can't see it because it's below.

Furthermore, the lowest window we is divided into seven areas ■ to ■, where ■, ■, ■, and ■ are visible, and ■ to ■ are hidden by windows W^ and W8 and cannot be seen.

Each window has information about its visible area, and this information is stored in a view list.

This view list allows you to switch from the virtual screen to the physical screen FB.
When transferring display data to M, only the data in the visible area can be transferred.

In the case of the display screen shown in FIG. 21, the "pointer to view list" in the window list shown in FIG.
Sets a pointer to the view list that stores information about the visible area of the window.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-window display screen in a conventional display device having a multi-window display function. In the drawing.

W! ~W6 indicates a window.

The display example in FIG. 22 shows a state in which six windows are displayed.

Each window is ``edit'' for window W1.
Screen, window W2 is the compile screen, window W
3 is the word processing screen, window W4 is the graph creation screen,
Window W5 is assumed to be an arrangement screen, and window W6 is assumed to be a slip issuing screen.

Note that the priority order of each window is window w, -W
This is the order of a.

231st! I is a diagram showing an example of combining window information in the display example of FIG.
Figure 2: Correspondingly, a window list of each window W1 to W6 is shown.

In this case, the window information, that is, the window information list shown in FIG. 1a, and the window lists w and -Wa shown in FIG. 19 are used.

They are connected as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 23, a multi-window is displayed by combining the window information list and the window list Wr-We.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 23, when the number of windows increases, a first-order problem occurs.

First, one screen becomes crowded and difficult to see.

Second, when you want to see a window displaying related work content, other unrelated windows get in the way and you can't see it clearly.The reason for this display is that all window information is (Window list) is combined into one, so all windows are displayed on one screen.

Third, the process of selecting and rearranging windows is complicated, making it difficult for the operator to display the desired screen.

For example, on the screen shown in Figure 22, if you want to display window W3 on the word processor screen and window W4 on the graph creation screen at the top and next, first select window W4 and then select it from the window information list. It is necessary to perform the complicated work of placing the window W3 at the top, selecting it first, and creating the desired screen.

In this way, when a large number of windows are displayed on one screen, windows that are not closely related to the current work are also displayed, reducing the efficiency of one work.

As a conventional method to solve such inconvenience.

A first method is known in which unnecessary windows are temporarily hidden and removed from the physical screen, or turned into icons to reduce the area occupied by unnecessary windows on a nine-display screen.

Window iconization interrupts the transfer of display data from the virtual screen to the physical screen and instead displays the data on the physical screen.
Display a mark called an icon.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display example of a conventional window iconization screen.

This corresponds to FIG. 22.

This FIG. 24 shows a case where the window shown in FIG. 22 is turned into an icon.

In this 241i1, out of 6 windows.

Four windows 'V/+t W2 * Ws t
We is turned into an icon and displayed in the upper right corner of the screen, and only windows W3 and W4 are displayed on the physical screen, resulting in an easy-to-read screen.

Furthermore, with this iconization, there is no need to stop the program, so data can be output to the virtual screen.

However, *The work on the current windows W3 and W4 has been completed, and the windows Wl and W that were turned into icons earlier.
When restarting work related to the second grade, all the windows currently being measured must be turned into icons, and the previously turned into icons must be returned to the display list.

On top of that, on systems that don't have traditional temporary hiding or iconization features, instead of iconizing the program, you can close it once and then close it when you need it.

Need to reboot.

In short, in the conventional temporary hiding and iconization methods, internally, only the relevant windows are displayed on one display screen while many programs are running.

In this case, there is an inconvenience that replacing the display screen in units of related windows requires a huge amount of operations and takes more than one hour.

l-15 Therefore, the display device equipped with the multi-window display function of the present invention solves these inconveniences in conventional window display systems, and displays windows that are related to each other among a large number of windows in groups. In addition to configuring the window so that it can be selected with , it also allows switching to other window groups and switching windows within one window group (changing the priority and switching the active window) as before. This simplifies operator window operation,
The present invention relates to a display device that improves the operability of a data processing device.

Configuration To achieve this, the present invention includes: a real screen memory that stores display data of a physical display device; at least one virtual screen memory; and means for retrieving data from a partial area of the virtual screen memory; means for combining the data of each area retrieved from the virtual screen memory and outputting it to the real screen memory; a window list for storing management information of each window; and a window list for combining the window lists according to the priority order of the windows. In a display device having a multi-window display function and comprising a window display means for displaying a display, a group list storing management information for grouping the window list, and a window displaying a window by combining the group lists. The window list is combined in accordance with the priority order of the windows for each group, and the windows are displayed in groups.

Next, an embodiment of a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to one drawing.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the main configuration of a display device with a multi-window display function according to the present invention. In one drawing, 1 is a window control unit, 2 is a display data output control 3 is a window information storage section, 4 is a group information storage section, 5 is a window data transfer section, 6 is a window switching command section, 7 is a window buffer, 8 is a frame buffer, 9 is an input device such as a keyboard, 10 11 is a display unit consisting of a CRT or the like, and 11 is a system bus.

In the display device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a group information storage section 4 is particularly added in order to group windows, but the other configuration is basically the same as that of the conventional display device. .

The functions of each part are outlined below.

The window control unit l is the display position of the window.

Based on information such as the window display order and window transfer method, the window is managed, and processes such as changing the window display order, moving, and changing the size are performed.

The display data output control section 2 writes display data to a designated window area on the window buffer 5 based on information given from the window control section 1,
The window information storage section 3 is commanded to display a window.

The window information storage unit 3 stores window display positions, window display orders, window transfer methods, and other information regarding windows.

In response to a command from the window control section 1 or the display data output control section 2, information about the corresponding window in the window buffer 7 is passed to the window data transfer section 5 based on the information stored in the group information storage section 4. to group windows.

The group information storage section 4 is an area that stores information about which group a window belongs to.

Other information such as a pointer to the window, group ID, group name, etc. is stored.

The window data transfer section 5 transfers the window data to the frame buffer 8 (see FIG. FBM).

The window switching command section 6 outputs a corresponding command to the window data transfer section 5 to instruct group switching based on the command 1 given from the input module w9, for example, a window switching command.

The window buffer 7 is a logical screen that stores data for each window, and as shown in FIG. 17 earlier, each window (W^ to Wc on the WBM in FIG. 17)
The data is stored.

The frame buffer 8 is a bitmap type memory.
The contents written in this memory are displayed as they are on the screen of the display unit 10.

The input device 19 is input means such as a keyboard. Note that it is also possible to connect a two-dimensional position indicating device such as a pointing device that can indicate a position on the screen by mechanical operation.

The display unit 10 is made of a CRT or the like and is a display means that displays window data in a visible pattern.

The system bus 11 is connected to a system main body (not shown), and exchanges commands, data, etc. between the display device shown in FIG. 1 and the system main body.

Next, the display operation of the grouping window in the display device of the present invention will be explained.

FIGS. 2 (1) to (3) are diagrams each showing an example of a display screen of a grouping window by a display device equipped with a multi-window display function of the present invention. In one drawing, G1-03 is a group window; W! ~W6 indicates multi-window.

As shown in FIG. 2 (1) to (3), the windows are grouped into mutually related windows, and each group is displayed on the screen.

For example, in Figure 2 (1), group window G1 is displayed, and window W1 is used for editing.
The screen, window W2, is a compile screen.

Further, in FIG. 2(2), group G2 is displayed, window W3 is a word processing screen, and window W4 is a graph creation screen.

Further, in FIG. 2(3), group G3 is displayed, window W5 is a make-up screen, and window W6 is a slip issue double-sided screen.

In this way, by grouping the windows of mutually related tasks and displaying only the related windows, the screen becomes cleaner and work efficiency improves.

Furthermore, switching to another window group can be done by a simple operation of pressing, for example, a designated key, in the same way as conventional window switching.

In a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention, a "group information list J" and a "group list" are used as information for managing grouping windows.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a group information list used in a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the group information list consists of a start pointer and an end pointer.

This head pointer indicates the head group list, and this group is displayed on a display screen such as a CRT.

Also, the last pointer points to the last group list.

This group information list has basically the same structure as the window information list used in a conventional display device with a multi-window display function, that is, the window information list shown in FIG. Its function is also similar.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a group list used in a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention.

This group list also basically has the same structure as the window list shown in FIG. 19, but has a function of combining window lists in which information about each window is stored.

In this group list, the "next group pointer" points to the next group list, and if there is no secondary group list, a NULL code (Crt Ohp code) is input.

rPrevious group pointer'' points to the previous group list, and if there is no previous group list, the same (N
The ULL code is input.

The "first window pointer" points to the first window list.

The "last window pointer" points to the last window list.

[Group IDJ stores the registration number of this group.

The name of this group is stored in "Group Name".

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the combined state of the group list when the grouping windows shown in FIGS. 2 (1) to (3) are displayed. Reference numerals in the drawing are the same as those in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the window lists of windows W, to W6 are combined for each group list (GI = 03) using the group list shown in FIG. at-G3)
However, according to the group information list shown in Figure 3 above,
each is combined.

In other words, the "start pointer" of the group information list is
The "primary group pointer" of the currently selected group list G1 and the "last pointer" point to the last group list G3, respectively.

Then, the "next group pointer" of the first group list Gl is combined in the order of "primary group pointer of group G2" and "next group pointer" of group G3, and group G3 is the last and is connected to the next group list. Since they are not connected, a code of 0" is input to the "next group pointer."

The r-previous group pointer of this group list G3 is
"Previous group pointer" of group G2, group G+
Group G1 is at the beginning and is not combined with the previous group list, so the "previous group pointer" contains 40 Fl.
The code is entered.

The "first window pointer" of group list G1 is
They are combined in the order of "next window pointer" of window list Wl and "next window pointer" of window list W2, and since window list W2 is the last and has not been combined with the first window list, its "next window pointer" is A code of "0" is input to the "dough pointer".

"Previous window pointer" of this window list W2
is the "previous window pointer" of window list W.
and this window list Wl is combined with group G1
Since it is at the beginning of the window list and has not been combined with the previous window list, a code of "0" is input to its [previous window pointer].

The same applies to window lists W3 to W6.

As shown in FIG.
GI”G3) and group list (G3).
If Gl to G3) are combined using the group information list, grouped windows can be displayed as shown in FIG. 2 (1) to (3).

Next, an explanation will be given of an operation for switching groups of windows grouped in this manner.

This switching of groups is made possible by changing the combination state of the group list.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing when switching groups in the display device with the multi-window display function of the present invention shown in FIG. shows.

In the flow shown in FIG. 6, in step #1, it is determined whether or not groups are to be switched.

If switching groups, the target of the switching is.

Waiting for input as to whether it is the next group or the previous group.

In step #2, it is determined whether it is the next group or the previous group, and if it is the primary group.

In step #3, put the next pointer of the group list in the first pointer of the group information list.

Reconnect.

Moreover, if it is the previous group, in step #4, the previous pointer of the group list is placed in the head pointer of the group information list, and the connection is made.

In this way, the group list is reconnected as instructed.

In the next step #5, one display data is transferred to the frame buffer 8 based on the window information of the group list indicated by the head pointer of the group information list.

Repeat this process and proceed to step #6.

When it is detected that the transfer up to the last window has been completed, the group switching flow is completed.

Note that if it is determined in step #1 that the command is not a group switching command, the process advances to step #7.

In this step, step #7, it is determined whether or not to switch windows.

If it is a window switch, in step #8,
Performs window switching processing.

Next, window switching processing will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing when switching windows in a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, steps 111 to #13 are shown.

In step #8 of FIG. 6, window switching processing is performed in the order shown in FIG. 7.

If the window is to be switched, an input is awaited as to whether the switching target is the primary window or the previous window.

Then, in step #ll, it is determined whether it is the next window or the previous window, and if it is the next window, in step #12, the next window pointer of the window list is put in the first window pointer of the window list. , reconnect.

If it is the previous window, in step #13, the previous window pointer of the window list is placed in the first window pointer of the window list, and the connection is made.

Through such processing, the window list is reconnected as instructed.

Next, specific examples of various types of processing for grouping windows in the display device of the present invention will be described.

The display device of the present invention is capable of many types of processing.

For example, first, screen switching of grouped windows (switching the display order of groups).

Second, switching windows in the grouping window (switching screens within the same group); Third, adding a new window to an existing group; Fourth, adding a new window to an existing group. It is possible to add a group or window by setting additional groups or windows, and fifthly, to reorganize/create a group by reorganizing an existing group and creating a new group.

These processes will be explained below in this order.

First, the first "screen switching of grouped windows" will be explained.

Here, as shown in Figure 2 (1) to (3) above,
Assume that three group windows G1 to G3 have been created and are grouped into mutually related windows.

That is, as shown in Figure 2 (1), window W1 on the edit screen and window W2 on the compile screen are displayed as group window G+.Similarly, as shown in Figure 2 (2), window W1 on the edit screen and window W2 on the compile screen are displayed as group window G+. Window W3 on the screen and window W4 on the graph creation screen are displayed as a group window G2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2(3), the window W5 of the one-time arrangement screen and the window W8 of the slip issuing screen are displayed as a group window G3.

In this way, it is assumed that the windows of mutually related tasks are grouped and each group is displayed on the screen.

Figure 8 shows the group window Gl in Figure 2 (1) above.
This is a diagram showing an example of how the display screen changes when switching to the primary group with . , similar to FIG.

The following Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the state of group pointer connection when switching groups in Fig. 8.0 The symbols in the drawing are the same as in Fig. 2, and A is the start pointer, B-D indicates the next group pointer, a indicates the last pointer, and bd indicates the previous group pointer.

(1) in Figure 8 where group window G1 is displayed.
), the group information is combined as shown in (2) in FIG.

Here, when a group switching command is input and the next group is designated, the screen changes as shown in (2) of FIG.

In other words, the group window G2 is displayed, and the word processing screen window W3 and the graph creation screen window W4 are displayed on five screens.

The group information on the display screen (2) in FIG. 8 is as follows.

They are connected in the state shown in FIG. 9 (2).

In this way, by switching from the coupled state (2) in FIG. 9 to the coupled state (4) in FIG.

A group window G2 can be displayed.

Such switching is performed in the order of (2) to (4) in FIG.

First, in the group information list (2) in Figure 9.

The head pointer "A" is replaced with the next group pointer rB, and the previous group pointer rbJ is replaced with rcJ, resulting in changes as shown in (3) in FIG.

Further, the first pointer rBJ is replaced with rDJ, and the last group pointer raJ is replaced with the previous group pointer rb.

Therefore, as shown in (4) of FIG. 9, the group information list is reconnected, and the group information list has a [start pointer] of 1! indicates the currently selected group list G2, and "r last pointer" indicates the group list G1.

Set the group pointer in the group list to (
4) By combining into states such as:

The screen (2) in FIG. 8 will be displayed.

Next, the second "window switching in a grouping window" will be explained.

This window switching process is screen switching within the same group, and window switching is the same as in the conventional case.

However, in the display device of the present invention, switching is performed between windows belonging to the group currently displayed on the screen.

Figure 10 shows the group window G in Figure 2 (1) above.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change state of the display screen when the window is switched while + is displayed, in which (1) shows the state before switching, and (2) shows the state after switching.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how the window pointer is switched when switching windows in FIG. 10.
Reference numerals in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 2, and B and C are the next window pointers, a is the last pointer, and b and C are the previous window pointers.

(
In the state 1), the window information (window list) of the windows belonging to that group is shown in (2) in Figure 11.
) are connected as shown.

Here, when a window switching command is input, the screen changes as shown in (2) in FIG. 10.

That is, the window W2 located at the lower level.

It is displayed at the top of the window WI.

The window list in (2) in Figure 11 is shown in (2) in Figure 11.
By reconnecting processing like 3), (4) in Figure 11 is achieved.
).

Further, the third r setting for adding a new window to an existing group is as follows.

Here, a case will be described in which one new window is added to one existing group.

Figures 12 (1) and (2) are diagrams showing an example of the screen display of an existing window group and an example of window management information, where (1) is the display screen of the window group, and (2) is the window management information. Codes in the 0 drawings that indicate information are:
It is similar to FIG.

Assume that one window W is opened in an existing window group Gl, as shown in the screen display shown in FIG. 12(1).

In the window management information in this case, the window list W is connected to the group list Gl as shown in 12th @(2).

Next 131st! ! (1) and (2) are a display example of the window group screen and an example of window management information when a new window W2 is generated in the existing window group G1 shown in FIG. 12 (1). In the figure, (1) is the display screen of the window group, (2)
) indicates the window management information. The symbols in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 2.

When you start the window processing program, the screen shown in Figure 12 (
A screen like 1) will be displayed.

In this state, for example, by pressing the window generation key and inputting a window generation command, it becomes possible to add a new window. This window generation process is the same as in the conventional case.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13 (1), a new window W
Suppose that 2 is generated.

In this case, the first @ is controlled by the window control unit 1.
As shown in FIG. 13(2), a new window list W2 is generated, and in the window information storage section 3, this window list W2 is changed to a group list G+ and a window list W.

Connected by pointers.

Through such processing, a new window W2 is added to the existing group G1.

The fourth process of "additionally setting a new group or window to an existing group" is performed as follows.

Figures 14 (1) and (2) show examples of how the window group screen will look when a new group G2 and window W3 are created in the existing window group G1 shown in Figure 12 (1). , a diagram showing an example of window management information, in which (1) shows the display screen of a window group, and (2) shows the window management information. Reference numerals in the drawing are the same as in FIG. 2.

Start the window processing program and proceed as shown in Figure 13 (1).
With a screen like this displayed, for example, press the group generation key to input group generation command 4.

In this case, it becomes possible to add a new group.

In this Figure 14 (1) and (2), Figure 13 (1) and (
This shows a case where a new group G2 and window W3 are generated in the existing window group G1 shown in 2).

When a new group is generated, a new group list G2 is additionally generated in the group list of the window, and this added group list G2 is stored in the group information storage section 4 of FIG.

The group information list and the group list Gl are connected by a pointer.

Furthermore, a window W3 belonging to this window group G2 is generated by the window flJ control unit 1.

This window list W3 shown in FIG. 14(2) is stored in the window information storage section 3.

You can also connect to the group list with a pointer.

Thus, to the existing window group G,.

Create a new group G2 and window W3.

can be added.

The fifth process of "generating a new group by reorganizing an existing group" is performed when, for example, one group is divided into two groups.

Figures 15 (1) and (2) are diagrams showing a display example of an existing window group screen and an example of window management information, where (1) is the window group display screen and (2) is the window management information. The code in the drawing is the second
It is similar to the figure.

This example is the 15th v! As shown in 1(1), there is one window group G, and there are three windows W.
1 to W3 are open, a new window W4 is generated, and this window W4 and the existing window W1 are made into a new group G2.

In the window management information in this case, the group information list, group list G1, and window lists W1 to W3 are connected in a combined state as shown in FIG. 15(2).

Assume that it is desired to rearrange one window Wl of group G1 in this state to another group.

The following Fig. 16 (1) to (3) shows the case where a new window W4 is generated in the existing window group Gl shown in Fig. 15 (1) and a new group G2 is generated. This is a diagram showing an example of display of a screen of a window group and an example of window management information, in which (1) and (2) are the display screens of the window group, and (3) is the window management information. It is similar to the figure.

If it is desired to rearrange the group into another group, a new group is generated and this is designated as group G2.

This process is the same as described in connection with FIG. 14 above.

Next, window W1 is moved to this group G2.

The window is moved, for example, by pressing a window movement key.

By moving this window, the group list G+
and G2. Then, the pointers are reconnected so that the window lists W1 to w3 change from the combined state shown in FIG. 15 (2) to the combined state shown in FIG. 16 (3).

After the window movement process is completed, a new window W4 to be added is generated.

The process of adding this new window is as described above in connection with FIG. 14.

By repeating the movement of windows and the creation of new windows, it is possible to create any group.

Then, a group of mutually related work windows is arbitrarily selected and grouped, and each group is displayed on the screen.

In this case, it is possible to switch screens on a group-by-group basis, and windows belonging to a desired group can be displayed on one screen.

In addition, when redisplaying the screen, you can check the group information list to find out which group list is connected to the beginning, so you can sequentially read information about each window stored in the window list from the beginning pointer of this group list. is detected and the display data is transferred from the virtual screen to the physical screen based on each window information.

Therefore, the processing when switching screens is extremely simplified,
You can quickly display the desired group.

Moreover, the window list, which stores information about each window, is simply connected by a pointer, so moving a window to another group only requires changing the connection state of this pointer. No complicated operations are required.

As explained in detail above, the present invention includes a real screen memory that stores display data of a physical display device, at least one virtual screen memory, and data in a partial area of the virtual screen memory is retrieved. means for combining the data of each area retrieved from the virtual screen memory and outputting it to the real screen memory; a window list for storing management information of each window; and combining the window list according to the priority order of the windows. In a conventional display device having a multi-window display function, the group list is combined with a group list storing management information for grouping the window list. and window display means for displaying windows, and the window list is combined in accordance with the priority order of windows for each group, so that windows are displayed in groups.

Therefore, according to the display device equipped with the multi-window display function of the present invention, a large number of windows can be grouped into windows for each related task, and windows that are not directly related are not displayed. A clear and easy-to-read display is obtained on one screen, and operability is improved.

In addition, since screens can be switched in groups, it is possible to quickly select and display only the desired group of windows from among the many windows open in the system, depending on the work status. It becomes possible.

Moreover, for grouped windows, it is possible to move any window to any group by simply changing the combination layer of the group list, and new windows can be added to each existing group. The operation is also extremely simple.

In this way, compared to conventional multi-window display systems, processing such as simply displaying only the necessary windows and switching to display other windows is extremely simple.

Window processing specific to this invention: reorganization of groups of grouped windows.

Since it is also possible to move windows between groups, create new windows in any group, etc., many excellent effects such as significantly improved operability can be achieved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the main configuration of a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention. ! (1) to (3) are diagrams each showing an example of a display screen of a grouping window on a display device equipped with a multi-window display function of the present invention, and FIG. The figure which shows an example of the group information list used by a display device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a group list used in a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the grouping windows shown in FIGS. 2 (1) to (3). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a combined state of group lists when displaying . FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing when switching groups in the display device shown in FIG. 1 having a multi-window display function of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing when switching windows in a display device having a multi-window display function according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change state of the display screen when switching to the primary group in a state in which is displayed, in which (1) is a diagram before switching, and (2) is a diagram after switching. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state of group pointer connection when switching groups in FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change state of the display screen when switching is performed, in which (1) is a diagram showing before switching, and (2) is a diagram showing after switching. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how the window pointers are switched when switching windows in FIG. 10. FIGS. 12(1) and 12(2) are diagrams showing a display example of an existing window group screen and an example of window management information. Figures 13 (1) and (2) show that a new window W2 is added to the existing window group G1 shown in Figure 12 @ (1).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a window group screen and an example of window management information when a window group is generated. FIGS. 14(1) and (2) are for the case where a new group G2 and window W3 are created in the existing window group at shown in FIG. 12(1). A diagram showing a display example of the window group screen and an example of window management information. FIGS. 15 (1) and (2) are diagrams showing a display example of the existing window group screen and an example of the window management information. 16(1,) to (3) show that a new window W is added to the existing window group G1 shown in FIG. 15(1).
4 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen of a window group and an example of window management information in a case where a new group G2 is generated as well as a new group G2. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a window configuration diagram of a display device equipped with a conventional multi-window display function. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing window management information used in a display device equipped with a conventional multi-window display function. An example of the structure of a window information list. FIG. 19 is an example of window management information used in the same conventional display device equipped with a multi-window display function, and is an example of the structure of window information (window list). FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between a position on a virtual screen and a position on a physical screen in the same conventional display device equipped with a multi-window display function. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an example of a display screen in the same conventional display device equipped with a multi-window display function and data areas transferred from each virtual screen according to the display order. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-window display screen in a conventional display device with a multi-window display function, and FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of combining window information in the display example of FIG. 22. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display example of a conventional window iconization screen. In the drawing, 1 is a window control section, 2 is a display data output control section, and 3 is a window information storage section. 4 is a group information storage unit, 5 is a window data transfer unit, 6 is a window switching command unit, 7 is a window buffer, 8 is a frame buffer, 9 is an input device, 10 is a display unit, and 11 is a system bus. γ Roof゛Information Restore''Roof° Restore 4 Picture expansion 2 Figure? 5 Figure O 6 Close 8 [21 Sae 10 Flash!! 11\
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Dimension figure 19 ≦ 5
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Claims (1)

[Claims] a real screen memory for storing display data of a physical display device; at least one virtual screen memory; means for retrieving data from a partial area of the virtual screen memory; and means for retrieving data from a partial area of the virtual screen memory; means for combining and outputting area data to the real screen memory; a window list for storing management information of each window; and a window display means for combining the window lists in accordance with the priority order of the windows and displaying the window. A display device equipped with a multi-window display function, comprising: a group list that stores management information for grouping the window lists; and window display means that combines the group lists to display a window; A display device characterized in that the window list is combined according to the priority order of windows for each group, and windows are displayed in groups.