WO2008041297A1

WO2008041297A1 - Information processing device

Info

Publication number: WO2008041297A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/319563
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinji Ohta
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2006-09-29
Filing date: 2006-09-29
Publication date: 2008-04-10

Abstract

Provided is an information processing device capable of preview-displaying a content of a task screen in a non-active window according to a simple operation. The information processing device displays a task screen on the overlap window and displays a task button on the task bar. The information processing device includes preview file acquisition means and preview file display means. When the task screen is displayed, the preview file acquisition means stores a copy of the task screen as a preview file in a storage device and records the relationship between the task and the preview file in a relationship management table. Furthermore, when the task screen of the most front is switched, the preview file acquisition means acquires a copy of the task screen of the most front immediately before the switching and updates the corresponding preview file. While a pointer is positioned to one of the task buttons, the preview file display means displays the content of the corresponding preview file on the popup window according to a relationship management table.

Description

Specification

Information processing device

Technical field

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that realizes a multi-window environment with overlapping windows.

Background art

[0002] An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer generally implements a graphical user interface (GUI) under a multi-window environment. In a multi-window environment, a plurality of windows are displayed on the screen of the display device, and it is possible to work on different documents and images in each window. At that time, multiple windows are often realized as overlapping windows.

[0003] In a multi-window environment with overlapping windows, the active window is placed at the top or frontmost as the active window, and some or all of the other windows or inactive windows are behind the active window. hide. Then, the active window is switched according to the task switching operation on the window or task bar.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a GUI screen that is generally used in a personal computer or the like includes a portion 20 for displaying a window and a portion 40 for displaying a task bar. During the operation of the personal computer, the start button 42 is displayed in the part 40 displaying the task bar!

[0005] In such a GUI screen, when a document creation application program is started to create a new document file, the task is started, and a window is displayed as shown in FIG. A task screen 22A for actually creating a new document file is displayed as a window in 20, and at the same time, a portion 40 for displaying a task bar is displayed corresponding to a task for creating a new document file. One task button 44A is displayed.

[0006] In addition, a new document file created in advance (that is, a new document file corresponding to the task screen 22A in FIG. When a new document file is created for a purpose completely different from that of the (Regular Document File), as shown in Fig. 3, the document file is created in the window display part 20 as in the case of the new document file created earlier. The task screen 22B is displayed as one window, and at the same time, the corresponding task button 44B is displayed in the portion 40 where the task bar is displayed. At this time, the new document file creation window 22A opened first moves backward and is only partially visible.

[0007] Furthermore, when a new document file is created for a completely different purpose from the two previously created new document files, as shown in FIG. 4, a task screen (window for creating a new document file) is created. 22C and the corresponding task button 44C are added, and three new document files are being created. Then, the new document file creation windows 22A and 22B opened earlier are only partially visible by the last opened new document file creation window 22C.

[0008] Normally, on the GUI screen as shown in FIG. 4, when searching for the task screen (window) of the document file to be updated next, the task screen 22A for creating the document file that exists behind the mouse is displayed. It is necessary to confirm the contents by operation. For example, in the case of mouse operation, as shown in FIG. 5, the mouse pointer 50 is moved to the task button 44A in the task bar 40 and the mouse button is clicked, or the document file existing behind is created. By moving the mouse pointer 50 over the screen (window) 22A and clicking the mouse button, it is necessary to display the task screen 22A for document file creation that exists behind the screen and check the contents. There is. Also, when checking the document file creation task screen, it is generally used to confirm the contents by moving the document file creation task screen by mouse operation.

Here, conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, there has been a mechanism for previewing a file once stored. However, when a document or the like is created as a new file by various application programs, there is a mechanism for previewing the contents of the document file or the like that is being newly created.

[0010] On the GUI screen that displays the window and task bar, the file name pops up when the mouse pointer is over the task button on the task bar. However, there was a function that pops up the contents of document files etc. and displayed a preview!

[0011] Further, in Patent Document 2 below, when data processing is performed on any desired data area frame in any one of a plurality of pages, the data area frame is simply indicated. By simply popping up the list display data specific to the data area frame, the operator can easily specify the multiple items included in the list display data and perform processing for the data area frame easily. There is disclosed a data processing apparatus which can be used. However, the list display data specific to the data area frame is displayed in a pop-up, and the data itself in the data area frame cannot be confirmed.

[0012] As described above, when a plurality of new files are created simultaneously by various application programs on a window screen of a personal computer or the like, the contents of the currently updated document file creation task screen (window) are as follows. Because it exists in the foreground, it can be judged immediately. The contents of the other task screen for creating a document file are currently located behind the task screen for creating a document file. When searching the task screen of the desired document file while checking its contents, it was necessary to check the contents of the document file by moving the task screen for creating the document file to the forefront.

[0013] In addition, when a plurality of document files are created and the task screen of one document file is opened and updated to fill the screen of the display device of the personal computer, the task for creating the document file that exists behind is displayed. Since the screen cannot be seen at all, the contents of the document file cannot be confirmed. For this reason, in order to confirm the contents of another document file, it was necessary to move the other document file to the forefront by clicking a task button corresponding to the other document file.

[0014] Furthermore, as described above, a function for popping up and displaying a file name when the mouse pointer is positioned on a task button in the task bar has already been provided. However, in the case of a new document file, the file name does not exist because the file has not yet been saved to disk. Therefore, as the file name of the new document file, all Since the same name is given, only the same file name is popped up, and the document file to be updated next cannot be determined. In addition, since a new document file exists only in the memory, it is necessary to link various application programs, and it is difficult to display a preview.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9 218809

Patent Document 2: JP-A-6-161699

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus that displays a task screen in an overlap window for each activated task and displays a task button on a task bar. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of previewing the contents of a task screen of a non-active window based on a simple operation.

Means for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for displaying a task button on a task bar and displaying a task button for each activated task in an overlapping manner. When the task screen is displayed in conjunction with the start-up, a copy of the task screen is stored as a preview file in the storage device, and the relationship between the task and the preview file is recorded in the relationship management table. When the foreground task screen is switched in conjunction with switching, a preview file acquisition means for acquiring a copy of the foreground task screen immediately before the switching and updating the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table, and pointing Period when the pointer by the device is over the task button in the taskbar The information processing apparatus comprising a preview file display means for displaying pop up the contents of the corresponding preview file on the basis of the relationship management table, it is provided.

[0018] In one preferred aspect, the preview file acquisition means is activated and releases the corresponding preview file and the relationship in the relationship management table when the task is terminated. [0019] In one preferable aspect, the preview file display means pops up and displays the contents of the preview file in the vicinity of the task button V where the pointer overlaps.

[0020] Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a preview display control method in an information processing apparatus that displays a task screen in an overlapping manner and displays a task button on a task bar for each activated task, When a task screen is displayed in conjunction with task activation, a copy of the task screen is stored in the storage device as a preview file, and the relationship between the task and the preview file is recorded in the relationship management table. When the foreground task screen is switched in conjunction with switching, a preview file acquisition step for acquiring a copy of the forefront task screen immediately before switching and updating the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table; Pointer by pointing device becomes task button in the task bar There is provided a preview display control method in an information processing apparatus, comprising a preview file display step of popping up and displaying the contents of a corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table during an overlapping period.

[0021] According to the present invention, there is provided a program executed by an information processing apparatus that displays a task screen in an overlapping manner and displays a task button on a task bar for each activated task, When the task screen is displayed in conjunction with task activation, the information processing device stores a copy of the task screen in the storage device as a preview file and stores the relationship between the task and the preview file in the relationship management table. When the foreground task screen is switched in conjunction with task switching, a copy of the foreground task screen immediately before switching is acquired and the corresponding preview file is created based on the relationship management table. The preview file acquisition means for updating the file and the pointer by the pointing device are displayed on the taskbar in the taskbar. A program for functioning as preview file display means for popping up and displaying the contents of the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table during the period of overlapping with the button is provided.

The invention's effect

[0022] According to the present invention, based on a simple operation, the task screen in the inactive window is displayed. The content is previewed. For example, when multiple new files are created simultaneously by various application programs, the screen of the document file etc. is moved to the forefront whenever the contents of the document file etc. to be updated next are confirmed. By moving the pointer by the pointing device to the task button in the task bar, a preview of the task screen is displayed in a pop-up window, and the contents of the document file can be confirmed. At that time, it is displayed in the window without depending on the control of various application programs running on the operating system! All the task screens can be previewed!

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a GUI screen.

[FIG. 2] —A diagram illustrating a GUI screen on which two windows are displayed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a GUI screen on which two windows are displayed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a GUI screen on which three windows are displayed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of switching the active window on the GUI screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of task activation processing by the operating system and the preview file acquisition program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a relationship management table.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of task switching processing by an operating system and a preview file acquisition program.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of task end processing by the operating system and the preview file acquisition program.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of preview display processing by the operating system and the preview file display program.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen in which a preview of the task screen is displayed in a pop-up window.

[Fig.13] GUI screen with task screen preview displayed in pop-up window It is a figure which shows one example.

Explanation of symbols

20 Window display area

22A ゝ 22B, 22C Task screen (window)

40 Taskbar display area

42 Start button

44A ゝ 44B, 44C Task button

50 Mouse pointer

60A ゝ 60B pop-up window

100 Computer (CPU)

110 year old rating system (os)

120 application programs

130 Preview file acquisition program

140 Preview file display program

150 Relationship management table

200 Display device

300 input devices

400 disk units

410 preview files

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 is a computer main body (CPU), reference numeral 200 is a display device (display), reference numeral 300 is an input device including a keyboard, a mouse as a pointing device, etc., and reference numeral 400 is a disk as an external storage device. Each device is shown.

The computer main body 100 includes an operating system (OS) 110, various application programs (APL1, APL2,..., APLn) 120, a preview file acquisition program 130, a preview file display program 140, and a relationship management table 150. With The Here, the preview file acquisition program 130, the preview file display program 140, and the relationship management table 150 are provided specifically for the present invention. The disk device 400 stores a preview file 410 according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of task activation processing by the operating system 110 and the preview file acquisition program 130. First, the operating system 110 detects that an operation of starting an application program, that is, a task, has been performed by the operator using the input device 300 (step 502).

Next, in response to the activation operation, the operating system 110 displays a task screen, that is, a window on the screen of the display device 200 and also displays a task button in the task number as shown in FIG. (Step 504).

[0029] Next, the preview file acquisition program 130 acquires a copy of the displayed task screen and saves it as a preview file 410 in the disk device 400 (step 506).

[0030] Further, the preview file acquisition program 130 records the relationship between the acquired preview file and the activated task in the relationship management table 150 (step 508). Therefore, the relationship management table 150 has a form as shown in FIG. After completing the task activation process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of task switching processing by the operating system 110 and the preview file acquisition program 130. First, the operating system 110 detects that an operation of switching a task, that is, an active window (specifically, a click operation on a window or a task button) is performed by the operator using the input device 300 (step 602).

[0032] Next, the preview file acquisition program 130 acquires a copy of the task screen that has been set as the active window until now, and based on the information in the relationship management table 150, the preview file corresponding to the task. Search 410 and update its contents (step 604). In this way, it is possible to always keep a preview of the latest task screen.

Then, the operating system 110 responds to the task switching operation with reference to FIG. The foremost task screen, that is, the active window on the screen of the display device 200, such as switching from the state to the state of FIG. 5, is switched (step 606). The task switching process ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of task end processing by the operating system 110 and the preview file acquisition program 130. First, the operating system 110 detects that an operation has been performed by the operator using the input device 300 to end the application program, that is, the task (step 702).

[0035] Next, the operating system 110 closes a corresponding task screen, that is, a window on the screen of the display device 200 and closes a corresponding task button on the task bar in accordance with the end operation (step 704).

Next, the preview file acquisition program 130 searches for the preview file 410 corresponding to the task to be ended based on the information held in the relationship management table 150 and deletes the file from the disk device 400. (Step 706).

[0037] Furthermore, the preview file acquisition program 130 deletes one record that records the relationship between the task to be terminated and its corresponding preview file from the relationship management table 150 (step 708). As a result, the task end processing ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of preview display processing by the operating system 110 and the preview file display program 140. First, the operating system 110 determines whether or not the mouse pointer is positioned on any task button on the task bar (step 802). If it is determined that the mouse pointer is also positioned at the misaligned task button, the preview display process ends.

On the other hand, when the operating system 110 determines that the mouse pointer is positioned on any task button, the preview file display program 140 is based on the information held in the relationship management table 150. Then, the preview file 410 corresponding to the task button on which the mouse pointer is positioned is searched, and the content is displayed in the pop-up window as a preview of the task screen (step 804). For example, as shown in Figure 12, mouse pointer 50 is positioned on task button 44A. When attached, a preview of the task screen 22A is displayed in the pop-up window 60A. Similarly, when the mouse pointer 50 is positioned on the task button 44B as shown in FIG. 13, a preview of the task screen 22B is displayed in the pop-up window 60B. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the powerful pop-up window is displayed near (more preferably, directly above) the task button where the mouse pointer 50 is positioned. Therefore, the operator can immediately identify the preview display of the target task screen.

[0040] Next, the operating system 110 waits until the mouse pointer is released from the task button (step 806).

[0041] When the operating system 110 detects that the mouse pointer has been released from the task button force, the preview file display program 140 closes the pop-up window, ie, the task screen preview (step 806). For example, the state shown in FIG. 12 or 13 returns to the state shown in FIG. The preview display process ends.

In the present embodiment, for example, when it is desired to confirm the contents of the new document file 22A created first on the screen shown in FIG. 4, the mouse pointer is displayed as shown in FIG. By simply moving 50 into the task button 44A, the contents of the document file can be displayed as a pop-up window 60A and checked.

[0043] If the content is different from the document file being searched for, as shown in FIG. 13, if the mouse pointer 50 is moved to the next task button 44B, the content of the document file for that task is popped. Can be displayed as a pop-up window 60B. If the mouse pointer 50 is out of the task button, only the preview screen that was popped up will be closed and the initial state (state shown in Fig. 4) will be displayed.

That is, according to the present embodiment, a preview of a document file creation screen or the like can be displayed in a pop-up and closed by simply moving the mouse pointer, and the document file can be closed by a mouse operation or the like. You can check the document file creation screen for all tasks without moving the screen to the front. When the pop-up window is closed, it returns to the state before the preview display. After that, the document file creation screen Since the task of the document file to be updated next has been confirmed by the review display, the document file screen is moved to the foreground by clicking the task button as described with reference to Fig. 5 as before. The document creation operation can be performed.

[0045] Conventionally, when a mouse pointer is moved to a task button on the task bar, a file name may be popped up. However, in the case of a new document file, the file name is the same, so it was difficult to find the next document file to be searched. In the present embodiment, the preview contents, not the file name, are displayed in a pop-up so that the contents of the document file can be confirmed, and the next document file to be updated can be found at an early stage.

In this embodiment, a copy of the task screen is acquired when the active task (active window) is switched, and a preview of the task screen is displayed when the mouse pointer is positioned on the task button on the task bar. Since it is displayed as a pop-up window, it is effective even when data exists only in the memory, and preview display is possible for all application programs running on the window.

That is, the preview file acquisition program and the preview file display program according to the present embodiment are not limited to a case where a new document file is created, but when an existing document file is updated or an application other than the document creation application program is used. This is also effective when using a task screen such as a program (for example, a spreadsheet application program).

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An information processing device that displays a task screen for each activated task in an overlapping manner and displays a task button on a task bar.

When a task screen is displayed in conjunction with task activation, a copy of the task screen is stored in the storage device as a preview file, and the relationship between the task and the preview file is recorded in the relationship management table. Preview file acquisition means for acquiring a copy of the foreground task screen immediately before switching when the foreground task screen is switched in conjunction with task switching and updating the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table When,

Preview file display means for popping up and displaying the contents of the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table during a period in which the pointer by the pointing device overlaps the task button in the task bar;

An information processing apparatus comprising:

[2] The preview file acquisition means is used when the activated task is terminated.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding preview file and the relationship in the relationship management table are canceled.

[3] The information processing device according to [1], wherein the preview file display means pops up and displays the contents of the preview file in the vicinity of a task button on which a pointer overlaps.

[4] A preview display control method in an information processing device that displays a task screen in an overlapped manner for each activated task and displays a task button on a task bar.

When a task screen is displayed in conjunction with task activation, a copy of the task screen is stored in the storage device as a preview file, and the relationship between the task and the preview file is recorded in the relationship management table. A preview file acquisition step for acquiring a copy of the foreground task screen immediately before switching when the foreground task screen is switched in conjunction with task switching and updating the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table When, A preview file display step of popping up and displaying the contents of the corresponding preview file based on the relationship management table during a period in which the pointer by the pointing device overlaps the task button in the task bar;

A preview display control method in an information processing apparatus.

5. The preview display in the information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the preview file acquisition step releases the corresponding preview file and the relationship in the relationship management table when the task that has been started is terminated. Control method.

6. The preview display control method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the preview file display step pops up and displays the contents of the preview file in the vicinity of a task button on which a pointer overlaps.

[7] A program executed by an information processing apparatus that displays a task screen in an overlapped manner for each activated task and displays a task button on a task bar, the information processing apparatus including:

Program to function as.

[8] The program according to claim 7, wherein the preview file acquisition unit releases the corresponding preview file and the relationship in the relationship management table when the activated task is terminated.

[9] The program according to claim 7, wherein the preview file display means pops up and displays the contents of the preview file in the vicinity of the task button on which the pointer overlaps. Gram,