WO2010035162A2

WO2010035162A2 - System and method for window resizing

Info

Publication number: WO2010035162A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053951
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kees Van Zon
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
Priority date: 2008-09-29
Filing date: 2009-09-09
Publication date: 2010-04-01
Also published as: JP5971946B2; EP2332041B1; ES2561404T3; RU2011117170A; JP2012504267A; RU2530698C2; EP2332041A2; CN102165415B; WO2010035162A3; CN102165415A

Abstract

A display having a plurality of viewing areas, a plurality of resizable windows, each window being displayed in an area corresponding to a number of the viewing areas and one or more resizing icons corresponding to each of the resizable windows, wherein a selection of one of the resizing icons resizes the window corresponding to the resizing icon to be displayed in a further area corresponding to a further number of the viewing areas.

Description

System and Method for Window Resizing

Inventor: Kees VAN ZON

Background

[0001] Many modern computer operating systems incorporate a graphical user interface ("GUI") to facilitate simple, intuitive user control. GUIs often utilize windowed layouts to display multiple applications or multiple subdivisions of an application simultaneously. In situations where a computer is being used under high time pressure, there is a need for the process of resizing windows to be both rapid and simple.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] A display having a plurality of viewing areas, a plurality of resizable windows, each window being displayed in an area corresponding to a number of the viewing areas and one or more resizing icons corresponding to each of the resizable windows, wherein a selection of one of the resizing icons resizes the window corresponding to the resizing icon to be displayed in a further area corresponding to a further number of the viewing areas .

[0003] A method for receiving an instruction to resize a window and resizing the window in a direction corresponding to the instruction, wherein the window covers a subset of a plurality of viewing areas.

[0004] A computer readable storage medium storing a set of instructions executable by a processor, the set of instructions operable to receive an instruction to resize a window and resize the window in a direction corresponding to the instruction, wherein the window covers a subset of a plurality of viewing areas .

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Figures Ia - Ii show various arrangements of an exemplary display with discretely resizable windows.

[0006] Figure 2 shows an alternate layout of an exemplary display with discretely resizable windows.

[0007] Figure 3 shows an exemplary display with discretely resizable windows of irregular sizes.

[0008] Figures 4a-4d show various magnified views of an exemplary resizable window with controls for rapid resizing.

[0009] Figures 5a-5c show various arrangements of an exemplary display with windows that may be resized programmatically .

[0010] Figure 6 shows an exemplary computer screen showing a display with discretely resizable windows as well as other content .

Detailed Description

[0011] The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. Described are exemplary systems and methods for rapidly resizing windows on a computer screen. [0012] Figures Ia - Ii illustrate an exemplary computer display 100. Those of skill in the art will understand that the display 100 may be shown on any type of screen (e.g., an LCD, a CRT, a projection, etc.), and that the images displayed thereon may be generated by any type of system capable of running a GUI as described herein. Further, those of skill in the art will understand that the display 100 may comprise the entirety of the viewable area of a monitor, or may comprise a subset thereof. Figures Ia - Ii illustrate a display 100 that is subdivided into nine viewing areas containing windows 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190. Each of the viewing areas is rectangular and has dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the windows 110 - 190. However, the display 100 may have any number of viewing areas with any type of shape and/or size. Each of the windows 110 - 190 can be resized to exactly cover a subset of the respective viewing area of the window, each viewing area being a fixed size. Figure Ia illustrates an exemplary default setup of the display 100, wherein each of the windows 110 - 190 is of equal size.

[0013] Figures Ib - Ii illustrate various manners in which window 110 can be resized. Figure Ib illustrates window 110 expanded horizontally in front of adjacent window 120 and window 120 is therefore hidden. Figure Ic illustrates window 110 further expanded horizontally in front of windows 120, 130 and windows 120, 130 are therefore hidden. Figure Id illustrates window 110 expanded both horizontally in front of windows 120 and vertically in front of windows 140, 150 and windows 120, 140 and 150 are therefore hidden. Figure Ie illustrates window 110 expanded twice horizontally in front of windows 120, 130 and once vertically in front of windows 140, 150, 160 and windows 120 - 160 are therefore hidden. Figure If illustrates window 110 expanded vertically in front of window 140 and window 140 is therefore hidden. Figure Ig illustrates window 110 expanded further vertically in front of windows 140, 170 and windows 140 and 170 are therefore hidden. Figure Ih illustrates window 110 expanded once horizontally in front of window 120 and twice vertically in front of windows 140, 150, 170, 180 and windows 120, 140, 150, 170 and 180 are therefore hidden. Figure Ii illustrates window 110 expanded horizontally and vertically to cover the entire display 110 and all other windows 120 - 190 are hidden. Those of skill in the art will understand that Figures Ib - Ii illustrate only the expansion of window 110. Any of the windows 110 - 190 are expandable in a similar manner, and that while only a single window 110 is shown to be expanded, multiple windows are simultaneously expandable in a similar manner. Similarly, windows are movable so that they may be relocated through the above-described resizing method. For example, the window 110 shown in Figure Ii is resizable downward and to the right, continuing to cover the area occupied by windows 150, 160, 180 and 190 in Figure Ia, while revealing windows 120, 130, 140 and 170.

[0014] By providing a discrete set of viewing areas over which the windows 110 - 190 can be resized, rather than allowing continuous resizing to any window size (as is possible with a click-and-drag interface) , the resizing process can be accomplished more quickly and with less screen clutter. Those of skill in the art will understand that in order to accomplish this, the viewing areas will typically be larger than a single pixel. While Figs. Ia - Ii illustrate a grid of rectangular viewing areas that are entirely contiguous, the viewing areas can also be separated by gaps; Fig. 2 illustrates such a display 200 with gaps including a set of windows 210 - 290 that are similar to the windows 110 - 190 of Fig. 1.

[0015] Further, while Figs. Ia - Ii and 2 illustrate displays 100 and 200 that have regularly sized windows 110 - 190 and 210 - 290, in other implementations the windows may be unevenly sized. Figure 3 illustrates such a display 300, which includes default windows 310 - 390 that are unevenly sized with respect to at least some of each other (e.g., windows 310, 330, and 340 are all differently sized) .

[0016] Resizing of windows is accomplished by means of icons that are displayed to indicate the directions in which a window (e.g., window 110) can be resized. Display of icons is dynamic in that the icons displayed in a given window will reflect the directions in which that window is capable of expanding at a given point in time. Figure 4a shows an expanded view of window 110 of Figure Ia with arrows 412, 414 and 416 that the user can click to expand the window. Clicking on the horizontal arrow 412 (e.g., with a cursor controlled by a mouse) expands the window 110 horizontally; clicking on the vertical arrow 414 expands the window 110 vertically; clicking on the diagonal arrow 416 expands the window 110 diagonally (i.e., both horizontally and vertically) . For example, beginning from the default setup of the display 100 in Fig. IA, clicking on the arrow 412 results in the new window configuration shown in Fig. Ib. Beginning from the default setup of the display 100 in Fig. IA, clicking on the arrow 414 results in the new window configuration shown in Fig. If. Beginning from the default setup of the display 100 in Fig. IA, clicking on the arrow 416 results in the new window configuration shown in Fig. Id. [0017] Continuing with the above example, Figure 4b shows an expanded view of window 110 of Fig. Ib, with the displayed icons 422, 424, 426 and 428 updated to reflect the new resizing possibilities for the window 110. Clicking on the left-facing horizontal arrow 422 reverses the expansion described above, uncovering window 120, and restoring window 110 to its original size as shown in Fig. Ia. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Ib, clicking on the right-facing horizontal arrow 424 further expands window 110 horizontally, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ic, wherein window 130 is further hidden. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Ib, clicking on the vertical arrow 426 expands window 110 vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Id, wherein windows 140 and 150 are further hidden. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Ib, clicking on the diagonal arrow 428 expands window 110 both horizontally and vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ie, wherein 130, 140, 150, and 160 are further hidden .

[0018] Figure 4c shows an expanded view of window 110 of Fig. If, with displayed icons 432, 434, 436 and 438 similarly updated as described above. Clicking on the horizontal arrow 432 expands window 110 horizontally, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Id, wherein windows 120 and 120 are hidden. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. If, clicking on the upward-facing vertical arrow 434 reverses the previous expansion of window 110, and uncovers window 140, resulting in the original window layout shown in Fig. Ia. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. If, clicking on the downward-facing vertical arrow 436 further expands window 110 vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ig, wherein window 170 is further hidden. Clicking on the diagonal arrow 438 expands window 110 both horizontally and vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ih, wherein windows 120, 150, 170, and 180 are further hidden.

[0019] Figure 4d shows an expanded view of window 110 of Fig. Id, with displayed icons 441, 442, 443, 444, 445 and 446 similarly updated as described above. Clicking on the left- facing horizontal arrow 441 contracts window 110 horizontally, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. If. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Id, clicking on the right-facing horizontal arrow 442 further expands window 110 horizontally, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ie, wherein windows 130 and 160 are further hidden. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Id, clicking on the upward-facing vertical arrow 443 contracts window 110 vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ib, wherein windows 140 and 150 are uncovered. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Id, clicking on the downward-facing vertical arrow 444 further expands window 110 vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. Ih, wherein windows 170 and 180 are further hidden. Starting from the expanded view in Fig. Id, clicking on the upward-left-facing diagonal arrow 445 contracts window 110 horizontally and vertically, returning window to its original size in Fig. Ia, wherein windows 120, 140, and 150 are uncovered. Finally, starting from the expanded view in Fig. Id, clicking on the downward-right-facing diagonal arrow 446 further expands window 110 horizontally and vertically, resulting in the window layout shown in Fig. li, wherein windows 130, 160, 170, 180, and 190 are further hidden. Those of skill in the art will understand that the window permutations described above are only exemplary and that others are equally possible. [0020] In all cases, the resizing options as indicated by the display icons are adjusted to what is allowed by the existing viewing areas. While single clicks are used to resize a window by a single step (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, as described above) , multiple clicks may be used for multiple resizing. It is possible for a double click to be configured to resize a window by two increments (if two increments are available) ; it is also alternatively possible for a double click to be configured to maximize or minimize a window in the direction of the selected icon. Additionally, while Figs. 4a - 4d illustrate windows with resizing icons in the top right corner, they may be located elsewhere.

[0021] If resizing of a particular window by the user is not desired, the display 100 can be configured not to display any resizing icons. This may be desirable, for example, where a particular window displays content that may be degraded (e.g., pixelated, distorted, etc.) if it is expanded or contracted compared to its default size. Optionally, a window that has been covered by another can be uncovered programmatically . For example, assume that the Fig. Ia again shows a default setup and that window 110 has been expanded horizontally, yielding the display 100 of Fig. Ib and hiding window 120. If a program operating on the display 100 is providing content in window 120 that needs to be uncovered (e.g., an alert message), the window 120 may uncover itself. This uncovering could be accomplished, for example, by programmatically resizing window 110 to its original size shown in Fig. Ia.

[0022] The windows of the display 100 can also be resized programmatically (rather than by the user) in response to specific events occurring in the application or system being displayed. This can include the resizing of multiple windows simultaneously. One example of this is the programmatic resizing of a window whose resizing icons were covered by another window, rendering it impossible for the user to resize the window if this were not corrected. Figs. 5a - 5c illustrate an example of a situation that would require this resizing. Fig. 5a illustrates a display 500 containing windows 510, 520, 530 and 540 before any resizing has taken place. Each of the windows has resizing controls as described above. Fig. 5b illustrates the same display 500 after window 530 has been vertically maximized to cover window 510. Fig. 5c illustrates the same display 500 after window 510 has been programmatically uncovered as described above. In Fig. 5c, window 510 covers the top of window 530, including its resizing controls. After this occurs, window 530 can be programmatically resized to its original size, as shown in Fig. 5a, to regain access to its resizing controls.

[0023] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary computer screen 600 showing a display 610 including four discretely resizable windows 620, 630, 640 and 650. As described above, the display 610 does not occupy the entire screen 600, so that other content (e.g., the time, selectable dropdown menus, etc.) may also be displayed.

[0024] The displays described above, and the methods for resizing the windows of said displays, provide a simple, convenient user interface. By allowing resizing with a single click, less user action is required. Further, in the event that the user is not satisfied with the new appearance of the screen, the original appearance may be easily restored. Additionally, restricting window sizes to a predetermined set of viewing areas keeps the screen organized rather than allowing it to become cluttered. All of these attributes are beneficial for applications that are used under time pressure, such as on a computer used for clinical decision support in an emergency room. Of course, these attributes may be used in applications that are not necessarily used under time pressure (i.e., time pressure is not a requisite to the enjoyment of these attributes) .

[0025] It is further noted that one of skill in the art will understand that the instructions to implement the exemplary embodiments may be included in the display device itself or in a separate computing device connected to and controlling the display device.

[0026] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the software applications and methods described herein, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the description. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of the software applications and methods described herein provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents .

[0027] It is also noted that the claims may include reference signs/numerals in accordance with PCT Rule 6.2 (b) . However, the present claims should not be considered to be limited to the exemplary embodiments corresponding to the reference signs/numerals .

Claims

What is claimed is :

Claim 1 A display (100), comprising: a plurality of viewing areas; a plurality of resizable windows (110-190), each window (110-190) being displayed in an area corresponding to a number of the viewing areas; and one or more resizing icons (412, 414, 416) corresponding to each of the resizable windows (110-190), wherein a selection of one of the resizing icons (412, 414, 416) resizes the window ( 110-190) corresponding to the resizing icon (412, 414, 416) to be displayed in a further area corresponding to a further number of the viewing areas.

Claim 2 The display (100) of claim 1, wherein the resizing icons (412, 414, 416) comprise arrows.

Claim 3 The display (100) of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of viewing areas is of substantially the same size.

Claim 4 The display (100) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of viewing areas are of non-uniform sizes.

Claim 5 The display (100) of claim 1, wherein the further number of viewing areas is one of greater than and less than the number of viewing areas .

Claim 6 The display (100) of claim 1, wherein an application program automatically resizes the window (110-190) . Claim 7 The display (100) of claim 1, further comprising: a display area in addition to the plurality of windows (110-190) .

Claim 8 The display (100) of claim 1, wherein adjacent viewing areas are one of contiguous and separated.

Claim 9 A method, comprising: receiving an instruction to resize a window (110-190); and resizing the window (110-190) in a direction corresponding to the instruction, wherein the window (110-190) covers a subset of a plurality of viewing areas .

Claim 10 The method of claim 9, wherein the instruction is based on a selection by a user.

Claim 11 The method of claim 10, wherein the selection by the user is selecting an icon (412, 414, 416) .

Claim 12 The method of claim 9, wherein the instruction is received from a software application.

Claim 13 The method of claim 8, further comprising: resizing a further window (110-190) in response to resizing the window (110-190), wherein the further window (110-190) covers a further subset of the plurality of viewing areas.

Claim 14 The method of claim 9, further comprising: displaying information in an area of a display (100) not including the viewing areas . Claim 15 A computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions executable by a processor, the set of instructions operable to: receive an instruction to resize a window (110-190); and resize the window (110-190) in a direction corresponding to the instruction, wherein the window (110-190) covers a subset of a plurality of viewing areas .