CN1239239A

CN1239239A - Linkage between unrelated windows

Info

Publication number: CN1239239A
Application number: CN99105189A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·R·海恩斯; C·K·亨特; J··T帕拉迪塞
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1998-05-27
Filing date: 1999-04-26
Publication date: 1999-12-22
Also published as: KR19990087910A; JP2000039947A

Abstract

The present invention proposes a method of associating two or more windows in a graphical user interface (GUI) such that activation of a first feature of a first window results in activation of a second feature of a second window. Such association may conveniently be performed by the computer operating system. In one embodiment, the pointing device (mouse) has left and right buttons, the left button is used to activate the first feature when the graphic indicator is overlaid on the graphic symbol corresponding to the first feature, and the right button is used to activate the first feature when the graphic indicator selects the feature for association when overlaid on a graphical symbol. A pop-up menu is shown in response to actuation of the right button, with "Associate" and other options listed on the pop-up menu.

Description

Interlock between the uncorrelated form

The present invention is generally speaking relevant with computer system.Specifically, computer system involved in the present invention has one and shows a plurality of graphic user interfaces (GUI) that are used for consulting the form (Window) of different document, it can provide the interlock between former incoherent two or more forms, links as scroll bar (scroll bar).

The basic structure of conventional computer system 10 as shown in Figure 1.The core of computer system 10 is CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) or processor 12, it is connected with some peripherals, comprising: as I/O (I/O) device 14 (as the display monitor and the keyboards) of user interface, the permanent storage device 16 of storage computer operating system and user program (as hard disk or floppy disk), and processor 12 is used for the temporary memory storage 18 (as random access memory ram) of execution of program instructions.Processor 12 comprises bus 20 or direct channel 22 (utilizing bus bridge that multiple bus can be provided) by various facilities, communicates by letter with these peripherals.

Computer system 10 can also have many not shown miscellaneous parts, as is used for the serial and the parallel port that are connected with modulator-demodular unit or printer and so on.The personnel that are familiar with this technical field understand naturally, also have some other parts can cooperate those uses shown in Fig. 1 block scheme.For example, can be connected to come the control of video display monitor with processor 12 with a display adapter, can be with a memory controller as the interface between temporary memory storage 18 and the processor 12.Computer system 10 also comprises firmware 24, and its main effect is whenever computing machine one powers up, just to find out an operating system from one of peripherals (normally permanent storage device 16) and pack into.

Fig. 2 again.Conventional computer system provides information with a graphic user interface (GUI) to the user usually.GUI is by the software that is contained on the computing machine, and the operating system with the application program cooperating that specifically is contained in computing machine provides.Two well-known GUI are OS/2 (trade mark of IBM Corporation) and Windows95 (trade mark of Microsoft).In this example of Fig. 2, display device (being video monitor) 28 shows a main application window (" father's window ") 26, and it comprises several by its cingens secondary window (" sub-window ") 30,32 and 34.These " brother "

windows

30,32 and 34 show the content of different file or documents respectively.Can also provide menucommand 36 and a toolbar 38 of one group of standard, as the part of GUI configuration, simplifying the object (text, chart and figure) in the antithetical phrase window, operation and control.These forms can overlap into many levels mutually.

A given file may be too big, can not all show in the forms of a sub-window (or father's window), but therefore can utilize the scroll bar to move (i.e. pan) file in this sub-window border restricted portion.For example, as shown in the figure, horizontal scroll bar 40 cooperates with file window 30 with vertical scroll bar 42, figure window 32 has only horizontal scroll bar 44, and chart window 34 is without any the scroll bar, that is to say that shown diagram file small scale is to can complete illustrating in the scope of view 34 and without any need for scroll.The scroll bar can former on demand small documents becomes big (as the user when writing letter) generation automatically when form can hold any more.

The scroll button as at shown in 46,48 and 50 those, is commonly used to indicate the relative position of file shown part in this specific file window scope.For example, if its upper left corner of file shows in a form, that just has a scroll button and is in its left half of horizontal scroll bar and the topmost portion (as the situation of the form among Fig. 2 30) that scroll button is in its vertical scroll bar.The scroll bar is operated by utilize the visual detector that shows on video monitor, and it is controlled such as " Genius mouse " such hardware pointing device by one.In this example of Fig. 2, visual detector 46 is arrow forms.The reciprocation of user and scroll bar usually can be by one of following three kinds of methods: arrow (triangle) icon at scroll bar two ends (be horizontal scroll bar left, arrow to the right, perhaps vertical scroll bar upwards, arrow downwards) one of go up and click click in the zone between the arrow icon and scroll button; Perhaps a scroll button (being also referred to as " lifter ") is dragged to one of corresponding the arrow icon.

It is only influential to the visual field of the form that contains this scroll bar to move a scroll bar button.Yet, can wish two forms of scroll simultaneously sometimes.For example, two independently form may contain the similar explanation of an architecture standard.The user may wish these two windows of scroll simultaneously, so that examine two normalized illustrations closely which difference is arranged.In existing technology, there is not the method that realizes this while scroll.On the contrary, the user must be in a form scroll a bit, then the Genius mouse indicator is moved on to another form, attempt the identical amount of scroll therein, return first form, or the like, this bothers very much, and is particularly skilled inadequately or use relatively trouble especially the people of difficulty of figure pointing device for those.

Also have some other GUI operation may also need to be applied to simultaneously on a plurality of forms.Two window-operatings commonly used are maximizations and minimize.Usually, form can be in a kind of form in " maximum ", " minimum " and " recovery " these three kinds of forms.Father's window is in maximization when occupying viewing area available for this uses (normally the whole panel of video monitor 28 is used for operating system mutual and only keep very little zone) fully.Sub-window is in maximization during available viewing area in occupying its father's window fully.When a form was minimized, it is " disappearanceed " just, or reduces into a very little icon or title bar, therefore no longer receives the user and imports.Under the situation of minimized father's window, in fact this application does not stop, but at running background.Similar, under the situation of a minimized sub-window, in fact file does not close, and has shelved simply.Form its size be minimizing and the maximization form between the time just be in the recovery form.In Fig. 2, father's window 26 is in the maximization form, and

sub-window

30,32 and 34 all is in the recovery form.Three forms in back can maximize with corresponding maximize button 54,56 and 58 respectively, or minimize with the

corresponding button

60,62 and 64 that minimizes.Also disposed similar button for father's window 26.

As scroll bar situation, it may be useful making more incoherent forms minimize or maximize simultaneously.For example, the user can be opened two groups of files, one group comprises severally as at the associated documents as shown in

sub-window

30,32 and 34, and second group comprise some similar files, but with first group uncorrelated.If the user sees first group of file earlier, hope minimizes these three forms and recovers another group file then, must minimize one by one or maximize these files so.The user that operates in of trouble goes back at every turn and consults one group of different files and will repeat like this, because prior art does not provide any method of carrying out the interlock form of such certain operations simultaneously.

Owing to there are above-mentioned these problems, therefore wish to have the method for two or more forms of a kind of interconnected GUI, make these forms can be mutual.If this method can keep the reciprocation of existing performance and user and form, that is just better and this function expansion does not increase the words of apparent complicacy.If the present invention can realize on the level of operating system fully, and do not need to increase any added burden in realization the application programming personnel and do not need to transform to have software product now, that is with regard to advantageous particularly.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind of improved graphic user interface (GUI) for computer system.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of improved GUI, make a plurality of files or application can be used as a plurality of forms and show, and these forms can be by being operated such as keyboard commands or with the such user's input of graphic button that pointing device is selected to the user.

Another purpose of the present invention provides the interlock (or claiming relevant mutual) between some forms in this GUI.

Above-mentioned these purposes are that the method with the two or more forms among a kind of related GUl realizes, this method comprises some steps so generally: one first feature of first form of selecting to want related; Select one second feature of second form that will be related; And first feature and second feature is interconnected, make that activating first feature can cause activating second feature.This association is preferably two-way, that is to say, related step also comprises second feature and first feature association, makes that activating second feature can cause activating first feature.This technology can be used for father's window, also can be used for sub-window.Therefore related function can comprise that scroll is every, toolbar icon or form Presentation Function.This ability can realize with computer operating system easily.

Need to select the most handy pointing device of controlling the graphical indicators of GUI of related feature to realize.In exemplary embodiments, this pointing device (Genius mouse) has first and second buttons, first (left side) button be used for graphical indicators be stacked in the corresponding visual sign of first feature on the time activate first feature, and second (right side) button is used for selecting the function of wanting related when graphical indicators overlays on the visual sign.In this embodiment, respond the activation of second button, will show a popup menu, this popup menu is shown one " Associate " (" association ") option and some other option.

Can be clear that above-mentioned these and other some purposes of the present invention, function and advantage by following detailed description.

For the function that realizes that these are novel, the feature that the present invention possessed as described in the appended claims.Yet the present invention itself and preferred use pattern of the present invention, other purposes and advantage are by being understood fully the detailed description of exemplary embodiment below in conjunction with accompanying drawing.In these accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is the block scheme of the computer system of routine;

Fig. 2 show show one with the file in the scroll bar pan form with the button maximization, minimize and close the graphoscope of the conventional graphic user interface of form;

Fig. 3 shows and shows a graphoscope that is used to provide the graphic user interface of two scroll interlocks between the sub-window designed according to this invention; And

Fig. 4 shows and shows a graphoscope that is used to provide the graphic user interface of the size interlock between father's window designed according to this invention.

The present invention be directed to a kind of method that is used to provide the interlock between two or more forms of the graphic user interface that shows on the display device of computer system.The hardware of computer system can comprise each building block shown in Fig. 1, but needs not to be traditional, that is to say, it also can comprise the hardware components that some are new and/or have a kind of architecture of new interconnection of existing parts.Therefore, though the present invention describes in conjunction with Fig. 1, this is not construed as limiting the invention.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of graphic user interface (GUI) designed according to this invention.This GUI that shows on the video monitor 70 of routine can be by a video adapter control that is connected with the processor of computer system.This GUI comprises two file window 72a and 72b in the embodiment shown, and they are included in the bigger application window 74.The part that vertical scroll bar 76 and horizontal scroll bar 78 are file window 72a.These two scroll bars respectively have a

scroll button

80 and 82 and a pair of the

arrow icon

84,86 and 88,90 that is in scroll bar two ends respectively.The erect image prior art has disposed a visual indicator 92 (being an arrow in this example) like that, is used for handling scroll bar and its supplementary features.

Indicator 92 can be used any conventional hardware unit control that is connected with the processor of computing machine, as the actuator of Genius mouse, electric quick tablet, joystick or joystick type, trace ball etc.The some other optional feature that also provides in the prior art can be provided this GUI, as some menu orders 94 and one or more toolbar 96.Though the just application window 74 that illustrates and two file window 72a and 72b, but those skilled in the art that will appreciate that, the present invention also can be used for a plurality of application window being shown on the display device 70 or the GUI of two above file windows being shown in single application window.

Except all functions of the scroll bar of prior art, the additional function that will further specify below

scroll bar

76 and 78 also provides.That is to say, as prior art, the user can be by clicking the

arrow icon

84,86,88 or 90, by clicking the zone between the arrow icon and scroll

button

80 or 82, perhaps, come any file (no matter being the file of text, figure or other types) in the scroll form by the scroll button is dragged to the arrow icon.As prior art, these Genius mouse orders are (pointing device commonly used have at least two buttons, is commonly referred to left button and right button) of utilizing Genius mouse to carry out at button.

Except the scroll function of this prior art, GUI of the present invention also provides a kind of simple but effective method that the interlock of scroll bar is provided, scroll form 72a can be linked with scroll form 72b, that is to say that the scroll function that activates in first form can cause activating the interior scroll function of second form.A kind of mode that realizes this interlock is to produce a Pop-up (" description " or " assisting ") menu 98 when pushing the Genius mouse right button after the user is stacked in indicator 92 on a scroll bar or the scroll bar button.An option on the menu 98 can be " Associate (association) ".If the user goes up at " Associate " and clicks, the Genius mouse indicator just becomes (choosing wantonly) task special indicator icon (as small-sized two-fold window).Then, the user moves on to the second form 72b with Genius mouse, goes up at the scroll bar (or button) of need association and clicks.So two scroll bars of this of two different forms just have been associated together.After this, during any one scroll bar in these two scroll bars of user's scroll, two windows are scroll together, and promptly scroll form 72a will cause form 72b scroll together, and scroll form 72b will cause form 72a scroll together.Also can be interconnected at together in this way more than two forms.

If the user wished to remove this association afterwards, on menu, there is one and is called second option of " Unassociate (disassociation) ", can be used for forbidding that this is interconnected.This " Unassociate " option also can be described as a follow-up option of " Associate " option.

A kind of expansion of the present invention is to use the family to possess related scroll bar, makes their functions to take action with the opposite mode of action that defaults.For example, if two vertical scroll bars by with the opposite way association, then in a form on roll and will cause second form to roll respective distance with under the corresponding speed.The user can specify opposite way by another option " Reverse " in the choice menus (this option also can be a follow-up option of " Associate " option).As an example, when two forms of needs showed visual field of the relative both sides of target separately, it can be favourable utilizing " Reverse " option.In order to coordinate moving in two forms, scroll carries out respectively in the opposite direction.

In addition, the user can be related with the horizontal scroll bar in another form with the vertical scroll bar in the form, both can be also can be with reverse mode with general mode.

The present invention can realize on operating system grade fully, does not therefore need to increase any added burden in realization the application programming personnel, does not also need to transform existing software product.Association can be session specific (promptly only current describe effectively on-the-spot) or with irrelevant (promptly even after one or more association window are closed, reopen again be still effective) of time.Though shown in Fig. 3 is to make situation about linking between the fraternal window, be appreciated that scroll bar interlock also can occur between father's (application) window, perhaps between second application window of the sub-window of one first application window and a s.m.p window, take place.

Those skilled in the art that will recognize that this key concept can expand to other common window-operating or features, such as form being minimized or maximized icon.For example, as shown in Figure 4, the user can select " Associate " from pop-up menu 104 right click the on the icon 100 that minimize of the first application window 102a, and clicks second the minimizing on the icon of application window 102b again.After this, when the first form 102a was minimized, the second form 102b will also be minimized automatically.Also can carry out similar association for Max Toggle or with closing (withdrawing from) button 108 for closing form with maximize button 106.The possible form Presentation Function that can link comprises mobile, restores and resets the form size.Though shown in Fig. 4 is to make situation about linking between father's window, be appreciated that equally form control (resetting window dimension etc.) interlock also can occur between the fraternal window, perhaps between second application window of the sub-window of one first application window and a s.m.p window.This form interlock also can be adopted reverse mode, and for example, the button of clicking on the form that minimizes minimizes this form, but also makes a form maximization that originally was minimized.

Though as noted above such, the present invention can realize on operating system grade, also can realize in an application, and the association between the sub-window feature that is not subjected to operating system management is provided.For example, an application can provide control DVD a plurality of forms of memory storage, to show a plurality of video images (or showing other content of multimedia).Each video window can be furnished with the such control of similar VCR (playback, time-out, rewind down etc.).Therefore the present invention can be used for providing selectable interlock for these controls between the different forms, for example, click broadcast button in any form and can make all forms play separately video image respectively, can make all forms all suspend separately broadcast and click pause button in any form.

Compare with the window-operating technology of prior art, the present invention has some advantages.At first it has kept existing performance and user and scroll bar, toolbar icon, form control knob or the interactive mode of other visual signs.Secondly, the expansion on these features does not increase the apparent complicacy.The 3rd, it can be rapidly and easily be associated in the guidance function of two (or more a plurality of) forms together the user.In addition, all right association of the present invention is keyboard commands (and graphic button) accordingly, thereby the interlock between the form is provided, or the interlock between the toolbar icon is provided.

Though the present invention describes in conjunction with specific embodiments, this explanation and not meaning that is construed as limiting the invention.For those skilled in the art that, obviously be easy to the embodiment that is disclosed is made various modifications and designs realization other embodiments of the present invention with reference to explanation of the present invention.Therefore, can think, this class of having done of with good grounds spirit of the present invention revise the scope of patent protection of the present invention that all should belong to the claims regulation.

Claims

1. A method for associating two or more windows in a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display device of a computer system, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

Select a first feature of the first window to be associated;

select a second feature of the second view to be associated; and

The first feature is associated with the second feature such that activation of the first feature results in activation of the second feature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said associating step further associates said second feature with said first feature such that activation of said second feature results in activation of said first feature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said step of selecting a first feature includes the step of selecting a first scroll bar of a first window; and

The step of selecting the second feature includes the step of selecting a second scroll bar of the second window.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

The step of selecting a first feature includes the step of selecting a first toolbar icon of the first window; and

The step of selecting the second feature includes the step of selecting a second toolbar icon of the second window.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

The step of selecting the first feature includes the step of selecting a first window display function button of the first window; and

The step of selecting the second feature includes the step of selecting a second window display function button of the second window.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said first feature is activatable with a first keyboard command;

said second feature can be activated with a second keyboard command; and

The associating step associates the first keyboard command with the second keyboard command.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said associating step is performed by an operating system installed on the computer system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said first feature has a function and an opposite function;

said second feature has a function and an opposite function; and

The correlating step correlates the function of the first feature with the opposite function of the second feature.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of de-interconnecting said first and second features.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting steps are all performed with a pointing device controlling a graphical pointer of the GUI.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

The pointing device has first and second buttons;

said first button for activating said first feature when said graphical indicator overlays a graphical symbol corresponding to said first feature; and

The step of selecting a first feature includes the step of actuating the second button when the graphical indicator is overlaid on the graphical symbol.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of selecting a first feature further comprises the step of:

displaying a pop-up menu in response to said step of activating the second button; and

Select a menu option in the pop-up menu.

13. A computer system comprising:

a display device;

a means for displaying on said display means a graphical user interface comprising at least first and second windows for viewing one or more files; and

A means for associating a first feature of said first window with a second feature of said second window such that activation of said first feature results in activation of said second feature.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein said associating means further associates said second feature with said first feature such that activation of said second feature results in activation of said first feature.

15. The computer system of claim 13, said computer system further comprising a keyboard, wherein:

said first feature is activatable with a first keyboard command;

said second feature can be activated with a second keyboard command; and

The associating means associates the first keyboard command with the second keyboard command.

16. The computer system of claim 13, wherein:

said first feature has a function and an opposite function;

said second feature has a function and an opposite function; and

The correlating means correlates the function of the first feature with the opposite function of the second feature.

17. The computer system of claim 13, said computer system further comprising a means for disassociating said first and second characteristics.

18. The computer system of claim 13, wherein said associating means comprises a pointing means controlling a graphical pointer of the GUI.

19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein:

The pointing device has first and second buttons;

The second button is used to select the first feature for association when the graphical indicator is overlaid on the graphical symbol.

20. The computer system of claim 19 , wherein said association means displays a pop-up menu in response to actuation of said second button, said pop-up menu listing menu options for selecting said first feature for association .

21. A computer program product comprising:

a storage medium suitable for being read by a computer having a display device; and

A program device stored on said storage medium, used to display a graphical user interface including at least first and second windows on a display device, and combine a first feature of said first window with said second window. A second feature of the two windows is associated such that activation of the first feature results in activation of the second feature.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said program means further associates said second feature with said first feature such that activation of said second feature results in activation of said first feature.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said program means displays said first and second windows as two sub-windows.

24. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said program means displays said first and second windows as two parent windows.

25. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein:

said first feature includes a first scroll bar of said first window; and

The second feature includes a second scroll bar of the second viewing window.

26. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein:

said first feature comprises a first toolbar icon of said first window; and

The second feature includes a second toolbar icon of the second window.

27. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein:

said first feature comprises a first window display function button of said first window; and

The second feature includes a second window display function button of the second window.

28. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein:

said first feature is activatable with a first keyboard command;

said second feature can be activated with a second keyboard command; and

The procedure means also associates the first keyboard command with the second keyboard command.

29. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein:

said first feature has a function and an opposite function;

said second feature has a function and an opposite function; and

The program means associates the function of the first feature with the opposite function of the second feature.

30. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein: said program means further comprises means for disassociated said first and second characteristics.