JP2004094423A - Window control method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

A window control method and system capable of controlling a window with a simple operation are provided.
When a cursor is placed on one of windows displayed in a screen area and designated (a), a designated window W is enlarged according to a designated time. Is enlarged, after the window W is in contact with another window w _i (b), the window w _i is with the expansion of the window W, will be moved so as not to overlap with the window W (c).
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a technique for controlling a window to be displayed in a window system widely used as a computer GUI.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a GUI (graphical user interface) of a computer often uses a window system that displays a plurality of windows on a screen. In such a window system, the size and position of the displayed window can be changed by a pointing device such as a mouse.
[0003]
In a conventional window system, a method that is often used as a method of enlarging a window on a root window (corresponding to a screen area that is the entire display screen) is that a user drags an outer frame or a corner of a window with a mouse (mouse button The mouse position is moved while the mouse is pressed). A method is also used in which “maximize window” is assigned to a specific portion on a window, and when that portion is clicked with a mouse, the window size is immediately maximized to fill the entire screen. As an example, there is a method of assigning a specific key on a keyboard to an event for controlling a window (moving, enlarging, reducing, deleting, etc.).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional window control method, two steps are required: an operation of setting the mouse cursor to an area relatively small to the size of the window, such as a window frame or a corner, and an operation of carefully dragging the area. Also, in the method of maximizing the full size of the root window by clicking a specific part of the window with the mouse, the number of steps required for operation is less than that of the previous method, but the size of the window can not be adjusted, There is a problem that multiple windows cannot be displayed on the root window.
[0005]
Also, when there are a plurality of windows on the root window, consider a problem with surrounding windows other than the window to be enlarged. In the conventional method, even if a certain window is enlarged, the position and size of the surrounding windows are not changed, and if the enlarged window and the screen area overlap, the enlarged window is brought forward. And the surrounding windows are hidden behind and temporarily invisible. Therefore, when it is desired to simultaneously refer to information displayed in a plurality of windows, for example, when comparing two images, the areas of the plurality of windows must not overlap each other. For this purpose, the user needs to move the positions of all the windows to be referred to or to appropriately adjust the size of each window, which requires many operation steps.
[0006]
When using a keyboard instead of a pointing device, users who mainly input using the keyboard do not have to take their hands off the keyboard, so there are some aspects that are easy to use, but the keys on the keyboard originally arranged for another purpose Is assigned to the window control, so that intuitive and smooth use requires a considerable amount of familiarity. In addition, the number of necessary operation steps is larger than in the case where a pointing device is used.
[0007]
In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a window control method and a system capable of controlling a window with a simple operation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, in the first aspect of the present invention, in controlling a window by a user's instruction to a window, a step of recognizing a window designated by a user, wherein the window is designated for a predetermined time or more. It is characterized in that a step of judging whether or not the window is continued and a step of gradually changing the size of the window determined to have been designated for a predetermined time or more according to the time are executed.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when performing control such as changing the size of a window, the size of the window is changed according to the length of time during which the window to be controlled is specified. The window can be controlled by a simple operation of designating one point in the target window.
[0009]
Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, in controlling a window in accordance with a user's instruction for a window, a step of recognizing a window specified by the user and determining whether the window has been specified for a predetermined time or more. The step of judging, the step of gradually enlarging the window determined to have been designated for a predetermined time or more according to the time, and the other windows whose display positions on the display screen overlap due to the enlargement of the window Is moved, and when the moved window does not fit on the display screen, a step of reducing the window is executed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when performing control such as changing the size of a window, the size of the window to be controlled is enlarged according to the length of time during which the window to be controlled is designated, and When the set window overlaps with another window, the other window is moved or reduced, so that the target window can be enlarged by a simple operation, and the other window is also enlarged. It can be displayed on the screen so that it is not hidden by the window.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(1. System configuration)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a window control system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a display device, 2 is a window designating means, 3 is a designated window recognizing means, 4 is a designated time determining means, 5 is a window control means, 5a is a window enlargement means, 5b is a window moving means, 5c is a window. The reduction means 10 is a computer system.
[0011]
The display device 1 is connected as a peripheral device of a computer, and is for displaying and outputting information processed by the computer, and is realized by a CRT, an LCD, and other known displays. The window designating means 2 designates a window to be processed among the windows displayed on the display device 1 and is realized by a pointing device such as a mouse or a tablet. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that a mouse is used. The designated window recognizing means 3 has a function of recognizing which window has been designated by the window specifying means 2. The designated time determination means 4 has a function of measuring the time during which a window is continuously designated based on time information managed by the computer, and determining whether to control the window. The window control means 5 is for controlling the size or position of a window displayed on the screen of the display device 1, and includes a window enlargement means 5a, a window moving means 5b, and a window reduction means 5c. I have. The window enlarging unit 5a has a function of enlarging the window specified by the window specifying unit 2. The window moving unit 5b has a function of moving the display position of the surrounding window where the window specified by the window specifying unit 2 is overlapped as the window is enlarged. The window reducing means 5c has a function of reducing the moved window when the moved window does not fit in the screen area.
[0012]
The computer system 10 is a computer system including hardware such as a CPU, a memory, and an external storage device, and software such as an OS (Operating System) and application programs, and is actually realized by a personal computer or the like. In the computer system 10, the designated window recognizing means 3, the designated time determining means 4, and the window control means 5 are realized by using a dedicated program and an OS function.
[0013]
(2. Process flow)
Subsequently, the window control method according to the present invention will be described together with the processing operation of the system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the window control method according to the present invention. Here, the window to be specified is described as W. When the user designates the window W to be enlarged by the window designating means 2 while the window W is displayed on the display device 1, the designated window recognizing means 3 recognizes the designated window W (step S1). ). Specifically, the designation is performed by moving the cursor in the window to be designated and pressing a button of the mouse. After recognizing that a certain window W on the display screen has been designated, it is next determined whether or not the designated window W has been designated for a predetermined time or more (step S2). Specifically, when the designated window recognizing unit 3 recognizes that the designation has been made, the designated time determining unit 4 reads out the current time of the computer system and manages it as the designated start time. Then, while the designated window recognizing unit 3 recognizes the designation of the window W by the window designating unit 2, the difference between the current time and the designated start time is managed as the designated duration t, and the designated duration t is set in advance. Judge if the length of time is exceeded.
[0014]
In step S2, if the window has not been designated for a predetermined period of time or longer, the state waits for the next window designation. On the other hand, when the window W has been specified for a predetermined time or more, the window control unit 5 performs a size changing process of the specified window W (step S3).
[0015]
Here, the details of the window W size changing process in step S3 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In the present embodiment, the enlargement process is performed as the size change process of the designated window W. First, the enlarged vertical and horizontal sizes of the designated window W are calculated, and the position on the enlarged screen is obtained (step S11). Specifically, the window enlarging means 5a calculates an enlarged size of the designated window W after a predetermined time has elapsed, and obtains a position on the screen after the enlargement, without changing the center point of the window W. However, in the case where the size after the enlargement protrudes from the screen area, the position on the screen is obtained by fixing the protruding side or point instead of the center point. The enlargement size is calculated using the following [Equation 1].
[0016]
[Formula 1]
(X, y) = (aXt, aYt)... 1 <t (x, y) = (X, Y)... T ≦ 1
In the above [Formula 1], X and Y are the horizontal and vertical lengths of the window W before enlargement, and x and y are the horizontal and vertical lengths of the window W after enlargement. a is one or more constants that determine the enlargement speed, and is set in advance. t is the specified duration. As described above, the designated duration t is used for the determination by the designated time determination means 4. In this embodiment, when t is 1 second or less, the window size is fixed, and t is 1 second. If it exceeds, the window size is enlarged in proportion to the designated duration t. In addition, since both the horizontal length and the vertical length after the enlargement are proportional to the horizontal length and the vertical length of the size before the enlargement, the window W is enlarged while maintaining the horizontal and vertical ratios. Will be done.
[0018]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the enlarged window W overlaps another window w _i (i = 1, 2,..., N | n: the number of surrounding windows) on the screen (step S12). If the window w _i overlapping in the processing of step S12 is determined to not exist, displayed in an enlarged specified window W size (step S13). For example, consider a case where a window W is enlarged as shown in FIG. 4A shows a state before the window W is enlarged, and FIG. 4B shows a state after the window W is enlarged. If there are no overlapping windows as shown in FIG. 4, the designated window W is simply enlarged according to the designated time. In this case, fonts, images, and the like in the window are enlarged at the same magnification without changing their relative positional relationships.
[0019]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the window w _i exists overlap in the process of step S12, whether a determination is able to move the position of the window w _i overlapping (step S14). More specifically, without changing the size of the window w _i overlap, only enlarged portion of the specified window W, in the case of moving the window w _i that overlaps, of whether or not there is that protrude from the screen area judgment I do. In step S14, if the overlapping window _{w i} is determined to be movable, the window moving means 5b moves the window _{w i} overlapping (step S15). After the movement of the window w _i that overlaps, in step S12 is performed again of whether the window W after the enlargement overlaps with the other window w _i judgment.
[0020]
Here, an example of a case where overlapping windows are moved is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, W is the window that is expanded is specified, w ₁ is the time of expansion of the window W, a window located at a position overlapping with the window W. In the state shown in FIG. 5 (a), by specifying the window W, in a range where the window W does not overlap the window w _1, in proportion to the window W time are repeated from step S11 processing in step S13 is larger Will be done. Is enlarged window W, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), at the next timing that the state in which the window W and the window w ₁ are in contact, when the overlap judgment step S12, is that the the determination overlaps Become. Then, step S14, the processing of step S15, after the window _{w 1} is moved, so that the window W is enlarged by the process of step S13. By repeating the processing of step S11 → step S12 → step S14 → step S15 → step S12 → step S13, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the window W expands in proportion to time and the window W w ₁ it is going to be moved.
[0021]
In step S14, if it is determined that it can not move the window w _i overlapping makes a determination of whether reduced window w _i overlapping (step S16). More specifically, only the expansion amount of the specified window W, in the case of reducing the window w _i that overlaps, make a decision on whether or not does not become smaller than the minimum size of the window that is set in advance. In step S16, when it is determined that can be reduced window _{w i} overlapping performs reduction windows _{w i} overlapping (step S17). Specifically, the window reduction means 5c performs a process of reducing the size of the window w _i overlapping calculated size in step S16. In this case, fonts, images, and the like in the window are reduced at the same magnification so as not to change their relative positional relationships. After reduction of the window w _i overlapping, in step S12 is performed again window W after the specified enlargement of whether overlap with other windows w _i determined.
[0022]
Here, an example of a case to reduce the window w _i overlapping in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state that is continuous from the state of FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c). As shown in FIG. 5, with the expansion of the window W, will be moved window w _1, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the window w ₁ is that it has moved to the edge of the screen area. Then, in step S14 at the next timing, it is determined not to be moving window w ₁ is more. Then, the processing of step S16 and step S17, so that the window _{w 1} is reduced. By repeating the processing of step S11 → step S12 → step S14 → step S16 → step S17 → step S12 → step S13, the window W is enlarged in proportion to time as shown in FIG. 6 (b). It will be reduced window w ₁ along with the go.
[0023]
On the other hand, in step S16, if it is determined not to shrink windows w _i overlapping ends the enlarging process of the window W that is specified (step S18). That is, the process of changing the window size in step S3 ends, and the window control ends. In the present embodiment, although the window w _i overlapping the window W to expand has been described in detail the case of only one, the same applies when a plurality windows w _i is overlapped on the screen area. Furthermore, by the window w _i overlapping the window W to expand to move, when the moved window w _i overlap with other windows w _i is the moved window w _i as the window W, recursively processing is adaptable by, thereby, can be moved and reduction processing of all windows w _i on the screen area. For example, by the window w ₁ is moved, if the window w ₁ that has been moved overlap with another window w _2, the window w ₁ as the window W, is to process recursively. Also, if there are plural windows w _i other than the specified window W, may be any window or the w _i can be preferentially processed becomes a problem. For example, when there are a window w ₁ and a window w ₂ above and below the window W, respectively, it is necessary to determine which one is moved or reduced first. In this case, to be processed on the basis of the priorities assigned to each window w _i. The Allocation Method priority can be applied various ones, for example, can be made to set a high priority as the window w _i referenced recently. In this case, it will be going to be moved or reduced from the window w _i was referring to earlier in the order. To set a high window w _i as the priority was recently referenced, the user for each window w _i on the screen area in advance to count the time from the reference to the last, the priority of the window w _i in the order of time It can be realized by setting the degree.
[0024]
(Modification)
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In the above embodiment, the relationship between the designated duration t and the size x, y after the window is enlarged is enlarged as shown in [Equation 1], but instead of [Equation 1], it is simply a linear expression. , Or an arbitrary function such as a non-linear function may be applied.
[0025]
Further, as the window control function in the above embodiment, the window enlargement / reduction function of the existing window system may be extended, or may be realized as a unique window system.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, when the window is enlarged or reduced, objects such as characters and images in the window are also enlarged and reduced at the same magnification to maintain the relative positional relationship. It is also possible to take. For example, a method may be adopted in which the size of an object in a window is not changed even if the size of the window is changed.
[0027]
In the above-described embodiment, the designated window is enlarged according to the designated duration t. For example, when a mouse having two buttons is applied as the window designation unit, one of the buttons is pressed. The window can be enlarged when the user presses the other button, and the window can be reduced when the other button is pressed.
[0028]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a mouse is used as the window designating means, but another device can be used. For example, if applied to a tablet-type interface, touching the finger directly on the tablet screen is equivalent to clicking the mouse, that is, it is regarded as a specified state of the window, and the enlargement operation can be performed as if pressing the window with a finger. It becomes possible.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the window specified by the user is recognized, it is determined whether the window has been specified for a predetermined time or more, and it is determined that the window has been specified for a predetermined time or more. Since the size of the determined window is gradually changed according to time, it is possible to control the window with a simple operation of designating one point in the target window. Play.
[0030]
When the window size is changed, the window is enlarged. When the window is enlarged, the other windows whose display positions are overlapped with each other are moved. Can be enlarged by a simple operation, and other windows can be displayed on the screen so as not to be hidden by the enlarged window. It also has the effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a window control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of a window control method according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of a process in S3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram showing how a window W is enlarged.
FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram showing a movement of the window W expansion and window w ₁ of.
FIG. 6 is a screen transition diagram showing the state of the reduction of the expansion and window w ₁ of the window W.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Display apparatus 2 ... Window designating means 3 ... Designated window recognizing means 4 ... Designated time determining means 5 ... Window control means 5a ... Window enlarging means 5b ... Window moving means 5c: Window reduction means 10: Computer system W: Designated window wi: Windows other than the designated window W

Claims (5)

A method of controlling a window by a user's instruction to the window,
Recognizing the window specified by the user;
Determining whether the window has been designated for a predetermined time or more;
Gradually changing the size of the window determined to have been specified for a predetermined time or more according to time;
A window control method, comprising: A method of controlling a window by a user's instruction to the window,
Recognizing the window specified by the user;
Determining whether the window has been designated for a predetermined time or more;
Gradually expanding the window determined to have been designated for a predetermined time or more according to time;
Moving another window whose display position on the display screen overlaps due to the enlargement of the window,
When the moved window does not fit on the display screen, reducing the window;
A window control method, comprising: Window designating means for designating a window displayed on the screen of the display device; designated window recognizing means for recognizing the window designated by the window designating means;
Designated time determination means for determining whether the window has been specified for a predetermined time or more;
Window size changing means for gradually changing the size of the window determined to have been specified for a predetermined time or more by the specified time determining means according to time;
A window control system, comprising: Window designating means for designating a window displayed on the screen of the display device; designated window recognizing means for recognizing the window designated by the window designating means;
Designated time determination means for determining whether the window has been specified for a predetermined time or more;
A window enlargement unit that gradually enlarges a window determined to be continuously designated for a predetermined time or more by the designated time determination unit according to time;
Window moving means for moving another window whose display position on the display screen overlaps due to the enlargement of the window,
When a window moved by the window moving unit does not fit on a display screen, a window reducing unit for reducing the window;
A window control system, comprising: A step of recognizing a window specified by a user to the computer; a step of determining whether the window has been specified for a predetermined time or more; and a step of determining a window determined to have been specified for a predetermined time or more. Gradually increasing the size of the window, moving another window whose display position on the display screen is overlapped by the enlargement of the window, and selecting the window when the moved window does not fit on the display screen. A program for executing the step of reducing the size.

Images