JP7370923B2 - Electronic equipment, window arrangement methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic devices, window arrangement methods, and programs.

In recent years, it has become common for PCs (personal computers) to be used in such a way that one or more high-resolution, large-screen displays (monitors) are connected and a plurality of window screens are arranged on a desktop screen. How multiple window screens are arranged on the desktop screen is often determined for each task, for example.

For this reason, tools are being used to efficiently arrange window screens on the desktop screen.

US Patent No. 8479117 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-134001

For example, when some of the tools mentioned above are installed on a PC, the icon of the tool is placed in the upper area called the menu bar on the window screen that the OS (Operating System) allocates to each application program. There is a setting that allows you to do this. For example, when you operate a mouse and move the mouse pointer to the icon of the tool placed on the target window screen, an auxiliary screen called a pop-up screen is automatically displayed, and operations on this pop-up screen , the target window screen can be placed in the desired area on the desktop screen.

By the way, if the mouse pointer happens to be placed on an icon and an unintended pop-up screen is displayed, it will actually interfere with the user's work. Further, icons of various other tools may be arranged on the window screen, and it may not be desirable to arrange icons on the window screen. Furthermore, the operation of moving the mouse pointer to a small-sized icon may be troublesome for some users.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a window arrangement method, and a program that allow efficient operations to arrange window screens on a desktop screen.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device includes data management means and window arrangement means. The data management means sets a plurality of areas on the desktop screen and manages template data for arranging a window screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas. The window placement means places a window screen on the desktop screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas based on the template data. The window arrangement means arranges the second input device in a state where the first operation of the first input device is performed and the pointer of the second input device is located in the first area of the first window screen displayed on the desktop screen. When the second operation is performed, a pop-up screen for arranging the first window screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas is displayed.

A diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment A diagram showing an example of a configuration of a desktop management utility that operates on an electronic device according to an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a display screen of a desktop management utility running on an electronic device according to an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of a pop-up screen displayed by the desktop management utility running on the electronic device according to the embodiment. Diagram showing an example of a state where multiple window screens are arranged on the desktop screen Flowchart showing the general flow of window screen arrangement by the desktop management utility in the electronic device of the embodiment Flowchart showing the detailed flow of window screen arrangement including display of a pop-up screen by the desktop management utility in the electronic device of the embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the electronic device 1 is realized as a PC called a desktop personal computer or the like to which a display (monitor) 2A, a keyboard 2B, a mouse 2C, an AC adapter 2D, etc. are externally connected. Note that the electronic device 1 can also be realized as a PC called a notebook computer, which is equipped with a display, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11, a system controller 12, a main memory 13, a GPU (graphics processing unit) 14, a BIOS (basic input/output system)-ROM 15, and an HDD (hard disk drive). ) 16 and an ODD (optical disc drive) 17. Further, the PC 1 includes a communication module 18, a PSC (power supply controller) 19, and a power supply circuit 20. Furthermore, the PC 1 has a display port 14A to which a display 2A can be connected, multiple USB (universal serial bus) ports 12A to which a keyboard 2B, a mouse 2C, etc. can be connected, and a power switch 12B for turning the power on/off of the PC 1. are doing.

The CPU 11 integrally controls each component within the PC 1. The CPU 11 loads various programs installed in the HDD 16 into the main memory 13 and executes them, and operates each component according to the procedures described in the various programs. The PC 1 functions as various means by causing the CPU 11 to operate each component according to the descriptions of various programs. In other words, the PC 1 can be made to function as various means using various programs. Among the various programs, there is an OS (operating system) 200, a desktop management utility 210, various applications 220, etc. that operate under the control of the OS 200. The desktop management utility 210 is a tool that supports efficiently arranging multiple window screens on the desktop screen, and the details will be described later. The CPU 11 also executes the BIOS 150 stored in the BIOS-ROM 15. Note that the main memory 13 is a volatile memory such as a DRAM, and the BIOS-ROM 15 is a nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM. Further, template data 250 of the desktop management utility 210 is stored in the HDD 16. The template data 250 will also be described later.

The GPU 14 controls the display 2A connected to the display port 14A. Specifically, the GPU 14 displays display screens output by various programs on the display 2A. Although one display port 14A is shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 may have two or more display ports 14A. That is, two or more displays 2A may be connected. If it has two or more display ports 14A and two or more displays 2A are connected, the GPU 14 can output the display data of the entire desktop screen to the two or more displays 2A, or It is also possible to divide the screen and output display data in different areas for each of the two or more displays 2A. In the former case, the same image (desktop screen) is displayed on two or more displays 2A. On the other hand, in the latter case, one image is divided and displayed on two or more displays 2A. The latter function of dividing and displaying the desktop screen on two or more displays 2A is called a multi-monitor function or the like. Here, it is assumed that when two or more displays 2A are connected, the desktop screen is divided and displayed on the two or more displays 2A using the multi-monitor function.

The system controller 12 is a bridge device that connects the CPU 11 and each component (excluding some components such as the main memory 13 and the GPU 14). The system controller 12 has a built-in USB controller 121 that transmits and receives data to and from USB devices such as the keyboard 2B and mouse 2C that are connected to the USB port 12A. In addition to the keyboard 2B and mouse 2C, various USB devices such as a USB memory (flash memory) and an external HDD can be connected to the USB port 12A.

The system controller 12 also receives input from the keyboard 2B and mouse 2C connected to the USB port 12A via the USB controller 121, and also controls power on/off of the PC 1 according to the operation of the power switch 12B. It has a built-in EC (embedded controller)/KBC (keyboard controller) 122. Power on/off control of the PC 1 is executed by cooperation between the EC/KBC 122 and the PSC 19. When receiving an on signal from the EC/KBC 122, the PSC 19 controls the power supply circuit 20 to start supplying power to the CPU 11 and each component. When receiving an off signal from the EC/KBC 122, the PSC 19 controls the power supply circuit 20 to stop supplying power to the CPU 11 and each component. The power supply circuit 20 generates power for operating the CPU 11 and each component using power supplied from the AC adapter 2D. Note that power is continuously supplied to the EC/KBC 122 even when the PC 1 is in a power-off state. Although the off signal can be transmitted from the EC/KBC 122 to the PSC 19 by operating the power switch 12B, it is mainly done by instructing to turn off the power from the user interface provided by the OS 200.

The communication module 18 performs communication based on, for example, the IEEE 802.3 standard or the IEEE 802.11 standard. Although one communication module 18 is shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 includes a plurality of communication modules 18, each of which performs communication in accordance with a predetermined standard.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the desktop management utility 210 that operates on the PC 1 of this embodiment having the above configuration. The desktop management utility 210 is set as a resident program, for example, at the time of installation. Note that it is not essential that the desktop management utility 210 be a resident program.

As shown in FIG. 2, the desktop management utility 210 includes an interface section 211, a template management section 212, and a window arrangement processing section 213. Further, the template management section 212 has a custom template creation section 2121, and the window arrangement processing section 213 has a guide display processing section 2131. The custom template creation section 2121 may be configured as a module independent from the template management section 212, and the guide display processing section 2131 may also be configured as a module independent from the window arrangement processing section 213.

The interface unit 211 executes communication with the OS 200 necessary for the user interface. Specifically, first, the OS 200 is requested to display various screens of the desktop management utility 210 to be presented to the user. The OS 200 displays the screen on the window screen assigned to the desktop management utility 210. Second, the operation contents of the keyboard 2B and mouse 2C for the window screen assigned to the desktop management utility 210 are received from the OS 200.

The template management unit 212 manages, as template data 250, an arrangement position pattern (template) regarding the arrangement positions of a plurality of windows on the desktop screen and/or the vertical positional relationship of the windows. Templates include, for example, one that divides the entire desktop screen into two equally on the left and right, one that divides the entire desktop screen into two evenly on the top and bottom, one that divides the entire desktop screen into two at a ratio of 1:2, and a portion of the desktop screen. There are various types of windows, such as those that overlap multiple windows in the area. In addition to templates provided by the desktop management utility 210, the user can arbitrarily create templates. The custom template creation unit 2121 provides a function for the user to create a template (custom template). The template management unit 212 also manages the custom template created by the custom template creation unit 2121 as template data 250.

The window placement processing unit 213 provides a function to accurately place a window screen in one of a plurality of areas divided by templates on the desktop screen. For example, if the user selects and sets a template that divides the desktop screen into three areas by dividing the desktop screen into two on the left and right, and further dividing only the right side of the screen into two vertically, the user can, for example, drag and By simply moving the target window screen to the upper right by operating the mouse 2C and keyboard, which is called a drop, the window screen will be 1/4 the size of the desktop screen and placed in the upper right 1/4 area of the desktop screen. It becomes easy to do things such as arranging them exactly. The guide display processing unit 2131 displays a guide indicating in which area of a plurality of areas divided by templates the window screen is moved by operating the mouse 2C. The guide display is performed, for example, by semitransparently masking a corresponding area on the desktop screen. In the above example, when the window screen is moved from the center of the desktop screen to the left, the left half of the desktop screen is masked semi-transparently, and when the window screen is moved from the center of the desktop screen to the right, the left half of the desktop screen is masked semi-transparently. If it is above, the upper right quarter of the desktop screen is masked semitransparently, and if it is below the center of the desktop screen, the lower right quarter of the desktop screen is masked semitransparently. The user only has to finish operating the mouse 2C once the area where the window screen is desired to be placed is semitransparently masked. In other words, the user only needs to roughly move the window screen and does not need to make detailed adjustments to the position or size.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 310 of the desktop management utility 210. This display screen 310 can be used to, for example, select and instruct an icon of the desktop management utility 210 that is minimized and displayed in a lower area called a task bar of the desktop screen 300, or use a shortcut key. This can be displayed by simultaneously operating a plurality of preset keys on the keyboard 2B. Further, the display screen 310 is displayed as one window screen allocated by the OS 200 on the desktop screen.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the display screen 310 of the desktop management utility 210, which is displayed as one window screen on the desktop screen, there are "home" tag a1, "split screen" tag a2, "window arrangement" tag a3, Four tags, including the "settings" tag a4, are displayed.

By operating the "home" tag a1, the basic screen of the desktop management utility 210 can be displayed. When an operation to display the display screen 310 of the desktop management utility 210 is performed, the basic screen of the desktop management utility 210 is displayed on the window screen of the desktop management utility 210. The "home" tag a1 is operated, for example, by left-clicking the mouse 2C with the mouse pointer pointing to the display area of the "home" tag a1. Hereinafter, it is assumed that tags and buttons on the display screen 310 are operated in the same manner. Further, the desktop management utility 210 recognizes these operations when the interface unit 211 receives a notification from the OS 200.

By operating the "split screen" tag a2, a screen for selecting and setting a template can be displayed. FIG. 3 shows, for example, the display screen 310 when the "split screen" tag a2 on the basic screen is operated after the basic screen is displayed by performing an operation to display the display screen 310 of the desktop management utility 210. Indicates the condition.

By operating the "window arrangement" tag a3, it is possible to display a screen for saving the arrangement of a plurality of window screens on the desktop screen or restoring the saved arrangement of window screens.

By operating the "Settings" tag a4, a screen for making various settings regarding the desktop management utility 210 can be displayed. Among the various settings, for example, when restoring the arrangement of window screens on the desktop screen, if an application on a certain window screen has not been started, there are settings such as whether or not to start the application automatically, and whether or not to automatically start the application. This includes settings such as whether or not to automatically open the file that was opened by the application when the application is started automatically.

As shown in FIG. 3, a "template" list a5 is displayed on the display screen 310 of the desktop management utility 210 when the "split screen" tag a2 is operated. In the "template" list a5, a list of templates managed as template data 250 by the template management unit 212 is displayed as objects indicating the division pattern of the desktop screen. In Figure 3, a template (a51) is selected that divides the desktop screen into three areas by dividing the desktop screen into two horizontally, and further dividing only the right side of the two into two vertically. It is shown.

Further, on this screen, when two or more displays 2A are connected, a menu a6 for selecting one of the two or more displays 2A is displayed. That is, templates can be individually selected and set on each display 2A. Furthermore, a button a7 for creating a custom template is displayed on this screen. When button a7 is operated, the custom template creation unit 2121 displays a screen for the user to set the desktop screen division pattern, and creates a custom template showing the set desktop screen division pattern on this screen. do. As described above, custom templates are also managed by the template management unit 212 as template data 250. Therefore, from now on, objects corresponding to the custom template will be displayed in the "template" list a5.

Further, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when a window screen is placed in a desired area on the desktop screen using the template selected and set on the screen shown in FIG. This screen is displayed by the window arrangement processing unit 213 as an auxiliary screen displayed at the position of the mouse pointer, for example, called a pop-up screen. The window arrangement processing unit 213 displays this pop-up screen using an API (application programming interface) provided by the OS 200.

This pop-up screen includes a menu b1 for fixing a certain window screen to the top display on the desktop screen, and a menu b2 for moving a certain window screen to a display 2A different from the display 2A currently displayed. , a menu b3 for placing the template in any of the templates selected and set on the screen shown in FIG. 3 are displayed. By selecting menu b3 and performing the above-described operation for moving the window screen, the window screen can be placed in a desired area on the desktop screen. Furthermore, the user can move from this pop-up screen to the screen shown in FIG. 3 to reselect a template.

By the way, when constructing a user interface for displaying a pop-up screen using a tool such as the desktop management utility 210, it is common to place your own icon in the upper area called the menu bar on each window screen. Placement is done. Specifically, when allocating window screens to various applications, the OS 200 is requested to place its own icon in the upper area of the window screen. Then, when the mouse pointer points to an icon on any window screen, a pop-up screen is displayed for that window screen.

However, if the mouse pointer happens to be placed on an icon and an unintended pop-up screen is displayed, this may actually interfere with the user's work. Further, icons of various other tools may be arranged on the window screen, and it may not be desirable to arrange icons on the window screen. Furthermore, the operation of moving the mouse pointer to an icon itself may be troublesome for some users.

Therefore, in the PC 1 of this embodiment, the desktop management utility 210 provides a more user-friendly user interface that does not cause such problems. This point will be explained in detail below.

The interface unit 211 controls the OS 200 when a right-click operation is performed with the mouse 2C while the mouse pointer is located in an upper area called a title bar or menu bar of any window screen. request that the applicant be notified accordingly. The right-click operation of the mouse 2C is a widely used operation for displaying a pop-up screen. If the EC/KBC 122 detects a right-click operation and also detects a specific key operation on the keyboard 2B, the EC/KBC 122 notifies the key code along with the OS's detection of the right-click operation. Therefore, if this key code is, for example, a shift key, the window arrangement processing unit 213 displays a pop-up screen shown in FIG. 4. Note that although a shift key is illustrated here, the present invention is not limited to this, and other keys may also be used.

For example, if the mouse pointer is located in the upper area of a certain window screen and a right-click operation is performed on the mouse 2C (without operating the shift key on the keyboard 2B), if the mouse pointer is pointing to a certain menu, for example, For example, the OS 200 notifies the application on the window screen that the menu has been operated. The application that receives this notification executes processing for each menu, such as displaying a pull-down menu, for example. If the menu is not pointed to, the OS 200 itself displays, for example, a pop-up screen for operating the window screen.

On the other hand, if, for example, the shift key of the keyboard 2B is operated and the mouse pointer is located in the upper area of a certain window screen, and a right-click operation is performed on the mouse 2C, the mouse pointer moves to a certain menu. Even if the menu is pointed to, it is not an isolated right-click operation of the mouse 2C, so the application that receives the notification from the OS 200 will not execute the process that would be performed if the menu was right-clicked. Further, in the case where the menu is not pointed to, if the shift key of the keyboard 2B is operated, the OS 200 is requested in advance not to display a pop-up screen for operating the window screen.

Now, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that three window screens (c1, c2, c3) are arranged on the desktop screen 300. The window screen c1 is, for example, a window screen of a calculator application. The window screen c2 is, for example, a window screen of a document creation application. The window screen c3 is, for example, a window screen of a memorandum (memo) creation application. Furthermore, at this point, it is assumed that template a51 in the "template" list a5 in FIG. 3 has been selected and set. It is assumed that the user wants to arrange the window screen c2 of the document creation application in the left half area of the desktop screen 300.

In this case, the user first moves the mouse pointer 301 to the upper area of the window screen c2, operates the shift key on the keyboard 2B, and right-clicks the mouse 2C to display the pop-up screen shown in FIG. Display. When the pop-up screen is displayed, select menu b3 on the pop-up screen and move the window screen c2 to the left side of the desktop screen, for example by performing an operation with the mouse 2C called drag and drop. can be placed exactly on the left half of the desktop screen.

In the desktop management utility 210, the operation for displaying a pop-up screen is a combination of the shift key operation on the keyboard 2B and the right-click operation on the mouse 2C while the mouse pointer 301 is positioned in the upper area of the window screen. , for example, making it unnecessary to place icons on the menu bar. This prevents a pop-up screen that is not intended by the user to be displayed when the mouse pointer 301 happens to be placed on an icon.

Furthermore, compared to the case where icons are placed on the menu bar, for example, there is no need to place the mouse pointer 301 on an extremely small area called an icon in the menu bar, and the mouse pointer 301 does not need to be placed on a large area including the title bar and menu bar. Since it is only necessary to operate the mouse 2C to position the mouse 2C, convenience can be improved.

In this way, in the PC 1 of the present embodiment, window screens can be arranged through efficient operations.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the general flow of window screen arrangement by the desktop management utility 210 in the PC 1 of this embodiment.

The desktop management utility 210 manages a division pattern (template) for dividing the desktop screen into a plurality of areas as template data 250 (S101). The desktop management utility 210 provides a function for a user to create a template, and also manages templates created by the user (custom templates) as template data 250.

Next, the desktop management utility 210 selects one of the template data 250 from among the template data 250 to be managed according to the user's instruction (S102). Then, the desktop management utility 210 displays a pop-up screen in response to a predetermined operation by the user, and through the operation on the pop-up screen, the target window screen is divided into a plurality of areas indicated by the selected template data 250. (S103).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the detailed flow of S103 in FIG. 6, specifically, the detailed flow of window screen arrangement including display of a pop-up screen by the desktop management utility 210 in the PC 1 of this embodiment.

When arranging a window screen using a template, the user first right-clicks the mouse 2C while operating the shift key on the keyboard 2B (S201). The desktop management utility 210 acquires the right-clicked window screen (S202).

The desktop management utility 210 displays a pop-up screen for arranging window screens (S203). On this pop-up screen, the user selects a window screen arrangement function (S204). Then, the user performs a drag and drop operation using, for example, the mouse 2C to move the target window screen, and arranges the window screen in a target area on the desktop screen (S205). On the other hand, the desktop management utility 210 executes a guide display indicating the target area on the desktop screen as the window screen moves (S206).

As described above, in the PC 1 of this embodiment, the desktop management utility 210 sets the combination of the shift key operation on the keyboard 2B and the right-click operation of the mouse 2C as an operation for displaying a pop-up screen. Therefore, for example, a pop-up screen that is not intended by the user will not be displayed. In addition, there is no need to place the mouse pointer 301 on an extremely small area called an icon in the menu bar, and it is only necessary to operate the mouse 2C so that the mouse pointer 301 is placed on a large area that includes the title bar and menu bar. Convenience can be improved.

In other words, the PC 1 of this embodiment can arrange window screens on the desktop screen with efficient operations.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1...Electronic device (PC), 2A...Display, 2B...Keyboard, 2C...Mouse, 2D...AC adapter, 11...CPU, 12...System controller, 12A...USB port, 12B...Power switch, 13...Main memory, 14 ...GPU, 14A...Display port,
15...BIOS-ROM, 16...HDD, 17...ODD, 18...communication module, 19...PSC, 20...power supply circuit, 121...USB controller, 122...EC/KBC, 150...BIOS, 200...OS, 210...desktop Management utility, 211...Interface section, 212...Template management section, 213...Window arrangement processing section, 220...Various applications, 250...Template data, 2121...Custom template creation section, 2131...Guide display processing section.

Claims (6)

data management means for setting a plurality of areas on a desktop screen and managing template data for arranging a window screen in any area among the plurality of areas;
Window placement means for placing a window screen on the desktop screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas based on the template data;
Equipped with
The window arrangement means arranges the second input device in a state where the first operation of the first input device is performed and the pointer of the second input device is located in a first area of the first window screen displayed on the desktop screen. 2. When a second operation of the input device is performed, displaying a pop-up screen for arranging the first window screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas;
Electronics. the first input device is a keyboard,
the second input device is a pointing device;
The electronic device according to claim 1. The first operation is an operation of a first key on the keyboard,
the second operation is an operation of a first button of the pointing device;
The electronic device according to claim 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the window arrangement means is capable of setting one of the plurality of template data. Setting a plurality of areas on a desktop screen and managing template data for arranging a window screen in any area among the plurality of areas;
arranging a window screen on the desktop screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas based on the template data;
Equipped with
Arranging the window screen means that the first operation of the first input device is performed and the pointer of the second input device is positioned in the first area of the first window screen displayed on the desktop screen. when a second operation of the second input device is performed in , displaying a pop-up screen for arranging the first window screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas;
How to arrange windows. to the computer,
Setting a plurality of areas on a desktop screen and managing template data for arranging a window screen in any area among the plurality of areas;
arranging a window screen on the desktop screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas based on the template data;
run the
Arranging the window screen means that the first operation of the first input device is performed and the pointer of the second input device is positioned in the first area of the first window screen displayed on the desktop screen. when a second operation of the second input device is performed in , displaying a pop-up screen for arranging the first window screen in an arbitrary area among the plurality of areas;
program.

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