Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-27
2004-06-22
Cabeca, John (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06753890
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a window design alteration method and a window design alteration system for altering the design of a window displayed on a screen of a computer running a graphical user interface. The method and the system have the capability of altering the outline of the design of a window by computer processing and also that of reinstating within the outline of the altered design of the window a function that the window had before the alteration.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example a goods sale data processing system is made up of a number of POS terminals (for example electronic cash registers) disposed in stores, POS servers directly managing the POS terminals, and a store server indirectly managing the POS terminals en bloc by way of the POS servers.
The POS servers and the store server are host machines to the POS terminals. Also, store servers of a large chain store are connected by a data communication network to a host computer (ultimate host) in the store headquarters.
In this goods sale data processing system, on the basis of instructions from store staff (operators) the POS terminals obtain goods data from goods files in a host machine (for example a POS server), and carry out product registration and accounting. Goods data and accounting data are displayed on the POS terminals. The goods data and accounting data are also printed with a printer in a journal and on a receipt. A total sum and an amount of change are calculated, and a draw is opened automatically.
Thus, by analyzing the goods data and the accounting data, store staff can perform complicated goods sale tasks and accounting tasks accurately and swiftly. And, on the host side, by analyzing store sales information (goods data and accounting data), store staff can determine store sales performances and the like.
The POS terminals and the computers constituting the store servers and so on run GUI (Graphical User Interface) environments. Accordingly, the POS terminals and computers are designed so that goods sale data processing and the like can be executed swiftly and accurately using windows displayed on a screen and mouse operation. That is, in the case of goods sale data processing, each POS terminal is designed so that it can be operated intuitively and easily even by beginner-level store staff. And the spread of personal computers owes much to the use of GUIs.
Here, ‘window’ displayed on the screen means at least one or the other of a region delimited on the screen and the function of displaying text or images in that region. Accordingly, ‘windows’ means not only ordinary frames but also buttons, images and icons having on/off-signal generating functions. Thus, in this specification, frames and buttons and so on are also defined as windows.
As a measure for making these POS terminals and computers easier to use, and to satisfy the demands of individual tastes, the simplification of the process of making design alterations on the screen has been being sought. Typical examples of design alterations in related art include the following. A first example is that of altering the design (layout) of a whole layout image, including the layout of windows. A second example is that of altering the designs of respective windows constituting a layout image while keeping the whole basic layout image on the screen.
In related art, the alteration method of the first example has been the method of dragging and dropping specified windows. And the alteration method of the second example has been the method of selecting a designed window and replacing or covering a selected original window with it. With either method, a specified (selected) window can be resized in the same shape by a mouse operation.
In business machines (for example, goods sale data processing machines), the tasks to be executed are predetermined. Because of this, there are inevitably a limited number of different basic layout images on the screen in which are placed various windows essential to different tasks. Layout images may differ no more than to the extent of for example the difference between one for use by a right-handed person and one for use by a left-handed person, or the difference between one with a credit card transaction processing function and one without, with the types (button, etc.) and number of windows in the layout image being unchanged.
However, these layout image design alterations are not sufficient to deal with different regional circumstances of chain stores, relationships with competitors, and average levels and subjective preferences of store staff. Consequently, there has been a need for the ability to alter the designs (shapes, outlines, colors, image textures, etc.) of windows constituting the design of a layout image. Also, there has been a strong need for the ability to alter the designs of windows in correspondence with different ranks, sales counters, or seasonally, and for different staff groups.
However, it is also often pointed out that a function (utility function) which an original window to be the object of a design alteration has (for example button function, on/off-signal generating function, etc.) should be made to function effectively only within the scope of the outline of the altered window. The reason for this is that depending on the design (shape, outline) of a window (for example a button) there may be the problem that when a store assistant presses a certain button (window) another button (window) is touched or pressed as well. And to avoid this it is necessary for the function to be kept within the scope of the outline of the altered window.
Therefore, creators have had to make programs and image data and the like so that windows of various designs and fixed designs which are combinations of these on the screen constitute individual and integrated products. Consequently, design alterations have led to increased costs, both in personnel and in time. And, not only have users had to get hold of design alteration specialists but there has been the disadvantage that business must be suspended while design alterations are made.
Also, it has been pointed out that, in a diversified, individualistic and discriminating society, it is not pleasing to the senses for the shapes and outlines of windows to be standardized for the most effective utilization of the size of the display (the display screen (background)). For example, the user of a personal computer might prefer to view fish (or the earth) displayed on its screen as if through a viewing window of a sightseeing boat (or a space ship). And a user sending a message by electronic mail to a special person might like to compose the message within a heart-shaped window.
In other words, the ability to alter the designs (especially the plane outline of the shape) of windows variously and furthermore simply would contribute greatly to the spread and popularization of GUI-based computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a window design alteration method with which it is possible to alter simply the design of a window displayed on a screen.
And it is a second object of the invention to provide a window design alteration system with which it is possible to practice this window design alteration method certainly and easily.
(1) One aspect of the present invention provides a window design alteration method by computer processing that alters a design of a window displayed on a screen of a computer running under a graphical user interface (GUI) environment,
wherein a design of at least one window which is specified as an object of a design alteration from among windows being displayed on a screen, being automatically self-altered by a design self-alteration function of the specified window to the same design as at least one bit map selected from among bit maps that have been stored in a memory, and this automatic self-alteration is carried out so that a function included in the specified window is effective within an outline perta
Cabeca John
Hailu Tadesse
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
LandOfFree
Window design alteration method and system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Window design alteration method and system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Window design alteration method and system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3361557