Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-18
2003-06-10
Cabeca, John (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06577330
ABSTRACT:
INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF USE
The present invention relates to a window display device for displaying windows on the screen of an information processing apparatus, and in particular to a device for displaying windows in a virtual three-dimensional (3D) space.
BACKGROUND ART
Multiple window display devices are used to increase the performance of the man-machine interface in computer information terminals and the like.
One example of a prior art technique is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent No 6-222899. Here, a multiple window display device improves display efficiency by displaying as many windows as possible in the limited screen space available.
FIG. 69
shows a display screen for this prior art example.
In the prior art, windows are placed in a virtual 3D space, with windows positioned deep within the 3D space reduced in size. As a result, more windows can be displayed, making the screen appear larger than it actually is.
However, in this prior art example, a window placed deep within the 3D space is displayed reduced in size, making it impossible to distinguish any of the display content of the window.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, a device for displaying windows placed in a virtual 3D space, is designed to overcome the stated problem. The object of the invention is to provide a window display device that increases the efficiency with which windows can be displayed, making the screen appear larger than it actually is, and moreover, preventing a situation in which the entire display content of a window is unreadable.
The present invention aiming to achieve this object is a window display device displaying a plurality of windows on a screen. The window display device includes the following. A display data holding unit holds display data representing display content of the plurality of windows. A position determining unit determines a position for each window in a virtual three-dimensional (3D) space, the positions being such that the windows are not parallel to the screen. A perspective projection unit transforms the display data to project the windows onto the screen in perspective based on the determined positions. A display unit then displays the transformed display data on the screen.
This enables at least one window to be displayed inclined in the depth direction of a virtual 3D space. Even if the window is positioned deep within the 3D space, the problem apparent in the prior art, where reducing the size of the whole window by the same amount meant that all of the window display content became unreadable, can be avoided. The screen display area can also be used more effectively, and the screen made to appear larger than it actually is. Furthermore, information in the inclined window that is near to the front of the 3D space remains easily recognizable, and less display area needs to be used for the part of the window deep in the 3D space. Thus a window display apparatus capable of using the screen display area effectively, while ensuring that at least one part of the window display content is readable can be realized.
Here, the window display device further includes an input unit acquiring indication from a user, enabling the position determining unit to determine positions according to indications acquired from the input unit. This enables the user to determine the size of the entire window and the degree at which it slants in the depth direction.
The position determining means also determines 3D coordinates for each vertex of a window as the position for the window. If the window is a rectangular plane, this enables the position of the window in the 3D space to be determined simply by the coordinates for its four vertices.
The window display device further includes a window analyzing unit detecting, as a key part for each window, a part of the display content fulfilling certain conditions. Detection is performed based on display data held by the display data holding unit. This enables the position determining unit to determine the position of windows so that the key parts detected by the window analyzing unit are displayed near the front of the virtual 3D space. The window can thus be displayed inclined in the depth direction, so that the key part of the display content is near the front of the 3D space. Therefore, even if a plurality of windows are being displayed, the user can grasp the type and display content of each window at a glance.
The window analyzing unit also determines whether a title is included in the display data for each window and, if a title is included, detects a part of a window in which the title is displayed as the key part. This enables the user to easily recognize window types.
The window analyzing unit also determines whether a text and an indication for displaying the text horizontally are included in the display data for each window, and if the text and the indication are included, detects a left side of a window when viewed from the front as the key part. This enables the user to easily recognize the type and general content of a horizontally-written document displayed in a window.
The window analyzing unit also determines whether a text, and an indication for displaying the text vertically are included in the display data for each window, and if the text and the indication are included, detects a right side of a window when viewed from the front as the key part. This enables the user to easily recognize the type and general content of a vertically-written document displayed in a window.
The position determining unit includes an automatic alignment unit for determining the position of a plurality of windows so that the windows are placed in a predetermined arrangement, where at least one window is not parallel with the screen. This enables a plurality of windows that were displayed scattered around the screen to be displayed in alignment, using the screen display area more effectively and allowing all of the windows currently displayed to be viewed at a glance.
The position determining means further includes a unit determining a position according to an indication acquired from the input unit, so that a window displayed in the alignment position is newly displayed facing the front; and a unit determining a position according to an indication acquired from the input unit, so that a window displayed facing the front is returned to the alignment position. This enables a operation, in which a window faces the front when it is being operated on, and returns to the alignment position once it is no longer being operated on, to be easily performed.
The window display device further includes a window information image position changing unit editing display data stored in the display data holding unit so that a window information image is displayed near the front of the virtual 3D space. The window information image is formed from a title bar and a menu bar, and editing is performed based on a position determined by the position determining unit. This enables the title bar and menu bar for a window to be displayed near the front of the 3D space, even if the window is inclined in the depth direction. As a result, recognizing window types and performing window operations becomes easier.
The window display device further includes a window information image orientation changing unit controlling the position determining unit so that, in a window where a window information image is displayed near the front of the virtual 3D space, the window information image faces the front, while the remaining part of the window :is not parallel with the screen. This enables the title bar and menu bar to be displayed facing the front near the front of the virtual 3D space, even if the window is inclined in the depth direction. As a result, recognizing window types and performing window operations becomes easier.
The window display device further includes the following. An unreadable area determining unit determines whether an unreadable area displaying characters smaller than a specified size has been generated from display data transformed by the
Inagaki Satoru
Tsuda Kenjirou
Cabeca John
Detwiler Brian J
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