JP2007179168A - Information processor, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently browse an electronic document constituted of a plurality of pages. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation bar 43, that is a GUI arranged consecutively with a plurality of navigation buttons 45 associated with the pages of the electronic document, is displayed on a display part 12 for displaying a screen. A thumbnail 44 of the page associated with the navigation button 45 is also displayed on the display part 12, out of the plurality of navigation buttons 45 arranged in the navigation bar 43, based on a position designated by a user. The present invention is applied to, for example, a viewer for browsing the document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program capable of efficiently browsing, for example, an electronic electronic document composed of a plurality of pages. About.

  Conventionally, in a personal computer, a document (electronic document) composed of a plurality of pages can be browsed by software such as a word processor and a viewer.

  For example, according to the viewer, when a document (as a file) is opened, the first page of the document, for example, is displayed on a personal computer screen (monitor display screen or viewer window displayed on the monitor). Is displayed.

  In the viewer, the page displayed on the screen is changed according to the user's operation. That is, the viewer is provided with a GUI (Graphical User Interface) such as a scroll bar for scrolling the page and a button for displaying the next or previous page displayed on the screen. The page displayed on the screen can be changed by operating these GUIs.

  Some viewers display thumbnails, which are images obtained by reducing the contents of a page, in a grid pattern. According to such a viewer, the user can change the page displayed on the screen by checking the contents of the page with the thumbnail and selecting the thumbnail of the desired page.

  Furthermore, some viewers are provided with a frame (pane) for displaying pages and a frame for displaying thumbnails. For example, thumbnails are displayed in a row in a frame for displaying thumbnails. When there are many pages constituting the document and thumbnails of all pages cannot be displayed in the frame for displaying thumbnails, a scroll bar for scrolling the display of thumbnails is displayed. When the user scrolls the thumbnail display to find and select a thumbnail of a desired page, the display of the frame in which the page is displayed is changed to the page on which the thumbnail is selected.

In addition, for example, there is an apparatus that can perform image ordering by scrolling the display of image thumbnails, searching for a destination of an image, and dragging and dropping a thumbnail of a desired image to the destination (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-227826 A

  However, as described above, when a frame for displaying thumbnails is provided in addition to the frame for displaying pages, the frame for displaying thumbnails occupies a part of the screen, so the page is displayed. The frame to be narrowed. In particular, in a small apparatus such as a notebook personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), if the frame in which the page is displayed becomes narrow, the page becomes difficult to see.

  Therefore, for example, if the frame in which the thumbnail is displayed is not displayed, the page can be displayed in a large size on the screen. However, in this case, the thumbnail cannot be displayed at all, so the user can select the desired page. It becomes difficult to search and it is difficult to browse documents efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to browse documents efficiently.

  One aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes an electronic document that is an electronic document, and a plurality of buttons associated with pages of the electronic document are continuously displayed on a display unit that displays a screen. A navigation bar display control unit that displays a navigation bar that is an arranged GUI, and a plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display unit, the button is specified based on a designated position designated by a user And a thumbnail display control unit that causes the display unit to display a thumbnail of a page associated with the button specified by the specifying unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for processing an electronic document, which is an electronic document, or a program executed by a computer for processing an electronic document, wherein the electronic document is displayed on a display unit that displays a screen. A navigation bar that is a GUI in which a plurality of buttons associated with the page is continuously arranged is displayed, and a designation specified by the user from the plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means The information processing method or program includes a step of specifying the button based on a position and causing the display unit to display a thumbnail of a page associated with the specified button.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a navigation bar, which is a GUI in which a plurality of buttons associated with pages of an electronic document are continuously arranged, is displayed on a display unit that displays a screen. Then, a button is specified from a plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means based on a designated position designated by the user, and a thumbnail of a page associated with the button is displayed on the display means.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a document can be browsed efficiently.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. It's not something to do.

An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
An information processing apparatus for processing an electronic document that is an electronic document,
Navigation bar display control means (for example, FIG. 5) that displays a navigation bar that is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) in which a plurality of buttons associated with the pages of the electronic document are continuously arranged on the display means for displaying a screen. GUI control module 641 ₄ ) of FIG. 4 for executing the process of step S10 of FIG.
From the plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means, the specifying means for specifying the button based on the designated position designated by the user (for example, the process of step S11 in FIG. 5 is executed). GUI control module 641 ₄ ),
Thumbnail display control means for displaying on the display means the thumbnail of the page associated with the button specified by the specifying means (for example, the GUI control module 641 ₄ in FIG. 4 for executing the processing of step S12 in FIG. 5). And.

An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
When the specified position is a position in the button specified by the specifying means, determination means for determining whether or not the designation of the designated position has been released (for example, the processing of steps S13 and S19 in FIG. 5). The GUI control module 641 ₄ ) of FIG.
When it is determined by the determination means that the designation of the designated position is released, the display means displays a page associated with the button specified based on the designated position when the designation is released. Page display control means (for example, the GUI control module 641 _{4 of} FIG. 4 that executes the process of step S20 of FIG. 5).

An information processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
An information processing method for processing an electronic document, which is an electronic document, or a program executed by a computer for processing an electronic document,
A navigation bar, which is a GUI in which a plurality of buttons associated with the pages of the electronic document are continuously arranged, is displayed on the display means for displaying the screen (for example, step S10 in FIG. 5).
From the plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means, the button is specified based on a designated position designated by the user (for example, step S11 in FIG. 5),
A thumbnail of the page associated with the identified button is displayed on the display means (for example, step S12 in FIG. 5).
Includes steps.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a notebook personal computer to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a “notebook PC” as appropriate) 10 includes a main body 11 and a display unit 12, and a mouse 13 is connected to the main body 11 of the notebook PC 10. ing.

  The main body 11 contains a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and a keyboard 14, a track pad 15, buttons 16 and the like are provided on the upper surface. .

  The display unit 12 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and is attached to the main body 11 so as to be openable and closable by, for example, a hinge. Under the control of the CPU of the main body 11, the display unit 12 displays, for example, characters and graphics as contents of each page constituting the document, icons, buttons, a mouse cursor, and the like as a GUI (Graphical User Interface).

  The mouse 13 is operated (by the user) when moving a cursor (mouse cursor) displayed on the display unit 12. Further, the mouse 13 has a mouse button 17, and the mouse button 17 is operated when designating an icon or button on which the cursor is superimposed. That is, when moving the cursor displayed on the display unit 12, the user moves the mouse 13 itself. In addition, the user presses the mouse button 17 (clicks, double-clicks, or drags) to specify an icon or button on which the cursor is superimposed, or to specify a position where the cursor is located, and the designation is performed. Release the mouse button 17 to release.

  When the mouse 13 is moved, the information indicating the amount of movement of the mouse 13 due to the movement is transmitted (supplied) to the notebook PC 10, and when the mouse button 17 is pressed or released, the mouse button 17 is moved. Information indicating the state (pressed or released) is transmitted to the notebook PC 10.

  The keyboard 14 includes a plurality of operation keys that are operated when inputting various characters, symbols, numbers, and the like.

  The track pad 15 is operated when the cursor is moved, as in the case of the mouse 13. That is, the user can move the cursor by tracing the track pad 15 with a finger or the like.

  Similarly to the mouse button 17 of the mouse 13, the button 16 is operated to specify an icon or button on which the cursor is superimposed. In addition, the user can give the notebook PC 10 the same input as the so-called click or double click by performing a so-called tap (pecking operation) or double tap on the track pad 15.

  The mouse 13 and the track pad 15 are referred to as pointing devices operated by the user to give input to the notebook PC 10, but other pointing devices for giving input to the notebook PC 10 include a trackball, A touch panel or the like can be used.

  For example, when a touch panel is used, touching the touch panel with a finger or a stylus pen corresponds to pressing the mouse button 17. In addition, touching the position where the touch panel icon is displayed with a finger or stylus pen corresponds to pressing the mouse button 17 with the cursor positioned on the icon, and touching the touch panel with the finger or stylus pen. Moving the finger or the stylus pen corresponds to moving (dragging) the mouse 13 with the mouse button 17 pressed.

  Hereinafter, a case where the mouse 13 is operated (including the operation of the mouse button 17 included in the mouse 13) when the user gives an input to the notebook PC 10 will be described.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the notebook PC 10 of FIG.

  2, the notebook PC 10 includes a display unit 12, a keyboard 14, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a bus 24, an input / output interface 25, a storage unit 26, a communication unit 27, a drive 28, and an input / output port 29. The mouse 13 is connected to the input / output port 29.

  The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a bus 24, and an input / output interface 25 is also connected to the bus 24. In addition to the bus 24, the display unit 12, the keyboard 14, the storage unit 26, the communication unit 27, the drive 28, and the input / output port 29 are connected to the input / output interface 25.

  The CPU 21 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 22 or a program loaded from the storage unit 26 to the RAM 23 via the bus 24 and the input / output interface 25.

  In addition to programs executed by the CPU 21, the RAM 23 appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. Further, an area (frame buffer) for storing an image displayed on the display unit 12 is secured in the RAM 23, and an image (data) is stored (drawn) in the area.

  The storage unit 26 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores characters and figures that are the contents of each page constituting the document displayed on the display unit 12 in addition to programs for the CPU 21 to execute various processes.

  The communication unit 27 includes a modem, a terminal adapter, and other communication interfaces, and performs communication processing via various networks including a telephone line or CATV (cable television).

  A storage medium 30 composed of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately attached to the drive 28. The drive 28 reads data stored (recorded) in the storage medium 30 or stores predetermined data in the storage medium 30. In addition, a storage medium 30 in which a computer program is stored is mounted on the drive 28, and the computer program read from the storage medium 30 is installed in the storage unit 26 via the input / output interface 25 as necessary. The

  The input / output port 29 is configured according to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), for example. Information indicating the amount of movement of the mouse 13 and information indicating the state of the mouse button 17 are supplied from the mouse 13 to the input / output port 29, and these information are sent to the CPU 21 via the input / output interface 25 and the bus 24. Supplied.

  In the notebook PC 10 configured in this way, for example, a document composed of a plurality of pages such as a slide show and a viewer program for browsing the document are stored in the storage unit 26. Then, for example, when the user operates the mouse 13 to open a document (file) (for example, double-clicking on an icon representing the document), the CPU 21 activates the viewer (program thereof), and the viewer A document page is displayed on the display unit 12.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows the display unit 12 on which a document page is displayed.

  In FIG. 3, a mouse cursor 41, a page 42, a navigation bar 43, and a thumbnail (reduced image) 44 are displayed on the display unit 12.

  The mouse cursor 41 is a GUI in the shape of an arrow, and moves on the display unit 12 according to the amount of movement of the mouse 13.

  The page 42 is made up of characters, graphics, and the like as its contents, and a document is composed of a plurality of pages 42. Of the plurality of pages 42, for example, the page 42 designated by the user is displayed on the entire display unit 12. The page 42 currently displayed on the entire display unit 12 is hereinafter referred to as a current page as appropriate.

  The navigation bar 43 is an elongated rectangular GUI (component). In FIG. 3, the navigation bar 43 is arranged below the display screen of the display unit 12 so that the longitudinal direction coincides with the horizontal direction of the display screen of the display unit 12. Yes. On the navigation bar 43, a plurality of navigation buttons 45 are arranged at equal intervals and in a horizontal row (in a row in the longitudinal direction). The navigation bar 43 is a tool that assists the user's browsing of the document, and is operated by the user as necessary when the user browses the document.

  The navigation button 45 is a rectangular GUI imitating a button, and one navigation button 45 is associated with one page (one page) constituting the document. The number of navigation buttons 45 arranged in a row on the navigation bar 43 is the same as the number of pages 42 constituting the document.

  In addition to the configuration example in which the navigation buttons 45 corresponding to all the pages constituting the document are arranged, the navigation bar 43 is desired to be browsed by the user among all the pages constituting the document, for example. A configuration example in which only the navigation buttons 45 corresponding to the pages to be arranged can be provided. When the navigation bar 43 is a configuration example in which only the navigation buttons 45 corresponding to the page that the user desires to view are arranged, the number of navigation buttons 45 arranged in a row on the navigation bar 43 constitutes a document. This is not the same as the number of pages 42 to be viewed, but the same as the number of pages that the user desires to browse.

  Further, for example, in the navigation bar 43, the navigation button 45 arranged on the leftmost side is associated with the first (first page) page 42, and the navigation button 45 arranged second from the left is The page 42 is associated with the second page 42. Similarly, the navigation buttons 45 are sequentially associated with each page 42 in ascending order as it goes to the right, and the navigation button 45 arranged on the rightmost side is associated with the last page.

  Here, the user can designate the position indicated by the mouse cursor 41 by pressing the mouse button 17. The user can continue to specify the position specified by the mouse cursor 41 by continuing to press (drag) the mouse button 17, and can specify the position by releasing (releasing) the mouse button 17. It can be canceled. The position designated by the user as described above is hereinafter referred to as a designated position as appropriate.

  When the navigation button 45 is displayed at the designated position, that is, when the position within the range where the navigation button 45 is displayed becomes the designated position, the navigation button 45 displayed at the designated position is It is specified as a navigation button 45 '.

  For example, when the user moves the mouse cursor 41 by operating the mouse 13 so that the mouse cursor 41 points within the range in which a certain navigation button 45 is displayed, and then presses the mouse button 17, the navigation is performed. The position within the range where the button 45 is displayed becomes the designated position, and the navigation button 45 is specified as the current navigation button 45 ′.

  If the user presses the mouse button 17 while the mouse cursor 41 indicates an arbitrary location other than the range where the navigation button 45 is displayed, that location becomes the designated position. Thereafter, when the user operates the mouse 13 while moving the mouse button 17 and moves the mouse cursor 41, the designated position also moves. When the designated position moves within a range where a certain navigation button 45 is displayed, The navigation button 45 is identified as the current navigation button 45 ′.

  When the current navigation button 45 ′ is specified by such a user operation, the thumbnail 44, which is an image obtained by reducing the content of the page 42 associated with the current navigation button 45 ′, is displayed above the current navigation button 45 ′. Is displayed. Note that the current navigation button 45 ′ is displayed with emphasis over the other navigation buttons 45, for example, by changing the color, so that the user can distinguish the current navigation button 45 ′ from the other navigation buttons 45. can do.

  Further, when the user releases the mouse button 17 when the thumbnail 44 is displayed, that is, when the position within the range where the current navigation button 45 ′ is displayed is the designated position, the designation of the position is performed. When canceled, the thumbnail display is stopped (the thumbnail is not displayed), and the page 42 associated with the current navigation button 45 'becomes the new current page, replacing the page that was the current page. The new current page is displayed on the entire display unit 12.

  Further, when the user operates the mouse 13 while moving the mouse button 17 to move the mouse cursor 41 and the designated position moves outside the range where the current navigation button 45 ′ is displayed, the current navigation button 45 ′. The thumbnail display of the page 42 associated with is stopped. Further, when the user moves the mouse cursor 41 and the designated position moves within a range where other navigation buttons 45 are displayed, the navigation button 45 becomes a new current navigation button 45 ', and the new current navigation button 45 A thumbnail 44 is displayed above 45 '.

  Here, the navigation buttons 45 are arranged on the navigation bar 43 in a horizontal row so that the intervals between adjacent navigation buttons 45 are equal, and the horizontal width W of each navigation button 45 is obtained by the following equation. be able to.

W = (NTW-(NUMP x MGN)) / NUMP
... (1)

  In Equation (1), NTW represents the horizontal length of the navigation bar 43, NNUM represents the number of pages 42 constituting the document, and MGN represents the interval (margin) between the navigation buttons 45.

  The distance between the left end of the leftmost navigation button 45 and the left end of the navigation bar 43 and the distance between the right end of the rightmost navigation button 45 and the right end of the navigation bar 43 are, for example, , Both shall be half of MGN.

  In the formula (1), the length NTW and the interval MGN are fixed values, and the horizontal width W of the navigation button 45 increases when the number of pages 42 is small. On the other hand, if the number of pages 42 is large, the lateral width W of the navigation button 45 is small. Therefore, when the number of pages 42 constituting the document is large, the horizontal width W of the navigation button 45 becomes small and may be 1 pixel or less. In this case, the number of document pages that can be browsed by the viewer can be limited so that the width W of the navigation button 45 does not become 1 pixel or less.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a viewer executed by the CPU 21 (FIG. 2) of the notebook PC 10.

  Note that the CPU 21 of the notebook PC 10 executes a viewer 60 which is software (application) for browsing a document on an OS (Operating System) 50 which is software for managing the whole. In FIG. 4, a part of the OS 50 is also illustrated.

  The OS 50 includes a mouse driver 51, a display driver 53, and the like.

  The mouse driver 51 is software for accepting the operation of the mouse 13. The mouse driver 51 is supplied with information indicating the amount of movement of the mouse 13 and information indicating the state of the mouse button 17 from the mouse 13.

  The mouse driver 51 obtains the mouse position information indicating the coordinates of the position indicated by the mouse cursor 41 from the information indicating the movement amount of the mouse 13, and the mouse button 17 is pressed from the information indicating the state of the mouse button 17. Get mouse button information indicating whether or not

  The mouse position information has, for example, the X axis in the horizontal direction from left to right, and the Y axis in the vertical direction from top to bottom, with the upper left corner of the display area in the display unit 12 as the origin (0,0). Expressed in a two-dimensional coordinate system. The mouse button information is, for example, 1-bit information indicating whether or not the mouse button 17 is pressed. When the mouse button information is 0 or 1, for example, 1 the mouse button 17 is pressed. If the mouse button information is 0 or 1 of, for example, 0, it indicates that the mouse button 17 is not pressed (released).

  Then, the mouse driver 51 generates a mouse event including mouse position information and mouse button information. Based on this mouse event, the OS 50 controls each part of the notebook PC 10.

  Here, for example, when the user operates the mouse 13 so as to open a document (file), the mouse driver 51 generates a mouse event based on the operation, and the OS 50 generates a mouse event generated by the mouse driver 51. Based on this, each part of the notebook PC 10 is controlled so as to activate the viewer 60 for browsing the document. When the user operates the mouse 13 with respect to the viewer 60 after the viewer 60 is activated, the mouse driver 51 generates a mouse event based on the operation and supplies it to the viewer 60 (a control view 52 described later). The viewer 60 performs various processes described below based on the mouse event from the mouse driver 51.

  The display driver 53 is software for operating the display unit 12. An image to be displayed on the display unit 12 is supplied from the viewer 60 to the display driver 53, and the display driver 53 displays an image on the display unit 12.

Viewer 60, control view 52, a document control module 61, a page control module 62 ₁ to 62 _3, and a thumbnail acquisition module 63 ₁ to 63 _3, GUI control module 641 ₁ to 643 _4, etc..

  Each module of the viewer 60 is created in accordance with a document designated to be opened by the user. For example, in the viewer 60 of FIG. 4, the document is composed of three pages, and each page includes four GUIs.

  The control view 52 includes a mouse event processing module 54 and a frame buffer processing module 55, and controls each module of the viewer 60 based on a mouse event from the mouse driver 51, and the viewer 60 performs various processes. Based on the execution result, control for displaying an image on the display unit 12 is performed.

  When a mouse event for the viewer 60 is supplied from the mouse driver 51, the mouse event processing module 54 supplies the mouse event to the document control module 61.

  The frame buffer processing module 55 draws the image (data) supplied from the document control module 61 in the frame buffer secured in the RAM 23 in FIG. 2 and supplies the image to the display driver 53.

  The document control module 61 has a list of pages constituting the document and a list of thumbnails of each page, and controls each module related to document browsing. In the list of pages constituting the document, for example, a 1-bit flag representing the page that is the current page is arranged.

A mouse event is supplied to the document control module 61 from the mouse event processing module 54, and the document control module 61 refers to a list of pages constituting the document and controls a page that is the current page. to any one of ₁ to 62 _3, and supplies a mouse event.

The document control module 61 controls the thumbnail acquisition module 63 ₁ to 63 _3, thereby obtaining the thumbnails. Further, when a certain page is designated as a new current page, the document control module 61 indicates that one of the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ that controls the page that becomes the new current page is designated as the current page. Supply a message.

The page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ execute processing for displaying the first to third pages on the display unit 12 according to the control from the document control module 61.

That is, when the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ are supplied with a message indicating that the current page is designated from the document control module 61, the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ display characters and figures that are the contents of the first to third pages, respectively. 2 is read from the storage unit 26 and supplied to the frame buffer processing module 55 of the control view 52 via the document control module 61, and the corresponding page is displayed on the display unit 12.

Each of the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ has a list of a plurality of GUIs provided on each page, and the GUI list includes information indicating a range in which each GUI is displayed. is described.

When the mouse event is supplied from the document control module 61, the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ refer to the GUI list based on the mouse position information included in the mouse event, and the mouse cursor 41 indicates Identify the GUI that is.

That is, the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ determine whether or not the position indicated by the mouse cursor 41 indicated by the mouse position information is within the range where the GUI is displayed. Judging in order. Then, the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ move the GUI first determined that the position indicated by the mouse cursor 41 indicated by the mouse position information is within the range where the GUI is displayed, to the mouse. The GUI specified by the cursor 41 is specified.

Page control module 62 ₁ to 62 ₃ has determined the GUI that is instructed by a mouse cursor 41 to any of the GUI control module 641 ₁ to 643 ₄ for controlling the GUI, supplies mouse events. Note that the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ discard the mouse event when the GUI designated by the mouse cursor 41 is not specified.

The thumbnail acquisition modules 63 _{1 to} 63 ₃ acquire the thumbnails of the first to third pages according to the control from the document control module 61, respectively. For example, as described above, the storage unit 26 stores characters and figures that are the contents of each page, and the thumbnail acquisition modules 63 _{1 to} 63 ₃ store the characters and figures that are the contents of the corresponding pages, respectively. A thumbnail is obtained by reading out from the storage unit 26 and reducing characters and figures. Further, thumbnails of each page is stored in advance in the storage unit 26, a thumbnail acquisition module 63 ₁ to 63 _3, respectively acquires reads thumbnail corresponding page.

The GUI control modules 641 _{1 to} 643 ₄ execute the corresponding GUI processing.

For example, GUI control module 641 ₄ correspond to the first page navigation bar 43 (FIG. 4). When the first page (that is, the page controlled by the page control module 62 ₁ ) is designated as the current page, the GUI control module 6414 ₄ follows the control of the page control module 62 ₁ (image thereof). the through page control module 62 ₁ and documents control module 61, and supplied to the frame buffer processing module 55 of the control view 52 on the display unit 12.

Also, GUI control module 641 ₄ has a list of navigation buttons 45, the list of the navigation button 45, the range of each of the navigation buttons 45 are displayed is described.

For example, when the user moves the mouse cursor 41 within the navigation bar 43 is displayed, the GUI control module 641 _4, the mouse event is supplied from the page control module 62 _1. As described above, the mouse event includes mouse position information and mouse button information.

Here, when the user specifies a position at which the mouse cursor 41 by pressing the mouse button 17 is indicated, mouse button information included in the mouse event supplied to the GUI control module 641 _4, presses the mouse button 17 1 indicating that this has been done. The mouse button information is, if indicated one indicating that the mouse button 17 is depressed, GUI control module 641 ₄ refers to the list of navigation buttons 45, based on the mouse position information included in the mouse event The navigation button 45 displayed at the designated position designated by the user is specified as the current navigation button 45 ′.

GUI control module 641 ₄ 'when identifying the current navigation button 45' Current navigation buttons 45 a message for instructing the acquisition of a thumbnail of the page 42 corresponding to the page control module 62 ₁ through the document control module 61 To supply. Document control module 61, in response to a message supplied via the page control module 62 _1, obtains a thumbnail from the thumbnail acquisition module 63 ₁ is supplied to the GUI control module 641 ₄ via the page control module 62 _1.

When a thumbnail is supplied from the document control module 61 via the page control module 62 ₁ , the GUI control module 6414 ₄ sends the thumbnail to the frame buffer of the control view 52 via the page control module 62 ₁ and the document control module 61. The thumbnails are supplied to the processing module 55 and displayed on the display unit 12.

Further, when the user operates the mouse 13 and the designated position moves outside the range where the current navigation button 45 ′ is displayed, the GUI control module 6414 ₄ corresponds to the page associated with the current navigation button 45 ′. Stop displaying thumbnails of. Furthermore, mouse 13 is operated by the user, if the designated position within the other navigation buttons 45 are displayed is moved, GUI control module 641 _4, and the navigation buttons 45 as the new current navigation button 45 ' Identify.

Then, GUI control module 641 _4, when there is a designated position within the range displayed by the current navigation button 45 ', the page control module 62 _1, mouse button 17 is not pressed (and released) When the mouse button information is supplied indicating 0 indicating that a message indicating that the page 42 corresponding to the current navigation button 45 'is designated the new current page, via the page control module 62 _1, the document control module 61 is supplied.

Note that the GUI control module 642 ₄ or 643 ₄ also corresponds to the navigation bar 43 on the second or third page, respectively, similarly to the GUI control module 641 ₄ . Further, the GUI control module 641 _4, 642 _4, 643 ₄ other than the GUI control module 641 ₁ to 641 _3, the GUI control module 642 ₁ to 642 _3, the GUI control module 643 ₁ to 643 _3, for example, general text boxes It supports GUIs such as graphics boxes.

In the notebook PC 10 configured as described above, for example, when the user operates the mouse 13, a mouse event corresponding to the operation is sent from the mouse driver 51 to the control view 52, the document control module 61, and the page control module 62 _1. or through 62 ₃ are supplied to the GUI control module 641 ₁ to 643 _4. The GUI control modules 641 _{1 to} 6434 ₄ execute GUI processing based on the mouse event, and, for example, the thumbnail 44 and the page 42 are displayed on the display unit 12.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the viewer 60 of FIG.

When the user operates the mouse 13 to open, for example, a document (file), for example, in the viewer 60, for example, the control view 52, the document control module 61, the page control modules 62 _{1 to} 62 ₃ , and the thumbnail acquisition module 63 _1. To 63 ₃ , GUI control modules 641 _{1 to} 643 ₄ (for example, instances) are created.

For example, now, the default current page is to be set on the first page, the document control module 61, in step S10, the page control module 62 ₁ for controlling the first page of the page, as specified in the current page Supply a message to the effect. The page control module 62 ₁ displays the characters and graphics that are the contents of the page on the display unit 12 and displays the GUI provided on the first page and the GUI control modules 641 _{1 to} 641 ₄ . Control.

As a result, the GUI control modules 641 _{1 to} 641 ₃ supply the corresponding GUI (images thereof) to the frame buffer processing module 55 of the control view 52 via the page control module 62 ₁ and the document control module 61, respectively. The GUI is displayed on the display unit 12. Further, GUI control module 641 _4, navigation bar 43 (image), via a page control module 62 ₁ and documents control module 61, and supplied to the frame buffer processing module 55 of the control view 52, displaying a navigation bar 43 This is displayed on the unit 12.

After the process of step S10, when the user operates the mouse 13 and the designated position designated by the user becomes a position within a range where a certain navigation button 45 is displayed, that is, from the mouse event processing module 54 to the document control module. 61 and mouse position information included in the mouse event supplied to the GUI control module 64i ₄ via the page control module 62 _i (here, i = 1, 2, 3) for controlling the current page If the mouse button information included in the mouse event becomes 1 indicating that the mouse button 17 is pressed while the button 45 indicates the position within the displayed range, the process proceeds to step S11 and GUI control is performed. The module 64i ₄ is a navigation button displayed at the designated position. The button 45 is specified as the current navigation button 45 ′.

When the current navigation button 45 ′ is specified, the process proceeds to step S12, and the GUI control module 64i ₄ displays a message for instructing acquisition of the thumbnail of the page 42 associated with the current navigation button 45 ′ as a page control. This is supplied to the document control module 61 via the module 62 _i , and its thumbnail 44 is displayed above the current navigation button 45 ′.

After the processing in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13, GUI control module 64i ₄ determines whether the user releases the mouse button 17, i.e., to control the mouse event processing module 54, document control module 61, and the current page It is determined whether or not the mouse button information included in the mouse event supplied via the control module 62 _i has become 0 indicating that the mouse button 17 has not been pressed (released).

In step S13, if it is determined that the user does not release the mouse button 17, the process proceeds to step S14, GUI control module 64i ₄ determines whether the user has moved the mouse cursor 41 to the current navigation button 45 ', i.e. Then, it is determined whether or not the designated position is outside the range where the current navigation button 45 ′ is displayed.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the designated position is not outside the range where the current navigation button 45 'is displayed, the process returns to step S13.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S14 that the designated position is outside the range where the current navigation button 45 ′ is displayed, the process proceeds to step S15. For example, when the user moves the mouse cursor 41 to the side and the designated position becomes a position between the current navigation button 45 ′ and the adjacent navigation button 45, or out of the range where the navigation bar 43 is displayed. When the position is reached, the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, GUI control module 64i ₄ is via the page control module 62 _i and the document control module 61, by controlling the frame buffer processing module 55, if the thumbnail 44 currently being displayed, the thumbnail 44 Stop the display. If there is no thumbnail 44 currently displayed, step S15 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S16.

After step S15, the process proceeds to step S16, GUI control module 64i ₄ a mouse cursor 41 is moved by the user, the designated position is, whether any of the navigation buttons 45 is turned within the range displayed Determine.

  If it is determined in step S16 that the designated position is not within the range where any navigation button 45 is displayed, the process returns to step S13.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the designated position is within the range where any one of the navigation buttons 45 is displayed, the process proceeds to step S17, and the navigation button 45 is identified as a new current navigation button 45 ′. Then, the process returns to step S12. Thereby, in step S12, the thumbnail of the page associated with the current navigation button 45 ′ is newly displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the user has released the mouse button 17, the process proceeds to step S18 to control the frame buffer processing module 55 via the page control module 62 _i and the document control module 61, thereby If there is a thumbnail 44 displayed, the display of the thumbnail 44 is stopped. If there is no currently displayed thumbnail 44, step S18 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S19.

After the processing in step S18, in step S19, GUI control module 64i _4, the position at which the mouse button 17 is released (in specified position position), the position within the range displayed by the current navigation button 45 ' It is determined whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S19 that the designated position when the mouse button 17 is released is not a position within the range where the current navigation button 45 'is displayed, the process returns to step S11, and the user again presses the mouse 13. The same processing is repeated after operating and waiting for the designated position to be within the range where any one of the navigation buttons 45 is displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the designated position when the mouse button 17 is released is a position within the range in which the current navigation button 45 'is displayed, the process proceeds to step S20, and the GUI control module 64i. _4, a message that the page 42 corresponding to the current navigation button 45 'is designated the new current page, via the page control module 62 ₁ is supplied to the document control module 61. And it returns to step S10 and the same process is repeated hereafter.

For example, in step S20, when the new current page becomes the third page, the document control module 61, the page control module ₆₂₃ which controls the third page of the page, supply a message specified in the current page Then, the process returns to step S10. In step S10, the page control module 62 ₃ that has received a message indicating that the current page has been designated from the document control module 61 causes the display unit 12 to display characters and figures that are the contents of the page, and the page control module 62 _3. to display the GUI provided in, it controls the GUI control module 643 ₁ to 643 _4.

Thus, GUI control module 643 ₁ to 643 _3, to display the corresponding GUI on the display unit 12, GUI control module 643 ₄ displays the navigation bar 43 on the display unit 12.

  As described above, the elongate navigation bar 43 in which the navigation buttons 45 associated with the document pages are arranged in a row is displayed, and the thumbnails 44 of the pages 42 associated with the navigation buttons 45 designated by the user are displayed. Since the page is displayed, for example, the page can be displayed larger than when a frame for displaying thumbnails is provided. Thereby, even if the notebook PC 10 is small, for example, even if the notebook PC 10 is small in size of B5 size or less, the document can be browsed efficiently.

  In other words, thumbnails must be displayed in a somewhat large size so that the user who sees them understands the outline of the page layout, etc., and a frame for displaying thumbnails is provided, and a plurality of thumbnails are displayed in the frame. In this case, the area for displaying the page is greatly limited to display the plurality of thumbnails.

  On the other hand, in the viewer 60, the navigation buttons 45 arranged in a row on the navigation bar 43 are sufficient if they function as buttons for the user to specify a page. Therefore, the navigation buttons 45 are displayed in a size that can be specified by the user. There is no need to display the thumbnails in such a large size that the user can grasp the outline of the page.

  Therefore, the navigation bar 43 in which the plurality of navigation buttons 45 are arranged in a row in the viewer 60 does not limit the area for displaying the page so much. Furthermore, in the viewer 60, when the user designates the navigation button 45, a thumbnail associated with the navigation button 45 is displayed. Therefore, the user can display a thumbnail by designating the navigation button 45, easily find a desired page, and display the page in a larger size, thereby efficiently browsing the document.

  In the viewer 60, the thumbnail 44 of the page 42 associated with the navigation button 45 at the designated position is displayed, and when the designated position is released, the navigation button 45 at the position where the designated position is released is displayed. Since the associated page 42 is displayed, for example, the user shifts the specified position from the left to the right in the navigation bar 43 to display the thumbnails 44 sequentially from the first page, and the desired position is displayed. The desired page can be displayed by a simple operation by searching the page and canceling the designation of the designated position at the position of the navigation button 45 associated with the page.

  In other words, the user can display the desired page 42 with an operation feeling close to the feeling of opening the desired page by flipping through the pages of the actual book by performing the operations described above.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the navigation bar 43.

  In FIG. 6, the navigation bar 43 has a plurality of navigation buttons 45 arranged in a horizontal row so as to be equally spaced, as in the navigation bar 43 of FIG. Further, the navigation bar 43 in FIG. 6 includes a first button 71, a last button 72, a previous button 73, a next button 74, and a switching button 75.

  That is, the navigation bar 43 in FIG. 6 includes a first button 71, a previous button 73, a plurality of navigation buttons 45, a next button 74, a last button 72, and a switching button 75 in a line from left to right in that order. Has been placed.

  When the user operates the mouse 13 and designates the first button 71, the first page is displayed on the display unit 12, and when the last button 74 is designated, the last page is displayed on the display unit 12. Similarly, when the previous button 73 is designated, the previous page of the current page is displayed on the display unit 12, and when the next button 74 is designated, the next page of the current page is displayed on the display unit. 12 is displayed.

  As described above, the navigation bar 43 includes the first button 71, the last button 72, the previous button 73, and the next button 74, so that the user can browse the document more efficiently. That is, as described above, the user can display a desired page without performing an operation of designating the navigation button 45 associated with the desired page and canceling the designation.

  Further, a bookmark indicating that the page is selected by the user can be attached to the page selected by the user. Here, the bookmark is to mark data like a so-called “bookmark” of a book. For example, a user may attach a bookmark to a favorite page or a page that is often displayed. it can.

  For example, the user moves the mouse cursor 41 within the range in which the thumbnail 44 is displayed in a state where the thumbnail 44 of the page without the bookmark is displayed, and then releases the mouse button 17 so that the thumbnail 44 is displayed. You can bookmark pages.

  A mark 76 indicating that a bookmark is attached is displayed on the thumbnail 44 of the bookmarked page, for example, in the lower right corner. When the user moves the mouse cursor 41 within the range where the thumbnail 44 is displayed in a state where the thumbnail 44 corresponding to the page with the bookmark is displayed and then releases the mouse button 17, The bookmark attached to the page can be removed.

  6 shows a navigation bar 43 in all display modes in which all navigation buttons 45 corresponding to pages constituting the document are arranged, and bookmarks are set on the lower side of FIG. A navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode in which only the navigation button 45 associated with the page is arranged is shown.

  The user can switch between the navigation bar 43 in the all display mode and the navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode by clicking the switching button 75. That is, when the switching button 75 is clicked on the navigation bar 43 in the full display mode, the navigation bar 43 in the full display mode is switched to the navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode. When the switching button 75 is clicked in the navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode, the navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode is switched to the navigation bar 43 in the full display mode.

  Further, when the navigation bar 43 in the full display mode and the navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode are switched, the above equation (1) is recalculated, and the width W of the navigation button 45 is a size suitable for each mode. become.

  In the all display mode, the switching button 75 is displayed as a white circle as shown in the upper side of FIG. 6, and in the bookmark display mode, the switching button 75 is displayed as a black circle as shown in the lower side of FIG.

  As described above, the bookmark is attached to the page selected by the user, and the navigation bar 43 includes the switching button 75, so that the navigation bar 43 in the bookmark display mode is displayed even when there are many pages constituting the document, for example. Thus, a desired page can be easily found from the bookmarked pages. Thereby, the user can browse the document efficiently.

  The navigation bar 43 is arranged below the display screen of the display unit 12 as shown in FIG. 3, arranged above, left or right of the display screen of the display unit 12, or other It may be arranged in a position. The navigation bar 43 is displayed so as not to interfere with the display of characters and graphics that are the contents of the page 42.

  Further, the navigation bar 43 may be arranged such that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the vertical direction of the display screen of the display unit 12, and in this case, the pages associated with the navigation buttons 45 are arranged in ascending order from top to bottom. Is done. As described above, the navigation bar 43 whose longitudinal direction matches the vertical direction of the display screen of the display unit 12 is preferably arranged on the left or right side of the display screen of the display unit 12.

  For example, when the number of pages constituting the document is large, it is possible to display the navigation bar 43 in which the navigation buttons 45 in two or more columns are arranged. Alternatively, the navigation buttons 45 may be arranged in a row so that the navigation buttons 45 that are not displayed in the range of the navigation bar 43 can be scrolled and displayed.

  Further, the navigation bar 43 may not always be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the navigation bar 43 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12. In addition, the navigation bar 43 may be hidden after an operation for changing the current page is performed. For example, when the user moves the mouse cursor 41 near the four corners of the page 42 and presses the mouse button 17, the navigation bar 43 can be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12.

  In addition to the mouse 13, the user can change the current page by operating the keyboard 14. For example, by operating the left / right movement key or the up / down movement key of the keyboard 14 while the navigation bar 43 is focused, the designation of the current navigation button 45 ′ is changed and the enter (Enter) key is operated. The page associated with the current navigation button 45 ′ can be the current page.

  In addition to the notebook PC 10, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a PDA, a mobile phone, a desktop personal computer, and the like, and is particularly effective when applied to a small device having a small display screen.

  The processes described with reference to the flowcharts described above do not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowcharts, but are performed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processes or objects). Processing).

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a notebook personal computer to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural example of notebook PC10. It is a figure which shows the display part 12 on which the page of a document is displayed. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structural example of the viewer which CPU21 of notebook PC10 performs. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a viewer 60. It is a top view which shows other embodiment of the navigation bar 43. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 notebook PC, 11 main body, 12 display unit, 13 mouse, 14 keyboard, 15 trackpad, 16 button, 17 mouse button, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 bus, 25 I / O interface, 26 storage unit, 27 Communication unit, 28 drive, 29 I / O port, 30 storage medium, 41 mouse cursor, 42 pages, 43 navigation bar, 44 thumbnail, 45 navigation button, 45 'current navigation button, 50 OS, 51 mouse driver, 52 control view, 53 display driver, 54 mouse event processing module, 55 a frame buffer processing module, 60 viewer, 61 document control module, 62 ₁ to 62 ₃ page control module, 63 ₁ 3 ₃ thumbnail acquisition module, 641 ₁ to 643 ₄ GUI control module

Claims (7)

In an information processing apparatus that processes an electronic document that is an electronic document,
Navigation bar display control means for displaying a navigation bar which is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) in which a plurality of buttons associated with the pages of the electronic document are continuously arranged on the display means for displaying a screen;
A specifying means for specifying the button based on a designated position designated by a user from the plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a thumbnail display control unit that causes the display unit to display a thumbnail of a page associated with the button specified by the specifying unit. Determining means for determining whether or not the designation of the designated position is canceled when the designated position is a position in the button identified by the identifying means;
When it is determined by the determination means that the designation of the designated position is released, the display means displays a page associated with the button specified based on the designated position when the designation is released. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a page display control unit. If the page selected by the user has a bookmark indicating that it is the page selected by the user,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail display control unit also displays information indicating that the bookmark is attached together with the thumbnail. The navigation bar display control means is provided with the navigation bar in all display modes for displaying all of the buttons associated with the pages constituting the electronic document, and a bookmark of the pages constituting the document. The information according to claim 3, wherein the navigation bar further including a switching button operated when switching and displaying the navigation bar in the bookmark display mode that displays only the button associated with a page is displayed. Processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the navigation bar display control unit displays the navigation bar in which all buttons associated with all pages constituting the electronic document are arranged in a line. In an information processing method for processing an electronic document that is an electronic document,
On the display means for displaying the screen, a navigation bar that is a GUI in which a plurality of buttons associated with the pages of the electronic document are continuously arranged is displayed.
From the plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means, the button is specified based on a designated position designated by the user,
An information processing method comprising: displaying a thumbnail of a page associated with the specified button on the display means. In a program that is executed by a computer that processes an electronic document that is an electronic document,
On the display means for displaying the screen, a navigation bar that is a GUI in which a plurality of buttons associated with the pages of the electronic document are continuously arranged is displayed.
From the plurality of buttons arranged on the navigation bar displayed on the display means, the button is specified based on a designated position designated by the user,
A program comprising the step of causing the display means to display a thumbnail of a page associated with the identified button.

Images