DISPLAY DEVICE, DISPLAY METHOD, DISPLAY PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

Abstract

A display device which displays a plurality of objects on a screen has a group configuration storage section for storing association information indicating the association between each of the plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups, a group priority level storage section for storing group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups, an object priority level storage section for storing object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others, an object priority level changing section for changing the object display priority level while the association information is maintained, and a display section for displaying the plurality of objects according to the group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.

Description

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is therefore a purpose of the present invention to provide a display device, a display method, adisplay program and a recording medium which make it possible to solve the above-describedproblem. This purpose can be achieved by a combination of features set forth in the independentclaims in the appended claims.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device which displays a plurality of objects on a screen, the display device having a group configuration storagesection for storing association information indicating the association between each of the pluralityof objects and one of a plurality of groups, a group priority level storage section for storing groupdisplay priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated withone of the groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups, an object prioritylevel storage section for storing object display priority levels which are priority levels fordisplaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others, an objectpriority level changing section for changing the object display priority level while the associationinformation is maintained, and a display section for displaying the plurality of objects according tothe group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display method of displaying a plurality of objects on a screen, the display method including a step of storingassociation information indicating the association between each of the plurality of objects and oneof a plurality of groups, a step of storing group display priority levels which are priority levels fordisplaying each of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the objectsassociated with the other groups, a step of storing object display priority levels which are prioritylevels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others,a step of changing the object display priority level while the association information is maintained;and a step of displaying the plurality of objects according to the group display priority levels andthe object display priority levels.

[0007] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display program executable by a computer to display a plurality of objects on a screen, the displayprogram including a module for making the computer obtain association information indicating theassociation between each of the plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups, a module formaking the computer obtain group display priority levels which are priority levels for displayingeach of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the objects associated with theother groups, a module for making the computer obtain object display priority levels which arepriority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of theothers, a module for making the computer store the object display priority levels and change theobject display priority level while the association information is maintained, and a module formaking the computer display the plurality of objects according to the group display priority levelsand the object display priority levels.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which a display program executable by a computer to display a plurality of objects ona screen is recorded, the display program including a module for making the computer obtainassociation information indicating the association between each of the plurality of objects and oneof a plurality of groups, a module for making the computer obtain group display priority levelswhich are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of the groups at thefront of the objects associated with the other groups, a module for making the computer obtainobject display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associatedwith one of the groups at the front of the others, a module for making the computer store the objectdisplay priority levels and change the object display priority level while the associationinformation is maintained, and a module for making the computer display the plurality of objectsaccording to the group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings

[0009] Some of the purposes of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a display device 10 which represents a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of association information, object display priority levels, and group display priority levels stored in a group configuration storage section100, an object priority level storage section 110, and a group priority level storage section 120;

[0012] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of an input section 130, a group rank changing section 140, a group configuration changing section 160, a record update setting section165, and an object priority level changing section 170;

[0013] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the group configuration changing section 160 and the record update setting section 165 when a new object is generated;

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the display device 10 displaying objects at the front in an in an overlaid state;

[0015] Figure 6 is a diagram showing operations performed by a user to change the overlaid state of objects by operating the display device 10;

[0016] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the display device 10 changing group display priority levels, object display priority levels, and association information respectivelystored in the group priority level storage section 120, the object priority level storage section 110,and the group configuration storage section 100;

[0017] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of a group rank changing section 140 in a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 9 is a functional block diagram of a display device in a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operations of a group configuration changing section 160 and an object selecting section 190 in the third embodiment of the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0021] While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, it isto be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in theappropriate arts may modify the invention here described while still achieving the favorableresults of the invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being abroad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limitingupon the present invention.

[0022] The present invention will be described with respect to embodiments thereof. The present invention defined in the appended claims is not limited to the embodiments described below, andall possible combinations of features of the present invention the present invention described withrespect to the embodiments are not necessarily indispensable to the means for solving the problemaccording to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of a display device 10 which represents a first embodiment of the present invention. The display device 10 has an input section 130 for acceptingan input from a user, a group rank changing section 140 for changing group display priority levels,a group configuration changing section 160 for changing association information indicatingassociations between objects and groups, an object display priority level changing section 170 forchanging object display priority levels, a group display priority level storage section 120 forstoring group display priority levels, an object display priority level storage section 110 forstoring object display priority levels, a group configuration storage section 100 for storingassociation information indicating associations between objects and groups, a recording section150 for storing group record information 154 and identification information 158, a record updatesetting section 165 for setting whether group record information 154 will be updated according toa change in association information, and a display section 180 for displaying objects according togroup display priority levels and object display priority levels.

[0024] The display device 10 displays a plurality of objects associated with a plurality of groups in an overlaid state. The display device 10 displays a plurality of objects according to groupdisplay priority levels and object display priority levels so that each of the objects is displayed atthe front of some of the other objects lower in priority level. That is, the display device 10displays, by referring to group display priority levels, all of objects associated with one group atthe front of objects associated with other groups lower in group display priority level than the onegroup, and displays, by referring to object display priority levels, each of the objects associatedwith the one group at the front of some of the other objects lower in object display priority level.

[0025] The group configuration storage section 100 stores association information indicating associations between a plurality of objects and a plurality of groups. When the groupconfiguration storage section 100 receives an instruction from the group configuration changingsection 160 to change association information, it updates the association information. The groupconfiguration storage section 100 provides association information to the group priority levelstorage section 120 and the object priority level storage section 110 if necessary.

[0026] The object priority level storage section 110 stores object display priority levels. Object display priority levels are priority levels for displaying each of a plurality of objects associatedwith one group at the front of some of the others. For example, one object associated with onegroup is displayed at the front of other objects associated with the same group and lower in objectdisplay priority level that the one object. However, if only object display priority levels arereferred to, it is indefinite whether the one object is displayed at the front of other objectsassociated with other groups. When the object priority level storage section 110 receives aninstruction from the object priority level changing section 170 to change object display prioritylevels, it updates the object display priority levels. The object priority level storage section 110obtains association information from the group configuration storage section 100 and identifiesobjects associated with a plurality of groups. Also, the object priority level storage section 110provides object display priority levels to the display section 180.

[0027] The group priority level storage section 120 stores group display priority levels. The group display priority levels are priority levels for displaying all of objects associated with onegroup at the front of objects associated with other groups. For example, one object associatedwith one group is displayed at the front of other objects associated with other groups lower ingroup display priority level. However, if only group display priority levels are referred to, it isindefinite whether the one object is displayed at the front of other objects associated with the onegroup. When the group priority level storage section 120 receives an instruction from the grouprank changing section 140 to change group display priority levels, it updates the group displaypriority levels. Also, the group priority level storage section 120 obtains association informationfrom the group configuration storage section 100 and identifies groups to be displayed accordingto the association information. Also, the group priority level storage section 120 provides groupdisplay priority levels to the display section 180.

[0028] The input section 130 accepts an input operation from a user. For example, in a case where the input section 130 accepts an object priority level changing operation, it transmits anobject priority level changing instruction to the object priority level changing section 170. Theinput section 130 accepts, for example, a mouse clock as an object priority level changingoperation. That is, a user can set the object priority level of a certain object to the highest level byclicking a mouse on the object.

[0029] In a case where the input section 130 accepts a group configuration changing operation from a user, it transmits a group configuration changing instruction to the group configurationchanging section 160. The input section 130 accepts, for example, an operation on aspecial-purpose application program for changing the group configuration as a group configurationchanging operation. A group configuration changing operation is different from an object prioritylevel changing operation.

[0030] In a case where the input section 130 accepts a group rank changing operation from a user, it transmits a group rank changing instruction to the group rank changing section 140. The inputsection 130 accepts, for example, an operation on a special-purpose application program forchanging group ranks as a group rank changing operation. A group rank changing operation isdifferent from an object priority level changing operation.

[0031] When a new object is generated, the input section 130 may enable a user to do input to determine to which one of a plurality of groups the new object is associated. In this case, the inputsection 130 transmits to the group configuration changing section 160 an instruction to associatethe new group with the group selected by the user. The input section 130 may perform anoperation for associating a new object to one of a plurality of groups by using a special-purposeapplication.

[0032] When the group rank changing section 140 receives an object priority level changing instruction from the input section 130, it transmits to the group priority level storage section 120 aninstruction to change group display priority levels. The group rank changing section 140 changesthe group display priority levels stored in the group priority level storage section 120 bytransmitting this instruction to change the group display priority levels. As described above, thegroup rank changing section 140 changes group display priority levels when the input section 130accepts a group rank changing operation different from an object priority level changing operation.

[0033] The recording section 150 is nonvolatile and has group record information 154 and identification information 158. The recording section 150 obtains association information from thegroup configuration storage section 100. The recording section 150 updates identificationinformation 158 and group record information 154 on the basis of an instruction received from therecord update setting section 165. The recording section 150 provides identification information158 and group record information 154 to the group configuration changing section 160.

[0034] The recording section 150 may store, for example, a title uniquely determined with respect to each object or a file name associated with each object as identification information 158. Therecording section 150 may store a class name, a method name or a procedure name of a programassociated with each object, and may store a name of a program by which an object has beengenerated.

[0035] The recording section 150 stores, as group record information 154, information indicating association between identification information 158 for identification of an object which has beendisplayed and a group to which the group is associated. For example, the recording section 150stores information indicating association between a tile of an object, which is an example ofidentification information 158, and a group.

[0036] Therefore, even in a case where the display device 10 is rebooted because of occurrence of a fault therein, the recording section 150 can hold identification information 158 and grouprecord information 154 before the fault and provide them to the group configuration changingsection 160.

[0037] When the group configuration changing section 160 receives an object priority level change instruction from the input section 130, it transmits to the group configuration storage section 100 aninstruction to change association information. The group configuration changing section 160changes association information stored in the group configuration storage section 100 bytransmitting this instruction to change the association information. The group configurationchanging section 160 also transmits to the record update setting section 165 an instruction toupdate association information.

[0038] As described above, the group configuration changing section 160 changes association information stored in the group configuration storage section 100 when the input section 130accepts a group configuration changing operation different from an object priority level changingoperation.

[0039] The operation of the group configuration changing section 160 when a new object is generated will be described. The group configuration changing section 160 makes a determinationas to whether an instruction to associate a new object with a group has been received from theinput section 130. When receiving this instruction, the group configuration changing section 160associates a new objects with a group according to this instruction. If the group configurationchanging section 160 does not receive this instruction, it obtains group record information 154 andidentification information 158 from the recording section 150. The group configuration changingsection 160 makes a determination as to whether there is a certain relation between the objectnewly generated and any of objects identified from identification information 158. "Certainrelation" between an object and another object is, for example, coincidence between their titles orfile names of the kind stored as identification information. Alternatively, the relation may becoincidence between class names, methods names or procedure names associated with the objects,or may be coincidence between program names designating programs by which the objects weregenerated.

[0040] If the group configuration changing section 160 determines that there is a certain relation between the newly-generated object and an object identified from identification information 158, itassociates the newly-generated object with the group with which the relating object is associatedby group record information 154. If the group configuration changing section 160 determines thatthere is no certain relation between the newly-generated object and any of objects identified fromidentification information 158, it associates the newly-generated object with a group not highest ingroup display priority level.

[0041] The record update setting section 165 accepts from a user a setting as to whether group record information 154 will be updated. The record update setting section 165 also receives fromthe group configuration changing section 160 an instruction to update association information. When receiving this instruction, if a setting for updating group record information 154 has beenmade, the record update setting section 165 transmits to the recording section 150 an instruction toupdate group record information 154.

[0042] The object priority level changing section 170 changes object display priority levels while association information is maintained. That is, in changing object display priority levels, theobject priority level changing section 170 does not require a user to change associationinformation or to newly make an object. When the object priority level changing section 170receives from the input section 130 an instruction to change object priority levels, it transmits tothe object priority level storage section 110 an instruction to change object priority levels. Theobject priority level changing section 170 changes object priority levels stored in the objectpriority level storage section 110 by transmitting this instruction to change the object displaypriority levels.

[0043] The display section 180 obtains group priority levels from the group priority level storage section 120 and object priority levels from the object priority level storage section 110. Thedisplay section 180 displays a plurality of objects according to the group priority levels and theobject priority levels. The display section 180 may display, as objects, windows for display ofoutputs from programs. Also, the display section 180 may display, as objects, drawing object indrawing software, i.e., characters, lines, circles, rectangles, etc.

[0044] Figure 2 is table showing an example of the structure of data stored in the group configuration storage section 100, the object priority level storage section 110 and the grouppriority level storage section 120. Referring to Figure 2, the group configuration storage section100, the object priority level storage section 110 and the group priority level storage section 120are integral with each other. The kinds of data stored in these sections are collectively shown inone table. This table is constituted by group names, group display priority levels, object names,and object display priority levels shown in this order from left. The association between groupnames and object names shown in this table is an example of association information inaccordance with the present invention. A group having a smaller group display priority levelvalue and an object having a smaller object display priority level value are displayed at the frontof the others.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 2, a first object 210 and a second object 220 are associated with a first group 202, while a third object 230, a fourth object 240 and a fifth object 250 areassociated with a second group 204. The displayed objects are the first object 210, the secondobject 220, the third object 230, the fourth object 240, and the fifth object positioned in this orderfrom the front.

[0046] Figure 3 shows an example of the operations of the input section 130, the group rank changing section 140, the group configuration changing section 160, the record update settingsection 165, and the object display priority level changing section 170. The input section 130makes a determination as to whether an object priority level changing operation has been accepted(S500). If the input section 130 determines that an object priority level changing operation hasbeen accepted (S500: YES), the object display priority level changing section 170 changes objectpriority levels (S510). The input section 130 makes a determination as to whether a group rankchanging operation has been accepted (S520). If the input section 130 determines that a group rankchanging operation has been accepted (S520: YES), the group rank changing section 140 changesgroup display priority levels (S530). The input section 130 makes a determination as to whether agroup configuration changing operation has been accepted (S540). If the input section 130determines that a group configuration changing operation has been accepted (S540: YES), thegroup configuration changing section 160 changes association information (S550). The recordupdate setting section 165 makes a determination as to which one of a setting to update grouprecord information and a setting not to perform updating has been made (S560). If a setting toupdate group record information has been made in the record update setting section 165 (S560:YES, and S540: YES), the record update setting section 165 makes the recording section 150update group record information (S570).

[0047] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operations of the group configuration changing section 160 and the record update setting section 165 when a new object is generated. When a new objectis generated (S400), the record update setting section 165 makes a determination as to whether anew object has been associated with a group according to an instruction from a user (S405). If thenew object has not been associated with a group according to an instruction from a user (S405:NO), the group configuration changing section 160 makes a determination as to whether there is acertain relation between the newly-generated object and an object identified from identificationinformation (S410). If the group configuration changing section 160 determines that there is acertain relation between the newly-generated object and an object identified from identificationinformation stored in the recording section 150 (S410: YES), the group configuration changingsection 160 associates the newly-generated object with the group with which the relating objecthas been associated by group record information in the recording section 150 (S420). If groupconfiguration changing section 160 determines that there is no certain relation (S410: NO), thegroup configuration changing section 160 associates the newly-generated object with a group otherthan the group highest in group display priority level (S430). Subsequently (after S420, afterS430, S405: YES), the record update setting section 165 makes a determination as to which one ofa setting to update group record information and a setting not to perform updating is made (S440). If a setting to update group record information is made in the record update setting section 165(S440: YES), the record update setting section makes the recording section 150 update grouprecord information (S450).

[0048] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the display device 10 displaying objects at the front by overlaying the objects one on another. In each of (A), (B), (C), and (D) ofFigure 5 is illustrated a state in which objects are displayed while being overlaid. Placement ofan object at a higher position as viewed in the figure represents a state where the object isdisplayed closer to the front, while placement of an object at a lower position represents a statewhere the object is displayed closer to the back. As shown in the sections of Figure 5, the displaydevice 10 displays the first object 210, the second object 220, the third object 230, the fourthobject 240 and the fifth object 250. The operation of the display device 10 will be described withrespect to changing the state shown in (A) of Figure 5 into the state shown in (B), changing thestate shown in (A) into the state shown in (C), and changing the state shown in (A) into the stateshown in (D) in this order.

[0049] Referring to (A) of Figure 5, the first object 210A and the second object 220A are associated with the first group 202A, while the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A and thefifth object 250A are associated with the second group 204A. The first object 210A, the secondobject 220A, the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A and the fifth object 250A are displayedby being positioned in this order from the front.

[0050] In (B) of Figure 5 is illustrated a state after the object display priority level changing section 170 has set the fifth object 250A highest in object display priority level (S10) from thestate shown in (A) of Figure 5. The operation shown in this section of Figure 5 is an example ofthe object priority level changing operation (S510) performed by the object priority level changingsection 170 as shown in Figure 3. The first object 210B and the second object 220B areassociated with the first group 202B, while the fifth object 250B, the third object 230B and thefourth object 240B are associated with the second group 204B. Thus, even if the object displaypriority level of the fifth object 250B is changed, the fifth object 250B is not displayed at the frontof the first object 210B and the second object 220B associated with the first group 202B. As aresult, the first object 210B, the second object 220B, the fifth object 250B, the third object 230Band the fourth object 240B are displayed by being positioned in this order from the front.

[0051] That is, a user can temporarily refer to the fifth object 250B by operating the display device 10 while displaying at the front the first object 210B and the second object 220B used for amain work purpose.

[0052] In (C) of Figure 5 is illustrated a state after the third object 230A has been associated with the first group 202A (S20) from the state shown in (A) of Figure 5. The operation shown in thissection of Figure 5 is an example of the association information changing operation (S550)performed by the group configuration changing section 160 as shown in Figure 3. The third object230C, the first object 210C, and the second object 220C are associated with the first group 202C,while the fourth object 240C and the fifth object 250C are associated with the second group 204C. Thus, the third object 230C can be displayed at the foremost position by newly associating thethird object 230C with the first group 202C. Also, the third object 230C will not be displayed atthe back of the fourth object 240C and the fifth object 250C associated with the second group204C. As a result, the third object 230C, the first object 210C, the second object 220C, the fourthobject 240C and the fifth object 250C are displayed by being positioned in this order from thefront.

[0053] That is, the user can operate the display device 10 so as to prevent the third object 230C from being hidden behind the fourth object 240C or the fifth object 250C after the user has selectedthe third object for use in a main work purpose.

[0054] In (D) of Figure 5 is illustrated a state after the group rank changing section 140 has set the second group 204A highest in group display priority level (S30) from the state shown in (A) ofFigure 5. The operation shown in this section of Figure 5 is an example of the group displaypriority level changing operation (S530) performed by the group rank changing section 140 asshown in Figure 3. The third object 230D, the fourth object 240C and the fifth object 250D areassociated with the second group 204D, while the first object 210D and the second object 220Dare associated with the first group 202D. Thus, the group displayed at the front and the groupdisplayed at the back can be replaced by changing the group display priority levels of the firstgroup 202D and the second group 204D. As a result, the third object 230D, the fourth object240D, the fifth object 250D, the first object 210D and the second object 220D are displayed bybeing positioned in this order from the front.

[0055] That is, the user can do work smoothly with the display device 10 by preventing the object group associated with the second group 204D from being hidden behind the object groupassociated with the first group 202D after the user has selected the object group associated withthe second group 204D for use in a main work purpose.

[0056] Figure 6 is a diagram showing operations performed by a user to change the overlaid state of objects by operating the display device 10. In each of (A), (B), (C), and (D) of Figure 6 isillustrated a state in which objects are displayed while being overlaid. The sections of Figure 6correspond respectively to those of Figure 5. Rectangular areas shown in overlapped states inFigure 6 represent an example of objects. Of these objects, those represented by the rectangularareas indicated by the thick line are associated with a group of a higher group display prioritylevel. As shown in each section of Figure 6, the display device 10 displays the first object 210,the second object 220, the third object 230, the fourth object 240 and the fifth object 250. Changesof display contents from (A) to (B) of Figure 6, from (A) to (C) of Figure 6, and from (A) to (D) ofFigure 6 made by the display device 10 will be described in this order.

[0057] Referring to (A) of Figure 6, the first object 210A and the second object 220A are associated with the first group 202A, while the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A and thefifth object 250A are associated with the second group 204A. The first object 210A, the secondobject 220A, the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A and the fifth object 250A are displayedby being positioned in this order from the front to the back.

[0058] In (B) of Figure 6 is illustrated a state after the object display priority level changing section 170 has set the fifth object 250A highest in object display priority level (S10) from thestate shown in (A) of Figure 6. The association between the objects and the first and secondgroups 202B and 204B is the same as in the case shown in (A) of Figure 6. The fifth object 250Bis displayed at the front of the third object 230B and the fourth object 240B and at the back of thefirst object 210B and the second object 220B.

[0059] In (C) of Figure 6 is illustrated a state after the group configuration changing section 160 has associated the third object 230A with the first group 202A (S20) from the state shown in (A)of Figure 6. Since the third object 230C has been associated with the first group 202A in thehigher group display priority level, it is displayed at the front of the fourth object 240C and thefifth object 250C.

[0060] In (D) of Figure 6 is illustrated a state after the group rank changing section 140 has set the second group 204A highest in group display priority level (S30) from the state shown in (A) ofFigure 6. The association between the objects and the first and second groups 202D and 204D isthe same as in the case shown in (A) of Figure 6. The third object 230D, the fourth object 240Dand the fifth object 250D are displayed at the front of the first object 210D and the second object220D.

[0061] Figure 7 shows changes made by the display device 10 in group display priority levels, object display priority levels, and association information respectively stored in the group prioritylevel storage section 120, the object priority level storage section 110, and the group configurationstorage section 100. The structure shown in each of the sections (A) to (D) of Figure 7 is the sameas that shown in Figure 2, and the description for it will not be repeated. The sections of Figure 7correspond respectively to those of Figure 5. Changes in data from (A) to (B) of Figure 7, from(A) to (C) of Figure 7, and from (A) to (D) of Figure 7 made by the display device 10 will bedescribed in this order.

[0062] Referring to (A) of Figure 7, the first object 210A and the second object 220A are associated with the first group 202A, while the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A and thefifth object 250A are associated with the second group 204A. The group display priority levels ofthe first group 202A and the second group 204A are 1 and 2, respectively. That is, all the objectsassociated with the first group 202A are displayed at the front of all the objects associated withthe second group 204A. In the first group 202A, the object display priority levels of the firstobject 210A and the second object 220A are 1 and 2, respectively. Similarly, in the second group204A, the object display priority levels of the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A, and thefifth object 250A are 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Consequently, the first object 210A, the secondobject 220A, the third object 230A, the fourth object 240A and the fifth object 250A are displayedby being positioned in this order from the front.

[0063] In (B) of Figure 7 is illustrated a state after the object display priority level changing section 170 has set the fifth object 250A highest in object display priority level (S10) from thestate shown in (A) of Figure 7. The association between the objects and the first and secondgroups 202B and 204B is the same as in the case shown in (A) of Figure 7. The group displaypriority levels of the first group 202B and the second group 204B are the same as those shown in(A) of Figure 7. From the second group 204A, the object display priority levels of the fifth object250A, the third object 230A, and the fourth object 240A are changed to 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Consequently, the fifth object 250B is displayed at the front of the third object 230B and the fourthobject 240B and at the back of the first object 210B and the second object 220B.

[0064] In (C) of Figure 7 is illustrated a state after the group configuration changing section 160 has associated the third object 230A with the first group 202A (S20) from the state shown in (A)of Figure 7. The third object 230C is newly associated with the first group 202C in the highergroup display priority level. In the first group 202C, the object display priority levels of the thirdobject 230C, the first object 210C and the second object 220C are changed to 1, 2, and 3,respectively. Consequently, the third object 230C is displayed at the front of the first object 210Cand the second object 220C.

[0065] In (D) of Figure 7 is illustrated a state after the group rank changing section 140 has set the second group 204A highest in group display priority level (S30) from the state shown in (A) ofFigure 7. The association between the objects and the first and second groups 202D and 204D isthe same as in the case shown in (A) of Figure 7. The group display priority levels of the firstgroup 202D and the second group 204D are changed to 2 and 1, respectively. Consequently, thethird object 230D, the fourth object 240D and the fifth object 250D associated with the secondgroup 204D are displayed at the front of the first object 210D and the second object 220Dassociated with the first group 202D.

[0066] As is apparent from the foregoing, the display device 10 can change object display priority levels by the function of the object priority level changing section 170 while holding informationindicating the association between groups and objects. Therefore a user can smoothly performintended processing by operating the display device 10 so that objects to be used for theprocessing are associated with a group higher in display priority level to prevent the objects frombeing hidden behind other objects lower in display priority level.

[0067] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the group rank changing section 140 in a second embodiment of the present invention. The same functional block diagram as Figure 1 canbe referred to for the description of this embodiment, and this embodiment differs from the firstembodiment only in operation. The operation of this embodiment will be described with respectto a point of difference. The group rank changing section 140 makes a determination as to whethera user selects an object (S610). If the operator selects an object (S610: YES), the group rankchanging section 140 changes the group display priority level of the group with which the object isassociated so that the group display priority level is higher than those of all the other groups(S620).

[0068] Figure 9 is a functional block diagram of a display device 10 in a third embodiment of the present invention. The display device 10 of this embodiment is constructed by adding an objectselecting section 190 to the display device of the first embodiment.

[0069] The input section 130 accepts a mouse clock as an operation for changing an object. That is, an object designated by a mouse click is regarded as selected. When the input section 130accepts this selecting operation from a user, it transmits a first instruction to the object selectingsection 190.

[0070] The input section 130 accepts an input made by using a keyboard shortcut key as a priority operation for associating the object with a group highest in group display priority ran. Whenaccepting the priority operation from the user, the input section 130 transmits a second instructionto the group configuration changing section 160.

[0071] When the object selecting section 190 receives the first instruction from the user through the input section 130, it selects the object according to the instruction from the user. The objectselecting section 190 may select this object when some object is operated by the user for adifferent purpose and when the first instruction is received. The object selecting section 190transmits information for identification of this selected object to the group configuration changingsection 160.

[0072] The group configuration changing section 160 receives information for identification of the objected selected by the object selecting section 190. When group configuration changing section160 receives the second instruction from the input section 130, it associates the selected objectwith the group highest in group display priority level.

[0073] That is, the group configuration changing section 160 associates the object selected by a mouse click made by depressing the keyboard shortcut key with the group highest in group displaypriority level.

[0074] In this embodiment, as is apparent from the foregoing, a user can associates a target object with a group of the highest group display priority level by a simple operation.

[0075] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operations of the group configuration changing section 160 and the object selecting section 190 in the third embodiment of the present invention. Theobject selecting section 190 selects an object according to a first instruction from a user (S300). The group configuration changing section 160 makes a determination as to whether a secondinstruction has been received from the user (S310). If the second instruction has been receivedfrom the user (S310: YES), the group configuration changing section 160 associates the selectedobject with a group of the highest group display priority level (S320).

[0076] Figure 11 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The functions of the display device 10according to the embodiment are realized by the cooperation of a computer having a CPU 700, aread only memory (ROM) 702, a random access memory (RAM) 704, a communication interface(communication I/F) 706, a hard disk drive 710, a video controller 730, a display 740, aninput/output interface (input/output I/F) 750, a keyboard 752, and a mouse 754, and a programwhich runs on the computer. The display device 10 may also have a floppy disk (FD) drive 712and/or a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive 716.

[0077] The program for realizing the display device 10 has a group rank changing module, a group configuration changing module, an object priority level changing module, an object selectingmodule, a group rank storage module, an object priority level storage module, a groupconfiguration storage module, and a display module. These modules are programs for making thecomputer as group rank changing section 140, group configuration changing section 160, objectpriority level changing section 170, object selecting section 190, group priority level storagesection 120, object priority level storage section 110, group configuration storage section 100, anddisplay section 180.

[0078] The above-described program may be stored in an external storage medium. As such a storage medium, a floppy disk 714, a CD-ROM 718, an optical recording medium such as a digitalversatile disk (DVD) or a phase change rewritable disk (PD), a magnetic recording medium suchas MiniDisc (MD), a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card may be used. Also, the program may be provided to the program display device 10 through a network 720 byusing as a recording medium a storage device such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a serversystem connected to a private communication network or the internet.

[0079] While the embodiments has been described with respect to embodiments thereof, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to that referred to in the description of theembodiments. Various change or modifications may be made in the described embodiments. As isapparent from the appended claims, modes of the present invention including such changes andmodifications are included in the technical scope of the invention.

[0080] According to the above-described embodiments, a display device, display method, adisplay program and a recording medium set forth in the following terms can be realized.

[0081] In the drawings and specifications there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are used, the description thus given uses terminology in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

Apparatus comprising: 1. a display device which displays a plurality of objects on a screen;a group configuration storage section for storing association information indicating the association between each of said plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups;a group priority level storage section for storing group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of said objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups;an object priority level storage section for storing object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the others; an object priority level changing section for changing said object display priority level while said association information is maintained; anda display section for displaying said plurality of objects according to said group display priority levels and said object display priority levels.

2. Apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a group rank changing section for changing said group display priority levels stored in said group priority level storage section.

3. Apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein when a user selects one of said objects, said group rank changing section heightens the group display priority level of said group with which said one of the objects is associated relative to the other groups.

4. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said display section displays a window for displaying an output from a program as one of said objects.

5. Apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a group configuration changing section for changing said association information stored in said group configuration storage section.

6. Apparatus according toclaim 5, further comprising an object selecting section for selecting one of the plurality of objects according to a first instruction from a user, wherein said group configuration changing section associates said one of the objects with one of the groups highest in group display priority level when it receives a second instruction from the user.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said group configuration changing section associates a newly-generated object with one of said plurality of groups selected by a user.

8. Apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein said group configuration changing section associates a newly-generated object with one of the plurality of groups other than said group highest in group display priority level.

9. Apparatus according toclaim 5, further comprising: a recording section for storing a record of said objects displayed by said display section, and the association between the objects and the groups at the time of display, wherein when a new object is generated, said group configuration changing section associates said new object with the group with which one of said objects having a certain relation with the new object in said group record information stored in said recording section is associated.

10. Apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein said recording section includes a record update setting section for making setting as to whether said group recording information will be updated.

11. Apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein said recording section stores the group record information on a nonvolatile recording medium.

12. Apparatus according toclaim 5, further comprising an input section for accepting an input from a user, and wherein said object priority level changing section changes said object display priority levels when said input section accepts an object priority level changing operation, and further wherein said group configuration changing section changes said association information stored in said group configuration storage section when said input section accepts a group configuration changing operation different from said object priority level changing operation.

13. Apparatus according toclaim 2, further comprising an input section for accepting an input from a user, wherein said object priority level changing section changes the object display priority levels when said input section accepts an object priority level changing operation, and further wherein said group rank changing section changes said group display priority levels stored in said group priority level storage section when said input section accepts a group rank changing operation different from said object priority level changing operation.

A method of displaying a plurality of objects on a screen comprising the steps of: 14. storing association information indicating the association between each of said plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups;storing group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of said objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the objects associated with said other groups;storing object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the others; changing the object display priority level while the association information is maintained; anddisplaying said plurality of objects according to the group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.

A display program executable by a computer to display a plurality of objects on a screen, said display program comprising: 15. a module for making said computer obtain association information indicating the association between each of said plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups;a module for making said computer obtain group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups;a module for making said computer obtain object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the others; a module for making said computer store the object display priority levels and change said object display priority level while said association information is maintained; anda module for making said computer display said plurality of objects according to said group display priority levels and said object display priority levels.

16. The display program according to claim 15, wherein said computer stores said group display priority levels, said display program further comprising a module for making said computer change the group display priority levels.

17. The display program according to claim 16, further comprising a module for making the computer heighten the group display priority level of said group with which one of said objects selected by a user is associated relative to the other groups when the user selects said object.

18. The display program according toclaim 15, further comprising a module for making said computer display a window for displaying an output from some of programs including said display program as one of the objects.

19. The display program according toclaim 15, wherein the computer stores said association information, said display program further comprising a module for making said computer change the association information.

The display program according toclaim 19, further comprising: 20. a module for making said computer select one of the plurality of objects according to a first instruction from a user; anda module for making said computer associate said one of said objects with one of the groups highest in group display priority level when it receives a second instruction from the user.

21. The display program according to claim 19, further comprising a module for making said computer associate a newly-generated object with one of said plurality of groups selected by a user.

22. The display program according to claim 19, further comprising a module for making said computer associate a newly-generated object with one of the plurality of groups other than the group highest in said group display priority level.

The display program according toclaim 19, further comprising: 23. a module for making the computer obtain a record of said objects displayed by said computer, and the association between said objects and the groups at the time of display, and a module for making, when a new object is generated, said computer associate the new object with the group with which one of the objects having a certain relation with the new object in the group record information obtained by the computer is associated.

24. The display program according toclaim 23, further comprising a module for making said computer make setting as to whether said group recording information will be updated.

A recording medium on which a display program executable by a computer to display a plurality of objects on a screen is recorded, said display program comprising: 25. a module for making said computer obtain association information indicating the association between each of said plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups;a module for making said computer obtain group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of said groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups;a module for making said computer obtain object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of said objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others; a module for making said computer store said object display priority levels and change said object display priority level while the association information is maintained; anda module for making said computer display said plurality of objects according to said group display priority levels and said object display priority levels.

26. The recording medium according toclaim 25, wherein said computer stores the group display priority levels, and said display program further comprises a module for making the computer change said group display priority levels.

27. The recording medium according toclaim 26, wherein said display program further comprises a module for making said computer heighten the group display priority level of the group with which one of the objects selected by a user is associated relative to the other groups when the user selects the object.

28. The recording medium according toclaim 25, wherein said display program further comprises a module for displaying a window for displaying an output from some of programs including said display program as one of the objects.

29. The recording medium according toclaim 25, wherein said computer stores said association information, and said display program further comprises a module for making said computer change said association information.

The recording medium according toclaim 29, wherein said display program further comprises: 30. a module for making the computer select one of said plurality of objects according to a first instruction from a user; anda module for making said computer associate said one of the objects with one of the groups highest in group display priority level when it receives a second instruction from the user.

31. The recording medium according toclaim 29, wherein said display program further comprises a module for making the computer associate a newly-generated object with one of the plurality of groups selected by a user.

32. The recording medium according toclaim 29, wherein said display program further comprises a module for making the computer associate said newly-generated object with one of the plurality of groups other than the group highest in group display priority level.

The recording medium according toclaim 29, wherein said display programs further comprises: 33. a module for making said computer obtain a record of said objects displayed by said computer, and the association between the objects and the groups at the time of display, and a module for making, when a new object is generated, said computer associate said new object with the group with which one of the objects having a certain relation with the new object in said group record information obtained by the computer is associated.

34. The recording medium according toclaim 33, wherein said display program further comprises a module for making said computer make setting as to whether said group recording information will be updated.