JPH07121336A - Method and device for display - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the method and device for display capable of identifying the program being executed if the program is set to be displayed even though a screen saver function is bring executed. CONSTITUTION:When no input is performed for the prescribed time, the display screen is switched to a screen saver screen to protect it. The setting information which sets whether or not the program can be identified or not is stored corresponding to the program. when executing the screen saver function, the program which is effective before switching the screen saver screen is discriminated. If the discriminated program is set to be judged, a pattern 123 capable of identifying the program is added to the screen saver screen. If it cannot be judged, a pattern 133 which cannot be judged is added for the display.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a screen display control for preventing burn-in of a display device connected to, for example, a computer device, a display device having a so-called screen saver function, and a method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a display screen of a computer device such as DTP, the same character or figure remains displayed in the same place for a long time because the displayed screen has little movement. As a result, a phenomenon occurs in which those characters and figures are burned on the display. For this reason, recently, when data input operation is not performed for a certain period of time, the screen is automatically switched to display a predetermined pattern, and the displayed pattern is moved or erased at appropriate time intervals. The display screen is protected from burning. Such a function is generally called a screen saver.

Further, some conventional screen savers have a lock function incorporated therein, which makes it possible to prevent data access by an unauthorized user. An example of such a screen saver with a lock function is shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 701 denotes the display contents displayed on the display of the computer before the screen saver operates. In this state, a document creation program (word processing program) and a spreadsheet program are executed as applications. Window 71
1 corresponds to the program for the word processor,
The window 721 corresponds to the spreadsheet program.
Then, the user text is iconized and indicated by 731.

In the state of 701, word processing
The program is paused. This is indicated by the title 712 at the top of the word processing window 711 being in the non-inverted state. On the other hand, the spreadsheet program is in the running state, which is indicated by the inverted title 722 at the top of the spreadsheet window 721.

Here, when the operator interrupts the processing and does not touch the keyboard or pointing device for a predetermined time, the screen saver is activated and the entire screen is filled with a certain pattern 741. This state is 70
2 is shown. Now, for example, if the pattern 741 is fixed and displayed until the operator next performs an input operation, the screen is printed according to the pattern 741 and the purpose of the screen saver to prevent screen burn-in cannot be achieved. Therefore, another pattern 742 is alternately switched and displayed at a predetermined time interval. This state is shown by a screen display example 703.

If there is an input operation by the operator in any of the display states of 702 and 703,
As indicated by 704, a screen display prompting the operator to input the password is displayed. Here, when the operator inputs a password, the entered password is checked, and if the password is legitimate, the screen saver state is exited and the original application screen 701 is returned to. However, if the entered password is not valid, or if there is no operation for a predetermined time, 7
The screen returns to the screen save screen 702 or 703 before the password check screen indicated by 04 is displayed.

[0008]

In such a conventional screen saver with a lock function, only the operator who has been working until then can cancel the state of the screen saver. It had the drawback of not knowing if the application was running. Further, if anyone simply cancels the state of the screen saver and can determine what application has been executed in the computer device until then, the meaning with the lock function is lost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and even if the screen saver function is being executed, if the program is set to be displayable, the program that has been executed can be identified. It is an object to provide a display device and a method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device and a method thereof in which it is possible to set whether or not each program executable on the device can be displayed so that the program can be displayed even while the screen saver is being executed. Especially.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display device and a method thereof capable of displaying the destination of the operator or the elapsed time during which the input operation is interrupted during the execution of the screen saver.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of identifying an active program from the display pattern by switching the pattern to be displayed during execution of the screen saver according to the program that has been executed so far. To provide a method.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the display device of the present invention has the following constitution. That is,
A display device for switching to and displaying a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, in which setting information for setting whether or not a program can be identified is associated with the program. If the storage means for storing, the discriminating means for discriminating the program effective before switching to the screen saver screen, and the program discriminated by the discriminating means are set to be distinguishable, the program is displayed on the screen saver screen. And a display unit for additionally displaying an identifiable pattern.

In order to achieve the above object, the display method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, it is a display method for switching and displaying a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and setting information for setting whether or not the program can be identified corresponds to the program. The step of storing and attaching, the step of determining the program that was effective before switching to the screen saver screen, and the program can be identified on the screen saver screen if the identified program is set to be identifiable And a step of adding and displaying a pattern.

[0015]

In the above configuration, setting information for setting whether or not a program can be identified is stored in association with the program, and the program that is effective before the screen saver screen is switched is determined. If the identified program is set to be identifiable, a pattern that allows the program to be identified is additionally displayed on the screen saver screen.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the processing of the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus of the present embodiment. It is a block diagram showing.

First of all, referring to FIG.
Examples will be described in detail. 101 and 111 show screen display examples during execution of the application program, and in any case, the spreadsheet program is being executed. 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes a word processor program window, and 104 denotes a spreadsheet program window. Reference numeral 103 denotes a word processor program title, and 105 denotes a spreadsheet program title. 106 indicates a screen saver icon, 10
7 indicates that the currently active application (spreadsheet) is instructed to be openable to the screen saver, and 117 indicates that the spreadsheet is instructed to be open to the screensaver. Is shown.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a cursor, and this cursor 1
08 is moved on the screen according to an instruction from a keyboard, a pointing device, or the like, which will be described later. Each of 121 and 131 shows an example of a screen-saved screen display,
Reference numeral 123 indicates that an openable application (in this case, spreadsheet) is active. See also 133
Indicates that a private application program (in this case, spreadsheet) is active. Reference numeral 141 shows an example of a screen for accepting a password input.

Before explaining the operation of this embodiment, the configuration of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, 20
Reference numeral 2 is a keyboard operated by an operator to input document data, various data, commands, etc., and 203 is a pointing device such as a mouse. 204
Is the program memory,
The program is stored and is switched and executed at any time. Reference numeral 205 denotes a display unit such as a CRT or liquid crystal, which can display characters, figures, a cursor 108, etc. under the control of the display controller 206. A video memory 207 stores image data displayed on the display unit 207 in a bitmap. 208 is a RAM, which is the CPU 2
It is used as a work area during the operation 01 and stores various data such as document data being edited and graphic data.

Reference numeral 209 is a hard disk, 212 is a floppy disk, both of which are controlled by the corresponding controllers 210 and 211 to control the reading and writing of data. The various application programs described above may be stored in the hard disk 209 or the like, and downloaded to the program memory 204 and executed. 213 is a timer, CPU2
According to the instruction 01, a predetermined time is measured, and when the instructed time elapses, the CPU 201 is notified by an interrupt or the like. A public flag 221 is provided in the RAM 208.
Indicates whether the currently active application program can be published. Reference numeral 222 denotes a flag table, which stores flag information indicating non-disclosure and disclosure in correspondence with various application programs or file names stored in the program memory 204.

Next, based on the above configuration, the movement of the screen saver in the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. A screen saver program that executes this process is stored in the program memory 204.

Before this processing is executed, two application programs (word processor and spreadsheet program) are executed on this apparatus, and as shown by display screens 101 and 111 in FIG. -The program is in the dormant state and the spreadsheet program is active. This is indicated by the title 103 at the top of the word processing window 102 being in the non-inverted state. On the other hand, the active spreadsheet program is the spreadsheet window 1
The title 105 at the top of 04 is indicated by the inverted state.

Further, a screen saver icon 106
Whether to add the information (pattern 123 or 133) of the active application to the save pattern when the screen saver is activated and the screen is saved, in other words, whether to open or hide the active application. Displayed portions (public / non-public selection portions) 107 and 117 are included. The display screen 101 shows a state in which the currently active spreadsheet program is set to be open to the public, and the display screen 111
Indicates a state in which it is set to private.

The setting of the non-public and openable states will be described with reference to a flowchart. In step S1, it is determined whether or not the screen saver icon is pointed by the cursor 108 and the switch of the pointing device 203 is turned on (clicked). When it is clicked, the process proceeds to step S2, and the public flag 22 of the RAM 208.
See 1 to see if the current state of the application program (spreadsheet) on the screen saver can be published. If it can be published (public flag 22
(1 is on), the process proceeds to step S3, the disclosure flag 221 is turned off, and the state is set to non-disclosure (111 in FIG. 1). On the other hand, if the disclosure flag 221 is off and it is not disclosed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the disclosure flag 221 is turned on to set disclosure (101 in FIG. 1).

As described above, the state of the currently active application program can be alternately changed by pointing the public / private selection portion 107 with the cursor 108 and performing a click operation. That is, when the area 107 indicating that the currently active application program can be disclosed is indicated by the cursor and clicked, the display is changed to "non-disclosure" indicating that the application program is not disclosed, as indicated by 117. . On the contrary, when the area 108 indicating that the active application is undisclosed is indicated by the cursor 108 and clicked, a “disclosed” display (1 in FIG.
It is changed to 07).

After the setting of the screen saver is completed in this way, it is checked in step S5 whether or not there is an input operation for a predetermined time. When the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1 and the above-mentioned operation is performed. In step S5, if no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S6, and in the subsequent processing, depending on whether the active application program is set to be openable or not open. The display pattern when the screen is saved is different.

That is, if it is set to be openable in step S6, the process proceeds to step S8, and the pattern 123 indicating the active application program (in this case, the spreadsheet program) is added to the screen save display pattern. And displayed (screen example 1 in FIG. 1)
21). On the other hand, if the currently active application program is set to be private, the process proceeds to step S7, and a pattern 133 indicating that the application program is private is displayed in addition to the screen save display pattern. (Screen example 1 in FIG. 1
31).

Next, in step S9, the screen saver saves the screen while gradually shifting the screen save display pattern until the operator performs some input operation. Then, in step S10, if there is an input operation by the operator, the process proceeds to step S11, and since this screen saver has a lock function,
141, a display for prompting the input of the password is displayed. Then, in step S11, the input of the password is waited for, and when the password is input, the step S1
Go to 2 to see if this password matches. If they match, the process proceeds to step S13 to end the screen saver process and return to the execution of the active application program (indicated by arrow 1001 in FIG. 1).

On the other hand, if the password is not the proper one of the operator, the process returns to step S11 to wait for the password input. If the password is not input in step S11, the process proceeds to step S14 to check whether there is an input operation for a certain period of time. When the input operation is performed within the fixed time, the process returns to step S11 and waits for the password to be input again. If there is no input operation for a certain period of time in step S14, the process returns to step S9 again to return to the screen save screen (indicated by arrow 1002 in FIG. 1) before the password check screen (141).

As described above, by setting the active application program to be public or private in advance by the operator, after the screen save function is started, the information about the application program which is not desired to be displayed is displayed. Can be prevented. Also, if it is set to "Public" (screen 121)
May be returned to the screen 101 by an operator's input. In this case, "Public" is set 1
You may make it display only 04. [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment described above, the disclosure / non-disclosure conditions can be set only for the currently active application program, but even for the currently inactive application program. It is also possible to collectively manage them in a table including them and set them arbitrarily for each application program.

In the second embodiment, each application program can be set to be open or closed regardless of whether it is active or not. Figure 4
5 shows a screen display example for explaining the second embodiment, and FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the movement of the screen saver in the second embodiment. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same numbers.

In FIG. 4, screen display examples 301 and 331.
In each of the above, both the word processing program and the spreadsheet program of the application program are opened, and the word processing window 102 and the spreadsheet window 104 are displayed. And screen example 3
In 01, the word processing program is active, which is the word processing window 102.
The title 103 of FIG. Further, in the screen example 311, the spreadsheet program is active.

In the screen display examples 301 and 311, the icons 106 and 107 for the screen saver are displayed.
Is displayed, and when the screen saver is activated, the icon 107 displays whether the currently active application program can be disclosed or not disclosed when the pattern for saving the screen is displayed. (Public / private selection part). From this, it can be seen that the word processing program can be made public and the spreadsheet program is not made public.

In any of the screen display examples 301 and 311, the icon 1 for the screen saver is displayed.
When 06 is clicked, a screen display as shown by 351 is made. On this screen 351, a list of application programs managed by the screen saver is displayed, and each application program name 35
3 and public / private information 354 corresponding to each application / program are displayed.

Using this screen 351, the disclosure / nondisclosure of each application / program is switched. That is,
When the public / private information field 354 of the target application / program is clicked with the cursor 108, if the content is “public” until then, it is changed to “private”,
If it is "Private", it is switched to "Public" and displayed. In this embodiment, the word processing program is set to be open to the public and the spreadsheet program is set to be closed to the public. In response to this setting, when the word processing program is activated in the screen display example 301, "Public" is displayed on the icon 107 indicating the screen saver, while when the spreadsheet program is activated in the screen display example 302, the screen saver is activated. Icon showing 10
“Private” is displayed in 7.

In any of the screen display examples 301 and 311, the screen saver is activated and the screen example 321 or 33 is displayed if there is no input from the operator for a certain time.
The screen display indicated by 1.

That is, in the state of the screen display 301 in which the word processing program is active, the word processing program can be opened. Therefore, the pattern 323 indicating that the currently active application program is the word processing program.
Is added to the display pattern, resulting in the screen display indicated by 321 in FIG.

On the other hand, when the state of the screen display 311 in which the spreadsheet program is active is changed to the screen save state, since the spreadsheet program is set to be closed, the currently active application program (table A pattern 333 indicating that (calculation) is not disclosed is added to the display pattern, and a screen as indicated by 331 is obtained.

If there is an input operation by the operator in the display state shown by either the screen display 321 or 331, the password input screen 341 is displayed. The password entered on this screen is checked, and if the password is legitimate for the operator, the application screen 30 that escapes from the screen saver and is the original (application program before entering screen save)
Return to 1 or 311. However, if the password is not authorized by the operator, or if no further input is made for a certain period of time, the screen save screen indicated by 321 or 331 is displayed again.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the second embodiment, and the control program for executing this processing is stored in the program memory 204.

In the screen display example 301 or 311 of FIG. 4, when the saver icon 106 is clicked, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S22, and a list of application programs is displayed as indicated by 351 in FIG. When one of the public / non-public fields 354 of this table is designated by the cursor 108 and a click operation is performed by the pointing device 203, if "public" is set in the area, "non-public" is displayed. If "Public" is set, it is changed to "Public" (steps S23 to S25). The public and private setting information for each application program set in this way is stored in the flag table 222.

When the input operation is not performed for the predetermined time, the process proceeds from step S26 to step S27, and it is determined whether the application program which is active at that time is set to be open or closed. The flag table 222 is referred to for the determination. If it can be published, the application program name is displayed in step S28 (see 321 in FIG. 4), and if it is private, a pattern indicating that it is private is displayed in step S29 (see 331 in FIG. 4). ). The subsequent steps S30 to S35 are the same as step S9 in FIG.
-Since it is the same as that of Step S14, the explanation is omitted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even if it is not set for each application program whether to make each application program public or private, each application program can be set at once. There is an effect that can be set for the program. [Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the disclosure / non-disclosure conditions can be set for each application program, but can be set for each user, for example. This is shown in the third embodiment, FIG. 6 is an operation of the third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the movement of the screen saver in the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the word processing program and the spreadsheet program are opened as applications, and the windows 502 and 504 corresponding to the respective application programs are shown. Has been done. Screen display 501,
Screen saver icons 106,1 at 511
07 is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

In the screen display example 501, a file (file name "table of contents") is active, which means that the title 503 of the word processor window 502 is displayed.
Is displayed in reverse, and in the screen display example 511, the file (file name “body”) is active, which is indicated by the fact that the title 505 of the window 504 is in the non-inverted state.

The screen saver icon 106 is displayed in any of the screen display examples 501 and 511.
When is clicked, the display state shown in the screen display example 551 is displayed, and a list of files managed by the screen saver is displayed. Then, the release corresponding to each file name
By clicking the private information 554, it is possible to switch between public and private. This switching is performed by moving the cursor 108 to the public / non-public information 554 of the target file by the pointing device 203 and performing a click operation to reverse the state up to that point.
That is, if it was "public" until then, it will be "private."
If it was "private", switch to "public".
In this embodiment, the "table of contents" is set to be public (can be published) and the "text" is set to be private.

Therefore, in the state of the screen display 501, if there is no operator input for a certain period of time, the screen saver is activated and the screen display 521 appears, indicating that the active file (file name "table of contents") is open. The pattern 523 is displayed. On the other hand, when the screen saver is activated from the state of the screen display 511, since the file (file name “body”) is set to be private, the pattern 533 indicating that the active file “body” is private is a display pattern. In addition, the display is made as indicated by 531.

When there is a key input or the like in the display example 521 or 531, the password input screen indicated by 541 is displayed. The password entered here is checked and if the password is legitimate for the operator, the screen saver is exited and the original active application program is launched. However, if the password is not authorized by the operator, the process returns to the acceptance of the password again, and if the input operation is not performed for a certain period of time, the screen save screen (501, 511) before the password check screen is displayed. )become.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment, and the control program for executing this processing is stored in the program memory 204.

In the state of the screen displays 501 and 511 of FIG. 6,
When the saver icon 106 is clicked, step S4
2, the table shown at 551 in FIG. 6 is displayed. This table is stored in the flag table 222 described above. Here, when the public / non-public field 554 is designated and clicked by the cursor 108, the public / non-public of the corresponding file is switched as described above (steps S44 and S45).

When the input operation is not performed for the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S47, and it is determined whether the currently active file is set to be openable or not open. If it can be published, step S48
6, the pattern shown by 523 in FIG. 6 is additionally displayed, and if it is not disclosed, the process proceeds to step S49, and the pattern 5
33 is additionally displayed to show the display mode of the currently active file. The other processing is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, even files created by the same application can be opened / closed depending on the confidentiality of the files, so that the files can be operated more flexibly. You can

Further, the public / nonpublic information of the file can be automatically set to the default by using the access right of the file determined by the system, so that the operator does not need to prepare the table in advance.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, by making it possible to make various programs and files public or private, (1) a screen saver with a lock function is provided. Even so,
Information can be disclosed to the extent permitted by the operator. (2) Even in that case, security is not impaired. (3) The operator can freely change the open / closed status. [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the elapsed time since the operator left the seat and interrupted the input is displayed. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG. 3 described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example for explaining the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the processing. In these figures, the same parts as those in the above figures are indicated by the same numbers.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 401 denotes the present display section 205.
Shows an example of what is displayed in
A window 102 and a spreadsheet window 104 are displayed. Further, reference numeral 402 denotes an icon which is displayed by converting the user text into an icon. The spreadsheet program is now in the running state, which means spreadsheet window 1
The title 105 at the upper part of 04 is indicated by being inverted.

In this state, when the operator does not touch the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 for a predetermined time by, for example, sitting in the middle, the screen saver is activated and the screen changes to the display shown by 403.

In the fourth embodiment, time counting starts from the time when the screen saver is activated, and the destination information 405 of the operator and the current time / time information 152 are displayed at an appropriate place on the screen (see FIG. Display example 403 of 9
reference). Further, not only the current time indicated by the hands of the clock but also the elapsed time from the time when the screen saver is activated (0:00 immediately after the start of measurement) is also displayed in the time information display 152. After this, when there is no further input operation by the operator, the destination information of the operator 4
05 and information such as the current time and time information 153 are displayed on the screen 404 with a slight shift in position from the case of the screen display 403. In this display 404, since 8 minutes have passed, the elapsed time is displayed as 0:08 (153 in FIG. 9).

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 10, when there is no input operation by the operator for a predetermined time in step S61, the process proceeds to step S62, the screen saver is activated, and the time for measuring the interrupted time is measured. Using the timer 213. The timer 213 is also used to measure the current time. Next, in step S63, as indicated by 403 in FIG.
Run the screen saver and get the operator's destination information 40
5 and the current time (including the elapsed time) are displayed on the screen save display screen. Next, the process proceeds to step S64, and it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S65, and the current time and the elapsed time are updated according to this elapsed time. Then, in step S66, the display positions of the destination information 405 and the current time (including the elapsed time) are slightly shifted and displayed (see 404 in FIG. 9). Then, the process proceeds to step S67, it is determined whether or not an input operation using the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 is performed, and when the input operation is performed, the screen saver process is terminated and the application program that has been executed up to that point is restored. Return processing.

In this case, as in the above embodiment,
A lock function may be provided to prompt the user to enter a password, and only when the passwords match, the original application program may be restored. Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the display position of the time and destination is updated and the time / elapsed time is updated at the same time. However, for example, the time is updated every 1 minute and the display position is moved every 20 seconds. You can make it different. In this case, in step S64, it is checked whether 20 lines have passed and the process of step S65 is not performed, and further steps S66 and S6 are performed.
It is only necessary to check whether one minute has passed between 67 and 67 and update the time and the elapsed time when one minute has passed.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the operator's destination information and elapsed time are displayed while the position is gradually shifted at a certain suitable time interval from the interruption of the input operation by the operator until the input operation is performed again. Can be displayed. As a result, it is possible to determine at a glance how long the operator has interrupted the input operation. [Fifth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment, the timer 213 and the like continuously measure the time from the time when the screen saver is activated, but the screen saver is activated for the elapsed time after activation of the screen saver. The time can be stored and the elapsed time can be obtained from the difference from the current time. This processing is performed in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG.
1 shows a display example in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12 shows the processing. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the flowchart of FIG. 12, steps S71, S73 and S74 are the same as steps S61, S63 and S64 of FIG.

In step S72, the time when the screen saver is activated is stored. And step S75
Then, the current time is updated and the excess time is calculated according to the passage of time {(current time)-(stored start time)}, and the current time and elapsed time at that time are calculated in step S7.
In 6 the display is made at a position different from the previous one (see 404 in FIG. 11). In the display example 404 of FIG. 11, since 8 minutes have passed since the screen saver activation time, 0:08 is displayed as the elapsed time. In this way, similarly to the above-described fourth embodiment, the elapsed time after the input is interrupted is displayed at a predetermined time interval while the position is gradually shifted from the activation of the screen saver to the input by the operator. it can. According to this, since it is not necessary to operate another timer or the like for obtaining the elapsed time, it can be realized more easily. [Sixth Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, when the input operation is performed by the operator and the screen saver ends and returns to the original application program, the elapsed time information up to that point is cleared, but from this screen saver When you exit, remember the elapsed time until then,
Next time the screen saver is activated again, the elapsed time up to the previous time can be added. Such processing will be described as a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a screen display example for explaining the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 14 shows a processing flowchart thereof.

When the operator does not perform an input operation for a predetermined time due to the operator sitting in the center, the screen server is activated (step S81), and at this time, the current time (start time of the screen saver) is stored. In step S83, the current time and the elapsed time of the screen saver are measured, and in step S84, the number of times the saver is activated and the elapsed time are integrated. In step S86, for example, if one minute elapses without any input operation, the process proceeds to step S83, the current time is updated, the elapsed time is calculated, and the elapsed time and the current time are displayed with a slight shift.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 451 shows an example of a screen display when the screen server is first activated, 471 shows the stored start time of the screen server, and 470 shows the clocking of the current time. 460 is the cumulative elapsed time (0:00) at the start of the first screen saver
461 indicates the cumulative elapsed time (0:08) after 8 minutes have passed (at the end of the screen saver). Again 45
In 2, the elapsed time (upper side) and the accumulated elapsed time (lower side) in the current screen saver are displayed.

If any input operation is performed in this state, the process proceeds from step S85 to step S87, the accumulated elapsed time (0:08) at that time is stored (461 in FIG. 13), and the screen saver is executed in step S88. To finish.

Then, when there is no input operation for a predetermined time, the process proceeds from step S89 to step S90, and the screen saver is activated again. Then, the process proceeds to step S90,
The stored accumulated time is read and the process proceeds to step S82.

This operation will be described with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 454 shows a screen display example when the second screen server is executed, 470 shows the current time, and 472 shows the start time of the second screen server. Further, in the window 453 of the screen, the elapsed time (0:20) from the time when the screen server is activated this time is displayed on the upper side, and the accumulated elapsed time (0:28) is displayed on the lower side. This accumulated elapsed time is stored at the end of the screen saver, as indicated by 462.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to obtain statistical data regarding the absence time of the operator.

The present embodiment can be executed by the screen server operating on the network server by applying not only the operation by the operator but also the access through the network, for example.

This is shown in FIG. 15, where 811 is a network server and 801 is a network terminal, which are connected via a network 821.
The network terminal 801 has a keyboard 8 as an input unit.
03, a pointing device 804, and a display 802 as an output unit. Further, the network server 811 uses the keyboard 81 as an input device.
3, a pointing device 814, a display 812 as an output device, an external storage device 818 as a server, a network printer 819, a clock 817, etc., and a screen server software 816 running on these hardwares is a client. We provide services for requests from customers.

These screen servers include a screen server 815 for the server's own display 812 and a screen server 806 for the network terminal display 802. The screen server 815 for the server itself uses the resources of the own device 811 (keyboard 813,
It manages input devices such as a pointing device 814 and output devices such as a display 812, and operates based on a clock 817 of the server itself.

On the other hand, the screen server 805 for the network terminal manages the resources of the network terminal 801 (route of 831), which also operates based on the clock 817 of the server itself. If there is no input from the input device (keyboard 813 or pointing device 814) of the server itself for a certain period of time or longer, the screen server 815 of the server itself activates the screen saver 816 for the display 812 of the server itself. When there is no input from the input device (keyboard 803, pointing device 804) of the network terminal for a certain time or longer, the screen server 805 for the terminal activates the screen saver 806 for the terminal display 802 (83
Route 2).

The subsequent operations of the respective screen savers (815 for the server itself and 805 for the network terminal) are the same as those described in the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore will be omitted.

This embodiment is characterized in that the operator's input monitoring is performed not by the machine but by another machine on the network.

If this configuration is adopted, it is not necessary to prepare for each individual machine as long as the program for executing the above-described embodiment is provided in the network server.
The advantage is that management and version upgrades become easy. [Seventh Embodiment] The seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, with the screen saver being executed and the screen save pattern being displayed, the type of the application program that has been executed until then can be determined.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen display example for explaining the process of the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a flow chart for executing the process. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3 described above, and the portions common to the above-described embodiments are indicated by the same numbers.

When the spreadsheet program is active on the display screen 101 and the operator does not perform an input operation for a predetermined time, the screen saver function is executed instead of the display screen 151. 161
Is a display pattern indicating the type of application program that has been active until then, and it is shown here that it was a spreadsheet program. Then, in order to prevent screen burn-in, the display patterns 153 and 154 are switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals, and at the same time, the display position of the pattern 161 is also changed (screen display example 1
51 and 152).

In FIG. 17, when there is no input operation by the operator for a certain period of time in step S91, step S92 is performed.
Proceed to step S92 to start the screen saver.
Determines which application program was active so far. Next, in step S93, the screen display pattern 153 and the pattern 161 corresponding to the application program determined in step S92.
(Corresponding to the spreadsheet program in this case) and the pattern is displayed on the screen (step S94: FIG. 1).
6 screen display 151). In step S95, it is checked whether or not there is an input operation by the operator, and if not, it is checked in step S96 whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
If there is an input before the predetermined time elapses, step S10
Although the process proceeds to step 1 to end the screen saver process, if a predetermined time elapses without any input, the process proceeds to step S97,
The pattern displayed on the screen is switched from 153 to 154, and the display position of the pattern 161 indicating the active application program is slightly shifted and displayed (see the display screen 152 in FIG. 16). Then, in steps S99 and S100, the aforementioned steps S95 and S
Similar to 96, it is determined whether or not there is an input operation. When there is no input operation, the process proceeds to step S93, the display position of the pattern 161 is further changed, and the process of displaying the display pattern 153 is performed.

As a result, even while the screen saver is being executed, it is possible to confirm the application program that was active until then. [Eighth Embodiment] Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the eighth embodiment, the display pattern for the screen saver is changed according to the application program that has been active until then.

In FIG. 18, if the input operation by the operator is not executed for a predetermined time while the spreadsheet program is active on the display screen 101, the display screen is changed to the screen saver display screen 601. This time,
Depending on the application program that has been active until then, for example, when the spreadsheet program is active, a hatched pattern 603 is displayed as shown in FIG.

This process is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 19. First, when the screen saver is activated in step S111, the active application program is determined in step S112, and if the application program is, for example, a spreadsheet program. For example, in step S114, the hatching pattern 603 (FIG. 18) is displayed (screen display examples 601 and 602). On the other hand, if any other application program is active, the process proceeds to step S115, and the display pattern is displayed in accordance with it.

Thus, in steps S116 to S120,
Every time a predetermined time elapses with no input operation, the display position of the display pattern 603 is gradually shifted to execute the screen saver. If there is any input operation in this way, the process proceeds to step S121 to end the screen saver operation. If the display unit 205 is capable of color display, the active application
The display color may be changed according to the program. [Ninth Embodiment] Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is a combination of the seventh and eighth embodiments described above, and after the screen saver is executed, the screen displays 610 and 611 of FIG. 20 are displayed each time a predetermined time elapses without any input operation. The display is switched.

This processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the screen saver is started, an active application program is discriminated in step S132, and a display pattern 161 and a background pattern corresponding to the application program are generated in step S133 and displayed on the screen (screen display example 61
0). Then, in steps S135 and S136, when a predetermined time elapses without any input operation, the process proceeds to step S137, the active application program is checked, and here, for example, it is checked whether it is a spreadsheet, and if so, the process proceeds to step S138. Go, pattern 1
61 is erased and a hatching pattern is displayed (screen display 611). If it is not a spreadsheet program, step S1
In step 39, the pattern corresponding to the program is displayed.

Further, when a predetermined time elapses without any input operation, the process proceeds to step S142 to display the display pattern in color (screen display example 612). Then, when the predetermined time further elapses, the process returns to step S133, and the pattern 161 indicating the spreadsheet is again displaced from the screen display 610 or displayed at the original position.

Although each of the embodiments has been described independently in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation of the sixth and subsequent embodiments is the same as that of the first embodiment. Alternatively, a lock function for prompting the input of the password of the second embodiment may be added, and conversely, the screen saver with the lock function may switch the display pattern according to, for example, the active application program of the other embodiment. Processing and the like may be added, and the respective embodiments can be arbitrarily combined.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program for implementing the present invention to a system or an apparatus.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the screen saver function is being executed, if the program is set to be displayable, the program that has been executed can be identified. There is.

According to another aspect of the invention, it is possible to set whether or not display is possible for each of the programs executable on the apparatus and display the programs even while the screen saver is being executed.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the destination of the operator or the elapsed time during which the input operation is interrupted can be displayed during the execution of the screen saver.

Further, according to the present invention, by switching the pattern to be displayed while the screen saver is being executed, the active program can be identified from the display pattern according to the program that has been executed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a screen saver in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a screen saver in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display example by a screen saver according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a screen saver in the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the screen saver in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the screen saver in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the screen saver in the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a screen saver that operates in a network system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the screen saver in the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the screen saver in the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen display example in the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the screen saver in the ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102 word processor window 104 spreadsheet window 106 saver icon 108 cursor 201 CPU 202 keyboard 203 pointing device 205 display 213 timer 221 public flag 222 flag table

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A display device for switching and displaying a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and setting information for setting whether or not a program can be identified. If the storage unit that stores the program in association with the program, the determination unit that determines the program that was effective before switching to the screen saver screen, and the program that is determined by the determination unit are set to be distinguishable, the screen saver A display device, which further comprises a display unit for displaying a pattern that allows the program to be identified on the screen, and a display device. 2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting the setting information in each of a plurality of programs executable on the device. 3. A means for prompting the user to enter a password when returning to the original application program from the screen saver screen, and a control for executing the original application program when the entered password matches the stored password. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising means. 4. A display device for switching and displaying a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from a time when the screen saver screen is switched. And a display unit that displays the elapsed time by superimposing the elapsed time on the screen saver screen. 5. A means for storing the destination of the operator and a clocking means for timing the current time are further provided, and the destination information of the operator and the current time are superimposed and displayed on the screen saver screen. The display device according to claim 4. 6. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising integrating means for integrating the elapsed time, and further displaying the integrated elapsed time. 7. A display device for switching and displaying a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and determining a program that was effective before switching to the screen saver screen. And a control unit that changes a display pattern of the screen saver screen according to the program discriminated by the discriminating unit. 8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit changes a display color according to the program. 9. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the control means performs hatching according to the program. 10. A display method for switching to a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and displaying the setting information for setting whether or not a program can be identified. The step of storing the program in association with the program, the step of determining the program that was effective before switching to the screen saver screen, and if the determined program is set to be identifiable, the program is displayed on the screen saver screen. And a step of additionally displaying an identifiable pattern, and displaying the pattern. 11. A method of displaying by switching to a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and measuring a time elapsed from the time when the screen saver screen is switched to, And a step of displaying the elapsed time by superimposing the elapsed time on the screen saver screen. 12. A display method for switching to and displaying a screen saver screen for protecting the display screen when no input operation is performed for a predetermined time, and determining a program that was effective before switching to the screen saver screen. And a step of changing a display pattern of the screen saver screen according to the determined program, the display method comprising: