Abstract:
A process management system includes a display, a process handling module and a plurality of window process modules communicating with the process handling module. Each window process module processes one function on the display. The process handling module stops an executing window process module before the process handling module starts another window process module.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a process management system and a process management method. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Embedded devices, for example, digital photo frames (DPFs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and ease of manipulation when implementing particular functions. However, if the embedded device has only one window application, all window functions (for example, video, photo) are integrated in the window application. Every time a user needs a window function (for example, browsing photos), the window application plus all other window functions is started up. This is a waste of system resources. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a block view of a process management system. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the process management system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process management method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         [0010]    In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprised connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. 
         [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a process management system includes a process handling module  10 , a plurality of window process modules  20 , and a display for showing each window process module  20 . The process handling module  10  has a process handshake message interface  30  to communicate with the window process module  20  based on a unified standardized protocol. 
         [0012]    The window process module  20  communicates with the process handling module  10  through the process handshake message interface  30  and a common basic window module  50 . The common basic window module  20  provides a common basic function for the window process module  20 . The window process module  20  may be a video window module, a photo window module, a radio window module. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the window process module  20  includes a message handling sub-module  21  and a resource sub-module  22 . The message handling sub-module  21  receives messages from the process handling module  10  and connects to the resource sub-module  22  for retrieving resources. The process handling module  10  communicates with the window process module  20  in a unified message format using a message pipe. 
         [0014]    The message handling sub-module  21  may be a video sub-module, a photo sub-module, a radio sub-module, and so on. The resource sub-module  22  may be a video resource, a photo resource, an Internet radio resource, and so on. 
         [0015]    The process handling module  10  starts up the window process module  20 . The process handling module  10  sends a check message to the window process module  20  to determine if the window process module  20  runs correctly. The window process module  20  sends an ok response message to the process handling module  10 . When the window process module  20  runs correctly, the resources from the resource sub-module  22  show on the display. 
         [0016]    The window process module  20  can send a terminate message to the process handling module  10 . When it does, the process handling module  10  sends a stop response message to the window process module  20  to stop the window process module  20 . Then the process handling module  10  can start another window process module  20 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process management method. According to the embodiment, additional blocks in the flowchart of  FIG. 3  may be added, others removed, and the ordering of the blocks may be changed. 
         [0018]    In block S 01 , the process handling module  10  starts up the window process module  20 . 
         [0019]    In block S 02 , the process handling module  10  sends a check message to the window process module  20  to ensure the window process module  20  is running correctly. 
         [0020]    In block S 03 , the window process module  20  sends an ok response message to the process handling module  10 . 
         [0021]    In block S 04 , the window process module  20  sends a terminate message to the process handling module  10 . 
         [0022]    In block S 05 , the process handling module  10  sends a stop response message to the window process module  20  to stop the window process module  20 . 
         [0023]    In block S 06 , the process handling module  10  starts another window process module  20 . 
         [0024]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 
         [0025]    It is also to be understood that the above description and the claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps.