Information processing apparatus

Abstract: An information processing apparatus having the function of displaying at least a character in an enlarged form and having the contents of display thereof easily recognizable is disclosed. A character at an intended point is displayed in an enlarged form according to a designated magnification rate on a screen of a display unit (2), and an intended area is newly opened according to the intended point and displayed in an enlarged form. Whether a request for opening the intended area is issued is detected. When such a request is detected, the designated magnification rate is changed on the basis of the designated magnification rate, the size of the intended area on the screen with the magnification rate of unity, and the size assigned to the intended area to be enlarged on the screen, thereby determining the magnification rate applicable to the intended area. The intended area is enlarged and displayed on a display unit(2) in accordance with the magnification rate thus determined while at the same time displaying the character in the intended area in an enlarged form on the display unit (2).

Description: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having the function of displaying a character in an enlarged form, and a program storage medium for storing a program used for realizing it and, in particular, to an information processing apparatus capable of visualizing the display contents, and to a program storage medium for storing the program used for realizing it. In recent years, information processing apparatuses as personal computers and word processors have become widely used even by visually-handicapped persons and aged persons. These users often complain that the characters and pictures on the screen are so small that they cannot be easily seen. With this situation as a background, software for displaying a normal screen in an enlarged form has been put into practice. The mere enlarged display on the screen, however, is accompanied by a difficulty in visualizing the overall layout due to the insufficient amount of data that is displayed. Information on the normal screen can thus not be easily visualized in such an enlarged display. In the case where a window is opened while the characters on the screen are being enlarged at a designated magnification rate, the particular window is enlarged and displayed at the same magnification rate as the screen. When scrolling is requested of the window displayed in an enlarged form in this way, the window is scrolled according to the same scrolling process as before enlargement. After completion of a process to display the window in an enlarged form, a request for erasure, if any, is met by erasing the window on the screen as of the time of the request. The user cannot recognize the contents of the display easily, as will be specifically described below. In an information processing apparatus, a window (dialog box) may be displayed in response to entry of a character in a normal form, that is in a non-enlarged form, as shown in Figs. 13A and 13B of the accompanying drawings. In such a case, the conventional configuration shown in Fig. 14A of the accompanying drawings for displaying a window at the same magnification rate as at the time of character entry sometimes undesirably causes only a portion of each character to be displayed within the window, as shown in Fig. 14B of the accompanying drawings. When a character is entered, it is enough to recognize only the neighbourhood of the character. In the case of displaying a window, on the other hand, it is inconvenient if the contents displayed in the window cannot be viewed easily. However, what is displayed in the window cannot be easily recognized by the user, in the above-described previously proposed apparatus. Also, an information processing apparatus may display a window having a character considerably smaller in size than the character entered for display without any enlargement. In a conventional configuration for displaying a window at the same magnification rate as a character entered, each character in the window is still small and hard to view, even after the window is enlarged, as shown in Fig. 15B of the accompanying drawings, when the user is desirous of viewing the screen enlarged at the character magnification rate, as shown in Fig. 15A of the accompanying drawings. Further, in the conventional configuration which handles a request for scrolling a window displayed in an enlarged form by the same scrolling process as before enlargement as shown in Figs. 16A to 16E of the accompanying drawings, the user may erroneously continue to scroll out of the window as shown in Fig. 16E of the accompanying drawings. In such a case, the user is required to search for the window by manual operation. In view of the fact that the whole image of an enlarged display on a screen is difficult to visualize, this manual operation is very troublesome. Also, assume that a request for erasing a window is issued after the required process is complete on the window displayed in an enlarged form as shown in Figs. 17A to 17C of the accompanying drawings. The configuration of erasing the window on the screen as of the time of the request poses no problem when the window is not enlarged as the user can restore the original screen to coincide with the original working screen, as shown in Fig. 17C of the accompanying drawings. In the case where the window is displayed in an enlarged form as shown in Figs. 18A to 18C of the accompanying drawings, however, the user is unable to restore the original working screen as shown in Fig. 18C of the accompanying drawings. The user is thus required to restore the original display condition by very troublesome manual work. IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 37, no. 7, July 1994 discloses a technique for window resizing when the object is swapped from one view to another. Three options are disclosed regarding the size of the window frame in the new view. In the first option the frame for the new view is the same size as for the previous view. In the second option the frame is resized to a size which is optimal for the new view. In the third option the frame is resized to a size previously set by the user. US 5515081 discloses a bitmap processing system in which multiple bitmap images are encoded into a single master bitmap. Within a master bitmap, each image is bound by "corner brackets". The size of the image may be encoded into the actual bitmap itself. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an information processing apparatus for displaying at least a character or an image in an enlarged form at a first designated magnification rate on a screen of a display unit and displaying at least a character or an image in an intended area newly opened on the screen, comprising: detection means for detecting whether a request for opening said intended area is issued; determining means for determining a second magnification rate for said intended area from said first magnification rate when said detection means detects that a request is issued for opening said intended area; and enlarged display means for displaying said intended area with said characters or images on the display screen in an enlarged form in accordance with said second magnification rate determined by said determining means. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a storage medium for storing a program for realizing an apparatus according to the first aspect. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of displaying at least a character or an image in an enlarged form at a first designated magnification rate on a screen of a display unit and displaying at least a character or an image in an intended area newly opened on the screen, comprising: detecting whether a request for opening said intended area is issued; determining a second magnification rate for said intended area from said first magnification rate when a request for opening said intended area is issued; and displaying said intended area with said characters or images on the display screen in an enlarged form in accordance with said second magnification rate determined by said determining step. Further aspects and embodiments of the invention are exemplified by the attached claims. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a program structure of an information processing apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 3 shows a processing flow for executing an environment-setting program according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a processing flow for executing an enlarged display program according to a first embodiment. Figs. 5A, 5B are diagrams showing a screen according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 shows a processing flow for executing an enlarged display program according to a second embodiment. Figs. 7A, 7B are diagrams showing a screen according to the second embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a processing flow for executing an enlarged display program according to a third embodiment. Figs. 9A, 9B, 9C are diagrams showing a screen according to the third embodiment. Fig. 10 shows a processing flow for executing an enlarged display program according to a fourth embodiment. Figs. 11A, 11B and 11C are diagrams showing a screen according to the fourth embodiment. Figs. 12A and 12B show a processing flow for executing an enlarged display program according to a fifth embodiment. Figs. 13 to 18 are diagrams for explaining previously contemplated image processing means and processes. Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 designates an information processing apparatus comprising a computer as a main component for displaying a character at an intended point in a form enlarged according to a designated magnification rate on a display screen and, in response to the character at the intended point, opening an intended area (window) anew and displaying it in an enlarged form on the display screen, numeral 2 designates a display unit for the information processing apparatus 1, and numeral 3 an input unit for the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 comprises input/output control means 10, management means 11, enlarged display means 12, detection means 13, specifying means 14, determining means 15, scroll means 16, second detection means 17, prohibition means 18, storage means 19 and restoration means 20. The input/output control means 10 executes the process of an interface between the display unit 2 and the input unit 3. The management means 11 manages the data displayed on the display unit 2. The enlarged display means 12 displays the display data managed by the management means 11 in an enlarged form on the display unit 2 in accordance with a designated magnification rate. The detection means 13 detects whether a request for opening an intended area is issued or not. The specifying means 14 specifies the size of the character or image in the intended area as displayed on a screen or the size of the character at the intended point as displayed on the screen with the magnification rate of unity. The determining means 15 determines the magnification rate applicable to the intended area by changing the magnification rate supplied to the enlarged display means 12. The scroll means 16 scrolls the intended area displayed in an enlarged form after converting characters to be displayed from the normal size to the enlarged size by the enlarged display means 12, for example. The second detection means 17 is for detecting whether the intended area is converted to the enlarged size by the enlarged display means 12 and displayed as specified in accordance with the scrolling process by the scroll means 16. The prohibition means 18 prohibits the conversion by the enlarged display means 12 and the scrolling process by the scroll means 16. The storage means 19 stores the coordinates of the character at the intended point which has been a trigger for opening the intended area. The restoration means 20 restores the display condition of the intended area immediately before opening thereof when erasing the intended area developed by the enlarged display means 12. The functions of the information processing apparatus 1 can be specifically realized by a program. This program is supplied from a medium, and loaded in a memory in the information processing apparatus 1. The functions thus are realized by executing the program stored in memory. With the information processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, upon detection by the detection means 13 that a request for opening an intended area is issued by the operation of the input unit 3 or the like, the specifying means 14 specifies the size of the intended area on the reference screen, and in response to this specification, the determining means 15 determines a magnification rate applicable to the intended area from the size of the specified intended area on the screen and the size of the screen assigned to the intended area, for example, in such a manner that the intended area is filled up in the particular screen. The enlarged display means 12 displays the intended area in an enlarged form on the display unit 2 while at the same time displaying the enlarged character in the intended area in accordance with the magnification rate determined by the determining means 15. The above-mentioned process can provide an improvement over the previously contemplated process described above with reference to Fig. 14B of the accompanying drawings. When the detection means 13 detects that a request has been issued for opening an intended area by the operation of the input unit 4 or the like, the specifying means 14 specifies the size of the character or image in the intended area as displayed on the screen and the size of the character at the intended point on the screen. In response to this specification, the determining means 15 determines a magnification rate applicable to the particular intended area from the magnification rate supplied to the enlarged display means 12 and the character size specified by the specifying means in such a manner that the character in the intended area, for example, has the same size as the character at the intended point displayed in an enlarged form. The enlarged display means 12 displays the intended area on the display unit 2 in an enlarged form and displays the characters in the intended area in an enlarged form in accordance with the magnification rate determined by the determining means 15. This process can provide an improvement over the previously contemplated process described with reference to Fig. 15B of the accompanying drawings. In the case where the detection means 13 detects that a request has been issued for opening an intended area by the operation of the input unit 3, the specifying means 14 specifies the size of the character in the intended area as displayed on the screen, and in response to this specification, the determining means 15 determines a magnification rate from a specified character size and the character size specified by the specifying means 14 in such a manner that the character in the particular intended area has the specified character size thereby to determine the magnification rate applicable to the particular intended area. The enlarged display means 12 enlarges the intended area and displays it on the display unit 2 while at the same time displaying on the display unit 2 the character in the intended area in an enlarged form in accordance with the magnification rate determined by the determining means 15. This process can provide an improvement over the previously contemplated process described with reference to Fig. 15B of the accompanying drawings. Assume that a request has been issued to scroll by the operation of the input unit 3 when the enlarged display means 12 displays the intended area in an enlarged form. In response to the scroll request, the scroll means 16 scrolls the intended area displayed in an enlarged form in a designated scroll direction. In the process, the second detection means 17 detects whether the trailing end of the intended area scrolled in the scroll direction has come to assume a state displayable on the display unit 2. Upon detection of this displayable state, the prohibition means 18 prohibits the scroll means 16 from scrolling any further in the scroll direction. This process can provide an improvement over the previously contemplated process described above with reference to Fig. 16E of the accompanying drawings. In this configuration, the storage means 19 stores the coordinate point of the intended point providing a motive of opening the intended area. In response to this storage, the restoration means 20 operates in such a manner that as soon as a request is issued for erasing the intended area by the operation of the input unit 3 and the enlarged display means 12 erases the intended area, the coordinate stored in the storage means 19 is set as an intended point to thereby restore the display state of the intended area immediately before the opening thereof. This process can provide an improvement over the previously contemplated process described with reference to Fig. 18C of the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 2 shows a program structure included in the information processing apparatus 1 comprising a computer as a component part thereof. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 comprises a display control program 30 responsible for processing the display control of data on the display unit 2, including an environment-setting program 31, an enlarged display program 32 and a memory 33 providing the working area of the enlarged display program 32. The environment setting program 31 and the enlarged display program 32 are loaded in the memory (not shown) incorporated in the information processing apparatus 1 from a program storage medium. Fig. 3 shows a processing flow for executing the environment-setting program 31 according to an embodiment, and Figs. 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 show the processing flows for executing the enlarged display program according to each embodiment. The environment-setting program, as shown in the processing flow of Fig. 3, first judges in step 1 whether a condition setting request for an enlarged display has been issued from the user. If no condition setting request is issued, the process is terminated as it is. The condition setting is defined as the selection of a screen enlarge mode described later, the selection as to whether the scrolling out of the window is to be prohibited and the selection as to whether the enlarged area is restored to the state immediately before opening the window. In the case where step 1 judges that the condition setting request for enlarged display is issued by the user, the process proceeds to step 2 for judging whether it is the first condition setting. If the judgement is that the condition setting is not the first one, the process proceeds to step 11 for displaying the existing environment-setting data on the display unit 2. In step 12, the user is enquired whether the particular environment-setting data is sufficient, and if the judgement is that the environment-setting data is sufficient, the process is terminated as it is. In the case where the judgement in step 2 is that the condition setting is the first one, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 3 for selecting the screen enlarge mode interactively with the user. The screen enlarge mode includes a first mode for enlarging the window to the full size of the screen, a second mode for enlarging the window to such an extent that each character in the window has the same size as the enlarged character outside the window, and a third mode for enlarging the window at the same magnification rate as the enlarged character outside the window. In the case where the first mode is selected in step 3 for enabling the user to enlarge the window to the full size of the screen, for example, the process proceeds to step 4 for setting the particular screen enlarge mode. In the case where the user selects in step 3 the second mode in which the window is enlarged to such an extent that the size of the character in the window is the same as that of the enlarged character outside the window, the process proceeds to step 5 for setting the particular screen enlarge mode. In the case where the user selects in step 3 the third mode in which the window is enlarged in accordance with the same magnification rate as the enlarged character outside the window, in contrast, the process proceeds to step 6 for setting the particular screen enlarge mode. Then, step 7 determines interactively with the user whether a fourth mode is to be selected for prohibiting the scrolling out of the enlarged window. In the case where the user selects the fourth mode for prohibiting the scrolling outside the enlarged window, the process proceeds to step 8 for setting the same mode. In the case where the enlarged window is erased by the interaction with the user in step 9, the user determines whether a fifth mode is selected for restoring the display state immediately before opening the window. Once the user selects the fifth mode for restoring the display state immediately before opening the window, the process proceeds to step 10 for setting the same mode. Step 11 displays on the display unit 2 the environment-setting data, i.e., the selection of one of the first to fifth modes set in steps 3 to 10. Step 12 makes an enquiry of the user whether the particular environment-setting conditions are satisfactory. In the case where the judgement is that the environment-setting conditions are satisfactory, the process is terminated as it is. If the judgement is that the particular environment-setting conditions are not satisfactory, in contrast, the process returns to step 3. As described above, the environment-setting program 31 sets an enlarged display mode as the window is opened. The environment-setting program 31 also sets the magnification rate of the portions other than the window. Now, the process for executing the enlarged display program 32 will be explained. In the enlarged display program 32, assume that the processing flow of Fig. 4 is executed. First, step 1 reads the environment-setting mode set by the environment-setting program 31. Then, upon receipt of an enlarge instruction by key operation or the like, the process proceeds to step 3 for displaying each character on the display unit 2 at the magnification rate designated by the environment-setting data. At the same time, the screen is determined in accordance with the designated magnification rate. The processing flow shown in Fig. 4 presupposes the selection of the mode for enlarging the window to the full size of the screen. This fact can be recognized by the environment-setting data read in step 1. Step 4 monitors whether the key operation is performed after complete enlargement while enlarging the character displayed on the display unit 2. In the process, step 5 judges whether a new window is opened as shown in Fig. 13B by an application program. In the case where the judgement is that a new window has been opened, the process proceeds to step 6, in which a function command for acquiring the window coordinates (on the reference screen), i.e., the coordinates at points P 1 , P 2 in Fig. 13B, is issued to the operating system thereby to acquire the size of the particular window from the operating system. Step 7 enlarges the size of the window acquired in step 6 in accordance with the designated magnification rate, and compares the enlarged window with the screen thereby to judge whether the enlarged window can be displayed on the screen. In the case where step 8 judges whether the window is larger and cannot be displayed on the screen, the process proceeds to step 10 for reducing the designated magnification rate. In this way, the window is enlarged to a size sufficient to be contained in the screen, and is displayed on it. In the case where step 7 compares the enlarged window with the screen and step 9 judges that the screen is larger, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 11 thereby to increase the designated magnification rate. The window thus is enlarged to fill up the screen and is displayed. Step 11 can be omitted. In the case where step 7 compares the enlarged window with the screen, followed by the judgement in step 12 that the both sizes are the same, on the other hand, the window enlarged at the designated magnification rate is displayed as it is on the screen. As described with reference to Figs. 14A, 14B, the conventional apparatus is so configured that the window is enlarged and displayed using the magnification rate as of the time of character entry. The probable result is an inconvenience such as that shown in Figs. 5A (the same as 14B), where only a portion of each character in the window is displayed. According to the present embodiment in contrast, the window is enlarged and displayed within the size of the screen as shown in Fig. 5B according to the enlarged display program 32, in such a manner that the window coordinate point P 1 , P 2 shown in Fig. 13B are represent the coordinate points P 1 ' and P 2 ' in Fig. 5B, respectively. The above-mentioned inconvenience can thus be obviated. In the processing flow of Fig. 6, the enlarged display program 32 also reads in step 1 the environment-setting mode set by the environment-setting program 31. Then, upon receipt of an enlarge instruction by key operation or the like in step 2, the process proceeds to step 3 for acquiring the size of the system character as displayed on the reference screen, followed by step 4 for enlarging and displaying the character on the display unit 2 in accordance with the magnification rate designated by the environment-setting data. The processing flow shown in Fig 6 presupposes that the mode is selected to enlarge the window in such a manner that each character within the window has the same size as the enlarged character outside the window. This fact is recognized through the environment-setting data read in step 1. Step 5 monitors whether the key operation has been performed for completing the enlargement while at the same time enlarging the character displayed on the display unit 2. In the process, step 6 judges whether a new window has been opened by an application program. In the case where the judgement is that a new window has been opened, the process proceeds to step 7 for acquiring the size of the character in the window as displayed on the reference screen. In step 8, the size of the system character acquired in step 3 is compared with the size of the character in the window acquired in step 7, followed by step 9. In the case where step 9 iudges that the size of the character in the window is larger, the process proceeds to step 12 for changing the designated magnification rate downward in accordance with the ratio between the two character sizes. In this way, a magnification rate is determined at which the character in the window has the same in size as the enlarged character outside the window, so that the window is enlarged and displayed in accordance with the resulting magnification rate. In the case where comparison between the size of the system character acquired in step 3 and the size of the character in the window acquired in step 7 leads to the judgement in step 10 that the size of the character outside the window is larger, in contrast, the process proceeds to step 13, where the designated magnification rate is changed upward in accordance with the ratio between the two character sizes. In this way, a magnification rate is determined at which the character in the window has the same size as the character outside the window, and the window is enlarged and displayed in accordance with the particular magnification rate. Assume, on the other hand, that step 8 compares the size of the character acquired in step 3 with the size of the character in the window acquired in step 7 and that step 11 judges that the sizes of the two characters are the same. Then, the window is enlarged and displayed according to the designated magnification rate. As described with reference to Figs. 15A, 15B, in a previously contemplated apparatus, the window is enlarged and displayed using the magnification rate as of the time of character entry. As shown in Fig. 7A (the same as Fig. 15B), therefore, the character in the window is displayed inconveniently smaller. According to the present embodiment, in contrast, the execution of the enlarged display program 32 permits the character in the window to be enlarged and displayed to the same size as the enlarged character outside the window as shown in Fig. 7B, thereby obviating the above-mentioned inconvenience. The processing flow of Fig. 6 presupposes that a mode is selected to enlarge the window in such a manner that the size of the character in the window is the same as that of the character outside the window. Alternatively, a mode can be provided to enlarge the window in such a manner that the character in the window has a specified size, so that the window is enlarged and displayed in accordance with the ratio between the size of the character in the window and the specified character size with an equal effect as in the processing flow of Fig. 6. Also, in the case where the enlarged display program 32 executes the processing flow of Fig. 8, first, step 1 reads the environment-setting mode set by the environment-setting program 31, followed by step 2, where upon receipt of an enlarge instruction by key operation or the like, the process proceeds to step 3, where the character displayed on the display unit 2 is enlarged and displayed at the magnification rate designated by the environment-setting data. The processing flow of Fig. 8 presupposes that the mode for prohibiting the scrolling out of the enlarged window is selected. This can be recognized by the environment-setting data read in step 1. Step 4 monitors whether the key operation for completing the enlargement is performed while enlarging the character displayed on the display unit 2. At the same time, step 5 judges whether a window has been opened by an application program. If the judgement is that a window has been opened, the process proceeds to step 6 for acquiring the coordinate of a specified position of the window, and the particular window is enlarged and displayed in step 7. Step 8 judges whether a scroll request is issued to the enlarged window. In the case where the judgement is that no scroll request is issued, the process proceeds to step 12 as described later. In the event that the judgement is that a scroll request is issued, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 9, where the enlarged window is scrolled. Then, step 10 judges whether the trailing end of the window has reached the state displayable on the display unit by scrolling. In the case where the judgement in step 10 is that the trailing end of the window has not reached a state where it can be displayed on the display unit 2, the process returns to step 8, thereby permitting the scrolling to be continued. If the judgement is that the trailing end has reached such a displayable state, in contrast, the process proceeds to step 11 and a further scrolling in the scroll direction is prohibited. Step 12 judges whether the key operation for selecting an item in the window is performed or not. If the judgement is that no such key operation is performed, the process returns to step 8. In the case where the judgement is that the key operation is performed, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 13 for judging whether or not the window has been erased by the key operation. If step 13 judges that the window is on display, the process returns to step 8, while if the judgement is that the window has been erased, the process returns to step 3. As explained with reference to Figs. 16A to 16E, the previously contemplated apparatus employs a configuration in which no limitation is imposed on the scrolling of an enlarged window. As shown in Fig. 16E, this gives a rise to a convenience that the scrolling extends out of the window. According to this embodiment, however, the process of the enlarged display program 32 prohibits the scrolling in the scroll direction beyond the point where the trailing end of the window can be displayed on the display unit 2 as shown in Figs. 9A to 9C. The above-mentioned inconvenience, therefore, can be obviated. According to the enlarged display program 32 based on the processing flow of Fig. 10, step 1 reads the environment-setting mode set by the environment-setting program 31, followed by step 2, which upon receipt of an enlarge instruction by key operation or the like, proceeds to step 3, in which the characters are displayed in an enlarged form on the display unit in accordance with the magnification rate designated by the environment-setting data. The processing flow of Fig. 10 presupposes that the mode is selected that restores the display state immediately before opening the window when erasing the enlarged window. The fact thus is informed in accordance with the environment-setting data read in step 1 Step 4 monitors whether the key operation for ending the enlargement is performed, while at the same time the characters displayed on the display unit are enlarged. At the same time, step 5 judges whether a window has been opened by an application program. In the case where the judgement is that a window is opened, the process proceeds to step 6 where the coordinate indicated by the cursor immediately before opening the window is acquired and stored in the memory 33 as a restored coordinated. Step 7 displays the particular window in an enlarged form. Step 8 judges whether a scroll request is issued for the enlarged window, and when the judgement is that a scroll request is issued, the process proceeds to step 9 where the enlarged window is scrolled. Then, step 10 judges whether any key operation is performed for selecting an item in the window. If the judgement is that the key operation is not performed, the process returns to step 8, whereas if the judgement is that the key operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step 11 for judging whether the window is erased or not by the particular key operation. In the case where step 11 judges that the window is displayed, the process returns to step 8. When the judgement is that the window is erased, the process proceeds to step 12 for calling out the restored coordinate from the memory 8, followed by returning to step 3, thereby returning to the display state at the particular restored coordinate position. As explained with reference to Figs. 18A, 18B, 18C, a previously contemplated apparatus employs a configuration for erasing an enlarged window directly. As shown in Fig. 18C, therefore, the display state immediately before opening the window cannot be restored and this can be inconvenient. According to the present embodiment, on the other hand, the display state (Fig. 11C) immediately before opening the window is automatically restored when erasing an enlarged window as shown in Fig. 11B according to the enlarged display program 32, and therefore the above-mentioned inconvenience is obviated. Also, in the case where the processing flow of Figs. 12A and 12B is used, step 1 of the enlarged display program 32 reads the environment-setting mode set by the environment-setting program 31. Then, upon receipt of an enlarge instruction by key operation or the like in step 2, the process proceeds to step 3, so that the character is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 2 at the magnification rate designated by the environment-setting data. In the processing flow of Figs. 12A and 12B, it is assumed that the mode is selected, in which the scrolling out of the enlarged window is prohibited and in which the display state is restored to the state immediately before opening the window when erasing the enlarged window. This fact can be recognized in accordance with the environment-setting data read in step 1. Step 4 enlarges the character displayed on the display unit 2 while monitoring whether the key operation for ending the enlargement is performed or not. At the same time, step 5 judges whether a window is opened by an application program. In the case where the judgement is that a window is opened, the process proceeds to step 6 for storing the coordinate indicated by the cursor immediately before opening the window in the memory 33 as the restored coordinate, followed by step 7 for acquiring the coordinate of the specified window position. The process further proceeds to step 8 for displaying the particular window in an enlarged form. Then, step 9 judges whether or not a scroll request has been issued to the enlarged window. If the judgement is that no scroll request is issued, the process proceeds to the step 13 described later. If the judgement is that a scroll request is issued, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 10 for scrolling the enlarged window. Then, step 11 judges whether or not the trailing end of the window has reached such a state as displayable on the display unit 2 by scrolling. In the case where the judgement in step 11 is that the trailing end of the window has not reached such a state as displayable on the display unit 2, the process returns to step 9 for permitting the continued scrolling. In the case where the judgement in step 11 is that the trailing end of the window has reached such a state, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 12 for prohibiting the window from being further scrolled in the scrolling direction. Then, step 13 judges whether the key operation for selecting an item in the window has been performed or not. In the case where the judgement is that no key operation is performed, the process returns to step 9. In the case where the key operation is performed, on the other hand, the process proceeds to step 14 for judging whether or not the window is erased by the particular key operation. Upon judgement that the window is still on display in step 14, the process returns to step 9. When the judgement is that the window is erased, on the other hand, the process returns to step 15. Step 15 calls out the restored coordinate from the memory 33 and the process returns to step 3, thereby restoring the display state at the restored coordinate position. As described with reference to Figs. 16A to 16E, a previously contemplated apparatus employs a configuration of not adding any limitation to the scrolling of an enlarged window, and therefore, the inconvenience of scrolling out of the window occurs as shown in Fig. 16E. According to this embodiment, on the other hand, when the trailing end of the window reaches a state displayable on the display unit 2, the window is prohibited from scrolling further in the scrolling direction as shown in Fig. 9C. The above-mentioned inconvenience, therefore, can be obviated. Further, as described with reference to Figs. 18A, 18B, 18C, a previously contemplated apparatus employs a configuration of erasing an enlarged window directly. As shown in Fig. 18C, therefore, the display state immediately before opening the window cannot be restored inconveniently. According to the present embodiment, in contrast, the display state immediately before opening a window is automatically restored when erasing an enlarged window as shown in Fig. 11B according to the process of the enlarged display program 32, thereby obviating the above-mentioned inconvenience. It will thus be understood from the foregoing description that in an information processing apparatus having the function of displaying characters in an enlarged form, the window is enlarged to fill up the screen, the characters in the window are enlarged, the scrolling of the window is limited, and the display state immediately before opening the window is restored when erasing the window. In this way, the user can easily gasp the contents of the data on display in the window in an enlarged form.

Claims: An information processing apparatus for displaying at least a character or an image in an enlarged form at a first designated magnification rate on a screen of a display unit (2) and displaying at least a character or an image in an intended area newly opened on the screen, comprising: detection means (13) for detecting whether a request for opening said intended area is issued; determining means (15) for determining a second magnification rate for said intended area from said first magnification rate when said detection means (13) detects that a request is issued for opening said intended area; and enlarged display means (12) for displaying said intended area with said characters or images on the display screen in an enlarged form in accordance with said second magnification rate determined by said determining means (15). An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising specifying means (14) for specifying the size of the intended area, wherein the determining means is arranged to determine the second magnification rate from the size of the intended area as specified by the specifying means (14), and a size assigned to the intended area to be enlarged on the screen. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determining means (15) includes: means for correcting said second magnification rate upward in the case where a size assigned to said intended area is larger than the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate; means for maintaining said second magnification rate as it is in the case where a size assigned to said intended area is equal to the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate; and means for correcting said second magnification rate downward in the case where a size assigned to said intended area is smaller than the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said determining means is arranged to calculate said second magnification rate from the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate and from the size of the whole display screen. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising specifying means (14) for specifying the size of a character in the intended area, wherein the determining means is arranged to determine the second magnification rate from the size of a character specified by the specifying means (14), and the size of a character displayed in an enlarged form on said display screen. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: said determining means is arranged to calculate said second magnification rate in such a manner that the size of a character displayed outside of the intended area in an enlarged form according to the first magnification rate is equal to the size of the character displayed in the intended area in an enlarged form according to said second magnification rate. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determining means is arranged to determine the second magnification rate from the size of a character in said intended area, and a character size which has been specified for the intended area. An information processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 7, wherein said determining means includes: means for correcting said second magnification rate upward in the case where the size of a character displayed outside of said intended area in an enlarged form according to said first magnification rate is larger than the size of the character displayed in the intended area in an enlarged form according to said second magnification rate; means for maintaining said second magnification rate in the case where the size of a character displayed outside of said intended area in the enlarged form according to said first magnification rate is equal to the size of the character displayed in the intended area in the enlarged form according to said second magnification rate; and means for correcting said second magnification rate downward in the case where the size of a character display outside of said intended area in the enlarged form according to said first magnification rate is smaller than the size of the character displayed in the intended area in the enlarged form according to said second magnification rate. An information processing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: scrolling means for scrolling said intended area displayed in an enlarged form in a designated scrolling direction in response to a scroll request; detection means for detecting whether the trailing end of said intended area scrolled in said scrolling direction in accordance with the scrolling process by said scrolling means has reached a state beyond which it would not be displayable on said display screen; and prohibition means for prohibiting said intended window from being further scrolled in said scrolling direction by said scrolling means in the case where said detection means detects that the trailing end of said intended area has reached said state. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: memory means for storing the coordinate of at least a character or an image displayed on said display screen before opening said intended area; and restoration means for restoring and displaying on said display screen the display state immediately before opening said intended area on the basis of the coordinate stored in said memory"means when erasing said intended area. A recording medium readable by a computer and having recorded therein a program used for realizing an information processing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and comprising means for loading the program stored on a recording medium according to claim 11 into a memory means of the apparatus. A method of displaying at least a character or an image in an enlarged form at a first designated magnification rate on a screen of a display unit and displaying at least a character or an image in an intended area newly opened on the screen comprising: detecting whether a request for opening said intended area is issued; determining a second magnification rate for said intended area from said first magnification rate when a request for opening said intended area is issued; and displaying said intended area with said characters or images on the display screen in an enlarged form in accordance with said second magnification rate determined by said determining step. A method according to claim 13, wherein said determining step includes: correcting said second magnification rate upward in the case where a size assigned to said intended area is larger than the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate; maintaining said second magnification rate as it is in the case where a size assigned to said intended area is equal to the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate; and correcting said second magnification rate downward in the case where a size assigned to said intended area is smaller than the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate. A method according to claim 13, wherein: said determining step comprises calculating said second magnification rate from the size of said intended area enlarged at said first magnification rate and from the size of the whole display screen. A method according to claim 13, wherein said determining step comprises calculating said second magnification rate in such a manner that the size of a character displayed outside of said intended area in an enlarged form according to the first magnification rate is equal to the size of a character displayed in the intended area in an enlarged form according to said second magnification rate. A method according to claim 13, wherein said determining step comprises determining the second magnification rate from the size of a character in said intended area, and a character size which has been specified for the intended area. A method according to claim 17, wherein said determining step includes: correcting said second magnification rate upward in the case where the size of a character display outside of said intended area in an enlarged form according to said first magnification rate is larger than the size of the character displayed in the intended area in an enlarged form according to said second magnification rate; maintaining said second magnification rate in the case where the size of a character displayed outside of said intended area in the enlarged form according to said first magnification rate is equal to the size of the character displayed in the intended area in the enlarged form according to said second magnification rate; and correcting said second magnification rate downward in the case where the size of a character displayed outside of said intended area in the enlarged form according to said first magnification rate is smaller than the size of the character displayed in the intended area in the enlarged form according to said second magnification rate. A method according to any of claims 13 to 18, further comprising the steps of: scrolling said intended area displayed in an enlarged form in a designated scrolling direction in response to a scroll request; detecting whether the trailing end of said intended area scrolled in said scrolling direction in accordance with the scrolling process has reached a state beyond which it would not be displayable on said display screen; and prohibiting said intended window from being further scrolled in said scrolling direction in the case where it is detected that the trailing end of said intended area has reached said state. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising: storing the coordinate of at least a character or an image displayed on said display screen before opening said intended area; and restoring and displaying on said display screen the display state immediately before opening said intended area on the basis of the stored coordinate when erasing said intended area.

Inventors: IIZUKA JUNICHI, KUBOMURA KEISUKE, IIZUKA, JUNICHI, KUBOMURA, KEISUKE, Kubomura, Keisuke, Fujitsu Pers. Comp. Lab. Ltd.
Applicants: FUJITSU LTD, FUJITSU LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G09G5, G06F3