The present invention relates to a display device, of the type including:
- at least one monitor;
- several functional modules, each including an application program whereof the result is able to be displayed in a window of the functional module; 5
- at least two workspaces each defined by a set of functional modules to be displayed on the monitor when the workspace is selected;
- means for selecting a workspace for a monitor and displaying that workspace.
Today, computers use several applications or functional modules open at the same time and each displayed in its own window of a same monitor. Each of these 10 functional modules is able to perform processing under the command of an application program, which makes it possible to enter data, display fixed or animated images, serve as notepads, or act as a communication interface on a network.
The large number of functional modules and therefore of windows sometimes present on a same monitor makes effective work management difficult for the user. 15
To facilitate this work, it is known to use workspaces. Each workspace includes a set of functional modules specific to it. These functional modules are displayed simultaneously on the monitor when the user selects this workspace. Selection means make it possible to go from one workspace to another workspace, thus allowing the user to modify the functional modules visible on his monitor in a single operation. 20
In each workspace, it is possible, for the user, to place one of the functional modules in the middleground in the background of the monitor. The background functional module then covers the entire middleground and the other functional modules are displayed in smaller windows superimposed over the functional module placed in the background. 25
When the user goes from one workspace to another, the background functional module, which is specific to the work surface, changes accordingly.
The use of these different workspaces, even on several monitors, is relatively complex for the user, who must manage the relative positions of the different functional modules on the monitor. 30
The invention aims to propose a display device making it possible to facilitate the effective management of the user's work during the passage from one workspace to another.
To that end, the invention relates to a display device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises: 35
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- means for choosing a single functional module to be backgrounded from among a set of at least two functional modules;
- means for displaying, on the monitor, the chosen backgrounded functional module on the second plane of the monitor, and functional modules of the selected workspace on the first plane of the monitor above the display of the chosen backgrounded 5 functional module;
- the chosen backgrounded functional module being kept displayed on the second plane during passage from one workspace to another.
According to specific embodiments, the device includes one or more of the following features: 10
- said device includes means for selecting at least one functional module to be pinned having to be visible on the chosen backgrounded functional module irrespective of the selected workspace and means for keeping the functional module pinned on the chosen backgrounded functional module displayed even when going from one workspace to another workspace; 15
- said device includes at least two monitors and means for displaying, on each monitor, the same chosen backgrounded functional module, irrespective of the workspace selected for each monitor;
- said device includes at least two monitors and means for displaying the chosen backgrounded functional module distributed over the surface of the monitors; 20
- each functional module includes at least one control panel, and when the display means include means for suppressing the display of the control panel of the chosen backgrounded functional module; and
- the display means include, to manage the displays of the functional modules on the monitor, two separate software layers for managing the display of the functional 25 modules on the monitor, each layer defining separate display rules, and the display means are able to transfer the instance of a functional module from one management software layer of the display to the other, when the backgrounded state of the functional module is modified.
The invention further relates to a computer network including at least two display 30 devices each associated with an information processing unit, each provided with a display device as defined above, characterized in that the display devices are able to display the same chosen backgrounded functional module on the or each monitor specific thereto.
The invention also relates to a display method on a monitor for an application program including: 35
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- for several functional modules, each including an application program, displaying the result of the application program in a window of the functional module;
- selecting a workspace of this monitor from among at least two workspaces each defined by a set of functional modules to be displayed on the monitor when the workspace is selected; 5
characterized in that it includes:
- choosing a single functional module to be backgrounded from among a set of at least two functional modules;
- displaying, on the monitor, the chosen backgrounded module on the second plane of the monitor, and functional modules of the selected workspace on the first plane 10 of the monitor above the display of the chosen backgrounded functional module;
- the chosen backgrounded functional module being kept displayed on the second plane during passage from one workspace to another.
Lastly, the invention relates to a computer program product including instructions which, when executed on a computer connected to at least one monitor, carry out the 15 method as defined above.
The invention lastly relates to a computer program which, when implemented on a computer provided with a monitor, is able to carry out the steps of the method as defined above.
The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, 20 provided solely as an example and done in reference to the drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the structure of the application;
- figure 2 is a view of a window corresponding to the display of a functional module;
- figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of superimposed window planes displayed on a 25 monitor;
- figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the architecture of the module to manage workspaces, functional modules and their displays;
- figure 5 is a chronological view of a same monitor showing the evolution of the display during the change of workspace on that monitor; 30
- figure 6 is a chronological view of a same monitor showing the evolution of the display during the change of backgrounded functional module;
- figure 7 is a chronological view of a same monitor showing the evolution of the display during the passage between two workspaces after pinning one of the functional modules; 35
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- figure 8 is a view of several monitors on which the application operates, the backgrounded functional module extending over several monitors; and
- figure 9 is a view identical to that of figure 8, the same backgrounded functional module being distributed over the monitors.
The display device according to the invention is intended to allow the use by one 5 or several users of several functional modules at the same time. The set of these functional modules is called application or application program hereinafter.
This device includes at least one display monitor, controlled by an information processing unit implementing all of the functional modules of the application program, some modules of which are specific to the management of the display on the monitor. 10 This unit is for example the central processing unit of a networked computer.
This display device is particularly suitable for a monitoring application and/or far-reaching application command in the field such as wars, peacekeeping operations, natural or industrial disasters. In particular, this device is useful when certain functional modules are able to display maps on which the other functional modules intervene interactively. 15
The application 10 whose structure is illustrated diagrammatically in figure 1 includes a set of functional modules denoted MFA to MFN. It further includes a management module 12 for the display of the different functional modules on a monitor.
Each functional module includes a specific application program whereof the result is, as illustrated in figure 2, able to be displayed in a window 14 shown on a monitor. 20
This window 14 includes, in its central part, a retrieval zone 16 showing the result produced by the application program or making it possible to enter data for this functional module. In the illustrated example, the zone 16 shows a map of a field of operations that are controlled and supervised by the application.
In its lower part, the window 14 includes a lower horizontal panel 18 including 25 icons making it possible to initiate certain operations specific to the functional module. It further comprises an upper horizontal panel 20 including drop-down menus. These two panels together form a removable frame of the window.
In its right part, the upper panel 20 includes three control icons for the display of the functional module. 30
A first icon 22 shown by a cross surrounded by a circle is able, when it is selected, to command the closing of the functional module and therefore the disappearance of the display of the window on the monitor.
The icon 24, shown by four divergent arrows, is able to ensure backgrounded of the functional module. This backgrounding in particular consists of displaying the retrieval 35 zone 16 of the window on the second plane of the monitor. The other windows present on
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the monitor are displayed in the foreground and then cover the display corresponding to the backgrounded functional module.
The icon 26, shown by a pin, is able, when it is selected, to command the pinning of the functional module on the second plane of the monitor. The module is then pinned on the backgrounded functional module, causing the inseparability of the windows of the 5 pinned functional module and the backgrounded functional module irrespective of the selected workspace. The particular display mode will be described in the rest of the description.
The application 10 further includes the definition, able to be modified by the user, of several workspaces 30 designated by ESP1, ESP2 to ESPN and illustrated in figure 1. 10
Each workspace includes the identification of certain functional modules specific to the workspace as well as the depiction region of the window corresponding to each functional module of the workspace on the display monitor.
For example, and as illustrated in figure 3, a functional module 32 is backgrounded and is displayed on the second plane in the background. Three separate workspaces 34A, 15 34B, 34C are selectively displayed as chosen by the user on the monitor of the backgrounded functional module 32.
The workspace 34A for example includes three functional modules visible in three small windows horizontally aligned in the upper part of the monitor.
The second workspace 34B includes three functional modules appearing in small 20 windows vertically aligned in the left part of the monitor and a fourth functional module appearing in a rectangular window covering the remaining lower part of the monitor.
The last workspace 34C includes two functional modules shown in small rectangular windows provided in the upper right corner and the lower left corner.
Displayed in the foreground is a frame 35 specific to the application and including 25 only two upper 36 and lower 37 panels.
Only one of the workspaces 34A, 34B, 34C forming the current workspace is displayed at a given moment on the monitor.
The management module of the display 12 includes means for selecting the workspace to be displayed. For example, these selection means include two arrow-30 shaped selectable icons 40A, 40B. These arrows are visible in each workspace when it is displayed, in the right median part and the left median part of the monitor. The selection of one of the arrows by a moving pointer for example causes the scrolling of the workspaces in a predefined order.
If the display device includes several monitors, the module 12 is suitable for 35 ensuring the selection and display of a workspace specific to each monitor.
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Figure 4 illustrates the architecture of the management module of the display 12, which is made up of different successive interleaved layers designated incrementally from bottom to top. Each layer is specific to a function, these layers interacting with one another. These layers are JAVA components.
The different layers of the management module of the display 12 are outlined below 5 with their functions and their interactions.
Layer 0 / Jframe: this is the application window. This Jframe is present in all Java applications.
Layer 1 / JLayeredPane: This is a container with several layers that manages three components to ensure the display on the second plane of the following parts of the 10 backgrounded functional module:
- the upper panel 36 of the application, which includes an icon bar and a menu bar;
- the lower panel 37 of the application, which includes a status bar and information to be shown permanently;
- the retrieval zone 16 forming the bottom or the central part of the application 15 managed by the following layer 2.
Layer 2 / JlayeredPane: this is the retrieval zone 16 or the central part of the backgrounded application. This container has two components forming layers 3 and 4.
Layer 3 / JDesktopPane: This container is a window management system used internally by the application. It makes it possible to manage the windows able to be 20 viewed within the application. This JDesktopPane is added to the index 0 (therefore to the lowest in the window management layers), making it possible for a window in this system always to be viewed below.
Layer 4 / JXLayer: This container makes it possible to manage the zoom in / out effect of the modules during the definition of the workspaces/modules. This operation is 25 specific to the application.
Layer 5 / LayerView: This is a "base" container (JPanel) that manages a WorkspaceContainer (Jpanel) or workspace list. It is the viewing layer (LayerView) that performs the transitions/animations of the workspaces on the retrieval zone.
Layer 6 / WorkspaceContainer: This container shows a workspace, making it 30 possible to position functional modules. In order to manage the window system of these modules, the WorkspaceContainer container contains a second window management system called JDesktopPane (layer 7).
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Layer 7 / JDesktopPane: This container is the second window management system used internally by the application, and therefore included in the first. This JDesktopPane manages the windows of the functional modules. Each time the user opens a different window from the window of the backgrounded functional module, the window is managed by this second window management system JDesktopPane. 5
Layer 8: JInternalFrame: A JInternalFrame corresponds to a functional module. It contains the upper panel 20 and the lower panel 18 of the module as well as the content ("module content") visible in the retrieval zone 16.
Backgrounded or pinning a functional module amounts with this layer organization to lowering its instance to a lower layer functionally making it possible to have a pinned 10 module or a full-screen module in the background below the other modules.
According to the invention, one of the functional modules is backgrounded by pressing on the icon 24. During the backgrounding, the following actions are taken on the module.
The functional module is placed in the background, i.e. it is displayed on the 15 second plane with all of the other windows corresponding to superimposed functional modules.
To that end, the instance of layer 8/JInternalFrame managing the functional module is placed in layer 3/JDesktopPlane.
Furthermore, during for grounding, the display management module 12 commands 20 that:
- the contours of the backgrounded functional module are eliminated, only its retrieval zone 16 being visible by the user;
- the size of the window of the functional module is modified to take up all of the space of the application or the monitor; and 25
- all of the functions of the functional module are operational with no restriction.
The other functional modules not backgrounded are managed by the layer 7/JDesktopPlane, which, by construction, provides a display on the first plane above the backgrounded functional module.
According to the invention, when selecting another workspace, for example when 30 going from the workspace 34B to the workspace 34C, the backgrounded functional module 14, the content of which is a map, is kept displayed on the second plane, and only the other functional modules displayed in the smaller windows are modified. The change of workspace is managed by the layer 5, with no intervention on the lower layer 3.
Thus, the application is centered on a cartographical view. It is interesting for a 35 user to have a workspace with only one cartographical view, making it possible to have all
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of the space of the monitor with the cartographical view and another workspace with the same cartographical view and other application modules, such as views of the tabular or other hierarchical type.
Advantageously, and as illustrated in figure 5, the display management module 12 is suitable so that, in the first workspace 34B, an object present on the map is shown only 5 by its symbol 60 in the cartographical view, while in a second workspace 34C, this same object is for example completed by displaying in another functional module 62 its position in a hierarchical view making it possible to have links with other entity types or in a tabular view to have the object characteristics quickly.
Figure 6 shows a modification of the backgrounded functional module. 10
On the monitor 70, the cartographical view appears in the background with the workspace 34B. The instance of JInternalFrame is then in layer 3/JDesktopPlane. In this workspace 34B, the functional module, the window of which appears in the bottom left and is denoted 72, is supposed to be the image taken by a camera connected to the computer. The image shows a boat traveling on the sea. The instance of this functional 15 module is managed in layer 7/JDesktopPlane.
To background this functional module 72, the user first causes the escalation of the cartographical view in a window 74 by again pressing on the icon 24 present in the upper part of the monitor. The instance of the functional module is then escalated in layer 7/JDesktopPlane. The monitor then looks like the view 76. The functional module 72 in the 20 window 74 is shown in the upper right part.
The user next selects the functional module 72 by pressing on an icon 24 of this functional module and leading to the depiction visible in the image 78. In this display, the image showing the boat appears on the second plane in the background. The window in the bottom left of the image has disappeared and the window 74 showing the 25 cartographical view still appears in the upper right part of the monitor.
The backgrounding of a functional module consists of taking the instance of JInternalFrame of this module from layer 7/JDesktopPlane to layer 3/JDesktopPlane. The suppression of the backgrounding of a module consists of doing the opposite.
The other windows of the workspace are kept on the first plane in layer 30 7/DesktopPlane. The user then freely goes from one workspace to another, by clicking on the median arrows 40A, 40B.
Figure 7 shows the passage of the images 80 and 82 between two workspaces 34B and 34C, while one of the functional modules designated by 84 has been pinned. The module 84 is displayed in the median window in the left part of the workspace 34B. 35
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When the user wishes for the functional module 84 to be displayed permanently on the backgrounded functional module, he activates the icon 26 of the functional module 84. In response, the display management module 12 activates the passage of the functional module 84 from the layer 7 toward the layer 3, but without making the functional module full-screen. When changing workspaces, as illustrated in figure 7, the pinned functional 5 module 84 remains displayed in the same way as the backgrounded cartographical view 32, the module 84 being managed solely by the layer 3.
A pinned functional module can still be expanded, moved, closed. It is therefore necessary to have a system of windows to manage it, hence two systems of interleaved windows (layer 3 and layer 7). 10
According to the invention, in a first alternative illustrated in figure 8, the image 32 of the backgrounded functional module is divided over several monitors 90A, 90B, 90C, 90D, thus allowing a larger display surface. Each monitor 90A, 90B, 90C, 90D has its own workspace made available by the software and chosen freely by the user using median arrows 40A, 40B. 15
The size of the functional module, here the backgrounded cartographical view, thus takes on the dimension of the various monitors allowing a larger display of the cartographical view.
According to another alternative, illustrated in figure 9, the set of monitors 90A, 90B, 90C, 90D shows the same backgrounded functional module, thus allowing the user 20 to have the same cartographical view, with different workspaces and suitable depictions of the elements of the cartographical view based on workspaces selected for each monitor as described in light of figure 7.
When the application is used in a network by several users from several processing units each commanding at least one monitor, according to a first alternative, 25 the display management means 12 comprise means for the selection, by each user, of a backgrounded functional module specific to him.
According to another alternative embodiment, the display management means 12 are suitable for displaying, on all of the monitors of the users of the network, the same backgrounded functional module, this functional module being the last backgrounded 30 functional module chosen by one of the users.
It will be understood that the possibility of backgrounding one of the functional modules and therefore keeping it permanently in screen form, independently of changes in workspace, allows a user to retain a same view present on the monitor irrespective of the workspace, thus facilitating management of the display by the user, who needs only to 35
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take into account the workspace changes, without worrying about the backgrounding application for each of the workspaces.

I/We Claim:
1.- Display device for application software including:
- at least one monitor;
- several functional modules, each including an application program whereof the 5 result is able to be displayed in a window of the functional module;
- at least two workspaces each defined by a set of functional modules to be displayed on the monitor when the workspace is selected;
- means (12) for selecting a workspace for a monitor and displaying that workspace; 10
characterized in that it includes:
- means for choosing a single functional module from among a set of at least two functional modules;
- means (12) for displaying on the monitors the chosen functional module (32) on the second plane of the monitor and functional modules of the selected workspace on the 15 first plane of the monitor above the display of the chosen functional module;
- the chosen functional module being kept displayed on the second plane during passage from one workspace to another.
2.- The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes means for 20 selecting at least one functional module (84) having to be visible on the chosen functional module irrespective of the selected workspace; and
- means for keeping the selected functional module (84) displayed on the chosen functional module even when going from one workspace to another workspace.
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3.- The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes at least two monitors (90A, 90B, 90C, 90D) and in that it includes means for displaying, on each monitor, the same chosen functional module, irrespective of the workspace selected for each monitor.
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4.- The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it includes at least two monitors (90A, 90B, 90C, 90D) and in that it includes means for displaying the chosen functional module distributed over the surface of the monitors.
5.- The display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized 35 in that each functional module includes at least one control panel (18, 20), and in that the
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display means (12) include means for suppressing the display of the control panel of the chosen functional module.
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display means (12) include, to manage the displays of the functional modules on the 5 monitor, two separate software layers (layer 3/layer 7) for managing the display of the functional modules on the monitor, each layer defining separate display rules, and in that the display means are able to transfer the instance of a functional module from one management software layer (layer 3/layer 7) of the display to the other, when the functional module is chosen. 10
7.- A computer network including at least two display devices each associated with an information processing unit, each provided with a display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display devices are able to display the same chosen functional module on the or each monitor specific thereto. 15
8. A display method on at least one monitor for an application program including:
- for several functional modules, each including an application program, displaying the result of the application program in a window of the functional module;
- selecting a workspace of this monitor from among at least two workspaces each 20 defined by a set of functional modules to be displayed on the monitor when the workspace is selected;
characterized in that it includes:
- choosing a single functional module from among a set of at least two functional modules; 25
- displaying, on the monitors, the chosen functional module on the second plane of the monitor and functional modules of the selected workspace on the first plane of the monitor above the display of the chosen functional module;
- the chosen functional module being kept displayed on the second plane during passage from one workspace to another. 30
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9. A computer program product including instructions which, when executed on a computer connected to at least one monitor, carry out the method according to claim 8.