Methods and devices for window display and methods and devices for touch operation of applications

Abstract

Method for displaying a window on a data processing terminal, comprising: - Displaying a main menu with at least two menu items (301) that correspond to the relevant applications; - Determining a first window for an application that corresponds to a first menu item in the main menu, based on a first input operation on the first menu item (302); - Determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window (303); and - Displaying the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter (304); where at least two menu items are arranged in a cycle to form the main menu; and Determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window (303) includes determining a position to display the first window based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu, where the directions for displaying the at least two menu items are different from each other, so that the respective applications corresponding to the menu items are displayed in accordance with the directions for displaying the menu items.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to computing and embedding technologies, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for window display and methods and apparatus for touch operation of applications.

[0002] Typically, a terminal that has a touchscreen, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer (Pad), or a mobile terminal, will display a window in one of the following ways when a user on the terminal clicks an icon or launches an application: 1. Display the window on the screen at a preset physical position, such as the top right corner or the center of the screen; 2. Display the window at a position where the window was previously closed.

[0003] JP 2011 180 990 A discloses a device and method for displaying a hierarchically structured menu on a screen. The menu items of each hierarchy level are arranged in a circle. Instead of displaying all menu items of a hierarchy level, only sections of the respective circles of different hierarchy levels are displayed in two or more areas of the screen, thus enabling an overview of the hierarchy levels even on a small screen.

[0004] The inventors of the present application have discovered that there are several problems with conventional display methods. The window cannot be displayed at a position relative to the user. Consequently, the user cannot directly view the displayed window and must move around. This is inconvenient for the user. Most of these terminals are designed for single-user use. Therefore, it is inconvenient for the terminals to be used by more than one user.

[0005] Furthermore, there are other problems with some common technologies. Some of these common technologies support a two-point touch operation mode, which evolved from the existing interactive window operation mode. However, these technologies only support single-user operation, and applications run in single-task mode. No interactive mode allows simultaneous use by multiple users. Furthermore, the software only supports single-directional display, which means the user can only use the terminal in a single direction. Other common technologies support multi-touch mode, and the user can perform touch operations at the top and bottom of the screen.However, these techniques allow the user to use the terminal in only two directions, which are fixed and unchangeable.

[0006] Embodiments in the present description include methods and apparatus for window display that allow a window to be displayed at a suitable location for practical use.

[0007] The above-mentioned problems are solved by a method for displaying a window on a data processing terminal, comprising: - Display a main menu with at least one menu item; - determining a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item; - determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window; and - displaying the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter, wherein the first window is displayed in a direction perpendicular to an edge of the data processing terminal which is closest to a user of the data processing terminal.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one menu item is arranged in a loop to form the main menu. A position for displaying the first window is determined based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu.

[0009] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first window is positioned in an extended part of a line connecting the center of the main menu and the first menu item based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a direction for displaying the first menu item is a first direction, a direction for displaying the first window is a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are the same.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the at least one menu item is arranged in a cycle to form the main menu, which has the shape of a circle or a regular polygon. The first window is positioned in a radial direction relative to the main menu.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the terminal has at least three edges, and whether the terminal is being used by a user can be determined by detecting the edges. If it is determined that the terminal is being used by a user, a first edge of the edges is determined that is closest to the user, and the first window is set to a position that is the shortest distance from the first edge.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the terminal has at least three edges, and whether the terminal is being used by a user can be determined by detecting the edges. If it is determined that the terminal is being used by a user, a first edge of the edges that is closest to the user is determined, and the first window is displayed in a direction perpendicular to the first edge.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first window is displayed in front of any of the menu items in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting a user's eyes.

[0015] The above-mentioned problems are further solved by a device for displaying a window on a data processing terminal, comprising: - a first display module for displaying a main menu with at least one menu item; - a first determination module for determining a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item; - a second determination module for determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window; and - a second display module for displaying the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter, wherein the first window is displayed in a direction perpendicular to an edge of the data processing terminal which is closest to a user of the data processing terminal.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one menu item is arranged in a cycle to form the main menu. The second determination module is further configured to determine a position for displaying the first window based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the second determination module is further configured to determine that the first window is positioned in an extended part of a line connecting the center of the main menu to the first menu item based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the present invention, a direction for displaying the first menu item is a first direction, a direction for displaying the first window is a second direction, and the first direction is the same as the second direction.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the at least one menu item is arranged in a cycle to form the main menu, which has the shape of a circle or a regular polygon. The second determination module is further configured to determine that the first window is positioned in a radial direction relative to the main menu.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the terminal has at least three edges, and whether the terminal is being used by a user can be determined by detecting the edges. The second determination module is further configured to determine a first edge of the edges that is closest to the user when it is determined that the terminal is being used by a user and to determine that the first window is at a position that has the shortest distance to the first edge.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the terminal has at least three edges, and whether the terminal is being used by a user can be determined by detecting the edges. The second determination module is further configured to determine a first edge of the edges that is closest to the user when it is determined that the terminal is being used by a user and to determine that the first window is displayed in a direction perpendicular to the first edge.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first window is displayed in front of any of the menu items in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the eyes of a user.

[0023] The window display method according to embodiments of the present invention displays a main menu including at least one menu item, determines a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation to the first menu item, determines a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window, and displays the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter. By displaying a submenu item or an application according to a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for a first menu item or according to a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for a user, it is possible to display a corresponding window at a suitable position, making viewing or use more convenient for the user.This improves user experiences and enables practical application.

[0024] The aforementioned problems are further solved by a method for touch-operating in a data processing terminal, wherein the data processing terminal has a screen having a multi-touch function and, during operation, displays at least one main menu on the screen, the main menu has M touch areas, each corresponding to an application, and graphics and / or texts can be displayed in each of the M touch areas in at least two different positive directions, where M is an integer greater than 1, comprising: - generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation by a user in a first touch area of ​​the M touch areas; - for each of the M touch areas, adjusting the display position of the touch area from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the first touch area is closer to the user in the second position than in the first position, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or texts in at least one of the M touch areas is different between the first position and the second position; - generating an application-activating instruction based on an operation for activating an application corresponding to a first touch area on the first touch area; and - Activate the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application-activating instruction.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the M touch areas of the main menu is adjacent to one of the touch areas on both sides thereof.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the main menu has the shape of a circle, an ellipse, or a regular polygon. If the main menu has the shape of a circle or a regular polygon, the positive direction corresponds to a radial direction of the main menu.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the present invention, generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu comprises: - Generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a rotation operation with a radian measure in an area on the screen corresponding to the main menu; or - Generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a movement operation along a line in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; or - Generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a click operation in a start position of one of the M touch areas and a click operation in a target position in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the areas of the screen corresponding to the respective M touch areas are the same or different in size.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the areas of the screen occupied by the applications are the same or different in size when applications are launched corresponding to the respective M touch areas.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the M touch areas has at least one associated sub-touch area; and the method further comprises the following steps: - generating a sub-touch area activating instruction based on a second input operation in the touch area having the corresponding sub-touch area; and - Activate the sub-touch area corresponding to the touch area based on the sub-touch area activating instruction.

[0031] The aforementioned problems are further solved by a device for touch operation of an application in a data processing terminal, wherein the data processing terminal has a screen with a multi-touch function and, during operation, displays at least one main menu on the screen, the main menu has M touch areas, each corresponding to an application, and graphics and / or texts can be displayed in each of the M touch areas in at least two different positive directions, where M is an integer greater than 1, comprising: - a first generation module for generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation by a user in a first touch area of ​​the M touch areas; - an adjustment module for adjusting the display position of the touch area, for each of the M touch areas, from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the first touch area is closer to the user in the second position than in the first position, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or texts in at least one of the M touch areas is different between the first position and the second position; - a second generation module for generating an application-activating instruction based on an operation for activating an application corresponding to a first touch area on the first touch area; and - an operation module for activating the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application-activating instruction. In a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the M touch areas of the main menu is adjacent to one of the touch areas on both sides.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the main menu has the shape of a circle, an ellipse, or a regular polygon, or an irregular pattern with only a central area. If the main menu has the shape of a circle or a regular polygon, the positive direction is a radial direction of the main menu.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the first generation module is further configured to: - to generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a rotation operation with a radian measure in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; or - to generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a movement operation along a line in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; or - generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a click operation at a start position of one of the M touch areas and a click operation at a target position in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the areas of the screen corresponding to the respective M touch areas are the same or different in size.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the present invention, when applications are activated corresponding to the respective M touch areas, the areas of the screen occupied by the applications are the same or different in size.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the M contact areas has at least one corresponding sub-contact area; - the second generation module is further configured to generate a sub-touch area activating instruction based on a second input operation in the touch area having the corresponding sub-touch area; and - the operation module is further configured to activate the sub-touch area corresponding to the touch area based on the sub-touch area activating instruction.

[0037] The method for touch operation of an application according to embodiments of the present invention includes: generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; adjusting the display position of the touch area, for each of the M touch areas, from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or texts in at least one of the M touch areas is different between the first position and the second position; generating an application enabling instruction based on an operation for enabling an application corresponding to a first touch area on the first touch area; and activating the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application enabling instruction.According to the embodiments of the present invention, the main menu can be rotated and operated simultaneously by multiple users. It is possible to allow users to always directly view the main menu, thereby improving practicality.

[0038] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0039] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a window display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a circular main menu according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for displaying a window according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a touch operation device for an application according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a circular main menu according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method for touch operation of an application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The window display method according to embodiments of the present invention displays a main menu having at least one menu item, determines a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation to the first menu item, determines a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window, and displays the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter. By displaying a submenu item or an application according to a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for a first menu item or according to a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for a user, it is possible to display a corresponding window at an appropriate position, making viewing and use more convenient for the user.This improves user experiences and facilitates practical application.

[0041] According to the presentation of Fig. 1, a window display device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first display module 101, a first determination module 102, a second determination module 103, and a second display module 104. The device may be used in a data processing terminal.

[0042] The first display module 101 can be configured to display a main menu having at least one menu item. The first display module 101 can display at least one main menu on a screen of a data processing terminal during operation of the terminal. The main menu can include M menu items arranged in a loop to form the main menu. Each of the M menu items can be adjacent to one of the M menu items on each of its sides. At least one of the M menu items can correspond to an application and / or a submenu item. M can be an integer not less than 1. Each of the M menu items in the main menu can correspond to a different type of application. The user can activate an application, such as playing videos or viewing photos, after performing an input operation on the corresponding menu item.Alternatively, at least one of the M menu items may correspond to a submenu item. The submenu item may preferably have the shape of a fan. If the main menu can be rotated or moved, the corresponding submenu items will rotate or move along with the rotation or movement of the main menu. Each menu item or submenu item may have corresponding text and / or graphics arranged within it to explain what content is associated with the menu item or submenu item. For example, a menu item may be "Video" and the submenu item under the menu item may be divided into different categories, such as "Entertainment Videos", "Sports Videos" and the like. If a menu item corresponds to a submenu item, the submenu item under the menu item may be displayed when the user clicks on the menu item.The user can then launch the desired application by clicking on the corresponding submenu item. The embodiment of the present invention can allow the user to use multiple applications simultaneously and also allow multiple users to operate the screen.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main menu can be in various shapes, such as a circle, polygon, or ellipse. The main menu can be rotatable to allow a user to rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise to any desired angle. The graphics and / or text in the main menu can be rotated to a position desired by the user with the rotation of the main menu. The main menu can be an enclosed pattern.

[0044] In an example shown in Fig. 2, the main menu is circular in shape and divided into six touch areas. Each of the touch areas can represent a different type of application. Graphics and / or text for each touch area can be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the tangent of the circle. Regardless of the direction from which a user operates the main menu on the screen, the graphics and / or text in the main menu that are closest to the user are always directly aligned with the user. This ensures that the user can always perform operations, such as making selections, along a positive direction, thus improving practicality.

[0045] The first determination module 102 may be configured to determine a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item. When the user performs the first input operation on the first menu item in the main menu, the first determination module 102 may determine the first window corresponding to the first menu item. The first window may represent an application or a submenu item. In one embodiment of the present invention, the size of the first window may be smaller than the display area of ​​the terminal screen.

[0046] The second determination module 103 may be configured to determine a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window. After the first determination module 102 has determined the first window corresponding to the first menu item, the second determination module 103 may determine a corresponding position parameter and / or direction parameter for the first window.

[0047] The second determination module 103 may, for example, determine that the first window is positioned in an extended part of a line connecting the center of the main menu and the first menu item based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu, as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the dotted line represents the extended portion of the line connecting the center of the main menu and the first menu item. The direction of display of the first menu item is a first direction, the direction of display of the first window is a second direction, and the first direction is the same as the second direction.

[0048] Alternatively, if the main menu has the shape of a circle or a regular polygon, the second determination module 103 can determine that the first window is positioned in a radial direction relative to the main menu. The radial direction relative to the main menu can have its endpoint at the center of the main menu. The main menu can be rotatable or non-rotatable.

[0049] The terminal may have at least three edges. The second determination module 103 may perform detection, such as periodic detection, periodic detection, or random detection, at each of the edges to determine whether the terminal is being used by a user. If it is determined that the terminal is being used by a user, the second determination unit 103 may determine a first one of the edges that is closest to the user and then determine that the first window is located at a position having the shortest distance from the first edge. This means that the first window is placed at a position having the shortest distance to the user, so that it is more convenient for the user to view the window.Alternatively, the second determination module 103 may determine that the first window is displayed in a direction perpendicular to the first edge, that is, that the first window is placed at a position directly facing the user. Preferably, the first window for each menu item may be displayed in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the eyes of the user operating the menu item, and the first window may be displayed in a direction away from the user.

[0050] The second display module 104 may be configured to display the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter. After the second determination module 103 has determined the display position and direction for the first window, the second display module 104 may display the first window according to the determined display position and direction.

[0051] If the main menu is rotatable, the user can rotate a menu item in the main menu to a position with a positive direction relative to the user before performing an operation on the menu item. The second determination module 103 can determine a positive direction for a submenu item or application with respect to the user based on a position and / or direction parameter of the user, so that the application or submenu item can be displayed in a positive direction with respect to the user and is thereby convenient for the user to use. When the user performs an input operation on the first menu item displayed in a positive direction with respect to the user, the operation module 102 can also display the submenu item or application to be activated according to the position and / or direction parameter of the first menu item.

[0052] If the user does not initially rotate the main menu, or if the main menu is not rotatable, it is possible that the first menu item to be operated is not in the positive direction with respect to the user. In this case, when the user performs an input operation on the first menu item, the first determination module 102 may determine a first window corresponding to the first menu item, the second determination module 103 may determine a position parameter and / or a calculation parameter with respect to the first window, and the second display module 104 may display the submenu item or application to be activated in a direction as close as possible to the positive direction with respect to the user based on the position parameter and / or the direction parameter determined by the second determination module 103.In this embodiment, the positive direction relative to the user may refer to a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the user's eyes in front of an input area closest to the user. In other words, the first window may be displayed in front of each of the menu items in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting a user's eyes.

[0053] The following describes an example of a method for displaying a window.

[0054] The sequence of an embodiment of a method for displaying a window is shown in Fig. 3. The method can be applied in a data processing terminal. Step 301: Display a main menu with at least one menu item; Step 302: Determining a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item; Step 303: Determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window; and Step 304: Display the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter.

[0055] The window display method according to embodiments of the present invention displays a main menu including at least one menu item, determines a first window corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item, determines a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window, and displays the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter. By displaying a submenu item or an application depending on position and / or direction information for a first menu item, it is possible to display a corresponding window at an appropriate position, making viewing or use more convenient for a user. This improves user experiences and facilitates practical use.Alternatively, a submenu item or application can be displayed based on information about the position and / or direction of the user performing the initial input operation, so that the submenu item or application can be displayed in the positive direction relative to the user, even if the main menu is not rotatable or the user does not rotate the main menu beforehand. This facilitates user operation and improves the intelligence, usability, and flexibility of a device.

[0056] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for touch operation of an application in one embodiment of the present invention may include: generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation on an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; adjusting the display position of the touch area, for each of the M touch areas, from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or texts in at least one of the M touch areas is different between the first position and the second position; generating an application-activating instruction based on an operation for activating an application corresponding to a first touch area on the first touch area;and activating the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application-activating instruction. According to one aspect of the present invention, the main menu can be rotated and operated simultaneously by multiple users. It is possible to allow users to always look directly at the main menu, thereby improving practicality.

[0057] According to the presentation of Fig. 4, a device for touch operation of an application according to embodiments of the present invention may include a first generation module 401, an adaptation module 402, a second generation module 403, and an operation module 404. The device may be applied to a data processing terminal equipped with a screen with a multi-touch function. The data processing terminal may, during operation, display at least one main menu on the screen. The main menu may have M touch areas, each of which is adjacent to one of the touch areas on both sides. Each of the M touch areas may correspond to an application. Graphics and / or text in each of the M touch areas may be displayed in at least two different positive directions, where M is an integer greater than 1.In embodiments of the present invention, a positive direction may refer to a direction in which graphics and / or text in the touch areas are directed directly toward the user. In other words, the positive direction in which graphics and / or text are displayed in each of the touch areas is a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the user's eyes in front of the touch area. In one embodiment of the present invention, the main menu may be a closed spatial pattern. A radial direction of the main menu may have its endpoint at the center of the main menu.

[0058] The first generation module 401 may be configured to generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu. The user may perform the first input operation in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu.For example, the first generation module may generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a rotation operation with a radian in an area on the screen corresponding to the main menu, or generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a movement operation along a line in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu, or generate an operation instruction for the main menu based on a click operation at a start position of one of the M touch areas and a click operation at a target position in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu.

[0059] The adjustment module 402 may be configured to adjust the display position of a touch area, for each of the M touch areas, from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or text in at least one of the M touch areas may be different between the first position and the second position. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a first touch area among the M touch areas. The first position of the first touch area is farther from the user than the second position of the first touch area. The adjustment module 402 may, based on the operation instruction, move the desired first touch area in the main menu to a position closer to the user.

[0060] Each of the M touch areas in the main menu can correspond to a different type of application, so that an application type, such as playing videos or viewing photos, can be started when the user clicks in the corresponding touch area. Alternatively, at least one of the M touch areas can correspond to at least one sub-touch area. In one embodiment of the invention, the sub-touch area can be shaped like a fan. When the main menu is rotated or moved, the sub-touch area can be rotated or moved along with the main menu. For example, one of the touch areas can correspond to "Video" and the sub-touch areas under the touch area can correspond to different categories, such as "Entertainment Videos" or "Sports Videos". If a touch area corresponds to a specific category, the sub-touch area can be rotated or moved along with the main menu.If the touchscreen has associated sub-touch areas, these sub-touch areas can be displayed when the user clicks in the touch area. The user can then launch the desired application by clicking in one or more of the sub-touch areas. This embodiment of the present invention allows a user to use more than one application simultaneously and also allows multiple users to operate it simultaneously.

[0061] In one embodiment of the invention, the main menu can be rotatable. The main menu can have different shapes, such as a circle, polygon, or ellipse. The main menu can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to any angle. At the same time, graphics and / or text in the main menu can be rotated with the main menu to a position desired by the user. If the main menu is in the shape of a circle or a regular polygon, the positive direction in one embodiment of the present invention can refer to a radial direction of the main menu. Fig. Figure 5 shows an example of the main menu. The main menu is designed as a circle and is divided into six touch areas. Each of the touch areas can correspond to a type of application, and in each touch area, graphics and / or text (in Fig. 5, texts are shown as an example) are displayed in a direction perpendicular to the tangent of the circle. Regardless of the direction in which the main menu is operated by the user, graphics and / or texts in the main menu that are closest to the user can always face the user. This ensures that the user can always operate the main menu in a positive direction, which is convenient for user operation.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sub-touch areas can be enlarged or reduced. For example, the sub-touch areas can be enlarged or reduced by manual operation of the user. The user can separate two of his or her fingers in one direction so that the distance between the fingers is increased while touching one of the sub-touch areas. The sub-touch area can then be enlarged in size accordingly. The user can also bring two of his or her fingers together in one direction so that a distance between the two fingers is reduced while touching one of the sub-touch areas. The sub-touch area can then be reduced in size accordingly. The corresponding M touch areas can correspond to display areas on the screen that are the same or different in size.The sizes of these display areas can be adjustable. For example, the first touch area can be connected to or correspond to three sub-touch areas, whose display areas on the screen can have the same or different sizes. The sizes of the display areas can be adjustable. In another example, the first touch area corresponds to or is connected to one sub-touch area, and the second touch area corresponds to three sub-touch areas. The display areas of the four sub-touch areas on the screen can be the same or different in size. The sizes of the display areas can be adjustable.

[0063] The second generation module 403 may be configured to generate an application-activating instruction based on an operation on the first touch area to activate an application corresponding to a first touch area. The user may perform an operation on the first touch area, such as clicking the touch area. The second generation module 403 may generate an application-activating instruction upon receiving the click operation.

[0064] The second generation module 403 may be further configured to generate a sub-touch area activation instruction based on a second input operation in the touch area that includes the corresponding sub-touch area. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second input operation may be a click operation. When the user clicks in a touch area corresponding to a sub-touch area, the second generation module 403 receives the user's click operation and generates a sub-touch area activation instruction.

[0065] The operation module 404 is configured to activate the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application-activating instruction. Upon receiving the application-activating instruction, the operation module 404 may activate the application corresponding to the first touch area. The application-activating instruction may include a touch area identifier so that the operation module 404 may activate an application corresponding to the touch area identified by the touch area identifier.

[0066] The operation module 404 can, if necessary, automatically adjust the size of the screen area occupied by each application. For example, one user may watch videos and another user may listen to music. The video application may require a larger screen area, and accordingly, the operation module 404 may increase the size of the screen area occupied by the video application. Alternatively, the user may make manual adjustments. For example, an application may be equipped with zoom in or zoom out buttons, and the user may adjust the size by clicking these buttons. When applications corresponding to the respective M touch areas are activated, these applications may occupy areas on the screen that are the same or different sizes. The size of each area may be adjustable.

[0067] The operation module 404 may be further configured to activate the sub-touch area corresponding to the touch area based on the sub-touch area activation instruction. Upon receiving the sub-touch area activation instruction sent from the second generation module 403, the operation module 404 may activate the sub-touch area corresponding to the touch area based on the sub-touch area activation instruction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sub-touch area activation instruction may include a touch area identifier, and the operation module 404 may activate a sub-touch area corresponding to or belonging to the touch area, identified by the touch area identifier.

[0068] The following describes an example of a method for touch operation of an application.

[0069] The sequence of the method for touch operation of an application according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 6 shown. Step 601: Generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; Step 602: Adjusting the display position of the touch area, for each of the M touch areas, from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or texts in at least one of the M touch areas is different between the first position and the second position; Step 603: Generating an application-activating instruction based on an operation for activating an application corresponding to a first touch area on the first touch area; and Step 604: Activate the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application-activating instruction.

[0070] The method can be applied to a data processing terminal having a screen with multi-touch function. During operation, the data processing terminal can display at least one main menu on the screen. The main menu can contain M touch areas, each of which corresponds to an application. Graphics and / or text in each of the M touch areas can be displayed in at least two different positive directions, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0071] The method for touch operation of an application according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: generating an operation instruction for the main menu based on a first input operation in an area of ​​the screen corresponding to the main menu; adjusting the display position of the touch area, for each of the M touch areas, from a first position to a second position based on the operation instruction, wherein the positive direction for graphics and / or texts in at least one of the M touch areas is different between the first position and the second position; generating an application-activating instruction based on an operation for activating an application corresponding to a first touch area on the first touch area; and activating the application corresponding to the first touch area based on the application-activating instruction.According to embodiments of the present invention, the main menu can be rotated and operated by multiple users simultaneously. Users can always view the main menu directly, thereby improving ease of use. Areas of the screen occupied by touch zones or applications can be resized as needed. The main menu can be displayed in different formats. This also improves convenience and flexibility.

[0072] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products according to common skill in the art and may therefore take the form of hardware, software, or combinations thereof. Embodiments of the present invention may also be embodied as a computer program product in the form of one or more computer-readable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage media) containing computer-readable program code.

[0073] The present invention has been described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that each step and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, or combinations thereof, may be implemented in computer program instructions.The computer program instructions may be loaded onto a processor of a regular computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processing device, or any other programmable data processing device for providing a machine, such that the instructions, when executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device, generate means for performing the functions specified in one or more steps and / or blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0074] These computer program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable memory that can direct computers or other programmable data processing devices to act in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored on the computer-readable memory can produce a manufacture article that includes instruction means that perform the functions specified in one or more steps and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0075] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that the computer or other programmable data processing device can perform a sequence of operational steps for computer-implemented processing. When executed on the computers or other programmable data processing devices, the instructions provide steps for performing the functions specified in one or more steps and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0076] The foregoing description is intended to illustrate the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and that these modifications and variations also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A method for displaying a window on a data processing terminal, comprising: - Displaying a main menu with at least two menu items (301) corresponding to respective applications; - determining a first window for an application corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item (302); - determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window (303); and - displaying the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter (304); wherein the at least two menu items are arranged in a cycle to form the main menu; and determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window (303) comprises determining a position for displaying the first window based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu, wherein directions for displaying the at least two menu items are different from each other, so that the respective applications corresponding to the menu items are displayed in accordance with the directions for displaying the menu items. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein determining a position to display the first window based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu comprises positioning the first window in an extended portion of a line connecting the center of the main menu and the first menu item based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu. [3] The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction for displaying the first menu item is a first direction, a direction for displaying the first window is a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are the same. [4] The method of claim 1, wherein the main menu has the shape of a circle or regular polygon; and determining a position to display the first window based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu comprises positioning the first window in a radial direction to the main menu. [5] Device for displaying a window on a data processing terminal, comprising: - a first display module (101) for displaying a main menu with at least two menu items corresponding to respective applications; - a first determination module (102) for determining a first window for an application corresponding to a first menu item in the main menu based on a first input operation on the first menu item; - a second determination module (103) for determining a position parameter and / or a direction parameter for the first window; and - a second display module (104) for displaying the first window according to the position parameter and / or the direction parameter; wherein the at least two menu items are arranged in a cycle to form the main menu; and wherein the second determination module (103) is further configured to determine a position for displaying the first window based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu, wherein directions for displaying the at least two menu items are different from each other, so that the respective applications corresponding to the menu items are displayed in accordance with the directions for displaying the menu items. [6] The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second determination module (103) is further configured to determine that the first window is positioned in an extended part of a line connecting the center of the main menu and the first menu item based on the position of the first menu item relative to the main menu. [7] The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a direction for displaying the first menu item represents a first direction, a direction for displaying the first window represents a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are the same. [8] The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the main menu has a shape of a circle or regular polygon; and the second determination module (103) is further configured to determine that the first window is positioned in a radial direction to the main menu. [9] The method of claim 1, wherein the main menu has M touch areas, each corresponding to an application, and graphics and / or text can be displayed in each of the M touch areas in at least two different positive directions, where M is an integer greater than 1 and the main menu is rotatable. [10] The method of claim 9, wherein each of the M touch areas of the main menu can be touched to launch a corresponding application when the main menu is rotated to any position. [11] The device of claim 5, wherein the main menu has M touch areas each corresponding to an application, and graphics and / or texts can be displayed in each of the M touch areas in at least two different positive directions, where M is an integer greater than 1 and the main menu is rotatable. [12] The device of claim 11, wherein each of the M touch areas of the main menu can be touched to launch a corresponding application when the main menu is rotated to any position.

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