5,903,268
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`United States Patent
`
`Hirayama
`[45] Date of Patent:
`*May 11, 1999
`
`U5005903268A
`
`[54] POSITION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR
`DISPLAYING A WINDOW’S EFFECTIVE
`IMAGE AREA
`-
`-
`.
`Inventor‘ TomOShl leayama’ TOkyo’ Japan
`[75]
`.
`.
`[73] ASSlgneez Sony corporat‘m" TOky°> Japan
`.
`.
`.
`.
`[*] Not1ce:
`This patent 1ssued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`[21] APP1~ N03 07/831,953
`-
`22
`F1 d:
`F b. 6 1992
`1 e
`e
`’
`l
`[
`Forelgn Appllcatlon Pr10r1ty Data
`[30]
`Feb. 9, 1991
`[JP]
`Japan ................................. P3—039286
`
`Int. Cl.6 ........................................................ G06F 3/00
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`......... 345/342
`
`[58] Field 0f Search
`395/157 159.
`’
`’
`345/121’ 118’ 179’ 340345
`References Cited
`
`[56]
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`11/1988 Homma et al.
`......................... 340/724
`345/121 X
`11/1988 Takenashi et al.
`
`
`3/1989 Dunn .................
`345/333
`.. 345/156
`2/1990 Beard et al.
`..
`
`............................ 345/156
`7/1990 Beard et al.
`
`4 783 648
`4:786:897
`4,813,013
`4,899,136
`4,939,507
`
`........................... 345/351
`10/1991 Levine et al.
`5,060,135
`5,063,600 11/1991 Norwood .......... 382/186
`5,140,677
`8/1992 Fleming et al
`..... 345/348
`5,151,974
`9/1992 Tani et al.
`..... 345/428
`5,187,776
`2/1993 Yanker .......... 345/341
`5,191,644
`3/1993 Takeda .............. 345/344
`5,237,653
`8/1993 N
`h'
`t
`1.
`.
`..... 345/345
`5,268,677 12/1993 Frill; clateali.1
`..... 345/118
`..
`5,276,437
`1/1994 Horvath et al.
`..... 345/340
`5 283 864
`2/1994 Knowlton .......... 345/350
`5:305:435
`4/1994 Bronson .................................. 345/351
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Microsoft, Windows 3.0 User Manual, 1990 pp. Xi—Xvi,
`20—22, 46, 157, 494.
`Borland, Quattro Pro Users Guide, 1989, pp. 235 to 250.
`IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin vol. 32 No. 8B Jan.
`’
`’
`’
`1990, p. 311 (New York).
`Primary Examiner
`ton Fetting
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Limbach & Limbach L.L.P.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`,
`,
`,
`,
`,
`,
`The effectlve display area of a w1ndow, 1n a w1ndow display
`apparatus, is corrected to prevent it from protruding beyond
`the visible area of the display. Acoordinate data input device
`selects an icon and moves the icon to the display area to
`display a window image. Depending upon the location to
`which the icon is moved, correction of the resulting image
`may be necessary. to ensure that th‘? effecuve dismay a?” ls
`shown. Once a Window has been d1splayed, no correctlon 1s
`Performed if the Window is SUbsequenfly m0Ved~
`
`9 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`0
`
`59
`
`
`
`
`
`lsition of enlar ed
`sb p-ce
`ove Wl n
`icon is
`npoint coordinate at half ‘ dip
`SItion ofhhorizontal
`:move:é rawmgof pIcture
`omI tted
`ma
`direction dIs
`0
`
`
`
` Pen
`
`
`810‘O
`placed in
`pen-up state
`?
`
`ES
`
`511.
`
`Store pen
`coordinatesuag (1)
`
`S15
`YES
`
`516
`
`
`
`IIspay
`nw suc tha
`action pointt H may be
`located at
`
`(-}Wn ad)
`
` Display window such that
`
`
`int H may be
`actIon
`locat
`at
`Display window so
`
`
`that action point H mCI
`<s—(~}wrr-cl).d)
`
`
`be located at (g d)
`
`.
`520
`_
`.
`DIsplay me e In
`the inside 0 contour
`of window
`
`6
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1011
`
`$42
`
`YES
`
`315553388?"
`
`Pen.
`
`
`placed In
`pen — up state
`?
`
`No
`Check coordinate
`data of penpomt
`
`540
`
`
`'
`‘
`
`
`YES
`coordirfid1 e lgcoted
`
` outside of icon
`
`rea ?
`
`
`
`Iisplay w‘I cow at position
`
`
`corresponding to position of
`
`
`penpoint coordinates.
`if position is not moved;
`
`
`drawing of picture may be
`omitte
`
`
`
`
`Stop displa
`
`window and/Gfdisplay
`icon
`
`
`APPLE 1011
`
`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f 17
`
`5,903,268
`
`F/G.7
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`84
`
`=- II
`
`8/ —
`
`32
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`86
`
`84L
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`
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`84
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`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f 17
`
`5,903,268
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f 17
`
`5,903,268
`
`F/G.6
`
`
`
`F/G.7
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 17
`
`5,903,268
`
`22
`
`420
`
`43
`
`44
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`

`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f 17
`
`5,903,268
`
`CPU
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`US. Patent
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`

`US. Patent
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`May 11
`
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`5,903,268
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`US. Patent
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`May 11, 1999
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`5,903,268
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`US. Patent
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`May 11, 1999
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`Sheet 9 0f 17
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`US. Patent
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`May 11, 1999
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`US. Patent
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`May 11,1999
`
`Sheet 11 0f 17
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`5,903,268
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`US. Patent
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`May 11, 1999
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`Sheet 12 0f 17
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`US. Patent
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`May 11,1999
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`Sheet 13 0f 17
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`US. Patent
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`May 11,1999
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`May 11, 1999
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`5,903,268
`
`1
`POSITION CONTROL APPARATUS FOR
`DISPLAYING A WINDOW’S EFFECTIVE
`IMAGE AREA
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention generally relates to display appa-
`ratus for displaying a window image and, more particularly,
`is directed to a display apparatus for displaying a window
`image in which a display position of the window image on
`a display screen is pointed to by a coordinate data input
`device.
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`In a window display apparatus employed in a conven-
`tional portable computer, a variety of icons 84 are displayed
`on an icon area (i.e., standby area) 82 of a display screen 8
`as shown in FIG. 1.
`If the user pushes (pen-down) a
`predetermined icon 84 (e.g., “printing type” icon 84 on the
`display screen 8 with a pen (not shown) which is a coordi-
`nate data input device, drags the pen up to an input display
`area (data writing area) 86 under the pen-down state and
`releases the pen from the display screen 8 (pen-up), then
`such icon 84 is displayed on the display screen 8 as a
`window (e.g., printing type plate) 84L in an enlarged scale
`as shown in FIG. 1.
`
`According to the above-mentioned conventional
`technique, if the pen-up position is displaced in the lateral
`direction (in the left and right direction) of the display screen
`8, the enlarged icon, i.e., the window 84L is displayed on the
`display screen 8 under the condition such that a part thereof
`is omitted as shown by a phantom block in FIG. 2. The
`reason for this is that
`the window display apparatus is
`programmed so as to move the window 84L at its upper
`center 846 by the penpoint of the pen as shown in FIG. 3.
`Further, also when the the pen-up position is displaced in the
`longitudinal direction (upper and lower direction) of the
`display screen 8, then the window 84L is displayed on the
`display screen 8 under the condition such that a part thereof
`is omitted as shown by a phantom block in FIG. 4.
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`invention to
`is an object of the present
`it
`Therefore,
`provide an improved display apparatus for displaying a
`window image in which the aforesaid shortcomings and
`disadvantages encountered with the prior art can be elimi-
`nated.
`
`More specifically, it is an object of the present invention
`to provide a display apparatus for displaying a window
`image in which an effective image area of a window can be
`prevented from protruding from a display screen.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`display apparatus for displaying a window image in which
`a display window can be allowed to protrude from a display
`screen within a tolerance range.
`According to an aspect of the window display apparatus
`of the present invention, the display position of the window
`on the display screen is pointed to by a coordinate input
`device. This window display device includes a display
`correcting device so that, if the window protrudes from the
`display screen when the window is displayed at the position
`pointed to by the coordinate input device,
`the window
`display position is corrected so as to display at least the
`effective image area within the display screen.
`According to another aspect of the window display appa-
`ratus of the present invention, the display position of the
`
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`window on the display screen is pointed to by a coordinate
`input device. This window display device includes a detect-
`ing means for detecting the condition of the window display
`and a display correcting means for correcting a window
`display position if a detected result of the detecting means is
`a first condition and disabled if a detected result is a second
`
`condition when the window displayed position pointed by
`the coordinate input device is outside of the tolerance range
`of protrusion of the window.
`According to the window display apparatus of the first
`aspect, if the window is protruded from the display screen
`when the window is displayed at the position pointed by the
`coordinate input device,
`the window display position is
`corrected such that at least the effective display area of the
`window is wholly displayed within the display screen, thus
`preventing the effective display area of the window from
`protruding from the display screen.
`In accordance with the window display apparatus of the
`second aspect, when the position pointed by the coordinate
`input device is out of the tolerance range of the protrusion
`of the window,
`the display position is corrected or not
`corrected depending on the condition. Therefore, the win-
`dow display apparatus can be utilized properly.
`The preceding and other objects, features, and advantages
`of the present invention will become apparent from the
`following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment
`thereof to be read in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings,
`in which like reference numerals are used to
`identify the same or similar parts in the several views.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a relation between
`a window and an icon in a conventional display apparatus
`for displaying a window image;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`position of a window when a penpoint of an input pen is
`displaced in the lateral direction (left and right direction) in
`the conventional display apparatus for display a window
`image;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram used to eXplain a structure
`of a window in the conventional display apparatus for
`displaying a window image;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`position of the window when the penpoint of the input pen
`is displaced in the longitudinal direction (upper and lower
`direction) in the conventional display apparatus for display-
`ing a window image;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an overall
`arrangement of an embodiment of a portable computer to
`which a display apparatus for displaying a window image of
`the present invention is applied;
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a struc-
`ture of a display screen used in the portable computer shown
`in FIG. 5;
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a struc-
`ture of a fluorescent plate of the display screen shown in
`FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a principle of how to
`detect a position on a tablet constructing the display screen
`of the portable computer shown in FIG. 5 and a principle of
`how to display an image on an LCD;
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical arrange-
`ment of a computer unit of the portable computer shown in
`FIG. 5;
`FIG. 10, which is formed of FIGS. 10A and 10B drawn on
`two sheets of drawings so as to permit the use of a suitably
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`large scale, is a flowchart to which references will be made
`in explaining one portion of a window display operation of
`the portable computer shown in FIGS. 5 to 9;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen in the initial state of the
`portable computer shown in FIGS. 5 through 9;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen when a “printing type” icon is
`touched with a pen;
`FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen when the “printing type” icon
`is dragged from the icon area to the input display area and
`displayed thereon in an enlarged scale;
`FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram used to explain the
`arrangement of the window;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram used to explain a relation
`between the window and the display screen from a position
`standpoint;
`FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the state such
`that the window is protruded from the display screen in the
`left direction;
`FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen when the window display
`position of the “printing type plate” is corrected;
`FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the condition
`such that the window is protruded from the display screen in
`the right direction;
`FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram used to explain a meaning
`of (X;
`FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic diagrams used to
`explain a meaning of [3;
`FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen when the pen is pressed on the
`area in which “printing type” character of the “printing type
`plate” window is displayed and the pen is dragged to the
`lower left side in the pen-down state;
`FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen when the “printing type plate”
`window is protruded from the display screen upon display;
`and
`
`FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed
`content on the display screen when a “tool” icon is dragged
`from the icon area and displayed on the display screen in an
`enlarged scale.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The present invention will now be described with refer-
`ence to the drawings.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of
`the embodiment in which the window image display appa-
`ratus of the present invention is applied to the portable
`computer.
`As shown in FIG. 5, a computer unit 1 has a power switch
`2 which is turned on when this portable computer is in use
`and which is turned off when the portable computer is not in
`use. A brightness control switch 3 is provided on the left of
`the power switch 2 in order to control brightness of a display
`screen 8 (i.e., brightness of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22
`which will be described later). A case 4 is provided on the
`side portion of the computer unit 1 and the case 4 houses
`therein a tablet pen 6 having a switch 7 coupled to the top
`thereof and which is coupled to the computer unit 1 via a
`cord 5 when the tablet pen 6 is not in use. The tablet pen 6
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`can be placed in a slit 10 horizontally formed on the upper
`portion of the computer unit 1 under the condition such that
`it is taken out from the case 4. Aspeaker 9 is disposed at the
`left side portion of the slit 10 so as to emanate a predeter-
`mined sound.
`
`Two switches 11 and 12 are provided on the upper right
`side of the computer unit 1. The switch 11 is a change-over
`switch that switches a brightness of a back-light, which will
`be described later, in two stages, for example. The switch 12
`is a volume change-over switch that switches volume of
`sound generated from the speaker 9 in three stages, for
`example. A switch 13 is a stop switch provided on the left
`side portion of the computer unit 1 and operated to stop a
`predetermined operation (e.g.,
`to disable the speaker 9
`which is emanating a sound). An IC socket (slot) 14 is
`disposed on the left side portion of the computer unit 1 to
`receive a memory (IC) card 70 (see FIG. 5). A socket 15 is
`provided at the rear portion of the computer unit 1 and a
`socket 16 also is disposed in the inside of a battery com-
`partment 1a which is formed on the rear portion of the
`computer unit 1 so as to house a battery 19. These sockets
`15 and 16 are coupled with, for example, RS232C cable, a
`MODEM (modulator and demodulator), other adapters or
`the like. Further, a connection terminal 18 for an AC adapter
`17 is provided on the upper left portion of the computer unit
`1.
`
`An example of the structure of the display screen 8 will
`be described more fully with reference to FIG. 6 forming a
`cross-sectional side view. In this embodiment, as shown in
`FIG. 6, a tablet 21 is provided on the top of the display
`screen 8 and the tablet 21 is comprised of a tablet 21a which
`is used to detect the position in the X axis direction and a
`tablet 21b which is used to detect the position in the Y axis
`direction. An LCD 22 is provided below the tablet 21 and the
`LCD 22 is composed of upper and lower glass plates 22a,
`22b and a liquid crystal 23 sandwiched between the glass
`plates 22a and 22b. A fluorescent plate (EL) 26 is provided
`below the LCD 22. When the fluorescent plate 26 provided
`as the back-light becomes luminous, a light from the fluo-
`rescent plate 26 radiates the LCD 22. The tablets 21a and
`21b are formed of a transparent material so that the user can
`see an image displayed on the liquid crystal 23 from above
`in FIG. 6. A printed circuit board (PCB) 25 incorporates
`therein parts (not shown) and electrically coupled to the
`LCD 22 by means of a rubber connector 24. The printed
`circuit board 25 also is coupled to the tablet 21 by means of
`a conductive film 27.
`
`An example of the structure of the fluorescent plate 26
`will be described more in detail with reference to FIG. 7. In
`
`this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, an insulating film 33
`is disposed between an electrode 31 and a light generating
`unit (i.e., other electrode) 32. The light emitting unit 32 is
`energized by the application of a predetermined voltage to
`the spacing between the electrode 31 and the light emitting
`unit 32. The electrode 31 and the light emitting unit 32 are
`formed as plates and hence can radiate the display screen 8
`uniformly.
`The back-light is not limited to the fluorescent lamp 26
`and other fluorescent lamps might be used. Further, one such
`variant is also possible: A fluorescent lamp is provided on
`the side portion of the computer unit 1 as a side light and a
`light from the fluorescent lamp is transmitted to the rear
`portion of the LCD 22 by means of a light transmitting
`member, thereby radiating the display screen 8.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical connec-
`tion between the tablet 21 and the LCD 22, and to which
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`5,903,268
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`references will be made in explaining principle of how to
`detect the position by the tablet and of how to display an
`image by the LCD.
`it will be seen that the tablet 21
`Referring to FIG. 8,
`includes 512 electrodes in the X axis direction and 342
`electrodes in the Y axis direction, for example, thus making
`it possible to detect 512x342 pixels (picture elements). A
`tablet controller 46 controls a clock generating circuit 45a to
`sequentially apply a predetermined voltage to the 342 elec-
`trodes one by one. Then, the tablet controller 46 controls a
`clock generating circuit 45b to sequentially apply a prede-
`termined voltage to the 512 electrodes. More specifically,
`the tablet 21 is scanned by clocks generated from the clock
`generating circuits 45a and 45b. When the tablet pen 6 is
`moved close to a predetermined position on the tablet 21, a
`predetermined electrostatic capacitance is generated
`between the tablet 21 and the tablet pen 6. Then, when the
`tablet pen 6 presses the tablet 21 with pressure, the switch
`7 disposed at the top of the pen 6 is turned on to detect an
`electric charge generated between the pen 6 and a predeter-
`mined electrode of the tablet 21 and a detected signal is
`supplied to the tablet controller 46 via an amplifier 47.
`Because the tablet controller 46 controls the clock generat-
`ing timing of the clock generating circuits 45a and 45b, it is
`possible to detect the position at which the pen 6 presses the
`tablet 21 by the detected signal supplied from the pen 6 and
`the clock generating timing. The tablet controller 46 supplies
`a central processing unit (CPU) 41 with operation coordinate
`information detected with respect to the pen 6. The CPU 41
`constantly monitors the position (pen-down position) at
`which the switch 7 is turned on by touching the tablet 21
`with the pen 6 with pressure and the position (pen-up
`position) at which the switch 7 is turned off by releasing the
`pen 6 from the tablet 21. That is, an input information is
`received by the pen-down operation and the input informa-
`tion is determined by the pen-up operation.
`The CPU 41 controls an LCD controller 43 to write data
`
`corresponding to an image to be displayed in a memory
`(V—RAM) 44. The LCD controller 43 reads data out of the
`memory 44 and supplies a signal corresponding to the data
`thus read-out to an LCD driver 42b. The LCD 22 includes
`512 electrodes in the horizontal direction and 342 electrodes
`in the vertical direction in association with the tablet 21. An
`
`LCD driver 42a sequentially applies a predetermined volt-
`age to the 342 electrodes one by one, while the LCD driver
`42b sequentially applies a voltage corresponding to image
`data to each of the 512 electrodes. Thus, pixels on the LCD
`22 are respectively scanned to thereby display a predeter-
`mined image on the LCD 22.
`The electrical arrangement of the computer unit 1 will be
`described more fully with reference to FIG. 9.
`As shown in FIG. 9, it will be seen that the CPU 41 is
`coupled to a variety of ICs or the like through a bus line 57.
`A read only memory (ROM) 51 stores therein, in addition to
`a system program for the entirety of this portable computer,
`a Kana-Kanji conversion program for a word processor
`function in the Japanese language, a dictionary table for such
`word processor function, a program for recognizing hand-
`written characters, a dictionary table for such recognition
`program and window display programs which will be
`described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Arandom
`
`access memory (RAM) 52 is a RAM for work area and
`stores therein data necessary for operation at any time. A
`back-up battery 54 (battery different from the foregoing
`battery 19) is connected to a RAM 53 so as to back-up
`necessary data in the RAM 53 even when the power switch
`of the computer unit 1 is turned off. A timer IC 55 is
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`connected to the back-up battery 54 and counts a clock from
`a quartz oscillator 56 to derive data of year, month, day and
`time of the present timing point. The LCD controller 43 and
`the tablet controller 46 also are connected to the CPU 41 via
`the bus line 57.
`
`An audio processor circuit 58 generates a predetermined
`audio signal in response to input from the sockets 14 through
`16 or to an instruction from the CPU 41 and supplies the
`same to an adder 59. An audio memory 61 is controlled by
`the CPU 41 to supply a predetermined audio signal (e.g., an
`alarm sound “What ?”) to the adder 59. The adder 59 adds
`the output signal from the audio processor circuit 58 and the
`output signal from the audio memory 61 and supplies an
`added output signal to the speaker 9 via a sound volume
`controller 60. The volume change-over switch 12 is con-
`nected to the volume controller 60 and the volume is
`
`controlled by operating the volume change-over switch 12.
`The fluorescent plate (back-light unit) 26 is supplied with
`a power from a power supply circuit 64 (this power supply
`circuit 64 is supplied with a power from the battery 19 or the
`AC adapter 17 when the power switch 2 is turned on)
`through an inverter circuit 63. Brightness of the fluorescent
`plate 26 can be switched in two stages (e.g., brightness
`suitable for a bright room and brightness suitable for a dark
`room) by energizing the change-over switch 11 through the
`inverter circuit 63. Apart from the switching of the bright-
`ness of the fluorescent plate 26, brightness of the LCD 22
`can be selected to be a desired value in multiple stages by
`controlling the brightness control switch 3. A switch 65a is
`turned on and off in response to the type of the battery 19
`loaded on the computer unit 1, that is, whether the battery 19
`is a primary battery or a secondary battery. A switch 65b is
`used to detect a capacity of the battery 19 and is turned on
`and off in response to the capacity of the battery 19. These
`switches 65a and 65b or the like are coupled through the
`power supply circuit 64 to an key interface 62. The key
`interface 62 is coupled with the brightness control switch 3,
`the change-over switch 11, the stop switch 13 or the like.
`The key interface 62 supplies signals corresponding to
`on/off states of these switches to the CPU 41.
`
`An IC card 70 is coupled to the socket 14 and the CPU 41
`can receive and transmit data, program or the like from and
`to the IC card 70 through an IC card interface 66. Further,
`an adapter 71 is coupled to the sockets 15 and 16 and
`coupled to the CPU 41 via an extended interface 68.
`FIG. 10 (formed of FIGS. 10A and 10B) shows a flow-
`chart to which references will be made in explaining opera-
`tion of the window display apparatus to which the above-
`mentioned portable computer thus arranged is applied. In the
`initial state of the portable computer, as shown in FIG. 11,
`various icons 84 are displayed on an icon area (standby area)
`82 of the display screen 8.
`Referring to FIG. 10, following the Start of operation, it
`is determined in the next decision step S0 by the CPU 41
`whether or not the icon 84 is placed within the icon area 82.
`If the icon 84 is placed within the icon area 82 as represented
`by a YES at decision step S0, then the processing proceeds
`to the next decision step S1. In decision step S1,
`it
`is
`determined by the CPU 41 whether or not the icon 84 is in
`the pen-down state and is being dragged from the icon area
`82. If the icon 84 is not being dragged from the icon area 84
`as represented by a NO at decision step S1,
`then the
`processing proceeds to step S2, whereat other processing is
`carried out. If the icon 84 is being dragged from the icon area
`82 as represented by a YES at decision step S1, then the
`processing proceeds to step S3, whereat coordinate data of
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`the penpoint is checked by the CPU 41. Then, the CPU 41
`adds an open arrow 84A to the icon 84 which is placed in the
`pen-down state (“printing type” icon in the example of FIG.
`12) so that the user must drag the pen down to a lower input
`display area (data writing area) 86 while the pen remains in
`the pen-down state.
`It is determined in the next decision step S4 by the CPU
`41 whether or not the penpoint of the pen is placed outside
`the icon area 82. If the penpoint is not placed outside of the
`icon area 82 as represented by a NO at decision step S4, then
`the processing proceeds to the next decision step S5. It is
`determined in decision step S5 whether or not the icon 84 is
`displayed in an enlarged scale as a window 84L. If the icon
`84 is not displayed as the window 84L in the enlarged scale
`as represented by a NO at decision step S5,
`then the
`processing of the CPU 41 returns to step S1. If the icon 84
`is displayed as the window 84L in the enlarged scale as
`represented by a YES at decision step S5, then the process-
`ing of the CPU 41 proceeds to the next step S6, whereat the
`enlarged display of the icon 84 is stopped and then the
`enlarged icon is returned to the icon-displayed state. This
`processing is the same as the processing in which the icon
`84 is temporarily dragged from the icon area 82 and then
`returned again to the icon area 82.
`If it is determined in decision step S4 by the CPU 41 that
`the penpoint is placed outside the icon area 82, then the
`processing of the CPU 41 proceeds to the next decision step
`S7. It is determined in decision step S7 by the CPU 41
`whether or not the icon 84 is displayed in the enlarged scale
`(i.e., displayed as the window 84L). If the icon 84 is not
`displayed in the enlarged scale as represented by a NO at
`decision step S7, then the processing of the CPU 41 pro-
`ceeds to the next step S8, whereat the icon 84 is enlarged and
`displayed as the window 84L (see FIG. 13) and then the icon
`state of the window is stopped. Having detected in decision
`step S7 that the icon 84 is displayed in the enlarged scale or
`having finished the step S8, the processing of the CPU 41
`proceeds to step S9, whereat the window 84L is moved so
`that the coordinate of the present penpoint is placed at the
`position of half of the horizontal direction distance,
`i.e.
`width Wn of the icon displayed in the enlarged scale, i.e., the
`window 84L. See FIG. 14 This means that the center of the
`
`window 84L (point 84C which will be described later with
`reference to FIG. 13) becomes an action point H about
`which the entirety of the window 84L is moved in accor-
`dance with the movement of the pen. In that case, if the
`position of the icon displayed in the enlarged scale, i.e., the
`window 84L is not changed yet, then the drawing of the
`picture will be omitted.
`FIG. 13 shows that the “printing type” icon 84 is dragged
`from the icon area 82 to the input display area 86 under the
`pen-down state and then displayed as a window 84L of
`“printing type plate” in an enlarged scale. At that time, the
`CPU 41 displays only the c