Data processing system utilizing discrete operating device

• US 20020122064A1
• Filed: 02/04/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yamakado, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 6,806,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/766
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Interface screen 30 is displayed on display 3 of data processing system 1; interface screen 30 is a composite screen of an interface screen of open Layer L1 on which data processing operations are available for general use, and an interface screen of closed layer L2 to which access is restricted to designated users. Identification data ID transmitted from pen-form operating device 2 is received in receiving part 15 of data processing system 1. When a position is selected by contacting an area on touch panel 3b with an operating device, the contacted position is detected by touch panel 3b. CPU 10 determines whether identification data ID stored in ROM 12 is received. CPU 10, on the basis of this determination result, selects both or either of layers L1 and/or L2. When a position is detected by touch panel 3b, CPU 10 executes a data processing operation corresponding to a detected position on selected layer(s). Accordingly, it is possible to easily and effectively restrict, on a user basis, access to operations within a restricted data layer.

Claims

1. A data processor comprising:

a displaying means for displaying an interface screen on which images are generated, with each image corresponding to a data processing operation executed in one of a plurality of data layers, and selection of one of which enables a user to execute a corresponding predetermined operation;

a discrete operating device for selecting a position corresponding to a particular image on said interface screen, and for transmitting identification data;

a position detecting means for detecting a position selected by using an operating device;

a storage means for storing identification data;

a receiving means for receiving identification data;

a determining means for determining whether or not identification data stored in said storage means is received by said receiving means;

a data layer selecting means for selecting, on the basis of a determination result output from said determining means, one or more of said plurality of data layers; and

a data processing means for carrying out data processing in a data layer selected by said data layer selecting means, said data layer in which said data processing operation is executed being determined by a position detected by said position detecting means.

2. A data processor as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said discrete operating device continuously transmits identification data;

said determining means continuously determines whether said identification data stored in said storage means is received by said receiving means;

said data layer selecting means selects, on the basis of a determination result output from said determining means, one ore more of said plurality of data layers, when a position corresponding to a predetermined data processing operation is detected by said position detecting means.

3. A data processor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said displaying means displays said interface screen by generating images in which one or more operating icons are arranged, with each of said one or more operating icons corresponding to a data processing operation executed in each of said plurality of data layers.

4. A data processor as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising:

a storage means for storing data of one or more data layer in which a data processing operation under said data processing means'"'"' execution belongs; and

a saving means for selectively and automatically saving data of said one or more data layers stored by said storage means.

5. A control method for a data processing system, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying on a display means an interface screen on which images are generated, with each image corresponding to a data processing operation executed in one of a plurality of data layers, and selection of one of which enables a user to execute a corresponding predetermined data operation;

detecting by a position detecting means within said interface screen a position selected by using a discrete operating device;

receiving identification data in a receiving means;

determining whether identification data stored in a storage means is received by said receiving means;

selecting, on the basis of a determination result of said determining step, one or more of said plurality of data layers; and

executing a data processing operation in a data layer selected in said data layer selecting step, with said data layer in which said data processing operation is executed being determined by a position detected in said position detecting step.

6. A control method for a data processing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said determining step includes continuously determining whether said identification data stored in said storage means is received by said receiving means;

said data layer selecting step includes selecting one or more of said plurality of data layers on the basis of a result of said determining step, when a position corresponding to a predetermined data processing operation is detected by said position detecting means.

7. A control method for a data processing system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said displaying step includes displaying an interface screen by generating images in which one or more operating icons are arranged, with each of said one or more operating icons corresponding to a data processing operation executed in each of said plurality of data layers.

8. A control method for a data processing system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, said method further comprising:

a storing step of storing data of one or more of said plurality of data layers within which a data processing operation is being executed; and

a saving step of selectively and automatically saving data of said one or more of plurality of data layers stored in said storing step.

9. A control program product for a computer for executing the processes of:

displaying on a display means an interface screen on which images are generated, each image corresponding to a data processing operation executed in one of a plurality of data layers, and selection of one of which enables a user to execute a corresponding predetermined data processing operation;

detecting by a position detecting means within said interface screen a position selected by using a discrete operating device;

receiving identification data in a receiving means;

determining whether identification data stored in a storage means is received by said receiving means;

selecting, on the basis of a determination result of said determining step, one or more of said plurality of data layers; and

executing a data processing operation in a data layer selected in said data layer selecting process, with said data layer in which said data processing operation is executed being determined by a position detected in said position detecting process.

10. A control program product as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said determining process includes continuously determining whether identification data stored in said storage means is received by said receiving means;

said data layer selecting process includes selecting one or more of said plurality of data layers on the basis of a result of said determining process, when a position corresponding to a predetermined data processing operation is detected by said position detecting means.

11. A control program product for a computer as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein:

said displaying process includes displaying an interface screen by generating images in which one or more operating icons are arranged, with each of said one or more operating icons corresponding to a data processing operation executed in each of a plurality of said data layers.

12. A control program product for a computer as claimed in claim 9 or 10, for executing:

a storing process of storing data of one or more of said plurality of data layer within which a data processing operation is being executed; and

a saving process of selectively and automatically saving data of said one or more of plurality of data layers stored in said storing process.

14. A computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 13, in which a control program is recorded, said control program comprising:

said determining process including continuously determining whether identification data stored in said storage means is received by said receiving means;

said data layer selecting process including selecting one or more of said plurality of data layers on the basis of a result of said determining process, when a position corresponding to a predetermined data processing operation is detected by said position detecting means.

15. A computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 13 or 14, in which there is recorded a control program, said control program comprising said displaying process including displaying an interface screen by generating images on which one or more operating icons are arranged, with each of said one or more operating icons corresponding to a processing operation belonging to one or other of said data layers.

16. A computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 13 or 14, in which a control program is recorded for a computer to further execute:

a storing process of storing data of one or more of said plurality of data layer within which a data processing operation is being executed; and

a saving process of selectively and automatically saving data of said one or more of plurality of data layers stored in said storing process.

13. A computer-readable recording medium that has recorded a control program for causing a computer execute the processes of:

displaying on a display means an interface screen on which images are generated, each of said images corresponding to a data processing operation executed in one of a plurality of data layers, and selection of one of which enables a execute a corresponding predetermined data processing operation;

detecting by a position detecting means within said interface screen a position selected by using an operating device;

receiving identification data in a receiving means;

determining whether identification data stored in a storage means is received by said receiving means;

selecting, on the basis of a determination result of said determining process, one or more of said plurality of data layers; and

executing a data processing operation in a data layer selected in said data layer selecting process, with said data layer in which said data processing operation is executed being determined by a position detected in said position detecting process.