Method and system for splitting a display zone of a screen, and computer program product

Abstract

A system for splitting a display zone of a screen is installed in an electronic device having a screen, and includes a detecting module for detecting screen pixels. A splitting processor receives a splitting instruction containing a splitting number n, and splits the display zone into a main display region and a number (n−1) of extension display regions. A total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone equals the number of width pixels of the screen. A total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone equals the number of height pixels of the screen. A display module displays two or more operating interfaces, files, and/or pages of at least one application in the main and extension display regions, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for splitting a display zone of a screen, comprising the following steps:
 detecting a number of pixels p 0 ×q 0  of the screen; 
 receiving a first splitting instruction, wherein the first splitting instruction is generated through operating one of a physical key and a virtual key once, and the first splitting instruction contains a preset splitting number n 1 , where n i =2; 
 splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n 1 −1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n 1 , wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 ; 
 displaying first content in the main display region and displaying second content in one extension display region;  
 receiving an activate option instruction, wherein the activate option instruction is generated through operating one of the physical key and the virtual key twice in succession; 
 providing a selection dialog box interface in response to receipt of the activate option instruction, the selection dialog box interface listing a plurality of selections for selection, wherein the plurality of selections comprise one or more of (a) operating interfaces open applications, (b) open files, and (c) open pages of open applications; 
 receiving a second splitting instruction through the selection dialog box interface, the second splitting instruction containing a splitting number n n 2 , the second splitting instruction identifying one two or more selections of the plurality of selections, wherein the one two or more selections were selected through the selection dialog box interface; 
 splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n−1) (n 2 −1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n i=2˜n 2 , wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 , and a total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 ; and 
 displaying the one or more selections in the main and extension display regions, respectively 
 displaying one of the selections in the main display region and displaying another of the selections in one extension display region according to the second splitting instruction, 
 wherein the first and second content displayed according to the first splitting instruction are identified according to the following logic: detecting if an active file contains a plurality of pages; and if so, displaying one of the pages in the main display region and displaying another of the pages in one extension display region, 
 wherein the logic for identifying the first and second content displayed according to the first splitting instruction further comprises: if the active file does not contain a plurality of pages, detecting if a plurality of files of an active application are opened; and if so, displaying one of the files opened in the active application in the main display region and displaying another of the files opened in the active application in one extension display region; and if not, displaying the active application in the main display region and displaying a most recently opened application in one extension display region. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the activate option instruction is generated through operating one of a physical key and a virtual key twice in succession. 
     
     
       3. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the selection dialog box interface further lists settable options that are associated with displaying states. 
     
     
       4. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the splitting instruction is generated through operating one of a physical key and a virtual key once, and the splitting instruction contains a preset splitting number n, where n=2. 
     
     
       5. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the splitting number n contained in the splitting instruction is preset to be 2, and the display zone is split into the main display region and one extension display region, further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a third splitting instruction, wherein the third splitting instruction contains a preset splitting number n 3 , where n 3 =2; 
 splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n 3 −1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n 3 , wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 ; 
 wherein the main and extension display regions displaying identical contents, the content displayed in the extension display region being rotated 180 degrees relative to that displayed in the main display zone. 
 
     
     
       6. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 5 , wherein rotating of the content in the extension display region for display is activated upon receipt of the third splitting instruction associated with is generated by detection of an angle of placement of the screen being substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       7. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of receiving an adjusting instruction to alter values of p or q of the adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions, the adjusting instruction being generated through detecting that a position of a cursor corresponds to adjoining borders of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions, causing the cursor to change to a symbol indicating adjustability of positions of the adjoining borders, detecting a position of the symbol, and generating the adjusting instruction based on change in the position of the symbol. 
     
     
       8. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to providing a selection dialog box interface, identifying one or more default selections for display; wherein the one or more default selections are identified according to the following logic:
 detecting if an active file contains a plurality of pages; and if so,   displaying the plurality of pages respectively in the main and extension display regions; and if not,   detecting if a plurality of files of the active application are opened; and if so,   displaying the plurality of files of the active application in the main and extension display regions, respectively; and if not,   displaying the active application and a most recently opened application in the main and extension display regions, respectively.   
     
     
       9. A system for splitting a display zone of a screen, said system being adapted for installation in an electronic device having a the screen and comprising:
 a detecting module for detecting pixels p 0 ×q 0  of the screen of the electronic device, wherein the detecting module comprises a first input terminal coupled to the screen of the electronic device and a first output terminal; 
 a splitting processor connected to the first output terminal of said detecting module for receiving a splitting instruction instructions containing a splitting number n and for splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n−1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n, wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 , and a total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to g 0 ; 
 an input module for inputting of the splitting instruction by a user, said input module including:
 one of a physical key adapted to be provided on a surface of the electronic device and a virtual key displayed on the screen, and 
 a selection dialog box interface for display on the screen, said selection dialog box interface listing a plurality of selections for selection, wherein 
 the plurality of selections comprise one or more of (a) operating interfaces open applications, (b) open files, and (c) open pages of open applications, and 
 the splitting instruction identifies one or more selections of the plurality of selections, wherein the one or more selections were selected through the selection dialog box; and 
 
 a display module for connection with the screen and said splitting processor, and for displaying the one or more selections in the main and extension display regions, respectively comprising a second input terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the second input terminal is coupled to said splitting processor, and the second output terminal is coupled to the screen of the electronic device, 
 wherein a first splitting instruction is generated through operating one of the physical key and the virtual key once by a user, and the first splitting instruction contains a preset first value for the splitting number n, where n=2, wherein the display module is configured to display first content in the main display region and second content in one extension display region according to the first splitting instruction, 
 wherein the selection dialog box interface is provided through operating one of the physical key and the virtual key twice in succession, 
 wherein a second splitting instruction is generated by the user through the selection dialog box interface, the second splitting instruction containing a second value of the splitting number n and identifying two or more selections of the plurality of selections for display, wherein the two or more selections were selected through the selection dialog box interface, and wherein the display module is configured to display one of the selections in the main display region and display another of the selections in one extension display region, 
 wherein the first and second content displayed according to the first splitting instruction are identified according to the following logic: detecting if an active file contains a plurality of pages; and if so, displaying one of the pages in the main display region and displaying another of the pages in one extension display region, 
 wherein the logic for identifying the first and second content displayed according to the first splitting instruction further comprises: if the active file does not contain a plurality of pages, detecting if a plurality of files of an active application are opened; and if so, displaying one of the files opened in the active application in the main display region and displaying another of the files opening in the active application in one extension display region; and if not, displaying the active application in the main display region and displaying a most recently opened application in one extension display region. 
 
     
     
       10. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 9 , further comprising, prior to including the selection dialogue box interface for display on the screen, identifying one or more default selections for display, wherein the one or more default selections are identified according to the following logic:
 detecting if an active file contains a plurality of pages; and if so,   displaying the plurality of pages respectively in the main and extension display regions; and if not,   detecting if a plurality of files of the active application are opened; and if so,   displaying the plurality of files of the active application in the main and extension display regions, respectively; and if not,   displaying the active application and a most recently opened application in the main and extension display regions, respectively.   
     
     
       11. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 9 , wherein the selection dialog box interface further lists settable options in the applications, which are associated with displaying states. 
     
     
       12. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 9 , wherein said detecting module further detects if an angle of placement of the screen is substantially horizontal;, and if so, the splitting number n contained in the splitting instruction received by said splitting processor is preset to be 2, a third splitting instruction is generated, wherein the third splitting instruction contains a preset third value for the splitting number n, where n=2, and the display zone is split into the main display region and one extension display region by the splitting processor according to the third splitting instruction, and the display module displays identical contents in the main and extension display regions displaying identical contents, with the content displayed in the extension display region being rotated 180 degrees relative to that displayed in the main display zone. 
     
     
       13. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to  claim 9 , further comprising an adjusting module connected to said detecting module and said splitting processor, said detecting module transmitting information to said adjusting module upon detecting that a position of a cursor corresponds to adjoining borders of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions, said adjusting module controlling change of the cursor to a symbol indicating adjustability of positions of the adjoining borders in response to the information transmitted thereto, said adjusting module generating an adjusting instruction based on subsequent change in the position of the symbol as determined by said adjusting module from the information transmitted by said detecting module and transmitting the adjusting instruction to said splitting processor, said splitting processor altering values of p or q of the adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions based on the adjusting instruction. 
     
     
       14. A non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium comprising program instructions for causing a computer to execute a method for splitting a display zone of a screen of the computer, the method comprising:
 detecting a number of pixels p 0 ×q 0  of the screen; 
 receiving a first splitting instruction, wherein the first splitting instruction is generated through operating one of a physical key and a virtual key once, and the first splitting instruction contains a preset splitting number n 1 , where n 1 =2; 
 splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n 1 −1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n 1 , wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 ; 
 displaying first content in the main display region and second content in one extension display region;  
 receiving an activate option instruction, wherein the activate option instruction is generated through operating one of the physical key and the virtual key twice in succession; 
 providing a selection dialog box interface in response to receipt of the activate option instruction, the selection dialog box interface listing a plurality of selections for selection, wherein the plurality of selections comprise one or more of (a) operating interfaces open applications, (b) open files, and (c) open pages of open applications; 
 receiving a second splitting instruction through the selection dialog box interface, the second splitting instruction containing a splitting number n n 2 , the second splitting instruction identifying one two or more selections of the plurality of selections, wherein the one two or more selections were selected through the selection dialog box interface; 
 splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n−1) (n 2 −1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n i=2˜n 2 , wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 , and a total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 ; and 
 displaying the one or more selections in the main and extension display regions, respectively 
 displaying one of the selections in the main display region, and displaying another of the selections in one extension display region according to the second splitting instruction, 
 wherein the first and second content displayed according to the first splitting instruction are identified according to the following logic: detecting if an active file contains a plurality of pages; and if so, displaying one of the pages in the main display region and displaying another of the pages in one extension display region, 
 wherein the logic for identifying the first and second content displayed according to the first splitting instruction further comprises: if the active file does not contain a plurality of pages, detecting if a plurality of files of an active application are opened; and if so, displaying one of the files opened in the active application in the main display region and displaying another of the files opened in the active application in one extension display region; and if not, displaying the active application in the main display region and displaying a most recently opened application in one extension display region. 
 
     
     
       15. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium according to  claim 14 , wherein the splitting number n contained in the splitting instruction is preset to be 2, and the display zone is split into the main display region and one extension display region, the method further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a third splitting instruction, wherein the third splitting instruction contains a preset splitting number n 3 , where n 3 =2; 
 splitting the display zone of the screen into a main display region having p 1 ×q 1  pixels, and a number (n 3 −1) of extension display regions, each having p i ×q i  pixels, where i=2˜n 3 , wherein a total number of width pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from left to right of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to p 0 ; 
 wherein the main and extension display regions displaying identical contents, the content displayed in the extension display region being rotated 180 degrees relative to that displayed in the main display zone. 
 
     
     
       16. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 1, wherein a total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       17. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 16, wherein the screen is divided into the main display region and one or more extension regions vertically, and a total number of height pixels of the main display region from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q0, and a total number of height pixels of each of the extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q0.  
     
     
       18. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 9, wherein a total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       19. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 18, wherein the screen is divided into the main display region and one or more extension regions vertically, and a total number of height pixels of the main display region from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 , and a total number of height pixels of each of the extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium according to claim 14, wherein a total number of height pixels of adjacent ones of the main and extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       21. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 16, wherein the screen is divided into the main display region and one or more extension regions horizontally, and a total number of height pixels of the main display region from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen added to a total number of height pixels of each of the extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       22. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 18, wherein the screen is divided into the main display region and one or more extension regions horizontally, and a total number of height pixels of the main display region from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen added to a total number of height pixels of each of the extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       23. The system for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 20, wherein the screen is divided into the main display region and one or more extension regions vertically, and a total number of height pixels of the main display region from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 , and a total number of height pixels of each of the extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       24. The method for splitting a display zone of a screen according to claim 20, wherein the screen is divided into the main display region and one or more extension regions horizontally, and a total number of height pixels of the main display region from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen added to a total number of height pixels of each of the extension display regions from top to bottom of the display zone of the screen is substantially equal to q 0 .  
     
     
       25. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium according to claim 15, wherein the third splitting instruction is generated by detection of an angle of placement of the screen being substantially horizontal.