A conventional peripheral device of a programmable controller has a problem that the frequency of data communications between the PC and the peripheral device and between the peripheral device and a display increases and the updating rate of results of monitoring processes lowers so much as the number of programs for execution of monitoring processes increases.In view of the above, according to the invention, there are provided display means on which a plurality of windows are displayed; input means for specifying an arbitrary one of the plurality of windows; and managing means for outputting, to a programmable controller that is to display a processing result of a monitoring process to the specified window, monitoring request data for execution of the monitoring process, and for receiving a processing result of the monitoring process that is based on the monitoring request data. A processing result of the monitoring process that is output from the programmable controller and input via the managing means is displayed in the window that was specified by the input means.

A software application system and method to aid in rapid graphical user interface (GUI) development in object-oriented development environments where sub-classing (buttons, list boxes, edit controls, etc.) provided by the compiler or a GUI toolkit are not appropriate. While the invention was motivated by the environment stated above, it can be used in any object-oriented GUI programming environment. This invention provides a method for adding functionality to native controls including, but not limited to: initializing the control with data or other settings; retrieving data from the control; formatting the data; validating the data entered; storing validated data in files or databases; handling multiple controls to create the illusion of a single control; and, establishing relationships between controls. The inventive system and method comprises a set of building blocks referred to as control enhancers, each including a data storage, a data initializer, a data finalizer, and means for maintaining and acting upon control relationships between the control enhancer and other control enhancers for related controls.

An improved computer display device is disclosed. The improved computer display device comprises a display monitor and at least one display module each containing their own desktop real estate and each lined with a series of male and female couplers containing electrical connections is disclosed. When the couplers are connected, they are capable of supporting the weight of the display module when attached to the display monitor. The couplers allow information to be transmitted back and forth between the display module and the display monitor, and allow the modules to be connected in various configurations. The display monitor and display module communication allows the icons, programs, applications and cursor on the desktop to be positioned anywhere on the improved display device.

Device for processing of information, which device comprises a processor and, connected to the processor, a reading unit for electronic reading of information on a surface, which is provided with a position code which codes a plurality of positions on the surface. The device reads the position code, associates a position code for coded positions within a value area defined on the surface with values in a set of values which includes a plurality of values, and initiates the generation of a control signal whose level is related to a value associated with a read-off position code. Method for processing of position data obtained from said surface. According to the method, the position code is read for a coded position which lies within the value area; the value in the set of values which is associated with the read-off coded position is determined; and the generation of a control signal is initiated, the level of which control signal is related to the determined value. Computer program for processing of position data in accordance with the method, and a product which comprises a surface of the above-mentioned type. Elected for publication: FIG. 1.

A method of implementing a plurality of system tray areas is disclosed, wherein each system tray area is defined with a particular size and used for displaying a plurality of registered icons to enable a user to select one icon to execute a corresponding system tray function, a first system tray area having a size that is larger than the size of a second system tray area. The method includes: initiating installation of an operating system in a computer system, wherein the computer system has a shell program, the shell program being used for interpreting and executing a command given from a user of the operating system; calling the shell program; and executing the shell program to enable a display of the computer system to display at least two system tray areas.