JP2013003668A - Menu selection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a menu selection device which enables a user to select a desired menu without taking lots of time and labor even when the user memorizes classifications of a menu ambiguously.SOLUTION: The menu selection device includes a menu screen generation part 2 for generating a menu screen where buttons corresponding to large classifications of the whole stored by a classification storage part 1 and buttons corresponding to small classifications set to the classification selectable at present are arrayed and some small classifications not set to the classification selectable at present are displayed, and an input position determination part 6 for receiving selection of an optional button from the buttons within the menu screen displayed at a display device 4 using an input unit 5.

Description

  The present invention relates to a menu selection device that can quickly select a desired menu from among many menus.

The menu selection device displays a menu screen on which buttons corresponding to selectable menus are arranged, and accepts selection of a desired button.
However, if the number of menus is large, buttons corresponding to all menus may not fit in one menu screen.
For example, in the menu screen shown in FIG. 17, buttons corresponding to the menus “items A1 to A7”, “items B1 to B8”, and “items C1 to C5” are arranged, but “items D1 to D3” are arranged. Are not fully arranged.

Therefore, when the number of menus is large, the menus are classified into two layers as shown in FIG. 18, and the initial menu screen corresponds to the menus A to F in the first layer as shown in FIG. The button to be displayed is displayed.
At this time, for example, when a button corresponding to the menu A is selected on the initial menu screen, buttons corresponding to the second-level menus “items A1 to A7” belonging to the menu A are displayed.
As a result, if the desired menu is any of “items A1 to A7”, the desired menu can be selected. However, if the desired menu is item B3, the desired menu is selected. Since it is not possible to select the button corresponding to the menu B after returning to the initial menu screen, the button corresponding to the menu “items B1 to B8” in the second hierarchy belonging to the menu B is selected. Need to be displayed.

  Therefore, if the user has a clear understanding of the menu classification, the user can easily select the desired menu without going back and forth between the hierarchies, but the user is uncertain about the menu classification. Therefore, it is assumed that the number of times of going back and forth between the hierarchies increases, and it takes a lot of trouble to select a desired menu.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a menu selection device that can select a desired menu without going back and forth between layers.
In this menu selection device, after displaying a menu screen of a certain lower layer, even if the desired menu is not included in the menu screen, the menu selection device does not return to the upper layer, but belongs to the same lower layer by cursor operation. The display can be switched to the adjacent classification menu screen.

JP-A-11-126147 (FIG. 3)

Since the conventional menu selection apparatus is configured as described above, when a desired menu is not included in a menu screen of a certain lower hierarchy, the display is switched to the menu screen of the adjacent classification belonging to the same lower hierarchy. However, there is a problem that the display cannot be switched to the menu screen other than the adjacent classification, and it takes a lot of time to select a desired menu.
In addition, menu screen display operations and menu selection operations are limited to operations using a cursor, and there is a problem that the operation cannot be performed using a mouse or a touch panel.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and even when the user memorizes the menu classification vaguely, a desired menu can be selected without much trouble. The object is to obtain a menu selection device.

  The menu selection device according to the present invention includes a large category of selectable menus and a classification storage unit that stores a plurality of small categories belonging to the large category, and all the large categories stored by the classification storage unit. Displays a menu screen in which the corresponding buttons and buttons corresponding to the sub-classes that are currently set to the selectable category are arranged, and some sub-categories that are not set to the currently selectable category are displayed. A menu screen display means, a selection acceptance means for accepting selection of an arbitrary button from the buttons in the menu screen displayed by the menu screen display means, and a button corresponding to the large classification by the selection acceptance means. If accepted, selectable category setting means for setting the minor category belonging to the major category corresponding to the button to the selectable category, and an array on the menu screen. A menu screen updating unit that updates a button corresponding to the sub-category to a button corresponding to the sub-category set in the selectable category by the selectable category setting unit, and the selection result output unit is operated by the selection receiving unit When selection of a button corresponding to the small category arranged on the menu screen is accepted, a selection result signal indicating that the small category corresponding to the button has been selected is output.

  According to this invention, the selectable menu major classification and the classification storage means for storing a plurality of minor classifications belonging to the major classification, and the buttons corresponding to all the major classifications stored by the classification storage means And a menu screen that displays a menu screen in which buttons corresponding to the subcategories that are set to the currently selectable category are arranged and some of the subcategories that are not set to the currently selectable category are displayed. The selection means for accepting the selection of an arbitrary button from the buttons in the menu screen displayed by the display means and the menu screen display means, and the selection of the button corresponding to the large classification is accepted by the selection acceptance means. Selectable category setting means for setting the minor category belonging to the major category corresponding to the button as a selectable category, and the minor category arranged on the menu screen. And a menu screen updating means for updating the corresponding button to a button corresponding to the small category set in the selectable category by the selectable category setting means, and the selection result output means is arranged on the menu screen by the selection receiving means. When the selection of the button corresponding to the selected small category is accepted, the selection result signal indicating that the small category corresponding to the button is selected is output, so the user is ambiguous about the menu classification. Even when stored in the memory, there is an effect that a desired menu can be selected without much trouble.

It is a block diagram which shows the menu selection apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the menu selection apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a production | generation of an initial menu screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows a menu screen in case menu A which is a large classification is a selection state, and menu "item A1-A7" which is a small classification which belongs to menu A is a selectable classification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a menu screen in case menu B which is a large classification is a selection state, and menu "item B1-B8" which is a small classification which belongs to menu B is a selectable classification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a menu screen in case menu C which is a large classification is a selection state, and menu "item C1-C5" which is a small classification which belongs to menu C is a selectable classification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a menu screen in case the menu D which is a large classification is a selection state, and the menu "item D1-D4" which is a small classification which belongs to the menu D is a selectable classification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a menu screen in case menu E which is a large classification is a selection state, and menu "item E1-E3" which is a small classification which belongs to menu E is a selectable classification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a menu screen in case menu F which is a large classification is a selection state, and menu "item F1-F6" which is a small classification which belongs to menu F is a selectable classification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where the button corresponding to all the small classifications can be displayed even when arranging just under the large classification of a selection state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where it becomes impossible to display the button corresponding to some small classifications when arranging just under the large classification of a selection state. It is explanatory drawing which shows the calculation method of the display position of the button corresponding to a small classification. It is a block diagram which shows the menu selection apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the menu selection apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the execution result of a command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the menu screen on which the apparatus corresponding to a small classification is drawn. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where the button corresponding to all the menus cannot be included in one menu screen since there are many menus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the tree structure of the menu classified into 2 layers. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a switching of the menu screen in the conventional menu selection apparatus.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a menu selection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the category storage unit 1 includes a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk, and stores a plurality of small categories belonging to the major category in addition to a major category of selectable menus. The classification storage unit 1 constitutes a classification storage unit.
In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the classification storage unit 1 stores a menu tree structure as shown in FIG.
In the example of FIG. 18, the first layer corresponds to a large menu category, and the second layer corresponds to a small menu category.

The menu screen generation unit 2 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted or a one-chip microcomputer. The menu screen generation unit 2 is divided into all major classifications (classification of the first layer) stored in the classification storage unit 1. The corresponding buttons and the buttons corresponding to the sub-classes that are set to the currently selectable class (second level class) are arranged, and some sub-classes that are not set to the currently selectable class are displayed. Implement the process to generate the menu screen.
The display control unit 3 is configured by, for example, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and performs a process of displaying the menu screen generated by the menu screen generation unit 2 on the display 4.
The display device 4 corresponds to, for example, a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and displays a menu screen or the like.
The menu screen display unit 2, the display control unit 3, and the display 4 constitute menu screen display means.

The input unit 5 is a man-machine interface equipped with a mouse and a keyboard in addition to a touch panel attached to the display 4.
The input position determination unit 6 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted or a one-chip microcomputer, and the input position by the input unit 5 (for example, the position on the touch panel touched by the user, The position on the cursor) is compared with the display position of the button on the menu screen displayed on the display 4, and if there is a button that includes the input position in the display position, the selection of the button is accepted. Perform the process.
The input unit 5 and the input position determination unit 6 constitute selection accepting means.

The selectable category setting unit 7 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted or a one-chip microcomputer. When the input position determination unit 6 receives selection of a button corresponding to a large category, The major classification corresponding to the button is set to the selected state, and a process of setting a plurality of minor classifications belonging to the major classification to a selectable classification is performed.
The selection state storage unit 8 is constituted by a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk, for example. The selection state storage unit 8 stores the large classification set in the selection state by the selectable category setting unit 7 and can be selected by the selectable category setting unit 7. A plurality of small classifications set to are stored.
The selectable category setting unit 7 and the selection state storage unit 8 constitute selectable category setting means.

The menu screen update unit 9 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, a one-chip microcomputer, or the like, and buttons corresponding to the small categories arranged on the menu screen are displayed by the selection state storage unit 8. A process of updating to buttons corresponding to a plurality of stored small classifications is performed.
That is, the menu screen update unit 9 calculates the display positions on the menu screen of the buttons corresponding to the plurality of small classifications stored in the selection state storage unit 8, and displays the buttons on the menu screen according to the calculation result. Perform the process. The menu screen update unit 9 constitutes a menu screen update unit.

  The selection result output unit 10 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted or a one-chip microcomputer. The input position determination unit 6 receives selection of a button corresponding to the small classification, and the button If the corresponding minor category is the minor category of the selectable category stored in the selection state storage unit 8, a process of outputting a selection result signal indicating that the minor category corresponding to the button has been selected is performed. . The selection result output unit 10 constitutes a selection result output unit.

In the example of FIG. 1, a classification storage unit 1, a menu screen generation unit 2, a display control unit 3, a display unit 4, an input unit 5, an input position determination unit 6, and a selectable classification setting unit 7 that are components of the menu selection device. The selection state storage unit 8, the menu screen update unit 9, and the selection result output unit 10 are assumed to be configured by dedicated hardware, but all or part of the menu selection device is configured by a computer. May be.
For example, when all of the menu selection devices are configured by a computer, the classification storage unit 1, the menu screen generation unit 2, the display control unit 3, the display 4, the input unit 5, the input position determination unit 6, the selectable classification setting unit 7. A program describing the processing contents of the selection state storage unit 8, the menu screen update unit 9, and the selection result output unit 10 is stored in the memory of the computer, and the program stored in the memory by the CPU of the computer is stored. It should be executed.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the menu selection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Next, the operation will be described.
When the menu selection device is activated, the menu screen generator 2 generates an initial menu screen (step ST1 in FIG. 2).
That is, the menu screen generation unit 2 has buttons corresponding to all of the large categories (menus A, B, C,..., F) stored in the category storage unit 1 as shown in FIG. Generate an initial menu screen.
In addition, the menu screen generation unit 2 refers to the stored contents of the selection state storage unit 8 to identify the minor category set to the currently selectable category, and the buttons corresponding to the minor category are arranged. Create an initial menu screen.
At the time of starting the menu selection device, no major classification is selected, but for the sake of convenience, the selection state storage unit 8 is initially set as one of the major classifications selected.
In the example of FIG. 3, since the menu B that is a large category is initially set, an initial menu screen on which buttons corresponding to the menus “items B1 to B8” that are the small categories belonging to the menu B are arranged. Is generated.

The menu screen generation unit 2 also includes menus “items A1 to A7” adjacent to the menus “items B1 to B8” belonging to the menu B among the small categories that are not set as currently selectable categories. A menu screen is generated in which areas where menus “items C1 to C5” are displayed (hereinafter referred to as “non-selected small classification areas”) are generated.
In the example of FIG. 3, since there are many menus “items B1 to B8” belonging to the menu B, the menus “items A1 to A7” and the menu “items” are set as the small categories that are not set to the currently selectable categories. “C1 to C5” only, but if the number of subcategories belonging to menu B is small and the display area of the subcategory is small, the subcategory that is not set as a currently selectable category In addition, menus “items D1 to D4” and the like are also displayed. That is, as many subcategories as possible are displayed on the menu screen.

When the menu screen generator 2 generates the initial menu screen, the display controller 3 displays the menu screen on the display 4 (step ST2).
As described above, when the menu screen is displayed on the display device 4, the user can select the menu.
That is, when the user touches a button corresponding to a large classification (buttons indicated as A, B, C,..., F), the large classification corresponding to the button can be selected.
When the user touches a button corresponding to a small category (in the example of FIG. 3, buttons indicated as item B1, item B2,..., Item B8), the small category corresponding to the button is selected. can do.

When the user touches the menu screen displayed on the display unit 4, the input unit 5 outputs input position information (coordinates in the menu screen) indicating the position touched by the user to the input position determination unit 6. (Step ST3).
When the input position information is received from the input unit 5, the input position determination unit 6 is touched by the user indicated by the input position information, and the display position of the button in the menu screen displayed on the display 4. Are compared to determine whether the user is touching a button corresponding to the large classification, a non-selected small classification area, or a button corresponding to the small classification (steps ST4, ST5, ST6).

The input position determination unit 6 needs to recognize the button in the menu screen and the display position of the non-selected small classification area when performing the above comparison process. Among the buttons in the menu screen, Since the buttons corresponding to the large classification are always displayed at the same position (in the example of FIG. 3, the upper part of the menu screen), the buttons corresponding to the large classification (menus A, B, C,..., F) are provided in advance. It is assumed that the button display position is set in the input position determination unit 6.
On the other hand, since the display position of the button corresponding to the small classification or the non-selected small classification area is dynamically changed according to the selection state of the classification, the input position determination unit 6 calculates the display position according to the selection state of the classification. To do. Alternatively, the display position calculated by the menu screen generation unit 2 or the menu screen update unit 9 is acquired.
A method for calculating the display position of the button corresponding to the small classification will be described later.

If the user touches the button corresponding to the large classification, the input position determination unit 6 accepts the selection of the button touched by the user, and selects the button identification information indicating the button to the selectable classification setting unit 7. Output. For example, if the button touched by the user is menu A, button identification information indicating menu A is output, and if the button touched by the user is menu C, button identification information indicating menu C is output. To do.
In addition, if the user touches a button corresponding to the small classification, the input position determination unit 6 accepts selection of the button touched by the user, and selects button identification information indicating the button as a selection result output unit 10. Output to. For example, if the button touched by the user is the menu “item B1”, button identification information indicating the menu “item B1” is output, and if the button touched by the user is the menu “item B2”, Button identification information indicating the menu “item B2” is output.
In addition, if the user touches the non-selected small classification area, the input position determination unit 6 receives the selection of the non-selected small classification area touched by the user, and identifies the area indicating the non-selected small classification area Information is output to the selectable category setting unit 7. For example, if the area touched by the user is an area where the menu “items C1 to C5” is displayed, the area identification information indicating the menu “items C1 to C5” is output.

Upon receiving the button identification information from the input position determination unit 6, the selectable category setting unit 7 sets the major classification corresponding to the button indicated by the button identification information to the selected state, and is stored in the selection state storage unit 8. The major classification of the selected state is updated (step ST7).
That is, the large classification of the selection state stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is changed to the large classification set to the current selection state.
Further, the selectable category setting unit 7 refers to the stored contents of the category storage unit 1, recognizes a plurality of minor categories belonging to the major category, and sets the plurality of minor categories as the selectable category. The selectable classification stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is updated (step ST8).
That is, the selectable category stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is changed to the small category set as the currently selectable category.

For example, if the button touched by the user is menu A, which is a large category, menu A is set to the selected state, and menus “items A1 to A7” belonging to menu A are set to the selectable category. To do.
Further, if the button touched by the user is the menu C which is a large category, the menu C is set to the selected state, and the menus “items C1 to C5” belonging to the menu C are set to the selectable category. To do.

Upon receiving the region identification information from the input position determination unit 6, the selectable category setting unit 7 sets a plurality of small categories displayed in the non-selected small category region indicated by the region identification information as selectable categories. The selectable classification stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is updated (step ST9). That is, the selectable category stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is changed to the small category set as the currently selectable category.
Further, the selectable category setting unit 7 refers to the stored contents of the category storage unit 1, recognizes the major category to which the plurality of minor categories belong, sets the major category to the selected state, and selects the selected state. The major classification of the selected state stored in the storage unit 8 is updated (step ST10). That is, the large classification of the selection state stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is changed to the large classification set to the current selection state.

For example, if the position touched by the user is in an area in which menus “items A1 to A7” that are minor categories that are not set to currently selectable categories are displayed, the menu “items that are minor categories” is displayed. “A1 to A7” are set as selectable categories, and menu A, which is a large category, is set to a selected state.
Further, if the position touched by the user is within an area where menus “items C1 to C5” that are minor categories that are not set to the currently selectable category are displayed, the menu “items” that are minor categories is displayed. “C1 to C5” are set as selectable categories, and menu C, which is a large category, is set to a selected state.

When the selectable category setting unit 7 updates the selection state and selectable category of the large category stored in the selection state storage unit 8, the menu screen update unit 9 follows the updated storage contents in the selection state storage unit 8. The menu screen is changed (step ST11).
That is, the menu screen update unit 9 changes the display content of the menu screen so that the major classification of the selection state stored in the selection state storage unit 8 is currently selected.
Further, the menu screen update unit 9 arranges all buttons corresponding to a plurality of subcategories that are selectable categories stored in the selection state storage unit 8 on the menu screen, and supports a plurality of subcategories. The menu screen is changed so that the button to be displayed is displayed directly below the major classification in the selected state. A method of calculating the display position of the button corresponding to the small classification will be described later.
In addition, in the area adjacent to the buttons corresponding to a plurality of subcategories that are selectable categories, a menu screen is arranged so that non-selected subcategory regions representing subcategories that are not set as currently selectable categories are arranged. To change.
The display control unit 3 displays the menu screen after the change by the menu screen update unit 9 on the display 4 (step ST11).

Here, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen when the menu A which is a large category is in a selected state and the menus “items A1 to A7” which are small categories belonging to the menu A are selectable categories. is there.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen when menu B, which is a large category, is in a selected state, and menus “items B1 to B8”, which are small categories belonging to menu B, are selectable categories.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen when menu C, which is a large category, is in a selected state, and menus “items C1 to C5”, which are small categories belonging to menu C, are selectable categories.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen when the menu D, which is a large category, is in a selected state, and the menus “items D1 to D4”, which are small categories belonging to the menu D, are selectable categories.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen when the menu E, which is a large category, is in a selected state, and the menus “items E1 to E3”, which are small categories belonging to the menu E, are selectable categories.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a menu screen when the menu F which is a large category is in a selected state and the menus “items F1 to F6” which are small categories belonging to the menu F are selectable categories.

When the selection result output unit 10 receives the button identification information from the input position determination unit 6, the minor classification corresponding to the button indicated by the button identification information is the minor classification of the selectable classification stored in the selection state storage unit 8. If so, a selection result signal indicating that the small category corresponding to the button has been selected is output (step ST13).
For example, when the menu “items C1 to C5”, which is a small category, is set to the selectable category, and the selection of the button corresponding to the menu “item C3” is accepted, the menu “item C3” is selected. A selection result signal indicating that it has been output is output.

The selectable category setting unit 7 determines that the position touched by the user by the input position determination unit 6 is not a button corresponding to a large category or a button corresponding to a small category, or a non-selected small category region. When it is determined that there is no button, it is an area other than the menu, or a button for hiding the second layer (buttons with X marks arranged on the right and left ends of the buttons corresponding to the large classification on the menu screen). (Step ST14), the major classification of the selected state and the minor classification of the selectable classification at the present time are canceled and returned to the initial state (Step ST15).
Similarly, when a selection result signal is output from the selection result output unit 10, the large classification of the selected state and the small classification of the selectable classification at the present time are canceled and returned to the initial state (step ST15).
As a result, the same menu screen as the initial menu screen generated by the menu screen generator 2 is displayed on the display 4.
Here, it is assumed that the same menu screen as the initial menu screen is displayed on the display device 4, but only the buttons corresponding to the large classification may be displayed and the buttons corresponding to the small classification may not be displayed. .

Here, a method of calculating the display position of the button corresponding to the small classification will be described.
When buttons corresponding to a plurality of small categories set as selectable categories are arranged immediately below the selected major category, for example, if the major category in the selected status is menu E, FIG. As described above, all the menus “items E1 to E3” belonging to the menu E can be displayed on the menu screen.
However, when the major classification of the selected state is the menu F, as shown in FIG. 11, a part of the menu “items F1 to F6” “items F5 and F6” belonging to the menu F is displayed on the menu screen. The trouble that cannot be done arises.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, regardless of which major category is in the selected state, the buttons corresponding to all the minor categories belonging to the major category are displayed almost directly below the major category in the selected state. Calculate the display position.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for calculating the display position of the button corresponding to the small classification.
FIG. 12 illustrates a case where the major classification of the selected state is menu C and a case where it is menu F.
In FIG. 12A, X ₀ is the X coordinate of menu A, which is a major classification in the first layer, X ₁ is the X coordinate of the major classification in the selected state, W ₁ is the horizontal width of the major classification in the selected state, and N is 1. The order indicating the position of the selected major classification in relation to the major classification arranged on the leftmost side (in the example of FIG. 12, since menu A is zero, for example, menu C Is the second and menu F is the fifth, and the origin of the X coordinate is the leftmost point of the first layer.
In FIG. 12B, X _M is the X coordinate of the second layer of the menu screen, X ₂ is the X coordinate of the area where the buttons corresponding to the small category belonging to the selected major category are arranged, and W ₂ is This is the width of the area in which buttons corresponding to the small categories belonging to the selected major category are arranged.

When calculating the display position of the button corresponding to the small classification, the following formula (1) is calculated.
X _M = X ₀ + X ₁ −X ₂ + (W ₁ −W ₂ ) × (N / (T−1)) (1)
In Equation (1), T is the total number of menus A, B, C,.
For example, when the display position of the second hierarchy when the major classification of the selected state is menu C is calculated according to equation (1), it is as follows.
X _M = 100 + 200−400 + (100−400) × (2 / (6-1))
= −220
As a result, all the menus “items C1 to C5” belonging to the menu C are displayed directly below the large classification in the selected state, as shown in FIG.

Further, according to the equation (1), as shown in FIG. 12D, the display position of the second layer when the major classification of the selected state is the menu F is calculated as follows.
X _M = 100 + 500−1000 + (100−400) × (5 / (6-1))
= -700
As a result, all the menus “items F1 to F6” belonging to the menu F are displayed directly below the large classification in the selected state, as shown in FIG.

As is clear from the above, according to the first embodiment, the classification storage unit 1 that stores the major classifications of selectable menus and the plurality of minor classifications belonging to the major classifications, and the classification storage unit 1 Buttons corresponding to all stored major classifications and buttons corresponding to minor classifications that are set to the currently selectable classification are arranged, and some minor classifications that are not set to the currently selectable classification A menu screen generation unit 2 that generates a menu screen in which the menu screen is displayed, a display control unit 3 that displays the menu screen generated by the menu screen generation unit 2 on the display unit 4, and an input unit 5. The input position determination unit 6 that accepts the selection of an arbitrary button from the buttons in the menu screen displayed in 4, and the selection of the button corresponding to the large classification is accepted by the input position determination unit 6 The selectable category setting unit 7 that sets the minor category belonging to the major category corresponding to the button to the selectable category and the button corresponding to the minor category arranged on the menu screen are selected by the selectable category setting unit 7. A menu screen update unit 9 that updates buttons corresponding to the small categories set as selectable categories is provided, and the selection result output unit 10 corresponds to the small categories arranged on the menu screen by the input position determination unit 6. When the selection of the button is accepted, the selection result signal indicating that the small classification corresponding to the button is selected is output, so even if the user stores the menu classification vaguely There is an effect that a desired menu can be selected without much trouble.
That is, according to the first embodiment, the menu screen generated by the menu screen generation unit 2 is set not only with a button corresponding to the large classification and a button corresponding to the small classification, but also with a currently selectable classification. Some subcategories that are not displayed are also displayed, so even if the desired menu is not set to a currently selectable category, the desired menu belongs without switching the selection status of the major category. In some cases, the major classification can be confirmed, and the operation can be simplified.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the input position determination unit 6 has a function of accepting selection of a non-selected small classification region in which a small classification that is not set to a currently selectable classification is represented, Since the selectable category setting unit 7 is configured to set the minor category in the non-selected minor category region that has been selected by the input position determination unit 6 as the selectable category, the switching operation of the selection state of the major category is performed. The setting of the selectable classification can be changed without performing the operation, and the operation can be simplified.

  In the first embodiment, the buttons corresponding to the menu major classification (first class classification) are always displayed on the menu screen. However, in the normal case, the menu major classification is supported. For example, when a key call by a user or a call by a gesture is received without displaying the button on the menu screen, the button corresponding to the large classification of the menu may be displayed on the menu screen.

  In the first embodiment, the menu major classification and minor classification are shown as horizontal writing, but the menu major classification and minor classification may be vertical writing, and the same effect can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, all the classifications in the second hierarchy are displayed with the same size. For example, the selection frequencies of the large classifications that are the classifications in the first hierarchy are totaled, and the selection frequency is high. The smaller category belonging to the larger category may be displayed larger.

In the first embodiment, when the input position determination unit 6 receives selection of a non-selected small classification region in which a small classification that is not set to a currently selectable classification is received, a selectable classification setting unit 7 However, the input position determination unit 6 sets the small classification in the non-selected small classification area that has been selected by the input position determination unit 6 as the selectable classification. The selection result output unit 10 has a function of accepting the selection of the classification, and the selection result output unit 10 outputs a selection result signal indicating that the minor classification in the non-selected minor classification area whose selection is accepted by the input position determination unit 6 is selected. It may be.
In this case, there is an effect that the operation can be further simplified.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a menu selection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
The command storage unit 11 is composed of a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk, for example, and stores commands (execution instructions given to the command execution unit 12) corresponding to each small classification.
The command execution unit 12 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit on which a CPU is mounted, a one-chip microcomputer, or the like. When the input position determination unit 6 receives selection of a button corresponding to the small classification, the command execution unit 12 A command related to the small classification corresponding to the button is acquired from the unit 11 and the command is executed.
The command storage unit 11 and the command execution unit 12 constitute command execution means.

In the example of FIG. 13, the classification storage unit 1, the menu screen generation unit 2, the display control unit 3, the display unit 4, the input unit 5, the input position determination unit 6, and the selectable classification setting unit 7 which are components of the menu selection device. The selection state storage unit 8, the menu screen update unit 9, the command storage unit 11 and the command execution unit 12 are assumed to be configured by dedicated hardware, but all or part of the menu selection device. May be configured by a computer.
For example, when all of the menu selection devices are configured by a computer, the classification storage unit 1, the menu screen generation unit 2, the display control unit 3, the display 4, the input unit 5, the input position determination unit 6, the selectable classification setting unit 7. A program describing the processing contents of the selection state storage unit 8, the menu screen update unit 9, the command storage unit 11 and the command execution unit 12 is stored in the memory of the computer, and the CPU of the computer is stored in the memory. The program that is running should be executed.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the menu selection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Next, the operation will be described.
Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that a command storage unit 11 and a command execution unit 12 are provided instead of the selection result output unit 10.
Therefore, the classification storage unit 1, the menu screen generation unit 2, the display control unit 3, the display 4, the input unit 5, the input position determination unit 6, the selectable classification setting unit 7, the selection state storage unit 8, and the menu screen update unit Description of the processing content of 9 is omitted.
In the second embodiment, the command storage unit 11 and the command execution unit 12 are provided instead of the selection result output unit 10, but all of the selection result output unit 10, the command storage unit 11 and the command execution unit 12 are provided. May be implemented at the same time.

When the command execution unit 12 receives the button identification information from the input position determination unit 6, the minor classification corresponding to the button indicated by the button identification information is the minor classification of the selectable classification stored in the selection state storage unit 8. If there is, the command corresponding to the small classification is acquired from the command storage unit 11, and the command is executed (step ST21).
When the command execution unit 12 executes the command, the selectable category setting unit 7 cancels the major category of the currently selected state and the minor category of the selectable category to return to the initial state, and the initial generated by the menu screen generating unit 2 Although the same menu screen as that of the menu screen may be displayed on the display 4, as shown in FIG. 15, the menu screen update unit 9 displays the execution result of the command in the second layer of the menu screen. You may do it.
15A shows the execution result of the command corresponding to the menu item A1, FIG. 15B shows the execution result of the command corresponding to the menu item A2, and FIG. 15C shows the execution result of the command corresponding to the menu item B2. Is shown.

As is apparent from the above, according to the second embodiment, the classification storage unit 1 that stores the selectable menu major categories and the plurality of minor categories belonging to the major categories, and the category storage unit 1 Buttons corresponding to all stored major classifications and buttons corresponding to minor classifications that are set to the currently selectable classification are arranged, and some minor classifications that are not set to the currently selectable classification A menu screen generating unit 2 that generates a menu screen in which the menu screen is displayed, a display control unit 3 that displays the menu screen generated by the menu screen display unit 2 on the display unit 4, and an input unit 5. The input position determination unit 6 that accepts the selection of an arbitrary button from the buttons in the menu screen displayed in 4, and the selection of the button corresponding to the large classification is accepted by the input position determination unit 6 The selectable category setting unit 7 that sets the minor category belonging to the major category corresponding to the button to the selectable category and the button corresponding to the minor category arranged on the menu screen are selected by the selectable category setting unit 7. When a menu screen update unit 9 that updates a button corresponding to a small category set as a selectable category is provided, and the command execution unit 12 receives selection of a button corresponding to the small category by the input position determination unit 6 Since the command related to the small category corresponding to the button is acquired from the command storage unit 11 and the command is executed, many commands are stored even if the user stores the menu category vaguely. There is an effect that a command corresponding to a desired menu can be executed without taking time and effort.
That is, according to the second embodiment, the menu screen generated by the menu screen display unit 2 is set not only with a button corresponding to the large classification and a button corresponding to the small classification, but also with a currently selectable classification. Some subcategories that are not displayed are also displayed, so even if the desired menu is not set to a currently selectable category, the desired menu belongs without switching the selection status of the major category. In some cases, the major classification can be confirmed, and the operation can be simplified.

In the second embodiment, when the input position determination unit 6 receives selection of a non-selected small classification region in which a small classification that is not set to a currently selectable classification is received, a selectable classification setting unit 7 However, the input position determination unit 6 sets the small classification in the non-selected small classification area that has been selected by the input position determination unit 6 as the selectable classification. The command execution unit 12 has a function of accepting the selection of the classification, and acquires and executes a command corresponding to the minor classification in the non-selected minor classification region where the selection is accepted by the input position determination unit 6 from the command storage unit 11. You may do it.
In this case, there is an effect that the operation can be further simplified.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first and second embodiments, the menu screen generating unit 2 generates a menu screen in which buttons corresponding to the large classification and buttons corresponding to the small classification are arranged. As shown in FIG. In addition, the device corresponding to the small classification may be drawn on the menu screen.
The device corresponding to the small category may be any device that is related to the menu item that is the small category. For example, the device that is to be controlled or monitored by selecting the menu item that is the small category (for example, a pump) , Valves, doors).
FIG. 16 shows an example in which the devices corresponding to the menu items C1, C2, and C3, which are small categories, are valves.
In addition, a station of a route map etc. can be considered as an apparatus corresponding to a small classification.

  In the present invention, within the scope of the invention, any combination of the embodiments, or any modification of any component in each embodiment, or omission of any component in each embodiment is possible. .

  1 classification storage unit (classification storage unit) 2 menu screen generation unit (menu screen display unit) 3 display control unit (menu screen display unit) 4 display unit (menu screen display unit) 5 input unit (selection reception unit) ), 6 input position determination unit (selection accepting unit), 7 selectable category setting unit (selectable category setting unit), 8 selection state storage unit (selectable category setting unit), 9 menu screen update unit (menu screen update unit) 10) a selection result output unit (selection result output unit), 11 a command storage unit (command execution unit), and 12 a command execution unit (command execution unit).

Claims (6)

  Selectable menu major category and category storage means for storing a plurality of minor categories belonging to the major category, buttons corresponding to all major categories stored in the category memory means and currently selectable A menu screen display means for displaying a menu screen in which buttons corresponding to the small classifications set to various classifications are arranged and a part of the small classifications not set to the currently selectable classifications are displayed; When the selection accepting means for accepting selection of an arbitrary button from the buttons in the menu screen displayed by the menu screen displaying means and the selection of the button corresponding to the large classification are accepted by the selection accepting means, Selectable category setting means for setting the minor category belonging to the major category corresponding to the button as a selectable category, and the minor category arranged on the menu screen Menu screen updating means for updating the corresponding button to a button corresponding to the small category set as the selectable category by the selectable category setting means, and the small category arranged on the menu screen by the selection accepting means. A menu selection device comprising: a selection result output means for outputting a selection result signal indicating that a small category corresponding to the button is selected when selection of a corresponding button is accepted.   Selectable menu major category and category storage means for storing a plurality of minor categories belonging to the major category, buttons corresponding to all major categories stored in the category memory means and currently selectable A menu screen display means for displaying a menu screen in which buttons corresponding to the small classifications set to various classifications are arranged and a part of the small classifications not set to the currently selectable classifications are displayed; When the selection accepting means for accepting selection of an arbitrary button from the buttons in the menu screen displayed by the menu screen displaying means and the selection of the button corresponding to the large classification are accepted by the selection accepting means, Selectable category setting means for setting the minor category belonging to the major category corresponding to the button as a selectable category, and the minor category arranged on the menu screen Menu screen updating means for updating the corresponding button to a button corresponding to the small category set as the selectable category by the selectable category setting means, and the small category arranged on the menu screen by the selection accepting means. A menu selection device comprising command execution means for executing a command related to a small classification corresponding to the button when selection of the corresponding button is accepted. The selection accepting means has a function of accepting selection of an area in which a small category that is not set as a currently selectable category is represented,
3. The menu selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selectable category setting unit sets a subcategory in the area where the selection is accepted by the selection accepting unit as a selectable category. The selection accepting means has a function of accepting selection of an arbitrary small category in an area in which a small category that is not set as a currently selectable category is represented,
2. The menu selection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection result output means outputs a selection result signal indicating that the small category whose selection has been accepted by the selection acceptance means has been selected. The selection accepting means has a function of accepting selection of an arbitrary small category in an area in which a small category that is not set as a currently selectable category is represented,
3. The menu selection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the command execution means executes a command relating to a small classification whose selection is accepted by the selection acceptance means.   The menu selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the menu screen display means displays a menu screen on which a device corresponding to the small classification is drawn.

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