JP2000322170A - Method for displaying/selecting menu - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an interface suitable for the display of a menu capable of customizing various software components and the selection of various software components by using an analog input device for a game machine. SOLUTION: A display 10 displays plural objects on a ring, a certain object on the ring can be transferred to the direction of another object by executing dragging operation by using an analog stick 2 and a selection button 3, a specific object not lapped on the ring is specified by operating the stick 2, and the specific object is selected by operating the selection button 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying and selecting software of various applications, mainly a menu of software of various games, on a general-purpose computer or a dedicated game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional menu selection method in game software uses an analog input device.
Basically, move the cursor one by one within the display frame,
By moving an icon connected to the ring to a specific position on the ring, a predetermined content is selected. According to these selection methods, the content of the menu is fixed, so when making successive selections,
Even though I knew the menu structure, I had to repeat many similar entries.

[0003] From the viewpoint of the software creator, the menu layout must be considered one by one at the production stage, which is very troublesome. Also, from the user's point of view, the menu cannot be customized, so the menu selection operation follows the same procedure regardless of the frequency of use, and is stressful.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a customizable menu display of various software and a proper interface for selecting various software by using a general-purpose input device of a game machine. It is.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying and selecting a menu according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of objects are displayed on a ring by a display, and an analog stick of an input device is operated to operate the menu. The user designates a specific object and selects a specific object by operating the select button.

[0006] Further, other menu display / selection methods are as follows.
Multiple objects are displayed on the ring by the display, and an object on the ring can be transferred to other objects by dragging with an analog stick and select button, and by operating the analog stick The user designates a specific object that is not in a wrap state on the ring, and selects the specific object by operating the select button.

When a plurality of objects are likely to be overlapped on the ring due to an increase in the number of objects, a method of displaying and selecting a menu is to generate a wrap. -The selection method will make the wrap disappear naturally.

In this menu display / selection method, an object on a ring can be moved between two other objects by a drag operation using an analog stick and a select button of an input device.

[0009] The method of displaying and selecting a menu is such that the ring is rotated according to the rotation direction of the stick by turning the stick in a desired direction while pressing the select button while making the analog stick neutral.

[0010] Further, a method of displaying and selecting a menu is as follows. The analog stick is tilted to an intermediate position between objects on the ring, and the stick is rotated in any direction while pressing the select button in a state where no object is selected. Then, change the radius of the ring according to the rotation direction of the stick.

In the menu display / selection method, a specific object on the ring is pointed by an analog stick, and a system menu is displayed on a display by pressing a system button without pressing a select button.

[0012]

FIG. 1 shows a system for executing a method for displaying and selecting a menu according to the present invention. The input device 1 includes an analog stick 2, a select button 3, and a system button 4, and is connected to a CPU 6 via an interface 5. This CPU
6 reads various kinds of software from the disk drive 7 via the interface 5 based on a command from the input device 1 and stores them in the memory 8 or reads out software stored in the memory 8 in advance. hand,
The information is displayed on the display 10 via the display controller 9. The input device 1 is a dedicated product, a product name “3D stick of NINTENDO64”, a product name “analog controller of PLAYSTATION”,
It can be composed of a general-purpose product such as a product name “DREAMCAST analog pad”.

The CPU 6 has a built-in program for displaying and selecting a menu based on the present invention. The CPU 6 displays the menu on the display 10 via the display controller 9, and selects a target software from the menu. The wear can be selected by operating the input device 1. The applicant of the present invention has described the method of displaying and selecting a menu according to the present invention as “AMEBA (Active Menu Ba).
se) ".

FIG. 2 shows an outline of objects and icons as display elements of those objects. The display elements displayed by the display 10 are called objects, which are classified into folders, files, and wraps. These icons are enlarged and displayed in the catch state, and at the same time, the object names are displayed in a frame below the icons. As will be described later, the catch state refers to a state in which a certain object is designated by the stick 2 without pressing the select button 3.

FIG. 3 shows a display state of the shortcut object. File and folder icons can have object shortcuts. However, you cannot have the same object shortcut inside a certain file or folder. Shortcuts corresponding to files and folders can be created, but shortcuts for wrapping cannot be created.

FIG. 4 shows a folder display method which is the basis of the menu display / selection method of the present invention. The plurality of objects are displayed on the center (center) of the circle and the circumference (ring) centered on the center. There is no functional difference in the display position between the center and the ring, and the object need not be at the center of the ring.

FIG. 5 shows the display position of the folder. You can have any number of objects on the ring as long as they do not overlap on the ring. Two or more objects are always arranged at equal intervals on the ring, and one of them is located at a specific position on the ring, for example, a position at 12 o'clock in the clock display, that is, 0 degree (360 degrees). Position, always present. The radius of the ring can be changed, as will be described later.

FIG. 6 shows an outline of the wrap. When the number of objects displayed on the ring increases and they are likely to overlap on the ring, a wrap occurs and is displayed. A wrap is a group of objects and is treated like a folder, but has no substance. The number in the lap icon is the number of objects contained therein. When the number of objects in the folder increases, the wrap
When it occurs naturally and the number of objects decreases, the wrap naturally disappears.

FIG. 7 shows a method of selecting an object. When selecting objects on the ring, the user
By operating the stick 2, the stick 2 is inclined in the direction of the object to be selected on the ring, and the select button 3 is pressed in the inclined state. When selecting the center object, the user places the stick 2 at the neutral position (center position) and presses the select button 3. Upon completion of the selection, the icon of the selected object is enlarged and displayed, and the object name is displayed in a frame below the selected object. The selection state of the specific object can be confirmed from the state of the stick 2 in the tilt direction and the neutral direction, and from the state of the operation input at the input device 1. A cursor is displayed on the display surface of the display 10 and the By moving the cursor on the screen of the display 10 in accordance with the operation state of, the current input state can be visually confirmed on the display 10.

FIG. 8 shows the transfer of an object. The transfer of the object is performed by setting the stick 2 in the direction of the object to be transferred and dragging the stick 2 to the folder in the transfer direction while pressing the select button 3. By this operation, the object to be moved is transferred to the folder. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the stick 2 in the neutral state is operated to align with the object at the 0-degree position, and is dragged in the direction of the object in the clockwise direction of 60 degrees to perform the transfer. I have. As a result of this transfer, the number of objects on the ring becomes five, and the object that was at the position of 60 degrees before the transfer becomes three wrapped at the position of the central angle of 72 degrees.

FIG. 9 shows the definition of the input state by the input device 1 as a table. A state in which the select button 3 is not pressed (off state) is called a select state. At that time,
When the object is specified by the stick 2, it is called a catch state, and otherwise, it is called a free state. A state in which the object is designated by the stick 2 while the select button 3 is being pressed (on state) is called a hold state. Select button 3
Is pressed, but an object is not designated by the stick 2 is called an operating state.

FIG. 10 shows the movement of an object from one ring position to another ring position. The user sets the stick 2 in the direction of the object at a certain position to move on the ring, drags the stick to the position of the ring to be moved while pressing the select button 3, and then releases the select button 3. Thus, the object moves from a certain position on the ring to a specified position on another ring. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the object at the 0-degree position is moved between the object at the 120-degree position and the object at the 180-degree position.

FIG. 11 shows the movement of the object from the center position to the position on the ring. The user sets the stick 2 to neutral, selects the center object, and presses the select button 3 while
Drag this to the ring position you want to move and release select button 3. As a result, the center object moves to a position on the ring. As a result, when the movement is completed, no object exists at the center.

FIG. 12 shows the movement of the object from the ring to the center. The user tilts the stick 2 in the direction of the object to be moved on the ring, returns to the neutral position while pressing the select button 3, and releases the select button 3 at the neutral position. As a result, the object on the ring moves to the center position. Note that this movement operation cannot be performed when an object exists at the center.

FIG. 13 shows the operation of rotating the ring. The user sets the stick 2 to neutral, and rotates the stick 2 in a desired direction while pressing the select button 3. As a result, the ring rotates left (counterclockwise) or right (clockwise) according to the direction of rotation of the stick 2. However, this rotation operation cannot be performed when an object exists at the center.

FIG. 14 shows an operation for changing the ring radius. At the time of this change, the user tilts the stick 2 to an intermediate position of the object on the ring, and rotates the stick 2 in a counterclockwise direction while pressing the select button 3 without selecting an object to reduce the ring. Or rotate clockwise to enlarge the ring.

Next, FIG. 15 shows a call operation of the system menu. The user sets the selected state and then presses the system button 4 to display the contents of the object. As a result, the system menu is displayed on the display 10. The displayed menu differs between the catch state and the free state as shown in the figure. When catching, the menu is
Appears as a small circle around the object and, when free, on the inner circumference of the ring.

FIG. 16 shows the contents of the system menu. In the free state, shortcut registration, new file creation, and new folder creation are performed. In the catch state, object name change, shortcut recording, object deletion, and the like are performed.

Next, FIG. 17 shows the execution steps performed by the program of the CPU 6 based on the menu display / selection method of the present invention. This menu is displayed and selected by executing routines A, B, and C according to the pressed state of the select button 3 and the selection state of the object after the start (Start), and ends (END). Become. The contents of routines A, B, and C are shown in FIGS.

FIG. 18 shows the contents of the routine A. In the menu display / selection method program, is the select button 3 pressed in step 1 after the start (Start)? Is determined, and if N (No), is it the moment when the select button 3 is pressed in the next step 2? Is determined, and if N, in step 3, is the position of the stick 2 capturing the object? Is determined, the object is selected when Y (Yes), so only the object is enlarged and displayed in step 4 and the object name is added at the same time. In step 5, all objects are brought into a normal display state. In step 2,
If Y, is the program in step 6 a hold state? Is determined, in the case of N, nothing is performed in step 7, but in the case of step 6, in the case of Y, in step 8, is the object overlapping the object? Is determined, and if N, in step 9 is the file? Is determined, if Y, the file is executed in step 10; if N, in step 9, step 1
1. Is it a folder? Is determined, and in the case of Y, in step 12, the folder is moved to, and in step 11, N
In step 13, a wrap is formed. Further, when Y is determined in step 8, the program proceeds to step 14.
And a folder? And if Y, step 1
At 5, transfer to the folder, and at step 14,
If N, a designation error process is performed in step 16. In this manner, in the routine A, the execution of the file, the movement to the folder, the formation of the wrap, the transfer to the folder, and the like are performed, and then the process ends (END).

FIG. 19 shows the contents of the routine B. Is the select button 3 pressed in step 1 of the routine A? When the determination is Y, the program starts the routine B, and first, in step 1
So, the moment you press select button 3? Judge,
If N, is step 2 a hold state? Is determined, if Y, the object is moved in Step 3; if N, is the stick 2 rotated in Step 4? If N, step 5 does nothing, and if Y, step 6 is the enlargement / reduction mode? Is determined, if N, is it right rotation in step 7? Is determined, if Y, ring right rotation processing is performed in step 9, and if N, ring left rotation processing is performed in step 9. Also, if the answer is Y in step 6, is the program turning right in step 10? Is determined, and in the case of Y, ring expansion processing is performed in step 11,
If N, a ring reduction process is performed in step 12. In this way, in the routine B, the process of moving the object, the process of enlarging / reducing the ring, and the process of rotating the ring are performed, and the process ends (END).

FIG. 20 shows the contents of the routine C. At the moment when the select button 3 is pressed in the step 1 of the routine B? When the determination is Y, the program starts the routine C, and first, in step 1
Is the object selected? In the determination of Y, if the object is held in step 2 and N
In step 3, is the stick 2 in the neutral state in step 3? When Y, the rotation mode is executed in step 4, and when N, the enlargement / reduction mode is executed in step 5. As described above, in the routine C, the end (END) is performed after the hold, the rotation mode, and the enlargement / reduction mode of the object are executed.

[0033]

According to the present invention, a plurality of objects are displayed on a ring by a display, a specific object on the ring is designated by operating an analog stick, and a specific object is selected by operating a select button. Therefore, you can directly select the target object while checking the entire menu. As a result, a target object can be selected and executed quickly and directly.

A plurality of objects are displayed on the ring by a display, and an object on the ring can be transferred to another object by a drag operation with an analog stick and a select button. The user designates a specific object that is not in the wrapped state on the ring by operating the select button, and selects a specific object by operating the select button. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a convenient display state of the object on the ring. .

When a plurality of objects increase and it is likely to overlap on the ring, a wrap is generated, and when the number of the plurality of objects decreases on the ring, the wrap naturally disappears. Accordingly, the objects can be displayed in an orderly manner on the ring.

An object on the ring can be moved between two other objects by a drag operation using an analog stick and a select button, so that a customized display mode is obtained by rearranging the objects on the ring. be able to.

By turning the analog stick into neutral and rotating the stick in the desired direction while pressing the select button, the ring is rotated in accordance with the rotation direction of the analog stick. An object that is frequently used can be placed at an arbitrary position where it can be easily selected without changing the order.

When the analog stick is tilted to an intermediate position of the object on the ring and the object is not selected, the analog stick is rotated in any direction while pressing the select button, and the analog stick is rotated. By changing the radius of the ring according to the direction of rotation, it is possible to set a menu ring of any size on the display.

By pointing a specific object on the ring with an analog stick and pressing the system button without pressing the select button to display the system menu on the display, the system menu can be immediately displayed on the display. This can be easily confirmed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for executing a menu display / selection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an icon of an object as a display element.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an icon of an object with a shortcut.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a folder display.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a display position of a folder.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a wrap.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of object selection.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of object transfer.

FIG. 9 is a table of definitions of input states.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of object movement.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of object movement.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of object movement.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of ring rotation.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a change in a ring radius.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of calling a system menu.

FIG. 16 is a table showing contents of a system menu.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a menu display / selection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a routine A in a flowchart according to the menu display / selection method of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a routine B in a flowchart according to the menu display / selection method of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a routine C according to the menu display / selection method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 Analog stick 3 Select button 4 System button 5 Interface 6 CPU 7 Disk drive 8 Memory 9 Display controller 10 Display

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 BB00 BB10 BC00 BC10 CA01 CB01 CC02 5B087 AA05 AE00 BC02 BC13 BC17 DD02 DD10 DD12 DE03 5E501 AA02 AA17 AC37 BA20 CB03 CB04 EA08 EB05 FA05 FA14 FB22 FB24 FB25 976 001

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of objects are displayed on a ring on a display, a specific object on the ring is designated by operating an analog stick, and a specific object is selected by operating a select button. How to display and select a menu. 2. A plurality of objects are displayed on a ring by a display, and an object on the ring can be transferred in the direction of another object by a drag operation with an analog stick and a select button. Pointing to a specific object that is not wrapped on the ring by operating the stick,
A menu display / selection method wherein a specific object is selected by operating a select button. 3. A wrap is generated when a plurality of objects are likely to overlap and overlap on a ring, and when the number of the plurality of objects decreases on the ring, the wrap is naturally erased. A method for displaying and selecting a menu according to claim 1 or 2. 4. An object on a ring can be moved between two other objects by a drag operation using an analog stick and a select button. 3
How to display and select the described menu. 5. The ring is rotated according to the direction of rotation of the analog stick by making the analog stick neutral and rotating the stick in a desired direction while pressing the select button. The menu display / selection method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 6. An analog stick is tilted to an intermediate position of an object on a ring, and an analog stick is rotated in any direction while pressing a select button in a state where an object is not selected. 6. The method for displaying / selecting a menu according to claim 1, wherein the radius of the ring is changed according to the rotation direction of the stick. 7. A system menu is displayed on a display by pointing a specific object on a ring with an analog stick and pressing a system button without pressing a select button. 7. The menu display / selection method according to claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6.