JP2002023915A - Device and method for controlling display of tool button and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability by easily and speedily selecting a required tool button and suppressing an area to be occupied for displaying the tool button on a screen as well. SOLUTION: Concerning a display control device, a plurality of tool buttons 4 are arranged on a three-dimensional(3D) graphic 15, the 3D graphic 15 is moved parallel in the state of holding the location conditions of the tool buttons 4 on the basis of a parallel moving operation, and the tool buttons 4 located on the 3D graphic 15 are rotated around the 3D graphic 15 on the basis of a rotating operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tool button display control device for displaying tool buttons associated with various operations required for data processing and set functions in a novel mode, a method thereof, and a recording medium. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as personal computers).
Some application software installed in personal computers, personal digital assistants, and the like have a function called a toolbar. The toolbar is an image in which a plurality of icons, button images, combo box images, and the like (hereinafter, collectively referred to as tool buttons) are arranged in a bar shape. The icon is associated with a predetermined execution file, and the button image or the combo box image is associated with a plurality of commands corresponding to various operations or setting selection functions for performing data processing. Is displayed as a graphic such as a bitmap in which a symbol is converted into a symbol, so that the user can easily and intuitively understand the processing operation and can easily execute the processing operation.

In addition, these application softwares are generally provided with a function called a customization function, which allows a user to add / decrease a tool button on a toolbar and newly register / change / delete a command for the tool button. There are also things. Further, depending on the application software, the toolbar may be changed to a desired size or movable so as not to disturb the processing operation of the application software being executed.

[0004]

As described above, application software that is executed on a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or the like and that performs data processing by displaying an auxiliary information display unit such as a toolbar is data-based. Before the processing operation, display the corresponding toolbar as necessary for the work, and when the work using the toolbar is completed, operations such as hiding the toolbar to increase the screen area and make it easier to see are necessary And the operation is complicated.

In order to avoid the complication, if the used toolbar is displayed as it is, the work must be continued while the work area on the screen is narrowed. In some cases, a technology that enlarges / reduces the display size, superimposes it on the operation screen in a pseudo-translucent state, or moves the toolbar when the toolbar comes to the cursor position on the operation screen is used. is there. However, in this prior art, 2
Since the screens overlap or the toolbar is moved around the screen, there is a problem that the screen being operated becomes difficult to see.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to arrange a plurality of tool buttons on a three-dimensional figure on a screen and, if necessary, to provide the three-dimensional figure or a plurality of tool buttons. By rotating the arrangement of the tools, you can easily and quickly select the necessary tool buttons, and also reduce the display area occupied by multiple tool buttons on the screen, improving the usability of each tool A button display control device is provided.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement control means for arranging a plurality of tool buttons, each of which can be associated with a specific data processing operation, on a three-dimensional figure, and a predetermined moving operation. A movement control unit that translates the three-dimensional figure in a state in which the arrangement of the tool buttons is held, and the tool buttons arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on a predetermined rotation operation. And a rotation control means for rotating the tool button.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the arrangement control means includes:
A coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system determined in advance for the three-dimensional figure are determined, the plurality of tool buttons are arranged at layout coordinates defined by the rectangular coordinate system, and the rotation control unit is configured to perform the rotation operation based on the rotation operation. 2. The solid figure and the plurality of tool buttons are rotated integrally.
It is a display control device of the described tool button.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the arrangement control means includes:
A coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system determined in advance for the three-dimensional figure are defined, and the plurality of tool buttons are arranged at layout coordinates on a virtual ellipsoid defined by the rectangular coordinate system, and the rotation control unit performs the rotation operation. The display control device for tool buttons according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated on the virtual ellipsoid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the arrangement control means includes:
A display grid predetermined on the three-dimensional figure is determined, the plurality of tool buttons are arranged at arrangement coordinates determined by the display grid, and the rotation control means sets the plurality of tool buttons based on the rotation operation. For solid figures,
The tool button display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display button is rotated as the movement on the display grid.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement control step of arranging a plurality of tool buttons respectively associated with a specific data processing operation on a three-dimensional figure, and arranging the tool buttons based on a predetermined moving operation. A movement control step of translating the three-dimensional figure in a state where the aspect is held, and a rotation control step of rotating the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on a predetermined rotation operation And a tool button display control method.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the arrangement control step, a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure are determined, and the plurality of tool buttons are arranged at arrangement coordinates defined by the orthogonal coordinate system. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the rotation control step rotates the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons integrally based on the rotation operation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the arrangement control step, a coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure are determined, and the plurality of tool buttons are set on a virtual ellipsoid defined by the rectangular coordinate system. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated on the virtual ellipsoid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation. 7. This is a display control method of the tool button.

The arrangement control step may comprise the step of: setting a display grid predetermined on the three-dimensional figure, arranging the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates determined by the display grid, and setting the rotation control step. 6. The display control method for tool buttons according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated as the movement on the display grid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement control function for arranging a plurality of tool buttons respectively associated with a specific data processing operation on a three-dimensional figure, and an arrangement of the tool buttons based on a predetermined moving operation. A movement control function for translating the three-dimensional figure in a state where the aspect is maintained, and a rotation control function for rotating the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on a predetermined rotation operation And a recording medium of a display control method of a tool button, wherein a program for realizing the above is recorded.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the arrangement control function determines a coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and arranges the plurality of tool buttons at layout coordinates defined by the rectangular coordinate system. And the rotation control function includes:
10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons are integrally rotated based on the rotation operation.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the arrangement control function determines a coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and sets the plurality of tool buttons on a virtual ellipsoid defined by the rectangular coordinate system. 10. The rotation control function according to claim 9, wherein the rotation control function rotates the plurality of tool buttons with respect to the three-dimensional figure on the virtual ellipsoid based on the rotation operation. It is a recording medium of a display control method of a tool button.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the arrangement control function determines a predetermined display grid on the three-dimensional figure, arranges the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates defined by the display grid, and sets the rotation control function. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated as the movement on the display grid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation. It is.

[0019]

According to the first, fifth, and ninth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons to which specific data processing operations can be associated are arranged on a three-dimensional figure by the arrangement control means. At this time, when a predetermined movement operation is performed, the movement control means performs a parallel movement of the three-dimensional figure while maintaining the arrangement of the tool buttons based on the movement operation. Also,
When a predetermined rotation operation is performed, the rotation control means rotates the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation.

Therefore, for example, in an electronic device having a display device such as a personal computer, when application software is started and a plurality of tool buttons are displayed to perform data processing, the arrangement of the tool buttons according to the present invention is not limited to that on the screen. It is arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and is also arranged on the side and back of the three-dimensional figure on the screen. When the required tool button is hidden on the side surface or the back surface of the three-dimensional figure, the rotation control unit performs a predetermined rotation operation so that the tool button disposed on the three-dimensional figure changes the tool button of the three-dimensional figure. Rotate around. As a result, necessary tool buttons appear in the visible range on the screen.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when arranging a plurality of tool buttons on the screen, they can be arranged not only on the front but also on the side and back of the three-dimensional figure on the screen.
The occupation area required for arranging the tool buttons is significantly reduced, the occupation area such as a work area for performing data processing on the screen can be increased, and the usability is significantly improved. In addition, according to the present invention, the area occupied when arranging the tool buttons can be reduced, so that a situation in which the visibility of the screen is reduced even when the three-dimensional figure is displayed is prevented. This allows
In response to the start / end of the application software,
The necessity of switching the display / non-display of the arrangement of the tool buttons is eliminated, and the operability is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the area occupied when arranging the tool buttons is reduced, so that the situation in which the visibility of the screen is reduced even when the three-dimensional figure is displayed is prevented. Therefore, in order to make the work area on the screen easy to see, the display size of the toolbar is enlarged / reduced, or displayed in a pseudo-translucent state on the operation screen,
This eliminates the need to set special operations on the tool buttons, such as moving the toolbar when the toolbar comes to the cursor position on the operation screen. Therefore, a situation in which the tool button is moved around the screen is prevented, and the visibility of the screen is improved.

In the invention described in claims 2, 6, and 10, in claim 1, the arrangement control means determines a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system which are predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and sets the plurality of tool buttons to the plurality of tool buttons. The rotation control means is arranged at arrangement coordinates defined by a rectangular coordinate system, and the rotation control means integrally rotates the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons based on the rotation operation.

Also in the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons can be arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and the tool buttons can be rotated around the three-dimensional figure. Therefore, also in the present invention, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be realized.

In the third, seventh and eleventh aspects of the present invention, in the first aspect, the arrangement control means determines a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system which are predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and sets the plurality of tool buttons orthogonally. The rotation control means is arranged at the arrangement coordinates on the virtual ellipsoid defined by the coordinate system, and the rotation control means rotates a plurality of tool buttons with respect to the three-dimensional figure on the virtual ellipsoid based on the rotation operation.

Also in the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons can be arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and the tool buttons can be rotated on the virtual ellipsoid around the three-dimensional figure. Therefore, also in the present invention, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be realized.

[0027] In the invention according to claims 4, 8 and 12, in claim 1, the arrangement control means determines a display grid predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and arranges the plurality of tool buttons by the display grid. Arranged at coordinates, the rotation control means rotates a plurality of tool buttons with respect to the three-dimensional figure as movement on a display grid based on the rotation operation.

Also in the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons can be arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and the tool buttons can be rotated around the three-dimensional figure. Therefore, also in the present invention, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be realized.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Explanation of the Drawings) FIG. 1 shows various tool balls 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d as three-dimensional figures on a screen 2 of a display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention (indicated by reference numeral 3 when collectively referred to). FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a personal computer 10 in which the present embodiment is implemented, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a tool ball 3.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an attribute table 8 of the tool ball 3 stored in the memory 12 of the personal computer 10, and FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a method of arranging the tool button 4 on the tool ball 3 in a state where the solid 5 is erected. 6 is a diagram illustrating rotation of the solid 5 around the X axis, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating rotation of the solid 5 around the Y axis, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating rotation of the solid 5 around the Z axis. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a rotating state of various tool balls 3, and FIG. 10 is a principle of rotation by an ellipsoid 6 in another example of a method of disposing the tool button 4 on the tool ball 3. FIG. 11 shows the tool ball 3 of the tool button 4.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the principle of rotation by the display grid 7 in another example of the arrangement method for the tool button 4.
13 is a flowchart showing a registration operation to the tool ball 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example at the time of this registration, and FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the principle of enlarging or reducing the three-dimensional object 5 of one example, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the principle of enlarging or reducing an ellipsoid 6 of another example of the tool ball 3, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of a background image displayed on the screen.

(Outline of Tool Ball) Hereinafter, the tool ball 3 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In recent years, when starting up and using application software on a personal computer or a portable information terminal, various commands and functions used in the application software are displayed as button images, list boxes and icons (hereinafter, tool buttons). The tool buttons 4 are intensively arranged on a horizontally long strip-shaped background image as an example and used as a toolbar.

As described in the section of the prior art, there are various problems with the existing toolbar. In the present embodiment, as examples displayed on the screen 2, a tool ball 3a, which is a hexagonal column-shaped figure, a globe-shaped tool ball 3b, a Saturn-shaped tool ball 3c, and a soccer ball-shaped tool ball 3d, for example, A plurality of tool buttons 4 such as an end tool button for terminating the application software are arranged as described later. In the present embodiment, as described later, each tool ball 3 is translated on the screen 2 and rotated. Therefore, the tool button 4 can also be arranged behind the tool ball 3, and the tool ball 3 and the tool button 4 can be arranged as necessary.
, And the tool button 4 on the rear side is moved to the front side to be usable.

The tool ball 3 of the present embodiment as described above
As an example, it is implemented in a personal computer 10 as shown in FIG. The personal computer 10 includes a control unit 11 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (read-write memory as needed).
And a memory 12 including a ROM (read only memory), a keyboard 13 for inputting data, a mouse 14 as an example of a pointing device, and the display device 1. A program that implements functions related to the tool ball 3 described below and data settings such as various initial settings are stored in the memory 12.

(Configuration of Tool Ball) The configuration of the tool ball 3 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

When setting the tool ball 3, an arbitrary position P on the screen 2 in which well-known plane coordinates are set in advance.
A three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis is set using (X, Y) as a coordinate origin. This three-dimensional coordinate system is for controlling the display of the tool ball 3 as described later. As a coordinate system for controlling the display of the tool ball 3, a matrix described as a modified example of the present embodiment described later is used. In some cases, a displayed plane coordinate system is used. The following description is based on a three-dimensional coordinate system.

Based on the three-dimensional coordinate system, a three-dimensional figure 15 to be displayed as a three-dimensional figure on the screen 2 serving as the tool ball 3 on which a plurality of tool buttons are arranged as described above is set. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional figure 15 will be described as a spherical or regular polyhedron, but the present invention is not limited to this.

A minimum ellipsoid 16 including the three-dimensional figure 15 is set. Further, a main body rectangle 1 having a height S (H) and a width S (W) circumscribing the solid figure 15 or the ellipsoid 16
7 is set. The tool button 4 is displayed at the tool button coordinates p (x, y, z) which is the center position of the tool button 4 in the three-dimensional coordinate system. The tool button 4 has a height s (h) and a width s (w) as constants. The ellipsoid 16 is formulated by the following first or second equation using the above constants.

[0039]

(Equation 1)

(Equation 2) (Movement and Rotation Operation) Hereinafter, the parallel movement operation and the rotation operation of the three-dimensional figure 15 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The parallel movement operation is performed by performing a predetermined parallel movement operation using the keyboard 13 or the mouse 14.
The origin coordinates P (X, Y) of the three-dimensional figure 15 and the X of the tool button coordinates p (x, y, z) for the tool button 4
Component and Y component to the extent corresponding to the translation operation,
Increment or decrement, respectively. These parallel movement controls constitute the movement control means.

Next, the rotation of the plurality of tool buttons 4 will be described. As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of tool buttons 4 are also arranged on the front and back of the three-dimensional figure 15, and a plurality of tool buttons 4 are arranged on the three-dimensional figure 15 having a relatively small occupation area with a high degree of integration. In order to use an arbitrary tool button 4 arranged on one solid figure 15, a plurality of tool buttons 4 are simulated around the solid figure 15 or together with the solid figure 15. Rotation control is required.

Here, a point p (x,
y, z) are rotated by an angle α around the X-axis, an angle β around the Y-axis, and an angle γ around the Z-axis, respectively, after rotation p (x ′, y ′, z ′) ) Is known from the following equations 3 to 5 from the theory of linear algebra.

[0043]

(Equation 3)

(Equation 4)

(Equation 5) Therefore, the tool button 4 and the three-dimensional figure 15 are set at an angle α around the X axis, an angle β around the Y axis, and an angle γ around the Z axis.
Tool button 4 and solid figure 15 when rotated only
Are obtained by sequentially calculating the above formulas 3 to 5 with respect to the original coordinates.

FIG. 5 shows a display example before and after the hexagonal column-shaped solid figure 15 is rotated by 45 ° around the Z axis.
5 shows a display example before and after rotation of the ellipsoidal solid figure 15 by 45 ° around the Y axis, respectively. Here, when the ellipsoidal three-dimensional figure 15 is rotated, since the rotation of the point is not a rotation on the spherical surface but a rotation on the ellipsoid, as shown in FIG. The coordinates of the tool button 4 and the three-dimensional figure 15 when rotated by the angle α, the angle β around the Y axis, and the angle γ around the Z axis are expressed by the following equations 6 to 16 with respect to the coordinates before rotation. Are sequentially calculated. Coordinates after rotation are obtained by calculation of Expressions 6 to 8 for rotation around the X axis, Expressions 10 to 12 for rotation around the Y axis, and Expressions 14 to 16 for rotation around the Z axis. Can be

X ‘= x (6)

(Equation 6)

(Equation 7) However, in the above formulas 7 and 8,

(Equation 8) And

[0046]

(Equation 9) y ′ = y (11)

(Equation 10) However, in the ninth and tenth equations,

[Equation 11] And

[0047]

(Equation 12)

(Equation 13) z ′ = z (16) where, in the above formulas (14) and (15),

[Equation 14] And

Here, in the above equations (6) to (17),
The angles θx, θy, θz are calculated by the ninth, thirteenth, and seventeenth equations.
Depending on the sign in the arc tangent of the equation, 0 ° -360
Take a value in the range of °. Also, the angles θx, θy, θz
Is 90 ° if the numerator is> 0 if the denominator in the arc tangent of Equations 9, 13 and 17 is 0,
If the numerator <0, a value of 270 ° is taken. Thus, the tool ball 3 on which the plurality of tool buttons 4 are arranged
Can be translated and rotated.

(Modification) Next, as a modification of this embodiment, a case where the display grid is set as a coordinate system for the three-dimensional figure 15 shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, a display grid 27 which is an inclined grid is set in the three-dimensional figure 15.
The display lattice 27 includes a plurality of vertical axes (N in this embodiment) parallel to the Y axis and a plurality of tilt axes (M in this embodiment) intersecting the Y axis at an acute angle. . Tool button 4
The coordinates of the display grid 27 are specified by the intersections of the display grid 27. The display grid 27 has a display grid number C (M, N), which is the number of grids, as an attribute.

In the example of FIG. 11, the number of display grids C (6, 5)
, That is, a display grid 27 of 6 rows and 5 columns. A display grid 27 of six rows and five columns of row numbers 1 to 6 and column numbers 1 to 5 shown in the left half of FIG. 11 is displayed on the front surface of the three-dimensional figure 15. Line numbers 7 to 12 and column numbers 6 to 10 shown in the right half of 11
A display grid 27 of 5 rows and 5 columns is set. The tool button 4 at the coordinates p (m, n) with respect to the display grid 27 is indicated by q (x [n], y [m]) in the three-dimensional coordinate system.

Here, x [n = 1 to N] and y [m = 1 to M]
Is defined as follows.

X = w / 2 + (N−1) × w−W / 2 (18) y = −h / 2 + (M−1) × h + H / 2 (19) where w = W / N, h = H / M.

Hereinafter, the coordinates p in the display grid 27 will be described.
The rotation of the (m, n) tool button 4 will be described.
In the display grating 27 of the present embodiment, the rotation direction is the row direction, that is, the direction in which the tilt axis extends (hereinafter, referred to as Y-axis rotation).
These are two directions: a column direction, that is, a direction in which the Y axis extends (hereinafter, referred to as X axis rotation). Table 1 below shows a coordinate conversion table used for the X-axis rotation, and Table 2 below shows a coordinate conversion table used for the Y-axis rotation. Table 3 shows examples of coordinates before rotation, examples of rotation, and legends of Tables 1 and 2.

[0055]

[Table 1]

[Table 2]

[Table 3] In this example, the coordinates p (4, 4) before rotation indicated by a “black circle” mark
With respect to 2), the coordinates after rotation when the X axis rotation of +1 or −1 is performed are P (5,
2) or P (3,2) shown by the circled number 2.
Further, the coordinates after rotation when the Y-axis rotation of +1 or −1 is performed are P (4,3) indicated by a circle 3 from Table 2,
Or, it becomes P (4,1) indicated by the circle numeral 2. In this way, by using Table 1 and Table 2 for the coordinate conversion operation, any rotation about the X axis or the Y axis can be performed for any tool button 4 whose arrangement coordinates are set on the display grid 27. It will be appreciated that it is possible. The rotation control means is configured to include the various types of rotation control as described above.

As described above, also in this modification, the parallel movement of the three-dimensional figure 15 integrally with the plurality of tool buttons 4 can be realized in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and is arranged on the three-dimensional figure 15. For multiple tool buttons 4,
The rotation control can also be realized by using the display grid 27.

A three-dimensional figure 15 for realizing the tool ball 3
The various settings described above regarding the ellipsoid 16, the main body rectangle 17, and the tool button 4 are stored in the memory 12 as an attribute table 8 as shown in FIG. 4, and are updated or read as needed. The attribute table 8 includes a height S (H), a width S (W), and a display position P on the screen 2 which are the sizes of the main body rectangle 17 relating to the tool ball 3.
(X, Y), rotation amount R (α, β, γ), display grid number C
(M, N), display shape, background image described later, various constants (detection sensitivity, angle, direction) associated with the rotation operation, various constants (detection sensitivity, movement distance, movement speed) associated with the parallel movement operation, and the like. It is memorized. As for the tool button 4, the height s (h), the width s (w), and the display position p (x, y, z) or p of a rectangular figure which is a rectangle having the minimum area including the size of the tool button 4 are displayed. Data such as (m, n) is stored, and further, setting data such as the type of the tool button 4 such as a button, a list box, or text, an image, and a command set to the tool button 4 are stored.

(Registration Operation) Hereinafter, the registration operation of the tool button 4 and the text frame to the tool ball 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the screen 2 displays the registration window 19 stored in the memory 12.
Is open. In the registration window 19, a tool bar 20 in which tool buttons 4 including commands, icons, controls, list boxes, and the like are arranged in a bar shape is displayed.

At step a1 in FIG. 12, one of the tool buttons 4 of the tool bar 20, which is the copy source, is selected by clicking on it. In step a2, the control unit 1
Reference numeral 1 temporarily stores the type, image, command, and rectangular size of the selected tool button 4 to be copied, and at step a3, drags the selected tool button 4 on the screen 2 to release the drag state.

In step a4, it is determined whether or not the position where the drag state has been released is on the tool ball 3, and if not, the process is terminated. Step a
If it is determined in step 4 that the drag state has been released on the tool ball 3, the position in which the drag state has been released is set as the coordinate origin p (x, y, z) in step a 5, and the tool button 4 is set to the tool ball 3. Displayed upright. In step a6, the data temporarily stored in step a2 is transferred to the memory 12, and in step a7, the storage state of the attribute table 8 in the memory 12 is updated.
Further, the arrangement position of the tool button 4 on the tool ball 3 is calculated by the aforementioned three-dimensional coordinate system or display grid, and is added to the data of the update table 8 in step a7.

In step a9, the mouse 14 is right-clicked on the tool ball 3 shown in FIG.
The selection menu 21 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. Step a
At 10, a menu item "Create text frame" is clicked. In step a11, the text frame 22 is displayed upright at the center of the tool ball 3. Step a12
Then, a character to be set in the text frame 22 is input using the keyboard 13. Next, in step a8 and step a13, the coordinates of the tool button 4 including the text are calculated, and the type of the text and the character string are further stored in the memory 1.
2 and the attribute table 8 is updated in step a7. In this way, a series of processing shown in FIG. 12 constitutes the arrangement control means.

In this manner, control for registering an arbitrary tool button 4 in the tool ball 3 is realized.

(Size Change Control) The size change control of the tool ball 3 created as the three-dimensional figure 15 will be described below with reference to FIG.

When the tool ball 3 is multiplied by a in the X-axis direction, multiplied by b in the Y-axis direction, and multiplied by c in the Z-axis direction, the coordinates (x ', y', z ') after the size change are calculated by the following equations. Is done.

[0066]

(Equation 15) Next, the size change control of the tool ball 3 created as the ellipsoid 16 will be described with reference to FIG. When the three-dimensional coordinates p (x, y, z) on the ellipsoid 16 at a distance A from the origin of the ellipsoid 16 are coordinate-transformed to a distance B / A times from the origin, the coordinates (x ′) after the size change , Y ', z
') Is calculated as follows. Origin and solid coordinate p
The direction cosine ρ, σ, τ with respect to the X, Y, and Z axes with (x, y, z) is

(Equation 16)

[Equation 17]

(Equation 18) And the coordinates x ′, y ′, z ′ of the point p (x ′, y ′, z ′) after the coordinate conversion are as follows.

X ′ = Bcosρ (24) y ′ = Bcosσ (25) z ′ = Bcosτ (26) where the coefficient B is k ′ = H ′ / W ′. (27) is obtained by the following equation.

[0068]

[Equation 19] On the other hand, when the variables x and y are kept fixed, x ′ = x (29) y ′ = y (30)

(Equation 20) Is obtained. However, when the inside of the root symbol becomes negative in Expression 31, data corresponding to the display disabled state is set as the coordinate value z ′.

(Background Control) A background image displayed in an area other than the tool button 4 of the tool ball 3 will be described below with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the above-described three-dimensional figure 15 employs a plane coordinate system as the tool ball 3 for displaying a background image. When the tool button 4 is displayed in the three-dimensional coordinate system, the range of 180 ° in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 16 is displayed using the rotational position R (α, β) of the X axis and the Y axis shown in FIG. . On the other hand, when the tool button 4 is displayed in the display grid coordinate system of the display grid number C (M, N), the numerical values 360 ° / M and 360 ° / N are rotated with respect to the X axis and the Y axis shown in FIG. Position R (α,
The range of 180 ° in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 16 is displayed using β as the upper left corner coordinate.

(Effects of Embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the plurality of tool buttons 4 are arranged on the three-dimensional figure 15 by the processing shown in FIG. At this time, when the parallel movement operation is performed, as described above, the control unit 11 translates the three-dimensional figure 15 in a state in which the arrangement mode of the tool buttons 4 is maintained based on the movement operation. When the rotation operation is performed, the control unit 11 rotates the tool button 4 arranged on the three-dimensional figure 15 around the three-dimensional figure 15 based on the rotation operation.

Therefore, in the case where an electronic device having the display device 1 such as a personal computer starts application software and displays a plurality of tool buttons 4 to perform data processing, the arrangement of the tool buttons 4 in this embodiment is Are arranged on the three-dimensional figure 15 on the screen 2, and are also arranged on the side and the back of the three-dimensional figure 15 on the screen 2. When the required tool button 4 is hidden on the side surface or the back surface of the three-dimensional figure 15, the tool button 4 arranged on the three-dimensional figure 15 is changed by performing the rotation operation.
Is rotated around. As a result, the necessary tool buttons 4 appear in the visible range on the screen 2.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when arranging the plurality of tool buttons 4 on the screen 2, the three-dimensional figure 15 on the screen 2 can be arranged not only on the front but also on the side and the back. The occupied area required for the arrangement of 4 is significantly reduced, the occupied area such as a work area for performing data processing on the screen 2 can be increased, and the usability is greatly improved. Further, in this embodiment, since the occupied area when the tool buttons 4 are arranged can be reduced, the situation in which the visibility of the screen 2 is reduced even when the three-dimensional figure 15 is displayed is prevented. This eliminates the need to switch the arrangement of the tool buttons 4 between display and non-display in response to activation / termination of the application software, thereby improving operability.

Further, in this embodiment, the area occupied when the tool buttons 4 are arranged is reduced, and the situation where the visibility of the screen 2 is reduced even when the three-dimensional figure 15 is displayed is prevented. . Therefore, in order to make the work area on the screen 2 easy to see, the display size of the toolbar is enlarged / reduced, or displayed in a pseudo-transparent state so as to be superimposed on the operation screen, or at the position of the cursor on the operation screen. This eliminates the need to set a special operation for the tool button 4 such as moving the toolbar when the toolbar comes. Therefore, the situation in which the tool button 4 is moved around the screen 2 is prevented, and the visibility of the screen is improved.

[0075]

As described above, according to the tool button display control device of the first, fifth, and ninth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons to which specific data processing operations can be respectively associated are arranged and controlled. It is arranged on a three-dimensional figure by means. At this time, when a predetermined movement operation is performed, the movement control means performs a parallel movement of the three-dimensional figure while maintaining the arrangement of the tool buttons based on the movement operation.
When a predetermined rotation operation is performed, the rotation control unit rotates the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation.

Therefore, for example, in an electronic apparatus having a display device such as a personal computer, when application software is started and a plurality of tool buttons are displayed to perform data processing, the arrangement of the tool buttons according to the present invention is determined on the screen. It is arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and is also arranged on the side and back of the three-dimensional figure on the screen. When the required tool button is hidden on the side surface or the back surface of the three-dimensional figure, the rotation control unit performs a predetermined rotation operation so that the tool button disposed on the three-dimensional figure changes the tool button of the three-dimensional figure. Rotate around. As a result, necessary tool buttons appear in the visible range on the screen.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when arranging a plurality of tool buttons on the screen, the tool buttons can be arranged not only on the front but also on the side and back of the three-dimensional figure on the screen.
The occupation area required for arranging the tool buttons is significantly reduced, the occupation area such as a work area for performing data processing on the screen can be increased, and the usability is significantly improved. In addition, according to the present invention, the area occupied when arranging the tool buttons can be reduced, so that a situation in which the visibility of the screen is reduced even when the three-dimensional figure is displayed is prevented. This allows
In response to the start / end of the application software,
The necessity of switching the display / non-display of the arrangement of the tool buttons is eliminated, and the operability is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the area occupied when arranging the tool buttons is reduced, and the situation in which the visibility of the screen is reduced even when the three-dimensional figure is displayed is prevented. Therefore, in order to make the work area on the screen easy to see, the display size of the toolbar is enlarged / reduced, or displayed in a pseudo-translucent state on the operation screen,
This eliminates the need to set special operations on the tool buttons, such as moving the toolbar when the toolbar comes to the cursor position on the operation screen. Therefore, a situation in which the tool button is moved around the screen is prevented, and the visibility of the screen is improved.

[0079] In the inventions according to claims 2, 6, and 10, in claim 1, the arrangement control means determines a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system which are predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and sets the plurality of tool buttons to the plurality of tool buttons. The rotation control means is arranged at arrangement coordinates defined by a rectangular coordinate system, and the rotation control means integrally rotates the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons based on the rotation operation.

Also in the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons can be arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and the tool buttons can be rotated around the three-dimensional figure. Therefore, also in the present invention, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be realized.

According to the third, seventh and eleventh aspects of the present invention, in the first aspect, the arrangement control means determines a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system which are predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and sets the plurality of tool buttons in an orthogonal manner. The rotation control means is arranged at the arrangement coordinates on the virtual ellipsoid defined by the coordinate system, and the rotation control means rotates a plurality of tool buttons with respect to the three-dimensional figure on the virtual ellipsoid based on the rotation operation.

Also in the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons can be arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and the tool buttons can be rotated on the virtual ellipsoid around the three-dimensional figure. Therefore, also in the present invention, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be realized.

[0083] In the inventions according to claims 4, 8 and 12, in claim 1, the arrangement control means determines a display grid predetermined for the three-dimensional figure and arranges the plurality of tool buttons by the display grid. Arranged at coordinates, the rotation control means rotates a plurality of tool buttons with respect to the three-dimensional figure as movement on a display grid based on the rotation operation.

In the present invention, a plurality of tool buttons can be arranged on a three-dimensional figure, and the tool buttons can be rotated around the three-dimensional figure. Therefore, also in the present invention, the same operation and effect as those described in claim 1 can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example of various tool balls 3 which are three-dimensional figures on a screen 2 of a display device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a personal computer 10 in which the embodiment is implemented.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a tool ball 3;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an attribute table 8 of the tool ball 3 stored in a memory 12 of the personal computer 10.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method of arranging a tool button 4 on a tool ball 3 in a state where a solid 5 is erected.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing rotation of the solid body 5 around the X axis.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing rotation of the solid body 5 around the Y axis.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating rotation of the solid body 5 around the Z axis.

FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing a rotating state of various tool balls 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a principle of rotation by an ellipsoid in another example of a method of disposing the tool button on the tool ball.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the principle of rotation by the display grid 7 in another example of a method for arranging the tool buttons 4 on the tool ball 3;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of registering a tool button 4 in a tool ball 3;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example at the time of registration.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the principle of enlarging or reducing the solid 5 as an example of the tool ball 3;

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged ellipsoid 6 of another example of the tool ball 3;
It is a figure showing the principle of reduction.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of a background image displayed on the tool ball 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 display device 2 screen 3 tool ball 4 tool button 10 personal computer 11 control unit 12 memory 13 keyboard 14 mouse 15 solid figure 16 ellipsoid 27 display grid P (X, Y) coordinate origin p (x, y, z) tool button coordinates

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) EA10 EB05 EB13 FA03 FA04 FA05 FA06 FA09 FA14 FA27 FA45 FB04 FB22 FB24

Claims (12)

[Claims] An arrangement control means for arranging a plurality of tool buttons, each of which can be associated with a specific data processing operation, on a three-dimensional figure, and a state in which an arrangement mode of the tool buttons is held based on a predetermined moving operation. And a rotation control unit configured to rotate the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on a predetermined rotation operation. A display control device for a tool button. 2. The arrangement control means determines a coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and arranges the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates defined by the rectangular coordinate system. The display control device for tool buttons according to claim 1, wherein the means rotates the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons integrally based on the rotation operation. 3. The arrangement control means determines a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system which are predetermined for the three-dimensional figure, and arranges the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates on a virtual ellipsoid defined by the orthogonal coordinate system. The display control of a tool button according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control means rotates the plurality of tool buttons with respect to the three-dimensional figure on the virtual ellipsoid based on the rotation operation. apparatus. 4. The arrangement control means determines a predetermined display grid for the three-dimensional figure, arranges the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates defined by the display grid, and the rotation control means controls the rotation operation. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated with respect to the three-dimensional figure as movement on the display grid.
Display control device of the described tool button. 5. An arrangement control step of arranging a plurality of tool buttons, each of which can be associated with a specific data processing operation, on a three-dimensional figure, and a state in which the arrangement mode of the tool buttons is held based on a predetermined moving operation. And a rotation control step of rotating the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on a predetermined rotation operation. The display control method of the tool button characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The arrangement control step includes: defining a coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure; arranging the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates defined by the rectangular coordinate system; 6. The display control method for tool buttons according to claim 5, wherein, in the step, the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons are integrally rotated based on the rotation operation. 7. The arrangement control step includes: defining a coordinate origin and a rectangular coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure; and arranging the plurality of tool buttons at layout coordinates on a virtual ellipsoid defined by the rectangular coordinate system. 6. The display control of tool buttons according to claim 5, wherein, in the rotation control step, the plurality of tool buttons are rotated on the virtual ellipsoid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation. Method. 8. The arrangement control step includes: determining a display grid predetermined for the three-dimensional figure; arranging the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates defined by the display grid; and the rotation control step includes: 6. The display control method for tool buttons according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated as a movement on the display grid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on. 9. An arrangement control function for arranging a plurality of tool buttons, each of which can be associated with a specific data processing operation, on a three-dimensional figure, and a state in which the arrangement of the tool buttons is held based on a predetermined moving operation. And a rotation control function of rotating the tool button arranged on the three-dimensional figure around the three-dimensional figure based on a predetermined rotation operation. A recording medium for a tool button display control method characterized by recording a program. 10. The arrangement control function comprises: determining a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure; arranging the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates defined by the orthogonal coordinate system; 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the function is to rotate the three-dimensional figure and the plurality of tool buttons integrally based on the rotation operation. 11. An arrangement control function comprising: determining a coordinate origin and an orthogonal coordinate system predetermined for the three-dimensional figure; and arranging the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates on a virtual ellipsoid defined by the orthogonal coordinate system. The display control of the tool buttons according to claim 9, wherein the rotation control function rotates the plurality of tool buttons on the virtual ellipsoid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the rotation operation. Method recording media. 12. The arrangement control function comprises: determining a display grid predetermined on the three-dimensional figure; arranging the plurality of tool buttons at arrangement coordinates determined by the display grid; 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of tool buttons are rotated as a movement on the display grid with respect to the three-dimensional figure based on the following.