JP4242986B2 - Focus control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a graphical user interface (GUI), and more particularly to a technique for controlling the movement of focus to a GUI component such as a button constituting a GUI screen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, information communication devices and home appliances that use GUI screens as user interfaces are increasing, and there is a high need for technology for easily and expediting design of GUI screens that may change in response to user input and the like. .
Such a GUI screen is a GUI screen displayed on a device such as a display, and is composed of GUI components. Here, the GUI part is an image that displays a character, a picture, or the like having a specific shape such as a button, a list box, a check box, and the like, and displays various information to the user. This is a target of selection by the user. Some GUI components display a menu item that is a target of a selection operation by the user.
[0003]
Conventionally, a focus is used to allow a user to select an arbitrary GUI component on a GUI screen using a remote controller, a keyboard, or the like for operating a television or the like. Here, the focus is a symbol indicating a user's attention location on the GUI screen, and takes a form such as a dotted frame, and is displayed around the GUI component so that the user can recognize the noticed GUI component. Says what is done. Note that this focus is indispensable for the user to perform a selection operation on the GUI screen using a remote controller, a keyboard, or the like that cannot be directly designated, unlike a pointing device such as a mouse.
[0004]
In other words, this focus moves in response to a remote control button or key provided on a remote control, a keyboard, or the like that means movement in the upward, downward, left, right, or the like direction when the user presses it. It is controlled by the control mechanism of the GUI screen. In addition, when a user presses a remote control button or key indicating selection or confirmation provided on a remote control, a keyboard, or the like, the GUI component on which the focus is positioned at the time of pressing is selected by the user The GUI screen control mechanism performs processing control according to the property of the GUI component.
[0005]
Therefore, when the user wants to select a GUI component among the GUI screens composed of a large number of GUI components, the user presses the remote control button for direction indication, for example, several times while viewing the GUI screen. After the focus is moved to the GUI part to be selected, the object can be achieved by pressing the selection remote control button. For example, to select the GUI component at the third position to the right of the GUI component that is currently focused, press the remote control button for the right direction and then press the remote control button for selection. There is a need.
[0006]
As described above, the conventional GUI screen control mechanism enables selection of a GUI component by a remote controller or the like using the focus, but the selection is performed through the focus as compared with the direct GUI component selection by the pointing device. In this case, the number of user operations is large.
By the way, some GUI parts cannot always be selected or cannot be selected. However, the conventional GUI screen control mechanism cannot be a selection candidate for these users. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to recognize which GUI component is selectable, and the number of operations until the focus is positioned on the selectable GUI component remains large.
[0007]
Conventionally, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Gazette (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-817835). This technology displays GUI parts, which are currently available function options, in a moving image, and displays GUI parts, which are unavailable function options, as a still image, allowing a user-selectable GUI part to be operated. This is a technology that makes it a pioneer. This allows the user to easily recognize the GUI parts that are currently available function options, so that the GUI parts can be selected by moving the focus at the shortest distance instead of moving the focus by trial and error. Can be selected.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, this technique alone cannot reduce the number of operations when the focus is moved by the shortest distance in order to select a GUI component. For example, if the first and second GUI parts are not selectable to the right of the GUI part where the focus is currently positioned and the third GUI part is selectable, the user In order to position the focus on the third selectable GUI component, the right remote control button must be pressed three times.
[0009]
Note that, in the field of general digital television and other household electrical appliances in which user operations are accepted only by a remote controller rather than a pointing device, a technique for reducing user operations related to focus movement is required.
Therefore, the present invention has been made to reduce the user operation related to the movement of the focus so that the target GUI component can be selected with fewer operations even by an input device such as a remote controller. An object of the present invention is to provide a focus control device that moves the focus only to a specific GUI component rather than allowing the focus to move to all GUI components in the screen.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a focus control apparatus according to the present invention is a focus control apparatus that positions a focus on one of GUI components displayed on a screen, and a request receiving unit that receives a focus movement request; A focus addition availability information storage unit storing focus addition availability information indicating whether or not to allow the focus to be positioned for each GUI component, and according to the movement request received by the request reception unit, A focus moving means for controlling to move the focus with respect to the GUI component which is permitted to position the focus on the other side, skipping the GUI component which is prohibited to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information; It is characterized by providing.
[0011]
With the above configuration, the GUI is classified as prohibiting the positioning of the focus even when the user makes a focus movement request using an input device that can only give direction instructions such as a remote controller or a keyboard that is not a pointing device. If the component is skipped and the focus moves only to the GUI component that is classified as allowing the focus to be positioned, for example, if the selectable GUI component is classified as being permitted to position the focus. The user can move the focus to the target GUI component with few operations. That is, when a GUI component that cannot be selected is arranged above the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned on the screen, and a selectable GUI component is arranged further above the GUI component, the user When the user wants to select the selectable GUI component, the user can position the focus on the target GUI component by, for example, pressing the remote control button indicating the upward direction once, and then select the selected GUI component. Selection can be performed by pressing a remote control button indicating that.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, a focus control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital broadcast receiving system 1000 including a focus control device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0013]
The digital broadcast receiving system 1000 includes a digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1100 that includes the focus control apparatus 1, a monitor 1200 that displays a GUI screen and the like, and a remote controller 1300.
Here, the remote controller 1300 includes up, down, left, and right direction remote control buttons 1301 to 1304, a selection remote control button 1305, an operation guide display remote control button 1306, and the like. The data is transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 1100. The operation guide is an arrow on the GUI screen indicating which GUI component on the GUI screen the focus moves to when the user presses the up, down, left, and right direction remote control buttons 1301 to 1304. The display of etc ..
[0014]
The digital broadcast receiver 1100 is a device that receives a digital broadcast transmitted by a broadcast satellite or the like and displays a broadcast program or a GUI screen on the monitor 1200.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the focus control apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0015]
The focus control device 1 is a part of a GUI screen control mechanism inside the digital broadcast receiving device 1100, and is configured by an information processing mechanism such as a CPU and a memory in terms of hardware, and functionally as shown in FIG. , Event receiving unit 10, event processing unit 20, GUI management unit 30, callback function processing unit 40, component type information management unit 50, GUI component information management unit 60, focus processing unit 70, focus The management unit 80, the focus display unit 90, the content guide display unit 100, and the operation guide display unit 110 are configured. Each function is realized by the CPU executing various control programs stored in the memory.
[0016]
Here, the GUI screen control mechanism displays a GUI screen that accepts a user operation based on information related to the display of the GUI screen included in the digital broadcast content received by the digital broadcast receiving device 1100.
The event receiving unit 10 has a function of receiving an event for hardware or software to notify a change in state. Each event may be information including a parameter.
[0017]
For example, when the user presses the remote control buttons 1301 to 1304 for the up, down, left, and right directions of the remote control 1300, the event reception unit 10 uses the remote control signal detection mechanism in the digital broadcast reception device 1100. When a focus processing request event including a direction as a parameter is received and a remote control button 1305 for selection is pressed, GUI component selection similarly sent from the remote control signal detection mechanism When a notification event is received and the operation guide display remote control button 1306 is pressed, a focus processing request event including a parameter for displaying the operation guide is received.
[0018]
The event processing unit 20 has a function of requesting the focus processing unit 70 or the callback function processing unit 40 to execute an event response operation in accordance with the event received by the event receiving unit 10.
The callback function processing unit 40 has a function of calling a unique function corresponding to each event, that is, a function of starting a subroutine-like control program. For example, the GUI component on which the focus is positioned is selected by the remote controller for selection. When selected by the user via an operation of pressing a button, a predetermined function for the GUI component is called. For example, if the GUI component is a button displayed as “search”, a function predetermined for the button is executed and a search is performed in response to the user's selection.
[0019]
The component type information management unit 50 holds classification information indicating whether or not each type of GUI component constituting the GUI screen can be a focus movement destination. This classification information is sent by being included in digital broadcast content, and is received by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1100 and recorded in the component type information management unit 50. The classification information will be described later in detail.
[0020]
The GUI part information management unit 60 holds part information defining various attributes such as contents and display positions of the GUI parts constituting the GUI screen. Similar to the above-described classification information, this component information is also included in the digital broadcast content and sent, and is received by the digital broadcast receiver 1100 and recorded in the GUI component information management unit 60. The component information is referred to in order to obtain the drawing contents from a portion other than the focus control device 1 in the GUI screen control mechanism, for example, a functional portion for drawing a GUI component. This component information will be described in detail later.
[0021]
The GUI management unit 30 manages the component type information management unit 50 and the GUI component information management unit 60, and if classification information or component information needs to be changed as a result of processing performed by the callback function processing unit 40. It has a function to change these.
The focus processing unit 70 performs processing for a focus processing request event, and refers to the classification information held in the component type information management unit 50 and the component information held in the GUI component information management unit 60. When the parameter included in the event indicates any of the upward, downward, left, and right directions, the GUI component that is the focus movement destination is specified, the GUI component is notified to the focus management unit 80, and the focus display is performed. When a focus display instruction is issued to the unit 90 and a content guide display instruction is issued to the content guide display unit 100, and the parameter included in the event indicates that the operation guide is displayed, the operation guide display unit 110 is displayed. The operation guide display instruction is issued.
[0022]
The focus management unit 80 holds information indicating which GUI component is the focus movement destination notified from the focus processing unit 70, that is, one GUI component ID of the GUI component that is the movement destination. It is. Accordingly, the focus management unit 80 stores the GUI component ID of the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned, except during processing for a focus processing request event related to focus movement. In addition, information indicating the GUI component on which the focus is positioned in the initial state is added to, for example, the component information, and accordingly, in the initial state, the GUI component ID for the GUI component is stored in the focus management unit 80. Is done.
[0023]
The focus processing unit 70 refers to the information held in the focus management unit 80 in addition to the classification information and the component information, and grasps the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned, and the position of the GUI component. Based on the above, based on a predetermined procedure to be described later, which GUI component is determined as the focus movement destination.
The focus display unit 90 displays the focus on the GUI screen based on the information held by the focus management unit 80 so that the GUI component on which the focus is positioned is surrounded by a dotted frame so that the user can recognize the presence of the focus. . The focus display is performed after the previously displayed focus is erased.
[0024]
The content guide display unit 100 has a function of displaying on the GUI screen a content guide that is an explanation for the GUI component on which the focus is positioned in response to an instruction from the focus processing unit 70. The content guide is displayed after the previously displayed content guide is deleted.
In addition, the operation guide display unit 110 receives an instruction from the focus processing unit 70 and to which GUI component the focus moves when the user presses the remote control buttons on the top, bottom, left, and right of the remote control. Is displayed on the GUI screen.
[0025]
Note that the GUI screen control mechanism of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1100, the focus display unit 90, the content guide display unit 100, the operation guide display unit 110, and the like control image drawing for setting color data for each pixel constituting the screen. By outputting an image signal from the digital broadcast receiver 1100 via a program, an image processor, or the like, an image such as a GUI component group or a focus is displayed on the monitor 1200.
[0026]
<Screen example>
Hereinafter, GUI parts and the like constituting the GUI screen will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen displayed on the monitor 1200.
The GUI screen shown in the figure is a GUI screen related to a genre search function of an electronic program guide (EPG), and the types of GUI parts constituting the GUI screen are a panel, a button, a label, a list box, and a bitmap.
[0027]
Here, the panel is a GUI component that is the basis of another GUI component, and the label is a GUI component that displays a character string in a frame. The button is a GUI component that receives an operation request from the user, and executes a function predetermined for the button when the user selects it. The bitmap is a GUI component that displays a picture, but here, it is assumed that an operation similar to a button is also performed. The list box is a GUI component that displays character strings as a plurality of options over a plurality of lines and accepts selection by the user.
[0028]
The GUI screen will be described by focusing on each GUI component. The GUI screen includes a background panel 500, a button 510 drawn “Search”, a button 520 drawn “Cancel”, and a button 530 drawn “Return”. , A button 540 drawn “next page”, a label 550 drawn “large item”, a label 560 drawn “small item”, a label 570 representing an outline description of this GUI screen, and a list of large items A list box 580 expressed in a format, a list box 585 expressed in a list format with small items, a bitmap 590 on which a picture is drawn, and a bitmap component 595 are included.
[0029]
A focus 501 and a content guide 502 are displayed on the GUI screen. This indicates a state where the focus is positioned on the button 530.
<Data structure>
Hereinafter, the classification information held by the component type information management unit 50 will be described.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the classification information 200 held by the component type information management unit 50.
The classification information 200 is information obtained by classifying the GUI component type into either a section called FocusParts that allows the focus to be positioned or a section called NotFocusParts that prohibits the positioning of the focus. FocusParts includes a GUI component type that can execute some function when a GUI component of that type is selected by the user, that is, a GUI component type of a GUI component that can be selected.
[0031]
Note that the GUI component type is a classification from the nature of the GUI, such as a response to a user operation, and is a type of GUI component such as a button or a list box. Each GUI component is generated by specifying display contents, size, etc. on the basis of a template of any GUI component type.
In the content example shown in the figure, the NotFocusParts section includes GUI part types such as panel, label, and text, and the FocusParts section includes buttons, list boxes, bitmaps, EPG matrices, and the like. Yes. Here, the text is a GUI component that displays a character string, and the EPG matrix is a GUI component that displays a program table having a time axis and a channel axis and accepts selection of a program by the user.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the component information held by the GUI component information management unit 60 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the content of the component information held by the GUI component information management unit 60.
Component information exists for each GUI screen, and each component information is individual information that defines various attributes such as display contents and display position according to the type of GUI component for each GUI component constituting the GUI screen. It is a set.
[0033]
One component information 400 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the GUI screen shown in FIG. 3, and includes individual information 410 corresponding to the label 550, individual information 420 corresponding to the button 510, and individual information corresponding to the button 530. Information 430 and individual information 440 corresponding to the bitmap 590 are included. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the component information 400 includes individual information corresponding to all the GUI components shown in FIG. .
[0034]
In the individual information 410 corresponding to the label 550, the GUI part ID is L001, the GUI part type is a label, the position is (90, 60), the size is (170, 40), and the character string is “large item”. It consists of various types of attribute information. In addition to the illustration, the individual information 410 includes attribute information such as a font type and a character size. Here, the GUI component ID is an identifier for identifying each GUI component, and the position is made up of coordinates in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction when the upper right corner of the GUI component is based on the upper right corner of the GUI screen as the origin. The size is composed of the width and height of the GUI component, and the character string “major item” is displayed on the GUI component.
[0035]
The individual information 420 corresponding to the button 510 has a GUI part ID B001, a GUI part type button, a position (350, 270), a size (80, 40), and a character string “search”. The function is F_B001 () and includes various attribute information such as no content guide. Here, F_B001 () is a function name that specifies a function to be executed when the GUI component is selected by the user.
[0036]
The individual information 430 corresponding to the button 530 has a GUI part ID B003, a GUI part type button, a position (350, 420), a size (80, 45), and a character string “return”. The function is F_B003 (), the content guide is G_B003, and the like. Here, F_B003 () is a function name that specifies a function that is executed when the GUI component is selected by the user, and G_B003 specifies a text that defines a character string or the like of a content guide for the GUI component. ID.
[0037]
<Operation>
Hereinafter, the operation of the focus control apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the focus control apparatus 1.
The focus control device 1 repeatedly executes the operation shown in FIG.
First, the event receiving unit 10 receives an event and notifies the event processing unit 20 (step S201). As described above, the event includes a focus processing request sent from the remote control signal detection mechanism in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1100 when the user presses the remote control buttons 1301 to 1304 and 1306 of the remote control 1300, and the user presses the remote control button 1305. There is a GUI component selection notification or the like sent when the button is pressed.
[0038]
The event processing unit 20 determines whether the notified event is a focus processing request (step S202). If the event is a focus processing request, the event processing unit 20 gives a parameter included in the event to the focus processing unit and executes the focus processing unit 70. Request.
The focus processing unit 70 requested to execute from the event processing unit 20 refers to the classification information held in the component type information management unit 50, and searches for a GUI component that can position the focus (step S203). In other words, the focus processing unit 70 selects the GUI component type from among all pieces of individual information in the component information corresponding to the currently displayed GUI screen among the component information held in the GUI component information management unit 60. The GUI parts are searched by extracting those belonging to the FocusParts category, and all of the GUI parts that can position the focus on the currently displayed GUI screen are the search results.
[0039]
After searching for a GUI component that can position the focus, the focus processing unit 70 determines whether the parameter indicates one of the up, down, left, and right directions (step S204). From the search result in step S203, the GUI component to which the focus is to be positioned is specified as the movement destination when the focus is moved in the direction indicated by the parameter, and the GUI component ID of the GUI component is notified to the focus management unit 80 (step S203). S205). Note that a procedure for specifying a GUI component on which the focus is to be positioned (hereinafter referred to as “movement destination GUI component specifying process”) will be described later.
[0040]
After identifying the GUI component where the focus should be positioned by executing the destination GUI component identifying process, the focus processing unit 70 issues a focus display instruction to the focus display unit 90, and the focus display unit 90 responds accordingly to the focus management unit 90. The focus is positioned and displayed on the GUI component indicated by the GUI component ID stored in the unit 80 (step S206). Thus, the focus is displayed according to the position and size indicated by the individual information in the component information for the GUI component indicated by the GUI component ID.
[0041]
Subsequently, the focus processing unit 70 issues a content guide display instruction to the content guide display unit 100, and in response thereto, the content guide display unit 100 displays the GUI component indicated by the GUI component ID stored in the focus management unit 80. A content guide corresponding to is displayed (step S207). Thereby, for the GUI component indicated by the GUI component ID, the content guide is displayed when the content guide exists in the individual information in the component information. Note that when there is no content guide in the individual information, the content guide is not displayed.
[0042]
If it is determined in step S204 that the parameter indicates that the operation guide is displayed, that is, if it is determined that the parameter does not indicate any one of the upper, lower, left, and right directions, the focus processing unit 70 performs step S203. From the search results in, specify the GUI component to which the focus should be positioned as the movement destination when moving the focus in that direction for each of the upper, lower, left, and right directions (step S208), and display the operation guide using these as the movement destinations. In response to this, the operation guide display unit 110 displays “↑”, “↓” on the GUI parts specified corresponding to the upper, lower, left, and right, respectively. , “←”, “→”, etc., are added and displayed (step S209).
[0043]
If it is determined in step S202 that the notified event is not a focus processing request, the event processing unit 20 requests execution of the callback function processing unit 40 (step S210). If the event is a GUI component selection notification, the event processing unit 20 specifies a function indicated by individual information in the component information for the GUI component indicated by the GUI component ID stored in the focus management unit 80, and the function. Is requested to the callback function processing unit 40. In the function activated by this, by updating the classification information and component information via the GUI management unit 30, the GUI screen can be replaced, the arrangement of the GUI components can be changed, and the component type to which the focus can be added There are also things that change.
[0044]
For example, when a function for adding a new button is activated, the GUI management unit 30 adds individual information regarding the added button to the component information of the GUI component information management unit 60 in response to the instruction of the function. To do. In addition, when a function that changes the bitmap to an unselectable one is activated, the GUI management unit 30 receives the instruction of the function, and converts the classification information of the component type information management unit 50 into the bitmap. Is updated to NoFocusParts. The GUI management unit 30 has a function of changing attributes such as the position and size of individual information in the component information and a function of changing classification information.
[0045]
Accordingly, the classification information and the component information can be changed as a result of the execution of step S210. However, when these are changed, the processing of the focus processing request event by the focus processing unit 70 after that is changed. This is performed with reference to information and component information.
Thus, every time the event receiving unit 10 receives an event, for example, when the user presses the remote control button, the focus control device 1 performs the operation shown in FIG.
[0046]
Here, a destination GUI component specifying process performed for specifying a GUI component to which the focus should be positioned as a destination when the focus is moved in the vertical and horizontal directions in steps S205 and S208 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the destination GUI component specifying process.
The focus processing unit 70 refers to the GUI component ID stored in the focus management unit 80 and the component information held in the GUI component information management unit 60, and among the GUI components that are the search results in step S203, Attention is focused on all GUI components centered in the range of 90 degrees that is plus or minus 45 degrees toward the direction of movement, for example, upward with respect to the center of the GUI part where the focus is positioned (step S251). The center of the GUI component can be obtained from the position and size in the individual information of the component information.
[0047]
Here, if there is a GUI part of interest in step S251 (step S252), the focus processing unit 70 is the GUI part closest to the center of the GUI part where the focus is currently positioned among the noticed GUI parts. Is specified, and the destination GUI component specifying process is terminated (step S253).
Note that in step S253, even when there are two or more GUI parts closest to the center of the GUI part where the focus is located, for example, a GUI part focused later is used to determine one GUI part by a predetermined determination method. Specify only GUI parts.
[0048]
Further, when there is no GUI component of interest in step S251, for example, when there is no GUI component in the upward direction (step S252), the GUI where the focus is currently positioned among the GUI components that are the search results in step S203. Attention is paid to all GUI parts centered in the range of 90 degrees in the direction opposite to the direction of movement with respect to the center of the parts, that is, downward if the movement destination is up (step S254). ).
[0049]
Here, if there is a GUI component of interest in step S254 (step S255), the focus processing unit 70 is farthest from the center of the GUI component where the focus is currently positioned among the GUI components of interest in step S254. One GUI component is identified and the movement destination GUI component identification process is terminated (step S256).
[0050]
In step S256, even when there are two or more GUI parts farthest from the center of the GUI part on which the focus is positioned, for example, one GUI part focused on later is selected by a predetermined determination method. Specify only GUI parts.
If there is no GUI component of interest in step S254 (step S255), the focus processing unit 70 specifies the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned, and ends the destination GUI component specifying process (step S255). S257).
[0051]
Hereinafter, the operation of the focus control apparatus 1 will be described using a more specific example.
Here, the classification information is as illustrated in FIG. 4, the component information corresponding to the displayed GUI screen is as illustrated in FIG. 5, the GUI screen illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed, and the focus is on the button 530. The operation when the user presses the remote control button 1301 indicating the upward direction in a state where is positioned.
[0052]
First, upon receiving a remote control signal sent from the remote control 1300 when the remote control button 1301 is pressed, the remote control signal detection mechanism of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 1100 notifies the event receiving unit 10 of a focus processing request event including a parameter indicating the upward direction. To do.
The event receiving unit 10 receives the notified event (step S201) and transmits it to the event processing unit 20. The event processing unit 20 determines that this event is a focus processing request (step S202), passes the event, and requests execution of the focus processing unit 70.
[0053]
In response to this, the focus processing unit 70 searches for a GUI component that can position the focus (step S203). That is, the focus processing unit 70 refers to each piece of individual information in the part information (see FIG. 5) that is information about each GUI part, and the GUI part type belongs to the FocusParts category of the classification information, that is, , Buttons, list boxes, bitmaps, etc. (see FIG. 4) are retrieved and extracted.
[0054]
The search result includes GUI parts and the like represented by the individual information 420, 430, and 440 illustrated in FIG. 5, and includes the buttons 510, 520, 530, and 540 shown in FIG. And list boxes 580 and 585, but the GUI parts represented by the individual information 410 illustrated in FIG. 5 are not included, and the labels 550, 560 and 570 shown in FIG. 3 are not included.
[0055]
After the search, the focus processing unit 70 refers to the event parameter to determine that the movement is in the upward direction (step S204), and the GUI component that is the focus movement destination in the upward direction from the search result is described above. It is identified by the destination GUI component identification process (see FIG. 7) (step S205).
As a result, the button 510 present in the upward direction of the button 530 where the focus is currently positioned is specified as the focus movement destination, and the GUI component ID of the button 510 is stored in the focus management unit 80. become. Note that since the label 570 immediately above the button 530 is not included in the search result of step S203, the button 510 further above it is specified as the focus destination.
[0056]
After specifying the focus destination, the focus processing unit 70 instructs the focus display unit 90 to display the focus, and in response to this, the focus display unit 90 displays the focus so as to surround the button 510 (step S206).
Subsequently, the focus processing unit 70 instructs the content guide display unit 100 to display the content guide. In response to this, the content guide display unit does not display the content guide because there is no content guide for the button 510 (see FIG. 5) (step S207).
[0057]
In this way, the button moves from the button 530 drawn with “return” to the button 510 drawn “search”.
Further, a case will be described in which the operation guide display remote control button 1306 is pressed by the user in a state where the focus is positioned on the button 530 as shown in FIG.
[0058]
In this case, the event reception unit 10 is notified of a focus processing request event including a parameter for displaying the operation guide from the remote control signal detection mechanism.
In contrast, the focus control device 1 performs steps S201 to S203 in the same manner as when the above-described upward remote control button 1301 is pressed.
Following this, the focus processing unit 70 refers to the event parameter and determines that the movement is not in any of the up, down, left, and right directions (step S204). By repeatedly performing the specifying process, the GUI component that is the movement destination in each direction is specified (step S208).
[0059]
The operation guide display unit 110 displays an operation guide indicating the GUI component specified by the focus processing unit 70 (step S209).
The resulting GUI screen is as shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a GUI screen on which an operation guide display is performed.
If the user presses a remote control button indicating one of the top, bottom, left, or right of the remote controller 1300 while the GUI screen shown in the figure is displayed, a GUI indicated by arrows 505 to 508 as an operation guide. The focus moves to one of the parts.
[0060]
In this way, when the focus control apparatus 1 needs to move the focus, the focus control apparatus 1 realizes the focus movement by positioning the focus only on the GUI component that can be selected at that time. Therefore, the number of operations that the user should perform for focus movement can be reduced to some extent. Also, such focus control is the same after, for example, the execution of the callback function processing unit 40, after the GUI screen is changed to a horizontally long one and the arrangement of GUI parts is changed as shown in FIG. To be made.
[0061]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a GUI screen after the arrangement of GUI parts is changed.
If the user presses the left remote control button 1303 in the state where the focus is positioned on the button 530 drawn “return” on the right side of the GUI screen as shown in FIG. The label 570 is skipped, and the focus is moved to the button 510 on which “Search” is drawn on the left side.
[0062]
<GUI screen information generation device>
Hereinafter, a GUI screen information generation apparatus that generates classification information and the like used in the focus control apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the GUI screen information generation device.
The GUI screen information generation device 700 is a device used by a GUI screen developer before the operation stage of the focus control device 1 described above. In terms of hardware, a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, a mouse, a display, and the like are used. As shown in the figure, it is configured by an operation receiving unit 710, a display unit 720, a part information storage unit 730, a classification information storage unit 740, and a control unit 750. ing. Each functional part is realized by a program stored in the memory being executed by the CPU.
[0063]
Here, the operation receiving unit 710 receives an operation performed by a developer via a mouse or the like, and the display unit 720 displays data on a display.
The control unit 750 performs overall processing for generating component information and classification information. The control unit 750 displays a GUI screen or the like for requesting a developer's operation on the display unit 720, and displays an operation reception unit. In response to a developer's operation via 710, in response to this, component information and classification information are generated and stored in the component information storage unit 730 and the classification information storage unit 740.
[0064]
The generation of the component information is performed by obtaining from the developer each attribute in each individual information corresponding to each GUI component described above (see FIG. 5).
In addition, regarding the generation of classification information, the GUI screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display, and whether the developer belongs to the category of FocusParts or NoFocusParts for each GUI component type such as a button, list box, or label. To specify. For example, the developer can easily select whether the focus can be positioned on the button or whether the focus cannot be positioned by clicking either the mark 751 or the mark 752 with the mouse. Can be determined.
<< Embodiment 2 >>
Hereinafter, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a modified focus control device and a modified GUI screen information generation device, which are modifications of the focus control device 1 and the GUI screen information generation device 700 according to the first embodiment described above, will be described.
[0065]
<Part information modification>
First, deformed component information, which is a modified example of the component information in the first embodiment described above, will be described.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of the deformed component information 800. As shown in FIG.
The deformed component information shown in the figure is a set of individual information for each GUI component, similar to the component information 400 shown in FIG. 5, but only in that a focus attribute is added to the content of each individual information. Different from the component information 400.
[0066]
The focus attribute takes either a value indicating that the focus can be positioned or a value indicating that the focus cannot be positioned. In the figure, the former is “possible” and the latter is “impossible”. Represents.
In the example shown in the figure, the focus attribute is “impossible” in the individual information 810, and the focus attribute is “possible” in the individual information 820, 830, and 840.
[0067]
<Modified GUI screen information generation device>
The modified GUI screen information generation device is obtained by partially modifying the GUI screen information generation device 700 described in the first embodiment, and stores and controls the storage of modified component information instead of component information in the component information storage unit 730. The control content of the unit 750 is different.
Here, the operation of the control unit 750 in the modified GUI screen information generation device will be described.
[0068]
The control unit 750 generates classification information in response to designation from the developer regarding classification information indicating whether or not the focus can be positioned for each GUI component type, and based on this or predetermined classification information Based on the above, the focus attribute is automatically set when each piece of the deformed component information is generated.
For example, if the button belongs to the category of FocusParts in the classification information, when the developer gives an instruction to create the button, the control unit 750 sets the focus attribute in the individual information corresponding to the button to “permitted”. To generate individual information according to the developer's instructions.
[0069]
However, the control unit 750 allows the developer to change the focus attribute in the individual information corresponding to each GUI component by providing a GUI that allows the developer to change the focus attribute. Therefore, the developer can set the focus attribute in the individual information corresponding to the specific button to “impossible”.
The deformed component information generated in this way is used in the deformed focus control device, and control of movement of the focus and the like is realized in which whether or not the focus is positioned in units of individual GUI components, not in GUI component type units. Is done.
[0070]
<Deformation focus control device>
The deformed focus control device is obtained by partially deforming the focus control device 1 described in the first embodiment. The GUI component information management unit 60 holds the deformed component information instead of the component information, and the movement of the focus. In order to display the operation guide, the focus processing unit 70 refers to the classification information and the component information to search for a GUI component that can position the focus (step S203), but in the individual information of the deformed component information. It differs from the focus control device 1 in that a GUI component that can position the focus is searched with reference to the focus attribute.
[0071]
In the deformed focus control apparatus, the GUI management unit 30 has a function of changing the focus attribute, the position attribute, the size attribute, and the like in the individual information of the changed component information. In addition, the function executed by the callback function processing unit 40 when a user selects a button or the like corresponds to the focus attribute in the individual information of the deformed component information via the GUI management unit 30. When the function executed by the selection of the GUI component by the user becomes an inexecutable state, the function executed by the selection of the corresponding GUI component by the user is changed from “permitted” to “impossible”. In some cases, there may be a change from “impossible” to “possible”. When such a function is executed as necessary, a button for selecting a function is not moved to the focus when the function is not currently available, and when the function is currently available, Control that becomes the destination is realized.
《Supplement》
While the focus control apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. That is,
(1) In this embodiment, the focus control device is positioned as a part of the GUI screen control mechanism in the digital broadcast receiving device. However, the focus control device according to the present invention is built in the digital broadcast receiving device. The present invention is not limited to this, and any other home appliance or personal computer may be used as long as it has a GUI screen and an input device such as a remote control or a keyboard that cannot directly specify an arbitrary location on the GUI screen. It may be placed in.
[0072]
The present invention is not limited to the case where the remote control has remote control buttons for designating the four directions of up, down, left, and right.
In addition, although the component information and the classification information are included in the digital broadcast content and transmitted from the broadcasting satellite or the like, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be recorded in advance in the focus control device. .
(2) In the present embodiment, buttons, list boxes, labels, etc. are exemplified as the types of GUI parts, but GUI parts are not limited to these, for example, so-called check boxes and input fields. Also good.
(3) In the present embodiment, the focus display unit 90 displays the focus with a dotted frame, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the presence of the focus is displayed so as to be recognized by the user. If there is, it may be displayed by shading or the like, and when a button is focused, a dotted line frame may be used, and one item in the list box may be shaded or the like.
(4) In the present embodiment, the destination GUI component identification process is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 7, but this is only an example, for example, a procedure in which steps S254 to S256 are omitted or other procedures. It may be. Further, step S257 is not specified, but it may be handled that there is no GUI component to be specified, focus movement in that direction is not performed, and an operation guide indicating the direction may not be displayed.
[0073]
Further, in the present embodiment, all the GUI parts that can position the focus are searched and extracted, and the destination GUI part specifying process is performed within the range, but the GUI parts that can position the focus are used. Other procedures may be used as long as the focus can be moved. For example, the GUI component that is closest in the direction is detected from the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned based on the moving direction, and the GUI component is detected. It is determined whether or not the focus can be positioned, and if it cannot be positioned, the process of detecting the next closest GUI component is repeated until the GUI component that can position the focus is detected. By doing this, it is possible to specify the GUI component that is the focus movement destination.
[0074]
Further, it is assumed that an identification number for moving the focus is added to the individual information for each GUI component, and the movement in the focus direction may be performed based on the identification number. For example, in the case where 10 pieces of GUI parts arranged side by side from the left to the right of the GUI screen are associated with the identification numbers in ascending order from 1 to 10, the third identification number from the left is 3 If the user presses the right remote control button when the focus is positioned on the GUI component, the identification number having an identification number greater than 3 and closest to 3 among the GUI components capable of positioning the focus. The focus may be moved to the GUI component.
(5) In the present embodiment, the operation guide is displayed corresponding to the case where the operation guide display remote control button 1306 of the remote controller is pressed by the user, but each time the focus is moved, a new operation guide is displayed. May be displayed.
[0075]
Note that the operation guide is not limited to the marks such as “↑”, “↓”, “←”, “→”, etc., and any type of operation guide can be used as long as it indicates the GUI part to which the focus is moved. It may be a mark.
(6) The modified GUI screen information generation apparatus shown in the present embodiment also transforms information specifying the GUI component that is the focus movement destination in each of the vertical, horizontal, and horizontal directions from the GUI component. It may be added to the individual information in the component information. In other words, the modified GUI screen information generation device once generates the classification information and the deformed component information by the operation from the developer, and then refers to the generated classification information and the deformed component information to provide an operation guide for the deformed focus control device. For each GUI component, the destination from the GUI component to the up, down, left, and right is specified, and the information indicating the destination is displayed individually in the deformed component information. It can be added to the information. Correspondingly, the focus control device does not dynamically determine the focus destination, but moves the focus based on the information indicating the destination added to the individual information. It is possible to prevent the focus from moving to a button or the like that cannot be performed.
(7) The processing procedure of the focus control device and the deformation focus control device according to the present embodiment (the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7) is realized by a machine language program, and this is recorded on a recording medium and distributed and sold. It may be the target of. Such a recording medium includes an IC card, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a ROM, and the like, but the machine language program recorded on these is used by being installed on a general-purpose computer or a home appliance having a program execution function. To be served. In other words, a general-purpose computer or home appliance sequentially executes the installed machine language program to realize the focus control apparatus as shown in the present embodiment.
[0076]
In addition, a computer program for causing a general-purpose computer or home appliance to execute the processing procedure of the above-described focus control device can be distributed and distributed via a recording medium such as a hard disk and various communication paths.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the focus control device according to the present invention is a focus control device that positions the focus on one of the GUI components displayed on the screen, and a request receiving unit that receives a focus movement request. And a focus addition availability information storage unit that stores focus addition availability information indicating whether to allow or prohibit positioning of the focus for each GUI component, and a movement request received by the request reception unit, A focus moving unit that controls to move the focus with respect to the GUI component that is permitted to position the focus on the other side based on the focus addition information. It is characterized by providing.
[0078]
Thus, a GUI component classified as prohibiting the positioning of the focus even when the user makes a focus movement request using an input device that can only give direction instructions such as a remote controller or a keyboard that is not a pointing device. Since the focus moves only to the GUI parts that are classified as allowing the focus to be positioned, for example, if the selectable GUI parts are classified as those that allow the focus to be positioned, The user can move the focus to the target GUI component with few operations. That is, when a GUI component that cannot be selected is arranged above the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned on the screen, and a selectable GUI component is arranged further above the GUI component, the user When the user wants to select the selectable GUI component, the user can position the focus on the target GUI component by, for example, pressing the remote control button indicating the upward direction once, and then select the selected GUI component. Selection can be performed by pressing a remote control button indicating that.
[0079]
Here, each of the GUI parts is classified into one of a plurality of types, and the focus addition availability information is obtained by focusing on the GUI parts classified into the type for each type of classification of the GUI parts. It can also indicate whether positioning is permitted or prohibited.
As a result, it is possible to determine whether to allow or disallow focus positioning for each part type in a lump. For example, the part type should be classified based on the commonality of appearance features. In this case, the user can easily recognize whether or not a specific GUI component is a focus movement target by its appearance.
[0080]
Further, the type may be a GUI component type that is a classification based on a property as a GUI.
As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not to allow the focus to be positioned for each GUI component having different properties such as a button, a label, and a list box. It becomes possible for the user to easily recognize whether or not it will be.
[0081]
The focus control apparatus further includes a focus addition availability information changing unit that changes the focus addition availability information stored in the focus addition availability information storage unit, and the focus moving unit is moved by the request receiving unit. The focus may be moved with respect to the GUI component that is permitted to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information when the request is accepted.
[0082]
Accordingly, it is possible to realize a dynamic GUI in which a specific type of GUI component may or may not be a focus movement target depending on the situation.
In addition, the focus control device further responds to the movement request when it is assumed that the movement request is received by the request reception unit among GUI parts permitted to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a focus movement destination display means for specifying a GUI component that will be a focus movement destination and displaying a mark indicating the GUI component.
[0083]
As a result, if the user instructs focus movement using a remote control button or the like, the mark indicates which GUI component will be the focus movement destination, so that the user can easily recognize the movement destination. Will be able to.
The focus control device further includes a part position information storage unit that stores position information indicating a location of the GUI part on the screen for each GUI part, and the focus movement request received by the request reception unit is a focus The focus movement means refers to the position information, and positions the focus according to the information indicating the movement direction with reference to the GUI component where the current focus is positioned. It is also possible to identify a GUI component that is to be moved among the GUI components that are permitted to move, and move the focus to the identified GUI component.
[0084]
Accordingly, when the user designates a direction with a remote control button or the like, the focus is determined by selecting a selectable GUI component, for example, in order to determine a movement destination according to the instruction among the GUI components where the focus is positioned. Is permitted to be classified, the user can position the focus on any GUI component in the shortest procedure by pressing any direction button on the remote controller.
[0085]
The focus control device further includes a component position information changing unit that changes any of the position information stored in the component position information storage unit, and the focus moving unit is requested to move by the request receiving unit. It is also possible to move the focus by referring to the position information at the time when is received.
[0086]
Accordingly, the focus movement destination is determined when the focus movement instruction is received from the user, so that even if the arrangement of the GUI component on the screen fluctuates, the specific GUI that is allowed to position the focus is changed. Control that moves the focus only to the component is possible. In other words, according to the focus control device of the present invention, appropriate focus control can be performed without designing and developing a focus control program or the like for each GUI screen in which the arrangement of GUI parts is changed. The burden of design development work can be reduced.
[0087]
The focus control apparatus further includes a focus addition availability information changing unit that changes the focus addition availability information stored in the focus addition availability information storage unit, and the focus moving unit is moved by the request receiving unit. The focus may be moved with respect to the GUI component that is permitted to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information when the request is accepted.
[0088]
Accordingly, it is possible to realize a dynamic GUI in which a specific GUI component may or may not be a focus movement target depending on the situation.
The focus control device according to the present invention is displayed on a screen in a digital broadcast receiving system that receives digital broadcast content and displays a screen for accepting a user operation based on information included in the content. A focus control device that positions a focus on one of the GUI components, wherein the content includes a focus addition information indicating whether or not to allow the focus to be positioned for each GUI component, and a screen for each GUI component. The position information indicating the location of the GUI component above is included, and the focus control device receives a movement request including information indicating the movement direction of the focus from a user through a remote control operation. Receiving means and a frame for acquiring and storing the focus addition availability information; By referring to the position information, and the position information, the GUI component on which the focus is currently positioned is used as a reference, and according to the information indicating the movement direction in the movement request received by the request receiving means, A focus moving unit that specifies a GUI component that is to be moved among GUI components that are permitted to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information, and moves the focus to the specified GUI component is provided. And
[0089]
Thus, even if the control information that directly indicates the focus movement destination is not included in the content, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus having a GUI in which the focus moves only to a specific GUI component can be realized. Therefore, for example, if a selectable GUI component is classified as one that allows the focus to be positioned, the user can move the focus to the target GUI component without pressing the remote control button unnecessarily. become able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital broadcast receiving system 1000 including a focus control device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a focus control apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
3 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen displayed on a monitor 1200. FIG.
4 is a diagram showing the contents of classification information 200 held by a component type information management unit 50. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the content of component information held by a GUI component information management unit 60;
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the focus control apparatus 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a destination GUI component specifying process.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a GUI screen on which an operation guide display is performed.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a GUI screen after the arrangement of GUI parts is changed.
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a GUI screen information generation device.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a GUI screen displayed on the display for the GUI screen information generation apparatus to generate classification information.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of deformed part information 800 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Focus control device
10 Event receiver
20 Event processing section
30 GUI management department
40 Callback function processor
50 Part Type Information Management Department
60 GUI parts information management department
70 Focus processing unit
80 Focus Management Department
90 Focus display
100 Content guide display
110 Operation guide display
700 GUI screen information generation device
710 Operation reception part
720 display
730 Parts information storage
740 Classification information storage
750 control unit
1000 Digital broadcast receiving system
1100 Digital broadcast receiver
1200 monitor
1300 remote control
1301-1304 Directional remote control buttons
1305 Selection remote control button
1306 Remote control button for operation guide display

Claims (7)

A focus control device that positions a focus on one of GUI parts displayed on a screen,
Request accepting means for accepting a focus movement request;
Focus addition availability information storage means for storing focus addition availability information indicating whether or not to allow the focus to be positioned for each GUI component;
In response to the movement request received by the request receiving means, the GUI component that is allowed to skip the GUI component that is prohibited from positioning the focus and to position the focus ahead is based on the focus addition availability information. A focus moving means for controlling the focus to move ,
Focus addition availability information changing means for changing the focus addition availability information stored in the focus addition availability information storage means,
Each of the GUI parts is classified into one of a plurality of types,
The focus addition permission / inhibition information indicates, for each type in which each GUI component is classified, whether to permit or prohibit to position the focus on the GUI component classified into the type,
The type is a GUI component type that is a classification based on the property as a GUI.
The focus moving unit moves the focus with respect to a GUI component that is permitted to position a focus based on the focus addition availability information when a movement request is received by the request receiving unit. Feature focus control device. The focus control device further includes
Among the GUI parts that are allowed to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information, when it is assumed that the movement request is received by the request reception unit, the focus is moved according to the movement request. to identify the GUI component will allo, focus control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a focus movement destination display means for displaying a mark pointing to the GUI component. Information indicating whether or not each GUI component type can be a focus movement destination is included in digital broadcast content and sent.
The focus control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein Information indicating the attribute of each GUI component is included in digital broadcast content and sent.
The focus control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein A digital broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast and displaying a broadcast program and a GUI screen,
The digital broadcast receiving device includes a focus control device that positions a focus on one of the GUI components constituting the GUI screen,
The focus control device includes:
Request accepting means for accepting a focus movement request;
Focus addition availability information storage means for storing focus addition availability information indicating whether or not to allow the focus to be positioned for each GUI component;
In response to the movement request received by the request receiving means, the GUI component that is allowed to skip the GUI component that is prohibited from positioning the focus and to position the focus ahead is based on the focus addition availability information. A focus moving means for controlling the focus to move,
Focus addition availability information changing means for changing the focus addition availability information stored in the focus addition availability information storage means,
Each of the GUI parts is classified into one of a plurality of types,
The focus addition permission / inhibition information indicates, for each type in which each GUI component is classified, whether to permit or prohibit to position the focus on the GUI component classified into the type,
The type is a GUI component type that is a classification based on the property as a GUI.
The focus movement unit moves the focus with respect to a GUI component that is permitted to position the focus based on the focus addition availability information when the movement request is received by the request reception unit.
A digital broadcast receiver characterized by that . A GUI component displayed on the screen, provided with focus addition availability information storage means for storing focus addition availability information indicating whether or not to allow the focus to be positioned for each GUI component displayed on the screen A focus control method used in a focus control device that positions a focus on one of
  A request acceptance step for accepting a focus movement request;
  In response to the movement request received in the request receiving step, the GUI component that is allowed to skip the GUI component that is prohibited from positioning the focus and to position the focus ahead is based on the focus addition availability information. A focus moving step for controlling the focus to move,
A focus addition availability information changing step for changing the focus addition availability information stored by the focus addition availability information storage means,
Each of the GUI parts is classified into one of a plurality of types,
  The focus addition permission / inhibition information indicates, for each type in which each GUI component is classified, whether to permit or prohibit to position the focus on the GUI component classified into the type,
The type is a GUI component type that is a classification based on the property as a GUI.
In the focus movement step, the focus is moved with respect to the GUI component that is permitted to position the focus, based on the focus addition information when the movement request is accepted in the request acceptance step.
  A focus control method characterized by the above. A recording medium recording a control program for causing a computer including a memory to execute a focus control process for positioning a focus on one of GUI components displayed on a screen,
The memory stores focus addability information indicating whether to allow or prohibit the focus for each GUI component;
The focus control process
A request acceptance step for accepting a focus movement request;
In response to the movement request received in the request receiving step, the GUI component that is allowed to skip the GUI component that is prohibited from positioning the focus and to position the focus ahead is based on the focus addition availability information. A focus moving step for controlling the focus to move,
A focus addition availability information changing step for changing the focus addition availability information stored by the focus addition availability information storage means,
Each of the GUI parts is classified into one of a plurality of types,
The focus addition permission / inhibition information indicates, for each type in which each GUI component is classified, whether to permit or prohibit to position the focus on the GUI component classified into the type,
The type is a GUI component type that is a classification based on the property as a GUI.
In the focus moving step, the focus is moved with respect to the GUI component that is permitted to position the focus, based on the focus addition availability information when the movement request is accepted in the request accepting step. A characteristic recording medium.

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