JP4738089B2 - Menu display device, menu display method, and menu display program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a menu display device, a menu display method, and a menu display program, and more particularly, to a menu display device, a menu display method, and a menu display program for performing processing for menu display of an application.

  In order to distinguish between menus that can be displayed and menus that cannot be displayed, the menus that are displayed in the application are made less noticeable than executable menus by a form called gray out. It has become. Since the non-executable menu is grayed out, the user can recognize the non-executable menu, and can execute the executable menu from the menus that are not grayed out.

  However, with such a menu display method, the user can only recognize that the grayed-out menu is an inexecutable menu and not know why it cannot be executed in this situation. .

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses that in a data processing system that executes a function selected by a command or icon, at least the selected command or icon cannot be executed in accordance with the application state and each type of command or icon. Message information storage means for storing in advance message information including information relating to the reason why execution is not possible or a method enabling execution, and whether a command or icon is selected is determined whether execution is possible Executability determination processing means, and message display processing means relating to a non-executable reason stored in the message information storage means or a method for enabling execution when the selected command or icon is not executable A data processing system characterized by comprising It discloses a Temu.

  The display method disclosed in this document is a method of displaying a message with information on the reason why execution is impossible or how to enable execution when a non-executable command is selected. Can see why a grayed-out menu is infeasible.

Similarly, Patent Document 2 below discloses an information processing apparatus that displays a message notifying the reason when there is an instruction for a button that cannot be selected during menu display.
JP-A-8-76953 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-73264

  However, this method only displays information about the reason why it is impossible to execute or a method for enabling it for a menu that is grayed out and cannot be executed. Therefore, the user must determine the next operation to be performed from the message. In addition, it takes time and effort to search for a menu for executing necessary operations. For this reason, there is a problem that a beginner who is not familiar with the application may not know what operation can be performed to cancel the inexecutability.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a menu display device, a menu display method, and a menu display program capable of displaying a menu with high operability.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, the menu display device executes first menu information that is information related to the first menu for executing the first process, and the second process. Menu information storage means for hierarchically storing second menu information, which is information related to the second menu to be used, with the first menu information as the upper layer and the second menu information as the lower layer, and information regarding the displayed element Object data storage means for storing object data, selection state storage means for storing selection information, which is information indicating an element in a selected state among displayed elements, and object data and selection information When the menu information update means for updating the menu information stored in the menu information storage means and the first process cannot be executed The auxiliary menu showing the processing required to enable executing the first process, for each first menu stores in association with the elements necessary to enable executing the first process, Auxiliary menu information storage means for storing respective display conditions of elements necessary for enabling execution of the first processing for each first menu, and menu information when the first menu is selected. And a menu drawing means for drawing the second menu with reference to the storage means, and the menu information updating means satisfies the display condition even if one element necessary for enabling the first processing is executed. first processing is determined to not be executed if no, the auxiliary menu that is associated with the elements that do not meet the display condition as a second menu, the menu information stored in the menu information storage unit To update.
Preferably, the display condition is that the element is displayed or that the element is displayed and is in a selected state.

  Further, the menu information updating unit refers to the object data storage unit and determines that the first process cannot be executed when even one element that is the target of the first process cannot be set as the first process target. The auxiliary menu stored in the auxiliary menu information storage means in association with the elements that cannot be the first processing target is preferably used as the second menu.

  Further, the object data includes information on the selection state of the element, and is an element that is the first processing target and the first element that cannot be the first processing target is displayed and is not in the selection state. If the second element that is the first processing target and cannot be the first processing target is displayed and is in the selected state, the menu information updating means More preferably, the auxiliary menu associated with the element and stored in the auxiliary menu information storage means is the second menu.

  Note that the menu drawing means preferably displays the second menu next to the first menu.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the menu display method includes first menu information that is information related to the first menu for executing the first process, and a second menu for executing the second process. Menu information storage means for hierarchically storing second menu information, which is information relating to the first menu information, and hierarchically storing the second menu information as the lower layer, and object data which is information relating to the displayed element. An object data storage unit, a selection state storage unit that stores selection information that is information indicating an element in a selected state among the displayed elements, and a first process when the first process cannot be executed. the auxiliary menu showing the processing required to enable executing the process, for each first menu, in association with the elements necessary for enabling the execution of the first processing serial While, a menu display method in the menu display device comprising an auxiliary menu information storing means for storing the respective display conditions of the elements necessary to enable executing a first process for each first menu, The object data update step for updating the object data according to the result of the process, and the first process is not executed when even one element necessary for enabling the first process does not satisfy the display condition. A first determination step that determines that it is possible, and if it is not, and an auxiliary that is associated with an element that does not satisfy the display condition when it is determined that the first process is not executable The menu information update step for updating the menu information stored in the menu information storage means with the menu as the second menu, and the first menu are selected. It provided if it is a state, by referring to the menu information storage means, and menu drawing step for drawing a second menu.
Preferably, the display condition is that the element is displayed or that the element is displayed and is in a selected state.

Also, the menu display method, when the first menu is the selected state, by referring to the menu information storage unit, further comprising a second determination step of determining whether the second menu information, menu information updating step, when the second menu information is not stored, and the first process is determined to not be executed in the first determination step in the menu information storage unit in the second determination step The menu information stored in the menu information storage means is preferably updated using the auxiliary menu as the second menu.

  The menu information update step refers to the object data storage means and determines that the first process cannot be executed if even one element that is the target of the first process cannot be set as the first process target. The auxiliary menu stored in the auxiliary menu information storage means in association with the elements that cannot be the first processing target is preferably used as the second menu.

  Further, the object data includes information on the element selection state, and is an element in which the first element that is the first processing target and cannot be the first processing target is displayed and is not in the selection state. Yes, if the second element that is the target of the first process and the second element that cannot be the first process is displayed and is in the selected state, the menu information update step includes the first element More preferably, the auxiliary menu stored in the auxiliary menu information storage means in association with is used as the second menu.

  In the menu drawing step, it is preferable to display the second menu next to the first menu.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the menu display program executes first menu information that is information related to the first menu for executing the first process, and second menu for executing the second process. Menu information storage means for hierarchically storing second menu information, which is information related to the menu, with the first menu information as an upper layer and the second menu information as a lower layer, and object data which is information regarding the displayed element An object data storage unit that performs selection, a selection state storage unit that stores selection information that is information indicating an element in a selected state among displayed elements, and a first process when the first process cannot be performed. the auxiliary menu showing the required order to be able to perform the processing process, for each first menu, the necessary elements to enable executing the first process Stores put response, the menu display processing in the menu display device comprising an auxiliary menu information storing means for storing the respective display conditions of the elements necessary to enable executing a first process for each first menu Is a program that causes a computer to execute an object data update step that updates object data in accordance with the result of the process, and at least one element that is necessary to enable the first process to be executed satisfies the display condition If the first process is determined to be unexecutable if it is not , the display condition is satisfied if it is determined that the first process is unexecutable. the auxiliary menu associated with the non element as a second menu and updates the menu information stored in the menu information storage unit In the case where the menu information updating step, the first menu is the selected state, by referring to the menu information storage unit, to execute a menu drawing step for drawing a second menu.

Also, the menu display program, when the first menu is the selected state, by referring to the menu information storage unit, further execute a second determination step of determining whether the second menu information, menu information updating step, when the second menu information is menu information storage unit in the second determination step are not stored, and the first process is determined to not be executed in the first determination step In addition, it is preferable to update the menu information stored in the menu information storage means using the auxiliary menu as the second menu.

  The menu information update step refers to the object data storage means and determines that the first process cannot be executed if even one element that is the target of the first process cannot be set as the first process target. The auxiliary menu stored in the auxiliary menu information storage means in association with the elements that cannot be the first processing target is preferably used as the second menu.

  Further, the object data includes information on the element selection state, and is an element in which the first element that is the first processing target and cannot be the first processing target is displayed and is not in the selection state. Yes, if the second element that is the target of the first process and the second element that cannot be the first process is displayed and is in the selected state, the menu information update step includes the first element More preferably, the auxiliary menu stored in the auxiliary menu information storage means in association with is used as the second menu.

  In the menu drawing step, it is preferable to display the second menu next to the first menu.

  The menu display device, the menu display method, and the menu display program according to the present invention have the above-described configuration, and are executed when there is no specific object on the screen or when a specific object that is a mouse is not selected. When operating an application with a menu that becomes impossible, even a user who is not familiar with the operation can grasp the menu necessary for operating the desired menu without hesitation and immediately execute it. As a result, it is possible to save time by referring to manuals and help, etc., what kind of operation can be executed, and to save time and effort to find a menu necessary to make a non-executable menu executable. The efficiency of operation increases.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the menu display program according to the present invention is incorporated in a three-dimensional CAD application, and a menu display method is realized in the execution of a three-dimensional CAD (Computer Aided Design) application.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the menu display device according to the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a menu display device according to the first embodiment includes a mouse 1.1 as an input device, a display device 1.2, and an operating system (OS) 1.3 as basic software. , And an application 1.8. The OS 1.3 further includes a mouse operation processing unit 1.4, a menu information storage device 1.5, a menu drawing unit 1.6, and a display control unit 1.7. Execution unit 1.9, object data storage device 1.10, object selection processing unit 1.11, object selection list storage device 1.12, auxiliary menu table 1.13, menu information update unit 1.14 And an object drawing unit 1.15.

Next, the operation of the apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
The mouse 1.1 is an input device that moves a cursor displayed on the display device 1.2 to issue a menu selection instruction or an object selection instruction on the application screen. An object is a character or graphic displayed on the screen.

The display device 1.2 is a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).
The OS 1.3 is basic software that manages various resources of the computer system and enables the application 1.8 to use the various resources.

  The menu information storage device 1.5 includes a menu ID, information on whether or not the menu can be executed, information on the upper left and lower right coordinates of the rectangular shape as the menu area, and information on the menu (child menu) in the next lower layer. And menu information such as child menu IDs. Further, the auxiliary menu additionally registered by the menu information updating unit 1.14 is stored as a child menu.

  FIG. 2 shows a specific example of application menu display on the menu display device. In the menu display example of the application shown in FIG. 2, the child menus of the “Draw” menu are “Curve” menu, “Surface” menu, “Plane” menu, and “Surface extension” menu. The “Curve” menu, the “Surface” menu, and the “Plane” menu are displayed as executable menus, and the “Surface extension” menu is displayed as an inexecutable menu. Further, it is indicated that a child menu is registered in the “surface extension” menu. FIG. 3 shows a specific example of menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 when the menu displayed in this application is the menu shown in FIG. From the menu information of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the auxiliary menu “surface” additionally registered by the menu information updating unit 1.14 is registered in the child menu of the “surface extension” menu.

  The mouse operation processing unit 1.4 acquires events of cursor movement, presence / absence of click, dragging, and dropping from the mouse 1.1, and performs the following three processes.

  That is, as a first process, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 performs a process from the menu information storage device 1.5 to the menu included in the menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 and the rectangular area of the menu. Get the data. Then, based on the data, it is determined whether or not the cursor whose position is indicated by the mouse 1.1 has entered the rectangular area of the menu, and further, the menu information storage device 1.5 is one level below the menu where the cursor has entered. It is determined whether there is a menu (child menu) in the hierarchy. If the menu is one level below the menu containing the cursor, the child menu ID, which is the child menu identification information, is set for all the child menus included one level below the menu containing the cursor. It is passed to the menu drawing unit 1.6.

  As a second process, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 acquires the data of the menu and the rectangular area of the menu from the menu information storage device 1.5. Then, when it is detected that a menu that can be executed with the mouse 1.1 is clicked based on the data, the menu ID that is the identification information of the menu for the clicked menu is set to the menu execution unit 1.9. To pass.

  As a third process, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 obtains information on the object name and the object area included in the object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10 from the object data storage device 1.10. get. Based on the data, when it is detected that the mouse 1.1 is clicked and selected when the cursor whose position is indicated by the mouse 1.1 is in the object area, the selected object is selected. The object name and object type are passed to the object selection processing unit 1.11.

  The menu drawing unit 1.6 acquires menu information about the corresponding menu from the menu information storage device 1.5 based on the menu ID received from the mouse operation processing unit 1.4, and the requested menu is designated. The display control unit 1.7 is requested to display at the position. In addition, when the corresponding menu is an inexecutable menu, the display control unit 1.7 is requested to perform gray-out display.

  The application 1.8 is software such as word processing software, spreadsheet software, CAD software, and the application 1.8 according to the present embodiment grays out a menu that cannot be executed by a hierarchical menu.

  The menu execution unit 1.9 acquires menu information from the menu information storage device 1.5 based on the menu ID passed from the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 and executes the menu. Further, the object data created / modified after the menu execution is stored in the object data storage device 1.10.

  The object data storage device 1.10 is a device that stores object data that is information related to the object updated by the menu execution unit 1.9.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10. Referring to FIG. 4, in object data storage device 1.10, the object type and object name displayed on the screen are stored as object data, and the position, angle, etc. are stored for each object type. Geometric information and attribute information such as color and line type are stored.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of text data that is object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10. When the object is text data. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper left / upper right position information of the rectangular area of the text, the angle from the standard arrangement, the text content, font, font size, color information, and the like are stored.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of curve data that is object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10 when the object is a curve. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the curve, the solid / dot line style, the arrow style, the color, the number of control points, information on the control points, and the like are stored.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of surface data that is object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10 when the object is a surface. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the surface color, the number of control points, the u-direction control point, the v-direction control point, the edge information, etc. are stored, and the surface edge geometric information and attribute information are stored as curve information. It is stored as shown in FIG.

  The object selection processing unit 1.11 receives the object name and the object passed from the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 every time the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 detects selection of the object with the mouse 1.1. An object selection list is generated based on the type and stored in the object selection list storage device 1.12.

  The object selection list storage device 1.12 is a device that stores the object selection list updated by the object selection processing unit 1.11. When one surface edge and one curve are selected with the mouse 1.1, the object selection list storage device 1.12 stores the type of the selected object, as shown in FIG. An object selection list including names is stored.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of the auxiliary menu table 1.13. As shown in FIG. 9, the auxiliary menu table 1.13 shows a menu ID and its menu for each inexecutable menu. It is a table in which auxiliary menus necessary for enabling execution, indispensable elements for enabling executable menus corresponding to the respective auxiliary menus, and auxiliary menu IDs are stored in advance. Menus that do not meet the required elements are not executable.

  The essential elements for enabling the menu are selected by the object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10 and the mouse 1.1 stored in the object selection list storage device 1.12. There are two types: a selection list of existing objects. The types of these essential elements are preferably distinguished in the auxiliary menu table 1.13. When the essential element is object data, (A) is added after the object name as shown in FIG. “Surface (A)” is written, and in the case of object selection list data, (M) is added after the object name and “surface edge (M)” is written.

  The menu information update unit 1.14 operates only when at least one of the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 is updated, and is stored in the menu information storage device 1.5. The object data storage device 1.10 or the object selection list is an essential element necessary to be executable corresponding to each of the menus stored in the auxiliary menu table 1.13 with respect to all the hierarchical menus. Check if it is in the storage device 1.12. The menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 is a menu indicating that a menu having all essential elements is an executable menu, and a menu having no essential elements is an inexecutable menu. Update to information.

  Further, the menu information updating unit 1.14 selects an auxiliary menu corresponding to an essential element not included in the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. Then, it is registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a menu in a lower hierarchy that cannot be executed. The object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 have a plurality of required elements, and the required elements are related to the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. If both of the essential elements are included, only the auxiliary menu related to the object data storage device 1.10 is registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a menu below the menu that cannot be executed. To do. Further, menus that cannot be executed are set in the menu information storage device 1.5 so as to be grayed out.

  The object drawing unit 1.15 operates when either the object data storage device 1.10 or the object selection list storage device 1.12 is updated. When the updated storage device is the object data storage device 1.10, the display control unit 1.7 is requested to display the object based on the object information from the object data storage device 1.10. When the updated storage device is the object selection list storage device 1.12. Based on the object information from the object selection list storage device 1.12. The display control unit 1.7 is requested to display more conspicuous than other objects.

  The display control unit 1.7 controls the display device 1.2 so that the object designated by the object drawing unit 1.15 is placed at the designated position, and the menu designated by the menu drawing unit 1.6 is displayed. Display at the indicated position.

  FIG. 10 shows a specific example of display when the three-dimensional CAD application is executed in the menu display device. As shown in FIG. 10, when one curve 11.1 and one surface 11.2 are created one by one in the three-dimensional CAD application, the menu execution unit 1.9 stores object data related to these objects in the object data storage. Store in device 1.10.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of the object data stored in the object data storage device 1.10 in the specific example shown in FIG. 10, and the “curve” curve1, which is the object data of the curve 11.1, As the “surface” surface1, which is the object data of the surface 11.2, in addition to the object name and the object type, data representing the properties of the object such as geometric information, color and line type is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the cursor 11.3 whose position is indicated with the mouse 1.1 selects the “curve” curve1, the object drawing unit 1.15 makes the curve1 stand out more than other objects. To be displayed. Further, the object selection processing unit 1.11 generates an object selection list indicating information on the object name “curve1” and the object type “curve” of the selected object as shown in FIG. Add to list storage device 1.12.

  When either the object data storage device 1.10 or the object selection list storage device 1.12 is updated, the menu information update unit 1.14 performs processing for updating the menu information. FIG. 10 shows an example of the “surface extension” menu for the operation of the menu information updating unit 1.14 executed when curve1 is selected by the mouse 1.1 after curve1 and surface1 are created. Will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of the auxiliary menu display.
There are two essential elements to make the “Surface Extension” menu executable, “Surface (A)” and “Surface Edge (M)” according to the auxiliary menu table 1.13 of FIG. Of these two essential elements, “surface (A)” is in the object data storage device 1.10, but “surface edge (M)” is not in the object selection list storage device 1.12. The “Surface Extension” menu is grayed out and cannot be executed.

  Among the essential elements of the “Extended Surface” menu that cannot be executed, the auxiliary menu corresponding to “Surface Edge (M)” that is not in the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. From the auxiliary menu table 1.13, “edge selection”. The menu information update unit 1.14 registers this “edge selection” menu in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a menu under the “surface extension” menu. By registering in the menu information storage device 1.5 in this way, as shown in FIG. 13, the cursor 15.1 whose position is indicated with the mouse 1.1 is displayed on the “surface extension” menu that is grayed out. When entering, the menu 15.2 of “edge selection” as a menu for executing an operation for making the menu executable is a child menu which is a menu one level below the “surface extension” menu. Is displayed. The display of the child menu is preferably in the vicinity of the parent menu (“edge selection” menu 15.2 in this specific example), and more preferably beside the parent menu.

  FIG. 14 shows another specific example of the display when the three-dimensional CAD application is executed in the menu display device. As shown in FIG. 14, a curve 16.1 and a curve 16.2 are drawn on the screen, and the cursor 16.3 whose position is indicated by the mouse 1.1 is selected by the cursor 16.3. Yes. At this time, the object data storage device 1.10 stores object data including information on line types and control points as shown in FIG. In addition, the object selection list storage device 1.12 stores an object selection list indicating that the curve 16.1 is selected as shown in FIG.

  At this time, “Surface (A)” and “Surface edge (M), which are essential elements for making the“ Surface Extension ”menu listed in the auxiliary menu table 1.13 of FIG. "Surface (A)" is not in the object data storage device 1.10, and "Surface edge (M)" is not in the object selection list storage device 1.12. Two or more essential elements are missing. Yes. Therefore, the “Surface Extension” menu is not executable. In such a case, the menu information update unit 1.14 sets all the auxiliary menus corresponding to the essential elements related to the object data storage device 1.10 as menus below the “surface extension” menu. .5. That is, in this case, the menu information update unit 1.14 registers only the auxiliary menu “surface” corresponding to the essential element “surface (A)”, and the auxiliary menu “surface edge (M)” corresponding to the essential element “surface (A)”. “Edge selection” is not registered. When the menu information updating unit 1.14 registers such an auxiliary menu in the menu information storage device 1.5, the menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 is as shown in FIG. As shown, when the cursor whose position is indicated by the mouse 1.1 enters the “surface extension” menu that is grayed out, the menu is used to execute an operation for making the menu executable. The “Surface” menu is displayed as a child menu which is a menu one level below the “Surface Extension” menu. The display of the child menu is preferably in the vicinity of the parent menu (in this specific example, the “surface extension” menu), and more preferably beside the parent menu.

  Next, auxiliary menu display processing executed in the menu display device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 18, in step S1, mouse operation processing unit 1.4 waits for an event such as a click from mouse 1.1 or movement of the cursor, and when an event is detected, in step S2, mouse 1.1 is processed. Whether the cursor is on the menu or not is determined based on the position information of the cursor acquired from the menu information and the information on the rectangular area of the menu extracted from the menu information storage device 1.5. If the cursor is on the menu (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3, and if not on the menu (NO in step S2), the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S3, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 refers to the menu information storage device 1.5, and whether there is a child menu in the menu pointed to by the cursor acquired from the mouse 1.1 in step S2. to decide. If there is a child menu (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and if not (NO in step S3), the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S4, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 refers to the menu information storage device 1.5, and for the menu indicated by the cursor acquired from the mouse 1.1 in step S3, all the child menu children. The menu ID is sent to the menu drawing unit 1.6, and the menu drawing unit 1.6 acquires the menu information from the menu information storage device 1.5 based on the received child menu ID, and is designated at the designated position. The display control unit 1.7 is requested to display the name menu. When the display control unit 1.7 displays the menu on the display device 1.2, the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, in step S5, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 determines whether or not the mouse 1.1 is clicked. If the mouse 1.1 has not been clicked (NO in step S5), the process returns to step S1, and if it has been clicked (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, menu execution unit 1.9 executes the menu clicked with mouse 1.1, and the process proceeds to step S7. Since there is a possibility that an object (a character or a graphic displayed on the screen) has been created or modified by executing the menu in step S6, in step S7, the menu execution unit 1.9 stores the object data storage device 1.10. The object information is updated, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  On the other hand, in step S8, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 uses the click position information acquired from the mouse 1.1 and the object area information extracted from the object data storage device 1.10. Determine if it is above or if you clicked on the object. If the mouse 1.1 is clicked on the object (YES in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9. If the object is not clicked (NO in step S8), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S9, the object selection processing unit 1.11 stores the object selection list indicating the object selected with the mouse 1.1 in the object selection list storage device 1.12. Then, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the menu information update unit 1.14 corresponds to each menu stored in the auxiliary menu table 1.13 for all hierarchical menus stored in the menu information storage device 1.5. Then, it is checked whether or not the essential elements to be executable exist in the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. The menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 is a menu indicating that a menu having all essential elements is an executable menu, and a menu having no essential elements is an inexecutable menu. Update to information. After the menu information storage device 1.5 is updated, the menu information update unit 1.14 selects a menu that cannot be executed from all menus, and stores object data among the essential elements of the menu that cannot be executed. Auxiliary menus corresponding to essential elements that are not present in the device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. Are selected and registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as menus below the menu that cannot be executed. The object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 have a plurality of required elements, and the required elements are related to the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. If both of the essential elements are included, only the auxiliary menu related to the object data storage device 1.10 is registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a menu below the menu that cannot be executed. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S11.

  For example, in the application shown in FIG. 10, the surface surface1 and the curve curve1 are drawn on the screen, and the surface curve1 is selected. At this time, line type and control point information is stored in the object data storage device 1.10 together with the data of surface1 and curve1, as shown in FIG. 11, and the object selection list storage device 1.12 stores data in FIG. As shown, the data of curve1 is stored.

  In this case, in step S10, the menu information updating unit 1.14 first checks whether or not each menu can be executed as follows.

  The “copy” menu can be executed because the data of curve1 is stored in the object selection list storage device 1.12 and the “object (M)” as an essential element is satisfied. When the “copy” menu is executed, it is temporarily stored in the object data storage device 1.10.

  The “mirror” menu satisfies the essential element “object (M)”, but the other essential element “plane (A)” is not executable because it is not in the object data storage device 1.10. is there.

  The “Curve” menu, the “Surface” menu, and the “Plane” menu have no essential elements and can be executed.

  The “Surface Extension” menu satisfies the essential element “Surface (A)”, but is not executable because it does not satisfy the other essential element “Surface Edge (M)”.

  Further, in step S10, the menu information updating unit 1.14 stores the execution availability information in the menu information storage device 1.5. FIG. 19 shows a specific example of menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 updated in the above specific example.

  Next, in step S10, for the “mirror” menu and the “surface extension” menu, which are non-executable menus, the auxiliary menu necessary to make the non-executable menu executable is searched and executed. A process of registering an auxiliary menu in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a child menu of an impossible menu will be described in the case of a “mirror” menu.

  The essential elements of the “mirror” menu are “object (M)” and “plane (A)” according to the auxiliary menu table 1.13 of FIG. Among them, “object (M)” is in the object selection list storage device 1.12. However, another essential element “plane (A)” is not in the object data storage device 1.10. Therefore, from the auxiliary menu table 1.13 of FIG. 9, the auxiliary menu for the essential element “plane (A)” is the “plane” menu, so in step S10, the menu information update unit 1.14 displays the “mirror” menu. As a child menu, a “plane” menu is additionally registered in the menu information storage device 1.5. As a result, the menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 with the “planar” menu added as a child menu for the “mirror” menu in the menu information shown in FIG. 19 is shown in FIG. The menu information shown is updated.

  Next, in step S11, the object drawing unit 1.15 retrieves the object data from the object data storage device 1.10 and retrieves the object selection list from the object selection list storage device 1.12. Draw the screen and update the screen. Then, the process returns to step S1.

[Second Embodiment]
The menu display device according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the system configuration shown in FIG. 1, but the function of the menu information update unit 1.14 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the menu information update unit 1.14 is stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 when the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 are updated. For all the menus in the hierarchy type, the essential elements necessary to be executable corresponding to each menu stored in the auxiliary menu table 1.13 are the object data storage device 1.10 or the object selection. Check to see if it is in list storage 1.12. Then, menu information indicating that a menu having all essential elements is an executable menu and a menu having no essential elements is an inexecutable menu is registered in the menu information storage device 1.5.

  Further, the menu information update unit 1.14 stores the object data among the essential elements of the inexecutable menu when the cursor for pointing the position of the mouse 1.1 comes over the inexecutable menu. Auxiliary menus corresponding to essential elements that are not present in the device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. Are selected and registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as menus below the menu that cannot be executed. The object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 have a plurality of required elements, and the required elements are related to the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. If both of the essential elements are included, only the auxiliary menu related to the object data storage device 1.10 is registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a menu below the menu that cannot be executed. To do.

  Next, auxiliary menu display processing executed in the menu display device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 21, the processes in steps S1 to S9 and S11 are the same as the menu display process according to the first embodiment.

  In the menu display processing according to the present embodiment, in step S3, in the mouse operation processing unit 1.4, if the menu indicated by the cursor acquired from the mouse 1.1 in step S2 has no child menu. If it is determined (NO in step S3), the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 refers to the menu information storage device 1.5 to determine whether or not the menu pointed to by the cursor can be executed (step S4.1). ). If the menu is executable, the process proceeds to step S8. If the menu is not executable, the process proceeds to step S4.3.

  In step S4.3, the menu data update unit 1.14 stores the object data storage device 1 among the essential elements of the inexecutable menu pointed to by the cursor stored in the menu information storage device 1.5. .10 and the auxiliary menu corresponding to the essential elements not included in the object selection list storage device 1.12 are registered in the menu information storage device 1.5 as a menu (child menu) in the lower hierarchy of the unexecutable menu. The object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 include a plurality of essential elements, and the essential elements are related to the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12. If both the essential elements and the essential elements are included, the menu information storage device 1 is used as a menu (child menu) in the lower hierarchy of the menu that cannot execute only the auxiliary menu related to the object data storage device 1.10. .5 and proceeds to step S4.5.

  In step S4.5, the mouse operation processing unit 1.4 sends the child menu ID of the child menu registered in step S4.3 to the menu drawing unit 1.6. The menu drawing unit 1.6 acquires menu information from the menu information storage device 1.5 based on the received child menu ID, and displays the menu with the specified name at the specified position. .7. When the display control unit 1.7 controls the display device 1.2 and a menu is displayed, the process returns to step S1.

  After the object information in the object data storage device 1.10 is updated in step S8, or the object list indicating the object selected with the mouse 1.1 in step S9 is the object selection list storage device 1.12. The menu information update unit 1.14 stores each menu stored in the auxiliary menu table 1.13 for all the hierarchical menus stored in the menu information storage device 1.5. It is checked whether or not the essential elements for enabling execution correspond to the object data storage device 1.10 and the object selection list storage device 1.12 (step S7.5). The menu information stored in the menu information storage device 1.5 is a menu indicating that a menu having all essential elements is an executable menu, and a menu having no essential elements is an inexecutable menu. The information is updated, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  In the menu display device according to the first and second embodiments described above, when the menu display process is executed, the menu display device cannot be executed when an inexecutable menu is selected with the mouse cursor. The menus necessary to make the menu executable are displayed as menus below the non-executable menu. Therefore, users who are unfamiliar with the operation when operating an application with a menu that cannot be executed when there is no specific object on the screen or when a specific object that is a mouse is not selected. However, the user can grasp the menu necessary for operating the desired menu without hesitation and can execute it immediately. As a result, it is possible to save time by referring to manuals and help, etc., what kind of operation can be executed, and to save time and effort to find a menu necessary to make a non-executable menu executable. The efficiency of operation increases.

  Further, in the menu information update unit 1.14, since the above-described auxiliary menu is selected, only the auxiliary menu that prompts the creation of the missing object on the application screen is selected, and the menu that cannot be executed is selected. It is possible to prevent a large number of auxiliary menus from being displayed as a lower-level menu. This increases the operational efficiency of the application.

  Further, in the menu drawing unit 1.6, an auxiliary menu necessary to make the non-executable menu executable is displayed immediately beside the menu that is one level below the non-executable menu. This saves you the trouble of searching for a menu to perform the operation you need to do. This increases the operational efficiency of the application.

  Furthermore, the above-described menu display method can be provided as a program. Such a program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a memory card. And can be provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the menu display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the menu display of the application in a menu display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the menu information memorize | stored in the menu information storage apparatus 1.5. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the object data memorize | stored in the object data storage device 1.10. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the text data memorize | stored in the object data storage device 1.10. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the curve data memorize | stored in the object data storage device 1.10. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the surface data memorize | stored in the object data storage device 1.10. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the object selection list memorize | stored in the object selection list memory | storage device 1.12. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the auxiliary menu table 1.13. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a display at the time of 3D CAD application execution in a menu display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the object data memorize | stored in the object data storage device 1.10. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the object selection list memorize | stored in the object selection list memory | storage device 1.12. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an auxiliary menu display. It is a figure which shows the other specific example of the display at the time of 3D CAD application execution in a menu display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the object data memorize | stored in the object data storage device 1.10. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the object selection list memorize | stored in the object selection list memory | storage device 1.12. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an auxiliary menu display. It is a flowchart which shows the auxiliary | assistant menu display process performed in the menu display apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the menu information memorize | stored in the menu information storage apparatus 1.5. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the menu information memorize | stored in the menu information storage apparatus 1.5. It is a flowchart which shows the auxiliary | assistant menu display process performed in the menu display apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the menu information memorize | stored in the menu information storage apparatus 1.5.

Explanation of symbols

  1.1 mouse, 1.2 display device, 1.3 OS, 1.4 mouse operation processing unit, 1.5 menu information storage device, 1.6 menu drawing unit, 1.7 display control unit, 1.8 application 1.9 Menu Execution Unit, 1.10 Object Data Storage Device, 1.11 Object Selection Processing Unit, 1.12 Object Selection List Storage Device, 1.13 Auxiliary Menu Table, 1.14 Menu Information Update Unit, 1. 15 Object drawing part.

Claims (11)

The first menu information that is information related to the first menu for executing the first process and the second menu information that is information related to the second menu for executing the second process are the first menu information. Menu information storage means for hierarchically storing menu information as an upper layer and the second menu information as a lower layer;
Object data storage means for storing object data which is information about the displayed element;
A selection state storage unit that stores selection information that is information indicating an element in a selection state among the displayed elements;
Menu information updating means for updating the menu information stored in the menu information storage means according to the object data and the selection information ;
When the first processing is infeasible, the auxiliary menu showing the processing required to enable execution of the first process, for each of the first menu, can execute the first processing stores in association with the elements necessary for the auxiliary menu information storing means for storing each of the display conditions of the elements necessary to enable execution of the first process for each of the first menu When,
Menu drawing means for drawing the second menu with reference to the menu information storage means when the first menu is selected;
The menu information updating means determines that the first process cannot be executed when even one element necessary for enabling the first process does not satisfy the display condition, and the display A menu display device that updates menu information stored in the menu information storage unit using the auxiliary menu associated with an element that does not satisfy a condition as the second menu. The menu display device according to claim 1, wherein the display condition is that the element is displayed, or that the element is displayed and is in a selected state. The menu display device according to claim 1, wherein the menu drawing unit displays the second menu next to the first menu. The first menu information that is information related to the first menu for executing the first process and the second menu information that is information related to the second menu for executing the second process are the first menu information. Menu information storage means for hierarchically storing menu information as an upper layer and the second menu information as a lower layer;
Object data storage means for storing object data which is information about the displayed element;
A selection state storage unit that stores selection information that is information indicating an element in a selection state among the displayed elements;
When the first processing is infeasible, the auxiliary menu showing the processing required to enable execution of the first process, for each of the first menu, can execute the first processing stores in association with the elements necessary for the auxiliary menu information storing means for storing each of the display conditions of the elements necessary to enable execution of the first process for each of the first menu A menu display method in a menu display device comprising:
An object data update step for updating the object data in accordance with the result of processing;
It is determined that the first process is not executable when even one element necessary to enable the first process does not satisfy the display condition, and is determined to be executable otherwise. A first determination step;
When it is determined that the first process cannot be executed, the auxiliary menu associated with the element that does not satisfy the display condition is stored in the menu information storage unit as the second menu. A menu information update step for updating the menu information;
A menu display method comprising: a menu drawing step of drawing the second menu with reference to the menu information storage means when the first menu is selected. A second determination step of determining the presence or absence of the second menu information with reference to the menu information storage means when the first menu is selected;
In the menu information update step, it is determined that the second menu information is not stored in the menu information storage means in the second determination step, and the first process is not executed in the first determination step. The menu display method according to claim 4 , wherein when it is determined that the menu information is stored, the menu information stored in the menu information storage unit is updated using the auxiliary menu as the second menu. The menu display method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the display condition is that the element is displayed, or that the element is displayed and is in a selected state. The menu drawing step displays the second menu beside the first menu, the menu display method according to any one of claims 4-6. The first menu information that is information related to the first menu for executing the first process and the second menu information that is information related to the second menu for executing the second process are the first menu information. Menu information storage means for hierarchically storing menu information as an upper layer and the second menu information as a lower layer;
Object data storage means for storing object data which is information about the displayed element;
A selection state storage unit that stores selection information that is information indicating an element in a selection state among the displayed elements;
When the first processing is infeasible, the auxiliary menu showing the processing required to enable execution of the first process, for each of the first menu, can execute the first processing stores in association with the elements necessary for the auxiliary menu information storing means for storing each of the display conditions of the elements necessary to enable execution of the first process for each first menu A program for causing a computer to execute menu display processing in a menu display device comprising:
An object data update step for updating the object data in accordance with the result of processing;
It is determined that the first process is not executable when even one element necessary to enable the first process does not satisfy the display condition, and is determined to be executable otherwise. A first determination step;
When it is determined that the first process cannot be executed, the auxiliary menu associated with the element that does not satisfy the display condition is stored in the menu information storage unit as the second menu. A menu information update step for updating the menu information;
A menu display program for executing a menu drawing step of drawing the second menu with reference to the menu information storage means when the first menu is selected. When the first menu is selected, the menu information storage means is referred to further execute a second determination step of determining the presence or absence of the second menu information;
In the menu information update step, it is determined that the second menu information is not stored in the menu information storage means in the second determination step, and the first process is not executed in the first determination step. The menu display program according to claim 8 , wherein when it is determined that the menu information is stored, the menu information stored in the menu information storage unit is updated using the auxiliary menu as the second menu. The menu display program according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the display condition is that the element is displayed, or that the element is displayed and in a selected state. The menu display program according to any one of claims 8 to 10 , wherein in the menu drawing step, the second menu is displayed beside the first menu.

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