JPH03198119A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of an information processor by providing submenus to designate the explanation of operation of each item of a menu shown on a display, and designating the submenu via a pointing device to display the explanation of operation on a window. CONSTITUTION:The submenus 12 and 13 are provided to a menu 11 shown on a display 5 to designate the explanation of operation each time. At the same time, a means is added to select the menu 12 or 13 via a pointing device 6 for display the explanation of operation related to the menu items. In other words, the menus 12 and 13 are provided to designate 'explanaton of operation' for each item in addition to designation of 'execution' of each item. Thus the operability of an information processor is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, such as a word processor or DTP, which is provided with a menu for selecting an item explaining a function for operation.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the functions of input devices equipped with user interfaces such as word processors and DTPs have been expanded day by day due to technological advances.

Along with this, the number of menu items has increased to the point where it is difficult to understand how to operate the device without looking at the instruction manual. In order to solve this problem, devices have come to be equipped with a so-called online help function that displays operating instructions. However, conventional display methods have limitations on the number of characters that can be displayed and are difficult to operate.

A first conventional example is a method of always displaying an explanation of the item at the cursor position.

As shown in FIG. 4, a line 21 for displaying an explanation on the screen is provided, and as the cursor 23 selects an item on the menu, the function of that item is displayed on the explanation line 22.

As a second conventional example, there is a method of selecting an "operation explanation" item from a menu.

This is a case where the menu 31 includes an item for explaining operations, as shown in FIG. 6(a). When this item is selected with the cursor 32, a more detailed menu 33 is displayed as shown in FIG. 5(1), and when these items are selected, an explanation 34 is displayed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The method shown in Figure 4 is easy to understand because the explanation is always displayed, but on the other hand, it always requires space for display on the screen, and in order to reduce that space, The problem is that the explanation has to be simple.

Further, the method shown in FIG. 5 allows a large area for displaying the explanation, so that detailed explanation can be displayed. However, it is inferior to the first conventional example in terms of operability.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems and aims to provide an information processing apparatus that can display operation explanations with high operability.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, means is provided for providing a sub-menu for specifying operation instructions for each item on the menu displayed on the display of the information processing device, and the sub-menu By performing input control to specify the specified item using a pointing device, a window is displayed with an explanation of the operation of the specified item.

Operation The information processing apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration is capable of displaying a submenu for specifying the operation instructions J for each item, in addition to specifying ``execution'' for each item, which is the purpose of displaying a general menu. Instead, a menu is displayed on the display, and if you want to "execute" that item, you can specify it with a mouse, for example, and that item will be "executed." Or, if you want to see an operating explanation, specify the submenu for that item with your mouse or the like, and the "operating explanation" screen will be displayed. By displaying this "operation explanation" in a window, the operation becomes easier.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device of this embodiment includes a central processing unit 3 operated by an input control unit 4 which is a part of an input device, a display control unit 2 for displaying on a display 5, and a main memory of the device. It is composed of a main storage section 1 and a pointing device 6 which is part of an input device. Note that the pointing device 6 includes a mouse, a track pole, a keyboard, and the like.

Next, the mutually related operations of these components will be explained. FIG. 2(a) is an example of a menu display according to this embodiment. In this example, a pop-up menu is used, but it can be used regardless of how the menu is displayed, such as a pull-down menu or a pull-up menu. According to the instructions from the input device, the display S as shown in Fig. 2(a)
A menu 16 is displayed on the top by the central processing unit 3 via the display control section 2 . This menu consists of multiple items. In the example, ``cutting'' and ``crucifixion'' are two.
Item is displayed. There is a submenu for function explanation for each item, the "Cut" section has a function explanation specification area 12, and the "Crucifixion" section 11 has an area 13.
There is. If you specify this area with a pointing device (indicated by arrow 14 in this example) as shown in Figure 2(b), an operation explanation will be displayed, and if you specify another area as shown in Figure 2(C), The item is executed. In this way, "operation explanation" and "execution" can be distinguished depending on the location specified on the same menu.

Next, the operating procedure will be explained according to FIG.

The menu system will be a pop-up menu.

When the mouse button is pressed, a pop-up menu is displayed as shown in Figure 3 (,). Next, if you move the cursor while holding down the button in the menu, the item under the cursor will be highlighted. Move the cursor to the function explanation area as shown in Figure 2(b) and release the mouse button.
A window will open as shown in FIG. 3 (b), displaying the operating instructions for the last selected item. When you have finished viewing, press the "Confirm" button in the operation explanation window as shown in Figure 3 (C) to return to the original screen.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the description of the embodiments above, it is possible to refer to the explanation of the function of the menu item with a simple operation, and a remarkable effect can be obtained in improving the operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (a
), (b), and (C) are display diagrams for detailed explanation of the present invention, and FIGS. 3(a) and (b) respectively.
, (C) is a display diagram for explaining an example of the operation in the same embodiment, FIG. 4 is a display diagram for explaining the first conventional example, and FIG. 6(a) is a display diagram. (b) and (C) are respectively display diagrams for explaining the second conventional example. 1...Main storage unit, 2...Display control unit,
3...Central processing unit, 4...Input control unit, 5...Display, 6...
Pointing device, 12° 13...Submenu area, 14...Cursor, 6...
...Menu display.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An input device, a central processing unit that operates based on a signal from the input device, a display device that displays a display signal from the central processing unit, and a storage device that stores data. , a menu displayed on the display is provided with a submenu for specifying an operation explanation for each item, and when the submenu is selected from the input device using a pointing device, the operation explanation for the menu item is displayed. Information processing device. (2) The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation explanation display means has a window display function.