JPH0481924A - Interactive computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute the device so that a user can always grasp a position of an icon by allowing the device to have a function for moving the icon irrespective of a user's choice and a state of an object. CONSTITUTION:A display position of an icon is varied as time elapses by a prescribed method without executing it by a user's operation, and also, irrespective of a state of an object shown by the icon. For instance, as shown in the figure (e), when an interactive management device decides that the icon 42 conceals other element 46 displayed in a screen, it is moved continuously or non-continuously to such a position as it is not concealed, and it is executed irrespective of a user's operation, and a state of an object allowed to correspond to the icon. In such a way, where the icon exists can be found out easily.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a screen control technology for an interactive computer device.

In particular, the present invention relates to technology for controlling the screen of an interactive computer device that uses icons.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent personal computers, workstations, and the like, icons are increasingly used to display and operate files, programs, processes, and the like. Furthermore, with the spread of multi-window systems, it has become common to display a number of windows on one display and perform tasks in parallel. Icons are displayed inside or outside these windows, but conventionally, their designs and positions have been fixed. Therefore, as the content of the screen becomes more complex, it becomes difficult to find a specific icon on the screen.As the screen becomes larger, the size of the icon is becoming smaller compared to the screen. This is also encouraging. Also, due to the presence of the icon, 1
Problems such as data that should be displayed on the screen are hidden and cannot be seen, conversely, icons that should be displayed are hidden behind other data and cannot be seen, and when working on a complicated screen, it becomes difficult to see the work. As a solution to the problem of distinguishing between icons on the 0-screen, which also causes the problem of people easily losing their concentration, we have proposed changing the design of the icon over time depending on the state of the object (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1983-1999- 7
No. 226 Publication), or the screen image of the object is displayed as a miniature without preparing a special design (Information Symposium Collection of Voa).

89-N13 [November 1989], Information Processing Society of Japan),
Highlight an icon when a specific key is pressed ()Iy
per Card User's Mania Yul [1988].

You can see the innovations of companies such as Apple Computer Japan Co., Ltd. However, in addition to icons, there are other on-screen elements whose image patterns change over time, such as a clock. In addition, miniatures are inherently intended to increase the complexity of the screen, and are intended for a specific screen where only miniatures and icons are displayed, so if elements other than miniatures appear on the screen, ,
Distinguishing the miniatures will be difficult. In addition, if you want to change the state of an icon and display it using a specific key, you must know the key operations to do so, and you must interrupt the previous work flow in order to perform that operation. It is considered that this means cannot sufficiently distinguish icons and miniatures from other screen elements on the increasingly complex screen. Furthermore, no solutions are provided for the problems that may arise in the future, such as data being hidden by icons, hidden icons, and reduced concentration of workers.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The present invention solves problems in an interactive computer device that uses icons as a means of interaction, such as the problem that icons are becoming difficult to find on the screen, the problem that data on the screen is hidden by the icons, and the problem that the icons are difficult to find on the screen. This is to provide a solution to the problem of being hidden in data and the problem of easily losing concentration when working while staring at a complex, static screen.

[Means to solve the problem]

As a means to solve the above three problems, 1.2 in Figure 1
．． 3, a system for displaying icons is provided with a function that allows the position of an icon to be changed over time according to a certain rule, regardless of the user's icon selection operation and the state of the object it represents. FIG. 1 is an example of one screen on a multi-window interactive computer device. 4 is a window in which icon 1 is displayed.In a multimedia application that handles a mixture of graphics, images, documents, etc., a more complicated screen may be handled. In recent applications, there is a movement toward displaying icons in multimedia-like interactive screens rather than in specific areas, and allowing users to operate functions that handle data on the screen. Such an icon, like icon 1 in FIG. 1, may be buried in the screen and difficult to find. Moreover, the icon 1 in FIG. 1 hides a part of the data that should be displayed on the screen. On the other hand, if the icon moves like 1°2.3, it will be easier to find the icon and will prevent the icon from hiding other data or being hidden by other data. prevent. Furthermore, by giving appropriate movements to the icons, fatigue and boredom that occur when a user is faced with a complicated and static screen while working is prevented.

Each claim will be explained below.

Claim 1 provides a means for the icon to perform movements that are not directly related to the user or the object.

A second aspect of the invention provides means for the icon to move independently of the user or the object, and for the user to be able to interrupt or resume the movement.

Claim 3 provides means for defining the initial position to be displayed, the method of movement, rules, and range of movement when the icon is displayed on the screen.

Claims 4 and 5 provide means for moving the icon to a location where the screen does not change significantly or to a location where the background is displayed when other elements are displayed on the screen. give.

Claim 6 provides means for moving an icon to a place where it is not hidden when it is hidden by other data.

Claim 7 provides means for determining the movement of an icon in relation to the display position of other icons.

[Effect]

Human vision has the characteristic of being sensitive to moving objects. Therefore, in the interactive computer device according to claim 1 or 2, when trying to find an icon on the screen, all that is needed is to find something moving on the screen. It's easy to find where the icons are, even if they're all over the place. Moreover, in claim 2, since the movement can be stopped according to the user's will, the movement can be controlled as necessary. There are various ways in which the icon can move, but according to claim 3, the initial position and the manner in which the icon starts to move.

You can define the range of movement. As a result, it is possible to define movements that the user does not get bored with, does not feel bothersome due to excessive movement, and is easy to select.

Normally, in the interactive environment of a personal computer or workstation, the positions of elements on the screen other than the icons according to the present invention do not often move, so the above function is effective.

Further, according to claims 4 and 5, the icon is automatically moved to a location on the screen where changes are small or to the background.

This makes the icon less likely to hide on-screen pattern changes that are smaller than the icon on the screen. vice versa,
According to claim 6, when the icon is hidden by data on other screens, it is possible to move the icon to a position where it is not hidden. According to claim 7, overlapping and interference with other icons can also be avoided.

Also, even if you have to face long dialogue screens that tend to be monotonous, there is something moving on the screen, so you won't get bored easily.

〔Example〕

As mentioned above, FIG. 1 is an example of a screen of an interactive computer device that displays icons that move over time. 4,
5, 6, and 7 are windows of -, respectively. Here, CAD screen example 4 is shown as an application. This CAD system is designed to incorporate functions such as design calculation, verification of design rules, and automatic design of a part or all of the parts, in addition to simple trafting. is displayed on the CAD screen. Those icons are C
It may be relevant to only a part of the design target in the AD screen, in which case the icon will be displayed near that part. As the user proceeds with the design process using this system, the number of elements on the screen (figure 2 dimension lines, annotations, etc.) increases. Icons displayed on such screens, even if they are displayed in color, may be buried among other data, making them difficult to find, hiding other data, or conversely data may be hidden. These problems are solved by changing the display position of this icon over time as shown in 1-2-3 using the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of an interactive computer device according to the present invention. This is an example of a multi-window interactive computer, and icons are used in the file management window of the operating system, the window used by the ablation program, and the like. Manage the display of windows, data displayed in windows, and icons using the dialog management bag! ! It is carried out by 21. One or more execution programs 22, such as an operating system or an abridgment program, issue commands to the dialogue management device to create and delete windows, output data to windows, display icons, and the like. On the other hand, the dialogue management device determines the final displayed image data based on the received commands and data, the vertical relationship of the window positions, the vertical relationship of the display data positions in the window, etc. is generated and output to the display 23. Keyboard 24. Data input using the mouse 25 or the like is passed to the execution program through the dialogue management device. Data entry is made to the window that is currently declared available. The declaration of available windows is performed by specific operations using the user's keyboard, mouse, etc. Icons are registered in the dialogue management device, and the dialogue management device has a database 26 of icon attributes. In contrast, an executable program 22 that uses icons has an object attribute database 27.

FIG. 3(a) shows an example of the contents of the icon attribute database held by the dialogue management device. The icon includes the display position of one or more types of image 9, a flag indicating whether or not it is in a mode of movement according to the method of the present invention (movement flag), rules for moving according to the method of the present invention (motion rule), and whether or not it is displayed. A flag indicating whether the icon is selected (display flag), a flag indicating whether the icon is selected (selection flag), and the name of the program currently using this icon are registered.

Figure 3(b) shows an object attribute database held by a program that uses icons. Registered are one or more command names that are activated in this program when number 2 is selected, and object names that are associated with icons. The correspondence between objects and icons can be arbitrarily established by a program.

Data input by the user's keyboard operations and pointer operations such as a mouse in the currently available windows are processed by the dialog management device to overlap the window positions 9 and to control the availability of the windows. Control operations), operations for selecting icons (9) operations on selected icons, instructions to stop and start the movement of icons (icon movement control operations), and other operations, such as window control operations, icon movement Only control operations are processed within the dialog manager; other operations are reported to the executing program that is the user of the window.

The display operation of the icon of the device with this configuration will be described below.

An execution program that uses an icon declares the use of the icon by selecting an icon corresponding to the object from among the icons registered in the dialogue management device, or by registering a new icon. display icon,
Hiding is performed by the execution program sending a command to the dialogue management device.

During the course of execution, the execution program instructs the dialogue management device to display icons as necessary by commands. The dialogue management device outputs an icon on the screen according to the contents of the current attribute database according to the icon number sent with the command. Icon attributes can be changed by commands from the execution program - The dialogue management device displays the icon that is instructed to be output on the screen (at that time, the display flag changes to display mode)
However, the movement flag in the icon's attribute database is
If it is in the exercise mode, the icon display position is moved at any time according to the exercise rules in the attribute database. The movement at this time is completely separated from the state of the object associated with it in the execution program and the operation performed by the user by selecting the icon.

The user performs motion control operations on the icon, or
When the execution program sends a command to control icon movement, the icon movement stops. At that time, the motion flag is rewritten to non-motion mode.

Below, examples of icon movement rules performed by the dialogue management device will be described.

1) Move the display position one after another to extremely close locations, as shown at 41-42-43 in FIG. 4(a).

By repeating the display, the screen is moved as if it were continuous (hereinafter, such movement is referred to as continuous).

2) As shown in Figure 4(b), a limited area 4 on the screen
Continuously move on the locus 45 in 4.

3) The display positions are moved to locations apart from each other on the screen, such as from 42 to 41 in FIG. 4(c) (hereinafter, such movement is referred to as discontinuous).

4. Move discontinuously to positions 42-41-43 within a certain range 44 on the screen in FIG. 4(d).

5) Repeat interlocking and stopping at appropriate intervals.

6) As shown in FIG. 4(e), when the dialogue management device determines that the icon 42 is hiding another element 46 displayed on the screen, the icon 42 is continuously moved to a position 41 that does not hide it. move in a targeted manner or discontinuously. This is done regardless of the user's operation or the state of the object associated with the icon.

7) As shown in FIG. 4(f), the icon 44 is moved continuously or discontinuously to a location 42 on the screen where the pattern changes little.

8) As shown in FIG. 4(g), the icon 41 is displayed in the area 4 of the pattern 43 defined as the background on the screen.
2, either continuously or discontinuously.

9) If the icons 41 and 42 are about to collide on the screen, avoid by following the trajectory shown in Figure 4 (h) and 48 and 49, or do nothing as shown in Figure 4 (i). They overlap each other as they pass, take a trajectory like Figure 4 (j) 50.51 and make a movement that looks like they are colliding with each other and bounce back, take a trajectory like Figure 4 (k) 52.53, and then By changing the designs, the characters move in a way that makes them look like they are fighting, or move their positions.

These rules are written into the icon attribute database.

In the interactive computer device in which the icon moves in this embodiment, the movement of the icon makes it easier to find the icon, reduces the possibility that the icon hides data that should be displayed on the screen, and prevents the icon from obscuring data that should be displayed on the screen. Since the screen is less likely to be hidden and one screen is always dynamic, even if you work for a long time on a complicated screen, you will always be stimulated and will not get bored easily.

Note that this embodiment is one method for realizing the functions claimed in the claims, and many other types of hardware/software configurations can be considered for realizing the same functions.

〔Effect of the invention〕

By providing an interactive computer device with the function of moving icons regardless of the user's selection or the state of objects as described above, (1) the user can always know the position of the icon; 2) The effect that the icons do not hide the data on the screen, (3) The effect that the icons do not hide the data on the screen, and (4) The effect that you do not get bored even if you work in front of the screen for a long time. Effects can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an interactive screen of an interactive computer device, examples of icons displayed therein, and examples of moving icons; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the interactive computer device; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an icon attribute database, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of icon movement rules. 1... Icon display position, 2... Icon display position, 3... Icon display position. 1st rlA /- Fig. 2 Fig. 3 (a-) (i8) No. 2) μ8 (ne) Fig. 4 Cε) L7

Claims (1)

[Claims] An object that is one or more files or an executable program is associated with an icon that is an image pattern with a finite size displayed on the screen, and the icon is used to indicate the existence of the object. , an interactive computer that notifies the user of the status and function, and allows the user to select the icon and perform a predetermined operation, thereby changing the display position of the icon or operating the object according to the user's will. In the apparatus, means is provided for changing the display position of the icon over time in a predetermined manner irrespective of the user's operation and regardless of the state of the object represented by the icon. An interactive computer device characterized by: 2. An object that is zero or more files or an executable program is associated with an icon that is an image pattern with a finite size displayed on the screen, and the icon informs the existence, status, and function of the object. , an interactive computer device that allows a user to select the icon and perform a predetermined operation to change the display position of the icon according to the user's will or to operate the object; means for changing the display position of the icon over time by a predetermined method without depending on the user's operation and regardless of the state of the object represented by the icon; An interactive computer device comprising: operation means for the user to temporarily stop and restart changes over time. 3. When the icon is displayed on the screen, one or more of the initial position, method of change over time, rules, and range of movement of the icon's display position over time is specified by the user, or 3. The interactive computer device according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining based on an attribute of an icon or an attribute of the object represented by the icon. 4. An interactive computer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an element to be displayed in addition to the icon, and means for moving the icon to a part of the screen where the spatial variation of data is small. 5. The dialog according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an element to be displayed in addition to the icon, and means for moving the icon to a part of the screen where a specific pattern defined as a background is displayed. Type computer device. 6. When there are elements to be displayed other than the above icons, or when part or all of the icon image pattern that should be displayed on the screen is hidden by other data. 6. An interactive computer device according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving said icon to a position where all or part of the image pattern of said icon appears. 7. The interactive computer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for changing the display position of the icon over time depending on the relationship with the display position of other icons on the screen.