JPH0628136A - Function selection system of information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain such unified operability as selection from a pull-down menu while making best use of the features of a pen input device by specifying an object with a pen and displaying a set of functions which operate on the same kind of objects as the pull-down menu. CONSTITUTION:When a user specifies 'nu' and 'he' in a character string 120 on an editing screen with a pen 170, an editing processor reverses and displays the character string 130 and displays the pull-down menu 140. In this state, the user selects one function in the pull-down menu 140 and instructs of it with the pen 170 and then the selected function is carried out for the character string 130 specified as an object. When the object is specified, functions except the functions of the pull-down menu 140 can not be selected. When the object is not selected, one of the functions 111a-111d in a menu bar 110 is executed once selected with the pen 170.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to selection of a function in an interactive information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a word processor, and particularly to selection of a function suitable for an interactive information processing apparatus having a pen input device as an input device. A system and its equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An information processing apparatus equipped with a pen input device generally provides a graphic command for selecting a function. In such a device, when the user inputs a predetermined graphic by handwriting with a pen, the command is recognized by the graphic and it is determined that the function is selected. An example of a figure command is an online draft figure input method based on the analysis of the structure of adjacent line segments, which was published in the Japanese Document Processing Research Group of the Information Processing Society of Japan (1986.
5.14).

Graphic commands are not limited to function selection,
Since it is possible to specify the target of the function (graphic, character string, etc.) at the same time, it is considered to provide excellent operability peculiar to the pen input device, which is called a gesture function of the pen input device. It is not always necessary to select the function and specify the target at the same time.
v. As shown at 81, there is also a system in which the function can be executed by inputting an alphabet with a pen (corresponding to a gesture). In this case, the target designation and the selection of the function by the gesture are provided as separate operations. It is also considered that only a specific function is provided by the gesture function while leaving the conventional selection method of the function by the menu or the key.

When the gesture function is used, it is not necessary to move the pen to the menu in order to select the function from the menu, and it is not necessary to input from the keyboard, which is a very convenient function to learn. However, if the shape of the graphic command is complicated and the number of types is increased, the graphic command itself becomes difficult to remember and difficult to use. In addition, there are functions that are difficult to express as figures (for example, functions such as character conversion and character modification that are generally provided in word processors), and forcibly expressing them as meaningless commands are difficult to understand and difficult to remember. . Therefore, the number of functions that can be provided by gestures is limited, and many functions that cannot be provided by gestures can only be provided by conventional selection methods such as menus and keys.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above conventional technique,
Even for functions that have the same flow of operations as specifying a target and selecting a function for that target, there are functions that can use gestures and functions that cannot use gestures. For functions that cannot use gestures, the characteristics of the pen input device were used. There is a problem that uniform operability cannot be provided.

The present invention solves the above problems and has a unified operability utilizing the characteristics of the pen input device for the function having the same operation flow of designating an object and selecting a function for the object. Is intended to provide.

[0007]

An object of the present invention is to display a set of functions acting on the same object as a pull-down menu, display a pull-down menu on the display means by determining that the object is designated. It is realized by instruction means for instructing contents and selection means for selecting a function from a menu.

[0008]

When the object is designated, the instructing means instructs the display means to display a menu, and the display means displays a list of functions acting on the object near the designated object, that is, a menu. The selection means allows the user to select a required function from the menu and execute the selected function.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows one state in the text editing process in the embodiment of the present invention. 100 is an edit screen, 110 is a menu bar for displaying functions, 150 is a part of the keyboard, 1
70 is a pen. In the edit screen 100, 120 is an input character string, 130 is a target specified character string, 160 is a graphic command, and 140 is a pull-down menu. 111 of the menu bar 110 represents the names of functions and function groups. The edit configuration 111e is the name of a function group that requires designation of the object on which the function acts, and the names of the functions belonging to the group are displayed in the pull-down menu 140. The other 111a to 111d are functions that do not require designation of the target. Menu bar 11
Some of the functions whose names are displayed as 0 in the pull-down menu 140 are assigned to the key 151. Figure 1
The outline of the function selection method will be described using.

When the user uses the pen 170 to instruct “nu” and “to” of the character string 120, the editing processing device displays the character string 1
Recognizing that 30 has been designated, the character string 130 is highlighted and the pull-down menu 140 is displayed. In this state, the user selects one of the functions of the pull-down menu 140 and gives an instruction with the pen 170, so that the selected function is executed with respect to the designated character string 130.
If the target is specified, pull-down menu 1
Only 40 functions can be selected. When the target is not designated, the pen 170 is used to display the menu bar 110 at 111a-1.
When 11d is designated, the corresponding function is executed. When the menu bar 110e is designated, a pull-down menu 140 is displayed below the menu bar 110 as shown in FIG. When the user selects one of the functions of the pull-down menu 140 and then designates a character string (for example, 130) which is the target of the function, the selected function is executed.

The function selection method in the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart (FIG. 3) for explaining the processing flow 200 of this embodiment and the state transition management table (FIG. 4) for controlling the processing flow.

First, the state transition management table of FIG. 4 will be described. The state transition management table is the state management table 5
00, a state table 510, an input table 520, and a processing table 530. The entry of the state management table 500 includes a state 501 that represents the current state, a function 502 that represents a function designated by the user and a target, and a target 503. The entry of the state table 510 is made up of a kind 511 of possible states and a pointer 512 to the input table 520 corresponding to each state. The input table 520 is a type 521 of inputs permitted in each state, a pointer 522 to the input table 520 relating to other inputs permitted in the same state, and a pointer to a processing table 530 describing the process corresponding to the input. It consists of 523. Input type 5
When the character position of 21 is specified by a pen, when keys 1 and 2 are input by a predetermined key described below, and when menus 1 and 2 are specified by a pen in the menu bar 110. The pull-down menu indicates a case where the pull-down menu 140 is designated by a pen. Key 1 is the end key, print key, etc. of FIG. 1, and key 2 is the delete key, correction key, move key, insert key, copy key, character modification key, centering key, search key target designation. This is the key you need. Also, Menu 1 is
Menu 2 which is a menu that does not require target designation of 111a to 111d is an edit configuration menu 111e. The process table 530 includes a process 531 to be performed next and a state 532 to be transited to after the process.

Using the state transition management table described above, the function selection process is performed as shown in FIG. At the start of processing, the initial state is set in the state 501. In 201, the input from the user is received, and in 202, the process to be performed next is determined. The determination of processing is performed as follows. First, a state matching the state 501 is obtained from the state table 510, and the input table 520 is obtained from the pointer 520 corresponding to the state. While tracing the pointer 522 of the input table 520, the input matching the input made in 201
Search from 21. If not, the input process 201 is performed again. If there is, the processing table 530 is obtained from the pointer 523,
The control is shifted to the processing routine of processing 531 to be performed next.
After each processing (203 to 207) is completed, the processing table 530 is set as the target 503 in the status change processing (208 to 212).
Next state 532 is set.

Reference numeral 203 is a function selection process from the pull-down menu 140. Before this processing is performed, the pull-down menu is already displayed. In this processing, the user is requested to input, and the function of the pull-down menu designated by the user with the pen is set in the function 502 of the state management table 500. The pull-down menu 140 is deleted and the state change processing 208 is performed.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a menu process, which identifies a function in the menu bar 110 designated by the user at 201, sets the function in the function 502 of the state management table 500, and performs a state change process 209.

Reference numeral 205 denotes an object designating process, which requests the user to designate the character designated by 201 as one end and designates the character at the other end, and provides information (position, size) on a character string having each character at both ends. Is set as the target 503 of the state management table 500, and the target character string is highlighted. After that, the state change processing 210 is performed.

At 206, the key entered at 201 is set in the function 502 of the status management table 500, and the status change processing 211 is performed.

In the function selection process based on the state transition management table of FIG. 4, the gesture process 207 is not performed. This processing will be described in another embodiment.

At 213, the status 501 is judged, and if the status is a pull-down menu display, the pull-down menu 140 is displayed at 219 and the processing returns to the input processing at 201. If the state is waiting for execution, the function stored in the function 502 is executed in 216, and the execution result is displayed in 217. At this time, if the target is reversed, the reverse display is canceled. 218
Then, the state 501 is changed to the initial state and the process returns to the input processing 201. In other cases, the process immediately returns to the input process 201.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide the same usability as the gesture function without using the gesture function of the pen, and the operation flow of each function can be unified. Fast learning,
For beginners, it is possible to provide operability that is easier to use than the gesture function.

FIG. 5 is a state transition management table for realizing another embodiment of the present invention. Before describing the flow of processing, the flow of operations in another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In another embodiment, graphic commands are prepared for some kinds of functions (delete, copy, move, correct, insert, etc.) that require target designation, and the pull-down menu 140 is displayed in the graphic commands. There is a graphic command 160 to instruct. After the character string 130 is specified, the pull-down menu 140 is not displayed immediately and the next input by the user is waited for. When the user inputs a figure command by a gesture, the figure command is
In the case of 0, the pull-down menu 140 is displayed, and in the case of other graphic commands, the corresponding processing is executed.

In order to realize this embodiment, a gesture is added to the entry 511 'of the state table 510'.
Reference numerals 520h and 520i are input tables corresponding to gestures. Gesture 1 corresponds to a graphic command for displaying a pull-down menu, and gesture 2 corresponds to other graphic commands. 530h and 530i are 5 respectively
It is a processing table corresponding to 20h and 520i. Further, the content of the processing table 532a is changed from the pull-down menu display to the gesture.

In the input processing 201 of FIG. 3, in the case of a gesture input, the locus of the pen is displayed and stored. In the gesture process of 207, the graphic command is recognized from the stored locus. If the figure command is recognized, the function 50
Set the function corresponding to the figure command recognized in 2,
The locus is erased and the state change processing 212 is performed. If it cannot be recognized, the locus is erased and the user is requested to input the gesture again in the gesture processing 207.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described embodiment, the gesture function of the pen can be used, so that there is an effect that a user who is familiar with the operation can be provided with more efficient operability.

Further, as can be understood from the above description, various operability can be realized by changing the state transition management table. Therefore, it is possible to prepare some state transition management tables and allow the user to select them. There is an effect that it is also possible to say that the state transition management table is created according to the preference of the user. For example, if a gesture is added to the input table 520 in the initial state, it is possible to realize a gesture function equivalent to that of the conventional technique. However, in that case, the gesture process 207 needs to recognize the graphic command and determine the target from the input of the pen.

[0026]

According to the present invention, for a function having the same operation flow of designating an object and selecting a function for the object, while utilizing the characteristics of the pen input device, it is possible to select from a pull-down menu in a unified manner. There is an effect that various operability can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu and a pull-down menu according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control data structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control data structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... edit screen, 110 ... menu, 140 ... pull-down menu, 160 ... graphic command, 170 ... pen,
151 ... Key, 200 ... Flow of function selection processing, 500 ...
State management table, 510 ... State table, 520 ... Input table, 530 ... Processing table.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Akira Naito Akira Naito, 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Ltd. Inside the Microelectronics Device Development Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Yasumasa Matsuda 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Banchi Co., Ltd. Hitachi Electronics Microelectronics Device Development Laboratory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus equipped with a pen input device, comprising the following steps: (1) detecting an operation target instructed by a user by the pen input device. Step, (2) displaying a set of functions acting on the same type of object as a menu, and (3) detecting a function of the menu designated by the user. 2. An information processing apparatus equipped with a pen input device, which has the following processing steps: (1) A pen input device detects an operation target instructed by a user. Step (2) detecting a graphic command input by the user with the pen input device, (3) a function of acting on the operation target when the graphic command is an instruction to display a menu. Displaying the set as a menu,
(4) Detecting the function of the menu instructed by the user. 3. An information processing apparatus equipped with a pen input device, a display means for displaying a set of functions acting on the same type of object as a first menu, and a specifying means for specifying an operation target by the pen input device. , And a first selecting means for selecting a function from the first menu, and a set of functions corresponding to the operation target designated by the designating means is displayed as the first menu by the display means, and the first menu is displayed. A function selecting method for an information processing apparatus, wherein a function is selected from the menu by the first selecting means. 4. The function selection system according to claim 3, further comprising a second menu for displaying the function and a second selecting means for selecting the function from the second menu, and the operation target by the designating means. A function selecting method for an information processing apparatus, wherein a function can be selected from a second menu by a second selecting unit in a state where the function is not specified. 5. An information processing apparatus having a pen input device, a display means for displaying, as a first menu, a set of functions acting on the same type of object, and a specifying means for specifying an operation target by the pen input device. A first selection means for selecting a function from the first menu and an input means for inputting a graphic command by a pen input device, and input from the input means to an operation target designated by the designation means. When the graphic command is an instruction to display the first menu, the display means displays the first menu,
A function selection system for an information processing apparatus, wherein a function is selected from a first menu by a first selection means. 6. The function selection system according to claim 5, further comprising a second menu for displaying the function and a second selecting means for selecting the function from the second menu, and the operation target by the specifying means. A function selecting method for an information processing apparatus, wherein a function can be selected from a second menu by a second selecting unit in a state where the function is not specified.