JPH06332618A - Cursor control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the control method for a cursor, by which a position of the cursor on a display screen can be confirmed easily. CONSTITUTION:When an operator moves (operates) a mouse 4, a processor 1 executes a program stored in a main storage device 5, and decides whether this operation is an operation for a regular cursor movement, or a special operation determined in advance in order to confirm a cursor position. In the case where it is decided to be the operation for the regular cursor movement, the cursor position displayed on a display device 2 is moved in accordance with the operation of the mouse. In the case where it is decided to be the special operation for confirming the cursor position, the cursor on the display device 2 is moved to a prescribed position or displayed emphatically, so that the cursor position can be confirmed easily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention controls the display of a cursor on a display screen of a display device used in a computer device or the like in accordance with the operation of an operating section, and the position where the cursor is displayed on the display screen. The present invention relates to a cursor control method and apparatus for inputting the coordinate values of the cursor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A computer device or the like is equipped with a display device for inputting / outputting data. Then, as a mark indicating which position on the display screen of this display device is the processing target position, a display symbol called a cursor or an icon (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a cursor) is used. Various coordinate input devices are used to move the cursor to a desired coordinate position on the display screen. Among them, in general, mouse, joystick,
What is called a trackball or the like is used. Since the cursor can be moved in any direction on the display screen by the moving operation of the operation unit, these operations are practically easy and the use effect is great.

A mouse is generally a device having three bearings on the bottom, which is operated while rolling on a desk.
The coordinate value is obtained from the rotation angle of the bearing. The joystick is generally a device with an operating rod, which is used to obtain coordinate values by grasping the operating rod and tilting it to any position such as front, rear, left and right.

The trackball is provided with a ball that can be rotated in any direction, and the ball is rotated by the palm or the tip of a finger to obtain coordinate values from the rotation angle of the ball. Regarding the trackball, for example, JP-A-58
No. 149535.

By these moving operations, these devices simultaneously output an X-axis moving amount signal and a Y-axis moving amount signal which determine the moving direction and moving amount of the cursor. The computer main body inputs the movement amount signals of each of these axes, and controls the movement of the cursor on the display screen by an amount corresponding to this. When moving the cursor, the display position on the display screen is sequentially changed so that the cursor always moves continuously from the current position to the target position.

As a technique for improving the operability in controlling the cursor movement as described above, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
As in the technique described in Japanese Patent No. 129643, by changing the moving speed of the cursor in accordance with the force (displacement of the joystick or the like) applied to the joystick or the like, it is possible to give coordinate instructions in accordance with the user's sensation to improve operability There is technology to improve.

Further, as in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-111524, a technique for providing a data input device capable of performing an input operation by a pointing device that does not require a connection cord when controlling cursor movement. There is.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-22126,
There is a technique for improving operability by moving the cursor on the display unit at high speed or at low speed, such as the technique described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-29941.

By the way, the cursor is generally 5 to 10 mm.
The display brightness is suppressed because the operator's eyes are fatigued, and the display does not blink. in this way,
The cursor on the display screen is very hard to see. Therefore, there is a method of confirming the position of the cursor by highlighting the cursor when the cursor remains at the same position for a certain period of time, as in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 3-163594.

[0010]

In the coordinate input device which is operated while confirming the processing position on the display screen with the cursor,
The operator must always check the position of the cursor on the display screen. Therefore, during the cursor movement operation period, the display position on the display screen is sequentially updated so that the cursor appears to move continuously.

However, since the cursor is very hard to see as described above, when the cursor is moved abruptly, or when the coordinate input work is interrupted midway and the eyes are taken away from the cursor, the cursor is temporarily moved. I often lose track of the cursor position. Especially, when a complicated figure is displayed on the display device, or when the cursor is in an unexpected position, such a state is likely to occur, and it is considerably difficult to confirm the position of the lost cursor. May be invited.

According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-163594, the cursor is highlighted when the cursor remains stationary at the same position for a certain period of time, making it easier to confirm the position of the cursor. It becomes easier to confirm the position of the cursor when the work is restarted after. However, the position of the cursor may be lost temporarily when the cursor is taken off, the complicated figure is displayed on the display device, or the like even within the above-described fixed time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily confirm the position of a cursor on a display screen during a work requiring a cursor operation. It is to provide a control method and device for the above.

[0014]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a display device and a pointing device for indicating a position on a display screen of the display device are provided,
In a computer system that displays a cursor at a position on the display screen designated by the pointing device, the operation by the pointing device is a predetermined specific operation or an operation other than the specific operation. A means for determining whether it is an operation, and when it is determined to be the normal operation, a cursor is displayed at a position designated by the pointing device, and when it is determined to be the specific operation, Display control means for displaying the cursor at a predetermined position on the display screen.

Further, in the computer system comprising a display device and a pointing device for designating a position on the display screen of the display device, wherein the cursor is displayed at the position on the display screen designated by the pointing device, The operation by the pointing device is a predetermined specific operation, a means for determining whether it is a normal operation that is an operation other than the specific operation, and when it is determined that the normal operation, Display control means for displaying a cursor at a position designated by the pointing device and highlighting the cursor when it is determined to be the specific operation can be provided.

[0016]

If the predetermined special operation different from the normal cursor movement is performed on the pointing device such as the mouse during the cursor movement work on the display screen, the cursor can be located anywhere on the display screen. The cursor moves to a predetermined position on the display screen (this position can be arbitrarily set) or is highlighted at the existing position.

This makes it very easy to confirm the position of the cursor on the display screen during the cursor movement work. Further, if the operator sets the moving destination of the cursor to a position convenient for performing the work, the work efficiency is further improved.

[0018]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall configuration of a personal computer device that provides the operating environment of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 is a processing device which is the main body of a personal computer device, and 2 is a display device as output means, and this embodiment shows the case where a CRT display device is used. Reference numeral 3 is a keyboard as an input means, and 4 is a mouse as a coordinate input device. Reference numeral 5 denotes a main storage device, which is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) 5
a, a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 5b. In these memories 5a and 5b,
Predetermined programs, data, etc. are stored, and the processing device 1 realizes prescribed processing by executing these programs. Further, the programs and data may be stored in the external storage device 6, and the programs and data stored in the external storage device 6 may be stored in the main storage device 5 as needed.

2 and 3 are views for explaining the outline of the mouse 4 as the coordinate input device. In this figure, 1 is a processing device such as a personal computer, 2 is a display device, 4 is a mouse, and 7 is a mat (or may be a flat plate such as a desk). The mouse 4 moves the entire operation unit on the mat 7 to determine the coordinate position of the cursor CS displayed on the display screen SC of the display device 2 on the display screen SC.

Now, referring to FIG. 3, the display screen S of the display device 2 is shown.
It is assumed that the cursor CS points to the point A'on C, while the mouse 4 is also positioned at the point A on the mat 7 as shown in FIG. When the mouse 4 is moved to the point B on the mat, the mouse 4 moves in the X-axis direction by Δx, Y.
The amount of movement Δy in the axial direction is detected, and the information (movement amount Δy
x, Δy) to the processor 1. The processing device 1 calculates the coordinate value of the cursor CS based on the information of the movement amount, and the calculated result is the X-axis coordinate storage unit XV, Y-axis coordinate provided in the RAM 5b in the main storage device 5. Store in the storage unit YV. The processing device 1 moves and displays the cursor CS to the point B ′ on the display screen SC based on the contents of these storage units XV and YV.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mouse 4 has a case 10 and a ball 11 rotatably held in the case 10. Further, a switch is provided on the surface of the case 10 (in FIG. 4, SW1, SW
2).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the mouse 4. When the mouse 4 is moved, the ball 11 is rotated according to the movement, and the rollers 12 and 13 contacting in the X-axis and Y-axis directions are rotated. This rotation is transmitted to the pulse generators 14 and 15, and the pulse generator 1
4 and 15 generate pulse signals 14P and 15P according to the rotation amount, that is, the movement amount of the mouse 4. These pulse signals 14P and 15P are input to and counted by corresponding pulse counters CTRX and CTRY, respectively. Therefore, the movement amount of the mouse 4 can be detected by referring to the count values of the counters CTRX and CTRY.

The counters CTRX and CTR are provided so that the count values of the counters CTRX and CTRY can be referred to by the processing device 1 including a microcomputer and the count values can be controlled by the processing device 1.
The TRY is connected to the processing device 1.

Further, the mouse 4 is usually provided with a plurality of key switches in order to give various commands to the coordinate position on the display screen where the current cursor CS is located. In this embodiment, two key switches are shown. These switches SW1 and SW2 also input signals indicating the ON and OFF states to the processing device 2 so that the processing device 1 can confirm the ON and OFF states thereof.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the outline of the operation of this embodiment. When the operator moves the mouse 4 to move the cursor CS, the processing device 1 causes the mouse 4 to move.
The information that the has been moved is input from the mouse 4 as described above. When the movement information is input from the mouse 4,
The processing device 1 uses the cursor CS displayed on the display device SC.
The cursor CS so as to move in the designated direction on the display screen SC based on the movement information from the mouse 4.
To move the display position of (step 601).

Now, it is assumed that the operator loses the position of the cursor CS on the display screen SC while moving the cursor CS. The operator performs a specific operation on the mouse 4 in order to confirm the position of the cursor CS on the display screen SC. Here, this specific operation is performed by moving the mouse 4 to the mat 7 within a predetermined minute time (for example, several seconds).
A moving operation of the cursor CS is performed as the above-mentioned operation of irregularly moving (changing the moving direction a predetermined number of times or more). The processing device 1 performs the operation for confirming the position of the lost cursor CS, or whether the operation of moving the cursor CS performed by the operator is the normal operation of moving the cursor CS based on the movement information input from the mouse 4. It is determined whether the operation is a specific operation (irregular cursor CS moving operation) (step 602).

The processing device 1 has a cursor C
When it is determined that the movement operation of S is a specific operation for confirming the position of the cursor CS on the display screen SC, the movement of the cursor CS is instructed to a predetermined position on the display screen SC (step 603). ). As a result, the operator can easily confirm the position of the cursor CS that was once lost.

FIG. 7 shows whether the movement operation of the cursor CS performed by the operator in the processing apparatus 1 is for the purpose of normal movement of the cursor (normal movement operation) or for confirmation of the cursor (specific movement operation? ) Determination operation flowchart (FIG. 6)
2 is a detailed flowchart for step 602 of FIG. When the information of the X-axis coordinate value XV0 and the Y-axis coordinate value YV0 of the position where the cursor CS is present on the display screen SC is input from the mouse 4 to the processing device 1 (step 7).
01), and stores the coordinate value at the head of the coordinate storage unit (step 702).

Next, when movement information (coordinate value information) is input to the processing device 1 from the mouse 4 (step 703),
This input is within a predetermined time (this time is t seconds and can be arbitrarily set) from the input time (n = 0) of the coordinate value information of XV0 and YV0, for example, 5 seconds (t = 5) or less (step 704).

If it is determined that the time is within the predetermined time,
"1" is added to the value of n, and the input X-axis coordinate value and Y-axis coordinate value are stored in XVn and YVn, respectively. Also, X
The coordinate values stored in Vn and YVn are larger (increased) or smaller (decreased) than the previously input coordinate values XV (n-1) and YV (n-1). ΔXV (n−1), ΔYV (n−
1) is calculated. Here, ΔXV (n−1) = XVn−XV (n−1) and ΔYV (n−1) = YVn−YV (n−1) are set (step 705).

Next, it is checked whether the coordinate values XVn and YVn are discontinuously increased or decreased. That is, immediately before (before adding “1” to the value of n in step 705),
[Delta] XV (n-1), [Delta] YV (n-1) for the current value of n (after adding "1" to the value of n in step 705) are compared, and the immediately preceding and current [Delta] XV (n-1) are compared. Is the same sign, and whether the immediately preceding and present ΔYV (n-1) are the same sign is determined (step 706).

If it is determined in step 706 that ΔXV (n-1) and ΔYV (n-1) have the same sign, the process returns to step 703. If at least one is determined to have a different sign, the increase / decrease counter (step 7
In "02, set" 0 "to" 1 "
Is added (step 707) and the process returns to step 703.
In step 707, the number of times the direction in which the mouse 4 moves is changed is counted.

If it is determined in step 704 that the coordinate input in step 703 has been performed 5 seconds or more after the coordinate input of XV0 and YV0, the process proceeds to step 708. In step 708, with reference to the value stored in the increase / decrease counter, this value exceeds a predetermined value k (this value can be arbitrarily set), that is, the cursor CS frequently changes direction. It is determined whether or not it is performed (step 708). For example, when t = 5, k can be set to about 5. When it is determined that the value exceeds the predetermined value k, it is determined that the operator randomly moved the mouse 4 to confirm the cursor CS (a specific operation has been performed), and on the display screen SC. The cursor CS is moved to a predetermined position (step 709). When it is determined in step 708 that the predetermined value k is not exceeded, the process returns to step 702.

FIG. 8 shows a coordinate storage unit (coordinate storage table) required for executing this embodiment. Coordinate storage table 80
0 comprises an X-axis coordinate storage unit 801 for storing the X-axis coordinate value of the cursor CS on the display screen SC and a Y-coordinate storage unit 802 for storing the Y-axis coordinate value. The coordinate value (coordinate data) of the cursor moved within a predetermined time t seconds, for example, within 5 seconds is stored, and the coordinate data after t seconds is sequentially updated. Processor 1
Refers to the coordinate data stored in this coordinate storage table and performs the processing described above with reference to FIG. 7 to determine whether it is a normal cursor movement or a special movement for confirming the cursor.

As described above, according to this embodiment, for example, when the cursor is suddenly moved on the display screen, or when the cursor is taken off during the coordinate input operation, the cursor is temporarily moved. If you lose track of the cursor,
By moving the mouse irregularly for t seconds, the position of the lost cursor can be easily confirmed.

As the coordinates of the cursor movement destination, one point (for example, one of the four corners or the center point) on the display screen may be set in advance, but the operator may freely set the coordinates of the movement destination. good. For this setting, some patterns (menus) of coordinates of the movement destination are prepared, and the operator may select an optimum point from this menu. Alternatively, the operator may actually move the cursor to a coordinate (position) at which the cursor is desired to be moved, and the processing device 1 may store this position as the coordinate of the moving destination.

Further, in the present embodiment, the specific movement operation for confirming the position of the cursor is moved irregularly within the predetermined minute time (t seconds) (predetermined movement). However, the specific moving operation is not limited to this, and various other variations can be considered.

As described above, in this embodiment, in order to confirm the cursor on the display screen, the case where the cursor is moved to a predetermined position on the display screen for the operator to confirm is set. However, the display attribute is set to the cursor. However, this display attribute may be given to the cursor in response to a specific movement operation of the cursor. As the display attribute, the display shape of the cursor, the display color, the presence / absence of blinking display, and the like can be considered.
The display attribute may be given for a predetermined time, for example, several seconds after responding to the special movement operation of the cursor, or it is detected that the next normal movement operation is performed after performing the special movement operation. It may be in the meantime. Moreover, the operator may confirm the combination by moving the cursor to a predetermined position on the display screen and adding the cursor display attribute.

In this embodiment, the case where the cursor is moved to a predetermined position by using the mouse has been described, but the same applies to the coordinate input from the joystick, the trackball, and the keyboard (for example, arrow keys). May be responded to (moved to a predetermined position).

[0041]

According to the present invention, the position of the cursor on the display screen can be easily confirmed during the work requiring the cursor operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a computer device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a mouse function in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a mouse function according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a mouse in an example.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the mouse in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart for explaining a processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flowchart for explaining a processing procedure in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a coordinate storage table according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... Processing device, 2 ... Display device, 3 ... Keyboard, 4 ... Mouse, 5 ... Main storage device, 6 ... External storage device, 7 ... Mat, 800 ... Coordinate storage table, 801 ... X-axis coordinate Storage unit, 802 ... Y-axis coordinate storage unit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cursor control in a computer system, comprising: a display device; and a pointing device for designating a position on the display screen of the display device, wherein the cursor is displayed at the position on the display screen designated by the pointing device. In the method, the operation by the pointing device is a predetermined specific operation, it is determined whether the normal operation is an operation other than the specific operation, when it is determined that the normal operation Is characterized by displaying a cursor at a position designated by the pointing device, and displaying the cursor at a predetermined position on the display screen when it is determined to be the specific operation. Cursor control method. 2. A cursor control in a computer system, comprising: a display device; and a pointing device for instructing a position on the display screen of the display device, wherein a cursor is displayed at the position on the display screen instructed by the pointing device. In the method, the operation by the pointing device is a predetermined specific operation, it is determined whether the normal operation is an operation other than the specific operation, when it is determined that the normal operation A cursor control method, comprising: displaying a cursor at a position designated by the pointing device, and highlighting the cursor when it is determined to be the specific operation. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific operation is an operation of changing the moving direction by a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined minute time by the pointing device. Characteristic cursor control method. 4. The cursor control method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is any one of the four corners on the display screen or the center. 5. The cursor control method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is arbitrarily designated. 6. The cursor control method according to claim 2, wherein the highlighted display is at least one of changing a display shape of the cursor, changing a display color of the cursor, and blinking display of the cursor.