JPH0644007A - Shift control for pointing device cursor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To flexibly control the shift distance and shift speed of a cursor in accordance with a situation and to use an existed pointing device with satisfactory operability and without an inconvenience that the cursor is missed. CONSTITUTION:An inference rule part 3 specifying the shift distance and the shift speed of the cursor, which become consequent parts, with the values of the shift distance and the shift speed of the pointing device 1 as antecedent parts, and an inference execution part 4 which fuzzy-infers the shift distance and the shift speed of the cursor on a display screen from the shift distance and the shift speed of the pointing device 1 by using a rule stored in the inference rule part 3 are provided. Then, flexible cursor shift control corresponding to a difference in the shift distance and the shift speed of the pointing device 1 is executed by fuzzy inference.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointing device cursor for controlling a moving distance and a moving speed of a pointing device cursor displayed on a display screen according to a moving operation of a pointing device connected to a computer. The present invention relates to a movement control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A pointing device is a device for instructing position coordinates to a computer. A pointing device is used to move a cursor indicating a figure or character displayed on the display screen of the computer, or to move the cursor on the display screen. It is used to execute processing at the position indicated by the cursor.

As the pointing device, a mouse, a trackball, a joystick or the like can be selected according to the application.

By the way, various control methods for the cursor moving process have been proposed so far in order to speed up the cursor moving process by such a pointing device and simplify the cursor moving operation by the pointing device.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-242722, as a method of controlling movement of a mouse cursor on a window system of a workstation or a personal computer, a specific cursor movement destination on a display screen is registered in advance. A destination registration function to be set, a switch assignment function that assigns the destination moved by this destination registration function to a switch (mouse button) equipped on the mouse body, and the switch assignment function when the switch on the mouse body is pressed There has been proposed a system that has a registration destination moving function of moving the cursor on the display screen to the movement destination assigned by, and moves the cursor by operating the switch of the mouse body.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
According to the technology of Japanese Patent No. 42722, the mouse cursor on the display screen can be accurately moved to a predetermined position simply by pressing the switch on the mouse main body, and the mouse main body is moved while confirming the position of the mouse cursor on the display screen. This eliminates the need for an operation to do so, and certainly reduces the trouble of moving the mouse cursor. However, such a method requires a dedicated mouse body equipped with an appropriate number of switches for allocating destinations, and there is a problem that old hardware that does not have switches for allocating destinations cannot be used. there were.

Further, the destination to which the mouse can be registered is limited by the number of switches equipped on the mouse body, and in practice, not many switches can be provided due to the allowable size of the mouse body. Therefore, the mouse cursor should be moved. There is also a problem that the utility value is poor in a multi-window display in which a cursor menu or the like exists in many places.

Further, as compared with the conventional method in which the operator moves the mouse cursor by moving the mouse body, it is impossible to predict the moving position of the mouse cursor from the moving direction of the mouse body. When the screen is switched by, the position of the mouse cursor may be lost, which may deteriorate the operability.

Further, when the mouse cursor is moved to a position other than the position registered in advance by the move destination registration function, the mouse main body must be moved as in the conventional case. In that case, for example, when the mouse cursor is to be moved largely, the movement operation of the mouse body must be repeated many times, or the movement of the mouse cursor is small at some times, large at some times, fast at other times, There is also a problem that a certain amount of skill is required to control the moving distance and moving speed of the mouse cursor depending on the situation, even if it is late at some times.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to flexibly adjust the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor according to the situation without requiring the skill of the operator. The pointing device cursor can be easily moved to a desired place without losing sight of it, and even if you use an existing pointing device, you can enjoy those effects and it is extremely useful. It is an object of the present invention to provide a movement control method of the above.

[0011]

A method of controlling movement of a pointing device cursor according to claim 1, wherein a moving distance and a moving speed of the pointing device cursor displayed on a display screen are displayed according to a moving operation of the pointing device. And an inference rule unit for performing fuzzy inference and an inference execution unit.

Here, the inference rule section defines a correlation between the values of the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device and the moving distance of the pointing device cursor on the display screen. A cursor moving speed rule defining a correlation between the values of the moving distance and moving speed and the moving speed of the pointing device cursor on the display screen is accommodated.

Further, the inference executing unit uses the rules stored in the inference rule unit to fuzzyly determine the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor on the display screen from the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device. Reason.

Then, the pointing device cursor on the display screen is moved according to the inference result of the inference execution unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pointing device cursor movement control method which is a further improvement of the pointing device cursor movement control method according to the second aspect. As a speed rule, an initial period rule that defines the acceleration period of the initial movement for the value of the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device, and a constant speed period of the middle period for the moving distance and moving speed value of the pointing device. A predetermined medium-term period rule and a latter-term period rule that defines a later deceleration period for the values of the moving distance and the moving speed of the pointing device are provided.

Then, when the pointing device cursor is moved on the display screen, the moving speed is changed in the initial period of movement, the middle period of movement, and the latter period of movement.

[0017]

In the pointing device cursor movement control method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pointing device cursor on the display screen is moved by the movement operation of the pointing device. Fuzzy inference is performed on the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor on the screen, and the pointing device cursor is moved based on the inference result. Therefore, by expanding the inference rules stored in the inference rule part, it becomes possible to flexibly adjust the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor according to the degree of moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device. , It is possible to realize the optimum cursor movement that matches the situation without requiring the skill of the operator.
It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of missing the pointing device cursor and repeating the moving operation of the pointing device.

Moreover, such an effect can be achieved by equipping the inference rule section and the inference execution section, that is, by dealing with it in a software manner, and therefore, even in an environment using an existing pointing device, these effects can be obtained. It is possible to enjoy the effects and the utility value is very high.

When the moving speed of the pointing device cursor on the display screen is divided into periods such as an acceleration period, a constant velocity period, and a deceleration period, the pointing device cursor is controlled. Even if the moving distance of the mouse is large and the moving speed in the constant speed period must be extremely high, the moving speed can be decreased immediately after the start of the movement and immediately before the end of the movement. It is possible to secure even better operability without losing sight of the position and the like.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a pointing device cursor movement control method according to the present invention.

The movement control method of the pointing device cursor of this embodiment is a display screen according to the movement operation of the pointing device in an environment where a window system of a computer (for example, a workstation or a personal computer) is operating. The pointing device cursor (below,
It simply controls the movement distance and movement speed of the cursor).

In order to realize the movement control method of the pointing device cursor of the above-mentioned one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a pointing device 1, a window system 2, an inference rule unit 3 and an inference execution unit 4 are required.

The pointing device 1 notifies the window system 2 of data on a moving distance and a moving direction by performing a moving operation.
Existing mouse, trackball, pen, etc. can be used. The pointing device 1 performs operations such as moving the cursor on the window displayed on the display screen to a large distance quickly, and moving the cursor quickly and largely, and moving it to a close position slowly and small.

The window system 2 realizes multi-window display on the display screen, and manages the size of each window being displayed, the current position of the cursor in the window, and the like. Further, when the pointing device 1 is moved, the moving distance Din and the moving speed Vin (moving distance D of the pointing device 1 are determined based on a signal from the pointing device 1.
(calculated from in and the time required for it) is detected, and the detected moving distance Din and moving speed Vin are recorded together with information such as the size of the window in which the cursor was present before the movement,
The inference execution unit 4 is notified and the movement of the cursor is controlled according to the movement distance Dout and the movement speed Vout inferred by the inference execution unit 4.

The inference rule unit 3 defines, for fuzzy inference, a cursor movement distance which defines a correlation between the values of the movement distance Din and the movement speed Vin of the pointing device 1 and the movement distance Dout of the cursor on the display screen. This is a part that accommodates the rule 31 and a cursor movement speed rule 32 that defines the correlation between the values of the movement distance Din and the movement speed Vin of the pointing device 1 and the movement speed Vout of the cursor on the display screen.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent the cursor from moving smoothly and the visibility from being impaired, the cursor moving speed Vout is set to an initial acceleration period T ₁ and a middle period as shown in FIG. Constant speed period T ₂ and late deceleration period T ₃
Control is divided into three periods. The acceleration period T ₁ is a period of accelerating at a constant acceleration. The constant speed period T ₂ is a period in which the vehicle is moved at a constant speed at the speed (arrival speed) at the end of the acceleration period T ₁ . The deceleration period T ₃ is the constant speed period T in the middle period.
It is a period of deceleration from the speed in _{2 at a} constant acceleration. T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ are the time required for each period.

The cursor movement speed rule 32 accommodated in the inference rule unit 3 is an initial period rule 32a which defines an acceleration period T ₁ in the initial stage of movement with respect to the values of the movement distance Din and the movement speed Vin of the pointing device 1. , Moving distance Din and moving speed Vin of the pointing device 1
Middle period rule 32b defining a constant velocity period T ₂ in the middle period of movement for the value of, and a second period rule defining a deceleration period T ₃ in the latter period for the values of the moving distance Din and the moving speed Vin of the pointing device 1. 32c.

The inference execution unit 4 is connected to the inference rule unit 3
The moving distance Din and the moving speed Vin of the pointing device 1 to the moving distance Dout and the moving speed V of the cursor on the display screen using the rules stored in
It is a part of fuzzy inference of out.

The inference rule unit 3 and the inference execution unit 4
Each of them has a predetermined function as a program loaded into a storage area managed by the window system 2.

The inference by the inference rule unit 3 and the inference execution unit 4 proceeds in the form of if A then B. Here, the A is called an antecedent part and the B is called a consequent part. As the antecedent part A, the moving distance Din of the pointing device 1
The moving speed Vin is used. As the consequent part B, the moving distance Dout of the cursor on the display screen and the moving speed Vout of the cursor in the constant speed period T ₂ described above.
Then, the value (time) of each period T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ is obtained.

FIG. 3 shows the values used in the aforementioned antecedent part A, that is, Din and the moving speed V of the pointing device 1.
This is a membership function for expressing the degree of in. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the moving distance Din or the moving speed Vin of the pointing device 1,
The vertical axis is the value of the membership function. In the inference by the inference rule unit 3 and the inference execution unit 4, the moving direction of the pointing device 1 is not taken into consideration, and the positive values of the moving distance and the moving speed are inferred. In FIG. 3, the degree of the moving distance and the moving speed are expressed by four functions ZR, PS, PM and PL. Where the function ZR
(ZR: zero) is for a case where there is almost no moving distance Din or moving speed Vin, and the function PS (PS: posi
tive small) corresponds to the case where the movement distance Din or the movement speed Vin is small, and the function PM (PM: positive med)
ium) corresponds to the case where the moving distance Din or the moving speed Vin is slightly large, and the function PL (PL: positive larg).
e) is for a case where the moving distance Din or the moving speed Vin is considerably large.

FIG. 4 shows a membership function for expressing the value used in the consequent part B, that is, the degree of movement distance Dout of the cursor on the display screen. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is the moving distance Dout of the cursor on the display screen, and the scale is changed according to the distance between the cursor position before the movement and the end of the window where the cursor exists. The vertical axis represents the value of the membership function. In FIG. 4, four functions ZR, PS, P
M and PL are shown. In the case of the function ZR (ZR: zero), it means that the movement distance Dout is almost zero,
Moving distance D in case of function PS (PS: positive small)
It means to reduce out, and the function PM (PM: posi
In the case of the tive medium), it means that the moving distance Dout is made slightly larger, and in the case of the function PL (PL: positive large), it means that the moving distance Dout is made considerably larger.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between each membership function shown in FIG. 4 and the size of the window displayed on the display screen. In FIG. 5, a range 5 surrounded by a rectangle is a window in which the cursor exists, and an x mark at the lower left of the window 5 indicates the cursor position before the movement. When the pointing device 1 is moved from the position of this X mark in the direction shown by the arrow (a), the range of the function ZR of FIG.
The function ZR is expressed by a shape obtained by rotating the contour of the function ZR about the vertical axis, that is, a conical shape whose radius is the broken-line arrow ZR with the cursor position before movement as the center. Similarly, the function P
The range of S is a shape obtained by rotating the contour (triangle) of the function PS of FIG. 4 around the vertical axis, that is, a ridge having a circle with the radius of the dashed arrow ZR as the ridge, and the dashed arrow PS sandwiching the ridge. It is represented by a ring shape having a width of. Further, the range of the function PM is a shape obtained by rotating the contour (triangle) of the function ZR in FIG. 4 about the vertical axis, that is, the circumference with the broken line arrow PS as the radius with the cursor position before movement as the center. As a ridge,
It is represented by a ring shape having a width of a dashed arrow PM that sandwiches the ridge. Further, the range of the function PL is a shape obtained by rotating the contour of the function ZR of FIG. 4 around the vertical axis, that is, the circumference showing the outer peripheral part of the range of the function PM (the dashed arrow PM in FIG. The circumference of the circle is the highest position and is flat outside the circumference of the circle, and is a ring shape of one side inclined surface that gradually decreases inside the circumference.

The following Tables 1 to 8 show the rules contained in the inference rule unit 3.

[0035]

[Table 1]

[Table 2]

[Table 3]

[Table 4]

[Table 5]

[Table 6]

[Table 7]

[Table 8] Tables 1 and 2 are rules stored in the cursor movement distance rule 31 of the inference rule unit 3, and are 2 of the movement distance Din and the movement speed Vin of the pointing device 1.
One is the antecedent part, and the moving distance D of the cursor is the consequent part
It shows 16 rules for getting out.

Tables 3 and 4 are rules contained in the initial period rule 32a of the inference rule unit 3 and are the moving distance Din and the moving speed V of the pointing device 1.
16 rules for obtaining the acceleration period T ₁ of the cursor, which is the consequent part, are shown by using two of in as the antecedent part.

Tables 5 and 6 are rules accommodated in the medium term rule 32b of the inference rule section 3 and are the moving distance Din and the moving speed V of the pointing device 1.
16 rules for obtaining the constant velocity period T ₂ of the cursor, which is the consequent part, are shown with _two of in as the antecedent part.

Tables 7 and 8 are rules accommodated in the latter term rule 32c of the inference rule section 3 and are the moving distance Din and the moving speed V of the pointing device 1.
16 rules for obtaining the deceleration period T ₃ of the cursor, which is the consequent part, are shown with two of in as the antecedent part.

In addition to the rules shown in Tables 3 to 8 above, the cursor movement speed rule 32 of the inference rule unit 3 includes the movement speed Vin of the pointing device 1 as the antecedent part, and the consequent part to it. As the constant speed period T
The following four rules are provided for obtaining the moving speed Vout (that is, the reaching speed) of the cursor in ₂ .

Rule 1: If Vin is almost absent, Vout = Vin x α _ZR Rule 2: If Vin is small, Vout =
Vin x α _PS Rule 3: If Vin is slightly large, then Vout =
Vin x α _PM Rule 4: If Vin is considerably large, Vout =
Vin × α _PL However, in these four rules, α _ZR , α _PS ,
Both α _PM and α _PL are constants preset by experience, and the relationship of 1 ≦ α _ZR <α _PS <α _PM <α _PL is established.

The inference rule unit 3 having the above-mentioned configuration generally contains 16 rules of the following rules 101 to 116.

Rule 101: If there is almost no Din and almost no Vin, make Dout almost zero, make T ₁ much larger, and make T ₂ almost equal.
Set to almost zero and T ₃ to almost zero.

Rule 102: If Din is small and V
If there is almost no in, make Dout almost zero, make T ₁ considerably large, and make T ₂ small.
Now, set T ₃ to almost zero.

Rule 103: If Din is rather large,
If Vin is almost absent, Dout should be reduced to T ₁
To a slightly larger value and T ₂ to a smaller value,
Make T ₃ almost zero.

Rule 104: If Din is fairly large and Vin is almost zero, reduce Dout,
T ₁ is slightly increased, T ₂ is increased slightly, and T ₃ is decreased.

Rule 105: If Din is almost absent and Vin is small, Dout is made almost zero, T ₁ is made slightly large, T ₂ is made small, and T ₃ is made almost zero.

Rule 106: If Din is small and V
If in is small, Dout is made small, T ₁ is made slightly large, T ₂ is made small, and T ₃ is made small.

Rule 107: If Din is rather large,
If Vin is small, then slightly increase the Dout, and slightly increasing the T _1, then slightly increase the T _2, to reduce the T _3.

Rule 108: If Din is quite large and Vin is small, increase Dout a little and set T
Decrease ₁ and slightly increase T ₂ and slightly increase T ₃ .

Rule 109: If Din is almost absent and Vin is slightly large, Dout is made almost zero, T ₁ is made small, T ₂ is made small, and T ₃ is made small.

Rule 110: If Din is small and V
If in is a little large, Dout is made small, T ₁ is made small, T ₂ is made small, and T ₃ is made a little large.

Rule 111: If Din is slightly large,
If Vin is slightly large, Dout should be slightly large and T
Decrease ₁ and slightly increase T ₂ and slightly increase T ₃ .

Rule 112: If Din is fairly large and Vin is rather large, then Dout should be fairly large, T ₁ should be almost zero, T ₂ should be fairly large, and T ₃ should be fairly large.

Rule 113: If Din is almost absent and Vin is considerably large, decrease Dout,
Decrease T ₁ and increase T ₂ a little,
The T ₃ to decrease.

Rule 114: If Din is small and V
If in is quite large, make Dout a little larger and
Decrease ₁ considerably, increase T ₂ and increase T ₃ .

Rule 115: If Din is rather large and Vin is quite large, then Dout should be fairly large, T ₁ should be almost zero, T ₂ should be fairly large, and T ₃ should be fairly large.

Rule 116: If Din is fairly large and Vin is quite large, then Dout is significantly large, T ₁ is almost zero, T ₂ is significantly large, and T ₃ is significantly large.

According to the rules of the inference rule unit 3 described in detail above, the inference execution unit 4 calculates the moving distance Dout and the reaching speed Vout of the cursor on the display screen from the moving distance Din and the moving speed Vin of the pointing device 1. The acceleration period T ₁ , the constant speed period T ₂ , and the deceleration period T ₃ are inferred. Then, from the inference result, the window system 2
Executes the cursor movement based on the speed control graph of FIG.

As is clear from FIG. 2 described above, the relationship of the following equation (1) is established at T ₁ , T ₂ and T ₃ .

[0060]

[Equation 1] Therefore, the inference execution unit 4 determines T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ so as to satisfy the above expression (1).

The pointing device cursor movement control method of the above embodiment is the same as the pointing device 1.
The cursor on the display screen is moved by the moving operation of the. The moving distance Dout and the moving speed Vin of the pointing device 1 are fuzzy inferred from the moving distance Din and the moving speed Vin of the pointing device, and Move the cursor based on the inference result. Therefore, by enriching the inference rules accommodated in the inference rule unit 3, the pointing device 1
Of the moving distance Din and the moving speed Vin of the
It is possible to flexibly adjust the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor, and it is possible to achieve the optimum cursor movement that matches the situation without requiring the skill of the operator. Inconvenience such as repeated movements of the pointing device can be eliminated.

Moreover, such an effect can be achieved by equipping the inference rule unit 3 and the inference execution unit 4, that is, by dealing with it in software, and therefore, even in an environment using an existing pointing device. It is possible to enjoy those effects, and the utility value is very high.

Further, as in the embodiment, the moving speed Vout of the cursor on the display screen is set to the acceleration period T ₁ ,
When the control is divided into the constant speed period T ₂ and the deceleration period T ₃ , the moving distance of the cursor is large and the moving speed (arrival speed) Vout in the constant speed period T ₂ must be very large. However, since the moving speed can be reduced immediately after the start of movement and immediately before the end of movement, the moving direction of the cursor, the position after movement, and the like are not lost, and better operability can be ensured.

In the embodiment, the moving speed of the cursor is divided into three stages of the initial stage, the middle stage, and the latter stage. However, if a deceleration period at the end of the movement is provided, the inconvenience of losing the destination position can be solved. be able to. Therefore, the moving speed of the cursor is not limited to three levels,
It is also possible to use two-step control.

[0065]

According to the movement control method of the pointing device cursor of the first aspect of the present invention, the pointing device cursor on the display screen is moved by the movement operation of the pointing device. Fuzzy inference is performed on the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor on the display screen, and the pointing device cursor is moved based on the result of the inference. Therefore, by expanding the inference rules stored in the inference rule part, it becomes possible to flexibly adjust the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device cursor according to the degree of moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device. It is possible to realize the optimum cursor movement that matches the situation without requiring the skill of the operator, and it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of missing the pointing device cursor and repeating the movement operation of the pointing device.

Moreover, such an effect can be achieved by equipping the inference rule unit and the inference execution unit, that is, by dealing with it in a software manner, and therefore, even in an environment using an existing pointing device, these effects can be obtained. It is possible to enjoy the effects and the utility value is very high.

When the moving speed of the pointing device cursor on the display screen is divided into periods such as an acceleration period, a constant velocity period and a deceleration period as described in claim 2, the pointing device cursor is controlled. Even if the moving distance of the mouse is large and the moving speed in the constant speed period must be extremely high, the moving speed can be decreased immediately after the start of the movement and immediately before the end of the movement. It is possible to secure even better operability without losing sight of the position and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of moving speed control of a pointing device cursor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a membership function of an antecedent part used in fuzzy inference according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a membership function of a consequent part used in fuzzy inference according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a positional relationship between a membership function and a display window in fuzzy inference according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pointing device 2 Window system 3 Inference rule unit 4 Inference execution unit 31 Cursor movement distance rule 32 Cursor movement speed rule 32a Initial period rule 32b Middle period rule 32c Late period rule

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Shigeo Kure 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A movement control method for a pointing device cursor, which controls a moving distance and a moving speed of a pointing device cursor displayed on a display screen according to a moving operation of the pointing device. A cursor movement distance rule that defines the correlation between the distance and movement speed values and the movement distance of the pointing device cursor on the display screen, and the movement distance and movement speed values of the pointing device and the pointing device on the display screen. An inference rule section containing a cursor moving speed rule that defines a correlation with the moving speed of the cursor, and a rule stored in this inference rule section are used to display the moving distance and moving speed of the pointing device from the display screen. And an inference execution unit that fuzzy infers the moving distance and the moving speed of the pointing device cursor, and moving the pointing device cursor on the display screen according to the inference result of the inference execution unit. Control method. 2. The cursor movement speed rule accommodated in the inference rule section includes an initial period rule that defines an acceleration period at the initial stage of movement with respect to the values of the movement distance and the movement speed of the pointing device, and the movement distance of the pointing device. And a medium-term period rule that defines a constant velocity period in the middle period of movement for the value of the moving speed, and a second period rule that defines a later deceleration period for the values of the moving distance and the moving speed of the pointing device. And, when the pointing device cursor is moved on the display screen, the movement speed of the pointing device cursor is characterized in that the moving speed is changed in the initial stage, the middle stage of the movement and the latter stage of the movement.