JPH08129467A - Character interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To show the operation state of a device to a user by moving a character to present the execution of a function indicated by image parts on a display picture to the user. CONSTITUTION: The user input to image parts detected by an input means 1 is received by a program execution management means 2, and a program A corresponding to image parts is read out from a program storage means 3, and a program A execution means 4 is instructed to execute the program A. The movement command which detects execution of the program A in the program A execution means 4 to move a character A to the position of image parts on the display picture is generated by a character A operation control means 9. A character display control means 11 receives this movement command and reads out corresponding character data from a character data storage means 8 and synthesizes this data with the function display picture as the output of a function display control means 7 and outputs the synthesized picture to a display means 12. Consequently, the user can easily discriminate between functions and operations.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display screen control device, and more particularly to a character interface device which provides a character display environment which is easy for general users to understand.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a first conventional technique, in a conventional display screen control device using a window environment, it is necessary for a user to be educated to understand the window environment.
The operating state of the equipment such as the execution state of the back process could not be expressed sufficiently.

For example, in the display screen control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-250113, the provided function is represented by the button display on the screen and the operation state is represented by the button shape. It is necessary to learn the meaning of the display parts of. In addition, since the transition of states and the operation of the program cannot be expressed, it is necessary for the user to always remember the current operating state.

Further, for example, "Introduction X-Window
w ”(Kinoshita et al., Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 1990) and“ WIN
DOWS3.0 power programming "(Peter
Norton, Fuji Software, 1991), a display screen control device capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of programs is executed by text display or icon display in a window having the execution status of each program. Since the relation between programs such as which resource is occupied cannot be expressed, the user must always pay attention to the relation between programs.

As a second conventional technique, in a conventional display screen control device that uses a metaphor that simulates scenes and events in the real world where people are living everyday, the user can perform operations and displays without special training or education. It is possible to understand, but the behavior of the back process etc. could not be expressed sufficiently.

For example, when a metaphor of an existing device such as a TV set or a video as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-52719 is used, the operation can be easily understood only by daily experience, but the operation of the existing device can be easily understood. Since it is limited to the display of functions that it has, it cannot be applied to operation displays or new functions that these devices do not have.

In addition, for example, "Presenting
MAGIC CAP "(Barbara Knaste
r, Addison-Wesley Publishi
ngCompany, 1994), the display screen control device allows the user to understand the services and functions without any education by the desktop metaphor and the city metaphor, but the proxy processing function and its operation of the device are fully understood. I can't express it.

As a third conventional technique, RPG (roll
As represented by a playing game, a character interface device that displays a character simulating a person, an animal, or the like on the metaphor screen of a physical world such as a city as a representation of the operating user himself or another user, By using the character representing himself, the motion state directly related to the user's operation can be visually expressed, but the general motion state of the device could not be sufficiently expressed.

For example, "Fujitsu Habitat" (Fujitsu Limited, Product Catalog CB0564-1993 4
Mon T3) and "Map and Room" (Nakagawa et al., Proc. Of the 46th Annual Conference of IPSJ, page 5-169)
On page 5-170, 1993), network services are provided by using characters that express user operations on maps and city metaphors, but the functions and operations are clear, such as the characters expressing both user operations and operations. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to understand the meaning of character display from experience in order to understand the general operation state of the device.

Further, since it is necessary for the user to move an object expressing himself / herself using a cursor key or the like as in the real world, the operation becomes complicated and the operation efficiency is lowered.

[0011]

In these conventional techniques, as shown in the first conventional technique, it is necessary for the user to remember the meaning of the display parts on the screen such as buttons, and the user is required to perform the current operation. There was a problem that it was necessary to pay attention to the states and the relationships between programs. Further, as shown in the second related art, there is a problem in that it cannot be applied to an operation display or a new function that does not exist in an existing device, and the operation of the proxy processing function of the device cannot be sufficiently expressed. Further, as shown in the third prior art, in order for the user to understand the overall operation state of the device, it is necessary to understand the meaning of the character display from experience, and the operation becomes complicated and the operation efficiency decreases. There was a problem.

[0012]

The character interface device of the present invention utilizes a character which is a display object simulating the appearance and movement of a person, an animal or the like in order to represent the user himself or a virtual service provider or the like. In a character interface device, input means for detecting a user's input, program storage means for storing a plurality of programs, program execution means for executing the program and outputting an execution result, and the program according to the user's input Program execution management means for instructing execution means of a program to be executed from the program storage means and determining an executable program according to the execution result received from the program execution means; Image part corresponding to the existing program And a function display for generating a function display screen in which the image component corresponding to the executable program determined by the program execution management unit is taken out from the image component storage unit and arranged on the display screen. Control means, character data storage means for holding character data for moving and displaying the character on the display screen, and detecting a program executed by the program executing means,
Character motion control means for generating a movement command for moving the character to the position of the image part corresponding to the currently executed program, and extracting the character data in response to the movement command and displaying it on the function display screen. It is characterized by comprising character display control means for combining and outputting, and display means for receiving and displaying the output of the character display control means.

A character interface device of the present invention has a plurality of the program executing means, has the same number of the character motion control means as the program executing means, and the program execution managing means stores a program in each of the program executing means. It has a function of controlling a plurality of programs at the same time by instructing execution, and the character display control means receives a movement command from the plurality of character motion control means and synthesizes and displays a plurality of characters on the function display screen. It is characterized by having.

Further, the character interface device of the present invention corresponds to a case where the character motion control means detects that the execution program of the program execution means is a data exchange with the execution program of another program execution means. It is characterized by having a function of generating a movement command for moving the character to the position of the character corresponding to the other program executing means which is a partner of data exchange.

Further, the character interface device of the present invention includes communication control means for outputting the input data received from the communication line to the program execution management means and outputting the response data received from the program execution management means to the communication line. , Detecting the operation state of the communication control means, and displaying the communication character corresponding to the communication state via the communication line up to the position of the image part or character displayed on the function display screen according to the current operation state. There is a communication character motion control means for generating a movement command for moving, and the character display control means simultaneously displays a character corresponding to the motion state of the program execution means and the communication character on the function display screen. It is characterized by having a function.

In the character interface device of the present invention, when the character motion control means detects that the execution program of the program execution means is data communication via a communication line, the character corresponding to the position of the communication character is set. It is characterized by having a function of generating a move command for moving to.

In the character interface device of the present invention, the communication character motion control means generates a data change command for changing the communication character when the motion state of the communication control means satisfies a specific condition. And a function for changing the character data extracted from the character data accumulating means in response to the data changing command when the character display control means receives the data changing command from the communication character motion control means. It is characterized by having.

Further, in the character interface device of the present invention, the character movement control means receives the execution result of the program execution means, and when the execution result satisfies a specific condition, data change for changing the corresponding character is performed. When the character display control means receives a data change command from the character movement control means, the character data fetched from the character data storage means is changed according to the data change command. It is characterized by having a function.

Further, the character interface device of the present invention is characterized in that the image parts accumulated by the image part accumulating means and the character data accumulated by the character data accumulating means are data according to the metaphor of the physical world. .

Further, the character interface device of the present invention is characterized in that the input means together with the display means form an integrated input / output means for realizing a direct operation.

[0021]

In the character interface device of the present invention,
By moving the character and presenting the user with the execution of the function represented by the image component on the display screen, the operating state of the device can be shown to the user. Thereby, the operation of the device can be sufficiently expressed without being limited to the function of the existing device, and the problem of the second conventional technique is solved.

Further, in the character interface device of the present invention, the metaphor is used for displaying the function and the motion, so that the user can understand the meaning of the display component and the motion state without special education. The problem of the first prior art is solved.

Further, in the character interface device of the present invention, the function and motion are clearly distinguished and shown to the user by using the image parts and the character, so that the meaning of the character display is easy to understand. Further, since the operation efficiency of the user can be improved by realizing the direct operation, the problem of the third related art is solved.

[0024]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, which is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, in the character interface device of this embodiment, the input means 1 detects the user's input. The program storage means 3 stores a program corresponding to the provided function of the character interface device of the present invention. The program A execution means 4 executes the program and outputs the result. The program execution management means 2 instructs the program A execution means 4 to execute the program fetched from the program storage means 3 in accordance with the user input detected by the input means 1, and also according to the execution result received from the program A execution means 4. Control executable programs.

The image component storage means 6 holds image components corresponding to the programs stored in the program storage means 3. The function display control means 7 extracts the image parts from the image part storage means 6 according to the information of the currently executable program received from the program execution management means 2 and generates a function display screen in which the image parts are arranged on the display screen. The character data storage means 8 is a character A.
Holds character data for moving and displaying on the display screen. The character A motion control means 9 detects a change in the execution program of the program A execution means 4 and generates a movement command for moving the character A to the position of the image part corresponding to the current execution program.

The character display control means 11 extracts character data from the character data storage means 8 in response to the movement command received from the character A motion control means 9, and synthesizes the character data with the function display screen generated by the function display control means 7. Output. The display means 12 receives the output of the character display control means 11 and displays it.

Referring to FIG. 5, which is an example of a display screen of the character interface device according to the present invention, the display screen is constructed according to the city metaphor which is a metaphor of the physical world, and the functions which the character interface device of the present invention can currently provide. Is represented as an image part representing an inanimate object such as a building on the metaphor of the city. Also, character A
Is represented as image data of movable creatures on the city metaphor.

Referring to FIG. 6, which is an example of a display screen in the first embodiment of the character interface device according to the present invention, the character A starts moving to the position of the image part representing the provided function on the screen. Indicates to the user the state in which the function indicated by the image component is being executed.

Further, the character A stays at the position of the image part to indicate to the user that the corresponding function is being executed. Furthermore, by moving on the screen from the image part to the position of another image part,
Indicate to the user that one function has finished executing and is about to perform another.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6. When the user inputs to the image component A while the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 12, the program execution management unit 2 outputs the user input to the image component A detected by the input unit 1. The program A corresponding to the image part A is received from the program storage means 3 and the program A execution means 4 is instructed to execute the program A. The program A execution means 4 executes the instructed program A and outputs the result to the program execution management means 2
Return to. From this result, the program execution management means 2 determines an executable program and outputs it.

The function display control means 7 receives the information of this executable program, reads the corresponding image parts from the image part storage means 6, and generates a function display screen. The character A motion control means 9 detects that the program A execution means 4 is executing the program A,
A movement command for moving the character A to the position of the image component A on the display screen is generated. The character display control means 11 receives this movement command, reads the corresponding character data from the character data storage means 8, synthesizes it on the function display screen output from the function display control means 7, and outputs it to the display means 12. Display means 1
On the display screen of No. 2, the character A is moved and displayed as shown in FIG.

As described above, the function display screen generated by the function display control means 7 displays the executable function, and the function executed by the character moving to the position of the image part on the function display screen. Is displayed.
This allows the user to do without special knowledge or experience
The provided function and operation can be distinguished and easily understood. Further, by preparing the image parts and the characters according to the metaphor of the physical world as shown in FIG. 5, the user can understand the provided function and the operation state only by the daily knowledge, and the user's memory and thoughts. Load is reduced.

Further, when the program executed by user input is a program instructing execution of a series of programs, a plurality of programs are executed for one user input. For example, the input unit 1 detects a user input to the image part A, and the program execution management unit 2 sequentially instructs the program A execution unit 4 to execute a series of programs such as the program A, the program B, and the program C. The character A motion control means 9 detects the change in the execution program of the program A execution means 4 and sequentially outputs the character A movement command to the character display control means 11.

On the display screen of the display means 12, first, when the execution of the program A is started, the character A moves to the position of the image part A, and when the execution of the program A is completed, the function display screen corresponding to the result is displayed. Is displayed. next,
When the program B is executed, the character A moves to the image part B on the current function display screen, and the function display screen corresponding to the execution result is displayed. The movement of the character A is sequentially performed until the series of programs are all completed.

As described above, even when a plurality of programs are sequentially executed in response to one user operation, it is possible to show the user the procedure of the program to be executed.
In addition, since the movement of the character is displayed continuously, it is possible to reliably guide the user's line of sight even when the execution moves to a distant image part on the display screen, and to reliably inform the user of the operation state. Is.

Furthermore, when the program is executed irrespective of user input such as reservation processing or proxy processing, the program execution management means 2 reads the program from the program storage means 3 under a predetermined condition and executes the program A. Means 4 execute this program. In this case as well, similarly, the character A motion control means 9 detects the state of the execution program of the program A execution means 4 to generate a movement command for the character A, and the character display control means 11 displays the display screen in response to this movement command. The character A is moved above.

As described above, the program executed regardless of the user input can be shown to the user by the character. Also, by displaying a moving character on the function display screen represented by a still image, the user's attention can be given to the character even when the user is paying attention to another area on the display screen at the time of executing the program. For that reason, it is possible to surely inform the user that the program is automatically executed, and the visibility when the user confirms the operation state is improved, so that the operation efficiency of the user is improved.

Referring to FIG. 2 which is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, a character interface device of this embodiment has a program A in addition to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG.
Similar to the execution means 4 and the character A motion control means 9,
It has a plurality of program execution means for executing one program and a plurality of character motion control means for detecting changes in the executed program. For example, the program N execution means 5 has
It is the N-th program execution means capable of executing one program. The character N motion control means 10 detects a change in the execution program of the program N execution means 5 and moves the Nth character to the position of the image part corresponding to the program being executed by the program N execution means 5. Generate a command.

Further, the program execution management means 2 manages the execution of a plurality of programs at the same time by instructing each program execution means to execute the program. The character display control means 11 receives a movement command from each character motion control means and synthesizes and displays a plurality of characters on the metaphor screen. Further, each of the character motion control means is for moving the corresponding character to the position of the character of the other execution program which is the partner of the data exchange when the detected execution program is the data exchange with the other execution program. Generate move command.

Referring to FIG. 7, which is an example of a display screen in the second embodiment of the character interface device according to the present invention, the character A starts moving to the position of the character N, so that the character A moves to the character N. To the user when trying to perform data exchange between programs. Further, the character A stays at the position of the character N to indicate to the user that data exchange between programs is being executed. Further, by moving on the screen from the character N to the position of another character or image part, the data exchange between the programs is ended, and the user is in a state of trying to execute another function.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When one or a plurality of program executing means receives a user input during execution of a program, the program execution managing means 2 searches for a program executing means that is not currently executing a program and gives an instruction to execute the program, thereby executing a plurality of programs. It can be done at the same time. When the user inputs to the image part A displayed on the display means 12, the image part A detected by the input means 1
The program execution management unit 2 receives the user input to the program A, reads the program A corresponding to the image part A from the program storage unit 3, and instructs the program A execution unit 4 to execute the program.

When the user inputs to the image part B while the program A executing means 4 is executing the program A, the program execution managing means 2 causes the program accumulating means 3 to execute a program corresponding to a new user input. B
Is read and the execution is instructed to the program N executing means 5 which is not currently executing the program. The program A execution means 4 executes the program A and returns the result to the program execution management means 2. Similarly, the program N executing means 5
Executes the program B and returns the result to the program execution management means 2. The program execution management means 2 determines and outputs an executable program each time these execution results are sequentially received. The function display control means 7 receives the information of the executable program, reads the corresponding image parts from the image part storage means 6, and generates the function display screen.

The character A motion control means 9 detects that the program A execution means 4 is executing the program A, and generates a movement command for moving the character A to the position of the image part A on the display screen. To do. Similarly, the character N motion control means 10 detects that the program N execution means 5 is executing the program B,
A movement command for moving the character N to the position of the image component B on the display screen is generated.

The character display control means 11 sequentially receives these movement commands, reads the corresponding character data from the character data storage means 8, synthesizes them on the function display screen output from the function display control means 7, and displays them. Output to 12. On the display screen of the display means 12,
The execution state of each program is displayed by the character A and the character N.

As described above, when a plurality of programs are simultaneously executed, the motion state is displayed by an independent character corresponding to each execution program.
The user can easily grasp the function being executed by gazing at each character, and can also easily grasp the outline of the overall operation such as the number of programs being executed.

Further, each character motion control means is
When the detected execution program is data exchange with another execution program, a movement command for moving the corresponding character to the position of the character of the other execution program that is the partner of the data exchange is generated. For example, the program N executing means 5 is the program A
Is being executed and the character N corresponding to the program N executing means 5 remains at the position of the image part A corresponding to the program A, the program execution managing means 2 inputs the program A from the program accumulating means 3 by the user input.
When the program D that provides a data exchange function with the program A is read and the program A executing means 4 is instructed to execute the program A, the program A executing means 4 executes the program D and the program N executing means 5 and the program N executing means Data is exchanged between them and the result is output to the program execution management means 2.

At this time, the character A motion control means 9
It detects that the program A executing means 4 is executing the program D that provides a data exchange function between the programs, and generates a movement command for moving the character A to the position of the character N. This movement command is received by the character display control means 11, and the character A moves to the position of the character N on the display screen of the display means 12 as shown in FIG.

As described above, when data is being exchanged between two or more programs, the characters exchanging data are brought close to each other and displayed as if the characters were interacting with each other. . This allows the user to
It is possible to distinguish at a glance the function that a single program is executing independently and the function that is being executed by a plurality of programs, and it is possible to easily understand the relationship between the programs.

Referring to FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, in the character interface device of this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. The received input data is output to the program execution management means 2 and the response data received from the program execution management means 2 is output to the communication line. The communication character motion control means 14 detects a motion state of the communication control means 13 and sends a movement command for moving the communication character to the position of the image part or character displayed on the screen according to the current motion state. To generate. Further, the character display control means 11
A character corresponding to the operation state of the program A executing means 4 and a communication character corresponding to the communication state of the communication control means 13 are simultaneously displayed on the metaphor screen in a composite manner. further,
The character A motion control means 9 generates a movement command for moving the character to the position of the communication character when it detects that the execution program of the program A execution means 4 is data communication via the communication line.

Referring to FIG. 8, which is an example of a display screen in the third embodiment of the character interface device according to the present invention, when the character A starts moving to the position of the communication character on the screen, the character A communicates with the communication line. Indicate to the user the state in which he is about to perform a communication function via. Also, the character A stays at the position of the communication character to indicate to the user that the communication function is being executed. Furthermore, by moving on the screen from the communication character to the position of another character or image part, the user is informed of the state in which the communication function is ended and another function is about to be executed.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The communication control means 13 controls input / output via a communication line. For example, program A via a communication line
When communication data requesting execution of is transmitted, the communication control means 13 receives the communication data and outputs it to the program execution management means 2. Communication character motion control means 14
Is an image part E which detects that the communication control means 13 has received the communication data and represents the communication function on the display screen.
A move command for moving the communication character to the position is generated. The character display control means 11 receives this movement command and moves the communication character to the position of the image component E.

The program execution management means 2 reads the program A from the program storage means 3 in accordance with the communication data, instructs the program A execution means 4 to execute, and outputs the instruction content to the communication control means 13. The communication control means 13 receives this instruction content, and the program A
The execution means 4 enters the execution waiting state. The communication character motion control means 14 detects that the communication control means 13 is in the execution waiting state of the program A executing means 4 and moves the communication character to the position of the character A corresponding to the program A executing means 4. Is generated, and the character display control means 11 moves the communication character to the position of the character A.

The program A executing means 4 executes the program A and outputs the result to the program execution managing means 2.
The character A motion control means 9 detects that the program A execution means 4 is executing the program A, and generates a movement command for moving the character A to the position of the image part A corresponding to the program A, The character display control means 11 moves the character A to the position of the image part A.

The program execution management means 2 determines the currently executable program according to the execution result received from the program A execution means 4, and at the same time, the communication control means 1
The execution result is output to 3. The communication control means 13 receives this execution result. The communication character motion control means 14
The communication control means 13 detects that the execution result of the program A execution means 4 has been received, generates a movement command for moving the communication character to the position of the character A, and the character display control means 11 causes the communication character to become the character. Move to position A.

Further, the communication control means 13 sends the execution result to the communication line. The communication character motion control means 14
The communication control means 13 detects that the execution result has been sent to the communication line, generates a movement command for moving the communication character to the position of the image part E, and the character display control means 11 changes the communication character to the image part E. Move to the position.

As described above, the data communication function via the communication line is expressed as one image part on the function display screen, and the communication state is displayed as if the communication character and the character are interacting with each other. The user can easily understand the communication operation.

When executing a program through a communication line by user input, the user inputs to the image part E representing the communication function on the display screen. The program execution management means 2 receives this input via the input means 1 and instructs the communication control means 13 to start communication. The communication control means 13 receives this instruction and enters a communicable state, receives information about an executable program through the communication line from the communication line, and outputs it to the program execution management means 2. The program execution management means 2 receives this information and adds an executable program.

The function display control means 7 receives the information of the added program from the program execution management means 2,
The image parts are read from the image part storage means 6 to generate a function display screen. The communication character motion control means 14 detects that the communication control means 13 is in the communicable state, and generates a movement command for moving the communication character to the position of the image part E representing the communication function on the display screen. To do. The character display control means 11 receives the movement command and the function display screen, and moves the communication character to the position of the image part E on the function display screen.

At this time, when the user makes an input to the image part F showing the executable program F via the communication line, the program execution management means 2 executes the program from the program storage means 3 via the communication line. The program G which provides the function is read out and the execution is instructed to the program A executing means 4. The program A execution unit 4 executes the program G, generates communication data instructing the execution of the program F, and outputs the communication data to the program execution management unit 2.

The character A motion control means 9 detects that the program A execution means 4 is executing the program G, which is the execution function of the program via the communication line, and the character A corresponding to the program A execution means 4 is detected. A moving command for moving the character to the position of the communication character is generated, and the character display control means 11 moves the character A to the position of the communication character as shown in FIG. The program execution management means 2 outputs the received communication data to the communication control means 13.

The communication control means 13 sends this communication data to the communication line and waits for execution of the program F. The communication character motion control means 14 detects that the communication control means 13 is in the execution waiting state of the program F, generates a movement command for moving the communication character to the position of the image component F, and the character display control means. 1
The communication character is moved to the position of the image component F by 1. When the execution result of the program F is sent via the communication line, the communication control means 13 receives this execution result and outputs it to the program execution management means 2. The program execution management means 2 receives this execution result and determines an executable program.

The communication character motion control means 14 detects that the communication control means 13 has output the execution result of the program F to the program execution management means 2, and instructs the execution of the program F as the communication character. 4, a movement command for moving to the position of the character A corresponding to 4 is generated, and the character display control means 11
Causes the communication character to move to the position of the character A.

As described above, the functions provided by the communication through the communication line are displayed as image parts on the function display screen, the execution of the stored program is expressed by the movement of the character, and the function is displayed through the communication line. The execution of the executed program is expressed by moving the communication character. This makes it possible to distinguish between the execution of the program via the communication line and the operation of the program execution stored in advance, and to accurately represent the operation. It is possible to understand correctly whether or not.

Referring to FIG. 4 which is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the character interface device of this embodiment has a communication control shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 in addition to the configuration of the embodiment of FIG. It has means 13 and communication character motion control means 14. Further, each character motion control means receives the execution result of the corresponding program execution means and, when the execution result satisfies a specific condition, generates a data change command for the corresponding character. The communication character motion control means 14 generates a communication character data change command when the motion state of the communication control means 13 satisfies a specific condition.

The character display control means 11 includes respective character motion control means and communication character control means 14.
When the data change command is received from, the character data extracted from the character data storage means 8 is changed according to the data change command. Further, the input means 1 forms, together with the display means 12, an integrated input / output means 15 which realizes a direct operation.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The character interface device of the present embodiment is the first
The execution of the program is expressed by moving the character on the function display screen as shown in the third embodiment, and the relationship between the programs is expressed by the interaction between the characters as shown in the second embodiment. By expressing the execution of the program through the communication line by the movement of the communication character as shown in, it is possible to correctly and easily show the operation state to the user.

Further, by changing the character data, it is possible to display the state of the program executed in the past. For example, the program execution management means 2
Is the program storage means 3 under predetermined conditions.
The program A is read from the program A executing means 4
Executes program A. The character A motion control means 9 detects that the program A execution means 4 is executing the program A, generates a movement command of the character A corresponding to the program A execution means 4, and the character display control means 11 makes this movement. Image part A corresponding to program A with character A on the display screen according to a command
Move to the position.

The program A executing means 4 uses the program A
When the execution of is completed, the result is output to the program execution management means 2, and the executable program is changed. This time,
The character A motion control means 9 detects that the program A execution means 4 has finished executing the program A, changes the color and shape of the character A, and indicates that the program A has been executed. Generate a change command.

The character display control means 11 modifies the character data of the character A read from the character data storage means 8 in response to the data modification command and synthesizes it on the function display screen. Similarly, when the communication character motion control means 14 detects that there has been a change in the communication status of the communication control means 13 or a program execution waiting state, the communication character motion control means 14 changes the color and shape of the communication character to change the communication control means 13. A data change command for indicating the state of is generated. The character display control means 11 modifies the character data of the communication character read from the character data storage means 8 in response to the data modification command and synthesizes it on the function display screen.

As described above, by dynamically changing the character data, it is possible to represent a program executed in the past and a communication state. As a result, the user can easily understand the past action and the current state generated from the action without memorizing the past action, and thus the memory load on the user is reduced. .

Further, by forming the integrated input means 15 for realizing the direct operation, the input operation is simplified, for example, by directly touching the image parts on the display screen with the liquid crystal display device with the touch panel, the user can operate the input operation easily. The operation load of is reduced and the operation efficiency is improved.

[0073]

As described above, in the character interface device of the present invention, by displaying the functions that can be executed on the function display screen and the functions that are being executed by moving the character, the user can Even without proper knowledge or experience, it is possible to distinguish the provided functions and operations and easily understand them.

Further, by forming the display screen according to the metaphor of the physical world, the user can understand the provided function and the operating state only by daily knowledge, and the load of the user's memory and thought is reduced. .

Further, even when a plurality of programs are sequentially executed in response to one user operation, it is possible to show the user the procedure of the program to be executed and the movement of the character is continuously displayed. Therefore, it is possible to surely guide the user's line of sight even when the execution shifts to a distant image part on the display screen, and to reliably notify the user of the operation state.

Furthermore, a program executed regardless of user input can be shown to the user by a character, and by displaying the moving character on the function display screen represented by a still image, the user can execute the program. Even when paying attention to other areas on the display screen at the time of execution of, the user's attention can be directed to the character to surely inform the user that the program is automatically executed, and the user By improving the visibility when checking the state, the operation efficiency of the user is improved.

In addition, when a plurality of programs are simultaneously executed, since the motion state is displayed by an independent character corresponding to each execution program, the user executes by watching each character. It is possible to easily grasp the function and also the outline of the entire operation such as the number of programs being executed.

In addition, in the situation where data is being exchanged between two or more programs, the characters exchanging data are brought close to each other and displayed as if the characters were talking to each other. The user can distinguish the function executed by one program independently and the function executed by a plurality of programs at a glance, and can easily understand the relationship between the programs. is there.

Further, the data communication function via the communication line is expressed as one image part on the function display screen,
By displaying the communication state as if the communication character and the character are interacting with each other, the user can easily understand the communication operation. Also, the functions provided by communication via the communication line are displayed as image parts on the function display screen, the execution of the stored program is expressed by moving the character, and the execution of the program via the communication line is communicated. By expressing by moving the character, it is possible to distinguish between the execution of the program via the communication line and the operation of the program stored in advance, and the user can accurately express the operation. It is possible to easily and correctly understand whether it is through a communication line.

Furthermore, by dynamically changing the character data, it is possible to represent a program executed in the past and a communication state, and the user does not have to remember the past movement, and the past movement and its movement can be expressed. Since the current state that occurs from can be easily understood only by looking at the screen display, the memory load on the user is reduced. Further, by realizing the direct operation, the operation load on the user is reduced and the operation efficiency is improved.

As described above, the character interface device of the present invention can accurately and easily present the operating state of program execution, communication, etc. to the user by the character, and the conventional display which cannot display the operating state sufficiently. Compared to screen control device and character interface device,
This has the effect of reducing the load on the user and greatly improving the operating efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the metaphor interface device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Input Means 2 Program Execution Management Means 3 Program Accumulation Means 4 Program A Execution Means 5 Program N Execution Means 6 Image Parts Accumulation Means 7 Function Display Control Means 8 Character Data Accumulation Means 9 Character A Motion Control Means 10 Character N Motion Control Means 11 Character display control means 12 Display means 13 Communication control means 14 Communication character motion control means 15 Integrated input / output means

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An input for detecting a user's input in a character interface device that uses a character that is a display object simulating the appearance and movement of a person, an animal, or the like to represent the user himself or a virtual service provider or the like. Means, a program accumulating means for accumulating a plurality of programs, a program executing means for executing the program and outputting an execution result, and a program executing means for executing the program from the program accumulating means in response to the user's input. Program execution management means for designating a program and determining an executable program according to the execution result received from the program execution means, and an image holding image parts corresponding to the program stored in the program storage means A component storage means and the program implementation A function display control means for generating a function display screen in which the image parts corresponding to the executable program determined by the management means are taken out from the image part storage means and arranged on the display screen, and the character is displayed on the display screen. Character data storage means for holding character data for moving display, and a program executed by the program execution means are detected, and the character is moved to the position of the image part corresponding to the currently executed program. A character movement control means for generating a movement command for causing the character display control means to take out the character data according to the movement command and synthesize and output the character data on the function display screen; and an output of the character display control means. Consists of display means for displaying Character Interface and wherein the door. 2. A plurality of the program executing means are provided, the same number of the character motion control means is provided as the program executing means, and the program execution managing means instructs each of the program executing means to execute the program. The character display control means has a function of controlling a plurality of programs at the same time, and the character display control means has a function of receiving a movement command from the plurality of character motion control means and compositely displaying a plurality of characters on the function display screen. The character interface device according to claim 1. 3. When the character motion control means detects that the execution program of the program execution means is data exchange with an execution program of another program execution means, the corresponding character is a data exchange partner. The character interface device according to claim 2, further comprising a function of generating a movement command for moving to a position of a character corresponding to another program executing means. 4. Communication control means for outputting input data received from a communication line to the program execution management means and outputting response data received from the program execution management means to the communication line, and an operation state of the communication control means. And a movement command for moving the communication character corresponding to the communication state through the communication line to the position of the image part or character displayed on the function display screen according to the current operation state. Characterized in that the character display control means has a function of simultaneously synthesizing and displaying the character corresponding to the operation state of the program execution means and the communication character on the function display screen. Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3
The character interface device described in. 5. A movement command for moving the corresponding character to the position of the communication character when the character motion control means detects that the execution program of the program execution means is data communication through a communication line. 5. It has a function to generate | occur | produce. 4.
The character interface device described in. 6. The communication character motion control means, when the motion state of the communication control means satisfies a specific condition,
A character that has a function of generating a data change command for changing the communication character, and is extracted from the character data storage means when the character display control means receives the data change command from the communication character motion control means. The character interface device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the character interface device has a function of changing data according to the data change command. 7. The character motion control means has a function of receiving the execution result of the program execution means and generating a data change command for changing the corresponding character when the execution result satisfies a specific condition. When the character display control means receives a data change command from the character movement control means, the character display control means has a function of changing the character data extracted from the character data storage means according to the data change command. The character interface device according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6. 8. The image component accumulated by the image component accumulating means and the character data accumulated by the character data accumulating means are data according to a metaphor of the physical world. The character interface device according to claim 3, claim 4, claim 5, claim 6, or claim 7. 9. The input means, together with the display means, form an integrated input / output means for realizing a direct operation, claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, claim 4. The character interface device according to claim 5, claim 6, claim 7, or claim 8.