JPH09223241A - Method for selecting object - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To individually select even a hidden object by using a pointing device provided with two selection buttons and discriminating and selecting the object of a highest order and the objects other than the highest order. SOLUTION: In a state where the objects 7b and 7c are displayed under the object 7a in a completely overlapped state, when a cursor C is moved to a position where the objects are overlapped and the left button of a mouse is clicked, a mark M is attached to the object 7a and the object 7a is turned to a selected state. In the meantime, while the object 7a is selected, when the right button of the mouse is clicked, the mark M is attached to the object 7b present at the low order of the object 7a and it is turned to the selected state. While the object 7b is selected, when the right button of the mouse is clicked again, the mark M is attached to the object 7c present at the low order of the object 7b and the object 7c is turned to the selected state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an object selecting method for selecting a desired object from a plurality of objects displayed on a screen of a display device in an image processing device with a pointing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image processing device such as a drawing tool for creating a still image or an authoring tool for constructing a hypermedia application, an image such as a figure, a symbol, a character or an illustration is laid out on the screen of a display device. It has a function to do.

In this layout, figures, images, and characters are treated as independent objects, and desired objects are sequentially input with a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and then the input objects are moved, or the colors and sizes of the objects are input. In order to perform processing such as attribute setting, the object to be processed is specified and selected.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a conventional object selecting method in such a layout. In the figures, 8a and 8b are input by a mouse (pointing device) or a keyboard (not shown) to display a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display device. An object displayed on the screen, C is a cursor, and M is a mark on the selected object.

The screen of this type of display device is treated three-dimensionally, and when a plurality of objects are input in the same area, these objects may have an overlapping vertical relationship depending on the input order. In this figure, the rectangular object 8a is input before the elliptical object 8b, and part of the object 8a is the object 8a.
Since it is displayed in the same area as b, it is hidden under the object 8b.

All the input objects are
Regardless of whether the display areas overlap or not, they are incorporated in order of input in order. Now, taking the case of selecting the rectangular object 8a as an example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cursor C is moved to a portion of the object 8a which does not overlap the object 8b, and the mouse button is moved. click.

As a result, the object 8a is selected,
As the mark, the object 8 as shown in FIG.
The mark M is marked on a. Of course, if the cursor C is moved onto the object 8b and the mouse button is clicked, the object 8b is selected and the mark M is displayed, which is shown in FIG. 6 (a). When the cursor C is moved to the shaded area, that is, the portion where the object 8a and the object 8b overlap and the mouse button is clicked, the object 8b input afterwards, that is, the object 8b with the higher order is usually selected. It is supposed to be done.

On the other hand, as another method, there is a method of drawing a rectangle surrounding the object 8a by dragging through the mouse as shown by a broken line in FIG. 7 (a), whereby the object 8a is selected and its mark is drawn. As shown in FIG. 7B, the mark M is put on the object 8a.
In such object selection processing, the recognition of the selected object is performed based on the display area data of all the input objects and the order data of the input order.

That is, in the method of FIG. 6, when the mouse button is clicked after moving the cursor, the objects existing on the screen are searched in order from the highest order, and the coordinates where the cursor is positioned are within the area. If there is an object included in, the object is recognized as selected. Further, the method of FIG. 7 does not refer to the order data, searches for an object included in the area surrounded by the mouse drag-through, and recognizes the corresponding object as selected. In the case, when a plurality of objects are enclosed by dragging the mouse, all the enclosed objects are recognized as being selected.

[0010]

However, the above-mentioned conventional object selection method has the following problems. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where two objects are input in the same area. In FIG. 8A, the rectangular object 8c input first is completely below the object 8d input later. It represents a hidden state.

In such a state, in the above-described method of FIG. 6, when the cursor C in the portion where the two objects are overlapped is moved and the mouse button is clicked, the object input later, that is, the order, is ranked higher. Since this object is selected, it is impossible to select the previously input rectangular object 8c.

On the other hand, in the method of FIG. 7, a rectangle surrounding the object 8c can be drawn as shown in FIG. 8 (b) or FIG. 8 (c) by dragging the mouse, so that the object 8c is selected. However, if you try to select the object 8d and enclose the object 8d with a rectangle by dragging the mouse, the object 8d in the display area of the object 8d is also enclosed. Both 8c will be selected, and it is impossible to select only the object 8d.

Therefore, by combining both the method of FIG. 6 and the method of FIG. 7, when the object 8c is selected, the method of FIG. 7 is used, and when the object 8d is selected, the method of FIG. 6 is used. Is proposed. However, even with such a method, it may be difficult to select an object. That is, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where three objects are input in the same area, and the rectangular objects 8e and 8f input first are the objects 8g input later.
It represents the state of being hidden underneath.

Generally, in such a case, the state of the screen of the display device is such that only the object 8g can be seen and the objects 8e and 8f below the object 8g cannot be seen. The object 8e or 8f is selected by imagining a position by memorizing the object and operating the mouse. As shown in FIG.
If there is almost no difference in the sizes of e and 8f and they are completely overlapped with each other, it is difficult to accurately draw a rectangle surrounding the smaller object 8e with the mouse drag-through, and thus the object 8e Selection is extremely difficult.

In this method, all the objects enclosed by the rectangle drawn by the mouse drag-through are selected. Therefore, if the object 8f is enclosed by the rectangle to select it, it is smaller than this object 8f. Since the object 8e is also selected at the same time, it is impossible to select the object 8f alone.

[0016]

In order to solve this problem, the present invention is to input in the same area of the screen of the display device,
In the object selection method for selecting multiple objects displayed with the cursor in the order in which the earlier input order is lower and the later is upper, the two object selection buttons If you use a pointing device that you have and press one of the object selection buttons on this pointing device and the order includes the position coordinates of the cursor in the display area of the topmost object, it is assumed that the topmost object is selected. , When the other object selection button of the pointing device is pressed, among the objects other than the top-ranked object, the object including the position coordinates of the cursor in the display area is set as the selected object. Characterize.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a first embodiment of an object selecting method according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus used in the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 2, 1 is an input device such as a keyboard for inputting an object or setting attributes of a selected object, and 2 is one or two.
A mouse having three object selection buttons, 3 is a display device such as a CRT or LCD for displaying an object or the like input by the input device 1 or mouse 2, 4 is a ROM storing a program for executing the method of FIG. Is a RAM for storing the area data of the input object, the order data of the input order, and the data of the presence / absence of the selected object, and 6 is a CPU (controlling the components 1 to 5 to execute the method of FIG. Means).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the input objects. It is assumed that 7a, 7b and 7c are objects, 7c is input first, 7b is next, and 7a is input last. The object 7c is smaller than 7b, and the object 7b is smaller than 7a.

In this figure, the object 7a is 7
The object 7b is completely overlapped with b, and the object 7b is completely overlapped with 7c. Therefore, the objects 7a to 7b are overlapped as shown in the figure, and only the object 7c is displayed on the screen of the display device 3. Although the objects 7a and 7b are visible, the objects 7a and 7b are not necessarily input in such an overlapping manner, and there is an input state in which a part or all of the objects 7b and 7c protrude from the object 7a.
It is possible that there is an input state where 7 to 7c protrude.

Next, the object selecting method shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 according to the step shown by S. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the mouse 2 has two left and right buttons (object selection buttons), objects 7a and 7b are input in advance, and the information is stored in the RAM 5. S1: The CPU 6 monitors the mouse 2, determines whether or not the left button of the mouse 2 has been pressed by the operator. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S3, and if not, the process proceeds to S2. . S2: The CPU 6 determines whether or not the right button of the mouse 2 has been pressed by the operator. If it is determined that the right button has been pressed, the procedure returns to S3. If it is determined that the right button has not been pressed, the procedure returns to S1 and it is determined that the button has been pressed. If so, the process proceeds to S3. S3: The CPU 6 determines the presence or absence of the selected object based on the data stored in the RAM 5, jumps to 5 if there is no selected object, and moves to S4 if there is any. S4: The CPU 6 puts the selected object in the non-selected state and stores the data in the RAM 5. S5: The CPU 6 determines that the last input order of the data stored in the RAM 5 is the highest object, that is,
The area data of the object 7a shown in FIG. 3 is read. S6: Based on the read area data of the object, the CPU 6 judges whether or not the coordinates of the position of the cursor C on the screen of the current display device 3 are included in the display area of this object, and if the coordinates are included. Shifts to S9, and if not included, shifts to S7. S7: The CPU 6 determines whether or not the lowest order object has been checked, and if it is checked, the processing ends as an operator input error, and if not checked, the process proceeds to S8. S8: The CPU 6 reads out the area data of the object whose order is the next among the data stored in the RAM 5, and returns to S6. S9: The CPU 6 recognizes that the operator has selected the object read in S5 or S8, stores the data indicating that the object has been selected in the RAM, and ends the selection process.

According to the above-described processing of S1 to S9, the object 7a having the highest order can be selected by the step passing from S1 to S3 to S6 and then to S9, and when there is an object protruding from the object 7a. , The object can be selected by the steps passing from S6 to S7 and S8. S10: If it is determined in S2 that the right button is pressed, the CPU 6 determines the presence or absence of the selected object stored based on the data stored in the RAM 5, and if not, the processing ends as an operator input error. If so, the process proceeds to S11. S11: The CPU 6 selects from among the data stored in the RAM 5
The selected state of the currently selected object is released, and the area data of the object with the next highest rank is read. S12: The CPU 6 judges based on the read area data of the object whether or not the coordinates of the position of the cursor C on the screen of the current display device 3 are included in the display area of this object, and if the coordinates are included. Is S15
If not included, the process proceeds to S13. S13: The CPU 6 determines whether or not the object having the lowest order is searched, and if it is checked, the processing is terminated as an operator input error, and if not checked, S1.
Move to 4. S14: The CPU 6 selects from among the data stored in the RAM 5
Read the area data of the next object in the order, S1
Return to 4. S15: The CPU 6 recognizes that the object selected in S11 or S14 is selected by the operator, and stores the data indicating that the object is selected in the RAM.
And the selection process ends.

By the above processing of S2, S10 to S15, it is possible to select the object 7b or 7c which completely overlaps the uppermost object 7a, and in this case, the objects 7b and 7c completely overlap each other. Even without it, it is possible to make that choice. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a summary of the above-described object selection method. Here, as in FIG. 3, the object 7b is located below the object 7a.
And 7c are input and displayed in a completely overlapped state.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cursor C is moved to the position where the objects 7a, 7b, 7c overlap each other, and the left button of the mouse 2 is clicked in this state. A mark M is put on the object 7a and the object 7a is selected. On the other hand, when the right button of the mouse 2 is clicked while the object 7a is selected, as shown in FIG. 7B, the mark M is marked on the object 7b below the object 7a.
Is marked, and the object 7b is selected.

When the right button of the mouse 2 is clicked again while the object 7b is selected, the mark M is marked on the object 7c below the object 7b as shown in FIG. 7c is selected. According to the first embodiment described above, even when at least two objects having a lower order input earlier are hidden in the display area of an object having a higher order input later, It becomes possible to select a desired object from these objects.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a second embodiment of the object selecting method according to the present invention. This object selecting method will be described step by step with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the mouse 2 has only one button (object selection button), the objects 7a and 7b are input in advance, and the information is stored in the RAM 5
Shall be stored in S1: The CPU 6 monitors the mouse 2, judges whether or not the button of the mouse 2 has been pressed by the operator. If it is judged that the button has not been pressed, the CPU 6 continues to monitor, and if it judges that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S2. . S2: The CPU 6 judges the presence or absence of the selected object on the basis of the data stored in the RAM 5, and if there is, selects S8.
If not, the process proceeds to S3. S3: The CPU 6 reads out the area data of the object having the highest order, which is the last input, of the data stored in the RAM 5, that is, the area data of the object 7a shown in FIG. S4: Based on the read area data of the object, the CPU 6 determines whether or not the coordinates of the position of the cursor C on the screen of the current display device 3 are included in the display area of this object, and if the coordinates are included. Shifts to S7, and if not included, shifts to S5. S5: The CPU 6 determines whether or not the object having the lowest order is checked, and if it is checked, the processing ends as an input error by the operator, and if not checked, the process proceeds to S6. S6: The CPU 6 reads out the area data of the object of the next order among the data stored in the RAM 5, and returns to S4. S7: The CPU 6 recognizes that the operator has selected the object read in S3 or S6, stores the data indicating that the object has been selected in the RAM, and ends the selection process.

According to the above-described processing of S1 to S7, the object 7a having the highest order can be selected by the step passing from S1 to S3, S4, and then S7, and when there is an object protruding from the object 7a. , The object can be selected in steps from S4 to S5 and S6. S8: When it is determined that there is an object selected in S2, the CPU 6 reads the selected object area data from the RAM 5. S9: Based on the read area data of the object, the CPU 6 determines whether or not the coordinates of the position of the cursor C on the screen of the current display device 3 are included in the display area of this object, and does not include the coordinates. In case S1
If 0 is included, the process proceeds to S11. S10: The CPU 6 puts the object in the selected state into the non-selected state, stores the data in the RAM 5, and then S3
Move to. S11: The CPU 6 selects from among the data stored in the RAM 5
The selected state of the currently selected object is released, and the area data of the object with the next highest rank is read. S12: The CPU 6 judges based on the read area data of the object whether or not the coordinates of the position of the cursor C on the screen of the current display device 3 are included in the display area of this object, and if the coordinates are included. Is S14
If not included, the process proceeds to S16. S13: The CPU 6 determines whether or not the object having the lowest order is searched, and if it is checked, the processing is terminated as an input error by the operator, and if not checked, S
Move to 14. S14: The CPU 6 selects from among the data stored in the RAM 5
Read the area data of the next object in the order, S1
Return to 2. S15: The CPU 6 recognizes that the object selected in S11 or S14 is selected by the operator, and stores the data indicating that the object is selected in the RAM.
And the selection process ends.

By the above processing of S2 and S8 to S15, it is possible to select the object 7b or 7c which completely overlaps the uppermost object 7a, and in this case, the objects 7b and 7c completely overlap each other. Even without it, it is possible to make that choice. The operation of the operator in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When no object is selected,
As shown in FIG. 4A, when the cursor C is moved to the position where the objects 7a, 7b, 7c overlap, and the button of the mouse 2 is clicked in this state, the mark M is marked on the object 7a. , The object 7a is selected. On the other hand, when the button of the mouse 2 is clicked again while the object 7a is selected, the mark M is marked on the object 7b below the object 7a and the object 7b is changed as shown in FIG. The selected state is set.

When the button of the mouse 2 is further clicked while the object 7b is selected, a mark M is marked on the object 7c below the object 7b as shown in FIG. 7c is selected. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, at least two objects having a lower order of the order input earlier and a display unit of an object having a higher order of the order input later are displayed. Even when hidden in the area, it is possible to select a desired object from these objects.

In the above-described embodiment, the mouse is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if a pointing device having a function similar to that of a mouse is used, an object can be similarly obtained. It is possible to select.

[0031]

As described above, the present invention uses a pointing device having two object selection buttons, and when one object selection button of this pointing device is pressed, the object within the display area of the highest order is displayed. When contains the position coordinate of the cursor,
When the uppermost object is selected and the other object selection button of the pointing device is pressed, the order includes the position coordinates of the cursor in the display area among the objects other than the uppermost object. Either select the object as the selected object, or use a pointing device having one object selection button, and when the object selection button of this pointing device is pressed, the presence or absence of the object in the selected state is checked and the selected object is selected. If there is no state object and the order includes the position coordinates of the cursor within the display area of the top level object, the top level object is selected, and if there is an object in the selected state, the order Is an object other than the topmost object. Of the two objects, the object that includes the position coordinates of the cursor in the display area is set as the selected object. Therefore, at least two objects with a lower order than the one that was input first and the order that was input later are Even when completely hidden in the display area of the upper object, the desired object can be selected from these objects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of an object selection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between objects.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an object selecting operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the object selection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where two objects are input in the same area.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where three objects are input in the same area.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Input Device 2 Mouse 3 Display Device 4 ROM 5 RAM 6 CPU 7a-7c Objects

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Inputting in the same area of the screen of the display device,
In the object selection method for selecting multiple objects displayed with the cursor in the order in which the earlier input order is lower and the later is upper, select two object selection buttons. If you use a pointing device that has a pointer and press one of the object selection buttons on this pointing device, and the order includes the position coordinates of the cursor in the display area of the topmost object, the topmost object is considered to have been selected. , When the other object selection button of the pointing device is pressed, among the objects other than the highest order object, the object including the position coordinate of the cursor in the display area is set as the selected object. How to select a featured object 2. Inputting in the same area of the screen of the display device,
In an object selection method for selecting a plurality of objects displayed in an overlapping order with the order of the input order being lower and the latter being higher, a pointing device having one object select button is used. , When the object selection button of this pointing device is pressed, it checks whether there is an object in the selected state, and there is no object in the selected state, and the position coordinates of the cursor are included in the display area of the object with the highest order. When, it is assumed that the topmost object is selected, and when there is an object in the selected state, among the objects other than the topmost object in the order,
A method of selecting an object, characterized in that an object including a position coordinate of a cursor in a display area is set as a selected object.