JPH09288535A - Range designator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a range designator, with which an operation for designating a selection range is simplified and input errors can be decreased, concerning the range designator for designating the selection range to perform editing processing on a display screen. SOLUTION: This device has a tablet type input means having a pen 11 and a tablet 12. The tablet 12 outputs position information expressing the coordinate of a point pressed by the pen 11 and pen pressure information expressing pressure at the tip of the pen 11. This device is provided with a processing means for determining the start point of a selection range A corresponding to the coordinate expressed by the position information and determining the end point of the selection range A corresponding to this start point and the pressure at the tip of the pen expressed by the pen pressure information when a user presses the point on the tablet 12 with the pen 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a range designation device in information processing equipment such as a word processor, a personal computer and an electronic notebook. More specifically, using a tablet-type input device that allows points to be input with a pen to input coordinates, specify a selection range on the display screen where edit processing such as "move" or "copy" should be performed. Range specifying device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, information processing equipment equipped with a tablet type input means having a flat pressure-sensitive tablet and a pen has been widely used. This kind of tablet type input means, when the user points a point on the tablet with a pen,
Information indicating whether or not a point on the tablet is designated by a pen and position information indicating the coordinates of the point are detected.

Conventionally, when designating a selection range to be edited on a display screen of this type of information processing apparatus, a user first presses a certain point on the tablet with a pen to determine the starting point of the selection range. Then, the pen is released from the surface of the tablet, and another point on the tablet is pressed with the pen to determine the end point of the selection range.

[0004]

However, when the pen is moved up and down for both the start point and the end point to specify the selection range, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome and the number of input errors increases. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a range designating device which is easy to operate for designating a selection range and can reduce input mistakes.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the range designating device according to claim 1 is a range designating device for designating a selection range to be edited on a display screen. A tablet-type input unit having a tablet is provided, and the tablet is configured to output position information indicating coordinates of a point pressed by the pen and writing pressure information indicating writing pressure of the pen. When the point on the tablet is pressed by the pen, the starting point of the selection range is determined according to the coordinates represented by the position information, and the end point of the selection range is determined according to the starting point and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information. Is provided with a processing means for determining.

In the range designating apparatus of the present invention, when the user presses a point on the tablet with the pen, the tablet displays position information indicating the coordinates of the point pressed by the pen and the pen pressure of the pen. And the writing pressure information to be output. The processing means defines a starting point of the selection range according to the coordinates represented by the position information, and defines an ending point of the selection range according to the starting point and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information. That is, the user can easily specify the selection range simply by pressing one point on the tablet with the pen. In this way, the selection range can be specified by a simple operation, so that input mistakes can be reduced.

A range designating device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the range designating device according to the first aspect, further comprising a direction key for the user to input a direction, and the processing means includes coordinates represented by the position information. And the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information continues to be equal to or more than a predetermined reference value, the selection range is gradually expanded in the direction input by the direction key. .

In the range designating device of the second aspect, the user can expand the selection range to a desired direction by inputting the direction with the direction keys. Since the selection range can be expanded in the desired direction in this way, the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

The range designating apparatus according to claim 3 is the range designating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing means determines one selection range on the display screen and then the user selects the selection range. When a point on the tablet corresponding to the outside is pressed with the pen, the selection range is saved and the start point of another selection range is determined according to the coordinates represented by the position information, and the start point and the writing pressure information are It is characterized in that the end point of the other selection range is determined according to the writing pressure.

In the range designating apparatus according to the third aspect, when the user presses a point on the tablet corresponding to the outside of the selection range with the pen after defining one selection range on the display screen, the selection range. Is stored, and another selection range starting from a point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the position coordinates is defined. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plurality of selection ranges on the display screen. In this case, the editing process for a plurality of selection ranges can be completed at once, and the work time required for the editing process can be shortened.

The range designating device according to claim 4 is the range designating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing means defines one selection range on the display screen. When the user presses the point on the tablet corresponding to the selection range with the pen, the start point of the exclusion range to be excluded from the selection range is determined according to the coordinates represented by the position information, and the start point and the writing pressure are set. The end point of the exclusion range is determined according to the writing pressure represented by the information.

In the range designation device according to the fourth aspect,
When the user presses a point on the tablet corresponding to the selection range with the pen after defining one selection range on the display screen, an exclusion range having a point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the position coordinates as a starting point Is provided within the selection range, and a portion corresponding to the exclusion range is excluded from the selection range.
Therefore, you can easily modify the selection range,
The work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

A range designating device according to a fifth aspect is the range designating device according to the first aspect, wherein the processing means includes: when a user slides the pen on the tablet;
The direction in which the selection range should be expanded is determined according to the displacement of the coordinates represented by the position information as the pen slides, and the coordinates represented by the position information after sliding the pen are the same and the writing pressure is the same. As long as the state in which the writing pressure represented by the information is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value continues, the selection range is gradually expanded in the determined direction.

In the range designating apparatus according to the present invention, the user slides the pen in a desired direction on the tablet to maintain the writing pressure at a predetermined reference value or more, thereby setting the selection range in that direction. Can be extended to Since the selection range can be expanded in the desired direction in this way, the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

A range designating device according to a sixth aspect is a range designating device for designating a selection range to be edited on a display screen, comprising tablet type input means having a pen and a tablet. Is configured to output position information indicating coordinates of a point pressed by the pen and writing pressure information indicating writing pressure of the pen, and when the user slides the pen on the tablet. , It is determined whether or not the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information after the sliding of the pen is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, and according to the determination result,
As the selection range, a rectangular range having a start point and an end point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the position information before and after the sliding of the pen as vertices, and a range of a mode in which scanning is performed along a line from the start point to the end point It is characterized in that it is provided with a processing means that employs either one.

In the range designating apparatus of the present invention, when the user slides the pen on the tablet, whether the writing pressure is kept larger or smaller than a predetermined reference value after the sliding of the pen. Accordingly, the processing unit passes a rectangular range having a start point and an end point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the position information before and after the sliding of the pen as vertices, and a line when scanning from the start point to the end point along a line. Any one of the range including the cells is adopted as the selection range. Therefore, the selection range can be provided by a simple operation of pen down and sliding once instead of moving the pen up and down for each of the start point and the end point. Since the selection range can be provided by such a simple operation, it is possible to reduce input mistakes. Moreover, depending on the pen pressure after the pen slides,
The shape of the selection range can be changed. Therefore,
It is possible to improve the work efficiency of specifying the selection range.

A range designating device according to a seventh aspect is the range designating device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the processing means is such that the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information after the pen is slid is not less than the reference value. Before determining whether or not there is any one of the handwriting character, the gesture indicating the content of the editing process, and the input for designating the selection range, depending on the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

In the range designating device of the present invention, when the user slides the pen on the tablet, the input by the pen is a handwritten character or the content of the editing process according to the writing pressure after the sliding of the pen. It is determined whether the gesture is a gesture or an input for designating a selection range. Therefore, input with the pen can be performed smoothly and efficiently.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an information processing apparatus to which a range selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

This information processing apparatus has a control means 15 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, a pen 11 and a tablet 12.
A tablet type input means 10 having an area selection processing means 13, a range selection processing means 13, a data storage buffer 14, an external storage means 16, and a data input means 17 having a direction key 27.
A display unit 18, an edit processing unit 19, and a document buffer 20.

The tablet 12 outputs position information indicating the coordinates of the point pressed by the pen 11 and writing pressure information indicating the writing pressure of the pen 11.

The range selection processing means 13 can determine the selection range based on the position information and the writing pressure information output by the tablet 12, as described later.

The external storage means 16 comprises a floppy disk device or a hard disk device.

The data input means 17 comprises a keyboard or the like and can input data such as characters and figures. The direction key 27 is used by the user to input a direction in which the user wants to expand the selection range.

The document buffer 20 is adapted to store the data inputted from the external storage means or the data input means.

The display means 18 is composed of a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, and displays the data stored in the document buffer 20 on the display screen.

The data storage buffer 14 includes a selection range data storage buffer 21, a range designation flag buffer 22, a selection direction flag buffer 23, a pen coordinate position storage buffer 24, and a cursor position storage buffer 25.
And a writing pressure value storage buffer 26.

The selection range data storage buffer 21 is
Data representing the selection range on the display screen (hereinafter referred to as “selection range data”) can be stored. FIG. 10 (a)
As shown in FIG. 1, one selection range data is a start point code indicating that the following data is start point information, start point information including the page number, line number and column number of the start point, and the following data is the end point. It is made up of an end point code representing information and end point information including a page number, a line number and a column number of the end point. When a plurality of selection ranges are designated, a plurality of selection range data are stored in order from the beginning of the sentence to the end of the sentence. A termination code indicating that the selection range data has ended is stored after all the selection range data.

The in-range designation flag buffer 22 can store data indicating whether or not a selected range is designated. If a selection range is specified, "00
“H”, and “FFh” is stored when the selection range is not designated. In the following, the range specifying flag buffer 22
Storing "00h" in the field is referred to as setting the range specifying flag, and storing "FFh" is referred to as initializing the range specifying flag.

The selection direction flag buffer 23 can store data representing the direction in which the selection range should be expanded on the display screen. The directions that can be stored in the selection direction flag buffer 23 are a total of 8 directions including up / down / left / right, upper left, lower left, upper right and lower right. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1 for the lower left direction, 2 for the lower direction, 3 for the lower right direction, 6 for the right direction, 9 for the upper right direction, 8 for the upper direction, 8 for the upper left direction. Stores 7 and stores 4 when leftward.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the pen coordinate position storage buffer 24 stores the position information output by the tablet 12, that is, the x coordinate and the y coordinate of the point on the tablet 12 pressed by the user with the pen 11. can do.

As shown in FIG. 10D, the cursor position storage buffer 25 can store the page number, line number, and column number at the cursor position.

The writing pressure value storage buffer 26 has writing pressure information output from the tablet 12, that is, 0 in a pen-up state in which the user has separated the pen 11 from the tablet 12, and a state in which the pen 12 is pressing the tablet 12. Then, the writing pressure value corresponding to the pressing force can be stored.

FIG. 2 shows an operation flow of an embodiment for designating the selection range of the information processing apparatus. The processing shown in this operation flow is executed by the range selection processing means 13 as follows.

(I) First, it is determined whether the pen 11 is down or up based on the writing pressure information output by the tablet 12 (S1). If the writing pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value P ₁ (see FIG. 18), it is determined that the pen is down. If the pen is up, the pen coordinate position storage buffer 24 is initialized (S2), and the pen 11 is awaited to be down. On the other hand, for example, in FIG.
If the pen is down as shown in (a), the input coordinates are compared with the previous coordinates stored in the pen coordinate position storage buffer 24, and whether the input coordinates are the same as the previous coordinates. It is determined whether or not (S3). In the process immediately after pen down, since the input coordinates are generally different from the previous coordinates, the process proceeds to step S10.

(Ii) In step S10, as shown in FIG. 11B, the cursor C is moved to the coordinate position input this time on the display screen 30 (S10). Then, the cursor position, the coordinate position, and the writing pressure value are saved in the cursor position saving buffer 25, the pen coordinate position saving buffer 24, and the writing pressure value saving buffer 26, respectively (S11). Next, it is determined whether or not the range designation flag is set (S1).
2). If the range designation flag is not set, the current process is terminated and the process returns to step S1. In the process immediately after pen down, since the range designation flag is not set, the process returns to step S1.

(Iii) In step S1, it is determined again based on the writing pressure information output by the tablet 12 whether the pen 11 is down or up (S1).
If it is pen down, it is determined whether or not the coordinate input this time is the same as the previous coordinate (S3). As shown in FIG. 11C, if the coordinates input this time are the same as the coordinates last time, based on the writing pressure information output by the tablet 12, a predetermined reference value P ₃ (see FIG. 18). It is determined whether or not the above writing pressure is applied (S4). If the writing pressure equal to or higher than the reference value P ₃ is not applied, the processing of this time is ended and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, the reference value P
If the writing pressure of ₃ or more is applied, the current cursor position is acquired (S5), and as shown in FIG. 11 (d), the cursor C is advanced by one character toward the end of the sentence to widen the selection range A. (S6). Note that "advancing toward the end of a sentence" means that the cursor C is moved from the beginning of the line to the end of the line within one line.
When the cursor C comes to the end of a line, it means to perform a scan to jump to the beginning of the next line. Next, the current cursor position is stored in the cursor position storage buffer 25 (S
7), the range designation flag is set (S8), and the current selection range data is stored in the selection range storage buffer (S9). As a result, the process of this time is terminated and the process returns to step S1.

(Iv) In this way, the pen 11 is moved down (S1), the coordinates represented by the position information output by the tablet 12 are the same (S3), and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information is the reference value P ₃ As long as the above state (S4) continues, FIG. 11 (e)
As shown in, the selection range A is gradually expanded toward the end of the sentence (S6). Along with this, the cursor position save buffer 2
The current cursor position is stored in 5 (S7), the range designation flag is set (S8), and the current selection range data is stored in the selection range storage buffer (S9).

As a result, the user can easily specify the selection range by merely pressing one point on the tablet 12 with the pen 11. In this way, the selection range can be specified by a simple operation, so that input mistakes can be reduced.

(V) Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11 (f),
When the user lifts the pen 11 from the tablet 12,
The selection range A is confirmed as shown in FIG.

The pen pressure is used as the reference value P ₃ with the pen down.
In the following, since it is determined in step S4 that the writing pressure equal to or higher than the reference value P ₃ is not applied, the spread of the selection range A is temporarily stopped (the processing of this time is ended and the process returns to step S1). When the writing pressure is set to the reference value P ₃ or more again, the selection range A is expanded again.

(Vi) Also, with the pen down (S1),
When the user moves the pen 11 on the tablet 12, the input coordinates are different from the previous coordinates (S
3) The process proceeds to step S10, the cursor C is moved to the coordinate position input this time (S10), and subsequently, the cursor position, the coordinate position, and the pen pressure value are respectively stored in the cursor position storage buffer 25 and the pen coordinate position storage buffer. 24, the writing pressure value saving buffer 26 saves (S11). Next, it is determined whether or not the range designation flag is set (S1).
2). If the selection range A is designated, the range designation flag is set, so the range designation flag is initialized (S13), and the selection range data in the selection range data storage buffer 21 is erased (S14). After this, the processing of this time is ended, and the process returns to step S1.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment (only the modified portion) in which the processing of step S6 in the operation flow of FIG. 2 is modified.

In this embodiment, after step S5, it is determined whether or not the direction key 27 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed (S21). If the direction key 27 is not pressed,
Similar to step S6, the cursor C is advanced by one character toward the end of the sentence to widen the selection range A (S22). On the other hand, if the direction key 27 is pressed, the cursor C is advanced by one character in the direction indicated by the direction key 27 to widen the selection range A (S23). For example, if the user is pressing the “down” key (the direction key that indicates the down direction), FIG.
As shown in, the cursor C is moved downward by one character to expand the selection range A. When the user presses the “down” key, the “lower right” key, and the “right” key in this order, the screen shown in FIG.
As shown in, the selection range A is gradually expanded in that direction. After that, the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG.

As a result, the pen 11 is moved down (S
1), the position information the tablet 12 outputs coordinates representing the are the same (S3), and writing pressure reference pen pressure information indicates value P ₃
As long as the above state (S4) continues, the selection range A can be gradually expanded in the direction indicated by the direction key 27 (S23).

That is, the user can widen the selection range A by inputting a direction with the direction key 27. Since the selection range can be expanded in the desired direction in this way, the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment (only the modified portion) in which the operation flow of FIG. 2 is modified.

(I) According to the above procedure, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), there is already one selection range A1 on the display screen.
Shall be defined. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the user moves down the pen 11 on the tablet 12 (S
1) In step S3 of FIG. 2, it is determined that the input coordinates are different from the previous coordinates (S3), the process proceeds to step S10, and the current input is made as shown in FIG. 13 (b). The cursor C is moved to the coordinate position (S10), and then the cursor position, the coordinate position, and the pen pressure value are respectively stored in the cursor position storage buffer 25 and the pen coordinate position storage buffer 2.
4. It is stored in the writing pressure value storage buffer 26 (S11), and it is further determined whether or not the range designation flag is set (S12). In this case, since the selection range A1 has already been determined, it is determined in step S12 that the range designation flag is set. Here, in this embodiment, the process proceeds to step S31 of FIG. 4, and it is determined whether or not the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied (S31). Then, if the writing pressure equal to or higher than the reference value P ₃ is applied, the current process is terminated and the process returns to step S1. That is, the range designation flag is not initialized, and
The process returns to step S1 without erasing the selection range data stored in the selection range data storage buffer 21.

(Ii) In step S1 of FIG. 2, it is determined again based on the writing pressure information output by the tablet 12 whether the pen 11 is down or up (S).
1). If it is pen down, it is judged whether the coordinates input this time are the same as the coordinates last time (S3), and if the coordinates input this time are the same as the coordinates last time, the tablet 1
Based on the writing pressure information output by 2, it is determined whether the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied (S4). If the writing pressure equal to or higher than the reference value P ₃ is not applied, the processing of this time is ended and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, the reference value P
If the writing pressure of ₃ or more is applied, the current cursor position is acquired (S5). Then, the process proceeds to step S41 of FIG. 5, and the current cursor position is the selected range A1
It is determined whether or not it is inside (S41). As shown in FIG. 13B, the selection range A1 in which the current cursor position has already been determined
If it is outside, in step S42 of FIG.
As shown in, the cursor C is moved toward the end of the sentence by one character to expand another selection range A2 (S42). After this, FIG.
The processing of steps S7 to S9 is performed, the processing of this time is ended, and the process returns to step S1. And pen 11
There are down (S1), (S3) coordinates at the same position information indicates that the tablet 12 is outputted, and the state (S4) writing pressure is the reference value P ₃ or more pen pressure information represented for as long as,
The selection range A2 is gradually expanded toward the end of the sentence.

In this way, after one selection range A1 is defined on the display screen as shown in FIG.
When the user presses the point on the tablet 12 corresponding to the outside of the selection range A1 with the pen 11 as shown in (a), the selection range A1 is saved and is input this time as shown in FIG. 13 (c). It is possible to define another selection range A2 whose starting point is a point corresponding to the set coordinates. Therefore, it is possible to provide a plurality of selection ranges A1 and A2 on the display screen. In this case, the editing process for a plurality of selection ranges can be completed at once, and the work time required for the editing process can be shortened.

(Iii) On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the current cursor position is within the predetermined selection range A1, the process proceeds from step S41 to step S43 in FIG. The range E where the cursor C is moved this time by advancing toward the end of the sentence by the character is excluded from the selection range A1 (S43). After this, steps S7 to S in FIG.
The process of 9 is performed, the process of this time is ended, and the process returns to step S1. Then, the pen 11 is lowered (S
1), the position information the tablet 12 outputs coordinates representing the are the same (S3), and writing pressure reference pen pressure information indicates value P ₃
As long as the above state (S4) continues, the exclusion range E is gradually expanded toward the end of the sentence.

In this way, after one selection range A1 is defined on the display screen as shown in FIG.
When the user presses a point on the tablet 12 corresponding to the selection range A1 with the pen 11 as shown in (a), according to the coordinates input this time as shown in FIGS. 14 (c) and 14 (d). An exclusion range E having the above point as a starting point is provided in the selection range A1, and a portion corresponding to the exclusion range E is the selection range A1.
Excluded from 1. Therefore, the selection range can be easily corrected, and the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

(Iv) In step S31, the reference value P
_If the writing pressure of ₃ or more is not applied, the range designation flag is initialized (S13), and the selection range data in the selection range data storage buffer 21 is erased (S14). After this,
The process of this time is ended and the process returns to step S1.

FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show still another embodiment (only the modified portion) in which the operation flow of FIG. 2 is modified.

(I) With the pen down, as shown in FIGS.
It is assumed that the user slides the pen 11 on the tablet 12 in a certain direction, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, FIG.
If it is determined in step S3 that the coordinates input this time are different from the coordinates last time, the process proceeds to step S51 in FIG. 6 to determine whether the coordinates input this time are within the proximity range around the coordinates last time. Is determined (S51). In this example, the displacement of the coordinate input this time with respect to the previous coordinate is the x direction,
If the size of the grid for one character is equal to or smaller than the size of one character in the y direction, it is determined to be “in the proximity range”. If the size of the grid for one character is exceeded, it is determined that "it is not within the proximity range". Here, it is assumed that the coordinates input this time are within the proximity range around the previous coordinates.

(Ii) In step S51, if the coordinate input this time is within the proximity range around the previous coordinate, it is subsequently determined whether or not the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied. (S52). If the writing pressure equal to or higher than the reference value P ₃ is not applied, the processing of this time is ended and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied, the direction in which the cursor C should be moved is determined according to the displacement of the coordinate input this time with respect to the coordinate pen-down first (S53). The cursor movement direction is set in the selection direction flag (S54). In the example of FIGS. 15A and 15B, the “lower right” direction is set. Next, the cursor C is moved in the cursor movement direction set in the selection direction flag.
To advance the selection range A by one character (S55).
After that, the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 2 to store the current cursor position in the cursor position storage buffer 25 (S
7), the range designation flag is set (S8), and the current selection range data is stored in the selection range storage buffer (S9). After this, the processing of this time is ended and step S1
Return to

(Iii) In step S1 of FIG. 2, it is determined again based on the writing pressure information output by the tablet 12 whether the pen 11 is down or up (S).
1). If it is pen down, it is judged whether the coordinates input this time are the same as the coordinates last time (S3), and if the coordinates input this time are the same as the coordinates last time, the tablet 1
Based on the writing pressure information output by 2, it is determined whether the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied (S4). If the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied, the current cursor position is acquired (S5). Next, proceeding to step S54 of FIG. 7, the cursor C is advanced by one character in the cursor movement direction set in the selection direction flag to widen the selection range A (S54). In this example, as shown in FIG. 15C, the selection range A is expanded in the “lower right” direction. After this, FIG.
In step S7, the current cursor position is stored in the cursor position storage buffer 25 (S7), the range designation flag is set (S8), and the current selection range data is stored in the selection range storage buffer. Yes (S9). After this, the processing of this time is ended, and the process returns to step S1.

(Iv) In this way, the pen 11 is moved down (S1), the coordinates represented by the position information output by the tablet 12 are the same (S3), and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information is the reference value P ₃ As long as the above state (S4) continues, the selection range A can be gradually expanded in the cursor movement direction set in the selection direction flag (S54).

That is, the user slightly slides the pen 11 on the tablet 12 in a desired direction to set the writing pressure to the reference value P.
_By keeping at ₃ or more, the selection range A can be expanded in that direction. Since the selection range can be expanded in the desired direction in this way, the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

(V) When the user slides the pen 11 out of the proximity range on the tablet 12 with the pen down, the coordinates input this time in step S51 of FIG. Since it is determined that it is not within the close range (S51), the process proceeds to step S10 of FIG. 2, the cursor C is moved to the coordinate position input this time (S10), and then the cursor position, the coordinate position, and the writing pressure. The values are stored in the cursor position save buffer 25 and the pen coordinate position save buffer 2, respectively.
4. Save in the writing pressure value saving buffer 26 (S11). Next, it is determined whether or not the range designation flag is set (S12). If the range specifying flag is set, the range specifying flag is initialized (S13), and the selected range data in the selected range data storage buffer 21 is erased (S14). After that, the process proceeds to step S57 of FIG. 8 to initialize the selection direction flag (S57), the current process is terminated, and the process returns to step S1.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment (only the modified portion) in which the operation flow of FIG. 2 is modified.

In this embodiment, when the user slides the pen 11 on the tablet 12 as shown in FIGS. 16 (a), 17 (a), 17 (b), and 16 (c), with the pen down. Depending on the pen pressure after the pen 11 slides, it is determined whether the input is a handwritten character input, a gesture representing an editing process, or a range selection process. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, when the writing pressure is in the range of reference values P _{1 to} P ₂ , the handwriting character is input, and when the writing pressure is in the range of reference values P _{2 to} P ₃ , the gesture and the brush indicating the editing process are written. When the pressure is equal to or higher than the reference value P _3, it is set as the input of the range selection process. Further, in this range selection processing, the shape of the selection range is set to a rectangular range or scanning is performed along the line from the start point to the end point, depending on whether the writing pressure is smaller or larger than the reference value P ₄ . The range is set to the mode (scan mode).

(I) Specifically, step S3 in FIG.
When it is determined that the coordinates input this time are different from the coordinates last time, the process proceeds to step S61 of FIG. 9 to determine whether or not the writing pressure of the reference value P ₁ or more is applied (S6).
1). If the writing pressure above the reference value P ₁ is not applied,
The processes of steps S10 to S14 of FIG. 2 are performed, and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the writing pressure of the reference value P ₁ or more is applied, the cursor C is moved to the coordinate position input this time (S62), and subsequently, it is determined whether the writing pressure of the reference value P ₂ or more is applied. It is determined (S63). If the pen pressure of the reference value P ₂ or more is not applied, it is determined that the input by the pen 11 is a handwritten character (S64), and the handwritten character recognition process is executed. On the other hand, if the writing pressure of the reference value P ₂ or more is applied, it is subsequently determined whether or not the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied (S65). If the writing pressure equal to or higher than the reference value P ₃ is not applied, it is determined that the input by the pen 11 is a gesture representing the editing process (S66), and the editing processing means 20 (FIG. 1) executes the gesture recognition process. .

(Ii) On the other hand, if the writing pressure of the reference value P ₃ or more is applied in step S65 of FIG. 9, the input with the pen 11 is an input for designating the selection range, that is, an instruction for the range selection processing. (S67). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the writing pressure of the reference value P ₄ or more is applied to determine the shape of the selection range (S68).
If the writing pressure of the reference value P ₄ or more is not applied, FIG.
The first pen-down coordinate (start point) as shown in (b)
A rectangular range whose vertices are and the current cursor position (end point) is defined as the selection range A3 (S69). On the other hand, if the writing pressure of the reference value P ₄ or more is applied, as shown in FIG. 16C, scanning is performed along the line from the first pen-down coordinate (start point) to the current cursor position (end point). The range of the aspect is defined as the selection range A4 (S70). After that, the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 2, the current cursor position is saved in the cursor position saving buffer 25 (S7), the range designation flag is set (S8), and the current value is saved in the selected range saving buffer. The selection range data is saved (S9). After this, the processing of this time is ended, and the process returns to step S1.

In this way, the user can
When the pen 11 is slid above, the input by the pen 11 is a handwritten character, a gesture representing the contents of the editing process, or an input for designating a selection range, depending on the pen pressure after the sliding of the pen 11. It is determined which one of them. Therefore, the input with the pen 11 can be performed smoothly and efficiently.

Further, depending on whether the user keeps the writing pressure larger or smaller than the reference value P ₄ after the pen 11 slides.
As the selection range, one of a rectangular range having start and end points corresponding to the coordinates before and after the sliding of the pen 11 as vertices and a range in which scanning is performed along a line from the start point to the end point is adopted. It Therefore, instead of moving the pen 11 up and down for each of the start point and the end point, the selection ranges A3, A can be performed by a simple operation of pen down and sliding once.
4 can be provided. Since the selection range can be provided by such a simple operation, it is possible to reduce input mistakes. In addition, the shape of the selection range can be changed according to the writing pressure of the pen 11 after sliding. Therefore, the work efficiency of designating the selection range can be improved.

[0069]

As is apparent from the above, in the range designating apparatus according to the first aspect, when the user presses a point on the tablet with the pen, the tablet is at a position indicating the coordinates of the point pressed by the pen. The information and the writing pressure information indicating the writing pressure of the pen are output. The processing means determines the starting point of the selection range according to the coordinates represented by the position information and the ending point of the selection range according to the starting point and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information. You can easily specify the selection range simply by pressing the points with a pen. In this way, the selection range can be specified by a simple operation, so that input mistakes can be reduced.

In the range designating apparatus according to the second aspect, the user can expand the selection range to a desired direction by inputting the direction with the direction keys. Since the selection range can be expanded in the desired direction in this way, the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

In the range designating device according to the third aspect, when the user presses a point on the tablet corresponding to the outside of the selection range with the pen after defining one selection range on the display screen, the selection range is set. Since the range is saved and another selection range starting from a point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the position coordinates is defined, a plurality of selection ranges can be provided on the display screen. In this case, the editing process for a plurality of selection ranges can be completed at once, and the work time required for the editing process can be shortened.

In the range designating device according to the fourth aspect, when one selection range is defined on the display screen and the user presses a point on the tablet corresponding to the selection range with the pen, the position An exclusion range having a point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the coordinates as a starting point is provided in the selection range, and a portion corresponding to the exclusion range is excluded from the selection range.
The selection range can be easily modified, and the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

In the range designating device according to the fifth aspect, the user slides the pen in the desired direction on the tablet and maintains the writing pressure at or above a predetermined reference value to select the selected range. Can be spread in any direction. Since the selection range can be expanded in the desired direction in this way, the work time for designating the selection range can be shortened.

In the range designating device according to the sixth aspect, when the user slides the pen on the tablet, whether the writing pressure is kept larger or smaller than a predetermined reference value after the pen slides. According to the processing means, when the scanning is performed along the line from the start point to the end point, the range of the rectangle having the start point and the end point corresponding to the coordinates represented by the position information before and after the sliding of the pen as vertices. Either the range including the passing mesh is adopted as the selection range, so instead of moving the pen up and down for each of the start point and the end point,
The selection range can be set by a simple operation of pen down and sliding once. Since the selection range can be provided by such a simple operation, it is possible to reduce input mistakes. In addition, the shape of the selection range can be changed according to the pen pressure after sliding of the pen. Therefore, the work efficiency of designating the selection range can be improved.

In the range designating device according to the seventh aspect, when the user slides the pen on the tablet, the input by the pen is a handwritten character according to the writing pressure after the sliding of the pen.
Since it is determined which of the gesture representing the content of the editing process and the input for designating the selection range, the input with the pen can be smoothly and efficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an information processing device to which a range designation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed portion) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed part) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG. 2;

5 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed portion) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed portion) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed portion) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG. 2;

8 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed portion) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing an operation flow (deformed portion) obtained by modifying a part of the operation flow of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data storage buffer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the movement of the pen and the display screen when the selection range is sequentially expanded and set in the sentence end direction.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing movements of a pen and a display screen when a selection range is sequentially expanded and set in a direction input by a direction key.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing movements of a pen and a display screen when a plurality of selection ranges are provided on the display screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing movements of a pen and a display screen when a part of a selection range is excluded.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing movements of a pen and a display screen when a user sequentially sets a selection range in a sliding direction of a pen on a tablet.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the movement of the pen and the display screen when the shape of the selection range is determined according to the pen pressure after sliding of the pen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining which of a handwritten character input, a gesture representing an editing process, and an input for designating a selection range is input by a pen according to a writing pressure. is there.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a reference value of writing pressure for determining which of a handwritten character input, a gesture representing an editing process, and an input for designating a selection range is input by a pen. is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 pen 12 tablet 13 range selection processing means 30 display screen A, A1, A2, A3, A4 selection range C cursor E exclusion range

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A range designating device for designating a selection range to be edited on a display screen, comprising tablet type input means having a pen and a tablet, wherein the tablet is a point pressed by the pen. It outputs the position information indicating the coordinates of and the writing pressure information indicating the writing pressure of the pen. When the user presses a point on the tablet with the pen, the position information corresponding to the coordinates indicated by the position information is displayed. A range designating apparatus comprising: processing means for defining a starting point of the selection range, and for defining an ending point of the selection range according to the starting point and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information. 2. The range designation device according to claim 1, further comprising a direction key for the user to input a direction, wherein the processing means has the same coordinates represented by the position information and the writing pressure information. A range designating device which sequentially expands the selection range in the direction input by the direction key as long as the writing pressure represented by is continued to be equal to or more than a predetermined reference value. 3. The range designating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing means defines one selection range on the display screen, and then the user selects points on the tablet corresponding to the outside of the selection range. When the pen is pressed, the selection range is saved, and the start point of another selection range is determined according to the coordinates represented by the position information, and the start point and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information are used to separate the selection range. A range designating device characterized by defining the end point of the selected range. 4. The range designating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing means defines one selection range on the display screen, and then a user corresponds to the selection range. When a point on the tablet is pressed with the pen, the starting point of the exclusion range to be excluded from the selection range is determined according to the coordinates represented by the position information, and according to the starting point and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information. A range designating device characterized by defining an end point of the exclusion range. 5. The range designating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing means, when a user slides the pen on the tablet, coordinates represented by the position information as the pen slides. The direction in which the selection range should be widened is determined according to the displacement of, and the coordinates represented by the position information after sliding the pen are the same, and the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. As long as a certain state continues, the range designating device is characterized in that the selection range is sequentially expanded in the determined direction. 6. A range designating device for designating a selection range to be edited on a display screen, comprising tablet type input means having a pen and a tablet, wherein the tablet is a point pressed by the pen. When the user slides the pen on the tablet, the position information indicating the coordinates of the pen and the writing pressure information indicating the writing pressure of the pen are output. It is determined whether the writing pressure represented by the pressure information is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, and according to the determination result, the selection range is determined according to the coordinates represented by the position information before and after the sliding of the pen. A range designating apparatus comprising: processing means that adopts any one of a range of a rectangle having a start point and an end point as vertices and a range of a mode of scanning along a line from the start point to the end point. 7. The range designating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether or not the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information after the sliding of the pen is equal to or greater than the reference value. ,
According to the writing pressure represented by the writing pressure information, it is determined whether the input by the pen is a handwritten character, a gesture indicating the content of the editing process, or an input for designating a selection range. Range specifying device.