JPH10333827A - Coordinate inputting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coordinate inputting method that can input a coordinate in a three-dimensional space using a two button type mouse being a second- dimensional coordinate inputting device, and that is easy in the change of opposed directions. SOLUTION: Information related with the 'ON' and 'OFF' from a two button type mouse and moving amounts on a place is fetched, and the input state of the two button type mouse is judged (a step s202), and when a left button is pressed, a processing is operated as movement in an X-Y coordinate (a step s203), and when right and left buttons are pressed, a processing is operated as movement in an X-Z coordinate (a step s204). Thus, coordinate input in a three-dimensional space can be attained. Moreover, when a right button is pressed, a processing is operated as the designation of faced directions (a step s205). Thus, the change of the faced directions can be attained without any movement of the position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input method for inputting coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate space, and more particularly to a coordinate input method in an information processing apparatus such as a computer for handling three-dimensional graphics, three-dimensional image data and the like. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When handling three-dimensional graphics, three-dimensional image data, and the like, it is essential to input coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate space. Therefore, information processing devices such as computers that handle three-dimensional graphics, three-dimensional image data, etc.
In order to input three-dimensional coordinate data represented by three orthogonal axes, a switch button 4 for switching a plane input to a two-button mouse as a two-dimensional coordinate input device as shown in FIG. Using the input device 5 provided, by operating the coordinate plane switching button 4, the coordinate input is performed by switching between the coordinate input on the XY plane and the coordinate input on the X-Z plane (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 165565).

A method of inputting coordinates in a three-dimensional seat space using the input device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, from the input device 5, “ON”, “OF” of each button including the switch button 4
Information such as F "and the amounts of movement x and y in the directions orthogonal to the plane coordinates obtained by the movement of the input device 5 is read (step s11).
ON ”is determined (step sl).
2). If the switch button 4 is not “ON”, it is assumed that the movement is in the X-Y plane, and the current position (Xp, Yp, Zp) in the three-dimensional coordinate space before the movement is a position on the X-axis. A value obtained by adding the movement amount x to Xp is set as a new position Xp on the X axis, and a value obtained by adding the movement amount y to the position Yp on the Y axis is set as a new position Yp on the Y axis (step sl3). On the other hand, when the switching button 4 is “ON”, it is assumed that the movement is in the XZ plane, and the current position (Xp, Yp, Zp) in the three-dimensional coordinate space before the movement is on the X axis. Position X
The value obtained by adding the movement amount x to p is a new position Xp on the X axis, and the value obtained by adding the movement amount y to the position Zp on the Z axis is a new Z value.
The position on the axis is set to Zp (step s14). By repeating the above steps, coordinate input in the three-dimensional seat space using the input device 5 is performed.

[0004]

However, in the above-described coordinate input method, coordinate input in a three-dimensional seat space cannot be performed unless a special input device 5 having a switching button 4 as shown in FIG. 4 is used. . Therefore, coordinates cannot be input in a three-dimensional seat space using a two-button mouse, which is a widely used two-dimensional coordinate input device. In displaying three-dimensional graphics and three-dimensional image data created using the information processing device on a display device, the three-dimensional graphics and three-dimensional image data are displayed at a predetermined position A in a three-dimensional coordinate space. There is a case where it is desired to display as viewed from the direction B. In that case, the designation of the facing direction B is
A direction connecting the position A described above to the position C specified next. However, in this case, in deciding the position C to be specified next, it is necessary to accompany the movement in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and it is difficult to grasp the accurate direction from the position A described above. That is, with the above-described coordinate input method, it is difficult to change the facing direction.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. 1) Coordinates can be input in a three-dimensional seat space using a two-button mouse, which is a widely used two-dimensional coordinate input device. 2) An object of the present invention is to provide a coordinate input method in which the facing direction can be easily changed.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of at least two types of button actions. The coordinate input method, wherein movement and coordinate input on a first plane in the three-dimensional coordinate space are performed by a first button action, and a second button action is performed on a first plane orthogonal to the first plane. This is a coordinate input method characterized by performing movement and coordinate input on the second plane. Next, the invention described in claim 2 is at least 3
A coordinate input method to a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing the following button actions, wherein a first button action causes a first input in the three-dimensional coordinate space.
Movement and coordinate input on the plane, and movement and coordinate input on a second plane orthogonal to the first plane are performed by a second button action, and the facing direction is determined by a third button action. This is a coordinate input method characterized by designating.

[0007] Further, the invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 2.
In the coordinate input method described in the above, the facing direction is,
It is characterized by a direction connecting the center of the direction indicating circle for indicating the direction and the position where the mouse pointer displayed in the direction indicating circle touches the direction indicating circle. Next, an invention according to claim 4 is a method for inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of at least three types of button actions, wherein the first button action allows
The user performs movement and coordinate input on a first plane in the three-dimensional coordinate space, and performs the first button operation by a second button action.
Movement and coordinate input on a second plane orthogonal to the plane of the above are performed, and movement and coordinate input on a third plane orthogonal to the first plane and the second plane are performed by a third button action. This is a coordinate input method characterized by performing the following.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coordinate input method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for implementing a coordinate input method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a CRT
(Cathode Ray Tube) and display devices such as liquid crystal display devices.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an information processing device such as a personal computer,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a two-button mouse that is a two-dimensional coordinate input device. The two-button mouse 3 has a left button 31 and a right button 32. The left button 31 is pressed, the right button 32 is pressed, and the left button 31 is pressed.
And the right button 32 can be pressed simultaneously. Note that these operations are collectively referred to as “button actions”.

The information processing device 2 has at least display control units 21 and 2 for realizing display on the display device 1.
A mouse control unit 22 that determines a coordinate position or the like input by an input signal from the button mouse 3 is provided. The mouse control unit 22 includes when the left button 31 is pressed, when the right button 32 is pressed, and when the left button 31 is pressed.
A left button corresponding portion 22a, a right button corresponding portion 22b, and a left and right button corresponding portion 22c for realizing processing corresponding to the simultaneous pressing of the right and left buttons 32 are provided.
The display control unit 21 and the mouse control unit 22
Even if it is realized by dedicated hardware,
CPU provided in the information processing device 2 provided as a program
The function may be realized by being executed by the (central processing unit).

Next, a coordinate input method using the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the coordinate input is performed in a three-dimensional coordinate space represented by three orthogonal axes of XYZ. First, a two-button mouse 3 is used to specify coordinates in a three-dimensional seat space.
To perform a button action of pressing the left button 31, pressing the right button 32, or simultaneously pressing the left button 31 and the right button 32, and moving the two-button mouse on a desk or the like. With this, each movement amount in the direction orthogonal to the plane coordinates is specified (step s201). When any one of the button actions is performed, the mouse control unit 22 outputs “O” of the left button 31 and the right button 32 sent from the two-button mouse 3.
Among the information of “N” and “OFF” and the information of each movement amount x and y in the direction orthogonal to the plane coordinates, “O” of the button
Using the “N” and “OFF” information, it is determined which button action the input state is (step s20).
2).

If the result of the determination is that the left button has been pressed, the mouse control unit 22 activates the left button corresponding unit 22a, and the activated left button corresponding unit 22a executes X one in accordance with the movement amounts x and y in step S1. Processing is performed as movement at the Y coordinate (step s203). That is, a value obtained by adding the movement amount x to the position Xp on the X axis with respect to the position (Xp, Yp, Zp) in the three-dimensional coordinate space before the movement is a new position Xp on the X axis.
The value obtained by adding the movement amount y to the position Yp on the Y axis is set as a new position Yp on the Y axis. Here, it is assumed that the input coordinate position is determined by releasing the left button 31 being pressed. At this time, on the display device 1, the display control unit 21 together with the mouse pointer 12 and the direction indicating circle 11 representing the position as shown in FIG.
A new point (Xp, Y) on the X-Y coordinate obtained in 203
p) is displayed as having moved in the X direction or the Y direction on the three-dimensional coordinate space (step s206). In addition,
On the display device 1, movement in the X direction is displayed as movement in the left and right direction, and movement in the Y direction is displayed as movement in the up and down direction.

If the result of the determination is that the left and right buttons have been pressed, the mouse control unit 22 activates the left and right button corresponding units 22c. Processing is performed as movement at the Z coordinate (step s204). That is, for the position (Xp, Yp, Zp) in the three-dimensional coordinate space before the movement, a value obtained by adding the movement amount x to the position Xp on the X axis is set as a new position Xp on the X axis, and A value obtained by adding the movement amount y to the position Zp of the above is set as a new position Zp on the Z axis. Here, the input coordinate position is determined by pressing the left button 31 and the right button 32 which are being pressed.
Is released. At this time, on the display device 1, a new point (Xp, Zp) on the X-Z coordinate obtained in step s204 is displayed together with the mouse pointer 12 and the direction indicating circle 11 as shown in FIG. ) Is displayed as having moved in the X direction or the Z direction on the three-dimensional coordinate space (step s2).
06). Note that, on the display device 1, movement in the X direction is displayed as movement in the left-right direction, and movement in the Z direction is displayed as movement in the front-back direction.

If the result of the determination is that the right button has been pressed, the mouse control unit 22 activates the right button corresponding unit 22b, and the activated right button corresponding unit 22b performs direction conversion as processing S2 (snub s205). . In other words, the position (Xp, Yp, Zp) in the three-dimensional coordinate space before the movement is changed without changing the direction of the viewpoint, which is the facing direction. The method of determining the direction of the viewpoint is such that the mouse pointer 12 moves in the direction indicating circle 11 displayed on the display device 1 in FIG. The direction of the viewpoint is determined based on the point touching 11. That is, assuming that the point at which the mouse pointer 12 touches the direction indicating circle 11 is “D”, the direction from the center 13 of the circle to the point D is the direction of the viewpoint. At this time, on the display device 1, display control is performed by the display control unit 21 so that the mouse pointer 12 moves within the direction indicating circle 11, as described above.
When 2 touches, the display is changed according to the direction of the viewpoint determined in step s205 (step s206). By repeating the above steps s201 to s206, input of coordinates and designation of the facing direction to the information processing apparatus 2 are performed.

As described above, using the two-button mouse 3 which is a widely used two-dimensional coordinate input device,
By giving each button action of the two-button mouse 3 a meaning, coordinates can be input in a three-dimensional seat space. Note that two button actions enable coordinate input on two orthogonal planes, for example, an X-Y plane and an XZ plane, and as a result, coordinate input in a three-dimensional coordinate space becomes possible. Furthermore, by assigning two button actions for inputting coordinates in the three-dimensional coordinate space as described above, and assigning a process of designating a facing direction to another one of the button actions, as described above, The facing direction, that is, the direction of the viewpoint can be changed without moving the position in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a coordinate input method according to a second embodiment. Note that the device for realizing the coordinate input method of FIG. 3 is the same as that of FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted. Also, in FIG. 3, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same processing step symbols, and description thereof will be omitted. The difference between the flowcharts of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 showing the coordinate input method is that the direction conversion processing when the right button is pressed in step S205 in FIG.
The point is that the movement is performed as the movement on the Y-Z coordinates in step s305 in FIG. The screen display of steps s305 and s206 will be described below.

If the result of the determination is that the right button has been pressed, the mouse control unit 22 activates the right button corresponding unit 22b, and the activated right button corresponding unit 22b performs Y-step processing S2 according to the movement amounts x and y. Processing is performed as movement at the Z coordinate (step s305). That is, a value obtained by adding the movement amount y to the position Yp on the Y axis with respect to the position (Xp, Yp, Zp) in the three-dimensional coordinate space before the movement is a new position Yp on the Y axis.
And a value obtained by adding the movement amount x to the position Zp on the Z axis is set as a new position Zp on the Z axis. Here, it is assumed that the input coordinate position is determined by releasing the right button 32 that is being pressed. At this time, on the display device 1, as shown in FIG.
The new point (Yp, Zp) on the YZ coordinates obtained in step s305 is displayed as having moved in the Y or Z direction on the three-dimensional coordinate space together with the direction indicating circle 11 (step s206). ). The display device 1
Above, the movement in the Y direction is the movement in the vertical direction,
The movement in the direction is displayed as the movement in the front-back direction. According to the method described in the second embodiment, a three-dimensional coordinate space represented by three orthogonal axes of XYZ using a two-button mouse 3 which is a widely used two-dimensional coordinate input device. By assigning coordinate inputs on the X-Y plane, the X-Z plane, and the Y-Z plane to the respective button actions, it becomes possible to input coordinates on all planes constituting the three-dimensional coordinate space.

As the coordinate input method in the above two embodiments, each mouse action and the processing corresponding to the mouse action are not limited to the above, and the combinations of the mouse action and the processing are different. You may. Further, in the coordinate input method in the above two embodiments, a two-button mouse is described as an example of a coordinate input device to be used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and corresponds to two or three button actions. The coordinate input method of the present invention can be realized even by using a coordinate input device capable of performing an action.

[0018]

As described above, according to the coordinate input method of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing at least two types of button actions, wherein two orthogonal planes are formed by each button action. To move and input coordinates. As a result, it is possible to input coordinates on two orthogonal planes, for example, an X-Y plane and an X-Z plane, using a two-button mouse, which is a widely used two-dimensional coordinate input device. Coordinates can be input in the dimensional coordinate space. According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing at least three types of button actions. Movement and coordinate input on two orthogonal planes are performed, and the facing direction is specified by the remaining button actions. Thus, in addition to the above-described effects, the facing direction, that is, the direction of the viewpoint can be changed without moving the position in the three-dimensional coordinate space.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the facing direction is defined as the center of a direction indicating circle for indicating a direction,
The direction connecting the position where the mouse pointer displayed in the direction indicating circle is in contact with the direction indicating circle is set. This makes it easy to visually understand the facing direction,
The direction can be accurately grasped. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing at least three types of button actions. To move and input coordinates. As a result, in the three-dimensional coordinate space represented by three orthogonal axes of XYZ, X
By allocating coordinate inputs on one Y plane, X-Z plane, and Y-Z plane, coordinate inputs on all planes constituting the three-dimensional coordinate space can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for implementing a coordinate input method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a coordinate input method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a coordinate input method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a conventional example of an input device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a coordinate input method using the input device of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 display device 2 information processing device 3
2 button mouse 11 Direction indicating circle 12 Mouse pointer 1
3 Center of circle 21 Display control unit 22 Mouse control unit 22a Left button corresponding unit 22b Right button corresponding unit 2
2c Left / right button corresponding part 31 Left button 32 Right button

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing at least two types of button actions, wherein a first button action causes a first plane in the three-dimensional coordinate space to be input. A coordinate input method comprising: performing a movement and inputting a coordinate on a second plane; and performing a movement and inputting a coordinate on a second plane orthogonal to the first plane by a second button action. 2. A method for inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing at least three types of button actions, wherein a first button action causes a first plane in the three-dimensional coordinate space to be input. Move and input coordinates in the second plane, and move and input coordinates in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane by a second button action, and specify a facing direction by a third button action. A coordinate input method characterized by being performed. 3. The facing direction is a direction connecting a center of a direction indicating circle for indicating a direction and a position where a mouse pointer displayed in the direction indicating circle touches the direction indicating circle. The coordinate input method according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A method for inputting coordinates into a three-dimensional coordinate space using a coordinate input device capable of performing at least three types of button actions, wherein a first button action causes a first plane in the three-dimensional coordinate space to be input. The second button action performs the movement and the coordinate input on the second plane orthogonal to the first plane, and the third button action performs the movement and the coordinate input on the second plane. A coordinate input method, wherein movement and coordinate input are performed on a third plane orthogonal to the second plane.