JPH11327728A - Device and method for menu display and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a moving distance of a pointing cursor in selecting a menu item in a hierarchy type menu. SOLUTION: When a menu item M2 is selected among a menu bar of a 0 hierarchy, a slave menu of a first hierarchy consisting of menu items M21 to M25 is displayed under the menu item M2 (a). Under this display state, when a menu item M23 is selected (b), a slave menu of a second hierarchy consisting of menu items M231 to M234 is displayed to the left of the menu item M23 (c). Under this display state, when a menu item M233 is selected (d), a slave menu of a third hierarchy consisting of menu items M2331 to M2334 is displayed to the right of the menu item M233 (e). In this state, when the menu item M2331 is selected (f) and, moreover, there is no subordinate menu hierarchy, processing dealing with the menu item M2331 is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a menu display device, a method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing the method is recorded. The present invention relates to a technique for hierarchically displaying menus having the following.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hierarchical menus are generally displayed sequentially so that child menus do not overlap parent menus.
FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a display example of a conventional general hierarchical menu. This figure shows a display example when menu items M2, M23, and M233 as options are sequentially selected. Selection of a menu item in such a hierarchical menu is generally performed by moving a pointing cursor using a pointing device such as a mouse. The locus of the movement of the pointing cursor at this time is shown in FIG.

[0003] In such a hierarchical menu, a menu of a hierarchy in which a menu item having a long written character string (menu label) exists has a wider width corresponding to the length of the character string. FIG. 11A shows that the menu items M21 to M25 in the child menu corresponding to the menu item M2 include a long menu label, and the menu item M
A display example when 2, M23, and M233 are selected in order is shown. As shown in FIG. 11A, the menu item M23
Is displayed at a position distant from the menu item M2 higher than the menu item M23.

FIG. 11B shows the locus of the movement of the pointing cursor at this time. As can be seen from FIG. 11B, the moving distance of the pointing cursor when selecting the menu item M233 in the corresponding child menu from the menu item M23 becomes longer.
When the moving distance of the pointing cursor becomes long in this way, the pointing cursor may be moved to a position shifted from a desired position, and a desired menu item may not be selected properly.

A hierarchical menu display method for solving such a problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei.
No. 7 (hereinafter referred to as Reference 1) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-163.
No. 49 (hereinafter referred to as Reference 2).

[0006] The hierarchical menu according to Document 1 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the child menu is displayed so as to partially overlap the parent menu. In this case, the locus of the pointing cursor when the menu items M2, M23, and M233 are sequentially selected is as shown in FIG. 12B, and the moving distance of the pointing cursor is shorter than in the above case.

In the hierarchical menu according to Document 2, FIG.
As shown in (a), when the pointing cursor P is moved and the menu item M2 is selected from the menu bar,
A corresponding child menu including menu items M21 to M25 is displayed below menu item M2. Further, by moving the pointing cursor P downward, FIG.
As shown in (b), the menu item M23 is selected.
Then, as shown in FIG. 13C, the child menu including the menu bar and the menu items M21 to M25 moves to the left, and further, the child menu including the menu items M231 to M234 corresponding to the menu item M23 is displayed. You. At this time, the pointing cursor P
Indicates the menu item M231 even if it is not moved.

Similarly, by moving the pointing cursor P downward, as shown in FIG.
Select 233. Then, as shown in FIG. 13E, the menu bar, the child menu including the menu items M21 to M25, and the child menu including the menu items M231 to M234 move to the left, and further, the menu item corresponding to the menu item M233. M2331-M2
A child menu consisting of 334 is displayed. At this time, the pointing cursor P will point to the menu item M2331 even if it is not moved. As described above, in the hierarchical menu according to Document 2, a desired menu item can be selected only by moving the pointing cursor P only in the vertical direction.

[0009]

However, in the hierarchical menu described in Document 1, when a menu item having a long menu label exists, as shown in FIG. This is far from the menu item M2 selected at the higher rank. For this reason, there is a problem that the moving distance of the pointing cursor becomes long as shown by the locus of the pointing cursor in FIG.

In the hierarchical menu described in the above-mentioned document 2, the menu item M is changed from the state shown in FIG.
If the child menu corresponding to 24 is to be displayed, there is a problem that the pointing cursor must be largely moved leftward as shown by the trajectory in FIG.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a menu display device capable of displaying a hierarchical menu in which the moving distance of a pointing cursor when selecting a menu item is short. , A method and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for executing the method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a menu display device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A menu display device for sequentially displaying hierarchically structured menus on a display device according to selected menu items, wherein a pointing means for moving a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device on the display device. Selecting means for moving a pointing cursor by the pointing means to select a desired menu item from the displayed menu, and hierarchy determining means for determining a menu hierarchy to which the menu item selected by the selecting means belongs And child menu display means for displaying, on the display device, a child menu corresponding to the menu item selected by the selection means at a position corresponding to the determination result by the hierarchy determination means. .

In the above menu display device, the display position of the child menu is determined according to the menu hierarchy. That is,
By changing the display direction for the corresponding menu item of the child menu for each hierarchy, the moving distance of the pointing cursor until the desired menu item is selected can be shortened. Further, since the direction in which the menu extends is not limited to one direction, even when returning from the child menu to the parent menu, the moving distance of the pointing cursor can be shortened.

In the above-mentioned menu display device, the child menu display means may be, for example, either the left or right side of the menu item in which the child menu is selected, according to whether the hierarchy determined by the hierarchy determination means is an even or odd number. Crabs can be displayed.

In order to achieve the above object, a menu display device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a menu display device for sequentially displaying hierarchically structured menus on a display device according to selected menu items. Pointing means for moving a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device on the display device; and moving a pointing cursor by the pointing means to select a desired menu item from the displayed menu. Selecting means, a position determining means for determining a position of a pointing cursor when a menu item is selected by the selecting means, and a menu selected by the selecting means at a position corresponding to the determination result by the position determining means. A child for displaying a child menu corresponding to the item on the display device Characterized in that it comprises a new display unit.

In the menu display device, a child menu corresponding to the menu item selected according to the position of the pointing cursor is displayed. Therefore, when further selecting a menu item in the child menu, the moving distance of the pointing cursor can be shortened.

In the above-mentioned menu display device, the position determining means may determine whether the pointing cursor is on the right or left within the display range of the selected menu item. In this case, when the position determining unit determines that the pointing cursor is located on the right in the display range of the selected menu item, the child menu display unit displays the corresponding child menu of the selected menu item. When the position determination unit determines that the pointing cursor is located on the left in the display range of the selected menu item, the corresponding child menu is displayed at the left position of the selected menu item. May be displayed.

In the above-mentioned menu display device, the position determining means may determine a coordinate position of a pointing cursor on the display device when a menu item is selected. In this case, the child menu display means may display a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item on the display device at a position corresponding to the coordinate position determined by the position determination means.

In this case, the menu display device may further include a hierarchy determination unit that determines a menu hierarchy to which the menu item selected by the selection unit belongs. The child menu display unit may further display a child menu corresponding to the menu item selected by the selection unit on the display device at a position according to the determination result by the hierarchy determination unit. it can.

Here, the child menu display means may, for example, set the right end or the left end of the child menu at a coordinate position determined by the position determination means according to whether the hierarchy determined by the hierarchy determination means is an even or odd number. It can be displayed together.

In order to achieve the above object, a menu display method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a menu display method for sequentially displaying hierarchically structured menus on a display device according to selected menu items. Moving a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device on the display device, and selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu; and selecting a menu hierarchy to which the selected menu item belongs. A determining step of displaying a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item at a position on the display device according to the determined menu hierarchy.

In order to achieve the above object, a menu display method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a menu display method for sequentially displaying hierarchically arranged menus on a display device according to selected menu items. Moving a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device on the display device, and selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu; and a pointing cursor when the menu item is selected. And displaying a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item at a position on the display device corresponding to the determined position of the pointing cursor.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium recording a program for displaying a hierarchically structured menu on a display device in accordance with a selected menu item. Moving a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device on the display device and selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu; and a menu to which the selected menu item belongs Recording a program for executing a step of determining a hierarchy and a step of displaying a child menu corresponding to a selected menu item at a position on the display device according to the determined menu hierarchy. I do.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium recording a program for sequentially displaying a hierarchically structured menu on a display device in accordance with a selected menu item. Moving a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device on the display device, selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu, and selecting a menu item when the menu item is selected. Recording a program for executing a step of determining a position of a pointing cursor and a step of displaying a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item at a position on the display device corresponding to the determined position of the pointing cursor. It is characterized by doing.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus applied to this embodiment. This information processing device is constituted by a personal computer or a workstation, and as shown in FIG. 1, a CPU (Central Prism) connected via a bus 10.
ocessing Unit) 11, memory 12, and keyboard 1
3, pointing device 14, and display 1
5 and a CD-ROM drive 16. CD-R
The OM drive 16 has a CD-ROM (Compact Disc R)
om) 17 is loaded.

The CPU 11 executes a program stored in the memory 12 and performs, for example, a process for displaying a hierarchical menu described later on a display. The memory 12 includes a main storage device including a semiconductor memory and an auxiliary storage device including a magnetic disk.
Is used as a work area for the CPU 11 while storing a program to be executed.

The keyboard 13 is an input device on which character / numerical keys or control keys are arranged.
Input to U11. The pointing device 14 is configured by a mouse, a trackball, or the like, and inputs a coordinate position to the CPU 11 according to an operation by an operator.
Move the pointing cursor. Further, the pointing device 14 inputs predetermined control data to the CPU 11 by clicking a mouse button or the like.

The display 15 is a CRT (Cathode Rad).
y Tube) display and a liquid crystal display, and displays a hierarchical menu which is a processing result of the CPU 11. The CD-ROM drive 16 reads a program and data stored in the CD-ROM 17 according to an instruction from the CPU 11 and transfers the program and data to the memory 12. By this transfer, the data executed by the CPU 11 is
It is installed from the ROM 17 to the memory 12.

Hereinafter, the display processing of the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the hierarchical number of the menu item m is
When the highest hierarchy is 0 and the parent menu hierarchy is i, the hierarchy of the child menu is (i + 1). Also, the 0th hierarchy is indicated by a menu bar.

In the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 2, when the operator operates the pointing device 14, the coordinate position included in the hierarchical menu displayed on the display 15 and the control data by clicking the mouse button are newly added. Is started by being input to the CPU 11. When the process starts, the CPU 11
The menu item selected as the menu item (m) is selected from the input coordinate position (step 101).

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the selected menu item m identified in step 101 has a menu hierarchy (child menu M) lower than the menu hierarchy to which the menu item m belongs. (Step 102). When determining that the child menu M does not exist in the selected menu item m, the CPU 11 shifts the control to a process corresponding to the menu item m (step 1).
03), the process of this flowchart ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 102 that the child menu M exists in the menu item m, the CPU 11
Determines whether menu item m is an item in the menu bar corresponding to the 0th hierarchy (step 10).
4). If it is determined that the menu item m is an item in the menu bar, the CPU 101 displays the child menu M at a position immediately below the menu item m on the display 15 (step 105), and executes the processing of this flowchart. Stop once.

If it is determined in step 104 that the menu item m is not an item in the menu bar, the CPU 11
Determines whether the hierarchical number of the selected menu item m is an odd number (step 106).

If it is determined that the hierarchical number of the selected menu item m is not an odd number, that is, an even number,
U11 causes the child menu M to be displayed at a position immediately to the right of the menu item m on the display 15 (step 10).
7), the process of this flowchart is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that the hierarchical number of the selected menu item m is odd, the CPU 11 displays the child menu M at a position immediately to the left of the menu item m on the display 15 (step 108). Processing is once ended.

Step 105, 107 or 10
After the child menu M is displayed on the display 15 at step 8, if the processing of this flowchart is temporarily terminated,
When a new coordinate position and control data are input from the pointing device 14, the processing of this flowchart is executed again.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the display method of the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on FIG. Note that the 0th layer of the hierarchical menu is composed of menu items M1 to M5,
It is assumed that these menu items are displayed on the display 15 by the menu bar.

First, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 3A, and the menu item M2 is selected from the menu bar corresponding to the 0th hierarchy (step 101). ). Here, the menu item M2 has a child menu (step 102), and is an item in the menu bar (step 104), and thus includes menu items M21 to M25 as shown in FIG. A child menu is displayed at a position below menu item M2 (step 105).

In this state, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved and the menu item M23 is selected by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 3B (step 101). here,
The menu item M23 has a child menu (step 1).
02), not items in the menu bar (step 10)
4) Since the layer number is 1 (step 106), the menu items M231 to M23 are set as shown in FIG.
4 is displayed at the left position of the menu item M23 (step 108).

In this state, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator and the menu item M233 is selected as shown in FIG. 3D (step 101). Here, the menu item M233 has a child menu (step 102), is not an item in the menu bar (step 104), and has a hierarchy number of 2 (step 10).
6), as shown in FIG.
The child menu consisting of 1 to M2334 is menu item M2
33 is displayed at the left side position (step 107).

In this state, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved and the menu item M2331 is selected by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 3F (step 101). Here, assuming that there is no child menu for menu item M2331 (step 102), CPU 11 activates a processing program corresponding to menu item M2331, and transfers control (step 103).

As described above, in this embodiment, the left and right child menus are displayed alternately according to the hierarchy.
For this reason, even if the hierarchy becomes deeper, the moving distance of the pointing cursor when returning from the child menu to the parent menu can be shortened, since it does not leave the first menu item in the horizontal direction. In addition, when selecting a menu item at a lower hierarchy, the menu hierarchy can be sequentially deepened without moving the pointing cursor to a position away from the display position of the upper menu item. Can be shortened.

[Second Embodiment] The configuration of an information processing apparatus applied to this embodiment is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, C
The programs and data stored in the D-ROM 17 are different from those of the first embodiment,
The processing executed by 11 and the hierarchical menu displayed on the display 15 are also different from those of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the display processing of the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as in the first embodiment,
The 0th layer of the hierarchical menu is indicated by a menu bar. In the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 4, steps 301 to 305 are substantially the same as steps 101 to 105 in the first embodiment.

If it is determined in step 304 that the menu item m is not an item in the menu bar, the CPU 101
Determines whether the coordinate position of the pointing cursor input from the pointing device 104 when the menu item m is selected is in the right half of the display range of the menu item m (step 306).

When it is determined that the position of the pointing cursor is in the right half of the display range of the menu item m,
The CPU 11 displays the child menu M on the display 15 at a position immediately to the right of the menu item m (step 30).
7), the process of this flowchart is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that the position of the pointing cursor is not in the right half of the display range of the menu item m, that is, is in the left half or just in the middle, the CPU 11 sets the child menu M to the menu item m on the display 15. (Step 308), and the process of this flowchart ends once.

Step 305, 307 or 30
After the child menu M is displayed on the display 15 at step 8, if the processing of this flowchart is temporarily terminated,
As with the first embodiment, the pointing device 1
When a new coordinate position and control data are input from Step 4, the processing of this flowchart is executed again.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the method of displaying the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on FIG. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the 0th layer of the hierarchical menu includes the menu items M1 to M1.
M5, and these menu items are displayed on the display 15 by the menu bar.

First, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 5A, and the menu item M2 is selected from the menu bar corresponding to the 0th hierarchy (step 301). ). Here, since the menu item M2 has a child menu (step 302) and is an item in the menu bar (step 304), it is composed of menu items M21 to M25 as shown in FIG. A child menu is displayed at a position below menu item M2 (step 305).

In this state, by operating the pointing device 14 by the operator, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pointing cursor P is moved to the right half in the display range of the menu item M23, and the menu item M23 is selected. (Step 301). Here, the menu item M23 has a child menu (step 302), is not an item in the menu bar (step 304), and further has the pointing cursor P in the right half of the display range of the menu item M23 (step 302). 306), FIG.
As shown in (c), menu items M231 to M234
Is displayed at the right side of the menu item M23 (step 307).

In this state, when the operator operates the pointing device 14, the pointing cursor P is moved to the menu item M233 as shown in FIG.
Is moved to the left half in the display range of menu item M233.
Is selected (step 301). Here, the menu item M233 has a child menu (step 30).
2) Not the item in the menu bar (step 30)
4) Further, since the pointing cursor P is located at the left half of the display range of the menu item M233 (step 3).
06) and menu item M23 as shown in FIG.
The child menu consisting of 31 to M2334 is menu item M
233 is displayed at the left position (step 307).

In this state, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved and the menu item M2333 is selected by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 5F (step 301). Here, assuming that there is no child menu for menu item M2333 (step 302), CPU 11 activates a processing program corresponding to menu item M2333 and transfers control (step 303).

As described above, in this embodiment, the corresponding child menu is displayed closer to the position of the cursor when the menu item is selected. Therefore, the moving distance of the pointing cursor until a desired menu item is selected can be shortened.

[Third Embodiment] The configuration of an information processing apparatus applied to this embodiment is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, C
The programs and data stored in the D-ROM 17 are different from those of the first embodiment,
The processing executed by 11 and the hierarchical menu displayed on the display 15 are also different from those of the first and second embodiments.

Hereinafter, the display processing of the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as in the first embodiment,
The 0th layer of the hierarchical menu is indicated by a menu bar. In the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 6, steps 501 to 503 are substantially the same as steps 101 to 103 in the first embodiment.

If it is determined in step 502 that the child menu M exists in the menu item m, the CPU 11 uses the (x, y) of the pointing cursor input from the pointing device 104 when the menu item m is selected. Measure the indicated coordinate position (Step 5)
04).

Next, the CPU 11 displays the child menu M on the display 15 so that the upper left coordinate of the display range of the child menu M is the coordinate position (x, y) measured in step 504 (step S 504). 505), the process of this flowchart is temporarily ended.

After the child menu M is displayed on the display 15 in step 505, if the processing of this flowchart is temporarily terminated, the new coordinate position is returned from the pointing device 14 as in the first embodiment. And the input of the control data, the processing of this flowchart is executed again.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the method of displaying the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on FIG. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the 0th layer of the hierarchical menu includes the menu items M1 to M1.
M5, and these menu items are displayed on the display 15 by the menu bar.

First, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 7A, and the menu item M2 is selected from the menu bar corresponding to the 0th hierarchy (step 501). ). Here, since the menu item M2 has a child menu (step 502), as shown in FIG. 7B, the child menu including the menu items M21 to M25 has the pointing cursor P when the menu item M2 is selected. Is displayed as the upper left position (steps 504 and 505).

In this state, when the operator operates the pointing device 14, the pointing cursor P is moved as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that 23 has been selected (step 501). Here, since the menu item M2 has a child menu (step 502), as shown in FIG.
The child menu consisting of 31 to M234 is menu item M2.
The position of the pointing cursor P when 3 is selected is displayed as the upper left (steps 504 and 505).

In this state, the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG.
Assume that 233 is selected (step 501). here,
Since the menu item M2 has a child menu (step 502), as shown in FIG.
Pointing cursor P when a child menu consisting of 2331 to M2334 has menu item M23 selected
Is displayed as the upper left position (steps 504 and 50).
5).

In this state, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator, and the menu item M2333 is selected (step 501). Here, menu item M233
Assuming that there is no child menu in step 3 (step 50)
2), the CPU 11 activates a processing program corresponding to the menu item M2333 and transfers control (step 50).
3).

As described above, in this embodiment, the child menu is displayed in accordance with the position of the pointing cursor. The moving distance of the pointing cursor until a desired menu item is selected can be shortened regardless of the length of the menu including the selected menu item, and especially when the menu hierarchy includes a long menu hierarchy. .

[Fourth Embodiment] The configuration of an information processing apparatus applied to this embodiment is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, C
The programs and data stored in the D-ROM 17 are different from those of the first embodiment,
The processing executed by 11 and the hierarchical menu displayed on the display 15 are also different from those of the first to third embodiments.

Hereinafter, the display processing of the hierarchical menu in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, as in the first embodiment,
The hierarchy number of the menu item m is (i) where the highest hierarchy is 0 and the hierarchy of the parent menu is i.
+1), and the 0th layer of the hierarchical menu is indicated by a menu bar. In the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 8, steps 701 to 704 are substantially the same as steps 501 to 504 in the third embodiment.

When the coordinate position (x, y) of the pointing cursor is measured in step 704, the CPU 11
Further, it is determined whether or not the hierarchical number of the selected menu item m is an odd number (step 705).

If it is determined that the hierarchical number of the selected menu item m is not an odd number, that is, an even number,
U11 displays the child menu M on the display 15 so that the upper left coordinate of the display range of the child menu M is the coordinate position (x, y) measured in step 704 (step 706). The process ends once. When it is determined that the hierarchical number of the selected menu item m is odd, the CPU 11
The child menu M is displayed on the display 15 so that the right coordinate of the display range of (1) is the coordinate position (x, y) measured in step 704 (step 707), and the processing of this flowchart is temporarily ended.

After the child menu M is displayed on the display 15 in step 706 or 707, if the processing of this flowchart is temporarily terminated, a new operation is performed from the pointing device 14 as in the first embodiment. When the coordinate position and the control data are input, the processing of this flowchart is executed again.

FIGS. 9A to 9F show a specific example of a method of displaying a hierarchical menu in this embodiment.
A description will be given based on FIG. Note that, as in the first embodiment, the 0th layer of the hierarchical menu includes the menu items M1 to M1.
M5, and these menu items are displayed on the display 15 by the menu bar.

First, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG. 9A, and the menu item M2 is selected from the menu bar corresponding to the 0th hierarchy (step 701). ). Here, the menu item M2 has a child menu (step 702), and since the hierarchical number is 0 (step 705), as shown in FIG. 9B, a child menu including the menu items M21 to M25 is displayed. Pointing cursor P when menu item M2 is selected
Is displayed as the upper left position (steps 704 and 70).
6).

In this state, when the operator operates the pointing device 14, the pointing cursor P is moved as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that 23 has been selected (step 701). Here, the menu item M23 has a child menu (step 70).
2) Since the hierarchy number is 1 (step 705), the menu items M231 to M23 are set as shown in FIG.
The child menu consisting of 4 is displayed with the position of the pointing cursor P when the menu item M23 is selected as the upper right (steps 704, 707).

In this state, the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator as shown in FIG.
Assume that 233 is selected (step 701). here,
The menu item M233 has a child menu (step 702), and the hierarchical number is 2 (step 70).
5), as shown in FIG. 9 (f), menu item M233
The child menu consisting of 1 to M2334 is menu item M2
The position of the pointing cursor P when 33 is selected is displayed as the upper left (steps 704, 70).
6).

In this state, it is assumed that the pointing cursor P is moved by the operation of the pointing device 14 by the operator and the menu item M2333 is selected (step 701). Here, menu item M233
If there is no child menu in step 3 (step 70)
2), the CPU 11 activates the processing program corresponding to the menu item M2333 and transfers control (step 70).
3).

As described above, in this embodiment, the child menu is displayed in accordance with the position of the pointing cursor. The moving distance of the pointing cursor until a desired menu item is selected can be shortened regardless of the length of the menu including the selected menu item, and especially when the menu hierarchy includes a long menu hierarchy. . The left and right child menus are displayed alternately according to the hierarchy. For this reason, even if the hierarchy becomes deeper, the moving distance of the pointing cursor when returning from the child menu to the parent menu can be shortened, since it does not leave the first menu item in the horizontal direction.

[Modification of Embodiment] The present invention relates to the first embodiment.
The present invention is not limited to the fourth to fourth embodiments, and various modifications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, the child menu corresponding to the even-numbered menu item is displayed on the right side of the menu item, and the child menu corresponding to the odd-numbered menu item is displayed on the left side of the menu item. I was In the above-described fourth embodiment, the coordinates of the selection position of the child menu corresponding to the menu item of the even-numbered hierarchy are displayed as the upper left, and the coordinates of the selection position of the child menu corresponding to the menu item of the odd-numbered hierarchy are displayed as the upper right. Was. However, the display may be reversed between the even layer and the odd layer. Also,
In the third embodiment, the child menu corresponding to the menu item is always displayed with the coordinates of the selected position as the upper left, but the coordinates of the selected position may be displayed as the upper right.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the 0th
The child menu corresponding to the menu item in the menu bar, which is a hierarchy, is also displayed based on the coordinate position of the selected position. However, the child menu corresponding to the menu item in the menu bar of the 0th hierarchy is displayed below the menu item as in the first and second embodiments,
A child menu corresponding to a menu item in a menu below the first hierarchy may be displayed based on the coordinate position of the selected position.

In the fourth embodiment, whether the coordinate of the selected position of the corresponding menu item is set to the upper right or upper left of the child menu is determined according to the hierarchical number of the menu item. However, as in the second embodiment, the selection position may be determined according to whether the selected position is the right half or the left half in the display range of the menu item.

In the first to fourth embodiments, it has been described that a menu item is selected when a mouse button is clicked as the pointing device 14. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a mouse button or the like is not clicked and the movement of the cursor itself is used as a menu item selection.

In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the case has been described where the child menus are displayed hierarchically left or right, that is, sequentially in the horizontal direction. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where child menus are displayed hierarchically and sequentially in the vertical direction.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the menu display method is not distinguished for each layer, except for the display position. However, in the present invention, in addition to the display of the hierarchical menu according to the display position, changing the display color of the menu between the even layer and the odd layer can be used together.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the CP
The program executed by U11 is stored in CD-ROM 17, and is stored in memory 12 by CD-ROM drive 16.
Was installed. However, in the present invention, C
The recording medium of the program executed by the PU 11 is not limited to this. For example, instead of a CD-ROM as an optical disk, any computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a paper tape, or a paper card can be used. Further, it may be preinstalled on the hard disk of the information processing apparatus.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The moving distance of the pointing cursor when selecting a desired menu item in the hierarchical menu can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus applied to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3F are diagrams illustrating examples of a hierarchical menu displayed on a display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5F are diagrams illustrating examples of a hierarchical menu displayed on a display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A to 7F are diagrams illustrating examples of a hierarchical menu displayed on a display according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A to 9F are diagrams illustrating examples of a hierarchical menu displayed on a display according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

10A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hierarchical menu in a conventional example, and FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a locus of a pointing cursor in the hierarchical menu in the display example of FIG.

11A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hierarchical menu including menu items with long menu labels in a conventional example, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a pointing cursor in the hierarchical menu of the display example of FIG. FIG.

12A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hierarchical menu in a conventional example (Document 1), and FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a locus of a pointing cursor in the hierarchical menu in the display example of FIG. FIG.

FIGS. 13A to 13E are diagrams illustrating display examples of a hierarchical menu in a conventional example (Reference 2).

14A is a diagram illustrating a display example of a hierarchical menu including a menu item having a long menu label in a conventional example (Document 1), and FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical type of the display example of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a locus of a pointing cursor in a menu.

FIG. 15 shows a menu item M24 from the state of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a locus of a pointing cursor when “!” Is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Bus 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 Keyboard 14 Pointing Device 15 Display 16 CD-ROM Drive 17 CD-ROM

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A menu display device for sequentially displaying hierarchically arranged menus on a display device in accordance with selected menu items, wherein a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device is displayed on the display device. A pointing means for moving the pointing cursor with the pointing means, a selecting means for selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu by moving the pointing cursor by the pointing means, and a menu hierarchy to which the menu item selected by the selecting means belongs. And a child menu display means for displaying, on the display device, a child menu corresponding to the menu item selected by the selection means at a position corresponding to the determination result by the hierarchy determination means. A menu display device, characterized in that: 2. The child menu display means according to whether the hierarchy determined by the hierarchy determination means is an even number or an odd number.
2. The child menu is displayed on either the left or right side of a selected menu item.
2. The menu display device according to 1. 3. A menu display device for sequentially displaying hierarchically structured menus on a display device according to selected menu items, wherein a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device is displayed on the display device. Pointing means for moving a pointing cursor by the pointing means, selecting means for selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu, and a pointing cursor when a menu item is selected by the selecting means. Position determination means for determining the position of the child menu display means for displaying, on the display device, a child menu corresponding to the menu item selected by the selection means at a position corresponding to the determination result by the position determination means. A menu display device, comprising: 4. The child menu display means determines whether the pointing cursor is on the right or left within the display range of the selected menu item. When it is determined that the pointing cursor is located on the right side of the display range of the selected menu item, a corresponding child menu is displayed at a position on the right side of the selected menu item, and 4. The menu display according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the pointing cursor is on the left in the display range of the menu item, a corresponding child menu is displayed at a position on the left side of the selected menu item. apparatus. 5. The position determining means determines a coordinate position of a pointing cursor on the display device when a menu item is selected, and the child menu display means determines a coordinate position determined by the position determining means. The menu display device according to claim 3, wherein a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item is displayed on the display device at a position corresponding to the menu item. 6. A hierarchy determining means for determining a menu hierarchy to which a menu item selected by said selecting means belongs, and said child menu display means further includes: The menu display device according to claim 5, wherein a child menu corresponding to the menu item selected by the selection means is displayed on the display device. 7. The child menu display means according to whether the hierarchy determined by the hierarchy determination means is an even number or an odd number.
7. The menu display device according to claim 6, wherein a right end or a left end of the child menu is displayed in accordance with the coordinate position determined by the position determination unit. 8. A menu display method for displaying a hierarchically structured menu on a display device according to a selected menu item, wherein a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device is displayed on the display device. And selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu; determining a menu hierarchy to which the selected menu item belongs; and a position on the display device according to the determined menu hierarchy. Displaying a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item. 9. A menu display method for displaying hierarchically structured menus sequentially on a display device according to selected menu items, wherein a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device is displayed on the display device. Moving the cursor and selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu; determining the position of the pointing cursor when the menu item is selected; and determining the position of the pointing cursor according to the determined position of the pointing cursor. Displaying a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item at a position on the display device. 10. A recording medium storing a program for displaying a hierarchically structured menu on a display device in accordance with a selected menu item, wherein a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device is displayed. Selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu by moving on the display device; determining a menu hierarchy to which the selected menu item belongs; and displaying the display device according to the determined menu hierarchy. Displaying a child menu corresponding to the selected menu item at an upper position; and recording a program for executing the following. 11. A recording medium storing a program for displaying a hierarchically structured menu on a display device in accordance with a selected menu item, wherein a pointing cursor indicating a coordinate position on the display device is displayed. Moving on the display device and selecting a desired menu item from the displayed menu; determining the position of the pointing cursor when the menu item is selected; Displaying a child menu corresponding to a selected menu item at a corresponding position on the display device, and recording a program for executing the following.