JPWO2007063594A1 - Input support computer program and input support computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and convenient input means in a computer system for supporting input by a system user. After receiving the start operation command due to the command button on the input means being pressed by the user, until receiving the end operation command due to the release of the command button being pressed by the user, the following Process. First, when a command for moving the pointer position is received via the input means, the operation menu information is read from the storage means and displayed on the output means. Further, when the operation menu information displayed on the output means is designated by the pointer via the input means, a command associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read from the storage means and executed. An input support computer program characterized by causing a processing means to execute the processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer program for supporting an input action of a system user in a computer system using an input device such as a pointing device represented by a mouse.

  In a computer system in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) environment, various devices have been devised in order to support an input action of a system user. For example, a “context menu” in which a menu of operation commands is displayed on the screen by right-clicking the mouse as an input device of a computer during execution of a program, “drag and drop” that is a kind of mouse operation, etc. Exists.

  "Context menu" is a menu that displays the operation command menu according to the pointer position on the screen that the mouse is pointing to by right-clicking the mouse. If necessary, the operation command menu is displayed on the screen. This is useful for system users in that it is displayed on the screen. However, in the “context menu”, a menu of commands is easily displayed by right-clicking the mouse, but the menu continues to be displayed on the screen until the left-clicking of the mouse is performed. Also, if the user accidentally presses the right click, the menu is displayed on the screen against the user's will, which is inconvenient.

  On the other hand, “drag and drop” means that the left mouse button is pressed while the mouse pointer is over the window frame or file icon on the screen, the mouse is moved as it is, and the mouse is moved to another location. This is a mouse operation that releases the left button. This "drag and drop" is used for operations such as "Cut" and "Paste" of data etc. at the same time, for example, moving files on the disk, and cutting and pasting data between application software. Yes. However, “drag and drop” is suitable for temporary operations such as scrolling the screen from the dragged pointer position to the dropped pointer position, but it is a continuous operation, for example, gradually without determining the position to move. It is difficult to apply to the operation that scrolls the screen.

Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique related to a command menu display method. However, this technique is also a command menu display method as an applied technique of “drag and drop”, and it is difficult to apply it to the execution of continuous operations.
JP 2000-339482 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a simple and convenient input means in a computer system for supporting the input of a system user. In particular, an object is to provide a means for displaying a menu of operation commands on the screen immediately when a user needs them, and continuing to display the menu of commands as long as necessary.

  1,

  (1) Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, an input support computer program according to the present invention includes a storage unit for storing information, a processing unit for processing information, an output unit for displaying information to a user, and utilization. A computer program in a computer system including an input unit that receives an instruction from a person, and is an input support computer program that is executed when a user inputs data using the input unit.

  Further, the storage means of the computer system includes operation menu information which is image data for displaying on the output means so that a user can understand a command result executed by the coordinate position of the pointer, and the operation menu information. One or more pieces of operation information are stored in association with instructions to be executed when a pointer is designated.

  Then, the processing means of the computer system receives (1) a start operation command when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user via the input means, and then the user presses the processing means. The following (2) and (3) are performed until an end operation command due to the release of the command button that has been released, and (2) a command for moving the position of the pointer via the input means. When received, the operation menu information is read from the storage means and displayed on the output means. (3) When the operation menu information displayed on the output means is designated by the pointer via the input means, A command associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read from the storage means and executed; (4) the input When the end operation command corresponding to the reception of the start operation command is received by the user, the display of the operation menu information displayed on the output means is terminated. This is an input support computer program characterized in that

  (2) Here, the “storage means” corresponds to a storage device in a computer system such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD. “Processing means” corresponds to, for example, an arithmetic device in a computer system such as a CPU or a central processing server computer in a computer system connected by a communication network. The “output means” corresponds to, for example, an output device for displaying information in a computer system such as a display, a mobile phone terminal or a personal computer as an information terminal in a computer system connected by a communication network. The “input means” corresponds to, for example, an input device in a computer system such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, a mobile phone terminal as an information terminal in a computer system connected via a communication network, a personal computer, and the like. The “computer system” may be configured entirely within one piece of hardware such as a personal computer, or may be configured with a plurality of computers. As an example in the case of being configured by a plurality of computers, in a computer system connected by a communication network, “processing means” is a central processing server computer, “storage means” is a storage device managed by the central processing server computer, “output means” "And" input means "correspond to the case of an information terminal (mobile phone, personal computer), etc. that communicates with the central processing server computer.

  The “coordinate position of the pointer” is the coordinate position on the screen pointed by the “cursor (mouse cursor)” which is a pictorial symbol indicating the current position on the screen in the output means. “Image data to be displayed on the output means so that the user can understand the result of an instruction executed according to the coordinate position of the pointer” refers to how the pointer is aligned with the bitmap format or vector format image data. This means that the image data is configured so that the system user can understand whether or not an instruction is executed. For example, image data that includes characters indicating what instruction is executed, or image data that expresses the contents and target of an instruction such as an “icon” with a small picture or symbol. It is done.

  “When the pointer is specified in the operation menu information” means that the coordinate position of the pointer is aligned with the range of the coordinate position occupied by the operation menu information which is image data displayed on the screen in the output means (entered). I mean). The “instruction executed when a pointer is specified in the operation menu information” is an execution instruction for the computer system. As an example, there is an “instruction for changing an internal data state in data to be edited”. This “instruction to change the internal data state in the data to be edited” is an instruction to change the contents (data state) of the data to be edited stored in the storage means.

  “Data to be edited” is data that is subject to data editing in an application program executed in the computer system. For example, if the application program being executed is word processing software, the text data of the word processing software will be “data to be edited”, and if the execution program is spreadsheet software, the spreadsheet data of the spreadsheet software will be Becomes “data to be edited”. For example, if the text data of the word processing software is “data to be edited”, the command for changing the “view” that is the portion to be displayed on the output means among all the text data, or the spreadsheet data of the spreadsheet software is “edit” If it is "target data", an instruction to change the "active worksheet" that is the part displayed on the output means in the spreadsheet data is considered as an "instruction to change the internal data state in the edit target data". It is done.

  The “command to be executed when a pointer is designated in the operation menu information” is not limited to the “command to change the internal data state in the data to be edited”. That is, “stored in the storage means” is an instruction to change various information (time information, information on the free capacity of the storage means, file position, etc.) managed by the OS stored in the storage means. The “command for changing the data state” is also included in the “command executed when a pointer is designated in the operation menu information”. Further, various instructions such as an instruction for requesting connection to a central server computer to which the computer system is connected through a network, an instruction for transmitting data to another computer system to which the computer system is connected through a network, etc. It is included in the “command executed when a pointer is specified in the operation menu information”.

  “Operation information” is information in which “operation menu information” and “instructions executed when a pointer is designated in the operation menu information” are associated with each other. With this “operation information”, it is possible to specify which “command” should be executed when a pointer is designated in “operation menu information” displayed on the output means. In addition, the “operation menu information” includes information on the display position / range indicating which coordinate position / range is displayed on the screen when displaying on the output means. As this “information on display position / range”, for example, information indicating the absolute coordinate position / range occupied when the operation menu information is displayed on the screen, or the coordinates on the screen where the edit target data is displayed. This corresponds to information indicating the relative position / range occupied by the operation menu information in the position / range.

  The “command button in the input means” means, in principle, a button physically provided in the input means, for example, an input key in a keyboard, a left and right click button or a scroll wheel button of a mouse that is a pointing device, And so on. The “start operation command when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user” means that, in principle, the input means is used to transmit that the button physically provided on the input means is pressed by the user. Means an electrical signal emitted to the processing means. “End operation command due to the release of the command button that was pressed by the user” in principle means that the button physically provided by the input means is released by the user. Means an electrical signal that the input means emits to the processing means.

  However, due to the diversification of computer system input means, there are input means that do not have physical buttons such as a touch panel. Therefore, the “command buttons in the input means” are physically provided with input means. It does not represent only the buttons that are present. That is, when the input means is an input means that does not have a physical button such as a touch panel, the “start operation command when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user” means that the user in the input means It means an electric signal (mouse down, etc.) issued by the input means to the processing means in order to convey that the act of pressing is performed. Further, when the input means is an input means that does not have a physical button such as a touch panel, the “end operation command due to the release of the command button pressed by the user” is It means an electrical signal (mouse up, etc.) that the input means emits to the processing means in order to convey that the user has stopped pressing and released.

  After the “start operation command” is issued and received, until the “end operation command” is issued and received, the user continues to press the specific command button or the like on the input means. The processing means can be recognized.

  “Receiving a command to move the pointer position via the input means” means that the processing means receives a command (electrical signal) to move the coordinate position of the pointer on the screen from the pointing device as the input means. It is. Between the time when the previous “start operation command” is issued and received and the time when the “end operation command” is issued and received, the processing means “receives an instruction to move the pointer position via the input means” When “Yes”, the processing means reads out the operation menu information stored in the storage means and displays the operation menu information on the output means. “Ending the display of the operation menu information displayed on the output unit” means that the processing unit does not display the operation menu information displayed on the output unit in step (2) on the output unit. .

  The above definitions also apply to the following inventions.

  (3) According to the present invention, when a command for moving the position of the pointer is received from when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user until it is released, the operation menu information as image data is output to the output means. The instruction is executed according to the designation of the pointer. In particular, from the time the command button on the input means is pressed by the user until it is released, the command is continuously executed by specifying the operation menu information as image data with a pointer. Operation becomes possible. When the command button on the input unit is released by the user, the display of the operation menu information displayed on the output unit is terminated.

  Accordingly, for example, when a command for scrolling a screen (view) displayed on the output unit in the data to be edited is used as a command executed by specifying the pointer, a smooth screen operation is possible. In addition, when the command button on the input means that has been pressed by the user is released by the user, the operation menu information displayed on the output means is not displayed, so the operation menu information is not normally displayed on the screen. In addition, it is possible to display easily when necessary for the user.

  2,

  (1) An input support computer program according to another invention receives a command from a user, a storage means for storing information, a processing means for processing information, an output means for displaying information to a user, and a user. A computer program in a computer system including an input unit, which is an input support computer program executed when a user inputs data using the input unit.

  The storage means of the computer system includes operation menu information which is image data for displaying on the output means so that a user can understand a result of an instruction executed by the coordinate position of the pointer, and a pointer to the operation menu information. One or more pieces of operation information associated with an instruction to be executed when the command is specified, execution grace time information indicating an execution grace time until the instruction in the operation information is executed, and the execution grace time In order to allow the user to understand the remaining time, the execution grace time index information, which is index data for displaying on the output means, is stored.

  Then, the processing means of the computer system receives (1) a start operation command when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user via the input means, and then the user presses the processing means. The following (2) and (3) are performed until an end operation command due to the release of the command button that has been released, and (2) a command for moving the position of the pointer via the input means. When received, the operation menu information is read from the storage means and displayed on the output means. (3) When the operation menu information displayed on the output means is designated by the pointer via the input means, the storage The execution grace time index information is read from the means and displayed on the output means, and the operation menu information is designated by the pointer. When the execution grace time indicated by the execution grace time information of the storage means elapses, a command associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read out from the storage means and executed. (4) The input means When the end operation command corresponding to the reception of the start operation command is received by the user, the display of the operation menu information displayed on the output means is terminated. This is an input support computer program characterized in that

  (2) Here, the “execution grace time until the instruction in the operation information is executed” means that the pointer is designated in the operation menu information displayed on the screen, and It means a predetermined grace time until an instruction associated with specified operation menu information is executed. “Indicator data for displaying on the output means so that the user can understand the remaining time of the execution grace time” means, for example, a countdown of the execution grace time by an analog or digital display method of a clock Information necessary to display meter information that displays the elapsed time up to the present time as 100% of the total execution grace time displayed on the screen when installing software, etc. The information is configured so that the user can easily understand the remaining time of the execution grace time by displaying on the output means. In addition to “index data for displaying on the output means so that the user can understand the remaining time of the execution grace period”, “icon” is displayed to gradually change the color and design of the icon. , Use the time required to execute information by gradually changing the color and design of the operation menu information displayed on the output means and the information necessary for visually recognizing the time until execution This also applies to information necessary for visually recognizing a person.

  As an example of “index information of execution grace time”, it is conceivable to configure “remaining information of execution grace time” and “information of an image to be displayed on the screen” in association with each other. With such a data structure, it is possible to specify which “information on the image to be displayed on the screen” is to be displayed for each “remaining information of execution grace time”. As "image information to be displayed on the screen", image information for displaying the countdown of the execution grace time by the analog display method or digital display method of the clock, or the elapsed time up to the present time with the execution grace time as 100% Image information or the like for displaying meter information that displays% as a percentage may be used.

  The “information on the image to be displayed on the screen” includes information on the display position / range indicating which coordinate position / range on the screen is displayed when the image is displayed on the output means. As this “information about display position / range”, for example, information indicating the absolute coordinate position / range occupied when the index data is displayed on the screen, or the coordinate position on the screen where the edit target data is displayed. -Information indicating the relative position / range occupied by index data in the range.

  Further, “reading the execution grace time index information from the storage means and displaying it on the output means” means, for example, an analog method of the clock based on the execution grace time index information read from the storage means. Display the countdown of the execution grace time by the digital display method, display the meter information of the elapsed time up to the present time as displayed on the screen when installing the software, and display the color and design depending on the elapsed time For example, displaying an “icon” that changes, or changing the color or design of the operation menu information displayed on the output means. As an example of displaying an “icon” whose color or design changes with the elapsed time, an image (icon) that changes with the passage of time is adopted, and an image (icon) that makes an image of instruction execution approach the end of the grace period There is to be displayed. “The execution grace time indicated by the execution grace time information of the storage means when the operation menu information is specified by the pointer” means that the operation menu information is image data displayed on the screen of the output means. The execution grace time information stored in the storage means is obtained by counting the system time information inside the computer system performed by the processing means in a state where the coordinate position of the pointer is aligned (entered) within the range of the coordinate position occupied by This means that the execution grace time has elapsed.

  The above definitions also apply to the following inventions.

  (3) According to the present invention, when a command for moving the position of the pointer is received from when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user until it is released, the operation menu information as image data is output to the output means. The instruction is executed when the pointer is designated in the operation menu information for a predetermined execution grace period. In particular, since index data that is “index data for displaying on the output means so that the user can understand the remaining time of the execution grace time” is displayed on the output means, the user designates a pointer in the operation menu information. It is possible to grasp the remaining time from when the command is executed until the instruction is executed.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent an instruction from being executed by a user's erroneous operation such that the instruction is executed only by designating a pointer in the operation menu information, and the safety of the operation is improved.

  3,

  (1) An input support computer program according to another invention receives a command from a user, a storage means for storing information, a processing means for processing information, an output means for displaying information to a user, and a user. A computer program in a computer system including an input unit, which is an input support computer program executed when a user inputs data using the input unit.

  The storage means of the computer system includes operation menu information which is image data for displaying on the output means so that a user can understand a result of an instruction executed by the coordinate position of the pointer, and a pointer to the operation menu information. One or more pieces of operation information associated with a command to be executed when an instruction is specified is stored, and the operation information is associated with data state information that is information indicating the state of data stored in the storage unit. Stored in the storage means.

  Then, the processing means of the computer system receives (1) a start operation command when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user via the input means, and then the user presses the processing means. The following (2) and (3) are performed until an end operation command due to the release of the command button that has been released, and (2) a command for moving the position of the pointer via the input means. Upon reception, the state of the data stored in the storage means at the time of reception is specified, the operation information associated with the data state information representing the specified data state is specified, and the specified operation information Reading out the operation menu information in the storage means and displaying it on the output means; (3) displaying on the output means via the input means When the operation menu information is designated by the pointer, the instruction associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read from the storage means and executed, and stored in the storage means changed by execution of the instruction. The operation information associated with the data state information representing the specified data state is specified, and the operation menu information in the specified operation information is read from the storage means. Displaying on the output means, and (4) receiving the end operation command corresponding to the reception of the start operation command by the user being released by the user via the input means. Terminating the display of the menu information displayed on the input support computer program, A gram.

  (2) Here, as an example of “information indicating the state of the data stored in the storage unit”, the content (data state) of the data to be edited stored in the storage unit, for example, a sentence / spreadsheet Of the "view" range that is actually displayed on the output means, the status of the range to be printed when printing the data, the status of the text data format and font settings, the current processing target The information indicating whether or not there is data that is (active), and the like. In addition, as an example of “information indicating the state of data stored in the storage unit”, information indicating the remaining storage capacity that can actually be used in the total storage capacity of the storage unit, or the total storage capacity of the storage unit For example, information indicating the ratio of the storage capacity actually used in is applicable. For example, when the remaining storage capacity that can actually be used in the total storage capacity of the storage means is equal to or less than a certain capacity, specific operation menu information (for example, an operation menu that means a data storage instruction) is not displayed on the screen. You can use it like this.

  The above definitions also apply to the following inventions.

  (3) According to the present invention, when a command for moving the position of the pointer is received from when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user until it is released, the operation menu information as image data is output to the output means. The instruction is executed according to the designation of the pointer. In particular, since operation menu information corresponding to the state of data stored in the storage means is displayed on the output means, operation menu information suitable for the data state is displayed.

  As a result, for example, if a command associated with the operation menu information is executed, and the state of the “view” actually displayed on the output means of the text / spreadsheet data changes, the state of the view is changed. The corresponding operation menu information is displayed. Specifically, if the “view” state is moved to the top of the text / spreadsheet data, the operation menu information for instructing the upward view movement is not displayed and the downward direction is displayed. It is possible to display flexible operation menu information considering user convenience, such as displaying only operation menu information for instructing view movement.

  Further, when the remaining storage capacity that can actually be used in the total storage capacity of the storage means is below a certain capacity as the state of the data stored in the storage means, specific operation menu information (for example, a data storage command means The operation menu information such as not displaying the operation menu) on the screen can be displayed.

  4,

  (1) An input support system according to another invention includes a storage unit that stores information, a processing unit that processes information, an output unit that displays information to a user, and an input that receives a command from the user. And a computer system.

  And the said memory | storage means memorize | stores the input assistance computer program of any one of said 1 thru | or 3, It is an input assistance system characterized by the said process means performing each said process.

  5,

  (1) An input support system according to another invention is characterized in that the input means including the command button is one pointing device.

  (2) Here, the “pointing device” corresponds to various pointing devices such as a mouse, a pen device, a tablet, a joystick, and a touch panel.

  (3) Since the input means is one pointing device, each of the above processes, for example, a start operation command by pressing a command button in the input device, an end operation command by releasing the pressed command button, and input device A command for moving the position of the pointer, etc., can be executed by the one pointing device. That is, the user can issue an instruction for each of the above processes using only the one pointing device as an input unit. This makes it possible to realize excellent operability when a pointing device that can be operated with one hand, such as a mouse or a pen device, is employed.

  As described above, when the present invention is used, operation menu information that is image data is received when a command for moving the position of the pointer is received from when the command button on the input means is pressed by the user until it is released. Is displayed on the output means, and the instruction is executed by the designation of the pointer. In particular, from the time the command button on the input means is pressed by the user until it is released, the command is continuously executed by specifying the operation menu information as image data with a pointer. Operation becomes possible. When the command button on the input unit is released by the user, the display of the operation menu information displayed on the output unit is terminated.

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

  1. About the configuration of the present invention

  (1) FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an input support computer system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the input support computer system according to the present invention comprises an output means 10, a processing means 20, an input means 30, and storage means 40 and 50. These means (10 to 50) can be electrically connected via the bus 60 to transmit information (signal communication) to each other.

  The components in the input support computer system of FIG. 1 will be described in further detail. The output means 10 is an output device for displaying information to the user of the input support computer system, and corresponds to a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT system. The processing means 20 is a computing device that works on the other means (device), and corresponds to, for example, a CPU. The input unit 30 is an input device that receives commands from a user of the input support computer system, and corresponds to, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The storage means 40 is an auxiliary storage device that stores a large amount of information, and corresponds to, for example, a hard disk (HDD). The storage unit 50 is a main storage device that stores information to be executed by the processing unit 20, and corresponds to a main memory, for example. The bus 60 is a transmission path for each means to communicate information within the input support computer system.

  The input support computer system according to the present invention can be implemented even by a local computer system such as the personal computer shown in FIG. 1, and will be described below based on the premise. However, the input support computer system according to the present invention may be composed of a plurality of computer systems. For example, the computer system on the client side becomes the output means 10 and the input means 30, the computer system on the server side becomes the processing means 20 and the storage means 40 and 50, and a wide area communication line such as the Internet becomes the bus 60. There may be a case where the computer system is configured.

  (2) Next, various information stored in the HDD as the storage unit 40 in FIG. 1 will be described. In the HDD as the storage means 40, data status information 41, operation information 42, execution grace time information 43, execution grace time index information 44, an input support computer program 45, an OS and other programs 46, Stored in database or file format.

  Then, the CPU as the processing unit 20 reads each information (41 to 46) stored in the HDD as the storage unit 40 into the memory as the storage unit 50, thereby interpreting and executing the program and data. . The CPU as the processing means 20 reads the OS and other programs 46 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 and the input support computer program 45 into the memory as the storage means 50, interprets them, and executes them. The input support processing according to the present invention is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that each information (41 to 46) is stored in the HDD as the storage unit 40 as an initial state, but each information (41) is stored in the memory as the storage unit 50 in the initial state. Of course, it is possible to implement even if all of .about.46) are stored.

  (3) Next, the data structure of each piece of information (41 to 46) stored in the HDD serving as the storage unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, “data state information 41” and “operation information 42” stored in the HDD as the storage unit 40 are stored in association with each other.

  The “data state information 41” is information representing the state of data stored in the storage means 40, 50. For example, information representing the content of the data to be edited stored in the storage means 40, 50, This corresponds to information indicating the ratio of the storage capacity actually used in the total storage capacity of the storage means 40 and 50, and the like. In FIG. 2, “view state”, which is information representing the contents of the data to be edited stored in the storage means 40 and 50 as “data state information 41”, is stored. If the top view is displayed, the vertical view is at the top in the editing target data. If the bottom view is in the editing target data, the vertical view is the top. The fact that “the top and bottom views are both displayed” indicates that the view in the vertical direction can be displayed from the top to the bottom in the editing target data. In addition, in the case of “view states other than the above”, the view state is other than “display the top view”, “display the bottom view”, and “display both the top and bottom views”. For example, it represents an intermediate view state in which the top and bottom views are not displayed.

  The “operation information 42” is information that associates “operation menu information” with “commands executed when a pointer is designated in the operation menu information”. With this “operation information 42”, it is possible to specify which “command” should be executed when a pointer is designated in “operation menu information” displayed on the output means 10.

  The “operation menu information” is image data for displaying on the output means 10 so that the user can understand the result of the command executed according to the coordinate position of the pointer. The “operation menu information” includes information on the display position / range indicating which coordinate position / range is displayed on the screen when displaying on the output means 10. As this “information on display position / range”, for example, information indicating the absolute coordinate position / range occupied when the operation menu information is displayed on the screen, or the coordinates on the screen where the edit target data is displayed. This corresponds to information indicating the relative position / range occupied by the operation menu information in the position / range.

  The “instruction executed when the pointer is specified in the operation menu information” is an execution instruction for the input support computer system. For example, an “instruction for changing the internal data state in the data to be edited” is is there. This “instruction to change the internal data state in the data to be edited” is an instruction to change the contents (data state) of the data to be edited stored in the storage means 40 and 50. For example, the state of the view The command to change

  (4) The “execution grace time information 43” stored in the HDD serving as the storage means 40 indicates the execution grace time until the instruction in the operation information 42 is executed when a pointer is designated in the operation menu information. It is information to represent. Time information such as “1 second”, “3 seconds”, “5 seconds” can be considered as an example of adopting the execution grace time.

  (5) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the “execution grace time index information 44” stored in the HDD serving as the storage unit 40 associates “the remaining time of the execution grace time” with “the image to be displayed”. Information. For example, when the “remaining time of execution grace time” becomes “5 seconds”, the “image A” is displayed when the “remaining time of execution grace time” becomes “3 seconds”. It is understood that “Image B” may be displayed on the display as the output unit 10 when “Image B” is displayed and “Remaining time of execution grace time” is “1 second”. Then, by changing the images in the order of “image A”, “image B”, and “image C” and adopting image data that can be understood that the remaining time is shortened, the remaining time of the execution grace time is gradually increased. The user can recognize that is shortened.

  By adopting “execution grace time index information 44” as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to display the countdown of the execution grace time by an analog or digital display method of the clock, or when installing software. Display meter information that displays the elapsed time up to the present time as 100% with the execution grace time displayed on the screen as 100%, display a specific "icon" and change the color and design of the icon , Allowing the user to visually recognize the time until execution, changing the color and design of the operation menu information displayed on the output means, and allowing the user to visually recognize the time until execution , Etc. are possible.

  2. Flow of implementation of the present invention

  FIG. 4 is an implementation flowchart of the input support computer system according to the present invention. Based on the same figure, the flow of implementation of this invention is demonstrated.

  (1) First, the CPU as the processing unit 20 receives from the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 a start operation command when the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 is pressed by the user ( S1).

  The “starting operation command when the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 is pressed by the user” means that the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 is pressed by the user. In addition, the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 is an electrical signal issued to the CPU as the processing means 20.

  (2) Next, the CPU as the processing means 20 outputs from the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 until it receives the end operation command due to the release of the command button that has been pressed by the user. It is determined whether or not an instruction to move the position of the pointer displayed on the display as means 10 has been received (S2). When the CPU as the processing unit 20 receives the end operation command from the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 before receiving the command to move the position of the pointer, the processing according to the present invention ends.

  “End operation command due to release of the command button that was pressed by the user” is input to convey that the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 has been released by the user. This is an electrical signal issued to the CPU as the processing means 20 by the mouse / keyboard as the means 30. The mouse as the input means 30 from when the “start operation command” is issued and received by the CPU as the processing means 20 until the “end operation instruction” is issued and received by the CPU as the processing means 20 The CPU as the processing means 20 can recognize that the command button on the keyboard has been pressed by the user. That is, the CPU as the processing unit 20 does not allow the user to receive the “end operation command due to the release of the command button pressed by the user” from the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30. Recognize that he wishes to continue the process according to the invention.

  (3) In S2, when a command for moving the position of the pointer is received from the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 before the end operation command is received, the CPU as the processing means 20 stores the received time The state of data stored in the HDD as the means 40 is specified. Further, the CPU as the processing unit 20 specifies the operation information 42 associated with the data state information 41 representing the specified data state, and stores the operation menu information in the specified operation information 42 as the storage unit 40. The data is read from the HDD and displayed on the display as the output means 10 (S3).

  Here, as an example of “the state of data stored in the HDD serving as the storage unit 40”, the content (data state) of the data to be edited (data state) stored in the HDD serving as the storage unit 40, for example, the editing target. Of the text / spreadsheet data that is actually displayed on the display as the output means 10, the state of the “view” range, the state of the range to be printed when the data is printed, the format and font of the text data This represents information indicating the state of the set value, the state of whether or not there is data that is currently processed (active), and the like. In addition, as an example of “the state of data stored in the HDD as the storage unit 40”, information indicating the ratio of the storage capacity actually used in the total storage capacity of the storage unit 40, etc. To do. For example, if the ratio of the storage capacity actually used in the total storage capacity of the storage means 40 is equal to or greater than a certain ratio, the storage capacity may be insufficient as a result of the processing. It can also be used such as not displaying.

  S1 to S3 will be described specifically with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a display example in which the CPU as the processing unit 20 displays the content (data state) of the data to be edited on the display as the output unit 10. In the example shown in the figure, text data of text editor software is adopted as editing target data.

  In the state of the screen of FIG. 5, the system user presses a command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30. For example, the user presses the left or right button on the mouse, or the user presses a specific key on the keyboard. As a result, the CPU as the processing means 20 receives from the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 a start operation command when the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 is pressed by the user (S1). .

  Next, the system user keeps pressing the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 previously pressed and uses the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 on the screen of the display as the output means 10. An instruction to move the displayed pointer 1 is issued. For example, this includes moving the mouse while holding down the left button or right button on the mouse (drag operation), or moving the mouse while pressing a specific key on the keyboard. The CPU as the processing means 20 is changed from the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 to the display as the output means 10 until receiving the end operation command due to the release of the command button that has been pressed by the user. It is determined whether or not a command for moving the position of the displayed pointer 1 is received (S2).

  In S2, if a command for moving the position of the pointer 1 is received from the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 before receiving the end operation command, the CPU as the processing unit 20 stores the received command. The state of data stored in the HDD as the means 40 is specified. Further, the CPU as the processing unit 20 specifies the operation information 42 associated with the data state information 41 representing the specified data state, and stores the operation menu information in the specified operation information 42 as the storage unit 40. The data is read from the HDD and displayed on the display as the output means 10 (S3). The data state information 41 and the operation information 42 in FIG. 2 will be described. For example, if the specified data state is “the top view is displayed”, “menu A” or “ When the “operation menu information” of “menu B” is a state where the specified data state is “the bottom view is displayed”, the “operation menu” of “menu C” or “menu D” in the operation information 42 is displayed. Information ”is displayed on the display as the output means 10.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the screen in which the operation menu information is displayed on the display as the output means 10 in S3 from the state of the screen of FIG. The figure shows a state in which the data state specified earlier is “the top view is displayed”, and various operations such as “menu A” and “menu B” in the operation information 42 are shown. Menu information (101 to 105) is displayed on the data to be edited. For example, the operation menu information 101 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed in the right direction, the operation menu information 104 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed in the downward direction, and the operation menu information 105 is the operation menu information. This is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed downward at a speed faster than 104. Further, the operation menu information 102 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed to the drag start position. The “drag start position” means that when the system user presses a command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30. This means the coordinate position of the pointer 1 (when a start operation command is issued). The operation menu information 103 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed to the bottom of the view.

  In the screen state of FIG. 6, the pointer 1 is designated for each operation menu information (101 to 105) using a mouse / keyboard as the input means 30. When a predetermined time elapses, the designated operation menu is designated in the operation information 42. A command associated with the information is executed by the CPU as the processing means 20.

  FIG. 7 shows another screen example in which the operation menu information is displayed on the display as the output unit 10 by S3. In the figure, the previously specified data state is a “view state other than the above”, and various operation menu information (102 to 105, 111 to 116) is displayed on the editing target data. For example, the operation menu information 111 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed at high speed in the upward direction, the operation menu information 112 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed in the upward direction, and the operation menu information 113 is It is an operation menu representing changing the view to the top of the view. The operation menu information 114 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed to the beginning of the selection range of the sentence currently being processed (active). In FIG. 7, the first position of the characters “test quality” is selected. It is the first position. The operation menu information 115 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed to the end of the selection range of the sentence currently being processed (active). In FIG. 7, the last position of the characters “test quality” is selected. This is the end position. The operation menu information 116 is an operation menu representing changing the view in the right direction.

  In the screen state of FIG. 7, the pointer 1 is designated for each operation menu information (102 to 105, 111 to 116) using a mouse / keyboard as the input means 30, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation information 42 A command associated with the designated menu information is executed by the CPU as the processing means 20.

  FIG. 8 shows another example of the screen in which the operation menu information is displayed on the display as the output unit 10 by S3. In the figure, the previously identified data state is a “view state other than the above”, and various operation menu information (102, 103, 113, 121) is displayed on the editing target data. For example, the operation menu information 121 is an operation menu indicating that the view is changed in the direction in which the Δ mark is directed. In particular, the mark outside the circle is more per unit time than the mark inside the circle. Means changing the view quickly.

  In the screen state of FIG. 8, the pointer 1 is designated for each operation menu information (102, 103, 113, 121) using a mouse / keyboard as the input means 30. A command associated with the designated menu information is executed by the CPU as the processing means 20.

  (4) Next, the CPU as the processing means 20 outputs an ending operation command as a result of releasing the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 previously pressed by the user. It is determined whether or not it has been received from the mouse / keyboard (S4).

  For example, in the screen state as shown in FIG. 5, the system user keeps pressing the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 that has been previously pressed, and the output means using the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30. A command to move the pointer 1 displayed on the screen of the display 10 is performed, and the state shown in FIG. 6 is obtained, but the state in which the command button is released corresponds thereafter. In this case, when the instruction button is released, the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30 transmits an end operation command to the CPU as the processing unit 20.

  (5) When the end operation command is received in S4, the CPU as the processing unit 20 ends the display of the operation menu information previously displayed on the display as the output unit 10, and the processing according to the present invention is also performed. The process ends (S5). That is, when the system user releases the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 previously pressed in the state shown in FIG. 6, the screen state shown in FIG. 5 is restored. As a result, the display of the operation menu information displayed on the display as the output means 10 is quickly eliminated, and the user's willingness to “turn off the display of the operation menu information that is no longer needed” is immediately Will be reflected.

  (6) Next, when the operation menu information displayed on the display as the output unit 10 is designated by the pointer 1 via the mouse / keyboard as the input unit 30, the CPU as the processing unit 20 stores the storage unit 40. Is read out from the HDD and displayed on the display as the output means 10. Then, the CPU as the processing means 20 has the execution grace time indicated by the execution grace time information 43 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 in a state where the displayed operation menu information is designated by the pointer 1. It is determined whether or not (S6).

  For example, in a screen state as shown in FIG. 7, the system user displays specific operation menu information (operation menu information 104 in FIG. 7) in accordance with a movement command of the pointer 1 using the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30. Pointer 1 is designated. Thereby, the CPU as the processing means 20 reads out the execution grace time index information 44 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 and displays it on the display as the output means 10.

  An example in which the CPU as the processing means 20 displays the “image to be displayed” on the display as the output means 10 in the execution delay time index information 44 is shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C. ). When the “execution grace time remaining time” in the execution grace time index information 44 in FIG. 3 is “5 seconds”, the “image to be displayed” is “image A”, and FIG. When the “execution grace time remaining time” in the execution grace time index information 44 in FIG. 3 is “3 seconds”, the “image to be displayed” is “image B”, and FIG. When the “execution grace time remaining time” in the execution grace time index information 44 in FIG. 3 is “1 second”, the “image to be displayed” is “image C”, and FIG. As described above, the image 311 in which the “image to be displayed” is displayed on the display as the output unit 10 in the index information 44 of the execution grace time gradually changes with the “remaining time of the execution grace time”. The system user can easily understand the remaining time until an instruction is executed.

  When the CPU as the processing unit 20 displays the execution delay time index information 44 on the display as the output unit 10 as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the storage unit 40 The execution grace time information 43 stored in the HDD is read out and used. That is, the CPU as the processing means 20 reduces the grace time represented by the execution grace time information 43 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 as the time information (system date information) included in the system elapses. Thus, when the CPU as the processing means 20 reaches the predetermined remaining time represented by the “remaining time of execution grace time” in the execution grace time index information 44, “display image” of the corresponding execution grace time index information 44. Is displayed on the display as the output means 10.

  When the displayed operation menu information is continuously designated by the pointer 1, the display on the display as the output means 10 changes as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C. Go. The CPU as the processing means 20 determines whether or not the execution grace time indicated by the execution grace time information 43 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 has elapsed with the displayed operation menu information designated by the pointer 1. Is determined (S6). In S6, when the displayed operation menu information is not designated by the pointer 1 before the execution grace time elapses, that is, in FIG. 7, when the pointer 1 is out of the display range of the operation menu information 104, The CPU as the processing means 20 ends the display of the execution delay time index information 44 displayed on the display as the output means 10 as the “update the display of the operation menu information” process in S8, and the previous S4 Return to the determination of receiving the end operation command.

  (7) In S6, the CPU as the processing means 20 executes the execution grace indicated by the execution grace time information 43 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 in a state where the previously displayed operation menu information is designated by the pointer 1. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the command associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer 1 is read from the HDD as the storage means 40 and executed (S7).

  For example, when the execution grace time represented by the execution grace time information 43 elapses in the screen state as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU as the processing means 20 issues a command associated with the operation menu information 104 specified by the pointer 1. It is identified from the operation information 42 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40, read and executed. Taking the operation menu information 104 as an example, a command “move the view downward” is executed. Further, as long as the operation menu information 104 is designated by the pointer 1, the command associated with the operation menu information 104 is continuously executed at regular time intervals, and the view gradually moves downward. It moves and the screen scrolls.

  (8) Subsequently, the CPU as the processing unit 20 specifies the state of data stored in the HDD as the storage unit 40 (for example, the state of the screen view) that has changed due to the execution of the instruction in S7. The operation information 42 associated with the data state information 41 representing the specified data state is specified, and the operation menu information in the specified operation information 42 is read from the HDD as the storage means 40 and displayed as the output means 10 (S8).

  For example, in the screen state as shown in FIG. 7, the execution grace time elapses with the operation menu information 112 specified by the pointer 1, and the operation information 42 stored in the HDD is associated with the operation menu information 112. When the command “Move view upward” is executed, the state of data stored in the HDD changes due to the change of the view of FIG. As a result, the data state information 41 corresponding to the changed state of the view is specified, and the operation menu information in the specified operation information 42 is read from the HDD as the storage unit 40 and displayed on the display as the output unit 10. As a result, a transition is made to the screen state as shown in FIG.

  In the screen state of FIG. 7, operation menu information related to “view state other than the above” is displayed in the operation information 42 stored in the HDD serving as the storage unit 40. On the other hand, when the view moves upward from the screen state of FIG. 7, the operation information 42 stored in the HDD as the storage means 40 is associated with “display the top view”. Menu information is displayed in FIG. In FIG. 7, since the uppermost view is not displayed, operation menu information (111 to 113) for moving the view upward is displayed on the screen, whereas in FIG. Since the upper view is displayed, there is no need to display operation menu information (111 to 113) for moving the view upward. Therefore, in FIG. 6, the operation menu information (111 to 113) for moving the view upward is not displayed on the screen.

  When the process of S8 ends, the process returns to the reception determination of the end operation command of S4. Then, the CPU as the processing means 20 sends an end operation command from the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 when the command button in the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 that was previously pressed by the user is released. This process will continue until it is received.

  (9) As described above, when the present invention is used, a command for moving the position of the pointer 1 between the time when the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 is pressed by the user and the time when the command button is released is issued. Upon reception, the CPU as the processing means 20 displays the operation menu information as image data on the display as the output means 10, and the command is executed by designating the pointer 1. In particular, the operation menu information, which is image data, is continuously specified by the pointer 1 from when the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 is pressed by the user until it is released. It is possible to continue the operation of executing as many times as possible. When the command button on the mouse / keyboard as the input means 30 is released by the user, the display of the operation menu information displayed on the display as the output means 10 is terminated.

Overall configuration diagram of the input support computer system Data structure diagram of data state information 41 and operation information 42 stored in storage means 40 Data structure diagram of postponed execution time index information 44 stored in storage means 40 Flow chart of input support processing performed by processing means 20 Figure showing a display example of the data to be edited displayed on the screen Fig. 1 shows a display example in which the contents of editing target data and operation menu information are displayed on the screen. Fig. 2 shows a display example in which the contents of editing target data and operation menu information are displayed on the screen. FIG. 3 shows a display example in which the contents of the edit target data and the operation menu information are displayed on the screen. Illustration of a display example in which the contents of the data to be edited and the index information 44 of the execution grace time are displayed on the screen

Explanation of symbols

1 Pointer 10 Output means (display)
20 processing means (CPU)
30 Input means (mouse / keyboard)
40 Storage means (HDD)
41 Data status information 42 Operation information 43 Execution delay time information 44 Execution delay time index information 45 Input support computer program 46 OS and other programs 50 Storage means (memory)
60 Bus 101 Operation menu information 102 Operation menu information 103 Operation menu information 104 Operation menu information 105 Operation menu information 111 Operation menu information 112 Operation menu information 113 Operation menu information 114 Operation menu information 115 Operation menu information 121 Operation menu information 311 Execution grace time Example of displaying “image to be displayed” on the screen among the index information 44

Claims (5)

A computer program in a computer system comprising storage means for storing information, processing means for processing information, output means for displaying information to a user, and input means for receiving instructions from the user,
An input support computer program executed when a user inputs data using the input means,
The storage means
Operation menu information that is image data to be displayed on the output means so that a user can understand the result of an instruction executed according to the coordinate position of the pointer, and is executed when a pointer is specified in the operation menu information. Storing one or more operation information associated with the command;
In the processing means,
(1) The command button that was pressed by the user is released after receiving the start operation command due to the command button on the input unit being pressed by the user via the input unit. Performing the following (2) and (3) until the end operation command is received;
(2) Upon receiving a command to move the position of the pointer via the input unit, the operation menu information is read from the storage unit and displayed on the output unit;
(3) When the operation menu information displayed on the output means is designated by the pointer via the input means, an instruction associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read from the storage means. To perform,
(4) The operation menu displayed on the output unit upon receiving an end operation command corresponding to the reception of the start operation command due to the release of the command button by a user via the input unit. End the display of information,
An input support computer program characterized in that A computer program in a computer system comprising storage means for storing information, processing means for processing information, output means for displaying information to a user, and input means for receiving instructions from the user,
An input support computer program executed when a user inputs data using the input means,
The storage means
Operation menu information that is image data to be displayed on the output means so that a user can understand the result of an instruction executed according to the coordinate position of the pointer, and is executed when a pointer is specified in the operation menu information. Store one or more pieces of operation information in association with commands,
Execution grace time information indicating execution grace time until the instruction in the operation information is executed, and execution as index data for displaying on the output means so that the user can understand the remaining time of the execution grace time Memorizing the grace time index information,
In the processing means,
(1) The command button that was pressed by the user is released after receiving the start operation command due to the command button on the input unit being pressed by the user via the input unit. Performing the following (2) and (3) until the end operation command is received;
(2) Upon receiving a command to move the position of the pointer via the input unit, the operation menu information is read from the storage unit and displayed on the output unit;
(3) When the operation menu information displayed on the output means is designated by the pointer via the input means, the execution grace time index information is read from the storage means and displayed on the output means. When the execution grace time indicated by the execution grace time information of the storage means elapses in a state designated by the pointer, a command associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read from the storage means and executed. To do,
(4) The operation menu displayed on the output unit upon receiving an end operation command corresponding to the reception of the start operation command due to the release of the command button by a user via the input unit. End the display of information,
An input support computer program characterized in that A computer program in a computer system comprising storage means for storing information, processing means for processing information, output means for displaying information to a user, and input means for receiving instructions from the user,
An input support computer program executed when a user inputs data using the input means,
The storage means
Operation menu information that is image data to be displayed on the output means so that a user can understand the result of an instruction executed according to the coordinate position of the pointer, and is executed when a pointer is specified in the operation menu information. Storing one or more operation information associated with the command;
The operation information is stored in the storage unit in association with data state information, which is information indicating the state of data stored in the storage unit,
In the processing means,
(1) The command button that was pressed by the user is released after receiving the start operation command due to the command button on the input unit being pressed by the user via the input unit. Performing the following (2) and (3) until the end operation command is received;
(2) When a command for moving the position of the pointer is received via the input unit, the state of data stored in the storage unit at the time of reception is specified, and data state information representing the specified data state Identifying the operation information related to the operation information, reading out the operation menu information in the identified operation information from the storage means, and displaying it on the output means,
(3) When the operation menu information displayed on the output means is designated by the pointer via the input means, an instruction associated with the operation menu information designated by the pointer is read from the storage means. Run,
The state of the data stored in the storage means changed by the execution of the instruction is specified, the operation information associated with the data state information representing the specified data state is specified, and the specified operation information Reading the operation menu information from the storage means and displaying it on the output means;
(4) The menu information displayed on the output unit upon receiving an end operation command corresponding to the reception of the start operation command by the user being released by the user via the input unit. Ending the display of
An input support computer program characterized in that A computer system comprising storage means for storing information, processing means for processing information, output means for displaying information to a user, and input means for receiving a command from the user,
An input support system, wherein the storage means stores the input support computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the processing means performs the processes. The input means having the command button is a pointing device;
The input support system according to claim 4.

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