WO2004104807A1

WO2004104807A1 - Item selecting method, information processor, and computer-readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2004104807A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/006533
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kota Tanabe
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2003-05-26
Filing date: 2003-05-26
Publication date: 2004-12-02

Abstract

An item selecting method for selecting an item displayed on a display screen by a computer according to the operation of a pointing device. When a cursor is placed on a first item on the display screen , and when the pointing device is brought into a selective state, the first item is selected. When the pointing device in the selective state is switched to a non-selective state while the cursor is so dragged as to move in a predetermined direction on the display screen, the first item is dropped on a second item present on an extension line in the predetermined direction.

Description

Description Item selection method, information processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

The present invention relates to an item selection method, an information processing device, and a computer-readable storage medium, and in particular, to an item selection method for selecting an item displayed on a display screen with a pointing device, such an item selection. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus employing the method and a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to select an item using such an item selection method. The present invention also relates to the computer program itself which causes a computer to select an item using the above-described item selection method. In information processing devices such as computers, the selection of various applications, folders, directories, files, internal devices, external devices, functions and processes, etc. is performed by selecting the corresponding icons, buttons, folder names, and directory names displayed on the display screen. This is done by selecting items such as file names, objects, and entries with a pointing device.

In this specification, “item” is displayed on the display screen of an information processing device such as a personal computer, and is used when selecting various applications, phonoredas, directories, files, internal devices, external devices, functions, processes, and the like. Refers to the corresponding icon, button, object, folder name, directory name, file name, entry, etc., selected by a pointing device or the like. The folder name, directory name, file name, entry, etc. are composed of arbitrary characters and character strings composed of Z or symbols and / or numbers. Background technology ''

For example, to select a desired application program using a mouse, which is an example of a pointing device, move the cursor to an icon corresponding to the application program whose cursor is to be selected on the display screen and click the mouse. Click. A mouse click corresponds to momentarily turning on (or selecting) the pointing device.

Also, for example, select the desired file with the mouse and store it on a portable recording medium such as a disk: ^, move the cursor over the icon corresponding to the file to be selected on the display screen by moving the cursor to the icon corresponding to Click the mouse, drag the mouse while keeping it clicked, move the cursor to the icon corresponding to the desired disk, and then unclick (square release). This is called drag-and-drop. Drop) operation. The drop is performed by dragging the mouse held in the clicked state and then unclicking (release), and turning the dragged pointing device held in the on state (or selected state) to the off state (or non- (Selection state). By dragging and dropping the first icon onto the second icon using the mouse, the process indicated by the second icon and the like are performed on the file indicated by the first icon. Such drag and drop is used for various operations. For example, to delete a folder, you can use the mouse to drag and drop the folder name to the trash can icon.

Drag-and-drop is a very useful function of the pointing device, but it needs to keep the drag state (the state in which the pointing device is kept on) for a certain period of time.

However, for example, if a personal computer is installed in a narrow place, the space for operating the mouse is limited, and it is difficult for the operator to smoothly operate the mouse and perform stable drag and drop operations. There was a problem. In particular, there is a problem that it is difficult for an operator to smoothly operate a mouse to perform a stable drag-and-drop operation because a portable personal computer is often used in various places and in various places. Also, for example, in a case where a left-handed operator must use a right-handed mouse, since the user is not accustomed to operating a right-handed mouse, the mouse can be smoothly operated and stable drag and drop can be performed. There is a problem that it is difficult to perform a loop operation.

Similarly, a pointing device built into a portable personal computer Dragging and dropping with a vice is also recommended if the operator is unfamiliar with the operation or if the portable personal computer is used in a relatively unstable installation state such as on the operator's lap. ₀ there has been a P§ problem that it is difficult to perform a stable drag-and-drop operation to smoothly operate the device

If a stable drag-and-drop operation is not performed, the selected icon will be dropped while the selected icon is being moved to the desired icon, and it will be necessary to redo the drag-and-drop operation. Furthermore, if the selected icon is dropped on an icon other than the desired icon while the selected icon is being moved to the desired icon, an operation different from the intended operation is performed.

. For example, if the file icon is dropped on the trash icon while moving the file icon to the disk icon to store the file on the disk, the file will be deleted. In such ¾ ^, it is necessary to cancel an erroneously performed operation by an undo (Undo) function or the like, and then to perform the operation originally intended again.

Incidentally, the following is a conventional technique recognized by the present applicant.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-40018 Disclosure of the Invention

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful item selection method, an information processing device, and a computer-readable storage medium that solve the above problems.

A more specific object of the present invention is an item selection method, an information processing device, and a computer-readable storage medium capable of performing a stable item selection operation easily and relatively easily. It is to share trees.

Another object of the present invention is an item selection method in which an item displayed on a display screen is selected by a computer in accordance with an operation of a pointing device, wherein a cursor is positioned on a first item on the display screen. A selecting step of selecting the first item when the pointing device is in a selected state in a state of being located at When the pointing device in the state is switched to the non-selection state while being dragged so that the cursor moves in the predetermined direction on the display screen, the first item exists on the extension line in the predetermined direction. And a drop step of dropping on the second item to be selected. According to the item selecting method of the present invention, a stable and simple item selecting operation can be performed with a relatively simple operation.

Still another object of the present invention is an item selection method for selecting an item displayed on a display screen by a computer in accordance with an operation of a pointing device, wherein a cursor is moved to a first item on the display screen. A selecting step of selecting the first item when the pointing device is in the selected state when the pointing device is in the upper position; and the pointing device in the selected state is displayed in a first direction on the display screen. When it is switched to the non-selection state while being dragged to move to the

And a drop step of dropping one item to a second item existing in a second direction set in advance. According to the item selecting method according to the present invention, a stable and simple item selecting operation can be performed with a relatively simple operation.

Another object of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for selecting an item displayed on a display screen according to an operation of a pointing device, wherein a cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen. And selecting means for selecting the first item when the pointing device is in a selected state in a state where the pointing device is in a selected state, and dragging the pointing device in the selected state so that the cursor moves in a predetermined direction on the display screen. While being switched to the non-selection state, a drop means for dropping the first item onto a second item existing on an extension of the predetermined direction is provided. Is to share. According to the information processing device of the present invention, a stable item selection operation can be performed easily and relatively easily.

Still another object of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for selecting an item displayed on a display screen in accordance with an operation of a pointing device, wherein the cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen. The pointing device is in the selected state Then, the selecting means for selecting the first item and the pointing device in the selected state are switched to the non-selected state while the cursor is dragged to move in the first direction on the display screen. And a drop unit for dropping the first item on a second item existing in a second direction set in advance. According to the information processing device of the present invention, a stable item selection operation can be performed easily and relatively easily.

Another object of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program for causing a computer to select an item displayed on a display screen in accordance with an operation of a pointing device. A selection procedure for causing the computer to select the first item when the pointing device is selected while the cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen; and When the pointing device in the selected state is switched to the non-selected state while the cursor is being dragged to move in the predetermined direction on the display screen, the first item is placed on an extension line in the predetermined direction. Drop procedure for dropping on an existing second item. Certain data readable storage medium to ¾ ^. According to the computer-readable storage medium of the present invention, a stable item selection operation can be performed easily and relatively easily.

Still another object of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to select an item displayed on a display screen in accordance with an operation of a pointing device, the computer program comprising: A selecting step for causing the computer to select the first item when the pointing device is selected while the cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen; and When the pointing device in the selected state is switched to a non-selected state while the cursor is being dragged to move in the first direction on the display screen, the first item is changed to a second set in advance. Dropping on a second item existing in the direction of A computer-readable storage medium. Departure According to the computer-readable storage medium that can be clarified, a stable item selection operation can be performed easily and relatively easily.

Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the description given below with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a personal computer, a perspective view,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the personal computer.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the software configuration for mouse control in the CPU,

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation mode determination process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the movement of items in the falling mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the movement of items in the falling mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the conversion of the display format of the item in the drop mode. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the item in the slow mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the movement of items in the slow mode,

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the conversion of the display format of the item in the slow mode.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the movement of an item in the reverse slow mode, FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the conversion of the display format of the item in the reverse slow mode,

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the cursor V in the drop mode. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the cursor in the drop mode. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the cursor control in the slow mode, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the cursor Vfi! Lj control in the reverse rotation mode. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an item selection method, an information processing apparatus, and a computer readout according to the present invention will be described. Each embodiment of a removable storage medium will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment of the information processing device employs an embodiment of the item selecting method according to the present invention and an embodiment of a storage medium readable by a computer according to the present invention. In the present embodiment of the information processing device 3, the present invention is applied to a personal computer. This embodiment of the computer-readable storage medium is constituted by a recording medium storing a computer program for causing a personal computer to perform item selection in this embodiment of the item selection method. The type of the recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be any recording medium capable of storing a computer program in a readable manner by a computer. Examples of the recording medium include a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory device. Including.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a personal computer. The personal computer 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a main body 101 incorporating a CPU, a disk drive, and the like, and a display 100 for displaying an image on a display screen 102 a according to an instruction from the main body 101. 2.Keyboard for inputting various information into personal computer 100,103.Display screen 102 of display 102.Specify any position on a 102a Mouse 104, External database And the like, and a modem 105 for accessing a computer or the like and downloading a computer program or the like stored in another computer. Power stored on a portable recording medium such as a CD 110, downloaded from a recording medium 106 of another computer via a network such as the Internet using a communication device such as a modem 105 The computer program is input to the personal computer 100 and executed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the personal computer 100. The main unit 101 consists of a CPU 201 connected via a path 200, a memory unit 202 consisting of RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc., and a disk drive 203 for CD 110. And one or more hard disk drives (HDDs) 204. Here, for convenience of explanation, the display 102, the keyboard 103, the mouse 104, etc. are also connected to the bus 200, but these are directly connected to the CPU 201. Needless to say, a configuration may be used. Also, use a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk instead of CD100: ^ indicates disk drive 2 03 may be changed to a magnetic disk drive or a magneto-optical disk drive. Note that the pointing device is not limited to the mouse 104, but may be any other device that has the same eating and drinking g as the mouse 104 and is capable of performing a drag-and-drop operation. Further, the pointing device may be incorporated in a personal computer.

It is needless to say that the personal computer 100 is not limited to the desktop type as shown in FIG. 1, but may be a portable type. Further, the basic configuration of the personal computer 100 is not limited to the basic configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but is configured so that an item displayed on the display screen by a pointing device can be selected. I just want it.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration for controlling the mouse 104 in the CPU 201. The software configuration shown in FIG. 3 includes a hardware (mouse) control unit 30, a processing mode control unit 31, and an item conversion control unit 32.

The mouse control unit 30 includes a hardware control module 301 and a timer interrupt control module 302. The hardware control module 301 detects movement of the mouse 104, click (selection state), unclick (non-selection state), drag state, etc. based on the output of the mouse 104, and displays the display screen 1 The position of the cursor to be displayed on 02a is calculated according to the processing mode output from the processing mode control unit 31 described later, and is supplied to the display control unit in the CPU 201. In the following description, the movement of the mouse 104 refers to the movement of the mouse 104 in an unclicked (non-selected state), and the dragging of the mouse 104 refers to the movement of the mouse in a click (selected state). Point 104 movement. The timer interrupt control module 302 measures the time during which the mouse 104 is held down without being dragged while being clicked (selected state), and interrupts when the measured time reaches a predetermined time, for example. Is generated and the hardware control module 301 is notified.

The processing mode controller 31 includes a normal control module 311, a drop mode control module 312, a slow mode control module 3113, and a reverse rotation mode control module 3114. The processing mode controller 31 selects the mouse 104 obtained from the hardware controller 301, selects the non-selected state and stands, and the timer interrupt controller. Based on the timing of the interrupt from the 302, it is determined whether the operation mode of the mouse 104 is a shift between the normal mode, the drop mode, the mouth-to-mouth mode, and the reverse mouth-to-mouth mode. Detect and activate the mode control module corresponding to the detected operation mode among the mode control modules 311 to 314.

The normal control module 311 outputs, to the hard disk control module 310, control information of a cursor enabling operation of the mouse 104 in the normal mode and item information to be described later. The normal mode is an operation mode in which a conventional operation using the mouse 104 can be performed. Therefore, in the normal mode, the conventional drag-and-drop operation can be performed.

The drop mode control module 312 outputs, to the hardware control module 3101, cursor control information that enables the mouse 104 to operate in the drop mode and item information to be described later. The slow mode control module 3 13 outputs to the hardware control module 301 the control information of the cursor that enables the mouse 104 to operate in the slow mode and the item information described later. The reverse rotation mode control module 314 outputs to the hardware control module 301 the control information of the cursor enabling the mouse 104 to operate in the reverse rotation single mode and the item information described later. The drop mode, slow mode, and reverse slow mode will be described later.

The item control unit 32 includes an item conversion module 32 1. The item conversion module 3 2 1 activates the item information required to display the item such as the icon selected by the mouse 10 4 on the display screen 10 2 a among the modules 3 1 1 to 3 14 The display mode is converted into a display format corresponding to the operation mode controlled by the selected mode control module, and output to the hardware control module 301 via the processing mode control unit 31. Thus, the operator can know the current operation mode of the mouse 104 by looking at the display format of the item that moves on the display screen 102a in response to the operation of the mouse 104.

Next, a process of determining the operation mode of the mouse 104 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation mode determination process. The mouse control unit 30, the processing mode control unit 31, and the item conversion control unit 32 in the CPU 201 have the same functions. Done by For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operation mode of the mouse 104 is set to the normal mode in the initial state.

In FIG. 4, step S1 detects that this item is selected when the mouse 104 is clicked while the cursor is positioned on an item such as an icon displayed on the display screen 102a. Then, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the clicked state (selected state) is maintained for the time t1. If the decision result in the step S2 is NO, the process advances to a step S11 to control the cursor (icon) in the normal mode, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S2 is YES, a step S3 converts the display format of the currently selected item into a display format in the drop mode. Step S4 changes the current operation mode to the drop mode. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the clicked state (selected state) is maintained for the time t2. If the decision result in the step S5 is NO, the process advances to a step S11 to perform the cursor control in the drop mode, and the process ends.

If the decision result in the step S5 is YES, a step S6 converts the display format of the currently selected item into the display format of the slow mode. Step S7 changes the current operation mode to the slow mode. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the click state (selected state) is maintained during the time t3. If the decision result in the step S8 is NO, the process advances to a step S11 to perform the control of the cursor V in the slow mode, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S8 is YES, a step S9 converts the display format of the currently selected item into the display format of the reverse rotation mode. A step S10 changes the current operation mode to the reverse rotation mode. In this ^ \ step S 11, the control is performed in the reverse rotation mode, and the process ends.

In FIG. 4, the operation mode is determined according to the clicked state (selected state) of the mouse 104 (the selected state) S. The operation mode is not limited to this. For example, if the mouse 104 is provided with an operation mode selection button, the operation mode may be determined according to the operated operation mode selection button. Also display An operation mode selection button may be displayed on the screen 102a so that a desired operation mode can be selected with the mouse 104 or the like.

Next, the cursor control in the drop mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams illustrating the movement of items in the drop mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the conversion of the display format of the item in the drop mode. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the item to be moved is the icon 51 corresponding to the file, and the item to which the icon 51 is moved is the icon 52 corresponding to the recycle bin.

In the drop mode shown in Fig. 5, drag the icon 51 at position P1 on the display screen 102a to the left as shown by the arrow to position P3, and then unclick (unselected state). Then, the icon 51 automatically falls vertically downward from the position P3, and is dropped onto the icon 52 at the position P4. Drag the icon 51 at position P 2 on the display screen 102 a diagonally to the upper left as shown by the arrow to position P 3, and then unclick (unselect) the icon 51. Automatically falls vertically downwards and is dropped on icon 52 at position P4. In this way, when the mouse 104 is switched to the non-selection state while dragging the icon 51 in the first direction, the item 51 is moved from the position P 3 on the display surface 102 a at the time of the switching. The icon 51 is automatically moved in the second direction different from the first direction, so that if the icon 52 exists in the second direction, the icon 51 is dropped on the icon 52.

The first and second directions are not particularly limited as long as the directions are different from each other. However, assuming that the second direction is a downward direction on the display screen 102a as shown in FIG. 5, the operator moves the icon 51 as if the icon 51 were to fall freely due to gravity. ¾m so that you can use it,

In the drop mode shown in FIG. 6, the icon 51 located at the position P1 on the display screen 102a is horizontally dragged leftward toward the predetermined position P6 as indicated by an arrow. When the user unclicks (deselects) at the position P5 before S1 ~ 6, the icon 51 passes from the position P1 through the position P5 to the predetermined position P6, and from the predetermined position P6 Automatically drop vertically down to the icon 52 at position P 4 Dropped. The mouse 104 is unclicked at position P5 while continuing the drag operation ^^, so even after unclicking, the icon 51 changes to the position P3 on the virtual line connecting position P1 and position P5. Keep moving towards. In the following description, such an operation is called a drag-and-throw operation. However, at the predetermined position P6, a virtual wall is provided that prohibits the movement of the icon 51 in the upward, downward, right, or left directions (left direction in FIG. 6) beyond the predetermined position P6. Or if the icon 51 enters the area of the predetermined position P6, it is prohibited to move in the moving direction up to that point and freely falls downward. In addition, the icon 51 at the position P2 on the display screen 102a is obliquely dragged toward the predetermined position P6 as indicated by the arrow toward the upper left, and the icon 51 before the predetermined position P6 is reached. When a drag-and-throw operation is performed by clicking (unselecting) at position P5, icon 51 passes from position P2 to position P6 through position P5, and from position P6. It is automatically dropped vertically and dropped on icon 52 at position P4. As described above, when the drag-and-swipe operation of switching the mouse 104 to the non-selection state while dragging the icon 51 in the first direction is performed, the icon 51 is displayed on the display screen 1 at the time of the switching. 0 2 Continue moving in the first direction on a virtual straight line connecting the position P5 of the cursor (icon 51) on the a and the movement start position position P1 (or position P2), and move to the predetermined position P6. When the icon 52 is present in the second direction, the icon 51 is dropped on the icon 52 because the icon 51 automatically moves in the second direction different from the first direction.

The first and second directions are not particularly limited as long as the directions are different from each other. However, assuming that the second direction is a downward direction on the display screen 102a as shown in FIG. 6, the operator moves the icon 51 as if moving the stone 51 as if the icon 51 were falling freely by gravity. Since it can be woven, it is easy to use and use.

In the drop mode, at least one of the display formats selected by the cursor or the mouse 104 is converted to a display format different from the display format other than the icon selected by the mouse 104, and the display screen 1 0 2 Displayed at a. FIG. 7 (a) shows the icon 51 moving in the first direction toward the position P3 in FIG. 5 or the predetermined position P6 in FIG. 6, in which case, for example, the icon is displayed as an arrow. The display format cursor has been converted to display format so that it is displayed as a container 61 for carrying icons 51. FIG. 7 (b) shows the icon 51 moving in the second direction toward the position P4 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in which case the cursor is an input for carrying the icon 51; The display format has been converted so that it is displayed as a frame 62 with an open bottom. In FIG. 7, the display format of the cursor is changed according to the moving direction of the icon 51.When the icon 51 is moved in the force drop mode, the display format of the cursor is changed to a single display format. It may be fixed.

Next, the cursor control in the slow mode will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams illustrating the movement of items in the slow mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the conversion of the display format of the item in the slow mode. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the item to be moved is the icon 51 corresponding to the file / file, and the item to which the icon 51 is moved is the icon 52 corresponding to the recycle bin.

In the mouth-to-mouth mode shown in FIG. 8, the icon 51 at the position P11 on the display screen 102a is dragged obliquely to the upper left toward the position P13 as indicated by an arrow. If you click (unselect) the position P 1 2 before moving to the position P 13 from the position P 13, the icon 51 passes from the position P 11 through the position P 12 to the position P 13, and the position Dropped on icon 52 on P13. This: ^, the drag and swipe operation described above is performed, so if you click the mouse 104 at position P 12 while continuing the drag operation, the icon 51 will remain at position P 1 Continue to move toward position P 13 on the imaginary line connecting 1 and position P 12. However, since the icon 52 exists at the position P13 on the virtual straight line, the icon 51 is dropped on the icon 52 when the icon 51 reaches the position P13. Note that the icon 51 can be dragged and thrown in any direction. If the drag and throw operation is performed along a virtual line connecting the icon 51 and the icon 52 to which the icon 51 is dropped. good.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the movement when the moving icon 51 exceeds the display range of the display screen 102a. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Is omitted. FIG. 9 shows a case where the icon 51 is dragged and thrown on the virtual female obliquely to the upper left, and the icon 51 is moved for convenience of explanation.

It is assumed that no other icon exists on W (virtual 镍). Icon to move

When 51 exceeds the upper boundary of the display range upward, as shown in Fig. 9, the icon 51 starts to appear at the intersection of the opposite lower boundary of the display range and the virtual, Move upwards on top.

Similarly, when the moving icon 51 crosses the lower boundary of the display range in the downward direction, the icon 51 starts to be displayed from a portion where the opposite upper boundary of the display range and the virtual cross, and the virtual ¾1 Move down Izumigami. Further, when the moving icon 51 crosses the right boundary of the display range to the right, the icon 51 starts to be displayed from the intersection of the opposite left boundary of the display range and the virtual color, and the virtual resource is displayed. Move to the right. Similarly, when the moving icon 51 crosses the left boundary of the display range to the left, the icon 51 starts to be displayed from the intersection of the opposite right boundary of the display range and the virtual, and the virtual fountain Move up to the left.

Therefore, if the icon 51 is dragged and thrown so as to move on the virtual line, it can be dropped on the icon existing on the virtual line regardless of the direction of the drag-and-mouth operation. When two or more icons exist on the virtual straight line, the moving icon 51 may be dropped on the first intersecting icon.

Also in the case of the drop mode, the icon 51 has exceeded the display range of the display screen 102a: For ^, processing similar to: ^ in the slow mode described above with reference to FIG. it can.

In the slow mode, at least one display format of the icon selected by the cursor or the mouse 104 is converted into a display format different from the display format other than when the icon is selected by the mouse 104, and the display screen 100 is displayed. Displayed in 2a. FIG. 10 (a) shows the icon 51 selected at the position P 11 in FIG. 8. The cursor of the display format displayed as ^^, for example, the X mark indicates that the icon 51 has been selected. The display format has been converted so that it is displayed as an arrow 71 indicating. Fig. 10 (b) is the result of drag and throw in Fig. 8. The icon 51 indicates that the icon 51 is moving toward the position P13, and the cursor is displayed in a format such that the icon 51 is displayed as a double arrow 72 indicating that the icon 51 is moving by a drag-and-throw operation. Has been converted.

Next, the control of the cursor 1 in the reverse rotation mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating movement of items in the reverse rotation mode. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the conversion of the display format of the item in the reverse rotation mode. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the item to be moved is the icon 51 corresponding to the file, and the item to which the icon 51 is moved is the icon 52 corresponding to the recycle bin.

In the reverse rotation mode shown in FIG. 11, the icon 51 at the position P 21 on the display screen 102 a is dragged diagonally to the upper right toward the position P 13 as indicated by the arrow, and the position P When the user unclicks (deselects) 2 2, the icon 5 1 moves from the position P 2 2 on the virtual connecting the position P 1 2 and the position P 12 in the direction opposite to the drag direction. P23 is reached and dropped to the icon 52 at position P23. That is, reverse drag and throw is performed. In this ^^, the reverse drag-and-dice operation is performed. If the mouse 104 is clicked at the position P22 while continuing the drag operation, the icon 51 changes to the drag direction after the click. Continues to move in the opposite direction to the position P 23 on the path connecting the position P 21 and the position P 22. However, since the icon 52 exists at the position P 23 on this virtual straight line, the icon 51 is dropped on the icon 52 when the icon S reaches the S position P 23. The icon 51 can be dragged and thrown in any direction, and the drag and throw operation can be performed along a virtual straight line connecting the icon 51 and the icon 52 to which the icon 51 is dropped. .

Also in the case of the inverted mouth mode, when the icon 51 exceeds the display range of the display screen 102a, the same processing as that of the mouth mode described with reference to FIG. 9 can be performed.

Therefore, when the icon 51 is dragged and reversed to move on the virtual, the icon 51 can be dropped on the icon existing on the virtual male regardless of the slowing direction of the reverse drag and throw operation. Note that two or more icons In order for the icon to exist, the moving icon 51 should drop to the first intersecting icon.

In the reverse rotation mode, at least one of the icons selected by the cursor and the mouse 104 is converted into a display format different from the display format other than the icon selected by the mouse 104, and the display screen 10 is displayed. 2 Display on a. FIG. 12 (a) shows the icon 51 selected at the position P 21 in FIG. 11, and the cursor of the display format displayed as; ^, for example, as an X mark, has the icon 51 selected. The display format has been converted to be displayed as an arrow 81 indicating that. FIG. 12 (b) shows the icon 51 moving to the position P23 by reverse drag-and-throw in FIG. 11; The display format has been converted so that it is displayed as a double arrow 82 indicating that it is moving by operation. Next, cursor (item) control according to the determined operation mode is performed together with Fig. 13 explain.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating cursor (item) control in the drop mode, which is performed by the mouse control unit 30, the processing mode control unit 31, and the item conversion control unit 32 in the CPU 201. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the operation mode of the mouse 104 is set to the drop mode as described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 13, in step S 21, the operation mode is determined to be the drop mode shown in FIG. 5 by the processing shown in FIG. In step S22, the position information relating to the position P1 (or P2) at which the dragging of the mouse 104 to start selecting the icon 51 in FIG. 5 is started is stored. A step S23 stores the position information on the position P3 where the icon 51 dragged from the position P1 is released by the clicking of the mouse 104, and releases the dragged state. In step S24, the icon 51 is forcibly moved from the position P3 along the virtual fiber in a predetermined direction (the vertical direction of "^", downward).

In step S25, it is determined whether or not the moving icon 51 has exceeded the lower boundary line of the display range of the display screen 102a in the downward direction, and if the judgment result is NO, After processing Proceed to step S27 to be described. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S25 is YES, a step S26 forcibly moves the position of the cursor (icon 51) to the intersection between the virtual It! Spring and the upper boundary line of the display range. . Needless to say, the same processing as in steps S25 and S26 may be performed along the right boundary line and the left boundary line of the display range.

In step S27, it is determined whether or not the icon 52 exists in the moving direction of the icon 51 along the virtual straight line; ^ is determined. If the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S Proceed to 2 9. If the decision result in the step S 27 is YES, a step S 28 decides whether or not the program (under the rooster 3) indicated by the icon 52 supports the icon 51, If the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S30 described later. If the decision result in the step S27 or S28 is NO, a step S29 switches the operation mode from the drop mode to the normal mode when a cancel operation or the like is performed and the cursor returns to the position P1.

A step S30 executes a program supported by the icon 52 using the information on the dropped icon 51 as a parameter, and the process ends. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining cursor (item) control in the drop mode, which is performed by the mouse control unit 30, the processing mode control unit 31, and the item conversion control unit 32 in the CPU 201. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operation mode of the mouse 104 is set to the drop mode as described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 14, the same steps as those in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 14, in step S 21, the operation mode is determined to be the drop mode shown in FIG. 6 by the processing shown in FIG. In step S22, the position information relating to the position P1 (or P2) at which the mouse 104 was clicked to select the icon 51 in FIG. 5 and the drag was started is stored. A step S23 stores the position information on the position P where the icon 51 dragged from the position P1 is released by the clicking of the mouse 104, and releases the drag state. In step S34, the icon 51 is displayed in a first direction (positions) of the force P1 (or P2) toward the position Px on a virtual line connecting the position P1 (or P2) and the position PX. , Left direction). In step S35, it is determined whether or not the moving icon 51 has exceeded the left boundary line of the display range of the display screen 102a in the left direction, and if the judgment result is NO, the processing is terminated. Proceed to step S37 to be described. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S35 is YES, a step S36 forcibly moves the position of the cursor (icon 51) to the intersection between the virtual S and the right boundary line of the display range. It goes without saying that the same processing as in steps S35 and S36 may be performed on the upper boundary line and the lower boundary line of the display range.

A step S37 determines whether or not the force has reached the position P6 at which the cursor 51 restricts movement in the first direction. When the determination result of step S37 becomes YESS, step S38 forcibly moves the icon 51 from the position P6 in a second direction (the downward direction) different from the first direction, The process proceeds to step S27.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the cursor (item) control in the slow mode. The mouse control unit 30, the processing mode control unit 31, and the item conversion control unit 32 in the CPU 201 operate as follows. Done. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operation mode of the mouse 104 is set to the slow mode as described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 15, the same steps as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 15, in step S21, the operation mode is determined to be the slow mode shown in FIG. 8 by the processing shown in FIG. In step S22, the position information relating to the position P11 at which the drag was started with the mouse 104 tick-selected to select the icon 51 in FIG. 8 is stored. A step S23 stores the position information on the position P12 where the icon 51 dragged from the position P11 has been released by clicking the mouse 104, and releases the dragged state. In step S34, the icon 51 is moved in the first direction from the position P11 to the position P12 on a virtual line connecting the position P11 and the position P12 (this ^, (Upper left).

If the decision result in the step S27 or S28 is NO, a step S39 changes the operation mode from the slow mode to the normal mode when the cursor returns to the position P11 by performing a cancel operation or the like. Switch.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating cursor (item) control in the slow mode. The mouse control unit 30, the processing mode control unit 31, and the like in the CPU 201 are shown in FIG. And the item conversion control unit 32. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operation mode of the mouse 104 is set to the reverse rotation slow mode as described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 16, the same steps as those in FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 16, step S 21 changes the operation mode by the process shown in FIG. Decide on slow mode. In step S22, the position information relating to the position P21 where the dragging of the mouse 104 to start selecting the icon 51 in FIG. 11 is started. A step S23 stores the position information on the position P22 where the icon 51 dragged from the position P21 is released by clicking the mouse 104, and releases the drag state. In step S44, the icon 51 is displayed in the first direction from the position P22 to the position P21 on the virtual S spring connecting the position P21 and the position P22 (this; ^, upper left direction ). If the decision result in the step S 27 or S 28 is NO, a step S 49 changes the operation mode from the reverse slow mode to the normal mode when the cursor returns to the position P 11 by performing a cancel operation or the like. Switch to mode.

As described above, the movement trajectory of the moving item is indicated by displaying the current position of the item. However, in addition to this, it is also possible to show the movement trajectory of the item moving on the virtual screen by displaying the virtual screen / line. The virtual 锒 may be obtained and displayed from the start point and the end point of the drag. In this case, since the movement trajectory of the movement of the item itself is displayed, it is possible to easily intersect the movement of the item with the drop destination.

In addition, the display format of at least one of the cursor and the selected item is made different in each operation mode (normal mode, drop mode, slow mode, and reverse slow mode) so that the operator can easily recognize the operation mode. May be. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

The scope of the claims

Item selection method selected by computer first,

A step of selecting the first item when the pointing device is in a selected state in a state where the cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen; and When the cursor is switched to a non-selection state while being dragged to move in a predetermined direction on the display screen, a drop step of dropping the first item to a second item existing on an extension of the predetermined direction; An item selection method, comprising:

2. The item selection according to claim 1, wherein the drop step moves the first item in the predetermined direction when the pointing device is switched to the non-selection state. Method.

3. The drop step, wherein, when the pointing device is switched to the non-selected state, the first item is moved in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Item selection method described.

4. The item selection method according to claim 2, wherein the drop step is to drop on a second item that is first encountered during the movement of the first item.

5. The method further comprises: displaying on the display screen the movement of the first item on the extension line until the first item is dropped on the second item. The method for selecting an item according to claim 1, wherein the item is selected from claims 1 to 4.

6. Respond to the operation of the 'vice displayed on the display screen. Item selection method selected by computer first,

A step of selecting the first item when the pointing device is in a selected state with the cursor positioned on the first item on the display screen; and the pointing device in the selected state includes: When the cursor is switched to the non-selection state while being dragged to move in the first direction on the display screen, the first item is changed to a second item existing in a preset second direction. And a drop step for dropping the item.

7. The drop step moves the first item in the second direction from a position on the display screen when the pointing device is switched to the non-selected state, 7. The item selection method according to claim 6, wherein:

8. When the pointing device is switched to the non-selected state, the drop step moves the first item in the first direction, and then moves the second item from a predetermined position on the display screen. 7. The item selecting method according to claim 6, wherein the item is moved in the direction of.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first direction is a direction other than the vertical direction on the display screen, and the second direction is the vertical direction. Item selection method.

10. The level shift according to claim 6, wherein the first direction is a direction other than the horizontal direction on the display screen, and the second direction is the horizontal direction. Item selection method described.

11. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: displaying a movement of the first item on the display screen until the first item is dropped on the second item. Item selection method according to any one of Items 6 to 10.

1 2. An information processing unit that selects items displayed on the display screen according to the operation of the pointing device,

On the display screen, when the pointing device is in a selected state while the cursor is positioned on the first item, a selecting means for selecting the first item; and the pointing device in the selected state includes: Drop means for dropping the first item to a second item existing on an extension in the predetermined direction when the cursor is switched to a non-selected state while being dragged to move in a predetermined direction on the display screen; An information processing device, comprising:

13. The claim according to claim 12, wherein said drop means moves said first item in said predetermined direction when said pointing device is switched to said non-selected state. Information processing device.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the drop unit moves the first item in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction when the pointing device is switched to the non-selected state. Information processing described in section.

15. The information processing method according to claim 13, wherein the drop means is dropped on a second item that is first encountered while the first item is moving. 15. apparatus.

16. The display device further comprises display means for displaying, on the display screen, a movement trajectory of the first item on the extension line until the first item is dropped on the second item. The information processing device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein:

1 7. An information processing unit that selects items displayed on the display screen in accordance with the operation of the pointing device.

On the display screen, position the cursor on the first item with the cursor positioned on the first item. Selecting means for selecting the first item when the pointing device is in a selected state; and the pointing device in the selected state is in a non-selected state while being dragged so that the cursor moves in a first direction on the display screen. An information processing device comprising: a drop unit for dropping the first item to a second item existing in a second direction set in advance when the first item is switched to the second item.

18. The drop means moves the first item in the second direction from a position on the display screen when the pointing device is switched to the non-selected state. The information processing device according to claim 17.

19. When the pointing device is switched to the non-selected state, the drop unit moves the first item in the first direction, and then moves the second item from a predetermined position on the display screen to the second item. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the information processing apparatus moves in a direction.

20. The level shift according to claim 17, wherein the first direction is a direction other than the vertical direction on the display screen, and the second direction is the vertical direction. The information processor described in item 1.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the first direction is a direction other than the horizontal direction on the display screen, and the second direction is the horizontal direction. The information processing device according to the item.

2 2. The display device further comprises display means for displaying the movement of the first item »on the display screen until the first item power S is dropped on the second item. The information processing device according to any one of claims 17 to 21.

2 3. The computer that stores the computer program that allows the computer to select items displayed on the display screen in accordance with the operation of the pointing device. A computer readable storage medium, wherein the computer program causes the computer to execute the pointing device force s when the cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen and the pointing device force s is selected. (Selecting hand to select item 1)

When the pointing device in the selected state is switched to the non-selected state while the cursor is being dragged to move in a predetermined direction on the display screen, the first item is changed to ^ Jf. A computer-readable storage medium comprising: a drop hand ji! I for dropping on a second item existing on an extension in a fixed direction.

2 4. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program for causing a computer to select an item displayed on a display screen in accordance with an operation of a pointing device, the computer program comprising:

A selecting means for causing the computer to select the first item when the pointing device is selected while the cursor is positioned on the first item on the display screen;

When the pointing device in the selected state is switched to the non-selected state while the cursor is dragged to move in the first direction on the display screen, the first item is set in advance. Computer-readable storage medium comprising: dropping a second item existing in a second direction.