JPH11143677A - Pointer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointer device with high operability/degree of freedom. SOLUTION: The pointer device 10 is displayed in a translucent form transmitting background screens 12-1 to 12-n displayed on a screen 14. Thus, the display of the background screen containing a point object is not interrupted even if the display size of the pointer device is enlarged. Thus, the pointer device can be displayed in a desired visual size and user friendly input environment can be supplied. Since the size of the pointer device can freely be set, the degree of freedom on the design of the pointer device increases and the form of the pointer can freely be selected in accordance with the use environment of a computer. Thus, intuitive input is realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointer device, and more particularly, to changing a display position on a display screen of a display device in response to an operation of an input device such as a mouse and transmitting a predetermined input signal. A pointer device that can be generated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a GUI (Graphical U.S.
2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of a service (Ser Interface) environment, the importance of a pointer device capable of freely moving on a display screen of a display device such as a monitor and performing a predetermined input operation has been increasing.

[0003] A typical pointer device employed in a personal computer or the like can be controlled by an input device such as a mouse. A general mouse holds a rotatable ball on the back, and when the mouse is operated on a plane such as a mouse pad so that the ball rotates,
The rotation direction and the rotation amount of the ball are detected by a sensor, and the pointer device displayed on the display screen can be moved to a desired position according to the rotation direction and the rotation amount. Further, a DOS / V compatible mouse is provided with two buttons, left and right, and presses either of the left and right buttons (hereinafter, such a pressing operation of the mouse button is referred to as "click"). Thus, it is possible to generate a predetermined command signal corresponding to the position of the pointer device on the screen and cause the program to execute a predetermined sequence. In addition to clicking the left or right button alone, the click operation may be a "double-click" operation in which the click is repeated twice at the same position, or the purpose of selecting a given object with the object selected Although there is a "drag" operation of moving the mouse to a position and dropping the mouse, such a mouse operation is well known to those skilled in the art, and is not directly related to the pointer device according to the present invention. Therefore, detailed description will be omitted.

[0004] Such a conventional pointer device typically has a hollow arrow shape, and is configured to select an object displayed on the desktop screen at the tip thereof. Alternatively, a pointer device with a predetermined character shape,
Furthermore, a dynamic pointer device displayed as a moving image has been proposed.

[0005]

By the way, the conventional pointer device is usually displayed on the desktop as an opaque object having a predetermined color.
For this reason, there has been a problem that the object must be displayed with a relatively small size so as not to hinder other objects from being displayed, and it is difficult to find a position on the screen. Further, there is a problem that even if it is desired to construct a desired character shape or animation, it is not possible to make the shape too complicated due to dimensional restrictions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional pointer device. Even if a relatively large size is displayed, it does not hinder other objects from being displayed. However, it is easy to find, and it is possible to make the shape complicated regardless of the size. Therefore, it is possible to make the shape more user-friendly, more intuitive and friendly. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved pointer device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a display position on a display screen of a display device is changed according to an operation of an input device, and a predetermined input signal is transmitted. A pointer device is provided that can be generated. The pointer device is characterized in that the pointer device is displayed in a semi-transparent shape that passes through a background screen displayed on the display screen.

According to this configuration, even if the display size of the pointer is enlarged, the display of the background screen including the point target is not obstructed, so that the pointer can be displayed in a desired size that is easy to see. It is possible to provide a friendly input environment.

Further, according to the present invention, since the size of the pointer can be freely set, the degree of freedom of the pointer design is increased, and the shape of the pointer can be freely selected according to the use environment of the computer. It is possible to provide a more intuitive input environment.

Further, if an information window for displaying predetermined information is displayed in the vicinity of the pointer device, for example, information necessary in the vicinity of an object for which help display is required can be provided. Can be displayed, and a more user-friendly input environment can be constructed. Further, if the pointer is configured in a predetermined character shape and information is displayed in a balloon of the character, it is possible to give an impression that the character speaks directly to the user.

Furthermore, the pointer device has distance information, and the display state is switched between translucent and opaque according to the distance information. Then, a more flexible display method according to the application becomes possible. For example, even when displaying in the three-dimensional mode, it is possible to perform an operation by arranging a pointer on the back surface of the object.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
A preferred embodiment of the pointer device constructed according to the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same configuration and function will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a pointer device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The pointer device 10 is displayed in a window 14 in which a plurality of objects 12-1 to 12-n are displayed. The greatest feature of the pointer device 10 is that it has an arrow shape like the conventional pointer device, but is displayed in a semi-transparent shape that passes through a background screen displayed on the display screen.
That is, in the illustrated example, the object 12-3 is selected by the pointer device 10 having a larger size than the objects 12-1 to 12-n displayed on the desktop, but the pointer device 10 is translucent. Since it is displayed in the shape, the display of the object 12-3 is not hindered. As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the display size of the pointer is enlarged to such an extent that it cannot be adopted conventionally because it hinders the display of other objects, display of the background screen including the point target is prevented. Nothing. Therefore, the user can display the pointer in an easily viewable size as needed, and can provide a user-friendly input environment.

In the above embodiment, the pointer device 10 is formed in the shape of an arrow. However, the present invention is not limited to this example.
The pointer device can have various shapes. Further, the size of the pointer device 10 is not limited to the illustrated example,
It goes without saying that the size can be set to any size that is easy for the user to see.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a pointer device 20 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The pointer device 20 has a human-like character shape and is displayed on a desktop in a translucent shape. For example, from among the objects 12-1 to 12-n displayed on the desktop,
To select 3 and move it to the lower right corner of the window, operate the mouse as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the pointer device (hereinafter, referred to as a character pointer) 20 is brought close to the vicinity of the object 12-3, and the left mouse button is clicked there to select the object 12-3. . Then, the human-shaped character pointer 20 makes a gesture as if it grabbed the object 12-3. Therefore, when the character pointer 20 is moved in the lower right direction while clicking the left button of the mouse, the character pointer 20 is moved to the object 12-.
Move while doing the gesture of carrying 3. If the left button is released after dragging the object 12-3 to the target position by the character pointer 20, the object 12-3 is dropped at a desired position (lower right corner of the window).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the character pointer 20 is displayed in a semi-transparent manner, it is possible to display the character pointer 20 with a much larger size than before, and therefore, much more than before. Crab complex design, such as a doll-like character shape displayed on the desktop,
In addition, it is possible to cause the character pointer 20 to perform a complicated animation operation that has not been possible in the past. As a result, it is possible to perform a pointer operation that is more intuitive and more familiar.

FIG. 4 and FIG.
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in the case where 0 is made to perform a more user-friendly operation. In the GUI environment, various functions of the application are displayed on the desktop as icons that can be recognized intuitively. Nevertheless, it is difficult for a novice user to understand the functions of the icons. It is important to provide an environment where help is displayed. In this regard, in various current GUI environments, a configuration is adopted in which another window is opened and help is displayed in that window. However, since the association between icons that require information and windows related to the icons was not always clear, there was a point that it was difficult for a novice user to understand.

In this regard, according to the present embodiment, as a result of displaying the character pointer 20 in a semi-transparent state, it is possible to perform a free animation operation with a large size, and to provide a more user-friendly GUI environment. It became possible to do. For example, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Even if the character pointer 20 is moved to the vicinity of 2, the character pointer 20 is displayed in a translucent state, so that display of other background screens is not hindered. Then, when a desired icon 22 is selected and the right button of the mouse is clicked, an information window 2 relating to the icon 22 is displayed.
4 is displayed in a "speech balloon" shape. When help is selected from the information window 24, the character pointer 20 points to the corresponding icon 22 and displays the help window 26 in a "speech balloon" shape as shown in FIG. As a result, the user can operate the computer more intuitively and with peace of mind while receiving the impression that the character pointer 20 is speaking. For example, if the application is compatible with voice, it is more effective if the character pointer 20 performs an animation operation as shown in FIGS.

As described above, if the information window for displaying predetermined information is displayed near the pointer device, for example, the pointer device is immediately moved to the vicinity of the target for which the help display is required, and the necessary information is displayed. Information can be displayed, and a more user-friendly input environment can be constructed. Further, if the pointer is configured in a predetermined character shape and information is displayed in a balloon of the character, it is possible to give an impression that the character speaks directly to the user.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a human-shaped character pointer 20 capable of performing an animation operation is employed as the pointer device. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the present invention is not limited to such an example. It goes without saying that a character can be used as a pointer. The gist of the present invention is to make it possible to display a pointer device having a complicated and large size on a screen by enabling the pointer device to be displayed in a translucent shape. Whether the operation is performed is a secondary effect, and it goes without saying that a pointer device having any shape and operation can be adopted within the technical scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show still another embodiment of the pointer device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the character pointer 30 is employed as in the previous embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the character pointer 30 is operated in an OS environment capable of displaying a three-dimensional object. There are features.

Generally, an O that can display a three-dimensional object
In the S environment, an image object such as an icon displayed on a normal computer screen has depth information in addition to vertical and horizontal distance information. Therefore, an image object displayed on the computer screen has information on not only the area but also the volume, and the positional relationship between the objects changes in a complicated manner by an input operation such as a mouse or an operation of an application. In this regard, the conventional pointer device is displayed as a uniformly opaque colored object, and can be displayed only in a relatively small size due to the relationship with the background. It is easy to lose and is not suitable for operating a three-dimensional object in the three-dimensional mode as described above. However, according to the present embodiment, the pointer device is provided with distance information, and the display state of the pointer device is switched between translucent and opaque according to the distance information. A display method flexibly corresponding to such a three-dimensional mode is made possible.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a box 32 is displayed in the window 14 in a three-dimensional mode. In the box 32, there are a plurality of folders 34-1 to 3-4.
4-n are stacked. The folders 34-1 to 34-n in the box 32 can be accessed by entering the box 32 via the door 32a. To move the folder 34-1 in the box 32 to the lower right corner of the window 14, first, the character pointer 30 is moved to the front of the door 32a. In front of the door 32a, the left half of the character pointer 30 comes to a position hidden behind the box 32, so that the left half is translucently displayed, and is visually displayed as if turning around the back of the box 32. On the other hand, the right half of the character pointer 30 does not fall behind the box 32,
It is displayed in an opaque state. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the display state of the character pointer 30 is appropriately changed between transparent and opaque according to the positional relationship between the character pointer 30 and another object (the box 32 in this case). Since the character pointer 30 is switched,
It is easy to grasp the positional relationship on the desktop, and it is possible to provide a very user-friendly input environment.

Although not shown, if the character pointer 30 is placed in the box 32, the character pointer 30 is displayed in a completely translucent state. And
When the folder 34-1 displayed in a semi-transparent state in the box 32 is selected, and the user exits the door 32a again, the portion of the box 32 that does not enter the shade is displayed again. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the folder 32-1 is dragged by the character pointer 30 to a desired position (in the example shown, the lower right corner of the window), and dropped at that position, whereby the folder 32-1 is dropped. The move is completed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the display state of the pointer device is switched between translucent and opaque according to the distance information of each object displayed in the three-dimensional mode on the screen. Since the switching is performed appropriately, the positional relationship between the objects can be easily grasped visually, and the pointer operation in the three-dimensional mode can be easily performed.

According to the above embodiment, the display state of the pointer device is switched between translucent and opaque. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the display density of the pointer device switches appropriately according to the distance information between the objects.

Furthermore, when operating in the three-dimensional mode, the display state of the pointer device can always be kept translucent. Also in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the size of the pointer device can be made large, so that when operating a three-dimensional object, it is possible to make the mouse pointer go around the back side of the object.
In this regard, in the conventional pointer, the size is small, and when the object is turned around the back side of the object, the pointer is completely hidden and the operation is difficult. However, according to the present invention, the size of the pointer device can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to operate only a part of the pointer device in a hidden state, and it is possible to provide a user-friendly input environment.

While the preferred embodiment of the pointer device according to the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to this example. If you are a person skilled in the art,
It is clear that various changes or modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. .

[0029]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the pointer device is displayed in a semi-transparent shape that passes through the background screen displayed on the display screen, even if the display size of the pointer is enlarged, the point target can be displayed. Does not hinder the display of the background screen including the pointer, it is possible to display the pointer in a desired and easily viewable size, and it is possible to provide a user-friendly input environment. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the size of the pointer can be freely set, the degree of freedom in the design of the pointer can be increased, and the shape of the pointer can be freely selected according to the use environment of the computer. Input is possible.

Furthermore, if an information window for displaying predetermined information is displayed in the vicinity of the pointer device, for example, information necessary in the vicinity of an object for which help display is required is provided. Can be displayed, and a more user-friendly input environment can be constructed. Further, if the pointer is configured in a predetermined character shape and information is displayed in a balloon of the character, it is possible to give an impression that the character speaks directly to the user.

Further, the pointer device has distance information, and the display state is switched between translucent and opaque according to the distance information. Then, a more flexible display method according to the application becomes possible. For example, even when displaying in the three-dimensional mode, it is possible to perform an operation by arranging a pointer on the back surface of the object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state of a pointer device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Pointer device 12-1 to 12-n Object 14 Window

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pointer device capable of changing a display position on a display screen of a display device in accordance with an operation of an input device and generating a predetermined input signal, wherein the pointer device includes: A pointer device, which is displayed in a semi-transparent shape that passes through a background screen displayed on a display screen. 2. The pointer device according to claim 1, wherein an information window for displaying predetermined information is displayed near the pointer device. 3. The pointer device according to claim 1, wherein the pointer device has distance information, and a display state is switched between translucent and opaque according to the distance information. Pointer device.