JPH0997155A - Menu display method and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a sense of incompatibility and a sense of unease from being given to an operator unaccustomed to operation until display of the initial picture of a commanded processing by displaying a moving picture preliminarily prepared for introduction of this processing before execution of the processing. SOLUTION: A cursor is placed on the outside of an icon area on an initial picture 201, and the initial picture 201 is not changed as long as this state continues. When the cursor is brought to the inside of the icon area, a pictorial symbol of this icon is switched to an explanatory moving picture 202 explaining the processing contents of a program corresponding to the icon. When the cursor is brought to the outside of the icon area, the explanatory moving picture 202 is interrupted and is switched to the initial moving picture 201. When the button of a mouse is clicked with the cursor outside the icon area to give a command for execution of a processing, the picture is switched to a presentation moving picture 203 for connection from the menu picture to the processing picture. The presentation moving picture 203 is displayed once and is terminated, and the processing corresponding to the icon is executed to display the initial moving picture 201 of the processing device on the display device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a menu display method for an information processing apparatus controlled by software that employs a graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as GUI), and an information processing apparatus used for implementing these methods. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is important that information devices such as word processors, portable information terminals and personal computers are easy to use. In particular, an operator who is not accustomed to the operation often does not know how to perform the operation in order to obtain the desired result, and this incomprehensibleness makes the operation inconvenient.

Under these circumstances, recently, many information devices are equipped with a pointing device such as a mouse or a pen touch panel, and a GUI is used to select a required process in a menu format by the pointing device.
Equipped with launcher software that adopts.

This launcher software is designed to make the operation familiar. For example, as a menu screen, a picture of a town consisting of houses with signs is displayed.
Some kind of processing is associated with the signboard, and the signboard itself functions as a soft key for instructing execution of the processing.
A picture of a pen, a telephone or the like is drawn on the signboard, and this picture pattern has a role as a pictogram symbolically representing the content of the processing associated with the signboard. That is, the signboard with a picture of a pen functions as a softkey that commands the document editing process, and the signboard with a picture of a telephone functions as a softkey that commands the facsimile transmission process. Is represented.

When the cursor is placed on the signboard of the pen, the moving picture of the pen is displayed instead of the picture of the pen. When you put the cursor on the signboard of the phone,
Display a moving video of the handset. In other words, when the cursor is placed on a pictogram, the processing content associated with the pictogram is represented by using a moving image so that the processing content can be more easily understood and the operation can be familiar.

[0006]

A pictogram that functions as a soft key for instructing the execution of processing is an essential requirement for constructing a GUI and is called an icon. The processing content of the program associated with the icon is symbolically represented by the design. The extent to which the processing contents of the program can be understood from the pattern of this icon is related to the ease of use of the information device, and therefore its enhancement is required.

The launcher software is mentioned as an example of the device, and when the selected process is executed in the launcher software, the display screen is instantaneously switched from the menu screen to the processing screen. At this time, an operator unfamiliar with the operation feels that the menu processing is interrupted and the processing instructed to be executed suddenly starts. Therefore, some kind of device for solving such a problem has been demanded. On the other hand, as the operator becomes more proficient in the operation, he / she wants to quickly switch from the menu screen to the processing screen without waiting.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and when an icon on the menu screen is designated, a commentary moving image for explaining the processing of the program corresponding to the icon is displayed, When a command to execute the process associated with that icon is instructed, the menu screen is switched from the menu screen to the screen for executing the selected process smoothly. An object of the present invention is to provide a menu display method for displaying an icon to be displayed and an icon not to be displayed separately, and an information processing apparatus used to implement these methods.

[0009]

In the menu display method according to the first aspect of the present invention, a commentary animation for explaining a process corresponding to a soft key and an effect animation for producing the start of the process are prepared. Is displayed, a commentary moving image prepared in association with the soft key is displayed, and when execution of a process corresponding to the soft key is instructed by selecting the soft key, prepared in association with the soft key. It is characterized by displaying the directed animation.

Here, the effect animation refers to an animation created for the purpose of enhancing the visual effect when switching between the menu screen and the initial screen of the processing corresponding to the selected icon. This menu display method, when a soft key is instructed, displays a commentary video explaining the process corresponding to the soft key for the guideline of process selection, and when the execution of the process is instructed, the process is executed. Display the production video before executing.

In the menu display method according to the second aspect of the present invention, a moving image for introducing the process corresponding to the soft key is prepared in advance, and when the execution of the process corresponding to the soft key displayed is instructed, Either the first display area for displaying a moving image prepared in association with the soft key or the second display area for not displaying the moving image when instructed to execute the processing corresponding to the soft key displayed there. When a soft key is displayed and a predetermined soft key is selected, the first
The soft key displayed in the display area and the soft key displayed in the second display area may be replaced and displayed.

In this menu display method, whether or not to display a moving image is set for each soft key, and the setting is reversed by selecting a predetermined soft key.

The information processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention displays a commentary moving image display means for displaying on the display device a commentary moving image prepared in advance for explaining the process corresponding to the area, and starts the processing corresponding to the area. An effect moving image display means for displaying an effect moving image prepared in advance for effect on the display device, and an executing means for executing a process associated with the area after the display by the effect moving image display means is completed. Is characterized by.

This information processing apparatus, when a soft key is instructed, displays a commentary animation explaining the process associated with the soft key, and when the input key is instructed to execute the process associated with the area. Before the execution of the process, the effect moving image display means displays the effect moving image, and after the display is finished, the executing means executes the process.

The information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, when instructed to execute the process corresponding to the soft key displayed thereon, displays the commentary animation and the effect animation by the commentary animation display means and the effect animation display means. A means for displaying the soft key in the first display area to be displayed, and a means for displaying the soft key in the second display area which does not display the moving image when instructed to execute a process corresponding to the soft key displayed there. , A means for displaying the softkeys displayed in the first display area and the softkeys displayed in the second display area in an exchanged manner by selecting a predetermined softkey.

This information processing apparatus displays a soft key in either a first display area for displaying a moving image or a second display area for not displaying a moving image prior to the execution of the processing when a processing execution instruction is given, By selecting a predetermined soft key, the soft key displayed in the first display area and the soft key displayed in the second display area are switched and displayed. The menu display method according to the first aspect of the invention and the information processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention realize smooth switching from the menu screen to the processing screen. Further, with the menu display method according to the second aspect of the invention and the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to select whether or not to display a moving image prepared in advance for each icon prior to execution of the processing associated with the icon.

[0017]

1 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Reference numeral 101 is a mouse for inputting position information. The mouse 101 is connected to the computer 102 and inputs position information to the computer 102. The computer 102 is also connected to a keyboard 103 which is an input means and a display device 104 which is an output means. The display device 104 displays the menu screen according to the present invention, and reflects the position input to the computer 102 on the cursor position on the menu screen.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram according to the cursor position on the menu screen according to the present invention. When the process is started, the initial screen is displayed first (201). The cursor is outside the area of the icon on the initial screen 201, and the initial screen 201 is not changed as long as this state continues. When the cursor is moved within the area of the icon, the pictogram of the icon is switched to a commentary animation explaining the processing contents of the program associated with the icon (202). In this commentary animation 202, as long as the cursor is in the area of the icon, the commentary animation 202 is repeatedly displayed. When the cursor is moved out of the area of the icon, the commentary moving image 202 is interrupted and the initial screen 201 is displayed.

When the execution of the processing is instructed by clicking the button of the mouse 101 while the cursor is in the area of the icon, the production moving image is linked from the menu screen to the processing screen (203). The effect movie 203 is displayed once and then terminated, and the process corresponding to the icon is executed to execute the display device 10
The initial screen of the process is displayed on 4 (204). For example, when the execution of the document editing process is instructed, the screen is a screen in which a character input cursor is displayed at the upper left of the screen, and the document can be edited. When the process is completed, the initial screen 201 of the menu is displayed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the menu screen of the present invention. This menu screen is drawn in the image of a study. That is, there is a desk in the lower half of the screen,
Various icons are placed on it. The desk also has a drawer. There is a window in the center of the upper half of the screen,
There is a shelf in front of the wall on the right side of the window. There is a clock and calendar on the left wall of the window.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a document creation mode icon for instructing a document editing process, which is a document with a pen attached. When the cursor position is aligned with the document creation mode icon 301, a moving image of a pen running over the document is displayed as a commentary moving image (FIG. 4). When you instruct execution, make a screen that enlarges the desk as a production movie, pencil on the screen,
An eraser and a picture of a sheet of paper are displayed, and the entire display screen is scrolled downward by simulating a state where the viewpoint is moved to the upper part of the screen (FIG. 5). Then, when the display screen is filled with paper by scrolling, a character input cursor for receiving a character input is displayed at the upper left corner to display the initial screen of the document editing process (FIG. 6).

Reference numeral 302 denotes a postcard mode icon for instructing address registration processing or postcard creation processing, which has a pattern in which an address book and postcards are arranged. When the cursor position is matched with the postcard mode icon 302, a moving image of the postcard is displayed (commentary moving image, FIG. 7). When you order execution,
A moving image of a stack of sheets in the address book format is displayed along with an onomatopoeic sound (effect movie, Fig. 8). Then, the address registration process or the postcard creation process is executed.

Reference numeral 303 denotes an art mode icon for instructing a drawing process, which is a pattern in which a girl stands with a paintbrush having the same length as her height. In the effect animation when the execution of the process is commanded in the area of the art mode icon 303, a sketchbook-like input area is scroll-displayed from the upper part of the screen, and a paint palette-like toolbox is scroll-displayed from the lower part of the screen to a predetermined position. The state where the toolbox is stopped is the initial screen for drawing processing.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a user setting icon for instructing various settings of the document creation process, which is a table lamp design. When the command to execute the process is issued, the effect animation displays a picture of the operation panel consisting of switches and slide volume on the screen, and the entire display screen flashes for a moment. The switch or slide volume on the operation panel is operated by moving a hand-shaped cursor.

Reference numeral 307 denotes a process resuming icon for instructing resuming the editing process of an in-process document, which corresponds to the area of the drawer portion of the desk. The iconic animation is to open a drawer, take out a document from the inside, and arrange it on a desk. The picture of this document is the icon of the document file, and the operator selects the desired work-in-progress document from among them to restart the document editing process.

Reference numeral 305 denotes a print icon for instructing the printing of irregular-sized documents such as a paper stamp and a certificate of merit. The design of this icon looks like a printer, and the effect animation enlarges the size of the picture of the printer and ejects the paper on which the items of the print menu are printed from the ejection port. The operator issues an instruction to print a desired irregular document from this print menu.

Reference numeral 306 is a dictionary search icon attached to the device in the form of a database for instructing a search of an English-Japanese dictionary, a Japanese dictionary, or a proverb dictionary. This icon has a pattern with books with the spine facing, and the direction video is
The dictionary corresponding to the selected icon is enlarged and displayed, and the spine is displayed as an icon of another dictionary in the area outside the opened dictionary. The opened dictionary is a search menu, and the operator issues a required search from this search menu.

The picture on the shelf 308 is a display area of grouped icons, and icons 309 to 315 corresponding to respective processes are displayed in a list. Display area 30
The commentary animation and effect animation of the icon displayed in 8 are not displayed.

Reference numeral 315 is a swap icon for swapping the icon on the desk and the icon on the shelf, which has a globe design. When commands are issued, icons 301 to 3
06 is reduced in size and stored in a shelf, and in turn, icons 309 to 314 are enlarged in size and arranged on a desk with a sound effect for placing an object.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for displaying a moving image on the menu screen according to the present invention. In the figure, first, when the movement of the cursor is detected (S401),
It is determined whether or not the cursor position is in any area of the icons 301 to 306 on the desk (S402), and when it is in the area of the icon, a commentary moving image is displayed (S4).
03). For example, when it is in the area of the icon 301, a moving image of a pen running on a document is displayed as shown in FIG. Then, when the click of the button of the mouse 101 is detected while the commentary moving image is displayed (S404), the process shown in FIG.
As shown in, a moving image (drafting moving image) for scrolling the pencil, the eraser, and the picture on the paper displayed on the screen downward is displayed (S405). When the display screen is filled with paper by scrolling, the document editing process corresponding to the icon 301 is executed (S406), and the initial screen (FIG. 6) is displayed.

In S402, when the cursor position is not in any of the areas of the icons 301 to 306, the process is returned to S401 and waits until the movement of the cursor is detected. Further, in S404, while the click of the button of the mouse 101 is not detected, the processing is returned to S402, and the commentary moving image is repeatedly displayed as long as the cursor position is within the area of the icon currently displaying the commentary moving image.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure for replacing icons on the menu screen according to the present invention.
In the figure, first, when the movement of the cursor is detected (S5
01), the cursor position is the swap icon 31 in the shelf
It is determined whether or not it is in the area 5 (S502), and when it is in the area of the icon, it is determined that the button of the mouse 101 is clicked (S503). When a button click is detected, the icon 301 on the desk as described above
.. to 306 are reduced in size and stored in a shelf, and in turn, the icons 309 to 314 are enlarged and arranged on a desk with a sound effect for placing an object (S504).

The position at which the icon is displayed can be freely set by the operator. Therefore, when the display of the commentary video and the effect video is bothersome, the icon may be stored in the shelf. It is needless to say that the commentary animation and the effect animation do not necessarily need to be synchronized with the sound, and the same effect can be obtained even when the sound is not used.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the execution of the process corresponding to the icon is instructed by selecting the icon displayed on the menu screen, the process is introduced prior to the execution of the instructed process. By displaying a moving image prepared in advance, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that does not give a feeling of strangeness or anxiety to an operator who is not accustomed to the operation until the initial screen of the processing is displayed.

Whether or not to display a moving image prepared corresponding to an icon is divided according to the icon display area,
By setting the position of the icon at which the display of the moving image feels cumbersome in the display area where the moving image is not displayed, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that does not cause inconvenience to an operator who is skilled in operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a menu screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 Initial Screen 202 Explanatory Video 203 Rendering Video 301 Document Creation Mode Icon 302 Postcard Mode Icon 303 Art Mode Icon 304 User Settings Icon 305 Print Icon 306 Dictionary Search Icon 308 Icon Display Area

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A menu for displaying a plurality of soft keys for instructing execution of a process and selecting a soft key to instruct execution of a process associated with the soft key, which is a menu prior to execution of the process. In the display method, a commentary video for explaining the process corresponding to each soft key and a performance video that directs the start of the process are prepared, and when the soft key is instructed, the soft key is associated with the soft key. A menu display characterized by displaying a prepared commentary video and, when the execution of the process corresponding to the softkey is instructed by the selection of the softkey, the effect animation prepared in association with the softkey is displayed. Method. 2. A menu for displaying a plurality of soft keys for instructing execution of a process and selecting a soft key to instruct execution of a process associated with the soft key, which is a menu prior to execution of the process. In the display method, a moving image for introducing the process corresponding to each soft key is prepared in advance, and when the execution of the process corresponding to the soft key displayed therein is instructed, the moving image is associated with the soft key. When it is instructed to execute the process corresponding to the first display area for displaying the prepared moving image or the softkey displayed there, the softkey is displayed in either of the second display area where the moving image is not displayed, When the soft key is selected, the soft key displayed in the first display area and the soft key displayed in the second display area are switched and displayed. Over display method. 3. A display device, a position designating means for designating a position, and an input key for generating an input signal, wherein processing is associated with a predetermined area of a display screen in advance, and an input signal by the input key is detected. When the position designated by the position designating means is within a predetermined area, an information processing apparatus that executes processing associated with the area is prepared in advance to explain the processing corresponding to the area. A commentary moving image display means for displaying a commentary moving image on the display device, an effect animation moving image display means for displaying an effect animation prepared in advance for effecting the start of the processing corresponding to the area, and the effect animation display An information processing apparatus comprising: an executing unit that executes a process associated with the area after the display by the unit is completed. 4. When the execution of the process corresponding to the soft key displayed there is instructed, software is displayed in the first display area for displaying the commentary animation and the effect animation by the commentary animation display means and the effect animation display means. A means for displaying a key, a means for displaying the soft key in the second display area where the moving image is not displayed when the execution of a process corresponding to the soft key displayed therein is instructed, and a predetermined soft key is selected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a unit that replaces and displays the soft key displayed in the first display area and the soft key displayed in the second display area.