JP3134311B2 - Cursor display control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a cursor display control method, and more particularly to a CRT.
The present invention relates to a cursor display control method for a screen of a display (cathode ray tube display), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and other information display devices.

[Prior art]

In an operation in which the cursor is frequently moved to each position on the screen, for example, in CAD or the like, the cursor is always blinked on the display without blinking. This is because if the cursor is blinked, it is difficult to determine the position when moving or aligning.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, if the screen is always kept in the "bright" state, the cursor may be buried in the screen data depending on the contents of the background screen. FIG. 13, FIG. 14
The figure shows such an example. In FIG. 13, the display data (C) is generated by the logical sum of the background (A) (screen data) and the cursor form (B). Since the entire background (A) is lit, the arrow part is lit. The cursor form (B) in the state does not appear on the display data (C). (In the figure, the shining part is expressed in black, the same applies hereinafter.)
In the figure, the display data (C) is generated by the exclusive OR of the background (A) and the cursor form (B). Since the background (A) has a fine polka dot pattern, the display data (C) is generated. Above, the arrow shape of the cursor becomes an insect-eating state, and the shape of the cursor becomes ambiguous. In such a state, once you take your eyes off the screen to refer to the material, etc., when you move your eyes back to the screen, you will not know where the cursor is, so move the mouse etc. to change the position I had to find it. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-187328 discloses that when a change in absolute coordinates on the screen of a cursor designated by a pointing device is zero for a predetermined time or more, the position or shape of the cursor is changed. Is shown to change dynamically. However, in this method, even if the user does not perform the cursor movement operation, and, for example, looks at the screen for a while, if a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the previous cursor movement operation, the cursor display mode (position or The shape) changes, and the user feels troublesome. This is because it is normal for the user to visually recognize the position of the cursor only when performing the cursor moving operation. In view of the above, the present invention can clearly identify the cursor position when the user performs a cursor moving operation, and can surely find the cursor. It is intended to be prevented.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In a first aspect, in the method for controlling display of a cursor based on instruction information from an instruction unit for instructing a cursor display position, when the operation of the instruction unit is detected, the instruction unit up to that time is detected. It is determined whether or not the time during which has not been operated exceeds a predetermined time, and if it has exceeded the predetermined time, the display mode of the cursor is temporarily changed. According to a second aspect of the present invention, as the cursor display control device, instruction means for instructing a cursor display position, detection means for detecting that the instruction means has been operated, and operation of the instruction means by this detection means Is detected, a determining means for determining whether or not the time during which the instruction means has not been operated has exceeded a predetermined time, and the time during which the instruction means has not been operated is determined by the determination means. Display changing means for temporarily changing the display mode of the cursor when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed.

[Action]

With the cursor display control method or the cursor display control device having the above-described configuration, when the user performs a cursor moving operation, the user can clearly determine the position of the cursor and can surely find the cursor. In addition, only when the cursor movement operation is performed, the cursor display form is changed when the time during which the cursor movement operation has not been performed is longer than a predetermined time, and when the cursor movement operation is not performed, the time is changed. Since the cursor display mode is not changed even if the predetermined time is exceeded, the display that the user feels troublesome is prevented.

【Example】

Hereinafter, details of the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
1 to 4 show a first embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a mouse as an instruction means, which moves the cursor on the display 5 in a desired direction by rotating the ball 8 on a desk or the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes a cursor management device which calculates a cursor display position based on a pulse signal supplied from the mouse 1, and calculates a logical sum or OR of screen data of the position serving as a background and a cursor form supplied from the cursor display switching device 7. Cursor display data is generated by exclusive OR and written into the display memory 3 via the bus line BL. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display control device for displaying screen data of the display memory 3 including the cursor display data on the display 5. An operation detection circuit 6 generates a detection pulse PS when the mouse 1 is slid in any direction. When the pulse PS is supplied, the cursor display switching device 7 determines the time during which the mouse 1 has not been operated, and if it has exceeded a predetermined value, the cursor on the display 5 is flashed for a few seconds. The normal cursor form (FIG. 13 (B)) and the inverted cursor form (FIG. 5) are switched and supplied to the cursor management device 2. FIG. 3 shows details of the operation detection circuit. In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a ball of the mouse 1, and reference numerals 9 and 10 denote detectors of the X and Y axes. The levels of output lines LX1, LX2, LY1 and LY2 change according to the rotation of the ball 8. In the first embodiment, a differentiation circuit 11 is connected to one of the lines (here, LY2), and when the mouse 1 slides in any direction and the ball 8 rotates, the level changes. The differentiating circuit 11 is configured to generate the detection pulse PS. FIG. 4 shows a block configuration of the cursor display switching device 7. In the figure, 12 to 14 are memory areas, and the variable “preTim
e, "nowTime" and a predetermined number "maxTime" are stored. 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a cursor flash unit, which switches between a normal cursor form (FIG. 13 (B)) and an inverted cursor form (FIG. 5) to the cursor management unit 2 for a few seconds when activated. The operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cursor display switching device 7 starts operation when mouse operation is detected, that is, when the pulse PS is supplied from the operation detection circuit 6 (step S1). First, the current time is stored in a variable nowTime (memory area 13) (step S2).
13 is omitted. The same applies to other variables and a predetermined number. Next, take the difference D between this variable nowTime and the variable preTime,
It is determined whether or not it is equal to or greater than a predetermined value maxTime (step S3). The variable preTime indicates the arrival time of the previous pulse PS. When the difference D at this time does not exceed the predetermined value maxTime, that is, during the time from the previous sliding of the mouse 1 to the present sliding, If the time has not elapsed, for example, 20 seconds, the answer here is "No." In this case, the cursor display switching device 7 stores the contents of the variable nowTime in the variable preTime and ends the operation (steps S5 and S6). On the other hand, if a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds, has elapsed between the time when the mouse 1 was previously slid and the time this time the mouse 1 was slid, the answer is "yes" in step S3. In this case, the cursor display switching device 7 activates the cursor flash device 15 in step S4. When the device 15 is started, the normal cursor form (FIG. 13 (B)) and the inverted cursor form (FIG. 5) are switched and supplied to the cursor management device 2 for several seconds as described above. As described above, the cursor management device 2 generates cursor display data by logical OR or exclusive OR with the screen data at that position, which is the background of the cursor form supplied from the cursor display switching device 7, and displays this. When the normal cursor form (FIG. 13 (B)) and the inverted cursor form (FIG. 5) are switched and supplied, the cursor on the display 5 is in a flash state for a few seconds. Become. When step S4 ends, the cursor display switching device 7 performs the same operation as described above,
The contents of the variable nowTime are stored in the variable preTime, and the operation ends (steps S5 and S6). FIG. 6 shows a circuit of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the sliding of the mouse 1 is detected based on a change in the position of the cursor calculated by the cursor management device 2. The same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the figure
Reference numeral 16 denotes a cursor display switching device in this embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows the block configuration of this device 16. In this figure, 17 to 20 are memory areas, and variables prePoint, nowPoint, co
unt and a predetermined number maxCount are stored. The operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cursor management device 2 samples the display position of the cursor at regular intervals and generates cursor display data at that time. In this embodiment, the cursor display switching device 16 is started in accordance with this sampling (step S11), and first stores the current position of the mouse 1 in a variable nowPoint (step S12). Next, the contents of the variable nowPoint and the contents of the variable prePoint are compared (step S13). The variable prePoint indicates the position of the cursor at the time of the previous sampling. Here, the fact that the two coincide with each other indicates that the mouse 1 has not been slid between the previous sampling and the current sampling. Therefore, the cursor display switching device 16 sets the variable c in step S17.
After adding 1 to ount, this operation ends (step S1).
8). On the other hand, if the answer is “No” in step S13, the mouse 1 is placed between the previous sampling and the current sampling.
Indicates that is sliding. Then, it is checked whether or not the value of the variable count in this case is equal to or more than a predetermined value maxCount (step S14). That this answer is "No" means that the number of repetitions of the route from step S13 to steps S17 and S18 is small,
That is, the elapsed time from the previous sliding of the mouse 1 to the present sliding is shorter than a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds. In this case, there is no need to flush the cursor. Therefore, the cursor display switching device 16 sets the variable count
Is returned to "0" and the operation is terminated. If the answer is "Yes" in step S14, it is determined that the elapsed time from the previous sliding of the mouse 1 to the present sliding is longer than a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds. It represents. Then, the cursor display switching device 16 activates the cursor flash device 15 (step S15). Thus, as in the first embodiment, the normal cursor form (FIG. 13 (B)) and the inverted cursor form (5th
) Is supplied to the cursor management device 2 while being switched, and during that time, the cursor on the display 5 is in a flash state. Then, the process proceeds to step S16, where the value of the variable count is returned to “0”, and the operation ends (step S18). FIG. 9 shows a circuit of the third embodiment. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a holding switch, which is arranged above both side surfaces of the mouse 21 so as to be pressed by a finger holding the mouse 21 (FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pointing means is operated when the mouse 21 is gripped, and the grip is detected by closing the holding switch 22. 23 is a cursor display switching device in this embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the block configuration of this device 23. In this figure, 24 and 25 are memory areas, variables preState, nowStat
Stores e. The operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cursor display switching device 23 of this embodiment is also started in accordance with the sampling of the cursor management device 2 as in the second embodiment (step S31). First, the current state of the holding switch 22 of the mouse 21 is written in the variable nowState (step
S32). Next, it is determined whether or not the state of the variable nowState is “closed” (step S33). When the answer here is “No”, the hand is released from the mouse 21 (in a state where no operation is performed). In this case, since it is not necessary to flash the cursor, "1" is added to the value of the variable count (step S38), and the operation ends (step S39). If the answer is "Yes" in step S33, the mouse 21 is being held (operated). In this case, the contents of the variable preState are checked (step S34). The variable preState indicates the state of the holding switch 22 (the operation state of the mouse 21) at the time of the previous sampling. If the answer is "No" here, the holding switch 22 is used for both the previous sampling and the current sampling.
Indicates that it is continuously in the “closed” state (operated state). In this case, there is no need to flush the cursor.
The cursor display switching device 16 ends this operation as it is (step S39). On the other hand, if the answer is “Yes” in step S34, it indicates that the mouse 1 has been gripped between the previous sampling and the current sampling. In this case, it is checked whether or not the value of the variable count is equal to or more than a predetermined value maxCount (step S35). When this answer is “No”, the number of repetitions of the path from step S33 to step S38 before that is small, that is, the elapsed time from when the hand is released from the mouse 21 to when it is grasped this time. This indicates that the time does not exceed a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds. . In this case also, it is not necessary to flash the cursor, so the cursor display switching device 16 sets the variable count in step S37.
Is returned to "0" and the operation is terminated. If the answer is 'Yes' in step S35, it indicates that the elapsed time from when the hand is released from the mouse 21 to when it is grasped this time exceeds a predetermined time, for example, 20 seconds I have. Then, the cursor display switching device 16 activates the cursor flash device 15 (step S36). Thus, as in the first embodiment, the normal cursor form (FIG. 13 (B)) and the inverted cursor form (5th
Is switched to the cursor management device 2 and the cursor on the display 5 is in a flash state during that time. Thereafter, the cursor display switching device 16 returns the value of the variable count to “0” and ends the operation (steps S37, S39).

[Modification]

The present invention can be applied not only to graphic displays but also to character displays or other displays that display one or more lines of characters. As a pointing means, in addition to a mouse, a joystick,
A cursor key of a keyboard, a stylus pen of a digitizer, a cursor of a digitizer, and other various things can be used. The temporary change of the display includes, besides flash, change of display color, inversion of display, and the like. Alternatively, the screen around the cursor may be temporarily changed. Also, the cursor form may be a cross or other various shapes.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, according to the present invention, the display mode of the cursor on the display is temporarily changed when the pointing means is operated after a predetermined period of inactivity. Therefore, even if you take your eyes off the screen for a while and lose sight of the cursor when the cursor is buried in the screen data, touching the pointing means causes the cursor to flash temporarily, etc. You can find this very easily. Further, since the display mode is only temporarily changed, there is no problem that it is difficult to move or position, unlike a cursor that always blinks. Furthermore, only when the user performs the cursor movement operation, the cursor display mode is changed when the time during which the cursor movement operation has not been performed is longer than the predetermined time, and when the cursor movement operation is not performed, the cursor display mode is changed. Since the cursor display mode is not changed even if the time exceeds the predetermined time, the display that the user feels troublesome is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation algorithm of the cursor display switching device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing details of an operation detection circuit, and FIG. 4 is a block showing a configuration of the cursor display switching device. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an inverted cursor form, FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the device, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation algorithm of the cursor display switching device, FIGS. 9 to 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Figure,
FIG. 10 is an external view showing a mouse, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cursor display switching device, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation algorithm of the cursor display switching device, FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the logical OR of the screen data and the cursor form, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the exclusive OR of the screen data and the cursor form. 1 ... instruction means, 11,17,18,22,24,25 ... detection means, 12,13,19,20 ... determination means, 2,7,16,23 ... display change means.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-187328 (JP, A) JP-A-2-287615 (JP, A) JP-A-63-158625 (JP, A) JP-A-2-226325 (JP) JP-A-63-282524 (JP, A) JP-A-62-267796 (JP, A) JP-A-58-43492 (JP, A) JP-A-64-9489 (JP, A) 1-177120 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/00 601-680 G06F 3/033-3/037 G06F 3/14-3/153 G09G 5 / 08

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for controlling display of a cursor based on instruction information from an instruction means for instructing a cursor display position, wherein when the operation of the instruction means is detected, the instruction means up to that time is detected. A cursor display control method comprising: determining whether a time period during which no operation has been performed exceeds a predetermined time; and, if the predetermined time has been exceeded, temporarily changing a display mode of the cursor. 2. An instructing means for instructing a cursor display position; a detecting means for detecting that the instructing means has been operated; and a detecting means for detecting that the instructing means has been operated by the detecting means. Determining means for determining whether the time during which the instruction means has not been operated has exceeded a predetermined time; and determining that the time during which the instruction means has not been operated has exceeded the predetermined time. When judged,
And a display change unit for temporarily changing a display mode of the cursor.