Operation Support Computer Program, Operation Support Computer System

• US 20130139085A1
• Filed: 05/23/2010
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Core Aplli Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Core Aplli Incorporated
• Inventors: Ichino, Kenichi
• Application Number:
  US13/699,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20130139085A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/767
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

An operation-support computer program causes processing means to perform (1) assignment processing of first key input order information; (2) key input order information image display processing; (3) after assignment processing of the first key input order information has been performed, upon detecting a modification instruction of an object to be a focus of input, performing focus transition processing, performing deletion processing of the key input order information, carrying out update processing of the key input order information assignment, performing assignment processing of second key input order information and key input order information image display processing, and informing the user of the operation-support computer system of the relationships of the new key input orders; and (4) after assignment processing of the second key input order information has been performed, upon detecting a modification instruction of the object to be a focus of input, performing each of the processing of (3).

Claims

1. An operation-support computer program executed on a computer system including a storage unit configured to store information, a processing unit configured to process information, an output unit configured to output information to a user, and an input unit configured to receive a command from the user, whereby a plurality of objects are displayed on a view area of the output unit and the user is allowed to control through the input unit an object having an input-focus out of the plurality of objects, the operation-support computer program configured to cause the processing unit to execute steps thereof,

the operation-support computer program comprising:

step (1) of performing a first allocation process of press key sequence, for the object identified by an object id stored in the storage unit out of the plurality of objects displayed on the view area of the output unit, wherein the storage unit is further configured to store the object id identifying the object, and an object view range indicative of a position/size of the object on the view area of the output unit, both of which are associated with each other, and store a press key sequence indicative of an identified press key of the input unit or a combination of at least two identified press keys of the input unit, and an allocation priority for press key sequence to the object id, both of which are associated with each other, and store the press key sequence, and an image of press key sequence that is an image indicative of the identified press key sequence of the input unit or a combination of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, both of which are associated with each other, said step (1) including

calculating a first positional relation between a first reference position of the output unit and the object view range associated with the object id stored in the storage unit,

identifying association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence, on the basis of the calculated first positional relation, and

associating the identified press key sequence with the object id and storing an associated result in the storage unit, for the object id stored in the storage unit;

step (2) of performing an image-display process of press key sequence, for the object id stored in the storage unit, based on association between the press key sequence and the object id stored in the storage unit, and based on association between the press key sequence and the image of press key sequence stored in the storage unit, said step (2) including

identifying the press key sequence associated with the object id stored in the storage unit, and identifying the image of press key sequence associated with the identified press key sequence, and

displaying the identified image of press key sequence with reference to a view range of the output unit based on the object view range associated with the objet id, thereby notifying the user of the computer system of a press-key sequential relation as to the object to be reached by the input-focus in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit or a combined and consecutive press of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, in a current display state of the output unit;

step (3) of performing a second allocation process of press key sequence, when detecting a command to change the object to be targeted by the input-focus in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit by the user after the first allocation process of press key sequence has been performed, said step (3) including

performing an input-focus movement process, that is, identifying from the storage unit the object id associated with the press key sequence identical to the identified press key, and moving the input-focus to the object indicated by the identified object id,

performing a deletion process of press key sequence, that is, deleting association of the press key sequence with the object id whose head does not include the identified press key pressed by the user under a change command, and with the object id associated with the press key sequence identical to the identified press key pressed by the user under the change command, wherein the association is deleted from pieces of association between the press key sequence and the object id stored in the storage unit,

performing an updating allocation process of press key sequence, said updating allocation process of press key sequence including

identifying from the storage unit all the press key sequence whose head includes the identified press key pressed by the user under the change command and which is constituted by combining the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, and

for each identified press key sequence, identifying the object id associated with said each press key sequence, and deleting association therebetween from the storage unit, and deleting from said each press key sequence the identified press key pressed by the user included in a head of said each press key sequence, thereby obtaining a new press key sequence and associating the new press key sequence with the object id having the association deleted therefrom, and storing an associated result in the storage unit, and

performing an allocation process of press key sequence, for the object id of the object having no input-focus and not associated with press key sequence stored in the storage unit, out of the plurality of objects displayed on the view area of output unit, said allocation process of press key sequence including

calculating a second position relation between a second reference position of the output unit and the object view range associated with the object id stored in the storage unit,

identifying association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence, on the basis of the calculated second positional relation, for the object id from the storage unit, and

associating the identified press key sequence with the object id and storing an associated result in the storage unit, and

performing the image-display process of press key sequence of said step (2), thereby notifying the user of the operation-support computer system of a new press-key sequential relation; and

step (4) of performing each process of said step (3), when detecting a command to change the object to be targeted by the input-focus in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit by the user after the second allocation process of press key sequence has been performed.

3. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

in the first allocation process of press key sequence, the first reference position of the output unit is determined with reference to the view area of an object having an input-focus, a mouse cursor, or an input cursor, which are displayed on the view area of the output unit, and

in the second allocation process of press key sequence, the second reference position of the output unit is determined with reference to the view area of an object having an input-focus displayed on the view area of the output unit.

4. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

in the first allocation process of press key sequence, the first reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of an object having the highest priority, on the view area of the output unit on which the object indicated by the object id targeted by the first allocation process of press key sequence is displayed, out of objects displayed on the view area of the output unit, that is, an object having an input-focus, a mouse cursor, an input cursor, and an object to which the allocation process of press key sequence has already been applied, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the first allocation process of press key sequence is performed in a manner that, for an object id with reference to which the first positional relation is in the highest priority out of the plurality of object ids with reference to which the same first reference position is determined:

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by associating between the object id and the identified press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the first reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by adding objects subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence to the first reference position until a first termination condition is satisfied, and wherein

in the second allocation process of press key sequence, the second reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of an object having the highest priority, on the view area of the output unit on which the object indicated by the object id targeted by the second allocation process of press key sequence is displayed, out of an object having an input-focus and an object to which the allocation process of press key sequence has already been applied, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the second allocation process of press key sequence is performed in a manner that, for an object id with reference to which the second positional relation is in the highest priority out of the plurality of object ids with reference to which the same second reference position is determined;

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by associating between the object id and the identified press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the second reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by adding objects subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence to the second reference position until a second termination condition is satisfied.

5. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

in the first allocation process of press key sequence, the first reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of the output unit, that is, an object having an input-focus, a mouse cursor, an input cursor, and an object to which the allocation process of press key sequence has already been applied, and the first positional relation is calculated on the basis of a combination of the first reference position and the object id stored in the storage unit, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the allocation process of press key sequence is performed for the first reference position in a manner that:

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by identifying the press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the first reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by determining a new first reference position with reference to the view area of the object subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence in the immediately preceding allocation process of press key sequence until a first termination condition is satisfied, and wherein

in the second allocation process of press key sequence, the second reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of an object on the view area of the output unit already subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence and an object having an input-focus, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the allocation process of press key sequence is performed for the second reference position in a manner that;

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by identifying the press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the second reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by determining a new second reference position with reference to the view area of the object subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence in the immediately preceding allocation process of press key sequence until a second termination condition is satisfied.

6. The operation-support computer program according to claim 5, wherein

in the image-display process of press key sequence,

when the identified object id is associated with the plurality of press key sequences stored in the storage unit, the press key sequence with the highest in allocation priority is identified out of the plurality of press key sequences on the basis of allocation priority for the associated press key sequences stored in the storage unit, and the image of press key sequence associated with the identified press key sequence is displayed on the output unit.

7. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

the storage unit is further configured to store the press key sequence indicative of the identified press key of the input unit or a combination of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, and an allocation priority for the press key sequence to the objects id, both of which are associated with each other in accordance with an allocation priority rule defining priorities among the identified press keys of the input unit, and store the identified press key id of the input unit and the allocation priority indicative of allocation priority among the press keys in the input unit, both of which are associated with each other, and wherein

a creation process of press key sequence is performed by associating the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence, and storing the association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence in the storage unit, in accordance with the association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key id as the allocation priority rule defining priorities among the identified press keys of the input unit, whereby the association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence stored in the storage unit are created.

8. The operation-support computer program according to claim 3, wherein

when either of the first reference position of the output unit at the first allocation process of key sequence or the view area of the output unit of the object indicated by the object id stored in the storage unit is changed, after the first allocation process of key sequence has been performed, and

when either of the second reference position of the output unit at the second allocation process of key sequence or the view area of the output unit of the object indicated by the object id stored in the storage unit is changed, after the second allocation process of key sequence has been performed,

the processing unit performs again the first allocation process of press key sequence of said step (1).

9. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

when a command to reallocate the press key sequence is detected in response to a press of key targeting the reallocation process of press key sequence of the input unit by the user, after the first allocation process of key sequence has been performed, and

when a command to reallocate the press key sequence is detected in response to a press of key targeting the reallocation process of press key sequence of the input unit by the user, after the second allocation process of key sequence has been performed

the processing unit performs again the first allocation process of press key sequence of said step (1).

10. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

the storage unit is further configured to store the association between the press key sequence and the object id, that is, information about a fixed press key sequence object, and wherein

the association between the press key sequence and the object id with respect to the fixed press key sequence object is not subjected to each process of said step (1) and said step (3) other than the input-focus movement process performed by the processing unit, and the allocation process of the fixed press key sequence object is performed by moving an input-focus to the identified object in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit or a combined and consecutive press of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit.

11. The operation-support computer program according to claim 1, wherein

the allocation process of press key sequence, by which the press key sequence and the object id are associated with each other and an associated result is stored in the storage unit, is performed for only one press key sequence and only one object id, in the first allocation process of press key sequence of said step (1) and in the second allocation process of press key sequence of said step (3) performed by the processing unit.

12. A operation-support computer system comprising:

the storage unit configured to store each information and the operation-support computer program of claim 1;

the processing unit configured to perform each process of claim 1;

an output unit configured to output information to a user; and

an input unit configured to receive a command from the user.

2. An operation-support computer program executed on a computer system including a storage unit configured to store information, a processing unit configured to process information, an output unit configured to output information to a user, and an input unit configured to receive a command from the user, whereby a plurality of objects are displayed on a view area of the output unit and the user is allowed to control through the input unit an object having an input-focus out of the plurality of objects, the operation-support computer program configured to cause the processing unit to execute steps thereof,

the operation-support computer program comprising:

step (1) of performing a first allocation process of press key sequence, for the object identified by an object id stored in the storage unit out of the plurality of objects displayed on the view area of the output unit, wherein the storage unit is further configured to store the object id identifying the object, and an object view range indicative of a position/size of the object on the view area of the output unit, both of which are associated with each other, and store a press key sequence indicative of an identified press key of the input unit or a combination of at least two identified press keys of the input unit, and an allocation priority for press key sequence to the object id, both of which are associated with each other, and store the press key sequence, and an image of press key sequence that is an image indicative of the identified press key sequence of the input unit or a combination of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, both of which are associated with each other, said step (1) including

calculating a first positional relation between a first reference position of the output unit and the object view range associated with the object id stored in the storage unit,

identifying association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence, on the basis of the calculated first positional relation, and

associating the identified press key sequence with the object id and storing an associated result in the storage unit, for the object id stored in the storage unit;

step (2) of performing an image-display process of press key sequence, for the object id stored in the storage unit, based on association between the press key sequence and the object id stored in the storage unit, and based on association between the press key sequence and the image of press key sequence stored in the storage unit, said step (2) including

identifying the press key sequence associated with the object id stored in the storage unit, and identifying the image of press key sequence associated with the identified press key sequence, and

displaying the identified image of press key sequence with reference to a view range of the output unit based on the object view range associated with the objet id, thereby notifying the user of the computer system of a press-key sequential relation as to the object to be reached by the input-focus in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit or a combined and consecutive press of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, in a current display state of the output unit;

step (3) of performing a second allocation process of press key sequence, when detecting a command to change the object to be targeted by the input-focus in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit by the user after the first allocation process of press key sequence has been performed, said step (3) including

performing an input-focus movement process, that is, identifying from the storage unit the object id associated with the press key sequence identical to the identified press key, and moving the input-focus to the object indicated by the identified object id,

performing an updating allocation process of press key sequence so as to renew association between the press key sequence obtained after updating process and the object id into the latest association between the press key sequence and the object id, out of pieces of association between the press key sequence and the object id stored in the storage unit, said updating allocation process of press key sequence including

identifying from the storage unit all the press key sequence whose head includes the identified press key pressed by the user under the change command and which is constituted by combining the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, and

for each identified press key sequence, deleting from said each press key sequence the identified press key pressed by the user included in a head of said each press key sequence thereby obtaining a new press key sequence, associating the new press key sequence with the object id associated with said each identified press key sequence, and storing an associated result in the storage unit in a separate manner, and

performing an allocation process of press key sequence, for the object id of the object having no input-focus and not associated with press key sequence stored in the storage unit, out of the plurality of objects displayed on the view area of output unit, said allocation process of press key sequence including

calculating a second position relation between a second reference position of the output unit and the object view range associated with the object id stored in the storage unit,

identifying association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence, on the basis of the calculated second positional relation, for the object id from the storage unit, and

associating the identified press key sequence with the object id and storing an associated result in the storage unit, and

performing the image-display process of press key sequence of said step (2), thereby notifying the user of the operation-support computer system of a new press-key sequential relation;

step (4) of performing each process of said step (3), when detecting a command to change the object to be targeted by the input-focus in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit by the user after the second allocation process of press key sequence has been performed; and

step (5) of rendering the association between press key sequence and the object id, which has been obtained one-generation before the updating allocation process of press key sequence of said step (3), to be the latest association between the press key sequence and the object id, and moving the input-focus to the object having the input-focus before the input-focus movement process of said step (3), when detecting a return command of press key sequence in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit pressed by the user, after the second allocation process of press key sequence has been performed.

13. The operation-support computer program according to claim 2, wherein

in the first allocation process of press key sequence, the first reference position of the output unit is determined with reference to the view area of an object having an input-focus, a mouse cursor, or an input cursor, which are displayed on the view area of the output unit, and

in the second allocation process of press key sequence, the second reference position of the output unit is determined with reference to the view area of an object having an input-focus displayed on the view area of the output unit.

14. The operation-support computer program according to claim 2, wherein

in the first allocation process of press key sequence, the first reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of an object having the highest priority, on the view area of the output unit on which the object indicated by the object id targeted by the first allocation process of press key sequence is displayed, out of objects displayed on the view area of the output unit, that is, an object having an input-focus, a mouse cursor, an input cursor, and an object to which the allocation process of press key sequence has already been applied, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the first allocation process of press key sequence is performed in a manner that, for an object id with reference to which the first positional relation is in the highest priority out of the plurality of object ids with reference to which the same first reference position is determined:

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by associating between the object id and the identified press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the first reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by adding objects subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence to the first reference position until a first termination condition is satisfied, and wherein

in the second allocation process of press key sequence, the second reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of an object having the highest priority, on the view area of the output unit on which the object indicated by the object id targeted by the second allocation process of press key sequence is displayed, out of an object having an input-focus and an object to which the allocation process of press key sequence has already been applied, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the second allocation process of press key sequence is performed in a manner that, for an object id with reference to which the second positional relation is in the highest priority out of the plurality of object ids with reference to which the same second reference position is determined;

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by associating between the object id and the identified press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the second reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by adding objects subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence to the second reference position until a second termination condition is satisfied.

15. The operation-support computer program according to claim 2, wherein

in the first allocation process of press key sequence, the first reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of the output unit, that is, an object having an input-focus, a mouse cursor, an input cursor, and an object to which the allocation process of press key sequence has already been applied, and the first positional relation is calculated on the basis of a combination of the first reference position and the object id stored in the storage unit, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the allocation process of press key sequence is performed for the first reference position in a manner that:

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by identifying the press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the first reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by determining a new first reference position with reference to the view area of the object subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence in the immediately preceding allocation process of press key sequence until a first termination condition is satisfied, and wherein

in the second allocation process of press key sequence, the second reference position of the output unit is determined, with reference to the view area of an object on the view area of the output unit already subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence and an object having an input-focus, and

in the allocation process of press key sequence of a combination of the at least two identified press keys, the allocation process of press key sequence is performed for the second reference position in a manner that;

the allocation process of press key sequence is performed by identifying the press key sequence, which is obtained by adding one press key to the press key sequence allocated to the object of the second reference position, and which is the highest in allocation priority for press key sequence and is not yet allocated to any object, from the storage unit; and

the allocation process of press key sequence is repeated by determining a new second reference position with reference to the view area of the object subjected to the allocation process of press key sequence in the immediately preceding allocation process of press key sequence until a second termination condition is satisfied.

16. The operation-support computer program according to claim 15, wherein

in the image-display process of press key sequence,

when the identified object id is associated with the plurality of press key sequences stored in the storage unit, the press key sequence with the highest in allocation priority is identified out of the plurality of press key sequences on the basis of allocation priority for the associated press key sequences stored in the storage unit, and the image of press key sequence associated with the identified press key sequence is displayed on the output unit.

17. The operation-support computer program according to claim 2, wherein

the storage unit is further configured to store the press key sequence indicative of the identified press key of the input unit or a combination of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit, and an allocation priority for the press key sequence to the objects id, both of which are associated with each other in accordance with an allocation priority rule defining priorities among the identified press keys of the input unit, and store the identified press key id of the input unit and the allocation priority indicative of allocation priority among the press keys in the input unit, both of which are associated with each other, and wherein

a creation process of press key sequence is performed by associating the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence, and storing the association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence in the storage unit, in accordance with the association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key id as the allocation priority rule defining priorities among the identified press keys of the input unit, whereby the association between the allocation priority for press key sequence and the press key sequence stored in the storage unit are created.

18. The operation-support computer program according to claim 13, wherein

when either of the first reference position of the output unit at the first allocation process of key sequence or the view area of the output unit of the object indicated by the object id stored in the storage unit is changed, after the first allocation process of key sequence has been performed, and

when either of the second reference position of the output unit at the second allocation process of key sequence or the view area of the output unit of the object indicated by the object id stored in the storage unit is changed, after the second allocation process of key sequence has been performed,

the processing unit performs again the first allocation process of press key sequence of said step (1).

19. The operation-support computer program according to claim 2, wherein

when a command to reallocate the press key sequence is detected in response to a press of key targeting the reallocation process of press key sequence of the input unit by the user, after the first allocation process of key sequence has been performed, and

when a command to reallocate the press key sequence is detected in response to a press of key targeting the reallocation process of press key sequence of the input unit by the user, after the second allocation process of key sequence has been performed

the processing unit performs again the first allocation process of press key sequence of said step (1).

20. The operation-support computer program according to claim 2, wherein

the storage unit is further configured to store the association between the press key sequence and the object id, that is, information about a fixed press key sequence object, and

wherein the association between the press key sequence and the object id with respect to the fixed press key sequence object is not subjected to each process of said step (1) and said step (3) other than the input-focus movement process performed by the processing unit, and the allocation process of the fixed press key sequence object is performed by moving an input-focus to the identified object in response to a press of the identified press key of the input unit or a combined and consecutive press of the at least two identified press keys of the input unit.