Man-machine interface system allowing input of information by operator into non-input-focused control among more than one controls on display screen with minimum key operation

• US 6,002,862 A
• Filed: 10/06/1995
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Takaike, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fiul, Dan
• Application Number:
  US08/540,625
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 395/339, 395/500, 395/500.38, 345/346, 345/326, 345/356, 345/129, 345/500, 345/146, 345/26, 341/26, 382/187
• US Class Current: 703/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A process and an apparatus which allows, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through a second input area on the display screen. First, it is determined whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where the key input is predefined for inputting information through the second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through the first input area, while the input focus is located in the first input area. When it is determined that there is the above key input, the information designated by the key input, is input through the second input area, while maintaining the location of the input focus in the first input area.

Claims

1. A process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through a second input area on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where said key input is predefined for inputting information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area; and

(b) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said key input.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said key input can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

3. A process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through one of second and third input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said second and third input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) determining whether or not there is a second key input which is predefined to designate said second input area;

(c) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in steps (a) and (b) that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively; and

(d) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said third input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input and it is determined in step (b) that there is no said second key input.

4. A process according to claim 3, wherein each of said first and second key inputs can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

5. A process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through one of a plurality of second input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said plurality of second input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) receiving one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designating said plurality of second input areas, respectively, and determining one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of said plurality of second key inputs designates; and

(c) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined in step (b), without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input, and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of the plurality of predefined second key inputs designates is determined in step (b).

6. A process according to claim 5, wherein each of said first and second key inputs can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

7. A control apparatus for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through a second input area on the display screen, said control apparatus comprising:

a determining unit determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where said key input is predefined for inputting information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area; and

an input control unit inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the determining unit that there is said key input.

8. A control apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a guidance unit indicating, on the display screen, which key input is predefined for inputting the information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area.

9. A control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said key input can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

10. A control apparatus for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through one of second and third input areas on the display screen, said control apparatus comprising:

a first determining unit determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said second and third input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

a second determining unit determining whether or not there is a second key input which is predefined to designate said second input area;

a first input control unit inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the first and second determining units that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively; and

a second input control unit inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said third input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the first determining unit that there is said first key input, and it is determined by the second determining unit that there is no said second key input.

11. A control apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a guidance unit indicating, on the display screen, which key input is predefined for inputting the information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area.

12. A control apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a guidance unit indicating, on the display screen, which key input is predefined as said second key input.

13. A control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of said first and second key inputs can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

14. A control apparatus for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through one of a plurality of second input areas on the display screen, said control apparatus comprising:

a first determining unit determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said plurality of second input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

a second determining unit receiving one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designating said plurality of second input areas, respectively, and determining one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of said plurality of second key inputs designates;

an input control unit inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined by the second determining unit, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the first determining unit that there is said first key input, and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of the plurality of predefined second key inputs designates is determined by the second determining unit.

15. A control apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a guidance unit indicating, on the display screen, which key input is predefined for inputting the information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area.

16. A control apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a guidance unit indicating, on the display screen, which key inputs are respectively predefined as said plurality of predefined second key inputs.

17. A control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of said first and second key inputs can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

18. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through a second input area on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where said key input is predefined for inputting information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area; and

(b) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said key input.

19. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 18, wherein said key input can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

20. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through one of second and third input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said second and third input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) determining whether or not there is a second key input which is predefined to designate said second input area;

(c) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in steps (a) and (b) that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively; and

(d) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said third input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input and it is determined in step (b) that there is no said second key input.

21. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 20, wherein each of said first and second key inputs can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

22. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through one of a plurality of second input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through any of said plurality of second input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) receiving one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designating said plurality of second input areas, respectively, and determining one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of said plurality of second key inputs designates; and

(c) inputting, while maintaining the location of said input focus in said first input area, said information designated by said first key input, through said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined in step (b), without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined that there is said first key input in step (a), and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said second key input designates is determined in step (b).

23. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein each of said first and second key inputs can include simultaneous pressing of more than one key on the keyboard.

24. A process for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to a second input area on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where said key input is predefined for inputting information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) inputting said information designated by said key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said key input; and

(c) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said second input area when it is determined in step (a) that there is said key input.

25. A process for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to one of second and third input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said second and third input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) determining whether or not there is a second key input which is predefined to designate said second input area;

(c) inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in steps (a) and (b) that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively;

(d) inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said third input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input and it is determined in step (b) that there is no said second key input;

(e) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said second input area when it is determined in steps (a) and (b) that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively; and

(f) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said third input area when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input, and it is determined in step (b) that there is no said second key input.

26. A process for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to one of a plurality of second input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through any of said plurality of second input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) receiving one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designating said plurality of second input areas, respectively, and determining one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of said plurality of second key inputs designates;

(c) inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined in step (b), without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input, and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designates is determined in step (b); and

(d) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined in step (b) when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input, and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of the plurality of second key inputs designates is determined in step (b).

27. A control apparatus for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to a second input area on the display screen, said control apparatus comprising:

a determining unit determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where said key input is predefined for inputting information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

an input control unit inputting said information designated by said key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the determining means that there is said key input; and

a changing unit changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said second input area when it is determined by the determining unit that there is said key input.

28. A control apparatus for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to one of second and third input areas on the display screen, said control apparatus comprising:

a first determining unit determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said second and third input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

a second determining unit determining whether or not there is a second key input which is predefined to designate said second input area;

a first input control unit inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the first and second determining units that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively;

a second input control unit inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said third input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the first determining unit that there is said first key input, and it is determined by the second determining unit that there is no said second key input;

a first changing unit changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said second input area when it is determined by the first and second determining units that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively; and

a second changing unit changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said third input area when it is determined by the first determining unit that there is said first key input, and it is determined by the second determining unit that there is no second key input.

29. A control apparatus for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to one of a plurality of second input areas on the display screen, said control apparatus comprising:

a first determining unit determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said plurality of second input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

a second determining unit receiving one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designating said plurality of second input areas, respectively, and determining one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of said plurality of second key inputs designates;

an input control unit inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined by the second determining unit, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined by the first determining unit that there is said first key input, and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designates is determined by the second determining unit; and

a changing unit changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined by the second determining unit when it is determined by the first determining unit that there is said first key input, and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of the plurality of second key inputs designates is determined by the second determining unit.

30. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to a second input area on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a key input from a keyboard, where said key input is predefined for inputting information through said second input area, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) inputting said information designated by said key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said key input; and

(c) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said second input area when it is determined in step (a) that there is said key input.

31. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to one of second and third input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said second and third input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) determining whether or not there is a second key input which is predefined to designate said second input area;

(c) inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said second input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in steps (a) and (b) that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively;

(d) inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said third input area, without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input and it is determined in step (b) that there is no said second key input;

(e) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said second input area when it is determined in steps (a) and (b) that there are said first and second key inputs, respectively; and

(f) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said third input area when it is determined in step (a) that there is said first key input, and it is determined in step (b) that there is no said second key input.

32. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for changing a location of an input focus from a first input area on a display screen to one of a plurality of second input areas on the display screen, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) determining, while the input focus is located in said first input area, whether or not there is a first key input from a keyboard, where said first key input is predefined for inputting information through either of said plurality of second input areas, and is not predefined for inputting information through said first input area;

(b) receiving one of a plurality of predefined second key inputs designating said plurality of second input areas, respectively, and determining one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of said plurality of second key inputs designates;

(c) inputting said information designated by said first key input, through said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined in step (b), without inputting the information through said first input area, when it is determined that there is said first key input in step (a), and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said second key input designates is determined in step (b); and

(d) changing the location of the input focus from said first input area to said one of said plurality of second input areas which is determined in step (b) when it is determined that there is said first key input in step (a), and said one of said plurality of second input areas which said one of the plurality of predefined second key inputs designates is determined in step (b).

33. A process for controlling input of information to a display screen under the control of a computer, comprising:

determining, while an input focus is located at a first input area, whether or not a predetermined keyboard input occurs for inputting information to a second input area; and

inputting information to the second input area, without inputting the information to the first input area, when it is determined that the predetermined keyboard input has occurred.

34. A process for inputting information through a graphic user interface which provides a text input area and an option selection area having a plurality of options to be selected, said process comprising:

(a) receiving a key input which designates information to be input or an operation of changing a selection in said option selection area;

(b) determining whether said key input is an input of one of cursor keys, or an input of one of character keys; and

(c) inputting said information designated by said key input through said text input area when it is determined in step (b) that said key input is an input of one of the character keys; and

(d) changing the selection in said option selection area as designated by said key input when it is determined in step (b) that said key input is an input of one of cursor keys, without changing the information in said text input area.

35. A computer-readable storage medium in which a program is stored, where said program, when used with a computer, directs the computer to execute a process for allowing, while an input focus is located in a first input area on a display screen, an input of information through a second input area on the display screen, said process comprising:

(a) receiving a key input which designates information to be input or an operation of changing a selection in said option selection area;

(b) determining whether said key input is an input of one of cursor keys, or an input of one of character keys; and

(c) inputting said information designated by said key input through said text input area when it is determined in step (b) that said key input is an input of one of the character keys; and

(d) changing the selection in said option selection area as designated by said key input when it is determined in step (b) that said key input is an input of one of cursor keys, without changing the information in said text input area.

36. A control apparatus for controlling input of information through a graphic user interface which provides a text input area and an option selection area having a plurality of options to be selected, said control apparatus comprising:

a receive unit receiving a key input which designates information to be input or an operation of changing a selection in said option selection area;

a determine unit determining whether said key input is an input of one of a plurality of cursor keys, or an input of one of a plurality of character keys;

an input control unit inputting said information designated by said key input through said text input area when it is determined by said determine unit that said key input is an input of one of the character keys; and

a change unit changing the selection in said option selection area as designated by said key input, without changing the information in said text area, when it is determined by said determine unit that said key input is an input of one of the cursor keys.

37. A computer readable storage medium including a process controlling a computer of controlling input of information to a display screen, comprising:

determining, while an input focus is located at a first input area, whether or not a predetermined keyboard input occurs for inputting information to a second input area; and

inputting information to the second input area, without inputting the information to the first input area, when it is determined that the predetermined keyboard input has occurred.

38. A control apparatus controlling input of information to a display screen, comprising:

means for determining, while an input focus is located at a first input area, whether or not a predetermined keyboard input occurs for inputting information to a second input area; and

means for inputting information to the second input area, without inputting the information to the first input area, when it is determined that the predetermined keyboard input has occurred.