JP2006293997A - Method, program and apparatus for displaying menu - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display multiple menu items on one screen without degrading visibility as much as as possible. <P>SOLUTION: A menu display method includes a menu item arrangement step, in which each menu item is arranged so as to be displayed on a display screen in a specified three-dimensional virtual cubic, for arranging each menu item so that at least a part of all menu items are visually recognized and at least a part of menu items in the far side on the screen is not overlapped on ones in the near side. In addition, the method also includes a menu item movement step for moving each menu item arranged by the menu item arrangement step by being displayed on the display screen responding to specified user operations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a menu display method for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items, a menu display program, and a menu display device.

  An electronic device and an information terminal device are provided with many functions, and a plurality of menu items are displayed hierarchically, for example, on the display unit. As described above, the menu has a hierarchical structure. For example, the scrolling of the menu screen can be reduced, and the work area in the screen can be secured. However, in order to find a desired menu item from such a hierarchical menu, it is necessary to sequentially select and refer to a deep hierarchy from a shallow hierarchy to a user who does not understand the hierarchical structure of the menu. It is considered difficult to use.

In order to solve the above problems, various types of displays that display a menu including a plurality of menu items in a three-dimensional arrangement have been proposed and widely known (for example, Patent Document 1). When menus are displayed in such an arrangement, many menu items can be displayed on the screen at the same time, so that complicated work such as hierarchical search is reduced, and the user can correlate each menu item (for example, each menu item). The mutual arrangement relationship of items) can be easily grasped.
JP-A-7-114451

  However, in the menu display device as shown in Patent Document 1, only half of the menu items are displayed in one screen. Therefore, the number of display menu items is limited and may be insufficient for the user's request.

  Moreover, in the said patent document 1, the hexahedron upper surface and side surface are only substantially inclined in parallel with the Z direction (screen depth direction) or a slight angle. Since the menu screen has the XY plane as the front, the menu items on those planes are displayed with large distortion and the display size is small. Therefore, the visibility is very low. If the menu items are arranged in parallel, that is, in a two-dimensional arrangement with respect to the XY plane (that is, the screen) in order to improve visibility, the distortion is eliminated and the display size can be increased. However, in this case, the number of display menu items is further limited.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a menu display device that can display many menu items in one screen without reducing visibility as much as possible.

  A menu display method according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a method for displaying a menu that includes a plurality of menu items. This menu display method is a step of arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen, so that at least a part of all menu items can be visually recognized. The menu item placement step arranges each menu item so that at least a part of the items does not overlap with the menu item on the near side, and the menu item placement step responds to a predetermined user operation. And a menu item moving step for moving each menu item while maintaining a state of facing the display screen.

  In the menu item moving step, each menu item may be moved on a circular orbit centered on a predetermined axis in the three-dimensional virtual solid.

  In the menu item moving step, each menu item may be moved along a virtual plane forming the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.

  In the menu item moving step, each menu item may be moved discretely to the display position of the menu item adjacent to itself in the direction along the virtual plane forming the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.

  In the menu display method, permission or prohibition of selection for each menu item may be determined according to the display area. Here, the permission or prohibition of the selection may be determined according to whether or not the display area is sufficiently large for the user to select.

  In addition, a menu display method according to another aspect of the present invention that solves the above problem is a method for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items. This menu display method is a step of arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen, so that at least a part of all menu items can be visually recognized. A menu item arranging step for arranging each menu item so that at least a part of the items does not overlap with a menu item on the near side, and each menu item arranged by the menu item arranging step is aligned with the display screen. And a menu item moving step of constantly moving on a predetermined trajectory while maintaining the state.

  A menu display program according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is a program for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items. This menu display program arranges each menu item so as to face the display screen in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid, and at that time, at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. At least a part of the menu item does not overlap with the menu item on the near side, and in response to a predetermined user operation, each menu item arranged in the three-dimensional virtual solid is directly opposed to the display screen. It is moved while maintaining the state.

  In the menu display program, each menu item can be moved so as to draw a circular orbit about a predetermined axis in the three-dimensional virtual solid.

  In the menu display program, each menu item can also be moved along a virtual plane that forms the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.

  In the menu display program, each menu item can be discretely moved to the display position of the menu item adjacent to itself in the direction along the virtual plane forming the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.

  In the menu display program, permission or prohibition of selection for each menu item may be determined according to the display area. Here, the permission or prohibition of the selection may be determined according to whether or not the display area is sufficiently large for the user to select.

  Moreover, the menu display program which concerns on another aspect of this invention which solves said subject is a program for displaying the menu containing a some menu item. This menu display program arranges each menu item so as to face the display screen in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid, and at that time, at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. At least a part of the menu item does not overlap with the menu item on the near side, and in response to a predetermined user operation, each menu item arranged in the three-dimensional virtual solid is directly opposed to the display screen. It is always moved on a predetermined orbit while maintaining the state.

  Moreover, the menu display apparatus which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention which solves said subject displays the menu containing a some menu item. This menu display device is a display means capable of displaying a menu three-dimensionally and means for arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen. A menu item arranging means for arranging each menu item so that at least a part of the menu item on the back side of the screen does not overlap with a menu item on the nearer side of the menu item, and a predetermined user Menu item moving means for moving each menu item arranged by the menu item arranging means in a state of facing the display screen in response to the operation is provided.

  The menu item moving means can also move each menu item so as to draw a circular orbit around a predetermined axis in the three-dimensional virtual solid.

  The menu item moving means can also move each menu item along a virtual plane forming the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.

  The menu item moving means can also discretely move each menu item to the display position of the menu item adjacent to itself in the direction along the virtual plane that forms the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.

  Further, in the menu display device, permission or prohibition of selection for each menu item may be determined according to the display area. Here, the permission or prohibition of the selection may be determined according to whether or not the display area is sufficiently large for the user to select.

  Moreover, the menu display apparatus which concerns on another aspect of this invention which solves said subject displays the menu containing a some menu item. This menu display device is a display means capable of displaying a menu three-dimensionally and means for arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen. Menu item arranging means for arranging each menu item so that at least a part of the menu item on the back side of the screen does not overlap with the menu item on the near side, so that at least a part of the menu item can be visually recognized, and menu item arranging means And a menu item moving means for constantly moving the menu items arranged on the predetermined trajectory while maintaining a state in which the menu items are opposed to the display screen.

  When the menu display method, the menu display program, and the menu display device of the present invention are employed, many highly visible menu items can be displayed on one screen. For this reason, the user can grasp | ascertain the correlation of each menu item visually and sensuously, for example.

  Below, with reference to drawings, the structure and effect | action of an onboard equipment provided with the menu display apparatus of embodiment of this invention are demonstrated.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 100 of the present embodiment. The vehicle-mounted device 100 has a function of executing navigation and playing back radio / TV broadcasts, for example, and includes a control unit 1, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 2, a gyro sensor 3, a vehicle speed sensor 4, and a recording medium processing unit. 5, image processing unit 6, display unit 7, ROM (Read Only Memory) 8, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 9, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 10, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 11, FM signal processing unit 12, a beacon processing unit 13, an input unit 14, and a voice recognition unit 15.

  The control unit 1 controls the vehicle-mounted device 100 as a whole. The GPS receiver 2 receives a GPS signal transmitted from the GPS artificial satellite for acquiring position information and outputs it to the control unit 1. Further, the gyro sensor 3 measures the angular velocity of the vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted device 100 is mounted, and outputs the measurement result to the control unit 1. Further, the vehicle speed sensor 4 detects the rotational speeds of the left and right drive wheels of the vehicle, generates a vehicle speed pulse signal corresponding to the average speed, and outputs the vehicle speed pulse signal to the control unit 1. The recording medium processing unit 5 stores, for example, a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or has a built-in HD (Hard Disk), and stores data recorded on these recording media. It has a reading function. In the present embodiment, for example, digital map data necessary for the vehicle-mounted device 100 to perform navigation is recorded on such a recording medium.

  The control unit 1 performs positioning calculation based on the signal output from the GPS receiver 2. Further, dead reckoning (hereinafter abbreviated as DR) is performed based on signals output from the gyro sensor 3 and the vehicle speed sensor 4 (that is, the direction of the vehicle or the traveling direction and the distance are calculated). Then, based on the calculated DR positioning result and GPS positioning result (in other words, the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle), the recording medium processing unit 5 is operated to extract digital map data around the current position, and image processing is performed. Output to unit 6. The image processing unit 6 performs D / A conversion, and superimposes and outputs a vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle together with the converted map data. When this output signal is input to the display unit 7, for example, the vehicle mark is displayed at the center of the screen of the display unit 7, and a map around the vehicle is displayed on the entire screen.

  The ROM 8 is accessed by the control unit 1 when the vehicle-mounted device 100 is activated, and stores programs executed by the control unit 1 and other various data. Further, the DRAM 9 and the SRAM 10 temporarily store the program and data loaded from the recording medium processing unit 5 and the ROM 8 freely for reading and writing for high-speed processing. The SRAM 10 is backed up by a battery when the power is turned off, and can retain the memory contents. Further, the VRAM 11 can hold the contents displayed on the display unit 7.

  The FM signal processing unit 12 is a device that receives, for example, FM multiplex broadcast, extracts a desired signal from the received signal, and processes it. The beacon processing unit 13 is a device that receives and processes signals transmitted from, for example, an optical beacon installed on a main road or a radio beacon installed on an expressway. The signal received by the FM signal processing unit 12 or the beacon processing unit 13 is, for example, road traffic information (VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) signal) distributed by the road traffic information communication system center.

  In this embodiment, the display unit 7 is a known touch panel such as a pressure-sensitive type or an electrostatic type, and also serves as an input unit. The input unit 14 is a mechanical button or the like arranged on the front surface of the vehicle-mounted device 100, and includes, for example, a power switch. When the input unit 14 is operated, a signal corresponding to the input unit 14 is input to the control unit, and the control unit 1 executes a predetermined process. The voice recognition unit 15 is also a kind of input means, and recognizes a voice input to a microphone (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the recognition content to the control unit 1. All the contents that can be operated by the voice recognition unit 15 can also be operated by the input unit 14.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a menu display process executed when operating the menu screen in the vehicle-mounted device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. The menu display process according to the present embodiment is started when various types of input means (touch panel, input unit 14, voice recognition unit 15) are operated to activate the vehicle-mounted device 100 or display the menu screen. . In addition, the menu display process of this embodiment is complete | finished when the power supply of the onboard equipment 100 is turned off or when the other function (for example, navigation function) of the onboard equipment 100 is operated.

  When the menu display process is started, predetermined data is read from the HD or ROM 8 of the recording medium processing unit 5. Next, the image processing unit 6 draws an image (hereinafter, abbreviated as category selection image) for allowing the user to select a category of the menu item based on the read data (step 1: YES, hereinafter) , Step is abbreviated as “S”). This category selection image is composed of a plurality of icons each representing a different category. These categories include, for example, “navigation” (eg, registration points corresponding to map data and VICS information), “audio / video” (equalizer settings, songs set as favorites, preset radio / TV broadcast stations), “external capture” (data captured from external devices), and the like. The menu item “external capture” includes, for example, image data acquired by a known digital still camera (hereinafter abbreviated as DSC). The in-vehicle device 100 can take in data of an external device such as DSC through an external input terminal (not shown). The category displayed here may be set in advance, for example, at the product shipment stage, or may be set arbitrarily by the user by operating various input means.

  When the user selects one of the plurality of categories of icons (for example, “external capture”), the image processing unit 6 renders the menu screen shown in FIG. 3 (S2). The menu screen includes a total of 27 menu items (here, images) arranged in the three-dimensional virtual solid VC. FIG. 3 shows a menu screen in a state where the menu items are arranged at initial positions. In the following drawings, XYZ axes are attached for convenience of explanation. X and Y axes are parallel to the screen of the display unit 7. The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the screen of the display unit 7 (in other words, the X and Y axes).

  FIG. 4 shows a view of a three-dimensional virtual solid VC on which each menu item is arranged as seen from above (ie, a view when observed with a line of sight along the Y axis). These 27 menu items are rectangular images having substantially no thickness. Each menu item is arranged in a state of facing the screen of the display unit 7 in the three-dimensional virtual solid VC. The directly facing state here indicates a state in which each menu item is arranged in a posture parallel to the XY plane of FIG. 3 so that the menu item can be visually recognized by the user.

  In the initial state, there are three virtual layers in the three-dimensional virtual solid VC. Each layer is parallel to the XY plane and is arranged at equal intervals in the Z-axis direction. Nine menu items are arranged in a matrix (three rows by three columns) in each layer. More specifically, menu items P11 to P19 are arranged in the foremost layer of the screen. Menu items P21 to P29 are arranged in the later layer. Menu items P31 to P39 are arranged in the innermost layer of the screen. In order to clarify the drawing, each menu item has a different pattern for each layer. These patterns are unrelated to the specific contents of the menu item. The menu items actually displayed here are images captured by an imaging device such as DSC.

  In the three-dimensional virtual three-dimensional VC, the menu items are arranged so that each menu item on the back side of the screen has a portion that does not overlap any of the menu items on the near side. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, all the menu items are displayed at least partially exposed on the screen. That is, in the present embodiment, all menu items are displayed so as to be visible in one screen. This will be described by focusing on the menu items 21 and 31, for example.

  Menu item P21 is arranged in a layer on the far side of the screen from menu item P11. The menu item P21 is not arranged so as to completely overlap the menu item P11. Specifically, the menu item P11 is arranged with a predetermined shift in the X and Y directions. The menu item P21 is not positioned so as to overlap with other menu items. For this reason, the menu item P21 is displayed on the screen so as to be partially overlapped with the menu item P11 and the remaining part visible to the user.

  Menu item P31 is arranged in a layer on the farther side of the screen than menu item P21. This menu item P31 is also arranged with a predetermined amount of shift in the X and Y directions with respect to the menu item of the front layer (that is, menu item P21). The shift amount and direction here are the same as the shift amount and direction of the menu item P21 with respect to the menu item P11. That is, the menu item P31 is shifted from the menu items P11 and P21 in the X and Y directions. Further, the menu item P31 partially overlaps the menu item P12. However, this amount of overlap is very small. As shown in FIG. 3, the menu item P31 substantially overlaps with the menu item P21 only partially and is displayed exposed on the screen so that the remaining part can be visually recognized by the user.

  The number of menu items displayed on this menu screen is not limited to 27. For example, when the screen size of the display unit 7 is relatively large, the number may be larger than this, and the screen size of the display unit 7 is relatively large. If it is small, it may be less than this. It is desirable that the size of each menu item displayed on the display unit 7 is a size that can be reliably touched with a finger.

  In addition to the menu items, a “return” icon 52, a “help” icon 54, and a drag icon 56 are displayed on the menu screen shown in FIG. The “return” icon 52 is an icon for returning to the previous screen. When the user touches this (S3: Return), the category selection image is displayed on the display unit 7. This icon can be used mainly when the category selection is wrong.

  The “help” icon 54 is linked to a help function intended for a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 100 and provides auxiliary information for smoothly performing the operation. is there. When the user touches this (S3: Help), for example, a character string or an image explaining the menu operation is displayed in a partial area of the screen (S4). By referring to such help, the user can smoothly perform menu operations. When this help screen is closed, the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

  The drag icon 56 is an input key for operating each menu item. For example, when the user touches the drag icon 56 and traces in the direction of arrow A (S3: A direction), each menu item rotates in the direction of arrow A ′ about the axis O shown in FIGS. Move (S5). The axis O is a straight line along the Y axis that passes through the centers of the menu items P22, 25, and 28. Note that each menu item is kept facing the screen of the display unit 7 even during movement. For this reason, the menu items P22, 25, and 28 remain substantially stationary, and the remaining 24 menu items around the menu items P22, 25, and 28 are drawn to move on a circular path.

  For example, when the drag icon 56 is traced in the left direction of the arrow A, the image processing unit 6 performs a drawing process so as to rotate the drag icon 56 counterclockwise, and each menu item is synchronized with the rotation operation. Is drawn so as to move clockwise around the axis O. If the drag icon 56 is traced in the right direction of the arrow A, the drawing process is performed so that the drag icon 56 is rotated clockwise, and each menu item is moved counterclockwise around the axis O in synchronization with the rotation. The drawing process is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a top view of the three-dimensional virtual solid VC in which the menu items are arranged, and shows a state in which the menu items have moved. Focusing on the menu item P13, the movement of the menu item will be described. For example, when the drag icon 56 is traced to the left of the arrow A, the menu item P13 moves on a circular orbit about the axis O. In other words, the axis O 'moves on this circular orbit while being always overlapped. That is, the menu item P13 moves so that the axis O ′ draws the circular orbit. The axis O 'is a straight line along the Y axis that passes through the center of the menu item P13.

  The menu item P13 rotates about the axis O 'in the direction of arrow AA (counterclockwise here). At this time, the angular velocity is the same as the angular velocity of the menu item P13 in the circular orbit with the axis O as the center, and the direction is opposite. For this reason, the posture of the menu item P13 is kept in a state of facing the screen of the display unit 7 even during movement. Other menu items operate in the same manner as menu item P13. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, all the menu items P13 move so as to revolve around the axis O while maintaining a state of facing the screen of the display unit 7.

  Note that the amount of movement of the menu item on the circular orbit here is proportional to, for example, the time when the drag icon 56 is touched or the distance dragged.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user touches the drag icon 56 and traces in the arrow B direction (S3: B or C direction), the image processing unit 6 moves the drag icon 56 to the arrow B. In addition to drawing processing to rotate in the direction, the menu items P31 to P39 of the innermost layer on the screen are set to the frontmost layer of the screen, and the menu items P11 to P19 of the frontmost layer of the screen are Then, the drawing processing is performed so that the menu items P21 to P29 of the middle layer are slid and moved to the innermost layer on the screen in the innermost layer (middle layer) (S6).

  Also, for example, when the user touches the drag icon 56 and traces in the direction of arrow C (S3: B or C direction), the image processing unit 6 performs drawing processing to rotate the drag icon 56 in the direction of arrow C. In addition, the menu items P21 to P29 are slid and moved to the foremost layer of the screen, the menu items P31 to P39 are moved to the middle layer, and the menu items P11 to P19 are slid to the innermost layer of the screen. The drawing process is performed (S6).

  In the arrangement as described above, all menu items are displayed facing the screen of the display unit 7. For this reason, the menu item located on the back side of the screen can be clearly seen by the user. Accordingly, many menu items with high visibility can be displayed on one screen, and the user can grasp the correlation between the menu items visually and sensuously. In addition, since the menu item group moves in synchronization with the drag icon 56 which is an input key, the operation feeling is good and easy to handle.

  When the user touches any one menu item (S3: menu item), the image processing unit 6 performs a drawing process so that the menu item is enlarged and displayed in response (S7). Thereby, the user can browse a desired menu item in a size that can be sufficiently visually recognized up to the detailed portion thereof. If the “return” icon 52 is touched in this state, the menu screen as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 is displayed again.

  Here, an example of the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 100 when a category other than “external capture” is selected will be briefly described. For example, when “navigation” is selected in the category selection, a menu item group (for example, a character string representing the information) related to the registration point and VICS information is displayed on the menu screen. These menu items operate in synchronism with the drag icon 56, as in the above example. When the user touches a menu item on this menu screen, the control unit 1 refers to the recording medium processing unit 5 to read out appropriate map data, and controls the image processing unit 6 to surround the registration point as a center. A map or the like is displayed on the display unit 7, or a route calculation for navigation from the current vehicle position to the registered point based on the GPS signal is executed. In this case, the menu display process ends, and for example, a well-known navigation process is started.

  These menu items remain in a state of facing the screen of the display unit 7 no matter what operation is applied. If it demonstrates from another viewpoint, these menu items do not incline with respect to XY plane like the menu item of the hexahedron upper surface and side surface of the said patent document 1. FIG. Therefore, it is displayed in a state where excellent visibility is always maintained without distortion. Further, the menu item on the back side of the hexahedron is always displayed without being hidden from the screen.

  Each menu item can be set so that it always moves at a very slow speed on the circular orbit, for example. In such a setting, when viewed in time series, all menu items other than the menu items located on the axis O are always displayed on the foremost side of the screen without any user operation. Therefore, even when the menu screen is not operated, the user can visually recognize each menu item in a state where it is not shielded by other menu items.

  Further, for example, whether or not the menu item can be selected can be set according to the display area of the menu item (more specifically, whether or not the menu item has a size that can be reliably touched with a finger). When this setting is adopted, for example, the menu item on the foremost side of the screen is set to be selectable by the user because the entire area is displayed. On the other hand, the menu item on the far side of the screen is set to be unselectable by the user because a part of the menu item can be blocked by other menu items. In such a setting, even if the user touches a menu item that is partially shielded, the menu item is not enlarged.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ranges. For example, there are various forms of menu item movement. This will be described below. In the following embodiments, the same and similar configurations as those of the present embodiment are denoted by the same and similar names and symbols, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the movement of menu items according to another embodiment. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, when the drag icon 56 is traced to the left of the arrow A, for example, each menu item moves in the direction of the arrow E (counterclockwise). This movement will be described by focusing on the menu item P13. For convenience of explanation, “L ₁ ”, “L ₂ ”, “L ₃ ”, and “L ₄ ” are attached to each of the four virtual surfaces that are parallel to the Y-axis forming the three-dimensional virtual solid VC.

In another embodiment, each menu item moves along the closest virtual plane among the four virtual planes while keeping the state facing the screen of the display unit 7. Here, the menu item P13 in FIG. 7, closest to the virtual plane L ₁ among the four virtual plane. Thus the menu item P13 moves in the direction traced drag icons 56 along the imaginary plane L _1.

When the menu item P13 operation is continuously performed in the drag icon 56 continues to move along the imaginary plane L _1, the menu item P13 is close to the virtual plane L ₂ than the virtual plane L _1. Menu item P13, the virtual plane nearest begins to move along the imaginary plane L ₂ in the direction of arrow E as they become virtual plane L _2. When the operation of the drag icon 56 is further continued, the menu item P13 continues to move in the direction of the arrow E along the virtual plane L ₃ and further the virtual plane L ₄ .

  According to another embodiment, each menu item moves linearly along each virtual plane. Note that the menu item P22 is located at substantially the same distance with respect to any of the four virtual surfaces, and does not substantially move from that position.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the movement of menu items according to still another embodiment. Each menu item moves continuously according to the previously described embodiment, but discretely moves according to the embodiment shown in FIG. When the drag icon 56 is traced, for example, in the left direction of the arrow A, each menu item moves discretely in the direction of the arrow E (counterclockwise). This movement will be described by focusing on the menu item P11.

In yet another embodiment, each menu item moves discretely along the closest virtual plane among the four virtual planes while maintaining a state of facing the screen of the display unit 7. Here, the menu item P11 in FIG. 8, closest to the imaginary plane L ₂ among the four virtual plane. Menu item P11 from the position shown in FIG. 8, shifts the display position of the menu item P21 which are arranged along a virtual plane L _2. In this case the menu item P21 similarly moves to the display position of the menu item P31 which are arranged along a virtual plane L _2. Similarly, other menu items move to the display position of the adjacent menu item.

  When the drag icon 56 is continuously operated, the menu item P11 is discretely moved to the display positions of the menu items P21, P31, P32. Similarly, other menu items move discretely. That is, according to yet another embodiment, each menu item is a menu item arranged along the virtual plane that it is closest to, and moves discretely to the display position of the adjacent menu item. Similarly, in another embodiment, the menu item P22 is located at substantially the same distance with respect to any of the four virtual surfaces, and does not substantially move from the position.

It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the onboard equipment of embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the menu display process performed in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the menu screen displayed by embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked down at each menu item displayed by embodiment of this invention from upper direction. It is the figure which looked down at each menu item displayed by embodiment of this invention from upper direction. It is the figure which showed an example of the menu screen displayed by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the movement of the menu item of another embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the movement of the menu item of another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 GPS receiver 3 Gyro sensor 4 Vehicle speed sensor 5 Recording medium processing part 6 Image processing part 7 Display part 8 ROM
9 DRAM
10 SRAM
11 VRAM
12 FM signal processing part 13 Beacon processing part 14 Input part 15 Voice recognition part 100 Onboard equipment

Claims (21)

In a menu display method for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items,
A step of arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen, and at least a part of the menu items on the back side of the screen so that at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. Menu item placement step to place each menu item so that it does not overlap with the menu item in front of it,
A menu display method comprising: a menu item moving step of moving each menu item arranged in the menu item arranging step in a state of facing a display screen in response to a predetermined user operation.   2. The menu display method according to claim 1, wherein in the menu item moving step, each menu item is moved on a circular orbit about a predetermined axis in the three-dimensional virtual solid.   2. The menu display method according to claim 1, wherein in the menu item moving step, each menu item is moved along a virtual plane that forms the closest three-dimensional virtual solid.   In the menu item moving step, each menu item is discretely moved to a display position of a menu item adjacent to itself in a direction along a virtual plane forming the closest three-dimensional virtual solid. The menu display method according to claim 1.   5. The menu display method according to claim 1, wherein permission or prohibition of selection for each menu item is determined in accordance with a display area thereof.   6. The menu display method according to claim 5, wherein permission or prohibition of the selection is determined according to whether or not the display area is sufficiently large for the user to select. In a menu display method for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items,
A step of arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen, and at least a part of the menu items on the back side of the screen so that at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. Menu item placement step to place each menu item so that it does not overlap with the menu item in front of it,
And a menu item moving step of constantly moving each menu item arranged in the menu item arranging step on a predetermined trajectory while maintaining a state in which the menu item is directly opposed to the display screen. In a menu display program for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items,
Each menu item is arranged so as to face the display screen in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid, and at that time, at least a part of the menu items on the back side of the screen is visible so that at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. , Do n’t overlap the menu item in front of it,
A menu display program for moving each menu item arranged in the three-dimensional virtual three-dimensional object in a state of facing the display screen in response to a predetermined user operation.   The menu display program according to claim 8, wherein each menu item is moved so as to draw a circular orbit about a predetermined axis in the three-dimensional virtual solid.   The menu display program according to claim 8, wherein each menu item is moved along a virtual plane forming a closest three-dimensional virtual solid.   9. The menu according to claim 8, wherein each menu item is discretely moved to a display position of a menu item adjacent to itself in a direction along a virtual plane forming the closest three-dimensional virtual solid. Display program.   The menu display program according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein permission or prohibition of selection for each menu item is determined in accordance with a display area thereof.   13. The menu display program according to claim 12, wherein permission or prohibition of the selection is determined according to whether or not the display area is sufficiently large for the user to select. In a menu display program for displaying a menu including a plurality of menu items,
Each menu item is arranged so as to face the display screen in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid, and at that time, at least a part of the menu items on the back side of the screen is visible so that at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. , Do n’t overlap the menu item in front of it,
A menu display program for constantly moving each menu item arranged in the three-dimensional virtual solid in a predetermined orbit while maintaining a state of facing a display screen in response to a predetermined user operation. In a menu display device that displays a menu including a plurality of menu items,
Display means capable of displaying the menu three-dimensionally;
A means for arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen, and at least a part of the menu items on the back side of the screen so that at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. Menu item arrangement means for arranging each menu item so that it does not overlap with the menu item on the near side,
Menu item moving means for moving each menu item arranged by the menu item arranging means in a state of facing the display screen in response to a predetermined user operation. Menu display device.   16. The menu display device according to claim 15, wherein the menu item moving means moves each menu item so as to draw a circular orbit about a predetermined axis in the three-dimensional virtual solid. .   The menu display device according to claim 15, wherein the menu item moving unit moves each menu item along a virtual plane that forms a closest three-dimensional virtual solid.   The menu item moving means discretely moves each menu item to a display position of a menu item adjacent to itself in a direction along a virtual plane that forms the closest three-dimensional virtual solid. The menu display device according to claim 15.   19. The menu display device according to claim 15, wherein permission or prohibition of selection for each menu item is determined according to a display area thereof. 19.   20. The menu display device according to claim 19, wherein permission or prohibition of the selection is determined according to whether or not the display area is large enough to be selected by the user. In a menu display device that displays a menu including a plurality of menu items,
Display means capable of displaying the menu three-dimensionally;
A means for arranging each menu item in a predetermined three-dimensional virtual solid so as to face the display screen, and at least a part of the menu items on the back side of the screen so that at least a part of all the menu items can be visually recognized. Menu item arrangement means for arranging each menu item so that it does not overlap with the menu item on the near side,
A menu display device, comprising: menu item moving means for constantly moving each menu item arranged by the menu item arranging means on a predetermined trajectory while maintaining a state of facing the display screen.

Images