Cursor control method and cursor control device

Abstract

A cursor control method is disclosed for moving a cursor on a first display image and a second display image using a navigation input device. The method comprises: (a) receiving a first displacement value from the navigation input device when the cursor is located in a first region of the first display image, and receiving a second displacement value from the navigation input device when the cursor is located in a second region of the first display image; (b) moving the cursor on the first display image by a first movement value when the cursor is located in the first region, the first movement value being determined according to the first displacement value and a first scale; and (c) moving the cursor on the second display image by a second movement value when the cursor is located in the second region, the second movement value being determined according to the second displacement value and a second scale; wherein the first scale is different from the second scale; and wherein the second display image is a magnified portion of the first display image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cursor control method and a cursor control device, and more particularly to a cursor control method and a cursor control device that can improve the cursor movement range and accuracy. Background Technology

[0002] Joysticks are quite common devices in modern life. They are used to move a cursor to a target point. However, due to the structure of the joystick, the range of cursor movement may be limited each time.

[0003] Furthermore, if a user wants to move the cursor to a target on a high-resolution image, it is difficult to move the cursor to the precise location of the target point using the joystick because the cursor's movement distance is very sensitive to the joystick control. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this invention is to disclose a cursor control method and a cursor control device that can improve the cursor movement range.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to disclose a cursor control method and a cursor control device that can improve the accuracy of cursor movement.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a cursor control method used in a navigation input device for moving a cursor on a first display image and a second display image. The method comprises: (a) receiving a first displacement value from the navigation input device when the cursor is located in a first area of ​​the first display image, and receiving a second displacement value from the navigation input device when the cursor is located in a second area of ​​the first display image; (b) moving the cursor in the first display image with a first displacement value when the cursor is located in the first area, the first displacement value being obtained based on the first displacement value and a first ratio; and (c) moving the cursor in the second display image with a second displacement value when the cursor is located in the second area, the second displacement value being obtained based on the second displacement value and a second ratio; wherein the first ratio is different from the second ratio; and wherein the second display image is a partially enlarged image of the first display image.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a cursor control device for moving a cursor on a first display image and a second display image, comprising: a navigation input device and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform the following steps: (a) when the cursor is located in a first area of ​​the first display image, receiving a first displacement value from the navigation input device; and when the cursor is located in a second area of ​​the first display image, receiving a second displacement value from the navigation input device; (b) when the cursor is located in the first area, moving the cursor in the first display image with a first displacement value, the first displacement value being obtained based on the first displacement value and a first ratio; and (c) when the cursor is located in the second area, moving the cursor in the second display image with a second displacement value, the second displacement value being obtained based on the second displacement value and a second ratio; wherein the first ratio is different from the second ratio; and wherein the second display image is a partially enlarged image of the first display image.

[0008] According to the foregoing embodiments, the cursor movement range can be increased by using an extended range. Furthermore, the accuracy of cursor movement can be improved by using a magnified image (a second display image). Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a cursor control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0011] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a joystick according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a cursor control method according to different embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0014] 200 Game Controller

[0015] 201 Processing Circuit

[0016] 203 Joysticks

[0017] 301 Column

[0018] 303 Image Sensor

[0019] B boundary

[0020] Buttons B_1, B_2, B_3, B_4

[0021] C cursor

[0022] d1, d2 threshold distance

[0023] d3 and d4 distances

[0024] Valid range of ER_1, ER_2, ER_3

[0025] Imd_1 First Display Image

[0026] Imd_2 Second Display Image

[0027] O Center point

[0028] P_1 First Position

[0029] P_2 Second Position

[0030] PR_1 First Pattern Area

[0031] PR_2 Second Pattern Area

[0032] R_1 First District

[0033] R_2 Second Zone

[0034] R_a, R_b mapping regions

[0035] SS sensing image

[0036] SP Specific Pattern

[0037] T target point

[0038] θ Inclination angle Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention will be described below with reference to several embodiments. Please note that the terms "first," "second," and similar descriptions in the following description are only used to define different elements, parameters, data, signals, or steps, and are not intended to limit their order. For example, the first device and the second device may be devices with the same structure but different from each other.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cursor control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cursor control method can be applied to a navigation input device to move a cursor C on a first display image Imd_1. In the following embodiments, the navigation input device is a joystick, but it is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the term "cursor" is not limited to objects having a cursor shape; other display targets that can be moved by the navigation input device, such as game characters, should also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0041] The first display image Imd_1 includes a mapping area R_a and an extension area R_b. The cursor control method disclosed in this invention receives a first displacement value from a navigation input device when the cursor C is positioned within the mapping area R_a of the first display image. Furthermore, when the cursor C is within the mapping area R_a, the cursor C moves on the first display image Imd_1 with a first movement value, which is obtained by the first displacement value and a first ratio. Moreover, when the cursor C is within the extension area R_b, the cursor C moves on the first display image Imd_1 in response to the direction of movement of the cursor C within the mapping area R_a, but does not move in response to the first movement value. In short, the cursor C moves in the mapping area R_a corresponding to the first displacement value and the direction of movement of the cursor C within the mapping area R_a, but does not move in response to the first displacement value when within the extension area R_b. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the extension region R_b surrounds the mapping region R_a, but is not limited thereto. The details of the mapping region R_a and the extension region R_b will be described in more detail later.

[0042] In one embodiment, the navigation input device is a rocker arm with a column, and the first displacement value corresponds to the tilt angle of the column. Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. Figure 2 As shown, the game controller 200 includes a processing circuit 201, a joystick 203, and buttons B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4. Figure 2 The game controller 200 in the example is only; the game controller disclosed in this invention is not limited to... Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, the navigation input device disclosed in this invention can be used in other cursor control devices, and is not limited to game controllers.

[0043] The processing circuit 201 receives input signals from the joystick 203 and buttons B_1, B_2, B_3, and B_4 to generate control commands. The user can control the joystick 203 to move the cursor C. Therefore, the input signal generated by the joystick 203 is the first displacement value. After receiving the first displacement value, the processing circuit 201 generates control commands to move the cursor C by the first displacement value. For example, the game controller 203 can communicate with a game console or computer, and the processing circuit 201 generates control commands to the processor of the game console or computer to move the cursor C by the first displacement value.

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a rocker arm 203 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3As shown, the joystick 203 includes a post 301 and an image sensor 303. The bottom of the post 301 has a specific pattern SP, and the image sensor 303 is located below the post 301. Therefore, the image sensor 303 can sense an image of the specific pattern SP. If the post 301 is tilted, the specific pattern SP moves, i.e., the user moves the cursor C using the joystick 203. Therefore, corresponding to... Figure 3 In an embodiment of the present invention, the cursor control method further includes: capturing a sensing image via an image sensor 303, the sensing image including a specific pattern image corresponding to a specific pattern SP. A processing circuit 201 determines a first displacement value based on at least one position of the specific pattern image in the sensing image. The first displacement value corresponds to the tilt angle of the column 301.

[0045] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the specific pattern SP includes a first pattern area PR_1 and a second pattern area PR_2. The first pattern area PR_1 and the second pattern area PR_2 have different colors and sizes. Furthermore, the first pattern area PR_1 is located at a position other than the center point O of the second pattern area PR_2. However, the specific pattern SP is not limited to... Figure 3 The example shown is valid. Any pattern that can provide the same function should also fall within the scope of this invention. The first ratio mentioned above is the ratio of the displacement of a specific pattern SP in the sensed image to the displacement of the cursor C on the first display image Imd_1. Therefore, the first ratio can be 1, greater than 1, or less than 1.

[0046] Please refer to this again. Figure 1 In one embodiment, the entire sensed image SS corresponds to a mapping area R_a and an extension area R_b. That is, the mapping area R_a corresponds to a portion of the sensed image SS, while the extension area R_b corresponds to another portion of the sensed image SS. In one embodiment, the extension area R_b corresponds to the edge or border area of ​​the sensed image SS. Therefore, if Figure 3 By tilting the cylinder 301 at a small angle, the position of the specific pattern SP can be detected, allowing the cursor C to move within the mapping area R_a according to the aforementioned rules (the first movement value is obtained from the first displacement value and the first ratio). Conversely, if Figure 3 If the cylinder 301 is tilted at a large angle, then cursor C can only move to the boundary of the mapped area R_a according to the first movement value. In such an embodiment, after cursor C moves to the boundary of the mapped area R_a, cursor C continues to move in the extension area R_b according to the above rules (corresponding to the movement direction of cursor C in the mapped area R_a). For example, if the cylinder 301 is tilted at a large angle, then cursor C moves from left to right according to the tilt angle of the cylinder 301 and moves to the boundary of the mapped area R_a, and cursor C in Figure 3The cursor C remains within the extended region R_b, moving to the right. In other words, the movement of the cursor C within the extended region R_b does not correspond to the tilt angle of the cylinder 301.

[0047] according to Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment can extend the movement range of cursor C. Furthermore, the present invention also discloses embodiments that can improve cursor movement accuracy. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a cursor control method according to different embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 The effective range of the cursor is described. Different tilt angles θ correspond to different effective ranges. For example, the effective range ER_1 corresponds to a tilt angle θ of 10 degrees, the effective range ER_2 corresponds to a tilt angle θ of 15 degrees, and the effective range ER_3 corresponds to a tilt angle θ of 20 degrees. The cursor moves to the boundary of the effective range corresponding to the tilt angle of the cylinder 301. These effective ranges relate to the following embodiments and will be described below.

[0048] exist Figure 5 In one embodiment, a first display image Imd_1 and a second display image Imd_2 are provided, wherein the second display image Imd_2 is a partially enlarged image of the first display image Imd_1. In one embodiment, the second display image Imd_2 is not composed of... Figure 3 The second display image Imd_2 is triggered not by the tilt angle of the column 301, but by other methods. In one embodiment, the second display image Imd_2 is triggered when the cursor C approaches the target point T in the first display image Imd_1. In another embodiment, the second display image Imd_2 is triggered when the cursor C moves back and forth within a specific range in the first display image Imd_1 (i.e., repeatedly moves in one direction and then in the opposite direction), because such an action may indicate that the user wants to move the cursor C to a specific point but is unable to do so. In yet another embodiment, the second display image Imd_2 is triggered if the movement speed of the cursor C in the first display image Imd_1 is lower than a threshold speed, or if the cumulative displacement of the cursor C in the first display image Imd_1 is less than a threshold displacement, because such an operation may indicate that the cursor C is approaching a specific point and the user is attempting to move the cursor C to that specific point.

[0049] exist Figure 5In one embodiment, when the cursor is located within the first region R_1 of the first displayed image Imd_1, the processing circuit 201 receives a first displacement value from the joystick 203; when the cursor is located within the second region R_2 of the first displayed image Imd_1, the processing circuit 201 receives a second displacement value from the joystick 203. In another embodiment, when the cursor C is located within the first region R_1, the cursor C moves on the first displayed image Imd_1 with a first movement value. In this embodiment, the first movement value is obtained from the first displacement value and a first ratio. The first ratio can be 1 or any value other than 1. That is, the first movement value corresponds exactly to the first displacement value output by the joystick 203.

[0050] exist Figure 5 In one embodiment, the second region R_2 represents a predetermined range of the target point T, and the first region R_1 refers to other parts of the first display image Imd_1 that do not belong to the predetermined range of the target point T. If the cursor C moves into the second region R2, it means that the cursor C is close to the target point T. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the target point T is displayed at the center point O of the second display image Imd_2, but the target point T can be displayed at any position in the second display image Imd_2.

[0051] Furthermore, when cursor C is within the first region R_l, cursor C moves on the first display image Imd_l with a first movement value, which is obtained from a first displacement value and a first ratio. Additionally, when the cursor is within the second region R_2, cursor C moves on the second display image Imd_2 with a second movement value, which is obtained from a second displacement value and a second ratio. The first ratio is different from the second ratio. The first ratio refers to the ratio of the first movement value to the first displacement value, and the second ratio refers to the ratio of the second movement value to the second displacement value. In one embodiment, the second ratio is smaller than the first ratio.

[0052] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The concepts shown in the embodiments can be applied to Figure 1 The mapping region R_a in the map can also be applied to the mapping region R_a in the map. Figure 1 The extended region R_b in the text. Furthermore... Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The concepts shown in the embodiments can be understood through Figure 2 The game controller 200 and Figure 3 This is achieved using column 203. Therefore, in one embodiment, the first displacement value and the second displacement value correspond to the tilt angle of column 301.

[0053] In other words, initially, the second display image Imd_2 is not displayed, and the user moves the cursor C on the first display image Imd_1. If the cursor C moves within the first area R_1, the second display image Imd_2 remains undisplayed. However, if the cursor C moves within a predetermined range of the target point T, for example, if the distance between the cursor C and the target point T is less than a threshold distance d1, the second display image Imd_2 is displayed, and the user can move the cursor C on the second display image Imd_2 to approach the target point T. As described above, in one embodiment, the second scale is smaller than the first scale. When the cylinders 301 have the same tilt angle, the movement distance of the cursor C in the second display image Imd_2 is smaller than the movement distance in the first display image Imd_1. For example, the cursor C moves a distance d1 when the cylinder 301 is tilted by 0.1 degrees in the first display image Imd_1, while it moves a distance d1 when the cylinder 301 is tilted by 2 degrees in the second display image Imd_2. Thus, even if the joystick 203 has high sensitivity, the user can precisely control the cursor C to move to the target point T. High sensitivity means that when the cylinder 301 is tilted at a small angle, the cursor C will move a long distance.

[0054] Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment helps the user precisely move the cursor C to the target point T. However, in execution... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiments, the reduction may be achieved. Figure 4 The effective range is shown. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, if the threshold distance for triggering the second display image Imd_2 is d2, then the joystick 203 needs to be tilted by X degrees to move the cursor C a distance d2 in the first display image Imd_1. If the magnification ratio is Y, then the tilt angle of the joystick 203 needs to be increased to X*Y to move the cursor C a distance d2 in the second display image Imd_2. However, since the maximum tilt angle of the cylinder 301 is limited, this situation may cause some inconvenience to the user.

[0055] In order to improve Figure 6 In one embodiment, a repositioning procedure is executed to change the position of cursor C in the second displacement image Imd_2. Specifically, the first position P_1 (original position) of cursor C in the second display image Imd_2 is changed to a second position P_2 (changed position) in the second display image Imd_2. In one embodiment, the position of cursor C in the first display image Imd_1 is also changed accordingly. However, in another embodiment, the position of cursor C in the first display image Imd_1 does not change accordingly.

[0056] The first position P_1 and the second position P_2 can be any position in the second display image Imd_2. In one embodiment, the distance between the target point T and the second position P_2 is less than the distance between the target point T and the first position P_1. Furthermore, in Figure 7 In this embodiment, the first position P_1, the second position P_2, and the target point T are on the same line. Figure 7 In one embodiment, the first position P_1 and the second position P_2 are located at the boundary of the second display image Imd_2. In another embodiment, if the target point T is... Figure 4 If the distance to the boundary of the effective range shown is less than the threshold distance, a repositioning procedure is executed, because this means that the target point T is close to the boundary of the effective range or the target point T is outside the effective range.

[0057] As described above, the target point C can be located at any other position in the second displayed image besides the center point O. Figure 8 As shown, because the target point T is close to the boundary B of the first display image Imd_1, the target point T is located at the upper right corner of the second display image Imd_2. In this case, the cursor C changes from the first position P_1 to the second position P_2. Therefore, in Figure 8 In one embodiment, the distance d4 between the second position P_2 (the changed position) and the target point T is less than the distance d3 between the first position P_1 (the original position) and the target point T. In another embodiment, cursor C is displayed when it is in the second position P_2, and is not displayed when it is in the first position P_1.

[0058] Therefore, in Figure 8 In this embodiment, if a target point T is detected near the boundary B (or corner) of the first display image Imd_1 and the cursor C is far from the boundary B near the target point T, a repositioning process is performed. In this way, the cursor C moves to the boundary B closer to the target point T. In other words, if the distance between the target point T and the boundary B of the first display image Imd_1 is less than a first threshold distance and the distance between the boundary B and the cursor C is greater than the first threshold distance, the position of the cursor C in the second display image Imd_2 is changed. Furthermore, the cursor C is moved to a position near or at the boundary B. Note that although in Figure 8 In the embodiment, boundary B belongs to the second display image Imd_2. Since the second display image Imd_2 is a part of the first display image Imd_1, boundary B also belongs to the first display image Imd_1.

[0059] According to the foregoing embodiments, the cursor movement range can be increased by using an extended range. Furthermore, the accuracy of cursor movement can be improved by using a magnified image (a second display image).

[0060] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cursor control method used in a navigation input device for moving a cursor over a first display image and a second display image, characterized in that, include: (a) When the cursor is in the first area of ​​the first display image, a first displacement value is received from the navigation input device; when the cursor is in the second area of ​​the first display image, a second displacement value is received from the navigation input device. (b) When the cursor is in the first area, the cursor is moved in the first display image by a first movement value, the first movement value being obtained based on the first displacement value and a first ratio; and (c) When the cursor is in the second area, the cursor is moved in the second display image by a second movement value, the second movement value being obtained based on the second displacement value and the second ratio; The first ratio is different from the second ratio; The second display image is a magnified portion of the first display image; the second display image is triggered when at least one of the following conditions is met: The cursor is located within a predetermined range of the target point in the first displayed image; The cursor repeatedly moves in one direction and then in the opposite direction within the first displayed image; The cursor moves at a speed below the threshold speed in the first displayed image; The cumulative displacement of the cursor in the first displayed image is lower than the threshold displacement; The cursor control method further includes: changing the cursor from a first position in the second display image to a second position in the second display image; If the distance between the target point and the boundary of the first displayed image is less than a first threshold distance and the distance between the boundary and the cursor is greater than the first threshold distance, then the position of the cursor in the second displayed image is changed, wherein the cursor is changed to be closer to or located at the boundary.

2. The cursor control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The navigation input device is a joystick with a column, and the first displacement value and the second displacement value correspond to the tilt angle of the column.

3. The cursor control method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The column has a specific pattern, and the cursor control method further includes: A sensor captures a sensor image, which includes a specific pattern image of the specific pattern. The tilt angle is calculated based on the position of the specific pattern image in the sensor image.

4. The cursor control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first proportion is greater than the second proportion.

5. The cursor control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cursor is not displayed when it is in the first position, but it is displayed when it is in the second position.

6. The cursor control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the cursor moves to a predetermined range of the target point on the first display image, the cursor is displayed, wherein the first position and the second position are located on different sides of the target point in the second display image.

7. The cursor control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the first position and the target point is greater than the distance between the second position and the target point.

8. A cursor control device for moving a cursor on a first display image and a second display image, comprising: Navigation input device; as well as Processing circuitry is used to perform the following steps: (a) When the cursor is in the first area of ​​the first display image, a first displacement value is received from the navigation input device; when the cursor is in the second area of ​​the first display image, a second displacement value is received from the navigation input device. (b) When the cursor is in the first area, the cursor is moved in the first display image by a first movement value, the first movement value being obtained based on the first displacement value and a first ratio; and (c) When the cursor is in the second area, the cursor is moved in the second display image by a second movement value, the second movement value being obtained based on the second displacement value and the second ratio; The first ratio is different from the second ratio; The second display image is a magnified portion of the first display image; the second display image is triggered when at least one of the following conditions is met: The cursor is located within a predetermined range of the target point in the first displayed image; The cursor repeatedly moves in one direction and then in the opposite direction within the first displayed image; The cursor moves at a speed below the threshold speed in the first displayed image; The cumulative displacement of the cursor in the first displayed image is lower than the threshold displacement; The cursor control device is also used to perform the following steps: changing the cursor from the first position of the second display image to the second position of the second display image; If the distance between the target point and the boundary of the first displayed image is less than a first threshold distance and the distance between the boundary and the cursor is greater than the first threshold distance, then the position of the cursor in the second displayed image is changed, wherein the cursor is changed to be closer to or located at the boundary.

9. The cursor control device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The navigation input device is a joystick with a column, and the first displacement value and the second displacement value correspond to the tilt angle of the column.

10. The cursor control device as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The joystick includes an image sensor and the column has a specific pattern, while the cursor control method further includes: A sensor captures a sensor image, which includes a specific pattern image of the specific pattern. The tilt angle is calculated based on the position of the specific pattern image in the sensor image.

11. The cursor control device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first proportion is greater than the second proportion.

12. The cursor control device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, When the cursor moves to a predetermined range of the target point on the first display image, the cursor is displayed, wherein the first position and the second position are located on different sides of the target point in the second display image.

13. The cursor control device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The distance between the first position and the target point is greater than the distance between the second position and the target point.

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