JP2002157068A - Method of controlling computer, computer, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily operate a personal computer or the like with various modes, using a remote controller of simple constitution. SOLUTION: An input device 12 comprises a full-key board and a mouse, and the remote controller 34 has keys of the number reduced compared with the number in the full-key board. When serial operation information in the remote controller 34 is received via a remote control interface 32, a CPU 26 generates a pseudo-mouse event corresponding thereto. A mesh comprising plural frames arranged vertically and laterally is displayed at first on a display 14. When [4], [8] are input, for example, in the remote controller 34, the frame of the fourth line and the 8th column is selected. The frame is divided laterally into five sections to be displayed. When [3] is input in the remote controller 34, a mouse cursor moved to the central section out of the sections.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a computer control method, a computer and a program suitable for use in a personal computer for watching karaoke and various contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the performance of personal computers has been remarkably improved. When using a personal computer for such entertainment, for example, it is convenient if the operation can be performed while holding a microphone, food or the like in one hand, or can be operated while sitting deeply on a sofa. For this reason, various personal computers having a remote control device that can be operated with one hand are also on the market.

[0003]

By the way, a mouse, a digitizer and the like have been conventionally used as a pointing device of a personal computer. However, since these pointing devices are assumed to be placed on a desk and operated by a user, it is difficult to operate these pointing devices while sitting deeply on a sofa. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a computer control method, a computer, and a program that can easily operate a personal computer or the like.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. Note that the contents in parentheses are examples. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the control method is executed in the computer to control the computer by a remote control signal. ) On the screen (step SP92), and the operation position on the screen (row name, column name, and section number in the frame) specified by the first remote control signal (step SP92). An operation position determination process for determining the position of the mouse cursor 338 (steps SP93 to SP96), and an operation for determining the operation content at the operation position by a second remote operation signal (numerical keys [*], [#]) Content determination process (steps SP93 to S93)
P96). Further, in the configuration according to the second aspect, in the computer control method according to the first aspect, in the operation position determination step or the operation content determination step, a pseudo keyboard event or a mouse event is generated. It is characterized by. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the method according to the first or second aspect is performed. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the method according to the first or second aspect is performed.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Configuration of embodiment 1.1. Overall Configuration Next, the overall configuration of an entertainment system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 15
Reference numeral 0 denotes a distribution server operated by a content provider, which provides various contents via the Internet 140. Here, the provided contents include multimedia files for karaoke, application programs such as games and fortune-telling, and on-demand live images such as concerts and lectures. The Internet 140 includes a mobile communication network 16 such as a PHS or a cellular phone.
0 is connected. For this reason, content consumers
Using a subscriber terminal 170 such as a PHS or a cellular phone,
It is possible to instruct the distribution server 150 of the content or the like desired to be distributed.

Reference numeral 180 denotes a live studio in which live images of concerts and lectures are recorded. The recorded video is transmitted to the distribution server 150 via the Internet 140. Thereby, as described above, these contents are distributed from the distribution server 150 to the consumer via the Internet 140. However, in order to distribute on-demand live video or the like, the required transmission capacity becomes large, and therefore, it may not always be economical for consumers to distribute only on the Internet 140. For example, a transmission capacity of about 1.5 Mbps is required to transmit one channel of live video, and 9 Mbps is required to transmit six channels simultaneously.
A certain transmission capacity is required.

[0007] Therefore, these on-demand live images are multiplexed, transmitted to the satellite communication ground station 110 via the ATM line 112, and then distributed to each customer via the communication satellite 100. Here, "consumers"
Each content is classified into a personal user who mainly views and uses the content at home, and a franchise franchisee of the content provider, which is a franchise user who provides each content to customers for a fee. Reference numeral 122 denotes a stand-alone personal computer mainly used by an individual user, which receives live video via the satellite communication receiver 120 and receives other contents via the Internet 140 and the router 124. The member store user has a plurality of client computers 134 and a server computer 132 that manages them.
The live video is received via the satellite communication receiver 130 and other content is received via the router 136.

Next, the detailed configuration of the client computer 134 of the member store user will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes an input device, which comprises a full keyboard, a mouse, and the like. A display device 14 displays various information to the user of the client computer 134. Reference numeral 26 denotes a CPU, which controls each unit in the client computer 134 via the bus 28 based on a program described later. Reference numeral 16 denotes a network interface, which is connected to a satellite communication receiver 130, a router 136, a server computer 132, and the like via a hub 40. That is, these components 130, 1
32, 136, 40 form a local area network (member store LAN).

A hard disk drive 18 in the client computer 134 stores an operating system, application programs such as a browser, device drivers, various contents, and the like. Reference numeral 20 denotes an optical disk drive, and the set C
Reads the contents of an optical disk such as a D-ROM or DVD-RAM. Reference numeral 22 denotes a RAM in which an operating system, application programs, and the like are loaded.
Reference numeral 24 denotes a ROM in which an initial program loader and the like of the CPU 26 are stored. Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory card which is detachable from the client computer 134 and stores contents such as multimedia files for karaoke. A remote control interface 32 receives an infrared remote control signal from a remote control device 34 provided outside.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a tuner, which receives a terrestrial broadcast wave transmitted from a television transmitting station 33 via an antenna 17a, converts the received video and audio signals into digital signals, and outputs the digital signals via a bus 28. Reference numeral 19 denotes a sound board, which samples the audio signal supplied from the microphone 35, converts the sampled signal into a digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to the CPU 26. The digital audio signal supplied from the CPU 26 is converted into an analog signal, and further supplied. A tone signal is synthesized based on the performance information (MIDI signal), and is generated via an amplifier / speaker 36. The configuration of the client computer 134 has been described above, but the configurations of the stand-alone personal computer 122 and the server computer 132 are also the same.

1.2. Configuration of Remote Control Device 34 Here, the configuration of the remote control device 34 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 320 denotes a liquid crystal display, which displays the contents of operated keys and the like. 301, ..., 301
Are twelve numeric keys, numbers "0" to "9",
The symbols “*” and “#” are engraved, respectively. Numeral keys 301,..., 301 are mainly used for numerical input, character input, and the like to the client computer 134.

Reference numeral 302 denotes a direction key, which includes "up (UP)", "down"
4 indicating the direction of (DOWN), right (RIGHT), and left (LEFT)
Keys. These keys are fixed to a disk, and the disk can swing up, down, left, and right. For this reason, "up (UP)""down(DOWN)""right(RIGHT)"
The "LEFT" key is selectively turned on in accordance with the swing direction. Reference numeral 303 denotes a PLAY key, which instructs start of content reproduction and the like. Reference numeral 304 denotes a PAUSE key, which instructs a pause or the like of content reproduction. Reference numeral 305 denotes a STOP key, which instructs stop of reproduction of the content and the like. 306 is
A REQUEST key, which is used to reserve a song number in a karaoke application or the like.

Reference numeral 307 denotes a CANCEL key, which is used in a karaoke application or the like to cancel a reservation of a music number. A setting key 308 is used to adjust various parameters such as volume. A conversion key 309 is used for “kana-kanji conversion”. Although not shown, the remote controller 34 includes:
It has a transmitter for transmitting the above-mentioned key operation state as an infrared remote control signal. A mode setting key 310 is used to set an operation mode of the remote controller 34. That is, the operation modes of the remote control device 34 include a normal mode that operates as a normal remote control device and a pointing mode that operates as a pointing device, and the operation mode is switched every time the mode setting key 310 is operated. is there.

2. Operation of Embodiment 2.1. Activation of Launcher Program Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, when the power of the client computer 134 is turned on, the ROM 2
4 is executed, and the operating system starts up. In this operating system, the server computer 13
In order to log on to the domain managed by the user 2, a screen for inputting a user name and a password is displayed. Here, when an appropriate user name and password are input via the keyboard of the input device 12, the client computer 134
Is logged on to the domain. Thus, the client computer 134 is connected to the server computer 132 connected to the member store LAN, the satellite communication receiver 130,
Packets can be transmitted and received between other computers and peripheral devices such as the router 136.

Next, the operating system of the client computer 134 reads the contents of a predetermined startup directory in the hard disk drive 18 and recognizes an application program to be automatically executed. In the present embodiment, the startup directory includes a shortcut for the launcher program, which automatically executes the launcher program. When the launcher program is started, a window of the launcher program is displayed on the display device 14, and icons 51 to 6 shown in FIG.
0 is displayed.

The icons 51 to 60 correspond to karaoke, movies, games, fortune telling, school, live, Internet, electronic commerce, lottery, and other program contents or services, respectively. Here, “movie”, “school”, and “live” refer to the communication satellite 10
0 is the name of the channel of the live video in the on-demand format provided through the “0”. “Karaoke” refers to a karaoke application program described later, and “game” refers to a game installed in the client computer 134 in advance or a game for a large number of people executed via the Internet 140. "Internet"
This is a connection service for the Internet 140. “Fortune-telling”, “e-commerce”, and “lottery” refer to services that connect to a specific homepage on the distribution server 150 via the Internet 140.

2.2. Operation of Driver of Remote Control Interface 32 2.2.1. Operation in Normal Mode When the operating system is started in the client computer 134, the driver program of the remote control interface 32 and the event correspondence table are stored in the RAM 2 from the hard disk drive 18.
2 is read. FIG. 12A shows an example of this event correspondence table. The event correspondence table is a table in which a key operation of one or more remote control devices 34 is associated with a keyboard event or a mouse event, and is used in the normal mode of the remote control device 34. For example, in the figure, a series of key operations of [*], [0], [1], and [#] are associated with on / off keyboard events of [Cont] + [Alt] + [A]. I have. Similarly,
A series of key operations of [*], [0], [2] and [#] is [Cont]
+ [Alt] + [B] are associated with on / off keyboard events. Note that a “+” sign in a keyboard event indicates that it is simultaneously turned on at a certain moment.

A (one) key operation of the PLAY key 303 is associated with a keyboard event of turning on / off the [F1] key. The key operation of the remote controller 34 may be associated with not only a keyboard event but also a mouse event. For example, in the figure, the UP key of the direction key 302 is associated with a mouse cursor movement event. At that time, the movement amount of the mouse cursor is set to a predetermined value (for example, 50 dots).

However, the event correspondence table does not need to be used in the default state, and can be appropriately switched according to the application program actually controlled. For example, FIG. 2B shows that in a certain application program, the direction key 302 of the remote controller 34 is associated with a keyboard event of the UP key. Further, it is also possible to set only the movement amount to a value different from the default state (for example, 70 dots) while associating the direction key 302 of the remote control device 34 with the mouse cursor movement event as in the default state.

In the driver program, the remote control device 3 received by the remote control interface 32
4 is constantly monitored, and the remote controller 34
Is detected, the remote control event processing routine in the normal mode shown in FIG. 13 is started. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP82, the key at which the event is detected is stored in the remote control buffer (a predetermined area in the RAM 22). For example, if an event of the [*] key is detected, information indicating the [*] key is stored in the remote control buffer.

Next, when the process proceeds to step SP84,
The contents of the event correspondence table corresponding to the window that has the keyboard focus at this time are referred to, and it is determined whether the keyboard event or the mouse event is completed by the event stored in the remote control buffer (here, only [*]). Is done. Here, if the event is not completed only by [*], it is determined as “NO”, and the processing of this routine ends. Next, when the [0] and [1] keys are sequentially pressed in the remote control device 34, the same processing as the [*] key is executed, and the remote control buffer
[*], [0] and [1] are stored.

Next, when the [#] key is pressed, [#] is stored in the remote control buffer in step SP82. At this point, the contents of the remote control buffer are
[*], [0], [1] and [#].
The event described in the second line of 2 (a) has been completed. Accordingly, “YES” is determined in the step SP84, and the process proceeds to a step SP86. here,
The events listed in the second column of FIG. 12A are generated and transmitted to the operating system. In the above example, an on-event of [Cont] + [Alt] + [A] is generated first, followed by an off-event of [Cont] + [Alt] + [A].

Thus, in the application window having the keyboard focus, the input device 12
The same processing as when [Cont] + [Alt] + [A] is pressed on the keyboard is executed. In the operating system, [Cont] + [Alt] + [A] is the application program A (for example, a karaoke application program)
If it is assigned to the shortcut key of
With this operation, the karaoke application program is started. [*], [0], [2], [#] ~
[Cont] + also applies to the operations of [*], [0], [9], and [#].
[Alt] + [A] to [Cont] + [Alt] + [I] are assigned to shortcut keys, and by operating the remote controller 34, program contents or services such as movies, games, fortune-telling, etc. are executed. Will be. Next, when the process proceeds to step SP88, the contents of the remote control buffer are cleared, and the process of this routine ends.

Next, the operation when the PLAY key 303 is pressed on the remote controller 34 will be described. FIG.
According to (a), the event of the PLAY key 303 is completed by itself. Therefore, when "PLAY" is stored in the remote control buffer in step SP82, the event of the "F1" key is transmitted to the operating system via step SP84. Therefore, in such a case, the same processing as when the “F1” key of the keyboard of the input device 12 is pressed is executed in the application window having the keyboard focus. As described above, in the present embodiment, any operation on the keyboard of the input device 12 can be replaced by the operation of the remote control device 34.

2.2.2. Operation in Pointing Mode The operation mode of the remote control device 34 is set to the normal mode by default, but when the mode setting key 310 is pressed, the operation mode is changed to the pointing mode. Therefore, first, an outline of the pointing mode will be described. In the pointing mode, a mesh 330 as shown in FIG. As shown, the mesh 330 has a length of 13
Rows, 13 horizontal rows of frame portions 332, and "1" to
Column name display section 33 displaying characters "12" and "S"
4 and a line name display section 336 displaying characters “1” to “12” and “S” on the left side of each line.

The pointing mode is an operation mode in which the operation of moving the mouse and the operation of clicking the mouse are replaced by the operation of the remote controller 34. This moves the mouse cursor 338 to the position specified by the user,
This is achieved by generating a pseudo mouse click event. First, in order to specify the destination of the mouse cursor 338, a row name, a column name, and a section number in a frame are sequentially specified. The row names and column names are “1” to “12” and “S” displayed on the column name display section 334 and the row name display section 336. this house,
The row names and column names of “1” to “9” are designated by numeric keys of [1] to [9], and “10”, “11”, “12” and “S” are respectively assigned by numeric keys [0] ], REQUEST key 306,
It is designated by the PLAY key 303 and the CANCEL key 307.

The section in the frame is a region (not shown) formed by further dividing one frame of the frame portion 332 into five in the horizontal direction. These sections include “1”-
A section number “5” is assigned. These section numbers are designated by numeric keys "1" to "5". A left mouse click is designated by a numeric key [*], and a right mouse click is designated by a numeric key [#]. For example, the operation of moving the mouse cursor at an arbitrary position to the position shown in the figure (the center of the fourth row and the eighth column) and left-clicking is performed by the numeric keys [4], [8],
This is realized by sequentially pressing [3] and [*].

Hereinafter, the operation will be described in detail. In the pointing mode, when an event of the remote control device 34 is detected, a remote control event processing routine of the pointing mode shown in FIG.
In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP91, it is determined whether or not the mesh 330 is displayed on the display device 14. If "NO" is determined here, the process proceeds to step S
Proceeding to P92, the mesh 330 is displayed on the entire display screen of the display device 14, and further for a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds).
Is set, and the processing of this routine ends.
That is, the mesh 33 in the pointing mode
If 0 is not displayed, the mesh 330 is displayed when the user presses any key of the remote controller 34.

If the above-mentioned predetermined time elapses without the user operating the remote control device 34 at all while the mesh 330 is displayed, a timeout message is supplied from the operating system to the driver program of the remote control interface 32, and FIG. The timeout message processing routine shown in FIG. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP102, the mesh 330 is deleted from the display screen of the display device 14.

On the other hand, if the next event of the remote controller 34 occurs before the predetermined time elapses, the routine shown in FIG. 7A is called again, and the process proceeds to step SP93 via step SP91. In step SP93, the key whose operation key event is detected is stored in the remote control buffer. Then, the display content of the mesh 330 is updated, and a timer for a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds) is set again. As a result, the mesh 330 is continuously displayed as long as the remote control device 34 is continuously operated at intervals shorter than the predetermined time.

Here, the operation of updating the display contents of the mesh 330 will be described. When a row name is specified in the mesh 330, the row name display section 336 and the frame section 332
Is set to a highlighted display (for example, blinking display). If a column name is specified after the row name, the frame is identified, so only that frame is highlighted,
Further, within the frame, a boundary line dividing the five sections is displayed. Thus, the user can recognize at a glance the display device 14 how far the position of the mouse cursor has been designated.

Next, when the process proceeds to step SP94,
It is determined whether the pseudo mouse event has been completed. That is, since the position designation of the mouse cursor 338 is specified by the row name, the column name, and the section number in the frame, the pseudo mouse event has not yet been completed at a stage where the input has been made only halfway. on the other hand,
Left-click and right-click with the numeric keypad [*]
And it will be immediately specified with [#] pressed. If the pseudo mouse event has not been completed, “NO” is determined in the step SP94, and the process of this routine ends. Then, when a new key event occurs, this routine is called again, and the event contents are accumulated in the remote control buffer until the pseudo event is completed.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step SP94 after the pseudo event is completed, “YES” is determined here, and the process proceeds to step SP96. Here, an event is generated and transmitted to the operating system so that the completed event is realized. Next, when the processing proceeds to step SP98, the remote control buffer is cleared, and the processing of this routine ends. As described above, in the pointing mode, processing equivalent to a mouse operation is performed.

2.3. Selection of Application Program In the launcher program, when the icons 51 to 60 described above are displayed, the mouse cursor is placed on a default icon (the icon 51 in this case), and the icon is selected. Icons that are selected will be distinguished from non-selected icons,
The display mode is changed. For example, the icon in the selected state is displayed brighter than the icon in the non-selected state. Changing the display mode according to the selection state as described above
The same applies to other windows to be described later. Here, the user sets the remote control device 34 to the normal mode,
When the direction key is operated, the icon adjacent to the direction indicated by the direction key among the icons in the currently selected state is set to the selected state, and the icon that was originally selected is set to the non-selected state.

In the above example, immediately after the icons 51 to 60 are displayed, only the default icon 51 is in the selected state. However, when the user presses the “left” key of the remote controller 34, the icon 51 52 is in a selected state, and the icon 51 is in a non-selected state. With such a user interface, the user can set an arbitrary icon to a selected state by operating only the direction keys. When the user presses the REQUEST key in a state where the desired icon has been selected, the content corresponding to the icon is activated.

The operation of selecting and starting the content can be performed not only by the remote controller 34 but also by the mouse of the input device 12. That is, position the mouse cursor on the icon corresponding to the desired content,
When the mouse button is clicked, the content corresponding to the icon is selected and activated. Further, the user operates the numeric keys of the remote controller 34 to operate [*], [0],
Even if the user inputs [1], [#], etc., the corresponding content can be activated.

The fact that the operation of selecting and starting the content can be performed with the mouse of the input device 12 means that
By setting the remote control device 34 to the pointing mode, an operation equivalent to this can be performed. That is, if the user operates any button of the remote control device 34 when the mesh 330 is not displayed in the pointing mode, step SP9 of the remote control event processing routine (FIG. 14A).
2. Launcher program window (Fig. 3)
And a mesh 330 is displayed.

When a row name, a column name, and a section number in a frame are input to a desired one of the icons 51 to 60 through the remote control device 34, a mouse cursor is placed on the icon. Since 338 moves, the icon is set to a selected state. Here, when the user presses the numeric key [*], the content corresponding to the icon is activated. Note that, in various windows other than the launcher program window (FIG. 3), all operations equivalent to operations that can be executed by the mouse can be executed in the pointing mode of the remote controller 34.

2.4. Starting the karaoke application 2.4.1. Processing in Request Window 62 When the karaoke icon 51 is selected and activated in FIG. 3, the karaoke application program is activated. Here, when the user presses the REQUEST key in the normal mode of the remote controller 34, a request window 62 shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 64 denotes a first reservation display section, which is a music number (first number) of a karaoke multimedia file to be reproduced next.
Song). Reference numeral 66 denotes a second reservation display section, which displays a song number (second reserved song) of a karaoke multimedia file to be reproduced next to the first reserved song. However,
In the state shown in the figure, the song number is not input to the second reservation display section 66, and only the cursor is displayed. Reference numeral 68 denotes a reserved song number display section, which displays the current reserved song number.

The operating system of the client computer 134 gives the keyboard focus and the mouse focus to the request window 62 and operates the input device 12 or the remote controller 34.
Is detected, an event is stored in the FIFO memory as a message queue.
Then, in response to the request window 62, a request window message processing routine shown in FIG. 6 is started.

In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP1, the process waits until a new message queue is generated. Here, when a new message queue occurs,
The process proceeds to step SP2, and the process branches according to the contents of the message queue. First, if the message queue is a numeric key of the keyboard of the remote control device 34 or the input device 12 (hereinafter, referred to as “remote control device 34 etc.”), the process proceeds to step SP4.

Here, the number corresponding to the numeric key is added to the first reservation display section 64 or the second reservation display section 66. Then, when one number corresponding to the input of one number key is added to the first reservation display section 64 or the second reservation display section 66, the process returns to step SP1. This allows
The user can sequentially reserve desired music numbers by pressing the numeric keys.

Here, the CANC
When the EL key is pressed and a message queue to that effect is detected in step SP1, the processing proceeds to step SP2.
To step SP8 via. In the following description of the operation, the key name of the remote control device 34 is mainly used, but any operation on the remote control device 34 can be replaced with the equivalent operation of the input device 12. For example,
PLAY key, PAUSE key, REQUE on remote controller 34
The operation of the ST key, STOP key, CANCEL key, etc. is performed using the input device 1
Corresponding function keys [F1] on keyboard 2
It can be replaced with the operation of [F12].

In step SP8, all the music numbers input to the first reservation display section 64 and the second reservation display section 66 are canceled. When a key other than the numeric key, the CANCEL key, and the PLAY key is pressed and a message queue to that effect is detected, the process proceeds to step SP10 via step SP2, and various processes corresponding to the key are executed. Is done.

2.4.2. Processing in Playback Window As described above, when the user presses the PLAY key after the reservation of the desired music number is completed, the processing proceeds to step SP6. Here, a playback window (not shown) is displayed, and the request window 62 is set to a non-display state. Here, the playback window is a window that displays images and lyrics reproduced from the multimedia file. In the playback window, the multimedia files of the reserved song numbers are sequentially played back, so that the user can enjoy karaoke.

Here, keyboard focus and mouse focus are given to the playback window by the operating system. Then, a reproduction window message processing routine shown in FIG. 7 is started in correspondence with the reproduction window. In the figure, the processing is step S
In P11, the process waits until a new message queue is generated. Here, when a new message queue is generated, the process proceeds to step SP12, and the process branches according to the contents of the message queue.

First, when the PAUSE key of the remote controller 34 or the like is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP14, and the pause state of the multimedia file is switched. That is, if the PAUSE key is pressed during the reproduction, the reproduction is paused, and if the PAUSE key is pressed during the pause, the multimedia file enters a reproduction state. When the STOP key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP16, where the reproduction of the multimedia file being reproduced is stopped, and the reproduction of the multimedia file of the next music number in the reservation list is started.

When the REQUEST key of the remote controller 34 or the like is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP20. Here, the above-described request window 62 is transparently displayed on the reproduction window. That is, the background of the request window 62 is the playback window. In the playback window, the playback of the multimedia file is continued, but the keyboard focus and the mouse focus are given to the request window 62, and the above-described request window message processing routine (FIG. 6) is executed.

For this reason, one user can continue karaoke while watching the background playback window, while another user operates the remote controller 34 or the like to send a message queue to the request window 62,
The next song number can be reserved. When the PLAY key is pressed in this request window message processing routine, the request window 62 is set to the non-display state in step SP8 as described above, and only the reproduction window is displayed on the display device 14 again. Then, the keyboard focus and the mouse focus are given again to the playback window.

Here, in the remote control device 34 or the like, the PA
When a key other than the USE key, the STOP key, the setting key, and the REQUEST key is pressed and a message queue to that effect is detected, the processing proceeds to step SP22 via step SP12.
, And various processes corresponding to the key are executed.
When the setting key is pressed on the remote controller 34 or the like, the process proceeds to step SP18, and the setting window shown in FIG. 5 is transparently displayed on the reproduction window.

2.4.3. Processing in Setting Window (FIG. 5) The setting window is a window for adjusting parameters such as volume, and keyboard focus and mouse focus are given to this setting window.
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 82 denotes a pitch adjusting unit, which displays a numerical value display unit 82a for numerically displaying the current pitch shift state and an indicator 82b for visually displaying the pitch shift state. The indicator 82b is displayed elongated in the horizontal direction, and the current pitch shift state is displayed by the pointer 82c displayed thereon.

Reference numeral 83 denotes a speed adjusting unit for adjusting the reproduction speed of the multimedia file. Reference numeral 84 denotes a microphone volume control unit that controls the volume of the microphone sound. 85
Denotes an echo adjusting unit that adjusts an echo given to microphone sound. Reference numeral 86 denotes a delay adjusting unit which adjusts a delay amount given to the microphone sound. Reference numeral 87 denotes a volume control unit that controls the overall volume of the combined microphone sound and tone signal. Reference numeral 88 denotes a melody volume control unit that controls the melody volume in the tone signal. Reference numeral 89 denotes a sound quality adjustment unit that adjusts a voice band to be emphasized.

Next, the operating system of the client computer 134 gives keyboard focus and mouse focus to the setting window (FIG. 5). Then, a setting window message processing routine (FIG. 8) is started in accordance with the setting window. In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP30,
As a default setting item, the pitch adjusting section 82 is set to a selected state.

Next, when the process proceeds to step SP31,
The process waits until a new message queue is generated. Here, when a new message queue is generated, the process proceeds to step SP32, and the process branches according to the contents of the message queue. First, when the UP key of the remote controller 34 or the like is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP34. Here, among the setting items in the currently selected state, the setting items adjacent in the upward direction in FIG. 5 are set to the selected state, and the setting items that were originally selected are set to the non-selected state.
When the DOWN key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP3.
Proceed to 6. Here, among the setting items in the currently selected state, the setting items adjacent in the downward direction in FIG. 5 are set to the selected state, and the setting items originally selected are set to the non-selected state.

When the RIGHT key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP38. Here, the setting amount of the currently selected setting item is increased by a predetermined value (+5). If the LEFT key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S
Proceed to P40. Here, the set amount of the currently selected setting item is reduced by a predetermined value (−5). In this manner, the user can set a desired value for a desired setting item by operating the direction keys. When a key other than the direction key and the setting key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP44, and various processes corresponding to the key are executed. Then, when the setting key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP42, and the setting window (FIG. 5) is closed. As a result, only the reproduction window is displayed on the display device 14 again.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the setting window is transparently displayed on the reproduction window, so that the user can adjust various parameters while continuing karaoke while watching the background reproduction window.

2.5. Activation of Live Video Receiving Application When the live video receiving icon 56 is selected and activated in FIG. 3, the live video receiving application is activated. In this application program, two windows 200 and 2 as shown in FIG.
10 is displayed on the display device 14. Here, the window 200 is a playback window for playing back a live video or the like, and displays a live video received via the satellite communication receiver 130 or a live video received via the tuner 17.

A window 210 is a channel display window, which is transparently displayed on the reproduction window 200 and displays a source of a moving image displayed in the reproduction window 200. Channel display window 21
Inside 0, a route display unit 211 selectively displays one of the routes of “satellite” and “terrestrial wave”. A channel number display unit 212 displays a channel number selected in the route.

Here, the channel display window 210
Is transparently displayed on the playback window 200, so that the background of the channel display window 210 displays the contents of the playback window 200. Next, keyboard focus and mouse focus are given to the channel display window 210 by the operating system of the client computer 134. Then, a channel display window message processing routine (FIG. 10) is started in correspondence with the channel display window 210.

In the figure, when the process proceeds to step SP60, the process waits until a new message queue is generated. Here, when a new message queue occurs,
The process proceeds to step SP62, and the process branches according to the contents of the message queue. First, the remote control device 34
Is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP64. Here, the channel number currently displayed on the channel number display section 212 is increased by “1”.
When the DOWN key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP.
Proceed to 66. Here, the channel number currently displayed on the channel number display section 212 is reduced by “1”.

When the RIGHT key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP68. Here, the route display unit 21
In 1, the route adjacent to the right of the currently selected route is set to the selected state, and the route originally selected is set to the non-selected state. When the LEFT key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP70. Here, a route adjacent to the left of the currently selected route in the route display unit 211 is set to the selected state, and the route originally selected is set to the non-selected state.

When the numeric key is pressed, the process proceeds to step SP72. Here, the number in the channel number display section 212 is changed according to the pressed number key. As described above, steps SP64 to SP7
When the channel number or the route is changed in the tuner 17, the tuner 17 and the satellite communication receiver 1 are correspondingly changed.
30 are changed and the image of the designated route and channel is received.
The image displayed at 0 is switched.

When any one of steps SP64 to SP72 is completed, the process proceeds to step SP74. Here, the channel display window 210 is set to the transparent display state. If the display state is originally the transparent display state, the state is continued. Further, in step SP74, a timer set request is made to the operating system. This request requests the operating system to supply a timeout message after a predetermined time has elapsed.

When the above processing is completed, the processing returns to step SP60, and the message queue waits again. Thereafter, when the predetermined time elapses without any operation of the remote controller 34 or the like, a timeout message is supplied from the operating system. When this message is supplied, the process proceeds to step SP62
, And the operating system is requested to set the channel display window 210 to the non-display state. As a result, the operating system sets the channel display window 210 to the non-display state, and only the reproduction window 200 is displayed on the display device 14 as shown in FIG. 9B.

In this state, the user
When the direction key or the number key is operated in 4 etc.,
The process of step SP74 is executed again, and the channel display window 210 is set to the transparent display state. When a key other than the direction key or the numeric key is pressed on the remote controller 34 or the like and a message queue to that effect is detected, the process proceeds to step SP78 via step SP62, and various processes corresponding to the key are performed. The processing is executed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user operates the remote controller 34 or the like, the channel display window 210 is set to the transparent display state. Selection can be performed easily. In addition, window 210
Is displayed in a transparent state even in a display state, and is set to a non-display state after a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the hindrance when the user views the playback window 200.

3. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,
For example, various modifications are possible as follows. (1) In the above embodiment, the entertainment system is realized by software operating on a personal computer. However, the software used in the above embodiment is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy (registered trademark) disk. It can be distributed or distributed through a transmission channel.

(2) In the live video receiving application of the above-described embodiment, when a time-out message is supplied after a predetermined time has elapsed in step SP74, the channel display window 210 is set to a non-display state in step SP76. Was. However, instead of setting to the non-display state, for example, the window 210
The channel display window 210 may be made inconspicuous as compared with the state shown in FIG.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, a coordinate recognition assisting graphic is displayed, a coordinate value is designated by a first remote control signal, and an operation at the operation position is specified by a second remote control signal. Since the contents are specified, a personal computer or the like can be easily operated even when the user sits deeply on a sofa, for example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an entertainment system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a client computer 134.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a window of a launcher program.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a request window 62.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a setting window.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a request window message processing routine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a playback window message processing routine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a setting window message processing routine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display device 14 in a live video receiving application.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a window message processing routine in the live video receiving application.

11 is a plan view of the remote control device 34. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an event correspondence table.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a remote control event processing routine in a normal mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a remote control event processing routine in a pointing mode.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a mesh 330.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 input device, 14 display device, 16 network interface, 17 tuner, 17a
... antenna, 18 ... hard disk drive, 19 ...
... Sound board, 20 ... Optical disk drive, 22
... RAM, 24 ... ROM, 26 ... CPU, 28 ...
... bus, 30 ... memory card, 32 ... remote control interface, 33 ... television transmitter station, 34 ... remote control device, 35 ... microphone, 36 ... amplifier / speaker, 40 ... hub, 51 ... icon , 51-60 ...
Icon, 52... Icon, 56... Icon, 60
... icon, 62 ... request window, 64 ...
... first reservation display section, 66 ... second reservation display section, 68 ...
Reserved music number display section 82 Pitch adjustment section 82a Numeric display section 82b Indicator 82c Pointer 83 Speed adjustment section 84 Microphone volume adjustment section 85 Echo Adjustment unit, 86 delay adjustment unit
87: Volume control section, 88: Melody volume control section, 8
9: sound quality adjustment unit, 100: communication satellite, 110: satellite communication ground station, 112: ATM line, 120: satellite communication receiver, 122: personal computer, 12
4 ... router, 130 ... satellite communication receiver, 132 ...
Server computer 134 client client 136 router 140 internet
150: distribution server, 160: mobile communication network, 170
…… Subscriber terminal, 180 …… Live studio, 200…
... Reproduction window 210 210 Channel display window 211 Route display unit 212 Channel number display unit 301 301 301 Numeric keys 302
... Direction keys, 303: PLAY key, 304: PAUSE key, 305: STOP key, 306: REQUEST key, 3
07 ... CANCEL key, 308 ... Setting key, 309 ...
Conversion key, 310: Mode setting key, 320: Liquid crystal display, 330: Mesh, 332: Frame part,
334 column name display section, 336 row name display section, 338
...... Mouse cursor.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 3/033 380 G06F 3/023 310K G10K 15/04 302 F term (reference) 5B020 DD02 FF14 FF32 HH22 5B087 AA09 AB09 BC01 BC32 DD03 DD05 DD06 DE01 DE02 DE03 DE05 DG02 5D108 BC11 BE03 BF16 5E501 AA02 AA18 AA20 AC15 AC25 AC37 BA03 BA05 BA08 BA09 CB02 CB09 CC02 EA05 EA11 EA15 EA33 EB01 EB05 FA02 FA04 FA08 FA23 FB22 FB28 FB34 FB28 FB34

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A control method executed in a computer for controlling a computer by a remote control signal, the method comprising: displaying a coordinate recognition assisting graphic on the screen in order to recognize coordinates on the screen; An operation position determining step of determining an operation position on a screen according to a coordinate value specified by a first remote operation signal; and an operation content determining step of determining an operation content at the operation position by a second remote operation signal And a computer-controlled method. 2. The computer control method according to claim 1, wherein a pseudo keyboard event or a mouse event is generated in the operation position determining step or the operation content determining step. 3. A computer for performing the method according to claim 1. 4. A program for executing the method according to claim 1.