Abstract: A system and method for assisting the user to operate a pointer so as to move the pointer onto a desired object by the pointing device. A pointer movement direction in which the user wants to move the pointer is detected in accordance with a movement of the pointer by the pointing device (Step S2). Candidate objects located within a predetermined range of the pointer movement direction are displayed (Step S3). The object is selected from the displayed candidate objects (Step S4). The pointer is moved onto the selected object (Step S5).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to explaining functions with a rich graphical expression even when the number of kinds of functions required for a software increases. More particularly, a plurality of function areas 201-223 are defined in a composite icon area of the present invention. An appearance image is associated to each function area and, when a mouse pointer comes across a function area, appearance images associated to that function area are displayed as appearance images of a composite icon. A function is also associated to each function area and, when a mouse is clicked on a function area, a function which is associated to that function area is executed. The set of the function area may be changed by changing the size of a composite icon, an operation to switch the group of functions, or selection of an object to be operated upon.

Abstract: A method of quickly displaying a truly intended graphical object among graphical objects hidden in complex in the screen by a simple mouse operation. A group of graphical objects which are a set of a plurality of graphical objects is displayed on a display screen. Each graphical object is managed by a hierarchical structure and displayed in the display screen based on graphical definition data. When an operator selects one graphical object from a group of graphical objects, an operation tablet is generated. When the operator moves a pointer to the right on the operation tablet, graphical objects positioned fore side are changed to non-display one after another and a graphical object hiding behind them is revealed. By moving the pointer downwardly after the operator clicks the left button of a mouse, graphical objects of the same hierarchy as the focused graphical object are changed to non-display in unison so that a desired graphical object can be efficiently searched for selection.

Abstract: A method and a system precisely selects a three-dimensional object hidden inside complex objects. A retrieval object is disposed in the proximity of a pointer to retrieve a three-dimensional object, all three-dimensional objects included within or touching the retrieval object are retrieved, a sub-window is displayed, an area in the sub-window is divided into a plurality of regions corresponding to the number of retrieved three-dimensional objects and, in response to the pointer being positioned within one of said plurality of regions within said sub-window, a corresponding three-dimensional object within a main window is displayed distinctively over other three-dimensional objects within said main window. After a desired object is selected, the selection is finalized by a click operation of the pointer, etc.