JP2002132140A - Position display device and position display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position display device which distinctly displays the relative positional relations of a target point by effectively utilizing a display region even with a display means having the small display region and low resolution and a position display method. SOLUTION: The position display device 1 of a portable type to indicate the relative positional relations of the target point arbitrarily settable with respect to a reference point relating to a geographical position is provided with a positioning means 51 which positions the reference point and the target point, respectively, by utilizing the geographical position information sent from outside and a display means 50 which has the rectangular display region provided with orthogonal grating-like grid lines extending in directions different from each other and displays the relative positional relations of the reference point and the target point by a rectangular display in accordance with the results of positioning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable position display device and a position display method for displaying a relative positional relationship between a reference point and an arbitrarily set target point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of the information industry, portable information terminals have been developed one after another. This information terminal may be provided with a function for grasping geographical position information. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of grasping position information in an information terminal, electronic map data (hereinafter referred to as “map data”
) And a method of numerically displaying information such as latitude and longitude.

In the method using map data, it is necessary to hold the map data in the information terminal. Therefore, a method of efficiently holding the map data in the information terminal and a method of obtaining the map data through a network have been devised. ing. However, it is impractical at present to hold all map data in the information terminal.Also, even in a method using a network, a data communication means is provided in the information terminal, and a predetermined set value is set. There is a problem that it must be done. On the other hand, in the method of displaying numerical values without using map data, the above-described problems are not considered because the numerical values are simply expressed as numerical values, but it is difficult for the operator of the information terminal to easily recognize the position.

Conventionally, there is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-27844 which solves such a problem. In this prior art, the next stopover is displayed on the map displayed on the screen with a "." Mark so that the position to be displayed, such as the current position and the stopover, can be easily and accurately confirmed. Also,
In order to make it easier to grasp the distance around the via point, concentric scales around the via point are displayed at equal intervals in the display area. Further, in this prior art, the current location is further indicated by a “+” mark, and other transit points are indicated by a “•” mark.

[0005]

However, in an information terminal having such concentric scales for displaying geography, a screen as shown in FIG. 25A is displayed in the display area of the display unit. . When the display range is changed from this state as shown in FIG. 25B, it is difficult to visually recognize the position accurately due to an optical illusion. Further, from this display state, FIG.
Even when the center position of the display range is moved to an arbitrary position and the display range is moved without changing the scale as shown in (C), it is similarly difficult to visually recognize the position accurately due to an optical illusion. There is a point.

A liquid crystal display (LCD: Liq)
A display portion that is configured using a U.S. U.D.Crystal Display is usually rectangular. When a circular scale is used, a portion 123a having no scale as shown in FIG. 25D or a portion 123a shown in FIG. There is a problem that an unusable portion 123b is generated at the four corners of such a display area. Therefore, with such a method of using the display area in the display unit, the display area of the display unit cannot be used efficiently.

When such a circular scale is used, if the arrow-shaped pointer (cursor) 141 can only move linearly as shown in FIG.
There is also a problem that the operability of the operator is deteriorated because the moving direction in the display area is limited.

Further, the display of the information terminal is shown in FIG.
When the display area is a rectangular display area having one long side as shown in FIG. 25, there is a portion which is not used similarly even if an area 131a such as a description, a scale, and a name as shown in FIG. There is a problem. In addition, the circular scale does not have an accurate circular shape when the resolution of the display unit is low, so that there is a problem that the operator cannot clearly recognize the present location and the destination accurately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem and to display a relative positional relationship of a target point clearly by using a display area effectively even with a display means having a small display area and a low resolution. It is an object of the present invention to provide a position display device and a position display method capable of performing the above.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable position display device for displaying a relative positional relationship of a target point which can be arbitrarily set with respect to a reference point relating to a geographical position. A positioning means for positioning the reference point and the target point using geographical position information sent from the outside, and a rectangular display area provided with orthogonal grid lines extending in different directions from each other And a display means for displaying a relative positional relationship of the target point with respect to the reference point based on the positioning result by a rectangular display object.

According to the configuration of the first aspect, the position of the target point that can be arbitrarily set with respect to the reference point relating to the geographical position is measured using position information sent from the outside.
The display means has a rectangular display area provided with orthogonal grid lines extending in mutually different directions. The display means displays a relative positional relationship of the target point with respect to the reference point based on the positioning result as a rectangular display object. Since the display means has a rectangular display area, grid lines can be provided in the display area without generating an extra area. Therefore, the display means can effectively use the display area because there is no blank area in which no grid line is provided in the display area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, an operation unit for operating a rectangular display object displayed on the display unit is provided.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, by operating the operation means, it is possible to freely operate the display object displayed on the display means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, a pointer for operating the rectangular display object in conjunction with an operation of the operation means moves along the grid line. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the second aspect, the pointer displayed on the display means provided with the grid lines moves along the grid lines, so that the pointer visually follows the pointer. Cheap.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the reference point can be arbitrarily set.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, in addition to the operation of the second aspect, even if the reference point is arbitrarily set, the positional relationship of the target point with respect to the reference point can be displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the rectangular display object is associated with detailed information indicating details of the point.

According to the configuration of claim 5, in addition to the function of claim 2, when a rectangular display object is operated by the operation means, detailed information associated with the display object is displayed. Therefore, this rectangular display object can show certain information in the display area of the display means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, when the rectangular display object is operated by the operation means, the display state of the rectangular display object changes.

According to the configuration of claim 6, in addition to the effect of claim 2, it is easy to visually recognize that a rectangular display object has been operated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, when the rectangular display object is displayed with a bias in the display range of the display means, the display range of the display means is the rectangular display object. It is characterized by being changed according to the position of.

According to the configuration of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the display position of the display object in the display area of the display means is always an appropriate position.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, there is provided a target changing means for changing a target position displayed on the display means and indicated by the display range, wherein the target changing means comprises: A target display unit for displaying a display list number corresponding to the target position displayed in the display range of the display unit, among a plurality of the target positions prepared in advance; and A first change button provided on one side for changing the target position indicated in the display range of the display means by sequentially changing the display list number; A second position for changing the target position shown in the display range of the display means by changing the display list number in the reverse order to the first change button. Change And having a Tan.

According to the configuration of claim 8, in addition to the function of claim 1, when the first change button or the second change button is pressed once by operating the operation means, the display list of the target display section is displayed. While the number is changed, the changed target position is displayed in the display range of the display means. Therefore, the target changing means does not require a two-step operation of displaying and selecting a plurality of target positions prepared in advance, and the target display range of the display means is displayed only by one-step operation. Can be changed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the display means automatically adjusts the display range to an optimal scale according to the position of the rectangular display object to be displayed. And

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect, the position of the display object is represented by automatically adjusting the display range in the display area of the display means to an optimum scale. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a position display method for displaying a relative positional relationship of a target point which can be arbitrarily set with respect to a reference point relating to a geographical position. A positioning step of positioning the reference point and the target point using information, and display means having a rectangular display area provided with a grid-like grid line extending in different directions and orthogonal to each other, Displaying a relative positional relationship of the target point with respect to the reference point on a rectangular display object based on the reference position.

According to the tenth aspect, the position of the target point that can be arbitrarily set with respect to the reference point relating to the geographical position is measured using position information sent from the outside. The display means has a rectangular display area provided with orthogonal grid lines extending in mutually different directions. The display means displays a relative positional relationship of the target point with respect to the reference point based on the positioning result as a rectangular display object. Since the display means has a rectangular display area, grid lines can be provided in the display area without generating an extra area. Therefore, the display means can effectively use the display area because there is no blank area in which no grid line is provided in the display area.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the tenth aspect, the rectangular display object displayed on the display means is operated by operating means.

According to the configuration of claim 11, claim 1 is
By operating the operation means in addition to the action of 0, the display object displayed on the display means can be freely operated.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, a pointer for operating the rectangular display object in conjunction with the operation of the operation means moves along the grid line. .

According to the configuration of claim 12, claim 1 is
In addition to the effect of 1, the pointer displayed on the display means provided with the grid line moves along the grid line, so that it is easy to visually follow the pointer.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the reference point can be arbitrarily set.

According to the configuration of claim 13, claim 1 is
In addition to the effect of 1, even if the reference point is set arbitrarily, the positional relationship of the target point with respect to the reference point can be displayed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the rectangular display object is associated with detailed information indicating details of the point.

According to the configuration of claim 14, claim 1 is
In addition to the operation of 1, when a rectangular display object is operated by the operation means, detailed information associated with the display object is displayed. Therefore, this rectangular display object can show certain information in the display area of the display means.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the configuration of the eleventh aspect, when the rectangular display object is operated by the operation means, the display state of the rectangular display object changes.

According to the configuration of claim 15, claim 1 is
In addition to the effect of (1), it is easy to visually recognize that a rectangular display object has been operated.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the tenth aspect, if the rectangular display object is displayed in a biased manner in the display range of the display means, the display range of the display means is the rectangular display object. It is characterized by being changed according to the position of.

According to the configuration of claim 16, claim 1 is
In addition to the action of 0, the display position of the display object in the display area of the display means is always an appropriate position.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the tenth aspect, the display means automatically adjusts the display range to an optimal scale according to the position of the rectangular display object to be displayed. And

According to the configuration of claim 17, according to claim 1
In addition to the action of 0, the position of the display object is represented by automatically adjusting the display range in the display area of the display means to the optimum scale.

[0044]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an information terminal 1 to which a position display device as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The information terminal 1 is a portable information terminal that can be carried by an operator. The information terminal 1 has a function of displaying a relative positional relationship of a target point that can be arbitrarily set with respect to a reference point related to a geographical position, for example.

The information terminal 1 has a main body 3 and a GP
S (Global Positioning System)
em) A unit 51 (positioning means) is provided.

The main body 3 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with rounded corners in appearance, and is provided with a GPS unit 51 to be described later, which can be opened and closed. The main body 3 has a front surface 3a, a side surface 3b, and the like. A display unit 50 (display means) for displaying the screen 5 is provided on the front surface 3a.

The display unit 50 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD).
lay). The display unit 50 can display an object displayed on the screen 5 on which a display point and a target point described later are displayed. Here, "object"
It is a generic term for the display objects displayed on the display unit 50 of the information terminal 1 described later, and refers to a concept including the display points and the like. The main body 3 may be provided with an operation section 52 (operation means) described below.

As the operation unit 52, for example, the display unit 5
0 and / or a tablet device provided along the surface of the main body 3 and / or a projection-shaped operation unit (multimedia controller) provided on the side surface 3b of the main body 3. As the tablet device, for example, any of a pen touch system, a membrane system, an optical system, an acoustic system, a capacitance system, and a pressure detection system that can be operated by a pen-shaped operation tool can be adopted. On the other hand, the multimedia controller 2
It is a switch that falls down in the direction and is pushed into the main body 3 side. In the following description, as an example, the operation unit 52 will be described as a multimedia controller.

On the other hand, a lid-like member is provided at the distal end of the main body 3 so as to be rotatable in the R direction. The lid-like member has a built-in GPS unit 51 provided with an antenna (not shown) for receiving position information from a predetermined artificial satellite. It goes without saying that the GPS unit 51 may be provided with a part of its functions separated from the main body 3. The GPS unit 51 has a function of measuring a current position and a destination using a plurality of artificial satellites. In other words, the GPS unit 51 has a function of receiving position information such as latitude and longitude from a plurality of artificial satellites by the above-mentioned antenna and grasping the position.

Further, the information terminal 1 may have a camera 80. The camera 80 includes a predetermined optical system lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
e) etc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the information terminal 1 of FIG.

The information terminal 1 has a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 63, ROM (Re
ad Only Memory) 64, RAM (Ran
dom Access Memory) 65, a GPS unit 51, a display unit 50, and a bus 55, and preferably an operation unit 52. Note that the information terminal 1 may have a camera 80 connected to the bus 55. The camera 80 has, for example, a function of taking a digital photograph.

The bus 55 has a function of connecting all devices, and is an internal bus having an address bus and a data bus. The bus 55 includes a CPU 63, a ROM 64,
The RAM 65, the GPS unit 51, and the display unit 50 are connected, and preferably, the operation unit 52 is connected.

The CPU 63 controls a ROM 64 and the like connected to the bus 55, in addition to processing a predetermined program. The ROM 64 stores the program, various information, and an automatic adjustment flag described later. The ROM 64
Needless to say, map data may be stored. The ROM 64 may include a FLASH ROM which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. Such a FLASH ROM stores, for example, data downloaded through a network.

The RAM 65 has a function as an area for comparing the contents of the memory during the program processing and executing the program. The GPS unit 51
It has the function of specifying the position as described above. Operation unit 52
Is an operation means for operating the object displayed on the screen 5 of FIG. By providing such an operation unit 52 in the information terminal 1, an object displayed on the display unit 50 can be freely operated.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display example of the screen 5 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a configuration example of the spin box 7 of FIG.

The screen 5 in FIG. 3 includes a title 15, a radar display area 23 (display area), a target direction display area 13, a distance display area 21, a scaled distance display area 29, a center display area 9, a target display area 11, and buttons. 27, preferably a spin box 7 (target changing means).

The title 15 has the title of the screen 5, an enlarged display icon 17 and a reduced display icon 19. As the title of the screen 5, for example, "radar" is displayed. The enlarged display icon 17 is an icon operated when the display range of the radar display area 23 is enlarged. On the other hand, the reduced display icon 19 is an icon operated when the display range of the radar display area 23 is reduced.

The radar display area 23 has a grid area 31
And an outside grid area 33.

The grid area 31 has a center point 37, for example.
This is a rectangular display area for displaying display information indicating the relative positional relationship of a rectangular display point 35 (display object) as a target point that can be arbitrarily set with respect to the (reference point). The grid area 31 is provided with grid lines 25 that extend in mutually different directions and are composed of orthogonal grid lines. The grid line 25 has, for example, two types of grid lines 25a and 25b so as to connect the vertical and horizontal centers of the grid area 31. The display positions of these grid lines 25a and 25b may be changed. In the following description, the distance between two adjacent grid lines 25 is referred to as “one grid”.

On the other hand, the out-of-grid area 33 is a rectangular area surrounding the outside of the grid area 31, and includes display points 35 that do not fit in the display area of the grid area 31 and north-south directions indicated by the grid lines 25a and 25b, respectively. "S",
Information such as "N" or "E" or "W" in the east-west direction is displayed. When such a non-grid area 33 is provided in the radar display area 23, the operator can set the display point 35 in any direction even if the display point 35 is not supposed to be displayed in the grid area 31 provided with the grid lines 25. 35 can be recognized.

The target direction display area 13 indicates the direction of the upper right display point 35 of the out-of-grid area 33 as the destination.
The distance display area 21 has a distance to the destination in the direction displayed in the target direction display area 13 (3 in the illustrated example).
5.524 km). The scale distance display area 29 indicates the distance of one grid of the grid area 31 (5 km in the illustrated example).

The center display area 9 is a display area for displaying the name on the geography (or map) indicating the position of the center point 37 (reference point) in the grid area 31. Can be changed to In order to change the geographical location where the center point 37 is located, the geographical name that can be set as the center point 37 is displayed in a list by pressing the change instruction section 9a, and the geographical name is changed. Do it by making a selection. In this way, the center display area 9 can set an arbitrary point.

The target display area 11 is a display area for displaying a geographical (or map) name indicating the position of the display point 35 as an arbitrarily settable target point. 35 can be changed to any geographical point. To change the geographical location where the display point 35 as the target point is located, a list of geographical names that can be set as the display point 35 as the target point by pressing the change instruction section 11a is displayed. To select the geographical name. Note that the target display area 11 may be configured so that a waypoint in the middle of the target point can be input. Then, the button 27 is used to acquire the position information measured by the GPS unit 51 and press it to add a display point to the radar display area 23. It is needless to say that another function can be assigned to this button 27 for each screen 5.

The screen 5 is provided with a spin box 7 for changing the display range in the grid area 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the spin box 7
A target display portion 7a that indicates a position (target position) indicated by the display range of the grid region 31 by a predetermined numerical value (hereinafter, referred to as a “display list number”) is provided on one side of the target display portion 7a. A first change button 7c for changing the position indicated by the display range of the target display section 7a
And a second change button 7b provided on the other side for changing the position indicated by the display range of the grid area 31.

Here, when the display list number is set to, for example, nine display ranges as display ranges to be displayed in the grid area 31, which of the nine display ranges indicates This is a number indicating whether or not it is displayed in the grid area 31. When the second change button 7b is pressed when the display list number is, for example, “5/9”, the display list number of the target display section 7a is changed to, for example, “4/9”.
/ 9 ”and the display list number is changed to“ 4 /
A display range corresponding to “9” is displayed in the grid area 31. When the first change button 7c is pressed when the display list number is, for example, "5/9", the display list number of the target display section 7a is changed to, for example, "6/9", and the display list number is changed. A display range whose number corresponds to, for example, “6/9” is displayed in the grid area 31.

That is, when the second change button 7b is pressed,
The display range of the grid area 31 is changed so that the numerator of the display list number displayed on the target display unit 7a is, for example, −1, and when the first change button 7c is pressed, the display range is displayed on the target display unit 7a. The display range of the grid area 31 is changed so that the numerator of the displayed display list number is, for example, +1.

According to such a configuration, when the operator of the information terminal 1 attempts to change the display range of the grid area 31, the operator selects and opens the list of the display range corresponding to the display list number. Even without taking steps
In one step of pressing the second change button 7b or the first change button 7c, the position indicated by the display range of the grid area 31 can be changed. By operating the second change button 7b and the first change button 7c in the spin box 7, the set target position can be changed freely.

The information terminal 1 is configured as described above. Next, the advantage of providing the grid lines 25 in the grid area 31 will be described.

The grid area 31 can be changed from the display state shown in FIG. 5A to the display state shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, but the grid lines 25 are orthogonal. Therefore, the grid lines 25 do not appear to be distorted due to an optical illusion or the like. The operation unit 52
Is the multimedia controller, the pointer 39 (cursor) for operating the display point 35 shown in FIG. 5D moves linearly along the grid line 25 of the grid area 31 with the operation direction limited. So pointer 39
Is easy to visually follow and the position is easy to grasp. Also,
2 from the position of the pointer 39 to the position of the display point 35.
5 (F) does not have one route, but the grid region 31 shown in FIG.
And the route R2, the operability of the operator is improved.

In such a grid area 31,
The pointer 39 can be arbitrarily moved anywhere in the grid 25. Further, as can be understood by referring to the shape of the display unit 50 in FIG. 1, the shape of the display area of the display unit 50 such as a liquid crystal display is usually rectangular. Therefore, if the radar display area 23 of FIG. 3 has the shape shown in FIG. 5E, the entire display area of the radar display area 23 can be used efficiently. Further, if the radar display area 23 in FIG. 3 has the shape shown in FIG. 5F, the entire area of the radar display area 23 can be efficiently used even if it has a display area 31a for displaying a description, a scale, and a name. As a result, various information can be displayed in the radar display area 23.

If an image or a map is to be displayed in the grid area 31 of FIG. 3 based on image data or map data, the image or the map itself is often a rectangle. It is easy to display an image or a map on the image 31, and it is easy to divert an image or a map having such a shape to another function of the information terminal 1.

In recent years, an information terminal 1 as shown in FIG.
In general, the size of the display unit is reduced, and the display area of the display unit 5 is very small and the resolution is low. When trying to draw a circular scale as shown in FIG. 25 (A) or the like on such a display unit 5, a circular sawtooth curve is drawn from a low resolution, and a smooth circular shape is drawn. It is difficult to draw a scale. However, in the grid area 31 of FIG. 3, since the grid lines 25 are composed of only straight lines, they can be represented by smooth straight lines even at a low resolution.
Although a small electronic device such as the information terminal 1 cannot include a CPU capable of performing high-speed calculations, in the present embodiment, a straight line is drawn rather than a curved line in the grid area 31. Since the grid lines 25 are formed, there is no need to mount a CPU capable of high-speed operation, and the cost can be reduced.

The information terminal 1 is configured as described above. Next, an operation example (position display method) of the information terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the basic operation of the information terminal 1 will be described. The information terminal 1 measures the current position and the destination using the plurality of artificial satellites by the GPS unit 51 (positioning step). Then, the information terminal 1 displays the positional relationship of the arbitrarily set target point with respect to the reference point on the display unit 50 having the rectangular radar display area 23 provided with the grid lines 25 (display step).

Next, a specific operation example of the information terminal 1 will be described. First Operation Example FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of “addition of display points” processing as a first operation example of the information terminal 1.

FIGS. 7A to 7C, 8 and 9
(A) to (C) of FIG. 9 show screens 5 displayed on the display unit 50 of the information terminal 1 of FIG. 1 by the first operation example of FIG.
It is a figure showing an example of.

Here, the "display point" refers to a point which can be arbitrarily set and displayed in the radar display area 23 of FIG. 7 (A) or the like. It refers to a point indicating the current location or a target point 35 indicating the destination.

The first operation example of the information terminal 1 shows an operation of registering (adding) a desired geographical point in the radar display area 23, for example. That is, the operator of the information terminal 1 can register the display point 35 as the target point indicating the destination to be headed in the radar display area 23, for example.

In step ST11 of FIG. 6, FIG.
The information terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1 displaying the screen 5 shown in FIG. 1 is operated by the operator, and an attempt is made to add, for example, a display point indicating a destination to the radar display area 23 of the screen 5 shown in FIG. In step ST12 of FIG. 6, whether or not the display point to be added is at the center of the grid area 31 is selected.

Here, if positional information (detailed information) prepared in advance is to be attached to the display point to be added, an arbitrary position on the radar display area 23 is selected.
The screen 5 shown in (B) is displayed. And this screen 5
When "information acquisition" is selected, a screen 5 shown in FIG. 7C is displayed. In this screen 5, "Position index"
When is selected, the screen 5 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. For example, by selecting “Migahara Kogen”, the display point 35 shown in FIG. 7A is associated with an index indicating the position.

If the display point 35 is not located at the center of the grid area 31 of the radar display area 23, step S in FIG.
In T13, the coordinates of the display point 35 to be additionally displayed with respect to the current center position are calculated. Next, step ST1 in FIG.
In 4, if the display point to be added is the display point 35 in the radar display area 23 shown in FIG. 9A, it is displayed as it is in the grid area 31 of the radar display area 23. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
If it is the outside display point 35, the display point 35 from the center point 37
While maintaining the direction (direction), the coordinates are converted so as to be displayed in the area 33 outside the grid of the radar display area 23. Therefore, the display point 35 is displayed at the position shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the display point is to be the center of the grid area 31, at step ST16 in FIG.
The information of the current center point 37 shown in (A) is replaced with the information of the display point 35 to be added. Next, step ST in FIG.
At 17, the coordinates are recalculated for all the display points currently displayed in FIG. 7A. After completion of each coordinate calculation, in steps ST18 and ST19 in FIG.
The processing is performed in the same manner as the processing in steps ST14 and ST15 in FIG.

Then, in step ST20, FIG.
The coordinates of the display points are calculated again for all the display points displayed in (A). The displayed display point is not limited to the display point 35 as the illustrated target point, but may be a point indicating another predetermined position displayed in the radar display area 23, for example. That is, the display points may be displayed with visual distinction such as color coding for each prefecture or city. Further, such display points may be deleted as well as added. In this way, the operator of the information terminal 1 can freely set a display point at a desired position. Second Operation Example FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the information terminal 1.

FIGS. 11A to 11C and FIG.
(A) to FIG. 12 (C) show the information terminal 1 of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 5 displayed on the display unit 50 according to the second operation example of FIG.

The second operation example of the information terminal 1 shows a general operation example of the information terminal 1 when the operator operates the operation section 52 of the information terminal 1 of FIG.

In step ST21 of FIG. 10, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the operator operates the operation unit 52 in FIG. 1 in a state where the focus is on, for example, the center display area 9 other than the radar display area 23, and the radar display is displayed as shown in FIG. The selection is made such that the grid area 31 in the area 23 is focused. Step ST in FIG.
At 22, the cross cursor 26 is displayed in the selected grid area 31 as shown in FIG. In step ST23, the operator operates the operation unit 52 shown in FIG. 1 up, down, left, and right to move the intersection of the cross cursor 26 to, for example, the grid line 2 as shown in FIG.
5 (step ST2).
6).

If it is determined in step ST23 that the operation unit 52 in FIG. 1 has not been operated up, down, left or right, it is determined in step ST24 whether the operation unit 52 in FIG. 1 has been pressed. You. If it is determined in step ST24 that the push is not performed, the process proceeds to step ST25 described later.

If it is determined in step ST24 that the press is performed, then in step ST27, it is determined whether or not there is a display point near the point. Then, in step ST28, the grid area 31 shown in FIG.
Is erased. When it is determined in step ST27 that there is a display point, in step ST29,
The detailed information 43 of the display point is displayed as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in step ST25, it is determined whether or not the operation unit 52 of FIG. 1 has been pressed for a predetermined time long, and if not, the process returns to step ST21. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST25 that the button has been depressed long, steps ST27 to ST29 are processed. In step ST29A of FIG. 10, if it is determined in step ST27 that there is a display point,
A menu 41 is displayed on the screen 5 shown in FIG. Third Operation Example FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a third operation example of the information terminal 1.

FIGS. 14A to 21C are diagrams each showing an example of the screen 5 displayed on the display unit 50 by the third operation example of the information terminal 1 of FIG.

In the third operation example of the information terminal 1, for example, when the center point or the target point is changed by the operation of the operator,
An example of the operation of changing the display state of the screen 5 so that the operator can visually recognize the change or the change when the information on the current position obtained from the PS or the like changes. . In this operation example, as an example of changing the display state of the screen 5, for example, an animation for reproducing images by sequentially displaying a plurality of images is executed.

In step ST31 of FIG. 13, for example, when the center point or the target point is changed by the operation of the operator,
It is detected that the state of the display object or the like has changed due to a change in information on the current position obtained from the GPS or the like.
Here, for example, it is assumed that the change instruction section 11a of the target display area 11 on the screen 5 in FIG. 14A has been operated by the operator, and the display state has changed as shown in FIG. 14B. That is, a list of the target display areas 11 is displayed on the screen 5. When detecting that the display state has changed in step ST31 of FIG.
In step 2, the displayed image is changed. Step ST3
At 3, the process waits until a certain time has elapsed, and after the certain time has elapsed, the image is changed (step ST34). Next, in step ST35, these processes are repeated up to the set number of steps, and the animation ends.

[0096] These operations will be described more specifically.
In the information terminal 1, a plurality of images for animation are prepared in advance, and the animation is executed in the grid area 31 in the radar display area 23 in FIG. The reproduction of this animation is performed according to the image No. 1, image No. 2,
.., image No. n-1, image No. n, image No. n
-1,..., Image No. 2. Image No. Each image is reproduced in the order of 1. The reproduction of this animation can be set in various ways. 1, image No. 2,..., Image No. n-1,
Image No. Each image may be reproduced in the order in which n is repeated.

More specifically, as a first specific example of this animation reproducing method, FIG.
(C) The cloud shape enlargement display may be performed such that the translucent image spreads outward from the center point 37 of the grid area 31 in the order shown in FIG. The reproduction of the animation may be reduced from the outside as shown in FIGS. 16 to 14C. This translucent image 45
Has a width of about one grid sandwiched between two grid lines 25 of the grid area 31.

As a second specific example of this animation reproducing method, an animation is reproduced in the order shown in FIGS. 17A to 18B as in the first specific example. The second specific example is different in that the width of the translucent image 45a is smaller than the width of the translucent image 45. In this way, the translucent image 45a can be sequentially displayed in smaller steps than in the case of the first specific example.

Further, as a third specific example of the animation reproducing method, the color indicating the position of the display point 35 may be changed in the order shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C. .

As a fourth specific example of this animation reproducing method, the shade value of the color indicating the position of the display point 35 is changed in the order shown in FIGS. 20 (A) to 20 (C). May be.

As a fifth specific example of the animation reproducing method, the size of the display point 35 may be changed in the order shown in FIGS. 21 (A) to 21 (C).

In this way, the operator of the information terminal 1 can easily and clearly recognize that the state of the screen 5 or the like has changed. Therefore, the information terminal 1 can increase the degree of recognition of the operator of the change in the display state. Fourth Operation Example FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth operation example of the information terminal 1. FIGS. 23A to 24 are each displayed on the display unit 50 according to the fourth operation example of the information terminal 1 in FIG. 22. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 5 displayed.

In the fourth operation example of the information terminal 1, FIG.
On the screen 5 shown in (A), a center point 37 as an arbitrarily set geographical reference point and a display point 35 as a target point are displayed in the grid area 31 so as to fall within the radar display area 23. Automatically scale the geographic view.

On the screen 5, as shown in the center display area 9, the center point 37 is displayed so that “Map 2 Murai” is displayed.
Is set, and a rectangular display point 35 is displayed in the radar display area 23. Fig. 2
As shown in FIG. 3 (B), for example, the center display area 9 is changed to “current position” to change the center point 37 (or the target point) (step ST41). Then, the current location is displayed at the center point 37 in the radar display area 23. Next, step ST4
In 2, the distance between the center point 37 and the target point is calculated. Next, in step ST43, it is confirmed whether the predetermined automatic adjustment flag is “ON” or “OFF”.

Here, the automatic adjustment flag is a flag indicating whether or not the scale of the grid area 31 is automatically adjusted. This automatic adjustment flag is set to “ON” when the scale is automatically adjusted so that the positional relationship between the display point 35 and the target point can be visually recognized in the radar display area 23, and is not automatically adjusted. In this case, it is set to “OFF”. The automatic adjustment flag may be provided in a predetermined control menu (not shown) displayed on the screen 5 or may be automatically set to “ON” when the current location is not displayed. .

When the automatic adjustment flag is “OFF”, the coordinates of each display point are calculated by operating the enlarged display icon 17 or the reduced display icon 19 in FIG.
Each display point is displayed based on the coordinates (step S
T51). In this state, for example, a screen 5 shown in FIG. 23B is displayed.

On the other hand, when the automatic adjustment flag is “ON”, the target point is set in the radar display area 23 shown in FIG.
Is determined (step ST45 in FIG. 22). That is, when it is determined that the target point is not located outside the field of the radar display area 23 in FIG. 23B, the process proceeds to step ST46 described below, and when the target point is located outside the field of the radar display area 23, it will be described later. Figure 22
The process proceeds to step ST47.

In step ST47, an appropriate scale is calculated in which the center point 37 and the target point shown in FIG. Next, in step ST48, the scale is changed in the reduction direction based on the calculated scale. Next, in step ST49, the positions of other display points are recalculated according to the changed scale. Then, in step ST50, for example, the automatic adjustment flag is set to “OF”.
F ". Finally, the information terminal 1 displays a screen 5 as shown in FIG. 24 based on the calculated coordinates (step ST51). In this state, the screen 5 shown in FIG. 23B is displayed.

On the other hand, in step ST46, it is determined whether or not the target point is near the center point 37 shown in FIG. Here, the display point 35 indicating the target point is shown in FIG.
It is assumed that it exists near the center point 37 of the radar display area 23 as shown in FIG. That is, if it is determined in step ST46 that the target point does not exist within, for example, one grid from the center point 37, the display point 35 indicating the target point is displayed as it is in the radar display area 23 (step ST5).
1).

If it is determined in step ST46 that the target point is present within, for example, one grid from the center point 37, the same as steps ST47 to ST51 except that the scale is changed to the enlargement direction. It is processed. In this state, the screen 5 shown in FIG. 24 is displayed.
That is, the scale of the display point 35 as the target point is changed so as to be displayed in the radar display area 23.

In this way, the information terminal 1 displays the screen 5
The scale of the radar display area 23 can be adjusted manually or automatically.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, even when the information terminal 1 is provided with the display unit 50 having a small radar display area 23 and a low resolution, the radar display area 23 of the display unit 50 is effectively used. It is possible to clearly display the positional relationship of the display point 35 as a rectangular target point that can be arbitrarily set with respect to the center point 37 as a reference point. Further, since the display point 35 as a reference point can be set arbitrarily, the display point 3 as a target point with respect to an arbitrary reference point can be set.
5 positions can be displayed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, as a means for positioning the current position or the like in the information terminal 1, a positioning means other than the GPS unit 51 using the GPS system may be used.

Further, in the information terminal 1, for example, in addition to a target point indicating a destination, an object indicating an arbitrarily set display point is biased in the radar display area 23 displayed on the display unit 50. In such a case, the display range of the radar display area 23 may be changed according to the position of the object. In this way, the display position of an object such as a display point in the radar display area 23 displayed on the display unit 50 is always an appropriate position. This makes it easier for the operator to visually recognize the display points and the like displayed on the display unit 50.

Further, it is needless to say that the display points may be color-coded for each object indicating the position, and the shape may be a shape other than a rectangle.

The components of the above embodiment can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a manner different from the above.

[0118]

According to the present invention, even if the display means has a small display area and low resolution, the display area can be effectively used to clearly display the relative positional relationship between the target points. A display device and a position display method can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an information terminal to which a position display device as a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the information terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display example of the screen of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a display example of a spin box in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a grid area in the radar display area of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of “addition of display point” processing as a first operation example of the information terminal.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal of FIG. 1 by the first operation example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal of FIG. 1 by the first operation example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal of FIG. 1 according to the first operation example of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the information terminal 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit by a second operation example of the information terminal of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit by a second operation example of the information terminal of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a third operation example of the information terminal.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit by a third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit by a third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the third operation example of the information terminal of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is an exemplary view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 21 is an exemplary view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the third operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 13;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a fourth operation example of the information terminal.

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the fourth operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 22.

24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit by the fourth operation example of the information terminal in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on a conventional information terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 information terminal 7 spin box (target changing means) 7a target display section (target displaying means) 7b second change button 7c first change button 23 radar display area 25 grid line 31 grid area 35 display point (display object) 37 Center point (reference point) 39 Pointer 41 Detailed information 50 Display unit (display unit) 51 GPS unit (positioning unit) 52 Operation unit (operation unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB15 HB22 HB25 HC11 HC14 HC22 HC23 HC24 HD03 2F029 AA07 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 AC18 5H180 AA21 CC04 CC12 FF05 FF23 FF27 FF33 FF35 5J062 AA03 BB05 CC07 HH03 H05H

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A portable position display device for displaying a relative positional relationship of a target point which can be arbitrarily set with respect to a reference point relating to a geographical position. A positioning means for positioning the reference point and the target point by utilizing, a rectangular display area provided with a grid-like grid line extending in different directions and orthogonal to each other, and based on the positioning result, Display means for displaying a relative positional relationship of the target point with respect to a reference point by a rectangular display object. 2. The position display device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit for operating a rectangular display object displayed on the display unit. 3. The position display device according to claim 2, wherein a pointer for operating the rectangular display object in conjunction with an operation of the operation means moves along the grid line. 4. The position display device according to claim 2, wherein the reference point can be set arbitrarily. 5. The position display device according to claim 2, wherein the rectangular display object is associated with detailed information indicating details of the point. 6. The position display device according to claim 2, wherein a display state of the rectangular display object changes when the rectangular display object is operated by the operation unit. 7. When the rectangular display object is displayed in a biased manner in the display range of the display means, the display range of the display means is changed in accordance with the position of the rectangular display object. The position display device according to claim 1. 8. A target changing means for changing a target position displayed on the display means and indicated by the display range, wherein the target changing means comprises a plurality of target positions prepared in advance. A target display unit for displaying a display list number corresponding to the target position displayed in the display range of the display means; and a display list number provided on one side of the target display unit. A first change button for changing the target position shown in the display range of the display means by sequentially changing the first change button, the first change button being provided on the other side of the target display section, A second change button for changing the target position shown in the display range of the display means by changing the display list number in the reverse order of the buttons. 1 3. The position display device according to 1. 9. The position display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit automatically adjusts the display range to an optimal scale according to a position of the rectangular display object to be displayed. 10. A position display method for displaying a relative positional relationship of a target point which can be arbitrarily set with respect to a reference point relating to a geographical position, using geographical position information sent from outside A positioning step of positioning the reference point and the target point, and display means having a rectangular display area provided with orthogonal grid lines extending in different directions and based on the positioning result. Displaying a relative positional relationship of the target point with respect to a point using a rectangular display object. 11. The position display method according to claim 10, wherein a rectangular display object displayed on said display means is operated by an operation means. 12. The position display method according to claim 11, wherein a pointer for operating the rectangular display object in conjunction with an operation of the operation means moves along the grid line. 13. The position display device according to claim 11, wherein the reference point can be set arbitrarily. 14. The position display method according to claim 11, wherein the rectangular display object is associated with detailed information indicating details of the point. 15. The position display method according to claim 11, wherein a display state of the rectangular display object changes when the rectangular display object is operated by the operation unit. 16. When the rectangular display object is displayed skewed in the display range of the display means, the display range of the display means is changed in accordance with the position of the rectangular display object. The position display method according to claim 10, wherein: 17. The position display method according to claim 10, wherein the display unit automatically adjusts the display range to an optimal scale according to the position of the rectangular display object to be displayed.