JP2002042151A - Observation data collection display device and its program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily carry out comparison between observation data obtained from a plurality of information sources and a grasp of time fluctuation in the observation data. SOLUTION: From a plurality of information sources providing the observation data, image data mode observation data are collected at predetermined time intervals via a network such as the Internet, and these are accumulated with the time information. On demand from a user, images of a plurality of observation data collected at the same time are arranged and displayed without any overlap. The observation data collected at the predetermined intervals are displayed in a time sequence at a certain cycle so as to be reproduced as an animation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an observation data collection and display device for collecting and displaying observation data of various places provided on the Internet at regular intervals, and a program recording medium therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various observation data, such as weather information, ocean current information, and earthquake information, which are observed in various parts of the world, are disclosed on the Internet. These observations are usually
It is updated in real time at certain time intervals. Also,
These observation data may be provided as text data including numerical information, but are generally provided as image data (image data) in a graph or map format.

[0003] Conventionally, there has been a system for automatically collecting and displaying image data of a video taken at a remote place via a network. However, a plurality of observation data collected at the same time are collected.
There was no system that displayed them together so that they could be compared. Also, there is no system that displays observation data automatically collected over a certain period of time, such as animation, over time.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Observation data published on the Internet is an image that is provided in a unique format by the provider. It was difficult. That is, when comparing observation data from a plurality of providers, it was necessary to open as many browser screens as the number of providers in order to view them all at once. For this reason, there is a problem that the screens of the browsers are overlapped on the display of a limited size, and the observation data is difficult to see.

[0005] When it is desired to view the temporal change of observation data over a period of several days in a certain area, conventionally, observation data updated in real time is previously stored and saved in one's own computer, and a large amount of the captured data is conventionally stored. It was necessary to select and display each observation data from the observation data in the image file using a pointing device or the like. This selection operation is complicated, and it takes time to switch the observation data image. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the temporal change, and when it is necessary to select specific observation data from long-term observation data. There was a problem that it took time to review.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a means for automatically collecting a large amount of real-time observation data updated at regular intervals and displaying it in an easily viewable manner. In particular, an object of the present invention is to facilitate comparison of observation data obtained from a plurality of information sources and grasp of temporal change of observation data obtained from a certain information source.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a plurality of servers for providing observation data are provided.
Observation data in the form of image data is collected at predetermined time intervals via a network such as the Internet, accumulated with time information, and the images of a plurality of observation data collected at the same time are requested by the user. It is characterized in that it has means for displaying the images side by side so that they do not become inconsistent. Since a plurality of observation data collected at the same time are displayed side by side on one screen, a list of observation data and comparison can be easily performed.

Also, from a server that provides observation data,
Observation data in the form of image data is collected at predetermined time intervals via a network such as the Internet, and they are stored together with time information. Observation data stored at the request of the user is collected at certain time intervals in chronological order. It is characterized in that it has means for sequentially displaying the image data format in the same area on the screen and reproducing it as an animation. As a result, the time change of the observation data can be understood at a glance, and the observation data to be viewed can be easily selected from a large amount of the acquired observation data.

When the observation data is displayed, a scroll bar for scrolling the display of the observation data in the vertical and horizontal directions is added to the observation data and displayed. As a result, even when the physical display screen of the display device is small, many observation data can be viewed at once.

Further, by providing a means for changing the display position or display size of each observation data, observation data to be compared / contrasted can be displayed nearby, and the observation data having different image sizes can be unified by the server. It can be displayed in any size.

When the observation data of an information source at a certain point or area is included in the collection target, the information source is accessed via a network, the observation data to be newly collected is displayed, and the observation data is displayed. Means are provided for allowing the user to select the observation data using a pointing device and registering the observation data selected by the user as a collection target. As a result, the user can easily select the observation data to be collected at any time simply by clicking with a mouse or the like.

A program for realizing the above processing means by a computer can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a portable medium memory, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration according to the present invention. The observation data collection and display device 10 includes a CP
A computer having a U and a memory and having a communication function via a network. Ordinarily well-used personal computers may be used. The collection observation data registration means 11 is a means for selecting and registering observation data to be collected. If the collection target is fixedly determined in advance, the collection observation data registration unit 11 is unnecessary. The timer 12 is a clock circuit built in a computer for measuring time.

The collection control means 13 controls the timing at which observation data is collected by the timer 12. The observation data collection means 14 collects the observation data registered in advance by the collection observation data registration means 11 under the control of the collection control means 13, and stores the observation data storage means 15
At the same time as the time information. Observation data storage means 15
Is an external storage device such as a hard disk, and stores observation data as a file in an image data format.

The observation data display means 16 is a means for retrieving the observation data stored in the observation data storage means 15 and displaying the data on the display device 20.
7 and animation display means 18. The designated date and time data display means 17 arranges and displays the designated date and time or the latest observation data in an image data format so as not to overlap. The animation display means 18 sequentially stores a plurality of pieces of observation data obtained from the same point or the same area stored in the observation data storage means 15 in the same area on the screen in an image data format at a certain time interval in the order of collection time. Display and play as animation.

The display device 20 is a device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The input device 21 is a device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The information sources 30 to 32 are information providing servers connected to a network 50 such as the Internet.
It has a function of transmitting the observation data 40 to 42 in the image data format.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of the collected observation data registration means 11. If you want to automatically collect observation data from a new information source, there are two methods to register it. Either may be used. The first method is that the URL (Unifor
This is a method to describe the image file name of the “m Resource Locator” and the observation data in the setting file.

The second method is a collection observation data registration means 1
1 is started and dynamically set according to the processing shown in FIG. The user starts the program of the collected observation data registration means 11. The collected observation data registration means 11
It is determined whether there is a registration request from the user (step S1), and if there is a registration request, the process proceeds to step S2.
If not, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S2, an information source designated by the user is accessed via the network 50, and observation data provided by the information source is displayed on the display device 20. This display is similar to the processing displayed by a normal Web browser. A plurality of observation data may be included in the display information transmitted from one information source. The user selects one of the displayed observation data using a pointing device such as a mouse (step S3).

When the user selects observation data (step S4), the process proceeds to step S5, and the selected observation data is registered as a collection target. The registration is performed by setting the URL of the information source and the image file name of the observation data in a collected observation data registration table (not shown).

Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not there is a registration deletion request for observation data to be collected from the user. If there is a registration deletion request, steps S7 and S8
Execute In step S7, a list of collection targets registered in the collection observation data registration table is displayed. In step S8, the collection target selected from the collection target list is deleted from the collection observation data registration table.

It is determined whether or not an instruction to end the process has been issued (step S9).
Return to and repeat the registration or registration deletion process.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of the observation data collection means 14. When activated by the collection control means 13 at regular time intervals, the observation data collection means 14 first acquires current time information (step S11). Next, observation data is acquired in the form of an image file from the information source registered in the collected observation data registration table via the network (step S12). The acquired observation data is stored together with the current time information (step S1).
3). Here, the association between observation data and time information is
This can be performed using a method of creating an image file name of observation data using time information, a method of creating a correspondence table between the image file name of observation data and time information, or the like.

Step S until all acquisitions from the collection targets registered in the collection observation data registration table are completed.
Steps S12 and S13 are repeated (step S14). afterwards,
It waits for a fixed time (for example, 5 minutes) to elapse (step S15). The waiting time is 5 minutes by default,
The user can arbitrarily change the waiting time. If the collection control unit 13 notifies that the predetermined time has elapsed, the processes in and after step S11 are similarly repeated.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of the designated date and time data display means 17. First, it is determined whether or not the user has designated a time (step S21). If no time is specified, the default is to display the latest observation data, so the most recently collected observation data is read from the observation data storage means 15 (step S2).
2). On the other hand, when the time is specified, the observation data collected at the specified time is searched from the observation data storage means 15, and all the corresponding observation data is read (step S23).

Thereafter, step S22 or step S22
The image is edited based on the observation data read in step 23 (step S24). Editing this image is basically simply arranging the read observation data so that they do not overlap. If the observation data arranged side by side does not fit in one screen, a scroll bar is added to the end of the screen,
The user can scroll the image on the screen (step S25). The image of the observation data with the scroll bar added is displayed on the display device 20 (step S26).

If there is an instruction to change the display position (step S
27), the display start position or the display order is changed, and the process returns to step S24 to re-edit and re-display the image. If there is an instruction to change the display size (step S28),
The display size of the image of the designated observation data is changed, and the process returns to step S24 to re-edit and re-display the image. Until there is an instruction to end the display (step S29), the above display processing of steps S21 to S28 is repeated, and if there is an instruction to end the display, the processing is ended.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart of the animation display means 18. First, the time (month, day, time, etc.) specified by the user as the reproduction start time is stored (step S31). Next, the observation data at the designated time is read from the observation data storage means 15 (step S3).
2). The image of the read observation data is edited and displayed on the display device 20 (step S33). At this time, if necessary, the display position is changed, the display size is changed, and a scroll bar is added. Further, operation buttons such as a play button, a fast forward button, a reverse play button, a rewind button, a stop button, and an end button are displayed at an upper or lower part of the screen.

If a user's click operation on the operation button is detected (step S34), the display mode is changed to one of a reproduction mode, a fast-forward mode, a reverse reproduction mode, a rewind mode, and a stop mode according to the clicked operation button. Is changed (step S35). Note that the initial value of the display mode is the stop mode.

In the case of the reproduction mode (step S36), after waiting for the time T1 set as the reproduction time interval, the designated time is advanced by one unit time (step S37).
Here, one unit time is a time interval for collecting observation data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

In the case of the fast forward mode (step S38),
After waiting for the T2 time set as the fast forward (rewind) time interval, the designated time is advanced by one unit time (step S39). Here, T2 <T1, and the switching speed of the image of the observation data is faster than at the time of reproduction. In the case of a device having a slow image display speed, in the fast-forward mode, the specified time may be advanced by n unit time (n> 1) to perform skip reproduction. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

In the case of the reverse reproduction mode (step S40),
After waiting for the T1 time set as the reproduction time interval, the specified time is returned to the past by one unit time (step S4).
1). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

In the case of the rewind mode (step S42),
After waiting for T2 time set as the fast-forward (rewind) time interval, the designated time is returned to the past by one unit time (step S43). Also in the case of rewinding, in a device having a low image display speed, the specified time may be returned to the past by n unit time (n> 1). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

It is determined whether or not an instruction to end the reproduction has been issued (step S44), and if there has been an instruction to end, the process is terminated. If there is no instruction to end the reproduction (including the case of the stop mode), the specified time is not updated, and step S3 is performed.
Return to 4.

In step S45, whether the accumulated observation data has been completed, that is, in the reproduction mode or the fast-forward mode, the display up to the latest observation data is displayed.
In the reverse reproduction mode or the rewind mode, it is determined whether or not the display up to the oldest accumulated observation data has been completed. If the observation data is not completed, step S32
Return to and continue to display the updated observation data at the specified time. When the observation data has been completed, the process proceeds to step S34, and waits for the next user operation with the current display screen.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the display of observation data by the designated date and time data display means 17. On the display screen of FIG. 6, information sources A, B, C,.
Images of observation data collected at 8:30 are displayed side by side in the vertical direction. Observation data is obtained from each of the information sources A, B,
Since they are received as image files from C,..., Basically, they need only be displayed side by side without processing the contents of the image files.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the observation data does not fit in one screen, a vertical scroll bar 6
0 is provided so that the screen can be scrolled.

In addition to the image data display screen, there are menu screens for time designation, display size change, display position change, and animation display. On the time specification screen, the time of the observation data to be displayed can be specified. On this screen,
A menu of the date and time when the accumulated observation data is collected is displayed, and the observation data of an arbitrary date and time can be displayed by selecting the menu item. Instead of the date and time menu, a date and time button or a method of inputting the date and time by numerical values can be used.

On the display size change screen, it is possible to instruct to change the display size of the observation data of a specific information source. According to the instruction on the screen for changing the display size, the observation data of the specific information source can be enlarged or reduced and displayed in a well-balanced manner as a whole. Enlargement / reduction of an image can be easily realized by interpolation or thinning of each pixel. The information on the changed display size is saved, and the changed display size becomes effective at the next display.

The display position change screen is a screen for instructing to change the display position of the observation data. On this display position change screen, the display order of the observation data of each information source can be changed by an input operation using a dialog box.

The animation display menu screen is a screen for instructing reproduction and display of observation data as animation. After selecting the date and time of the observation data to be displayed on this screen, the animation display means 18 is activated, and the temporally continuous observation data can be displayed as a moving image.

FIG. 7 shows an example of display of observation data by the animation display means 18. When the play button 70 is operated on the display screen of the weather chart as shown in FIG. 7A, (B) → (C) → (D) →
... is displayed continuously. When the fast-forward button 71 is operated, high-speed reproduction is performed by shortening the reproduction cycle.

When the reverse playback button 72 is operated, the observation data is moved to the past, for example, (D) →
Displayed continuously in the order of (C) → (B) →. When the rewind button 73 is operated, high-speed reverse reproduction is performed by displaying the observation data in a shorter reproduction cycle toward the past.

When the stop button 74 is pressed, the operation is stopped while the observation data at that time is displayed, and the next operation is waited.

By having the function of displaying observation data collected as a still image in a time sequence at fixed time intervals, the user can browse the observation data as animation.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, an example in which the observation data collection and display device 10 displays observation data on the display device 20 directly connected to the own device has been described. It may be connected to another terminal device connected via the network 50. In this case, the observation data collection and display device 10 functions as a secondary information providing server.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By displaying the observation data collected at the same time from information sources in various places on a single browser screen, the observation data can be viewed comprehensively, and the observation data provided by multiple information sources can be viewed. Comparison and control can be performed easily. In addition, observation data that is updated one after another on the network and is temporarily lost can be easily reviewed and searched later.

Further, by adding an animation display function, it is not necessary to display all the image data on the screen one by one, for example, by clicking all the image data in order to select observation data to be viewed from a large amount of the captured image data. ,
Now you can easily pick them out. In addition, the time course of observation data can be easily grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of a collected observation data registration unit.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart of an observation data collection unit.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of a designated date and time data display unit.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart of an animation display unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display of observation data by a designated date and time data display means.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display of observation data by animation display means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 observation data collection and display device 11 collected observation data registration means 12 timer 13 collection control means 14 observation data collection means 15 observation data storage means 16 observation data display means 17 specified date and time data display means 18 animation display means 20 display device 21 input device 30 ~ 32 Information sources 40 ~ 42 Observation data 50 Network

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09G 5/00 510 G09G 5/00 510D 5H223 // G05B 23/02 301 G05B 23/02 301V (72) Invention Person Takashi Tanaka 4-2-1 Nukikitamachi, Koganei-shi, Tokyo F-term in Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications 5B049 CC31 DD01 EE07 FF03 FF09 GG09 5B050 AA01 BA08 FA02 5B069 AA01 BA01 BA04 BB16 CA01 CA09 DD16 DD17 JA01 JA02 LA03 5A08A AA12 BA12 BB01 BB25 CA64 DA61 DA87 MM09 MM10 5E501 AA04 AB15 AC15 AC16 AC33 BA05 CA02 CB02 CB09 EA07 EA17 EB05 FA14 FA15 FB03 FB32 FB43 5H223 AA15 DD07 FF03

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for collecting and displaying observation data observed at a plurality of points or areas, wherein the observation data is collected in an image data format from an information source at each of the points or areas via a network. Observation data collection means, collection control means for activating the observation data collection means at predetermined time intervals, observation data accumulation means for accumulating a plurality of observation data collected by the observation data collection means in an image data format, Observation data display means for arranging and displaying a plurality of observation data collected at the same time stored in the observation data storage means at the same time in an image data format so as not to overlap with each other, and displaying the observation data. . 2. An apparatus for collecting and displaying observation data observed at one or a plurality of points or areas, wherein the observation data is collected in an image data format from a source at the point or area via a network. Observation data collection means, collection control means for activating the observation data collection means at predetermined time intervals, and one or more observation data collected by the observation data collection means together with time information at the time of collection in an image data format. Means for accumulating observation data,
A plurality of observation data obtained from the same point or the same area stored in the observation data storage means is sequentially displayed in the same area on the screen in the form of image data at a certain time interval in the order of collection and reproduced as animation. An observation data collection and display device comprising: 3. The observation data display means further comprises means for adding a scroll bar for scrolling the display of the observation data vertically or horizontally to the observation data and displaying the scroll bar. Or the observation data collection and display device according to claim 2. 4. The observation data collection and display device according to claim 1, wherein said observation data display means has means for changing a display position or a display size of each observation data. . 5. The observation data collection and display device according to claim 1, wherein an information source at a certain point or area is accessed via a network at the request of the user and obtained from the information source. An observation data collection and display device, comprising: collected observation data registration means for displaying the obtained observation data, and including the observation data selected by the pointing device among the displayed observation data in a collection target. 6. A recording medium on which a program for collecting and displaying observation data observed at a plurality of points or areas is recorded, wherein said observation data is stored at predetermined time intervals. A process of collecting data from a source via a network in the form of image data, a process of storing collected observation data in the form of image data, and a process of storing a plurality of stored observation data collected at the same time in the image data format. A program recording medium for collecting and displaying observation data, characterized by recording a program for causing a computer to execute a process of arranging and displaying the data so that the data is not arranged. 7. A recording medium on which a program for collecting and displaying observation data observed at one or more points or areas is recorded, wherein said observation data is stored at predetermined time intervals in said points or areas. A process of collecting data from an information source via a network in the form of image data, a process of storing collected observation data in the form of image data together with the time information at the time of collection, and a process of storing multiple collected data from the same point or the same area. Recording a program for causing a computer to execute a process of displaying the observation data in the same region on the screen sequentially in the form of image data at a certain time interval in the order of collection time and playing back as an animation. A program recording medium for collecting and displaying observation data.