JP2014215731A - Distribution data display device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually intelligibly display distribution data such as meteorological data and the like that are spatially distributed and the distribution of which is varied with time.SOLUTION: A control device (12) requires meteorological data within a prescribed radius from a current position to a meteorological data server (50) and stores them in a storage device (30). In that regard, the control device (12) starts the acquisition from a part belonging to an imaging view field of a camera (14). A projective transformation device (36) projectively transforms the acquired meteorological data to an assumption screen with a prescribed height according to the azimuth direction and an elevation angle and writes them in a still image layer (24b) of a VRAM (24). The camera (14) writes an output video in a moving image layer (24a). A character generator (38) writes a menu and the like in a text layer (24c). A monitor (20) synthetically displays images of the respective layers (24a, 24b, and 24c) of the VRAM (24).

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution data display device, method, and program, and more specifically, a distribution data display device that superimposes and displays on a surrounding image distribution data that is spatially distributed and whose distribution status varies with time. , Methods and programs.

  Recently, portable information terminals such as so-called smartphones, which are equipped with positioning means such as GPS, sensors for detecting azimuth and orientation, cameras capable of shooting moving images / still images, and wireless communication means, have become widespread. Yes. As application software (hereinafter abbreviated as “app”) that runs on such a portable information terminal, on the image obtained by photographing a distant mountain with a camera, the weather data of that mountain, for example, There is known a technique in which temperature, atmospheric pressure, or the like is superimposed and displayed (Patent Document 1). Such a technique is called augmented reality (AR) as the real environment is expanded by a computer.

  In addition, when shooting a store or various facilities, an application that superimposes text information or a link of the store or the like on the camera image, or when the camera is pointed at a mountain, the mountain name is superimposed on the mountain position on the camera image. Apps that display are also known.

  In Patent Document 2, in a car navigation device, current weather information of a current location, weather information of an estimated arrival time of a destination, and weather information of an estimated transit time of a waypoint are acquired from a weather information server, and the acquired weather information is A system is described in which a graphic indicating the weather condition (icons indicating sunny, cloudy, rain, etc.) and a text such as a numerical value are superimposed and displayed on a map. The weather information includes actual information such as weather, temperature, wind direction, wind speed, precipitation, sunshine, snow cover and tide level, forecasts such as weather forecast, precipitation probability and predicted temperature, and warning, warning and maritime information. Yes.

  In the weather forecast corner of a TV program, the distribution of clouds and their temporal changes are superimposed on a flat map of Japan.

JP 2006-295827 A JP 2000-258174 A

  The conventional technology realized by the application on the portable information terminal superimposes the information of a specific point on the camera image, and the weather information with spatially distributed intensity etc. can be easily understood by the user. It is not intended to be presented. Therefore, it is difficult to lead to an intuitive understanding of the distribution situation.

  In addition, it is difficult for the user to understand the current location and the surrounding situation with the method of displaying the cloud distribution and its time change in television broadcasting, etc., and it is very easy to understand the time change in a very wide area. Only connected to. In other words, this display method cannot intuitively sense the change in weather at and around the current location.

  In addition to the so-called meteorological data such as precipitation, atmospheric pressure, and temperature, data indicating the scattering situation of pollen and yellow sand, and ultraviolet intensity are included as data in which the intensity is spatially distributed and the distribution condition fluctuates temporally. There are data.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a distribution data display device, method, and program for visually displaying the distribution status of distribution data in which intensity and the like are spatially distributed and the distribution varies with time.

  A distribution data display device according to the present invention is a distribution data display device that acquires and displays distribution data from a distribution data holding device that holds distribution data that is spatially distributed and whose distribution fluctuates with time. Camera, a positioning means for measuring the three-dimensional position on the ground, an azimuth / attitude detection means for detecting the azimuth and attitude, and the distribution data within a predetermined range including the position measured by the positioning means. Data acquisition means for sequentially acquiring from the distribution data holding device, data acquisition means for starting acquisition from a part belonging to the field of view of the camera of the orientation detected by the orientation / attitude detection means, and the data The storage means for storing the distribution data acquired by the acquisition means and the direction / attitude detection means of the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition means. Projection conversion means for projectively converting a portion determined according to the orientation and the attitude indicating the elevation angle to an assumed screen of a predetermined height according to the orientation and the elevation angle, and the output of the projection conversion means as an output video of the camera And a display means for composite display.

  The distribution data display method according to the present invention includes portable information including a camera that captures the surroundings, a positioning unit that measures a three-dimensional position on the ground, an azimuth / posture detection unit that detects an orientation and a posture, and a display unit. A method in which a terminal acquires and displays the distribution data from a distribution data holding device that holds distribution data that is spatially distributed and whose distribution varies with time, and includes a position that is measured by the positioning unit. A data acquisition step for sequentially acquiring the distribution data within the range from the distribution data holding device, and starting acquisition from the part belonging to the field of view of the camera of the direction detected by the direction / attitude detection means A data acquisition step, a storage step of storing the distribution data acquired in the data acquisition step in a storage means of the portable information terminal, and the data acquisition Of the distribution data acquired in step, the portion determined according to the orientation detected by the orientation / attitude detection means and the orientation indicating the elevation angle is projected and converted to an assumed screen of a predetermined height according to the orientation and the elevation angle. A projection conversion step, and a combination display step of combining the conversion result of the projection conversion step with the output video of the camera and supplying the combined image to the display means.

  A distribution data display program according to the present invention includes portable information including a camera that captures the surroundings, positioning means that measures a three-dimensional position on the ground, azimuth / attitude detection means that detects azimuth and attitude, and display means. In a system in which a terminal obtains and displays the distribution data from a distribution data holding device that holds distribution data that is spatially distributed and the distribution fluctuates with time, the positioning means is connected to the computing means of the portable information terminal. This is a data acquisition function for sequentially acquiring the distribution data within a predetermined range including the measured position from the distribution data holding device, and the shooting field of view of the camera in the direction detected by the direction / attitude detection means A data acquisition function for starting acquisition from a portion belonging to the mobile phone, and distribution data acquired by the data acquisition function in the storage means of the portable information terminal. Of the distribution data acquired by the function and the data acquisition function, a portion determined according to the azimuth detected by the azimuth / attitude detection means and the attitude indicating the elevation angle is determined according to the azimuth and the elevation angle. This is a program for realizing a projective conversion function that performs projective conversion on the assumed screen and a composite display function that synthesizes the conversion result of the projective conversion function with the output video of the camera and supplies it to the display means.

  According to the present invention, the distribution state of distribution data in which intensity and the like are spatially distributed and the distribution fluctuates with time is displayed by being combined with the camera image for photographing the space, so that it is easy to understand visually. Intuitive understanding and recognition are promoted because the comparison with the actual situation becomes easy.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart of the main operation | movement of a portable information terminal is shown. The sequence example of the process in which a portable information terminal acquires weather data from a weather data server is shown. It is a schematic diagram which shows the meteorological data request | requirement range in the state which looked at the sky with the camera from the horizontal direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the transition example of a meteorological data acquisition range. The flowchart of a weather data display process is shown. It is an example of a camera image. FIG. 8 is a display example in which precipitation meteorological data is superimposed and displayed on the camera image shown in FIG. 7 in six stages. This is an example in which a report from user A is superimposed and displayed as text. It is the example of a display which added the arrow icon which shows the movement direction of distribution to the display shown in FIG. It is the example of a display which enabled operation of time and altitude. It is an example of a weather data display when a camera is faced down. It is a flowchart of the process which displays the direction and distance of a rain mesh, and a rain start time. It is an example of a display in case the mesh which brings rain after 10 minutes exists in the imaging | photography visual field. It is an example of a display when a mesh that brings rain after 10 minutes is outside the field of view.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

  The portable information terminal 10 acquires meteorological data distributed in the horizontal plane and in the altitude direction from the meteorological data server 50 in the procedure described later. The meteorological data server 50 stores, for example, a precipitation (or precipitation intensity) at intervals of 5 minutes and a forecasted meteorological data generated based on radar observation results. The meteorological data here includes both the actual value and the predicted value, and information on the movement direction of the rain center, and the predicted value indicates the distribution of the predicted precipitation. The mesh size is actually defined by latitude and longitude, and is converted into a distance value as necessary for display. The meteorological data server 50 can respond to meteorological data requests from a plurality of portable information terminals 10 and has a function of caching the meteorological data of a previously requested part in preparation for the next transmission.

  The meteorological data server 50 includes a CPU 52, a memory 54 as a main memory, a storage device 56 including a hard disk device, and a communication device 58 connected to the Internet. The meteorological data is sequentially stored in the storage device 56 from a weather observation unit (not shown). Stored.

  The CPU 52 uses a computer program to extract, from the weather data stored in the storage device 56, regional weather data requested by the mobile information terminal 10 that is a client, and to reduce the amount of data and communication. A gradation reduction function 62 for reducing the gradation of weather data is realized. For example, the gradation reduction function 62 reduces 128 gradations to 8 gradations or 4 gradations. By reducing the gradation by the gradation reduction function 62 and transmitting it to the portable information terminal 10 that is the request source, the amount of communication data can be reduced, and the storage device capacity necessary for storing the weather data in the portable information terminal 10 can be reduced. Can be reduced. When the necessity for reducing the amount of communication data is low, or when the mobile information terminal 10 sometimes requires weather data with the original gradation, the same function as the gradation reduction function 62 is provided on the mobile information terminal 10 side. Equipped with

  The control device 12 of the portable information terminal 10 controls the entire portable information terminal 10. The portable information terminal 10 includes a camera 14 capable of capturing moving / still images as input means or output means, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 16 as positioning means, an azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18, an LCD, and the like. The monitor 20 and the touch panel 22 installed on the screen (or the bottom of the screen) of the monitor 20 are provided.

  The camera 14 is disposed on the back surface of the portable information terminal 10, and the photographing optical axis of the camera 14 is positioned horizontally in front of the front surface in a state where the camera 14 is held in front of the portable information terminal 10. The camera 14 may have an optical zoom function.

  The GPS receiver 16 receives radio signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, determines the three-dimensional position of the portable information terminal 10 in the ground coordinate system, and outputs the three-dimensional position coordinate data. A technique for determining the location of the portable information terminal by referring to the registered position of the wireless LAN access point is also widely used, and the position determination technique may be used in combination with the positioning result of the GPS receiver 16, It may be used as an alternative to the GPS receiver 16. In this case, the portable information terminal 10 needs to include wireless LAN communication means. Since the GPS receiver 16 normally performs positioning at intervals of 1 minute, it is necessary to interpolate changes in the current position due to movement during that time by another means. For example, it can be obtained by the azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18. What is necessary is just to interpolate the position coordinate which GPS receiver 16 outputs by calculating the movement distance of 3 axes or 2 axes from acceleration.

  The azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18 includes a gyro, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like. The direction (azimuth), posture (elevation angle or depression angle), and acceleration of movement of the portable information terminal 10 (more specifically, the camera 14). Is detected and output. In the present embodiment, the perpendicular of the display surface in a state where the user stands upright and the portable information terminal 10 is held in front is set to elevation angle = decline angle = 0 and the display surface of the portable information terminal is looked up. The angle formed by the horizontal plane is the elevation angle. At this time, the camera 14 faces in the direction of photographing the sky. The elevation angle of 90 degrees is a state in which the portable information terminal is held horizontally with its display surface vertically downward. Conversely, the angle formed by the perpendicular of the display surface to the horizontal plane when the display surface of the portable information terminal is looked down is defined as the depression angle. At this time, the camera 14 faces in the direction of photographing the ground. The depression angle of 90 degrees is a state in which the portable information terminal is held horizontally with its display surface facing vertically upward.

  The monitor 20 displays image data stored in the VRAM 24. Although details will be described later, the VRAM 24 includes a moving image layer 24a, a still image layer 24b, and a text layer 24c, and outputs an image obtained by synthesizing the images of these layers to the monitor 20. The moving image layer 24a stores image data of a camera image taken by the camera 14. The still image layer 24b stores graphic image data indicating the weather data acquired from the weather data server 50. The text layer 24c stores menus and other auxiliary information. The user can give various instructions to the portable information terminal 10 by touching or tracing the touch panel 22 arranged on the screen (or the bottom) of the monitor 20 with a finger or the like.

  By storing a plurality of still image layers 24b in the still image layer 24b in order at a constant time period, an animation can be displayed. Some of these animation displays indicate the degree of clear / cloudy / rainy. More generally, a moving image can be superimposed on a camera image by switching still image data stored in the still image layer 24b at a rate equivalent to a moving image, for example, 30 frames / second.

  The timer 26 measures the current date and time, and the control device 12 refers to the output of the timer 26 and controls the operation of each unit.

  The memory 28 stores a program that operates on the control device 12, constants and variables on the operation, and temporarily stores weather data acquired from the weather data server 50.

  The storage device 30 is composed of a nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory. The storage device 30 stores necessary programs, constants, and weather data that is acquired from the weather data server 50 and needs to be retained for display.

  The communication device 32 can communicate with the weather data server 50 on the Internet via a wireless LAN or a portable wireless communication line.

  The graphic device 34 develops the distribution of rainfall from the meteorological data in a horizontal plane, and generates graphic image data that expresses the rainfall intensity distribution in a transparent color or brightness that allows the sky and clouds to be visually recognized as a background.

  The projection conversion device 36 is a three-point perspective graphic projection of the meteorological data obtained from the meteorological data server 50 on an assumed screen above a predetermined altitude (for example, 1 km) according to the azimuth angle and elevation angle from the control device 12. Generate image data. As another method, the output of the graphic device 34 is input to the projection conversion device 36, and the projection conversion device 36 converts the graphic image data generated by the graphic device 34 according to the azimuth and elevation angles from the control device 12. You may project obliquely on the assumption screen above a predetermined altitude (for example, 1 km).

  Either the graphic image data generated by the graphic device 34 or the graphic image data generated by the projective transformation device 36 is written into the still image layer 24 b of the VRAM 24. Although details will be described later, when the camera 14 faces in the direction of photographing the ground, the graphic image data generated by the graphic device 34 is written in the still image layer 24b of the VRAM 24, and the camera 14 in the direction of photographing the sky. The graphic image data generated by the projection conversion device 36 is written in the still image layer 24b of the VRAM 24.

  The character generator (CG) 38 generates auxiliary information such as menus and explanatory texts to be displayed on the monitor 20, and character image data indicating an arrow indicating the center of the weather data and the moving direction, and the text layer of the VRAM 24. 24c.

  Some or all of the functions of the control device 12, the projective transformation device 36, the graphics device 34, and the character generator 38 can be realized by a weather data display program that operates on the CPU 40 of the portable information terminal 10. The weather data display program is stored in the storage device 30.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the main operation of the portable information terminal 10. When a display control program operating on the CPU 40 of the portable information terminal 10 is activated, the control device 12 loads an initial value into the memory 28 (S1). The initial values are, for example, the horizontal and vertical shooting viewing angles of the camera 14, the acquisition range (radius R) for acquiring and holding weather data, the gradation, and the like. When the camera 14 has a zoom function, the control device 12 determines the shooting viewing angle based on the angle of view corresponding to the zoom value. Obviously, if the weather data has a mesh structure with equal intervals, the acquisition range may be defined by the number of meshes instead of the radius R. The acquisition range may not be a circle defined by the radius R but may be a quadrangle, for example, a quadrangle defined by latitude and longitude.

  The control device 12 enables the GPS receiver 16 and the azimuth / attitude / acceleration sensor 18 (S2). Thereafter, the control device 12 can continuously acquire the current position coordinates from the output of the GPS receiver 16, and from the output of the azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18 the azimuth (current azimuth) and posture (current azimuth) Elevation and depression angles) can be acquired.

  The control device 12 starts a process of acquiring weather data from the weather data server 50 (S3). Thereby, thereafter, the control device 12 sequentially acquires the weather data necessary for display from the weather data server 50 within the range of the radius R around the location of the terminal 10.

  FIG. 3 shows a sequence example of a process in which the portable information terminal 10 acquires weather data from the weather data server 50.

  The control device 12 of the portable information terminal 10 sets the current position as the target position, the current azimuth as the target azimuth, and the current elevation angle as the target elevation angle (S21). This is to generalize the weather data acquisition routine. When the camera 14 is in the depression angle state, it is assumed that the current elevation angle is 0 degree, that is, the camera 14 is oriented horizontally.

  The control device 12 determines a range (requested range) for which weather data should be requested in accordance with the target position, target azimuth, target elevation angle and imaging viewing angle within the acquisition range (radius R) (S22). FIG. 4 is a view of the state of looking up at the sky with the camera 14 as seen from the lateral direction, and shows the meteorological data request range with respect to the elevation angle. The part that falls within the field of view of the assumed screen in the sky is the first required range. Since the meteorological data of the meteorological data server 50 is accumulated at a predetermined time interval, for example, every 5 minutes, for example, the meteorological data may already be acquired for the requested range determined in step S22. In such a case, meshes for which weather data has already been acquired may be excluded from the required range.

  The control device 12 transmits a weather data request signal for the request range determined in step S22 to the weather data server 50 (S23). When requesting weather data with reduced gradation, the control device 12 transmits a weather data request signal designating a necessary gradation to the weather data server 50. In addition, when requesting past weather data or future predicted weather data to some extent instead of the latest weather data, a relative time designation from the current time is added as an argument to the request signal.

  The CPU 52 of the weather data server 50 waits for a weather data request signal from the portable information terminal 10 in the communication device 58. When receiving the meteorological data request signal, the CPU 52 extracts the meteorological data of mesh points that fall within the requested range from the storage device 56 using the extraction function 60 (S31). When there is a relative time designation, the CPU 52 extracts the meteorological data of the mesh points that fall within the requested range at the time corresponding to the relative time designation from the storage device 56. The CPU 52 reduces the gradation (for example, 128 gradations) of the extracted weather data to the requested gradation (for example, 4 to 8 gradations) using the gradation reduction function 62 (S32). The CPU 52 transmits weather data with reduced gradation from the communication device 58 to the requesting portable information terminal 10 (S33). When the requested meteorological data is composed of distribution data according to altitude, the meteorological data server 50 transmits the altitude data in the requested range to the requesting portable information terminal 10 in a predetermined format. The weather data transmitted to the portable information terminal 10 includes data indicating the moving direction of rainfall.

  The portable information terminal 10 stores the weather data transmitted from the weather data server 50 in the storage device 30 (S24).

  It is unlikely that the user of the portable information terminal 10 maintains the elevation angle and orientation of the portable information terminal 10 as they are, and there is a high possibility that the elevation angle and orientation will change. If the weather data is requested every time the change is made, the display on the monitor 20 is delayed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, while the distribution information of the weather data acquired by the portable information terminal 10 is displayed on the monitor 20, the weather data in a range that is likely to be displayed thereafter is stored in the weather data server 50. Are acquired in advance and sequentially (S25 to S28).

  That is, weather data in a range that falls within the vertical plane of the target orientation is acquired in advance even if the current elevation angle does not fall within the field of view (S25, S26). Specifically, the control device 12 determines a range of meteorological data that has not been acquired in the vertical plane of the target orientation as a required range in accordance with the shooting viewing angle (particularly, the horizontal viewing angle), and the meteorological data in the required range. A data request signal is transmitted to the weather data server 50 (S25). Similarly to step S23, when requesting weather data with reduced gradation, the control device 12 transmits a weather data request signal designating a necessary gradation to the weather data server 50. When requesting weather data of a specific date in the past or future instead of the latest weather data, a relative time designation from the current time is added as an argument to the request signal.

  Similar to steps S31 to S33, the CPU 52 of the weather data server 50 uses the extraction function 60 to extract the meteorological data of the mesh points that fall within the required range from the storage device 56 (S34), and the gradation of the extracted weather data is calculated. The gradation is reduced by the gradation reduction function 62 (S35), and transmitted to the requesting portable information terminal 10 (S36).

  The portable information terminal 10 stores the weather data transmitted from the weather data server 50 in the storage device 30 (S26). When there is no free space in the storage area reserved for storing the weather data in the storage device 30, the control device 12 deletes the weather data from the remote location or the most distant time from the storage device 30 in order.

  The target azimuth is changed alternately in the horizontal plus direction and the horizontal minus direction so that there is no gap in the meteorological data request range (S27), and steps S22 to S26 are executed. Thereby, even when the user of the portable information terminal 10 changes the orientation of the portable information terminal while displaying an image in which the graphic image of the weather data is superimposed on the camera image, the superimposed display is performed without waiting for the weather data acquisition. Can be updated.

  When the weather data is collected for the entire circumferential direction in the horizontal plane (S28), the control device 12 sequentially requests and transmits the weather data to the weather data server 50 in the past direction and / or the future direction according to the same procedure. The meteorological data is stored in the storage device 30. Past weather data can be used to observe and calculate the temporal movement of the distribution. Future weather data are so-called short-term forecast values. As a result, it is possible to visually confirm the temporal change of the weather distribution situation near the current location.

  FIG. 5 shows the transition of the meteorological data acquisition range by the sequence shown in FIG. Weather data within a radius R as viewed from the portable information terminal 10 is acquired for the mesh of weather data. The numbers 1 to 7 in the mesh indicate the order of the weather data request. The weather data of the mesh to which the number 1 is added is requested to the weather data server 50 in step S23 to be executed first, and stored in the storage device 30. Stored. The meteorological data of the mesh to which the number 2 is added is requested to the meteorological data server 50 in step S25 to be executed first, and stored in the storage device 30.

  In step S27, the control device 12 changes the target azimuth to the target azimuth 70 deflected from the current direction by a predetermined angle θa. The angle θa is determined so that the photographing viewing angles partially overlap. The mesh meteorological data with the numeral 3 added to the target orientation 70 is requested to the meteorological data server 50 in steps S23 and S25 and stored in the storage device 30.

  Next, the control device 12 changes the target azimuth to the target azimuth 72 deflected by a predetermined angle −θa from the current direction in step S27. The meteorological data of the mesh with the numeral 4 added to the target orientation 72 is requested to the meteorological data server 50 in steps S23 and S25 and stored in the storage device 30.

  In step S27, the control device 12 changes the target direction to the target direction 74 deflected by a predetermined angle 2θa from the current direction. The mesh meteorological data with the numeral 5 added to the target orientation 74 is requested to the meteorological data server 50 in steps S23 and S25 and stored in the storage device 30.

  Hereinafter, similarly, the portable information terminal 10 sequentially requests and obtains the weather data to the final rear direction while alternately deflecting the target direction with respect to the current direction as the target directions 76 and 78. To do. The mesh meteorological data to which the numeral 6 is added is meteorological data requested from the meteorological data server 50 in steps S23 and S25 with respect to the target orientation 76 and stored in the storage device 30, and the mesh meteorological data to which the numeral 7 is added. The data is meteorological data requested from the meteorological data server 50 in steps S23 and S25 for the target orientation 78 and stored in the storage device 30.

  Thus, when the user of the portable information terminal 10 points the portable information terminal in a different direction by sequentially acquiring weather data sequentially from the portion close to the current direction in the background in the back direction. In addition, it is possible to start displaying the weather data superimposed on the camera image without waiting for acquisition of the weather data or within a short time.

  For example, when the user of the portable information terminal 10 tends to check the superimposed display of weather data while rotating to the right or to the left, that is, panning, the target direction is set to the right or left respectively according to the tendency. The weather data may be requested while rotating. For this purpose, the usage status of the user, in particular, the orientation and orientation of the portable information terminal are accumulated and stored so that the average tendency can be grasped, and the target orientation is changed in step S27 according to the tendency. Control is sufficient.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the mobile information terminal 10 executes step S <b> 4 and subsequent steps while acquiring weather data in advance from the weather data server 50 in the background. That is, the control device 12 enables display of the camera 14 and the monitor 20 (S4). As a result, the moving image of the video captured by the camera 14 is sequentially written into the moving image layer 24 a of the VRAM 24. The monitor 20 can display the images of the layers 24a, 24b, and 24c of the VRAM 24 together. At this time, only the camera video is displayed.

  When the control device 12 acquires meteorological data that can be displayed within the photographing visual field range, the control device 12 displays an image indicating the distribution state of the meteorological data on the monitor 20 in a display mode according to whether the camera 14 faces the ground or the sky. Display (S5). In this embodiment, when the camera 14 is facing in the direction of photographing the ground, that is, in the depression angle state, the intensity distribution state of the weather data is viewed from the sky as in the case of television broadcasting without considering the depression angle amount. Is displayed in a plane. On the other hand, when the camera 14 is facing in the direction of photographing the sky, that is, in the elevation angle state, a graphic image is generated by projecting the intensity distribution state of the weather data according to the magnitude of the elevation angle, and is superimposed on the camera image and displayed. To do. Hereinafter, the former is referred to as a flat display mode, and the latter is referred to as a projection composite display mode.

  If there is a substantial change in any of the position, orientation and orientation of the portable information terminal 10 and the time of the weather data (S6), the control device 12 causes the weather necessary for the superimposed display with the camera video in the changed state. It is determined whether data is stored in the storage device 30 (S7). When the meteorological data is insufficient, the meteorological data server 50 is requested to supplement the meteorological data to acquire the missing meteorological data (S8). This replenishment acquisition is executed according to the same flow as the communication sequence shown in FIG.

  When the user of the portable information terminal 10 inputs an end instruction using the touch panel 22 or the like (S9), the control device 12 executes an end process (S10) and ends the flow shown in FIG. The termination process of step S10 includes releasing the memory 28, notifying the weather data server 50 of the termination, and deleting the weather data stored in the storage device 30.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the weather data display process (S5). The control device 12 determines whether or not the posture of the portable information terminal 10 is downward according to the output of the azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18 (S41). The term “downward” refers to a state in which the output of the azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18 indicates a depression angle, and the camera 14 is in a direction to photograph the ground direction. Conversely, the upward direction is a state in which the output of the azimuth / posture / acceleration sensor 18 indicates an elevation angle, and the camera 14 is in a direction to capture the sky.

  In the case of the upward posture (S41), the control device 12 enters the projection composite display mode. First, the meteorological data necessary for display is read from the storage device 30 and supplied to the projection conversion device 36 according to the current position, current orientation and posture. (S42). The current position is obtained from the output of the GPS receiver 16 as described above, and the current orientation and orientation are obtained from the output of the orientation / attitude / acceleration sensor 18.

  The projection conversion device 36 generates graphic image data obtained by three-point perspective projection of the supplied weather data according to the current position, current azimuth, and attitude on an assumed screen above a predetermined altitude (for example, 1 km) (S43). The generated graphic image data is written in the still image layer 24 b of the VRAM 24. When the graphic image generated by the graphic device 34 is obliquely projected, the control device 12 causes the graphic device 34 to generate graphic image data indicating the intensity distribution in the horizontal plane from the weather data, and the projection conversion device. 36. The graphic image data generated by the graphic device 34 may be obliquely projected onto an assumed screen above a predetermined altitude (for example, 1 km) in accordance with the azimuth angle and elevation angle from the control device 12.

  The control device 12 also has a menu, an example of the size of weather data, text to be added (for example, the presence / absence and contents of warning / warning information, information from other users, etc.), and the direction of the center or movement of rainfall. Is output to the character generator 38, and the character generator 38 is caused to generate image data corresponding to the auxiliary information (S44). The image data generated by the character generator 38 is written into the text layer 24 c of the VRAM 24. An image displayed on the monitor 20 by writing to the text layer 24c can also be displayed in an animated manner by switching a plurality of still images in a short time.

  The monitor 20 synthesizes and displays each image data in the VRAM 24, specifically, each image data written in the moving image layer 24a, the still image layer 24b, and the text layer 24c at a constant cycle (S45). The image of the still image layer 24b is displayed translucently, and the image of the text layer 24c is displayed transparently or opaquely depending on the purpose.

  For example, FIG. 7 shows an example of a camera image, and FIG. 8 shows a display example in which weather data indicating precipitation is superimposed and displayed on the camera image shown in FIG. 7 in six stages. In FIG. 8, the mesh boundary is illustrated so that it can be easily understood that the weather data has a mesh configuration, but the boundary line is also displayed on the screen of the monitor 20. Of course, when the mesh size is sufficiently smaller than the screen size of the monitor 20, the boundary line need not be displayed. Precipitation data is displayed in six levels of gradation, and a legend scale 80 indicating a display example of each gradation portion is displayed at the bottom of the screen of the monitor 20. The graphic that is the basis of the legend scale 80 showing an example of gradation is generated by the character generator 38 and written to the text layer 24c. On the upper left of the screen, a distance to the rain center, an icon indicating an actual situation (such as an umbrella mark), and text information 82 indicating a direction to the rain center are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 7, it shows that it is raining at a point 750 m ahead as the current state. The text information 82 is also displayed on the monitor 20 by being generated by the character generator 38 and written to the text layer 24c. Instead of the distance display by the text information 82, the rainfall amount and direction of the nearest rain point may be displayed instead of the distance.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which a report from the user A is superimposed and displayed as text at a specific point within the display range in addition to the display shown in FIG. The text is displayed as a balloon 84 at a relevant point on the assumed screen. This text is also displayed on the monitor 20 by being generated by the character generator 38 and written to the text layer 24c.

  FIG. 10 shows a display example in which an arrow icon 86 as a sign indicating the moving direction of the distribution is added to the display shown in FIG. When the acquired weather data itself includes data indicating the moving direction, the moving direction data is used. The moving direction of the cloud can be measured on a surface by, for example, Doppler radar. When the moving direction data is not included, the control device 12 calculates the moving direction from the weather data at different times. The arrow icon 86 is displayed on the monitor 20 by being generated by the character generator 38 and written to the text layer 24c. The center direction of the distribution data may be indicated by the same sign. When both the center direction and the moving direction are indicated, the signs are displayed in different shapes or colors so that the respective signs can be visually identified.

  When the weather data is hierarchized also in the altitude direction, for example, when there is a data layer for each altitude, the distribution status for each altitude may be selectively displayed. For example, there is a case where precipitation exists in a specific altitude range, and such data includes stereoscopic observation data by a radar. FIG. 11 shows a display example in which the time and altitude can be operated. In addition to the weather data and camera image superimposed display, a horizontally long slide type time operation bar 88 for manipulating the time axis and a vertically long slide type altitude operation bar 90 for indicating the altitude to be displayed are displayed. When the control device 12 can use weather data at a plurality of times for display, the control device 12 displays a sliding time operation bar 88 on the monitor 20 and validates the operation by the touch panel 22. The control device 12 also displays a slide type altitude operation bar 90 on the monitor 20 when a plurality of altitude weather data can be used for display, and validates the operation by the touch panel 22.

  By operating the slider or slider of the sliding time operation bar 88 to the left and right, it is possible to instruct the control device 12 when to display weather data. Further, the altitude at which weather data should be displayed can be instructed to the control device 12 by operating the slider or slider of the slide type altitude operation bar 90 up and down. The control device 12 uses the meteorological data acquired from the meteorological data server 50, and uses the meteorological data, and the oblique projection graphic image showing the distribution of altitude indicated by the sliding altitude operation bar 90 at the time indicated by the sliding time operation bar 88. Is generated by the projective transformation device 36. The generated graphic image is superimposed on the camera video and displayed on the screen of the monitor 20 as described above. By specifying the altitude so that the precipitation distribution can be displayed, for example, it becomes possible to easily recognize the possibility that precipitation in the sky that does not lead to rainfall on the ground can actually become rainfall. .

  When weather data at different times can be acquired, automatic reproduction may be performed in the forward direction (and the reverse direction) of the time axis. For this purpose, a reproduction start / end button is provided, and according to the operation, the control device 12 reads out the weather data stored in the storage device 30 in time order and displays it on the monitor 20 via the projection conversion device 36 and the VRAM 24. As a result, the state of the distribution over time can be specifically and visually confirmed.

  On the other hand, in the downward posture (S41), the control device 12 enters the flat display mode. First, according to the current position and the current orientation, the weather data necessary for display is read from the storage device 30 and supplied to the graphic device 34. (S46). At this time, the user may be able to specify the display scale.

  The graphicizing device 34 generates graphic image data indicating the distribution status in the horizontal plane according to the current weather data and the current azimuth and the display scale of the meteorological data supplied (S47). The generated graphic image data is written in the still image layer 24 b of the VRAM 24.

  Even in the flat display mode, as described above, the control device 12 outputs the auxiliary information to the character generator 38, generates image data corresponding to the character generator 38, and writes it to the text layer 24c of the VRAM 24 (S48). ).

  The monitor 20 synthesizes and displays the image data written in the still image layer 24b and the text layer 24c of the VRAM 24 at a constant cycle (S49). At this time, the camera image of the moving image layer 24a of the VRAM 24 may be synthesized and displayed. If the camera image gets in the way, the graphic image of the weather data may be displayed in a size that hides the camera image.

  FIG. 12 shows a display example in the flat display mode. The weather data distribution statuses 92 and 94 within the maximum radius R around the portable information terminal 10 are displayed on the screen of the monitor 20 together with a circle indicating the distance from the portable information terminal 10. Further, the range of the viewing angle of the camera 14 is displayed as a fan 96 so that it can be distinguished from other parts. As a result, the user can guess which part of the weather data is synthesized and displayed when the camera 14 is directed upward on the spot. Even in this plane display mode, auxiliary information such as legend scale 80 and text information 82 shown in FIG. 9 and balloon 84 shown in FIG. 10 may be displayed simultaneously. Furthermore, operation means such as the sliding time operation bar 88 and the sliding altitude operation bar 90 shown in FIG. 11 may be displayed so that the time and altitude can be selected.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the process of the control device 12 for displaying the time and direction until the rain starts at the current location when displaying the rain distribution. It is assumed that the current time (actually, the radar measurement value immediately before the current time) has been acquired by the sequence shown in FIG. Further, the weather data server 50 holds not only the actual distribution data of precipitation intensity but also the predicted intensity distribution data based on the weather forecast, and in response to the request from the portable information terminal 10, the actual condition of the requested time and the acquisition range. The value and the predicted value are transmitted to the requesting mobile information terminal 10. Of course, as described above, the weather data server 50 is requested to transmit the unacquired data of the meteorological data in any acquisition range at any time.

  The control device 12 advances the acquisition time from the current time to the next time (S51). If the acquisition time is more than a set time (for example, a time set by the user such as 1 hour or 2 hours) with respect to the current time (S52), it means that it will not rain within the set time. This process ends.

  When the acquisition time is less than the set time from the current time (S52), the control device 12 requests the weather data server 50 for prediction data within the acquisition time acquisition range (S53). Similar to the sequence shown in FIG. 3, the weather data server 50 extracts the prediction data (predicted precipitation amount) within the acquisition range of the acquisition time, and transmits it to the portable information terminal 10 together with the movement direction of the precipitation. If the predicted value does not exist in the first place, the weather data server 50 transmits no predicted data to the portable information terminal 10 (S54), and the portable information terminal 10 ends the process shown in FIG.

  The portable information terminal 10 stores the prediction data from the weather data server 50 in the storage device 30 (S55).

  The control device 12 repeats the above processing (S51 to S55) until rain is predicted with the mesh immediately above, that is, the mesh including the current location (S56).

  When the mesh immediately above indicates rain (S56), the control device 12 subtracts the current time from the acquisition time and calculates the time until the rain starts (S57). Since the acquisition time corresponds to the rain start time, the difference between the current time and the acquisition time is the time until the rain start.

  The control device 12 refers to the movement direction data added to the meteorological data between the current time and the acquisition time, and where the mesh corresponding to the rain mesh at the acquisition time (referred to as a rain corresponding mesh) is located at the current time. Is determined (S58). For example, the current time is determined by determining the rain corresponding mesh at the previous time of the rain mesh at the acquisition time based on the moving direction data added to the rain mesh at the acquisition time, and sequentially repeating this until the current time is reached. Determine the mesh for rainfall.

  When the rain corresponding mesh falls within the current photographing visual field range (S59), the control device 12 generates a blinking image indicating the rain corresponding mesh (or its range), and a graphic indicating the distribution state of the camera video and weather data. The image is combined and displayed (S60). That is, the user is informed of the position of the mesh that comes directly above the rain start time with a blinking image. FIG. 14 shows an example of this display. In FIG. 14, the rain corresponding mesh 102 is illustrated by horizontal and vertical hatching (actually, the entire mesh 102 blinks), and the balloon 104 in the form pointing to the rain corresponding mesh 102 is the start of the rain calculated in step S57. The time is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the rain corresponding mesh does not fall within the current photographing visual field range (S59), the control device 12 generates an arrow image indicating the direction of the rain corresponding mesh, and shows the distribution state of the camera image and the weather data. The image is synthesized and displayed (S61). FIG. 15 shows an example of this display. In FIG. 15, the time until the rain start calculated in step S <b> 57 is displayed as text 106 at the center of the screen, and an arrow image 108 indicating the direction of the rain corresponding mesh is displayed adjacent to the text display 106.

  By adopting the display mode described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, in this embodiment, the presence and direction of the approaching rainfall area and the arrival time (rainfall start time) are easily notified to the user. Will be able to.

  In the present embodiment, as long as the position of the portable information terminal 10 can be determined, the camera 14 is directed indoors toward the ceiling, so that the distribution of weather data is displayed superimposed on the ceiling image. In other words, the weather situation can be visually confirmed as if it were outdoors.

  In the above embodiment, the weather data server 50 reduces the gradation before the requested weather data is transmitted for the purpose of reducing the amount of communication data and the amount of data stored in the portable information terminal 10, but the weather data server 50 In order to maintain the versatility, it is preferable to perform the gradation conversion on the portable information terminal 10 side. From this point of view, means corresponding to the gradation reduction function 62 may be arranged in the portable information terminal 10.

  Further, when it is necessary for the portable information terminal 10 to calculate a temporal change or a spatial change with a certain degree of accuracy, the portable information terminal 10 stores weather data with sufficient accuracy to satisfy such a purpose. It is necessary to hold in the device 30. In this case, the amount of data used for display can be reduced by the control device 12 applying gradation reduction to the result of completing the calculation requiring such accuracy.

  Although the embodiment applied to precipitation meteorological data has been described, the present invention can be applied to data that is distributed in space and whose distribution status varies temporally. Such distribution data includes data indicating the scattering status of pollen, yellow sand and PM2.5, data indicating ultraviolet intensity, and the like. In addition to rainfall, the meteorological data can be applied to the distribution of clouds, temperature, and atmospheric pressure. For example, GPV (Grid Point Value) meteorological data is known.

  The VRAM 24 and its moving image layer 24a, still image layer 24b, and text layer 24c schematically show a function for synthesizing meteorological data and auxiliary information for camera video, and appropriately synthesize these data instead of these configurations. Obviously, a synthesizing means may be used.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments, various modifications and alterations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. This is obvious to an engineer in the field to which the present invention belongs, and such changes and modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

10: Portable information terminal 12: Control device 14: Camera 16: GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 18: Direction / attitude / acceleration sensor 20: Display device 22: Touch panel 24: VRAM
24a: Movie layer 24b: Still image layer 24c: Text layer 26: Timer 28: Memory 30: Storage device 32: Communication device 34: Graphics device 36: Projection conversion device 38: Character generator 40: CPU
50: Weather data server 52: CPU
54: Memory 56: Storage device 58: Communication device 60: Extraction function 62: Gradation reduction function 70, 72, 74, 76, 78: Target direction 80: Legend scale 82: Text indicating the direction and distance to the precipitation center point Information 84: Text display balloon 86: Arrow icon 88: Slide type time operation bar 90: Slide type altitude operation bar 92, 94: Distribution status 96: Fan indicating the field of view of shooting 102: Rain corresponding mesh 104, 106: Rain Text 108 for displaying the start time: A sign (arrow) indicating the direction of the rain corresponding mesh

Claims (27)

A distribution data display device that acquires and displays the distribution data from a distribution data holding device (50) that holds distribution data that is spatially distributed and whose distribution varies with time,
A camera (14) for photographing the surroundings;
Positioning means (16) for measuring a three-dimensional position on the ground;
Azimuth / attitude detection means (18) for detecting azimuth and attitude;
Data acquisition means for sequentially acquiring the distribution data within a predetermined range including the position measured by the positioning means from the distribution data holding device, the direction of the direction detected by the direction / attitude detection means Data acquisition means (32) for starting acquisition from a part belonging to the field of view of the camera;
Storage means (30) for storing distribution data acquired by the data acquisition means;
Of the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition means, a portion determined according to the azimuth detected by the azimuth / attitude detection means and the attitude indicating the elevation angle is determined as an assumed screen having a predetermined height according to the azimuth and the elevation angle. Projection conversion means (34) for projective conversion into
Display means (24, 20) for combining and displaying the output of the projection conversion means on the output video of the camera
A distribution data display device comprising:   The distribution data display device according to claim 1, wherein the data acquisition unit does not re-acquire distribution data stored in the storage unit.   The data acquisition means requests the distribution data holding device for distribution data that is insufficient within the predetermined range in response to a certain change in any of the three-dimensional position, the orientation, and the attitude. The distribution data display device according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The distribution data according to claim 3, wherein the data acquisition means further requests the distribution data holding device for distribution data that is insufficient within the predetermined range in response to a change in time at which the distribution data is to be displayed. Display device. The distribution data includes distribution data for each altitude,
Furthermore, an altitude designation means for designating the altitude of the distribution data to be displayed is provided.
5. The distribution data according to claim 1, wherein the projection conversion unit re-executes the projection conversion on the distribution data of the specified altitude according to the specification of the altitude specifying unit. Display device.   The distribution data display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display means displays a sign (86) indicating either the center or the moving direction of the distribution data.   The display means further comprises a mode for combining and displaying the output of the projection conversion means on the output video of the camera, and a mode for displaying the distribution status of the distribution data on a horizontal plane. 7. The distribution data display device according to any one of 1 to 6.   8. The distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit from the distribution data holding device is data obtained by reducing the gradation of the distribution data held in the distribution data holding device. 2. The distribution data display device according to item 1.   The distribution data according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a gradation degree reducing means for reducing the gradation degree of the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition means from the distribution data holding device. Display device. A camera (14) for photographing the surroundings, a positioning means (16) for measuring a three-dimensional position on the ground, an azimuth / attitude detection means (18) for detecting the azimuth and orientation, and a display means (20). A portable information terminal (10) is a method of acquiring and displaying the distribution data from a distribution data holding device (50) holding distribution data that is spatially distributed and whose distribution varies with time,
A data acquisition step of sequentially acquiring the distribution data within a predetermined range including the position measured by the positioning unit from the distribution data holding device, and the direction of the direction detected by the direction / attitude detection unit A data acquisition step (32) for starting acquisition from a part belonging to the field of view of the camera;
A storage step (30) for storing the distribution data acquired in the data acquisition step in the storage means (30) of the portable information terminal;
Of the distribution data acquired in the data acquisition step, a portion determined according to the azimuth and the attitude indicating the elevation detected by the azimuth / attitude detection means, and an assumed screen of a predetermined altitude according to the azimuth and the elevation A projective transformation step (34) for projective transformation into
A distribution data display method comprising: a combined display step of combining the conversion result of the projective conversion step with the output video of the camera and supplying the combined image to the display means.   The distribution data display method according to claim 10, wherein the data acquisition step does not re-acquire distribution data stored in the storage unit.   The data acquisition step requests the distribution data holding device for distribution data that is insufficient within the predetermined range in response to a certain change in any of the three-dimensional position, the orientation, and the attitude. The distribution data display method according to claim 10 or 11.   13. The distribution data according to claim 12, wherein the data acquisition step further requests the distribution data holding device for distribution data that is insufficient within the predetermined range in response to a change in time at which the distribution data is to be displayed. Display method. The distribution data includes distribution data for each altitude,
Furthermore, an altitude specifying step for specifying the altitude of the distribution data to be displayed is provided.
The distribution data according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the projective transformation step re-executes the projective transformation on the distribution data of the designated altitude according to the designation of the altitude designating step. Display method.   The distribution data according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a step of displaying on the display means an indicator (86) indicating either the center or the moving direction of the distribution data. Display method.   The distribution data display method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of displaying a distribution state of the distribution data on a horizontal plane on the display unit.   The distribution data acquired from the distribution data holding device in the data acquisition step is data obtained by reducing the gradation of the distribution data held in the distribution data holding device. 2. The distribution data display method according to item 1.   The distribution data according to any one of claims 10 to 16, further comprising a gradation reduction step for reducing the gradation of the distribution data acquired from the distribution data holding device in the data acquisition step. Display method. A camera (14) for photographing the surroundings, a positioning means (16) for measuring a three-dimensional position on the ground, an azimuth / attitude detection means (18) for detecting the azimuth and orientation, and a display means (20). In a system in which the portable information terminal (10) acquires and displays the distribution data from a distribution data holding device (50) that holds distribution data that is spatially distributed and whose distribution fluctuates with time. In the calculation means,
A data acquisition function for sequentially acquiring the distribution data within a predetermined range including the position measured by the positioning unit from the distribution data holding device, and the direction of the direction detected by the direction / attitude detection unit A data acquisition function (32) for starting acquisition from a part belonging to the field of view of the camera;
A storage function (30) for storing the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition function in the storage means (30) of the portable information terminal;
A portion of the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition function, which is determined according to the orientation detected by the orientation / attitude detection means and the orientation indicating the elevation angle, is an assumed screen having a predetermined altitude according to the orientation and the elevation angle. Projective transformation function (34) for projective transformation to
A distribution data display program for realizing a composite display function for combining the conversion result of the projection conversion function with the output video of the camera and supplying the composite to the display means.   The distribution data display program according to claim 19, wherein the data acquisition function does not re-acquire distribution data stored in the storage means.   The data acquisition function requests the distribution data holding device for distribution data that is insufficient within the predetermined range in response to a certain change in any of the three-dimensional position, the orientation, and the attitude. The distribution data display program according to claim 19 or 20.   The distribution data according to claim 21, wherein the data acquisition function further requests the distribution data holding device for distribution data that is insufficient within the predetermined range in response to a change in time at which the distribution data is to be displayed. Display program. The distribution data includes distribution data for each altitude,
23. The projection conversion function according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the projection conversion function re-executes the projection conversion on the distribution data of the specified height according to the specification of the height of the distribution data to be displayed. Distribution data display program.   24. The function according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein a function for displaying on the display means a sign (86) indicating either the center or the moving direction of the distribution data is realized on the calculation means. Distribution data display program.   The distribution data display program according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the calculation means realizes a function of displaying a distribution state of the distribution data on a horizontal plane on the display means.   26. The distribution data acquired from the distribution data holding device by the data acquisition function is data with reduced gradation of the distribution data held in the distribution data holding device. The distribution data display program according to item 1.   26. The gradation reduction function for reducing the gradation of distribution data acquired from the distribution data holding device by the data acquisition function is realized in the arithmetic means. Distribution data display program.

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