JP2594010B2 - Color plotter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color plotter for displaying the wake of a moving object on a screen in color.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color plotter is known as a device for displaying the wake of a moving object, for example, a ship on a screen in color. A color plotter is a means for displaying the wake of a moving body, a mark of a destination of the moving body, and the like on a screen of a display means such as a CRT, and is mounted on a ship or the like to support its operation.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a color plotter. As shown in this figure, the color plotter includes a color display 10 for displaying the wake of a moving object in color. The color display 10 is controlled by a signal supplied from the display processing unit 12, and displays a wake of a moving object, a mark of a destination, and the like on a screen thereof. The display processing unit 12 inputs the current position information of the moving object from various navigation devices via the current position input terminal 14, performs predetermined processing on the information, and generates a signal related to control of the color display 10. Further, the display processing unit 12 executes display control on the screen of the color display 10 according to the display color and the like set by the key switch 16.

[0004] A color plotter is usually configured so that the display color on the screen can be switched for each figure in order to ensure the visibility and usability of the screen. This switch is
Conventionally, it has been executed by calling a menu screen.

More specifically, when the wake is displayed on the screen of the color display 10 as shown in FIG. 5A (the wake display screen), the user presses the color designation key on the key switch 16. Then, the screen of the color display 10 is switched to a menu screen as shown in FIG. On this menu screen, items such as an event mark and a mokuteki mark, that is, mark types are displayed, and
On the right side, a display color corresponding to this is displayed. When setting or switching the display color of each mark or track on the track display screen, the user selects the mark type to be set or switched by specifying the cursor, and then presses a color selection key included in the key switch 16. For example, a conventional apparatus is configured such that each time a color selection key is pressed once, a designated display color on a menu screen is sequentially and cyclically switched. After associating a desired color with a mark desired to be set or switched, the user presses the key switch 1.
When the input key included in No. 6 is depressed, the designated display color is associated with the mark, and the setting or switching of the color is suitably realized. After this, the key switch 16
When the user presses the upper color designation key again, the screen returns to the track display screen.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, when setting or switching the display color of the track or mark displayed on the screen, a menu screen relating to the color designation is displayed. I had to call it. Such an operation is complicated and hinders improvement in the usability of the color plotter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the display color of a figure such as a track or a mark displayed on a screen is set on a track display screen. It is an object to provide a color plotter that can be switched.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display which can be used while a group of figures, such as a wake of a moving object and a mark of a destination, is displayed on a screen. A color list is displayed on a part of the screen, a plurality of color selection key switches associated with each of the display colors displayed in the list, and a graphic designating a graphic to be set or switched for the display color. The display color of the group of figures is set or switched by means of a designation key switch and means for displaying the figure designated by the figure designation key switch on the screen in the display color designated by the color selection key switch. It is characterized by the following.

The present invention also provides a graphic designating key switch for designating a graphic whose display color is to be set or switched,
When a figure is specified by a plurality of color selection key switches corresponding to each display color displayed in the list and a figure specification key switch, available display colors are listed in a part of the screen for a predetermined time. Means for displaying, and when the color is specified by the color selection key switch in a state where the display colors are displayed in a list, the graphic specified by the graphic specification key switch is displayed by the color selection key switch. Means for displaying on the screen of the display means in color, and otherwise maintaining the previous display color.

[0010]

According to the present invention, when a group of figures such as a wake of a moving object and a mark of a destination are displayed on a screen, usable display colors are displayed on a part of the screen in the form of, for example, a color selection menu bar. A list is displayed. In this state, the user operates the color selection key switch to specify the display color, and also operates the figure specification key switch to specify the figure, so that the specified figure is displayed in the specified display color. Displayed on the color screen. Therefore, in the present invention, there is no need to call up another screen to set or switch the display color, thereby simplifying the operation and realizing a color plotter excellent in usability.

In the present invention, when a user operates a graphic designating key switch to specify a graphic, a list of available display colors is displayed on a part of the screen. This list display is continued for a predetermined period of time. During this time, when the user operates the color selection key switch to specify a color, the figure specified by the figure selection key switch is displayed by the display specified by the color selection key switch. The color is displayed on the screen of the display means. Therefore, in the present invention, there is no need to call up another screen to set or switch the display color, thereby simplifying the operation and realizing a color plotter excellent in usability. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to specify a color prior to designating a figure, a delay in the processing is suppressed, particularly when a figure is accompanied by a process of storing coordinate values.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a color plotter according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, in particular, its wake display screen and key switch 16. In this embodiment, the device configuration is realized by a configuration substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 4, except for the configuration of the key switch 16 and the processing content in the display processing unit 12.

The key switch 16 in this embodiment is attached to the lower part of the color display 10 and has a color selection key switch 18, a mark designation key switch 20, and a wake color designation key switch 22 according to the features of this embodiment. Contains. Further, a color selection menu bar 24 is displayed below the color display 10 so as to correspond to the color selection key switch 18 and one body.

FIG. 2 shows a processing flow of the display processing unit 12 in the first embodiment. The processing shown in this figure is a routine for setting or switching the display color according to the features of the present embodiment, and is a routine executed when any key on the key switch 16 is pressed.

In this routine, the key switch 1
When any of the keys 6 is pressed, it is determined whether the pressed key is the color selection key switch 18 which is a function key (100). If it is determined that the color selection key switch 18 has been pressed, the parameter value indicating the designated color is temporarily stored in the display processing unit 12 (102). The designated color referred to here is the color selection menu bar 2 corresponding to the pressed color selection key switch 18.
4 colors. Further, when the color selection key switch 18 is pressed, the display control unit 12 blinks the corresponding color selection menu bar 24 for a predetermined time, for example, several seconds. This routine ends once step 102 is executed.

This routine is executed again when any key on the key switch 16 is pressed. If the switch pressed next to the color selection key switch 18 is the mark designation key switch 20 or the wake color designation key switch 22, it is determined in step 100 that the color selection key switch 18 has not been pressed. You. Therefore, in this case, the display processing unit 12 executes step 104. In step 104, it is determined whether the pressed switch is one of the mark designation key switch 20 and the track color designation key switch. As a result of this determination, the pressed switches are the key switches 20 and 2
If it is determined that none of the two is satisfied, the routine shown in FIG. 2 ends.

If the pressed switch is one of the mark designation key switch 20 and the wake color designation key switch 22, the display processing unit 12 proceeds to step 10.
Execute 6. Step 106 is a determination as to whether or not the designated color is temporarily stored in the display processing unit 12.
If it is determined in step 106 that the key switch 20 or 22 is depressed, the display processing unit 12 sets the display color of the mark or wake associated with the pressed key switch 20 or 22 to the temporarily stored designated color. (108). That is, the parameter indicating the display color of the mark or the track is set to the value temporarily stored in step 102, the temporary storage is reset (110), and the process shifts to the mark or track display processing (112). If it is determined in step 106 that the data is not temporarily stored, step 1 and step 110 are skipped immediately.
12 is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the display color of the track or mark displayed on the screen of the color display 10 can be designated by the color selection key switch 18, and the display color can be changed. Can be selected by the mark designation key switch 20 and the wake color designation key switch 22. The operation of the user for setting or switching the display color will be described below.

When the user wants to set or switch the display color of the track or mark displayed on the screen of the color display 10, first, the user selects the color arranged above the key switch 16. One of the selection key switches 18 is pressed. Then, step 102 is executed via step 100, and the designated color corresponding to the color selection key switch 18 pressed by the user is temporarily stored in the display processing unit 12 as a parameter value. When any one of the color selection key switches 18 is pressed, a corresponding one of the color selection menu bars 24 displayed on the screen of the color display 10 blinks for a predetermined period (for example, several seconds). .

Next, the user presses either the mark designation key switch 20 or the wake color designation key switch 22. To set or switch the display color of the mark, the user selects and presses the mark designation key switch 20 corresponding to the desired mark. When this button is pressed while the color selection menu bar 24 is blinking, FIG.
The display colors are stored inside the display processing unit 12 by the processing of steps 108 to 112 in. Then, the display color of the corresponding mark is set or switched on the screen of the color display 10. Thus, the mark designated by the mark designation key switch 20 is displayed in the color selected by pressing the color selection key switch 18.

Next, when the user wants to set or switch the display color of the wake of the moving object, the user presses the color selection key switch 18 and the corresponding color selection menu bar 24. While the is blinking, the wake color designation key switch 22 is pressed. Then step 1 in FIG.
Through the processes 08 to 112, the display color of the wake is set or switched to the display color designated by the color selection key switch 18, that is, the color of the blinking color selection menu bar 24.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the color selection menu bar 24 is displayed on the screen of the color display 10 so as to correspond to the color selection key switch 18, and the display color of the mark or the wake is displayed. Mark setting key switch and track color specifying key switch 2
Since it is sufficient to press any one of the two, the operation related to the transition from the wake display screen to another screen, for example, a menu screen related to color designation, becomes unnecessary. As a result, the user is not bothered by the screen switching, and a simpler and more usable color plotter can be obtained.

FIG. 3 shows a processing flow of the display processing unit 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in this figure is a routine related to setting or switching of the display color, similarly to FIG. 2, and is a routine executed when any key on the key switch 16 is pressed. In this routine, when any key on the key switch 16 is pressed, step 104 is executed.
That is, it is determined whether one of the mark designation key switch 20 and the wake color designation key switch 22 has been pressed. Until one of the key switches 20 and 22 is pressed, the process waits at step 104. When any one of the buttons is pressed, step 114 is executed next. In step 114, the display processing unit 12 temporarily stores that either the key switch 20 or 22 has been pressed. At the same time, the display processing unit 12 displays a color selection menu bar 24 on the screen of the color display 10. That is, in this embodiment, the color selection menu bar 24 is not always displayed, and the key switch 2
Displayed only when 0 or 22 is pressed.

After the execution of step 114, the display processing unit 12
Performs step 100. That is, it is determined whether the color selection key switch 18 has been pressed. If the user does not press the color selection key switch 18 immediately after pressing the key switch 20 or 22, step 10
Move from 0 to 116. In step 116,
It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the key switch 20 or 22 was pressed. If not, the process returns to step 100. Therefore, in this embodiment, after the color selection menu bar 24 is displayed. The color selection menu bar 24 continues to be displayed for a certain period of time in step 116. During this time, key switch 1 for color selection
When the button 8 is pressed, the display color of the mark or the track specified by the key switch 20 or 22 is corrected to the color specified by the color selection key switch 18 (11).
8). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 112, where wake or mark processing is executed. Conversely, when the predetermined time according to step 116 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 120 for maintaining the previous display color. Step 1 after execution of step 120
It moves to 12. Therefore, in this case, the color of the mark or wake specified by the key switch 20 or 22 is
Maintains the previous color.

As described above, in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, because no color was selected prior to the designation of the mark or wake,
When the storage process or the like of the position is executed in accordance with the designation of the mark or the wake, the delay of the storage process does not occur.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the effect that the processing delay is smaller than that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, the operation of the user in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the user first presses the key switch 20 or 22 as necessary. In response to this depression, the display processing unit 12 causes the color selection menu bar 2
4 is displayed. The user can use the menu bar 24 for color selection.
Is displayed, any one of the color selection key switches 18 for setting or switching colors is operated. Then
In response, the display processing unit 12 performs steps 118 and 11
The user operates the key switch 2 to execute the process related to
The color of the mark or the wake specified by the operation of 0 or 22 is set or switched to the specified color by the operation of the color selection key switch 18. Menu bar 2 for color selection
If the user does not operate the color selection key switch 18 while the display 4 is displayed, the color selection menu bar 24 is displayed.
Is erased in step 112. In this case, the mark or wake designated by the key switch 20 or 22 is displayed in the same color as before.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIGS. For example, there is no need to limit the number of the color selection key switches 18, the display format of the color selection menu bar 24, the number of the mark designation key switches 20, and the like. Further, for only the marks among the graphics displayed on the screen of the color display 10,
Alternatively, the present invention may be applied only to the wake. In addition, there is no need to limit the type and configuration of the color display 10 at all.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A list of display colors that can be used is displayed on a screen on which a group of graphics such as a track of a moving object and a mark of a destination are displayed, and a display color and a display color are set or switched by operating a key switch. Since a figure is specified, there is no need to switch from a screen displaying a wake or the like to another screen, for example, a menu screen related to color specification, thereby realizing a color plotter with simplified operation and improved usability. Can be.

According to the present invention, a list of display colors that can be used in response to the operation of the graphic designating key switch is displayed in a list for a predetermined time, and the color selecting key switch is operated during display to specify a color. Since the setting or switching of the color is executed at the same time, in addition to the above-described effects, the effect of suppressing the delay of the storage processing or the like can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a color plotter according to first and second embodiments of the present invention, particularly a display mode of a color selection menu bar and a key switch configuration.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of a display processing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of a display processing unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color plotter.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional color switching method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Color display 12 Display processing part 14 Current position input terminal 16 Key switch 18 Color selection key switch 20 Mark designation key switch 22 Wake color designation key switch 24 Color selection menu bar

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-137679 (JP, A) JP-B7-56510 (JP, B2) JP-B6-38181 (JP, B2) JP-B8-30658 (JP) , B2) Tokiko Hei 7-19123 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display means for displaying a graphic group such as a wake of a moving object and a mark of a destination on a screen in color, a display color setting means for selectively setting or switching a display color of the graphic group,
In a color plotter comprising: a display unit displaying the group of graphics on a screen,
A list of available display colors is displayed in a part of the screen, and the display color setting means includes a plurality of color selection key switches corresponding to each of the display colors listed, and setting or switching of display colors. And a means for displaying a figure designated by the figure designating key switch on the screen of the display means in a display color designated by the color selecting key switch. A color plotter comprising: 2. A color plotter comprising: display means for displaying a group of graphics such as a wake of a moving object and a mark of a destination on a screen in color; and display color setting means for selectively setting or switching the display color of the graphics. Wherein the display color setting means comprises: a figure designation key switch for designating a figure to be set or switched; and a plurality of color selection key switches associated with each of the display colors displayed in the list. A means for displaying a list of available display colors in a part of the screen for a predetermined time when a figure is designated by the figure designation key switch, and a color selection key switch in a state where the display colors are listed. When a color is designated, the figure designated by the figure designation key switch is displayed on the display means screen in the display color designated by the color selection key switch. Color plotter is in engagement, characterized in that it comprises a means for maintaining the previous display color, a.