JP5073608B2 - Image output apparatus, image output method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output device that outputs an image.

Some conventional image output devices have an electronic album function that can display a plurality of images at once (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-274324 A

  However, the conventional image output apparatus can display a plurality of images side by side or vertically, but there is a problem that it is difficult to easily compare the plurality of images. For example, even if images of maps of similar areas in the Edo period and the present day are displayed side by side, gaze shifts occur when comparing the corresponding positions of both images, so compare the two There was a problem that was not easy.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image output device or the like that can compare a plurality of map images without moving the line of sight.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image output device according to the present invention includes an image storage unit that stores two or more map images, which are map images, and at least one of two or more map images stored in the image storage unit. A transparency setting unit that sets the transparency of the map image, and an image output unit that outputs two or more map images stored in the image storage unit with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit. Is.

  With such a configuration, by setting the transparency, one or two or more of the two or more map images can be viewed. For example, when two or more map images are overlapped so that the corresponding positions are the same position, and when two or more map images are displayed, the corresponding positions are not accompanied by the movement of the line of sight. Can be compared. Further, for example, even when two or more map images are overlapped so that the corresponding positions are the same position, and even when one map image is displayed, the displayed map image is switched. Thus, the corresponding positions can be compared with each other without moving the line of sight.

  In the image output device according to the present invention, the two or more map images are associated with the period information that is information about the period, and the display period information that is the information indicating the period of the map image to be displayed is received. The display era information receiving unit is further provided, and the transparency setting unit includes at least one displayed before the map image associated with the era information corresponding to the display era information received by the display era information receiving unit. When a map image exists, one or more map images displayed in front of the map image may be set to be transparent.

  With such a configuration, the map image can be output so that one map image corresponding to the display age information is displayed, and the user can browse the map image according to the desired age. Also, the displayed map image can be switched by changing the display age information. For example, when two or more map images are overlapped so that the corresponding positions are the same position, the line of sight is moved. Without being accompanied, it becomes possible to compare corresponding positions in different times.

  In the image output device according to the present invention, the two or more map images are associated with the period information that is information about the period, and the display period information that is the information indicating the period of the map image to be displayed is received. The display age information receiving unit is further provided, and the transparency setting unit includes two pieces of time information corresponding to two pieces of time information that are temporally before and after the time indicated by the display time information received by the display time information receiving unit. When there is a map image, among the two map images, the map image corresponding to the period information close to the period indicated by the display period information is displayed in a larger proportion than the other map image. Alternatively, the transparency of the map image on the near side of the two map images may be set.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to synthesize and output two map images at a rate according to display age information. As a result, for example, even when there is no map image corresponding to the period between the first period information and the second period information, the map image corresponding to the first and second period information is displayed. By synthesizing and displaying, it is possible to imagine what the map in the era was like. In addition, it is also possible to intuitively know which map image corresponds to the period information that is close to the period indicated by the display period information, depending on the display ratio (for example, display density). There is also.

In the image output device according to the present invention, three or more map images are stored in the image storage unit, and the transparency setting unit sets the time for the era indicated by the display era information received by the display era information receiving unit. When there are two map images corresponding to two pieces of period information, the map image is displayed before one of the two map images, and the two map images Map images other than the map image may be set to be transparent.
With such a configuration, settings other than the target map image can be set not to be displayed.

  In the image output apparatus according to the present invention, the two or more map images are different types of map images, and further include a ratio information receiving unit that receives ratio information that is information regarding a display ratio of the two map images. The transparency setting unit sets the transparency of the map image on the near side of the two map images so that the two map images for which the ratio information is received are displayed at the ratio of the ratio information. May be.

  With such a configuration, a map image in which different types of map images are superimposed at a desired ratio can be output. As a result, information of two map images can be viewed at a time, and user convenience is improved. For example, when a housing map and a topographic map are displayed at a predetermined rate, it is easy to grasp the location of the topography of the house indicated by the housing map. become able to.

  In the image output device according to the present invention, the two or more map images are associated with attribute information that is information indicating whether or not the map is a reference map, and the transparency setting unit uses the attribute information as a reference. The map image shown to be a map is not set to be transparent, and is one or more map images displayed before the map image shown to be the reference map, and is not a reference map according to the attribute information When there is a map image showing, one or more map images displayed in the foreground may be set to be transparent or translucent.

  With this configuration, it is possible to continuously display a map image that is indicated by the attribute information as a reference map. As a result, for example, important maps can be continuously displayed.

  According to the image output apparatus and the like according to the present invention, a plurality of map images can be compared without accompanying the movement of the line of sight.

  Hereinafter, an image output apparatus according to the present invention will be described using embodiments. In the following embodiments, components and steps denoted by the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and repetitive description may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
An image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image storage unit 11, a display age information receiving unit 12, a transparency setting unit 13, and an image output unit 14.

  The image storage unit 11 stores two or more map images that are map images. In the image storage unit 11, three or more map images may be stored. The plurality of map images stored in the image storage unit 11 are images that are browsed in comparison. The plurality of map images may be, for example, map images of similar regions. However, the plurality of map images are preferably different types of map images. The image of different types of maps in the same region may be, for example, an image of an aerial photograph of the same region, an image of a residential map, and an image of a topographic map. For example, an Edo-era map image and a modern map image) may be used. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the image storage unit 11 stores map images of different times in the same region. Further, the case where different types of maps (for example, aerial photographs, house maps, topographic maps, etc.) are stored in the image storage unit 11 will be described in the second embodiment. The plurality of map images may be raster data or vector data. Even if a plurality of map images are vector data, they are rasterized when displayed. Moreover, the information accompanying the image may be associated with the plurality of map images. In the present embodiment, a case where period information is associated with two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 will be described. The period information is information about the period, and may be, for example, the year of the year such as “1900”, “1985-1990”, and the name of the period such as “Edo period”, “Meiji period”, “modern” Information indicating the order, such as “1”, “2”, “3”, etc., “A”, “B”, “C”, etc. (the smaller the number, the closer the alphabet is to “A”) It may be a rule that the number of years is young, etc., or other information.

  The process in which a map image is memorize | stored in the image storage part 11 is not ask | required. For example, a map image may be stored in the image storage unit 11 via a recording medium, or a map image transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the image storage unit 11. Alternatively, a map image input via the input device may be stored in the image storage unit 11. Storage in the image storage unit 11 may be temporary storage in a RAM or the like, or may be long-term storage. The image storage unit 11 can be realized by a predetermined recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.).

  The display age information receiving unit 12 receives display age information that is information indicating the age of the map image to be displayed. The display era information may be, for example, information of the same level as the era information, or may be information of a smaller scale than the era information. The former is, for example, when the period information is “Heisei”, “Showa”, “Taisho”, “Meiji”, etc., and the display age information is also “Heisei”, “Showa”, “Taisho”, “Meiji”, etc. . The latter is, for example, the case where the period information is “Heisei”, “Showa”, “Taisho”, “Meiji”, etc., while the display period information is “1970”, “Showa 45”, etc. .

  The display age information receiving unit 12 may receive display age information input from an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), for example, and display age information transmitted via a wired or wireless communication line. May be received, and display age information read from a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.) may be received. Note that the display age information receiving unit 12 may or may not include a device (for example, a modem or a network card) for receiving. The display age information receiving unit 12 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a predetermined device.

  The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of at least one map image of two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11. Here, “setting transparency” means that transparency should be determined as a result, and includes cases where transparency is determined as a result by setting information other than transparency. For example, if the opacity is set, the transparency is determined as a result. Therefore, setting the transparency includes setting the opacity.

  In addition, the transparency setting unit 13 includes a map image corresponding to the period information that matches the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit 12, and is displayed in front (front) of the map image. When the above map image exists, the one or more map images may be set to be transparent. To set to transparent means to set the transparency to 100% (as described above, the opacity may be set to 0%). The display era information and the era information coincide with each other when the display era information and the era information exactly match (for example, when both the display era information and the era information are “Showa” or “1900”). ), The display period information may be included in the period information (for example, the display period information is “1970” and the period information is “Showa”), or both. It may be the case.

  In addition, the transparency setting unit 13 includes, for example, two map images corresponding to two pieces of period information that are temporally before and after the period indicated by the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit 12. In this case, of the two map images, the map image corresponding to the era information that is close to the era indicated by the display era information is displayed in such a way that a larger percentage is displayed than the other map image. The transparency of the map image on the near side of the map image may be set. “Before and after in time” means the latest before and after. Specifically, in the image storage unit 11, the map image associated with the period information “1700”, the map image associated with the period information “1800”, and the period information “1900”. It is assumed that the display age information reception unit 12 receives the display age information “1970” when there is a map image associated with the map image and a map image associated with the age information “2000”. In this case, two pieces of period information that are temporally before and after the period indicated by the display period information “1970” are period information “2000” and period information “1900”. In addition, the display age information exists at a temporal position where the period information “2000” and the period information “1900” are divided into 3: 7 from the period information “2000”. . Accordingly, the transparency setting unit 13 sets both the map image associated with the period information “2000” to 70% and the map image associated with the period information “1900” to 30%. Assume that map images are displayed in an overlapping manner. For example, when there is a map image associated with the period information “2000” before the map image associated with the period information “1900”, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the period information “ The transparency of the map image associated with “1900” is set to 30%. In addition, the transparency setting unit 13 has two map images corresponding to two pieces of period information that are temporally before and after the period indicated by the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit 12. , A map image displayed in front of one of the two map images, and a map image other than the two map images (a map image in front of the two map images, Map image existing between two map images) is set to be transparent (that is, the transparency is 100% or the opacity is 0%). By doing in this way, the two map images corresponding to the two pieces of time information that are before and after the time indicated by the display time information received by the display time information receiving unit 12 are not other transparent. It becomes possible to avoid a situation where the map image becomes behind and becomes invisible or difficult to see.

  The image output unit 14 outputs two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit 13. “Overlapping and outputting” means that the two or more map images are output so that the corresponding positions coincide with each other. For example, when two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 are images having the same shape and size from the beginning, and corresponding positions coincide with each other, the image output unit 14 Simply superimpose them and output them. On the other hand, when two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 are images whose corresponding positions do not match, the image output unit 14 performs a process of matching the corresponding positions. And then output. Further, the two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 may be superimposed in advance so that corresponding positions coincide with each other. For example, in the case of a map image in an image format in which a plurality of layers can be set, each map image is set in each layer, and the image output unit 14 reads a map image in which the map image is set in the plurality of layers. May be output. Also in this case, two or more map images are output in a superimposed manner. Note that the order of overlap of two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 (for example, the order of overlap from the near side to the back side or the order of overlap from the back side to the near side) Is determined in advance. The order may be, for example, the order of map images stored in the image storage unit 11, may be the order of a plurality of layers in which each map image is set, or indicates the order separately. It may be indicated by information. Information indicating the order may be stored in a recording medium (not shown).

  In addition, when two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 are images of a wide range of maps, the image output unit 14 may cut out and output only a part of the area, or It may not be so.

  Here, the output may be, for example, display on a display device (for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display), transmission via a communication line to a predetermined device, printing by a printer, or output to a recording medium. It may be accumulated or delivered to another component. Even if the output is transmission, storage, or delivery to another component, the output image is eventually displayed on the display device or printed out, so that the user can Shall be able to see the image. In the present embodiment, a case where display is performed on a display device will be described. The image output unit 14 may or may not include an output device (for example, a display device or a printer). The image output unit 14 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives these devices.

  Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S101) The display age information receiving unit 12 determines whether display age information has been received. If the display age information is accepted, the process proceeds to step S102. If not, the process of step S101 is repeated until accepted.

  (Step S102) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image stored in the image storage unit 11 using the display age information received by the display age information receiving unit 12. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S <b> 103) The image output unit 14 outputs two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit 13. Then, the process returns to step S101.
In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the process is terminated by powering off or a process termination interrupt.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the process of setting the transparency (the process of step S102) in the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S201) The transparency setting unit 13 determines whether the display age information received by the display age information receiving unit 12 matches any of the period information associated with the map image stored in the image storage unit 11. to decide. And when it corresponds to either, it progresses to step S205, and when that is not right, it progresses to step S202. As described above, the determination as to whether or not they match may be, for example, a determination as to whether or not the display age information exactly matches the age information, and whether or not the display age information is included in the age information. Or both of them.

  (Step S202) The transparency setting unit 13 specifies two pieces of period information that are temporally before and after the period indicated by the display period information. The transparency setting unit 13 is era information before the era indicated by the display era information, the era information immediately after the era information indicated by the display era information, and the era information after the era indicated by the display era information, By specifying the latest era information to the display era information, the two era information can be specified. Specifying the period information may be to store the specified period information in a recording medium (not shown), or to set a flag or the like in association with the specified period information.

  (Step S203) The transparency setting unit 13 displays the display ratios of the two map images respectively corresponding to the two specified period information with respect to the time indicated by the display period information and the two specified period information. Determine using the correct distance. Here, a method for determining the display ratio will be briefly described. Of the two specified period information, the period information before the display period information is set as the first period information, and the period information after the display period information is set as the second period information. The transparency setting unit 13 calculates a ratio of temporal distances from the first period information to the display period information and from the display period information to the second period information. Assume that the ratio is A: B. Then, the transparency setting unit 13 maps a map image corresponding to the first period information (this is referred to as “first map image”) and a map image corresponding to the second period information (hereinafter referred to as “second map information”). The display ratio of “map image” is determined as B: A. This determined display ratio may be temporarily stored in a recording medium (not shown).

  (Step S204) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image on the near side of the two map images respectively corresponding to the two specified period information according to the display ratio determined in Step S203. As described above, when the display ratio of the first map image and the second map image is B: A, and the first map image is on the near side, the transparency setting unit 13 The transparency of one map image is set to “100 × A / (A + B)” (%). When the second map image is on the near side, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the second map image to “100 × B / (A + B)” (%). The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image on the back side of the two map images to “0%”. The transparency setting unit 13 can know which of the first map image and the second map image is on the near side by using a predetermined order of overlapping map images.

  (Step S205) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image corresponding to the period information matching the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit 12 to “0%”.

  (Step S206) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the map image displayed in front of one of the two map images (when proceeding from Step S204 to Step S206), or the transparency is set to “0%”. It is determined whether there is a map image (in the case of proceeding from step S205 to step S206) displayed in front of the map image. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S207. If not, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S207) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of one or more map images displayed in the foreground to “100%”. The transparency setting unit 13 can know which one or more map images are displayed in front by using a predetermined order of overlapping map images. And it returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Here, the setting of transparency will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 4, when map images A to H are displayed in an overlapping manner, two map images corresponding to two pieces of time information that are temporally before and after the time indicated by the display time information. Are map images D and F. It is assumed that the map image A side is the front side. Then, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image F to 0%, and sets the transparency of the map image D according to the display ratio of the map images D and F. The transparency setting unit 13 sets the map images A, B, C, and E displayed in front of either of the map images D and F to be transparent (that is, the transparency of those map images is set to 100%). Set). In this case, the transparency of the map images G and H is arbitrary. This is because the map images G and H are not displayed because the transparency of the map image F is 0%.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the map image corresponding to the period information that matches the display period information is the map image D when the map images A to H are displayed in an overlapping manner. In this case also, it is assumed that the map image A side is the front side. Then, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image D to 0%. Further, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the map images A, B, and C displayed in front of the map image D to be transparent. In this case, the transparency of the map images E to H is arbitrary. This is because the map images E to H are not displayed because the transparency of the map image D is 0%.

  Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, it is assumed that the image storage unit 11 stores a map image associated with the period information as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the map images M001, M002, M003, and M004 are layers in this order from the near side to the back side. Therefore, in this specific example, the map images M001 to M004 are overlapped from the beginning. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the map image is shown in a table format. However, the map image is actually a data structure having a multi-layer structure, and the period information is associated with each map image of each layer. It may be a data structure.

  First, it is assumed that the user inputs an instruction to start outputting a map image by operating an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. It is assumed that the display age information is set to “2000” on the initial setting screen. Then, a control unit (not shown) inputs the display age information “2000” to the display age information receiving unit 12 in accordance with an instruction input from the user. The display age information is received by the display age information receiving unit 12 (step S101) and passed to the transparency setting unit 13. The transparency setting unit 13 determines that the display period information matches the period information because the period information that matches the display period information “2000” is stored in the image storage unit 11 (step S201). The transparency of the map image “M001” corresponding to the period information “2000” that matches the information is set to 0% (step S205). Since the map image “M001” is the foreground and there is no previous map image (step S206), the process of setting the transparency is ended (step S102). The transparency setting unit 13 passes to the image output unit 14 that the transparency of the map image “M001” is 0%.

  Upon receiving information on transparency, the image output unit 14 reads a plurality of map images M001 to M004 from the image storage unit 11, and outputs the map image “M001” with transparency of 0% (step S103). As a result, the display shown in FIG. 7 is made on the display. In the display of FIG. 7, a map of 2000 is displayed. In addition, a year slider is displayed below the map. By operating the slider, display age information can be input.

  It is assumed that the user operates the slider with the mouse in the display of FIG. Then, the display age information receiving unit 12 receives the display age information “1970” (step S101) and passes it to the transparency setting unit 13.

  The transparency setting unit 13 determines that the display period information does not match the period information because the period information that matches the display period information is not stored in the image storage unit 11 (step S201). Are identified (step S202). Specifically, the transparency setting unit 13 specifies the period information “1900”, which is period information having a smaller number of years than 1970, and has the largest number of years. Further, the transparency setting unit 13 specifies the period information “2000” having the smallest number of years than 1970 and having the smallest number of years.

  Next, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the time distance from the period information “1900” to the display period information “1970” to 70 years and the display period information “1970” to the period information “2000”. The time distance of 30 years is calculated, and the ratio of 7: 3 is calculated. Then, 3: 7 obtained by reversing the ratio is determined as the display ratio of the map image “M002” corresponding to the period information “1900” and the map image “M001” corresponding to the period information “2000”. (Step S203).

  Thereafter, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image “M001” on the near side of the two map images “M001” and “M002” to 100 × 3 / (7 + 3) = 30%. Further, the transparency of the map image “M002” on the back side of the two map images “M001” and “M002” is set to 0% (step S204).

  Since the map images “M001” and “M002” are the two nearest map images, there is no previous map image (step S206), and thus the process of setting the transparency is completed. (Step S102). The transparency setting unit 13 passes to the image output unit 14 that the transparency of the map image “M001” is 30% and the transparency of the map image “M002” is 0%.

  Upon receiving the information on transparency, the image output unit 14 reads a plurality of map images M001 to M004 from the image storage unit 11 and sets the transparency of the map image “M001” to 30% and the map image “M002”. The transparency is set to 0% and output (step S103). As a result, the display shown in FIG. 8 is made on the display. The display in FIG. 8 is a map in which the map image “M001” shown in FIG. 7 and the map image “M002” shown in FIG. 9 are displayed at a ratio of 7: 3.

  Thereafter, when the slider is further slid and positioned between 1800 and 1900, the map image “M002” and the map image “M003” will be displayed according to the set transparency in the future. (Steps S101 to S103).

  As described above, according to the image output apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to synthesize and output two map images at a rate according to the display age information. As a result, for example, even when there is no map image corresponding to the period between the first period information and the second period information, the first period information and the second period information are supported. By synthesizing and displaying the map images, it is possible to imagine what the map in the era was like. In addition, it is possible to intuitively know which map image corresponds to the period information close to the period indicated by the display period information according to the display ratio (for example, display density).

  In the present embodiment, the case where two map images can be displayed has been described, but this need not be the case. For example, one era information corresponding to the received display era information may be determined, and the transparency may be set so that one map image corresponding to the era information is displayed. In this case, the transparency setting unit 13 has one or more map images displayed in front of the map image associated with the period information corresponding to the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit 12. When doing so, one or more map images displayed in front of it are set to be transparent. Moreover, the transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image associated with the period information corresponding to the display period information to 0%. “Era information corresponding to display era information” is the era information when there is era information that matches the display era information, and the era information closest to the display era information when there is no era information. It is. For example, when the map image associated with the event information is stored in the image storage unit 11 as shown in FIG. 6, the period information corresponding to the display period information “1900” is “1900. The period information corresponding to the display period information “1970” is “2000”. Incidentally, the period information corresponding to the display period information “1950” may be “1900” or “2000”. For example, the period information corresponding to the display period information “1950” may be determined at random, or may be determined as later period information, or may be determined as the earlier period information. It may be determined in advance such as determining.

  Processing for determining the transparency in this case (processing in step S102 in the flowchart in FIG. 2) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Even in this case, it is assumed that the processing in step S102 in the flowchart in FIG. 2 is the same as that described in the present embodiment except that the processing in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is shown.

  (Step S301) The transparency setting unit 13 specifies one period information corresponding to the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit 12 as described above.

  (Step S302) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of the map image corresponding to the specified period information to “0%”.

  (Step S303) The transparency setting unit 13 determines whether there is a map image displayed in front of the identified map image. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S304, and if not, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S304) The transparency setting unit 13 sets the transparency of one or more map images displayed in the foreground to “100%”. The transparency setting unit 13 can know which one or more map images are displayed in front by using a predetermined order of overlapping map images. And it returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this way, by setting the transparency as in the flowchart of FIG. 10, it is possible to output only one map image that is not mixed with other map images.

(Embodiment 2)
An image output apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image output apparatus according to the present embodiment displays different types of map images at a received rate.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image output apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. The image output apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes an image storage unit 11, an image output unit 14, a ratio information receiving unit 21, and a transparency setting unit 22. Configurations and operations other than the image storage unit 11 and the image output unit 14 are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the image output unit 14 outputs a map image with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit 22. Is omitted. In the image storage unit 11, it is assumed that two or more different types of map images are stored as described in the first embodiment. The different map images are preferably maps of similar regions. Further, the different types of map images may be, for example, topographical map images, residential map image images, aerial map image images, different era map images, and other different types. May be a map image.

  The ratio information reception unit 21 receives ratio information, which is information related to the display ratio of two map images. When two map images to be displayed are determined in advance, the ratio information may be information indicating only the ratio. On the other hand, when the two map images to be displayed are not determined, the ratio information may be information including information for specifying the two map images and information indicating the ratio.

  For example, the ratio information reception unit 21 may receive ratio information input from an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), and receives ratio information transmitted via a wired or wireless communication line. Alternatively, ratio information read from a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.) may be received. Note that the ratio information receiving unit 21 may or may not include a device (for example, a modem or a network card) for receiving. The ratio information receiving unit 21 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software such as a driver that drives a predetermined device.

  The transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the map image on the near side of the two map images so that the two map images for which the ratio information is accepted are displayed at the ratio of the ratio information. . This setting method can be performed by the same method as that described for step S204 in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S401) The ratio information receiving unit 21 determines whether ratio information has been received. If the ratio information is received, the process proceeds to step S402. If not, the process of step S401 is repeated until the ratio information is received.

  (Step S <b> 402) The transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the map image stored in the image storage unit 11 using the ratio information received by the ratio information receiving unit 21. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S403) The image output unit 14 outputs the two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit 22 in an overlapping manner. Then, the process returns to step S401.
In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the process is terminated by powering off or a process termination interrupt.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the process of setting the transparency (the process of step S402) in the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S501) The transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the map image on the near side of the two map images to be displayed according to the ratio information. Here, a method for setting the transparency will be briefly described. Two map images to be displayed are a first map image and a second map image. It is assumed that the ratio information indicates that the first map image and the second map image are displayed at a ratio of X: Y. Then, when the first map image is on the near side, the transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the first map image to “100 × Y / (X + Y)” (%). If the second map image is on the near side, the transparency of the second map image is set to “100 × X / (X + Y)” (%). The transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the map image on the back side of the two map images to “0%”. The transparency setting unit 13 can know which of the first map image and the second map image is on the near side by using a predetermined order of overlapping map images.

  (Step S502) The transparency setting unit 22 determines whether there is a map image displayed in front of one of the two map images. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S503, and if not, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S503) The transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of one or more map images displayed in the foreground to “100%”. The transparency setting unit 22 can know which one or more map images are displayed in front by using a predetermined order of overlapping map images. And it returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the operation of the image output apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, it is assumed that the image storage unit 11 stores a map image associated with type information as shown in FIG. The type information is information indicating the type of map image. In FIG. 14, the layers are layers from the front side toward the back side in the order of map images M101, M102, and M103. Therefore, in this specific example, the map images M101 to M103 are in an overlapping state from the beginning. In FIG. 14, for convenience of explanation, the map image is shown in a table format. However, the map image is actually a data structure having a multi-layer structure, and type information is associated with each map image of each layer. It may be a data structure.

  First, the user inputs an instruction to start outputting a map image by operating an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and an initial screen displayed in response to the instruction, as shown in FIG. Suppose you select “House Map” and “Topographic Map” from the pull-down menu, and slide the slider to the center of both. Then, the ratio information reception unit 21 receives ratio information indicating that the “house map” and the “topographic map” are displayed at a ratio of 1: 1 (step S401), and passes the ratio information to the transparency setting unit 22.

  The transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the map image “M102” on the near side of the map image “M102” corresponding to the “house map” and the map image “M103” corresponding to the “topographic map” to 100 × Set 1 / (1 + 1) = 50%. Moreover, the transparency of the map image “M103” on the back side of the two map images is set to 0% (step S501).

  Thereafter, since the map image “M101” in front of the two map images “M102” and “M103” exists (step S502), the transparency setting unit 22 sets the transparency of the map image “M101” to 100%. Setting is made (step S503). Thus, the process for setting the transparency is completed (step S402). Then, the transparency setting unit 22 outputs an image indicating that the transparency of the map image “M101” is 100%, the transparency of the map image “M102” is 50%, and the transparency of the map image “M103” is 0%. Pass to part 14.

  Upon receiving information on transparency, the image output unit 14 reads a plurality of map images M101 to M103 from the image storage unit 11, sets the transparency of the map image “M101” to 100%, and sets the map image “M102”. The transparency is set to 50%, and the transparency of the map image “M103” is set to 0% and output (step S403). As a result, the display shown in FIG. 15 is made on the display. The map image displayed in FIG. 15 is a map image in which the map image “M102” shown in FIG. 16 and the map image “M103” shown in FIG. 17 are displayed at a ratio of 1: 1.

  Thereafter, when the slider is further slid or when a different type of map is selected from the pull-down menu, a corresponding map image is displayed (steps S401 to S403).

  As described above, according to the image output apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to output a map image in which different types of map images are superimposed at a desired ratio. As a result, information of two map images can be viewed at a time, and user convenience is improved. For example, when a housing map and a topographic map are displayed at a predetermined rate, it is easy to grasp the location of the topography of the house indicated by the housing map. become able to.

  In the above embodiment, when one or two map images corresponding to the received display age information and two map images corresponding to the received ratio information are displayed with transparency set. However, map images other than those may be displayed. For example, two or more map images stored in the image storage unit 11 are associated with attribute information that is information indicating whether the map is a reference map, and the transparency setting unit 13 uses the reference map according to the attribute information. The map image shown to be is one or more map images displayed in front of the map image shown to be the reference map without being set to be transparent, and the attribute information indicates that it is not the reference map When there is a map image to be displayed, one or more map images displayed in front of the map image may be set to be transparent or translucent. Setting the map image to be transparent means setting the transparency of the map image to 100%. Setting a map image to be semi-transparent means setting the transparency of the map image to be greater than 0% (not including 0%) and less than 100%.

  The attribute information may be associated with all the map images stored in the image storage unit 11 or may not be so. In the latter case, for example, attribute information indicating that it is a reference map may be associated only with the reference map, and attribute information indicating that it is not the reference image is associated with only the non-reference image. May be. In this way, as long as it can be determined as a result whether each map image is a reference map, the method of holding attribute information does not matter.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of attribute information. In the image storage unit 11, as shown in FIG. 18, type information and attribute information may be associated with a map image. In FIG. 18, the attribute information “1” indicates a reference map, and the attribute information “0” indicates a non-reference map. Accordingly, the map image “M102” is a reference map, and the map images “M101” and “M103” are non-reference maps.

  Here, a method for setting the transparency when the reference map is set will be described.

(1) When there is only one map to be displayed other than the reference map There is only one map to be displayed other than the reference map, and the display ratio between the map image that is the reference map and the other map images is A: B. Suppose it was set. Then, when the map image that is the reference map is on the near side, the transparency setting units 13 and 22 set the transparency of the map image that is the reference map to “100 × B / (A + B)” (%). . Further, when the map image that is not the reference map is on the near side, the transparency setting units 13 and 22 set the transparency of the map image that is not the reference map to “100 × A / (A + B)” (%). The transparency setting units 13 and 22 set the transparency of the map image on the back side of the two map images to be displayed to “0%”. The transparency setting unit 13 can know which of the first map image and the second map image is on the near side by using a predetermined order of overlapping map images.

(2) When there are two maps to be displayed other than the reference map There are two maps to be displayed other than the reference map, and the display ratio between the map image that is the reference map and the other two map images Is set to A: B. Further, it is assumed that the map image on the front side is the first map image and the map image on the back side is the second map image among the two map images that are not the reference images. It is assumed that the display ratio between the first map image and the second map image is X: Y. Then, the display ratio of the map image that is the reference map, the first map image, and the second map image is A × (X + Y): BX: BY. Here, how to set the transparency of each map image according to the positional relationship between the map image as the reference map and the first and second map images will be described.

(2-1) When the reference map is in the foreground, for example, in FIG. 19, the map image B is the reference map, the map image D is the first map image, and the map image F is the second map This is the case of a map image. In this case, the transparency of each map image is as follows.

Map images A, C, E: Transparency = 100%
Map image B (reference map): Transparency = 100 × B / (A + B)%
Map image D (first map image): Transparency = 100 × Y / (X + Y)%
Map image F (second map image): Transparency = 0%

(2-2) When the reference map is between the first map image and the second map image For example, in FIG. 19, the map image B is the first map image, and the map image D is the reference map. This is a map, and the map image F is the second map image. In this case, the transparency of each map image is as follows.

Map images A, C, E: Transparency = 100%
Map image B (first map image):
Transparency = 100 × (AX + AY + BY) / {(A + B) × (X + Y)}%
Map image D (reference map): Transparency = 100 × BY / (AX + AY + BY)%
Map image F (second map image): Transparency = 0%

(2-3) When the reference map is the rearmost surface: For example, in FIG. 19, the map image B is the first map image, the map image D is the second map image, and the map image F Is a reference map. In this case, the transparency of each map image is as follows.

Map images A, C, E: Transparency = 100%
Map image B (first map image):
Transparency = 100 × (AX + AY + BY) / {(A + B) × (X + Y)}%
Map image D (second map image): Transparency = 100 × A × (X + Y) / (AX + AY + BY)%
Map image F (reference map): Transparency = 0%

  Although the case where there is one reference map has been described here, two or more reference maps may exist. Even in that case, calculate the ratio of the display of two or more reference maps and the map image to be displayed other than the reference map, and then set the transparency of each map image to be the ratio of the display. It will be good. If there is another map image displayed in front of any of the displayed map images (including the map image of the reference map), the map image may be set to be transparent.

  In the above description, the ratio of the display of the map image that is the reference map and the display of the map image to be displayed other than that or the display ratio of the map image to be displayed other than the reference map has been described. It may not be so. When the display ratio is not determined, for example, the transparency may be set so that the displayed map image is displayed evenly, or the transparency may be set by other methods.

  In each of the above embodiments, when the image to be displayed is determined in advance, or when the image to be displayed and the display ratio are specified by another method, the image output apparatus 1 displays The period information receiving unit 12 may not be provided, and the image output apparatus 2 may not include the ratio information receiving unit 21.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the image output apparatuses 1 and 2 are stand-alone has been described. However, the image output apparatuses 1 and 2 may be stand-alone apparatuses, and are server apparatuses in a server / client system. There may be. In the latter case, the output unit or the reception unit may receive input or output information via a communication line.

  In each of the above embodiments, each processing or each function may be realized by centralized processing by a single device or a single system, or distributed processing by a plurality of devices or a plurality of systems. May be realized.

  Also, in each of the above embodiments, information related to processing executed by each component, for example, each component received, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received Information and information such as threshold values, mathematical formulas, addresses, etc. used by each component in processing are retained temporarily or over a long period of time on a recording medium (not shown) even if not explicitly stated in the above description. May be. Further, the storage of information in the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a storage unit (not shown). Further, reading of information from the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a reading unit (not shown).

  In each of the above embodiments, when information used by each component, for example, information such as a threshold value, an address, and various setting values used by each component may be changed by the user Even if it is not specified in the above description, the user may be able to change the information as appropriate, or it may not be. If the information can be changed by the user, the change is realized by, for example, a not-shown receiving unit that receives a change instruction from the user and a changing unit (not shown) that changes the information in accordance with the change instruction. May be. The change instruction received by the receiving unit (not shown) may be received from an input device, information received via a communication line, or information read from a predetermined recording medium, for example. .

  In each of the above embodiments, when two or more components included in the image output apparatuses 1 and 2 have a communication device, an input device, etc., the two or more components have a physically single device. Or you may have separate devices.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The software that realizes the image output apparatus in each of the above embodiments is the following program. That is, the program includes a transparency setting unit that sets the transparency of at least one map image of two or more map images stored in an image storage unit in which two or more map images that are map images are stored. The two or more map images stored in the image storage unit are caused to function as an image output unit that outputs the map images with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit.

  In the program, the functions realized by the program do not include functions that can be realized only by hardware. For example, a function that can be realized only by hardware such as a modem or an interface card in an output unit that outputs information is not included in at least the function realized by the program.

  Further, this program may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, and a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like) is read out. May be executed by Further, this program may be used as a program constituting a program product.

  Further, the computer that executes this program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a computer that executes the program and realizes the image output apparatuses 1 and 2 according to the above embodiments. Each of the above embodiments can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon.

  20, a computer system 900 includes a computer 901 including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) drive 905 and an FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk) drive 906, a keyboard 902, a mouse 903, a monitor 904, and the like. Is provided.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer system 900. In FIG. 21, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 905 and the FD drive 906, a computer 901 is connected to an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 911, a ROM 912 for storing a program such as a bootup program, and the MPU 911. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 913 that temporarily stores program instructions and provides a temporary storage space, a hard disk 914 that stores application programs, system programs, and data, and an MPU 911 and a ROM 912 are interconnected. And a bus 915. The computer 901 may include a network card (not shown) that provides connection to the LAN.

  A program for causing the computer system 900 to execute the functions of the image output apparatuses 1 and 2 according to the above embodiments is stored in the CD-ROM 921 or FD 922 and inserted into the CD-ROM drive 905 or FD drive 906. It may be transferred to the hard disk 914. Instead, the program may be transmitted to the computer 901 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 914. The program is loaded into the RAM 913 when executed. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 921, the FD 922, or the network.

  The program does not necessarily include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the computer 901 to execute the functions of the image output apparatuses 1 and 2 according to the above embodiments. The program may include only a part of an instruction that calls an appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and obtains a desired result. How the computer system 900 operates is well known and will not be described in detail.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the image output device and the like according to the present invention, an effect of being able to compare a plurality of map images without moving the line of sight is obtained, which is useful as a device for outputting a map image. is there.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment The figure for demonstrating the setting of the transparency of the map image in the embodiment The figure for demonstrating the setting of the transparency of the map image in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the image memory | storage part in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the display in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the display in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the map image in the embodiment A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment Block diagram showing the configuration of an image output apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment A flowchart showing the operation of the image output apparatus according to the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the image memory | storage part in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the display in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the map image in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the map image in the embodiment The figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the image memory | storage part in another form The figure for demonstrating the setting of the transparency of the map image in another form The schematic diagram which shows an example of the external appearance of the computer system in each said embodiment The figure which shows an example of a structure of the computer system in each said embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Image output device 11 Image memory | storage part 12 Display age information reception part 13, 22 Transparency setting part 14 Image output part 21 Ratio information reception part

Claims (3)

An image storage unit in which three or more map images that are map images are stored in association with period information that is information about the period ;
A transparency setting unit for setting the transparency of at least one map image of two or more map images stored in the image storage unit;
An image output unit that outputs two or more map images stored in the image storage unit with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit;
A display era information receiving unit that receives display era information that is information indicating the era of the map image to be displayed ,
In the case where there are two map images corresponding to two pieces of period information that are immediately before and after the time indicated by the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit Of the two map images, the two maps are displayed such that a larger proportion of the map image corresponding to the period information closer to the period indicated by the display period information is displayed than the other map image. The transparency of the map image on the near side of the image is set, and the map image is displayed in front of one of the two map images, and the map images other than the two map images are made transparent. The image output device to set . Information indicating the era of the map image to be displayed among the map images stored in the image storage unit in which three or more map images that are map images are stored in association with the era information that is information about the era. A display era information reception step for receiving display era information,
A transparency setting step for setting the transparency of at least one map image of the two or more map images stored in the image storage unit ;
An image output step of outputting two or more map images stored in the image storage unit in an overlapping manner with the transparency set in the transparency setting step, and
In the transparency setting step, when there are two map images corresponding to two pieces of period information that are immediately before and after the period indicated by the display period information received in the display period information receiving step. Of the two map images, the two maps are displayed such that a larger proportion of the map image corresponding to the period information closer to the period indicated by the display period information is displayed than the other map image. The transparency of the map image on the near side of the image is set, and the map image is displayed in front of one of the two map images, and the map images other than the two map images are made transparent. The image output method to set . Computer
Transparency of at least one map image of two or more map images stored in the image storage unit in which three or more map images that are map images are stored in association with the period information that is information about the period, respectively. A transparency setting section to be set;
An image output unit that outputs two or more map images stored in the image storage unit with the transparency set by the transparency setting unit ;
To function as a display period information receiving unit that receives the display period information is information indicating the era of the map image to be displayed,
In the case where there are two map images corresponding to two pieces of period information that are immediately before and after the time indicated by the display period information received by the display period information receiving unit Of the two map images, the two maps are displayed such that a larger proportion of the map image corresponding to the period information closer to the period indicated by the display period information is displayed than the other map image. The transparency of the map image on the near side of the image is set, and the map image is displayed in front of one of the two map images, and the map images other than the two map images are made transparent. The program to set .