JP6889593B2 - Target tracking device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a target tracking device, a program and a method for tracking a target around the ship.

Conventionally, a radar device having a function of target tracking (hereinafter referred to as TT) has been known. The TT is to track the target around the ship by predicting the speed and the traveling direction of the target based on the echo signal reflected by the target.

Patent Document 1 discloses a radar device having such a TT function. In the radar device of Patent Document 1, a symbol is displayed on the radar image in the vicinity of the image of the target selected by the user as the tracking target. As a result, the user can easily determine the trend of the target of interest. Further, in the example of FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1, an identification number called a TT number represented by a numerical value such as 1, 2, 3, ... Is automatically assigned to the target to be tracked. This TT number is displayed in the vicinity of the image of the corresponding target on the radar image.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-81200

However, since the TT number of Patent Document 1 is an identification number that is automatically assigned, it is not always possible for the user to correctly grasp the target to be tracked only by referring to this.

An object of the present invention is to provide a target tracking device, a program, and a method that enable a user to correctly grasp a target to be tracked.

The target tracking device according to the first aspect includes a screen creation unit that creates a display screen that displays the status of the target based on an echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna, and a target tracking device that tracks the target. The tracking unit and the plurality of candidate names are displayed on the display screen in the order corresponding to the attribute information associated with the plurality of candidate names, and the user selects one name from the plurality of candidate names. It includes a name selection unit that receives from the above, and a first setting unit that sets the selected name as the name of the target to be tracked.

The target tracking device according to the second viewpoint is the target tracking device according to the first viewpoint, and further includes a target selection unit that accepts the selection of the target from the user. The name selection unit displays the candidate name of the target whose selection has been accepted by the target selection unit on the display screen.

The target tracking device according to the third viewpoint is a target tracking device according to the first viewpoint or the second viewpoint, and the attribute information includes the time and position where the name is set in the target, and the name. It includes the time and position at which the tracking of the set target is stopped, and at least one piece of information selected from the echo size of the target for which the name is set.

The target tracking device according to the fourth viewpoint is a target tracking device according to any one of the first to third viewpoints, and includes a name input unit that accepts character input of a name given to the target from a user. A second setting unit for setting the character-input name as the name of the target, and a name registration unit for registering the character-input name as the candidate name are further provided.

The target tracking device according to the fifth viewpoint is a target tracking device according to any one of the first to fourth viewpoints, and further includes a preset unit that accepts character input of the name to be registered as the candidate name from the user. ..

The target tracking device according to the sixth viewpoint is a target tracking device according to any one of the first to fifth viewpoints, and the other ship information including the name of the other ship is acquired from the other ship. It also has an acquisition unit. The name selection unit displays the candidate name including the name of the other ship acquired from the other ship information acquisition unit on the display screen.

The radar device according to the seventh aspect includes the radar antenna that receives the echo signal from the target, and the target tracking device according to any one of the first to sixth viewpoints.

The target tracking program according to the eighth aspect causes a computer to perform the following steps.
(1) Step of creating a display screen that displays the status of the target based on the echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna (2) Step of tracking the target (3) Multiple candidate names Is displayed on the display screen in the order corresponding to the attribute information associated with each of the plurality of candidate names (4) A step of accepting the selection of one name from the plurality of candidate names from the user (5). Step to set the selected name as the name of the target to be tracked

The target tracking method according to the ninth aspect includes the following steps.
(1) Step of creating a display screen that displays the status of the target based on the echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna (2) Step of tracking the target (3) Multiple candidate names Is displayed on the display screen in the order corresponding to the attribute information associated with each of the plurality of candidate names (4) A step of accepting the selection of one name from the plurality of candidate names from the user (5). Step to set the selected name as the name of the target to be tracked

The target tracking device according to the tenth aspect includes a screen creation unit that creates a display screen that displays the status of the target based on an echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna, and the displayed object. It includes a tracking unit for tracking a target, a name input unit for causing a user to input a name given to the target, and a setting unit for setting the selected name as the name of the target to be tracked.

According to the first aspect, the eighth aspect and the ninth aspect of the present invention, a name can be set for the target to be tracked by the user. Therefore, the user can correctly grasp the target to be tracked by referring to the set name. However, the task of setting a name on a navigating vessel is sometimes cumbersome. Therefore, it is conceivable that the function of simply setting the name is not fully utilized, and the target is eventually managed by the TT number or the like. In this regard, here, candidate names are displayed on the display screen, and the user can easily set a name for the target to be tracked by selecting a specific name from them. Further, here, the candidate names are displayed on the display screen in the order corresponding to the respective attribute information. Therefore, the user can efficiently find the name to be selected from them. Therefore, the user can set a name for the target to be tracked efficiently by a simple operation.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a name can be set for the target to be tracked by the user. Therefore, the user can correctly grasp the target to be tracked by referring to the set name.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a radar device including a target tracking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. External view of radar indicator. The figure which shows an example of the display screen. The figure which shows another example of the display screen. The figure which shows still another example of a display screen. The figure which shows the window for selecting a name. The figure which shows the data structure of the name management table. The figure which shows the window for inputting the name character. The whole block diagram of the radar apparatus including the target tracking apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, a target tracking device, a program, and a method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. Radar device configuration>
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of a radar device 1 including a target tracking device 24 according to the present embodiment. The radar device 1 is a device for supporting the navigation of a ship and is mounted on the ship. The radar device 1 includes a radar antenna 10 and a radar indicator 20 connected to the radar antenna 10.

The radar antenna 10 emits a pulsed radio wave having strong directivity and receives an echo signal which is a reflected wave of the radiated radio wave. While rotating in the horizontal plane, the radar antenna 10 repeatedly transmits radio waves and receives the echo signal, thereby scanning the surroundings of the ship by 360 °. The echo signal received by the radar antenna 10 is sequentially converted into digital data by an A / D converter (not shown), and the converted echo signal is sequentially output to the radar indicator 20.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the radar indicator 20. The radar indicator 20 is a device operated by a user, and has a housing 26 as shown in the figure. The radar indicator 20 includes a display unit 21 and an input unit 22 on the front side of the housing 26 on which the user stands. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the radar indicator 20 further includes a radar interface unit 25, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24. The radar interface unit 25 is a communication port with the radar antenna 10, and receives an echo signal output from the radar antenna 10. The storage unit 23 and the control unit 24 are housed in the housing 26. These units 21 to 25 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a bus line.

The display unit 21 is a user interface that displays a display screen for presenting various information to the user, and is composed of a liquid crystal display in the present embodiment. The input unit 22 is a user interface that receives various operations on the radar indicator 20 from the user, and in the present embodiment, the input unit 22 is composed of a keyboard 22a and a trackball 22b. The input unit 22 can include a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 21.

The storage unit 23 is a non-volatile storage device composed of a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like. The name management table 41 is stored in the storage unit 23. The details of the name management table 41 will be described later. The control unit 24 includes a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, and the like. A program 40 that causes the CPU 30 to execute various operations is stored in the ROM 31. By reading and executing the program 40 in the ROM 31, the CPU 30 virtually sets the screen creation unit 31a, the tracking unit 31b, the target selection unit 31c, the first setting unit 31d, the second setting unit 31e, and the name selection unit 31f. , It operates as a preset unit 31g, a name input unit 31h, and a name registration unit 31i. As a result, the control unit 24 functions as a target tracking device. Details of the operations of these parts 31a to 31i will be described later. The program 40 may be stored in the storage unit 23 instead of in the ROM 31, or may be distributed and stored in both the storage unit 23 and the ROM 31.

<2. Operation of target tracking device>
Next, various processes executed by the target tracking device 24 will be described. The target tracking device 24 can execute display processing and tracking processing. The display process is a process of creating a display screen 50 for displaying the status of one or more targets around the own ship and displaying the display screen 50 on the display unit 21. The tracking process is a process of tracking a target (hereinafter referred to as a captured target) that is captured as a tracking target from the targets around the ship. In addition, the user can freely set a name for the captured object. The name setting includes a selection-type name setting process that allows the user to select a name from the candidate names and a character input-type name setting process that allows the user to input characters. Hereinafter, the details of the display process and the tracking process will be described, and then the details of the name setting process of the selection type and the character input type will be described.

<2-1. Display processing>
The display process is mainly executed by the screen creation unit 31a. The screen creation unit 31a sequentially acquires echo signals via the radar interface unit 25, and creates a display screen 50 based on the echo signals. More specifically, by analyzing this echo signal, radar information regarding the distance and direction of the target with respect to the own ship is calculated. Based on this radar information, the screen creation unit 31a creates an image (hereinafter, referred to as a radar image) 51 that displays an echo image of a target. The radar image 51 is a map showing the positions of targets existing in the area around the ship on a map. One radar image 51 is created from echo signals (scan data) for one rotation of the radar antenna 10.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the display screen 50. As shown in the figure, the display screen 50 has a rectangular shape as a whole, and a circular radar image 51 is arranged on the display screen 50. The radio waves from the radar antenna 10 are reflected not only by other ships, which are targets, but also by land and buoys. Therefore, in addition to the image T1 of another ship, the image T2 of the land, the image of the buoy, and the like are also displayed on the radar image 51. The radar image 51 is updated based on the new echo signal each time the echo signal is acquired. Therefore, the user can grasp the situation around the ship in real time while watching the radar image 51.

Further, the screen creation unit 31a can display the image T3 of the track of another ship on the radar image 51. Specifically, by superimposing the image T1 of the other ship reflected in the past radar image 51 on the latest radar image 51, the image T3 of the wake of the other ship is formed. The user can switch the display / non-display setting of the track image T3 by performing a predetermined operation via the input unit 22.

Further, the screen creation unit 31a displays the information display area 52 on the display screen 50 in addition to the radar image 51. In the example of FIG. 3, the information display area 52 is mainly arranged along the right end of the display screen 50 and is arranged so as not to overlap the radar image 51. In the information display area 52, various information for supporting navigation, for example, own ship information and environmental information around the own ship are displayed. The own ship information includes, for example, the latitude and longitude information of the own ship, and the information of the ship speed and the bow direction. Environmental information includes, for example, water temperature, water depth, wind direction and wind speed information. A part of the information displayed in the information display area 52 is calculated based on the information acquired from devices such as a GPS receiver and various measuring instruments (not shown) connected to the radar indicator 20.

The main menu button 55 is displayed on the display screen 50. The main menu button 55 is also arranged so as not to overlap the radar image 51. The cursor 56 is also displayed on the display screen 50. The cursor 56 can be freely moved on the display screen 50 by the user operating the input unit 22. In the present embodiment, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 22 with the cursor 56 positioned on the main menu button 55, the main menu button 55 opens hierarchically and various submenu buttons appear. The submenu button is preferably arranged so as not to overlap the radar image 51. The user can execute the desired function implemented in the radar indicator 20 by operating the input unit 22 and selecting an appropriate button from these submenu buttons.

<2-2. Tracking process>
The tracking process is mainly executed by the tracking unit 31b. In the present embodiment, the tracking process starts when the tracking target is captured from one or more targets (ships) around the own ship. An identification number called a TT number, which is represented by a numerical value such as 1, 2, 3, ..., Is automatically assigned to the captured target. There are two methods of capturing the tracking target: manual capture and automatic capture. Hereinafter, they will be described in order.

Manual capture means that the user manually specifies the tracking target. The target selection unit 31c receives from the user the selection of a specific image T1 from the images T1 of one or more other ships reflected in the radar image 51. Specifically, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the input unit 22 with the cursor 56 aligned on the image T1 of the specific other ship, the target selection unit 31c detects this operation. The target selection unit 31c detects an echo image existing in the vicinity of the position of the cursor 56 at this time. The tracking unit 31b determines that the target exists at the position of the representative point of the area occupied by such an echo image (that is, the image T1 of another ship), and captures this target as a tracking target.

On the other hand, automatic capture means to automatically capture the tracking target without receiving the designation of the tracking target from the user. Specifically, the tracking unit 31b monitors whether or not an echo image satisfying a predetermined condition exists around the ship based on the echo signal, and detects an echo image satisfying the predetermined condition. Then, the target corresponding to this echo image is captured as a tracking target. The predetermined condition for automatic capture is, for example, that the echo image has a predetermined size.

The tracking unit 31b displays the symbol S1 on the radar image 51 so as to be superimposed on or in the vicinity of the image T1 of the captured target (see FIG. 4). In the example of FIG. 4, the symbol S1 has a square, round, and triangular shape, and is arranged so as to surround the image T1 of the capture target. The user can appropriately set which symbol S1 has which shape via the input unit 22. Further, the color attached to each symbol S1 can also be appropriately set by the user via the input unit 22, and this also applies to the symbols S2 to S5 described later. In the vicinity of the symbol S1, the symbol S2 that displays the TT number as a character string is displayed. Whether or not to display the symbol S2 can be appropriately set by the user via the input unit 22. The above symbols S1 and S2 can indicate that the image T1 of the other ship with the symbols S1 and S2 is a capture target.

Further, the tracking unit 31b displays the symbol S3 representing the track in the vicinity of the symbol S1 on the radar image 51 based on the image T3 of the track of the captured object target. The symbol S3 is a simplified representation of the image T3 of the track of the captured object, and is in the shape of a broken line in the example of FIG. Further, the tracking unit 31b predicts the position of the movement destination of the capture target after a predetermined time based on the image T3 of the track of the capture target, and displays the symbol S4 indicating the predicted movement destination on the radar image 51. Display it. In the example of FIG. 4, the symbol S4 has the shape of a vector (straight line) extending from the symbol S1 to the predicted destination position.

After that, the tracking unit 31b continues to track the captured target until the setting as the tracking target is released. First, the tracking unit 31b searches for the image T1 of the captured target on the radar image 51 at the next timing. Specifically, the position where the captured target is currently present is predicted based on the image T3 of the track of the captured target reflected in the past radar image 51. Then, the tracking unit 31b detects an echo image existing in the vicinity of the predicted position on the latest radar image 51. The tracking unit 31b determines that the detected echo image is the image T1 of the current capture target, and displays the symbols S1 and S2 in the vicinity of the image T1 on the latest radar image 51. Further, based on the latest radar image 51, the symbol S3 representing the track of the captured object and the symbol S4 representing the movement destination thereof are updated.

On the other hand, on the latest radar image 51, an echo image that can be determined to be the image T1 of the current capture target may not be detected. The tracking unit 31b causes the capture target to be "lost" when such a state continues for a certain period of time. Then, on the latest radar image 51, the symbol S5 indicating that the captured object has been lost is displayed at a position where it is predicted that the captured object currently exists (see FIG. 5). In the example of FIG. 5, the symbol S5 is a cross mark. The captured target that is determined to be lost is released from the setting as a tracking target. Further, the cancellation of the setting as the tracking target can also be set by the user performing a predetermined operation via the input unit 22.

As described above, the user can easily understand what kind of situation the tracking target is in by referring to the positions of the symbols S1 to S5 while observing the radar image 51 which changes from moment to moment. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of tracking targets can be captured at the same time.

In the information display area 52 on the display screen 50, an area 521 for displaying various information (hereinafter referred to as tracking information) regarding the status of the captured target is provided. The tracking information includes, for example, information indicating the position of the captured target (distance and direction from the own ship), information on the speed and bow direction of the captured target, and the like. In addition to displaying tracking information in this area 521, a TT number is also displayed. Further, when a name is set for the captured object by the name setting process described later, the name of the captured object is also displayed in this area 521. In the area 521, various information related to the captured target is collectively displayed for each captured target. When the number of captured objects is large, it may be difficult to simultaneously display the tracking information regarding all the captured objects in the area 521. In such a case, for example, the information about the more recently captured target can be displayed preferentially, or the area 521 can be scrolled and displayed. The tracking information in the area 521 is updated every moment. In addition to the radar image 51, the tracking information allows the user to more easily understand the situation of the captured target.

<2-3. Selective name setting process>
The selection-type name setting process is mainly executed by the first setting unit 31d and the name selection unit 31f. This process is performed on the capture target selected by the user. The selection of the captured target is executed by the target selection unit 31c. There are various methods for selecting the target to be captured, but the typical ones will be described below.

The target selection unit 31c receives the selection of a specific captured target from the user on the radar image 51. More specifically, when the user performs a predetermined operation (for example, click) on the input unit 22 while the cursor 56 is positioned on the image T1 of a specific capture target or the symbol S1 associated therewith. , The target selection unit 31c detects this operation. Then, when the user operates the input unit 22 and further performs a predetermined operation (for example, selecting "selection name setting" from the menu opened by right-clicking) while the capture target is selected by this operation, the selection is made. The expression name setting process starts. The first setting unit 31d recognizes the captured target (hereinafter referred to as the selected target) selected by the target selection unit 31c at this time as a captured target for which the user intends to set a name.

When the selection-type name setting process starts, the name selection unit 31f creates a candidate list. The candidate list is a list in which character strings of candidate names (including the case of NULL or one character, the same applies hereinafter) that are candidates for the names given to the selection target are arranged. This candidate list is created by referring to the name management table 41 in the storage unit 23. In the name management table 41, one data set is stored for one candidate name. The name selection unit 31f creates a candidate list by reading data sets in order from the name management table 41 and arranging the candidate names included in the data set. Further, the name selection unit 31f creates a window 60 for displaying this candidate list (see FIG. 6), and superimposes the window 60 on the display screen 50. The window 60 is preferably arranged so as not to overlap the radar image 51.

The name selection unit 31f accepts a name selection from the user on the window 60. That is, the name selection unit 31f causes the user to select a name given to the selection target from the candidate list displayed on the window 60. There are various methods for selecting a name, but for example, a user performs a predetermined operation (for example, clicking) in a state where the cursor 56 is positioned on an area on the window 60 where a character string of a specific name is displayed. In this case, the name corresponding to the position of the cursor 56 at this time is selected. In another example, as shown in FIG. 6, a simple identification code is added next to the character string of each candidate name on the window 60. In this case, when the user operates the keyboard 22a to specify the identification code, the name corresponding to the designated identification code is selected.

By the way, when there are a large number of candidate names, it is assumed that it takes time for the user to find a desired name on the window 60. Therefore, in order to make it easier to find the desired name, in the present embodiment, the display order of the candidate names on the window 60 is devised. Specifically, in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of criteria (hereinafter referred to as sort criteria) for determining the display order of the candidate names, and the name selection unit 31f causes the user to select a sort criterion from these criteria. .. The sort criteria include the order of candidate names (for example, alphabetical order for Japanese notation and alphabetical order for alphabetical notation), as well as the attribute information order of candidate names. The attribute information is stored in the name management table 41 in association with the candidate name.

FIG. 7 shows the data structure of the name management table 41. The name management table 41 is a table that stores the candidate name and the attribute information of the candidate name in association with each other. As shown in FIG. 7, the name management table 41 has fields of candidate ID, candidate name, set time, set position, lost time, lost position, input time, echo size, and priority. In the candidate ID field, an ID used for managing the candidate name in the name management table 41 is stored. The character string of the candidate name is stored in the candidate name field.

Attribute information is stored in the remaining fields. Specifically, the set time field and the set position field store the time when the corresponding candidate name was last set as the name of the capture target and the position of the own ship at that time, respectively. In these fields, the latest value is stored each time the candidate name is set as the name of the capture target. The lost time and lost position fields store the time when the capture target with the corresponding candidate name was last lost and the position of the own ship at that time, respectively. In these fields, the latest value is stored each time the capture target with the candidate name is lost. In the input time field, the time in which the corresponding candidate name is preset by the method described later is stored. The echo size field stores the echo size of the target when the corresponding candidate name was last set as the name of the captured target. This field stores the latest value each time a candidate name is set as the name of the capture target. In the priority field, when the priority is set for the corresponding candidate name by the method described later, the priority is stored.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of objects 61 corresponding to the above sort criteria are displayed on the window 60. The name selection unit 31f accepts the selection of one or a plurality of objects 61 from the plurality of objects 61 from the user, and determines one or a plurality of sort criteria corresponding to the selected objects 61. Then, the name selection unit 31f determines the display order of the candidate names by sorting the data set in the storage unit 23 according to the selected sort criteria. When a plurality of sort criteria are selected, for example, the sort criteria selected earlier is prioritized over the sort criteria selected later, and the display order of the candidate names is determined. Further, the name selection unit 31f displays the candidate names on the window 60 according to the display order which is the sorted order.

While the window 60 is displayed, the user can change the sort criteria as appropriate by switching the selection of the object 61 on the window 60. When the sort criteria are changed, the display order of the candidate names displayed on the window 60 is also changed according to the new sort criteria. Before the user selects the sort criteria, the display order of the candidate names is determined according to the default sort criteria.

The first setting unit 31d sets the name selected by the user by the above operation as the name of the selected target. When a name is set for the selection target, this name is displayed in the area 521 on the information display area 52. As a result, the user can more accurately grasp the tracking target with reference to the set name. Further, as described above, various information regarding the same capture target is collectively displayed in the area 521. Therefore, on the display screen 50, the name of the captured target is displayed in association with the tracking information related to the captured target. This allows the user to easily understand the situation of a target with a specific name. Further, on the display screen 50, the image T1 of the captured target on the radar image 51 is associated with various information regarding the same captured target in the area 521 via the TT number. Therefore, it is easy to understand where the capture target with a specific name is and how it is moving.

According to the above configuration, the user can set the name as the tracking target simply by selecting the name from the given options without having to bother to input the name. Therefore, it is possible to set a name for the tracking target with a simple operation. Further, since the candidate name choices are sorted and presented according to the sorting criteria selected by the user, the user can efficiently find the desired name.

Registration of the candidate name in the name management table 41 is executed by the preset unit 31g. The registration of the candidate name by the preset unit 31g is performed on a window for preset (hereinafter referred to as a preset window) (hereinafter referred to as a preset window) which is not shown. The preset window is created by the preset unit 31g when the user selects an appropriate submenu button from the main menu button 55 via the input unit 22. The preset window is superimposed on the display screen 50, but is preferably arranged so as not to overlap the radar image 51.

An input box that accepts character input is displayed on the preset window. The preset unit 31g causes the user to input a candidate name on the preset window. The preset unit 31g registers the name of the character string input via the preset window in the name management table 41 as a candidate name used in the selection-type name setting process. Specifically, the preset unit 31g adds one data set to the name management table 41, and stores this candidate name in the name field of this data set. Also, enter the time when this name was entered in the input time field of this dataset. In addition, the preset unit 31g causes the user to input a candidate name on the preset window and sets a priority for the candidate name. The priority referred to here is a priority when the candidate name is displayed on the window 60. The priority setting is optional, and if it is not set by the user, the priority is not set and becomes the normal priority. If a priority has been set, its value is entered in the priority field. "Null" is entered in the remaining fields.

In addition, the preset unit 31g can edit the candidate names registered in the name management table 41 according to a command from the user. For example, a specific candidate name can be deleted, or attribute information such as priority can be changed. In addition, the candidate name can be modified.

<2-4. Character input type name setting process>
The character input type name setting process is mainly executed by the second setting unit 31e and the name input unit 31h. This process is performed on the capture target selected by the user. The selection of the captured target is executed by the target selection unit 31c. The method of selecting the captured target is the same as in the case of the selection-type name setting process. Then, when the user operates the input unit 22 and performs a predetermined operation (for example, selecting "character input name setting" from the menu opened by right-clicking) while the capture target is selected by this operation, a character is displayed. The input expression name setting process starts. The second setting unit 31e recognizes the captured target (hereinafter, also referred to as the selected target) selected by the target selection unit 31c at this time as a captured target for which the user intends to set a name.

When the character input type name setting process is started, the name input unit 31h creates a window 62 for displaying the input box 64 for accepting character input (see FIG. 8), and displays this on the display screen 50. The window 62 is preferably arranged so as not to overlap the radar image 51. The name input unit 31h causes the user to input characters of the name given to the selected object in the input box 64. The second setting unit 31e sets the name of the character string input through the input box 64 as the name of the selection target. When a name is set for the selection target, this name is displayed in the area 521 on the information display area 52, as in the case of the selection-type name setting process.

When a name is set for the selected object, the name registration unit 31i registers this name in the name management table 41 as a candidate name used in the selection-type name setting process. More specifically, the name registration unit 31i adds one data set to the name management table 41 and stores this name in the name field of this data set. Also, enter the time when this name is set in the set time field of this data set. "Null" is entered in the remaining fields.

<3. Features>
In the above embodiment, the user can set a free name composed of a character string for the target instead of the automatically assigned identification number such as the TT number. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the target around the ship by referring to such a name.

Further, in the above embodiment, the user can set a name on the target by simply selecting a specific name from the options of the given name. The radar indicator 20 installed on a ship is usually exposed to the shaking of waves, but this function is convenient because detailed work such as character input can be omitted under such a situation.

In addition, the name choices given to the user are sorted according to the attribute information. This feature allows the user to quickly reach the desired choice. For example, when a ship that is often encountered in Port A is found again in Port A, the same name as before can be easily selected by sorting by the set position.

In addition, according to the name preset function, it is possible to input a name to be used before the voyage in advance. This function is convenient because, for example, a consort ship can be registered in advance.

Further, in the above embodiment, the name once set as the target name is automatically registered as the candidate name. This function is convenient because it eliminates the troublesome task of repeatedly entering characters for frequently used names each time a voyage is made. This function is also useful when re-supplementing a lost target.

<4. Modification example>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following changes can be made. In addition, the gist of the following modified examples can be combined as appropriate.

<4-1>
In the above embodiment, the user can freely set the shape of the symbol S1 and the color of the symbols S1 to S4 attached to the image T1 of each captured object. In connection with this, the combination of the candidate name and the shape and / or color of the symbol may be registered in the name management table 41. In this case, it becomes possible to easily attach a symbol having the same name and the same shape and / or color to the same target, so that the target can be grasped more accurately.

<4-2>
In the above embodiment, it is not necessary to display a plurality of candidate names at the same time on the window 60, and the candidate names may be displayed one by one in order.

<4-3>
In the selection type and character input type name setting processing according to the above embodiment, the name is selected or input after the capture target is selected. However, the selection of the capture target and the selection or input of the name may be performed in the reverse order.

<4-4>
In the above embodiment, the user can select the sort criteria when selecting the candidate name, but the sort criteria may be set in advance by the user or may not be selected by the user at all. Further, the sorting criteria of the candidate names may be one.

<4-5>
As a name option provided to the user in the selective name setting process, a name transmitted from another ship equipped with an AIS (Automatic Identification System) can also be used. In this case, the radar device 1 can be configured as shown in FIG. 9, for example.

In the example of FIG. 9, the radar indicator 20 is connected to the AIS transceiver 70. The AIS transceiver 70 is a device for receiving an AIS signal sent from another ship and, in some cases, transmitting an AIS signal from its own ship as well. The AIS signal includes various information about the source ship, including the name of the ship. The radar indicator 20 further has an AIS interface unit 27 which is a communication port with the AIS transceiver 70, and the AIS interface unit 27 acquires an AIS signal from the AIS transceiver 70.

Then, the name selection unit 31f displays, in addition to the name in the name management table 41, a name included in the AIS information from another ship acquired via the AIS interface unit 27 on the window 60 as a candidate name. .. As a result, the user can more easily set the name of the tracking target. Further, it is preferable that the candidate names derived from the AIS signal added to the candidate list are only the names included in the AIS signal from the ship existing in the vicinity of the selection target.

<4-6>
The radar indicator 20 can also be configured to be connectable to an external network such as the Internet. In this case, it is also possible to input the name of the target into an operation terminal such as a smartphone or a personal computer connected to the Internet, upload it to the server, and download it from the server to the radar indicator 20. In this case, the above operation terminal can be used instead of the input unit 22. Further, when the radar indicator 20 is connected to an external network, the name management table 41 can be stored in an external server and configured so that the radar indicator 20 refers to the table. Further, when the radar indicator 20 is connected to an external network, the candidate name and its attribute information can be shared among the consort ships. For example, if the candidate name and its attribute information are stored in an area on the network and access to the area from the radar indicator 20 is restricted by a password or the like, various information can be shared between consort ships. become.

1 Radar device 20 Radar indicator 24 Control unit (target tracking device)
25 Radar interface section (echo receiver section)
27 AIS Interface Department (Other Ship Information Acquisition Department)
31a Screen creation unit 31b Tracking unit 31c Target selection unit 31d First setting unit 31e Second setting unit 31f Name selection unit 31g Preset unit 31h Name input unit 31i Name registration unit 40 Program (target tracking program)
50 Display screen 27 AIS interface section (other ship information acquisition section)

Claims (8)

A screen creation unit that creates a display screen that displays the status of the target based on the echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna.
The tracking part that tracks the target and
A plurality of attribute information associated with each of the plurality of candidate name, one or received from the user a selection of a plurality of attribute information, one or more attribute information of the plurality of candidate names, the selected said user A name selection unit that displays on the display screen in the order according to the above and accepts the selection of one name from the plurality of candidate names from the user.
It is provided with a first setting unit that sets the selected name as the name of the target to be tracked.
The attribute information includes the time and position where the name is set for the target, the time and position when the tracking of the target for which the name is set is stopped, and the echo size of the target for which the name is set. Contains at least one piece of information selected from
Target tracking device. It also has a target selection unit that accepts target selection from the user.
The name selection unit displays the candidate name of the target that has been selected by the target selection unit on the display screen.
The target tracking device according to claim 1. A name input unit that accepts character input of the name given to the target from the user,
A second setting unit that sets the name entered in the characters as the name of the target, and
A name registration unit for registering the character-input name as the candidate name is further provided.
The target tracking device according to claim 1 or 2. A preset unit that accepts character input of the name to be registered as the candidate name from the user is further provided.
The target tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. It also has a other ship information acquisition unit that acquires other ship information including the names of other ships from the other ship.
The name selection unit displays the candidate name including the name of the other ship acquired from the other ship information acquisition unit on the display screen.
The target tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The radar antenna for receiving an echo signal from the target, the target tracking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and the target tracking device.
A radar device. A step of creating a display screen that displays the status of the target based on an echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna, and
The step of tracking the target and
A step of accepting the selection of one or more attribute information from a user from a plurality of attribute information associated with each of a plurality of candidate names, and
Displaying said plurality of candidate name, on the display screen in the order in accordance with one or more attribute information selected by the user,
A step of accepting a selection of one of the names from the user from said plurality of candidate name,
Have the computer perform the step of setting the selected name as the name of the target to be tracked .
The attribute information includes the time and position where the name is set for the target, the time and position when the tracking of the target for which the name is set is stopped, and the echo size of the target for which the name is set. Contains at least one piece of information selected from
Target tracking program. A step of creating a display screen that displays the status of the target based on an echo signal from the target received via the radar antenna, and
The step of tracking the target and
A step of accepting the selection of one or more attribute information from a user from a plurality of attribute information associated with each of a plurality of candidate names, and
Displaying said plurality of candidate name, on the display screen in the order in accordance with one or more attribute information selected by the user,
A step of accepting a selection of one of the names from the user from said plurality of candidate name,
Look including a step of setting the selected name as the name of target object to the tracking,
The attribute information includes the time and position where the name is set for the target, the time and position when the tracking of the target for which the name is set is stopped, and the echo size of the target for which the name is set. Contains at least one piece of information selected from
Target tracking method.

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