JPH06186058A - Color plotter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To abolish a menu screen related to the setting or switching of display colors. CONSTITUTION:A color selecting menu bar 24 is displayed beneath the track display screen of a color display 10. The color selecting menu bar 24 is displayed to correspond to a color selecting key switch 18 on a key switch 16. When setting or switching the display color of a track or marks the user selects a color selecting menu bar 24 related to the desired display color and pushes down a color selecting key switch 18 therebelow. The user pushes down the key switches 20 and 22 to select a mark or track related to the setting or switching of the display color. The switches 18, 20 and 22 can be pushed down in any desired order. The setting or switching of the display color is made possible simply by controlling the key switches 18, 20 and 22 while the track display screen is being displayed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

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

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

The color plotter is usually constructed so that the display color on the screen can be switched for each figure in order to ensure the visibility and usability of the screen. This switching is
Conventionally, it is executed by calling a menu screen.

Specifically, the user depresses the color designation key on the key switch 16 from the state where the track is displayed on the screen of the color display 10 as shown in FIG. 5A (track display screen). Then, the screen of the color display 10 is switched to the menu screen as shown in FIG. On this menu screen, items such as event marks and mokutekichi marks, that is, mark types, are displayed, and
The display color associated with this is displayed on the right side thereof. When setting or switching the display color of each mark or track on the track display screen, the color selection key included in the key switch 16 is pressed after designating the mark type to be set or switched by the cursor specification. For example, the conventional device is configured so that the designated display color on the menu screen is sequentially and cyclically switched each time the color selection key is pressed once. After associating a desired color with a mark desired to be set or switched, the user operates the key switch 1
When the input key included in 6 is pressed, the mark is associated with the designated display color, and color setting or switching is appropriately realized. After this, key switch 16
When the user presses the upper color designation key again, the screen returns to the track display screen.

[0006]

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

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and sets the display color of graphics such as a track and marks displayed on the screen on the track display screen. An object is to provide a color plotter that can be switched.

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a display that can be used while displaying a graphic group such as a track of a moving body or a mark of a destination on a screen. A list of colors on a part of the screen, a plurality of color selection key switches associated with each of the listed display colors, and a figure that specifies the figure to be set or switched. The display color of the group of figures is set or switched by means of the designation key switch and means for displaying the figure designated by the figure designation key switch in the display color designated by the color selection key switch. It is characterized by

The present invention also includes a graphic designating key switch for designating a graphic to be set or switched in display color,
When a figure is specified by a plurality of color selection key switches and figure specification key switches associated with each display color displayed in a list, available display colors are listed in a part of the screen for a certain period of time. When a color is specified by the color selection key switch while displaying means and display colors in a list, the graphic specified by the graphic specification key switch is displayed by the color selection key switch. Means for displaying the color on the screen of the display means and for maintaining the previous display color in other cases.

[0010]

In the present invention, when a graphic group such as a track of a moving body or a mark of a destination is displayed on the screen, usable display colors are displayed on a part of the screen in the form of, for example, a color selection menu bar. Listed. In this state, the user operates the color selection key switch to specify the display color, and also operates the figure specification key switch to specify the figure, so that the specified figure is displayed in the specified display color. The colors are displayed on the screen. Therefore, in the present invention, it is not necessary to call another screen to set or switch the display color, and a color plotter with simple operation and excellent usability is realized.

Further, in the present invention, when the user operates the graphic designating key switch to designate a graphic, a list of available display colors is displayed on a part of the screen. This list display continues for a predetermined time, and when the user operates the color selection key switch to specify a color during that time, the graphic specified by the graphic specification key switch is displayed as the graphic specified by the color selection key switch. The color is displayed on the screen of the display means. Therefore, in the present invention, it is not necessary to call another screen to set or switch the display color, and a color plotter with simple operation and excellent usability is realized. Further, since it is not necessary to specify the color prior to the specification of the graphic, the delay of the processing is suppressed especially when the graphic value is accompanied by the storage process of the coordinate values.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

The key switch 16 in this embodiment is attached to the lower portion of the color display unit 10, and has a color selection key switch 18, a mark designation key switch 20 and a track color designation key switch 22 according to the features of this embodiment. Is included. A color selection menu bar 24 is displayed at the bottom of the color display 10 so as to correspond to the color selection key switch 18 and the unit 1.

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

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

This routine is executed again when any key on the key switch 16 is pressed. If the switch pressed next to the color selection key switch 18 is the mark designation key switch 20 or the track color designation key switch 22, it is determined in step 100 that the color selection key switch 18 has not been depressed. It Therefore, in this case, the display processing unit 12 executes step 104. At step 104, it is determined whether the pressed switch is the mark designation key switch 20 or the track color designation key switch. As a result of this determination, the pressed switch is the key switch 20 or 2
If it is determined that it is neither of the two, the routine shown in FIG. 2 ends.

If the pressed switch is either the mark designation key switch 20 or the track color designation key switch 22, the display processing section 12 continues to the step 10.
6 is executed. Step 106 is a determination regarding whether or not the designated color is temporarily stored in the display processing unit 12.
If it is determined in step 106 that the temporary storage is performed, the display processing unit 12 sets the display color of the mark or the track of the pressed key switch 20 or 22 to the temporarily stored designated color. (108). That is, the parameter indicating the display color of the mark or the track is set to the value temporarily stored in step 102, the temporary storage is reset (110), and the process proceeds to the mark or track display processing (112). If it is determined in step 106 that the data is not temporarily stored, the process immediately proceeds to step 1 without performing steps 108 and 110.
12 is executed.

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

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

Next, the user presses either the mark designation key switch 20 or the track color designation key switch 22. When setting or switching the mark display color, the mark designation key switch 20 corresponding to the desired mark is selected and pressed. If this button is pressed while the color selection menu bar 24 is blinking, FIG.
The display color is stored in the display processing unit 12 by the processing of steps 108 to 112 in the above. Then, the display color of the corresponding mark is set or switched on the screen of the color display 10. As a result, the mark designated by the mark designation key switch 20 is displayed in the color selected by depressing the color selection key switch 18.

Next, when the user wants to set or switch the display color of the track of the moving body, the user depresses the color selection key switch 18 and the corresponding color selection menu bar 24. While is blinking, the track color designation key switch 22 is pressed. Then step 1 of FIG.
By the processing of 08 to 112, the display color of the track is set or switched to the display color designated by the color selection key switch 18, that is, the color of the blinking color selection menu bar 24.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the color selection menu bar 24 is displayed on the screen of the color display 10 so as to correspond to the color selection key switch 18, and the display color of the mark or the track is displayed. Mark setting key switch and track color specifying key switch 2 when setting or switching
Since it is only necessary to press any one of No. 2 and No, it is not necessary to perform an operation related to the transition from the track display screen to another screen, for example, a menu screen for color designation. As a result, the user is not bothered with screen switching, and a simpler color plotter with improved usability can be obtained.

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

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

As described above, in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, since the color is not selected prior to specifying the mark or track,
When a mark or wake is designated and a storage process for the position is executed, the storage process is not delayed.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the effect that the processing delay is smaller than that of the first embodiment is obtained.

Next, the operation of the user in this embodiment will be described. In the case of this embodiment, the user first presses the key switch 20 or 22 as required. In response to this depression, the display processing unit 12 causes the color selection menu bar 2
4 is displayed. The user can select the menu bar 24 for color selection.
While is displayed, one of the color selection key switches 18 for color setting or switching is operated. Then,
In response to this, the display processing unit 12 causes steps 118 and 11
In order to execute the processing relating to No. 2, the user has to press the key switch 2
The color of the mark or track designated by the operation of 0 or 22 is set or switched to the color designated by the operation of the color selection key switch 18. Color selection menu bar 2
If the user does not operate the color selection key switch 18 while 4 is displayed, the color selection menu bar 24
Is erased in step 112. In this case, the mark or track designated by the key switch 20 or 22 is displayed in the same color as before.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. For example, there is no need to limit the number of color selection key switches 18, the display format of the color selection menu bar 24, the number of mark designation key switches 20, and the like. Furthermore, regarding only the marks among the figures displayed on the screen of the color display device 10,
Alternatively, the present invention may be applied only to the track. Further, the type and configuration of the color display device 10 need not be limited at all.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A list of usable display colors is displayed on the screen on which graphics such as the track of the moving body and the mark of the destination are displayed, and the display colors and the display colors can be set or switched by operating the key switches. Since the figure is specified, it is not necessary to switch from the screen displaying the track etc. to another screen, for example, the menu screen related to color specification, and to realize a color plotter with simple operation and improved usability. You can

Further, according to the present invention, the display colors usable in accordance with the operation of the graphic designating key switch are displayed in a list for a predetermined time, and when the color selecting key switch is operated and a color is designated during display. Since the color setting or switching is executed in addition to the above effects, it is possible to obtain the effect of suppressing the delay of the storage processing and the like in addition to the above effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of a display processing unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of a display processing unit in the second embodiment.

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 color display 12 display processor 14 current position input terminal 16 key switch 18 color selection key switch 20 mark designation key switch 22 track color designation key switch 24 color selection menu bar

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Display means for color-displaying a graphic group such as a track of a moving body and a mark of a destination on a screen, and display color setting means for selectively setting or switching the display color of the graphic group.
In a color plotter including, in a state where the display means displays the figure group on the screen,
A list of usable display colors is displayed on a part of the screen, and the display color setting means sets a plurality of color selection key switches associated with each of the displayed display colors and sets or switches the display colors. The figure designating key switch for designating the figure to be targeted, and the means for displaying the figure designated by the figure designating key switch in the display color designated by the color selecting key switch on the screen of the display means. A color plotter characterized by having. 2. A color plotter comprising display means for color-displaying a graphic group such as a track of a moving body and a mark of a destination on a screen, and display color setting means for selectively setting or switching the display color of the graphic. In the display color setting means, a graphic designating key switch for designating a graphic to be set or switched, and a plurality of color selecting key switches associated with each display color displayed in a list are provided. , When a figure is specified by the figure designating key switch, the means for displaying a list of available display colors on a part of the screen for a predetermined time, and the color selection key switch when the display colors are listed. When a color is designated, the graphic designated by the graphic designating key switch is displayed on the screen of the display means in the display color designated by the color selecting key switch, and the other colors are displayed. Color plotter is in engagement, characterized in that it comprises a means for maintaining the previous display color, a.