JPH0696225A - Video graph preparing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily prepare a graph suitable for presentation with a video medium. CONSTITUTION:A graph for one picture to be displayed as a moving image is defined by combining a background image file; graph type data file and peculiar data file in a storage means 10. An order data file is composed of data for specifying the display order of graphs. When the specified order data file is selected from an input means 40, a file managing means 20 successively extracts the pairs of three kinds of files for defining the graph for one picture one by one. A video preparing means 30 synthesizes these graphs and prepares video information for presenting the video graph as the moving image. On a display 50, the respective graphs are displayed as moving images in the order designated by the order data file.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image graph creating device,
In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that creates video information for displaying a graph on a video medium such as television broadcasting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of personal computers,
Many softwares have been developed for creating graphs using a computer. By using such software, it is possible to automate processes such as numerical operation, scaling, layout, etc. necessary for creating a graph by a computer, so that a graph can be created by a simple operation. When an operator inputs the numerical data, units, explanations, etc. required to create a graph into the computer, the necessary numerical operations, scaling, layout, etc. are automatically performed and the graph created from the printer is displayed. Is output.

[0003]

A conventional graph creating apparatus using a computer is intended to finally output a graph on a paper surface. That is, the finally created graph is printed on the paper by the printer. Usually, a display device is connected to the computer, and the created graph can be displayed on this display device for confirmation before output by the printer. However, the final result is intended to be printed on a paper by a printer.

Recently, various video media such as television broadcasts have become widespread, and there are increasing opportunities to present graphs with such video media. However, since the conventional graph creating apparatus is not intended to present the final result by the video medium, it has a problem that it is not suitable for creating a graph suitable for video.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image graph creating apparatus capable of easily creating a graph suitable for presentation on an image medium.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) The first invention of the present application is, in an apparatus for creating video information for displaying a graph by a video medium, a plurality of moving image data files including data necessary for presenting a one-screen graph as a moving image. A moving picture storage means for storing, an order storage means for storing an order data file indicating a display order for a plurality of moving picture data files, and a file management means for sequentially reading the moving picture data files from the moving picture storage means based on the order data file And a video creating means for creating a video for displaying a graph based on the moving image data file read by the file managing means.

(2) A second invention of the present application is a background image file including data for generating a background image displayed as a background of a graph in a device for creating video information for displaying a graph on a video medium. A first storage unit for storing, and morphological information for designating the morphology of the graph,
Second storage means for storing, for each graph type, a graph type data file composed of background information specifying a background image file, graph type information specifying a graph type, and numerical values necessary for creating a graph. Third storage means for storing a unique data file composed of information for each graph, fourth storage means for storing an order data file indicating the order of a plurality of unique data files, and a predetermined storage means. Input means for inputting to specify the sequence data file, and the sequence data file specified by this input means is extracted from the fourth storage means, and the unique data file is created in accordance with the sequence shown in the extracted sequence data file. The graph type data specified by the graph type information in the extracted unique data file are sequentially extracted from the third storage means. A file management unit that extracts a file from the second storage unit and extracts a background image file specified by the background information in the extracted graph type data file from the first storage unit, and a background image file based on the extracted background image file. To generate a background image, and on this background image,
And a video creating means for creating a video for displaying a graph corresponding to the numerical information in the extracted unique data file according to the form based on the form information in the extracted graph type data file.

(3) The third invention of the present application is the apparatus of the above-mentioned invention, wherein the file management means creates a new order data file based on an instruction inputted by the input means, and a new order data file is created. The processing for storing in the storage means is performed.

[0009]

[Operation] In the image graph creating apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of moving image data files including data necessary for presenting a one-screen graph as a moving image are prepared in advance. Moreover, it is possible to prepare an order data file that specifies the order of the plurality of files. Therefore, if the moving image data files are sequentially extracted based on this order data file, it becomes possible to sequentially display a plurality of graphs in a predetermined order.

[0010]

The present invention will be described below based on illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of an image graph creating apparatus according to the present invention. The basic constituent elements as a video graph creating device are a storage unit 10, a file management unit 20, a video creating unit 30, and an input unit 40,
The video information created by this device is given to the display 50, where a video graph is displayed.

The storage means 10 is divided into four storage areas, each of which stores a background image file, a graph type data file, a unique data file, and an order data file. The file management unit 20 has a function of extracting a specific file from the storage unit 10, correcting the specific file, and adding a new file based on an instruction from the input unit 40. . The video creating means 30 also creates video information for displaying a graph based on the three files extracted by the file managing means 20, that is, the background image file, the graph type data file, and the unique data file. The order data file is used to determine the extraction order of the unique data file. An image graph is displayed on the display 50 based on the image information created by the image creating means 30. Further, in the apparatus of this embodiment, the input screen can be displayed on the display 50 by giving the input screen information from the file management means 20 to the display 50. The input screen serves as a guide when the user performs an input operation on the input means 40.

The apparatus of this embodiment is specifically constructed by installing dedicated software in a computer. That is, the file management means 20 and the image creation means 30 are constituted by a computer main body (CPU), and the respective unique functions are realized by dedicated software. The storage means 10 is an external storage device such as a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device connected to this computer, and the input means 40 is an input device such as a keyboard or mouse used for this computer.

The feature of this apparatus is that the information of one image graph (graph displayed as one screen) is divided into three files and stored. Let's explain such a file structure based on a concrete example. Figure 2
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a video graph actually displayed on the display 50. The background image A shown in FIG. 3 is obtained by extracting only the background image from the video graph shown in FIG. Although the drawing is shown in monochrome, both the background image A shown in FIG. 3 and the bar portions and characters of the bar graph shown in FIG. 2 are actually displayed in color. Therefore, each area of the background image A in FIG. 3 is colored with various colors. When a graph is presented using a video medium, using such a color image as a background produces a visually significant effect. Several background images are prepared in advance in the first storage area of the storage means 10, and an individual graph is selected from the prepared background images and used. Such a background image may be created in advance using a CAD device or the like. In the apparatus of this embodiment, a background image is prepared as raster-type data composed of pixel values of pixels arranged on a two-dimensional plane.

In the second storage area of the storage means 10, some graph type data files are prepared in advance.
This graph type data file shows, so to speak, the pattern of the graph to be created. Generally speaking, there are various kinds of graphs even if they are called "graphs". Figure 4
Here are some examples of typical graphs. Figures (a) to (d) show the "vertical simple bar graph",
It is an example of a "horizontal simple bar graph", a "vertical simple line graph", and a "pie graph". In this specification, various patterns of such a graph will be referred to as “graph types”. Although four graph types are shown in FIG. 4, in the apparatus of this embodiment, as shown in the table of FIG.
Kinds of graph types are available. The graph type data file for each graph type is composed of the following four types of information.

Form information: Information for specifying the form of the graph, such as what kind of graph is displayed at which position on the video screen Background information: Information color that specifies which background image file is used as the background image Information: Information that specifies the display color of the graph (bar color for bar graphs, plot point and line colors for line graphs, and fan area colors for pie graphs) Speed information ... graphs Information that specifies the display speed of the. The graph on the paper is, so to speak, a still image, while the video graph can be a moving image. In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the background image shown in FIG. 3 is first displayed on the display 50, and thereafter, a state in which a graph is drawn is presented as a moving image. The display speed of a graph means the drawing speed of a graph drawn as a moving image.

For example, for the graph type "vertical simple bar graph" as shown in FIG.
The graph type data file prepared in this format is composed of information such as: morphological information: vertical simple bar graph background information: background image A color information: blue speed information: 3 (arbitrary unit). In this embodiment, 20 types of such graph type data files are prepared, and the contents of each graph type data file can be modified. For example, for a "vertical simple bar graph", a blue bar is displayed in a graph type data file (so-called default data) prepared in advance. If the user wants to change this to a red bar and use it, it can be changed by an instruction from the input means 40. Upon receiving such a change instruction, the file management means 20 reads the corresponding graph type data file from the storage means 10 and provides the display 50 with the input screen information for correcting the read data. The user makes necessary correction input to the input means 40 while watching this screen display. That is, it is sufficient to make an input to correct "color information: blue" to "color information: red". The file management means 20 stores the thus modified graph type data file in the storage means 10 as before. By performing such work, the user can create the graph of the customized pattern.

The unique data file stored in the third area of the storage means 10 is a file containing concrete data necessary for creating individual video graphs. The background image file and the graph type data file are prepared in advance, whereas the unique data file is a file created by the user himself. The file management means 20 has a function of newly creating such a unique data file. The file management means 20
In order to assist the work of inputting various data necessary for creating the unique data file, predetermined input screen information is given to the display 50 and the input screen is displayed on the display 50. For example, when creating a “vertical simple bar graph”, an instruction to that effect may be input from the input means 40. Then, on the display 50, for example, an input screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Such an input screen is prepared in advance in the file management means 20 for each graph type. However, it is possible to commonly use the same input screen for a plurality of graph types. For example, the "vertical simple bar graph" and the "horizontal simple bar graph" usually have no problem even if the common input screen is used. In the device of this embodiment, as described above, 20
Although the following graph types are prepared, a common input screen is used for a plurality of graph types, and a total of 6 types of input screens correspond to all graph types.
In the table of FIG. 5, the numbers 1 to 6 in the columns of the input screen are
The input screens shown in FIG. 6 are the input screens of the number 1 which can be applied to the “vertical simple bar graph”. In the upper left graph type column, the characters "vertical simple bar graph" are displayed, and in the upper right graph type column, the image pattern is displayed.
All other columns are blank.

While looking at such an input screen, the user inputs data in the blank portions. The data input by the user is specific numerical data necessary for creating one graph, character data to be a headline, and the like. FIG. 7 shows a state in which data input has been completed for all columns in this way. The unique data file stored in the storage means 10 is a file composed of the data thus input. When the input work is completed,
If the "OK" column on the upper right of the screen is indicated, the data input so far is registered as a new unique data file, and if the "CANCEL" column is indicated, the registration is canceled. Of course, the unique data file registered in this way can also be modified. In this way, the unique data files are sequentially registered by the user in the third area of the storage means 10.

The order data file stored in the fourth area of the storage means 10 is a file indicating the order of a plurality of unique data files registered in the third area. This is the file to create. As described above, a plurality of unique data files are created and registered by the user in the third area. Here, one unique data file corresponds to a graph for one screen. The order data file registered in the fourth area is a file that specifies the order for displaying the graphs for a plurality of screens one after another. FIG. 8 shows a specific example of this sequence data file. FIG. 8 exemplifies three sequential data files with file names of stories X, Y, and Z. For example, an order data file with a file name of story X is composed of data indicating the order of “graph 1 → graph 2 → graph 3”. Here, graph 1,
Both 2 and 3 are file names of unique data files registered in the third storage area. After all, the order data file of story X becomes data that gives an instruction to display the graphs for three screens in the order of "graph 1 → graph 2 → graph 3".

The user may register a plurality of unique data files in the third area and then register an order data file indicating the display order for these. Specifically, when the input unit 40 gives an instruction to register the order data file to the file management unit 20, the file management unit 20 gives the input screen information for creating the order data file to the display 50. . When the user performs a predetermined input operation while looking at the input screen displayed on the display 50, a sequence data file as shown in FIG. 8 is created and registered in the fourth storage area. Of course, it is also possible to modify the registered sequential data file.

Next, the processing for displaying the created graph will be described based on the above-mentioned specific example. First, the user makes an input to the input means 40 to specify one sequential data file. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, three sequence data files of story X, Y, Z are registered. For example, assume that story X is specified.
The file management means 20 extracts the specified order data file of story X from the fourth storage area, and recognizes the order of “graph 1 → graph 2 → graph 3”. Therefore, first, the unique data file "Graph 1" in the first rank is extracted from the third storage area of the storage unit 10. The contents of this unique data file (see FIG. 7)
From the content), it can be recognized that the graph type is the "vertical simple bar graph", and therefore the file management means 20 continues from the second storage area of the storage means 10 to the graph "vertical simple bar graph". Extract the seed data file.
From this graph type data file, information such as: morphological information: vertical simple bar graph morphological background information: background image A color information: blue color speed information: 3 (arbitrary unit) can be recognized. Therefore, the file management unit 20 extracts the background image file “background image A” from the first storage area of the storage unit 10.

The image creating means 30 creates image information for displaying a graph based on the background image file, the graph type data file, and the unique data file thus extracted. That is, a background image is generated based on the extracted background image file, and on this background image, a form based on the form information in the extracted graph type data file,
An image displaying a graph corresponding to the numerical information in the extracted unique data file is created by the color based on the color information and the speed based on the speed information. Specifically, first, a background image A as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, then characters such as a title are displayed, and finally, the bar of the bar graph is 1.
A movie will be created that will be displayed so that the books grow from bottom to top. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between each data of the unique data file shown in FIG. 7 and each area on the graph screen. That is, in FIG. 7, the characters input in the “Title” column are displayed in the area S1 in FIG. 9, and the characters input in the “Date” column are displayed in the area S2 in FIG. 9 and the “Source name” column is displayed. The entered character is the area S in FIG.
The characters displayed in No. 3 and entered in the "Unit" field are displayed in the area S4 in Fig. 9, and the characters entered in each "Item name" field are
The characters displayed in the area S5 of FIG. 9 (however, the display is omitted when the * symbol is entered in the omission field) and the characters entered in the “Legend” field are displayed in the area S6 of FIG. The characters that are displayed in the “footnote” field are displayed in the area S in FIG.
7 is displayed from the bottom line. Further, a bar graph bar corresponding to the number entered in each “numerical value” column is displayed in the area S8 of FIG. Such correspondence is defined as the morphological information in the graph type data file. After all, when a "vertical simple bar graph" is created for the unique data file shown in FIG. 7 using the background image A shown in FIG. 3, a graph as shown in FIG. 2 is created. However, the information output by the video creating means 30 to the display 50 is video information as a moving image, and the image shown in FIG. 2 is an image corresponding to the state when all drawing is completed.

When the display of the first graph "Graph 1" in the story X is completed in this way, the file management means 20 extracts the unique data file of the second graph "Graph 2". Then, the graph type data file and the background image file related to this are extracted, and the graph 2 is displayed in exactly the same manner as the display of the graph 1.
After the display of graph 2 is completed, the third rank "graph 3"
Is similarly displayed. After all, if the set of the unique data file, the graph type data file, and the background image file used to display the graph for one screen is collectively called a moving image data file, according to the order specified in story X, That is, the moving image data files are extracted one by one, and the graphs for one screen are sequentially displayed. If a graph for one screen is a picture of a picture-story show drawn on one sheet of cardboard, a moving image data file is data for generating this picture on one sheet of cardboard, and a sequence data file is It can be said that this is data for designating the arrangement order of the thick paper.

If the user gives an instruction from the input means 40 to select another sequence data file, the graphs are displayed in different sequences. For example, if the instruction to select the story Y is given, the moving images of the graph can be obtained on the display 50 in the order of graph 4 → graph 1 → graph 5. In this way, by registering an order data file in which the display order of the graphs on a plurality of screens is defined as one story, the graph display according to this story can be performed at any time. Such a function, while presenting the graph by a video medium such as television broadcasting,
It is very convenient for giving various explanations and demonstrations. This device can be applied to the case of presenting economic information such as a stock price chart as a graph in a business program distributed using satellite broadcasting, for example.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be implemented in various other modes. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of graphs defined as a story are displayed continuously one after another, but when the display of the graph for one screen is completed, the still image is displayed. You may make it stop, and every time a user performs a predetermined input from the input means 40 (for example, every time a specific key is pressed), the graph display for the next one screen may be started. Alternatively, the display time of each graph may be defined in the order data file, and the graph display for the next one screen may be started each time the display time elapses. For example, "Graph 1 (1 minute) →
If an order data file such as "Graph 2 (3 minutes) → Graph 3 (2 minutes)" is prepared,
1 minute from the point when the drawing of
Of the graph 2 is started, then the drawing of the graph 2 is started, and the still image of the graph 2 is displayed as it is for 3 minutes after the drawing of the graph 2 is completed.
Then, an operation such as starting drawing of the graph 3 may be performed.

[0026]

As described above, according to the image graph creating apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of moving image data files including data necessary for presenting a one-screen graph as a moving image are prepared in advance. Since the moving image data files are sequentially extracted and displayed based on the order data file that specifies the order of the plurality of files, it is possible to easily create a graph suitable for presentation by a video medium. Like

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image graph creating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image graph created by the apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a background image A used in the video graph shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing some typical graph forms.

5 is a table showing 20 kinds of graph types prepared in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen used when creating a unique data file in the device shown in FIG. 1.

7 is a diagram showing a state where data input work has been completed on the input screen shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence data file prepared in the device shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between each data shown in FIG. 7 and each area on the graph screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Storage means 20 ... File management means 30 ... Video creation means 40 ... Input means 50 ... Display

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for creating image information for displaying a graph on an image medium, wherein a moving image data file comprising a plurality of moving image data files necessary for presenting a one-screen graph as a moving image is stored. Storage means, order storage means for storing an order data file indicating a display order for the plurality of moving picture data files, and file management means for sequentially reading the moving picture data files from the moving picture storage means based on the order data file And a video creating unit for creating a video for displaying a graph based on the moving image data file read by the file managing unit. 2. An apparatus for creating video information for displaying a graph by a video medium, the apparatus storing a background image file including data for creating a background image displayed as a background of the graph. Second storage means for storing, for each graph type, a graph type data file composed of storage means, morphological information for specifying the form of the graph, and background information for specifying the background image file; Third storage means for storing, for each graph, a unique data file configured by graph type information that specifies the graph type information and numerical information necessary for creating the graph, and an order indicating the order of a plurality of unique data files. Fourth storage means for storing the data file, input means for inputting a predetermined order data file, and the input means The determined sequential data file is extracted from the fourth storage means, the unique data files are sequentially extracted from the third storage means in accordance with the order shown in the extracted sequential data file, and the extracted unique data file is extracted. A graph type data file specified by the graph type information in the above is extracted from the second storage means, and a background image file specified by the background information in the extracted graph type data file is extracted from the first storage means. A background image is generated on the basis of the file management means and the extracted background image file, and the background image is generated on the extracted background image file by the form based on the form information in the extracted graph type data file. Video creating means for creating a video displaying a graph corresponding to the numerical information of Graphing device for an image. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the file management means creates a new order data file based on an instruction input by the input means, and stores the new order data file in the fourth storage means. An image graph creating device characterized by performing a process of storing.