JPH10239420A - Radar image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability in the display state control of a variable distance mark or electronic azimuth line. SOLUTION: In a radar image display device having a display part 5 for displaying a radar image and a control part 3 having a plurality of operating members for controlling the states of graphic displays 54, 55, 56, 57 to be superposed on the radar image, the operating members comprising first operating members for outputting variable quantity information and second operating members for outputting ON/OFF information, the control part 3 have third operating members 640, 660 for outputting both the variable quantity information and the ON/OFF information in stead of the first and second operating members, so that a continuous operation cart be performed in the same position without a troublesome selection of switch.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a radar image display device suitable for being mounted on a ship or the like.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a radar image display device in which members for operating electronic azimuth lines, variable distance marks, and the like superimposed and displayed on a radar image are devised.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a radar image display apparatus is shown in FIG. 6 which shows an external view of a marine apparatus, and FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the apparatus, which transmits and receives signals via an antenna 1 which is driven to rotate in a horizontal plane. The transmitter 2 transmits a pulsed radio wave and receives the reflected wave, and a signal processing unit 4 having an operation unit 3 processes the received signal to generate a radar image and displays the image on a screen of a display unit 5. Things. The signal processing unit 4 receives a received signal from the transceiver 2 and performs signal processing such as coordinate conversion processing and noise removal processing to generate radar video data, and stores and holds the radar video data. And a display synthesizing circuit 43 for synthesizing a display image by adding additional information and menu images to the radar image and sending the synthesized image to the display unit 5.

The operation unit 3 is provided with a large number of switches and knobs so as to be operable. As shown in FIG.
In addition to the case where it is provided separately as an operation console, there is also a case where it is provided so as to be integrally fitted as an operation panel on the front surface of the display unit 5. In any case, among these operation members, the knobs are fixed to a variable operation member such as a variable resistor or an encoder and become a part thereof, and the amount and degree of the variable operation such as the rotation operation and the movement operation are reduced. The variable amount information A such as an analog signal or an encoded signal is output. On the other hand, among the operating members, the switches output on / off information B such as a pulse signal transmitted each time the operation is performed or a binary signal whose value is inverted each time the operation is performed.

The signal processing unit 4 includes a controller 44 for appropriately controlling the transceiver 2 and the radar video signal processing circuits 41 to 43 of the internal circuit according to the operation inputs (A, B). A graphic memory 4 for storing and holding information display and menu display video data generated as graphic data by each processing routine.
5 is also provided. The graphic data is synthesized with the radar image by the display synthesizing circuit 43, and includes a bow line, an electronic cursor (electronic azimuth line, EB).
L) In addition to those superimposed on the center of the radar image, such as a variable distance ring (variable distance mark, VRM), additional information displays and menu displays displayed at the corners and edges of the screen are also included. .

[0005] The controller 44 is constituted by a microprocessor system, and inputs a large number of variable amount information A and on / off information B as a programmable processing unit, and delivers or starts to other relevant processing routines. Input processing routine for performing the following operations, a bow line display processing routine for performing a graphic display process for the bow line indicating the traveling direction of the ship, and an electronic for performing the graphic display process for an electronic cursor indicating the azimuth from the base point. An azimuth line display processing routine, a variable distance ring display processing routine for performing graphic display processing for a variable distance ring indicating the distance from the base point, and other routines such as an information display processing routine and a menu processing routine (not shown) are provided. ing.

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such a radar image display device, when displaying a radar image on a screen 50 of a display section 5, it is customary to display the radar image in a circular radar image display area 52 centered on the own ship. . In addition, all operation members are operated by the operation unit 3.
The operation unit 3 becomes complicated and expensive,
Functions with relatively low operation frequency are left to the menu, and only functions with high operation frequency are assigned to the operation members of the operation unit 3.
FIG. 8 shows a case where such an operation unit 3 is inserted into the display unit 5 side by side with the screen 50.

The operation unit 3 includes a trackball 31 for moving a pointing cursor for designating an arbitrary position on the screen and an execution key 32 for inputting selection / execution timing of the designated item. In addition, a bow line key 33 for giving an operation instruction to the bow line display processing routine, and an EBL1 key 34 and an EBL2 key 3 for giving an operation instruction to the electronic azimuth line display processing routine are provided.
5, an EBL knob 64 and an EBL3 key 65, and a VR for giving an operation instruction to the variable distance ring display processing routine
M1 key 36, VRM2 key 37, VRM knob 66,
And a VRM3 key 67, and some more keys.

Among them, the bow line key 33, EBL1 key 34, EBL2 key 35, EBL3 key 65, VRM1
Key 36, VRM2 key 37, and VRM3 key 67
Are operation members each constituted by a switch and outputting on / off information B. On the other hand, EBL knob 6
The 4, and VRM knobs 66 are operation members each configured using a rotary encoder and outputting the variable amount information A.

To control the display state of the variable distance ring by operating these operating members, the VRM1 key 36
Is pushed (pressed) to select and display one of the two variable distance rings, and push the VRM2 key 37 to select and display the other. In addition, the VRM3 key 67 is pushed to switch between display using a circular or annular line and display using a straight line or a parallel line. In the present specification, the latter display state is referred to as “parallel cursor display state”, and a plurality of such parallel cursors are displayed in a direction orthogonal to an electronic cursor described later. Further, by rotating the VRM knob 66 for the variable distance mark, the diameter of the selected variable distance ring and the distance between the parallel cursors are changed.

On the other hand, when controlling the display state of the electronic cursor by operating these operating members, the EBL1 key 3
One of the two electronic cursors is selected and displayed by pushing 4, and the other is selected and displayed by pushing the EBL2 key 35. Also, by pushing the EBL3 key 65, the display base point of one electronic cursor is moved to the pointing cursor. Accordingly, a variable distance ring centered on the new base point is also displayed.
Such a display state is referred to as an “EBL offset display state” in this specification. Further, by rotating the EBL knob 64 for the electronic azimuth line, the direction of the selected electronic cursor, that is, the azimuth, is changed.

On the other hand, when controlling the display state of the bow line by operating these operating members, the display / non-display of the bow line is switched by pushing the bow line key 33. Since the bow line is always displayed at all times, the display of the bow line is suppressed only when the bow line key 33 is pushed.

[0012]

As described above, in the conventional radar image display device, a plurality of switches for outputting on / off information are provided in order to control the display state of a variable distance mark such as a variable distance ring. Knobs for outputting variable amount information are also provided. The same applies to an electron azimuth line such as an electronic cursor. However, when a large number of operating members are arranged side by side in the operating section, even if the mutually related operating members are closely arranged and closely arranged, it is difficult to arrange a large number of such operating members individually. In some cases, a small-sized operation member has to be used, so that the operation for changing or switching the display state has a certain amount of inconvenience remaining without being wiped out. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the operability by making the operation of controlling the display state of the frequently used variable distance mark and the electronic azimuth line easier.

Further, in the conventional radar image display device, the radar image is displayed in a circular area at the center of the screen, but the radar image covers the circular area only satisfies the necessary condition. For this reason, a need has arisen to display radar images widely beyond the circular range so as to cover the widest possible range. In particular, C
In a general display device such as an RT, a screen shape is a rectangle or a quasi-rectangle having different lengths in the vertical and horizontal directions, and therefore, there is a strong demand for expanding and displaying a radar image display area in the longitudinal direction. When the extended display is performed in such an anisotropic area, the circular boundary of the conventional radar image display area, that is, the short-diameter side end of the extended radar image display area, so as not to impair the sense of distance and position of the viewer. Since it is necessary to specify the position on the circle corresponding to the above in some form, a circular pattern such as a fixed distance ring may be superimposed and displayed thereon.

However, if such a circular pattern is always displayed in a fixed manner, there is a possibility that the visibility of a target reflected in the vicinity of the circular pattern may be reduced, so that the display of the circular pattern is further suppressed. Probably, but in that case, the position on the circle is unknown. Therefore, even if the radar image display area is enlarged, the pattern to be superimposed on the radar image must be changed so as to achieve both a sense of position at the portion corresponding to the short-diameter side end and visibility of the target thereat. It is also an issue to be creative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to improve operability in controlling a display state of a variable distance mark and an electronic azimuth line by devising an operation member. It is assumed that.
Another object of the present invention is to achieve both a sense of position and visibility when the radar image display area is expanded.

[0016]

Means for Solving the Problems First to fourth solving means invented to solve such problems are as follows.
The configuration and operation and effect will be described below.

[First Solution] A radar image display device according to the first solution (as described in claim 1 at the time of filing the application) includes a display section on which a radar image is displayed and a radar image superimposed on the display section. An operation unit provided with a plurality of operation members for controlling any one or a set of display states of the displayed graphic display, wherein the plurality of operation members output variable amount information (knobs and the like) Output first operation member and on / off information (such as switches)
In a radar video display device including a second operation member, the operation section outputs both variable amount information and on / off information instead of the first operation member and the second operation member ( A third operating member (such as a knob with a switch) is provided.

In the radar image display apparatus according to the first solution, when an operation member is provided in the operation section for controlling the display state of the graphic display superimposed and displayed on the display section together with the radar image, Where the separate first and second operation members are conventionally arranged in parallel, a third operation member in which these are integrated is used. When performing a series of operations, if a plurality of members, such as the first and second operation members, are targeted, it is inevitable to select which one is the last one, and to move a finger or the like between the members. It will be accompanied. On the other hand, when performing a plurality of operations on one member, a series of operations can be performed without such selection or movement. In addition, since the operation mode is generally different between when the operation member is operated to output the variable amount information and when the on / off information is output, even if the different functions are integrated, the third operation member is There is no or little operation error.

As a result, continuous operation can be performed at the same position without selecting a troublesome switch or the like, so that operability is improved. In addition, the effect of integrating the operation members can be obtained in that the operation section can be made compact, but this is achieved by expanding the size of the third operation member to the sum of the first and second operation members. It is also possible to transfer to another improvement. Therefore, according to the present invention, the operability in controlling the display state of the graphic display such as the variable distance mark and the electronic azimuth line can be improved by devising the operation member.

[Second Solution] The radar image display device of the second solution (as described in claim 2 at the beginning of the application) is the radar image display device of the first solution,
The first operating member is a rotary knob for a variable distance mark, the second operating member is a switch for switching a parallel cursor display state, and the third operating member is a switch (such as an integral rotary encoder with a push switch). It is a rotary knob with a feature.

In the radar image display device according to the second solution, the operation of changing the distance between the parallel cursors can be continued immediately after switching to the parallel cursor display state. In addition, of the variable distance ring selection operation and the parallel cursor display state switching operation, which are similar operations for the variable distance mark, the variable distance ring selection operation is performed by operating a plurality of similar switches corresponding to each variable distance ring. On the other hand, since the switching operation of the parallel cursor display state is performed by a single switch operation, even if this switch is integrated with the rotary knob, one of the plurality of switches for the variable distance ring is integrated. The possibility of erroneous operation is lower than that of the case where the operation is performed, and there is no uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, in this case, the operability is particularly good in controlling the display state of the variable distance mark.

[Third Solution] The radar image display device of the third solution (as described in claim 3 at the beginning of the application) is the radar image display device of the first solution,
The first operating member is a rotary knob for an electronic azimuth line, the second operating member is a switch for switching an EBL offset display state, and the third operating member is a switch (such as an integral rotary encoder with a push switch). It is a rotary knob with a feature.

In the radar image display device according to the third solution, the operation of changing the direction of the electronic azimuth line can be continued immediately after switching to the EBL offset display state. In addition, of the electronic cursor selection operation and the EBL offset display state switching operation, which are similar operations for the electronic azimuth line, the electronic cursor selection operation is performed by operating a plurality of similar switches corresponding to each electronic cursor. On the other hand, since the switching operation of the EBL offset display state is performed by a single switch operation, even if this switch is integrated with the rotary knob,
Compared to a case where any one of the plurality of switches for the electronic cursor is integrated, the possibility of erroneous operation is low and there is no uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, in this case, the operability is particularly good in controlling the display state of the electron azimuth line.

[Fourth Solution] A radar image display device according to a fourth solution (as described in claim 4 at the time of filing the application) has a radar (in a radar image display area extended in the longitudinal direction of the screen). In a radar image display device comprising a display unit on which an image is displayed and a graphic display means for superimposing and displaying a bow line on the radar image, the radar image corresponds to an end on the minor diameter side in an (extended) display area of the radar image. And means for displaying a mark at a position where the mark is located on the bow line.

In the radar image display device of the fourth solution, a mark is displayed on the bow line.
Since this mark position corresponds to the position of the short-diameter end of the extended radar image display area, that is, the boundary of the circular area before the extension, the sense of position and the sense of distance in the traveling direction of the ship can be easily determined using the mark as a guide. It becomes possible to grasp. Thus, even when the circular pattern is not always or selectively displayed, a complicated operation such as displaying a variable distance mark instead of each one can be omitted.

Since the mark is not displayed at a position distant from the bow line, good visibility to the target can be easily secured by suppressing the display of the circular pattern and the variable distance mark. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both the grasp of a sense of position and the like and the securing of visibility when the radar image display area is expanded.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A specific embodiment for implementing the radar image display apparatus of the present invention achieved by the above-described solution will be described with reference to an embodiment. FIG.
It is an example of a display unit and an operation unit to show the configuration,
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a rotary encoder with a switch used for the operation unit. Note that what has already been described in the section of the background art also holds true in this embodiment, so that the description thereof will not be repeated, and the differences from those described in the section of the prior art will be described below. I will explain mainly.

The radar image display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 differs from the conventional apparatus shown in FIG. 8 in the following three points. That is, the first point is that the operation unit 3 uses the conventional VRM knob 66.
And a new VRM knob 66 in place of the VRM3 key 67
The second point is that the conventional EBL knob 64 and the EBL3 key 6
The fifth point is that a new EBL knob 640 is provided in place of 5 and the third point is that the radar image display area 52 is extended up and down to become the extended radar image display area 51 and a fixed distance ring is provided. 520 and the marker 521 are displayed.

The EBL knob 640 is an operation member using a rotary encoder with a push switch. The EBL knob 640 has a main body portion 642 attached to the inside of the back side of the operation portion 3 so that the knob portion 641 is exposed to the front outside of the operation portion 3. And can be operated. The knob portion 641 is approximately twice as large as the conventional EBL knob 64, and is easy to grip (see FIG. 2A). The EBL knob 640 has signal lines 643 and 644 coming out from the rear of the main body, and when the knob portion 641 is operated and rotated, the variable amount information A is output to the signal line 644 (see FIG. 2B). When the knob portion 641 is pushed, on / off information B is output to the signal line 643 (see FIG. 2C).

The signal line 643 is connected to the place where the signal line of the EBL3 key 65 was previously connected.
4 is connected to the place where the signal line of the EBL knob 64 was previously connected. Thus, the EBL knob 64 as the first operation member and the EB as the second operation member
The L3 key 65 is replaced by an EBL knob 640 as a third operation member that outputs both variable amount information and on / off information. By rotating the EBL knob 640, the direction of the electronic cursor is changed and the same EB is set.
By pushing the L knob 640, a switching operation to the EBL offset display state is also possible.

Similarly, a VRM knob 660 using a rotary encoder with a push switch is provided on the operation unit 3, and a VRM knob 66 as a first operation member and a VRM3 key 67 as a second operation member are provided with variable amount information. And a VRM knob 660 serving as a third operation member that outputs both the ON and OFF information. By rotating the VRM knob 660, the diameter of the variable distance ring and the distance between the parallel cursors are changed, and by pushing the same VRM knob 660, the switching operation to the parallel cursor display state can be performed. I have.

In this example, since the screen 50 of the display unit 5 has a substantially vertically long rectangular shape, the radar image includes the original radar image display area 52 as an inscribed circle, and is further extended vertically. The image is displayed on the video display area 51. Thus, the radar video signal processing circuit 41 and the like are improved. Further, the bow line display processing routine and the like are also modified so that the fixed distance ring 520 is displayed at the position coincident with the boundary of the radar image display area 52, and the intersection between the fixed distance ring 520 and the bow line 53 is also small. Marker 521
Has been changed to be displayed. Fixed distance ring 520
Can be switched between display and non-display by menu operation or dedicated switch operation.
Even when 0 is not displayed, the marker 521 is displayed along with the bow line 53. As a result, the marker 521 is displayed at a position corresponding to the end on the shorter diameter side in the display area of the radar image and located on the bow line.

The mode of use and operation of the radar image display apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows the variable distance ring displayed on the screen, FIG. 4 shows the electronic cursor displayed on the screen, and FIG. 5 shows the bow line displayed on the screen.

When the display state of the variable distance ring is controlled by operating the operation member of the operation section 3 (see FIG. 3),
By pushing the RM1 key 36, one of the two variable distance rings 56 is selected and displayed, and the VRM2 key 37 is displayed.
To select and display the other variable distance ring 57. This is the same as before. On the other hand, switching from the standard variable distance ring display state to the parallel cursor display state is performed by pushing the VRM knob 660. When the display is switched to the parallel cursor display state, two to six or more parallel cursors 76 and 77 composed of parallel straight lines are displayed in place of the annular variable distance rings 56 and 57. V again
When the RM knob 660 is pushed, the display returns from the parallel cursor display state to the standard variable distance ring display state.

By rotating the VRM knob 660, the diameter of the currently selected variable distance ring 56, 57 or the distance between the parallel cursors 76, 77 is changed. Thus,
The switching operation by pushing with the VRM knob 660 alone and the variable operation by rotating can be completed. In addition,
The next electronic cursor 5 when switching to the parallel cursor display state
5 is also displayed, and the parallel cursors 76 and 77 are perpendicular to the cursor. By rotating the EBL knob 640, the direction of the parallel cursor can be changed. Such a parallel cursor display is convenient for evacuation line navigation and the like.

On the other hand, when the display state of the electronic cursor is controlled by operating the operation member of the operation section 3 (see FIG. 4),
By pushing the EBL1 key 34, one of the two electronic cursors 54 is selected and displayed, and by pushing the EBL2 key 35, the other electronic cursor 55 is selected and displayed. This is the same as before. On the other hand, switching from the standard electronic cursor display state to the EBL offset display state is performed by pushing the EBL knob 640. When the display is switched to the EBL offset display state, the display base point of the electronic cursor 55 moves to the pointing cursor 74 and the electronic cursor 75 is displayed. If the EBL knob 640 is pushed again, the display returns from the EBL offset display state to the standard electronic cursor display state.

By rotating the EBL knob 640, the direction of the selected electronic cursor 54, 55, 75 is changed. Thus, the switching operation by pushing with the EBL knob 640 alone and the variable operation by rotating can be completed. When the display is switched to the EBL offset display state, the variable distance ring 57 is also displayed around the pointing cursor 74, that is, the new base point. The pointing cursor 74 can be moved to an arbitrary point on the screen by operating the trackball 31.

To measure the azimuth and distance between two points, first, the trackball 31 is operated to set the pointing cursor 74 to the starting point, and then the EBL knob 640 is pushed to push the pointing cursor 74.
After the electronic cursor 75 and the variable distance ring 57 at the base point are displayed, the electronic cursor 75 is turned by turning the EBL knob 640.
To the end point, and finally, the VRM knob 660 is turned to adjust the variable distance ring 57 to the end point. In this way, the azimuth and the distance are read by operating the EBL knob 640 and the VRM knob 660, but the EBL knob 640 and the VR
Since the M knob 660 is arranged next to and above the conventional one, continuous operation is easy and more convenient.

On the other hand, when the bow line key 33 is pushed to control the bow line display state by operating the operating member of the operating unit 3, the display of the bow line 53 is suppressed as in the conventional case. It is. However, the marker 521 is always displayed when the bow line 53 is displayed. Even if the fixed distance ring 520 is not displayed, the marker 521 is displayed. Thus, the reference position in the traveling direction of the ship can be easily visually checked at any time.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, the radar image display apparatus according to the first solution of the present invention is designed so that continuous operation can be performed at the same position without having to select a troublesome switch or the like. By devising the operation member, there is an advantageous effect that operability in controlling the state of the graphic display can be improved.

In the radar image display device according to the second solution of the present invention, the switch for changing the state of the parallel cursor is integrated with the rotary knob for the variable distance mark so that the variable distance mark can be displayed. As a result, the operability is particularly improved as compared with the case where other switches are integrated.

Further, in the radar image display device according to the third solution means of the present invention, the rotary knob for the electronic azimuth line is provided with E
By integrating the switch for switching the BL offset display state, there is an advantageous effect that the operability is particularly improved as compared with the case where another switch for the electronic azimuth line is integrated.

Further, in the radar image display device according to the fourth solution of the present invention, by adding a mark piece as a measure of a sense of distance to the bow line superimposed and displayed on the radar image, When the radar image display area is expanded, it is possible to achieve both the grasp of the sense of position and the like and the securing of visibility.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a display unit and an operation unit of an embodiment of a radar image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rotary encoder with a switch used therein.

FIG. 3 shows a variable distance ring displayed on the screen.

FIG. 4 shows an electronic cursor displayed on the screen.

FIG. 5 shows the bow line displayed on the screen.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a radar image display device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a radar image display device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an operation unit and the like in a conventional radar image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Antenna 2 Transceiver 3 Operation part (operation console) 4 Signal processing part 5 Display part 31 Trackball (pointing device) 32 Execution key (push switch) 33 Bow key (push switch) 34 EBL1 key (push switch) 35 EBL2 Key (push switch) 36 VRM1 key (push switch) 37 VRM2 key (push switch) 41 radar video signal processing circuit 42 radar video memory 43 display synthesis circuit 44 controller 45 graphic memory 50 screen 51 extended radar video display area (radar video display) Area) 52 radar image display area 53 bow line 54 electronic cursor (electronic azimuth line; EBL1) 55 electronic cursor (electronic azimuth line; EBL2) 56 variable distance ring (variable distance scale; variable distance marker)
VRM1) 57 Variable distance ring (Variable distance scale; Variable distance marker;
(VRM2) 64 EBL knob (rotary encoder) 65 EBL3 key (push switch) 66 VRM knob (rotary encoder) 67 VRM3 key (push switch) 74 pointing cursor (mouse pointer) 75 electronic cursor (electronic azimuth line; EBL2) 76 parallel cursor (Variable distance scale; Variable distance marker; VRM1) 77 Parallel cursor (Variable distance scale; Variable distance marker; VRM2) 520 Fixed distance ring 520 521 Marker 521 640 EBL knob (Rotary encoder with push switch) 660 VRM knob (With push switch) Rotary encoder)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Arima 2-16-46 Minami Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Tokimec Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An operation unit provided with a display unit on which a radar image is displayed and a plurality of operation members for controlling one or a set of display states of a graphic display superimposed on the radar image. Wherein the plurality of operation members include a first operation member that outputs variable amount information, and a second operation member that outputs on / off information, wherein the operation unit includes: A radar image display device comprising a third operation member that outputs both variable amount information and on / off information, instead of the first operation member and the second operation member. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first operating member is a rotary knob for a variable distance mark, the second operating member is a switch for switching a parallel cursor display state, and the third operating member is a rotary knob with a switch. The radar image display device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first operating member is a rotary knob for an electronic azimuth line, the second operating member is a switch for switching an EBL offset display state, and the third operating member is a rotary knob with a switch. The radar image display device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A radar image display apparatus comprising: a display section on which a radar image is displayed; and graphic display means for superimposing and displaying a bow line on the radar image. Means for displaying a mark at a position corresponding to the part and located on the bow line.