JP4000570B2 - Information processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and, for example, relates to an information processing apparatus and method in which information can be input by holding and rotating the entire apparatus with one hand.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in portable electronic devices such as electronic notebooks, mobile phones, and pagers, buttons, pens, touch panels, and the like are used as means for inputting information. For example, in an electronic notebook, a device main body is held with one hand, a pen is held with the other hand, and a touch panel provided on the device main body is operated with the pen to input predetermined information.

  In addition, the cellular phone is provided with numeric keys for inputting a telephone number and function buttons corresponding to the respective functions to perform predetermined operations. In a pager or the like, necessary minimum function buttons corresponding to each function are provided, and these buttons are operated.

  However, in the case of a portable device such as an electronic notebook that inputs information using a pen and a touch panel, the device body with the touch panel must be held with one hand and the pen must be held with the other hand. There is a problem that sometimes requires both hands and is not easy to use. For example, it is difficult to operate with a load in one hand.

  Further, in a mobile phone or the like, there is a problem that a numeric key for inputting a telephone number requires a considerable space, which may hinder downsizing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and reduces the number of operation buttons and enables easy operation with one hand.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit for displaying information, an input unit for inputting an operation from a user, a map information storage unit for storing map information composed of graphic data , and a rotation of the entire casing. A rotation angle detecting means for detecting displacement of the accompanying housing posture and generating displacement information corresponding to the detection result; a position detecting means for detecting the current position and generating current position information corresponding to the detection result; Viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction determining means for determining the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction based on the information and current position information, and figure data coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction When, viewed contains a map image generating means for generating a map image based on map information composed of the coordinates converted graphic data, a predetermined operation is continuously input from a user The viewpoint position line-of-sight direction determining means determines the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction based on the displacement information after the start of operation and the current position information, and the graphic data coordinate conversion means determines the determined viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction. And converting the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information, and the map image generating means generates a first map image indicating the region in the line-of-sight direction based on the map information including the coordinate-converted graphic data. Then, the display means displays the generated first map image, and when the continuous input of the predetermined operation from the user is terminated, the display means displays the first line-of-sight area at the end of the operation. Two map images are displayed .

  The position detection means can detect the current position using GPS.

The map image may be a bird's eye view based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction.

  The map information storage means can be a hard disk card.

  The rotation angle detection means can detect rotation angles in three axial directions orthogonal to each other.

The housing can be sized to be held with one hand.
When a predetermined operation is continuously input from the user, the viewpoint position line-of-sight direction determining means receives the predetermined position from the user based on the displacement information and the current position information after the operation is started. If not, the visual line direction is determined and the graphic data coordinate conversion unit converts the coordinates of graphic data constituting the map information based on the determined visual point position and visual line direction. The map image generation means includes at least a part of the map image at the current position and a preset destination based on the map information composed of the coordinate-converted graphic data, and has a line-of-sight direction. A first bird's-eye view map image showing a region is generated, and the display means can display the generated first bird's-eye view map image, and a predetermined operation from the user can be continued. When the input is completed, the viewpoint position line-of-sight direction determining means gradually changes the viewpoint position to a position directly above the movement destination and the line-of-sight direction to a direction directly below based on a preset movement destination, The graphic data coordinate conversion means sequentially converts the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the gradually changed viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction, and the map image generation means converts the coordinate data from the sequentially converted graphic data. A second bird's-eye view map image indicating a destination can be sequentially generated based on the configured map information, and the display means can display the second bird's-eye view map image generated in sequence.

In the information processing method of the present invention, when a predetermined operation is continuously input from the user, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction are determined based on the displacement information and the current position information after the operation is started, and the determined viewpoint Based on the position and the line-of-sight direction, the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information are converted, and on the basis of the map information formed from the coordinate-converted graphic data, a first map image indicating the area in the line-of-sight direction is generated. Displaying the generated first map image and displaying a second map image indicating a region in the line-of-sight direction at the end of the operation when the continuous input of the predetermined operation from the user is terminated. It is characterized by including .

In the onset bright, if the predetermined operation from the user is continuously input, based on the displacement information and the current position information after the operation start, the viewpoint position and the sight line direction is determined, the determined viewpoint position and the sight line Based on the direction, the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information are converted, and based on the map information configured from the coordinate-converted graphic data, a first map image indicating the region in the line-of-sight direction is generated and generated The first map image thus displayed is displayed. Then, when the continuous input of the predetermined operation from the user is ended, a second map image indicating the region in the line-of-sight direction at the end of the operation is displayed.

  According to the present invention, information can be input by rotating the entire apparatus, and input can be performed with one hand, or the number of operation buttons can be reduced. Therefore, the usability of the portable device can be improved and the device can be miniaturized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between constituent elements described in the claims and specific examples in the embodiments of the present invention are exemplified as follows. This description is to confirm that specific examples supporting the invention described in the claims are described in the embodiments of the invention. Therefore, even if there are specific examples that are described in the embodiment of the invention but are not described here as corresponding to the configuration requirements, the specific examples are not included in the configuration. It does not mean that it does not correspond to a requirement. On the contrary, even if a specific example is described here as corresponding to a configuration requirement, this means that the specific example does not correspond to a configuration requirement other than the configuration requirement. not.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions corresponding to the specific examples described in the embodiments of the invention are described in the claims. In other words, this description is an invention corresponding to the specific example described in the embodiment of the invention, and the existence of an invention not described in the claims of this application, that is, in the future, a divisional application will be made. It does not deny the existence of an invention that is added by correction.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention (for example, PDA 50 in FIG. 1) includes display means (for example, LCD 3 in FIG. 2) for displaying information and input means for inputting operations from the user (for example, operation button 2 in FIG. 1). ) And map information storage means for storing map information composed of graphic data (for example, the map data storage unit 47 in FIG. 14), and the displacement of the posture of the housing accompanying the rotation of the entire housing is detected and detected. Rotation angle detection means for generating displacement information corresponding to the result (for example, the three-axis gyro sensor 13 in FIG. 2) and position detection means for detecting the current position at all times and generating current position information corresponding to the detection result (for example, 2, and a viewpoint position gaze direction determining means (for example, a viewpoint position / gaze direction determining unit 44 in FIG. 14) that determines the viewpoint position and the gaze direction based on the displacement information and the current position information. ,point of view Based on the location and viewing direction, and graphic data coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinates of the graphic data of the map information (e.g., graphic data coordinate transformation unit 45 of FIG. 14), the map consists of a coordinate transformed graphic data based on the information and a map image generating means for generating a map image (e.g., image data output section 46 in FIG. 14).

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable information processing apparatus (PDA: personal digital assistants) 50 to which the present invention is applied. The triaxial gyro sensor 1 detects each rotation angle when the entire apparatus rotates around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. The operation button 2 is configured to give a predetermined instruction to the apparatus. The LCD 3 is configured to display an image such as a menu screen or a map.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the PDA 50 shown in FIG. The three-axis gyro sensor 1 includes vibration gyros 1a, 1b, and 1c corresponding to the coordinate axes of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis.

  The vibrating gyroscope has a characteristic that when a rotational angular velocity is applied to a vibrating object, a Coriolis force is generated in a direction perpendicular to the vibration, and this Coriolis force F is expressed as follows.

F = 2mvω
(Where m is mass, v is velocity, ω is angular velocity)

  Accordingly, the angular velocity ω is proportional to the Coriolis force F, and the rotational angular velocity can be detected by detecting the Coriolis force F.

  The vibration gyro 1a is provided with a driving piezoelectric ceramic 4a and a detecting piezoelectric ceramic 4b, and an alternating signal which is an oscillation output of the oscillator 25 is applied to the driving piezoelectric ceramic 4a. In this state, when the vibration gyro 1a is rotated in the θ direction, a Coriolis force F is applied to the detection piezoelectric ceramic 4b, and a voltage E is generated.

  The minute voltage output from the detection piezoelectric ceramic 4 b is amplified by the amplifier 7 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 10.

  The angular velocity ω applied to the vibrating gyroscope 1a and the generated voltage E have a proportional relationship. For example, when rotating clockwise around the X axis, the voltage E increases and rotates leftward. Is arranged such that the voltage E drops.

  The vibration gyros 1b and 1c are basically the same as the case of the vibration gyro 1a. The angular velocity around the Y axis is detected by the vibration gyro 1b, amplified by the amplifier 8, and then digitalized by the A / D converter 11. It is converted into data. Similarly, the angular velocity around the Z axis is detected by the vibration gyro 1c, amplified by the amplifier 9, and then converted into digital data by the A / D converter 12.

  The operation button 2 generates a predetermined signal corresponding to the user's operation and supplies it to the input interface 13. The CPU 14 is connected to various ICs via a bus 26. In addition to the system program for the entire apparatus, the ROM 15 stores, for example, a kana-kanji conversion program for the word processor function and a dictionary table therefor, a recognition program for handwritten input, a dictionary table therefor, and the like. The RAM 16 stores data necessary for operation as needed.

  The LCD 3 performs a predetermined display under the control of the color LCD controller 18. The pressure-sensitive transparent tablet 29 is configured to detect a predetermined input under the control of the pressure-sensitive transparent tablet controller 17. The backlight 30 illuminates the LCD 3 from behind through a pressure-sensitive transparent tablet under the control of the backlight controller 19.

  The PC card interface 20 is provided with a connector 27, and a PCMCIA type Global Positioning System (GPS) card (hereinafter simply abbreviated as a GPS card) 22 conforming to the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) standard as a GPS device 22 ( Position detecting means) is inserted. The CPU 14 can exchange data, programs, and the like with the GPS card 22 via the PC card interface 20. The GPS card 22 is connected to a GPS antenna 23 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs corresponding signals. The GPS card 22 detects a current position based on a signal received by the GPS antenna 23 and outputs position data corresponding to the current position.

  The PC card interface 21 is provided with a connector 28, for example, to which a PCMCIA type hard disk card (hereinafter simply referred to as an HDD card) 24 as a storage device is connected. The HDD card 24 stores map data and the like.

  The input interface 13 supplies the detection signal of the three-axis gyro sensor 1 supplied from the A / D converters 10 to 12 to the CPU 14 via the bus 26. Further, a signal corresponding to a predetermined operation supplied from the operation button 2 is supplied to the CPU 14 via the bus 26.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the operation in the case of performing menu selection using the PDA 50 having the above configuration will be described. When this operation is performed, there is no need for data regarding the current position, and therefore it is not necessary to insert the GPS card 22 into the connector 27 of the PC card interface 20 in FIG. Further, since the map data is unnecessary, it is not necessary to insert the HDD card 24 into the connector 28.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a series of operation screens when menu selection is performed, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure. First, in step S1 of FIG. 4, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the operation button 2 has been pressed by the user. At this time, nothing is displayed on the screen of the PDA 50 as shown in FIG.

  Now, when the operation button 2 is pressed by the user, a predetermined signal is generated and supplied to the CPU 14 via the input interface 13 and the bus 26. Thereby, CPU14 determines with the button 2 having been operated, and progresses to step S2. On the other hand, when the button 2 is not operated by the user, the process of step S1 is repeated.

  In step S2, the CPU 14 generates display data (bitmap data) corresponding to a predetermined menu, and supplies the display data (bitmap data) to the color LCD controller 18 via the bus 26 together with data corresponding to the display position on the screen. Alternatively, bitmap data corresponding to the menu may be stored in the ROM 15 in advance, read out via the bus 26, and supplied to the color LCD controller 18.

  The color LCD controller 18 has a VRAM (video RAM) (not shown), and controls the LCD 3 according to data written in the VRAM to display a predetermined image. Accordingly, display data corresponding to a predetermined menu supplied from the CPU 14 is stored in the VRAM of the color LCD controller. The color LCD controller 18 supplies a control signal to the LCD 3 according to the display data stored in the VRAM to display a predetermined menu.

  Next, in step S3, the CPU 14 reads display data corresponding to a predetermined cursor from the ROM 15, for example, and supplies the display data to the color LCD controller 18 together with data corresponding to the display position on the screen. The color LCD controller 18 stores display data corresponding to the cursor supplied from the CPU 14 in the VRAM, and controls the LCD 3 according to the display data stored in the VRAM.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, a predetermined menu and a predetermined cursor (in this case, having a cross shape) are displayed on the screen of the LCD 3. In this case, the cursor is initially displayed in the center of the menu.

  In step S4, the CPU 14 determines whether the entire device (PDA) 50 has been rotated. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the user holds the entire device with one hand, for example, when the entire device is rotated around the X axis, a predetermined voltage is generated in the detection piezoelectric ceramic 4b by this rotation. Then, it is amplified by the amplifier 7 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 10. This digital data is input via the input interface 13 and supplied to the CPU 14 via the bus 26. Thereby, the CPU 14 can recognize that the entire device has been rotated around the X axis. The same applies to rotation around the Y axis and rotation around the Z axis.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the entire device has been rotated, the process proceeds to step S5, and the CPU 14 extracts the rotation amount related to the X axis. Next, in step S6, the amount of rotation about the Y axis is extracted. In step S7, the cursor is moved in the up / down / left / right directions according to the respective rotation amounts of the X-axis and the Y-axis.

  That is, in order to move the cursor in the vertical and horizontal directions according to the rotation of the entire device, the bitmap data corresponding to the cursor and the display position shifted in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the cursor currently displayed on the screen Is supplied to the color LCD controller 18. The magnitude of this display position shift corresponds to each output voltage of the detecting piezoelectric ceramics 4b and 5b. The color LCD controller 18 stores the bitmap data supplied from the CPU 14 at a predetermined location in the VRAM based on the data corresponding to the display position.

  The color LCD controller 18 controls the LCD 3 according to the bitmap data corresponding to the moved cursor stored in the VRAM. As a result, when the entire device is first rotated around the X axis with the cursor being at the center of the screen as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, as shown in FIG. Moves to the item “banana”. In addition, when the entire device is rotated around the Y axis with the cursor at the center of the screen as shown in FIG. 3B, for example, as shown in FIG. Go to item "Apple".

  Next, proceeding to step S8, if the cursor is positioned on any of the menu items, the CPU 14 generates display data corresponding to the menu with the menu item highlighted, and sends it to the color LCD controller 18. Supply. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the cursor is positioned on the menu item “Banana”, display data corresponding to the menu in which the menu item “Banana” is highlighted is generated, and the color LCD controller 18 is displayed. To supply.

  As a result, the color LCD controller 18 stores the display data corresponding to the menu in which the menu item “Banana” where the cursor is positioned is highlighted in the VRAM. Then, the LCD 3 is controlled according to the display data stored in the VRAM to display a screen on which the menu item “Banana” is highlighted.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, when the cursor is positioned on the menu item “Apple”, display data corresponding to the menu in which the menu item “Apple” is highlighted is generated, and the color LCD is displayed. This is supplied to the controller 18.

  Thereby, the color LCD controller 18 stores the display data corresponding to the menu in which the menu item “Apple” where the cursor is positioned is highlighted in the VRAM. Then, the LCD 3 is controlled in accordance with the display data stored in the VRAM to display a screen on which the menu item “Apple” is highlighted.

  When the process in step S8 ends, the process returns to step S4, and the processes after step S4 are repeatedly executed.

  When it is determined in step S4 that the entire device is not rotating, the process proceeds to step S9, and it is determined whether or not the operation button 2 has been released. If it is determined that the operation button 2 has not been released, the process returns to step S4, and the processes after step S4 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, for example, if the operation button 2 is released while the screen as shown in FIG. 4D is displayed, it is determined in step S9 that the operation button 2 has been released, and the process proceeds to step S10. The selection of the menu item highlighted in S8 is confirmed.

  Thereby, in step S11, the menu is erased from the screen, the process returns to step S1, and the processes after step S1 are repeatedly executed.

  In this manner, a predetermined menu item can be selected by holding the entire apparatus with one hand and rotating it around the X axis and the Y axis. Here, the case of rotating around the two axes of the X axis and the Y axis has been described. Of course, the menu item is selected by rotating around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. It is also possible to do so.

  Here, when the apparatus is rotated, the cursor moves on the menu so that a predetermined menu item can be selected. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the cursor is fixed at a predetermined position on the screen, for example, at the center. However, it is also possible for the menu to move within the screen as the device rotates. Even in this way, a predetermined menu item can be selected.

  FIG. 6 shows a display example of the LCD 3 when the present invention is applied to an electronic notebook. For example, the electronic notebook is held with one hand, and the operation button 2 is pressed to display an annular menu. In this case, menu items used in the electronic organizer, such as “Schedule”, “Dictionary”, “Memo”, “Reminder”, “Phone Book”, “TO DO (Matter to be done)”, etc. are displayed. A cursor appears in the center.

  Next, the cursor is moved to a predetermined menu item by rotating the entire electronic notebook around the X axis and the Y axis while pressing the operation button 2. Then, when the operation button 2 is released while the cursor is positioned on the desired menu item, the selection of the menu item on which the cursor is positioned is confirmed.

  In this way, the menu item can be selected by operating the electronic notebook with one hand. Also, instead of the above menu, a menu with numbers, alphabets, hiragana, katakana, etc. as menu items is displayed, and a desired number or character is selected with the cursor so that a telephone number or text can be entered. You can also

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a drum-like menu. In this way, menu items are displayed as if they were arranged on the drum, and a rectangular cursor is displayed at a predetermined position. The user first presses the operation button 2 and then rotates the apparatus around the X axis. Thereby, when the drum rotates and a desired menu item moves within the cursor, the operation button 2 is released. In this way, the desired menu item of the drum-like menu can be selected and confirmed.

  Next, a case where a digital map is displayed using the PDA 50 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When this display is performed, data relating to the current position is required. Therefore, the GPS card 22 is inserted into the connector 27 of the PC card interface 20 in FIG. Thereby, the GPS card 22 can calculate the current position based on the radio wave from the GPS satellite received by the GPS antenna 23. Further, the HDD card 24 is inserted into the connector 28 so that the map data can be read out.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing that a rotation operation is applied to the PDA 50 to display a predetermined area such as a virtual map or a drawing on the screen. In the PDA 50, map data is stored in the HDD card 24, and the CPU 14 reads map data from the HDD card 24 via the PC card interface 21. Then, the read map data is subjected to coordinate conversion processing for bird's-eye view display as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16 to generate bitmap data corresponding to the map data subjected to the coordinate conversion processing. To the color LCD controller 18.

  The color LCD controller 18 stores the bitmap data supplied from the CPU 14 in the VRAM. Then, the color LCD controller 18 controls the LCD 3 according to the bitmap data stored in the VRAM, and displays a map corresponding to the bitmap data. In this way, an area corresponding to the current position of a predetermined map can be displayed. In this case, the map data corresponding to the current position supplied from the GPS card 22 is read from the HDD card 24 and displayed on the LCD 3.

  With the map of the current position displayed on the screen of the PDA 50, for example, when the user presses the operation button 2 and rotates the PDA 50 about an axis (X axis) that is horizontal with respect to the screen, the detection piezoelectric A predetermined voltage is generated by the porcelain 4b, amplified by the amplifier 7, converted into digital data by the A / D converter 10, and then supplied to the CPU 14 via the bus 26. Thereby, the CPU 14 recognizes that the PDA 50 is rotated around the X axis.

  Next, based on the map data read from the HDD card 24, the CPU 14 moves upward or downward from the portion currently displayed on the LCD 3 so that the map displayed on the LCD 3 moves upward or downward. Bit map data corresponding to the map data shifted downward is generated and supplied to the color LCD controller 18.

  The color LCD controller 18 temporarily stores the bitmap data supplied from the CPU 14 in the VRAM. Next, according to the bitmap data stored in the VRAM, the LCD 3 is controlled to display a corresponding map. As a result, the map displayed on the screen of the LCD 3 of the PDA 50 moves in the vertical direction according to the rotation operation by the user. This movement amount corresponds to the rotation angle of the PDA 50.

  Further, when the PDA 50 is rotated around the axis (Y axis) perpendicular to the screen while the operation button 2 is being pressed, a voltage is generated by the detection piezoelectric ceramic 5b and the rotation about the Y axis is performed. The CPU 14 recognizes that the operation has been performed.

  Next, based on the map data read out from the HDD card 24, the CPU 14 moves left or right from the part currently displayed on the LCD 3 so that the map displayed on the LCD 3 moves leftward or rightward. Bitmap data corresponding to the map data shifted to the right is generated and supplied to the color LCD controller 18.

  The color LCD controller 18 temporarily stores the bitmap data supplied from the CPU 14 in the VRAM. Next, according to the bitmap data stored in the VRAM, the LCD 3 is controlled to display a corresponding map. As a result, the map displayed on the screen of the LCD 3 of the PDA 50 moves in the left-right direction according to the rotation operation by the user. This movement amount corresponds to the rotation angle of the PDA 50.

  In addition, any part of the map can be displayed on the screen of the LCD 3 by combining the above rotation operations. In this way, when the operation button 2 is released (released) in a state where a predetermined area of the map is displayed, the map of the currently displayed area is fixed, and the map of the area is continuously displayed on the screen. Is displayed. Note that the rotation operation around the X axis and the rotation operation around the Y axis can be performed simultaneously.

  FIG. 9 shows a state where the PDA 50 is tilted with respect to a virtual map. When a virtual map on the back surface of the LCD 3 screen is observed from a direction perpendicular to the LCD 3 screen of the PDA 50 (Z-axis direction), a region A on the map can be observed. Therefore, a map as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the LCD 3 of the PDA 50. As a result, it is possible to display an image on the screen as if the map was actually expanded and viewed from various angles.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an index M indicating the destination to be moved can be displayed next. Thereby, since the user can recognize which part on the map the user is about to move to, the user can easily perform an operation when moving to a desired part on the map. Further, even when the destination is far away, the current display area and the destination can be simultaneously displayed on the screen, so that the relationship between the destination and the current position can be easily recognized.

  FIG. 11 shows a diagram when the trajectory of the PDA 50 moving on a virtual map is observed from the side of the map surface. First, at the viewpoint P1, the map is observed from directly above, and a map as shown in FIG. Next, the operation button 2 of the PDA 50 is pressed, and the PDA 50 is rotated around a predetermined axis as it is. Then, the viewpoint automatically moves from the viewpoint P1 to the viewpoint P2 positioned above the viewpoint P1, and the map can be observed from diagonally above.

  At this time, all or part of the area on the map observed at the viewpoint P1 can be included in the screen of the PDA 50. Thereby, the positional relationship between the current position and the destination can be easily grasped, and a desired destination can be quickly found.

  At the viewpoint P2, as shown in FIG. 13, a bird's-eye view as if a virtual map was observed obliquely above is displayed on the screen of the LCD 3 of the PDA 50, and an index M of the movement destination is displayed. When the index M matches the desired destination, when the operation button 2 is released, the index M moves from the viewpoint P2 to the viewpoint P4 via the viewpoint P3. Then, at the viewpoint P4, an image obtained by observing the map from directly above is displayed on the LCD 3 of the PDA 50.

  In this way, the user can easily display a desired location on the map by operating the PDA 50 with one hand.

  Next, a bird's eye view display method will be described with reference to FIGS. This is a method of displaying a map as if viewed from the sky. Recently, it is used in a navigation device or the like, and displays a detailed road form around a display reference point where the host vehicle is located, and a distant road. The form can also be displayed.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of a general system for realizing bird's-eye view display. This system includes a current position input unit 41 for inputting a current position P ₀ (X _p , Y _P , Z _P ), a viewpoint conversion key input unit 42 for changing the current position, and a current position input unit 41. Graphic data for converting coordinates of graphic data based on the information from the viewpoint position / gaze direction determining unit 44, the viewpoint position / gaze direction determining unit 44, and the map information Based on information from the coordinate conversion unit 45 and the graphic data coordinate conversion unit 45, a bird's eye view display calculation unit 43 including an image data output unit 46 that outputs image data, and various types of map information are stored, and the graphic data coordinate conversion unit 45, a map data storage unit 47 that outputs stored map information and an image display unit 48 that displays an image corresponding to the image information output from the image data output unit 46. It is.

  This system can be realized by mounting the GPS card 22 in the PDA 50 shown in FIG. That is, the current position input unit 41 corresponds to the GPS card 22 and the GPS antenna 23 in FIG. 2, and the viewpoint conversion key input unit 42 corresponds to the three-axis gyro sensor 1. The viewpoint position / gaze direction determination unit 44 and the graphic data coordinate conversion unit 45 constituting the bird's eye view display calculation unit 43 correspond to the CPU 14, and the image data output unit 46 corresponds to the color LCD controller 18. The map data storage unit 47 corresponds to the HDD card 24, and the image display unit 48 corresponds to the LCD 3.

As shown in FIG. 15, the perspective projection view shows a map ABCD area expressed as the XY plane reference of the XYZ plane from the viewpoint E (X ₀ , Y ₀ , Z ₀ ) to the reference point B (X _b , Y _b , The image projected on the viewing plane G arranged perpendicular to the viewing direction of the image viewed at the depression angle θ with respect to Z _b ) is displayed on the screen as a bird's eye view.

At this time, the line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint E has a rotation direction information angle α with respect to the XY plane. Further, the distance between the viewpoint E and the viewing plane G is V _d . In the perspectively projected display image, a vertical line on the center line is used as a reference line, and a predetermined point Q on the reference line is called a reference point for perspective projection. This reference point Q is a point on a straight line connecting the viewpoint E when considered on the XY plane and the reference point B (the center of the screen) of perspective projection on the map data, and the reference point B from the lower side of the display screen. towards, is displayed at the point of distance D _c.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing operation by the system shown in FIG. This processing is realized by a general computer calculation. There are a method of setting the current position P ₀ as the viewpoint position E and a method of setting the current position P ₀ as the reference point Q of the perspective projection. Now, a case where the current position P ₀ is the reference point Q and the reference point Q coincides with the reference point B will be described.

First, in step S1, the viewpoint conversion key input unit 42 and the current position input unit 41 set the current position P ₀ as a reference point and a reference point B. In step S22, the line-of-sight depression angle θ, the viewpoint height h, And the traveling direction α are set.

In step S23, the viewpoint position / gaze direction determination unit 44 calculates the viewpoint position using the following mathematical formula. Here, the viewpoint E can be determined based on the information of the reference point B as follows. That is, now, assuming that the coordinates of the reference point B are (x, y, 0), the viewpoint E (X ₀ , Y ₀ , Z ₀ ) can be expressed as follows.
X ₀ = x−h × cos α (t) / tan θ
Y ₀ = y−h × sin α (t) / tan θ
Z ₀ = h

Next, in step S24, the graphic data coordinate conversion unit 45 performs perspective projection conversion on the map data based on the calculated viewpoint. Here, a point M on the XY plane equation of coordinate transformation (M _x, M _y, M _z) of the viewing plane G (S _x, S _y) to is represented by the following equation. In the case of a flat map, M _z = 0.

Next, in step S <b> 25, the image data output unit 46 supplies each data (S _xi , S _yi ) after coordinate conversion to the image display unit 48, and the image display unit 48 is supplied from the image data output unit 46. The image corresponding to the received data is displayed, and the process ends. Thereby, the map data expressed on the basis of the XY plane is perspective-projected on the viewing plane G and displayed as a bird's eye view.

  In the above embodiment, a button for virtually moving the viewpoint forward or backward may be provided separately. Thereby, the map can be observed from an arbitrary altitude.

  In the above embodiment, the PCMCIA type HDD card is used as a storage device for storing information. However, other storage devices such as a semiconductor memory may be used.

  It is also possible to move the cursor and menu using an angle sensor that detects the rotation angle only around the X axis or around the X axis and the Y axis.

1 is an external view of a portable information processing apparatus to which an input device of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the portable information processing apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the procedure which displays a circular menu and selects a menu item. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure which selects the menu item of the annular menu of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a menu screen which fixed the cursor and made the annular | circular shaped menu move. It is a figure which shows the example of a menu screen displayed in an electronic notebook. It is a figure which shows a mode that a cylindrical menu is displayed and a menu item is selected. It is a figure which shows a mode that it moves on a virtual map and displays the arbitrary parts on a map on a screen. It is a figure which shows a mode that a virtual map is observed from diagonally upward. In FIG. 9, it is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on LCD3 of PDA50. It is the figure which observed the locus | trajectory to which the viewpoint moved from the horizontal direction of a map, when a viewpoint is moved to a movement destination from a present position on a virtual map. It is an example of a screen display at the time of observing a map in the viewpoint P1 of FIG. It is an example of a screen display at the time of observing a map in the viewpoint P2 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the general structural example of the system which performs a bird's-eye view display process. It is a figure explaining the concept of perspective projection conversion. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 3 axis gyro sensor, 2 operation buttons, 3 LCD, 4a, 5a, 6a driving piezoelectric ceramic, 4b, 5b, 6b detecting piezoelectric ceramic, 7, 8, 9 amplifier, 10, 11, 12 A / D converter , 13 input interface, 14 CPU, 15 ROM, 16 RAM, 17 pressure-sensitive transparent tablet controller, 18 color LCD controller, 19 backlight controller, 20, 21 PC card interface, 22 PCMCIA GPS card, 23 GPS antenna, 24 PCMCIA Type HDD card, 25 oscillator, 26 bus, 27, 28 connector, 29 tablet, 30 backlight, 41 current position input section, 42 viewpoint conversion key input section, 43 bird's eye view display calculation section, 44 viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction determination section , 45 Graphic data coordinate conversion unit, 46 image data output unit, 47 map data storage unit, 48 image display unit, 50 PDA, M index

Claims (8)

In an information processing apparatus consisting of a portable casing,
Display means for displaying information;
An input means for inputting an operation from the user;
Map information storage means for storing map information composed of graphic data;
A rotation angle detecting means for detecting displacement of the posture of the housing accompanying rotation of the entire housing and generating displacement information corresponding to the detection result;
Position detecting means for detecting the current position and generating current position information corresponding to the detection result;
Viewpoint position gaze direction determining means for determining a viewpoint position and a gaze direction based on the displacement information and the current position information;
Graphic data coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction;
Look including a map image generating means for generating a map image based on said map information consists of the graphic data coordinate transformation,
When the predetermined operation is continuously input from the user,
The viewpoint position line-of-sight direction determining means determines the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction based on the displacement information after the start of the operation and the current position information,
The graphic data coordinate conversion means converts the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the determined viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction,
The map image generation means generates a first map image indicating an area in the line-of-sight direction based on the map information configured from the graphic data that has undergone coordinate conversion,
The display means displays the generated first map image,
When continuous input of the predetermined operation from the user is terminated,
The information processing apparatus , wherein the display means displays a second map image indicating a region in the line-of-sight direction at the time when the operation ends . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detection unit detects a current position using a GPS (Global Positioning System). The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map image is a bird's eye view based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map information storage unit is a hard disk card. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle detection unit detects rotation angles in three axial directions orthogonal to each other. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a size that can be held with one hand.   When the predetermined operation is continuously input from the user,
    The viewpoint position line-of-sight direction determining means determines the viewpoint position to be higher than the viewpoint position when a predetermined operation is not input from the user based on the displacement information after the operation is started and the current position information. And determine the direction of the line of sight,
    The graphic data coordinate conversion means converts the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the determined viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction,
    The map image generation means includes at least a part of the map image at the current position and a preset destination based on the map information composed of the graphic data that has undergone coordinate conversion, and Generating a first bird's-eye view map image showing a region in the line-of-sight direction;
    The display means displays the generated first bird's-eye view map image,
  When continuous input of the predetermined operation from the user is terminated,
    The viewpoint position line-of-sight direction determining means gradually changes the viewpoint position to a position directly above the movement destination and the line-of-sight direction to a direction directly below based on the preset destination.
    The graphic data coordinate converting means sequentially converts the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the gradually changed viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction,
    The map image generation means sequentially generates a second bird's-eye view map image indicating the destination based on the map information composed of the graphic data that has been subjected to coordinate conversion in sequence,
    The display means displays the second bird's-eye view map image generated sequentially.
  The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Ri consists size of the housing that can carry,
Display means for displaying information;
An input means for inputting an operation from the user;
Map information storage means for storing map information composed of graphic data;
A rotation angle detecting means for detecting displacement of the posture of the housing accompanying rotation of the entire housing and generating displacement information corresponding to the detection result;
Position detecting means for detecting the current position and generating current position information corresponding to the detection result;
Viewpoint position gaze direction determining means for determining a viewpoint position and a gaze direction based on the displacement information and the current position information;
Graphic data coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction;
In an information processing method for an information processing apparatus, comprising :
When the predetermined operation is continuously input from the user,
Based on the displacement information after the operation start and the current position information, determine the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction,
Based on the determined viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction, the coordinates of the graphic data constituting the map information are converted,
Based on the map information composed of the graphic data that has been coordinate-transformed, generate a first map image indicating a region in the line-of-sight direction,
Displaying the generated first map image;
When continuous input of the predetermined operation from the user is terminated,
Display a second map image indicating the region in the line-of-sight direction at the end of the operation
An information processing method comprising steps .

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