Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Animation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-29
2003-10-28
Jankus, Almis R. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Animation
C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06639601
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to image display apparatus, and image display methods and, more particularly, to an image display apparatus and image display method in which the status of display is caused to transit in accordance with status transition data corresponding to a predetermined instruction, post-transition display data is created from drawing data, and an image is displayed based on the display data.
2. Description of the Related Art
On-vehicle Navigation apparatus which are used recently have been usually provided with extra functions in addition to an ordinary function for displaying maps. These extra functions include displaying of a current location, setting of a destination, searching for a route from the current location to the destination, outputting of visual and/or voiced guidance corresponding to the route, and searching for related information in a built-in database. In order to facilitate use of these functions, an on-vehicle navigation apparatus is provided with menu displaying function that allows selection of a desired one of these functions. Usually, a menu listing various functions is displayed along with a map on a display unit. The function corresponding to a selection by a user at the apparatus or a selection by a remote controller is executed. For example, the apparatus itself or the remote controller is provided with scroll buttons or selection buttons that accept the user operation. Alternatively, a transparent touch panel is provided on a screen of the display unit.
Drawing data for shapes, colors and displayed position of a design created by a graphical editor or the like is built in the apparatus in order to display an image of the menu. Procedures for transition between different statuses of display based on the drawing data, i.e. procedures for switching between a displayed state and a non-display state of the image, change in color, change in shape, change in size, are stored in the apparatus in the form of state transition data which complies with the specification of the apparatus.
FIG. 12
is a block diagram of a related art image display apparatus built in an on-vehicle navigation apparatus to display the menu. Referring to
FIG. 12
, numeral
201
indicates a state transition controller receiving a instruction from another apparatus built in the on-vehicle navigation apparatus, searching for state transition data
211
based on the instruction and supplying an instruction for modification of display based on the state transition data to a drawing controller
204
. Numeral
202
indicates a state transition data storage unit for storing the state transition data
211
corresponding to various menus. Numeral
203
indicates a drawing data storage unit for storing drawing data
221
. Numeral
204
indicates a drawing controller for searching for the drawing data
221
in accordance with the instruction from the state transition controller
201
and displaying the drawing data
221
on a display
205
for displaying maps, route guidance and menus.
A description will now be given of the operation of the related art image display apparatus.
Upon receipt of an instruction from another apparatus (for example, scroll buttons, a touch panel or other controllers) built in the on-vehicle navigation apparatus, the state transition controller
201
searches for the state transition data
211
in the state transition data storage unit
202
in accordance with the instruction. The state transition controller
201
selects the state transition data for the menu that should be displayed in accordance with the instruction.
The state transition controller
201
supplies the state transition data and detailed information relating to the display of the menu to the drawing controller
203
to instruct it to change the display. The detailed information relating to the display indicates the status of the menu being displayed. For example, when there are four items listed in the menu, the detailed information indicates which of the four items is being selected.
The drawing controller
204
searches for the drawing data
221
based on the instruction from the state transition controller
201
so as to select the drawing data
221
required to display the image requested by the instruction. The drawing controller
204
produces display data based on the selected drawing data and causes the menu to be displayed on the display
205
.
In displaying a menu containing four items one of which is being displayed, the drawing controller
204
selects basic data of a menu in which none of the four items is being selected. The drawing controller
204
then selects the drawing data for showing the selection of the item and superimposes that data on the basic data so that the selection is indicated at an appropriate position. Thus, the image data for the menu is prepared.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-261105 discloses another related-art technology for changing the displayed image based on the state transition data.
Design used in the display and procedures for a change of display may be modified depending upon the needs that arises during the development of the on-vehicle navigation apparatus having the related-art image display apparatus built in. Since the format and content of the state transition data
211
and the drawing data
221
are closely related to the functions of the state transition controller
201
and the drawing controller
204
, not only the state transition data and the drawing data, but also part of the state transition controller
201
or the drawing controller
204
may have to be modified. This involves extensive changes in the design of the apparatus with the built-in image display apparatus so that the development thereof is delayed.
A change in the drawing data
221
may require a change in the manner of selection of the image data effected in the drawing controller
204
. For example, due to an increase in the number of items for selection in the menu, a mathematical function used in the selection may have to be changed or the volume of the drawing data may have to be increased, requiring a change in the drawing controller
204
.
A change in the state transition data
211
may require a change in the detailed information related to the menu and provided in the state transition controller
201
. For example, when the procedure of using the menu is changed; i.e. when the state transition data
211
is changed, a method of storing the detailed information indicating the menu may have to be changed. In association with the change in the state transition data
211
, the format of the state transition data may have to be changed so that a method of transferring data from the state transition controller
201
to the drawing controller
204
may have to be changed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus and an image display method in which the aforementioned disadvantage is eliminated.
Another and more specific object is to provide an image display apparatus and an image display method in which the drawing data is broken down into graphic elements comprising basic elements and attributes thereof, and animation elements that describe a procedure for dynamic modification of the attributes of the graphic elements. The display of the menu composed of the graphic elements is changed based on the animation elements, and in which the state transition data and the drawing data can be modified without requiring a change in the state transition controller and the drawing controller.
The aforementioned objects can be achieved by an image display apparatus for changing a state of display in accordance with state transition data corresponding to a predetermined instruction, producing post-transition display data from drawing data, and displaying an image based on the display data, comprising: drawing data storage unit for storing drawing data including at least one graphic element and at least one animati
Araki Shinichiro
Asai Yosuke
Uekawa Akio
Jankus Almis R.
Leydig Voit & Mayer LTD
Mitsubishi Denki & Kabushiki Kaisha
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