JP2947176B2 - Display method of global positioning system satellite and global positioning system receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a global positioning system satellite display method and a global positioning system receiving apparatus for receiving a radio wave from each satellite with a receiver to measure the position of a moving object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A global positioning system, so-called GPS, is a satellite-based positioning system that covers the entire earth. The GPS uses the user's own position as the base of the pyramid of satellites that form a constellation for the user in an orbit with an altitude of 20183 km from the ground surface, and the pyramid formed by the ridgeline that receives and measures signals from these satellites. It is a system to get as a vertex. GPS satellites include 2
One of them orbits the earth.
As described above, the positioning by the GPS is performed by the G which forms the bottom of the pyramid.
The number of received PS satellites is a necessary condition for establishing positioning.

[0003] In order to determine whether or not the reception condition satisfies the necessary conditions for the establishment of positioning, there has conventionally been a method of displaying a GPS satellite orbiting the sky on a screen. A display based on this method is shown in FIG.

When a celestial sphere is projected on a two-dimensional plane such as the ground, the position of a GPS satellite can be displayed in two-dimensional coordinates. With this projection, the whole celestial sphere is represented by a circle,
A circle 20 shown in FIG. 5 indicates a horizon. Also, the intersection of the lines indicating the directions of east, west, north and south, that is, the center point M of the circle 20
Indicates a position to receive a radio wave from a GPS satellite, for example, a moving body. When the position of the GPS satellite is displayed in two dimensions as described above, the position of the GPS satellite can be represented by the relationship between the azimuth angle φ and the elevation angle θ. Circle 20 shown in FIG.
Sets the center point M of the circle 20 to an elevation angle θ = 90 °, and decreases the elevation angle concentrically in the radial direction so that the elevation angle θ = 0 ° on the circumference of the circle 20.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the position display of a GPS satellite always displays true north at the 0 o'clock position of the clock on the display screen. The azimuth angle φ, which is another element in displaying the position of the GPS satellite, displays the azimuth of each GPS satellite on the screen with reference to this true north. For example, the azimuth angle φ in the east of clockwise is φ = 90 °.

[0006] When a GPS receiver for receiving radio waves from GPS satellites is mounted on a mobile object, the traveling direction of the mobile object is displayed on this display screen using various display methods. The display screen of FIG. 5 indicates that the moving object is moving in the direction of arrow P.

[0007]

By the way, when a GPS receiver is mounted on a mobile body to receive a radio wave from a GPS satellite, the radio wave may be cut off by an obstacle such as a high-rise building. For this reason, since the number of received GPS satellites decreases, a result that positioning is impossible is often caused. Therefore, if the azimuth and elevation of the GPS satellites whose radio waves are blocked by the obstacle can be known, the obstacle causing the radio wave interruption can be specified. By moving the moving body so as to avoid this obstacle, it is possible to secure the number of received GPS satellites and enable positioning by the GPS satellites.

However, if only the currently receivable GPS satellites are displayed only, confirmation of which satellite has become unreceivable due to an obstacle or the like must be stored in memory, and it is difficult to identify the obstacle. However, there is a drawback that it is difficult to take measures such as moving to avoid obstacles. Here, when displaying the unreceivable satellites simultaneously with the receivable satellites, it is desirable that these can be easily distinguished.

[0009] In the position display of each GPS satellite by the GPS receiver, true north is fixedly displayed at the position of the clock at 0 o'clock on the display screen as described above. On the other hand, a GPS receiver that is moving by a moving body, particularly a vehicle-mounted GPS receiver, is often installed on a display attached to the display at a position that is easy for the driver to see, and is often oriented in the traveling direction of the moving body. The user using the GPS receiver in this way is a GPS receiver.
Since the actual traveling direction of the moving object does not match the actual traveling direction of the moving object on the display screen in the satellite position display, it is not possible to intuitively know the position of the satellite for which positioning is impossible. In order to detect the direction by correcting the deviation in the direction, the user confirms the direction by rotating the body, for example.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can display a GPS satellite position related to the traveling direction of a moving object, and can easily distinguish a receivable satellite from an unreceivable satellite. It is an object of the present invention to provide a global positioning system satellite (GPS satellite) display method and a global positioning system receiving apparatus capable of intuitively understanding an obstacle that blocks radio waves from a GPS satellite or the direction of the obstacle. And

[0011]

A method of displaying a global positioning system satellite according to the present invention is a method of displaying a global positioning system satellite in a global positioning system receiving apparatus that receives a radio wave from each satellite and measures the position of a mobile object. A method of detecting position information of a satellite capable of receiving a signal among the respective satellites, and detecting position information of a currently unreceivable satellite among the already enabled satellites. And a step of displaying the arrangement of the global positioning system satellites on the sky on the screen so that the traveling direction of the moving object is upward on the display screen so that the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites can be distinguished. The above-mentioned subject is solved by having.

As the position information of the unreceivable satellite, use is made of the position information immediately before the reception level of the receivable satellite becomes low and the reception becomes impossible. In particular,
Each time the receivable satellite is detected, it is stored in memory,
The position information immediately before the reception level of the receivable satellite becomes low and the detection becomes undetectable may be used as the position information of the unreceivable satellite.

It is preferable that the display color of the receivable satellite be different from the display color of the unreceivable satellite.

Further, the global positioning system receiving apparatus according to the present invention is a global positioning system receiving apparatus for receiving radio waves from each satellite,
In the mode in which the position of each satellite in the sky and the reception status of these satellites are detected and displayed, the traveling direction of the moving object is directed upward on the display screen, and the arrangement of each satellite in the sky is displayed on the screen. Control, the reception status display detects the position information of a satellite that can receive a signal among the respective satellites, and displays the position information of a currently unreceivable satellite among the already receivable satellites. The above-described problem is solved by detecting and displaying the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites in a form that is integrated with the display of the global positioning system satellites arranged in the sky.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for detecting a global positioning system satellite (GPS satellite) and a GPS receiver according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A global positioning system (GPS) receiving apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to a schematic functional block configuration shown in FIG. The GPS (global positioning system) receiver shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the GPS receiver is mounted on a mobile body and used.

The GPS receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 1 receives a radio wave from each GPS satellite via an antenna 10 and extracts information from the radio wave, and a GPS receiving unit 1.
A traveling direction calculating function unit 12 for calculating the traveling direction of the moving object based on the output signal from the GPS receiver 1; and a satellite information detecting function unit 13 for detecting the position and the reception status of each GPS satellite based on the output signal from the GPS receiving unit 11. And the traveling direction calculation function unit 1
2 and a display control function unit 14 for controlling display based on a signal supplied from the satellite information detection function unit 13, and a display function unit 1 for displaying an output signal from the display control function unit 14.
5 is provided.

Here, a procedure for controlling the display by the GPS receiver of FIG. 1 including an embodiment of the method of displaying a GPS satellite according to the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a display screen of the position of the GPS satellite in the sky by this display control. In these descriptions, FIG. 1 is also referred to as necessary.

The GPS receiver starts displaying the position of the GPS satellite in the sky received by the GPS receiver 11 via the antenna 10, and proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, an output signal corresponding to the received radio wave is supplied to the traveling direction calculating function unit 12 shown in FIG. The traveling direction calculation function unit 12 detects the Doppler shift of the radio wave from each satellite based on the output signal, calculates the traveling direction of the moving body, and proceeds to step S11. The traveling direction P is calculated as a deviation ΔNP of the azimuth angle, for example, clockwise from the reference true north N. The value of the deviation ΔNP of the azimuth is sent to the display control function unit 14.

In step S11, the azimuth φ and the elevation θ of the receivable GPS satellites are obtained. The azimuth angle φ and the elevation angle θ of the GPS satellite are detected by the satellite information detection function unit 13 shown in FIG. The azimuths of the four satellites shown in FIG. 3 are rotated clockwise with reference to true north to obtain azimuths φ = R _{1 to} R ₄
Are calculated respectively. At the same time, the elevation angle θ from the horizon is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the traveling direction P and each GP
(| R−ΔNP |, θ) is determined as a new azimuth angle φ ′ as the relative angle of the S satellite, and the traveling direction is set to the 0 o'clock direction of the clock to provide data for displaying the GPS satellite. This data becomes correction data for the data of the azimuth angle φ and the elevation angle θ obtained in step 11. The satellite information detection function unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 supplies data relating to the detected position display of each GPS satellite to the display control function unit 14. Therefore, in the display control function unit 14, for example, the GPS shown in FIG.
New correction data the difference in azimuth ΔNP in the traveling direction from the azimuth angle R ₄ satellites _{S 4 (φ 4 ', θ} 4) = (R 4 -ΔNP,
θ ₄ ) and goes to step S13.

In step S13, step S12
The position of the received GPS satellite in the sky is drawn on the display function unit 15 shown in FIG.
After this drawing, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, it is detected whether there is any receivable GPS satellite other than the drawn GPS satellite. If there are other receivable GPS satellites (Ye
If s), the process returns to step S11. If there are no receivable GPS satellites (No), step S15
Proceed to. Whether or not a GPS satellite can be received is determined by the satellite information detection function unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 based on, for example, the level of a received radio wave in the reception status of each GPS satellite.

In step S15, the G that has become unreceivable
The azimuth φ and the elevation θ of the PS satellite are obtained. When the GPS satellite can be received, the azimuth angle φ and the elevation angle θ are stored in a memory, for example, each time the GPS satellite position information is detected. A GP that has become unreceivable using the value immediately before the reception level is reduced
The azimuth angle φ and the elevation angle θ of the S satellite are obtained, and the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the relative angle of the unreceivable GPS satellite with respect to the traveling direction P is calculated based on the value obtained in step S15, as described above. Based on the calculated angle, correction data of a GPS satellite that cannot be received is obtained. The calculation of the correction data when reception is not possible is also obtained by the display control function unit 14 shown in FIG.
Proceed to 17.

In step S17, the above-mentioned step S15
Using the correction data obtained in step (1), the position of the unreceivable GPS satellite in the sky is drawn on the display function unit 15 shown in FIG. At this time, the display of the reception status is displayed so as to be integrated with the display of the arrangement of each satellite on the sky, and, for example, a different color or the like is set to distinguish the unreceivable satellite from the receivable GPS satellite. And can be easily determined. After this drawing, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, it is detected whether there is any GPS satellite that cannot be received other than the drawn GPS satellite. If there is another unreceivable GPS satellite (Ye
If s), the process returns to step S15. If there are no other GPS satellites that cannot be received (No), all GPS satellites
The display of the satellite position is ended, and this routine ends. As in the case of step S14, whether or not a GPS satellite can be received is determined by the satellite information detection function unit 13 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a more specific example in which the sky position of the GPS satellite is displayed as described above.

The display screen showing the sky position of the GPS satellite shown in FIG. 4 is displayed as one of the information on the GPS satellite. Droplet-shaped symbols 16 are displayed around the intersections of the lines indicating the east, west, north and south directions. Here, the direction indicated by the pointed portion of the symbol 16 is the traveling direction P shown in FIG.
Is shown. Actually, the GPS satellites indicate, for example, receivable satellites by hatching, and the GPS satellites are indicated by numerals. This hatching illustrates that the colors and the like are set to different colors so that they can be easily identified, as described above. The GPS satellites shown in FIG.
Satellites 0, 21, and 23 appear in the sky of the mobile object, indicating that reception is possible (Found). On the other hand, the 17th GPS satellite shown in FIG.
(st).

Here, on the display screen, the symbol 16 representing the moving object is displayed centering on the intersection of the lines indicating the east, west, north and south directions, so that the relationship between the direction from the moving object and the GPS satellite can be seen at a glance. It can be easily confirmed.

In addition, it is possible to easily understand that the GPS satellite that cannot be received may be unreceivable due to, for example, an obstacle located immediately behind the mobile object. In particular, in a mobile body in which this GPS receiver is mounted on a small vehicle, the traveling direction of the driver and the traveling direction of the screen for displaying the sky position of the GPS satellites coincide with each other. The position of the satellite can be intuitively recognized, and the vehicle can be easily moved to a position where a GPS satellite can be received.

Since it is necessary to secure the number of received GPS satellites during positioning as described above, it is easy to move the mobile body so as to avoid the obstacle causing the radio wave interruption. It is possible to intuitively understand the obstacle or the direction of the obstacle that blocks the radio wave from the vehicle, and to escape anxiety from the positioning impossible state.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the global positioning system satellite display method and the global positioning system receiving apparatus of the present invention, the position of the moving object is determined by receiving the radio waves from each satellite. In doing so, it detects position information of satellites that can receive signals among the above-mentioned satellites, detects position information of currently unreceivable satellites among the satellites that have already been made receivable, By setting the direction of the body upward on the display screen and displaying the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites on the screen so that the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites can be distinguished, the unreceivable satellites are displayed on the screen. Location information can also be detected and displayed, and the moving direction of the moving object is displayed on the display screen with its upward direction, so that the position of each satellite can be intuitively recognized and the received Unreachable satellites are satellites that have been receivable in the past, so that satellites that were originally unreceivable are not displayed, and a clear and easy-to-read display is performed. By easily distinguishing from a satellite, the direction of an obstacle can be intuitively understood.

Here, the position information of the unreceivable satellite can be easily and reliably detected by using the position information immediately before the reception level of the receivable satellite becomes low and the reception becomes impossible.

Also, since the display colors of the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites are displayed differently on the display screen, the position and reception of each satellite can be visually and easily and reliably determined. You can recognize the situation.

By displaying the positions of the satellites in the sky detected in this way and the reception status of these satellites, the arrangement of the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites in the sky can be confirmed. Can intuitively understand an obstacle that blocks radio waves from GPS satellites or the direction of the obstacle, and can escape anxiety from a positioning impossible state. In addition, the above-described global positioning system receiving device is configured to be mounted on a vehicle using a circuit configuration driven by a vehicle-mounted power supply, so that the driver can move the body on the driver's seat, for example, by rotating the body, and changing the traveling direction. It is possible to specify an obstacle to be interrupted without confirming that the directions match. As a result, positioning can be easily performed while avoiding obstacles, and the position of the GPS satellite can be securely confirmed even during driving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic functional block configuration of a GPS receiving apparatus to which a GPS satellite display method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block configuration of a GP shown in FIG.
GPS capable of receiving and not receiving by operating S receiver
It is a flowchart explaining the procedure for displaying a satellite.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of calculating a traveling direction and correction data with respect to a reference required for displaying a GPS satellite.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a more specific display screen that displays information regarding the position of a GPS satellite.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for displaying the position of a GPS satellite in the sky on a screen by a conventional GPS receiver.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Antenna, 11 GPS receiving part, 12 Moving direction calculation function part of mobile body, 13 Satellite information detection function part, 14 Display control function part, 15 Display function part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-295411 (JP, A) JP-A-61-181914 (JP, A) JP-A-63-67887 (JP, U) (58) Survey Field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G01S 5/00-5/14 G01C 21/00-21/24

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for displaying a global positioning system satellite in a global positioning system receiving apparatus for receiving a radio wave from each satellite and locating a position of a moving object, wherein a satellite capable of receiving a signal among the satellites Detecting the position information of the satellites that are currently unreceivable among the satellites that have already been made receivable; and making the traveling direction of the moving body upward on the display screen. Displaying a global positioning system satellite on the sky so that the receivable satellites and the unreceivable satellites can be distinguished from each other. 2. The global positioning system satellite according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the unreceivable satellite uses the position information immediately before the reception level of the receivable satellite decreases and the reception becomes impossible. Display method. 3. The global positioning system satellite display method according to claim 1, wherein the display color of the receivable satellite and the display color of the unreceivable satellite are displayed differently. 4. A global positioning system receiving apparatus for receiving a radio wave from each satellite, wherein the position of each satellite in the sky and the reception status of these satellites are detected and displayed in a mode. The direction of travel is directed upward on the display screen, and the sky arrangement of each of the satellites is displayed and controlled on the screen.The reception status display detects position information of a satellite capable of receiving a signal among the satellites, Positioning of the global positioning system satellites on the sky so that the position information of the currently unreceivable satellites among the already receivable satellites is detected and the receivable and unreceivable satellites can be distinguished. A global positioning system receiving apparatus, wherein the information is displayed in a form integrated with the display of the global positioning system. 5. The global positioning system receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reception status display is displayed by making display colors of the respective satellites different according to the reception status. 6. The global positioning system receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reception status is a result of determining whether each of the satellites is receivable or unreceivable. 7. The global positioning system receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said global positioning system receiving apparatus is configured to be mounted on a vehicle using a circuit configuration driven by a vehicle power supply.