JP2002109307A - Simulation system and method, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simulation system and a simulating method for performing efficient and accurate simulation, and a computer readable recording medium. SOLUTION: This simulation system, which is connected to a communication network 1, including a customer terminal 15 and has a server for carrying out the simulation according with information supplied from the customer terminal 15, is provided with a digital art server 3 for preparing a composite image by representing a plurality of digital images supplied from the terminal 15 into one coordinates system in the same scale and supplying the composite image to the terminal 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a simulation system and a simulation method provided in a communication network, and a computer-readable recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of selling the interior of a room, that is, for example, paintings, a frame of a corner portion is matched with a real painting, and a color close to the color of a wall constituting a purchaser's room is used. By applying a sheet of paper to the back of the painting, the purchaser was allowed to evaluate the harmony between the painting and the room.

At this time, the difference in appearance depending on the size of the picture and the position where the picture is displayed has to be left to the imagination of the purchaser.

[0004] In addition, when selling an amount appropriate for the painting, there is a limit to the number of swatches in stock at the store, so that there are cases where it is not possible to actually present an amount that satisfies the purchaser. .

[0005] Further, even when selling furniture and other furnishings as well as paintings, the appearance obtained when the furniture or the like is actually provided at a predetermined place in the room is not improved.
There is a problem in that it is extremely difficult to give an efficient and accurate advice on the construction of an interior in which the harmony of the whole is important because it is not possible for the buyer to be aware in advance.

[0006] In addition, the purchaser himself cannot evaluate the appearance when he / she actually brings in the paintings and furnishings to be purchased into his / her room or changes the appearance of the room. There was a compelling problem.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a simulation system and a simulation method for performing an efficient and accurate simulation, and a computer-readable recording medium. The purpose is to:

[0008]

The object of the present invention is to provide a simulation system having a server connected to a communication network including a customer terminal and executing a simulation in accordance with information supplied from the customer terminal. A simulation system is provided, comprising: a simulation server that creates a composite image by expressing a plurality of supplied digital images on one coordinate system at the same scale, and supplies the composite image to a customer terminal. This is achieved by:

According to such means, it is possible to accurately simulate a case where a plurality of objects represented in a plurality of digital images supplied from a customer terminal are placed in the same space.

[0010] Here, the simulation server may express the digital image stored in advance and the digital image supplied from the customer terminal at the same scale in the coordinate system to create a composite image.

[0011] According to such means, various composite images corresponding to each customer can be easily created using digital images stored in advance according to the needs of the customer.

The simulation server creates a composite image by expressing a digital image supplied from a trader terminal connected to a communication network and a digital image supplied from a customer terminal at the same scale in a coordinate system. In this case, for example, the product shown in the digital image supplied from the trader terminal can be easily evaluated in the situation shown in the digital image supplied from the customer terminal without actually picking it up.

[0013] Further, the information processing apparatus further comprises an electronic payment means for connecting to the communication network and electronically paying for the purchase of the product when information indicating the intention to purchase the product indicated in the composite image is supplied from the customer terminal. In this case, it is possible to easily realize the purchase of a product according to the result of the simulation.

Another object of the present invention is a simulation method for executing a simulation in accordance with information supplied from a customer terminal connected to a communication network, wherein a plurality of digital images supplied from the customer terminal are converted into one digital image. This is achieved by providing a simulation method characterized by having an image synthesizing step of creating a synthetic image and an image displaying step of supplying the synthetic image to a customer terminal by expressing the synthetic image at the same scale in the coordinate system. .

According to such means, it is possible to accurately and easily simulate a case where a plurality of objects represented in a plurality of digital images supplied from a customer terminal are placed in the same space.

Further, the method further comprises the step of storing the digital image in advance in the image storage means connected to the communication network. In the image synthesizing step, the digital image stored in the image storage means is converted into the digital image supplied from the customer terminal. According to the simulation method of creating a composite image by expressing the same scale in the coordinate system described above, various composite images corresponding to each customer can be easily formed using digital images stored in advance according to customer needs. Can be created.

In the image synthesizing step, a digital image supplied from a trader terminal connected to a communication network and a digital image supplied from a customer terminal are represented on a coordinate system at the same scale to create a composite image. You may do it.

[0018] Further, when the information indicating the intention to purchase the product indicated in the composite image is output from the customer terminal, a step of electronic payment of the purchase of the product by electronic payment means connected to the communication network is further provided. If it has, a product can be easily purchased according to the result of the simulation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer included in a communication network to execute a simulation in accordance with information supplied from a customer terminal connected to the communication network. The program causes the computer to create a composite image by expressing a plurality of digital images supplied from the customer terminal in one coordinate system at the same scale, and to supply the composite image to the customer terminal. This is achieved by providing a computer-readable recording medium characterized by the following.

According to such means, it is possible to accurately and easily execute a simulation when a plurality of objects represented by a plurality of digital images supplied from a customer terminal are placed in the same space.

Further, the program causes the computer to represent the digital image stored in advance in the image storage means connected to the communication network on the coordinate system at the same scale as the digital image supplied from the customer terminal. To create a composite image.

Further, the program combines the digital image supplied from the trader terminal connected to the communication network and the digital image supplied from the customer terminal to the computer by expressing them in the same scale on the coordinate system. An image can be created.

[0023] In addition, when the information indicating the intention to purchase the product indicated in the composite image is output from the customer terminal, the program causes the electronic payment means connected to the communication network to purchase the product. Electronic payment may be used.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In the interior simulation system according to the present embodiment, a digital image obtained by photographing a wall, a ceiling, a floor, a curtain, furniture and decorations with a digital camera is transmitted through image editing software, that is, the digital image is processed. The background portion of the image is deleted, and an interior image of the furniture or the like is created.

Further, a digital frame image is created by executing a transparent process by executing image editing software on a frame image selected by a purchaser in an electronic merchandise catalog displayed on a homepage owned by a frame dealer.

On the other hand, a digital image of a room taken by a digital camera is reduced or enlarged by executing the above-mentioned image editing software to generate a digital image (digital room) of the room on predetermined three-dimensional coordinates. . Then, by combining an interior image or a digital painting or a digital picture frame image of the furniture or the like at the same scale as the digital room with the digital room, the appearance when the interior, the painting and the picture frame are actually arranged is displayed. Can be evaluated.

If it is determined by the simulation that the interior, the painting, the picture frame, etc. are in harmony with the actual room, the order of the interior, etc. can be executed electronically by the terminal.

Hereinafter, an interior simulation system and an interior simulation method according to the present embodiment will be specifically described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an interior simulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the interior simulation system according to the embodiment of the present invention is constructed on a communication network 1 including a customer terminal 15 and a trader terminal 14, and includes a digital art server 3, an electronic settlement server 4, and a digital photo server. 5 and a trader server 7.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital art server 3 is connected to the electronic settlement server 4, the digital photograph server 5, the dealer server 7, and the customer terminal 15.
Then, the digital photo server 5 is connected to the customer terminal 15, and the dealer server 7 is connected to the dealer terminal 14.

Hereinafter, the operation of the interior simulation system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, as shown in step S1, the digital photo server 5 takes in a digital image from the customer terminal 15. Here, the digital image is, for example, a digital image of a room wall, ceiling, floor, curtain, furniture, or the like taken by a user using a digital camera.
Then, the digital photograph server 5 deletes the background of the captured digital image by performing a transparency process on the captured digital image, and extracts a digital image approximate to the real one.

On the other hand, in step S 1, a digital image created using drawing software executed on the customer terminal 15 or a digital image selected at the customer terminal 15 in the electronic catalog supplied from the trader server 7 Can be taken into the digital photo server 5. The digital art server 3 stores a digital painting represented by a digital image in advance.
The digital image supplied from the customer terminal 15 can be stored in the same manner as the painting.

Here, the digital painting is obtained by first acquiring a digital image by photographing a real painting with a digital camera, and then using the digital art software executed on the dealer terminal 14 to obtain the picture of the artist who painted the painting. Created by adding a signature. Then, the digital painting obtained in this way is registered in a digital painting database included in the digital art server 3.

The electronic catalog is created, for example, by editing a digital picture frame image obtained by performing the above-described transparency processing on an image photographed by a digital camera, and includes the electronic catalog included in the trader server 7. Registered in the database.

Next, in step S2, the digital art server 3 executes a simulation using image editing software. At this time, based on the digital image captured in step S1, a digital room image 21 faithfully reproducing an actual room as shown in FIG.
Is created.

That is, of the digital images taken in by the digital photograph server 5 or stored in the digital art server 3, the digital furniture image 22, the digital chair image 23, and the digital picture frame image 24 selected by a command from the customer terminal 15. And a digital image such as a digital painting 25, as shown in FIG.
1 is shown at the same scale on the same three-dimensional coordinates as
Is displayed on the monitor screen 20.

Here, the user of the customer terminal 15 arbitrarily moves the digital furniture image 22, the digital painting 25, the digital picture frame image 24, and the like, which are combined with the digital room image 21, on the monitor screen 20, or Can be enlarged or reduced, and furthermore, the color can be changed. Therefore, by looking at the image displayed on the monitor screen 20, the furniture, paintings, and the like placed in the actual room and their sizes, arrangement locations, colors, and the like can be viewed. Can be evaluated in advance. When the size of the image is enlarged or reduced as described above, the actual size in the vertical and horizontal directions of the product indicated in the image may be displayed on the screen.

Therefore, according to the simulation as described above, it is possible to evaluate in advance the harmony between the interior already placed in the actual room and the painting and frame to be purchased.

Further, for example, when the customer terminal 15 is used in a general home, the effect of the pattern change can be examined in advance by simulating the pattern change of the room in the home as described above.

Then, in step S3, an image corresponding to the furniture, painting or picture frame determined to be purchased as a result of the simulation in step S2 is selected on the monitor screen 20 of the customer terminal 15, and in step S4 The selected product is ordered from the customer terminal 15 to the dealer terminal 14 via the dealer server 7.

The user of the customer terminal 15 can specify the favorite color as a result of the simulation in step S2 among the electronic color samples stored in the digital art server 3 in advance, and make the order.

At this time, the purchase procedure is settled electronically by the electronic settlement server 4 in accordance with the information supplied from the customer terminal 15 and the trader terminal 14.

In step S4, if the user of the customer terminal 15 desires to create a digital calendar using the digital images displayed on the monitor screen 20 or stored in the digital art server 3,
An instruction signal for creating the digital calendar is supplied from the customer terminal 15 to the digital art server 3, and the process proceeds to step S5b. Similarly, if the user of the customer terminal 15 desires to create a screen saver using the digital image displayed on the monitor screen 20 or stored in the digital art server 3, the customer terminal 15 sends the digital art server 3 is supplied with an instruction signal for creating the screen saver, and the process proceeds to step S5c.

Then, in step S5a, the delivery of the ordered product and the collection of the price of the product are performed.
The operation of the interior simulation system shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S5b, the digital art server 3 produces a digital calendar displayed on the monitor screen 20 or using the digital image stored in the digital art server 3 as a picture of each page, and proceeds to step S5a. Similarly, in step S5c, the digital art server 3 creates a screen saver using the digital image displayed on the monitor screen 20 or the digital image stored in the digital art server 3.
Proceed to.

As described above, according to the interior simulation system and the interior simulation method according to the embodiment of the present invention, a realistic interior simulation can be easily executed using the digital image subjected to the transmission processing. It can be coordinated as a total interior of a living room that the user can understand. Also, complicated interior coordination such as seasonal pattern change can be easily and quickly realized.

Further, according to the interior simulation system and the interior simulation method according to the above embodiment, it is possible to easily obtain a calendar or a screen saver using a favorite painting or digital photograph.

The above operation in each server shown in FIG. 1 can be described by a computer program.
Therefore, if the program is stored in a recording medium such as a database included in each server, and the program is executed by the server as needed, the above operation in each server can be easily realized.

The interior simulation system and the interior simulation method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be used when a design office, a construction shop, or the like performs home renovation, interior work, or estimation, or in a general home. It can be applied to the case where the user purchases the image or the case where the pattern is changed.

As described above, according to the simulation system, the simulation method, and the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of objects represented in a plurality of digital images supplied from a customer terminal are located in the same space. Since it is possible to accurately simulate the case where the object is placed, efficient and accurate evaluation of the object can be performed.

If a digital image to be stored in advance and a digital image supplied from a customer terminal are represented on the coordinate system at the same scale to create a composite image, the composite image is stored in advance in accordance with the needs of the customer. Using digital images
Since various composite images according to each customer can be easily created, versatility can be improved.

Further, if the digital image supplied from the trader terminal connected to the communication network and the digital image supplied from the customer terminal are represented in the coordinate system on the same scale, a composite image is created. For example, a product shown in a digital image supplied from a trader terminal can be easily evaluated in a situation shown in a digital image supplied from a customer terminal without actually picking it up.

When information indicating the intention to purchase the product indicated in the composite image is supplied from the customer terminal, if the purchase of the product is settled electronically, the purchase of the product according to the result of the simulation is performed. Purchase can be easily realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an interior simulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the interior simulation system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a monitor of a customer terminal by the interior simulation system shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication network 3 Digital art server 4 Electronic settlement server 5 Digital photograph server 7 Dealer server 14 Dealer terminal 15 Customer terminal 20 Monitor screen 21 Digital room image 22 Digital furniture image 23 Digital chair image 24 Digital picture frame image 25 Digital painting

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Sato 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. 5B049 AA02 BB11 CC01 CC05 DD01 DD05 EE03 EE07 FF03 FF09 GG02 GG04 GG07 5B050 EA12 EA19 FA02 5E501 AA01 AA13 AC15 AC25 AC34 BA03 DA02 EB11 FA14 FA35 FA44 FB04

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A simulation system having a server connected to a communication network including a customer terminal and executing a simulation in accordance with information supplied from the customer terminal, wherein a plurality of digital images supplied from the customer terminal are provided. And a simulation server that creates a composite image by expressing the composite image on the same scale in one coordinate system and supplies the composite image to the customer terminal. 2. The simulation according to claim 1, wherein the simulation server creates the composite image by expressing the digital image stored in advance and the digital image supplied from the customer terminal at the same scale in the coordinate system. system. 3. The composition server according to claim 1, wherein the simulation server expresses the digital image supplied from the trader terminal connected to the communication network and the digital image supplied from the customer terminal on the same scale in the coordinate system and performs the synthesis. The simulation system according to claim 1, which creates an image. 4. An electronic payment means connected to the communication network and electronically paying for the purchase of the product when information indicating an intention to purchase the product shown in the composite image is supplied from the customer terminal. The simulation system according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. A simulation method for executing a simulation in accordance with information supplied from a customer terminal connected to a communication network, wherein a plurality of digital images supplied from the customer terminal are scaled to the same coordinate system in one coordinate system. A simulation method comprising: an image synthesizing step of creating a synthetic image by expressing the image as: and an image displaying step of supplying the synthetic image to the customer terminal. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a digital image in advance in an image storage unit connected to the communication network, wherein in the image combining step, the digital image stored in the image storage unit is supplied from the customer terminal. By expressing in the coordinate system at the same scale as the digital image that was
The simulation method according to claim 5, wherein the composite image is created. 7. The image synthesizing step, wherein a digital image supplied from a trader terminal connected to the communication network and a digital image supplied from the customer terminal are represented on the coordinate system at the same scale. The simulation method according to claim 5, wherein the composite image is created. 8. When information indicating an intention to purchase the product indicated in the composite image is output from the customer terminal, the purchase of the product is electronically settled by electronic payment means connected to the communication network. The simulation method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: 9. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer included in the communication network to execute a simulation in accordance with information supplied from a customer terminal connected to the communication network, The program causes the computer to create a composite image by expressing the plurality of digital images supplied from the customer terminal in one coordinate system at the same scale, and to supply the composite image to the customer terminal. Characteristic computer readable recording medium. 10. The program, according to claim 1, further comprising: storing, in the computer, a digital image stored in advance in an image storage unit connected to the communication network;
10. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the composite image is created by expressing the digital image supplied from the customer terminal on the same scale as the digital image in the coordinate system. 11. The program, for the computer, expresses a digital image supplied from a trader terminal connected to the communication network and a digital image supplied from the customer terminal at the same scale in the coordinate system. 10. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the computer-readable recording medium causes the composite image to be created. 12. The program, when information indicating an intention to purchase a product indicated in the composite image is output from the customer terminal, sends the electronic payment means to the electronic payment means connected to the communication network. 10. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the purchase of the product is settled electronically.