JP4025549B2 - Illuminated video creation and display system - Google Patents

Description

【００２１】
補間に関する数１は一例であり、例えば、中間フレームの全てに最初のフレームと同じ発光色を与える等様々な方式が存在する。
この時間的補間は、数１を各ピクセルに対して繰り返し適応することにより、同時に複数ピクセル、あるいは全ピクセル（フレーム全体）に対して適応可能である。
図７は全ピクセルに対して発光色が与えられた２つのキーフレームＡ１，Ａ４の中間フレームＡ２，Ａ３を上記の時間的補間により自動生成した例である。
【００２２】
以上述べたこれらの制作手順は既存のコンピュータによるセルアニメ制作システムにおける制作手順と類似しているが、これら一般のセルアニメ制作システムでは各フレーム画面は単なる平面映像であるのに対して、本システムでは各フレーム画面は、各ピクセルの発光色とその３次元配置を表示しており、発光色の映像効果を３次元的に確かめる、あるいは背後に隠れたピクセルに対しても発光色が設定できるよう回転、拡大等の３次元操作を加えることが可能となっているなど、システムの機能面では大きく異なっている。
【００２３】
▲３▼シミュレーション
このようにして完成された全フレーム画面（映像ストリーム）は予め設定されたフレームレートで再生することが可能であり、任意の角度、距離からみたこの電飾システムの映像ストリームをＣＧアニメーションとして画面上で確認することを可能としている。
なお、一般の３次元ＣＧシステムにおいても映像シミュレーション機能が備えられていることは良く知られているが、そうした従来のＣＧシステムでは、物体（オブジェクト）の位置、形状、照明等の変化をアニメの対象としているのであり、本発明が目的としているような多数の物体（発光素子）の発光色がフレーム毎に変化するような映像シミュレーションには対応できていない。
【００２４】
▲４▼ファイル出力
以上の過程で生成された、各ピクセルの空間座標とアドレス、映像ストリームは実際の電飾システムへの移植と後日の再処理に備えてファイル出力され保存される。また、通常のＣＧ景観シミュレーションの場合と同様、シミュレーション結果の動画映像はＡＶＩファイル等として保存でき、後日の再生、再確認、客先へのプレゼンテーション・ツールなどとして用いられる。
【００２５】
▲５▼実システムへの移植と再処理
以上の過程で生成された映像ストリーム・ファイルは、実際の電飾システムのフレーム・メモリに読み込まれ、記憶される。 映像ストリーム・ファイルを読み込み、内容を記憶したフレーム・メモリは、前記▲２▼アドレス設定の項で述べた機能により、各ピクセル位置とそれを駆動するドライバ、及び、対応する発光データ間で正しく整合がとられている。 また、一旦、ＣＧにより映像ストリーム・ファイル等が生成された電飾システムに対して再度変更を加える（例えば新たにピクセルを追加する等）、あるいは、同じ電飾システムに対して新らたに映像ストリームを作成する場合、ＣＧにアドレス・ファイル等、前作業の結果を読み込ませ、システムを再設定することにより、最初から作業を行う場合と比べ効率化を図ることが可能となっている。
【００２６】
以上の▲１▼・・・▲６▼の制作ステップは同一コンピュータシステム（例えば一台のパソコン）で全て処理することも可能であり、機能別に複数のコンピュータシステム（例えば複数台のパソコン）を用いて処理することも可能である。
【００２７】
「実施例２」
「実施例１」に示された各フレームにおいてピクセルの一つずつに発光色を設定し、全フレームを完成することは大変手間のかかる作業である。第２実施例ではこうした手間をできるだけ省き、効率よく発光データを生成させるため、対象としているピクセル群に対してピクセル相互間の空間的隣接関係を別途設定することにより、複数のピクセルに対して一括して発光色を与える仕組みが提供されている。設定されるピクセル相互間の空間的隣接関係はピクセルの実際の空間座標、あるいは、実システムにおけるピクセル間の結線とは独立に設定され、以下述べるように１次元的隣接関係（”線構造”）、２次元的隣接関係（”面構造”）、３次元的隣接関係等に分けられる。
【００２８】
”線構造”
ピクセル相互間で設定される空間的隣接関係の中で、最も単純なものは一次元的隣接関係すなわち”線構造”である。”線構造”は対象となる各ピクセルに順序関係を導入すること、すなわち、各ピクセルに番号１，２，３，・・・・を与えることで設定される。ＣＧシステムの画面上では、この”線構造”は、各ピクセルを与えられた番号順に辺で結び、ピクセル相互間の一次元的隣接関係を指定することで設定される。 図８は先に図５に示された半球上に自動生成されたピクセル群に対して”線構造”を設定した例を示すＣＧ画面であり、ピクセルＡからピクセルＢまでが一筆書で接続されている。 ”線構造”は、また、図９に示されるように、一次元（直線）の格子点に置かれたピクセルｐ１，ｐ２，ｐ３，・・・をピクセル間の相互隣接関係を保ちつつ変形させたものとしてとらえることもできる。
【００２９】
このようにして”線構造”が導入されたピクセル群に対しては、基本的に、両端のピクセルを指定するだけで、所定のピクセルグループを”線分”として選択できることを利用して、複数ピクセルに対して簡単な操作で一括して発光色を与えることのできる様々なマクロ機能が実現できる。以下本実施例において、”線構造”を設定することで実現されている代表的な２つのマクロ機能について述べる。
【００３０】
▲１▼空間的補間機能
”線構造”が導入されているピクセル群において、２つのピクセルに発光色を与え、それらの間に挟まれたピクセル・グループ（”線分”）の発光色を自動生成する機能である。
すなわち、”線構造”が設定されているピクセル群において、番号ｉが与えられているピクセルをｐ_ｉで表し、２つのピクセルｐ_ｉ、ｐ_ｊ (ｉ＜ｊ）の３原色の輝度データをそれぞれ（Ｒ_i、Ｂ_i、Ｇ_i）、（Ｒ_j、Ｂ_j、Ｇ_j）で表すと、ピクセルｐ_i 、ｐ_ｊ を端点とする線分上のピクセルｐ_ｋ (ｉ<ｋ<ｊ）の輝度データ（Ｒ_k、Ｂ_k、Ｇ_ｋ）を数２により自動生成する。
【００３１】
【数２】

【００３２】
この補間方式では線分の両端点の発光色が異なる場合にはそれらの２色間でのいわゆるグラデーション効果が施され、発光色が同一の場合には、その発光色による”線分”の塗り潰しとなる。先に述べた時間的補間の場合と同様、２つの発光色の間の補間方法は数２以外にも種々の方式が存在する。図１０は先に図９として示した”線構造”が設定されているピクセル群に対してこの空間的補間機能を適応した画面例であり、両端のピクセルＡ、Ｂに同一色を与え全ピクセルをその同一色で塗りつぶした後、ピクセルＣ、Ｄ間にグラデーション効果を伴った着色が施されている。
【００３３】
▲２▼コピー、貼付機能
元絵（”線構造”が導入され、全てのピクセルに予め発光色が与えらられているピクセル群）を所定の位置からコピーする、あるいは所定の位置に張り付ける機能である。コピーの対象となるピクセル群はその両端点のピクセルを指定することにより、またその貼付位置は一端に位置するピクセルを指定することで行われる。
【００３４】
以上述べた”線構造”はピクセル群に対して 複数個設定することも可能であり、図１１は図５に示された半球状のピクセル群に対して、各緯線上のピクセルをＡ１，Ａ２・・・Ａ７で示されるようにグループ化し複数の”線構造”を設定した例を示すＣＧ画面である。以下このように”線構造が”設定されているピクセルグループをピクセル・チェーン（以下ＰＣと略記する）と呼ぶこととする。図１１に示される例では全体のピクセル群はＡ１、Ａ２・・・Ａ７の７本のＰＣから構成されていることになる。
【００３５】
異なる２つのＰＣは１つのピクセルを共有する、すなわち一点で”交叉”させることもできる。図１２は図１１に示した緯線に対応するＰＣと同時に経線に対応するＰＣ（図中では点線で示される）；Ｂ１，Ｂ２・・・Ｂ９を設定した画面例である。経線に対応するＰＣと緯線に対応するＰＣは、それぞれ１つのピクセルを共有しているが、２つのピクセルを指定したとき選択されるＰＣ（とその”線分”）は一意的に定まることから、これらの全てのＰＣに対して先述のマクロ機能の適応が可能である。すなわち、このように互いに直交するＰＣ群を設定することにより、例えば緯線方向、経線方向でのグラデーション着色が可能となる。
【００３６】
ピクセル群に対して”線構造”を設定するため、各ピクセル間をＣＧ画面上で辺で結ぶ作業も煩雑な作業であり、本実施例では先に述べたピクセルの自動生成機能と関連させて”線構造”設定の自動化機能が備えられている。
まず、フルカラールミチューブの場合のように、空間に張られた一本の曲線に沿ってピクセルを自動配置する場合には、ピクセルを曲線の端から順に自動的に番号付けすることにより”線構造”の設定が自動化されている。
また多面体の各平面の頂点に自動生成されたピクセル群に対しては次の手順により”線構造”設定の自動化が実現されている。
【００３７】
まず、各面の頂点に接続されている面の辺の数をその頂点の線度とし、次の２つルールにより、頂点の線度に応じて、頂点に接続する辺相互間での”繋がり”関係を設定する。
▲１▼線度３，及び線度４の頂点に接続するそれぞれの辺について、同一平面を共有しない２辺は互いに”繋がっている”とする。図１３は線度４及び線度３の頂点に接続する辺の例を示すＣＧ画面である。図中のＡは線度４の頂点であり、辺ａ１と辺ａ２は共有する平面がなく相互に”繋がり、同様に辺ａ３と辺ａ４
とが”繋がっている”。またＢは線度３の頂点であり辺ｂ１と辺ｂ２が”繋がっている”。
▲２▼線度２及び線度５以上の頂点に接続する辺に関しては、相互に”繋がっている”辺は存在しないとする。
次に、上記のルールにより、各頂点に関して、それと接続する１つの辺に”繋がっている”他の辺は２つ以上は存在しないため、任意の辺から出発し、その辺と”繋がっている”辺を順次結合してできる辺の系列（”繋がっている”辺が見つからない場合はそこで途切れる）は一意的に定まる。この辺系列に対応する頂点の系列（各辺に接続している頂点の系列）も一次元的であり、この頂点の系列に対応するピクセル系列に”線構造”を自動的に設定することができる。すなわち、相互に”繋がっている”辺どうしを結合して得られるピクセル系列を１本のＰＣとすることができる。 また異なる２つのＰＣが１つのピクセル上で”交叉”していても、それらのＰＣは同一の辺を共有することはない（以下、２つのＰＣが交叉し同一の辺を共有しないときそれらのＰＣは直交しているという）。
【００３８】
以上述べた手順を例えば図１３に示した半球に適応すると、同じ緯線あるいは同じ経線に対応する辺が繋がり合い直交する先に図１２で示したＰＣ群を自動生成することができる。なお、ピクセルを多面体の頂点ではなく、面に対応させて自動生成した場合にも、対応する面相互間で頂点を共有するか否かで、”繋がり”を設定することができ、同様にＰＣを自動生成することが可能となる。
【００３９】
”面構造”
”線構造”が１次元（直線）の格子点に並べられたピクセル群をピクセル相互間の隣接関係を保ちつつ変形させたものであったのに対応し、”面構造”は図１４に示されるように縦線横線が直交する１枚の格子状面の各格子点上に置かれたピクセル群をピクセル相互間の２次元的（縦、横の）隣接関係を保ちつつ変形し、元の格子状面の縦線、横線に対応する変形後の縦線、横線に対して”線構造”を設定したものである。
【００４０】
別の定義では、３次元空間に配置済みのｍｘｎ個のピクセル群が次の３条件を満たすとき、そのピクセル群に対して”面構造”が設定されているという。
１．ピクセル群の各ピクセルに対して２次元アドレス（０，０）、（０，１）・・・（ｍ、ｎ）を適当に割りふり、各ピクセルをそのアドレスによりｐ_００，ｐ_０１，ｐ_０２・・・ｐ_ｍｎのように表せることができ、
２．ピクセル系列（ｐ_ｉ０，ｐ_ｉ１，ｐ_ｉ２・・・ｐ_ｉｎ）、i=０，１・・・ｍ
が全てＰＣである。
３．同様に、ピクセル系列（ｐ_０ｊ，ｐ_１ｊ，ｐ_２ｊ・・・ｐ_ｍｊ）、ｊ=０，１・・・ｎが全てＰＣである。
以下、”面構造”が設定されているピクセル群をピクセル・メッシュ（ＰＭと略記する）と呼ぶ。
【００４１】
”面構造”が設定可能なピクセル群に対しては、先述の”線構造”の自動設定手法を用いると、対応する格子面の縦線、横線に相当する全てのＰＣが自動生成される。従って、図１５に示されるように原点となるピクセル１５ｄにアドレス（０，０）を与え、このピクセルで直交する２つのＰＣ（１５ａ、１５ｂ）に沿ってを原点からそれぞれアドレス（０，１）、（０，２）・・・、（１，０）、（２，０）・・・を与え、さらにアドレス（０，１）のピクセルでＰＣ１５ａと直交するＰＣ１５ｃに沿ってアドレス（１，１）、（２，１）・・・を与える等々の手続きにより、全てのピクセルに対して２次元アドレスを自動的に付与できる。本実施例においてはこの手法により、先述の”線構造”同様”面構造”の設定も自動化されている。
【００４２】
先に述べたＰＣの場合と同様、ＰＭに対して、面に関する種々のマクロ機能を設定することができ、映像ストリームのさらなる効率的生成を実現することができる。
以下に述べる空間的補間、コピー貼付機能はそうしたＰＭに対して実現されたマクロ機能の代表例であり、いずれもＰＣに対する同様の機能を面に拡張することで実現されている。
【００４３】
空間的補間機能
所定の面を囲い込む４個のＰＣの交点上にあるピクセルに発光色を与え、その面内のピクセルに対して発光色を自動生成する機能である。
図１６に示すように面を囲い込む４個のＰＣを１６ａ、１６ｂ、１６ｃ、１６ｄとし、それらの交点にある４個のピクセル１６ｆ、１６ｇ、１６ｈ、１６ｅをそれぞれｐ_ｉｊ、ｐ_ｓｊ、ｐ_ｓｔ、ｐ_ｉｔ（ｉ＜ｓ、ｊ＜ｔ）で表し、その発光色（３原色）をそれぞれ（Ｒ_ｉｊ、Ｂ_ｉｊ、Ｇ_ｉｊ）、（Ｒ_ｓｊ、Ｂ_ｓｊ、Ｇ_ｓｊ）、（Ｒ_ｓｔ、Ｂ_ｓｔ、Ｇ_ｓｔ）、（Ｒ_ｉｔ、Ｂ_ｉｔ、Ｇ_ｉｔ） とすると１６ｆ、１６ｇ、１６ｈ、１６ｅの４個のＰＣで囲まれる面のピクセルはｐ_ｕｗ 、ｉ≦ｕ≦ｓ、ｊ≦ｗ≦ｔ で表せ、その発光色を（Ｒ_ｕｗ、Ｂ_ｕｗ、Ｇ_ｕｗ）とすると、Ｒ_ｕｗを数３で与える。
【００４４】
【数３】

【００４５】
Ｂ_ｕｗ、Ｇ_ｕｗ についても数３と同様の式で計算すると与えられた４ピクセルによる面的グラデーション着色効化が得られる。
”線構造”における空間的補間機能と同様、数３による補間以外にも例えば単色で塗りつぶす等、様々な方式が存在する。
【００４６】
コピー張付機能
先に述べた”線構造”におけるコピー貼付機能を面に拡張した機能である。張り付ける元絵、張り付けられる側、共にＰＭであり、各ピクセルには２次元アドレスが与えられている。元絵と張り付けられる側のそれぞれのＰＭにおいて、対応するピクセル（基準ピクセル）を（マウス）等で指定し、残りのピクセルはそれぞれのＰＭにおいて基準ピクセルからの相対アドレスが等しくなるよう自動的に対応付けされ貼付が実行される。 なお、基準ピクセルのアドレスが（ｘ、ｙ）であるとき、アドレス（ｉ、ｊ）のピクセルの相対アドレスは（ｉ−ｘ、ｊ−ｙ）で与えられる。
【００４７】
図１７及び図１８はピクセル群に対して”面構造”を自動設定し、先述の空間的補間機能、コピー貼付機能を用いて着色を施したＣＧ画面例である。
ここに示される電飾システムは舞台装飾の一部として、先に述べたフルカラール・ミチューブ複数本を左右に開けたカーテン状（図１７，１８は片側のみを示す）に天井から垂らして構成することを前提に設計されている。図１７に示されるように、まずＣＧ画面上でカーテン形状の多面体が制作され、その頂点にピクセルが自動生成され、”面構造”が自動設定されている。結果として、ＣＧ画面上ではルミチューブの実際の配線構造には存在しない水平方向の接続が施され、複数個のルミチューブによる仮想的な面が形成されることになる。図１８はこの仮想面に対して図１９に示されるピクセル群の着色模様を先述のコピー貼付機能により複数個貼付着色したＣＧ画面例である。
【００４８】
以上述べた、”線構造”、”面構造”は３次元構造へも拡張可能である。その場合各ピクセルには（０，０，０）、（０，０，１）、（０，０，２）・・・・の３次元アドレスが付され、３次元空間領域での補間、貼付機能等を実現することができる。
また、”線構造”、”面構造”等が導入されているピクセル群に対しては、例えば、予め用意された複数枚のフレーム（または、フレームの一部分）を対応するフレーム毎に張り付けていくなど、時間領域においても、効率的な操作機能を実現することが可能となる。
【００４９】
「実施例３」
図２０は屋外に設置されるクリスマスツリー状の電飾システムの例である。この電飾システムのように全体としての発光素子の数が多く、配置も複雑な場合は、ＣＧ画面上での表示、および映像生成のための各種操作も困難を伴い、実施例１、あるいは実施例２の手法を用いても全体の映像データを一度に生成することは困難な作業となる。またこの種の電飾システムで、ビルの壁面に取り付けられるような大きな規模のものになると全ピクセルに対する発光データ（映像ストリーム）を一カ所のフレームメモリから全ピクセルに電送することは、必要とされる伝送量、伝送速度、伝送距離、信号線の数等の面で困難となる。以下に述べる実施例３はこのような大規模電飾システムを部分部分の小システムに分割した上で、個別に映像データを生成し、全体を統合することで全体として調和のとれた映像ストリームを完成させることを特徴とする。
以下、図２０に示された大型クリスマスツリー状電飾システムを例として本実施例を説明する。
【００５０】
この大型クリスマスツリー型電飾システム全体は図３のＣＧ画面内で表示されている樹枝状の電飾サブシステムを複数個組み合わせて構成されている。図２１はその回路ブロックである。 各樹枝状電飾サブシステム２１ｆは、複数個の映像ストリームを記憶でき、かつそのうちのどの映像ストリームを選択表示するかをそのタイミングも含めて外部から指定できる機能が備えられている。フレームメモリ２１ａは複数の映像ストリームを記憶し、それらを個別に呼び出し表示できるよう、複数の区画ａ１，ａ２，ａ３・・・に区分されている（各区画は１つの映像ストリームを格納している）。
２１ｄは指令信号線であり、表示すべき映像ストリームを例えばその映像ストリームが格納されているフレームメモリ区画の先頭アドレスを指定することで、そのＬＥＤランプモジュール２１ｃにより表示すべき映像ストリームとその開始タイミングとを指示する。
すべての樹枝状電飾サブシステムは、こうした指令信号に基づき指定された映像ストリームを定められたタイミングで表示することになる。
２１ｅはこのような樹枝状電飾サブシステムへ伝えられる表示コマンドが記憶されているメモリ（コマンドメモリ）であり、あらかじめ定められたタイミングによりコマンドｅ１，ｅ２，・・・が読み出され、指令信号線２１ｄを介して各樹枝状電飾サブシステムに伝えられる仕組みとなっている。
【００５１】
各樹枝状電飾サブシステムにあらかじめ記憶される映像ストリームは基本的には先に述べた実施例１，あるいは実施例２の手法により生成される。
クリスマスツリー状電飾システム全体の映像は、どのサブシステムがどのようなタイミングで内蔵している映像ストリームを表示するかで決定される。
例えば、全ての電飾サブシステムに同じ映像ストリームを表示させるとしてもその表示開始タイミングを少しずつずらすことにより、全体としての流動、膨張感等を表現することができる。
【００５２】
以上述べたように本実施例に示される電飾システムにおいては映像ストリームはサブシステム側に個別に保持されているため、通常の電飾システムで必要とされるフレームメモリ、表示素子間での大量のデータ電送を必要としない。従って、例えば街路区画全体に渡ってサブシステムを分散配置した場合のように、サブシステム間の距離が離れている場合でも、全体として調和のとれた多様な電飾ストリーム映像を表示させることが可能となる。なお、樹枝状電飾サブシステムはルミチューブと同様に構造に柔軟性を持たせることにより、立木に絡ませる、あるいは複数個を並べて生垣状の電飾システム（図２２）に仕立てることも可能である。また、例えばスポーツイベント会場におけるマスゲーム等、多数の演技者が電飾サブシステムを身につけ演技する場合などのように、複数のサブシステムが相互に移動しながら全体として統一のある映像ストリームを表示させるような電飾システムにおいては、指令信号として無線を使用する、あるいは音楽に合わせての演技者の手による手動信号を用いることも有効に機能する。
【００５３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明により、大規模かつ複雑な立体的形状の電飾システムに対しても、そのシステム設計、構築、電飾映像の生成を効率的に行うことができ、結果として、発光体の空間配置とそれらに対する電飾映像による優れた装飾効果を演出する電飾システムを実現することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】フルカラーＬＥＤによる大型映像表示装置の構成を示したものである。
【図２】図１を構成するＬＥＤランプモジュールの回路構成を示したものである。
【図３】発光素子の空間配置を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図４】曲線上に一定間隔で自動生成されたピクセル群を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図５】多面体の頂点に自動生成されたピクセル群を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図６】映像ストリームを生成させるプロセスを例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図７】発光色の時間的補間効果を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図８】半球上に自動生成されたピクセル群の”線構造”設定を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図９】”線構造”と直線上の格子点に生成されるピクセル群の関係を示す「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１０】”線構造”が設定されたピクセル群に対しての空間的補間効果を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１１】ピクセル群に対して設定された複数個の”線構造”を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１２】ピクセル群に対して設定された相互に交叉する複数個の”線構造を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１３】”線構造”の自動設定の手順を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１４】”面構造”と格子面上の格子点に生成されたピクセル群の関係を示す「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１５】”面構造”自動設定の手順を図示すものである。
【図１６】”面構造”が設定されたピクセル群に対しての空間的補間の手順を図示するものである。
【図１７】”面構造”が自動設定されているピクセル群を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１８】図１７のピクセル群に対しての空間的補間効果、及びコピー貼付効果を例示する「表示画面の写真」である。
【図１９】図１８の映像の元絵である模様を示す「表示画面の写真」である。
【図２０】クリスマスツリー状の電飾システムを示す「表示画面の写真」である。
【図２１】電飾サブシステムの構成図である。
【図２２】生垣状電飾システムを示す「表示画面の写真」である。
【符号の説明】
１ａ ＬＥＤ表示パネル
１ｂ ＬＥＤモジュール
１ｃ ピクセル
２ａ フレームメモリ
２ｂ ＰＷＭ駆動回路
２ｃ ＬＥＤランプ
２１ａ フレームメモリ
２１ｂ 駆動回路
２１ｃ ＬＥＤランプモジュール
２１ｄ 指令信号
２１ｅ コマンドメモリ
２１ｆ 電飾サブシステム[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a light emitting device such as a full-color LED lamp in a dendritic shape, or a combination of a plurality of such shaped electric decoration modules, which are deployed in a stage space as a larger electric decoration system. Highly decorative effects can be obtained even in spatial development, and high-quality decorative colors suitable for spatial development of such light-emitting elements (hereinafter referred to as “lighting images”) can be quickly created to produce a comprehensive and sophisticated decorative effect. It is related with the electrical decoration system which can do.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an illumination device, indoor and outdoor signboard decoration devices composed of colored bean bulbs, LED lamps, neon tubes, etc. are well known, and advertisements, signboards, decorations installed on the outer walls of buildings, shopping malls, etc. Widely used as a system. In particular, so-called lumitubes that have a large number of miniature bulbs or LED lamps arranged in a string have flexibility in installation location and installation shape, so that they can be entangled in a Christmas tree like a tree, along buildings such as buildings and arcades. It is known as a versatile lighting system that can be installed or installed as part of a stage decoration.
Such a conventional illumination system can freely arrange the light emitting elements in the space and can be tailored to various shapes, but the display content basically repeats blinking according to a predetermined schedule, etc. It is limited to simple display contents. In recent years, full-color LEDs capable of gradation display have been put to practical use as light-emitting elements for lighting devices. Color video images (light-emitting devices) for lighting systems that effectively use such advanced display functions as light-emitting elements have been put into practical use. It is also difficult to create decoration images) with the prior art, and this has hindered its spread. In other words, various conventional video production systems (such as cel animation production systems) are limited to the production of flat images, and for video production of electrical decoration systems where light-emitting elements are arranged in a complex three-dimensional space. I can't respond. In addition, three-dimensional computer graphics (hereinafter abbreviated as CG), which has been rapidly developed in recent years, functions relatively effectively for designing the spatial arrangement of light emitting elements, but is effective for many light emitting elements. There is a lack of a function (for example, a file output function of the luminescent color) for providing a chronological luminescent color and mounting such luminescent color data in an actual lighting system. In addition, it is an indispensable function to check the video produced for a certain illumination system as a CG screen, but in the conventional 3D CG system, the shape, position change, illumination, etc. of the object in space However, it cannot cope with a simulation of an image space in which the emission colors of a large number of light emitters change every moment.
[0003]
In addition, a full color LED video display device (TV), which has been used exclusively for indoor and outdoor large video display devices, is a type of electrical decoration system in the sense that it is used for signage and decoration purposes. Each light emitting element emits light. As a circuit mechanism, the electrical decoration system according to the present invention adopts a mechanism almost similar to that of these display devices. FIG. 1 shows an example of this type of display device. Usually, each pixel (pixel) is realized by arranging three light emitting elements (LED lamps) for emitting three primary colors (R, G, B). The entire screen 1a is divided into a plurality of modules 1b on which, for example, 16 (row) × 16 (column) pixels 1c are mounted per module.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a circuit for one of the three primary colors of the LED lamp module assembled in a 16 × 16 matrix. Actually, similar circuits are provided for the other two colors.
2a in FIG. 2 is a frame memory for storing one frame of luminance data of each LED lamp E (usually 8-bit data, 0 is off, and 255 corresponds to the maximum luminance).
Normally, this frame memory 2a has a matrix structure corresponding to the matrix arrangement (16 × 16) of the LED lamps 2c. That is, the luminance data corresponding to the LED lamps in the i row and the j column are placed in the i row and the j column in the frame memory 2a.
In the image display, the luminance data in the frame memory is rewritten at a predetermined speed (frame rate), and the contents are displayed until the next rewrite.
For example, when the frame rate is 30 / second, the frame memory is rewritten and displayed at a rate of 30 frames per second.
Actually, the gradation display of each LED lamp is realized by adjusting the ratio of lighting time and non-lighting time of each LED lamp, that is, it is driven by PWM (Pulse Width Moduration) wave, and the drive power It is time-division driven by LED lamp row and column drivers to save and reduce the number of drive drivers. 2b is a circuit block for this purpose. That is, the drive circuits are 1. . . It is composed of 16 row and column drivers (C1, C2,... C16, D1, D2,... D16) with 16 addresses, and the i row and j column lamps of the LED lamp E are i. Driven by a push-pull method by drivers Ci and Dj in rows and j columns.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional large-sized video display device that configures the video screen by arranging the above full-color LED lamps in a matrix can freely display moving images, graphics, etc., but the display screen is basically flat and rectangular. The entire device including the control device is designed on the premise that it is limited to a plane, and the video content is produced on the premise of a flat rectangular video such as diverting a TV video as it is. Accordingly, the spatial arrangement / development of the light emitting elements, which should be originally provided in the electric decoration system, is lacking in flexibility, and the image displayed there has nothing to do with the pixel arrangement assembled in a rectangular and matrix form. It is a picture. That is, no decoration effect is expected in the pixel arrangement itself arranged in a plane, rectangle, or matrix. In other words, the existing LED large-screen video devices are expected to have a decorative effect on the displayed video itself, but cannot pursue decorativeness for the spatial development of the light-emitting element itself. It lacks basic functions as a system.
[0005]
The present invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the conventional display device and realize an electrical decoration system that combines the spatial arrangement of light emitting elements and the degree of freedom of display images.
Furthermore, for example, there is a growing need for large-scale illumination systems in live concerts, sporting event venues, malls (shopping districts), etc., and such large-scale illumination systems can be efficiently constructed and images suitable for them can be created. Efficient production is impossible with the prior art. In other words, a large number of light emitting elements are used, for example, decorating the walls of all buildings along a fixed section of the street. It just stays flashing.
The present invention aims to provide a system that can efficiently construct a large-scale illumination system using full-color light-emitting elements and that can easily produce an illumination image with a large decorative effect.
[0011]
【Example】
"Example 1"
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples.
In the illumination system according to the present invention, it is assumed that each light emitting element is freely arranged in a three-dimensional space. FIG. 3 is an example of a screen display showing a spatial arrangement of light emitting elements of such an electric decoration system. Each light emitting element is displayed as a single pixel represented as a small cube on the screen (hereinafter, the pixel is displayed as a small cube on the CG screen), and these pixels are arranged in a dendritic shape in the space. Is displayed. In the electrical decoration system according to the present invention, by arranging each light emitting element effectively in the space in this way, pursuing decorativeness, and simultaneously giving each light emitting element a light emission color suitable for the spatial arrangement, It is characterized by further enhancing the decorative effect.
[0012]
As will be described below, in this embodiment, such a three-dimensional illumination system is designed and its image is generated by the dedicated CG system through the following steps (or by trial and error repetition).
{Circle around (1)} A necessary number of pixels are arranged at predetermined positions in the three-dimensional space.
(2) An address is set for each pixel.
(3) A chronological emission color (luminance data for R, G, B3 primary colors) is given to each pixel. (Hereinafter, time-sequential emission color data generated for a predetermined pixel group is referred to as an electric decoration video stream, or a video stream for short).
(4) Video simulation is executed on the CG screen based on the set pixel arrangement and the generated video stream.
(5) The file format is determined based on the address given to each pixel, and the generated video stream is output as a file.
(6) Porting to the actual system and reprocessing (1) ... (5) as necessary.
[0013]
Hereinafter, the contents of each step will be described in detail.
(1) Pixel arrangement
The pixel placement operation will be described. In this work, when the detailed design of the three-dimensional shape of the electrical decoration system (three-dimensional arrangement of light emitting elements) has already been completed, for example, for each pixel, the arrangement data, that is, the three-dimensional coordinate value is input to the CG. Created by. It is also possible to design the shape of the illumination system, that is, the three-dimensional arrangement of each pixel using CG from the beginning.
In this case, it is possible to proceed with the design by setting the three-dimensional arrangement of each pixel one by one on the screen, but this work becomes very complicated when the number of pixels is large. Therefore, the CG in this embodiment has functions such as automatically generating pixels on a specified space curve at regular intervals, or automatically generating pixels based on three-dimensional objects of various shapes created as polyhedra. Is provided. FIG. 4 shows an example of pixels generated at regular intervals on a curve extending in the space, and the generated pixels are displayed as small cubes. FIG. 5 is an example in which pixels are automatically generated at the vertices of each surface constituting the polyhedron, A in the figure is a hemisphere generated as a polyhedron, and B is a pixel generated at the vertices of each surface. Represents a group. Similarly, it is possible to generate a pixel group corresponding to each surface of the polyhedron (for example, at the center of the surface). Note that the base spatial curve and the polyhedron itself are generated by using various modeling functions provided as standard in a general CG system.
The pixel group generated on the CG in this way is further corrected by cutting unnecessary pixels or moving the positions of some pixels. Such correction is also performed using a standard CG function.
[0014]
(2) Address setting
As described above, in a large planar rectangular video system using conventional LEDs, each pixel on each LED module is arranged on a plane and in a matrix, and pixels located in i rows and j columns on the module are: It is implicitly determined that the light emission data of i rows and j columns in the frame memory is read and driven by the i row and j columns driver.
In other words, the physical position (row, column) indicating the physical position of the pixel on the module is automatically regarded as the address of the pixel, and the corresponding driver and memory are configured to have the same address.
On the other hand, in the illumination device targeted by the present invention, it is assumed that each pixel is freely arranged in a three-dimensional space, and also from the example of the dendritic illumination system (FIG. 3) shown above. As can be inferred, the concept of address by (row, column) etc. cannot be implicitly given to each pixel. For this reason, it is necessary to explicitly specify the address of the corresponding drive driver for each pixel. This addressing operation is performed by, for example, picking up each pixel with a mouse and inputting the address (0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3). . . . Is done by giving
[0015]
The address (m, n) for this pixel has the following two roles. The first role is to explicitly specify that the pixel at address (m, n) should be driven by an m-row, n-column driver as described above.
Therefore, when assembling the wiring of the actual electrical decoration system, the pixel and the driver are connected based on this address information given to the pixel.
The second role is to specify a file format when outputting a video stream file to be described later. That is, when outputting a video stream file, the format of the output file is determined so that the light emission data corresponding to the pixel at the address (m, n) is stored in m rows and n columns in the frame memory.
With the above-described mechanism relating to the address, the light emission data located in the m row and the n column in the frame memory is sent to the driver of the m row and the n column, and the consistency of driving the pixel of the address (m, n) is achieved. A well-organized address system is completed.
[0016]
Since it is basically necessary to assign such addresses to all pixels, it is desirable to automate this work as much as possible.
In particular, in the system development stage, when the connection between the pixel and the driver is not yet started, there is no restriction from the device side (because the connection is based on the address determined on the CG system), this embodiment Then, the address assignment is automated using the following method.
(1) Pixels are automatically picked up sequentially, and addresses are assigned in the picked-up order.
(2) For a pixel group in which the “line structure”, “surface structure”, etc. described in the second embodiment are introduced, the address assigned to the pixel is used as it is when such a structure is introduced. For example, an illumination system that connects a number of full-color LEDs in a string and is made into a tube (hereinafter referred to as a full-color Lumitube) is an illumination system that can be assembled into various shapes with flexibility in installation location and installation shape. However, this full-color Lumitube has already been connected between the frame memory, driver, and pixels, and a "line structure" has been introduced on the CG, and the addresses 1, 2, 3,... Is given. Therefore, for this full-color Lumitube, a spatial curve corresponding to the space laying of the full-color Lumitube is first drawn on the CG as shown in FIG. 4, and pixels are set at regular intervals from the end of the curve. Is generated, and addresses are automatically assigned in the order of the generated pixels. In this method, if the arrangement of the spatial curve is determined, the addressing is completed simultaneously with the pixel arrangement.
[0017]
(3) Video stream generation
In generating a video stream, first, how many times the emission color of each pixel is changed per second, that is, the number of display frames (frame rate) per second is determined. As with TVs, movies, etc., an illumination system that uses light emitting elements such as LEDs needs to display the screen continuously at a rate of 10 to 30 frames per second in order to display a smooth image. . The number of frames that need to be produced is the product of the number of display frames per second and the total display time (seconds). Basically, all these frames need to be created one by one, as in the so-called cell animation.
[0018]
FIG. 6 is an example of a screen display for causing the dendritic illumination system shown in FIG. 3 to generate a video stream. B1, B2,... B8 in the figure are frame screens, and A1, A2,... A8 are frame numbers indicating the display order of each frame. Since all frames cannot be displayed at once, a scroll function for displaying images while moving between frames, or a mechanism for selecting a frame screen by designating a frame number is provided.
Specify the emission color for each pixel on a single frame screen. (This is done by using a coloring tool that is standard in a normal CG system. 1 frame screen is completed, and the same operation is performed on all frames to complete the entire frame screen.
[0019]
Since this work of completing the entire frame screen is a laborious work, in this embodiment, only a main frame (key frame) is created, and a key frame function of automatically generating a frame in between is provided. .
This key frame function is a function for giving a light emission color on two different frames to one pixel and automatically generating a light emission color of an intermediate frame.
The luminance data of frame i of the current pixel is (R_i, B_i, G_i), Luminance data at frame j (i <j) is (R_j, B_j, G_j), The luminance data (R) of the intermediate frame k (i <k <j)_k, B_k, G_k) Is given by, for example, Equation 1.
[0020]
[Expression 1]

[0021]
Equation 1 relating to interpolation is an example, and there are various methods, for example, giving all of the intermediate frames the same emission color as the first frame.
This temporal interpolation can be applied to a plurality of pixels or all pixels (entire frame) at the same time by repeatedly applying Equation 1 to each pixel.
FIG. 7 shows an example in which intermediate frames A2 and A3 of two key frames A1 and A4 in which luminescent colors are given to all pixels are automatically generated by the above temporal interpolation.
[0022]
These production procedures described above are similar to the production procedures in the cel animation production system using an existing computer. However, in these general cel animation production systems, each frame screen is a mere flat image. Then, each frame screen displays the emission color of each pixel and its three-dimensional arrangement, so that the image effect of the emission color can be confirmed three-dimensionally, or the emission color can be set even for pixels hidden behind. The functions of the system are greatly different, such as the ability to add three-dimensional operations such as rotation and enlargement.
[0023]
(3) Simulation
The entire frame screen (video stream) completed in this way can be played back at a preset frame rate, and the video stream of this illumination system viewed from an arbitrary angle and distance is displayed on the screen as a CG animation. It is possible to confirm with.
It is well known that a general three-dimensional CG system also has a video simulation function. However, in such a conventional CG system, changes in the position, shape, lighting, etc. of an object (object) are detected by animation. This is an object, and cannot support image simulation in which the emission colors of a large number of objects (light-emitting elements) as intended by the present invention change from frame to frame.
[0024]
(4) File output
The spatial coordinates, addresses, and video stream of each pixel generated in the above process are output to a file and stored for porting to an actual lighting system and reprocessing at a later date. In addition, as in the case of a normal CG landscape simulation, the moving image of the simulation result can be saved as an AVI file or the like, and used as a playback tool, a reconfirmation, a presentation tool for customers, etc. at a later date.
[0025]
(5) Porting to real system and reprocessing
The video stream file generated in the above process is read and stored in the frame memory of the actual lighting system. The frame memory that reads the video stream file and stores the contents correctly matches between each pixel position, the driver that drives it, and the corresponding light emission data by the function described in the section (2) Address setting. Has been taken. Also, change the lighting system once a video stream file or the like has been generated by CG (for example, add a new pixel), or create a new video for the same lighting system. When creating a stream, it is possible to increase the efficiency compared with the case where the work is started from the beginning by reading the result of the previous work such as an address file and the like into the CG and resetting the system.
[0026]
The above production steps (1) to (6) can be all processed by the same computer system (for example, one personal computer), and a plurality of computer systems (for example, a plurality of personal computers) are used for each function. Can also be processed.
[0027]
"Example 2"
Setting the emission color for each pixel in each frame shown in “Example 1” and completing all frames is a very laborious operation. In the second embodiment, in order to save such effort as much as possible and generate light emission data efficiently, a spatial adjacency relationship between pixels is separately set for a target pixel group, so that a plurality of pixels can be collectively processed. Thus, a mechanism for giving a luminescent color is provided. The spatial adjacency relationship between the pixels to be set is set independently of the actual spatial coordinates of the pixels or the connection between the pixels in the actual system. As described below, the one-dimensional adjacency relationship (“line structure”) It can be divided into two-dimensional adjacency (“surface structure”), three-dimensional adjacency, and the like.
[0028]
"Line structure"
Among the spatial adjacencies set between pixels, the simplest one is a one-dimensional adjacency or “line structure”. The “line structure” is set by introducing an order relation to each target pixel, that is, by assigning numbers 1, 2, 3,... To each pixel. On the screen of the CG system, this “line structure” is set by connecting each pixel with a side in the order of a given number and specifying a one-dimensional adjacency relationship between the pixels. FIG. 8 is a CG screen showing an example in which “line structure” is set for the pixel group automatically generated on the hemisphere previously shown in FIG. 5, and pixels A to B are connected in one stroke. ing. As shown in FIG. 9, the “line structure” also deforms pixels p1, p2, p3,... Placed at one-dimensional (straight) lattice points while maintaining the mutual adjacency relationship between the pixels. It can also be viewed as an object.
[0029]
For a pixel group in which a “line structure” is introduced in this way, basically, it is possible to select a predetermined pixel group as a “line segment” by simply specifying pixels at both ends. Various macro functions that can give emission colors to pixels in a single operation can be realized. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, two typical macro functions realized by setting a “line structure” will be described.
[0030]
(1) Spatial interpolation function
In the pixel group in which the “line structure” is introduced, the light emission color is given to two pixels, and the light emission color of the pixel group (“line segment”) sandwiched between them is automatically generated.
That is, in the pixel group in which the “line structure” is set, the pixel assigned the number i is represented by p._i2 pixels p_i, P_j  The luminance data of the three primary colors (i <j) are represented by (R_i, B_i, G_i), (R_j, B_j, G_j), Pixel p_i , P_j  Pixel p on the line segment starting at_k  Luminance data (R <i <k <j)_k, B_k, G_k) Is automatically generated by equation (2).
[0031]
[Expression 2]

[0032]
In this interpolation method, when the emission colors at the two end points of a line segment are different, a so-called gradation effect is applied between the two colors. When the emission colors are the same, the “line segment” is filled with the emission color. It becomes. As in the case of the temporal interpolation described above, there are various methods other than Equation 2 for the interpolation method between the two emission colors. FIG. 10 is a screen example in which this spatial interpolation function is applied to the pixel group in which the “line structure” shown in FIG. 9 is set, and all pixels are given the same color to the pixels A and B at both ends. Is painted with the same color, and the pixels C and D are colored with a gradation effect.
[0033]
(2) Copy and paste function
This is a function of copying or pasting an original picture (a group of pixels in which a “line structure” has been introduced and emission colors are given to all pixels in advance) from a predetermined position. The pixel group to be copied is specified by designating pixels at both end points, and the pasting position is designated by designating a pixel located at one end.
[0034]
It is possible to set a plurality of “line structures” as described above for a pixel group. FIG. 11 shows that pixels on each parallel are A1, A2 with respect to the hemispherical pixel group shown in FIG. ... Is a CG screen showing an example in which a plurality of “line structures” are set as indicated by A7. Hereinafter, a pixel group in which the “line structure” is set in this way is referred to as a pixel chain (hereinafter abbreviated as PC). In the example shown in FIG. 11, the entire pixel group is composed of seven PCs A1, A2,... A7.
[0035]
Two different PCs can also share one pixel, i.e. "cross" at one point. FIG. 12 shows a screen example in which PCs corresponding to meridians and PCs corresponding to meridians shown in FIG. 11 (indicated by dotted lines); B1, B2,... B9 are set. The PC corresponding to the meridian and the PC corresponding to the parallel each share one pixel, but the PC (and its “line segment”) selected when two pixels are specified is uniquely determined. The macro function described above can be applied to all these PCs. That is, by setting PC groups orthogonal to each other in this way, for example, gradation coloring in the latitude direction and the meridian direction becomes possible.
[0036]
In order to set a “line structure” for a pixel group, connecting each pixel with a side on the CG screen is also a complicated task. In this embodiment, in connection with the automatic pixel generation function described above, An automatic function for setting "line structure" is provided.
First, when placing pixels automatically along a single curve in space, as in the case of a full color Lumitube, the pixels are automatically numbered in order from the end of the curve. "" Is automated.
For the pixel group automatically generated at the vertex of each plane of the polyhedron, the “line structure” setting is automated by the following procedure.
[0037]
First, let the number of sides of the face connected to the vertices of each face be the degree of linearity of the vertices. According to the following two rules, the “connections between edges connected to the vertices depend on the degree of vertex degree. "Set the relationship.
(1) For each side connected to the vertices of linearity 3 and linearity 4, it is assumed that two sides that do not share the same plane are “connected” to each other. FIG. 13 is a CG screen showing an example of sides connected to the vertices of linearity 4 and linearity 3. A in the figure is a vertex with a linearity of 4, and the sides a1 and a2 are connected to each other without a shared plane, and similarly, the sides a3 and a4
Are connected. B is a vertex with a linearity of 3, and the sides b1 and b2 are “connected”.
{Circle around (2)} Regarding the sides connected to the vertices having a linearity of 2 and a linearity of 5 or more, it is assumed that there are no “connected” sides.
Next, according to the rules above, for each vertex, there is no more than two other sides that are “connected” to one side connected to it, so it starts from any side and is “connected” to that side. A series of edges that are formed by sequentially joining edges (if a "connected" edge is not found, it is interrupted there) is uniquely determined. The vertex series corresponding to this side series (vertex series connected to each side) is also one-dimensional, and the "line structure" can be automatically set to the pixel series corresponding to this vertex series. . That is, one PC can be obtained by combining pixel sides that are “connected” to each other. Even if two different PCs "cross" on one pixel, they do not share the same side (hereinafter, when two PCs cross and do not share the same side, PC is said to be orthogonal).
[0038]
When the above-described procedure is applied to, for example, the hemisphere shown in FIG. 13, the PC group shown in FIG. 12 can be automatically generated at the point where edges corresponding to the same latitude line or the same meridian are connected and orthogonal. Note that even when pixels are automatically generated corresponding to the faces instead of the vertices of the polyhedron, the “connection” can be set depending on whether or not the vertices are shared between the corresponding faces. Can be automatically generated.
[0039]
"Surface structure"
Corresponding to the fact that the “line structure” is a group of pixels arranged in a one-dimensional (straight) grid point, while maintaining the adjacent relationship between the pixels, the “surface structure” is shown in FIG. The pixel group placed on each grid point of one grid-like surface where the vertical lines and horizontal lines are orthogonal to each other is deformed while maintaining the two-dimensional (vertical and horizontal) adjacent relationship between the pixels, A “line structure” is set for the vertical and horizontal lines corresponding to the vertical and horizontal lines of the lattice-like surface.
[0040]
According to another definition, when the mxn pixel group arranged in the three-dimensional space satisfies the following three conditions, a “surface structure” is set for the pixel group.
1. A two-dimensional address (0,0), (0,1)... (M, n) is appropriately allocated to each pixel of the pixel group, and each pixel is p by the address.₀₀, P₀₁, P₀₂... p_mnCan be expressed as
2. Pixel series (p_i0, P_i1, P_i2... p_in), I = 0, 1... M
Are all PCs.
3. Similarly, the pixel series (p_0j, P_1j, P_2j... p_mj), J = 0, 1,... N are all PCs.
Hereinafter, a pixel group in which the “surface structure” is set is referred to as a pixel mesh (abbreviated as PM).
[0041]
For the pixel group for which “surface structure” can be set, if the above-described automatic method for “line structure” is used, all PCs corresponding to the vertical and horizontal lines of the corresponding lattice surface are automatically generated. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, an address (0, 0) is given to the pixel 15d which is the origin, and the addresses (0, 1) are respectively sent from the origin along the two PCs (15a, 15b) orthogonal to each other. , (0, 2)..., (1, 0), (2, 0)..., And the address (1, 1) along the PC 15c orthogonal to the PC 15a at the pixel at the address (0, 1). ), (2, 1)..., Etc., a two-dimensional address can be automatically assigned to all pixels. In this embodiment, the setting of the “surface structure” is automated as well as the above-mentioned “line structure” by this method.
[0042]
As in the case of the PC described above, various macro functions related to the plane can be set for the PM, and further efficient generation of the video stream can be realized.
The spatial interpolation and copy pasting functions described below are typical examples of macro functions implemented for such PMs, and both are implemented by extending similar functions for PCs.
[0043]
Spatial interpolation function
This is a function that gives a luminescent color to pixels on the intersection of four PCs that enclose a predetermined surface, and automatically generates a luminescent color for pixels in the surface.
As shown in FIG. 16, the four PCs that enclose the surface are 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and the four pixels 16f, 16g, 16h, and 16e at their intersections are p._ij, P_sj, P_st, P_it(I <s, j <t), and the emission colors (three primary colors) are represented by (R_ij, B_ij, G_ij), (R_sj, B_sj, G_sj), (R_st, B_st, G_st), (R_it, B_it, G_it) The pixels on the surface surrounded by the four PCs 16f, 16g, 16h, and 16e are p._uw , I ≦ u ≦ s, j ≦ w ≦ t, and the emission color is represented by (R_uw, B_uw, G_uw) And R_uwIs given by equation (3).
[0044]
[Equation 3]

[0045]
B_uw, G_uw  As for, the area gradation coloring effect by the given 4 pixels can be obtained by calculating with the same formula as Equation (3).
Similar to the spatial interpolation function in the “line structure”, there are various methods other than the interpolation according to Equation 3, such as painting with a single color.
[0046]
Copy paste function
This is a function that expands the copy pasting function in the “line structure” described above. The original picture to be pasted and the side to be pasted are both PM, and each pixel is given a two-dimensional address. In each PM that is pasted to the original picture, the corresponding pixel (reference pixel) is specified with (mouse) etc., and the remaining pixels automatically correspond so that the relative addresses from the reference pixel are equal in each PM. Affixing is performed. When the address of the reference pixel is (x, y), the relative address of the pixel at address (i, j) is given by (i-x, j-y).
[0047]
17 and 18 are CG screen examples in which “surface structure” is automatically set for the pixel group and coloring is performed using the above-described spatial interpolation function and copy pasting function.
The electrical decoration system shown here is configured as a part of the stage decoration, hanging down from the ceiling in a curtain shape (Figures 17 and 18 show only one side) with the above-mentioned full-color mitubes open to the left and right. It is designed on the assumption. As shown in FIG. 17, a curtain-shaped polyhedron is first created on a CG screen, pixels are automatically generated at the vertices, and the “surface structure” is automatically set. As a result, on the CG screen, horizontal connections that do not exist in the actual wiring structure of the lumitube are applied, and a virtual surface is formed by a plurality of lumitubes. FIG. 18 shows an example of a CG screen in which a plurality of colored patterns of the pixel group shown in FIG. 19 are pasted and colored on the virtual plane by the copy pasting function described above.
[0048]
The “line structure” and “plane structure” described above can be extended to a three-dimensional structure. In that case, each pixel is given a three-dimensional address of (0,0,0), (0,0,1), (0,0,2)... And interpolation and pasting in a three-dimensional space region. Functions and the like can be realized.
For a pixel group in which “line structure”, “surface structure”, etc. are introduced, for example, a plurality of frames (or a part of the frame) prepared in advance are pasted for each corresponding frame. For example, an efficient operation function can be realized even in the time domain.
[0049]
"Example 3"
FIG. 20 shows an example of a Christmas tree-shaped electrical decoration system installed outdoors. In the case where the number of light emitting elements as a whole is large and the arrangement is complicated as in this illumination system, display on the CG screen and various operations for generating images are also difficult. Even if the method of Example 2 is used, it is difficult to generate the entire video data at a time. Also, with this kind of lighting system, when it becomes a large scale that can be mounted on the wall of a building, it is necessary to transmit the light emission data (video stream) for all the pixels from one frame memory to all the pixels. Transmission amount, transmission speed, transmission distance, number of signal lines, etc. become difficult. Example 3 described below divides such a large-scale illumination system into partial small systems, generates video data individually, and integrates the whole to produce a harmonized video stream as a whole. It is characterized by being completed.
Hereinafter, a present Example is demonstrated taking the large-sized Christmas tree-like electrical decoration system shown by FIG. 20 as an example.
[0050]
The entire large-sized Christmas tree type illumination system is configured by combining a plurality of tree-like illumination subsystems displayed in the CG screen of FIG. FIG. 21 shows the circuit block. Each of the dendritic illumination subsystems 21f has a function of storing a plurality of video streams and specifying from the outside which video stream is to be selected and displayed including the timing. The frame memory 21a stores a plurality of video streams and is divided into a plurality of sections a1, a2, a3... So that they can be individually called and displayed (each section stores one video stream). ).
A command signal line 21d designates the video stream to be displayed, for example, by specifying the head address of the frame memory section in which the video stream is stored, and the video stream to be displayed by the LED lamp module 21c and its start timing. Instruct.
All the dendritic illumination subsystems display a video stream designated based on such a command signal at a predetermined timing.
Reference numeral 21e denotes a memory (command memory) in which display commands transmitted to such a dendritic illumination subsystem are stored, and commands e1, e2,. It is a mechanism that is transmitted to each dendritic illumination subsystem via a line 21d.
[0051]
The video stream stored in advance in each dendritic illumination subsystem is basically generated by the method of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above.
The video of the entire Christmas tree-like lighting system is determined by which subsystem displays the video stream built in at what timing.
For example, even if the same video stream is displayed on all the illumination subsystems, the flow and expansion as a whole can be expressed by slightly shifting the display start timing.
[0052]
As described above, in the illumination system shown in the present embodiment, the video streams are individually held on the subsystem side, so that a large amount of frame memory and display elements required in a normal illumination system are required. No need for data transmission. Therefore, it is possible to display a variety of harmonized lighting stream images as a whole even when the distance between the subsystems is long, for example, when the subsystems are distributed over the entire street section. It becomes. In addition, the dendritic lighting subsystem can be tangled with standing trees by arranging the structure in the same way as the lumitube, or a plurality of them can be arranged into a hedge-like lighting system (Fig. 22). is there. Also, for example, when a large number of performers wear a lighting subsystem, such as a mass game at a sports event venue, a plurality of subsystems move relative to each other and display a unified video stream as a whole In such an electric decoration system, it is effective to use radio as a command signal, or to use a manual signal by the performer's hand according to music.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even for a large-scale and complicated three-dimensional electric decoration system, its system design, construction, and generation of electric decoration video can be efficiently performed. It is possible to realize an electrical decoration system that produces an excellent decoration effect due to the spatial arrangement of light emitters and the electrical illumination video for them.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a large-sized image display device using full-color LEDs.
FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of an LED lamp module constituting FIG.
FIG. 3 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a spatial arrangement of light emitting elements.
FIG. 4 is a “display screen photograph” illustrating a group of pixels automatically generated at regular intervals on a curve.
FIG. 5 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a group of pixels automatically generated at the vertices of a polyhedron.
FIG. 6 is a “display screen photo” illustrating a process for generating a video stream.
FIG. 7 is a “photo of the display screen” illustrating the temporal interpolation effect of the emission color.
FIG. 8 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a “line structure” setting of a pixel group automatically generated on a hemisphere.
FIG. 9 is a “display screen photograph” showing a relationship between a “line structure” and a pixel group generated at lattice points on a straight line.
FIG. 10 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a spatial interpolation effect for a pixel group in which a “line structure” is set.
FIG. 11 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a plurality of “line structures” set for a pixel group.
FIG. 12 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a plurality of “line structures crossing each other” set for a pixel group.
FIG. 13 is a “display screen photograph” illustrating a procedure for automatically setting a “line structure”.
FIG. 14 is a “photo of a display screen” showing a relationship between a “surface structure” and a pixel group generated at a lattice point on a lattice surface.
FIG. 15 illustrates a procedure for automatic setting of “surface structure”.
FIG. 16 illustrates a spatial interpolation procedure for a pixel group in which “surface structure” is set.
FIG. 17 is a “photo of a display screen” illustrating a pixel group in which “surface structure” is automatically set.
18 is a “display screen photograph” illustrating a spatial interpolation effect and a copy pasting effect for the pixel group of FIG. 17;
19 is a “photo of the display screen” showing a pattern that is an original picture of the video in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a “photo of a display screen” showing a Christmas tree-shaped electrical decoration system.
FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of an electrical decoration subsystem.
FIG. 22 is a “display screen photo” showing a hedgehog lighting system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a LED display panel
1b LED module
1c pixel
2a Frame memory
2b PWM drive circuit
2c LED lamp
21a frame memory
21b Drive circuit
21c LED lamp module
21d Command signal
21e Command memory
21f Electric decoration subsystem

Claims (1)

The spatial arrangement of the light emitting elements is received as a setting on the computer graphics screen from the user, and stored as spatial arrangement data, and the spatial arrangement data is displayed on the screen as computer graphics, A time-series emission color for the light-emitting element is received from the user and stored as time-series emission color data, and the time-series emission color data is provided on a computer graphics screen.
In addition, with respect to the spatial arrangement of the light emitting elements set on the computer graphic screen, a plurality of the light emitting elements are received by accepting a setting from the user on the computer graphic screen for the adjacent relationship between the light emitting elements. A computer system having a function of selecting elements in a lump and providing a light emission color in a time series to the selected light-emitting elements.

Images