JP2000029603A - Three-dimensional input device and input method of three-dimensional shape - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for easily inputting a three-dimensional shape and the change by assembling them by plural blocks. SOLUTION: The three-dimensional shape to be inputted is assembled by blocks (B1, B2,...) provided with the various kinds of shapes. The block provided with a movable part M is also present among the blocks and the assembled blocks are electrically connected with the other block through a connector C. A three-dimensional shape recognition part 1 inputs the output information from a means for outputting information for specifying the block provided in the respective blocks for forming the three-dimensional shape, the information relating to a connection state with the other block and the information relating to the deformation state of the present block, recognizes how a block group for constituting the three-dimensional shape is assembled and also recognizes the change of the deformed part of the formed block group. Based on that, the data of a three-dimensional model are generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional input device and a three-dimensional input device for recognizing a shape assembled by a block by judging how blocks overlap with each other and a change state of the block based on response information from the block. It relates to a method of inputting a dimensional shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a three-dimensional input device, a slit projection method, a stereo photographic method, a three-dimensional measurement method, a lenticular lens input method, a hologram input method, an input method using a digitizer, and a tomographic input method have been used. Methods, computer graphic data generation and input method, three-dimensional joystick, three-dimensional mouse, etc.

[Second conventional technique]
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 0891 (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-15097), discrimination is made based on information of a block responding to a specific overlapping manner of blocks, and a three-dimensional shape assembled by the blocks is generated. There is a dimensional shape input device. In this device, each block is provided with means for outputting information for specifying the block and information on the connection state with other blocks, and when inputting a three-dimensional shape, assembling the three-dimensional shape to be input. Through the connectors of the blocks that make up the specified block group, each component block is specified by the response of an electrical signal, and how the blocks overlap is examined, thereby synthesizing a three-dimensional model formed by the block group. I do.

[0004]

However, in the three-dimensional shape input device according to the first prior art, it is difficult to input an internal shape, and it is difficult to easily create and input both shapes. There were problems such as.

In the input device of the three-dimensional shape according to the second prior art, there is a problem that it is not possible to input even the deformation information of the block. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a means for easily inputting a three-dimensional shape and its change by assembling a plurality of blocks.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a three-dimensional shape formed by connecting a plurality of blocks each having a three-dimensional shape is recognized by recognizing a connection relation and a deformation state of the blocks based on response information from the blocks. What you enter.

Therefore, a block for assembling a three-dimensional shape is provided with a connector for connecting to another block, a block identification number responding means for returning a unique block identification number to each block, and a block identification number. Connector designating means for sending a signal to a connector of another block connected to the connector when the connector identification number is specified, and connector identification number reply means for receiving the signal and returning the block identification number and the connector identification number to the connector. , A block transformation response means for returning a transformation state of a block when a block identification number is designated.

The three-dimensional shape recognizing section for recognizing the three-dimensional shape formed by the plurality of blocks is provided with a block number inquiry means for inquiring the block identification number reply means of the block for the block number and storing the block identification number. And the block identification number and the connector identification number are sent to the connector designating means of the block, the block identification number and the connector identification number are received from the connector identification number replying means, and the information of the connection state with the other connector connected to the connector is received. A connection relation storing means for storing the block identification number, the connector identification number, the other block identification number, and the other connector identification number in association with each other; A deformation state storage means for storing the block identification number; A block shape database that stores information on the block shape, connector position, and block movable information, and a block shape obtained from the block shape database based on the block identification number stored in the connection relationship storage means, and associates the block shape with the number. Recognizing a three-dimensional shape based on the connection information of the connector and the deformed state 3
A dimensional data generation unit.

The operation of the present device is as follows. A three-dimensional shape to be input is assembled by the block according to the present invention. These constituent blocks are specified, their overlapping relationship is read out from each block via a connector, and how the blocks forming the three-dimensional shape are assembled is recognized. By recognizing the change, three-dimensional data is input to the computer.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the present invention. A block B1 (same for B11 and B12) in FIG. 1 is an example of a block for forming an input three-dimensional shape. Each block has one or more connectors C on its surface at predetermined positions. Block B2 in FIG.
Is an example of a block having a movable portion M.

A plurality of blocks are connected by a connector,
By constructing a block group, a three-dimensional shape to be input is created. A three-dimensional shape recognizing unit 1 constituted by a computer or the like is connected to one block in the block group formed as described above. The three-dimensional shape recognizing unit 1 sends an electric signal to a group of blocks via a connector, and reads out an overlapping relationship between them. From the result, a three-dimensional shape is recognized.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the three-dimensional shape recognition unit and the block, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the connector, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the inside of the block. The connector of each block connects signals of the block and other blocks. The connector can be configured by providing four metal piece connection portions of lines L1 to L4 as shown in FIG. 3, and the upper and lower portions of the block are paired to form one connector. FIG. 3 shows an example of this, in which the upper part is convex and the lower part is concave. Here is the top,
There is a connector connection part at the bottom, but it can be in any position as long as the blocks can be connected. 3 and 4, the line L1 is used as a ground, the line L2 is used as a power supply, the line L3 is used as a common signal line, and the line L4 is used as a connector designation line.

The lines L1 to L3 are also connected to all connectors on the block from the top to the bottom of the connector. As shown in FIG. 4, a line L3 is connected to a block identification number response unit 21, a connector designation unit 22, a connector identification number response unit 23, and a block deformation response unit 24. Designation part 2
2. The connector identification number response section 23 is connected to the line L4 below the connector.

When inputting a three-dimensional shape, first, one block of the assembled block group is connected to the three-dimensional shape recognition unit 1. The block identification number inquiry unit 11 of the three-dimensional shape recognition unit 1 inquires the block identification number response unit 21 of the block identification number via the common signal line L3 about the block identification number, and determines the block identification number of each connected block. Will be replied.

The connection relation storage unit 12 specifies the obtained block identification number and connector identification number one by one and sends them through the common signal line L3. When there is a block connected to the upper part of the block through the connector specification line L4 of the connector above the block, the connector specifying part 22 of the block of the specified block identification number sends a signal to the connector identification number reply part 23 of that block. Sent
On the other hand, the connector identification number response unit 23 returns the block identification number and the connector identification number to the connection relation storage unit 12 through the common signal line L3, and the connection relation storage unit 12 stores information on the connection state between the connectors of the two blocks. , And store the specified block identification number and connector identification number in association with the connected block identification number and connector identification number.

If there is no block connected to the specified connector, it is determined that there is no response from the connector identification number response unit 23, and the connection relation storage unit 12 stores the specified block identification number and the connector identification number in the connection relation storage unit 12. Remember that there are no connected blocks. The connection relationship storage unit 12
This operation is repeated for the number of connectors of the corresponding block obtained from the block shape database 15. further,
The connection relationship storage unit 12 stores the block identification number inquiry unit 1
This operation is repeated for all the blocks having the block identification numbers obtained in step 1.

The deformation state storage unit 13 finds a block having a movable part from the block shape database 15 among the blocks having the block identification number obtained by the block identification number inquiry unit 11, and stores the identification number of the block in the block deformation response. The signal is sent to the unit 24 through the common signal line L3. The block deformation responding section 24 of the block responds with the deformation state via the common signal line L3, and the deformation state storage section 13 stores the block identification number and the deformation state.

FIG. 5 shows the inside of the movable portion M of the block B2 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5, one or a plurality of rotary encoders 30 are incorporated in the movable part M. The block deformation responding unit 24 recognizes the deformation state based on the output of the rotary encoder 30, and returns the signal through the common signal line L3. As a method of deforming the movable portion M, any method such as a method using a joint of a robot arm, a method using a screw, or a method using a plastic material such as clay or wire is used. It is sufficient to implement the present invention if it can be deformed and can sense its deformed state.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the internal structure of the block deformation response unit 24. The block deformation responding unit 24 has a sensor information digitizing unit 241 and a serial information converting unit 242.
The sensor information digitizing unit 241 is a sensor 3 for detecting any deformation state of the rotary encoder 30 or the like shown in FIG.
Numerically converts the information input from 1 into a serial information conversion unit 2
Reference numeral 42 converts the digitized sensor information into serial information and outputs the serial information to the common signal line L3.

The parts other than the block deformation response unit 24, such as the block identification number response unit 21, can be configured using the technique described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-230891. Detailed description of the inside is omitted.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show block B shown in FIG.
Block group of 11, B12, B2 and three-dimensional shape recognition unit 1
An example of connection is shown. As shown in FIG. 7, this block group includes a movable unit M on blocks B11 and B12.
The block B2 having the block B11 is mounted.
And the connector C1 of the block B2.
Is connected to the lower part. The upper part of the connector C1 of the block B12 and the lower part of the connector C2 of the block B2 are connected.

The three-dimensional shape recognizing unit 1 is first connected to the lower part of the connector C1 of the block B11, as shown in FIG. Look up information. Similarly, the block B12 is checked.

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart of the three-dimensional shape recognition unit 1. First, in step S1, the block identification number inquiry unit 11 inquires of the block identification numbers, and obtains the block identification numbers of all the connected blocks by the response from the block identification number response unit 21 of each block.

Next, in step S2, the block identification number and the connector identification number obtained in step S1 are designated one by one, sent through the common signal line L3, and the connector designation section of the block of the designated block identification number is designated. 22
If there is a block in the upper part of the block, an inquiry is made to the connector identification number response unit 23 of the block.

In step S3, the connection relation between the connected blocks to which a response has been received from the connector identification number response section 23 is stored. If there is no response from the connector identification number response section 23, the controller stores the specified block identification number and that there is no block connected to the connector identification number.

The above step S is performed by the number of connectors of the corresponding block obtained from the block shape database 15.
Steps S2 and S3 are repeated (step S4). If processing has been performed for all connectors of the corresponding block, step S
5, the block having the movable portion is found from the block shape database 15 among the blocks having the block identification numbers obtained by the block identification number inquiry section 11, and
By transmitting the identification number of the block to the block modification response unit 24 through the common signal line L3, the information of the modification state of the block is received, and the modification information (block identification number and modification state) of the block is stored.

The above processing is repeated for all the blocks (step S6).
In step 7, the three-dimensional data generation unit 14 generates three-dimensional data from the block connection relation and the block deformation information with reference to the block shape database 15.

FIG. 10 shows the recorded contents of the block identification number, the connector identification number, the upper block identification number, and the upper connector identification number obtained in the above step S3 for the example of the block group of FIG. Here, as the block connection relation information, the block identification number 20 is placed above the second connector of the block with the block identification number 1001.
01 is connected to the lower part of the first connector of the block with the block identification number 1002, and the lower part of the second connector of the block with the block identification number 2001 is connected to the upper part of the first connector. Is recorded that nothing is connected.

FIG. 11 shows the recorded contents of the block identification number and the deformed state obtained in step S5 of FIG. 9 for the same block group of FIG. Here, it is recorded that the deformed state of the block with the block identification number 2001 is rotated vertically by 45 degrees.

In the above embodiment, the shape of each block may be different or the same for each block identification number. By referring to the block shape database 15 storing the block shape, connector position, and block movable information for each block identification number, the three-dimensional shape assembled by the blocks can be recognized, and a three-dimensional shape model can be synthesized.

<Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the deformation state storage unit 13 of the three-dimensional shape recognition unit 1
Is repeatedly executed at certain time intervals, the change state of the movable portion of the assembled block can be captured. By doing so, it can be used as an input device such as a mouse or a joystick. For example, by assembling a doll model using blocks having movable parts on the limbs, the doll can be moved in a three-dimensional space generated by computer graphics.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By incorporating a mechanism capable of reading the identification, the overlapping relationship, and the state of the change in the block, it becomes possible to input the shape assembled by the easily handled block and the change to the computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of a three-dimensional shape recognition unit and a block.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a connector.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the inside of a block.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the inside of a movable section M of a block B2 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of a block deformation response unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of a block group.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a connection example of a block group and a three-dimensional shape recognition unit.

FIG. 9 is a processing flowchart of a three-dimensional shape recognition unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recorded contents of a connection relation storage unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of recorded contents of a deformation state storage unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Three-dimensional shape recognition part B1, B2, B11, B12 Block C connector M Movable part 11 Block identification number inquiry part 12 Connection relation storage part 13 Deformation state storage part 14 Three-dimensional data generation part 15 Block shape database 21 Block identification number reply Part 22 Connector designation part 23 Connector identification number response part 24 Block deformation response part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of blocks each having an arbitrary shape and each having a block identification number are connected and formed.
A three-dimensional input device for obtaining three-dimensional shape data from a three-dimensional shape by a three-dimensional shape recognizing unit, wherein each of the blocks has a unique connection position for connecting to another block. One or more connectors, a connector connection line capable of transmitting a signal through a connector of the connected block, a block identification number response means for returning a block identification number, and a block identification number and a connector identification number when specified. A connector designating means for sending a signal to a connector of another block connected to the connector, a connector identification number replying means for receiving the signal to return a block identification number and a connector identification number, and a block when designating a block identification number Block deformation response means for returning the deformation state of
Said three-dimensional shape recognizing unit inquires of a block identification number response unit of the block about a block number and stores a block identification number;
The block identification number and the connector identification number are sent to the connector designating means of the block, the block identification number and the connector identification number are received from the connector identification number replying means of the block connected to the connector, and the other connectors connected to the connector are received. A connection relation storing means for storing the connection state information of the block association number, the connector identification number, the other block identification number, and the other connector identification number in association with each other; Deformation state storage means for storing a block identification number and a deformation state; a block shape database for storing block shape, connector position, and block movable information for each block identification number; and block identification information stored in the connection relation storage means From the block shape database, Tsu give click shape, 3 on the basis of the deformation state and connection information of connectors associated to the number
A three-dimensional input device, comprising: a three-dimensional data generation unit that recognizes a three-dimensional shape. 2. A block 3 formed by connecting a plurality of blocks.
A three-dimensional shape input method for recognizing a three-dimensional shape and generating three-dimensional data, which can be connected to another block via a connector, and relates to information for specifying a block and a connection state with another block. A plurality of blocks having means for outputting information and information on a deformed state, wherein at least one of the blocks has a movable portion capable of changing its shape, and is assembled into a three-dimensional shape to be input. By sending an electrical signal to the set of blocks via a connector of the block, information for specifying a block constituting the three-dimensional shape, information on a connection state with another block, and information on a deformation state are input. Block shape for each block type,
Based on a database storing connector position and block movable information, a three-dimensional shape is recognized from the input information.
A method for inputting a three-dimensional shape, characterized by generating dimensional data.