JP2004234054A - Virtual exhibition system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a virtual exhibition system capable of efficiently retrieving desired exhibitions from a plurality of exhibitions and receiving the presentation which is performed by a presenter in an actual exhibition hall while being interlocked with the above. <P>SOLUTION: This virtual exhibition system is provided with a retrieving means for retrieving exhibits while changing the configurations of the generation of an exhibition image generated based on storage information associated with an exhibition hall and exhibits, a presenter display means for displaying the presentation of the exhibits designated in retrieval at a display according to the animation voice of a presenter, and a DTPR image display means for displaying the presentation of the exhibits at the display with a DTPR image synchronizing with the animation voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a virtual exhibition system that reminds visitors of a huge exhibition hall in a small space with a small number of staff members.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When there is a large number of exhibits that require careful explanation, a large exhibition hall is set up to accommodate the large number of exhibitors, and a large number of exhibitors are assigned to the exhibition. In such a large-scale exhibition, the initial cost for setting up the exhibition hall is extremely high, and also the variable costs such as the fee for use of the hall, the personnel cost, etc., which are accumulated according to the number of days, become high. Therefore, it is difficult to hold an exhibition for a long time. In addition, changing the content and method of the exhibition involves physically replacing the exhibits, display panels, and the like, which is a burdensome operation.
[0003]
On the other hand, with the rapid development of drawing technology in three-dimensional computer graphics, there is a proposal to apply a virtual space (for example, Patent Document 1). In this proposal, a scene in which a position and a shape of an object are defined in a three-dimensional coordinate system when viewed from a specific viewpoint is displayed on a display. The position of a specific viewpoint can be changed by the operation or action of the operator. Thereby, a person watching the display (which may be the same as the operator) has an impression as if he / she moved in the defined space. If the defined space is an exhibition hall, a virtual exhibition hall will be realized.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-97349
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional proposal of a virtual exhibition hall, it is not possible to efficiently search for a desired exhibition among a large number of exhibitions displayed in a large-scale exhibition hall. In addition, it is impossible to receive a presentation of an exhibit of interest by searching in conjunction with the search. In addition, the presentation cannot be performed by the explainer in the actual exhibition hall, and it is difficult to efficiently and accurately transmit the contents in the presentation.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently search for a desired exhibit from a large number of exhibits, and to display an exhibit which is interesting by the search. To provide a virtual exhibition system that can receive presentations of things in conjunction with search, allow presentations to be made at actual exhibition halls by presentation staff, and can efficiently transmit accurate contents in presentations It is in.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is,
The virtual exhibition system according to claim 1 of the present invention is a virtual exhibition system that performs display reminiscent of an actual exhibition on a display, and generates and displays the display on a display based on stored information on an exhibition hall and an exhibit. Search means for searching for an exhibit while changing the form of the generated display image, presenter display means for displaying a presentation of the exhibit specified in the search on a display by a video sound of a presenter, and presentation of the exhibit And DTPR image display means for displaying DTPR images on a display with DTPR images synchronized with the moving image sound.
[0008]
According to the present invention, an exhibit is searched for while changing the form of the generation of the display image generated and displayed on the display based on the storage information regarding the exhibition hall and the exhibit by the search means, and the presenter display means searches for the exhibit in the search. The presentation of the designated exhibit is displayed on the display by the moving image sound of the presenter, and the presentation of the exhibit is displayed on the display by the DTPR (desktop presentation) image display means by the DTPR image synchronized with the moving image sound. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently search for a desired exhibit from a large number of exhibits, and to receive a presentation of an exhibit of interest through the search in conjunction with the search. And a virtual exhibition system that can transmit accurate contents efficiently in a presentation. Instead of the search method described above, a well-known keyword search or the like enables an efficient search for an exhibit having a purpose. However, when the purpose is not clear (when looking for something good), it is not efficient and difficult to find. The search method of the present invention can be suitably used even when the purpose is not clear.
Here, the “exhibition hall and exhibits” include everything that is generally present in an exhibition.
[0009]
A virtual exhibition system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the virtual exhibition system according to the first aspect, wherein the log information for storing log information relating to the operation of the virtual exhibition system including the search and the designation of the exhibit. It is provided with storage means. According to the present invention, based on the log information, information such as what a participant in the virtual exhibition system, for example, a customer, is interested in can be obtained.
[0010]
A virtual exhibition system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the virtual exhibition system according to the first or second aspect, further comprising document output means for printing out the document of the exhibit. According to the present invention, information on an exhibit is obtained as a document.
[0011]
A virtual exhibition system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the virtual exhibition system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the storage information relating to the exhibition hall and the exhibit is newly added, edited, and deleted. An information management means is provided. According to the present invention, new addition, editing, and deletion of the storage information relating to the exhibition hall and the exhibit are performed by the exhibition information management means.
[0012]
Further, in the virtual exhibition system according to claim 5 of the present invention, in the virtual exhibition system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the change in the form of generation is performed from a wide area image of the exhibition hall to a narrow area image. And / or the display image is changed from the narrow area image to the wide area image, and in the wide area image, a wide area name such as an exhibition zone or an exhibition corner is used. This is a change in the form of generation in which the area name is combined with the corresponding location. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the search of an exhibit is performed dynamically and efficiently based on the wide area image and the narrow area image of the exhibition hall, and the names of the display zone, the display corner, the display panel, the display, and the like.
[0013]
Further, in the virtual exhibition system according to claim 6 of the present invention, in the virtual exhibition system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the change in the form of generation is based on an image viewed when the user visits the exhibition hall. The display image is changed, and at the same time, a change is made in the form of generation in which the names of the display zone, the display corner, the display panel, the display, and the like are combined with the corresponding portions. According to the present invention, an exhibition image changes to an image to be viewed when traveling around the exhibition hall, and names of an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, an exhibition panel, an exhibit, and the like are combined at corresponding portions. Therefore, the search for the exhibits can be performed dynamically and efficiently as if they were traveling around the exhibition hall.
[0014]
In the virtual exhibition system according to claim 7 of the present invention, in the virtual exhibition system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the search means includes an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, an exhibition panel, and an exhibition in the exhibition image. By designating the name of an object or an entire exhibition hall, the form of generation is changed to an exhibition image corresponding to the designated name. According to the present invention, a new exhibition image corresponding to the name designated in the exhibition image is displayed on the display.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, a method of using the virtual exhibition system will be described with reference to FIGS. The characteristic configuration and operation of the virtual exhibition system of the present invention will be described later. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process of inviting a customer to the virtual exhibition system. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a presentation process in the virtual exhibition system.
[0016]
First, in step S1 of FIG. 1, a reservation for using a virtual exhibition is made. The virtual exhibition system can have the same display contents as a large exhibition hall. However, the number of people who can participate in the exhibition at the same time depends on the size of the system and the size of the installation space (see FIG. 3). In other words, there is a limit to the number of people or groups who simultaneously use the virtual exhibition system. Therefore, the department (sales department, etc.) using the virtual exhibition system requests the managing department to use it. The managing department adjusts the determined schedule of the virtual exhibition system and its new request, and creates a new schedule incorporating a new use reservation.
[0017]
Next, in step S2, an invitation is issued. The managing department issues an invitation at an appropriate time based on the schedule of the virtual exhibition system and sends it to the department that uses it. The invitation consists of, for example, an invitation ticket and an envelope.The invitation ticket contains the name of the exhibition, the name of the company to be invited, the name, date and time of the invitation, etc. The name, “Invitation ticket present”, and the like are described.
[0018]
Next, in step S3, it is confirmed whether or not the content of the invitation is correct at the place to be used. In addition, a letter of greeting from the department to be used, a pamphlet of the exhibition, etc. will be enclosed in the invitation. In the exhibition brochure, a description of the virtual exhibition system as well as the description of the exhibition hall and the exhibits will be described so that the customer can obtain the preliminary knowledge. Then, the department to be used visits the customer and gives an invitation with a greeting or explanation, or mails the customer after writing the address of the customer.
[0019]
Next, in step S4, preparation is made when a customer is invited to the exhibition by the department managing the virtual exhibition system and the department using the virtual exhibition system. For example, preparations such as deciding the contents of the presentation and specializing a part of the contents according to each customer are made.
Next, in step S5, the section managing the virtual exhibition system and the section using the virtual exhibition system cooperate to give a presentation on the day.
[0020]
The process of inviting a customer to the virtual exhibition system has been described above. Next, a presentation process in the virtual exhibition system will be described. Before that, a drawing in which the virtual exhibition system is installed, that is, a configuration of an exhibition square will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an exhibition square. In this exhibition square, an exhibition panel and a solution are exhibited as an example of an exhibit. Here, a solution is a means for solving a problem in a business or the like (for example, a business model).
[0021]
In FIG. 3, 30 is an office, 31 is a content recording simple studio, 32 is a presentation room, 33 is a solution search corner, 34 is a solution introduction corner, and 35 is a demonstration corner.
The office 30 is an office of a person who works directly with the exhibition square, such as all or a part of the department that manages the virtual exhibition system.
[0022]
The content recording simple studio 31 is a studio that produces a part of the content (moving picture / audio, DTPR, display panel, etc.) in the exhibition square.
The presentation room 32 is a room for introducing comprehensive contents of the exhibition, such as a gist, a concept, a theme, and the like. Business negotiations are also held at the end of the presentation.
[0023]
The solution search corner 33 is a corner where a visitor (customer, etc.) finds a solution that meets his / her task from various solutions (examples of exhibits) for the visitor (customer, etc.) in a form such as traveling around a virtual exhibition hall. is there. This corner is provided with a part for searching for a solution in the virtual exhibition system (details will be described later).
[0024]
The solution introduction corner 34 is a corner where a presentation is made on a solution specified from among solutions that have been interested in the search. This corner is provided with a part for presenting the solution in the virtual exhibition system (to be described in detail later).
[0025]
The demonstration corner 35 is a corner for performing a solution demonstration using a computer system or the like having a configuration according to the content of the solution.
[0026]
Next, a presentation process in the above-described exhibition square where the virtual exhibition system is installed will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step S201 of FIG. 2, the customer who brought the invitation ticket is guided to the presentation room 32, and the purpose of the exhibition is introduced by video. The department that manages and uses the virtual exhibition system will also be present (the same applies hereinafter). The visiting customers are specified by the virtual exhibition system or the exhibition square schedule and the invitation ticket. Therefore, when there is something special for the customer, the special video is introduced (the same applies hereinafter).
[0027]
Next, in step S202, the customer is guided to the solution search corner 33, and a brief description of the virtual exhibition system is provided. In addition, the operation method will be described so that the customer can operate by himself.
[0028]
Next, in step S203, the customer operates the part of the virtual exhibition system for searching for a solution by himself / herself and searches for an exhibit (details will be described later). Then print a document (solution documentation) for some of the solutions that interest you. In the next step, specify the solution to be referred.
[0029]
Next, in step S204, the customer is guided to the solution introduction corner 34, and a presentation on the specified solution (an example of an exhibit) is made. This presentation is made by the part of the virtual exhibition system that presents the solution (described in more detail below).
Next, in step S205, a supplementary explanation is given by a sales representative (a department using the virtual exhibition system) who is present with the customer.
[0030]
Next, in step S206, the customer is guided to the demonstration corner 35 to perform a solution demonstration. A computer system for executing the solution is installed in the demonstration corner 35, and the start-up of this computer system is performed in conjunction with the presentation in step S204.
Next, in step S207, the customer is guided to the presentation room 32 to negotiate a business.
[0031]
In the above, the usage of the virtual exhibition system has been mainly described in order to make it easy to understand the overall image and the position thereof. Next, the characteristic configuration and operation of the virtual exhibition system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the virtual exhibition system of the present invention. 4, 1 is a computer main body, 2 is a keyboard, 3 is a mouse, 4 is a joystick, 5 is a fourth display, 6 is a color printer, 7 is an exhibition hall / exhibition information storage unit, and 8 is an exhibition screen output unit. , 9 is a first display, 10 is a video / audio information storage unit, 11 is a video / audio output unit, 12 is a second display, 13 is a first speaker, 14 is a second speaker, 15 is a DTPR information storage unit, 16 Denotes a DTPR output unit, 17 denotes a third display, 18 denotes a document information storage unit, and 19 denotes a log information storage unit.
[0032]
The computer main body 1 is a part that performs information processing in the virtual exhibition system. Hardware such as a personal computer, a dedicated image processing device (2D, 3D video card, 3D graphic card, DVD recording / playback card, etc.), and software such as an OS (operating system), an application for executing a virtual exhibition system, etc. , Is constituted by.
[0033]
The computer main body 1 does not need to be configured with one device, and a configuration in which a plurality of devices perform a cooperative operation can be adopted. At least one of them is provided with an input / output terminal such as a keyboard 2, a mouse 3, a joystick 4, a fourth display 5 for displaying an operation screen, and a color printer 6, so that an operator can operate the virtual exhibition system. Configure to be able to do it.
[0034]
As an application (software) of the computer main body 1, there is a search application that searches for an exhibit while changing the form of generation of the display image generated based on the storage information regarding the exhibition hall and the exhibit and displayed on the display.
The change in the form of the generation includes changing the display image from the wide area image of the exhibition hall to the narrow area image or from the narrow area image to the wide area image, and, in the wide area image, a wide area name such as an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, etc. In the narrow-area image, a change in the form of generation in which a narrow-area name such as an exhibition panel or an exhibit is combined with a corresponding portion is included.
[0035]
In addition, as a change in the form of generation, the display image is changed to an image to be viewed when traveling around the exhibition hall, and the generation of the name of the display zone, the display corner, the display panel, the display, etc. is combined with the corresponding location. Morphological changes are included.
Also, when there is an input indicating the name of an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, an exhibition panel, an exhibit, or an entire exhibition hall, etc. in the exhibition image, the search application generates a display image corresponding to the designated name. A process for changing the form is performed.
[0036]
Other applications of the computer main body 1 include a presenter display application for displaying a presentation of an exhibit specified in the search on a display by moving image sound of the presenter.
In addition, there is a DTPR image display application that displays a presentation of an exhibit on a display using a DTPR image synchronized with moving image audio.
In addition, there is a document output application for printing out the document of the exhibit.
[0037]
In addition, there is a log information collection application that collects and stores log information relating to the operation of the virtual exhibition system including search and designation of exhibits.
In addition, the virtual exhibition system has an exhibition information management application for newly adding, editing, and deleting storage information relating to an exhibition hall and an exhibit.
[0038]
The exhibition hall / exhibition information storage unit 7 is a storage device such as a hard disk that stores information on the exhibition hall and the exhibition. The information on the exhibition hall and the exhibit is composed of material information (primitives) for generating 2D and 3D (two-dimensional and three-dimensional) images, attribute information associated with each of the material information, and the like. When the computer main body 1 generates an exhibition image (see FIGS. 5 to 9) as an image including a computer graphics image, the information on the exhibition hall and the exhibit is appropriately read as material information thereof.
[0039]
The display screen output section 8 outputs an exhibition image generated by the computer main body 1 based on the storage information stored in the exhibition hall / exhibition information storage section 7 to the first display 9 under the control of the computer main body 1. Output device. The display screen output unit 8 can apply a graphic card (2D, 3D video card, or the like) built in the computer main body 1. Further, a dedicated image processing device that generates an exhibition image including a 2D and 3D computer graphic image in cooperation with the computer main body 1 can be applied.
As the first display 9, for example, a display having a large screen of 50 inches or more is applied, and is installed above the second display 12 and the third display 17.
[0040]
The moving image / audio information storage unit 10 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a DVD (digital video disk) that stores information on moving images and audio. In the virtual exhibition system, at least a video image for displaying a presentation of an exhibit on a display by a moving image of a presenter (see the left screen in FIG. 9) and a sound is stored in the moving image / audio information storage unit 10. The video / audio information storage unit 10 stores a plurality of videos having different contents and scenes, and can perform random access reproduction of any video among the plurality of videos under the control of the computer main body 1.
[0041]
The moving image / sound output unit 11 transmits the moving image to the second display 12 and the sound to the first speaker 13 and the second speaker 14 under the control of the computer main body 1 under the control of the computer main body 1. Output device. The video / audio output unit 11 can be an independent DVD recording / playback device having a computer control function, or a DVD recording / playback card built in the computer main body 1.
As the second display 12, for example, a display having a large screen of 50 inches or more is applied, and is arranged in close contact with the third display 17 in a horizontal direction to form a two-screen (see FIG. 10). Install.
[0042]
The DTPR information storage unit 15 is a storage device such as a hard disk that stores information related to DTPR (desktop presentation). The DTPR realizes the same function as a presentation using materials such as OHP (over head projector) and slides by computer software. The DTPR information storage unit 15 stores DTPR information (see the right screen in FIG. 10) such as characters, graphics (images), slides including animations and moving images, etc. prepared in advance. Then, the DTPR information is sequentially read out for display under the control of the computer main body 1. In the virtual exhibition system, the display is linked to the story presented by the presenter using moving images and audio.
[0043]
The DTPR output unit 16 is an output device that outputs the storage information stored in the DTPR information storage unit 15 to the third display 17 under the control of the computer main unit 1. As the DTPR output unit 16, a graphic memory card (such as a 2D video card) built in the computer main body 1 can be applied.
As the third display 17, for example, a display having a large screen of 50 inches or more is applied. The third display 17 is arranged in close contact with the second display 12 in a horizontal direction to form a two-sided screen (see FIG. 10). Install.
[0044]
The document information storage unit 18 is a storage device such as a hard disk that stores document information such as materials related to exhibits, exhibitions, and the like, pamphlets, and the like. When an instruction to print a specific document is input to the computer main body 1, the computer main body 1 inputs the document information from the document information storage unit 18, converts the document information into print format data, and outputs the data to the color printer 6. The color printer 6 prints out the document (see S203 in FIG. 2). The document information is stored, for example, in the form of a PDF (portable document format) document file.
[0045]
The log information storage unit 19 is a storage device such as a hard disk that stores log information related to the operation of the virtual exhibition system including search and designation of an exhibit. Based on the log information, it is possible to obtain information such as what the participants of the virtual exhibition system, for example, customers, are interested in.
[0046]
The example of the configuration in the virtual exhibition system of the present invention has been described above. Next, an example of the operation in the above configuration will be described.
In the virtual exhibition system in which the processing such as the start-up of the system has been completed and the preparation has been completed, a mode for searching for an exhibit is selected (see S203 in FIG. 2). As a result, the search application is activated in the computer main body 1. The search application is an application that searches for an exhibit while changing the form of generation of the exhibit image generated and displayed on the display based on the storage information about the exhibition hall and the exhibit.
[0047]
FIG. 5 shows an example of an exhibition screen showing the whole image of the exhibition hall in the mode of searching for an exhibition, that is, a wide area screen of the exhibition hall. This display screen is displayed on the first display 9. As shown in FIG. 5, the exhibition hall is divided into a plurality of exhibition zones. In this example, five exhibition zones are shown: a business efficiency solution, an industry industry solution, an e-business solution, a CRM solution, and a security solution.
[0048]
These exhibition zones are further divided into multiple exhibition corners. For example, in the exhibition zone for business efficiency solutions, five exhibition corners are shown: intellectual property support, training, public relations, production and logistics, and business support. That is, the exhibition hall is composed of a plurality of exhibition zones, and each exhibition zone is composed of a plurality of exhibition corners. Each exhibition zone and each exhibition corner include an exhibit corresponding to each name.
[0049]
In such a hierarchical structure, the display screen indicating the upper hierarchy includes a name or description indicating the next lower hierarchy. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the names of a plurality of exhibition zones (second level) are shown in the overall image of the exhibition hall (first level), and the names of a plurality of display corners (second level) are shown in each exhibition zone. (3 layers). By configuring the display screen in this way, the exhibition hall can be understood by the name of the exhibition zone, and the exhibition zone can be understood by the name of the exhibition corner.
[0050]
When one of the exhibition zones is designated by a pointer using the mouse 3 or the joystick 4 and clicked on the button or the like, an exhibition screen showing the exhibition zone, that is, an exhibition screen showing the whole image of the exhibition hall is displayed. Displays a narrow area screen. When one of the exhibition corners is selected by using the mouse 3 or the joystick 4 and the button is clicked or the like, the display screen showing the exhibition corner, that is, the display screen showing the exhibition zone, has a narrow area. The screen is displayed. Furthermore, the display of the first display 9 can be shifted to a narrower screen from an exhibition screen showing an exhibition panel and an exhibition screen showing an exhibit.
[0051]
On the contrary, the first display 9 is displayed by the same operation as the display screen showing the exhibit, the display screen showing the display panel, the display screen showing the exhibition corner, the display screen showing the exhibition hall, and the like. Can be migrated.
[0052]
As described above, in the mode for searching for an exhibit in the virtual exhibition system, a change in the form in which the display image is generated changes the display image from the wide area image of the exhibition hall to the narrow area image or from the narrow area image to the wide area image. At the same time, a process of combining a wide area name such as an exhibition zone and an exhibition corner in a wide area image and a narrow area name such as an exhibition panel and an exhibit in a narrow area image is performed. Then, by instructing the name of the exhibition zone, the exhibition corner, the exhibition panel, the exhibit, or the entire exhibition hall, etc. in the exhibition image, a process of changing the form of generation to the exhibition image corresponding to the designated name is performed. It is.
[0053]
The example of the operation in the mode for searching for an exhibit has been described above. Next, an example of another operation in the same mode will be described.
In the virtual exhibition system in which the processing such as the start-up of the system has been completed and the preparation has been completed, a mode for searching for an exhibit is selected (see S203 in FIG. 2). As a result, the search application is activated in the computer main body 1. FIG. 6 shows an example of an exhibition screen showing the area including the exhibition hall in the mode of searching for an exhibition, that is, a wide area screen of the exhibition hall. This display screen is displayed on the first display 9.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 6, the area 61 including the exhibition hall is shown as a three-dimensional map. Further, on the display screen, a current position display radar 62 that schematically shows a target object and the like is displayed while enlarging the vicinity of the current position in the area 61 including the exhibition hall. The center of the mark (aim) formed by combining the circle and the cross shown on the current position display radar 62 is the current position. A plurality of figures indicated by rectangles indicate the locations of the exhibition zones. In addition, a pointer 63 indicating the current position in the area 61 including the exhibition hall is displayed. The pointer 63 is indicated by a mark (aim) in which a circle and a cross are combined similarly to the current position display radar 62, so that it is easy to recognize that the pointer 63 is integrated.
[0055]
The position of the pointer 63 on the exhibition screen can be changed by operating the joystick 4 (see FIG. 4). In conjunction with this, the image displayed on the current position display radar 62, that is, the vicinity of the current position is enlarged, and the image schematically showing the target object and the like also changes so as to be aligned. In FIG. 6, the exhibition zone (rectangle) shown by the current position display radar 62 is off the center of the mark (sight). The joystick 4 is operated to match the center of the mark (aim) with the position of the exhibition zone (rectangle).
[0056]
FIG. 7 shows the display screen when the display zone (rectangle) and the center of the mark (aim) are matched on the current position display radar 62. As shown in FIG. 7, an exhibition zone description 71 which is a window for explaining the exhibition zone is displayed. In the exhibition zone description 71, for example, if the exhibition zone is an e-business solution, a description describing the exhibition zone is displayed. Alternatively, the names of the six exhibition corners (see FIG. 5) of the e-business development, e-commerce business, digital content business, e-business management, and web solution belonging to the exhibition zone are displayed.
[0057]
When the first button (not shown) of the joystick 4 is kept pressed on the display screen, the image of the area 61 including the exhibition hall on the display screen is zoomed in to be an enlarged image, that is, a narrow area image of the exhibition hall. When the first button (not shown) is released, the image of the area 61 including the exhibition hall is fixed to the enlarged image at that time. Conversely, if the second button (not shown) of the joystick 4 is kept pressed on the display screen on which the enlarged image is displayed, the image of the area 61 including the exhibition hall on the display screen is zoomed out, and the enlarged image, that is, the exhibition hall is displayed. Wide area image.
[0058]
In the narrow area image of the exhibition screen, a more detailed scene of the exhibition hall or the like is included in the image as compared with the wide area image. For example, a wide area image showing the entire exhibition hall shows a plurality of buildings (exhibition zones) constituting the exhibition hall, whereas a narrow area image showing the whole building shows a scene of an exhibition corner provided in the building. Is shown. Further, in the narrow area image showing the entire exhibition corner, the display panel and the scene of the exhibit are shown. As described above, the display screen is similar to the hierarchical structure in the above-described name or description, and has a hierarchical structure in the scene.
[0059]
When the zoom-in of the exhibition zone is continued in this way, the exhibition screen automatically shifts to an exhibition screen that displays the exhibition zone with images such as 3D computer graphics. FIG. 8 shows an example of a 3D computer graphics image of the exhibition zone. As shown in FIG. 8, this is an image seen when the exhibition zone 81 is viewed from a specific viewpoint, and this image is displayed on the first display 9. In this example, the entire display zone 81 and the presence of the display corner 82 are displayed as a perspective view so as to be easily understood. By operating the joystick 4, the viewpoint can be moved so that the visitor moves. In addition, zoom-in and zoom-out can be performed.
[0060]
On the display screen, the names of the display zone, the display corner, the display panel, the display, and the like are combined at the corresponding portions. When those names or images are selected by pointing with the mouse 3 or the joystick 4 using a pointer and clicking the button or the like, an exhibition screen showing the selection is displayed. FIG. 8 shows a state in which, when a specific exhibition corner 82 is selected, the display color of the exhibition corner 82 changes to a color indicating that the display corner 82 has been selected.
[0061]
When the exhibit corner 82 is selected, a video explaining the exhibit corner 82 is displayed after a short time. Upon completion, a screen for instructing and selecting one of an instruction to print out a document (print instruction), an instruction to start a presentation (presentation instruction), and an instruction to cancel the selection of the exhibition corner 82 (cancel instruction). Move to
[0062]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for displaying a list of solutions (exhibits) displayed in the exhibition corner and determining what kind of presentation to give. As shown in FIG. 9, the screen displays the name of the exhibition zone “e-business solution”, the name of the exhibition corner “e-commerce business”, the display panel image, the photograph of the person in charge, and the name of the exhibit “ABC mail order business support service”. , An online mail order system, an online shop member management system,..., Etc. "
[0063]
In FIG. 9, the user selects a solution (exhibition zone name) for which the user wants to know the contents by pointing with the mouse 3 or the joystick 4 using a pointer and clicking the button. In this example, "e-commerce business process outsourcing" is selected. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a display image explaining the content of “e-commerce business process outsourcing” is displayed on the left side, that is, an exhibition panel 102 and a face image 103 of the person in charge, and an explanatory note is displayed on the lower side. You.
[0064]
When a print instruction is given on the screen shown in FIG. 9, the virtual exhibition system provides a comprehensive description of the exhibition corner 82, a description of the exhibits in the corner, a description corresponding to the display panel, and a description of the exhibition / exhibition hall. Documents (materials, pamphlets) in which are described are printed out from a color printer (see S203 in FIG. 2). In this example, a document related to "e-commerce business process outsourcing" is printed.
[0065]
When a cancel instruction is given on the screen shown in FIG. 9, the screen returns to the screen of the exhibition zone shown in FIG. 8, and the selection of the specific exhibition corner 82 is canceled, and the display color of the exhibition corner 82 indicates non-selection. Changes to a color or a color that indicates that you have dropped in once. Then, the mode returns to the mode of searching for an exhibit, and the search for the exhibit can be restarted.
[0066]
Further, when a presentation instruction is given on the screen shown in FIG. 9, the mode is changed from a search mode (see S203 in FIG. 2) to a mode in which an exhibit is presented (see S203 in FIG. 2) (see S204 in FIG. 2). For example, when the moving image icon 101 is selected by pointing the pointer using the mouse 3 or the joystick 4 and clicking the button, a window for displaying the moving image is displayed. The presenter screen is displayed in that window.
[0067]
In the presentation mode for the exhibit, a comprehensive description of the exhibition corner 82, a description of the exhibit in the corner, a description corresponding to the display panel, a description of the exhibition / exhibition hall, and the like are given as a presentation combining the two methods. Done.
[0068]
The first method is a method of displaying a presentation of an exhibit on the second display 12 using moving image sound of a presenter. In the first method, the computer main body 1 inputs corresponding information from the moving image / audio information storage unit 10 and outputs the information to the moving image / audio output unit 11. The moving image / audio output unit 11 inputs the information and outputs a moving image to the second display 12 and outputs sound to the first speaker 13 and the second speaker 14.
[0069]
A second method is to display a presentation of an exhibit on a display using a DTPR image synchronized with the moving image / audio. In the second method, the computer main unit 1 inputs corresponding information from the DTPR information storage unit 5 and outputs the information to the DTPR output unit 16. The DTPR output unit 16 inputs the information and outputs a DTPR image to the third display 17.
[0070]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen when a presentation combining these two methods is displayed on a display. As shown in FIG. 10, the left side of the two-screen display is a presenter screen 91, and the right side is a DTPR screen 92.
Instead of having a two-screen configuration as shown in FIG. 10, regions may be separated in a one-screen display as a simpler method.
[0071]
Next, an operation of collecting and storing log information when operating the virtual exhibition system will be described. This operation is started by starting the log information collection application in the computer main body 1, and thereafter, when another application is operating, it continues to operate in the background. What is stored as log information is the date and time when an operation or data transmission / reception was performed, the content of the performed operation, the content of the transmitted / received data, and the like.
[0072]
The log information is mainly used to obtain information such as what the participants of the virtual exhibition system, for example, customers, are interested in. Therefore, the log information and the customer information are linked. The customer information is linked with the log information by inviting and presenting a specific customer (see FIG. 1).
[0073]
The collection and storage of log information is performed to facilitate such analysis. For example, in the operation of the virtual exhibition system, the names of the exhibition zones, exhibition corners, etc. where you dropped in, the total value of the time spent there, the name of the exhibit that printed out the document, the name of the exhibit that made the presentation, etc. Are collected and stored.
[0074]
Next, operations for newly adding, updating, deleting, etc., the storage information relating to the exhibition hall and the exhibit in the virtual exhibition system will be described. This operation is started by starting the exhibition information management application in the computer main body 1. It is possible to proceed simultaneously when other applications are running. However, it is not possible to make a change that affects a file being used by another application (a warning is displayed).
[0075]
When the exhibition information management application is started up, a screen for selecting one of new addition, update, deletion, printing, rearrangement, and end is displayed on the fourth display 5. When you select Add New, the Add New screen is displayed. A plurality of input fields are displayed on the new addition screen. The input fields include an exhibition zone name, an exhibition corner name, an exhibit name, a description 1, a description 2, and the like, and a character string is directly input in the field. The input fields include a display image image, a display moving image sound, a document (PDF document file) name, and the like, and the fields are input by an operation such as referring to the file name. When the input is completed, an exhibit and the like are newly added.
[0076]
When update is selected, a screen for designating an exhibit to be updated based on an exhibit zone name, an exhibit corner name, an exhibit name, and the like appears. The update of the designated exhibit is performed in the same input field as the above-described new addition.
When deletion is selected, a screen for designating an exhibit to be deleted from an exhibit zone name, an exhibit corner name, an exhibit name, and the like appears. Deletion of the designated exhibit is performed by pressing the delete button on the screen.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the virtual exhibition system according to claim 1 of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently search for a desired exhibit from a large number of exhibits, and have been interested in the search. A virtual exhibition system that allows presentations of exhibits to be received in conjunction with the search, allows presentations to be performed by the presenter at the actual exhibition hall, and allows efficient and accurate transmission of presentations Is done.
Further, according to the virtual exhibition system according to the second aspect of the present invention, based on the log information, information such as what a participant in the virtual exhibition system, for example, a customer, is interested in is obtained. be able to.
Further, according to the virtual exhibition system according to claim 3 of the present invention, it is possible to obtain information on an exhibit as a document.
Further, according to the virtual exhibition system according to claim 4 of the present invention, the display information management means can newly add, edit, and delete the storage information regarding the exhibition hall and the exhibit.
Further, according to the virtual exhibition system according to claim 5 of the present invention, a search for an exhibit is performed based on a wide area image and a narrow area image of an exhibition hall, and names of an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, an exhibition panel, an exhibit, and the like. Can be performed dynamically and efficiently.
Further, according to the virtual exhibition system according to claim 6 of the present invention, it is possible to dynamically and efficiently search for an exhibit as if it were traveling around an exhibition hall.
Further, according to the virtual exhibition system according to claim 7 of the present invention, a new exhibition image corresponding to the name designated in the exhibition image can be displayed on the display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a process of inviting a customer to a virtual exhibition system.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a presentation process in the virtual exhibition system.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an exhibition square.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in a virtual exhibition system of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of an exhibition screen showing an overall image of the exhibition hall, that is, an example of a wide area screen of the exhibition hall.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an exhibition screen showing an area including an exhibition hall, that is, an example of a wide area screen of the exhibition hall.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exhibition screen when an exhibition zone (rectangle) and a center of a mark (aim) are matched on the current position display radar.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a 3D computer graphics image of an exhibition zone.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a list of solutions (exhibits) displayed in an exhibition corner and showing an example of a screen for determining what kind of presentation is to be made;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a presentation combining two methods is displayed on a display.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Computer body
2 keyboard
3 mouse
4 Joystick
5 4th display
6 color printer
7 Exhibition venue / exhibition information storage
8 Display screen output section
9 First display
10 Video / audio information storage
11 Video / audio output unit
12 Second display
13 First speaker
14 Second speaker
15 DTPR information storage unit
16 DTPR output section
17 Third display
18 Document information storage
19 Log information storage unit
30 offices
31 Content Recording Simple Studio
32 Presentation Room
33 Solution Search Corner
34 Solution Introduction Corner
35 Demonstration Corner
61 Area including the exhibition hall
62 Current Position Display Radar
63 pointer
71 Exhibition Zone Description
81 Exhibition Zone
82 Exhibition Corner
91 Presentation Screen
92 DTPR screen
101 Movie Icon
102 Display panel
103 face photo

Claims (7)

A virtual exhibition system for displaying on a display a display reminiscent of an actual exhibition,
Search means for searching for an exhibit while changing the form of generation of the display image generated and displayed on the display based on the storage information regarding the exhibition hall and the exhibit,
Presenter display means for displaying a presentation of an exhibit designated in the search on a display by a video sound of a presenter,
DTPR image display means for displaying a presentation of the exhibit on a display using a DTPR image synchronized with the moving image sound;
A virtual exhibition system comprising: 2. The virtual exhibition system according to claim 1, further comprising log information storage means for storing log information relating to the operation of the virtual exhibition system including the search and the designation of the exhibit. 3. The virtual exhibition system according to claim 1, further comprising document output means for printing and outputting a document of the exhibit. The virtual exhibition system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising exhibition information management means for newly adding, editing, and deleting the storage information relating to the exhibition hall and the exhibit. system. The virtual exhibition system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the change in the form of generation includes displaying the exhibition image from a wide area image to a narrow area image or from a narrow area image to a wide area image of the exhibition hall. Along with the change, a change in the form of generation in which a wide area name such as an exhibition zone or an exhibition corner is synthesized in the wide area image, and a narrow area name such as an exhibition panel or an exhibition object is synthesized in a corresponding area in a narrow area image. A virtual exhibition system characterized by the following. The virtual exhibition system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the change in the form of generation changes an exhibition image into an image to be viewed when the user travels around the exhibition hall, and also displays an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, and an exhibition. A virtual exhibition system characterized by a change in the form of generation in which the names of panels, exhibits, etc. are combined at corresponding locations. 7. The virtual exhibition system according to claim 1, wherein the search means indicates the name of an exhibition zone, an exhibition corner, an exhibition panel, an exhibit, or an entire exhibition hall in the exhibition image. A virtual exhibition system wherein the form of generation is changed to an exhibition image corresponding to the designated name.

Images