JP2006024077A - Input device of three-dimensional view position and view direction - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To observe an object in a three-dimensional space from an optional point of view and to simultaneously direct the point of view in an optional direction in the three-dimensional space. <P>SOLUTION: A three-dimensional view position/view direction input device 1 performs input to observe an object for observation in the three-dimensional space displayed on a display from the optional view position. The three-dimensional view position/view direction input device 1 is provided with a view position change input means 2 for performing input to change the view position while changing the view position so that a visual line is directed to the object for observation in the three-dimensional space and a view direction change input means 3 for performing input to change the visual line direction from the view position without changing the view position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is used when observing an object in a three-dimensional space displayed on a display from various directions by changing the viewpoint position, or when changing an object to be observed by changing the viewing direction. The present invention relates to a three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device.

  Conventionally, a mouse, a joystick, and a trackball have been used as means for inputting a viewpoint position and a line-of-sight direction for observing an object in a three-dimensional space displayed on a display. Each of these input devices performs movement and input of a two-dimensional coordinate system formed by two coordinate axes, an x coordinate axis and a y coordinate axis. Some input devices have independent knobs for the movement of the x coordinate axis, the y coordinate axis, and the z coordinate axis, and the x coordinate axis rotation, the y coordinate axis rotation, and the z coordinate axis rotation. In order to input the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space using these, there is a problem that the operation is complicated and lacks in intuition, except for switching several coordinate axes.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, it is possible to adjust the position of the line of sight, zoom the viewpoint, and adjust the viewpoint rotation angle by the freely rotating sphere and the viewpoint position input means protruding from the sphere. Has disclosed a three-dimensional position input device capable of intuitively operating the observation viewpoint position.
JP-A-8-297541

  In the three-dimensional position input device of Patent Document 1, the viewpoint position for observing an object in the three-dimensional space from various directions can be changed, but the function of changing the line-of-sight direction in order to see another object. Does not have. That is, there is a problem that an object in the three-dimensional space can be observed from an arbitrary viewpoint, and at the same time, the user cannot observe the space freely with a line of sight in an arbitrary direction in the three-dimensional space.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and allows the user to arbitrarily change the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space, and observe the object in the three-dimensional space from any viewpoint. An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device capable of directing a line of sight in an arbitrary direction in a three-dimensional space at the same time.

  A first technical means is a three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device for observing an observation target in a three-dimensional space displayed on a display from an arbitrary viewpoint position. The viewpoint position change input means for performing an input for changing the viewpoint position while changing the line of sight so that the line of sight is directed, and an input for changing the line of sight from the viewpoint position without changing the viewpoint position. And a gaze direction change input means for performing the operation.

  The second technical means includes a second viewpoint position change input means for performing input for changing the viewpoint position along the visual line direction without changing the visual line direction in the three-dimensional space in the first technical means. Zooming input means for performing zooming to change the angle of view without changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space, and rotating the field of view without changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space And a visual field rotation input means for performing input for the purpose.

  The third technical means includes, in the second technical means, third viewpoint position change input means for translating the gaze direction in accordance with the change of the viewpoint position while changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space. It is a feature.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, a switching means for switching a function of each input means and an operation input to a plurality of input means among the input means can be performed. And an input device that can be input by the operation input unit in accordance with the switching operation of the switching unit.

  The fifth technical means includes any one of the first to fourth technical means, including an operation input member for performing input to each input means, and changing the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space. The axial direction of the operation input member is made to coincide with the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space.

  The sixth technical means is any one of the first to fifth technical means, wherein the axis of the member is used so that the axial direction of the member used for the operation input unit coincides with the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space. It has the drive means which corrects a direction, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  A seventh technical means is the first technical means according to any one of the first to sixth technical means, wherein the sphere, an arm that rotatably holds the sphere, and an arm that is fixed to the arm and is supported rotatably and vertically movable. A rotation amount detecting means for detecting the rotation amount of the sphere with respect to the arm, and a rotation amount detecting means for detecting the rotation amount of the vertical axis. The rotation amount information detected by the detection means is used as input information for the viewpoint position change input means or the line-of-sight direction change input means.

  Eighth technical means, in the seventh technical means, a columnar input unit that is held so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the sphere, and a columnar input unit rotation amount detection unit that detects a rotation amount of the columnar input unit; Columnar input unit movement amount detecting means for detecting the amount of movement due to advancement and retraction of the columnar input unit, and the rotation amount information detected by the columnar input unit rotation amount detecting unit is used as input information for the visual field rotation input unit, and columnar input The movement amount information detected by the part movement amount detection means is input information to the second viewpoint position change input means or zooming input means.

  In the eighth technical means, as the switching means in the eighth technical means, the movement amount information detected by the columnar input portion movement amount detection means is applied to either the second viewpoint position change input means or the zooming input means. It has the 1st changeover switch switched so that it may become input information, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The tenth technical means is any one of the seventh to ninth technical means, wherein the vertical axis vertical movement amount detecting means detects the vertical axis vertical movement amount and the vertical axis movement in the horizontal direction. Vertical axis horizontal movement amount detection means for detecting the amount, and input of movement amount information detected by the vertical axis vertical movement amount detection means and vertical axis horizontal movement amount detection means to the third viewpoint position change input means It is characterized by information.

  In an eleventh technical means according to any one of the seventh to tenth technical means, the rotation amount information detected by the sphere rotation amount detection means and the vertical axis rotation amount detection means is inputted as a viewpoint position change input as the switching means. And a second change-over switch for switching so as to be input information for either of the means or the line-of-sight direction change input means.

  A twelfth technical means is configured such that in any one of the seventh to tenth technical means, the columnar input portion can be tilted, and the columnar input for detecting the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the columnar input portion. In this case, the inclination amount information detected by the columnar input portion inclination detection means is used as input information for the viewpoint position change input means.

  According to a thirteenth technical means, in the twelfth technical means, the operation input member whose axial direction is corrected by the driving means is a columnar input portion, and the driving means is arranged in a three-dimensional manner according to the axial direction of the columnar input portion. The axial direction of the columnar input portion is corrected so that the line-of-sight direction in the space matches.

According to the present invention, when observing a three-dimensional space, a user can arbitrarily change a viewpoint position and a line-of-sight direction, and an object in the three-dimensional space can be observed from an arbitrary viewpoint at the same time. The line of sight can be directed in any direction in the space. At this time, by providing an input interface that allows the user to intuitively grasp the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space, an input device with good operability can be obtained.
In addition, according to the present invention, the viewpoint position can be observed from an arbitrary distance by moving it closer to or away from the observation target, the viewpoint can be observed by zooming the camera, and the observation visual field can be rotated to an arbitrary angle. It becomes possible.
In addition, an operation performed on the same operation input unit can be switched to one of a plurality of input units by a switching unit such as a changeover switch.
Also, by making the axial direction of the operation input unit such as the columnar input means coincide with the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space, and correcting them so that they are shifted, the user can adjust the three-dimensional viewpoint position.・ By simply looking at the line-of-sight input device, it is possible to intuitively grasp the relationship between the viewpoint position and the observation target in the three-dimensional space, and the line-of-sight direction, and provide good operability for the user. it can.

  Embodiments of a 3D viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiments, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 for observing an object in a three-dimensional space from an arbitrary viewpoint position includes: a viewpoint position change input unit 2 that performs input for changing the viewpoint position in the tertiary space; Line-of-sight direction change input means 3 for performing an input for changing the line-of-sight direction is provided, and the input information is output as an output signal S. Here, the viewpoint position change input means 2 performs input for changing the viewpoint position while changing the line-of-sight direction so that the line of sight is directed toward the observation target in the three-dimensional space. The line-of-sight direction change input means 3 performs input for changing the line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint position without changing the viewpoint position.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. The 3D viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is an input for changing the viewpoint position along the line-of-sight direction without changing the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space in addition to the configuration of FIG. Second viewpoint position change input means 4 for performing zooming, zooming input means 5 for performing zooming for changing the angle of view without changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space, and a viewpoint in the three-dimensional space Visual field rotation input means 6 for performing input for rotating the visual field without changing the position and the line-of-sight direction, and the input information of each input means is output as an output signal S.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. The 3D viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 shown in FIG. 3 translates the line-of-sight direction in accordance with the change of the viewpoint position while changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space in addition to the configuration of FIG. 3 viewpoint position change input means 7, and input information of each input means is output as an output signal S.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the 3D viewpoint position / gaze direction input apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the 3D viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 for observing an object in a 3D space from an arbitrary viewpoint position uses a signal operated by a certain operation input unit 8 as described above. 2 has a changeover switch 9 for switching to input to either one of the viewpoint position change input means 4 and the zooming input means 5. Thereby, the one operation input part 8 can be used together as an operation input part with respect to two input means.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the 3D viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 for observing an object in the 3D space from an arbitrary viewpoint position has received the signal operated by one operation input unit 8 ′ as described above. A changeover switch 9 ′ for switching to input to either the viewpoint position change input unit 2 or the line-of-sight direction change input unit 3 is provided. Thereby, one operation input part 8 'can be used together as an operation input part with respect to two input means.

  In the present invention, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation input signal to one operation input unit is switched and inputted to the plurality of input means shown in FIGS. Switching means can be provided as appropriate according to the input means. Thereby, one operation input part can be used together as the operation input part with respect to several input means.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input apparatus according to the present invention. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 of the present embodiment changes the axial direction of a member used for the operation input unit when changing the line-of-sight direction in a three-dimensional space. The driving unit 10 corrects the axial direction of the member so as to coincide with the line-of-sight direction in the dimensional space. The driving unit 10 includes, for example, a motor for driving a member, and the driving unit 10 matches the axial direction of the operation unit such as the columnar input unit with the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space. It is corrected so that they match when they deviate. The driving means 10 is realized by, for example, a sphere on which a columnar input means described later is installed and a motor that rotationally drives a vertical axis that supports the sphere.

  Thereby, the user can intuitively grasp the relationship between the viewpoint position and the observation target in the three-dimensional space and the gaze direction simply by looking at the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1, which is favorable. Operability can be obtained. A control signal C for driving the driving means 10 can be input from an external device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings for explaining the embodiments, parts having similar functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof are omitted.

Example 1
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 includes a sphere 11 that can freely rotate around a horizontal axis 12 and an arm 13 that holds the sphere 11 so as to be sandwiched between the left and right sides. The arm 13 is fixedly supported by a vertical axis 14 and can freely rotate left and right (in the horizontal direction) about the axis of the vertical axis 14.

  The vertical axis 14 has a function of expanding and contracting in the axial direction. The vertical axis 14 is supported by a pedestal 15, and the entire arm 13 can be moved up and down by the expansion and contraction function. Furthermore, the vertical axis 14 itself can be moved back and forth, and right and left, so that the entire arm 13 can be moved back and forth and left and right.

A cylindrical columnar input unit 16 is attached to the sphere 11. The columnar input unit 16 has a mechanism that can be pushed into and pulled out of the sphere 11 in the axial direction. Further, the columnar input unit 16 can rotate around its axis. That is, the columnar input unit 16 is held so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the sphere 11 and to be rotatable.
A first button 17 and a second button 18 are disposed on the base 15. The first cable 19 transmits an input signal from the sphere 11 to the base 15. The second cable 20 also outputs an input signal from the sphere 11 and an input signal from the base 15 to a computer (not shown).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional configuration in a plane including the horizontal axis 12 and the vertical axis 14 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The horizontal axis 12 is fixed to the arm 13. A sphere rotation amount detection means 21 is fixed inside the sphere 11 and detects the rotation amount of the sphere 11 with respect to the horizontal axis 12. On the pedestal 15, the vertical axis rotation amount detecting means 22 for detecting the rotation amount around the axis of the vertical axis 14 fixed to the arm 13, and the vertical axis vertical movement for detecting the vertical axis movement amount. A quantity detecting means 23 is provided. Further, the bases 24 and 25 are used for detecting the amount of movement of the front, rear, left and right of the vertical axis 14.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a schematic cross-sectional configuration in a plane including the columnar input unit 16 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device illustrated in FIG. 7. Inside the sphere 11, a columnar input portion rotation amount detection means 31 for detecting the amount of rotation of the columnar input portion 16 around the axis, and a columnar input portion movement amount detection for detecting the amount of movement of the columnar input portion 16 in the axial direction. Means 32 are provided.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a mechanism for detecting the amount of movement in the front / rear and left / right directions of the vertical axis 14 by the bases 24 and 25 provided inside the base 15. A first rail 41 is fixed to the bottom surface of the base 15. Further, a groove is formed in the table 24, and the table 24 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the first rail 41 by this groove. The first table movement amount detection means 42 is fixed to the table 24 in contact with the first rail 41, and the movement amount of the table 24 relative to the first rail 41 can be detected.

  Further, a second rail 43 is fixed on the table 24. Further, a groove is formed in the base 25, and the base 25 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the second rail 43 by this groove. And the 2nd stand movement amount detection means 44 is being fixed to the stand 25 in the state which contacted the 2nd rail 43, and the movement amount of the stand 25 with respect to the 2nd rail 43 can be detected. That is, the first and second table movement amount detection means 42 and 44 can realize the vertical axis horizontal movement amount detection means of the present invention that detects the movement amount of the vertical axis 14 in the horizontal direction.

11 to 15 are diagrams for explaining an operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the above-described three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device. . First, the sphere 11 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is rotated rightward to change from the state shown in FIG. 11 to the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the object (observation target) and the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space when the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device is used as the viewpoint position changing means. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input apparatus 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 11, the viewpoint position with respect to the object 51 is at the position of the camera 52. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 12, the viewpoint position moves to the position of the camera 53 in accordance with the change.

  14 and 15 show the relationship between the object and the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space when the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device is used as the gaze direction changing means. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 11, the line-of-sight direction faces the direction of the object 54 like the camera 56 shown in FIG. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 12, the line-of-sight direction is changed to the direction of the camera 57 shown in FIG. be able to.

As described above, the viewpoint position changing operation and the line-of-sight direction changing operation described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15 are performed by an external device based on output signals from the sphere rotation amount detection means 21 and the vertical axis rotation amount detection means 22. It is executed by the generated control signal.
The viewpoint position changing operation and the line-of-sight direction changing operation can be freely switched by pressing the second button 18. As a result, it is possible to observe an object in the three-dimensional space from various directions, and at the same time, it is possible to move the line of sight to a plurality of objects in the three-dimensional space for observation.
That is, the second button 18 inputs the rotation amount information detected by the sphere rotation amount detection unit 21 and the vertical axis rotation amount detection unit 22 to either the viewpoint position change input unit or the line-of-sight direction change input unit of the present invention. This corresponds to the second changeover switch of the present invention which is switched so as to be information.

16 to 18, when observing an object in a three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device, zooming is performed with the viewpoint position fixed, or the viewpoint position is brought closer to the object. It is a figure for demonstrating operation.
By inserting the cylindrical columnar input unit 16 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 into the sphere 11, the state shown in FIG. 16 is changed to the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an operation of using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 as a zooming input unit. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 is in the state of FIG. 16, the viewpoint position with respect to the object 61 is at the position of the camera 62. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 17, the viewpoint position remains fixed at the position of the camera 62, but zooms in by extending the focal length of the zoom lens of the camera.

  Similarly, referring to FIG. 18, the operation using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device as the second viewpoint position change input means will be described. As described above, when the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 16, the viewpoint position is at the position of the camera 62 with respect to the object 61. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device is changed to the state shown in FIG. 17, the viewpoint position changes to the position of the camera 63 along the line-of-sight direction. This makes it possible to observe the viewpoint position close to the target object.

The zooming operation and the change display of the viewpoint position along the line-of-sight direction are executed by a control signal generated by an external device based on the output signal of the columnar input unit movement amount detection means 32.
Further, the zooming display and the viewpoint position changing operation along the line-of-sight direction can be freely switched by pressing the first button 17. Thus, zooming can be performed with the viewpoint position fixed, and at the same time, the viewpoint position can be observed close to the object.
That is, the first button 17 uses the movement amount information detected by the columnar input portion movement amount detection means 32 as input information for either the second viewpoint position change input means or the zooming input means of the present invention. This corresponds to the first changeover switch of the present invention to be switched.

FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 are diagrams for explaining the operation of using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device as third viewpoint position changing means. Here, the vertical axis 14 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device together with the arm 13 is translated from the state shown in FIG. 19 toward the back of the device to change to the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an object in the three-dimensional space and the viewpoint position when the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device is used as the third viewpoint position changing unit. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input apparatus 1 is in the state of FIG. 19, the viewpoint position with respect to the object 71 is at the position of the camera 72. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 20, the viewpoint position moves in parallel to the position of the camera 73 in accordance with the change. At this time, the line of sight of the camera does not change, so the line of sight deviates from the object 71.

  The display that translates the line-of-sight direction in accordance with the change of the viewpoint position described above is based on the output signals of the table movement amount detection means 42 and 44 that constitute the vertical axis horizontal movement amount detection means and the vertical axis movement amount detection means 23. Based on the control signal generated by the external device.

22 to 25 are diagrams for explaining an operation of using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device as visual field rotation input means. The columnar input unit 16 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is rotated to change from the state shown in FIG. 22 to the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an object in a three-dimensional space and a viewpoint position when the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device is used as a visual field rotation input unit. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device 1 is in the state of FIG. 22, the viewpoint position with respect to the object 81 is at the position of the camera 82. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 23, the camera rotates corresponding to the change and changes to the state of the camera 83 shown in FIG.
The display for rotating the field of view is executed by a control signal generated by an external device based on the output signal of the columnar input portion rotation amount detection means 31.

  In the observation of the object in the three-dimensional space described above with reference to FIGS. 7 to 25, the axial direction of the columnar input unit 16 and the direction of the camera coincide with each other. It is possible to intuitively grasp the state of object observation simply by looking at the line-of-sight direction input device.

(Example 2)
FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. The configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the first embodiment described above, but the configuration is different with respect to the following two points. That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 26, the cylindrical columnar input unit 16 itself is a joystick, and the direction and amount of inclination of the columnar input unit 16 can be acquired as input information. That is, in this embodiment, a columnar input portion inclination detection unit (not shown) that detects the inclination direction and the amount of inclination of the columnar input portion 16 is provided. Further, the second button 18 in the first embodiment does not exist in the present embodiment.

  27 is a schematic cross-sectional view in a plane including the horizontal axis 12 and the vertical axis 14 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The following four points are added in comparison with the configuration of FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, the first motor 92 is fixed to the sphere 11, and the horizontal shaft side gear 91 is provided so as to mesh with the motor side gear provided on the rotation shaft of the first motor 92. The horizontal shaft side gear 91 is fixed to the horizontal shaft 12, and the horizontal shaft 12 is fixed to the arm 13. When the first motor 92 rotates, the horizontal shaft side gear 91 and the horizontal shaft 12 and the arm 13 integrally formed with the horizontal shaft side gear 91 cannot rotate, so the first motor 92 itself rotates relatively. The posture of the sphere 11 configured integrally with the first motor 92 itself can be changed.

  Further, the second motor 94 is fixed to the base 15, and a vertical axis side gear 93 is provided so as to mesh with a motor side gear provided on the rotation shaft of the second motor 94. Since the vertical axis side gear 93 is fixed to the vertical axis 14, when the second motor 94 rotates, the vertical axis 14 and the arm 13 and the sphere 11 integrally formed with the vertical axis 14 are vertically It is possible to rotate around the axis of the axis 14.

  28 to 30 are diagrams for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device of the second embodiment. is there. The sphere 11 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is rotated to change from the state shown in FIG. 28 to the state shown in FIG. FIG. 30 shows the relationship between the camera position and the object. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 28, the viewpoint position with respect to the object 101 is at the position of the camera 102. When the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 29, the viewpoint position moves to the position of the camera 103 in accordance with the change.

  FIGS. 31 to 35 are diagrams for explaining the operation of changing the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. is there. The columnar input unit 16 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is tilted downward to change from the state shown in FIG. 31 to the state shown in FIG. At this time, while the user tilts the columnar input unit 16, the camera 105 shown in FIG. When the user releases his / her hand from the columnar input unit 16, the camera orientation change is stopped. After the stop, for example, the camera 106 in FIG. In the state of FIG. 33, the camera 105 is directed toward the object 104, but in the state of FIG. 34, the camera 106 is directed upward from the object 104. Such a change display of the line-of-sight direction is executed by a control signal generated by an external device based on the output signal of the columnar input portion inclination detection means.

  In the first embodiment, the detection results of the sphere rotation amount detection means 21 and the vertical axis rotation amount detection means 22 are used as input information to the viewpoint position change input means that changes the line-of-sight direction while fixing the viewpoint position. However, in the present embodiment, the detection result of the above-described columnar input portion inclination detection means is used. Further, in the first embodiment, the viewpoint position changing operation accompanied with the change of the line-of-sight direction and the line-of-sight direction changing operation with the viewpoint position fixed are switched by pressing the second button 18. In the example, the line-of-sight direction can be changed so that the line of sight is directed to the observation target in the three-dimensional space based on the detection results by the sphere rotation amount detection unit 21 and the vertical axis rotation amount detection unit 22. Therefore, the above two operations can be executed simultaneously.

  In the example of FIGS. 33 and 34, when the camera 105 (FIG. 33) is changed in direction by the operation of the columnar input unit 16 and the state of the camera 106 (FIG. 34) is reached, the user moves the hand from the columnar input unit 16. Shall be separated. FIG. 35 schematically shows the positional relationship of the camera and the object 104 as viewed from the side at this time. Here, the viewing angle of the camera 105 with respect to the horizontal direction is θ, and the viewing angle of the camera 106 is θ ′.

  On the other hand, FIG. 36 shows a state in which the sphere 11 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is viewed from the side. In this operation, only the columnar input unit 16 is tilted while the camera is moving, and the sphere 11 does not rotate. Here, when the horizontal direction is used as a reference, the angle of the columnar input unit 16 (the angle formed between the horizontal direction and the central axis of the columnar input unit) is θ before the camera is moved and coincides with the angle of the camera 105. It was. However, even after the orientation of the camera is changed, the angle of the columnar input unit 16 remains θ, which is different from the angle θ ′ of the camera 106 after movement. That is, in this case, the advantage of the present invention that the state of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input apparatus 1 intuitively reflects the viewpoint position and the gaze direction is lost.

In order to improve the above problem, the sphere 11 is rotated using the horizontal shaft side gear 91 and the first motor 92 shown in FIG. 27, and the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 106 are controlled to coincide with each other. This method will be described in detail later.
FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a state after the sphere 11 is rotated. Here, the angle of the columnar input unit 16 with respect to the horizontal direction is θ ′, which coincides with the angle θ ′ of the camera 106 after the orientation is changed. In FIG. 31 to FIG. 37, the case where the columnar input unit 16 is tilted downward has been described, but it goes without saying that the same processing is performed when the columnar input unit 16 is tilted in other directions. In this case, it is possible to perform processing when tilted in another direction by using the vertical axis side gear 93 and the second motor 94 shown in FIG. That is, the first motor 92 and / or the second motor 94 are driven in order to correct the mismatch between the angle of the camera and the angle of the columnar input unit 16 caused by tilting the columnar input unit 16.

  By tilting the columnar input unit 16 as described above, it is possible to input to change the line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint position without changing the viewpoint position. Based on the detection result by the shaft rotation amount detection unit and the detection result by the sphere rotation amount detection unit, the line-of-sight direction can be changed so that the line of sight is directed toward the observation target in the three-dimensional space. In this embodiment, the above processes can be executed simultaneously.

  In the observation of the object in the three-dimensional space described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 37, the direction of the columnar input unit 16 and the direction of the camera coincide with each other, and the user can input the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device. The user can intuitively grasp the relationship between the viewpoint position and the object and the line-of-sight direction simply by looking at the image.

Next, motor control for matching the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 103 described in the description of FIGS. 26 to 37 will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39.
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for controlling a driving unit that changes the direction of the axis of the operation input unit of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device. The various input means 110 are the viewpoint position change input means 2, the line-of-sight direction change input means 3, the second viewpoint position change input means 4, the zooming means 5, the field-of-view rotation input means 6, and the third field position input means in the above-described embodiments It refers to various input means such as the viewpoint position change input means 7 and the like.

  Output signals S from various input means 110 are sent to the signal control unit 111. The signal control unit 111 calculates camera position control information using the sent signal S, and sends a control signal C1 to the camera position control device 112. The camera position control device 112 operates the camera position according to the control signal C1. On the other hand, the signal control unit 111 calculates the control signal C2 for correcting the discrepancy between the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 113 as described above with reference to FIGS. Send to. The driving means 10 corrects the direction of the axis of the columnar input unit 16 in accordance with the sent control signal C2. As described above, the driving means 10 is realized by rotationally driving the position of the sphere 11 by the first motor 92, the second motor 94, or both.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart for explaining the calculation procedure of the control signal C2 for the driving means in the signal control unit 111 shown in FIG. First, in step S1, posture information of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is detected. Here, since the output signal S sent from the various input means 110 corresponds to this attitude information, the output signal S may be stored in the signal control unit 111 and read out. This is information A.

In step S2, posture information of the camera that observes the object is detected. Since the control signal C2 transmitted to the camera position control device 112 corresponds to the posture information of the camera, the control signal C1 may be stored in the signal control unit 111 and read out. This is information B.
In step S3, the difference between the information A and the information B is calculated. The calculated difference is information indicating a deviation between the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 113 (deviation between the axial direction of the columnar input unit 16 and the viewing direction of the camera).

  In step S4, it is determined whether the difference is zero. When the difference is 0, there is no deviation between the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 113, that is, the state of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device correctly reflects the viewpoint position and the gaze direction. Therefore, the process ends there (step S5). If the difference is not 0, there is a difference between the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 103, that is, the state of the 3D viewpoint position / gaze direction input device does not correctly reflect the viewpoint position or gaze direction. Indicates a state. In this case, a control signal C2 for reducing the difference is calculated (step S6), and the control signal C2 is sent to the driving means 10 of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device (step S7). The drive means drives the motor or the like according to the sent control signal C2, and corrects the difference to be zero.

When the posture of the predetermined operation input unit of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 is corrected by the driving unit 10, the state of the various input units 110 changes, and the information of the output signal S changes. Then, it returns to step S1 and repeats a process using the information of the new output signal S.
By executing the above processing, there is no deviation between the angle of the columnar input unit 16 and the angle of the camera 113, that is, the state of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device correctly reflects the viewpoint position and gaze direction. Converge to Therefore, the advantage of the present invention is realized that the state of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device intuitively reflects the viewpoint position and the gaze direction.

  Note that the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device 1 described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 37 can be used for controlling the camera position when observing an object in the real space, and can be used in the virtual space. It can also be used when observing other objects.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device by this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating other embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device by this invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining still another embodiment of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional schematic structure in the plane containing the horizontal axis and the vertical axis | shaft of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional schematic structure in the plane containing the columnar input part of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the mechanism which detects the movement amount of the front and rear, right and left of a vertical axis | shaft with the base provided in the inside of the base. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which changes a viewpoint position and a gaze direction, when observing the object in three-dimensional space using a three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device. FIG. 10 is another diagram for explaining an operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining an operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining an operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining an operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of performing zooming while fixing the viewpoint position when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device, or moving the viewpoint position closer to the object. FIG. 10 is another diagram for explaining an operation of performing zooming while fixing the viewpoint position when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device, or moving the viewpoint position closer to the object. . FIG. 6 is still another diagram illustrating an operation of performing zooming while fixing a viewpoint position when observing an object in a three-dimensional space using a three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device, or moving the viewpoint position closer to the object. is there. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which uses a three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device as a 3rd viewpoint position change means. It is another figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which uses a three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device as a 3rd viewpoint position change means. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining an operation of using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device as third viewpoint position changing means. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which uses a three-dimensional viewpoint position and a gaze direction input device as a visual field rotation input means. It is another figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which uses a three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device as a visual field rotation input means. FIG. 12 is still another diagram for explaining an operation using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device as the visual field rotation input means. FIG. 12 is still another diagram for explaining an operation using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device as the visual field rotation input means. It is the isometric view schematic diagram of another Example of the three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device in this invention. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a schematic cross-sectional configuration in a plane including a horizontal axis and a vertical axis of the three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device illustrated in FIG. 26. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which changes a viewpoint position and a gaze direction, when observing the object in three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position and gaze direction input device of 2nd Example. FIG. 10 is another diagram for explaining an operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . FIG. 10 is still another diagram for explaining the operation of changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction when observing an object in the three-dimensional space using the three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device of the second embodiment. . It is a figure which shows the structure for controlling the drive means to change the direction of the axis | shaft of the operation input part of a three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device. It is a flowchart explaining the calculation order of the control signal with respect to the drive means in the signal control part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device, 2 ... Viewpoint position change input means, 3 ... Gaze direction change input means, 4 ... Second viewpoint position change input means, 5 ... Zooming input means, 6 ... Visual field rotation input Means 7 ... Third viewpoint position change input means 8, 8 '... Operation input section, 9, 9' ... Changeover switch, 10 ... Driving means, 11 ... Sphere, 12 ... Horizontal axis, 13 ... Arm, 14 ... Vertical axis, 15 ... pedestal, 16 ... columnar input section, 17 ... first button, 18 ... second button, 19 ... first cable, 20 ... second cable, 21 ... spherical body rotation amount detection means, 22 ... vertical axis rotation Amount detecting means, 23... Vertical axis moving amount detecting means, 24, 25... Table, 31. Columnar input portion rotation amount detecting means, 32... Columnar input portion moving amount detecting means, 41. Table movement amount detection means 43, second rail 44, second table movement Detection means, 51, 54, 55, 61, 71, 81, 101 ... object, 52, 53, 56, 57, 62, 63, 72, 73, 82, 83, 102, 103 ... camera, 91 ... horizontal axis side Gear, 92 ... first motor, 93 ... vertical axis side gear, 94 ... second motor, 110 ... various input means, 111 ... signal control unit, 112 ... camera position control device, 113 ... camera, S ... output signal, C, C1, C2... Control signal.

Claims (13)

  In a three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device for observing an observation target in a three-dimensional space displayed on a display from an arbitrary viewpoint position, the line of sight is directed toward the observation target in the three-dimensional space. A viewpoint position change input means for performing an input to change the viewpoint position while changing the line of sight, and a line-of-sight direction change input for performing an input to change the line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint position without changing the viewpoint position A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device.   2. The three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device according to claim 1, wherein the second viewpoint position performs input for changing the viewpoint position along the line-of-sight direction without changing the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space. Change input means, zooming input means for performing zooming for changing the angle of view without changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space, and without changing the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space And a visual field rotation input means for performing input for rotating the visual field.   3. The third viewpoint position change / input direction input device according to claim 2, wherein the viewpoint position is changed in parallel in accordance with the change of the viewpoint position while changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device.   4. The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to claim 1, wherein a switching unit that switches a function of each input unit and an operation input to a plurality of input units among the input units. 5. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device, wherein the input means that can be input by the operation input section is switched according to the switching operation of the switching means. .   The three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation input member for performing input to each of the input units, and the line-of-sight direction in a three-dimensional space. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device characterized in that, when changing, the axial direction of the operation input member coincides with the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space.   The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an axial direction of the operation input member and a gaze direction in a three-dimensional space coincide with each other. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device having a driving means for correcting an axial direction.   The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a sphere, an arm that rotatably holds the sphere, and an arm that is fixed to the arm and is rotatable. A vertical axis that is supported so as to be vertically movable; a spherical rotation amount detection means that detects a rotation amount of the sphere relative to the arm; and a vertical axis rotation amount detection means that detects the rotation amount of the vertical axis. The rotation amount information detected by the rotation amount detection means and the vertical axis rotation amount detection means is used as input information for the viewpoint position change input means or the line-of-sight direction change input means. Direction input device.   8. The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to claim 7, wherein the columnar input unit is held so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the sphere, and the columnar input unit is rotated to detect a rotation amount of the columnar input unit. An amount detection means; and a columnar input portion movement amount detection means for detecting a movement amount due to the advancement and retraction of the columnar input portion, and the rotation amount information detected by the columnar input portion rotation amount detection means is input to the visual field rotation input. A three-dimensional viewpoint characterized in that the movement amount information detected by the columnar input portion movement amount detection means is input information for the second viewpoint position change input means or the zooming input means. Position / line-of-sight input device.   The three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device according to claim 8, wherein as the switching means, movement amount information detected by the columnar input portion movement amount detection means is the second viewpoint position change input means or the A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device having a first changeover switch for switching to be input information for any of the zooming input means.   10. The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to claim 7, wherein the vertical axis vertical movement amount detecting means detects the vertical axis vertical movement amount, and the vertical axis is horizontal. Vertical axis horizontal movement amount detection means for detecting the movement amount in the direction, and the movement amount information detected by the vertical axis vertical movement amount detection means and the vertical axis horizontal movement amount detection means A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device characterized by being input information to a viewpoint position change input means.   The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to claim 7, wherein the rotation amount information detected by the spherical body rotation amount detection unit and the vertical axis rotation amount detection unit is used as the switching unit. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device having a second changeover switch for switching to be input information to either the viewpoint position change input unit or the line-of-sight direction change input unit.   The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the columnar input unit is configured to be tilted, and the tilt direction and the tilt amount of the columnar input unit are detected. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line of sight, characterized in that it has columnar input part inclination detection means for detecting the amount of inclination detected by the columnar input part inclination detection means as input information for the viewpoint position change input means. Direction input device.   13. The three-dimensional viewpoint position / gaze direction input device according to claim 12, wherein the operation input member for correcting an axial direction by the driving unit is the columnar input unit, and the driving unit includes the columnar input unit. A three-dimensional viewpoint position / line-of-sight direction input device that corrects the direction of the columnar input unit in the axial direction so that the direction of the axis of the line coincides with the line-of-sight direction in the three-dimensional space.

Images