JP2006268397A - Article management device and article management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article management device and an article management method, allowing intuitive grasp of a presence place of an article when managing the article. <P>SOLUTION: This article management device 1 acquires the presence place of the management target article, and displays a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data expressing the management target article inside a virtual space disposed with a structure object generated by structure three-dimensional CG data showing structure of a structure corresponding to a place for storing the management target article. The article management device 1 has: a presence place acquisition means 3; a management target article object generation means 7; a structure object generation disposal means 11; a management target article object disposal means 15; a virtual space display means 17; and a retrieval means 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an article management apparatus and an article management method for managing articles.

  Conventionally, in an article management system for managing articles such as products, books, owned equipment, etc. in a specific place where there is a storage space such as a warehouse, equipment room, etc. in a factory, library, broadcasting station, etc., the place where the article is placed ( In general, characters (text information) are used to represent the location.

  The conventional article management system will be described with two examples (conventional article management systems (1) and (2)). For example, in the conventional article management system (1), articles are managed by inputting characters (text information) indicating the location such as “article A is room A” into a database for managing articles. ing.

  Further, in the conventional article management system (2), the location of the article is presented to the user of the system using a two-dimensional image without using the three-dimensional virtual space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Further, in the conventional article management system (2), since the information regarding the location of the article presented to the user of the system is only a two-dimensional image, for example, when the article to be managed is a book, two-dimensional An overall plan view of the structure that can be represented by an image, a bookshelf installation diagram for each room in the structure, and a bookshelf front view showing how to divide the bookshelf and the number of stages are required. Then, it is necessary to indicate the number of shelves in the bookshelf where the target book is located. In other words, it is possible to let the user of the system grasp the location of the article by taking measures such as preparing a hierarchical structure so that these diagrams can be presented as necessary. Become.
JP 2003-331230 A

  However, in the conventional article management system (1), when the information specifying the place where the article exists is the name of the place (here, the room), for example, “Article A is room A”, The user of the system needs to obtain information on the structure (room layout, etc.) separately (another means) in order to know where the “Room A” is, and everyone has the location of the goods. It is hard to say that it is possible to grasp intuitively. That is, there is a problem that the location where the article is present cannot be intuitively grasped.

  Compared to the case where the location of the article is presented only by text information, the conventional article management system (2) makes it easier for all users to grasp the location of the article more intuitively. In some cases, it is difficult to intuitively grasp the location of the article. For example, prepare multiple figures (plan view and front view) such as a bird's eye view showing a rough location and a detailed view showing a more detailed location. When presenting the location of an article (for example, a book) by displaying sequentially, it becomes difficult to understand the relationship between the sequentially presented drawings (between two-dimensional images), and the currently displayed drawing immediately before Depending on the operation procedure of the user of the system, such as which part of the displayed drawing is displayed from which direction, there is a problem that it may be difficult to grasp the location of the article.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an article management apparatus and an article management method capable of solving the above-described problems and more intuitively grasping the location of the article when managing the article.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the article management apparatus according to claim 1 automatically obtains data relating to a location where the management target article exists, and shows a structure of a structure corresponding to a place where the management target article is stored. This is an article management apparatus that displays a structure object generated by object three-dimensional CG data and a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the management target article in the same virtual space. Presence location acquisition means, presence location data storage means, management target article 3D CG data storage means, management target article object generation means, structure 3D CG data storage means, structure object generation and arrangement means And a search means, a management object article object arrangement means, and a virtual space display means.

  According to such a configuration, the article management apparatus automatically acquires the existence place data related to the existence place of the management target article by the existence place acquisition unit and accumulates it in the existence place data storage unit. For example, an IC tag system can be used as this location acquisition means. The IC tag system is an IC tag having a function of transmitting IC tag information recorded on the IC itself as a radio wave, an antenna (receiving antenna) for receiving the transmitted radio wave, and an output (receiving antenna) from the antenna. And an IC tag reader having a function of reading IC tag information from (output). In this IC tag system, an IC tag that records IC tag information that can identify the management target article is attached to each management target article, and the IC tag and the receiving antenna are at a predetermined distance (readable distance). If it is within, the reception antenna receives the radio wave transmitted from the IC tag, and the IC tag information contained in the radio wave received by the reception antenna is read by the IC tag reader.

  When using this IC tag system, for example, a plurality of receiving antennas are installed in advance so that their mutual readable ranges (spaces within the readable distance with the receiving antennas as the center) do not overlap. The place data (installation place data) in which is installed is measured in advance. Then, when certain IC tag information can be read from a certain receiving antenna, it is possible to identify what is the management target article to which the IC tag that has transmitted this IC tag information is attached, and the existence of the management target article As the location data, installation location data of the receiving antenna can be used. As described above, in the IC tag system, even when the managed object is moved, as long as the IC tag is within the readable range of any of the receiving antennas, the location data of the managed object is automatically acquired. be able to. In addition, the structure which corresponds to the place which stores the articles to be managed indicates, for example, a factory, a library, a building of a broadcasting station, or the like.

  Subsequently, when there is a search request from the user of the device, the article management apparatus firstly has the structure 3D CG stored in the structure 3D CG data storage means by the structure object generation / arrangement means. A structure object is generated based on the data, and the generated structure object is arranged in the virtual space. Next, the article management apparatus searches for a desired management target article by a search unit according to a request from a user of the apparatus, and the management target article object generation unit searches for the desired management target article. A management target article object is generated based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data stored in the article three-dimensional CG data storage means.

  Then, the article management device stores the generated management target article object in the virtual space where the structure object has already been arranged by the management target article object placement unit based on the location data stored in the location data storage unit. Place it in a place corresponding to the actual location. By managing the article object to be managed in the virtual space with this article to be managed object management means, for example, even if the location data is changed, the managed object object is moved according to the location data at any time. Can be arranged.

  Then, the article management device renders the virtual space in which the structure object and the management target article object are arranged by the virtual space display unit, and displays the rendered virtual space via the display device. In this case, the virtual space display means moves the viewpoint in the displayed virtual space according to the input control signal, re-renders the virtual space, and displays it on the display device. In other words, the virtual space in which the structure object and the management target article object are arranged can be displayed from an arbitrary viewpoint via the display device, so that the user of the device can intuitively determine the position of the management target article in the structure. Can be grasped.

  The article management device according to claim 2 is a structure three-dimensional structure in which presence location data indicating the location of the management target article is manually input in advance, and the structure of the structure corresponding to the location where the management target article is stored is shown. An article management device for displaying a structure object generated by CG data and a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the management target article in the same virtual space, Location data storage means, management target article three-dimensional CG data storage means, management target article object generation means, structure three-dimensional CG data storage means, structure object generation and placement means, search means, management target article The configuration includes object placement means and virtual space display means.

  According to this configuration, when there is a search request from the user of the device, the article management apparatus firstly stores the structure stored in the structure three-dimensional CG data storage unit by the structure object generation / arrangement unit. A structure object is generated based on the three-dimensional CG data, and the generated structure object is arranged in the virtual space. Next, the article management apparatus searches for a desired management target article by a search unit according to a request from a user of the apparatus, and the management target article object generation unit searches for the desired management target article. A management target article object is generated based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data stored in the article three-dimensional CG data storage means. Then, the article management device stores the generated management target article object in the virtual space in which the structure object has already been arranged based on the location data stored in the location data storage unit by the management target object object placement unit. The virtual space in which the structure object and the management target article object are arranged is rendered by the virtual space display means and displayed via the display device. In this case, the virtual space display means moves the viewpoint in the displayed virtual space according to the input control signal, re-renders the virtual space, and displays it on the display device. In other words, the virtual space in which the structure object and the management target article object are arranged can be displayed from an arbitrary viewpoint via the display device, so that the user of the device can intuitively determine the position of the management target article in the structure. Can be grasped.

  The article management apparatus according to claim 3 is a text information for generating a text information description object in which the text information for explaining the managed article object is described in the article management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A description object generation means, the management object article object arrangement means arranges the text information description object generated by the text information description object generation means in the vicinity of the management object article object, and the virtual space display means The virtual space in which the structure object, the management target object, and the text information description object are arranged is rendered and displayed on a display device.

  According to such a configuration, the article management device generates text information description objects, for example, “speech balloons” and “posting boards” by the text information description object generation means, and text information for explaining the management target article objects. Is placed in the vicinity of the managed object object so that the user of the device can confirm the text information of the managed object object arranged in the virtual space. It is possible to grasp at a glance in the virtual space without requiring another screen.

  The article management method according to claim 4 is a three-dimensional structure that automatically acquires data relating to the location of the managed article to be managed and indicates the structure of the structure corresponding to the place where the managed article is stored An article management method for displaying a structure object generated by CG data and a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the management target article in the same virtual space, The procedure includes a location acquisition step, a structure object generation / arrangement step, a search step, a management target article object generation step, a management target article object allocation step, and a virtual space display step.

  According to such a procedure, the article management method automatically obtains the existence place data relating to the existence place of the article to be managed in the existence place acquisition step, and when there is a user search request, first, the structure object In the generation and arrangement step, a structure object is generated based on the structure three-dimensional CG data, and is arranged in the virtual space. Next, the article management method searches for a desired management target article in the search step, and for the searched management target article based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data in the management target article object generation step. A management target article object is generated. In the article management method, the generated management target article object is stored in the virtual space where the structure object is already arranged based on the location data acquired in the location acquisition step in the management target article object placement step. To place. The article management method renders the virtual space in which the structure object and the management target article object are arranged in the virtual space display step and displays the rendered virtual space via the display device.

  The article management method according to claim 5 indicates the structure of a structure corresponding to a place where the management target article is stored by manually inputting presence location data indicating the location of the management target article to be managed in advance. An article management method for displaying a structure object generated by structure three-dimensional CG data and a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the management target article in the same virtual space. Thus, the procedure includes a structure object generation / arrangement step, a search step, a management target article object generation step, a management target article object allocation step, and a virtual space display step.

  According to such a procedure, when there is a user search request, the article management method first generates a structure object based on the structure three-dimensional CG data in the structure object generation / arrangement step, Place in the virtual space. Next, the article management method searches for a desired management target article in the search step, and for the searched management target article based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data in the management target article object generation step. A management target article object is generated. In the article management method, the generated management target article object is arranged in the virtual space where the structure object has already been arranged based on the location data in the management target article object arrangement step, and in the virtual space display step. The virtual space in which the structure object and the management target article object are arranged is rendered and displayed via the display device.

  According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, the data related to the location where the management target article exists is automatically acquired and generated as a management target article object indicating the management target article. Since it is arranged in the space, it is possible to intuitively grasp the place where the management target article exists. In addition, as a result of the operation of the operation means, etc. by the user of the apparatus, the position and line-of-sight direction in the virtual space can be changed according to the input control signal, and the desired management target article from the position overlooking the stored structure An operation of continuously moving to a position in the vicinity of the location where the item is present becomes possible, and the location where the desired article to be managed is present can be grasped more intuitively.

  According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, the location data indicating the location of the management target article is input in advance and generated as a management target article object indicating the management target article. Since it is arranged in the space, it is possible to intuitively grasp the place where the management target article exists. In addition, as a result of the operation of the operation means, etc. by the user of the apparatus, the position and line-of-sight direction in the virtual space can be changed in accordance with the input control signal, and the desired article to be managed from the position overlooking the housed structure An operation of continuously moving to a position in the vicinity of the location where the item is present becomes possible, and the location where the desired article to be managed is present can be grasped more intuitively.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by using the text information description object in which the text information is described for explaining the management target article object, it is possible to determine what kind of article the management target article is. It is possible to confirm with text information (characters) in the virtual space without requiring another screen (image) for confirmation by the user of the apparatus.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, when text information is used to manage the location data of an article to be managed as in a conventional article management system, for example, the book is managed as an article to be managed. Assuming that, for each book, it takes labor to manually input text information such as a room name and a shelf number. Moreover, in the conventional article management apparatus presented as a two-dimensional image, when using a plurality of images, there are situations where the location of one managed article is displayed as a plurality of images. In this case, It is necessary to set the location of the article. On the other hand, when managing the location of the management target article, the article management apparatus need only have three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z) representing the location in the virtual space. Thereby, even when a management target article is added or the like, the labor of updating the location data stored in the location data storage means can be greatly reduced.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
<Configuration of article management device (first embodiment)>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an article management apparatus (first embodiment). As shown in FIG. 1, the article management apparatus 1 uses the IC tag attached (attached) to the management target article (display target article) to indicate the place (existing place) where the management target article is placed. In addition to managing the location and the management target article as CG data as a structure object and a management target article object in the virtual space, the location acquisition means 3, the location data storage means 5, and the management target Article object generation means 7, management target article three-dimensional CG data storage means 9, structure object generation arrangement means 11, structure three-dimensional CG data storage means 13, management target article object arrangement means 15, virtual space A display unit 17, a receiving unit 19, and a search unit 21 are provided.

  In this embodiment, the article management apparatus 1 includes existence location acquisition means 3 that automatically obtains data (existence location data) relating to the existence location of the article to be managed. As an implementation, an IC tag is used.

  The article management apparatus 1 is connected to a display device 2 that displays a virtual space drawn by CG data. The display device 2 is a display or the like externally connected to the article management device 1.

  In this embodiment, the article management apparatus 1 performs the overall process until the display apparatus 2 displays the management target article as a management target article object in the virtual space. However, the article management apparatus 1 is similar to a general server client system. You may comprise. That is, while managing the location data indicating the location of the article to be managed, the search is executed according to the search request from the client (search display computer), and the location data of the article to be managed and the management target obtained as a result Accepts server information (database management computer) that responds to clients with attribute information indicating what kind of product is returned, and search requests from users (requests to search and display desired managed items) The search request may be sent to the server, and a plurality of clients presenting the response results received from the server to the user may be connected via a network (LAN, Internet, etc.).

  The location acquisition means 3 receives radio waves transmitted from the IC tag and acquires information (attribute information) written on the IC tag and data (location location data) indicating the location of the article to be managed. Thus, an antenna unit 3a composed of a plurality of antennas installed at different locations, an antenna output switching unit 3b that selects and outputs one of the antenna outputs from the outputs (antenna outputs) of the plurality of antennas, and an IC tag reader 3c and a switching control unit 3d. Further, the information (attribute information) and the presence location data written in the IC tag acquired by the presence location acquisition means 3 are stored in the presence location data storage means 5 and are used by the device 1. It is configured to read appropriately according to the user's operation.

  The IC tag is composed of a small antenna that transmits radio waves and a microchip (several millimeters) IC chip that can write information. The amount of information that can be written to the IC chip differs depending on the type of IC tag. Here, the information that can write the attribute information of a plurality of managed items such as the product name, product number, and manufacturing date of the managed item is adopted. ing.

  The antenna section 3a receives radio waves transmitted from a small antenna that constitutes an IC tag. The distance at which radio waves transmitted from this small antenna can be received varies depending on the type of IC tag, but here it is about several tens of centimeters. The antenna unit 3a is provided for each place where articles to be managed are stored. Here, each antenna unit 3a and the antenna output switching unit 3b are connected by a transmission cable (wired, not shown). (Details will be described later).

  The antenna output switching unit 3b switches a signal output from the antenna unit 3a and received via a transmission cable (not shown) according to control by the switching control unit 3d. That is, the antenna output switching unit 3b is configured to output an antenna output (antenna) instructed by the switching control unit 3d from outputs of a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna unit 3a installed in each place where the management target article is stored. Output signal) is selected and output.

  The IC tag reader 3c receives a signal switched by the antenna output switching unit 3b, that is, a certain antenna output signal, and reads attribute information written in the IC tag received by the antenna.

  Here, the attribute information written in the IC tag is associated with the management target article three-dimensional CG data, which is data for generating the management target article as an object (management target article object) in the virtual space. It is assumed that “managed object three-dimensional CG data No (number)” is also set in advance. In place of the “managed object 3D CG data No (number)”, information indicating the managed object 3D CG data used to display the managed object such as a code indicating the type of the managed object is used. You can use this code if you want.

  The switching control unit 3d outputs a switching control signal to control the switching of the antenna output switching unit 3b, and by using the method described later, the location of the management target article with the IC tag that can be read by the currently selected antenna Further, the attribute information of the managed article (read by the currently selected antenna) output from the IC tag reader 3c and the location data of the currently selected antenna are used as the location data of the managed article. The presence location data is output to the presence location data storage means 5. This switching control signal designates the antenna constituting the antenna unit 3a, and causes the IC tag reader 3c to read the output of the antenna.

  Moreover, the location data where these are installed is input to the switching control unit 3d in advance for all the antennas constituting the antenna unit 3a. When a certain IC tag information is read from a plurality of antennas constituting the antenna unit 3a, the location where the antenna is installed as the location data of the management target article to which the IC tag is attached Data is assumed to be used. That is, the locations where all the articles to be managed existing within the readable range of a certain antenna are represented by the locations where the antenna is present. Hereinafter, the switching control unit 3d sequentially switches the antennas and grasps the location where the management target article exists.

  That is, in the article management apparatus 1, the presence location acquisition unit 3 performs the above operation regularly or irregularly and updates the location data of the management target article at any time, so that the current presence of the management target article is obtained. The location can be grasped accurately.

  Here, the operation of the presence location acquisition unit 3 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that there are a plurality of bookshelves storing a plurality of books, and these bookshelves are present in a certain structure, for example, a plurality of rooms in a multi-storey building. In other words, the description will be made assuming that books are managed in a large library.

  FIG. 2 shows information that can be read from the IC tag, and configuration examples of the antenna unit 3a and the antenna output switching unit 3b. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of information that can be read from the IC tag, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a connection state between the antenna unit 3a and the antenna output switching unit 3b.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the antenna unit 3a is provided on each of the two bookshelves A and B, and each shelf of the bookshelf A includes an antenna A1, an antenna A2, an antenna A3,. Each shelf of the bookshelf B is provided with an antenna B1, an antenna B2, an antenna B3,. The antenna A1, the antenna A2, the antenna A3,... And the antenna B1, the antenna B2, the antenna B3,... And the antenna output switching unit 3b are connected by a transmission cable (wired). The antenna output switching unit 3b is provided inside the antenna output switching unit 3b with signals output from the antenna A1, antenna A2, antenna A3,... And antenna B1, antenna B2, antenna B3,. The output is switched by a switching mechanism (not shown).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, sequential numbers (here, 00001 to 00003...) That are consecutive numbers for identifying the management target articles are assigned to the respective management target articles. Here, the attribute information written in the IC tag is information on “book title”, “author name”, “publisher name”, and “total number of pages”. The attribute information written in the IC tag differs depending on the type of the IC tag. For example, when only the sequential number is used or information such as the date of manufacture (publishing date), price, and distribution channel is included. There is also. Note that some or all of these pieces of information are attribute information of the management target article.

  Based on the assumptions described above, the location acquisition means 3 firstly selects one of the plurality of antennas A1, A2, A3,..., B1, B2, B3,. The radio wave transmitted from the IC tag attached to the book is received. For example, assume that the antenna A3 receives radio waves. And the presence location acquisition means 3 switches the antenna output of the antenna output switching part 3b to the antenna A3 of the bookshelf A according to control by the switching control part 3d. Then, the presence location acquisition means 3 receives the signal superimposed on the radio wave (attribute information written in the IC tag) input to the IC tag reader 3c from the antenna A3 via the transmission cable and the antenna output switching unit 3b. Is read by the IC tag reader 3c, and the location data of the antenna A3 is used as the location data of the management target article to which the read IC tag is attached.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the configuration of the article management apparatus 1 will be continued.
The location data storage means 5 is constituted by a general hard disk drive or the like, and stores the location data and attribute information acquired by the location acquisition means 3.

  Then, the search means 21 functions in accordance with a control signal from an operation means (not shown) operated by the user of the device 1, and the location data and attribute information stored in the location data storage means 5 are stored. When it is referred to and a search is made that a desired management target article exists, the management target article three-dimensional CG data No is output to the management target article three-dimensional CG data storage means 9, and the management target article object placement means 15. The location data is output to.

  The management target article object generation means 7 generates a management target article object in which the management target article is drawn as CG based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data output from the management target article three-dimensional CG data storage means 9. The text information description object generation means 7a is provided.

This management target article object generation means 7 generates a management target article object by a 3D modeling technique in the well-known computer graphic technique.
The management target article object is generated by the management target article three-dimensional CG data, that is, data representing the size, shape, color, texture, etc. of the management target article, and can be observed from various viewpoints. Represents an object.

  Alternatively, the management target object is mainly intended to indicate the location of the management target article in the virtual space, so that it can be used as a simple marker (three-dimensional marker) regardless of size, shape, color, texture, etc. For example, all the management target articles may be generated as spherical objects.

  The text information description object generation means 7a describes the item name of the management target article included in the location data that is displayed in association with the management target article object created by the management target article object generation means 7. The generated text information description object is generated. In other words, this text information description object is a three-dimensional object on which text information is described, which is called a “balloon” or a “post board”. The text information description object is associated with the management target article object based on the location data so that the text information description object is displayed in the immediate vicinity of the management target article object.

  For example, when the management target article is a book and the location data is coordinates (x, y, z) in the virtual space, the text information included in the attribute information is described in the text description information object. It will be. And when this text information description object is displayed on the display apparatus 2 by the virtual space display means 17 (it mentions later for details), the user of the said apparatus 1 is the coordinate (x, y, z) in virtual space. Can be seen as a balloon of information included in attribute information such as “book title”, “author name”, “publisher name”, etc.

  The management target article three-dimensional CG data storage means 9 is constituted by a general hard disk drive or the like, and stores management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the size, shape, color, texture, etc. of the management target article. is there. The management target article 3D CG data stored in the management target article 3D CG data storage unit 9 is manually added by the receiving unit 19 described later when it is desired to manage a new type of article.

  Further, the management target article 3D CG data storage unit 9 generates management target article 3D CG data based on the management target article 3D data No output from the location data storage unit 5 and generates management target article objects. Output to means 7.

  Here, referring to FIG. 3, the search means 21 functions (a search for articles to be managed by a search keyword or the like is executed), and the location data and attribute information accumulated in the location data accumulation means 5 are stored. A case will be described in which, when a reference is made and a search is made that a desired management target article exists, a management target article three-dimensional CG data No is output to the management target article three-dimensional CG data storage unit 9. FIG. 3 shows an example of the relationship between the presence location data and attribute information stored in the presence location data storage means 5 and the management target article 3D CG data stored in the management target article 3D CG data storage means 9. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the presence location data and attribute information include “sequential number”, “attribute information”, “existence location data”, and “managed object 3D CG data No”.
The “sequential number” is a number assigned continuously (through) to various managed articles.

  Here, “attribute information” exemplifies “book”, “speaker”, and “toy”. Note that “book” also includes attribute information such as a title (book title, author name, publisher name, total number of pages). In addition, “speaker” and “toy” include, for example, attribute information such as manufacturer and outer dimensions.

“Present location data” indicates three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the actual location where the management target article actually exists in the virtual space, a specific location, and the like. (X ₁ , y ₁ , z ₁ ) as “present location data” of “book” with “1”, and “existence location data” of “book” with “article number” “2” (x ₂ , y ₂ , z ₂ ) is “existing place data” of “speaker” whose “article number” is “3” (x ₃ , y ₃ , z ₃ ) is “toy” whose “article number” is “4”. (X ₄ , y ₄ , z ₄ ) is acquired as “existing place data”.

  “Management target article 3D CG data No” associates the management target article with the management target article 3D CG data stored in the management target article 3D CG data storage unit 9. “Managed article 3D CG data No” for “Book” with “Sequential number” “1” and “Managed article 3D CG data No.” for “Book” with “Sequential number” “2” “3” as “managed article 3D CG data No” for “speaker” whose “sequential number” is “3”, and “toy” whose “sequential number” is “4”. “4” is associated as the management target article 3D CG data No ”.

  In other words, the same type of managed article 3D CG data is assigned to the same type of managed article, and if the type is different, the managed article 3D CG data is also different. In addition, as the management target article 3D CG data, all the management target articles (the search result and the desired management target article) may be displayed as the same object. “1” of the management target article three-dimensional CG data No. is assigned.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the management target article 3D CG data includes “management target article 3D data No” and “3D CG data” (modeling data).
“Managed article 3D data No” corresponds to “Managed article 3D data No” in the location data and attribute information.
“3D CG data” (modeling data) is data for generating an object that is set for each type of management target article, and “3D CG data No” is “1”. “3D CG data” is “stereoscopic marker”, “management target article 3D data No” is “2”, “3D CG data” is “book”, and “management target article 3D data No” is “3”. “Speaker” is set as “3D CG data”.

  When the search means 21 searches for the management target article using a search keyword or the like, and it is determined that the management target article exists, the management target article stored in the location data storage means 5 is determined. The management target article 3D data No is transferred to the management target article 3D CG data stored in the management target article 3D CG data storage means 9. The management target article three-dimensional CG data storage unit 9 outputs the corresponding management target article three-dimensional CG data (respective modeling data) to the management target article object generation unit 7.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the configuration of the article management apparatus 1 will be continued.
The structure object generation / arrangement means 11 is a structure (building) in which the articles to be managed are stored (stored) based on the structure 3D CG data stored in the structure 3D CG data storage means 13. Are generated as a structure object and placed in a virtual three-dimensional space (virtual space). In other words, the structure object generation / arrangement means 11 mainly accurately expresses the inside of the structure as a structure object by a 3D modeling technique in the well-known computer graphic technique similar to the managed object object generation means 7. It is. Note that the structure object generated by the structure object generation / arrangement unit 11 also represents the outside of the structure. In addition, for example, when the structure is a warehouse constructed on the site of a factory, the structure object generation / arrangement means 11 also includes a route (route in the site) leading to the warehouse as a part of the structure object. Can be generated and placed in a virtual space.

  The virtual three-dimensional space in which the structure object is arranged by the structure object generation / arrangement unit 11 is observed from an arbitrary viewpoint by the user of the device 1 operating the operation unit (not shown). Is something that can be done.

  The structure three-dimensional CG data storage means 13 is configured by a general hard disk drive or the like, and stores structure three-dimensional CG data representing dimensions, shape, color, texture, etc. of the structure and the surroundings of the structure in advance. It is something to keep. Here, the structure three-dimensional CG data stored in the structure three-dimensional CG data storage means 9 is constantly updated by the latest data received by the receiving means 19 being input.

  For example, when the internal layout of the structure (positions of partitions, bookshelves, desks, etc.) is frequently changed, the structure 3D CG data is updated via the receiving means 19 each time, and the structure object generation and arrangement By reflecting on the structure object generated by the means 11, when the user of the device 1 actually searches for the desired management target article, the correct structure object is always presented, so it is confusing. It is possible to search for a desired article to be managed.

  The managed object object placement unit 15 is based on the location data output from the location data storage unit 5 and is in a virtual three-dimensional space in which the structure object generated by the structure object location generation unit 11 is placed. The management target article object and the text information description object generated by the management target article object generation means 7 and the text information description object generation means 7a are arranged.

  The virtual space display means 17 is an operation means (not shown) by the user of the device 1 in the virtual three-dimensional space where the management object article object and the text information description object are arranged by the management object article object placement means 15. Based on the result of the operation, rendering is performed and the display device 2 displays the result.

  As a result of the user operating the operation means (not shown) being operated on the virtual space display means 17, a viewpoint position movement control signal, a viewpoint direction rotation control signal, and a viewpoint angle change control signal are input. The viewpoint position movement control signal is for moving the position of the viewpoint in the virtual space, the viewpoint direction rotation control signal is for rotating the viewpoint in the virtual space in the horizontal direction, and the viewpoint angle change control signal is in the virtual space. The angle from the viewpoint (elevation angle) is changed. Each time these signals are input, the appearance of the virtual space displayed by the virtual space display means 17 is changed.

  For example, when the operation means (not shown) is composed of a joystick, a device having a cross key made up of up / down / left / right buttons, etc., the viewpoint position movement control signal is generated by operating the joystick. The position of the viewpoint input in the apparatus 1 and moved in the virtual space can be moved to an arbitrary position. Further, by pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key, a viewpoint direction rotation control signal is input to the device 1, and the viewpoint in the virtual space can be rotated in the horizontal direction. For example, if the left button of the cross key is continuously pressed, the viewpoint direction in the virtual space continues to rotate leftward. Further, by pressing the up and down buttons of the cross key, a viewpoint angle change control signal is input to the device 1, and the viewpoint angle in the virtual space is changed.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the example of the image of the management object article object and text information description object in the virtual space displayed on the display apparatus 2 by the virtual space display means 17 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image (managed object object is a three-dimensional marker) displayed on the display screen of the display device 2 by the virtual space display unit 17 when the managed object is a book. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display screen of the display device 2 by the virtual space display unit 17 when the article to be managed is a book. Here, only the “book” of the management target article object indicating the desired management target article, which is the search result by the search means 21, is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this image, there is a book which is a desired management target article on a desk and a bookshelf in a structure object indicating a room (structure), and this book is a three-dimensional object as a management target article object. Displayed with marker status.

  In FIG. 4, other management target articles are not displayed, and only desired management target articles are displayed. In this way, by displaying only the desired management target article and not displaying other management target articles, the location where the desired management target article exists is highlighted by the three-dimensional marker.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in this image, three bookshelves A, B, and C installed in the room A are displayed, and the articles to be managed are placed at the third shelf of the bookshelf A. Contains object books. Then, the balloon of the text information description object in which the text information is described as “Ox reader” so that this managed object object is known is in the immediate vicinity of the managed object object (so that the balloon outlets overlap). It is displayed.

  In FIG. 5, for example, when a viewpoint position movement control signal is input to the device 1 as a result of the user of the device 1 operating an operation unit (not shown), the position of the viewpoint in the virtual space. Is moved to the front of shelf i. In other words, in the virtual space, for example, it is possible to set the wall of the structure object to be translucent so that it can pass through the wall, and approach the managed article object from the position overlooking the structure object. The viewpoint can be moved all at once to the position. Further, for example, when the viewpoint position is moved to the front of the shelf i, when the viewpoint direction rotation control signal is input to the device 1, the viewpoint is horizontally oriented so that the shelf i is looked left and right. When the viewpoint angle change control signal is input to the device 1, the viewpoint angle is changed so as to look around the shelf i up and down.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the configuration of the article management apparatus 1 will be continued.
The receiving unit 19 receives the latest managed article 3D CG data and the latest structure 3D CG data via a network (Internet, LAN, etc.), and receives the latest managed article 3D CG data. Are output to the management target article 3D CG data storage unit 9, and the latest structure 3D CG data is output to the structure 3D CG data storage unit 13.

  The search means 21 extracts a search keyword from a control signal (a signal related to a search request for an article to be managed) input by a user of the device 1 via an operation means (not shown), and a desired keyword is obtained by the search keyword. The location and attribute information of the management target article are searched. The search keyword is the name of the article to be managed, etc. If the article to be managed is a book (book), the title of the book, the author, etc. can be mentioned.

<Operation of article management apparatus (first embodiment)>
Next, the operation of the article management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate).
The operation of the article management apparatus 1 is established by performing two endless operations simultaneously. One endless operation (existing location data and IC tag information acquisition operation) is shown in FIG. 6A, and the other endless operation (search operation for a desired managed article) is shown in FIG. 6B.

  In one endless operation (existence location data and IC tag information acquisition operation) shown in FIG. 6A, the article management device 1 uses the existence place acquisition means 3 to detect from the IC tag attached to the management target article. Based on the transmitted radio wave, presence location data and IC tag information (attribute information of managed items) are acquired regularly or irregularly (step S1), and output to the presence location data storage means 5. That is, the article management apparatus 1 automatically grasps the location where the management target article exists and the attribute information of the management target article at all times (as long as the article management apparatus 1 is activated).

  In the other endless operation (search operation for a desired managed article) shown in FIG. 6B, first, in the article management apparatus 1, the user of the apparatus 1 operates an operation means (not shown). Thus, it is determined whether or not a search keyword has been output via the search means 21, that is, whether or not there has been a search request from the user of the device 1 (step S11).

  The article management apparatus 1 waits until it is determined that there is a search request (No at Step S11), and when it is determined that there is a search request (Yes at Step S11), the structure object generation / arrangement unit 11 causes the structure 3 Based on the structure 3D CG data stored in the dimension data storage means 13, a structure object is generated and placed in the virtual space (step S12).

  Subsequently, the article management apparatus 1 determines whether or not a desired management target article requested for search exists based on the existence place data and attribute information accumulated in the existence place data accumulation unit 5. (Step S13) When it is determined that a desired management target article exists (Yes in Step S13), the management target article object generation unit 7 stores the management target article in the management target article three-dimensional CG data storage unit 9. A management target article object is generated based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data (step S14). In this process, the article management device 1 uses the text information description object generation means 7a to generate text information based on information (text information) included in the attribute information in accordance with a request from the user of the device 1. Create a description object.

  Then, the article management apparatus 1 includes the location data in the virtual space in which the management target article object generated by the management target article object placement unit 15 is generated and arranged by the structure object generation placement unit 11. Based on the location data output from the storage means 5, the management target article object and the text information description object generated by the management target article object generation means 7 and the text information description object generation means 7a are arranged (step S15).

  Then, the article management apparatus 1 renders the virtual space in which the structure object, the management target article object, and the text information description object are arranged by the virtual space display unit 17 and outputs the virtual space to the display apparatus 2 (step S16). ). If the article management apparatus 1 determines in step S13 that the desired article to be managed does not exist (No in step S13), the article management apparatus 1 renders and displays the virtual space in which only the structure object is arranged. Output to device 2. Alternatively, the display device 2 displays that the desired article to be managed does not exist.

  Then, the article management apparatus 1 determines whether or not the viewpoint in the virtual space has been changed by operating an operation means (not shown) by the user of the apparatus 1 (step S17), and the viewpoint is changed. If it is determined that the determination has been made (step S17, Yes), the process returns to step S16. If the article management apparatus 1 does not determine that the viewpoint has been changed (No in step S17), the article management apparatus 1 determines whether or not the search has been completed according to a control signal from the operation means (not shown) (step S18). ) If it is not determined that the search is finished (No at Step S18), the process returns to Step S17. If it is determined that the search is finished (Yes at Step S18), the process returns to Step S11.

  According to the article management apparatus 1, the presence location data indicating the location where the management target article with the IC tag attached is present in the structure by the presence location acquisition means 3 by radio waves transmitted from the IC tag. The management target article object generation means 7 acquires the management target article as a management target article object, and the management target article object generation means 7 arranges the structure object generated by the structure object generation arrangement means 11 in the virtual space where the structure object is arranged. . For this reason, as a result of the user of the device 1 operating the operation means (not shown), the virtual space display means 17 moves the viewpoint in the virtual space according to the input control signal, and accordingly, Since the virtual space is re-rendered, the viewpoint in the virtual space can be freely changed, the virtual space can be viewed from the viewpoint desired by the user, and the location where the managed article exists is intuitive. I can grasp it.

  Furthermore, according to the article management apparatus 1, the text information description object generating means 7a uses the text information description object describing the text information for explanation of the management target article object, so that the attribute information of the management target article is obtained. Can be grasped.

<Configuration of article management device (second embodiment)>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the article management apparatus (second embodiment). As shown in FIG. 7, in the article management apparatus 1A, a user of the apparatus 1A reads a barcode or an IC tag attached to an article to be managed with a barcode reader (not shown) or an IC tag reader. The output of this barcode reader or IC tag reader and the presence location data indicating the location where the article to be managed that has read this barcode or IC tag is stored are manually input by an input means (not shown), or By manually inputting everything, the CG data representing the management target article is displayed as a management target article object in the virtual space. The existence location data storage means 5, the management target article object generation means 7, the management target Article 3D CG data storage means 9, structure object generation / arrangement means 11, and structure 3D CG data storage A stage 13, the managed article object placement unit 15, and a virtual space display unit 17, a receiving unit 19, a search unit 21.

  That is, the article management apparatus 1A is obtained by omitting the location acquisition means 3 as compared with the article management apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Enter the location.

<Operation of article management apparatus (second embodiment)>
Next, the operation of the article management apparatus 1A will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 7 as appropriate).
The operation of the article management device 1 </ b> A is established by performing two endless operations at the same time as the operation of the article management device 1. One endless operation (existing location data updating operation) is shown in FIG. 7A, and the other endless operation (desired operation for searching for a desired managed article) is shown in FIG. 7B.

  In one endless operation (existing location data update operation) shown in FIG. 7A, the article management apparatus 1A receives the input of the existence location data and the attribute information of the management target article by the administrator of the apparatus 1A. It is determined whether there has been (step S21).

  The article management apparatus 1A waits until it is determined that the presence location data and the attribute information of the management target article have been input (No in step S21), and determines that the presence location data and the attribute information of the management target article have been input. In this case, the location data and attribute information in the location data storage means 5 are updated (added) (step S22).

  In the other endless operation (search operation for a desired managed article) shown in FIG. 7B, first, in the article management apparatus 1A, a user of the apparatus 1A operates an operation means (not shown). Thus, it is determined whether or not a search keyword has been output via the search means 21, that is, whether or not there has been a search request from the user of the device 1A (step S31).

  The article management apparatus 1 </ b> A waits until it is determined that there is a search request (step S <b> 31, No), and when it is determined that there is a search request (step S <b> 31, Yes), the structure object generation / arrangement unit 11 causes the structure 3. Based on the structure three-dimensional CG data stored in the dimension data storage means 13, a structure object is generated and placed in the virtual space (step S32).

  Subsequently, the article management apparatus 1A determines whether or not a desired management target article requested for search exists based on the existence place data and attribute information accumulated in the existence place data accumulation unit 5. (Step S33) When it is determined that a desired management target article exists (Yes in Step S33), the management target article object generation unit 7 stores the management target article in the management target article three-dimensional CG data storage unit 9. A management target article object is generated based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data (step S34). In this process, the article management apparatus 1A uses the text information description object generation means 7a to generate text information based on information (text information) included in the attribute information in accordance with a request from the user of the apparatus 1A. Create a description object.

  Then, the article management apparatus 1A includes the location data in the virtual space in which the management target article object generated by the management target article object placement unit 15 is generated and arranged by the structure object generation placement unit 11. Based on the presence location data output from the storage means 5, the management target article object and the text information description object generated by the management target article object generation means 7 and the text information description object generation means 7a are arranged (step S35).

  Then, the article management apparatus 1A renders the virtual space in which the management object article object and the text information description object are arranged by the management object article object arrangement unit 15 by the virtual space display unit 17 and outputs the rendered virtual space to the display device 2. (Step S36). In step S33, when the article management apparatus 1A determines that the desired management target article does not exist (step S33, No), the virtual machine in which only the structure object is arranged is rendered and displayed. Output to device 2. Alternatively, the display device 2 displays that the desired article to be managed does not exist.

  Then, the article management apparatus 1A determines whether or not the viewpoint in the virtual space has been changed by operating the operation means (not shown) by the user of the apparatus 1A (step S37), and the viewpoint is changed. If it is determined that the determination has been made (step S37, Yes), the process returns to step S36. If the article management apparatus 1A does not determine that the viewpoint has been changed (No in step S37), the article management apparatus 1A determines whether or not the search is complete according to a control signal from an operating means (not shown) (step S38). ), If it is not determined that the search is terminated (No at Step S38), the process returns to Step S37, and if it is determined that the search is terminated (Yes at Step S38), the process returns to Step S31.

  According to the article management apparatus 1A, the presence location data indicating the location of the article to be managed is input manually by an input unit (not shown) by the user of the apparatus 1A, and the management target article object generation unit 7 is input. Thus, the management target article is generated as a management target article object, and is arranged in the virtual space in which the structure object generated by the structure object generation / arrangement unit 11 is arranged. For this reason, as a result of the user of the apparatus 1A operating the operation means (not shown), the viewpoint in the virtual space is moved by the virtual space display means 17 in accordance with the input control signal. Since the virtual space is re-rendered, the viewpoint in the virtual space can be freely changed, the virtual space can be viewed from the viewpoint desired by the user, and the location where the managed article exists is intuitive. I can grasp it.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the article management apparatus 1 or 1A has been described. However, an article that describes the processing of each component of the apparatus 1 or 1A using a general-purpose or special computer language for controlling a computer. It may be a management program. These article management programs can achieve the same effects as the article management apparatuses 1 and 1A.

1 is a block diagram of an article management apparatus (first embodiment) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the information (when management object is a book) which can be read by an IC tag, the antenna part of an existence place acquisition means, an antenna output switching part, and a connection state. It is a figure explaining the relationship between presence location data and attribute information, and management object article 3D CG data. It is the figure explaining the image of the virtual space (only a desired management object article is a three-dimensional marker) displayed by the article management apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure explaining the image of the virtual space (drawing a management object article object by three-dimensional CG data) displayed by the article management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the article | item management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of an article management device (second embodiment) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the article | item management apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article management apparatus 2 Display apparatus 3 Presence place acquisition means 5 Presence place data storage means 7 Management object article object generation means 7a Text information description object generation means 9 Management article 3D CG data storage means 11 Structure object generation arrangement means 13 Structure 3D CG data storage means 15 Managed article object placement means 17 Virtual space display means 19 Receiving means 21 Search means

Claims (5)

A structure object generated automatically by structure 3D CG data indicating the structure of the structure corresponding to the place where the management target article is stored, and automatically acquiring data related to the location of the management target article, and the management target article An article management apparatus that displays a management object article generated by the management object article 3D CG data representing the same in the same virtual space,
Presence location acquisition means for acquiring presence location data of the managed article;
Presence location data storage means for storing the presence location data acquired by the presence location acquisition means;
Managed article 3D CG data storage means for storing the managed article 3D CG data;
Managed object article object generating means for generating the managed object article object based on the managed object 3D CG data stored in the managed object 3D CG data storing means;
A structure 3D CG data storage means for storing the structure 3D CG data;
Structure object generation / arrangement means for generating the structure object based on the structure three-dimensional CG data stored in the structure three-dimensional CG data storage means and arranging the structure object in the virtual space. When,
Search means for searching for a desired managed article;
The desired management target article searched by the search means corresponds to the actual location in the structure object arranged in the virtual space based on the location data stored in the location data storage means. Management target article object placement means for placing the management target article object generated by the management target article object generation means at a place to be
Virtual space display means that renders a virtual space in which the management target article object is arranged by the management target article object placement means and displays the virtual space on a display device;
The article management apparatus, wherein the virtual space display means moves the viewpoint in the displayed virtual space according to the input control signal, re-renders the virtual space, and displays the virtual space on the display device. A structure object generated by structure three-dimensional CG data indicating the structure of a structure corresponding to a place for storing the management target article; An article management apparatus that displays a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the management target article in the same virtual space,
Presence location data storage means for storing the presence location data;
Managed article 3D CG data storage means for storing the managed article 3D CG data;
Managed object article object generating means for generating the managed object article object based on the managed object 3D CG data stored in the managed object 3D CG data storing means;
A structure 3D CG data storage means for storing the structure 3D CG data;
Structure object generation / arrangement means for generating the structure object based on the structure three-dimensional CG data stored in the structure three-dimensional CG data storage means and arranging the structure object in the virtual space. When,
Search means for searching for a desired managed article;
The desired management target article searched by the search means corresponds to the actual location in the structure object arranged in the virtual space based on the location data stored in the location data storage means. Management target article object placement means for placing the management target article object generated by the management target article object generation means at a place to be
Virtual space display means that renders a virtual space in which the management target article object is arranged by the management target article object placement means and displays the virtual space on a display device;
The article management apparatus, wherein the virtual space display means moves the viewpoint in the displayed virtual space according to the input control signal, re-renders the virtual space, and displays the virtual space on the display device. Text information description object generating means for generating a text information description object describing text information for explaining the management target article object;
The text information description object generated by the text information description object generation means is arranged near the management target article object by the management target article object placement means, and the virtual space display means is the structure object and the management target. The article management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual space in which the article object and the text information description object are arranged is rendered and displayed on the display device. A structure object generated automatically by structure 3D CG data indicating the structure of the structure corresponding to the place where the management target article is stored, and automatically acquiring data related to the location of the management target article, and the management target article An article management method for displaying, in the same virtual space, a management target article object generated by the management target article 3D CG data representing
A location acquisition step of acquiring location data of the managed article;
Generating a structure object based on the structure three-dimensional CG data, and arranging the structure object in the virtual space;
A search step for searching for a desired managed article;
A management target article object generating step for generating the management target article object based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data for the desired management target article searched in the search step;
Based on the location data acquired in the location acquisition step, generated in the managed object object generation step in a location corresponding to the actual location in the structure object arranged in the virtual space A managed article object placement step for placing the managed article article that has been
A virtual space display step of rendering a virtual space in which the management target article object is arranged in the management target article object placement step and displaying the virtual space on a display device;
In the virtual space display step, the article management method is characterized in that, in accordance with the input control signal, the viewpoint in the displayed virtual space is moved, the virtual space is re-rendered, and displayed on the display device. A structure object generated by structure three-dimensional CG data indicating the structure of a structure corresponding to a place for storing the management target article; An article management method for displaying a management target article object generated by management target article three-dimensional CG data representing the management target article in the same virtual space,
Generating a structure object based on the structure three-dimensional CG data, and arranging the structure object in the virtual space;
A search step for searching for a desired managed article;
A management target article object generating step for generating the management target article object based on the management target article three-dimensional CG data for the desired management target article searched in the search step;
Based on the existence location data, the management target article object generated in the management target article object generation step is arranged at a location corresponding to the actual existence location in the structure object arranged in the virtual space. A managed article object placement step;
A virtual space display step of rendering a virtual space in which the management target article object is arranged in the management target article object placement step and displaying the virtual space on a display device;
In the virtual space display step, the article management method is characterized in that, in accordance with the input control signal, the viewpoint in the displayed virtual space is moved, the virtual space is re-rendered, and displayed on the display device.

Images