JP2011090640A - Information processor, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor properly outputting a three-dimensional object with hierarchized data arranged therein. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor includes: an image information configuration part 107 configuring image information of a three-dimensional object by arranging data subordinate to one node obtained from the hierarchical structure data in a face facing a first designated direction of the three-dimensional object predetermined by shape information stored in a shape information storage part 101; an output part 108 outputting the image information; and a rotation instruction reception part 104 receiving a rotation instruction of the three-dimensional object. An arrangement data acquisition part 103 obtains data having predetermined subordinate relation to one or more pieces of data arranged in the face facing the first designation direction. The image information configuration part 107 configures the image information of the three-dimensional object by arranging the data obtained by the arrangement data acquisition part 103 in a face facing the first designation direction after rotation, of the three-dimensional object rotated according to the rotation instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that outputs a three-dimensional image in which data is arranged.

  As a conventional technique, a menu item is assigned to each area of a three-dimensional figure, a display step for displaying the three-dimensional figure, a movement step for moving the three-dimensional figure according to an instruction command to be input, and an assignment to the three-dimensional figure There has been known a three-dimensional menu selection method comprising: a selection step for selecting a required menu from a given menu item; and a selection processing execution step for executing processing corresponding to the selected menu. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-7-114451 (first page, FIG. 1 etc.)

  However, the conventional information processing apparatus has a problem in that image information of a three-dimensional object in which hierarchical data is arranged cannot be output appropriately.

  For example, in the prior art, since data such as menu items allocated in advance is displayed in each area of the three-dimensional figure, data of lower layers (for example, sub-level data) is added to data such as already allocated menu items. Even if a menu item or the like exists, there is a problem that the data cannot be appropriately arranged and output in a three-dimensional shape.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a hierarchical structure data storage unit that can store hierarchical structure data including one or more layered data, and a shape that is information indicating the shape of a three-dimensional object having two or more surfaces The shape information indicates a shape information storage unit that can store information, an arrangement data acquisition unit that acquires one or more data subordinate to one node from the hierarchical structure data, and data acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit An image information configuration unit that configures image information of the 3D object arranged on a surface facing the first specified direction, which is a predetermined direction of the 3D object, and an output unit that outputs image information configured by the image information configuration unit; A rotation instruction receiving unit that receives a rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object, and the arrangement data acquisition unit One or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency relation with one or more pieces of one or more pieces of data arranged on a surface facing one designated direction are acquired, and the image information configuration unit rotates in accordance with a rotation instruction. Image information of the three-dimensional object obtained by arranging one or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit on the surface that has turned to the first designated direction after rotation. The image information is configured, and the output unit is an information processing apparatus that outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit in response to a rotation instruction.

  With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately output image information of a three-dimensional object in which hierarchical data is arranged by a rotation operation on the three-dimensional object. Thereby, the operability when browsing data having a hierarchical structure can be improved.

  Moreover, the information processing apparatus of this invention receives the designation | designated with respect to one data of the one or more data arrange | positioned in the said information processing apparatus in the surface which faced the 1st designation | designated direction of the solid object which the output part output. The arrangement data acquisition unit further includes a designation reception unit, and the arrangement data acquisition unit has one or more data subordinate to the data designated by the designation received by the designation reception unit as a hierarchical structure as one or more data having a predetermined dependency relationship. It is an information processing apparatus acquired from data.

  With this configuration, it is possible to sequentially acquire lower-layer data by a rotation operation and output the data to the surface of the three-dimensional object facing the first designated direction.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, the arrangement data acquisition unit is a subordinate of one or more pieces of data arranged on a surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object output by the output unit. This is an information processing apparatus that acquires one or more data subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as the node to be obtained as one or more data having a predetermined subordinate relationship.

  With this configuration, it is possible to display data of the same hierarchy at different nodes by a rotation operation.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, the arrangement data acquisition unit is a subordinate of one or more pieces of data arranged on a surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object output by the output unit. One or more data subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as the node to be acquired is further acquired as one or more data having a predetermined subordinate relationship, and the rotation instruction receiving unit rotates the three-dimensional object in the first rotation direction. A first rotation instruction that is an instruction and a second rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object in a second rotation direction that is different from the second rotation direction. When the instruction accepting unit accepts the first rotation instruction, the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the first rotation direction indicated by the first rotation instruction, the surface facing the first specified direction after the rotation, The image information of the three-dimensional object in which one or more data subordinate to the data designated by the designation received by the designation receiving unit acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit is arranged on the surface, and the rotation instruction receiving unit When the second rotation instruction is received, the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the second rotation direction indicated by the second rotation instruction, the surface that has turned to the first specified direction after the rotation, One or more data subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as a node to which one or more data arranged on the surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object before rotation acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit It is the information processing apparatus which comprises the image information of the arrange | positioned solid object.

  With this configuration, it is possible to output hierarchical structure data with different levels and nodes by changing the rotation instruction. Thus, the data in the hierarchical structure data can be freely browsed by changing the rotation instruction.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is the information processing apparatus, wherein the hierarchical structure data is XML data.

  With this configuration, hierarchical structure data that is easy to create and highly versatile can be used.

  According to the information processing apparatus and the like according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately output image information of a three-dimensional object in which hierarchical data is arranged.

Block diagram of an information processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention Flow chart for explaining the operation of the information processing apparatus Flow chart for explaining the operation of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the shape information management table for demonstrating operation | movement of the information processing apparatus Schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the object arrangement | positioning information management table for demonstrating operation | movement of the information processing apparatus. The figure which shows hierarchical structure data for demonstrating operation | movement of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows an example of the designated data for demonstrating operation | movement of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the output example of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the designated data after a change for demonstrating operation | movement of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows the example of a display of the same information processing apparatus The figure which shows an example of the hierarchy shape management table for demonstrating operation | movement of the information processing apparatus Schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional object indicated by different shape information for explaining the operation of the information processing apparatus Schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a computer that implements the information processing apparatus The figure which shows the internal structure of the computer which implement | achieves the information processing apparatus

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment performs the same operation | movement, description may be abbreviate | omitted again.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.
The information processing apparatus 1 includes a shape information storage unit 101, an object arrangement information storage unit 102, a hierarchical structure data storage unit 103, a rotation instruction reception unit 104, an arrangement data acquisition unit 105, a designation reception unit 106, an image information configuration unit 107, And an output unit 108.

  The shape information storage unit 101 can store shape information that is information indicating the shape of a three-dimensional object having two or more surfaces. In the shape information storage unit 101, for example, shape information of one or more solid objects may be stored. The shape information is information that defines, for example, the shape of an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. The shape information is so-called modeling information of a three-dimensional object, for example. Note that the shape information may be information indicating the shape of a two-dimensional object for displaying a three-dimensional object in a pseudo manner. The three-dimensional object described here includes, for example, what is called a 3D object, a 3D model, or a three-dimensional model. The shape information includes information on the coordinates of the vertices of the three-dimensional object, information on equations that express boundary lines, surfaces, and the like, information on parameters thereof, and the like. The coordinates described here may be, for example, a coordinate system set based on the three-dimensional object itself, a coordinate of a so-called object coordinate system, a coordinate system of a virtual three-dimensional space where one or more three-dimensional objects are arranged, Coordinates in the so-called world coordinate system may be used.

  The shape information includes information that defines two or more surfaces constituting the three-dimensional object, or information that can define the surfaces. For example, the information that defines a surface is, for example, a combination of coordinates of vertices that the surface forms with other surfaces, coordinates on sides around the surface, and the like. Or the information which can define a surface is the information which shows the normal of a surface, for example, a normal vector etc. One or more surfaces of the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information may be associated with identification information for identifying each surface, for example. Such surface identification information is referred to herein as surface identification information. The surface identification information may be associated with, for example, a combination of coordinates of vertices that specify the surface, and the surface identification information may be associated with information indicating a normal line that identifies the surface, for example. . Further, when the arrangement of the orientation and position of the three-dimensional object is limited to a number of patterns such that each surface constituting the three-dimensional object is arranged in front, each pattern and the front of the pattern May be associated with the surface identification information of the surface. The surface identification information may be included in the shape information, or may be accumulated in another storage unit such as a storage medium (not shown).

  A solid object can be classified into various modeling such as polygon modeling and modeling using a free-form surface, for example, depending on a method of constructing a surface. The shape information may include information on setting items such as the color of the 3D object, transparency, reflection, refractive index, and bump when the 3D object is output. The shape information may be shape information of a three-dimensional object having a movement whose size, shape, color, transparency, etc. change over time. The shape information of the three-dimensional object may be information in any format. For example, the shape information may be a file in the FLASH (registered trademark) format. The shape of the three-dimensional object may be any shape such as a sphere, a cylinder, a polyhedron such as a hexahedron or an octahedron, a cube, a cone, or a pyramid. In this case, the sphere may be considered as a polyhedron. Here, a plane object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space may be considered as one of the three-dimensional objects. The shape information stored in the shape information storage unit 101 may be associated with information indicating the direction in which the solid object indicated by the shape information can rotate. For example, this information may be included in the shape information. When a rotation instruction receiving unit 104 described later receives a rotation instruction, the three-dimensional object may be rotated only in the direction indicated by the information specifying the rotatable direction.

  The shape information storage unit 101 can store shape information of one or more solid objects. Two or more solid objects may have the same shape and size, or may have different shapes and sizes. The three-dimensional object may be associated with three-dimensional object identification information that is identification information for identifying the three-dimensional object. The unit of the size of the shape information may be an absolute unit or a relative unit. Further, in a plurality of three-dimensional objects, sharable shape information or the like may be mutually used by referring to the link information or the like. That is, the shape information of two or more solid objects may be one shape information shared by two or more solid objects. That is, the shape information of two or more solid objects may be considered as shape information corresponding to two or more solid objects. Note that the shape information storage unit 101 may store in advance shape information indicating the shape of a three-dimensional object for arranging one or more grouped three-dimensional objects therein. Here, such a three-dimensional object for arranging one or more grouped three-dimensional objects is called a group three-dimensional object. Further, the shape information of the three-dimensional object for arranging one or more grouped three-dimensional objects therein is appropriately configured by a shape information configuration unit (not shown) and stored in the shape information storage unit 101. You may make it. The shape information storage unit 101 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium.

  The object arrangement information storage unit 102 can store object arrangement information that is information for designating the arrangement of one or more solid objects. The one or more solid objects described here are solid objects indicated by the shape information stored in the shape information storage unit 101. The object arrangement information may be considered as information specifying the arrangement of the shape information of the three-dimensional object. The arrangement described here is, for example, an arrangement in a virtual three-dimensional space. However, it may be position information such as a two-dimensional image configured using a three-dimensional object or two-dimensional coordinate information indicating a position where a pseudo three-dimensional image indicating a three-dimensional object is arranged. This arrangement is a concept having a combination of the position and direction of a three-dimensional object, for example. However, any one of arrangement, position, and direction may be used. The three-dimensional object and the object arrangement information may be associated in advance or may not be associated. For example, one piece of object placement information is designated in advance, and when placing one solid object out of one or more solid objects, the above-mentioned pre-designation is performed regardless of what the object is. An object may be arranged using the single object arrangement information.

  The object arrangement information may be information that can specify the arrangement of the three-dimensional object as a result. For example, the object arrangement information is information that specifies the coordinates of the position where the three-dimensional object is arranged and the direction of the three-dimensional object. Information specifying the direction is, for example, information such as vector information or a rotation angle with a predetermined axis in the virtual three-dimensional space as a rotation axis. Or you may think that it is the information which shows the positional relationship of the coordinate axis in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the coordinate axis set to a solid object. For example, it may be information in which each coordinate axis set in the three-dimensional object is represented by a vector with reference to the coordinate axis in the virtual three-dimensional space. Further, the object arrangement information may include information for designating the size of the three-dimensional object. The coordinates that specify the position of the three-dimensional object may be absolute coordinates set in the virtual three-dimensional space, or may be relative coordinates set for other three-dimensional objects. . Further, the coordinates for designating the position of the three-dimensional object may be the coordinates of the vertex where the sides constituting the three-dimensional object gather, or the coordinates of the position such as the center of the three-dimensional object. The object arrangement information may be object arrangement information for moving images in which the arrangement of the three-dimensional object changes with time. For example, the object arrangement information may include information on a plurality of frames, and the arrangement of the three-dimensional object may be designated for each frame.

  Here, the case where the object arrangement information and the shape information of the three-dimensional object are provided will be described. However, the shape information storage unit 101 and the object arrangement information storage unit 102 are configured as one storage unit, and the object arrangement information May be included in the shape information. For example, by specifying the vertex information of the shape information with the coordinates of the coordinate system of the space where the three-dimensional object is arranged, the shape information can also be used as the object arrangement information, and the arrangement of the three-dimensional object can also be specified Also good. In addition, when creating a final output image by placing a two-dimensional image created by rendering using each solid object on a two-dimensional background image, the position of the object is placed. The information may be two-dimensional information, for example, coordinate information such as xy coordinates.

  Further, the object arrangement information may include information for managing a grouping situation such as whether or not a plurality of three-dimensional objects are grouped. Information for managing the status of grouping includes, for example, associating group identification information for identifying a group to which a three-dimensional object constituting one group is associated, or identifying identification information of a three-dimensional object included in the same group. A database managed by a plurality of items of records may be used.

  In addition, the group in this Embodiment is not necessarily restricted only to the group of the solid object managed by the information which manages a grouping condition as mentioned above, As a result, one or more solid objects are made into a group, For example, any state that can be determined by an object update unit 105 or the like described later may be used. For example, the group of solid objects may be a group that can be determined according to the arrangement of the solid objects. Specifically, as described above, one or more solid objects arranged in one window may be considered as one group. In the case where the three-dimensional object is managed in a hierarchical manner, a three-dimensional object belonging to one hierarchy or a three-dimensional object subordinate to one solid object may be considered as one group. A solid object arranged in a predesignated region may be considered as one group of solid objects. Information for designating such a predesignated area is stored in, for example, a storage medium (not shown). The area designated in advance is, for example, an area in which a three-dimensional object for a purchase target is arranged. A solid object having the same attribute or associated with the same attribute may be considered as one group of solid objects. As a specific example, a case where the solid object is a solid object in which information about a product is arranged will be described as an example. A solid corresponding to information indicating that the user has “added to shopping cart” The objects may be considered as a group of solid objects. A solid object registered in the product list to be purchased may be considered as a group of solid objects. The object arrangement information may be changed by the image information configuration unit 107 or the like when changing the arrangement of the three-dimensional object, for example.

  The object arrangement information storage unit 102 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium. The object arrangement information storage unit 102 can temporarily store default object arrangement information read from, for example, a storage unit (not shown) in which object arrangement information prepared by default is stored in advance. It may be considered as a temporary storage unit or the like.

  The hierarchical structure data storage unit 103 can store hierarchical structure data including one or more hierarchical data. Hierarchical structure data is, for example, data hierarchized in a tree structure or nested data. The data having a hierarchical structure may be, for example, data marked up with a tag or the like, that is, data with a tag. In this case, the hierarchical relationship of each data can be specified by using the inclusion relationship between the tags. As a specific example, the hierarchical structure data is HTML data, SGML data, XML (extensible markup language) data, or the like. Since the versatility is high, the hierarchical structure data is preferably described using XML data. However, other data may be used as long as it has a hierarchical structure. The hierarchical structure data includes, for example, data to be output and data indicating the structure of the data to be output, specifically, data indicating a hierarchical structure. The data indicating the structure is, for example, a tag. The data to be output is, for example, data with a tag, which is a so-called element. That is, the tagged hierarchical structure data includes, for example, a tag and a tagged element. However, a tag that does not have a direct element may be included. Here, a character string or a numerical value in the tag is referred to as an attribute name or an element name. Data whose structure is specified by a tag is called an element.

  The one or more layered data is arranged on the surface constituting the three-dimensional object and can be output, for example, any information such as image information such as still images and moving images, text information, etc. There may be. The image information may be any information as long as image information for output can be configured as a result. For example, the image information may be vector data or raster data. Further, the arrangement described here may be considered as mapping of image information or the like on the surface of a so-called solid object. The one or more data layered is, for example, so-called content. Further, information indicating the storage location and file name of data such as actual image data, so-called link information, etc. may be stored in the hierarchical structure data as one or more hierarchical data. Further, one or more hierarchized data may be considered as information to be mapped, for example, texture information. The data structure of hierarchical structure data does not matter.

  The hierarchical structure data has, for example, a structure that branches at a plurality of branch points from an upper hierarchy to a lower hierarchy. Such a branch point is called a node. For example, in hierarchical structure data, one or more lower layer data is usually directly subordinate to one upper layer data. A branching point that branches to one or more pieces of data in a subordinate lower hierarchy is called a node. In this case, one piece of data in a higher hierarchy may be considered as a node. Normally, a branch point of data managed in a tree structure is often called a node, but here, a node corresponding to a branch point when hierarchical structure data is expressed in a tree structure is also considered. For example, in the tagged data, when the tagged data exists below the one tag, the one tag may be considered as a node. Each node may be associated with identification information for identifying the node. The identification information for identifying the node may be a tag attached to data of each layer, tag identification information, or the like. The node identification information may be identification information such as a menu item or menu screen for displaying data subordinate to the node, such as a menu screen name. Note that the highest hierarchy (so-called root hierarchy, root directory, etc.) of the entire hierarchical structure data may be considered as one node.

  Further, the hierarchical structure data and the shape information of the three-dimensional object in which the data constituting the hierarchical structure data is arranged may be associated in advance or may not be associated. In the case of association, information associating hierarchical structure data with shape information is accumulated in a storage unit such as a storage medium (not shown), for example. If they are not associated with each other, the image information configuration unit 107 and the like to be described later may acquire shape information designated in advance regardless of the hierarchical structure data, or according to the data structure and contents of the hierarchical structure data. The shape information may be acquired.

  It should be noted that the shape information, the object arrangement information, and the hierarchical structure data may be accumulated in the shape information storage unit 101, the object arrangement information storage unit 102, and the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103. For example, shape information, object arrangement information, and hierarchical structure data may be accumulated in the shape information storage unit 101, the object arrangement information storage unit 102, and the hierarchical data storage unit 103, respectively, via a recording medium. Shape information, object placement information, and hierarchical structure data transmitted via a line or the like may be accumulated in the shape information storage unit 101, the object placement information storage unit 102, and the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103, respectively. Shape information, object arrangement information, and hierarchical structure data input via the input device may be accumulated in the shape information storage unit 101, the object arrangement information storage unit 102, and the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103, respectively. In addition, the shape information stored in the shape information storage unit 101, the object arrangement information storage unit 102, and the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103, the object arrangement information, and the hierarchical structure data are received by, for example, a reception unit (not shown). It may be updated as appropriate according to the shape information, object arrangement information, and hierarchical structure data. Also, a combination of shape information and object arrangement information for one or more three-dimensional objects, or a combination of shape information, object arrangement information, and hierarchical structure data, etc., is a file such as a file in FLASH (registered trademark) format. You may make it store in. In this case, a combination of the shape information storage unit 101 and the object arrangement information storage unit 102, a combination of the shape information storage unit 101, the object arrangement information storage unit 102, and the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103 is realized by one storage unit. You may do it. The hierarchical structure data storage unit 103 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but can also be realized by a volatile recording medium.

  The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives a rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object. Specifically, a rotation instruction for a three-dimensional object output by the output unit 108 described later is received. The rotation instruction is information instructing to rotate at least a three-dimensional object. The rotation instruction may include information for specifying the rotation direction. The rotation instruction may be information that specifies whether to rotate the three-dimensional object in a predetermined direction in the horizontal direction or in a predetermined direction in the vertical direction. Also, it may be information that specifies whether to turn the three-dimensional object counterclockwise or clockwise, or information that specifies whether the three-dimensional object is rotated forward or backward in the vertical direction. Alternatively, it may be information that specifies whether to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to a rotation axis that is designated in advance, or may be an instruction that includes information that specifies a rotation axis. . The rotation axis may be specified in advance regardless of the 3D object, or may be specified for each 3D object. Or you may enable it to specify freely by a user. The rotation instruction may or may not include information specifying the rotation angle or the like. Further, the rotation instruction may be an instruction including information specifying which surface of the three-dimensional object is directed in which direction by rotation, for example, which surface is the front surface.

  The rotation instruction received by the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 may be a rotation instruction with a limited rotation angle. For example, a rotation instruction in which the rotation angle is limited to a predetermined angle unit such as 90 degrees may be used. In addition, the limitation on the rotation angle may be changed according to a three-dimensional object that is rotationally symmetric. For example, if the three-dimensional object is a cube, the rotation angle is set in units of 90 degrees, and the three-dimensional object is a hexagonal prism. If so, the rotation angle may be set in units of 30 degrees.

  Further, the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives a first rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object in the first rotation direction, and an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object in a second rotation direction that is different from the first rotation direction. A second rotation instruction may be received. The first rotation direction and the second rotation direction are preferably orthogonal directions, for example. For example, the first rotation direction is a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation direction in the horizontal direction, and the second rotation direction is a forward or backward rotation direction in the vertical direction.

  Furthermore, the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 reverses the third rotation instruction, which is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object in the third rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, and the three-dimensional object in the second rotation direction. A fourth rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate in the fourth rotation direction may be received. For example, if the first rotation direction is a counterclockwise rotation direction in the horizontal direction, the third rotation direction is a clockwise rotation direction in the horizontal direction. Further, for example, if the second rotation direction is the forward rotation direction in the vertical direction, the fourth rotation direction is the backward rotation direction in the vertical direction.

  The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 may receive the rotation instruction in any way. For example, a rotation instruction may be received when a menu item indicating rotation of a three-dimensional object is selected. In addition, when the mouse is dragged or the touch pad is flicked (a movement with a finger), a rotation instruction that specifies the direction of dragging or flicking as the rotation direction may be received. Further, a rotation instruction for rotating the three-dimensional object in a predetermined direction may be received by single-clicking or single-tapping the three-dimensional object. Further, a rotation instruction for rotating the three-dimensional object in a predetermined direction may be received by double-clicking or single-tapping the three-dimensional object. Or, by clicking or tapping on the side of the solid object or by clicking the side, you can receive an instruction to rotate in the rotation direction so that the clicked side or the clicked side is located on the front good.

  The reception of the rotation instruction described here is a concept including reception of information input from an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel.

  The input means may be anything such as a numeric keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or a menu screen. The rotation instruction accepting unit 104 can be realized by a device driver for input means such as a numeric keypad, a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch pad, control software for a menu screen, and the like.

  The placement data acquisition unit 105 acquires one or more data subordinate to one node from the hierarchical structure data. The placement data acquisition unit 105 may acquire one or more data subordinate to a node designated in advance by a user, default, or the like, or may depend on data designated by a user, default, etc. subordinate to one node. Data designated in advance may be acquired. Alternatively, in the hierarchical structure data, data having the same node as the subordinate destination may be acquired from the data specified by the user or default. Further, one or more data subordinate to the nodes selected randomly by the placement data acquisition unit 105 or the like may be acquired. The node designated in advance is a node designated by the user or a node set by default or the like. The node may be specified in any way. For example, the node may be specified by specifying the node data. Alternatively, the node may be specified using a node data tag, a tag indicating the node, or the like. Alternatively, the node may be specified using identification information associated with the node or the node hierarchy. By designating data subordinate to a node, a node that is a subordinate destination of the designated data may be designated. For example, the node designated in advance by default or the like is a node in the highest hierarchy (specifically, the root hierarchy).

  In addition, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 has a predetermined dependency on one or more of one or more pieces of data arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object output from the output unit 108 that faces a predetermined direction. Get one or more data. For example, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 detects a surface of a three-dimensional object facing in a predetermined direction, and acquires data having a predetermined dependency relationship with data arranged on the detected surface. The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data having a predetermined dependency from the hierarchical structure data stored in the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103.

  The direction designated in advance is, for example, a direction designated by the user or a direction designated by default or the like. Hereinafter, the direction designated in advance is referred to as a first designated direction. The surface facing the first designated direction is, for example, a surface in which a normal vector of the surface is parallel to a vector indicating the first designated direction. However, here, the normal vector indicates a normal vector that goes to the outside of the three-dimensional object. The first designated direction is a direction in which, for example, when the image information of the three-dimensional object is output, the surface facing the first designated direction is most easily seen from the user as compared to the other surfaces. For example, the surface facing the first designated direction is the direction in which the surface is positioned at the forefront with respect to the other surfaces. The surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object is, for example, the front. The front surface is a surface that can be seen on the front side when viewed from the user side, for example, when a solid object is output on a monitor or the like. Or you may think that a front is a surface which faced the user side direction. However, in a coordinate system of a virtual three-dimensional space (so-called world coordinate system) in which a three-dimensional object is arranged, a first designated direction (for example, the Z-axis When the solid object is viewed in the direction toward the origin), the surface of the solid object positioned in front may be considered as the front. Further, for example, when a three-dimensional object is displayed by an oblique projection method or the like, the front surface of the three-dimensional object may be a surface inclined with respect to a screen or the like on which a three-dimensional object image is displayed.

  The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 may detect the surface that is the front of the three-dimensional object in any way. For example, a surface having a normal vector parallel to the vector indicating the first designated direction may be detected. In addition, when the solid object has a fixed angle formed by adjacent surfaces in the rotation direction, and the solid object is rotated, the solid object is adjacent in the rotation direction to the surface that is directed in a predetermined direction before the rotation. When the rotation angle is limited so that the surface is a surface facing the first designated direction, each time rotation is performed, information such as a flag indicating the front is assigned or deleted in association with the surface. You may make it go. As a result, it is possible to detect that the surface associated with the information indicating the front is the surface facing the currently designated direction.

  In addition, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 converts the one or more data subordinate to the data specified by the designation received by the designation receiving unit 106, which will be described later, into hierarchical structure data as one or more data having a predetermined subordination relationship. Get from. The one or more subordinate data described here means data subordinate to one level below the designated data.

  Specifically, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 has the same hierarchy as a node that is a subordinate destination of one or more data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the solid object output by the output unit 108. One or more data subordinate to different nodes is acquired from the hierarchical structure data as one or more data having a predetermined subordinate relationship.

  Alternatively, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 selects one or more data subordinate to the data specified by the specification received by the specification receiving unit 106, which will be described later, and the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object output by the output unit 108. One or more data subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as the node to which one or more data arranged on the facing surface is subordinate is acquired from the hierarchical structure data as one or more data having a predetermined subordination relationship .

  There is no limitation on the timing at which the placement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data having a predetermined dependency. For example, when the designation receiving unit 106, which will be described later, receives data designation, data subordinate to this data may be acquired. In addition, when a rotation instruction for a three-dimensional object is received, data subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as a node that is a subordinate of data arranged on a surface that faces a predetermined direction by the rotation instruction is displayed. You may get it.

  The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 can be usually realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  The designation receiving unit 106 receives a designation for one of the one or more pieces of data arranged on the surface facing the above-described first designation direction of the solid object output by the output unit 108 described later. For example, when an area for accepting designation of each data is set on the area where each data on the solid object output by the output unit 108 is arranged, and one of these areas is clicked with the mouse, The specification of data corresponding to this area is accepted. The designation receiving unit 106 accumulates information indicating which data is designated, for example, in a storage unit (not shown). The input means for designating data may be anything such as a numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse, touch pad, or menu screen. The designation receiving unit 106 can be realized by a device driver for input means such as a numeric keypad or a keyboard, control software for a menu screen, and the like.

  The image information configuration unit 107 configures the image information of the three-dimensional object in which the data acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information that faces the above-described first designated direction. For example, the shape information of the three-dimensional object and the default object arrangement information accumulated in advance in the object arrangement information storage unit 102 are acquired, and the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information in the direction and position indicated by the object arrangement information. The image information in which is arranged is configured. At this time, the image information of the three-dimensional object in which one or more data subordinate to one node is acquired, which is acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105, is configured on the surface of the three-dimensional object that faces the first designated direction described above. The surface facing the first designated direction that is the surface on which the data acquired by the three-dimensional object arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is arranged may be detected in any way. For example, if the initial setting of the object placement information is to place a predetermined surface of the solid object indicated by the shape information so as to face a predetermined direction, this one surface of the solid object May be detected as a surface facing the first designated direction. Or you may detect using the normal vector etc. which were mentioned above.

  The image information configuration unit 107 may determine the shape information of the three-dimensional object used for the configuration of the image information from one or more pieces of shape information stored in the shape information storage unit 101. For example, shape information designated in advance by default or the like may be acquired. Further, shape information associated with the hierarchical structure data may be acquired by a user or the like. Further, the shape information corresponding to the data structure or data content of the hierarchical structure data stored in the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103 may be acquired.

  For example, the image information configuration unit 107 sequentially counts the number of data directly subordinate to each node of the hierarchical structure data, for example, detects the maximum value of the data subordinate to the node, and rotates corresponding to the shape information or the like Shape information in which the number of surfaces in the rotatable direction of the three-dimensional object specified by the information specifying the direction is the same as the maximum value is acquired. It should be noted that a lower limit value, an upper limit value, etc. are set for the maximum value of data depending on the node, and when the maximum value falls below the lower limit value or exceeds the upper limit value, these lower limit values and The shape information designated according to the upper limit value may be acquired. For example, if the maximum value is 3 or less, the shape information of the tetrahedral solid object may always be acquired. Further, the range of the maximum value may be associated with the shape information, and the shape information of the three-dimensional object may be acquired according to which value range the maximum value of the node falls into. For example, if the maximum value of the node is from 1 to 8, the cube shape information is acquired. If the maximum value of the node is from 9 to 11, the hexagonal column shape information is acquired, and the maximum value of the node is After 12, the shape information of the octagonal prism may be acquired. Further, the shape information of the solid object having different display attributes such as color and transparency may be acquired according to the maximum value of the data on which the node depends. For example, if the maximum value of the node is 1 to 8, red shape information may be acquired, and if the maximum value of the node is 9 to 11, blue shape information may be acquired.

  In addition, the image information configuration unit 107 acquires the maximum number of hierarchies that is the number of hierarchies of the deepest hierarchy, for example, by counting the depth of the hierarchy data while tracing the nodes of the hierarchy structure in order. . Then, shape information may be acquired according to the maximum number of hierarchies. For example, the shape information whose maximum number of layers is the same as the maximum number of layers is acquired. In addition, a lower limit and an upper limit are set for the maximum number of hierarchies, and if the maximum value falls below the lower limit or exceeds the upper limit, etc., depending on these lower limit and upper limit You may make it acquire the designated shape information. For example, if the maximum number of hierarchies is 3 or less, the shape information of the tetrahedral solid object may always be acquired. Further, the range of the value of the maximum hierarchy number may be associated with the shape information, and the shape information of the three-dimensional object may be acquired according to which value range the maximum hierarchy number falls. For example, if the maximum number of hierarchies is 1 to 8, cube shape information is acquired. If the maximum number of hierarchies is 9 to 11, hexagonal column shape information is acquired. The shape information of the octagonal prism may be acquired. Further, the shape information of the three-dimensional object having different display attributes such as color and transparency may be acquired according to the maximum number of hierarchies of data on which the node depends. For example, if the maximum number of hierarchies is 1 to 8, red shape information may be acquired, and if the maximum number of hierarchies is 9 to 11, blue shape information may be acquired.

  Further, the image information configuration unit 107 may acquire shape information according to the contents of the hierarchical structure data. The data content here may be, for example, a data type such as image data or text data. Further, it may be text data including a character string (keyword) designated in advance, the number of characters, the amount of data, or the like.

  For example, the image information configuration unit 107 determines whether or not data including a predetermined data type exists in part or all of the hierarchical structure data. Shape information may be acquired. Or you may make it acquire the shape information of a different three-dimensional object depending on whether the text data containing the character string designated beforehand exist.

  When the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives a rotation instruction, the image information configuration unit 107 is image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in accordance with the rotation instruction, and becomes a surface facing the first specified direction after the rotation. The image information of the three-dimensional object in which one or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 are arranged on the surface is configured. The image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in accordance with the rotation instruction is image information of a moving image including an image indicating a rotating state of the three-dimensional object. A rotating image is created, for example, by interpolating information about the orientation during rotation, for example, orientation information, from the object arrangement information of the three-dimensional object at the start and end of rotation, and using the interpolated information. It can be created by constructing an image of a moving image frame. Alternatively, from the start of rotation, the three-dimensional object is sequentially changed to the direction indicated by the rotation instruction in the direction indicated by the rotation instruction at a predetermined speed while changing at any time. By constructing an object image, an image of each frame of the moving image can be constructed. Alternatively, a moving image may be configured by composing a rotation start image and a rotation end image and interpolating the configured image or adding a transition effect to switching. There is no limitation on the file format or data structure of the image information of the moving image. Here, a combination of a plurality of still images that are switched and output over time is also considered as a moving image here. Note that a rotating image of a three-dimensional object, for example, a frame image, may be configured by rendering a three-dimensional object or the like, but shows a state in which a three-dimensional object prepared in advance according to shape information or the like is rotating. The image may be read out from a storage unit or the like (not shown) and used. The one or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 are the first designation of the solid object acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 before being rotated according to the rotation instruction. One or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency relationship with the data arranged on the surface facing the direction.

  One or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 may be arranged on a three-dimensional object even when a rotating image is configured by rendering or the like. Only the finally obtained three-dimensional object image may be an image formed by rendering an image in which the data acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is arranged. Further, the image information configuration unit 107 may configure a rotating image of the three-dimensional object in a state where data already arranged on the surface of another three-dimensional object is also arranged on the surface.

  Note that the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is a surface that, when the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires one or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency, turns the acquired data into a surface that faces the first specified direction after rotation. Alternatively, an image of a three-dimensional object arranged on the screen may be configured.

Of the arrangement data once arranged, the arrangement data in which the arranged surface becomes a surface that does not face the previously specified direction as a result of the rotation of the three-dimensional object is appropriately deleted from the three-dimensional object. It may be left as it is. If left as is,
The rotation direction of the 3D object as a result of rotating the 3D object when the maximum number of layers of the hierarchical structure data or the maximum number of data dependent on the node is larger than the number of faces in the rotation direction of the 3D object. If the data is arranged on all the surfaces in, and there is no surface to arrange the data in the next rotation operation, the data acquisition unit for arrangement is provided on the surface facing the direction specified in advance in the next rotation operation. The new data acquired by 105 may be arranged, and the data already arranged on this surface may be discarded from the three-dimensional object.

  Further, the image information configuration unit 107 changes the data to be arranged on the three-dimensional object as follows when the rotation instruction reception unit 104 receives the first rotation instruction and when the rotation instruction reception unit 104 receives the second rotation instruction. May be.

  That is, when the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives the first rotation instruction, the image information configuration unit 107 is the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the first rotation direction indicated by the first rotation instruction. A solid object in which one or more data subordinate to the data designated by the designation received by the designation receiving unit 106 acquired by the arrangement data acquiring unit 105 is arranged on the surface that faces the first specified direction. The image information is configured.

  On the other hand, when the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives the second rotation instruction, the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the second rotation direction indicated by the second rotation instruction is directed to the first specified direction after the rotation. A node in the same hierarchy as a node to which one or more data arranged on the surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object before rotation acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is placed on the surface. Image information of a three-dimensional object in which one or more data subordinate to a node different from the node to be the subordinate destination is arranged.

  As a result, when the three-dimensional object is rotated in the first rotation direction, lower-layer data about the data before the rotation is arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object that faces in a predetermined direction. In addition, when rotating in the second rotation direction, data that is in the same hierarchy as the pre-rotation data and is subordinate to a different node is placed on the surface of the three-dimensional object that faces a predetermined direction. It becomes. As a result, by rotating the three-dimensional object, it is possible to browse the hierarchical structure data efficiently and intuitively.

  Furthermore, when the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives a third rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object in the third rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the third rotation instruction indicates the third rotation instruction. The image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the direction of rotation of the three-dimensional object is arranged on the surface facing the first specified direction after rotation on the surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object before rotation. Alternatively, the image information of the three-dimensional object in which higher-order data of the data and data subordinate to the same node as this data are arranged may be configured. The data arranged here may be appropriately acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 as in the case of the data arranged on the surface facing the other first designated direction as described above. It should be noted that the history of data arranged on the surface facing the direction designated in advance when it is rotated in the first direction in the past is stored in a storage unit (not shown), and the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 Data managed in the history may be read and acquired in reverse order of time series.

  When the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives a fourth rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object in the fourth rotation direction opposite to the second rotation direction, the fourth rotation instruction indicates the fourth rotation instruction. The image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the direction of rotation of the three-dimensional object is arranged on the surface facing the first specified direction after rotation, on the surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object before rotation. The image information of the three-dimensional object in which one or more data subordinate to a node different from the subordinate node among the nodes of the same hierarchy as the subordinate destination node of the one or more data is configured. May be. The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 may appropriately acquire the data arranged here as in the case of the data arranged on the surface facing the other first designated direction as described above. However, the node on which the data arranged here depends is different from the data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction when the second rotation instruction is received next time. It is preferable. For example, when the image is rotated in the second direction in the past, the history of data arranged on the surface facing the direction specified in advance is saved in a storage unit (not shown) and the data managed by this history May be read and arranged in the reverse order of time series. In addition, when it is rotated in the second rotation direction, an acquisition order or the like is designated in advance in a node as a subordinate destination of data acquired by the placement data acquisition unit 105, and the data is rotated in the second rotation direction. The node data is acquired and arranged in the order of acquisition, and when rotated in the fourth rotation direction, the node data is acquired and arranged in the reverse order of the acquisition order. Anyway.

  Note that when the rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives a rotation instruction, the image information configuration unit 107 may appropriately update the object arrangement information or the shape information so that the direction of the three-dimensional object changes according to the rotation instruction. The shape information may be updated when a rotation instruction is received, or the rotated image information may be updated after the configuration. Alternatively, the object shape information may be updated at any time during the rotation of the three-dimensional object so that the direction of the three-dimensional object becomes the direction during the rotation. The updated object arrangement information or shape information is the object arrangement information or shape information used for the configuration of the image information of the rotated three-dimensional object. A processing unit that updates object arrangement information in response to a rotation instruction may be provided independently of the image information configuration unit 107.

  The process in which the image information configuration unit 107 configures image information is, for example, a so-called rendering process and is a known technique, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The configured image information is temporarily stored in, for example, a VRAM.

  The image information configuration unit 107 can usually be realized by an MPU, GPU, memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the image information configuration unit 107 is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  The output unit 108 outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit 107. Also, the image information configured by the image information configuration unit 107 is output in response to the rotation instruction. The output unit 108 may or may not include an output device such as a display. The output unit 108 can be realized by output device driver software, or output device driver software and an output device.

  Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Here, as an example, when the surface of the three-dimensional object is directed in a predetermined direction and the three-dimensional object is rotated in the first rotation direction at a predetermined angle, the first specified direction is turned. When the three-dimensional object is rotated at a predetermined angle in the second rotation direction, the surface that faces the first specified direction is in a state in which the three-dimensional object is not rotated. The case where it is displayed on the image information will be described as an example.

  (Step S201) The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires one or more data subordinate to one node from the hierarchical structure data. One node may be a node specified in advance by default or the like, or may be a node specified by a user or the like. The acquired data is temporarily stored in a storage unit such as a storage medium (not shown).

  (Step S <b> 202) The image information configuration unit 107 acquires shape information from the shape information storage unit 101. Here, as an example, a case where the image information configuration unit 107 acquires shape information designated in advance will be described. However, the image information configuration unit 107 may acquire shape information corresponding to the hierarchical structure data to be placed on the three-dimensional object. The acquired shape information is temporarily stored in a storage unit such as a storage medium (not shown).

  (Step S <b> 203) The image information configuration unit 107 acquires object arrangement information from the object arrangement information storage unit 102. For example, the object arrangement information associated with the shape information acquired in step S204 is acquired. The acquired object arrangement information is temporarily stored in a storage unit such as a storage medium (not shown).

  (Step S204) The image information configuration unit 107 arranges the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information acquired in Step S204 at the position and orientation indicated by the object arrangement information acquired at Step S205, and arranges the solid object indicated by the object arrangement information. The image information of the three-dimensional object in which the data acquired in step S201 is arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction in the state is configured.

  (Step S205) The output unit 108 outputs the output configured by the image information configuration unit.

  (Step S206) The designation receiving unit 106 determines whether or not a designation for one of the data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the solid object output in Step S206 has been accepted. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S207. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S208.

  (Step S207) The designation receiving unit 106 accumulates the designated data in association with the data indicating the designation. The data indicating that it is designated is flag data, for example. The information indicating that it has been specified may be managed by management information stored in a storage unit (not shown), for example, or is not shown in association with the specified data among the data acquired in step S201 or the like. It may be accumulated in the storage unit. When new data is specified, the specification for the already specified data may be canceled by deleting information indicating that the data has been specified, for example. In addition, an instruction to cancel all designations may be received. In this case, all designations may be canceled.

  (Step S208) The information processing apparatus 1 performs a process of rotating the three-dimensional object. However, this process includes a case where the rotation is not performed depending on the presence / absence of data to be arranged and the presence / absence of a rotation instruction. Details of this processing will be described later.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the process is terminated by powering off or a process termination interrupt.

  Next, details of the operation of the rotation processing shown in step S208 in FIG. 2 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S301) The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 determines whether or not a first rotation instruction has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S302. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S308.

  (Step S302) The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 determines whether or not information specifying one of the data arranged on the surface facing the first designation direction of the three-dimensional object is accumulated in Step S207 or the like. to decide. If accumulated, the process proceeds to step S303, and if not designated, the process returns to the upper process.

  (Step S303) The placement data acquisition unit 105 determines whether there is data subordinate to the data specified in Step 208. If there is subordinate data, the process proceeds to step S304. If not, the process returns to the upper process.

  (Step S <b> 304) The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data subordinate to the data designated by the data accumulated in step 207 from the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103.

  (Step S305) The image information configuration unit 107 configures image information for rotating the three-dimensional object in the first rotation direction. At this time, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object so that the surface on which the data acquired in step 304 is arranged is the surface facing the first designated direction in the image of the rotation result. Configure. For example, the image information configuration unit 107 may configure the image information of the rotating three-dimensional object as follows. For example, the surface adjacent to the first rotation direction opposite to the surface in which the angle at which the three-dimensional object is rotated in response to the first rotation instruction faces the first specified direction before the rotation is the first Assuming that the angle to be rotated in the designated direction is specified in advance, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object in the first rotation direction in units of a predetermined angle until the rotation angle is reached. Each time, the image information of the three-dimensional object is configured, and the image information of the three-dimensional object rotating is configured by combining the configured image information. Further, at least as the image information at the end of the rotation, image information in which data subordinate to the data acquired in step 304 is arranged on the surface facing the surface designated in advance of the three-dimensional object. Even during the rotation, the image information may be configured by arranging the data acquired in step S304 on the surface facing the first designated direction at the end of the rotation.

  (Step S306) The output unit 108 outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit 107.

  (Step S <b> 307) The image information configuration unit 107 updates the object arrangement information stored in the object arrangement information storage unit 102. Normally, only the object arrangement information temporarily stored in the memory or the like is updated, and the temporary object arrangement information is stored in the object arrangement information storage unit 102 only when an instruction to save the change is received. The object placement information that has been set may be updated. Then, the process returns to the upper process.

  (Step S308) The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 determines whether a second rotation instruction has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S310. If not accepted, the process proceeds to step S313.

  (Step S309) The image information configuration unit 107 determines whether or not there is a different node in the same hierarchy as a node to which data arranged on a surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object is dependent. Specifically, a node that is the same as the node to which the data arranged on the surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object is a different node that has the same hierarchy, and the node to which the subordinate destination node is the same Judge whether there is. The node here may be considered as data. If there is a different node, the process proceeds to step S310; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S312.

  (Step S <b> 310) The image information configuration unit 107 displays data subordinate to the next node of the same hierarchy as the node on which the data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object is hierarchical structure data Get from. The next node is, for example, the next node in the order in which the nodes are arranged. Further, when there is no next node, it may be possible to return to the node in the first order. For example, when the hierarchical structure data is XML data, the same tag as the tag indicating the node to which the data is acquired in step S201 is searched in the downward direction of the tag corresponding to the node to which the acquired data is dependent. The node indicated by the first searched tag is the next node. If the next node is not detected, the search may be performed by returning to the XML data.

  (Step S311) The image information configuration unit 107 configures image information for rotating the three-dimensional object in the second rotation direction. At this time, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object so that the surface on which the data acquired in Step 310 is arranged is the surface facing the first specified direction in the image of the rotation result. Configure. The image information configuration unit 107 may configure the image information of the rotating solid object as follows. For example, the surface adjacent to the surface in which the angle at which the three-dimensional object is rotated in response to the second rotation instruction is in the first designated direction before the rotation is opposite to the second rotation direction is the first Assuming that the angle to be rotated in the designated direction is specified in advance, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object in the second rotation direction by the angle unit specified in advance until the rotation angle is reached. Each time, the image information of the three-dimensional object is configured, and the image information of the three-dimensional object rotating is configured by combining the configured image information. Further, at least as the image information at the end of the rotation, image information in which data subordinate to the data acquired in step 310 is arranged on the surface facing the surface designated in advance of the three-dimensional object. Even during the rotation, the image information may be configured by arranging the data acquired in step S310 on the surface facing the first designated direction at the end of the rotation. Then, the process returns to step S306.

  (Step S312) The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 determines whether a third rotation instruction has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S313, and if not accepted, the process proceeds to step S316.

  (Step S <b> 313) The image information configuration unit 107 determines whether there is data that is a dependency destination of the data arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object facing the direction designated in advance. For example, when the data arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object facing in the direction designated in advance is the data of the highest hierarchy, the subordinate destination is a so-called root hierarchy, and there is no data to become a subordinate destination. You may judge. If there is, the process proceeds to step S314, and if not, the process returns to the upper process.

  (Step S314) The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data subordinate to the same node as the data on which the data is arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object facing the direction designated in advance. This node may be considered data.

  (Step S315) The image information configuration unit 107 configures image information for rotating the three-dimensional object in the third rotation direction. At this time, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object so that the surface on which the data acquired in step 314 is arranged is the surface facing the first specified direction in the image of the rotation result. Configure. The image information configuration unit 107 may configure the image information of the rotating solid object as follows. For example, the surface adjacent to the surface in which the angle of rotating the three-dimensional object in response to the third rotation instruction is in the first designated direction before the rotation is opposite to the third rotation direction is the first Assuming that the angle to be rotated in the designated direction is specified in advance, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object in the third rotation direction by a predetermined angle unit until the rotation angle is reached. Each time, the image information of the three-dimensional object is configured, and the image information of the three-dimensional object rotating is configured by combining the configured image information. Further, at least as the image information at the end of the rotation, image information in which data subordinate to the data acquired in step 314 is arranged on the surface facing the surface designated in advance of the three-dimensional object. Even during the rotation, the image information may be configured by arranging the data acquired in step S314 on the surface facing the first designated direction at the end of the rotation. Then, the process returns to step S306.

  (Step S316) The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 determines whether a fourth rotation instruction has been received. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S317. If not accepted, the process returns to a higher-level process.

  (Step S317) The image information configuration unit 107 determines whether or not there is a different node in the same hierarchy as a node to which data arranged on a surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object is dependent. If there is, the process proceeds to step S318, and if not, the process returns to the upper process.

  (Step S <b> 318) The image information configuration unit 107 displays data subordinate to the previous node in the same hierarchy as the node on which the data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object. get. The previous node described here is a node having a different order from the next node described in step S310.

  (Step S319) The image information configuration unit 107 configures image information for rotating the three-dimensional object in the fourth rotation direction. At this time, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object so that the surface on which the data acquired in step 318 is arranged is the surface facing the first specified direction in the image of the rotation result. Configure. The image information configuration unit 107 may configure the image information of the rotating solid object as follows. For example, a surface adjacent to the surface in which the angle at which the three-dimensional object is rotated in response to the fourth rotation instruction is in the first specified direction before the rotation is opposite to the fourth rotation direction is the first Assuming that the angle to be rotated in the designated direction is specified in advance, the image information configuration unit 107 rotates the three-dimensional object in the fourth rotation direction in units of a predetermined angle until the rotation angle is reached. Each time, the image information of the three-dimensional object is configured, and the image information of the three-dimensional object rotating is configured by combining the configured image information. Further, at least as image information at the end of the rotation, image information in which data subordinate to the data acquired in step 318 is arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object facing the surface designated in advance. Even during the rotation, the image information may be configured by arranging the data acquired in step S318 on the surface facing the first designated direction at the end of the rotation. Then, the process returns to step S306.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the process ends when the power is turned off or the process is terminated.

  In the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, in the image information of the three-dimensional object, a surface other than the surface of the three-dimensional object facing the first specified direction, such as a side surface or an upper surface, is displayed on the image information. In these planes, image information of a three-dimensional object that is obtained and arranged as appropriate may be configured.

  For example, when the designation of data is accepted in step S206 or the like, the data subordinate to the data designated by the accepted designation is acquired, and this data is then rotated by the first rotation instruction. Alternatively, the image information of the three-dimensional object arranged on the surface that is the surface facing the first designated direction may be configured. Such configuration of image information may be performed immediately after step S206 or the like, or may be performed at an arbitrary timing.

  In addition, data subordinate to the next node subordinate to the same node as the data to be subordinate to the data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction is acquired, and this data is then When the three-dimensional object is rotated by the rotation instruction, the image information of the three-dimensional object arranged on the surface that faces the first designated direction may be configured. Such configuration of the image data may be performed, for example, when the data of one node is arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction in step S311, or at the timing immediately after step S311. It may be performed at arbitrary timing.

  This also applies to the surface that faces the first designated direction in the third rotation instruction and the fourth rotation instruction.

  Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

  Here, a case where the information processing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that manages a product catalog will be described as an example. Here, a case where the three-dimensional object is a cube will be described as an example. Note that the size, angle, and the like shown in this specific example are merely for convenience of explanation, and the arrangement, size, and the like of a three-dimensional object such as a figure may not be accurately shown. Here, a case where the first designated direction is the front will be described as an example.

  FIG. 4 is a shape information management table for managing the shape information of the three-dimensional object stored in the shape information storage unit 101. Here, it is assumed that the shape information is stored in advance as an example here. The shape information management table includes “object ID”, “size x”, “size y”, “size z”, “x1 surface”, “x2 surface”, “y1 surface”, “y2 surface”, “z1 surface”. , “Z2 plane”. “Object ID” is identification information for identifying a three-dimensional object. “Size x” is the length of the solid object in the x-axis direction, that is, the width. “Size y” is the length of the three-dimensional object in the y-axis direction, that is, the height. “Size z” is the length of the three-dimensional object in the z-axis direction, that is, the depth. However, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis described here are the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis set in the three-dimensional object itself, and are absolute set in the virtual three-dimensional space in which the three-dimensional object is arranged. Different from the X, Y, and Z axes. The origin of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis set for the 3D object itself is set, for example, at the center or the center of gravity of the 3D object. However, the origin may be set anywhere. The unit of each size may be any unit such as a pixel. The x1, x2, y1, y2, z1, and z2 planes are plane identification information of planes that constitute each solid object. Although the surfaces indicated by these surface identification information are not shown, they are defined using the coordinates of the vertices of the three-dimensional objects constituting each surface. Since the definition of the surface and the technology for associating the identification information with the surface are well known in the 3D modeling technology and the like, the description thereof is omitted here. The values of the items “x1 surface”, “x2 surface”, “y1 surface”, “y2 surface”, “z1 surface”, and “z2 surface” in the shape information management table are the three-dimensional dimensions of the surface indicated by each surface identification information A normal vector expressed using the coordinate system of the object itself is shown. However, the normal here is assumed to be a vector in a direction from the inside to the outside of the solid object. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the zero point of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis is located at the center of each solid object. Here, the “x1 plane” is a plane whose normal is the positive direction of the x axis, the “x2 plane” is a plane whose normal is the negative direction of the x axis, and the “y1 plane” is the normal line of the positive direction of the y axis. “Y2 plane” is a plane whose normal is the negative direction of the y axis, “z1 plane” is a plane whose normal is the positive direction of the z axis, and “z2 plane” is a negative direction of the z axis. It is the surface to be a line. Here, the shape information of one solid object is managed by the shape information management table.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the relationship between the three-dimensional object and the x1, x2, y1, y2, z1, and z2 planes. In this figure, the z1 surface is the front surface, the z2 surface is the back surface, the x1 surface is the right side surface, the x2 surface is the left side surface, the y1 surface is the top surface, and the y2 surface is the bottom surface.

  FIG. 6 is an object arrangement information management table for managing object arrangement information stored in the object arrangement information storage unit 102. Here, the object arrangement information is assumed to be stored in advance as an example. The object arrangement information includes items of “object ID”, “coordinates (X, Y, Z)”, and “rotation angle (X, Y, Z)”. The “object ID” is identification information for identifying a three-dimensional object, and corresponds to the “object ID” of the shape information described above. “Coordinates (X, Y, Z)” is information indicating the coordinates in the virtual three-dimensional space where the solid object indicated by the “object ID” of the same record is arranged. Here, the coordinates are the coordinates of the center of the solid object. A case will be described. Here, it is assumed that the coordinate value is a coordinate value in the virtual three-dimensional space. Here, the horizontal direction (width direction) in the virtual three-dimensional space is the X axis, the vertical direction (height direction) is the Y axis, and the depth direction is the Z axis. “Rotation angle (X, Y, Z)” indicates a rotation angle with the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis in the virtual three-dimensional space as rotation axes. The rotation angle may be considered as information indicating the direction in which the three-dimensional object is arranged. For example, when the three-dimensional object is rotated 90 degrees with the Y axis as the rotation axis, the x axis and the y axis of the three-dimensional object are respectively orthogonal to the X axis and the Y axis of the virtual three-dimensional space. Here, when each value of the rotation angle is (0, 0, 0), the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis of the solid object are the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z in the virtual three-dimensional space, respectively. Assume that it is specified in advance by default to be arranged parallel to the axis. Note that the value of the Z coordinate may be omitted when there is no need to change the depth of the position where the three-dimensional object is arranged, for example, when the rendered three-dimensional object image is arranged on a two-dimensional plane. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the hierarchical structure data stored in the hierarchical structure data storage unit 103. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which hierarchical structure data constitutes information in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. However, the hierarchical structure data may not be information in the XML format, and may be any hierarchical data. In the XML format information shown in FIG. 7, for convenience, the hierarchical data is considered to be data, that is, an element surrounded by a start tag and an end tag. Hereinafter, the start tag “<A>” and the end tag “</A>” (where A is a tag name) are referred to as A tags. For example, “<catalog management>” is called a catalog management tag. Hereinafter, data in a range delimited by the start tag “<A>” and end tag “</A>” is referred to as data in a range delimited by the A tag. For example, data in a range delimited by one start tag “<catalog management>” and end tag “</ catalog management>” is called data in a range delimited by one catalog management tag.

  In FIG. 7, for example, data in a range delimited by one catalog tag is data relating to a catalog. Here, the catalog tag indicates a tag (so-called root) indicating the first hierarchy of the hierarchical structure data.

  The data in the range delimited by the genre tag is data for one product genre, and the data in the range delimited by the genre name tag is data indicating the genre name of one genre. Here, the genre tag is a tag indicating one node of the second hierarchy, and the genre name tag is defined as data of one node of the second hierarchy.

  The data in the range delimited by one product tag is data for one product among the products included in one genre, and the data in the range delimited by one product name tag is This is data indicating the product name of the product. Here, the product tag is a tag indicating one node of the third hierarchy, and the product name tag is defined as data of one node of the third hierarchy.

  The data in the range delimited by one detail tag is data about the details of one product. Here, the detailed tag is a tag indicating one node of the fourth hierarchy. In addition, the data delimited by the product ID tag, the product photo tag, the price tag, etc. within the range delimited by the detailed tag is assumed to be data of the first node in the fourth layer.

  In addition, when the information delimited by the tag includes information specifying a file or the like, for example, link information, the information of the file specified thereby may be considered as the data delimited by the actual tag. The information on the link destination is appropriately read when an image is constructed.

  First, for example, it is assumed that the user gives the information processing apparatus 1 an instruction to display a catalog management screen for products.

  The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires one or more data subordinate to one node designated in advance from the hierarchical structure data shown in FIG. 7 from the hierarchical structure data. Here, for example, it is assumed that acquisition of data subordinate to the node indicated by the tag of the first hierarchy is set in advance. According to this setting, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires the data of the second hierarchy. Here, the hierarchical structure data is described in XML, and the tag indicating the first hierarchy (in other words, the tag indicating the node of the first hierarchy) is a catalog tag from the tag inclusion relation, and the second subordinate to this is the catalog tag. The tag indicating the hierarchy is a genre tag, and it can be detected that the tag indicating the data of the second hierarchy is a genre name tag. This hierarchical relationship may be mainly based on, for example, DTD (Document Type Definition) prepared in advance corresponding to this XML. Therefore, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires all the data delimited by the genre name tag in the data delimited by the catalog tag. Here, for example, data “mobile phone” and “smart phone” are acquired. The acquired data is temporarily stored in a memory, for example. Here, the case of acquiring data subordinate to a node designated in advance has been described, but data subordinate to a node designated by the user may be acquired. In this case, for example, a screen identifier such as a screen name may be assigned in advance to a node or a tag indicating the node, and one node may be designated by this screen identifier. For example, a screen name such as “product operation screen” may be assigned to the product tag, and when the user designates this screen name, data subordinate to the product tag may be acquired. At this time, for example, in order to specify one product tag, an input of a search key is accepted, and a product tag including data that matches the search key is detected from among the product tags. Then, only data dependent on the detected product tag may be acquired.

  Next, the image information configuration unit 107 reads the object arrangement information managed by the object arrangement information management table shown in FIG. That is, the values of the items “coordinate (X, Y, Z)” and “rotation angle (X, Y, Z)”, which are object arrangement information of the record whose “object ID” is “OBJ”, are read. Then, for example, it is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) in association with the “object ID”.

  Next, the image information configuration unit 107 of the information processing apparatus 1 acquires shape information about the three-dimensional object. Here, the shape information whose “object ID” is “OBJ” shown in FIG. 4 is read out and temporarily stored in a memory or the like in association with the “object ID”, for example.

  Next, the image information configuration unit 107 displays the front of the three-dimensional object (hereinafter referred to as the three-dimensional object OBJ) corresponding to the shape information whose “object ID” is “OBJ”, the object shape information, the object arrangement information, and the like. Judge using The front here refers to the normal line (in this case, from the inside of the 3D object to the outside when the 3D object is arranged in the virtual 3D space according to the object arrangement information among the surfaces constituting the 3D object. It is assumed that the direction normal) is parallel to the Z axis and the direction is the positive direction.

  As described above, here, when the values of the rotation angles indicated by the arrangement information are (0, 0, 0), the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis of the three-dimensional object are respectively in the virtual three-dimensional space. Assuming that the initial setting values are specified in advance so that the three-dimensional object is arranged in parallel to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, A normal vector is calculated using the object arrangement information. However, the normal vector calculated here is assumed to be a normal vector expressed in the XYZ coordinate system in the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, a normal line that is parallel to the Z axis in the virtual three-dimensional space and whose direction faces the positive direction of the Z axis is detected from the normal vectors calculated in this way. Here, the normal of the z1 plane is detected. For this reason, the image information configuration unit 107 determines that the z1 plane is the front.

  Then, the image information configuration unit 107 is image information of the three-dimensional object OBJ arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so as to have the arrangement indicated by the position information, and the “mobile” acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 on the z1 plane thereof. Image information in which data of “phone” and “smartphone” are arranged is configured. Specifically, so-called rendering processing is performed. Here, parameters such as the coordinate axes in the virtual three-dimensional space, that is, the coordinate axes in the world space, the angle of view at the time of rendering, and the like are set in advance so that the projection drawing of each solid object is configured. To do.

  Then, the output unit 108 outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit 107. After the output, the object arrangement information management table shown in FIG. 6 is updated with the object arrangement information whose rotation angle has been changed by rotation. This process is the same during subsequent rotations.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example by the output unit 108. Here, the output unit 108 is connected to the monitor 80 and displays the solid object 81 that is an image of the solid object OBJ on the monitor 80.

  Here, for example, if the user clicks an area on the character string of “mobile phone” on the front surface, which is the surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object 81, using a mouse or other input device, the designation is accepted. Unit 106 accepts designation for data “mobile phone”. Then, the designation receiving unit 106 acquires the “mobile phone” data as designated data, and temporarily stores it in a storage medium such as a memory (not shown). Note that a tag attached to the designated data, here, a genre name tag, may be acquired as designated data and temporarily stored in a storage medium.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of designated data acquired and accumulated by the designation receiving unit 106. Here, it is assumed that the designated data is data such as a so-called path in which data designated in order from the highest hierarchy is shown in order with “/” or the like in between. The designated data is changed or deleted, for example, when the data arranged in the front is changed or when the designation is canceled. The specified data may be displayed differently from other data, for example, highlight display on the image of the three-dimensional object.

  Next, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction to rotate the solid object 90 degrees clockwise by operating the input device, the input menu, or the like. That is, it is assumed that an instruction to rotate the left side of the three-dimensional object as viewed from the front is given. For example, as an operation for giving such an instruction, it is assumed that an operation of moving the pointer so as to trace from the right to the left on the solid object 81 is performed. The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object 90 degrees clockwise in response to an operation by the user. Here, the instruction to rotate 90 degrees clockwise is the first rotation instruction described above.

  When the placement data acquisition unit 105 receives the first rotation instruction, the placement data acquisition unit 105 determines whether one piece of data in the information currently placed in front of the three-dimensional object 81 has been designated. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, since there is data that matches the designated data, it is determined that one data has been designated.

  Therefore, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 determines whether or not there is data subordinate to the designated data “mobile phone” in the hierarchical structure data shown in FIG. Since “mobile phone” is data delimited by a genre name tag, the data delimited by a genre tag including a genre name tag whose data is “mobile phone” is delimited by a tag indicating a lower hierarchy. Determine whether data exists. Here, as a tag indicating a lower hierarchy, there is data delimited by one or more product tags, and data delimited by the product name tag exists in the data delimited by this product tag Is detected. For this reason, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 determines that there is data lower than the node corresponding to “mobile phone”, and delimits the product name tag from the data included in the genre whose genre name is “mobile phone”. Get all the recorded data. Here, “BS602”, “AW801”, “TM555”, and “RW008” are acquired.

  Next, in accordance with the first rotation instruction, the image information configuration unit 107 displays the surface of the three-dimensional object OBJ that becomes the front when the three-dimensional object OBJ is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the object shape information, and the object arrangement. Judgment using information. Here, a normal vector in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space of each surface of the three-dimensional object OBJ before rotation is calculated, and the X-axis in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space is calculated from the calculated normal vectors. A normal vector that is parallel and whose direction is in the positive direction of the X axis is detected. Then, when the surface having the normal vector is rotated in accordance with the first rotation instruction, it is determined as a surface facing the front. Here, it is determined that the x1 plane shown in FIG. 5 faces the front after rotation.

  Next, the image information configuration unit 107 configures image information for rotating the three-dimensional object OBJ. Specifically, the three-dimensional object OBJ constitutes image information that is rotated from a state where the z1 plane is the front to a state where the x1 plane is the front. Here, image information of a moving image including a rotating image is configured by rendering. At this time, “mobile phone” and “smart phone”, which are the data of the second hierarchy of the hierarchical structure data already acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 on the z1 plane, and arrangement data acquisition on the x1 plane. Image information is rendered by arranging “BS602”, “AW801”, “TM555”, and “RW008” acquired by the unit 105, respectively. Note that the last image in the moving image is an image in which the x1 plane faces the front.

  Then, the output unit 108 outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit 107.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an output example by the output unit 108.

  Further, if the user clicks an area on the character string “AW801” on the surface of the three-dimensional object 81 facing the first designated direction using an input device such as a mouse, the designation receiving unit 106 reads “AW801”. The designation accepting unit 106 acquires this data as designated data and temporarily stores it in a storage medium such as a memory (not shown). Thus, for example, “/ AW801” is added after the designated data shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing designated data after the change.

  Next, when the user gives a first rotation instruction to rotate the solid object 90 degrees clockwise by operating an input device, an input menu, or the like, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 is arranged in front of the solid object. Among the data, the data “AW801” is determined to be designated data using the designated data shown in FIG. 11, and the hierarchical data shown in FIG. 7 is changed to the designated data “AW801”. Determine whether dependent data exists. Since “AW801” is data delimited by the product name tag, the data delimited by the tag indicating the lower hierarchy is added to the data delimited by the product tag including the product name tag whose data is “AW801”. Determine if it exists. Here, as a tag indicating a lower hierarchy, there is data delimited by one or more detail tags, and data delimited by a product photo tag, a product ID tag, or the like is included in the data delimited by this detail tag. Since it exists, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 determines that there is subordinate data, and from the data included in the genre whose genre name is “AW801”, the product photo tag, product ID tag, price tag, specification Get all the data delimited by tags. Here, “aw801.gif”, “SER2268”, “16,000 yen”, and “organic EL” are acquired. For “aw801.gif”, an image file whose file name is “aw801.gif” is acquired.

  Next, in accordance with the first rotation instruction, the image information configuration unit 107 displays the surface of the three-dimensional object OBJ that becomes the front when the three-dimensional object OBJ is rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the object shape information, and the object arrangement. Judgment using information. Here, in the same manner as described above, the normal vector in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space is calculated for each surface of the solid object OBJ before rotation, that is, the solid object OBJ in the state shown in FIG. When the surface is a normal vector whose vector is parallel to the X axis in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space and whose direction faces the positive direction of the X axis in response to the first rotation instruction. Judge as the front facing side. Here, it is determined that the z1 plane shown in FIG.

  Then, the image information configuration unit 107 configures the image information obtained by rotating the three-dimensional object OBJ obtained by arranging the data separated by the detailed tag on the z1 plane in the same manner as described above.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an output example by the output unit 108.

  Next, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction to rotate the solid object 90 degrees forward by operating the input device, the input menu, or the like. That is, it is assumed that an instruction to rotate the upper surface of the three-dimensional object as viewed from the front is given. For example, as an operation for giving such an instruction, it is assumed that an operation of moving the pointer so as to trace the top of the solid object 81 from the top to the bottom is performed. The rotation instruction receiving unit 104 receives an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object forward 90 degrees in accordance with an operation by the user. Here, the instruction to rotate 90 degrees in the forward direction is the second rotation instruction described above.

  When the second rotation instruction is given, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 has the same hierarchy as the node that is the subordinate destination of the data arranged in front of the three-dimensional object facing the first designated direction. It is determined whether there is a node that is the same as the subordinate destination of the node that is the subordinate destination of the data arranged in front of the three-dimensional object.

  Here, the placement data acquisition unit 105 determines that the node that is the subordinate of the detailed tag, which is a tag indicating the data node placed in front, is the hierarchical structure data shown in FIG. 7 or the designated data shown in FIG. From the data or the like, it is detected that the node is indicated by the product tag including the product name tag whose data is “AW801”. Furthermore, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 detects that the node that is the subordinate of the node indicated by the product tag is the node indicated by the genre tag including the genre name tag whose data is “mobile phone”. Is detected. Then, whether or not a node other than the node indicated by the product tag including the product name tag whose data is “AW801” exists in the node indicated by the genre tag including the genre name tag whose data is “mobile phone”. to decide. Here, it is determined that there are product tags including product name tags whose data are “BS602”, “TM555”, and “PW008”, respectively. For this reason, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 selects one of the nodes indicated by these product tags, and acquires data subordinate to the selected node. Here, first, the node indicated by the product tag is assigned in order from the top to the data delimited by the product tag of the hierarchical structure data shown in FIG. The product tag of the next order of the product tag which shows is detected, and the data subordinate to this product tag is acquired. For example, the data currently arranged in the front is data subordinate to the second product tag from the top among product tags subordinate to a genre tag including a genre name tag whose data is a mobile phone. For this reason, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data subordinate to the third product tag from the top. The third product tag from the top is a product tag including a product name tag whose data is “TM555”. For this reason, the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data delimited by the detail tag included in the product tag including the product name tag whose data is “TM555”. The acquired data is “tm555.gif”, “SER3425”, “40,000 yen”, and “One Seg compatible”.

  Next, in accordance with the second rotation instruction, the image information configuration unit 107 displays the surface of the three-dimensional object OBJ that becomes the front when the three-dimensional object OBJ is rotated 90 degrees forward, the object shape information, and the object arrangement. Judgment using information. Here, in the same manner as described above, the normal vector in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space is calculated for each surface in the solid object OBJ before rotation, that is, the solid object OBJ in the state shown in FIG. When a plane whose vector is a normal vector that is parallel to the Y axis in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space and that faces in the positive direction of the Y axis is rotated according to the second rotation instruction Judge as the front facing side. Here, it is determined that the y1 plane shown in FIG.

  The image information configuration unit 107 then obtains the three-dimensional object in which the data “tm555.gif”, “SER3425”, “40,000 yen”, and “One Seg correspondence” obtained above are arranged on the y1 plane. The image information for rotating the OBJ is configured in the same manner as described above. Specifically, the three-dimensional object OBJ constitutes image information that is rotated from a state where the z2 plane is the front to a state where the y1 plane is the front. Here, image information of a moving image including a rotating image is configured by rendering. At this time, on the z2 plane, “aw801.gif”, “SER2268”, “16,000 yen”, “Organic EL” which are the data of the third layer of the hierarchical structure data already acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 ”And“ tm555.gif ”,“ SER3425 ”,“ 40,000 yen ”, and“ One Seg correspondence ”acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105 are arranged on the y1 plane, respectively, and image information is displayed. Render. Note that the last image in the moving image is an image in which the x1 plane faces the front.

  Then, the output unit 108 outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit 107.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an output example by the output unit 108.

  In the case where the three-dimensional object OBJ is in the state shown in FIG. 11, when a third rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object 90 degrees counterclockwise is given, the three-dimensional object OBJ is placed in front of the current three-dimensional object. A node whose hierarchy is the same as the node to which the data is dependent (that is, the node of “AW801”), and the node to which the data is dependent is the node to which the data arranged in front of the three-dimensional object is dependent The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires “BS602”, “AW801”, “TM555”, and “RW008”, which are data of all nodes that are the same as the subordinates of the mobile phone (that is, the “mobile phone” node). The information configuration unit 107 uses the acquired information to configure image information of a moving image that rotates the three-dimensional object OBJ 90 degrees counterclockwise. Then, the output unit 108 displays the acquired image information. The image displayed by the output unit 108 is the same as that shown in FIG. Note that the immediately preceding image information may be temporarily stored, and when the third rotation instruction is received immediately after the first rotation instruction, the immediately preceding image information may be read and displayed.

  Further, in the case where the three-dimensional object OBJ is in the state shown in FIG. 13, when the fourth rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object backward 90 degrees is given, the second rotation instruction is received. The arrangement data acquisition unit 105 acquires data subordinate to the node in the previous order among the nodes in the same hierarchy as the node to which the data currently arranged in front is subordinate. The image information configuration unit 107 may configure image information of a moving image that is rotated 90 degrees backward using the acquired information, and the output unit may display the image information. The image displayed by the output unit 108 is the same as that shown in FIG. Note that the immediately preceding image information may be temporarily stored, and when the fourth rotation instruction is received immediately after the second rotation instruction, the immediately preceding image information may be read and displayed.

  In the above specific example, when the 3D object is not rotated, not only the front surface of the 3D object OBJ but also at least a part of the side surface, the upper surface, the lower surface, and the like are displayed on the image. It is also possible to appropriately acquire data and display an image of a three-dimensional object in which the acquired data is arranged on the side surface, upper surface, lower surface, or the like.

  For example, in the above specific example, when the designation receiving unit 106 receives the designation for the data output from the front, the placement data obtaining unit 105 obtains the data subordinate to the designated data and obtains it. The image information composing unit 107 configures an image of the three-dimensional object OBJ arranged on the surface that is the front position when the three-dimensional object OBJ is rotated in accordance with the first rotation instruction. The image output by 108 may be updated.

  For example, in the state shown in FIG. 10, when “AW801” data is specified, data “aw801.gif”, “SER2268”, “16,000 yen”, “Organic EL” directly subordinate to the specified data ”Is acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105, and the image data further arranged on the surface that becomes the front when the first rotation instruction is received, that is, the z2 plane that is the current right side is acquired. The image that is output by the output unit 108 may be updated with the image that is configured by the image information configuration unit 107 and indicated by the configured image information.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example in such a case.

  In addition, for example, in the above specific example, when the three-dimensional object is rotated by a rotation instruction (or when it is determined to rotate), it is output to a new front surface (or a new front surface). Is a different node that has the same hierarchy as the node to which the data is dependent, and the node to which the data depends is the same as the node to which the data that is placed in front of the solid object is dependent The data subordinate to one of the nodes (specifically, the node in the next order) is acquired, and this data is transferred to the y1 plane that is the front plane when the second rotation instruction is received next. Further, the arranged image information may be configured by the image information configuration unit 107, and the output unit 108 may update the currently output image with the image indicated by the configured image information.

  For example, when the state shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by the rotation of the three-dimensional object OBJ, as in the case where the second rotation instruction is accepted, the node that is the dependent destination of the data arranged in front of the three-dimensional object Are different nodes having the same hierarchy, and the subordinate destination node is data subordinate to the node that is the same as the subordinate destination of the node that is the subordinate destination of the data arranged in front of the three-dimensional object. “Tm555.gif”, “SER3425”, “40,000 yen”, and “one-seg compatible” are acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit 105, and the acquired data is received as the front when the second rotation instruction is received next. The image information composing unit 107 configures image information further arranged on the surface, that is, the y1 surface that is the current upper surface, and outputs the image information indicated by the configured image information 108 may be updated image currently being output.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example in such a case.

  In the above specific example, the case where the solid object is a cube has been described as an example, but the solid object may have any shape.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the three-dimensional object.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the solid object may be a hexagonal prism. In this case, for example, when a first rotation instruction for changing the side surface located in front by rotating in the horizontal direction is given, the surface designated as the front is designated by the user as in FIG. Data subordinate to one of the data arranged on the front before the rotation is arranged on the front surface after the rotation.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the three-dimensional object after being rotated clockwise by 60 degrees.

  In addition, when a second rotation instruction for rotating the three-dimensional object shown in FIG. 16 by 90 degrees in the forward direction is given, an image in which data as shown in FIG. You may display.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the three-dimensional object after being rotated 90 degrees in the forward direction.

  In the above specific example, a cubic solid object OBJ designated in advance is used, but in the present invention, shape information of a plurality of different solid objects is prepared in the shape information storage unit 101 in advance. In addition, one 3D object may be selected from a plurality of different 3D objects according to the data structure of the hierarchical structure data arranged on the 3D object.

  For example, the image information configuration unit 107 or the like obtains the deepest hierarchy number when tracing from the highest node to the lowest node in the hierarchical structure data, and selects a three-dimensional object according to the hierarchy number. The number of layers may be considered as the number of nodes. Further, in the XML hierarchical structure data as shown in FIG. 7, the number of layers in the deepest hierarchy may be considered as the deepest nest level. Note that the shape information of a plurality of different three-dimensional objects stored in the shape information storage unit 101 may be three-dimensional objects having different three-dimensional shapes, or shape information of three-dimensional objects having different colors, sizes, textures, transparency, and the like. It may be. The selection of shape information according to the number of hierarchies means, for example, that a hierarchy shape management table showing the correspondence between the number of hierarchies and shape information is prepared in advance in a storage unit such as a storage medium (not shown). What is necessary is just to acquire the shape information matched with the acquired deepest hierarchy number using a shape management table | surface.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical shape management table. The hierarchical shape information management table has items of “number of hierarchies” and “object ID”. “Number of hierarchies” is the number of hierarchies of the deepest hierarchy of the hierarchical structure data. “Object ID” is identification information of a solid object, and corresponds to “object ID” shown in FIG. It is assumed that the three-dimensional objects having different object IDs shown in FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a three-dimensional object indicated by shape information corresponding to the “object ID” illustrated in FIG. 19. For example, the solid object OBJ01 is a white triangular prism, the solid object OBJ02 is a white cube, the solid object OBJ03 is a white hexagonal column, and the solid object OBJ04 is a red hexagonal column.

  For example, if the hierarchical structure data arranged in the three-dimensional object is hierarchical structure data as shown in FIG. 7, the image information configuration unit 107 receives the instruction to display the three-dimensional object, and is included in this hierarchical structure data. Get the nesting level of the data to be acquired, and get the maximum number of nesting levels. A process for acquiring a nesting level from data such as an HTML document is known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-57143 and the like and will not be described here. It is assumed that the deepest nesting level is “4” in the nesting level acquired from this hierarchical structure data.

  The image information configuration unit 107 acquires “OBJ2” which is the “object ID” of the record including “4” as the “number of hierarchies” from the hierarchical shape information management table illustrated in FIG. 19. Then, the image information of the object is configured using the shape information whose “object ID” is “OBJ2”.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by rotating a three-dimensional object, it is possible to display data having a hierarchical structure on the three-dimensional object by changing the hierarchy or node. Accordingly, by intuitively rotating the three-dimensional object, data having a hierarchical structure can be freely browsed while changing the hierarchy and nodes.

  In each of the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by centralized processing by a single device (system), or by distributed processing by a plurality of devices. May be.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that two or more communication means (such as an information transmission unit) existing in one apparatus may be physically realized by one medium.

  In the above embodiment, information related to processing executed by each component, for example, information received, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, and received by each component. In addition, information such as threshold values, mathematical formulas, addresses, etc. used by each component in processing is retained temporarily or over a long period of time on a recording medium (not shown) even when not explicitly stated in the above description. It may be. Further, the storage of information in the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a storage unit (not shown). Further, reading of information from the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a reading unit (not shown).

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiments where the information processing apparatus is a stand-alone, the information processing apparatus may be a stand-alone apparatus or a server apparatus in a server / client system. In the latter case, the output unit or the reception unit receives an input or outputs a screen via a communication line.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  The software that realizes the information processing apparatus in each of the above embodiments is a program as described below. In other words, this program is for placement that acquires one or more data subordinate to one node from hierarchical structure data composed of one or more layered data stored in the hierarchical structure data storage unit. The data acquired by the data acquisition unit and the data acquisition unit for placement are designated in advance for the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information, which is information indicating the shape of the three-dimensional object having two or more surfaces stored in the shape information storage unit. An image information configuration unit that configures image information of a three-dimensional object arranged in a first designated direction that is a surface facing the direction, an output unit that outputs image information configured by the image information configuration unit, and an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object A rotation instruction receiving unit that receives a rotation instruction that is a program for causing the arrangement data acquisition unit to be output by the output unit. One or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency with respect to one or more pieces of one or more pieces of data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object are acquired, and the image information configuration unit issues a rotation instruction. One or more pieces of data having a predetermined dependency acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit are arranged on the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in response to the surface that has turned to the first specified direction after the rotation. The image information of the three-dimensional object is configured, and the output unit is a program that outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit in response to a rotation instruction.

  In the program, the functions realized by the program do not include functions that can be realized only by hardware. For example, a function that can be realized only by hardware such as a modem or an interface card in an acquisition unit that acquires information or an output unit that outputs information is not included in the function realized by the program.

  Further, the computer that executes this program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a computer that executes the program and realizes the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. The above-described embodiment can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed on the computer hardware.

  21, a computer system 900 includes a computer 901 including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) drive 905 and an FD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disk) drive 906, a keyboard 902, a mouse 903, a monitor 904, and the like. Is provided.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the computer system 900. In FIG. 22, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 905 and the FD drive 906, a computer 901 is connected to an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 911, a ROM 912 for storing a program such as a bootup program, and the MPU 911. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 913 that temporarily stores program instructions and provides a temporary storage space, a hard disk 914 that stores application programs, system programs, and data, and an MPU 911 and a ROM 912 are interconnected. And a bus 915. The computer 901 may include a network card (not shown) that provides connection to the LAN.

  A program that causes the computer system 900 to execute the functions of the information processing apparatus and the like according to the above embodiment is stored in the CD-ROM 921 or the FD 922, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 905 or the FD drive 906, and stored in the hard disk 914. May be forwarded. Instead, the program may be transmitted to the computer 901 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 914. The program is loaded into the RAM 913 when executed. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 921, the FD 922, or the network.

The program does not necessarily include an operating system (OS) or a third-party program that causes the computer 901 to execute the functions of the information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment. The program may include only a part of an instruction that calls an appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and obtains a desired result. How the computer system 900 operates is well known and will not be described in detail.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is suitable as an apparatus for outputting hierarchical structure data, and is particularly useful as an apparatus for arranging and outputting hierarchical structure data on a three-dimensional object. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 101 Shape information storage part 102 Object arrangement | positioning information storage part 103 Hierarchical structure data storage part 104 Rotation instruction | indication reception part 105 Arrangement | acquisition data acquisition part 106 Specification reception part 107 Image information structure part 108 Output part

Claims (7)

A hierarchical structure data storage unit capable of storing hierarchical structure data composed of one or more layered data;
A shape information storage unit that can store shape information that is information indicating the shape of a three-dimensional object having two or more surfaces;
An arrangement data acquisition unit for acquiring one or more data subordinate to one node from the hierarchical structure data;
An image information configuration unit that configures image information of a three-dimensional object in which the data acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit is arranged on a surface facing a first designated direction that is a predesignated direction of the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information When,
An output unit that outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit;
A rotation instruction receiving unit that receives a rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object,
The arrangement data acquisition unit has a predetermined dependency relationship with one or more of the one or more pieces of data arranged on a surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object output by the output unit. Get the above data,
The image information configuration unit is image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in accordance with the rotation instruction, and the arrangement data acquisition unit is arranged on a surface that has turned to the first designated direction after the rotation. Configuring image information of a three-dimensional object in which one or more pieces of acquired data having a predetermined dependency relationship are arranged;
The output unit is an information processing apparatus that outputs image information configured by the image information configuration unit in response to the rotation instruction. A designation receiving unit that receives a designation for one of the one or more pieces of data arranged on a surface of the three-dimensional object output by the output unit facing the first designated direction;
The arrangement data acquisition unit acquires one or more data subordinate to the data specified by the designation received by the designation receiving unit from the hierarchical structure data as one or more data having the predetermined subordination relationship. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The arrangement data acquisition unit is subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as a node to which one or more data arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object output from the output unit facing the first designated direction is dependent. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is acquired as one or more pieces of data having the predetermined dependency relationship. The arrangement data acquisition unit is subordinate to a different node in the same hierarchy as a node to which one or more data arranged on the surface of the three-dimensional object output from the output unit facing the first designated direction is dependent. Further acquiring the above data as one or more data having the predetermined dependency relationship,
The rotation instruction receiving unit is configured to rotate the solid object in a first rotation direction, and to rotate the solid object in a second rotation direction different from the second rotation direction. The second rotation instruction can be received,
The image information configuration unit includes:
When the rotation instruction reception unit receives the first rotation instruction, the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the first rotation direction indicated by the first rotation instruction, and the first instruction direction is directed after the rotation. The image information of the three-dimensional object in which one or more data subordinate to the data specified by the designation received by the designation receiving unit acquired by the arrangement data acquiring unit is arranged on the plane that has become the existing plane is configured. ,
When the rotation instruction accepting unit accepts a second rotation instruction, the image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in the second rotation direction indicated by the second rotation instruction, which is directed to the first designated direction after rotation. In the same level as the node to which one or more data arranged on the surface facing the first specified direction of the three-dimensional object before rotation acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit is located on the existing surface. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, comprising image information of a three-dimensional object in which one or more data subordinate to different nodes are arranged. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical structure data is XML data. A hierarchical structure data storage unit that can store hierarchical structure data composed of one or more layered data, and shape information storage that can store shape information that is information indicating the shape of a three-dimensional object having two or more faces Information processing method that is performed using a unit, an arrangement data acquisition unit, an image information configuration unit, an output unit, and a rotation instruction reception unit,
The arrangement data acquisition unit, wherein the arrangement data acquisition unit acquires one or more data subordinate to one node from the hierarchical structure data;
Image information of the three-dimensional object in which the image information configuration unit arranges the data acquired in the arrangement data acquisition step on a surface facing a first designated direction which is a predesignated direction of the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information. Image information composition step to configure;
An output step in which the output unit outputs the image information configured in the image information configuration step;
The rotation instruction receiving unit includes a rotation instruction receiving step of receiving a rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the solid object;
The arrangement data acquisition step has a predetermined dependency relationship with one or more of the one or more data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object output in the output step. Get the above data,
The image information composing step is image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in accordance with the rotation instruction, and on the surface that has turned to the first designated direction after the rotation, the arrangement data acquiring step Configuring image information of a three-dimensional object in which one or more pieces of acquired data having a predetermined dependency relationship are arranged;
The information output method in which the output step outputs the image information configured in the image information configuration step in response to the rotation instruction. Computer
An arrangement data acquisition unit for acquiring one or more data subordinate to one node from hierarchical structure data composed of one or more layered data stored in the hierarchical data storage unit;
The data acquired by the arrangement data acquisition unit is directed in the direction specified in advance of the three-dimensional object indicated by the shape information, which is information indicating the shape of the three-dimensional object having two or more surfaces stored in the shape information storage unit. An image information constituting unit constituting image information of a solid object arranged in a first designated direction which is a surface;
An output unit that outputs the image information configured by the image information configuration unit;
A program for functioning as a rotation instruction receiving unit that receives a rotation instruction that is an instruction to rotate the three-dimensional object,
The arrangement data acquisition unit has a predetermined dependency relationship with one or more of the one or more data arranged on the surface facing the first designated direction of the three-dimensional object output by the output unit. Get the above data,
The image information configuration unit is image information of the three-dimensional object rotated in accordance with the rotation instruction, and the arrangement data acquisition unit is arranged on a surface that has turned to the first designated direction after the rotation. Configuring image information of a three-dimensional object in which one or more pieces of acquired data having a predetermined dependency relationship are arranged;
The output unit is a program for outputting image information configured by the image information configuration unit in response to the rotation instruction.

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