JP2023103947A - How to generate blueprints for block objects - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for allowing a user to build a block object more easily by using block parts.SOLUTION: The method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for outputting a design drawing of a buildable block object made of a plurality of types of block parts, which is executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a sensor device by a network. The processing unit of the server terminal acquires coordinate information of block parts from the sensor device, analyzes coordinates to show design drawing information of the block object on the basis of the coordinate information, and displays the design information on the basis of the analyzed coordinates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a method for recommending block objects.

Toys in which a user builds block object models such as animals, buildings, vehicles, etc. using block parts such as Lego bricks are popular.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for streamlining the design of block parts forming a block object.

Patent No. 5665872

However, although the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 can realize efficiency in designing and visualization of block parts, it realizes a method of visualizing an image of assembling block objects from the user's point of view. No method is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method that makes it easier for a user to assemble a block object using block parts.

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for outputting a blueprint of an assembleable block object composed of a plurality of types of block parts, which is executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a sensor device via a network. The processing unit of the server terminal acquires the coordinate information of the block parts from the sensor device, analyzes the coordinates for displaying the blueprint information of the block object based on the coordinate information, and The design drawing information is displayed based on the analyzed coordinates.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method that makes it easier for a user to assemble a block object using block parts.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing a method for recommending block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram showing a server terminal 100 of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram showing a user terminal 200 of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the sensor device 300 of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of object model information stored in the server 100; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of block parts information stored in the server 100; FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of a flow chart showing details of a method for generating a blueprint of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is another example of a flowchart showing details of a method for generating a blueprint of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is an example of the screen of the assembleable object model displayed on the user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is another example of the screen of the assembleable object model displayed on the user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. Moreover, not all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing a method for recommending block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 includes a server terminal 100 that generates block object design drawing information based on coordinate information of block parts acquired from a user terminal 200 or a sensor device 300, and a user Terminals 200A and 200B and sensor devices 300A and 300B that cooperate with each of the user terminals and generate coordinate information of block objects. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the user terminals 200A and 200B will be collectively referred to as the user terminal 200, and the sensor devices 300A and 300B will be collectively referred to as the sensor device 300. FIG.

Here, as an example of a block object composed of a plurality of block parts, an animal object will be described as an example in this embodiment. Not limited.

The server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200 are each connected via a network NW. The network NW includes the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the like.

The server terminal 100 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing. In the present embodiment, one server terminal is exemplified for convenience of explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of server terminals may be used.

The user terminal 200 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal, but may be configured by a smart phone, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like.

In this embodiment, the system 1 has a server terminal 100 and a user terminal 200, and a user uses the user terminal 200 to operate the server terminal 100. The server terminal itself may be provided with a function for direct operation by each user.

The sensor device 300 is, for example, a device such as a mouse for operating the user terminal 200, and includes a base on which block parts can be placed and a sensor such as an acceleration sensor capable of generating coordinate information of the base. 200 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to establish pairing.

FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 of FIG. The server terminal 100 includes a communication section 110 , a storage section 120 and a control section 130 .

The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

The storage unit 120 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 130, and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. be. The storage unit 120 also has an object model information storage unit 121 that stores information related to the object model, and a block parts information storage unit 122 that stores block parts information generated based on the object model. . A database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100 .

The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like. be done. The functions of the control unit 130 include an information reception unit 131 that receives information such as instructions from the user terminal 200, an object model information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various types of information related to object models, and various types of information related to block parts. A block parts information processing unit 133 that refers to and processes information, an output processing unit 134 that performs processing for transmitting design drawing information related to block objects to the user terminal, and receives from the user terminal 200 or the sensor device 300 and a coordinate analysis unit 135 for analyzing coordinate information associated with the block parts. The information reception unit 131, the object model information processing unit 132, the block parts information processing unit 133, the output processing unit 134, and the coordinate analysis unit 135 are activated by a program stored in the storage unit 120 and run on a computer (electronic computer). is executed by the server terminal 100.

The information reception unit 131 is provided by the server terminal 100, and the user (enters text, presses an icon When a predetermined request is made, information is received from the user terminal 200 , or coordinate information of block parts generated by the sensor device 300 is received via the user terminal 200 and the communication unit 110 .

The object model processing unit 132 stores information related to the object model in the object model information storage unit 121 and performs processing for referring to the stored object model information.

The block parts information processing unit 133 stores information related to block parts in the block parts information storage unit 122 and performs processing for referring to the stored block parts information.

The output processing unit 134 performs a process of transmitting necessary information to the user terminal 200 so that the user terminal 200 displays design drawing information and the like related to the block object. At this time, the output processing unit 134 uses the image and text data stored in the storage unit 120 as materials and arranges various images and text in a predetermined area of the user interface based on a predetermined layout rule, so that the user can Screen information required to be displayed on the interface of the terminal 200 can be generated. This screen information generation process can also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

The coordinate analysis unit 135 analyzes the coordinate information about the block parts acquired from the sensor device 300 or the user terminal 200, and when causing the user terminal 200 to display the blueprint information and the like related to the block object, the coordinate analysis unit 135 analyzes the block object on the display. Perform processing to determine the inclination.

FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the user terminal 200 of FIG. The user terminal 200 includes a communication section 210 , a display operation section 220 , a storage section 230 and a control section 240 .

The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP. The communication unit 210 can also include a communication interface for communicating with the sensor device 300 via short-range wireless communication or the like.

The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used by the user to input instructions and display text, images, etc. according to input data from the control unit 240, and the user terminal 200 is configured by a personal computer. When the user terminal 200 is a smart phone or a tablet terminal, it is composed of a touch panel or the like. The display operation unit 220 is activated by a control program stored in the storage unit 230 and executed by the user terminal 200, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

The storage unit 230 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 240, and is composed of RAM, ROM, and the like. Further, the storage unit 230 temporarily stores communication contents with the server terminal 100 .

The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like.

Note that the server terminal 100 may be configured to have the function of the display operation unit, and in this case, the configuration may be configured without the user terminal 200 .

FIG. 4 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the sensor device 300 of FIG. Sensor device 300 includes communication unit 310 , acceleration 320 , input unit 330 , and control unit 340 .

The communication unit 310 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP. The communication unit 210 can also include a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via near field communication or the like.

Acceleration sensor 320 measures the inclination of a base (not shown) provided to sensor device 300 by the user, on which block parts are placed, in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions with respect to the plane on which sensor device 300 is placed. , to generate coordinate information. The sensor is not limited to the acceleration sensor, and other sensors capable of detecting the tilt of the base with respect to the plane, such as an angular velocity sensor, can also be used.

The input unit 330 is an interface for inputting instructions for executing operations on the screen displayed on the user terminal 200, and may be physical buttons or buttons displayed on a liquid crystal screen, for example.

The control unit 340 controls the overall operation of the sensor device 300 by executing a program stored in a storage unit (not shown), and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of object model information stored in the server 100. As shown in FIG.

The object model information 1000 shown in FIG. 5 stores information related to an object model generated by a service operator related to the server terminal 100 or a user related to the user terminal 200, and the like. FIG. 4 shows an example of one object model (user identified by object ID "10001") for convenience of explanation, but information of a plurality of object models can be stored. Various data related to the object model, such as 3D model data of the object model, cross-section data of the object model, data related to one or more types of block parts and their number necessary to assemble the object model, cross-section layer Information such as blueprint information related to block parts arranged for each (layer) can be included. Here, the 3D model data can also be stored as 2D model data converted into a 3D model by predetermined processing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of block parts information stored in the server 100. As shown in FIG.

The block parts information 2000 shown in FIG. 6 stores information related to the shape, size, color and weight of block parts. FIG. 6 shows an example of one block part (a block part identified by ID "20001") for convenience of explanation, but information related to a plurality of block parts can be stored. Various data related to block parts can include, for example, data (consisting of the shape, size, color, etc. of block parts) related to block parts corresponding to parts for assembling block objects. Here, each of the multiple types of block parts can be associated with a unique color, but is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing a method of displaying a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Here, in order to use the system 1, the user performs pairing between the user terminal 200 and the sensor device 300 by short-range wireless communication or the like, and attaches the block parts held by the user to the sensor device 300 (not shown). Place it on the base. Here, the base may have projections on the surface on which the block parts are placed so that they can be fitted when the block parts are placed.

As a preliminary process, the user accesses the server terminal 100 using the web browser of the user terminal 200 or (when installing an application) an application or the like. A predetermined screen is displayed on a user interface via a website, an application, or the like. A user operates the user terminal 200 to select a block object to be assembled from among a plurality of block objects displayed on the user interface of the user terminal 200 . Information about the selected block object is transmitted to the server terminal 100 via the network and received via the communication section 110 of the server terminal 100 and the information receiving section 131 of the control section 130 .

In addition, the user places the block parts on a base provided via a rotation mechanism in the sensor device 300 paired with the user terminal 200 by short-range wireless communication or the like, and assembles the block object. , rotating and tilting the base. When the base is tilted or rotated, the acceleration sensor 320 incorporated in the sensor device 300 detects coordinates ( Positional information of the base in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions with respect to the ground) is detected, and coordinate information is generated. The sensor device 300 transmits the generated coordinate information to the user terminal 200 via near field communication or the like.

Then, as the process of step S101, the information reception unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives the coordinate information generated by the sensor device 300 from the user terminal 200 via the network and the communication unit 110. FIG. Here, when the sensor device 300 is connected to the server terminal 100 via a network or the like, the information reception unit 131 can also receive coordinate information directly from the sensor device 300 .

Subsequently, as the process of step S102, the coordinate analysis unit 135 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 analyzes the received coordinate information, Convert to coordinate information of object model composed of block parts.

Subsequently, as the process of step S103, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100, based on the coordinate information analyzed in the previous step, creates design drawing information to be displayed on the user terminal 200 in the 3D space. Output processing is performed by generating screen information by arranging the object model.

FIG. 9 is an example of a screen of a composable object model displayed on the user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, an object model is displayed as a design drawing of a block object on the user terminal 200, and the user can display design drawing information corresponding to the tilt of the block object placed on the sensor device 300 on the user terminal 200. You can easily assemble block objects while referring to them. Here, for the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200, a history of coordinate information corresponding to the design drawing information displayed on one or more user terminals is stored, and based on the stored coordinate information, , the design drawing information can be displayed in a still image or moving image format at a position where the user can see it most easily.

FIG. 8 is another example of a flow chart showing a method of displaying a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The user operates the input unit 330 (for example, a click button of a mouse) provided in the sensor device 300 and instructs the progress of assembling the block objects in the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200. As the process of step S<b>201 , the information reception unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives a block object assembly progress instruction request from the user terminal 200 via the network and the communication unit 110 . Here, when the sensor device 300 is connected to the server terminal 100 via a network or the like, the information reception unit 131 can also receive the instruction request directly from the sensor device 300 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, design drawing information of a block object is displayed on the user terminal 200, and the user follows the object model displayed in FIG. By using the input unit 330 provided on the screen to indicate and click on the "Proceed" icon on the screen, it is possible to request an instruction to proceed with the assembly.

Subsequently, as the process of step S202, the object model processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the design drawing information of the object model stored in the object model information storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120, and Design drawing information for enabling the next assembly operation is determined for the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200 .

Subsequently, as the process of step S203, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100, based on the design drawing information determined in the previous step, outputs the design drawing information to be displayed on the user terminal 200 in the 3D space. The screen information is generated by arranging the object model in the .

For example, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a block part obtained by adding one layer to the multi-layered block parts constituting the object model included in the blueprint information displayed in FIG. 10(a). The containing object model is displayed.

Subsequently, as the processing of step S204, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 performs output processing by transmitting the generated screen information to the user terminal 200. FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can easily transmit information related to block objects placed on the sensor device to the server terminal 100, and the server terminal 100 can receive the information. By analyzing the coordinate information such as the tilt of the block object that the user is currently assembling based on the information obtained, it is possible to present the design drawing information to the user in the same direction as the user is looking. A user can easily assemble block objects.

Although the embodiments according to the invention have been described above, they can be implemented in various other forms, and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments, modifications, omissions, substitutions and changes are included within the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents.

1 system 100 server terminal, 110 communication unit, 120 storage unit, 130 control unit, 200 user terminal, 300 sensor device, NW network

Claims (5)

A method for outputting a blueprint of an assembleable block object composed of a plurality of types of block parts, which is executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a sensor device via a network, comprising:
The processing unit of the server terminal,
Acquiring coordinate information of block parts from the sensor device,
analyzing coordinates for displaying blueprint information of the block object based on the coordinate information;
A method of displaying the engineering drawing information based on the analyzed coordinates. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises an acceleration sensor. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising accepting a request for selecting said block object from a user terminal connected to said server terminal via said network. Receiving a request to update the design drawing information from the sensor device,
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said blueprint information is updated based on said request to update. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an animation of said block object is displayed as said blueprint information.