JP2024049681A - Product design creation support device, creation support system, and product design creation method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a product design creation support device, a creation support system, and a creation method that support the creation of an appropriate product design that includes a character image.
[Solution] When creating a product design by allocating a predetermined text to a template T including a character image G, a text arrangement model that models the position of the text is prepared, and a selectable text arrangement model M1 is set for each template T. When a template T is selected in creating a product design, the selectable text arrangement models M1 for that template T are displayed, one model is selected from among them, and text is allocated to the template T according to this model. This prevents text from being allocated to an inappropriate position, etc.
[Selected figure] Figure 5

Description

This invention relates to a product design creation support device, creation support system, and product design creation method, and more specifically to technology for supporting the creation of product designs that include character images.

In recent years, mail order sales using the Internet have become widespread. For such Internet sales, for example, a sales system has been proposed that allows the design of a product to be customized according to a user's order (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the sales system of Patent Document 1, the product supplier's web server is connected to the user's personal computer via the Internet. The user connects to the product supplier's web page via the Internet, and on the web page selects the product they wish to purchase, selects a logo mark (design material) to be added to the product, and checks a rendering of the finished product with the logo mark, and then carries out the purchasing procedure, such as paying for the product, on the web page.

JP 2002-183478 A

Incidentally, some of the products sold through such online shopping sites include character images. As is well known, character images are designs depicting people or animals that appear in comics, animations, movies, computer games, etc. Each character used in a character image has a background worldview, and many of them are accompanied by their own unique image, and many of them also have specific (limited) colors that should be used.

For this reason, when creating a product design that includes a character image, the design is decided taking into consideration various factors, such as using patterns and backgrounds that do not mar the image of the character being used, making sure the character is not lost in the background, and not using patterns or backgrounds that go against the author's wishes, even for parts other than the character image. However, when a sales system such as that described in Patent Document 1 is applied, the selection of patterns, backgrounds, etc. (design materials) is left entirely to the user, so there is a risk that an undesirable design will be adopted for a product that includes a character image, such as one that mars the image of the character or that the character is lost in the background.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a product design creation support device, creation support system, and creation method that support the creation of appropriate product designs that include character images.

In order to achieve the above object, a product design creation support device according to the present invention comprises:
An apparatus for supporting the creation of product designs by allocating design materials such as text to a template including a character image,
A template storage means for storing a plurality of templates including character images;
a template selection means for selecting one template from the templates stored in the template storage means;
a text allocating means for allocating a predetermined text to the template selected by the template selecting means;
a design data creation means for converting the product design after the layout of the design materials has been completed into electronic data;
The text allocation means has a plurality of text arrangement models which model the arrangement of text, and a selectable text arrangement model is set for each of the templates, and when a template is selected by the template selection means, one text arrangement model is selected from the text arrangement models selectable for the selected template, and the specified text is allocated to the template in accordance with the selected text arrangement model.

As a preferred embodiment thereof, the following configuration is adopted.
(1) The present invention comprises a background allocation means for allocating a predetermined background to the template selected by the template selection means, the background allocation means having a plurality of background models which model backgrounds, and a selectable background model is set for each of the templates, and when a template is selected by the template selection means, one background model is selected from the background models selectable for the selected template, and the background of the selected background model is allocated to the template.

(2) The apparatus has an image allocation means for allocating a predetermined image to a template selected by the template selection means, and the image allocation means sets an image area in which an image is to be placed on the template selected by the template selection means, and allocates the image to the template by placing the image within this image area.

(3) The above templates are characterized in that they are set to match the shape of each product to be designed.

(4) The selectable text placement model set for each template is characterized in that it is selected from text placement models in which the position at which text is placed does not interfere with the character image included in the template.

The product design creation support system according to the present invention is characterized by having the above-mentioned product design creation support device, a user terminal that creates a product design with the support of the above-mentioned product design creation support device, a product design storage device that acquires and stores the product design that has been converted into electronic data by the above-mentioned product design creation support device, and a network that connects these devices for communication.

In addition, the method for creating a product design according to the present invention includes the steps of:
A method for creating a product design by allocating design materials such as text to a template including a character image, comprising:
The computer
selecting one template from a plurality of templates including character images stored in a template storage means;
assigning predetermined text to the selected template;
and converting the product design after the layout of the design materials has been completed into electronic data.
The computer is
The method has a plurality of text placement models which model the placement of text, and a selectable text placement model is set for each template. When a template is selected in the template selection step, one text placement model is selected from the text placement models selectable for the selected template, and the specified text is assigned to the template in accordance with the selected text placement model.

According to the present invention, when creating a product design by allocating predetermined text to a template including a character image, a selectable text placement model is set for each template, and when a template is selected, one text placement model is selected from the text placement models selectable for the selected template, and the predetermined text is allocated to the template according to the selected text placement model. For example, by selecting as selectable models for each template only the text placement models that place text in accordance with the respective character images in a manner that does not damage the image of the character, text can be placed on the template without damaging the image of the character.

Specifically, for example, by selecting a text placement model for each template that places text in a position that does not interfere with the character image, it is possible to avoid situations where the character image and text overlap, preventing damage to the character's image.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a product design creation support system according to the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product design creation support server in the product design creation support system. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for creating a product design using the product design creation support system. 13 is a front view showing an example of a text input screen of a user terminal of the product design creation support system. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of a selection screen for a text layout model on a user terminal of the product design creation support system. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of a background model selection screen on a user terminal of the product design creation support system. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of an image file upload screen on a user terminal of the product design creation support system. FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 shows a schematic configuration of a product design creation support system 1 according to the present invention. The product design creation support system 1 is a system applied to mail-order sales of products via a network 5, and enables users of the mail-order sales to process the design of a product (e.g., inserting text, changing the background, inserting an image, etc.) before purchasing the product, which includes a character image G.

The product design creation support system 1 is mainly composed of a product design creation support server (product design creation support device) 2 that supports the creation of product designs, a user terminal 3 that creates product designs with the support of the product design creation support server 2, and a product design storage server (product design storage device) 4 that acquires and stores the product designs created by the product design creation support server 2, and these are connected for communication via a network 5.

The product design creation support server (hereinafter referred to as the "creation support server") 2 is composed of a server computer equipped with programs and data for supporting the creation of product designs. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the creation support server 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the creation support server 2 has a template storage means 21 that stores a plurality of templates T, T, ... including character images G, a template selection means 22 that selects one template T from the templates T, T, ... stored in the template storage means 21, a text allocation means 23 that allocates a predetermined text to the template T selected by the template selection means 22, a background allocation means 24 that allocates a predetermined background to the template T selected by the template selection means 22, an image allocation means 25 that allocates a predetermined image to the template T selected by the template selection means 22, and a design data creation means 26 that converts the product design to electronic data after the allocation of design materials has been completed.

The template storage means 21 is configured as a device that stores multiple templates T, T, ..., for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In this embodiment, the template storage means 21 is configured as a storage device built into the server computer, but it may also be configured as an external storage device separate from the server computer.

Template T is a model for creating product designs by allocating design materials such as text within a frame. Template T is set for each product to be designed to match the shape of that product. For example, if the product to be designed is a smartphone cover, the shape, etc. of smartphone covers will differ for each target model, so template T is set for each smartphone cover (product) with a different shape, etc. to match that shape (see Figure 4).

Each template T also includes a character image G. As is well known, a character image is a design that depicts a person or animal that appears in manga, animation, movies, computer games, and the like. Each template T includes at least one character image G. Therefore, one template T may include two or more character images G.

The character used in template T is not limited to one type, but may be multiple types. Multiple types of character images G may be provided for one character. Therefore, for example, multiple templates T may be provided for one product template T by drawing character images of different characters (e.g., character A, character B, ..., character X), and multiple templates T may be provided for one character by drawing different character images with different poses or expressions. In the template storage means 21 of this embodiment, templates T are stored for one or multiple products. Multiple templates T including character images of different characters or different poses/expressions are set for each product template T.

The template selection means 22 is one of the functional components realized by a program of the server computer, and constitutes a means for selecting one template T from the multiple templates T, T, ... stored in the template storage means 21. In this embodiment, the template selection means 22 is configured to select one template T based on an instruction from a user terminal 3 that is connected for communication via the network 5.

In order to facilitate the user's selection of a template T, the template selection means 22 is preferably configured to, for example, display a list of selectable templates T on the display unit 31 of the user terminal 3, or to allow the user to search for a desired template T by product, character, etc.

The text allocation means 23, like the template selection means 22, is one of the functional components realized by a program of the server computer, and constitutes a means for allocating text, which is one of the design materials, to the template T selected by the template selection means 22. The text allocated to the template T is text input to the creation support server 2. In this embodiment, the text input to the creation support server 2 via the user terminal 3 is used as this text.

Regarding text allocation, the text allocation means 23 has multiple text layout models M1 that model the layout of text. The text layout model M1 is a model that displays the position and orientation of the text, and the text layout means 23 is configured to allocate text to the template T according to the selected text layout model M1 (so that the layout is the same as the layout displayed in the text layout model M1).

The text layout model M1 of this embodiment is a model that patterns the layout of text using three other elements: the position where the text is placed, the text orientation, and portrait/landscape. As shown in Figure 5, models such as "horizontal writing at the bottom", "horizontal writing at the center", "horizontal writing at the top", "horizontal writing at the top right", "horizontal writing at the bottom right", "horizontal writing at the bottom left", "horizontal writing at the top left", "horizontal writing vertically at the top right", and "horizontal writing vertically at the bottom right" are set.

The text allocation means 23 has a selectable text placement model M1 set for each template T. This is because there are locations in the template T where text cannot be placed or is not suitable for placing text due to the placement of the character image G, and so the selectable text placement model M1 is limited (restricted) in advance for each template T to prevent text from being placed in such locations. From this perspective, in this embodiment, the selectable text placement model M1 set for each template T is selected from text placement models M1 in which the position at which text is placed does not interfere with (does not overlap) with the character image G included in the template T.

In relation to this setting, the text allocation means 23 associates each template T with a text layout model M1 that can be selected for each template T, and does not allow selection of an unassociated text layout model M1. This association information is stored in a specified storage area (text layout model storage means 27) of the creation support server 2 together with information about the text layout model M1, and the text allocation means 23 is able to refer to this information.

The background allocation means 24, like the text allocation means 23, is one of the functional components realized by a program of the server computer, and constitutes a means for allocating a background, which is one of the design materials, to the template T selected by the template selection means 22. Examples of the background allocated to the template T include a color (background color) and a pattern.

Regarding background allocation, the background allocation means 24 has multiple background models M2 that model the background. The background model M2 is a model that displays the color and pattern of the background, and the background allocation means 24 is configured to allocate the background to the template T according to the selected background model M2. In this embodiment, multiple background colors are prepared as the background model M2 (18 colors in the example of Figure 6).

In the background allocation means 24, a selectable background model M2 is set for each template T. This is because, since there are background colors and patterns that cannot be used or are not suitable for use in relation to the color of the character image G included in the template T, the selectable background models M2 are limited (restricted) in advance for each template T so that such background colors cannot be used. Therefore, in the background allocation means 24 shown in this embodiment, each template T is associated with a background model M2 that can be selected for each template T, and information about them (information about the background model M2 and information about the association with the template T) is stored in a specified storage area (background model storage means 28) of the creation support server 2, and the background allocation means 24 is able to refer to this information.

The image allocation means 25, like the background allocation means 24, is one of the functional components realized by a program of the server computer, and constitutes a means for allocating an image, which is one of the design materials, to the template T selected by the template selection means 22. The image to be allocated to the template T is an image input to the creation support server 2. In this embodiment, an image input to the creation support server 2 via the user terminal 3 is used as this image.

When allocating an image, the image allocation means 25 sets an image area P for arranging the image on the template T, and allocates the image to the template T by arranging the image within this image area P.

Like the image allocation means 25, the design data creation means 26 is one of the functional components realized by a program of the server computer, and constitutes a means for converting the product design after the allocation of design materials has been completed into electronic data. In other words, the design data creation means 26 generates the product design consisting of the text, background, and image allocated to the template T by the text allocation means 23, background allocation means 24, and image allocation means 25 as electronic data that can be saved and transmitted. The electronic data of the product design generated by the design data creation means 26 is transmitted from a network adapter (not shown) provided in the server computer to the product design storage server 4 via the network 5.

The user terminal 3 is a client computer that creates product designs with the support of the creation support server 2, and is composed of, for example, a personal computer that can be connected to the network 5. This user terminal 3 is equipped with at least a display unit 31 and an input unit 32 such as a keyboard, mouse, and pointing device. The user terminal 3 is also equipped with a web browser through which the user can access web pages provided by the creation support server 2. The user terminal 3 is then able to give instructions on the web pages of the creation support server 2, from selecting a template T, allocating text, background, and images to the template T, to saving the created product design (details will be described later).

The product design storage server 4 is a server computer that acquires and stores electronic data of product designs created by the creation support server 2. The product design storage server 4 is equipped with a program that processes the stored product design data so that it can be used as data for product production, for example, and is configured to provide the data processed by this program to a printing device (not shown) that prints the product design.

The network 5 is a computer network that connects the creation support server 2, the user terminal 3, and the product design storage server 4, and in this embodiment, the Internet is used.

Next, the steps for creating a product design using the product design creation support system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

(1) Product Selection Prior to creating a product design, the user launches the web browser of the user terminal 3, connects to a web page provided by the creation support server 2, and selects the product to be purchased (the product for which a design is to be created) on this web page (see step S1 in FIG. 3). In this manner, in the product design creation support system 1 shown in this embodiment, communication between the user terminal 3 and the creation support server 2 is carried out via the web browser. The user gives instructions to the creation support server 2 via the web browser. In the following explanation, it is assumed that a "smartphone cover" for one model has been selected in the product selection.

(2) Selection of Template T After the product selection is completed, a template T is next selected (see step S2 in FIG. 3).
In this embodiment, since a plurality of templates T with different character images G for one product are stored in the template storage means 21, the template selection means 22 displays a message requesting the selection of one template on the display unit 31 of the user terminal 3 via a web page. The user selects the template T including the character image G that he or she wishes to purchase, following the instructions on the screen displayed on the display unit 31.

(3) Allocating Text When a template T is selected, a design creation screen 100 for allocating design materials to the selected template T is displayed on the display unit 31 of the user terminal 3. Fig. 4 shows an example of the design creation screen 100. In the illustrated design creation screen 100, item selection buttons 110 for selecting implementation items are provided on the left edge. In the illustrated example, six selectable item buttons, "Text", "Layout", "Style", "Font Color", "Base Color", and "Image", are displayed as the item selection buttons 110.

When allocating text, first select "Text" as the action item (the selected item selection button 110 is displayed inverted). This causes a text box 111 that displays the text being entered to be displayed on the design creation screen 100 (in the illustrated example, the character string "TEST" is displayed as the characters being entered). While checking the display of this text box 111, the user inputs the text they wish to allocate into the user terminal 3, and decides on the text to be allocated to the template T.

Once the text input is complete, the action item "Layout" is selected (see FIG. 5).
When "Layout" is selected, text arrangement models M1 selectable in the currently selected template T are displayed on the design creation screen 100. In the illustrated example, the selectable text arrangement models M1 are displayed, in order from the top, as icons of "Bottom horizontal writing", "Center horizontal writing", "Top horizontal writing", "Top right horizontal writing", "Bottom right horizontal writing", "Bottom left horizontal writing", "Top left horizontal writing", "Top right horizontal writing vertical", and "Bottom right horizontal writing vertical", and icons of other selectable text arrangement models M1 not shown are displayed by scrolling the screen. In each icon of the illustrated text arrangement model M1, the symbol "TT" is displayed in a portion corresponding to the position where the text is arranged.

The user allocates text to the template T by selecting a desired model from among these multiple text layout models M1 (see step S3 in FIG. 3). In the illustrated example, "top right, horizontal writing, vertical placement" is selected, so the text allocation means 23 allocates text to the template T in accordance with this selection. In this embodiment, this allocation process is configured to be immediately reflected on the design creation screen 100 being displayed through the web browser, and the user can preview the template T with the text allocated to it on the design creation screen 100 (FIG. 5 shows a preview screen in which the character string "TEST" is allocated vertically and horizontally in the top right corner of the template T).

In this way, the user can easily place text in a desired position, etc., by selecting the text placement model M1 displayed on the design creation screen 100. Moreover, since the text placement model M1 displayed on the design creation screen 100 is limited to the selectable text placement model M1 set in advance for each template T, a situation does not occur in which text is placed in a position that mars the image of the character in the selected template T.

In addition, in the illustrated design creation screen 100, in addition to the above-mentioned "Text" and "Layout" item selection buttons 110, item selection buttons 110 for "Style" and "Font Color" are provided for allocating text. The "Style" button is used to change the font of the allocated text, and the "Font Color" button is used to change the color of the allocated font.

(4) Background Allocation Once the text allocation is complete, the background allocation is carried out next.
The background is assigned by selecting "base color" from the item selection button 110. In this embodiment, only the background color can be selected as the background. When "base color" is selected, background models M2 selectable in the currently selected template T are displayed on the design creation screen 100 (see FIG. 6). In the example of FIG. 6, icons of 18 colors are displayed as selectable background models M2. The user selects a desired background model M2 from among these background models M2, and the background assignment means 24 assigns the selected background to the template T (see step S4 in FIG. 3). The assigned background is immediately reflected in the template T, and the user can preview the state in which the background is assigned by visually checking the design creation screen 100.

In this way, the user can set a desired background by selecting the background model M2 displayed on the design creation screen 100. Moreover, the background models M2 displayed on the design creation screen 100 are limited to the selectable background models M2 set in advance for each template T, just like the text placement model M1, so that a background that mars the image of the character will not be set in the selected template T.

(5) Image Allocation Once the background allocation is complete, the next step is to allocate images.
Image allocation is performed by selecting "Image" from the item selection buttons 110. When "Image" is selected, an image input display 112 for uploading an image file is displayed on the design creation screen 100 (see FIG. 7). In this embodiment, a drop box 112a for inputting an image file by dragging and dropping, and a file selection button 112b for selecting a file in which an image file is stored are provided. The user uploads the image file to the creation support server 2 using the image input display 112.

The uploaded image file is assigned to the image area P of the design creation screen 100 (see step S5 in FIG. 3). It is possible to set a predetermined area as the image area P on the template T, but it is also possible to configure the image area P so that it can be deleted or the area of the image area P can be increased or decreased in response to user operation. In addition, the position of the assigned image may be fixed, but it is also possible to configure the image position so that it can be adjusted in response to user operation.

In this embodiment, the image that the user assigns is immediately reflected in the template T. Therefore, the user can preview the image assignment state by visually checking the design creation screen 100, just like text assignment.

(6) Finalizing the Product Design When the text layout, background layout, and image layout are completed in this manner, the user selects the "Design Complete" button 113 on the design creation screen 100 to finalize the product design (see step S6 in FIG. 3). The finalization of the product design is accepted by the creation support server 2. In the creation support server 2, the product design after layout by the text layout means 23, background layout means 24, and image layout means 25 is converted into electronic data and stored in a specified storage area (not shown).

(7) Purchasing Procedure Once the product design has been finalized, the product purchasing procedure is carried out (see step S7 in FIG. 3).
The purchase procedure is not directly related to the present invention and therefore will not be described here, but once the purchase of a product is confirmed in the purchase procedure, the creation support server 2 transmits electronic data of the product design of the product whose purchase has been confirmed to the product design storage server 4. The product design storage server 4 acquires and stores the electronic data of the product design transmitted from the creation support server 2. Then, based on the stored data, for example, it provides printing data for a printing device that prints the product design, and causes the product design to be printed on the product, thereby producing a product bearing the created product design.

In this way, according to the product design creation support system 1 of the present invention, when creating a product design by allocating text to a template T including a character image G, a selectable text placement model M1 is set for each template T, and when a template T is selected, one text placement model M1 is selected from the text placement models M1 selectable for the selected template T, and text is allocated to the template T according to this selected text placement model M1. For example, by selecting as a selectable model for each template T only the text placement model M1 that places text in accordance with the respective character image G in a manner that does not damage the image of the character, text can be placed on the template T without damaging the image of the character.

In addition, for example, by selecting a text placement model for each template that places text in a position that does not interfere with the character image, it is possible to avoid situations where the character image and text overlap, preventing damage to the character's image.

The above-mentioned embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these, and various design changes are possible within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the text allocation means 23 is configured to allocate the text of a character string input from the user terminal 3 to the template T, but it may also be configured to allocate a character string that is stored in advance in the creation support server 2.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the creation support server 2 is provided with a text allocation means 23, a background allocation means 24, and an image allocation means 25, and is configured to perform text allocation, background allocation, and image allocation when creating a product design. However, the product design creation support system 1 according to the present invention only needs to be configured so that the creation support server 2 is provided with at least the text allocation means 23, and both or either of the background allocation means 24 and the image allocation means 25 can be omitted as appropriate.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the product design is created in the order of text allocation, background allocation, and image allocation, but the order in which these steps are performed can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the creation support server 2 and the product design storage server 4 are configured as separate entities, but they may also be configured as a single server computer.

1 Product design creation support system 2 Product design creation support server (product design creation support device)
3 User terminal 4 Product design storage server (product design storage device)
5 Network 21 Template storage means 22 Template selection means 23 Text allocation means 24 Background allocation means 25 Image allocation means 26 Design data creation means 31 Display unit 32 Input unit 100 Design creation screen 110 Item selection button G Character image M1 Text layout model M2 Background model P Image area T Template

Claims (7)

An apparatus for supporting the creation of product designs by allocating design materials such as text to a template including a character image,
A template storage means for storing a plurality of templates including character images;
a template selection means for selecting one template from the templates stored in the template storage means;
a text allocating means for allocating a predetermined text to the template selected by the template selecting means;
a design data creation means for converting the product design after the layout of the design materials has been completed into electronic data;
The text allocation means has a plurality of text arrangement models which model the arrangement of text, and a selectable text arrangement model is set for each template, and when a template is selected by the template selection means, one text arrangement model is selected from the text arrangement models selectable for the selected template, and the specified text is allocated to the template in accordance with the selected text arrangement model. a background allocation means for allocating a predetermined background to the template selected by the template selection means,
The product design creation support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the background allocation means has a plurality of background models which model backgrounds, and the background models which can be selected are set for each of the templates, and when a template is selected by the template selection means, one background model is selected from the background models which can be selected for the selected template, and the background of the selected background model is allocated to the template. an image allocation means for allocating a predetermined image to the template selected by the template selection means;
2. The product design creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the image allocation means sets an image area in which an image is to be placed on the template selected by the template selection means, and allocates the image to the template by placing the image within this image area. 2. The product design creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the template is set for each product to be designed in accordance with the shape of the product. The product design creation support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selectable text placement model set for each template is selected from text placement models in which the position at which text is placed does not interfere with the character image included in the template. A product design creation support system comprising: a product design creation support device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5; a user terminal that creates a product design with the support of said product design creation support device; a product design storage device that acquires and stores product designs that have been converted into electronic data by said product design creation support device; and a network that connects these devices to communicate with each other. A method for creating a product design by allocating design materials such as text to a template including a character image, comprising:
The computer
selecting one template from a plurality of templates including character images stored in a template storage means;
assigning predetermined text to the selected template;
and converting the product design after the layout of the design materials has been completed into electronic data.
The computer includes:
A method for creating a product design, comprising the steps of: having a plurality of text placement models which model the placement of text; setting a selectable text placement model for each template; and, when a template is selected in the template selection step, selecting one text placement model from the selectable text placement models for the selected template; and allocating the specified text to the template in accordance with the selected text placement model.

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