JP3740024B2 - Image management system, server, user computer, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image management system, a server, and a user computer using a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Nowadays, computer hardware is improving rapidly. In particular, graphics hardware has made remarkable progress as represented by 3D (3D) games, and even 3D computer graphics (hereinafter referred to as 3DCG) are sufficient even for personal computers installed in general homes. It became possible to enjoy.
[0003]
In addition, network technologies represented by the Internet are rapidly spreading, and many personal computers are interconnected via a LAN (Local Area Network) or an ISP (Internet Service Provider).
[0004]
VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) is a technology that fuses 3DCG and a network. VRML is a language specification for describing 3DCG handled on the Internet, and a user can read and display VRML files stored in a WWW (World Wide Web) server on the Internet using a VRML compatible browser.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since VRML downloads all 3DCG data via the Internet, it takes a lot of time each time display is started. An approach to present the outline of the shape to the user by dividing the shape into multiple parts and displaying the bounding box for each part during data transfer, but it is effective because the shape is oversimplified It is hard to say.
[0006]
A method of storing all 3DCG data in the end user environment such as a hard disk in advance and shortening the time required for display can be considered. However, when the 3DCG data producer changes or modifies the data, the end is immediately started. The update result cannot be reflected on the user, and the advantage of being connected to the network is not utilized.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an image management system that shortens the time required for image data transfer and allows the user to immediately grasp the object shape. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention is a server connected to a user computer via a network, the vertex coordinates of an object with respect to a specific object, and surface information representing a connection relationship of the vertex information; An image including shape information having a number of bits is expressed with fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information is normalized to be a value within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed with the number of bits. Expressing the principal information consisting of a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, data for normalization having information on the maximum value and minimum value of the vertex information, and fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information from 0 The difference data that is normalized so as to be a value within the range of the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the information on the maximum value and the minimum value of the vertex information And-normalized data, and a plurality of detail component comprising a server, characterized by divided into.
[0009]
The image is a computer graphic image, a product image, or the like, and includes shape information having vertex information of an object and surface information representing a connection relationship of the vertex information. The main component and the detailed component are expressed by a smaller number of bits than the original image.
[0010]
In the first invention, the server expresses an image including shape information having the vertex coordinates of the object with respect to the specific object and the surface information representing the connection relation of the vertex information with fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information Normalization with data that normalizes to 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the maximum and minimum information of vertex information The difference data that is expressed by the main component consisting of the data, the fewer bits than the image, and is normalized so that the vertex information is a value within the range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the number of bits It is divided into a plurality of detailed components composed of a maximum value that can be expressed and data for normalization having information on the maximum value and minimum value of vertex information.
[0011]
Moreover, 2nd invention is a user computer connected to the server by the network, Comprising: The said server has the vertex coordinate of the object with respect to a specific target object, and the surface information showing the connection relation of the said vertex information An image including shape information is represented with fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information is normalized to a value within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be represented by the number of bits, and the number of bits. Expressing the principal component consisting of a maximum value that can be expressed, normalization data having the maximum value and minimum value information of the vertex information, and fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information from 0 to the number of bits For normalization having difference data to be normalized to a value within the range of the maximum value that can be expressed by, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and information on the maximum value and minimum value of the vertex information De A principal component restoration means for restoring and storing the original image based on the normalization data from the principal component received from the server, and the server. From the detailed components received from the above, the original image is restored based on the normalization data, synthesized with an already stored image, and stored in detail component restoring means, in parallel with the detailed component restoring means A user computer comprising: display means for processing and rendering and displaying the stored image.
[0012]
In the second invention, the user computer is connected to a server via a network, and the server includes an image including shape information having vertex coordinates of the object and surface information representing a connection relation of the vertex information with respect to the specific object. , Data that is expressed in fewer bits than the image, and normalizing the vertex information to a value within the range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed in bits, the maximum value that can be expressed in bits, and the vertex information The main component consisting of normalization data having the maximum value and minimum value information, and the number of bits smaller than the image are represented, and the vertex information is a value within the range of 0 to the maximum value that can be represented by the number of bits. Divided into a plurality of detailed components consisting of difference data to be normalized to, a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the normalization data having information on the maximum value and minimum value of vertex information, Received from From the principal component, the original image is restored and stored based on the normalization data, and from the detailed component received from the server, the original image is restored based on the normalization data. A detailed component restoration unit that synthesizes and stores an already stored image is provided, and the stored image that is processed in parallel with the detailed component restoration unit is rendered and displayed.
[0013]
The third invention is an image management system in which a user computer and a server are connected via a network, and the server determines a connection relationship between the vertex coordinates of an object and the vertex information with respect to a specific object. An image including shape information having surface information to be expressed is expressed with fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information is normalized so as to be a value within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits. A principal component composed of data, a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and data for normalization having information on the maximum value and the minimum value of the vertex information; Difference data that normalizes the information so that the value is within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the maximum and minimum values of the vertex information information Division means for dividing the normalized data into a plurality of detailed components, and transmission means for transmitting the principal components to the user computer and transmitting the detailed components. The computer restores and stores the original image based on the normalization data from the principal component received from the server, and the normalization data from the detailed component received from the server. The original image is restored on the basis of the image, and the detailed component restoring means for combining and storing the image with the already stored image, and the stored image processed in parallel with the detailed component restoring means are rendered and displayed. And an image management system.
[0014]
The third invention is an invention relating to an image management system comprising the server of the first invention and the user computer of the second invention.
[0015]
A fourth invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the server of the first invention.
A fifth invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the server of the first invention is recorded.
[0016]
A sixth invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the user computer of the second invention.
A seventh invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the user computer of the second invention is recorded.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image management system 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, an image management system 1 includes an image generation device 2, an external input device 3, an external display device 4, a network 5, an image management server 6, a server-side external storage device 7, and the like. The image generation device 2 is connected to the image management server 6 via a network 5 such as the Internet, for example. 9 indicates a user.
[0023]
The image generation device 2 generates a CG image based on the viewpoint information input from the external input device 3 and the 3DCG data read from the server-side external storage device 7 and outputs the CG image to the external display device 4.
[0024]
The external input device 3 is a device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a tablet, and inputs viewpoint information such as a position where an object shape is observed.
[0025]
The external display device 4 is a device that displays the CG image generated by the image generation device 2, and is a CRT display or the like.
[0026]
The image management server 6 is connected to the image generation device 2 via the network 5 and defines the rough shape of the object from the object shape information that is composed of the vertex information of the object and the connection relation of the surface as 3DCG data. The component is divided into a component and a plurality of detail components that define details, and stored in the server-side external storage device 7.
[0027]
The server-side external storage device 7 is a storage device prepared on the server side. The server-side external storage device 7 connected to the image generation device 2 via the network 5 stores object information including object shape information, texture information, texture image information, and the like, and light source information including types, positions, attributes, and the like. In this embodiment, object shape information composed of object vertex information and surface connection relation is divided into principal components and detailed components and stored in the server-side external storage device 7. The server-side external storage device 7 is, for example, a hard disk or a CD-ROM, and requires more time to read data than a storage device prepared on the user side.
[0028]
Next, the image generation device 2 will be described. The image generation apparatus 2 includes a server-side CG data reading unit 11, a CG data synthesis unit 12, a CG data storage unit 13, a viewpoint information calculation unit 14, and a rendering processing unit 15. The image generation device 2 is composed of, for example, a single computer.
[0029]
The server-side CG data reading unit 11 reads the CG data of the object from the server-side external storage device 7 and sends the CG data to the CG data combining unit 12.
[0030]
The CG data synthesis unit 12 receives CG data read from the server-side external storage device 7, receives data already stored from the CG data storage unit 13, and synthesizes these two data to generate high-precision CG data. To do. The updated CG data is sent to the CG data storage unit 13.
[0031]
The CG data storage unit 13 stores the CG data received from the CG data synthesis unit 12.
[0032]
The viewpoint information calculation unit 14 calculates viewpoint information such as a camera viewpoint, an upward vector, and a gazing point from the parameters input by the external input device 3.
[0033]
The rendering processing unit 15 receives CG data from the CG data storage unit 13 and viewpoint information from the viewpoint information calculation unit 14, renders an object, generates a CG image, and outputs the CG image to the external display device 4.
[0034]
Next, the data structure of the 3DCG data of the object will be described. FIG. 2 shows the 3DCG data 21. The 3DCG data is composed of a plurality of 3DCG objects. In general, a 3DCG object includes shape data, texture data, texture data, and the like. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the 3DCG data 21 is composed of principal component CG data 22 that defines a rough shape of an object, and details. Are divided into a plurality of detailed component CG data 23-1, 23-2,..., And each component is expressed by a smaller number of bits than the original 3DCG data 21.
[0035]
Next, the data structure of the principal component CG data 22 will be described. FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the principal component CG data 22.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 3, the principal component CG data 22 includes a name 31, shape data 32, normalization data 33, texture data 34, and the like.
[0037]
The name 31 is used to identify each shape and assigns a unique character string to all shapes. For example, the name 31 is “tire front right”.
[0038]
The shape data 32 includes vertex information 40 including a vertex coordinate 51, a normal vector 52, a texture coordinate 53, and the like, and surface information 41 that defines a connection relationship between these vertex information 40. The vertex coordinates 51, the normal vector 52, and the texture coordinates 53 are data normalized by a 3DCG data division method described later, and are restored using the normalization data 33.
[0039]
The normalization data 33 includes a maximum value 42 that can be expressed with a smaller number of bits than the given original 3DCG data 21, a maximum value and a minimum value 43 of vertex coordinates, a maximum value and a minimum value 44 of normal vectors, and texture coordinates. And a minimum value 45.
[0040]
The texture data 34 includes an environment reflected light component 46, a diffuse reflected light component 47, a specular reflected light component 48, a radiated light component 49, and the like, and defines material characteristics of the object surface.
[0041]
Next, the data structure of the detailed component CG data 23 will be described. FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the detailed component CG data 23.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 4, the detailed component CG data 23 includes a name 61, shape data 62, normalization data 63, and the like.
[0043]
The name 61 is used for association with the principal component CG data 22 and assigns the same character string as the corresponding principal component CG data 22. For example, the name 61 is “tire front right” which is the same as the name 31 of the principal component CG data 22.
[0044]
The shape data 62 includes vertex information (difference) 70 including vertex coordinates 81, normal vectors 82, texture coordinates 83, and the like. The vertex coordinate 81, the normal vector 82, and the texture coordinate 83 are differential data normalized by the 3DCG data division method described later, and are restored using the normalization data 63.
[0045]
The normalization data 63 includes a maximum value 72 that can be expressed with a smaller number of bits than the given original 3DCG data 21, a maximum value and a minimum value 73 of vertex coordinates, a maximum value and a minimum value 74 of normal vectors, and texture coordinates. And a minimum value 75.
[0046]
Hereinafter, transfer, update processing, and image generation processing of 3DCG data in the image generation apparatus 2 in the image management system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing 3DCG data transfer, update processing, and image generation processing by the image generation apparatus 2. In the present embodiment, the CG data transfer / update process performed from step 201 to step 205 and the CG image generation process performed from step 206 to step 208 are executed in parallel.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 5, the server-side CG data reading unit 11 reads the main component CG data 22 defining the rough shape of the object from the server-side external storage device 7 (step 201). The read principal component CG data 22 is restored to the original three-dimensional coordinates by the CG data synthesis unit 12 and sent to the CG data storage unit 13.
[0048]
The CG data storage unit 13 stores the CG data received from the CG data synthesis unit 12 (step 202).
[0049]
If there is unprocessed detailed component CG data 23 (step 203), the server-side CG data reading unit 11 reads the detailed component CG data 23 from the server-side external storage device 7 (step 204).
[0050]
The CG data synthesizing unit 12 receives the newly read detailed component CG data from the server-side CG data reading unit 11, receives the already stored CG data from the CG data storage unit 13, and synthesizes these two data. High-precision CG data is generated (step 205). By repeating step 202 to step 205, the user can gradually observe the object shape from a rough shape to a detailed shape step by step.
[0051]
When the processing for all the detailed component CG data is completed (step 203), the CG data transfer processing is terminated.
[0052]
The viewpoint information calculation unit 14 calculates viewpoint information such as a camera viewpoint, a gazing point, and an upward vector from the parameters input from the external input device 3 (step 206).
[0053]
The rendering processing unit 15 receives the 3DCG data from the CG data storage unit 13 and the viewpoint information from the viewpoint information calculation unit 14, and performs an object rendering process in consideration of the illumination effect and the like to generate a CG image (step 207). In this processing, various methods such as the ray tracing method and the Z buffer method are used, but any method may be adopted according to the environment and purpose of use. The rendering process is performed by graphics hardware such as a video card.
[0054]
The rendered image is displayed on the external display device 4 (step 208). By repeating step 206 to step 208, the 3D shape can be observed interactively.
[0055]
Next, on the image management server 6 side, a processing procedure for dividing the 3D CG data 21 which is the original 3D shape data into the main component CG data 22 and a plurality of detailed component CG data 23-1, 23-2,. explain in detail. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure for dividing the 3DCG data 21 into the main component CG data 22 and a plurality of detailed component CG data 23-1, 23-2,. FIG. 9 shows the three-dimensional shape data 25. In the present embodiment, 3DCG data defined by arbitrary bits is divided into arbitrary bit principal component CG data and arbitrary bits and arbitrary detailed component CG data. The principal component CG data and the detailed component CG data are expressed by assigning a smaller number of bits than the original shape data.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 6, first, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits assigned to the principal component CG data 22 is calculated and stored in vMax (step 301). For example, if 16 bits are assigned to the principal component CG data 22 with respect to the 3D shape data 25 of FIG. 9 defined by 32 bits, the maximum value (2 ¹⁶ ) Is stored.
[0057]
Maximum and minimum values are calculated for each of the x, y, and z components of the original vertex coordinates, and variables xMax (maximum value of x component), xMin <minimum value of x component>, yMax (maximum of y component) Value), yMin <minimum value of y component>, zMax <maximum value of z component>, and zMin (minimum value of z component) (step 302). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the maximum x component value xMax (1.25) of the three-dimensional shape data 25, the minimum x component value xMin (0.3), and the maximum y component value yMax (0.75). , Y component minimum value yMin (0.1), z component maximum value zMax (1), z component minimum value zMin (0.2).
[0058]
The difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated for each of the x component, the y component, and the z component, and stored in variables xRange <difference of x component>, yRange (difference of y component), and zRange (difference of z component) ( Step 303).
xRange = xMax-xMin
yRange = yMax-yMin
zRange = zMax-zMin
For example, in the case of the three-dimensional shape data 25 of FIG. 9, the x component difference xRange = 1.25-0.3 = 0.95, the y component difference yRange = 0.75-0.1 = 0.65, z Component difference zRange = 1-0.2 = 0.8.
[0059]
Normalization is performed so that each vertex has a value within the range of 0 to vMax (step 304).
xNew [i] = vMax × (xOriginal [i] −xMin) / xRange
yNew [i] = vMax × (yOriginal [i] −yMin) / yRange
zNew [i] = vMax × (zOriginal [i] −zMin) / zRange
Here, xOriginal [i], yOrigina [i], and zOriginal [i] are the x component, y component, and z component of the i-th vertex of the original three-dimensional shape data, and xNew [i], yNew [i]. ], ZNew [i] are the x component, y component, and z component of the i-th vertex of the normalized three-dimensional shape data.
[0060]
For example, the coordinates (1.25, 0.75, 1) of the vertex A on the three-dimensional shape data 25 in FIG. 9 are changed from 0 to vMax (2 ¹⁶ ) Is normalized in the range of (xNew = 2) ¹⁶ * (1.25-0.3) /0.95=2 ¹⁶ * 1, yNew = 2 ¹⁶ * 1, zNew = 2 ¹⁶ * 1)
[0061]
As the principal component CG data 22, xNew, yNew, ZNew are set to the vertex coordinates 51 of the shape data 32, vMax is set to the maximum value 42 that can be expressed in the normalization data 33, xMax is set to the maximum value and the minimum value 43 of the vertex coordinates, xMin, yMax, yMin, zMax, zMin, and the like are output to a file in the server-side external storage device 7 (step 305).
Note that the surface information 41 and the texture data 34 may be used without changing the original data.
[0062]
If there are remaining detailed components (step 306), the difference between the data before the file output and the data output to the file is calculated (step 307).
xOriginal [i] =
xOriginal [i] −xRange × (xNew [i] / vMax) + xMin
yOriginal [i] =
yOriginal [i] -yRange × (yNew [i] / vMax) + yMin
zOriginal [i] =
zOriginal [i] -zRange × (zNew [i] / vMax) + zMin
As a result, the difference between the data before file output and the data output to the file is stored in xOriginal, yOriginal, and zOriginal.
[0063]
As shown in FIG. 7, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits allocated to the detailed component data 23 is calculated and stored in vMax (step 308). For example, when 16 bits are assigned to the principal component CG data 22 and 16 bits are assigned to the detailed component CG data 23 with respect to the original 3DCG data 22 defined by 32 bits, the vMax can be expressed by 16 bits. Maximum value (2 ¹⁶ ) Is stored.
[0064]
The maximum value and the minimum value are calculated for each of the x component, the y component, and the z component, and the variables xMax (maximum value of the x component), xMin <minimum value of the x component>, yMax (maximum value of the y component), yMin < The minimum value of y component>, zMax <maximum value of z component>, and zMin (minimum value of z component) are stored (step 309).
[0065]
The difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated for each of the x component, the y component, and the z component, and stored in variables xRange <difference of x component>, yRange (difference of y component), and zRange (difference of z component) ( Step 310).
xRange = xMax-xMin
yRange = yMax-yMin
zRange = zMax-zMin
[0066]
Normalization is performed so that each vertex has a value within the range of 0 to vMax (step 311).
xNew [i] = vMax × (xOriginal [i] −xMin) / xRange
yNew [i] = vMax × (yOriginal [i] −yMin) / yRange
zNew [i] = vMax × (zOriginal [i] −zMin) / zRange
Here, xNew [i], yNew [i], and zNew [i] are an x component, a y component, and a z component representing the difference of the i-th vertex of the normalized three-dimensional shape data.
[0067]
As the detailed component CG data 23, xNew, yNew, zNew is set to the vertex coordinate 81 of the shape data 62, vMax is set to the maximum value 72 that can be expressed in the normalization data 63, xMax is set to the maximum value and the minimum value 73 of the vertex coordinate, xMin, yMax, yMin, zMax, zMin, and the like are output to a file in the server-side external storage device 7 (step 312).
Steps 306 to 312 are repeated to perform detailed component processing.
[0068]
If all the detailed components have been output (step 306), the process ends.
[0069]
Although only vertex coordinates have been described in the present embodiment, the same processing may be performed for normal vectors and texture coordinates.
[0070]
Next, a processing procedure for restoring the 3DCG data, which is the original three-dimensional shape data, from the main component CG data 22 and the detailed component CG data 23 in the image generating apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for restoring the original 3DCG data from the principal component CG data 22 and the detailed component CG data 23.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 8, the server-side CG data reading unit 11 reads the main component CG data 22 from the server-side external storage device 7 (step 401). The maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits assigned to the principal component data is vMax, and the maximum and minimum values of the vertex coordinates are variables xMax (maximum value of x component), xMin (minimum value of x component), yMax (y Component maximum value), yMin (minimum value of y component), zMax (maximum value of z component), zMin <minimum value of z component>, and array of normalized vertex coordinates xNew <x component>, yNew ( y component) and zNew <z component>.
[0072]
Also, the arrays xOriginal (x component), yOriginaI (y component) and zOriginal (z component) storing vertex coordinates are initialized with zero.
[0073]
The difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated for each of the x component, the y component, and the z component, and stored in variables xRange <difference of x component>, yRange (difference of y component), and zRange (difference of z component) ( Step 402).
xRange = xMax-xMin
yRange = yMax-yMin
zRange = zMax-zMin
[0074]
The normalized vertex coordinates 51 are restored to the original coordinates (step 403).
xOriginal [i] =
xOriginal [i] + xRange × <xNew [i] / vMax> + xMin
yOriginal [i] =
yOriginal [i] + yRange × <yNew [i] / vMax> + yMin
zOriginal [i] =
zOriginal [i] + zRange × <zNew [i] / vMax> + zMin
[0075]
If there are remaining detailed components (step 404), the server-side CG data reading unit 11 reads the detailed component CG data 23 from the server-side external storage device 7 (step 405). The maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits assigned to the detailed component CG data 23 is vMax, and the maximum and minimum values of vertex coordinates are variables xMax <maximum value of x component>, xMin <minimum value of x component>, yMax. (Maximum value of y component), yMin (minimum value of y component), zMax <maximum value of z component>, zMin (minimum value of z component), and array of normalized vertex coordinates xNew (x component), Store in yNew (y component) and zNew (z component).
[0076]
The difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated for each of the x component, the y component, and the z component, and stored in variables xRange (difference of x component), yRange (difference of y component), and zRange (difference of z component) ( Step 406).
xRange = xMax-xMin
yRange = yMax-yMin
zRange = zMax-zMin
Steps 403 to 406 are repeated to restore and synthesize the detailed component CG data.
[0077]
If all the detailed components have been processed (step 404), the process ends.
[0078]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, 3DCG data that is object information is divided into principal component CG data that defines a rough shape of an object and detailed component CG data that defines details, and the respective components are divided. Is expressed with a smaller number of bits than the original CG data. When the user 9 requests CG data transfer, first, only the main component CG data is transferred, and after the main component CG data transfer, the detailed component CG data is transferred. As a result, the principal component CG data has a smaller data capacity than the original CG data and can reduce the time required for transfer, and the user 9 can view the rough shape of the object before the detailed component CG data is transferred. .
[0079]
In this embodiment, the viewpoint position is input from the external input device 3. However, it is also possible to fix the viewpoint position and input the movement amount (parallel movement, rotation amount) of the object from the external input device 3. .
[0080]
In this embodiment, the main component CG data and the detailed component CG data are provided to all users 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to select and provide data accuracy according to the user, such as providing both the principal component CG data and the detailed component CG data to registered users and only the principal component CG data to unregistered users.
[0081]
In this embodiment, the main component CG data and the detailed component CG data are provided to all users 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. The data accuracy to be provided can be selected according to the performance of a terminal such as a personal computer used by the user 9. Even if high-accuracy CG data is provided to the user 9 who uses a low-performance CPU or graphics card, the terminal cannot fully utilize the accuracy, and a wasteful data transfer process may be executed. is there. It is also conceivable to investigate the terminal environment of the user 9 and provide detailed component CG data only to the user 9 having a certain terminal capability.
[0082]
Further, the program for performing the processing shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 may be distributed by being held on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image management system that shortens the time required to transfer image data and enables the user to immediately grasp the object shape.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing 3DCG data 21
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of principal component CG data 22
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of detailed component CG data 23
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing CG data transfer, update processing, and image generation processing by the image generation device 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for dividing the 3DCG data 21 into the main component CG data 22 and a plurality of detailed component CG data 23-1, 23-2,.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for dividing 3DCG data 21 into principal component CG data 22 and a plurality of detailed component CG data 23-1, 23-2,.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for restoring the original 3DCG data from the principal component CG data 22 and the detailed component CG data 23;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing three-dimensional shape data 25
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Image management system
2 ... Image generation device
3 ... External input device
4 .... External display device
5 ... Network (Internet)
6 ... Image management server
7: Server-side external storage device
9 ... User
11: Server side CG data reading part
12 ... CG data composition unit
13 ... CG data storage
14 ......... Viewpoint information calculator
15: Rendering processing unit
21 ... 3DCG data
22 ......... Main component CG data
23 ......... Detailed component CG data

Claims (11)

A server connected to a user computer via a network,
An image including shape information having the vertex coordinates of the object and the surface information representing the connection relationship of the vertex information with respect to the specific object,
Expressing with fewer bits than the image, normalizing the vertex information to be a value within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, A main component consisting of normalization data having information on the maximum value and the minimum value of the vertex information; and
Expressed with fewer bits than the image, normalizing the vertex information to a value within the range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits. The server is divided into a plurality of detailed components composed of the normalization data having the maximum value and the minimum value information of the vertex information.   The server according to claim 1, wherein the image is a computer graphic image or an image of a product.   The server according to claim 1, wherein the object includes a plurality of objects.   The server according to claim 1, wherein the vertex information includes vertex coordinates, normal vectors, and texture coordinates. A user computer connected to a server by a network,
The server expresses an image including shape information having the vertex coordinates of the object with respect to the specific object and the surface information indicating the connection relation of the vertex information with fewer bits than the image, and the vertex information is 0. Data that is normalized so that the value is within the range of the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the maximum value and the minimum value information of the vertex information. And a difference data for normalizing the vertex information to be a value within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits. , And dividing into a plurality of detailed components consisting of the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and the normalization data having information on the maximum value and the minimum value of the vertex information ,
Principal component restoration means for restoring and storing the original image based on the normalization data from the principal component received from the server;
Detailed component restoration means for restoring the original image based on the normalization data from the detailed component received from the server, synthesizing and storing the image, and storing the image.
Display means for rendering and displaying the stored image, which is processed in parallel with the detailed component restoration means;
A user computer comprising:   6. The user computer according to claim 5, wherein the vertex information includes vertex coordinates, normal vectors, and texture coordinates. An image management system in which a user computer and a server are connected via a network,
The server
An image including shape information having the vertex coordinates of the object and the surface information representing the connection relationship of the vertex information with respect to the specific object,
Expressing with fewer bits than the image, normalizing the vertex information to be a value within a range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, A main component consisting of normalization data having information on the maximum value and the minimum value of the vertex information; and
Expressed with fewer bits than the image, normalizing the vertex information to a value within the range of 0 to the maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits, and a maximum value that can be expressed by the number of bits. Dividing means for dividing into a plurality of detailed components composed of the normalization data having the maximum value and the minimum value information of the vertex information;
Transmitting means for transmitting the principal component to the user computer and transmitting the detailed component;
With
The user computer is
Principal component restoration means for restoring and storing the original image based on normalization data from the principal component received from the server;
Detailed component restoration means for restoring the original image based on the normalization data from the detailed component received from the server, and combining and storing the image with an already stored image;
Display means for rendering and displaying the stored image, which is processed in parallel with the detailed component restoration means;
An image management system comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as the server according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is recorded.   The program which functions a computer as a user computer of Claim 5 or Claim 6.   A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the user computer according to claim 5 or 6 is recorded.

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