JP3868639B2 - Electronic book device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic book apparatus capable of displaying information electronically recorded on a recording medium and information distributed by communication and viewing the contents, and more specifically, document data comprising a plurality of pages. The present invention relates to an electronic book apparatus that three-dimensionally displays in a virtual space.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, multimedia information such as newspapers, magazines, books, etc. including text, still images, moving images, music data, etc., read from electronic recording media such as floppy disks and CD-ROMs and obtained through communication are displayed on the display. Thus, an electronic book apparatus that can be viewed is proposed.
[0003]
In a conventional electronic book apparatus of this type, a document that is displayed on the screen at a time is used for page turning by, for example, scrolling the display screen by displaying the book viewed from the front and displaying it two-dimensionally. There is a problem that the data is as small as one page or two pages, and a plurality of discontinuous pages cannot be viewed simultaneously.
[0004]
Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-189491 proposes an image in which an image of a book opened is displayed three-dimensionally and page data corresponding to a desired position coordinate and a plurality of other page data are displayed on the screen. ing.
[0005]
According to this, since a plurality of page data are simultaneously displayed in a three-dimensional manner with a book opened, it is possible to perform operations such as turning pages together, and a human being handles a book visually. A fuzzy search can be performed with a sense close to that.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-189491 described above, since the normal book form is reproduced by a three-dimensional model, it is not possible to display a list of data contents on the front and back of a page simultaneously. There was a problem.
[0007]
In addition, it is possible to turn the page by specifying the coordinates of the page displayed on the screen, but the contents of each page can not be changed to a more easily visible display form, the viewpoint position can not be changed, and it is not easy to use was there.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and can display a list of data on the front and back of a page at the same time, or change the contents of each page into a display form that is easier to see, An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic book apparatus capable of changing the viewpoint position.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The electronic book device according to the first aspect of the present invention is an electronic book device that three-dimensionally displays document data consisting of a plurality of pages in a virtual space, and is formed from a plurality of surfaces formed by being bent into a bellows shape. A model generation unit that generates a three-dimensional model, a texture mapping processing unit that maps the document data of each page to each surface of the three-dimensional model generated by the model generation unit, and the model generation unit And a page expansion control means for adjusting the bending angle of the three-dimensional model to change the expansion state of each page.
[0010]
As a result, any number of pages of document data can be expanded and displayed in a bellows shape, so that it is possible to check the document data of a plurality of pages at a time regardless of the front and back of the page. Further, the bellows-like unfolded state of the three-dimensional model, that is, the bending angle of each surface can be arbitrarily adjusted, so that the contents of each page can be changed to a display form that is easier to see.
[0011]
The electronic book device according to the second aspect of the present invention is the electronic book device according to the first aspect, wherein the viewpoint position changing means for changing the viewpoint position of the three-dimensional model generated by the model generating means. Is provided.
[0012]
Thereby, since the viewpoint position with respect to the three-dimensional model developed in a bellows shape can be arbitrarily changed, it is possible to check the contents of each page by moving to a viewpoint position that is easier to see.
[0013]
The electronic book device according to the invention of claim 3 is the electronic book device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bending angle of the three-dimensional model adjusted by the page expansion control means is a predetermined value. If smaller than that, model accuracy switching means for switching a plurality of surfaces forming the bent portion to a single simple model is provided.
[0014]
As a result, when the bending angle of the three-dimensional model developed in a bellows shape is smaller than a predetermined value, the plurality of page models forming the bent portion are switched to a single simple model, thereby reducing the number of drawn polygons. It is possible to reduce the load of the three-dimensional display process.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electronic book device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the main part of the electronic book device of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1 stores document data (various data such as text data and image data) consisting of a plurality of pages. An external storage device such as a CD-ROM, 2 is an operation unit for the user to perform various operations such as page operations, 3 is an external storage device for displaying document data to be displayed on the three-dimensional model in accordance with the user operation of the operation unit 1 is a data reading unit that reads data from 1 and temporarily stores it in the texture memory 4.
[0017]
5 is a page expansion control unit that controls a page expansion state such as a folding angle in a bellows-like three-dimensional model according to a user operation of the operation unit 2, and 6 is a data group composed of a plurality of pages according to a user operation of the operation unit 2 A representative tab control unit for controlling the opening of a page to which a selected representative tab is added, and a representative tab control unit for storing the vertex data of polygons constituting each surface of the three-dimensional model data Shape data memory.
[0018]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a polygonal 3D graphics engine (3D image processing circuit) having a texture mapping function. Based on the control information from the page development control unit 5, a desired data is read from the model data read from the shape data memory 7. A model generation unit 9 that generates an accordion-shaped three-dimensional model, and a viewpoint coordinate conversion unit 10 that converts a viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space of the three-dimensional model according to a user operation of the operation unit 2 are provided.
[0019]
The 3D graphics engine 8 also includes a texture mapping processing unit 11 that maps the document data stored in the texture memory 4 on the 3D model whose viewpoint position is converted, and the texture mapped 3D model. An image processing unit 12 that performs rendering processing such as pixel processing and hidden surface removal processing.
[0020]
The model generation unit 9 forms the bent portion when the folding angle of the accordion-shaped three-dimensional model controlled by the page development control unit 5 (an angle between a peak and a valley) is smaller than a predetermined value. A model accuracy switching unit 9a that switches a plurality of models to a single simple model is provided. In addition, the model generation unit 9 generates and adds a model of a representative tab at a predetermined position based on the control information from the representative tab control unit 6 or three-dimensionally expands a page to which the representative tab is added. Control the deployment state of the model.
[0021]
Further, 13 is a display control unit that performs predetermined video signal processing in order to display the image rendered by the image processing unit 12 on the display device 14 such as an LCD.
[0022]
Next, the three-dimensional model generated by the model generation unit 9 will be specifically described below. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the structure of the three-dimensional model in the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of page models 16 connected in a horizontal row, and each page model 16 has a mountain and a valley. It is formed in a bellows shape that is bent alternately.
[0023]
Here, the angle A and the angle B formed by each page model 16 when folded alternately into a mountain and a valley can be arbitrarily adjusted by the operation of the operation unit 2, as shown in FIG. In a state where the angle A and the angle B are small, the page model 16 is dense and it is possible to visually recognize a large amount of page data at a time. As shown in FIG. 2B, the angle A and the angle B are large. In the state, the page model 16 is flattened so that each page data can be viewed in more detail and accurately.
[0024]
When the page model 16 is expanded, an actual book is basically opened and displayed at an angle that causes the pages to be gathered one page at a time. However, as shown in FIG. By displaying a page model (a page model whose bending angle is smaller than a predetermined value) by replacing it with one simple model 17 by the model accuracy switching unit 9a, it is possible to reduce the number of polygons and reduce the drawing load.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the left and right closed page models 18 and 19 are changed so as to correspond to the thickness of the page so that the position of the currently opened page can be understood sensuously. Anyway. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), a plurality of distant pages are opened at the same time, or as shown in FIG. 3 (d), a large open page and a small open page are mixed. Also good.
[0026]
As described above, the page development control unit 5 can change the bellows-like three-dimensional model generated by the model generation unit 9 into a desired development state in response to a user operation on the operation unit 2. It is possible to perform optimal page development according to the situation.
[0027]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the representative tab control unit 6 collects a plurality of pages for each category for the bellows-like three-dimensional model generated by the model generation unit 9 in response to a user operation on the operation unit 2. The representative tab 20 marked can be added. In addition, the representative tab control unit 6 controls the model generation unit 9 so as to expand a plurality of page models 16 to which the representative tab 20 selected by the operation unit 2 is added.
[0028]
Here, the representative tab 20 of the animal category is selected, and a plurality of pages relating to animals are opened and displayed. Each representative tab shows the number of pages 21, the figure 22 and the graph 23 indicating the amount of page data included in the category, and how much data amount exists in each category without opening the page. It is possible to confirm whether or not.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the viewpoint coordinate conversion unit 10 arbitrarily changes the viewpoint position with respect to the bellows-shaped three-dimensional model generated by the model generation unit 9 in accordance with a user operation on the operation unit 2. It is possible. FIG. 5A shows a state when the page model 16 is viewed from the front viewpoint position 24.
[0030]
Here, when the viewpoint position 24 is moved to the left viewpoint position 25, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is possible to make a display that makes it easy to see only odd pages, and the viewpoint position 24 is the right viewpoint position. When moved to 26, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), only the even pages can be displayed easily.
[0031]
In this way, the user can freely change the viewpoint position as needed by operating the operation unit 2, for example, displaying an image on an even page, displaying an explanatory note on an odd page, etc. Usability can be improved.
[0032]
Next, the page operation method in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the page operation panel 32 on the screen includes a fast-return key 33 for continuously turning pages in a return direction, a return key 34 for turning pages one by one in a return direction, a close key 35 for closing a book, a page Are displayed. A fast-forward key 36 for sequentially turning pages in the feed direction and a feed key 37 for turning pages one by one in the feed direction are displayed, and page turning is performed by designating each operation key 33 to 37 with the cursor 38.
[0033]
Further, page turning may be performed by directly holding and moving an arbitrary page model 16 with the cursor 38. Similarly, by directly holding and moving an arbitrary page model 16 with the cursor 38, the development state of the page model 16 can be changed, or a representative tab can be selected.
[0034]
Note that the electronic book device of the present embodiment can be applied to various applications. For example, when displaying a TV program table distributed by communication, as shown in FIG. A TV station name 27, a program broadcast time 28, a program image 29, and a program title 30 are displayed. As a result, it is possible to check a program by an image or a title by opening only the program column page of the TV station to be viewed or changing the viewpoint position.
[0035]
When applied to applications such as electronic catalogs, picture books, and electronic albums, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the page development angle of the page model 16 is small, a two-dimensional shape is formed on the surface of the page model 16. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the page development angle of the page model 16 is large, the page development angle is displayed as a three-dimensional shape 31b protruding from the surface of the page model 16. Accordingly, it is possible to add a production effect such that the display contents pop out.
[0036]
Furthermore, the outline process of the operation / process in the electronic book apparatus of this embodiment mentioned above is demonstrated below with the flowchart of FIG. In the initial state, when there is an operation for changing the setting value of the page expansion state from the operation unit 2 (step 1), the page expansion control unit 5 controls the expansion state of the page model 16 generated by the model generation unit 9. (Step 2).
[0037]
Further, when an operation for specifying a page using a representative tab is performed from the operation unit 2 (step 3), a page model generated by the model generation unit 9 so as to open a plurality of pages corresponding to the designated representative tab. 16 is controlled (step 4). Further, when there is a page turning operation from the operation unit 2 (step 5), the development state of the page model 16 generated by the model generation unit 9 is controlled so as to turn the specified page in a predetermined direction (step 6). .
[0038]
Further, when an operation for changing the viewpoint position is performed from the operation unit 2 (step 7), the viewpoint coordinate conversion unit 10 moves the viewpoint position with respect to the page model 16 generated by the model generation unit 9 to the instructed position. (Step 8). Next, when a closing operation is performed from the operation unit 2 (step 9), the page expansion control unit 5 controls the expansion state of the page model 16 generated by the model generation unit 9 so as to close the book. (Step 10). The steps 1 to 9 are repeated until the closing operation is performed.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
Since the electronic book device according to the first aspect of the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to expand and display arbitrary plural pages of document data in a bellows shape, and therefore, the electronic book device is concerned with the front and back of the page. It is possible to confirm document data of a plurality of pages at a time. Further, the bellows-like unfolded state of the three-dimensional model, that is, the bending angle of each surface can be arbitrarily adjusted, so that the contents of each page can be changed to a display form that is easier to see.
[0040]
In the electronic book device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the viewpoint position with respect to the three-dimensional model developed in a bellows shape can be arbitrarily changed. It becomes possible to confirm.
[0041]
In the electronic book device according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the bending angle of the three-dimensional model developed in a bellows shape is smaller than a predetermined value, a plurality of page models forming the bent portion are converted to a simple model. Therefore, the number of drawing polygons can be reduced, and the load of the three-dimensional display process can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part in an embodiment of an electronic book device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a three-dimensional model in an embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a developed state of a three-dimensional model in an embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a representative tab in an embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing viewpoint positions in an embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a page operation panel in one embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention is applied to an application for displaying a TV program guide.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an embodiment of the electronic book device of the present invention is applied to an application such as an electronic catalog, a picture book, and an electronic album.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing schematic steps of operation / processing in the electronic book device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 External storage device 2 Operation part 3 Data reading part 4 Texture memory 5 Page expansion control part 6 Representative tab control part 7 Shape data memory 8 3D graphics engine 9 Model generation part 9a Model precision switching part 10 Viewpoint coordinate conversion part 11 Texture mapping Processing unit 12 Image processing unit 13 Display control unit 14 Display device

Claims (1)

An electronic book apparatus that three-dimensionally displays document data consisting of a plurality of pages in a virtual space, from page models corresponding to each of a plurality of surfaces formed by connecting in a horizontal row and being folded in a bellows shape Generated by the model generation means, the texture generation processing means for mapping the document data of each page to each surface of the three-dimensional model generated by the model generation means, and the model generation means Page expansion control means for changing the expansion state of each page by adjusting the bending angles A and B formed by each of the page models when the three-dimensional model is alternately folded into peaks and valleys ,
The electronic book apparatus, wherein the page expansion control means can control the bending angles A and B in a bellows-like three-dimensional model according to an operation of an operation unit.

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