JP6209470B2 - Digital lane display system and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital lane display system and method capable of freely displaying images of lanes such as train tracks and vehicle roads on a panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for displaying an image of a lane so as to connect the same types of markers when the same type of markers (blocks) are placed on the panel. It is about the method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a toy is known in which a plastic rail is laid on a desk or a floor so that a train model runs on the rail (for example, Patent Document 1). A typical product is Plarail (registered trademark). Such toys are popular among children.

JP 2004-261495 A

  However, conventional train model toys require a physical rail on the desk or floor. For this reason, the travel route of the train model is limited by the shape of the rail itself, and it is necessary to assemble the rail in three dimensions to cross the train model travel route, so the degree of freedom was not so high. . Also, after the rails are assembled and the travel route of the train model is completed, in order to change the travel route, it may be necessary to disassemble the rails and then reassemble them, which is inferior in customization. .

  For this reason, for example, it is considered that all trains and rails are projected as images on a display or screen to replace conventional physical train model toys. However, if trains and rails are displayed as images, it is necessary to operate a computer in order to adjust the travel route of the train. This kind of computer operation is difficult for children, and if all trains and rails are made into images, it will be unpreferable. In addition, the work of handling physical objects by hand and designing the route of the train model like a conventional train model toy is also very effective for intelligence education to improve children's thinking ability. On the other hand, if all trains and rails are displayed as images, the effect of improving the child's ability to think will be reduced.

  Therefore, at present, there is a demand for a toy that can handle a physical article by hand and design a lane such as a train track, and that has a high degree of freedom and customization.

  Therefore, as a result of intensive studies on the means for solving the conventional problems, the inventor of the present invention specifies the positions and types of physical markers placed on the panel and connects the same types of markers. A system that displays the video of the lane was devised. Such a system allows the child to design the lane by handling the sign object by hand. Since the lane itself is an image, the position and shape of the lane have a high degree of freedom, and the lane can be freely customized by changing the position of the marker. The inventor has conceived that the problems of the prior art can be solved based on the above knowledge, and has completed the present invention. If it demonstrates concretely, this invention has the following structures and processes.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a digital lane display system.
The system of the present invention includes a panel 10, a display device 20, a sensor 30, and a control device 40.
The panel 10 is a plate-like member on which a plurality of types of physical markers B are placed.
The display device 20 outputs an image L that is displayed on the panel 10. The display device 20 may be a projector that projects the video L using the panel 10 as a screen, or may be a liquid crystal display or the like installed below the transparent panel 10.
The sensor 30 specifies the type and position of the marker B placed on the panel 10. The sensor 30 may read a marker or a label attached to the marker B, or may read a shape or color of the marker B itself. The sensor 30 may be, for example, an infrared sensor that irradiates the marker B with infrared rays or the like and receives reflected light thereof, or may be a CCD image sensor that can identify the shape and color of the marker B. .
The control device 40 is a CPU for receiving information from the sensor 30 and controlling the display device 20.
Here, the control device 40 includes a video storage unit 41, a type determination unit 42, a video reading unit 43, and a drawing unit 44.
The video storage unit 41 is a database that stores a plurality of types of video data to be output to the display device 20 in association with the type of the marker B.
The type determining unit 42 determines whether or not a plurality of the same type of marker B is placed on the panel 10 based on the type of the marker B identified by the sensor 30. When the type determination unit 42 determines that a plurality of markers B of the same type are placed on the panel 10, the video data corresponding to the types of the plurality of markers B is read from the video storage unit 41. .
The drawing unit 44 causes the display device 20 to output the video data read by the video reading unit 43 so as to connect a plurality of markers B of the same type placed on the panel 10.

In the system of the present invention, the control device 40 preferably further includes an intersection determination unit 45.
The intersection determination unit 45 determines whether or not a plurality of types of video L displayed on the panel 10 intersect when the drawing unit 44 outputs a plurality of types of video data to the display device 20.

In the system of the present invention, it is preferable that the video storage unit 41 further stores data of the intersection object C displayed at the intersection when a plurality of types of videos L displayed on the panel 10 intersect.
In this case, the video reading unit 43 further reads the data of the intersection object C when the intersection determination unit 45 determines that the video L intersects.
In addition, the drawing unit 44 preferably causes the display device 20 to output the data of the intersection object C so that a plurality of types of images L displayed on the panel 10 are located at the intersection.

The second aspect of the present invention relates to a digital lane display method using the system according to the first aspect.
The method of the present invention includes a type determining step, a video reading step, and a drawing step.
The type determination step is a step of determining whether or not a plurality of the same type of marker B is placed on the panel 10 based on the type of the physical marker B identified by the sensor 30.
In the video reading process, when it is determined that a plurality of markers B of the same type are placed on the panel 10, video data corresponding to the types of the markers B is read from the video storage unit 41. It is a process.
The drawing step is a step of outputting the video data read from the video storage unit 41 to the display device 20 so as to connect a plurality of the same type of markers B placed on the panel 10.

  According to the present invention, a physical article can be handled by hand to design a lane such as a train track, and a toy having a high degree of freedom and customization can be provided. . In other words, in the present invention, by placing a physical marker on a panel, an image of a lane connecting the markers is displayed on the panel. Here, an image of a car or a train may run along the lane displayed on the panel, or a train model may run along the lane displayed on the panel. . Also, by changing the position of the marker on the panel, the trajectory and distance of the lane image are also changed. Therefore, according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in designing the lane is increased, and the customizability is improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the external structure of the system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the system of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure of data stored in the video storage unit. FIG. 4 shows an example of an image displayed on the panel. FIG. 5 is a photograph showing an example of an image displayed on the panel using the system of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but includes those appropriately modified by those skilled in the art from the following embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the external structure of a digital lane display system 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital lane display system 100 according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the digital lane display system 100 of the present invention includes a plate-like panel 10, a display device 20, a sensor 30, and a control device 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of marker bodies (blocks) B are placed on the panel 10. There are a plurality of types of the labeling bodies B. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the label B has a first type “B ₁ ” and a second type “B ₂ ”. In addition, there are a plurality of the same types of labels B. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, there are two labeled bodies B of the first type “B ₁ ” and two labeled bodies B of the second type “B ₂ ”. In this way, a plurality of types of labeling bodies B are prepared.

  The shape of the marker B is not particularly limited. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the marker B is a hexahedron. In addition, the marker B can have various three-dimensional shapes. The marker B may have a planar shape such as a seal or a sheet. The shape of the marker B is preferably such that the bottom surface is formed in a flat shape so as to be stable when placed on the panel.

  Moreover, the method for distinguishing the type of the label B is not particularly limited. For example, the marker B may be distinguished by attaching a marker or label. That is, the same type of marker B is attached to the same type of label B, and a different type of marker or label is attached to the other type of label B. In addition, the labeling body B can be distinguished by its shape, color, size, and material. In addition, it is also possible to incorporate an electronic device (IC chip or the like) on the surface of the marker B or inside thereof, and to distinguish the type of the marker B by a signal output from the electronic device.

  The display device 20 is a device that outputs an image L projected on the panel 10. For example, the display device 20 may be a projector that projects the video L onto the panel 10 using the panel 10 as a screen. When the display device 20 is a projector, the display device 20 may be installed above the panel 10 and the image L may be projected onto the surface of the panel 10. When the display device 20 is a projector, the display device 20 may be installed below the panel 10 and the panel 10 may project the video L from the back side. The display device 20 may be a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a touch panel display. In this case, the panel 10 is made of a transparent member, and the display device 20 as a display may be installed on the back side of the panel 10.

  The sensor 30 is a device for specifying the type and position of the marker B placed on the panel 10. For example, a label on which a pattern is drawn with an infrared reflecting material is attached to the marker B. Labels of the same pattern are attached to the same type of label B, and labels of different patterns are attached to the different types of label B. In this case, the sensor 30 may be composed of an infrared irradiator 31 and an infrared detector 32 as shown in FIGS. That is, the infrared irradiator 31 irradiates infrared rays toward the marker B placed on the panel. The infrared detector 32 detects infrared rays reflected by the infrared reflecting material applied to the label of the marker B. Thereby, the infrared detector 32 can grasp the pattern drawn on the label on the sign B and the position of the sign B on the panel by the reflected infrared light. As a result, it is possible to specify the type and position of the marker B mounted on the panel using the infrared detector 32. In addition, the sensor 30 can also specify the type and position of the sign B according to the shape and color of the sign B. For example, different types of markers B may have different shapes and colors. In this case, a CCD image sensor can be employed as the sensor 30. By recognizing the shape or color of the marker B by the CCD image sensor, as a result, the position and type of the marker B can be specified.

  The control device 40 is a computer that receives information from the sensor 30 and controls the display device 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 40 is connected to the display device 20 and the sensor 30 by wire or wirelessly. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 40 receives the information detected by the sensor 30, performs various arithmetic processes, and controls the display device 20 to output a predetermined video L. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the control device 40 includes a video storage unit 41, a type determination unit 42, an intersection determination unit 45, a video reading unit 43, and a drawing unit 44.

  The video storage unit 41 is a database that stores a plurality of types of video L data (video data) to be output to the display device 20 in association with the type of the marker B. Further, it is preferable that the video storage unit 41 further stores data of the intersection object C displayed at the intersection when a plurality of types of images L displayed on the panel 10 intersect.

For example, an example of the data structure stored in the video storage unit 41 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the video storage unit 41 stores video (L _{1 to} L ₄ ) data in association with each type of the marker (B _{1 to} B ₄ ). . In the system of the present invention, an image is displayed so as to connect the same kind of markers. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when there are a plurality of label bodies B of the type “B ₁ ” (red block) on the panel 10, an image is displayed so as to connect these label bodies B. L ₁ (image of the train running on the track) is displayed. In addition, when there are a plurality of types “B ₂ ” (blue blocks) of the label B on the panel 10, an image L ₂ (image through which the hull passes through the waterway) is connected so as to connect these markers B. Is displayed. The same applies to the labels of the types “B ₃ ” and “B ₄ ”. First, such information is stored in the video storage unit 41.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the video storage unit 41, information on the combination of intersecting video data and the data of the intersection object C displayed at the intersection of the video data are stored in association with each other. Has been. For example, when an image L ₁ (image of a track) connecting a plurality of sign bodies B ₁ and an image L ₂ (image of a waterway) connecting a plurality of sign bodies B ₂ intersect, the intersection object C ₁ (Overpass video) is displayed. Further, when an image L ₁ (image of a track) connecting a plurality of sign bodies B ₁ and an image L ₃ (image of a road) connecting a plurality of sign bodies B ₃ intersect, an intersection object C ₃ is included at the intersection. (Image of level crossing) is displayed. Thus, by displaying the intersection object at the intersection of the video data, it becomes possible to display a plurality of videos simultaneously and naturally without confusion.

  Subsequently, the type determination unit 42 determines whether or not a plurality of label bodies B of the same type are placed on the panel 10 based on the type of the label body B specified by the sensor 30. When a plurality of the same type of labeling bodies B are placed on the panel, it is necessary to connect the same type of labeling bodies B by video.

  In addition, the intersection determination unit 45 determines whether or not a plurality of types of videos L projected on the panel 10 intersect when displaying a plurality of types of video data L on the panel 10. For example, the intersection determination unit 45 first calculates the trajectory (trajectory) of the video L that connects them based on the position of the same type of marker B placed on the panel. Thereafter, the intersection determination unit 45 may determine whether or not these images L intersect on the panel 10 based on the trajectory calculation results of the plurality of images L displayed on the panel 10. Moreover, it is preferable that the intersection determination unit 45 calculates the positions of the intersections of the plurality of videos L on the panel 10.

The video reading unit 43 reads the information stored in the video storage unit 41 as necessary. First, when the type determining unit 42 determines that a plurality of markers B of the same type are placed on the panel 10, the video reading unit 43 receives the plurality of markers B from the video storage unit 41. Read video data corresponding to the type. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when there are a plurality of types “B ₁ ” (red blocks) of the label B on the panel 10, the video reading unit 43 uses this type “B ₁ The video L ₁ corresponding to “(the image of the train running on the track) is read out. In addition, when the intersection determining unit 45 determines that the image L on the panel 10 intersects, the image reading unit 43 further reads data of the intersection object C displayed at the intersection. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the video reading unit 43 includes a video L ₁ (line video) connecting a plurality of sign bodies B ₁ and a video L ₂ (water channel) connecting a plurality of sign bodies B ₂ . When the video image intersects, the data of the intersection object C ₁ (video of the overpass) is read out.

  The drawing unit 44 causes the display device 20 to output the data of the video L read by the video reading unit 43 and the data of the intersection object C. Specifically, the drawing unit 44 connects the data of the video L to the display device 20 so as to connect the markers B based on the positions of the same types of markers B placed on the panel 10. Output. In addition, the drawing unit 44 causes the display device 20 to output the data of the intersection object C so as to be positioned at the intersection of the images L based on the trajectories of the plurality of images L displayed on the panel 10.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of an image projected on the panel 10 by the display device 20. For example, on the panel 10, the same type of label B ₁ is being three placed. Therefore, so as to connect these labels B _1, image L ₁ is projected on top panel 10. Similarly, on the panel, the labels B ₂ and label B _3, are mounted two each. Therefore, on the panel 10, together with the video L ₂ so as to connect the label B ₂ are projected, the image L ₃ are displayed so as to connect the label B _3. Although the label B ₄ is placed on the panel 10, there is only one label B ₄ . For this reason, the image corresponding to the marker B ₄ is not projected on the panel 10.

In the example of FIG. 4, the images L _{1 to} L ₃ are displayed in a straight line. However, the video L is not limited to a straight line as long as it connects the same type of marker B, and may be, for example, a curve, a wavy line, a zigzag line, or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, on the panel 10, the image L ₂ connecting the image L ₁ and label B ₂ that connects the label B ₁ is intersect. Therefore, the intersection of the image _{L 1} and the video _{L 2,} the intersection object _{C 1} is displayed. Similarly, on the panel 10, the video _{L 3} connecting the image _{L 2} and label _{B 3} that connects the label _{B 2} intersect. For this reason, the intersection object C ₂ is projected at the intersection of the video L ₂ and the video L ₃ . In the present invention, it is not necessary to display intersection objects at all the intersections in the video. For example, the intersection object only needs to be displayed at the intersection when a specific video image intersects.

  FIG. 5 is a photograph showing an embodiment of the system of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example of an image displayed on the panel using the system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), by identifying the type of the marker (block) and displaying various images (lanes) so as to connect the same type of marker, it is as if one panel is displayed. You can produce as if a town was formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, by adding a marker (block) or changing the position of the marker, the configuration of the video (lane) can be freely expanded or changed. can do. For this reason, it is possible to provide an effect that the structure of the city is expanded or changed by operating the sign (block). In addition, at intersections of a plurality of images (lanes), intersection objects (overpasses and railroad crossings) corresponding to the images (lanes) are displayed. Therefore, each video (lane) can be linked to each other to express a realistic cityscape. In particular, in the system of the present invention, it is not necessary to cross the rails on which the train runs or to reassemble the rails as in the case of conventional train model toys. It is high.

  As mentioned above, in this specification, in order to express the content of this invention, embodiment of this invention was described, referring drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes modifications and improvements obvious to those skilled in the art based on the matters described in the present specification.

  The present invention relates to a digital lane display system that can freely display lane images such as train tracks and vehicle roads. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used in the entertainment industry.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Panel 20 ... Display apparatus 30 ... Sensor 40 ... Control apparatus 41 ... Image | video memory | storage part 42 ... Type judgment part 43 ... Image | video reading part 44 ... Drawing part 45 ... Intersection judgment part 100 ... Digital lane display system B ... Marking body L ... Image C ... Intersection object

Claims (4)

A panel (10) on which a plurality of types of physical markers (B) are placed;
A display device (20) for outputting a video (L) projected on the panel (10);
A sensor (30) for identifying the type and position of the marker (B) placed on the panel (10);
A control device (40) for receiving information from the sensor (30) and controlling the display device (20), the control device (40) comprising:
A video storage unit (41) storing a plurality of types of video data to be output to the display device (20) in association with the type of the marker (B);
A type determination for determining whether or not a plurality of the same type of marker (B) is placed on the panel (10) based on the type of the marker (B) specified by the sensor (30). Part (42),
When the type determining unit (42) determines that a plurality of markers (B) of the same type are placed on the panel (10), the plurality of markers is received from the video storage unit (41). A video reading unit (43) for reading video data corresponding to the type of the body (B);
Drawing that causes the display device (20) to output the video data read by the video reading unit (43) so as to connect a plurality of markers (B) of the same type placed on the panel (10). And (44) a digital lane display system. When the drawing unit (44) causes the display unit (20) to output a plurality of types of video data, the control device (40) intersects the plurality of types of videos (L) displayed on the panel (10). The digital lane display system according to claim 1, further comprising an intersection determination unit (45) for determining whether or not to perform. The video storage unit (41) further stores data of an intersection object (C) displayed at the intersection when a plurality of types of videos (L) projected on the panel (10) intersect,
The video reading unit (43) further reads data of the intersection object (C) when the intersection determination unit (45) determines that the video (L) intersects,
The drawing unit (44) causes the display device (20) to output data of the intersection object (C) so that a plurality of types of images (L) projected on the panel (10) are positioned at the intersection. Item 3. The digital lane display system according to Item 2. Based on the type of physical marker (B) specified by the sensor (30), the type for determining whether or not a plurality of markers (B) of the same type are placed on the panel (10). A decision process;
When it is determined that a plurality of markers (B) of the same type are placed on the panel (10), the video storage unit (41) corresponds to the types of the markers (B). A video reading process for reading video data;
A drawing process of outputting the video data read from the video storage unit (41) to the display device (20) so as to connect the plurality of markers (B) of the same type placed on the panel (10). And a digital lane display method.

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