JPH07282115A - Operability evaluation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute an operability evaluation device provided with improved characteristics capable of evaluating operability by solving a problem that a trial piece is to be prepared so as to evaluate the operability of a product, preparing only a shape model and virtually performing an operation relating to the operability evaluation device used in product design. CONSTITUTION:An object 2 on a display means 8 for which buttons are arranged by using a function setting means 5 is moved with a position input means 2 for second object of the object 2 in the shape of the object 2. Button operations or the like are virtually performed to the object 2 with a position input means 1 of a first object fitted to the finger, states corresponding to the operations are displayed at the display means 8 and the state change of the respective objects is stored in a state change storage means 15. Thus, the operation performed once is utilized and the operability is efficiently evaluated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an evaluation device for virtually displaying the shape of a product on a screen in order to evaluate the design and function of the product at the stage of product design, trial manufacture, etc. The operability of the product can be evaluated by virtually displaying the situation when the product is operated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, when designing a product or the like, it has been widely practiced to display the shape of the product on a screen by using a CAD system using a computer, and to correct it while adding an evaluation. In particular, recently, by using three-dimensional graphics, the appearance of a product to be created can be displayed three-dimensionally, and through such display, the shape of the product can be sufficiently examined before the trial manufacture of the product. .

As shown in FIG. 15, this conventional CAD system includes an input means 151 such as a keyboard and a mouse,
A shape storage unit 152 in which graphic data representing the outer shape of a product is stored; a shape / position description unit 153 for converting the graphic data according to the input position of the input unit 151;
Display means 154 for displaying the outer shape of the product on the screen based on the converted coordinate data.

The shape / position description means 153 of this apparatus is
When the "direction" and the "position" are input from the input unit 151, the graphic data read from the shape storage unit 152 is subjected to conversion (translation or rotation) according to the input data. Then, the converted data is supplied to the display unit 154, and the display unit 154 displays the outer shape of the product based on the given graphic data.

For this reason, when the user moves the input means 151, the object on the display means 154 changes its position and orientation in accordance with the movement, and the user needs to input the input means 151.
It becomes possible to check the appearance of the object from any direction through the operation of 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the appearance of a product is checked using a conventional CAD system.

[0007]

However, in the conventional apparatus, only the appearance of the product can be confirmed at the designing stage, and the state in which the product is functioning and the state when operating the operation parts are displayed. I can't. Therefore, in order to evaluate the operability of the product, the product must be actually prototyped, but if there is a problem with the operability as a result of this prototype, not only the design but also the prototype must be redone. It will be a huge waste of money both in terms of time and money.

The present invention solves these conventional problems, and provides an operability evaluation apparatus capable of evaluating the usability and operability of a product without making a prototype of the product. Has an aim.

[0009]

In view of the above, according to the present invention, in a operability evaluation device for displaying a three-dimensional figure representing a virtual state of an object on a screen, a position of a first object in a three-dimensional space is input. One position input means, a first position / shape description means for creating three-dimensional figure data representing the first object corresponding to this position, and a second position inputting means for inputting the position of the second object in the three-dimensional space. Position input means, second position / shape description means for creating solid figure data represented by the second object corresponding to this position, and setting of the state when the solid figure represented by the second object is functioning Function setting means, detecting means for detecting interference between the solid figure represented by the first object and the solid figure represented by the second object, and the solid body represented by the second object when the detecting means detects the interference. Display the functional status of the figure And operating state editing means for controlling the order, has a configuration including a state change storage means for storing a change in the first position and shape description means and the second position and shape description means.

The solid figure represented by the first object and the second figure
Is configured to include a tactile sensation generation unit that generates a tactile sensation based on the detection result detected by the detection unit that detects the interference with the three-dimensional figure represented by the object.

Further, enlargement / reduction of at least one of the solid figure data represented by the first object and the solid figure data represented by the second object is performed.
It is configured to include a reduction means.

In addition to the above means, a control signal generating means for generating a control signal in accordance with the functional state of the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object is provided, and the control signal is controlled under the control of the operating state editing means. The control means is configured to generate the control signal.

[0013]

Therefore, when the first object is brought into contact with the second object, the operated state of the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object is displayed on the screen and the state change of each object is stored. Therefore, the user not only can feel the touch when the first object and the second object are in contact with each other and can visually recognize the virtual state at that time, but also once. The operation can be corrected and re-evaluated without repeating the operation.

Further, by simulating the feeling of touching the hand with the tactile sensation generating means, the operability can be evaluated more realistically.

Further, the enlarging / reducing means makes it possible to evaluate the operability assuming various users.

Furthermore, when the first object is brought into contact with the second object, a control signal is output, and the same operation as that actually occurring at that time occurs. Therefore, the user can evaluate the product in a state that is actually suitable.

[0017]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) In the operability evaluation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG.
A product model 23 in which the position input means 11 for measuring the three-dimensional position is attached to the finger of the hand and the outer shape of the product to be manufactured is modeled (this model 23 also has a position input means for measuring the three-dimensional position) Is embedded in the hand), and the operation place of the operation section of the product is artificially operated with a finger, as shown in FIG. 5B, the operation section of the actual product is displayed as if it were on the screen. It is possible to display a virtual situation as if you were operating with your finger.

This operability evaluation apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, is a position input means 1 for measuring the three-dimensional position of a first object corresponding to a finger, and a model input 23 corresponding to a model 23 of the outer shape of a product. Position input means 2 for inputting the three-dimensional position of two objects
A position / shape description means 3 for creating graphic data representing the outer shape of the first object, a position / shape description means 4 for creating graphic data representing the outer shape of the second object, and the second object. A function setting means 5 for setting the design position of the operation part to be operated and a motion associated with the operation, and a contact state for checking the contact state between the first object and the second object and detecting an operation component to be installed at the contact position. The detection means 6, the operation state editing means 7 for controlling the display showing the operation state of the operation component, and the display means 8 for displaying the first object and the second object are provided.

The position input means 1 for the first object is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic sensor 12 is fixed to the mounting part 11 on the finger, and the magnetic field generated from the magnetic generator 10 that serves as a reference for position detection is to detect each strength in the x, y, and z directions. To measure the current position and orientation in 3D space.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the second object is a model 23 having an outer shape of a product, and the magnetic sensor 2 is provided inside the model 23 as the position input means 2.
4 is embedded, and the strength of the magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generator 10 is detected to measure the current position and orientation of the model 23.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the magnetic sensor. In FIG. 3, 31 is a magnetic field generating coil and 32 is a receiving coil, each of which is composed of three orthogonal coils. The magnetic field is generated sequentially from the three 31 transmitting coils. When a receiving coil such as 32 is placed in this magnetic field, a current is generated in each of the receiving coils, and the three-dimensional position of the receiving coil 32 is detected from the magnitude of this current. The transmission coil 31 is inside the magnetic generator 10,
The receive coil 32 is inside the sensors 12, 24.

When the operator simulates the operation of the product, as shown in FIG. 4A, the model 23 in which the magnetic sensor is embedded by fitting the mounting portion 11 to which the magnetic sensor is fixed into a finger. Grab by hand. In this way, the fingers and the model 23
Is measured by the sensors 12 and 24, and the measurement data is sent to the first object position / shape describing means 3 and the second object position / shape describing means 4.

The position / shape description means 3 and 4 for the first and second objects hold the coordinate data (initial values) of the vertices of the surfaces forming the outer shape of each object as graphic data.

Further, the function setting means 5 is the data regarding the function set by the operator, that is, the number of operation parts such as operation buttons and sliders, the surface of the product on which the operation parts are arranged, the shape of the operation parts, the surface of the product. It holds data about the position of the above-mentioned operation component, the shape when the operation component is functioning, etc., and supplies these data to the position / shape description means 4 of the second object.

The position / shape description means 3 for the first object is the first
When the measurement data is input from the object position input means 1, the held graphic data is subjected to parallel movement and rotation data processing according to the measured position and orientation of the first object, and after processing. Of the data is sent to the display means 8.

The position / shape description means 4 of the second object
Composes the graphic data held therein and the data input from the function setting means 5 to form the graphic data of the product in which the operation parts are arranged.
Data processing according to the observation data input from the object position input means 2 is performed, and of the processed data, graphic data representing a state in which the operating component is not functioning is first sent to the display means 8.

Therefore, on the display screen, as shown in FIG. 4B, the simulated finger corresponding to the first object and the product corresponding to the second object in which the operation parts are installed are displayed. The display of is moved on the screen in the same way as when the user moves a finger or moves the model.

In FIG. 4, the remote controller of the VCR is taken as an example, and the remote controller (second object) on the screen is provided with buttons having various functions defined by the function setting means 5. ing.

The buttons on this remote control can be operated by the first object. When doing this, see Figure 5.
As shown in (a), the surface button of the model 23 of the second object is scheduled to be installed with the finger wearing the position input means 1 (11) so that the first object overlaps the button on the second object on the display screen. Press the position.

At this time, the contact state detecting means 6 calculates the distance between the surface in the graphic data of the first object and the surface in the graphic data of the second object, and interferes with the overlapping position of the surfaces where the distance becomes zero. The position is detected, the button located at the interference position is checked, and the operation state editing means 7 is notified.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of detecting the interference position. When checking the interference between two objects, the objects are decomposed into planes and the presence or absence of interference is checked for each plane. In FIG. 6, 61 is an object 1 and 62 is an object 2, each of which is a rectangular parallelepiped and is composed of six surfaces. First, as shown in FIG. 6, it is checked whether one of the surfaces forming the object 2 and all the surfaces forming the object 1 overlap each other. If either surface overlaps, the two objects are considered to be in interference.

If they do not overlap, the same check is performed on the next surface of the object 2. In this way, if all the surfaces of the object 2 and all the surfaces of the object 1 do not overlap, it is assumed that the two objects do not interfere with each other.

The operation state editing means 7 which has received the information of the button located at the interference position by such interference check.
Instructs the position / shape description means 4 of the second object to send image data for displaying the operation state of the corresponding button, and the position / shape description means 4 of the second object notifies the position / shape description means 4 of the operated button. Image data showing the depressed state is sent to the display means 8.

As a result, the screen of the display means 8 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the situation in which the pseudo finger is pressing down the button on the remote controller is displayed.

The operating state of the operating component can also be expressed by highlighting the corresponding operating component in a color brighter than other components, or by displaying explanatory text explaining the operation on the screen.

With such a display, the user can confirm which button on the remote controller he or she has pressed.

When it is determined that the position and shape of the button arranged on the second object is inappropriate by performing such an operation, the description of the operation component given to the function setting means 5 is changed. By doing so, they can be changed immediately. The operator can change the position, shape, etc. of the button as many times as necessary until the user can obtain satisfactory operability.

Further, the first object may be something other than a finger as long as it is a member that causes a new movement of the other member in a contact state.

(Embodiment 2) In the operability evaluation apparatus of the second embodiment, when a manipulating portion of a product is virtually manipulated, the manipulation state is displayed on the screen, and an action accompanying the manipulation actually occurs. Is configured to.

As shown in FIG. 7, this apparatus is provided with a control signal generating means 9 for generating a control signal according to the type of the depressed operation part, and a device 13 activated by this control signal. There is. When the product to be manufactured is a video remote controller, a video device operated by the remote controller is prepared as the device 13. The other structure is the same as that of the apparatus of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of the control signal generating means 9, a communication information generating means 14 having a communication function in the function of the control signal generating means can be used.

The method of operation by the operator is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. When the button mounting planned position on the surface of the remote controller model 23 is pushed with the finger wearing the position input means 1, the contact state detecting means 6 checks the button to be placed at the pushed position, and the operating state editing means 7 Then, the operation state editing means 7 instructs the position / shape description means 4 of the second object to send the image data for displaying the operation state of the corresponding button, and at the same time the control signal generation means 9 (communication information). The generation means 14) is instructed to generate a control signal when the corresponding button is pressed.

When the pressed button is, for example, a play button, a signal for starting play is output from the control signal generating means 9 (communication information generating means 14), and the video device 13 starts the play operation accordingly. To do.

As described above, in this device, when the button of the product is virtually operated, its state is displayed on the screen, and at the same time, the operation by the button operation is reproduced. Therefore, the operator can feel the situation when the button is operated, and can evaluate the product according to the actual condition.

(Third Embodiment) The operability evaluation apparatus of the third embodiment is configured to store changes in the positions and shapes of the first object and the second object.

As shown in FIG. 9, this apparatus has a state change storage means 15 for storing the change of each object in the position / shape storage means 3 of the first object and the position / shape storage means 4 of the second object. Are connected. The state change storage means 15 stores changes in the states of the objects 1 and 2 at fixed time intervals and at each occurrence of interference. The other structure is the same as that of the apparatus of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

The state change storage means 15 stores, for example, FIG.
The movement of the object is stored in the data format shown in FIG. FIG.10 (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the positional information on an object. Three
The position of the vector in the dimensional space is the position (x, y, z) and the position 102 of the starting point 101 of the vector as shown in FIG.
It is given by the vector orientation (α, β, γ). The position of the object 1 is represented by a vector fixed to the object 1 as shown in FIG. 10C, and the starting point 103 of the vector and the direction 104 of the vector represent the position of the object 1. When the object 1 moves as shown in FIG. 10C, the vector fixed to the object 1 also moves. Using the direction of this vector,
The movements of the object 1 and the object 2 are stored as shown in FIG.

The operation method of the operator is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the state change storage means 15 stores the data of the position / shape description means of the first object and the second object at regular time intervals. The data of the position / shape description means of is stored. Further, when the contact state detecting means 6 detects the interference between the object 1 and the object 2, the contact state detecting means 6 issues a command to store the state in the state change storage means 15, and the state change storage means 15 stores the state at that time.

When a series of operations is completed, the operator can display the data stored in the state change storage means 15 on the display means 8 via each position / shape description means or directly. Therefore, after a series of operations is completed, the operator can re-evaluate the operations while looking at the same operation many times without repeating the operation once performed.

Further, the state change storage means 15 may be used if necessary.
By correcting the data stored in, it becomes possible to efficiently correct the operation by utilizing the operation performed once.

(Embodiment 4) The operability evaluation apparatus of the fourth embodiment is constructed so as to imitate the sensation of touching an operation component with a hand based on a signal from the contact state detecting means 6. .

As shown in FIG. 11, this apparatus is provided with tactile sensation generating means 16 which operates based on a signal from the contact state detecting means 6. The other structure is the same as that of the apparatus of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 12C, the tactile sensation generating means 16 has a tube 121 into which air enters, and when the air is sent in conjunction with the signal from the contact state detecting means 12, the twelve is generated.
When air enters the room where air enters as in 2 and the curtain 123 swells, it is possible to obtain the sensation of pressing a finger. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the object 1 and the tactile sensation generation unit 16, and FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the object 1 seen from the hand.

As described above, the haptic sensation generating means 16 allows the sensation of touching the hand to be simulated, so that the operability can be evaluated more realistically.

(Embodiment 5) The operability evaluation apparatus of the fifth embodiment receives at least one of the solid figure data represented by the first object and the solid figure data represented by the second object. It is configured so that it can be scaled.

This apparatus, as shown in FIG. 13, is a first enlarging / reducing means 17 for enlarging / reducing the three-dimensional figure data represented by the first object stored in the position / shape describing means 3 of the first object. And a second enlarging / reducing means 18 for enlarging / reducing the three-dimensional figure data represented by the second object stored in the second object position / shape describing means 4. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).
There is no change.

FIG. 14 shows the functions of the scaling means 17 and 18. When the object 1 is put on a finger and the object 2 is held and operated as shown in FIG. 14A, an image as shown in FIG. 14B initially appears on the display means 8. If you want to simulate the operation of a slightly larger person,
The object 1 is enlarged by the enlarging / reducing means. Then, with the same movement of the hand, an image as shown in FIG. 14C can be obtained.

By providing the first and second enlargement / reduction means, this operation can be performed without being limited to the actual size of the remote controller model 23. That is, the second
Although the lower limit of the interference position is limited only by the enlarging / reducing means, the first remote controller is provided with the first enlarging / reducing means, and the lower limit of the interference position is limited by the actual remote controller model.・ It is possible to set the interference position without being restricted by the size of the model. In this way, it is possible to test the operability by freely setting the interference position while virtually changing the size of the hand and the size of the remote control model.

Although the object 1 is represented as a hand in this embodiment, it is clear that the same effect can be obtained by the same expression as in the other embodiments.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiments,
In the operability evaluation apparatus of the present invention, while confirming the operating state of the operation unit of the product to be developed with a three-dimensional image,
At the same time, it is possible to confirm the feel and operability when operating the operation unit, and further, after a series of operations is completed, the operation performed once can be utilized to efficiently evaluate the operation.

Further, it is possible to more realistically evaluate the operability by experiencing the sensation of touching the hand by the haptic sensation generating means.

Further, the enlarging / reducing means makes it possible to evaluate the operability assuming various users.

Further, since it is possible to simulate the operation when operating the operating portion according to the actual condition, it is possible to evaluate the operability and operability accurately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operability evaluation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first explanatory diagram of position input means in the operability evaluation apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a second explanatory view of the position input means in the operability evaluation apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a product operation method and a display screen on the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an operation and screen diagram when evaluating the operability of a product with the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a contact state detecting means 6 in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a first block diagram showing the configuration of the operability evaluation apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a second block diagram showing the configuration of the operability evaluation apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operability evaluation apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a state change storage unit 15 in the third embodiment.
Operation explanatory diagram of

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operability evaluation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a tactile sensation generation unit 16 according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operability evaluation apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a product operation method and display screen diagram in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional CAD system.

FIG. 16 is an external view of a conventional system

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 first object position input means 2 second object position input means 3 first object position / shape description means 4 second object position / shape description means 5 function setting means 6 contact state detection means 7 operating state editing means 8 Display Means 9 Control Signal Generating Means 10 Magnetic Generator 11 Mounting Part 12 Sensor 13 Video Device 14 Communication Information Generating Means 15 State Change Storage Means 16 Tactile Feel Generating Means 17 First Enlargement / Reduction Means 18 Second Enlargement / Reduction Means 31 Transmitting coil 32 Receiving coil 23 Model 61 Object 1 62 Object 2 151 Input means 152 Shape storing means 153 Shape / position describing means 154 Display means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Masao Kato 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Keisuke Suzuki Keizo Suzuki, Kadoma City, Osaka 1006

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A operability evaluation device for displaying a three-dimensional figure representing a virtual state of an object on a screen.
First position input means for inputting a position in the dimensional space, first position / shape describing means for creating three-dimensional figure data representing the first object corresponding to the position, and three-dimensional space for the second object Second position input means for inputting a position in the position, second position / shape description means for creating solid figure data representing the second object corresponding to the position, and function of the solid figure represented by the second object. Function setting means for setting a state, detecting means for detecting an interference between the three-dimensional figure represented by the first object and the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object, and when the detecting means detects the interference, The operation state editing means for performing control for displaying the functional state of the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object, and the state change of the three-dimensional figure data in the first position / shape description means and the second position / shape description means are stored. State change memory Usability evaluation apparatus characterized by comprising a stage. 2. The operability evaluation apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional figure representing a virtual state of an object on a screen, wherein the first object is
First position input means for inputting a position in the dimensional space, first position / shape describing means for creating three-dimensional figure data representing the first object corresponding to the position, and three-dimensional space for the second object Second position input means for inputting a position in the position, second position / shape description means for creating solid figure data representing the second object corresponding to the position, and function of the solid figure represented by the second object. Function setting means for setting a state, detecting means for detecting an interference between the three-dimensional figure represented by the first object and the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object, and when the detecting means detects the interference, It is characterized in that it is provided with an operation state editing means for performing control for displaying the functional state of the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object and a tactile sensation generating means for generating a tactile sensation based on the detection result detected by the detection means. Operability evaluation Location. 3. A operability evaluation device for displaying a three-dimensional figure representing a virtual state of an object on a screen.
First position input means for inputting a position in the dimensional space, first position / shape describing means for creating three-dimensional figure data representing the first object corresponding to the position, and three-dimensional space for the second object Second position input means for inputting a position in the position, second position / shape description means for creating solid figure data representing the second object corresponding to the position, and function of the solid figure represented by the second object. Function setting means for setting a state, detecting means for detecting an interference between the three-dimensional figure represented by the first object and the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object, and when the detecting means detects the interference, The operation state editing means for controlling the functional state of the three-dimensional figure represented by the second object and at least one of the three-dimensional figure data represented by the first object and the three-dimensional figure data represented by the second object. Three-dimensional figure Usability evaluation apparatus characterized by comprising a scaling means for scaling the data. 4. A control signal generating means for generating a control signal according to a functional state of a three-dimensional figure represented by a second object is provided, and the control signal generating means generates the control signal under the control of the operating state editing means. The method according to claim 1, wherein
4. The operability evaluation device according to claim 3.