Method for generating design drawing of block object

Abstract

To provide a method for allowing a user to build a block object more easily by using block parts.SOLUTION: The method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for outputting a design drawing of a buildable block object made of a plurality of types of block parts, which is executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a sensor device by a network. The processing unit of the server terminal acquires coordinate information of block parts from the sensor device, analyzes coordinates to show design drawing information of the block object on the basis of the coordinate information, and displays the design information on the basis of the analyzed coordinates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for recommending block objects.

Background Art

[0002] Toys in which users assemble block object models such as animals, buildings, vehicles, etc. using block parts like Lego bricks are widespread.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a method for improving the efficiency of the design of block parts constituting a block object is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, although the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 can achieve the improvement and visualization of the design of block parts, a method for visualizing the image of assembling a block object from the user's perspective is not disclosed.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for making it easier for users to assemble block objects using block parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A method for outputting a design drawing of a block object composed of multiple types of assembleable block parts, which is performed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a sensor device via a network, wherein the processing unit of the server terminal obtains coordinate information of the block parts from the sensor device, analyzes coordinates for displaying design drawing information of the block object based on the coordinate information, and displays the design drawing information based on the analyzed coordinates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a method can be provided that makes it easier for users to assemble block objects using block parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a system that provides a method for recommending block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 100. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the user terminal 200. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the sensor device 300. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of object model information stored in server 100. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of block part information stored in server 100. [Figure 7] This is an example flowchart illustrating the details of a method for generating a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is another example of a flowchart detailing a method for generating a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]This is an example of a screen for an assembleable object model displayed on a user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is another example of a screen for an assembleable object model displayed on a user terminal, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, not all components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Structure> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a system that provides a method for recommending block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 consists of a server terminal 100 that generates block object design information based on coordinate information of block parts acquired from a user terminal 200 or a sensor device 300, user terminals 200A and 200B associated with each user assembling the block object, and sensor devices 300A and 300B that cooperate with each of the user terminals to generate block object coordinate information. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, user terminals 200A and 200B will be collectively referred to as user terminal 200, and sensor devices 300A and 300B will be collectively referred to as sensor device 300.

[0012] In this embodiment, an animal object is used as an example of a block object composed of multiple block parts. However, other examples include people, robots, vehicles, and buildings, and the example is not limited to this one.

[0013] The server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200 are each connected via the network NW. The network NW is constituted by the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0014] The server terminal 100 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, one server terminal is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of server terminals may be provided.

[0015] The user terminal 200 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal, but may be constituted by a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the system 1 has the server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200, and is described as having a configuration in which a user operates the server terminal 100 using the user terminal 200. However, the server terminal 100 may be configured as a stand-alone device, and each user may be provided with a function of directly operating on the server terminal itself.

[0017] Also, the sensor device 300 is, for example, a device such as a mouse for operating the user terminal 200, and includes a base on which block parts can be placed and a sensor such as an acceleration sensor capable of generating coordinate information of the base, and is connected to the user terminal 200 by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and paired.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 in FIG. 1. The server terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0019] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via the network NW, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0020] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 120 also has an object model information storage unit 121 for storing information related to the object model, etc., and a block part information storage unit 122 for storing block part information generated based on the object model, etc. A database (not shown) storing various data may be built outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0021] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives information such as instructions from the user terminal 200, an object model information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various information related to the object model, a block part information processing unit 133 that refers to and processes various information related to block parts, an output processing unit 134 that processes the output of design drawing information related to block objects to the user terminal, and a coordinate analysis unit 135 that analyzes coordinate information related to block parts received from the user terminal 200 or sensor device 300. The information receiving unit 131, object model information processing unit 132, block part information processing unit 133, output processing unit 134, and coordinate analysis unit 135 are started by a program stored in the memory unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0022] The information receiving unit 131 receives information from the user terminal 200 when the user makes a predetermined request (by entering text, pressing an icon, etc.) via a user interface such as a screen displayed on the user terminal 200 through a web browser or application, provided by the server terminal 100, or receives coordinate information of block parts generated by the sensor device 300 via the user terminal 200 and the communication unit 110.

[0023] The object model processing unit 132 stores information related to the object model in the object model information storage unit 121 and performs processing to refer to the stored object model information.

[0024] The block part information processing unit 133 stores information related to block parts in the block part information storage unit 122 and performs processing to refer to the stored block part information.

[0025] The output processing unit 134 performs the process of sending necessary information to the user terminal 200 in order to display design drawing information related to block objects on the user terminal 200. In this process, the output processing unit 134 uses the image and text data stored in the storage unit 120 as material and, based on predetermined layout rules, arranges various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface to generate the screen information necessary to be displayed on the interface of the user terminal 200. This screen information generation process can also be performed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0026] The coordinate analysis unit 135 analyzes the coordinate information of the block parts obtained from the sensor device 300 or the user terminal 200, and performs a process to determine the inclination of the displayed block object when displaying design drawing information related to the block object on the user terminal 200.

[0027] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the user terminal 200 in Figure 1. The user terminal 200 comprises a communication unit 210, a display operation unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0028] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via a network NW, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication unit 210 may also be equipped with a communication interface for communicating with the sensor device 300 via short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0029] The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used to display text, images, etc., in response to user input and input data from the control unit 240. If the user terminal 200 is a personal computer, it consists of a display and a keyboard or mouse; if the user terminal 200 is a smartphone or tablet, it consists of a touch panel, etc. This display operation unit 220 is activated by a control program stored in the storage unit 230 and executed by the user terminal 200, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0030] The memory unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and functions within the control unit 240, input data, etc., and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The memory unit 230 also temporarily stores the contents of communications with the server terminal 100.

[0031] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 by executing programs stored in the memory unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, GPU, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, the server terminal 100 may be configured to include display and operation functions, in which case the user terminal 200 may not be included.

[0033] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram showing the sensor device 300 of Figure 1. The sensor device 300 comprises a communication unit 310, an accelerometer 320, an input unit 330, and a control unit 340.

[0034] The communication unit 310 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via a network NW, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication unit 210 may also include a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0035] The acceleration sensor 320 measures the inclination of the base on which the block parts are placed (not shown), which is provided to the sensor device 300 by the user, in the X, Y, and Z axis directions relative to the plane on which the sensor device 300 is placed, and generates coordinate information. Note that, in addition to the acceleration sensor, other sensors capable of detecting the inclination of the base relative to the plane, such as an angular velocity sensor, can also be used as the sensor.

[0036] The input unit 330 is an interface for inputting instructions to perform operations on the screen displayed on the user terminal 200, and may be, for example, a physical button or a button displayed on the LCD screen.

[0037] The control unit 340 controls the overall operation of the sensor device 300 by executing a program stored in a memory unit (not shown), and is composed of a CPU, GPU, etc.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of object model information stored in server 100.

[0039] The object model information 1000 shown in Figure 5 stores information related to object models generated by service operators associated with server terminal 100 or users associated with user terminal 200. In Figure 4, for the sake of explanation, an example of one object model (a user identified by object ID "10001") is shown, but information for multiple object models can be stored. Various data related to the object model can include 3D model data of the object model, cross-sectional data of the object model, data related to one or more types and quantities of block parts necessary to assemble the object model, and design drawing information related to block parts arranged in each layer of the cross-section. Here, the 3D model data can also be stored as 2D model data converted into a 3D model through a predetermined process.

[0040] Figure 6 shows an example of block part information stored in server 100.

[0041] The block part information 2000 shown in Figure 6 stores information related to the shape, size, color, and weight of the block part. For the sake of explanation, Figure 6 shows an example of a single block part (a block part identified by ID "20001"), but it can store information related to multiple block parts. Various data related to block parts can include, for example, data related to block parts that correspond to components used to assemble a block object (consisting of the block part's shape, size, color, etc.). Here, each of multiple types of block parts can be associated with a unique color, but is not limited to this.

[0042] Figure 7 is an example of a flowchart showing a method for displaying a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] To use this system 1, the user pairs the user terminal 200 with the sensor device 300 via short-range wireless communication or the like, and places the user's block parts on the base (not shown) of the sensor device 300. The base may have protrusions on the surface on which the block parts are placed so that they can be fitted into the base when the block parts are placed on it.

[0044] As a preliminary step, the user accesses the server terminal 100 using the web browser on the user terminal 200 or (if an application is installed) an application. A predetermined screen is displayed on the user interface via the website or application. The user operates the user terminal 200 to select a block object to assemble from among multiple block objects displayed on the user interface of the user terminal 200. Information regarding the selected block object is transmitted to the server terminal 100 via the network and received via the communication unit 110 and the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100.

[0045] Furthermore, the user places block parts on a base provided via a rotating mechanism on a sensor device 300 paired with the user terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication, and rotates or tilts the base in order to assemble the block object. In response to the tilting or rotation of the base, an acceleration sensor 320 built into the sensor device 300 detects the coordinates (position information of the base in the X, Y, and Z axes relative to the ground) corresponding to the tilt and rotation of the base relative to the ground, such as a table, on which the sensor device 300 is placed, and generates coordinate information. The sensor device 300 transmits the generated coordinate information to the user terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication, etc.

[0046] Then, as part of the process in step S101, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives coordinate information generated by the sensor device 300 from the user terminal 200 via the network and communication unit 110. Here, if the sensor device 300 is connected to the server terminal 100 via a network or the like, the information receiving unit 131 can also receive coordinate information directly from the sensor device 300.

[0047] Next, as part of step S102, the coordinate analysis unit 135 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 analyzes the received coordinate information and converts it into coordinate information of an object model composed of block parts in a 3D space that is displayed on the user terminal 200 as a blueprint of a block object.

[0048] Next, as part of step S103, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 performs output processing by generating screen information as design drawing information to be displayed on the user terminal 200, by arranging object models in 3D space, based on the coordinate information analyzed in the previous step.

[0049] Figure 9 is an example of a screen showing an assembleable object model displayed on a user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the object model is displayed on the user terminal 200 as a design drawing of a block object, and the user can easily assemble the block object by referring to the design drawing information on the user terminal 200 that corresponds to the inclination of the block object placed on the sensor device 300. Here, the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200 is stored in a history of coordinate information corresponding to the design drawing information displayed on one or more user terminals, and the design drawing information can be displayed in still image or video format at the position that is most easily viewable by the user based on the stored coordinate information.

[0050] Figure 8 is another example of a flowchart showing a method for displaying a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The user operates the input unit 330 (for example, a mouse click button) provided on the sensor device 300 and gives instructions to proceed with the assembly of block objects in the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200. As a result of step S201, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives a request from the user terminal 200 to proceed with the assembly of block objects via the network and communication unit 110. If the sensor device 300 is connected to the server terminal 100 via a network or the like, the information receiving unit 131 can also receive the instruction request directly from the sensor device 300.

[0052] For example, as shown in Figure 10, the user terminal 200 displays design information for a block object. The user assembles the block parts according to the object model displayed in Figure 10(a), and uses the input unit 330 provided in the sensor device 300 to indicate the "Next" icon on the screen and click it to request instructions to proceed with the assembly.

[0053] Next, as part of step S202, the object model processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the object model design information stored in the object model information storage unit 121 of the memory unit 120 and determines the design information necessary to enable the next assembly operation for the design information currently displayed on the user terminal 200.

[0054] Next, as part of step S203, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 generates screen information to be displayed on the user terminal 200 by arranging object models in 3D space, based on the design information determined in the previous step.

[0055] For example, as shown in Figure 10(b), an object model is displayed that includes a block part with one additional layer, compared to the multi-layered block part that constitutes the object model included in the design drawing information shown in Figure 10(a).

[0056] Next, as part of step S204, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 performs output processing by sending the generated screen information to the user terminal 200.

[0057] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can easily transmit information related to the block object placed on the sensor device to the server terminal 100. Furthermore, based on the received information, the server terminal 100 can analyze coordinate information such as the inclination of the block object that the user is currently assembling, and present the user with design information in the same direction as the user is looking, allowing the user to easily assemble the block object.

[0058] Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, these can be implemented in various other forms, and can be carried out by various omissions, substitutions, and modifications. These embodiments and variations, as well as those with omissions, substitutions, and modifications, are included within the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1 System: 100 Server terminal, 110 Communication unit, 120 Storage unit, 130 Control unit, 200 User terminal, 300 Sensor device, NW Network

Claims

1. A method for outputting a design drawing of an assembleable block object composed of a plurality of types of block parts, the method being executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected to a sensor device via a network, the method comprising: The processing unit of the server terminal Acquire coordinate information of a block part from the sensor device; Analyzing coordinates for displaying design drawing information of the block object based on the coordinate information; Displaying the design information based on the analyzed coordinates; the sensor device includes a sensor that detects an inclination of the block part, acquiring, from the sensor device, coordinate information of the block part, the coordinate information being generated based on the inclination of the block part detected by the sensor; The method, wherein the design drawing information is design drawing information corresponding to an inclination of the block part, generated based on the coordinate information.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises an acceleration sensor.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising accepting a request to select the block object from a user terminal connected to the server terminal via the network.

4. receiving a request to update the design drawing information from the sensor device; The method of claim 1 , further comprising updating the design information based on the request to update.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the design information comprises displaying an animation of the block object.

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