Shadow picture projection object manufacturing method and computer program for terminal device

Abstract

To provide technology for industrial use of a shadow picture.SOLUTION: A shadow picture projection object manufacturing method includes: a data generation process of generating, on the basis of draft data indicating a draft and three-dimensional data indicating a three-dimensional shape of an object, pattern data indicating a shadow picture pattern to be formed inside the object, where the shadow picture pattern is a pattern for making a shadow picture indicating the draft projected on a projection plane and the shadow picture is contained in the object's shadow; and a formation process of forming, on the basis of the pattern data, forming the shadow picture pattern inside the object. When the object, in which the shadow picture pattern is formed, is irradiated with light from a specific direction, the shadow picture pattern makes part of the light pass the object and the remaining of the light is intercepted by the object to make the shadow picture projected on the projection plane in parallel with the object along the specific direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a method for producing a shadow picture projection that projects a shadow picture onto a projection surface, and a computer program for the production. [Background technology]

[0002] Shadow art is a widely known culture. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technique for generating a hand posture to realize a shadow art having a silhouette of a target. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] Yu Shirasaki, "Hand posture generation for hand shadow puppets based on silhouette images," 82nd National Convention of Information Processing Society of Japan, pp.4-577~4-578 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are not many examples of shadow puppets being used in industry. This specification provides a technique for using shadow puppets in industry. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The method for manufacturing a shadow puppet projection disclosed in this specification comprises a data generation step of generating pattern data indicating a shadow puppet pattern to be formed inside an object based on design data indicating a design and three-dimensional data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the object, the shadow puppet pattern being a pattern for projecting a shadow puppet indicating the design onto a projection surface, the shadow puppet being contained in the shadow of the object, and a formation step of forming the shadow puppet pattern inside the object based on the pattern data, and when light is irradiated from a specific direction onto the object on which the shadow puppet pattern has been formed, the shadow puppet pattern causes part of the light to pass through the object while the remainder of the light is blocked by the object, thereby projecting the shadow puppet onto the projection surface aligned with the object along the specific direction.

[0006] According to the above configuration, a shadow of an object includes a shadow picture showing a design. The shadow picture showing a design is different from the outer shape of the object, and a user who sees the shadow picture feels a sense of surprise. Here, the object is, for example, a promotional item or a souvenir. The design is, for example, a character, a letter, or a two-dimensional code. The shadow picture adds information to the object, which can contribute to promoting the distribution of the object itself and the distribution of products via the object.

[0007] The data generation process may include a comparison process for comparing, for each of a plurality of directions, the outline of the shadow projected onto the projection surface when light is irradiated onto the object from that direction with the outline of the design, and a selection process for selecting the specific direction from the plurality of directions based on a comparison result between the outline of the shadow and the outline of the design.

[0008] The selecting step may be a step of selecting, from the plurality of directions, a direction in which an appearance of the shadow is most similar to an appearance of the design as the specific direction.

[0009] The outline of the shadow of an object changes depending on the direction of light shining on the object. With the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to select an illumination direction suitable for displaying a silhouette showing a design.

[0010] The silhouette may include a two-dimensional code.

[0011] According to the above configuration, by displaying a two-dimensional code as a silhouette, new information can be provided to a user who sees an object.

[0012] The object may be a non-transparent object, and the silhouette pattern may be a pattern of through holes formed inside the object.

[0013] The data generation process may include a size determination process for determining a size of the through hole based on the processing limits of the object, and a distance determination process for determining a distance between the object and a light source of the silhouette based on the determined size of the through hole.

[0014] The size of the shadow pattern formed inside the object, i.e., the size of the through hole, varies depending on the distance between the object and the light source. With the above configuration, the distance is determined taking into account the processing limit of the object, and the through hole can be appropriately formed in the object.

[0015] The object may be transparent and the silhouette pattern may be a non-transparent pattern printed on the inside of the object.

[0016] The three-dimensional data may be represented by a point cloud consisting of a plurality of points, and the data generation process may include a first setting process of setting the non-transparent portion at a position where the density of the points when the object is viewed from the specific direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0017] A dot density equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold means that there are enough dots to represent the black and white pattern of the two-dimensional code. With the above configuration, a shadow picture pattern can be formed at an appropriate location inside the object.

[0018] The three-dimensional data may be represented by a point cloud composed of a plurality of points, and the data generation process may include a classification process for classifying the point cloud into a plurality of layers in the specific direction, and a second setting process for distributing the non-transparent parts across at least two of the plurality of layers.

[0019] According to the above configuration, by dispersing the non-transparent portions, the non-transparent portions formed inside the object can be made less noticeable compared to a configuration in which the non-transparent portions are formed in a single layer.

[0020] This specification also discloses a computer program for a terminal device, which causes a computer of the terminal device to function as the following parts, that is, a data generating part for generating pattern data indicating a shadow picture pattern to be formed inside an object based on design data indicating a design and three-dimensional data indicating a three-dimensional shape of the object, the shadow picture pattern being a pattern for projecting a shadow picture indicating the design onto a projection surface, the shadow picture being included in the shadow of the object, and a process executing part for causing a processing machine to execute a process for forming the shadow picture pattern inside the object based on the pattern data, and when light is irradiated from a specific direction onto the object on which the shadow picture pattern has been formed, a part of the light passes through the object due to the shadow picture pattern, while the remainder of the light is blocked by the object, so that the shadow picture is projected onto the projection surface aligned with the object along the specific direction.

[0021] By using this computer program to create a shadow pattern on an object, a user can be astonished when they see the shadow projected by the object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a shadowgraph projection system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for producing shadow puppet projections. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the processing of the terminal device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a method for calculating a shadow shape. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a pattern data generation process. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process of a terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of a process for determining the height of a light source. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a pattern data generation process. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process of a terminal device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of a process for determining each cross-section point group. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of a process for determining the arrangement of a design. [Figure 13] This is an example of distributing the design. [Figure 14] Another use of the shadowgraph projection system. [Figure 15] Another use of the shadowgraph projection system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] (First Example) (Configuration of Shadow Projection System 2; Figure 1) The shadow picture projection system 2 includes a light source 3, an object 5, and a projection surface 6. The light source 3 is, for example, the lighting in a room or sunlight. The object 5 is, for example, a promotional item or a souvenir. The object 5 may be a transparent object such as a crystal, or may be a non-transparent object. The projection surface 6 is, for example, a wall of a room.

[0024] A special pattern is formed on the inside of the object 5 by a manufacturing method described later. When light is irradiated from a specific direction onto the object 5 on which the special pattern is formed, a part of the light passes through the object 5 due to the special pattern, while the remaining part of the light is blocked by the object 5, and a shadow picture 7 showing a predetermined design is displayed in the shadow 5a of the object 5. The user 4 can recognize the design of the shadow picture 7 by looking at the shadow picture 7 from a certain direction. In this embodiment, the shadow picture 7 indicates a two-dimensional code. For example, by capturing an image of the shadow picture 7 with a smartphone, the smartphone acquires information from the two-dimensional code of the shadow picture 7. This allows the smartphone user to acquire information stored in the two-dimensional code (e.g., a URL) in addition to information acquired from the appearance of the object 5. Information is added to the object 5 by the shadow picture 7, which can contribute to promoting the distribution of the object 5 itself and the distribution of products via the object 5. In the following, the object 5 on which the special pattern is formed is described as a "shadow picture projection object 5". In a modified example, the shadow picture 7 may be a character, a letter, or the like.

[0025] (Configuration of manufacturing system 100; Figure 2) A manufacturing system 100 for manufacturing the shadow puppet projection 5 will be described. The manufacturing system 100 includes a terminal device 10 and a processing machine 200.

[0026] The terminal device 10 is, for example, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or a smartphone. The terminal device 10 includes a communication interface 16 and a control unit 30. Although not shown in the figure, the terminal device 10 includes, for example, an operation unit such as a keyboard or a touch panel, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. The communication interface 16 is an interface for executing communication with the processing machine 200. The communication with the processing machine 200 is executed, for example, via a LAN.

[0027] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes in accordance with programs 40 and 42 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory.

[0028] The OS program 40 controls the basic operations of the terminal device 10. The shadow picture program 42 is a program for producing the shadow picture projection 5. The shadow picture program 42 is installed in the terminal device 10 from, for example, a server on the Internet.

[0029] The processing machine 200 is a device that processes a special pattern (hereinafter, referred to as a "shadow picture pattern") for projecting a shadow picture 7 on the inside of the object 5. For example, the processing machine 200 is a laser irradiation device.

[0030] The terminal device 10 uses the shadow picture program 42 to generate pattern data indicating a shadow picture pattern, and transmits the pattern data to the processing machine 200. As a result, the processing machine 200 processes the object 5 according to the pattern data, and produces a shadow picture projection 5.

[0031] (Processing of terminal device 10; Figure 3) The process executed by the CPU 32 in accordance with the shadow picture program 42 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The process in Fig. 3 is started, for example, by starting up the shadow picture program 42.

[0032] In S2, the CPU 32 acquires design data indicating the design of the shadow picture 7 from the user. For example, the CPU 32 acquires the design data from the user by the user selecting design data stored in the memory 34 of the terminal device 10. The design data is, for example, image data of a two-dimensional code.

[0033] In S4, the CPU 32 acquires from the user three-dimensional data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the target object 5. For example, the user acquires the three-dimensional data from the user by selecting the three-dimensional data stored in the memory 34 of the terminal device 10. The three-dimensional data is, for example, three-dimensional CAD data.

[0034] In S6, the CPU 32 executes a parameter determination process. The parameter determination process is a process for determining parameters that indicate the positional relationship of each part of the shadow picture projection system 2. The parameter determination process will be described in detail later.

[0035] In S8, the CPU 32 executes a pattern data generation process. The pattern data generation process is a process for generating pattern data based on the parameters determined in the parameter determination process in S6. The pattern data generation process will be described in detail later.

[0036] In S10, the CPU 32 transmits the pattern data generated by the pattern data generation process in S8 to the processing machine 200. As a result, processing according to the pattern data is executed on the object 5, and the silhouette projection object 5 is manufactured. When the process of S10 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process of FIG.

[0037] (Parameter determination process: Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5) In S20, the CPU 32 sets the initial value of each parameter. First, each parameter will be described with reference to FIG. 4. First, the XYZ coordinates are set based on the light source 3. The parameters of the light source 3 are (X, Y, Z) = (0, ya, 0). The parameters of the object 5 are (X, Y, Z) = (0, 0, zb). The value za indicates the distance between the light source 3 and the object 5 on the XZ plane. The parameters of the projection plane 6 are (X, Y, Z) = (0, 0, zc). The value za indicates the distance between the light source 3 and the projection plane 6 on the XZ plane. In addition, the position of the user 4 is defined on a straight line rotated at an angle θ from the straight line connecting the light source 3, the object 5, and the projection plane 6. The coordinates XeYZe of the user are defined based on the straight line rotated at the angle θ. For the user 4, the height of the viewpoint of the user 4 is set as a parameter. The parameters of the height of the viewpoint are (Xe, Y, Ze) = (0, ye, 0). The above angle θ is also a parameter. In S20, initial values ​​are set for each of the above parameters, i.e., ya, zb, zc, θ, and ye.

[0038] In S22, the CPU 32 simulates the shadow shape of the object 5 in the positional relationship based on the parameters set in S20. In this embodiment, a so-called ray tracing method is used. The ray tracing method is a method of tracing the path of light from the light source 3 to the eye of the user 4, from the eye to the light source 3, to depict a shadow or the like. In this simulation, three-dimensional data of the object 5 and three-dimensional data of the projection surface 6 are used. The three-dimensional data of the projection surface 6 may be input to the terminal device 10 by the user, or may be prepared in advance by the shadow picture program 42.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the simulation of S22. The CPU 32 casts a simulated light ray from the viewpoint of the user 4. The CPU 32 judges whether or not the object seen by the user 4 is a shadow for each of a plurality of directions in which the light ray is incident on the projection surface 6. When the object 5 blocks the light ray on the path in which the light ray is reflected on the projection surface 6 and reaches the light source 3 (case C1 in FIG. 5), the CPU 32 judges that the point at which the light ray is incident on the projection surface 6 is a shadow. On the other hand, when the object 5 does not block the light ray on the path in which the light ray is reflected on the projection surface 6 and reaches the light source 3 (case C2 in FIG. 5), the CPU 32 judges that the point at which the light ray is incident on the projection surface 6 is not a shadow. In this embodiment, when the light ray is incident on the object 5 and when the light ray is not incident on any object, the CPU 32 proceeds to irradiate another light ray. By repeating such simulation of irradiating the light ray, the shadow shape of the object 5 in the positional relationship based on each parameter set in S20 is specified.

[0040] In the next step S24, the CPU 32 calculates a similarity indicating the degree of similarity between the contour of the shadow shape simulated in S24 and the contour of the design shown by the design data acquired in S2. For example, pattern matching or feature matching is used to calculate the similarity. The CPU 32 then stores the similarity calculated in S24 in association with each parameter set in S20.

[0041] In this embodiment, the CPU 32 repeatedly adjusts each parameter and repeatedly executes the process of S24. In S26, the CPU 32 judges whether the number of times the similarity has been calculated has reached a predetermined number (for example, 100 times). If the CPU 32 judges that the number of times the similarity has been calculated has not reached the predetermined number (NO in S26), the process proceeds to S28. In S28, the CPU 32 adjusts each parameter and returns to S22. As a result, the shadow shape is simulated and the similarity is calculated for each adjusted parameter.

[0042] Furthermore, when the CPU 32 determines that the number of times the similarity has been calculated has reached a predetermined number (YES in S26), the process proceeds to S30. In S30, the CPU 32 determines that the parameters corresponding to the shadow shape with the highest similarity among the multiple similarities calculated in S24 are to be used in the pattern data generation process of S8. When the process of S30 ends, the CPU 32 ends the parameter determination process.

[0043] (Pattern data generation process; Figure 6) The CPU 32 executes a simulation for generating pattern data based on each parameter determined by the parameter determination process of FIG. 3 (S8 in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the CPU 32 fits a design (i.e., a shadow picture 7) corresponding to the design data acquired in S2 into a shadow shape corresponding to each parameter determined in S30. Then, the CPU 32 irradiates a pseudo light ray from the light source 3 toward the object 5. In this simulation, the light ray passes through the object 5 and reaches the design in the shadow shape. The CPU 32 judges whether the point where the light ray reaches the design is a shadow (i.e., black) or not a shadow (i.e., white). When the CPU 32 judges that the point where the light ray reaches the design is a shadow, the CPU 32 determines the part of the object 5 through which the light ray passed as a part that blocks light. On the other hand, when the CPU 32 judges that the point where the light ray reaches the design is not a shadow, the CPU 32 determines the part of the object 5 through which the light ray passed as a part that allows light to pass. For example, if the object 5 is transparent, non-transparent parts are formed at the locations where the light rays are blocked, and non-transparent parts are not formed at the locations where the light rays pass. Non-transparent parts are, for example, dots printed in black. Also, for example, if the object 5 is non-transparent, through holes are formed at the locations where the light rays pass, and through holes are not formed at the locations where the light rays are blocked. In this simulation, pattern data indicating a pattern of non-transparent parts or through holes is generated by irradiating light rays in multiple directions.

[0044] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the configuration of this embodiment, the shadow 5a of the object 5 includes a shadow picture 7 showing a design. The shadow picture 7 is different from the external shape of the object 5, and the user who sees the shadow picture 7 feels surprised. It is possible to manufacture a shadow picture projection 5 that gives a surprise to the user.

[0045] The outline of the shadow 5a of the object 5 changes depending on the direction of light irradiating the object 5. In this embodiment, the similarity indicating the degree of similarity between the outline of the shadow shape and the outline of the design is used to select an appropriate irradiation direction for displaying the silhouette 7 showing the design (S30 in FIG. 3).

[0046] (Variation of pattern data generation process; Fig. 5) In this modified example, the CPU 32 applies a design corresponding to the design data acquired in S2 to a shadow shape corresponding to each parameter determined in S30. Then, the CPU 32 irradiates a pseudo light ray onto the design from the viewpoint of the user 4. The CPU 32 judges whether or not the point where the light ray reaches the design is a shadow. In addition, in the simulation of this modified example, the light ray is reflected on the projection surface 6, passes through the object 5, and reaches the light source 3. The CPU 32 identifies the location where the light ray reflected on the projection surface 6 passes through the object 5. When the CPU 32 judges that the point where the light ray reaches the design is a shadow, it determines the location of the object 5 where the light ray passes as a location where the light is blocked. On the other hand, when the CPU 32 judges that the point where the light ray reaches the design is not a shadow, it determines the location of the object 5 where the light ray passes as a location where the light is allowed to pass.

[0047] (Correspondence) The object 5, the projection surface 6, and the shadow puppet 7 are examples of an "object," a "projection surface," and a "shadow puppet," respectively. The shadow puppet projection 5 is an example of a "shadow puppet projection." The processing machine 200 is an example of a "processing machine." The steps realized by the processing of S6 and S8 in FIG. 3, and the step realized by the processing of S10 are examples of a "data generation step" and a "formation step," respectively. The step realized by the processing of S24, and the step realized by the processing of S30 are examples of a "comparison step" and a "selection step," respectively.

[0048] (Second Example) This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the contents of the processing of the terminal device 10 are different. The design in this embodiment is a two-dimensional code. In this embodiment, the object 5 is non-transparent, and a pattern of through holes is formed in the object 5 as a silhouette pattern. The through holes correspond to the white cells of the two-dimensional code, and the areas where no through holes are formed correspond to the black cells of the two-dimensional code.

[0049] (Processing of terminal device 10; Figs. 7 to 9) S42 and S44 are the same as S2 and S4 in FIG. 3. In S46, the CPU 32 determines a reference plane 5b (see FIG. 8) that is a reference for forming a shadow picture pattern inside the object 5. The reference plane 5b is a plane having an area of ​​a predetermined value or more among a plurality of inner planes (e.g., a cross section in a vertical direction, a cross section in a diagonal direction) that can be defined inside the object 5. The predetermined value is, for example, a value based on the area of ​​the design. For example, the CPU 32 determines the plane with the largest area among the plurality of inner planes as the reference plane 5b. Also, for example, the CPU 32 may present two or more inner planes having an area of ​​a predetermined value or more to the user, and determine the inner plane selected by the user as the reference plane 5b.

[0050] In S48, the CPU 32 determines the height zh of the light source 3 with respect to the reference surface 5b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the Z axis is defined extending vertically from the center of the reference surface 5b determined in S46, and the XY plane is defined as a horizontal plane parallel to the reference surface 5b. The light source 3 is disposed on the Z axis. The height zh is defined as (X, Y, Z) = (0, 0, zh). Since light is diffused, the through hole formed in the object 5 has a cone shape. For this reason, there is a limit to the size of the through hole at the apex of the cone shape. If the light source 3 is close to the object 5, the size of the through hole at the apex of the cone shape becomes small, making processing difficult.

[0051] First, four line segments are defined that connect the four corners of the reference surface 5b and the light source 3. The surface on which the vertices of the through-holes are formed is the surface 5c with the smallest area that is parallel to the reference surface 5b and has four line segments as its four corners inside the object 5. The height of the surface 5c with the smallest area is defined as (X, Y, Z) = (0, 0, zm), and the coordinates of the four corners of the surface 5c with the smallest area are defined as (X, Y, Z) = (xm, ym, zm), (-xm, ym, zm), (xm, -ym, zm), (-xm, -ym, zm). In the figure, only one of the four corners of the surface 5c with the smallest area is marked with a symbol, and the symbols of the other points are omitted. The same applies to the four corners of the reference surface 5b described later.

[0052] By defining the coordinates of the four corners of the surface 5c with the smallest area, the area Sc of the surface 5c with the smallest area is 2xm×2ym. Here, the two-dimensional code, which is the design, is a square and has a predetermined number of cells N. By dividing the area Sc by the number of cells N, the area per cell when the design is placed on the surface 5c with the smallest area is calculated as Scc=2xm×2ym / N=4xm / N. Here, the width wc of the cell is the square root of Scc, which is the size of the vertex of the through hole on the surface 5c.

[0053] The machining limit, which is the limit of machining the size of the through hole at the apex of the cone shape, is determined by the material of the object 5, etc. Here, the coordinates of the four corners of the reference surface 5b are defined as (X, Y, Z) = (xb, yb, 0), (-xb, yb, 0), (xb, -yb, 0), (-xb, -yb, 0). In this case, zh = xb x zm / (xb - xm). Also, when the width wr indicating the machining limit is applied to the width wc of the cell, xm = N x wr ^ 2 / 4. Here, xb is the width of the two-dimensional code when the design is placed on the reference surface 5b, and the width is a known value obtained from the design data. From the above, the minimum value of the height zh is calculated using the width wr indicating the machining limit. The CPU 32 determines the height zh based on the minimum value of the height zh.

[0054] In the next S50, the CPU 32 executes a pattern data generation process which is a simulation for generating pattern data. FIG. 9 shows an example of the pattern data generation process. First, the CPU 32 arranges a two-dimensional code of a design on the reference surface 5b, and arranges the light source 3 at the height Zh determined in S48. At this time, the design on the surface 5c is a reduced view of the design on the reference surface 5b. The CPU 32 determines the location of the object 5 where the straight line connecting the light source 3 and the white cells of the two-dimensional code on the reference surface 5b passes as the location where the through hole is to be formed. In this simulation, the location where the through hole is to be formed for all the white cells is determined, and thereby pattern data showing the pattern of the through hole is generated. S52 is the same as S10 in FIG. 3.

[0055] The size of the shadow picture pattern formed inside the object 5, i.e., the size of the through hole, changes based on the distance between the object 5 and the light source 3. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the distance to the light source 3 is determined taking into consideration the processing limit of the object 5, and the formation of the through hole in the object 5 can be appropriately executed. The process realized by S48 in Fig. 7 is an example of a "size determination process" and a "distance determination process".

[0056] (Third Example) This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except for the difference in the contents of the processing of the terminal device 10. The design in this embodiment is a two-dimensional code. Also, in this embodiment, the object 5 is transparent, and a pattern of non-transparent parts is formed on the object 5 as a silhouette pattern. The non-transparent parts correspond to the black cells of the two-dimensional code, and the areas where no non-transparent parts are formed correspond to the white cells of the two-dimensional code.

[0057] (Processing of terminal device 10; Figs. 10 to 13) S62 and S64 are the same as S2 and S4 in Fig. 3. In S66, the CPU 32 converts the three-dimensional data acquired in S64 into point cloud data. The point cloud data is data that represents a three-dimensional object by a plurality of points arranged at regular intervals in XYZ coordinates.

[0058] In S68, the CPU 32 determines the position of the light source 3 and the irradiation direction of the light source 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the position of the light source 3 and the irradiation direction of the light source 3 are determined. The position of the light source 3 and the irradiation direction of the light source 3 are determined based on information input by the user, for example.

[0059] In S70, the CPU 32 sequentially scans the point cloud data of the object 5 on a plurality of cross sections 300 perpendicular to the irradiation direction. Then, the CPU 32 determines, among a plurality of points indicating the point cloud data, one or more points that intersect with each cross section 300 during the scanning of each cross section 300 as a cross section point group 302 corresponding to each cross section 300. In other words, the multiple cross section point groups 302 correspond to a plurality of layers, and the CPU 32 classifies the object 5 into a plurality of layers and represents each layer as a point cloud.

[0060] In S72, the CPU 32 sums up the multiple cross-section point groups 302 determined in S70 to simulate one piece of sum point group 304. For example, in a portion of the object 5 where the thickness along the irradiation direction is relatively thin, the density of points in the sum point group 304 is low, and in a portion of the object 5 where the thickness along the irradiation direction is relatively thick, the density of points in the sum point group 304 is high. As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 32 classifies the sum point group 304 into a low-density range, a medium-density range, and a high-density range. The low-density range is a range equal to or less than a first threshold, the medium-density range is a range higher than the first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold, and the high-density range is a range higher than the second threshold. Then, the CPU 32 determines whether the width of the medium-density range is larger than a predetermined width. Here, the predetermined width is determined based on the width of the design. The width of the medium-density range being equal to or less than the predetermined width means that the width of the medium-density range is insufficient to arrange the design. When the CPU 32 determines that the width of the medium density range is equal to or less than the predetermined width (NO in S72), the process proceeds to S68, whereby the position of the light source 3 and the irradiation direction of the light source 3 are adjusted.

[0061] Furthermore, when CPU 32 determines that the width of the medium-density range is greater than the predetermined width (YES in S72), it proceeds to S74. In S74, CPU 32 determines the medium-density range as the arrangement range, which is the range in which the pattern of the non-transparent portion (i.e., the black and white pattern of the two-dimensional code, which is the design) is arranged. For example, if a low-density range is determined as the arrangement range, there is a possibility that there will not be enough points to express the black and white pattern of the two-dimensional code. With the above configuration, the black and white pattern of the two-dimensional code (i.e., the silhouette pattern) can be formed at an appropriate location inside the object 5.

[0062] In S76, the CPU 32 arranges the design in the arrangement range and generates pattern data showing the pattern of the non-transparent part. For example, the arrangement range includes four cross-sectional point groups 302a to 302d. The CPU 32 divides the design into four. Then, the CPU 32 distributes each of the four divided design to the four cross-sectional point groups 302a to 302d. The CPU 32 generates pattern data showing the pattern of the non-transparent part based on the black and white pattern of the design distributed to the four cross-sectional point groups 302a to 302d. For example, the CPU 32 determines the pattern of the non-transparent part so that one black cell corresponds to one point. Note that the number of distributions is not limited to four, and may be two or more.

[0063] For example, a comparative example may be considered in which the non-transparent parts are formed into one cross-sectional point group 302 without dividing the design. In this comparative example, the non-transparent parts are concentrated in one layer, and the non-transparent parts may stand out. In contrast, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the non-transparent parts are dispersed, and the non-transparent parts can be made less noticeable. Note that the configuration of the comparative example may be adopted in the modified example.

[0064] The next step S78 is the same as S10 in Fig. 3. When S78 ends, the CPU 32 ends the processing in Fig. 10.

[0065] (Correspondence) The process realized by the process of S72 in Fig. 10 is an example of a "first setting process" and a "classifying process." The process realized by the process of S76 in Fig. 10 and the process of Fig. 13 is an example of a "second setting process."

[0066] (Application examples of each embodiment; Figure 14) As shown in Fig. 14, the shadow picture projection 5 may display two types of shadow pictures 7, 7a. Specifically, when light is irradiated onto the object 5 along a first direction, the shadow picture 7 is displayed on the projection surface 6. On the other hand, when light is irradiated onto the object 5 along a second direction different from the first direction, the shadow picture 7a is displayed on the projection surface 6a different from the projection surface 6. For example, the shadow picture 7 is a two-dimensional code, and the shadow picture 7a is a character. The shadow picture projection 5 shown in Fig. 14 is generated, for example, by executing the process of Fig. 3 twice on one object 5.

[0067] (Application examples of each embodiment; Figure 15) As shown in Fig. 15, one shadow puppet 7 may be displayed by two shadow puppet projections 5 and 50. Specifically, one design is divided into two. For example, the process of Fig. 3 is performed on half the design and the object 5 to generate the shadow puppet projection 5, and the process of Fig. 3 is performed on the remaining half of the design and the object 50 to generate the shadow puppet projection 50.

[0068] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

[0069] (Variation 1) In the parameter determination process of FIG. 3, in S26, the CPU 32 may determine whether the similarity calculated in S24 is equal to or greater than a specific value. In this case, the CPU 32 may determine to use each parameter corresponding to a similarity equal to or greater than a specific value in the process of S8. In another variation, the CPU 32 may display a selection screen including one or more shadow shapes showing a similarity equal to or greater than a specific value in S30. Then, the CPU 32 may determine to use each parameter corresponding to one shadow shape selected on the selection screen in the process of S8. In these variations, selecting a shadow shape having a similarity equal to or greater than a specific value and selecting one shadow shape on the selection screen are examples of "selecting the specific direction from the multiple directions based on the comparison result."

[0070] (Modification 2) The design may be, for example, a part of a two-dimensional code. The remaining part of the two-dimensional code (for example, a symbol mark) may be displayed on the projection surface 6 in advance.

[0071] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 2: Shadow projection system 3:Light source 4: User 5: Object (shadow projection) 5a: Shadow 5b: Reference plane 5c: face 6: Projection surface 6a: Projection surface 7: Shadow art 7a: Shadow play 10: Terminal device 16: Communication interface 30: Control section 32 :CPU 34: Memory 40: OS program 42: Shadow picture program 50: Object (shadow projection) 100: Manufacturing Systems 200: Processing machine 300:Cross section 302, 302a~302d: Cross section point group 304: Sum of points

Claims

1. a data generating step of generating pattern data representing a shadow picture pattern to be formed inside an object based on design data representing a design and three-dimensional data representing a three-dimensional shape of the object, the shadow picture pattern being a pattern for projecting a shadow picture representing the design onto a projection surface, the shadow picture being included in a shadow of the object; a forming step of forming the silhouette pattern inside the object based on the pattern data; Equipped with A method for manufacturing a shadow puppet projection, in which when light is irradiated from a specific direction onto the object on which the shadow puppet pattern is formed, a portion of the light passes through the object due to the shadow puppet pattern while the remainder of the light is blocked by the object, thereby projecting the shadow puppet onto the projection surface aligned with the object along the specific direction.

2. The data generating step includes: a comparison step of comparing, for each of a plurality of directions, an outline of the shadow projected onto the projection surface when light is irradiated onto the object from the corresponding direction with an outline of the design; a selection step of selecting the specific direction from among the plurality of directions based on a comparison result between the outline of the shadow and the outline of the design; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 2 , wherein the selection step is a step of selecting, from the plurality of directions, a direction in which an appearance of the shadow is most similar to an appearance of the design as the specific direction.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shadow picture comprises a two-dimensional code.

5. the object is non-transparent; The method of claim 4 , wherein the shadow picture pattern is a pattern of through holes formed inside the object.

6. The data generating step includes: a size determination step of determining a size of the through hole based on a processing limit of the object; a distance determination step of determining a distance between the object and a light source of the silhouette based on the determined size of the through hole; The method of claim 5, comprising:

7. the object is transparent, The manufacturing method according to claim 4 , wherein the silhouette pattern is a pattern of non-transparent parts printed on the inside of the object.

8. The three-dimensional data is represented by a point cloud composed of a plurality of points, The data generating step includes: The manufacturing method according to claim 7 , further comprising a first setting step of setting the non-transparent portion at a position where a density of the points when the object is viewed from the specific direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

9. The three-dimensional data is represented by a point cloud composed of a plurality of points, The data generating step includes: classifying the point cloud into a plurality of layers in the particular direction; a second setting step of distributing the non-transparent portion in at least two layers among the plurality of layers; The method of claim 7, comprising:

10. A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The terminal device computer is composed of the following parts: A data generating unit that generates pattern data indicating a shadow pattern to be formed inside an object based on design data indicating a design and three-dimensional data indicating a three-dimensional shape of the object, the shadow pattern being a pattern for projecting a shadow representing the design onto a projection surface, the shadow being included in a shadow of the object; a processing execution unit that causes a processing machine to execute a process for forming the shadow picture pattern inside the object based on the pattern data; Functioning as a A computer program in which, when light is irradiated from a specific direction onto the object on which the shadow picture pattern is formed, the shadow picture is projected onto the projection surface aligned with the object along the specific direction by the shadow picture pattern causing a portion of the light to pass through the object while the remainder of the light is blocked by the object.

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