How to generate blueprints for block objects

Abstract

The aim is to provide a way for users to easily share information about the block parts needed to assemble block objects. [Solution] A method for sharing information about a block object composed of multiple types of block parts, in one aspect of the present invention, wherein the processing unit of a server terminal determines the block parts corresponding to the block object and generates an identification code based on the information about the block parts.

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 it is possible to achieve improvement in efficiency and visualization of the design of block parts by the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, it is still difficult to share information regarding block parts necessary for assembling a block object among users, or for a user to communicate with a store clerk to purchase necessary block parts.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method by which users can easily share information regarding block parts necessary for assembling a block object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A method for sharing information about a block object composed of multiple types of block parts, in one aspect of the present invention, wherein a processing unit of a server terminal determines the block parts corresponding to the block object and generates an identification code based on the information about the block parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a method can be provided that allows users to easily share information about block parts necessary for assembling block objects. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a system that provides a method for sharing information about block parts 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] This figure shows an example of object model information stored in server 100. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of block part information stored in server 100. [Figure 6] This is an example flowchart illustrating the details of a method for sharing information about block objects according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates block part information according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is another figure illustrating block part information 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 sharing information about block parts according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 consists of user terminals 200A and 200B for users who assemble block objects, a store terminal 400 for a store that sells block parts to users, and a server terminal 100 that is connected to user terminals 200A, 200B and 300 via a network and stores design drawing information for assembling block objects. Here, for the sake of convenience, user terminals 200A and 200B will be collectively referred to as user terminal 200.

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

[0013] The server terminal 100, user terminal 200, user terminal 200B, and store terminal 400 are each connected via a network NW. The network NW consists of the Internet, intranet, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

[0014] The server terminal 100 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or it may be logically implemented through cloud computing. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, one server terminal is given as an example, but it is not limited to this and may be multiple terminals.

[0015] The user terminals 200A, 200B, and the store terminal 300 are information processing devices such as, for example, personal computers or tablet terminals, but may also be configured by smartphones, mobile phones, PDAs, etc.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for communicating with the user terminal 200 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

[0018] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. Further, the storage unit 120 has an object model information storage unit 121 that stores information related to the object model, etc., and a block part information storage unit 122 that stores block part information, etc. generated based on the object model. Note that a database (not shown) storing various data may be constructed outside the storage unit 120 or the server terminal 100.

[0019] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. As functions of the control unit 130, there are an information reception unit 131 that receives information such as instructions from the user terminal 200 and the user terminal 200B, 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 the block parts, and an output processing unit 134 that performs processing to transmit the design drawing information related to the block object to the user terminal for output and processing to share information related to the block parts. The information reception unit 131, the object model information processing unit 132, the block part information processing unit 133, and the output processing unit 134 are activated by the program stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100 which is a computer (electronic computer).

[0020] The information reception unit 131 receives information from the user terminal 200 via the communication unit 110 when the user makes a predetermined request (such as inputting text or pressing an icon) through a user interface such as a screen displayed via a web browser or an application on the user terminal 200 or the store terminal 300 provided by the server terminal 100.

[0021] The object model processing unit 132 performs processing to store information related to the object model in the object model information storage unit 121 or refer to the stored object model information.

[0022] The block part information processing unit 133 performs processing to store information related to the block parts in the block part information storage unit 122 or refer to the stored block part information.

[0023] 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 the block object on the user terminal 200. The output processing unit 134 also performs the process of sharing information about block parts necessary for assembling the block object with the user terminal 200 and the store terminal 300. At this time, the output processing unit 134 can generate screen information necessary to be displayed on the interface of the user terminal 200, etc., by using the image and text data stored in the storage unit 120 as material and arranging various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface according to predetermined layout rules. This screen information generation process can also be performed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0024] 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.

[0025] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0026] 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).

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Furthermore, the store terminal 300 can have essentially the same configuration as the user terminal 200, so we will omit the explanation.

[0030] 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 acceleration sensor 320, an input unit 330, and a control unit 340.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of object model information stored in server 100.

[0036] The object model information 1000 shown in Figure 4 stores information related to the service operator associated with the server terminal 100, or the user associated with the user terminal 200 and / or user terminal 200B, and / or the object model generated by the user. 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 as a block object, 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. Furthermore, the object model information can also store data related to identification codes (e.g., two-dimensional codes such as QR codes and encryption codes) generated based on information about the type, quantity, and color of block parts necessary to assemble the object model as a block object.

[0037] Figure 5 shows an example of block part information stored in server 100.

[0038] The block part information 2000 shown in Figure 5 stores information related to the shape, size, color, and weight of the block part. In Figure 6, for the sake of explanation, an example of one block part (a block part identified by ID "20001") is shown, but information related to multiple block parts can be stored. 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 shape, size, color, etc. of the block part). Here, each of multiple types of block parts can be associated with a unique color, but is not limited to this.

[0039] Figure 6 is an example flowchart illustrating the details of a method for sharing information about block parts necessary for assembling a block object, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] First, as part of step S101, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the object model information stored in the object model information storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 in order to determine the block object. In this example, the object model information processing unit 132 refers to the object model related to "chick" as the target block object and can determine it as "chick". The object model information processing unit 132 also refers to the block part information stored in the object model information storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120 in order to determine the block parts corresponding to the determined block object. Here, the object model information processing unit 132 identifies block parts consisting of multiple types of shapes, colors, and quantities corresponding to the block part as information about the block part. This information may be information that has been set in advance as initial settings as object model data 1000, or it may be information created by the user and registered with the server terminal 100 regarding information about block parts (type, color, and number of block parts) corresponding to the block object.

[0041] In this example, as shown in Figure 7, the object model information processing unit 132 determines each of the block parts corresponding to the target block object "chick," and determines the color and number of each block part. Here, the block part information processing unit 133 can also determine the block parts to correspond to the parts of the block object (head, torso, arms, legs, etc.). Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating information about the type (shape) of the block parts, and information about the type of each block part is stored in the block part storage unit 122 of the memory unit 120.

[0042] Next, as part of step S102, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 generates an identification code based on the information about the block parts determined above. Specifically, the object model information processing unit 132 generates an identification code by encrypting a string of characters related to any of the block type (shape), color, and number, or combinations thereof, that constitute the information about the block parts, and converting it into a two-dimensional code such as a QR code or a predetermined string.

[0043] Then, as part of step S103, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 transmits the generated identification code to the user terminal 200 based on the request for sharing information about block parts received from the user terminal 200, and performs the process of sharing the identification code by displaying it on the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 transmits the identification code or link information (e.g., URL) to access the identification code to other user terminals 200 or to the store terminal 300 of the visited store. The users or stores that are sharing the code can then access the server terminal 100 by reading the identification code by scanning it through their respective terminals or by accessing the link destination of the link information. The output processing unit 134 of the server terminal 100 encodes the identification code, refers to information about block parts corresponding to the identification code (information about the type, color, and number of block parts necessary for assembling the block object), and can display this information to the user terminal 200 or the store terminal 300.

[0044] This allows users and store staff who are sharing the information to identify and pick block parts, individually arranging the type, color, or quantity of block parts as needed, based on the information about block parts displayed on their respective terminals. Furthermore, when a store employee reads the identification code provided by a user in the store, the server terminal 100 compares the information about block parts (information about the type, color, and quantity of block parts required to assemble the block object) with the inventory information of block parts stored in the memory unit 120, which is associated with that store. The server terminal 100 determines whether the necessary block parts are in stock, and if the necessary block parts are insufficient in the store, it can notify the store terminal 300 or recommend alternatives (custom options) such as block parts of a different color. In addition, each user or store employee can input information that identifies a block object (keywords, etc.) via their respective terminal and send a search request to the server terminal 100. The server terminal 100 then generates an identification code for the information about the block parts required to assemble that block object and displays it on the user terminal 200 or the store terminal. This allows each user and store employee to instantly identify, purchase, or customize the block parts needed to assemble block objects.

[0045] 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]

[0046] 1 System: 100 Server terminals, 110 Communication unit, 120 Storage unit, 130 Control unit, 200 User terminals, 300 Store terminals, NW Network

Claims

1. A method for sharing information about a block object composed of multiple types of block parts, The server terminal's processing unit is: Determine the block part corresponding to the aforementioned block object, A method for generating an identification code based on information about the aforementioned block parts.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the block parts is any of the type, color, and number of the block parts, or a combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification code is a QR code.

4. The aforementioned processing unit, The method according to claim 1, wherein, upon request from a user terminal or store terminal connected to the server terminal via a network, information relating to the block part corresponding to the identification code is displayed on the user terminal or store terminal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the server terminal transmits the identification code to the user terminal or the store terminal upon request from the user terminal or the store terminal.

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