Method for outputting a design drawing of a block object

Abstract

To provide a method for making it easy for a user to assemble a block object using block parts.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object composed of a plurality of kinds of block parts that can be assembled by a processing part of a server terminal connected to a user terminal through a network. The processing part of the server terminal acquires information on block parts from the user terminal. A block object that can be assembled is determined on the basis of the information on the block parts. Design drawing information on the block object and the information on the block parts are displayed. The design drawing information on the block object is updated, the information on the block parts is updated on the basis of the updated design drawing information, and the information on the updated block parts is displayed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object.

Background Art

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

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for streamlining the design of block parts that make up a block object.

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 streamlining 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 a user to assemble a block object using block parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A method for outputting a design drawing of a block object composed of a plurality of types of block parts that can be assembled, which is executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected via a network to a user terminal according to an aspect of the present invention, wherein the processing unit of the server terminal acquires information on block parts from the user terminal, determines an assemblable block object based on the information on the block parts, displays the design drawing information of the block object and the information on the block parts, updates the design drawing information of the block object, updates the information on the block parts based on the updated design drawing information, and displays the updated information on the block parts.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a method can be provided for making it easier for a user to assemble a block object using block parts.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a system that provides a method for recommending block objects according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 includes a server terminal 100 that generates design drawing information of block objects based on the coordinate information of block parts acquired from a user terminal 200 or a sensor device 300, and user terminals 200A and 200B associated with each user who assembles the block objects. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, user terminals 200A and 200B will be collectively referred to as user terminal 200 and described as such.

[0012] Here, as an example of a block object composed of a plurality of block parts, in this embodiment, an animal object will be described as an example, but in addition, a person, a robot, a vehicle, a building, etc. can be mentioned, and it is not limited to one example.

[0013] The server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200 are each connected via the network NW. The network NW is composed of 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 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 an information processing device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal, but may be configured by a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the system 1 includes the server terminal 100 and the user terminal 200, and will be described as 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 directly operate the server terminal itself.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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).

[0019] The storage unit 120 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function within the control unit 130, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. 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.

[0020] The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the server terminal 100 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like. 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, 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 a process of transmitting the design drawing information related to the block object to the user terminal for output. This information reception unit 131, object model information processing unit 132, block part information processing unit 133, and output processing unit 134 are activated by the programs stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0021] When the user makes a predetermined request (such as inputting text or pressing an icon) through a user interface such as a screen provided by the server terminal 100 and displayed on the user terminal 200 via a web browser or an application, the information reception unit 131 receives information from the user terminal 200, or receives the coordinate information of the block parts generated by the sensor device 300 via the user terminal 200 and the communication unit 110.

[0022] The object model processing unit 132 performs processes of storing information related to the object model in the object model information storage unit 121 and referring to the stored object model information.

[0023] The block part information processing unit 133 performs processes of storing information related to the block part in the block part information storage unit 122 and referring to the stored block part information.

[0024] The output processing unit 134 performs a process of transmitting necessary information to the user terminal 200 in order to cause the user terminal 200 to display design drawing information and the like related to the block object. At this time, the output processing unit 134 can generate screen information necessary for display on the interface of the user terminal 200 by arranging various images and texts in a predetermined area of the user interface based on a predetermined layout rule using the images and text data stored in the storage unit 120 as materials. This screen information generation process can also be executed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0025] FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram showing the user terminal 200 of FIG. 1. The user terminal 200 includes a communication unit 210, a display operation unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0026] The communication unit 210 is a communication interface for communicating with the server terminal 100 via the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. Further, the communication unit 210 can also be provided with a communication interface for communicating with the sensor device 300 via short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0027] The display operation unit 220 is a user interface used for the user to input instructions and display text, images, etc. according to the input data from the control unit 240. When the user terminal 200 is composed of a personal computer, it is composed of a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. When the user terminal 200 is composed of a smartphone or a tablet terminal, it is composed of a touch panel or the like. 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).

[0028] The storage unit 230 stores programs for executing various control processes and each function in the control unit 240, input data, etc., and is composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc. Further, the storage unit 230 temporarily stores the communication content with the server terminal 100.

[0029] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, etc.

[0030] Note that the server terminal 100 may be configured to have the function of the display operation unit. In this case, it may be configured without the user terminal 200.

[0031] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of object model information stored in the server 100.

[0032] The object model information 1000 shown in FIG. 4 stores information related to an object model generated by a service operator associated with the server terminal 100 or a user associated with the user terminal 200. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, an example of one object model (a user identified by the object ID "10001") is shown, but information on a plurality of object models can be stored. As various data related to the object model, it can include 3D model data of the object model, cross-sectional data of the object model, and data related to one or more types of block parts and the number thereof necessary for assembling the object model, design drawing information related to the block parts arranged for each layer of the cross-section, and the like. Here, the 3D model data can also be stored as data obtained by converting 2D model data into a 3D model by a predetermined process.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of block part information stored in the server 100.

[0034] The block part information 2000 shown in FIG. 5 stores information related to the shape, size, color, and weight of the block parts, and the like. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, an example of one block part (a block part identified by the ID "20001") is shown, but information related to a plurality of block parts can be stored. As various data related to the block parts, for example, it can include data related to the block parts corresponding to the parts for assembling the block object (consisting of the shape, size, color, and the number of each block part). Here, each of the plurality of types of block parts can be associated with a unique color, but it is not limited thereto.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing a method for outputting a design drawing of a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As a pre - processing step, the user accesses the server terminal 100 using the web browser of the user terminal 200 or (when installing an application) an application or the like. A predetermined screen is displayed on the user interface via a website or an application or the like. The user activates the camera (not shown) of the user terminal 200 and images a two - dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark)) printed on a package (e.g., a bucket, a bag, etc.) that packs a plurality of (same or different) block parts in the user's hand. Or, the user prepares individual block parts by hand.

[0037] Then, as the process of step S101, the information receiving unit 131 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives information regarding the block parts from the user terminal 200 via the network and the communication unit 110. Here, the server terminal 100 receives a request to transition to the link destination generated by the user imaging the two - dimensional code. The link destination stores, as block part data 2000 in the block part information storage unit 122 of the storage unit 120, a package ID, information regarding the shape, color, etc. of each of the plurality of block parts corresponding to the package ID, and information regarding the number, which are associated with each other. Each time the user images a two - dimensional code printed on one or more packages with the camera of the user terminal 200 and selects a link displayed on the user terminal 200, a request to transition to the link destination is sent from the user terminal 200 to the server terminal 100. Or, when the user selects the product number (e.g., "bucketA" in FIG. 7(a)) of the package that packs the block parts at hand on the user interface displayed on the user terminal 200, information regarding that package is sent to the server terminal 100. Or, when the user counts the individual block parts at hand and inputs the number on the user interface displayed on the user terminal 200 as shown in FIG. 7(b), information regarding the number of block parts is sent to the server terminal 100.

[0038] Subsequently, as the process of step S102, each time the block part information processing unit 133 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 receives information regarding the received block part, it refers to the block part data 2000, updates the information regarding the block part corresponding to the package (such as the shape, color, number, etc. of the block part), and determines it as the information regarding the block part held by the user.

[0039] Subsequently, as the process of step S103, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 generates information regarding the shape, color, number, etc. of each block part in order to display the information regarding the block part updated and determined in the previous step on the user terminal 200, and performs output processing. When the server terminal 100 receives information regarding a plurality of packages from the user terminal 200, it collectively generates information regarding the shape and color of the block part corresponding to each package, and also generates information obtained by summing up the numbers.

[0040] FIG. 8 is an example of a screen presenting information regarding a block part, which is displayed on a user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, information regarding the shape, color, and number of the block part is displayed on the user terminal 200 as "blocks held by the user".

[0041] Subsequently, as the process of step S104, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 determines an assemblable block object based on the information regarding the determined block parts. Here, the block object information processing unit 132 refers to the object model data 1000 stored in the object model information storage unit 121 of the storage unit 120, and determines an assemblable block object based on the information regarding the determined block parts. If a plurality of block objects can be assembled based on the determined block parts, a plurality of block objects are determined and can be proposed to the user terminal 200 as a plurality of assemblable block objects. In contrast, the user can select a desired block object from among the plurality of assemblable block objects. Here, the user can also select in advance the block object to be assembled regardless of this step, and then transmit the information regarding the number of block parts at hand to the server terminal 100. In that case, as shown in FIG. 8, the information regarding the type, color, and number of block parts required to assemble the selected block object is displayed as "Blocks used for this design", and based on the information regarding the registered block parts, the information regarding the lacking block parts can also be displayed as "Missing blocks".

[0042] Subsequently, as the process of step S105, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 causes the design drawing information corresponding to the determined block object to be displayed. The object model information processing unit 132 refers to the object model data 1000 stored in the object model information storage unit 121, specifies the 3D model data corresponding to the block object, and performs a process of displaying a 3D model of the block object, in which each of a plurality of layers is configured by arranging one or more types of block parts, as the design drawing information. The design drawing information can be displayed for each layer from the lowermost layer to the uppermost layer. Initially, the design drawing information in a state where no block parts are used in the lowermost layer is displayed. At this point, since no block parts are used, as the information regarding the block parts, information (shape, color, number) regarding all the block parts in the user's hand is displayed. FIG. 9 is an example of the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200.

[0043] Subsequently, as the process of step S106, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 updates the design drawing information corresponding to the determined block object. Here, the user assembles the block object based on the block parts at hand while referring to the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200. When the user finishes assembling the block object, in the screen displayed on the user terminal 200, when a predetermined operation is performed (for example, a request to display the design drawing information corresponding to the completed form of the block object, or in the screen shown in Fig. 10(a), an input or selection operation indicating that the assembly of the block object is completed (for example, selecting "Assembly completed!")), a request to update the design drawing information is sent from the user terminal 200 to the server terminal 100. The object model information processing unit 132 of the server terminal 100 refers to the object model data 1000 and generates the design drawing information corresponding to the completed form of the block object (or the state where the block parts are arranged from the bottom layer to the top layer). Here, when the user performs a scroll operation on a predetermined bar or the like for the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200 and makes a request to display the design drawing in the state where the block parts are being assembled, it is possible to update the design drawing information corresponding to the state where the block parts are being assembled (for example, the state where the block parts are assembled from the bottom layer to the Nth layer).

[0044] Subsequently, as the process of step S107, the block part information processing unit 133 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 refers to the object model data 1000 and the block part data 2000, and performs a process of subtracting the number of each block part used by assembling the object model from the number of each block part determined in step S102 above, thereby performing an update process on the information regarding the block parts. Here, when the user makes a display request for a design drawing in a state where the block parts are being assembled, such as performing a scroll operation on a predetermined bar as shown in FIGS. 9(a) to (c) for the design drawing information displayed on the user terminal 200, the number of each block part used in the state where the block parts are being assembled (for example, the state where the block parts are assembled from the bottommost layer to the Nth layer) is subtracted from the number of each block part determined in step S102 above, and an update process on the information regarding the block parts can also be performed.

[0045] Subsequently, as the process of step S108, the output processing unit 134 of the control unit 130 of the server terminal 100 generates information regarding the shape, color, number, etc. of each block part in order to display the information regarding the block parts updated and determined in the previous step on the user terminal 200, and performs output processing. For example, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a process of displaying the number of each block part updated in the previous step is performed. Here, based on the information regarding the type, color, and number of each updated block part as shown in FIG. 11(a), information regarding the block object that can be assembled with the block parts owned by the user, and / or as shown in FIG. 11(b), information regarding the block object that can be assembled by adding a predetermined type, color, and number to the currently owned block parts can also be displayed on the user terminal 200.

[0046] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of block parts stored in each package and / or the total number thereof can be automatically counted and displayed to the user without the user having to count them, and the number of remaining block parts after the user assembles a predetermined block object can also be automatically counted and displayed. Therefore, the user can easily assemble the block object.

[0047] Although the embodiments according to the invention have been described above, they can be implemented in various other forms, and can be implemented with various omissions, substitutions, and changes. These embodiments, variations, and omissions, substitutions, and changes are included in the technical scope of the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1 System 100 Server terminal, 110 Communication unit, 120 Storage unit, 130 Control unit, 200 User terminal, NW Network

Claims

1. A method for outputting a design drawing of a block object composed of a plurality of types of assemblable block parts, which is executed by a processing unit of a server terminal connected via a network to a user terminal, comprising: The processing unit of the server terminal: obtains information about block parts from the user terminal; determines one or more assemblable block objects based on the information about the block parts; displays the design drawing information of the block object and the information about the block parts; and when the plurality of assemblable block objects are determined, displays information about the plurality of assemblable block objects.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information about the block parts includes information about the number of block parts.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a request to update the design drawing information from the user terminal and updating the design drawing information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein updating the design drawing information comprises updating the design drawing information to a state where the block object is completed.

5. A program for causing a computer to output a design drawing of a block object composed of a plurality of types of assemblable block parts, the program causing: the acquisition of information about block parts; the determination of one or more assemblable block objects based on the information about the block parts; the display of the design drawing information of the block object and the information about the block parts; and when the plurality of assemblable block objects are determined, the display of information about the plurality of assemblable block objects.

Images