Layout creation device and method

Abstract

To create a layout of an event hall by a simple method. [Solution] A layout creation device connected to multiple layout display devices via communication lines includes a hole image DB storing multiple hole images showing the shapes of event holes, a layout image DB storing multiple hole layout images showing the layout of event holes, an extraction unit that extracts hole images from the hole image DB and also extracts hole layout images from the layout image DB, a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted hole layout images with the hole images to generate a synthesized image, and a communication unit that receives layout element data including the event purpose and number of people from the layout display device and transmits the synthesized image data to the layout display device to display the synthesized image on the layout display device. The extraction unit extracts hole layout images corresponding to the layout elements input to the layout display device from the multiple hole layout images.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for creating a layout of an event hall. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding the creation of office layouts, a layout creation device is known that extracts a floor layout image corresponding to a combination of layout elements including the number of conference rooms and seats that make up the office, and synthesizes it with a floor image to generate a composite image (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7305018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The layout creation device disclosed in the above patent document is designed to create office layouts, and its intended use is limited to permanent office use. In contrast, events such as conferences and social gatherings are one-time events that differ from office use, and the desired hall layout varies depending on the purpose of the event, so a system that can more efficiently create hall layouts for events has been desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a layout creation device connected to multiple layout display devices via communication lines, and includes a hole image DB in which multiple hole images showing the shapes of event holes are stored, and a layout image DB in which multiple hole layout images showing the layouts of the event holes are stored, the hole layout images being stored in the layout DB corresponding to combinations of layout elements including the purpose of the event and the number of people. The layout creation device includes an extraction unit that extracts the hole images from the hole image DB and extracts hole layout images from the layout image DB, a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted hole layout images with the hole images to generate a composite image, and a communication unit that receives data on layout elements including the purpose of the event and the number of people from the layout display device and transmits data on the composite image to the layout display device to display the composite image on the layout display device, and the extraction unit extracts the hole layout image corresponding to the layout elements input in the layout display device from the multiple hole layout images.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a layout creation method for creating a layout of an event hall using a layout creation device, the layout creation device comprising: a hole image DB in which a plurality of hole images showing the shape of an event hall are stored; and a layout image DB in which a plurality of hole layout images showing the layout of the event hall are stored, the hole layout images being stored in the layout DB corresponding to combinations of layout elements including the purpose of the event and the number of people involved. The method comprises an extraction step in which an extraction unit extracts the hole images from the hole image DB and extracts hole layout images from the layout image DB; a synthesis step in which a synthesis unit synthesizes the extracted hole layout images with the hole images to generate a synthesized image; and a display step in which a display unit displays and outputs the synthesized image, and the extraction unit extracts the hole layout image corresponding to the input layout elements from the plurality of hole layout images. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a layout appropriate to the purpose of the event can be created and presented to the customer by a simple method, allowing the customer to quickly grasp the layout image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including a layout creation device and a layout display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hall DB. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a layout image DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layout creation screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layout creation screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event hall layout. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event hall layout. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event hall layout. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event hall layout. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event hall layout. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an event hall layout. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a layout creation device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including a layout display device 10 and a layout creation device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0010] The layout display device 10 is, for example, a general-purpose computer device (e.g., a tablet terminal) and is equipped with a known CPU and memory, as well as an input unit 12, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 16, and is installed with a known operating system. The layout display device 10 also has installed therein a web browser 18 for creating and displaying event hall layouts, which will be described later.

[0011] The input unit 12 is, for example, a soft keyboard or pull-down menu displayed on a touch panel, and allows the user to input various information such as the purpose of use, facility (event hall), desired number of people, and area. The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays an event hall layout creation screen and a layout output screen. The input unit 12 and display unit 14 may be configured as a touch panel display. The communication unit 16 is a communication device for communication using a known communication method (e.g., LTE, 5G), and transmits and receives various data to and from the layout creation device 20 via the communication line 11.

[0012] The layout creation device 20 is, for example, a general-purpose computer device, and includes a known CPU and memory, as well as a communication unit 22 and a storage unit 24, and has a known operating system installed. The layout creation device 20 also has installed therein a program (layout creation program 26) for performing various processes for layout creation, which will be described later. The communication unit 22 is a communication device for communicating using a known communication method (e.g., LTE, 5G), and transmits and receives various data to and from the layout display device 10 via the communication line 11.

[0013] The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory, and stores the layout creation program 26 as well as various data such as a hole DB 28, a layout DB 30, and acquired data 32, which will be described later. The layout creation program 26 is pre-installed in the computer that constitutes the layout creation device 20.

[0014] The layout creation program 26 is a program that generates display data for the layout creation screen that is displayed on the web browser 18 of the layout display device 10, and when information (event components) such as the facility where the event will be held, the purpose of use, and the desired number of people is input, the program automatically creates a layout of the event facility based on the input information. When the layout creation program 26 is started up in the layout creation device 20, it operates as an extraction unit 34 and a synthesis unit 36, thereby performing the layout creation process described below.

[0015] Figure 2 shows an example of data recorded in the hall DB 28, where area, hall ID, and hall image data information are recorded in association with each event hall (facility). In the example of Figure 2, the event hall name "XX Shinjuku Hall" is associated with area information "Shinjuku," and two types of hall image data ("floor0001_1.jpg" and "floor0001_2.jpg") are prepared for the first floor ("XX Shinjuku Hall [1F]") and the first basement floor ("XX Shinjuku Hall [B1]"), each identified by a unique facility ID ("0001-1" and "0001-2").

[0016] Furthermore, the hall name "Shibuya Hall" is associated with the area information "Shibuya," and one type of hall image data ("floor0010_1.jpg") is prepared and identified by a unique hall ID ("0010-1"). The hall image data is image data of the entire hall, including the common areas (elevators, common corridors, toilets, etc.) of an event hall (however, the areas where the layout image will be synthesized are blank; see Figure 8), and is prepared in advance.

[0017] Figure 3 shows an example of data stored in the layout DB 30. For each event hall, information such as the purpose of use, number of people, and seating pattern is stored in association with layout image data showing the hall layout. Figure 3 uses hall ID "0001-1" (XX Shinjuku Hall [1F]) as an example, but similar data is stored in the layout DB 30 for event halls corresponding to other hall IDs.

[0018] In FIG. 3 , “Purpose” refers to the purpose of the event. In this embodiment, five options are available: “Exam Venue,” “Training Venue,” “Conference / Seminar,” “Conference + Social Gathering,” and “Social Gathering.” Furthermore, “Number of Participants” refers to the number of people that can be accommodated at each event. In the example of FIG. 3 , multiple patterns are available for “Conference / Seminar,” ranging from 400 to 1,400 people. “Seating Pattern” refers to the seating pattern that constitutes the layout image. Available patterns include “Theater,” “Two-Seater” (two seats + desk), “Three-Seater” (three seats + desk), “T-Island” (T-shaped desk + seat), and “Round Table.” In the example of FIG. 3 , variable seating patterns are available to accommodate an increase or decrease in the number of participants, such as “Theater” for 900 to 1,400 participants, “Three-Seater” for 600 to 1,100 participants, “Two-Seater” for 400 to 700 participants, and “T-Island” for 300 to 500 participants.

[0019] 3, "layout image data" is image data of the hall layout determined by the combination of the purpose of use, number of people, and seating pattern described above, and is prepared in advance. This layout image data is combined with the hall image data of FIG. 2 and sent to the layout display device 10, where it is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0020] For example, the layout image data "layout_2_300_2.jpg" corresponds to a layout image for which the purpose of use is "training venue," the number of people is "300," and the seating pattern is "T-island." Also, the layout image data "layout_3_400_1.jpg" corresponds to a layout image for which the purpose of use is "conference / seminar," the number of people is "400," and the seating pattern is "two-seater." These layout images differ depending on the purpose of use, and layout images are prepared in advance to suit the purpose of the event.

[0021] For example, if the purpose of use is a "training venue," it is often group training consisting of a manager and players, rather than one-way lectures from an instructor to students, so a "T-island" layout pattern is preferable. Also, if the purpose of use is an "examination venue," it is necessary to increase the distance between examinees to a certain extent to prevent cheating and other misconduct, so "two-seater" seats are preferable. Also, if the purpose of use is "conferences and seminars," it is preferable not only to hold the event on one floor, but also to divide the hall into multiple sections, such as "conferences + social gatherings," and to have different layouts for each section.

[0022] The number of layout images, number of people, seating patterns, and purpose of use for each event hall are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3 and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the purpose of use is not limited to the five types shown in FIG. 3 and other purposes such as exhibitions and concerts can be added. Also, while the example in FIG. 3 shows only the combination of "conference + social gathering," other combinations (for example, "training + social gathering") can be included. Furthermore, the combinations of purpose of use, number of people, and patterns are not limited to the example in FIG. 3 and can be changed as appropriate. For each event hall, layout images are prepared for each combination of purpose of use, number of people, and pattern, and are recorded in advance in the layout DB 30.

[0023] The acquired data 32 includes information (such as event facility, purpose of use, number of people, and seating pattern) input by the user through the input unit 12 and transmitted from the layout display device 10, as well as image data extracted by the extraction unit 34, and is temporarily stored in the storage unit 24. The extraction unit 34 extracts hall image data corresponding to the property ID selected by the user from the hall DB 28, and also extracts layout image data corresponding to the combination of purpose of use, number of people, and seating pattern selected by the user from the layout DB 30. The synthesis unit 36 ​​generates a layout image of the event hall by synthesizing the corresponding hall image data into the layout space of the hall image data (blank space in FIG. 10).

[0024] 4 shows a layout creation screen according to this embodiment. The layout creation screen is displayed on the display unit 14 by the web browser 18 of the layout display device 10, and a "Search by Purpose" button 41 and a "Search by Facility" button 42 are displayed. When the user taps the "Search by Purpose" button 41, the desired number of people, area, and event purpose can be input / selected. Note that the "Search by Facility" button 42 is grayed out on the input screen in FIG. 4, but it may be hidden.

[0025] The input screen in Figure 4 displays an event purpose selection box 43, a desired number of people input box 44, and an area selection box 45. The user can input / select the purpose of use, desired number of people, and area by operating the input unit 12. Note that the desired number of people and area may be selected from multiple options prepared in advance using a pull-down menu instead of inputting numbers or letters.

[0026] 4, when the purpose of use, desired number of people, and area are determined, a search is performed for event facilities that match the input items. That is, the input data (purpose of use, desired number of people, and area information) is sent from the layout display device 10 to the layout creation device 20. The extraction unit 34 of the layout creation device 20 reads out hall ID information of facilities that match the area determined by the user from the hall DB 28, and records it in the storage unit 24 as acquired data 32.

[0027] Next, the extraction unit 34 refers to the data of the corresponding hall ID in the layout DB 30, and searches for the presence or absence of data of the corresponding layout image using the purpose of use and desired number of people determined by the user as keys. Here, the desired number of people does not need to exactly match the desired number of people associated with the layout image, and it is preferable to leave some range (for example, the layout image "layout_2_300_2.jpg" will hit in the range of 200 to 300 people).

[0028] Figure 5 is a screen showing an example of search results after a search for event facilities that match the input items on the input screen of Figure 4 has been performed. In the example of Figure 5, "XX Shinjuku Hall [1F]" and "X△ Shinjuku West Hall [B1]" are displayed as candidate facilities in the candidate screen 46 that were found in the search items of desired number of people "400 people," area "Shinjuku," and purpose of use "training." Note that it is not necessary to use all elements of purpose of use, desired number of people, and area as search keys; a search may be performed using only some of them (for example, purpose of use and desired number of people) as keys.

[0029] When the user selects a desired facility from the candidates displayed on the screen of Fig. 5 and taps the "Decide with this" button 47, the layout creation program 26 generates display data for the information input screen and transmits it to the layout display device 10. The layout display device 10 displays the display unit layout display screen (see Fig. 6) based on the display data received from the layout creation device 20. On the other hand, when the "Back" button 48 is operated, the search screen of Fig. 4 is displayed.

[0030] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layout display screen displayed on the display unit 14. The layout display screen includes a facility display area 51, a layout display area 52 that displays a layout image, an input area 53 for inputting information about the desired number of people and layout, and an information display area 54 that displays information such as the hall area.

[0031] The facility display area 51 displays the event facility information (facility name, purpose, number of people) selected by the user in Fig. 4. The layout display area 52 displays a composite image (event hall image) that combines a hall image based on hall image data extracted from the hall DB 28 with a layout image extracted from the layout DB 30. The user can get an idea of ​​the layout of the event hall by checking the composite image displayed in the layout display area 52.

[0032] The input area 53 displays a purpose selection box 55 for selecting the purpose of the event, a number of people input box 56 for inputting the desired number of people, and a seat selection box 57 for selecting a seating pattern. When the user inputs information into these various boxes 55 to 57 and taps the "Next" button 59, the input data (purpose, number of people, and seating pattern information) is sent from the layout display device 10 to the layout creation device 20.

[0033] In the layout creation device 20, the extraction unit 34 searches the layout DB 30 for a layout image that matches the input content. In the synthesis unit 36, the hall image data and layout image data are synthesized so that the layout image fills in the blank areas of the hall image (see FIG. 8), generating a new synthesized image (an updated event hall image), and the synthesized image data is sent to the layout display device 10. In the layout display device 10, the updated synthesized image is displayed in the layout display area 52. This allows the user to change the event purpose, desired number of people, and seating pattern as appropriate. Furthermore, without being limited to these pieces of information, it is also possible to change to a hall on a different floor of the same event hall, for example.

[0034] Fig. 7 is an example of a layout display screen after changes. The display example in Fig. 7 shows a case where the purpose, desired number of people, and seating pattern have been changed from the screen in Fig. 6, but it is also possible to change only some of these. The user can easily and quickly change the event layout screen by inputting information into the various boxes 55 to 57.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows an example of a display in which only a hall image is displayed in the layout display area 52. This display is displayed, for example, when the "Search by Facility" button 42 is tapped on the input screen of FIG. 4 and a facility name is input / selected. In this display screen, the layout display area 52 displays a hall image (before being combined with the layout image) extracted from the hall DB 28 by the extraction unit 34. When the user inputs appropriate information into the purpose selection box 55, number of people input box 56, and layout selection box 57 on this display screen and taps the "Next" button 59, the input data (purpose, number of people, and seating pattern information) is transmitted from the layout display device 10 to the layout creation device 20, and a composite image (event layout image) of the corresponding layout image and hall image is generated in the layout creation device 20, and the composite image (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the display unit 14 of the layout display device 10.

[0036] In this way, the user can avoid the tedious work of designing the layout of the event facility and arranging the seats, and can create a layout based only on basic information such as the number of people and purpose, allowing the event layout to be created and presented to the customer in a simple manner. This allows the customer to quickly grasp the image of the event without spending time creating the event layout.

[0037] Furthermore, since the layout image data is stored centrally in the layout creation device 20, the event planner (administrator) simply updates the information in the data server, and the updated information in the hole DB 28 and layout DB 30 can be used in all layout display devices 10 connected to it, making it easy to expand the holes and layout patterns.

[0038] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example of displaying a layout image over the entire hall is explained, but in this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate cases where two purposes are carried out simultaneously or without time lag in one hall, such as a "conference / seminar" on one side of a divided hall and a "reception" on the other.

[0039] For example, in Fig. 3, the layout image data "layout_4_150_2.jpg" is a layout image corresponding to a purpose of use of "conference + social gathering," a number of people of "150," and a seating pattern of "T-island," and is stored in advance in the layout DB 30 as an image combining a layout image for a conference / seminar and a layout image for a social gathering. When "conference + social gathering" is selected as the purpose of the event on the input screen of Fig. 4, a layout image corresponding to the purpose of "conference + social gathering" is extracted from the layout DB 30, and is combined with the hall image to generate a composite image, which is then displayed on the display unit 14 (see Fig. 10).

[0040] Alternatively, layout images for different purposes may be combined for each divided hall. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the layout display screen, in which a switching tab 61 for switching between "single-sided" and "divided-sided" is displayed in the input area 53, and boxes 62 to 64 are displayed in which the purpose, number of people, and seating layout can be selected and input. Here, when "single-sided" is selected, a composite image is displayed in which one layout image extracted based on the selected elements (purpose, number of people, seating type) is composited over the entire surface of the event hall, as in the first embodiment.

[0041] On the other hand, when the switching tab 61 is switched to "Divided", a hall image (layout image is blank) divided into Hall A (main) and Hall B (sub) is displayed in the layout display area 52. The input area 53 displays boxes 62 to 64 in which the purpose, number of people, and seating layout for Hall A (main) can be selected and input, as well as boxes 65 to 67 in which the purpose, number of people, and seating layout for Hall B (sub) can be selected and input.

[0042] Here, the purpose, number of people, and seating layout for hall A (main) and hall B (sub) are entered in boxes 62 to 67 via the input unit 12, and when the "Next" button 59 is tapped, the input data (purpose, number of people, and seating pattern information) for hall A (main) and hall B (sub) is sent from the layout display device 10 to the layout creation device 20. The extraction unit 34 of the layout creation device 20 searches for layout images corresponding to each layout item (purpose, number of people, and seating layout) of hall A and hall B, and displays the extracted layout images in the layout display area 52.

[0043] Fig. 10 is an example of a layout display screen on which layout images are displayed, with layout images corresponding to "Meeting / Seminar," "100 people," and "3-seater" displayed in Hall A, and layout images corresponding to "Social Gathering," "50 people," and "Round Table" displayed in Hall B. Fig. 11 is an example of a layout display screen on which layout images are displayed, with layout images corresponding to "Training," "100 people," and "T-island" displayed in Hall A, and layout images corresponding to "Social Gathering," "100 people," and "Flat Desk" displayed in Hall B.

[0044] In this way, by dividing a hole into multiple parts and extracting layout images for each hole and combining them with the hole image, hole layout images that suit the purpose of multiple events can be created. Note that the number of hole divisions is not limited to two.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the layout of the event hall is presented based on the purpose, number of people, and seating layout information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other information may be added as long as it is information that can be easily selected by the user. For example, information such as whether there is a reception desk (staffed or unstaffed), whether there is a stage, seat width, and spacing between adjacent seat rows can be added. In this case, layout image data is recorded in the layout DB 30 for each added information candidate, and the extraction unit 34 extracts layout image data corresponding to the information selected by the user and displays it in the layout display area 52.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the case where the layout display device 10 and the layout creation device 20 are connected via a network has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in Fig. 12, the functions of the layout display device 10 and the layout creation device 20 in Fig. 1 may be integrated into a single layout creation device 70 owned by the user. This makes it possible to create and display layouts even in an environment without a network connection.

[0047] The above-described embodiments have been described for the purpose of enabling a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the present invention. Various modifications of the above-described embodiments would naturally be possible for a person skilled in the art, and the technical concept of the present invention may also be applied to other embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but is to be interpreted in the broadest scope in accordance with the technical concept defined by the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Layout display device 20, 70 Layout creation device 26 Layout Creation Program 28 Hole DB 30 Layout DB 52 Layout display area

Claims

1. A layout creation device connected to a plurality of layout display devices via communication lines, a hall DB storing a plurality of hall images showing the shapes of event halls; a layout DB in which a plurality of hall layout images showing layouts of the event hall are stored, the hall layout images being stored in the layout DB in correspondence with combinations of event purposes and number of people; an extracting unit that extracts the hole image from the hole DB and extracts a hole layout image from the layout DB; a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted hole layout image with the hole image to generate a synthesized image; a communication unit that receives data on the purpose of the event and the number of people from the layout display device and transmits data on the composite image to the layout display device so that the layout display device can display the composite image; The layout creation device is characterized in that the extraction unit extracts, from the plurality of hole layout images, the hole layout image that corresponds to the combination of the event purpose and number of people input in the layout display device.

2. The hall DB stores a plurality of hall images in association with a facility ID indicating an event hall, 2. The layout creation device according to claim 1, wherein said layout DB stores a plurality of hole layout images corresponding to combinations of event purposes and number of people for each facility ID.

3. the hole image is composed of a plurality of divided holes, the combining unit is capable of combining different hole layout images for the divided holes, 2. The layout creation device according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts the hole layout images corresponding to different combinations of event purposes and number of players for each of the divided holes.

4. A layout creation device connected to a plurality of layout display devices by communication lines, a hall DB storing a plurality of hall images showing the shapes of event halls; a layout DB in which a plurality of hall layout images showing layouts of the event hall are stored, the hall layout images being stored in the layout DB in correspondence with combinations of event purpose, number of people, and seating patterns; an extracting unit that extracts the hole image from the hole DB and extracts a hole layout image from the layout DB; a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted hole layout image with the hole image to generate a synthesized image; a communication unit that receives data on the purpose of the event, the number of people, and the seating pattern from the layout display device, and transmits data on the composite image to the layout display device so that the layout display device can display the composite image; the extraction unit extracts, from the plurality of hall layout images, the hall layout image corresponding to the combination of the event purpose, the number of people, and the seating pattern inputted into the layout display device; Layout creation device characterized in that the information on the event purpose, the number of people, and the seating pattern are independent of each other.

5. A layout creation method for creating a layout of an event hall using a layout creation device, comprising: The layout creation device includes a hole DB in which a plurality of hole images showing the shape of an event hole are stored, and a layout DB in which a plurality of hole layout images showing the layout of the event hole are stored, and the hole layout images are stored in the layout DB in correspondence with combinations of event purposes and number of people, an extraction step in which, in an extraction unit, the hole image is extracted from the hole DB and a hole layout image is extracted from a layout DB; a combining step of combining the extracted hole layout image with the hole image in a combining unit to generate a combined image; a display step of displaying and outputting the composite image on a display unit, The layout creation method, wherein the extraction unit extracts the hole layout image corresponding to the input combination of the event purpose and number of people from the plurality of hole layout images.

6. A layout creation device for creating a layout of an event hall, a hall DB storing a plurality of hall images showing the shapes of event halls; a layout DB in which a plurality of hall layout images showing layouts of the event hall are stored, the hall layout images being stored in the layout DB in correspondence with combinations of event purposes and number of people; an extracting unit that extracts the hole image from the hole DB and extracts a hole layout image from the layout DB; a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted hole layout image with the hole image to generate a synthesized image; a display unit that displays and outputs the composite image, The layout creation device is characterized in that the extraction unit extracts the hole layout image corresponding to the input combination of the event purpose and number of people from the plurality of hole layout images.

Images