How to generate a blueprint for a block object

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a method by which users can easily share information about block parts required for assembling a block object. [Solution] A method for sharing information about block objects consisting of multiple types of block parts in a system consisting of multiple user terminals and store terminals, and a server terminal connected via a network and storing blueprint information for assembling block objects, in which an object model information processing unit included in the control unit of the server terminal identifies block parts consisting of multiple types of shapes, colors and quantities corresponding to the block parts as information about the block parts stored in the object model information storage unit of the memory unit in order to determine 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 technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Toys that allow users to assemble block object models such as animals, buildings, vehicles, etc. using block parts such as Lego bricks are becoming popular.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for improving the efficiency of designing block parts that make up a block object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5665872 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, although the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 makes it possible to improve the efficiency and visualization of block part design, it is still difficult for users to share information about the block parts required to assemble a block object, or for users to purchase the required block parts through negotiations with store clerks.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method that enables users to easily share information about block parts required for assembling a block object. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method that allows users to easily share information about block parts required for assembling a block object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a system for providing a method for sharing information about block parts according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the server terminal 100 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the user terminal 200 of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of object model information stored in the server 100. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of block part information stored in the server 100. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating details of a method for sharing information about block objects according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating block part information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating block part information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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. Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0011] <Configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing a system for providing a method for sharing information about block parts according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This system 1 includes user terminals 200A and 200B of users who assemble block objects, a store terminal 400 of a store that sells block parts to users, and a server terminal 100 that is connected to user terminal 200A, user terminal 200B, and store terminal 300 via a network and stores design drawing information for assembling the block objects. For ease of explanation, user terminal 200A and user terminal 200B will be collectively referred to as user terminal 200.

[0012] Here, in this embodiment, an object with a character motif will be described as an example of a block object made up of multiple block parts, but other examples include other characters, people, robots, vehicles, food, buildings, etc., and the invention is not limited to this one example.

[0013] The server terminal 100, the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200B, and the store terminal 400 are connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is configured by the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

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

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

[0016] Fig. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the server terminal 100 of Fig. 1. The server terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit .

[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 input data, programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 130, and is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The storage unit 120 also has an object model information storage unit 121 that stores information related to object models, and a block part information storage unit 122 that stores information on block parts generated based on the object models. A database (not shown) that stores 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 programs stored in the storage unit 120, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The functions of the control unit 130 include an information receiving unit 131 that receives information such as instructions from the user terminal 200 and the user terminal 200B, an object model information processing unit 132 that refers to and processes various information related to object models, a block part information processing unit 133 that refers to and processes various information related to block parts, and an output processing unit 134 that transmits design drawing information related to block objects to the user terminal for output and processes information related to the block parts. The information receiving 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 programs stored in the storage unit 120 and executed by the server terminal 100, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

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

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

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

[0023] The output processing unit 134 performs processing to transmit necessary information to the user terminal 200 to display blueprint information and the like related to the block object on the user terminal 200, and also performs processing to share information about block parts necessary for assembling the block object with the user terminal 200 and the store terminal 300. In this case, the output processing unit 134 uses image and text data stored in the storage unit 120 as material, and arranges various images and text in predetermined areas of the user interface based on predetermined layout rules, thereby generating screen information necessary to be displayed on the interface of the user terminal 200, etc. This screen information generation processing can also be performed by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0024] Fig. 3 is a functional block 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Display operation unit 220 is a user interface used for inputting instructions by the user and displaying text, images, etc. in accordance with input data from control unit 240, and is composed of a display, keyboard, and mouse when user terminal 200 is configured as a personal computer, and is composed of a touch panel, etc. when user terminal 200 is configured as a smartphone or tablet terminal. This display operation unit 220 is started up by a control program stored in storage unit 230 and executed by user terminal 200, which is a computer (electronic calculator).

[0027] The storage unit 230 stores input data, programs for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 240, and is composed of RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 230 also temporarily stores the contents of communication with the server terminal 100.

[0028] The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 230, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like.

[0029] The store terminal 300 can also have substantially the same configuration as the user terminal 200, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the sensor device 300 of Fig. 1. The sensor device 300 includes 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 the network NW, and communication is performed according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The communication unit 210 can 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 (not shown) on which the user places the block parts in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions relative to the plane on which the sensor device 300 is placed, and generates coordinate information. Note that the sensor is not limited to an acceleration sensor, and other sensors capable of detecting the inclination of the base relative to the plane, such as an angular velocity sensor, can also be used.

[0033] The input unit 330 is an interface for inputting instructions for executing operations on the screen displayed on the user terminal 200, and may be, for example, physical buttons or buttons displayed on a liquid crystal screen.

[0034] The control unit 340 controls the overall operation of the sensor device 300 by executing a program stored in a storage unit (not shown), and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of object model information stored in the server 100. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The object model information 1000 shown in FIG. 4 stores information related to a service operator associated with the server terminal 100, or a user associated with the user terminal 200 and / or the user terminal 200B, and / or an object model created by the user. For ease of explanation, FIG. 4 shows an example of one object model (a user identified by the object ID "10001"), but information on multiple object models can be stored. The 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 numbers of block parts required to assemble the object model as a block object, and design drawing information related to the block parts arranged on each layer of the cross-section. 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 an identification code (e.g., a two-dimensional code such as a QR code or an encrypted code) generated based on information regarding the type, number, and color of block parts required to assemble the object model as a block object.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of block part information stored in the server 100. As shown in FIG.

[0038] The block part information 2000 shown in FIG. 5 stores information related to the shape, size, color, and weight of a block part. For ease of explanation, FIG. 6 shows an example of one block part (a block part identified by ID "20001"), but information related to multiple block parts can be stored. Examples of various data related to block parts include data related to block parts (including the shape, size, color, etc. of the block part) that correspond to the components that assemble a block object. Here, each of the multiple types of block parts can be associated with a unique color, but this is not limited to this.

[0039] FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing details of a method for sharing information about block parts required to assemble a block object according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] First, in the process 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 to determine a block object. In this example, the object model information processing unit 132 refers to an object model related to a "chick" as the target block object and can determine the target block object as a "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 to determine block parts corresponding to the determined block object. Here, the object model information processing unit 132 identifies block parts having a plurality of shapes, colors, and numbers corresponding to the block parts as information related to the block parts. This information may be information set in advance as initial settings as the object model data 1000, or may be information created by a user and registered in the server terminal 100 regarding block parts corresponding to the block object (types, colors, and numbers of block parts).

[0041] In this example, as shown in Fig. 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 corresponding to each block part. Here, the block part information processing unit 133 can also determine block parts so as to correspond to parts of the block object (head, torso, arms, legs, etc.). Fig. 8 is a diagram explaining information regarding the type (shape) of the block part, and information regarding the type of each block part is stored in the block part storage unit 122 of the memory unit 120.

[0042] Next, in the process of step S102, the object model information processing unit 132 of the control unit 130 generates an identification code for identifying the information based on the information about the determined block parts. Specifically, the object model information processing unit 132 generates the identification code by encrypting a character string related to the type (shape), color, or number of blocks, or a combination thereof, which constitutes the information about the block parts, and converting it into a two-dimensional code such as a QR code or a predetermined character string.

[0043] Then, in 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 the block parts received from the user terminal 200, and displays it on the user terminal 200, thereby executing processing to share the identification code. The user terminal 200 transmits the identification code or link information (e.g., a URL) for accessing the identification code to another user terminal 200, or to the store terminal 300 of a visited store. The user or store with whom the information is to be shared accesses the server terminal 100 by capturing an image of the identification code or by accessing the link destination of the link information via their respective terminals. The output processing unit 134 of the server terminal 100 encodes the identification code, references information about the block parts corresponding to the identification code (information about the type, color, and number of block parts required to assemble the block object), and displays this information on the user terminal 200 or the store terminal 300.

[0044] As a result, users and store clerks who share the information can individually adjust the type, color, or number of block parts as needed based on the information about the block parts displayed on their respective terminals, identify the block parts, and perform picking, etc. Furthermore, when a store clerk reads the identification code presented by the user at the store, the server terminal 100 compares the information about the block parts (information about the type, color, and number of block parts needed to assemble the block object) with the block part inventory information stored in the storage unit 120 in association with the store, determines whether the necessary block parts are in stock, and if the store is short of the necessary block parts, notifies the store terminal 300 of this fact or recommends block parts of different colors as alternatives (customization options). Furthermore, each user or store clerk can input information (keywords, etc.) that identifies the block object via their respective terminals and send a search request to the server terminal 100. The server terminal 100 can then generate an identification code for the information about the block parts needed to assemble the block object and display it on the user terminal 200 or the store terminal. This allows each user or store clerk to instantly identify, purchase, customize, or otherwise specify the block parts required to assemble a block object.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made. These embodiments, modifications, and omissions, substitutions, and modifications are included in the technical scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

1. A method for sharing information about a block object that is composed of multiple types of block parts, comprising: The processing unit of the server terminal Identifying a plurality of block parts constituting the block object based on the 3D model of the block object; extracting information relating to any one of the type, color, and number of the identified block parts, or a combination thereof; encrypting said information to generate an identification code; Transmitting the generated identification code to a user terminal or a store terminal connected to the server terminal via a network; Displaying the identification code on the user terminal or the store terminal, in response to a request from the store terminal to read the identification code, compare information stored in a memory unit of the server terminal regarding the type, color, or quantity of the block parts, or a combination thereof, with inventory information of the block parts corresponding to the store terminal, and determine whether the block parts are in stock; The information sharing method includes transmitting the determination result to the store terminal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification code is a two-dimensional code.

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