Server

Abstract

A server (10) comprises: a surface information database (111) that stores, as surface characteristic data, a plurality of pieces of surface information, including texture information indicating visual texture, tactile sensation information indicating tactile sensations by a plurality of numerically expressed metrics, physical property information indicating the properties of material related to surface finishes that affect texture and tactile sensations, and processing information for realizing a surface characteristic; a presentation unit (12) that presents, to a user, the surface information in such a manner that the surface information is selectable on the basis of the texture information, the tactile sensation information, or the physical property information; and a processing information provision unit (16) that presents the processing information of the selected surface information to the user. Further, the server (10) has: a texture examination mode that presents, to the user, the surface information in such a manner that the surface information is selectable on the basis of a texture image as the texture information and the physical property information; and a tactile sensation examination mode that presents, to the user, the surface information in such a manner that the surface information is selectable on the basis of the tactile sensation information and the physical property information.

Description

server

[0001] The present invention relates to a server that provides information regarding surface finishes applied to articles.

[0002] Surface properties such as texture and feel have a significant impact on the commercial value of various products, especially those that users directly touch, such as furniture such as desks and chairs, smartphones, laptops, and automobile interiors. Therefore, designing the surface properties of products is an important part of product development.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, the texture of the surface of a chair is designed by providing a film layer with a grained surface on a fiber substrate layer. Also, in Patent Document 2, an appropriate tactile feel is determined using a trained model that inputs material information and surface shape information and outputs tactile phenomenon information expressed as a quantity related to the physical action occurring between an article and the fingers of a user touching the article.

[0004] JP 2017-56797 A JP 2021-22006 A

[0005] The texture perceived by the eye and the feel perceived by the touch are determined by a combination of elements such as material, color, shape, etc., and the degree to which these elements affect the texture and feel is complex and difficult to predict. Therefore, as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, surface properties are generally examined for each element such as texture and feel, and these examinations are carried out by trial and error while repeatedly making prototypes.

[0006] Furthermore, the processing method varies greatly depending on the type of surface finish. For example, there are methods such as attaching cloth or leather, creating texture on the surface of a molded part using mold processing, and engraving on a metal surface. In product design, the design of surface properties, including the processing method, plays a major role.

[0007] Furthermore, the surface finishing method that determines the surface texture is not expressed in design data such as 3D CAD that designs the shape of the article, and it is difficult to consider the surface texture on a design tool or to create the information necessary for prototype processing. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately convey the designer's intentions to processors, manufacturers, etc., and a lot of time and money is spent on prototypes to achieve the intended surface texture.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a server that provides information for selecting a surface finish that will efficiently achieve a desired surface texture, and information for enabling the desired surface texture to be efficiently reproduced.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the server of the present invention comprises: a surface information database that stores multiple pieces of surface information as surface texture data, including texture information that represents visual texture, tactile information that represents tactile sensations using multiple quantified scales, physical property information that represents the characteristics of materials related to surface finishes that affect the texture and tactile sensations, and processing information for realizing surface texture; a presentation unit that presents the surface information to a user in a selectable manner based on the texture information, the tactile information, or the physical property information; and a processing information providing unit that presents processing information for the selected surface information to the user, and has a texture review mode that selectably presents the surface information to the user based on a texture image that is the texture information and the physical property information, and a tactile review mode that selectably presents the surface information to the user based on the tactile information and the physical property information.

[0010] The processing information may also include a height map, which is a two-dimensional image that represents the unevenness of the surface in grayscale.

[0011] The physical property information may also include at least one of reflectance, refractive index, optical absorption coefficient, and scattering mean free path as texture parameters that affect texture, and at least one of Young's modulus, thermal conductivity, friction coefficient, surface energy, and vibration damping coefficient as tactile parameters that affect tactile sensation.

[0012] The server may also be provided with a tactile estimation mode that uses a plurality of pieces of surface information as training data to estimate the tactile information from the height map and the physical property information using an estimation model generated by machine learning, and presents the tactile information estimated from the selected height map and the physical property information to the user.

[0013] The tactile information may be configured on a scale that differs for each category of area information, and the tactile information estimated in the tactile estimation mode may be presented to the user on a scale that corresponds to the category of area information specified.

[0014] The server may also be provided with a texture simulator that, in the texture examination mode, presents to the user a three-dimensional model in which the texture image included in the selected surface information is applied to a basic shape selected from a plurality of basic shapes.

[0015] In addition, the server may present to the user, in the texture examination mode, similar surface information having texture parameters that are similar to the texture parameters included in the selected surface information.

[0016] The server may also be provided with a tactile simulator that, in the tactile examination mode, adjusts one or more of the scales of the tactile information included in the selected surface information, and presents to the user similar surface information having tactile information that approximates the adjusted tactile information.

[0017] Furthermore, the server may present to the user, in the tactile sensation study mode, similar surface information having tactile parameters that are similar to the tactile parameters included in the selected surface information.

[0018] The server may also include a search processing unit that presents at least the tactile information of the surface texture data to the user as an adjustable parameter, searches for surface information having surface texture data that approximates the adjustable parameter specified by the user, and presents the search results to the user.

[0019] The server of the present invention allows users to select a surface finish that will achieve a desired surface texture efficiently, since it allows users to check both texture and tactile sensation. Furthermore, the server provides processing information related to the selected surface finish, allowing users to efficiently reproduce the desired surface texture.

[0020] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a surface texture simulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing surface information according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing tactile information according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a texture selection screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an enlarged display screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a texture similar surface display screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a texture simulation screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a texture simulation screen when a light source position is changed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a tactile selection screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a tactile similar surface display screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing screen transitions according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a tactile estimation screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a graph showing an example of the correlation between the estimation result by tactile estimation and the result of a person's evaluation of tactile feel by touch. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a tactile scale corresponding to regional category information, where (A) is the tactile scale for Japan, (B) is the tactile scale for the United States, and (C) is the tactile scale for the EU. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a search screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a search result screen according to an embodiment.

[0021] <System Configuration> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a surface texture simulation system 1 according to the present invention, including a server 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the surface texture simulation system 1 is composed of a terminal of a user who designs and develops an article (hereinafter referred to as a user terminal 30), and a server 10 that is connected to the user terminal 30 via a network and presents information on surface texture corresponding to the user's required specifications.

[0022] The server 10 includes a memory unit 11, a presentation unit 12, a texture simulator 13, a tactile simulator 14, a search processing unit 15, a processing information providing unit 16, and a communication unit 17. The memory unit 11 is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk or flash memory, and includes a surface information database 111 that stores surface information Si representing the surface texture of an article. The surface information Si is information relating to the surface texture of an article (hereinafter also referred to as surface texture data) organized by type of surface finish.

[0023] Specifically, the surface information Si includes, as surface property data, texture information Itx that represents the visual texture and tactile information Itc that represents the tactile feel, as shown in Fig. 2. The texture information Itx is information that represents the texture obtained by surface finishing, and is an image such as a three-dimensional CG or a photograph (hereinafter referred to as a texture image).

[0024] The tactile information Itc is information that represents the tactile sensation obtained by the surface finish, and is expressed by a plurality of adjectives, nouns, or verbs. For example, the tactile information Itc may be a numerical expression of the degree of suitability for a predetermined adjective, or a numerical expression of the proximity of an antonymous adjective to the tactile sensation. As shown in FIG. 3, the tactile information Itc used in this embodiment is expressed by the Semantic Differential method (SD method), which uses a plurality of pairs of antonymous adjectives that represent tactile sensations, such as "smooth-rough" and "soft-hard," as a scale.

[0025] It is believed that the scale that is emphasized as tactile information Itc varies depending on the country, region, climate, etc. Therefore, it is preferable that tactile information Itc is composed of different scales for each predetermined category of information such as region, climate, etc., and that surface information Si includes tactile information Itc based on the scale for each category of information. By switching category information at the appropriate time, it is possible to consider surface information Si that has a more appropriate tactile feel.

[0026] The surface information Si may also include a height map Hm as surface texture data, as shown in Fig. 2. The height map Hm is a two-dimensional image that represents the surface irregularities in grayscale, and is used as processing data for a processing machine such as a laser engraving machine.

[0027] The surface information Si may also include color information Cl, material attribute Ma, processing information Pi, physical property information Pp, etc. as surface texture data. The material attribute Ma is information that indicates whether the surface finish is made of a pre-made material such as leather or cloth (hereinafter referred to as a pre-made material finish) or whether it is made by surface processing such as resin molding or metal engraving (hereinafter referred to as a processed finish). This allows the user to understand how the surface information Si that satisfies the desired surface texture is realized.

[0028] The processing information Pi includes the method for achieving the surface finish, more specifically, when the material attribute Ma is a pre-fabricated component finish, information on the manufacturer, product number, processing method, etc. of the pre-fabricated component, and when the material attribute Ma is a processed finish, information on the material, processing method, etc. Furthermore, when the material attribute Ma is a processed finish, the processing information Pi includes a height map Hm.

[0029] The physical property information Pp is information that represents the characteristics of a material related to the surface finish that affects the texture and tactile sensation. The parameters included in the physical property information Pp are preferably selected so that some parameters exist in each category consisting of physical factors that affect human tactile sensation, such as hardness, roughness, friction, and warmth / coldness. Furthermore, the parameters in each category are preferably common and easily measurable physical properties, and preferably physical properties for which a correlation between tactile sensation estimation (described below) and human sensory evaluation has been confirmed. Furthermore, the physical property values ​​included in the physical property information Pp may differ for each piece of surface information Si. Specifically, the physical property values ​​may differ depending on the characteristics of the material, such as including bending strength if the material is synthetic leather, including hardness if the material is film, and not including warmth / cold sensation if the material is film.

[0030] The physical property information Pp according to this embodiment includes at least one of reflectance, refractive index, optical absorption coefficient, and scattering mean free path as texture parameters Vtx that affect the texture, and at least one of Young's modulus, thermal conductivity, friction coefficient, surface energy, and vibration damping coefficient as tactile parameters Vtc that affect the tactile sensation.

[0031] The presentation unit 12 presents information regarding the surface finish of the article to the user by transmitting the surface information Si that the user refers to for surface texture design to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17.

[0032] The texture simulator 13 creates a three-dimensional model by applying the texture image of the selected surface information Si to the surface of a basic shape previously stored in the storage unit 11, and presents the model to the user. This allows the user to confirm the texture of a shape that is closest to the shape of the article to be designed and developed, and therefore allows the user to efficiently select the surface information Si to be applied to the article.

[0033] The tactile simulator 14 adjusts the scale representing the tactile sensation based on the tactile information Itc of the selected surface information Si and presents the user with surface information Si having tactile information Itc that approximates the adjusted tactile information Itc, thereby enabling the user to efficiently select surface information Si having a desired tactile sensation.

[0034] The search processing unit 15 searches the surface information database 111 for surface information Si having the desired surface texture data set by the user, and presents the surface information Si to the user, thereby enabling the user to efficiently search for and select a surface finish that will achieve the desired surface texture.

[0035] The processing information provider 16 provides the user with processing information Pi included in the selected surface information Si. The processing information Pi includes information on processing methods that vary greatly depending on the type of surface finish, and can provide the user with information necessary for processing, such as a height map Hm. This allows the user to reduce the number of prototypes and the amount of coordination work with manufacturers, and efficiently reproduce the desired surface texture.

[0036] The communication unit 17 is connected to the user terminal 30 via a network, and transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal 30 .

[0037] The tactile sensation estimating unit 18 estimates tactile information based on the height map Hm and the physical property information Pp selected by the user.

[0038] Next, a method for designing a surface texture by selecting surface information Si using the server 10 will be described. The server 10 has modes such as a texture review mode and a tactile review mode for surface texture design and article production. The operation of the server 10 for each mode will be described below.

[0039] <Texture Review Mode> When a user connects to the server 10 from the user terminal 30 via a network and starts surface texture review, the presentation unit 12 of the server 10 creates a texture selection screen Ptx ( FIG. 4 ) that displays texture images included in each piece of surface information Si stored in the surface information database 111. The server 10 transmits information on the texture selection screen Ptx to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and displays it on the user terminal 30. The texture images are images created to facilitate understanding of visually recognized surface properties, such as texture. For example, they are three-dimensional images of a given three-dimensional shape when a surface treatment related to the surface information Si is applied. As shown in FIG. 4 , the presentation unit 12 displays thumbnail images of reduced texture images side by side in the texture thumbnail display area of ​​the texture selection screen Ptx. In this way, the presentation unit 12 presents the surface information Si to the user so that the user can select the surface information Si from the texture information Itx.

[0040] The user selects one of the surface information Si from the multiple texture images displayed on the user terminal 30. The presentation unit 12 recreates the texture selection screen Ptx so that the physical property information Pp, tactile information Itc, color information Cl, etc. included in the selected surface information Si are displayed as a selected texture display area. The server 10 transmits information about the recreated texture selection screen Ptx to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and displays it on the user terminal 30.

[0041] Furthermore, when the user selects enlarged display from the texture selection screen Ptx, the presentation unit 12 creates an enlarged display screen Pz ( FIG. 5 ) that enlarges and displays the texture image, physical property information Pp, etc. related to the selected surface information Si. The server 10 transmits the information of the enlarged display screen Pz to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17, and causes it to be displayed on the user terminal 30.

[0042] Furthermore, when the user selects "Display similar surface information" from the texture selection screen Ptx with any one of the surface information Si selected, the presentation unit 12 creates a texture similar surface display screen Psx (FIG. 6). The texture similar surface display screen Psx is a screen that displays similar surface information having texture parameters Vtx that are similar to the texture parameters Vtx of the physical property information included in the selected surface information Si. The texture similar surface display screen Psx selectably displays texture images related to the selected surface information Si and the similar surface information.

[0043] The method for evaluating the degree of similarity of the texture parameters Vtx is not particularly limited, and may be determined, for example, by calculating the Euclidean distance between the pieces of surface information Si based on the numerical values ​​of each index related to the texture parameters Vtx. The server 10 transmits information on the texture similar surface display screen Psx to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and displays it on the user terminal 30. When any texture image is selected on the texture similar surface display screen Psx, the screen returns to the texture selection screen Ptx, which displays the surface information Si related to the selected texture image.

[0044] Furthermore, when the user selects a texture simulation from the texture selection screen Ptx with any of the surface information Si selected, the texture simulator 13 executes a texture simulation to examine the effect that differences in shape have on the texture.

[0045] Specifically, the texture simulator 13 creates a texture simulation screen Pxs ( FIG. 7 ) that displays a three-dimensional model in which a texture image associated with the selected surface information Si is pasted onto a previously prepared basic shape. The user selects one of the basic shapes displayed on the texture simulation screen Pxs. The texture simulator 13 creates a three-dimensional model of the basic shape by applying the texture image associated with the selected surface information Si to the entire surface, and displays the three-dimensional model on the texture simulation screen Pxs. The user can examine the texture associated with the selected surface information Si in detail by rotating the created three-dimensional model, adjusting the light source, and so on. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , by changing the position of the light source for the three-dimensional model to which the texture image associated with the selected surface information Si has been applied, the user can confirm changes in the texture depending on the direction of light irradiation.

[0046] <Tactile Study Mode> A switch button for switching to the tactile study mode is displayed on the texture selection screen Ptx and the enlarged display screen Pz. By selecting the switch button, the user can switch to the tactile study mode and study the surface texture based on the tactile sensation. Specifically, the presentation unit 12 creates a tactile selection screen Ptc ( FIG. 9 ) that displays a height map Hm included in each piece of surface information Si stored in the surface information database 111. The height map Hm is a grayscale two-dimensional image that represents the uneven shape of the surface. The server 10 transmits information on the tactile selection screen Ptc to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and displays it on the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 9 , the presentation unit 12 displays the height maps Hm side by side in the height map list display area of ​​the tactile selection screen Ptc. As a result, the presentation unit 12 presents the surface information Si to the user in a selectable manner from the tactile information Itc.

[0047] The user selects one of the surface information Si from the multiple height maps Hm displayed on the user terminal 30. The presentation unit 12 recreates the tactile selection screen Ptc so that tactile information Itc related to the selected surface information Si is displayed as a selected tactile display area. As shown in FIG. 9 , the tactile information Itc is a tactile score consisting of multiple scales expressed by multiple adjectives, nouns, or verbs, and each scale is evaluated using a predetermined level. In this embodiment, the tactile score evaluated using seven levels for each scale is displayed. The server 10 transmits the information of the recreated tactile selection screen Ptc to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and displays it on the user terminal 30.

[0048] Furthermore, when the user selects enlarged display from the tactile sensation selection screen Ptc, the presentation unit 12 creates an enlarged display screen Pz ( FIG. 5 ) that enlarges and displays the texture image, physical property information Pp, etc., related to the selected surface information Si. The server 10 transmits the information on the enlarged display screen Pz to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17, and causes it to be displayed on the user terminal 30.

[0049] Furthermore, when the user selects "Display similar surface information" from the tactile selection screen Ptc while selecting any one of the surface information Si, the presentation unit 12 creates a tactile similar surface display screen Psc (FIG. 10). The tactile similar surface display screen Psc is a screen that displays similar surface information having tactile parameters Vtc that are similar to the tactile parameters Vtc of the physical property information included in the selected surface information Si. The tactile similar surface display screen Psc selectably displays texture images related to the selected surface information Si and the similar surface information.

[0050] The method for evaluating the degree of similarity of the tactile parameter Vtc is not particularly limited, and may be determined, for example, by calculating the Euclidean distance between the pieces of surface information Si based on the numerical values ​​of each index related to the tactile parameter Vtc. The server 10 transmits information on the tactile similar surface display screen Psc to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and causes it to be displayed on the user terminal 30. When one of the texture images is selected on the tactile similar surface display screen Psc, the screen returns to the texture selection screen Ptx, which displays the surface information Si related to the selected texture image.

[0051] Furthermore, when the user selects a tactile simulation from the tactile selection screen Ptc with any of the surface information Si selected, the tactile simulator 14 executes the tactile simulation. Specifically, the tactile simulator 14 creates a tactile simulation screen Pcs (FIG. 11) that displays tactile information Itc related to the selected surface information Si.

[0052] On the tactile simulation screen Pcs, the numerical values ​​of each scale displayed in the tactile score display area can be adjusted. When the user adjusts the numerical value of at least one of the scales and selects the simulation execution button, surface information Si of a similar surface having a tactile score that approximates the numerical value of each scale of the specified tactile score is selected from the surface information Si stored in the surface information database 111. Then, a height map Hm related to the surface information Si of the selected similar surface is displayed in the result display area of ​​the tactile simulation screen Pcs. By selecting one of the displayed candidates, the tactile score of the selected candidate is displayed in the tactile score display area. This allows the user to check the tactile information Itc of the selected candidate.

[0053] The texture study mode and the tactile study mode can be switched back and forth. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 , it is possible to switch from the texture selection screen Ptx and the texture simulation screen Pxs to the tactile selection screen Ptc, and from the tactile selection screen Ptc and the tactile simulation screen Pcs to the texture selection screen Ptx. Therefore, it is possible to perform tactile study based on any of the surface information Si selected by texture study, and to perform texture study based on any of the surface information Si selected by tactile study. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently select a surface finish that can achieve the desired texture and tactile feel.

[0054] <Tactile Estimation Mode> A switch button for switching to the tactile estimation mode is displayed on the texture selection screen Ptx and the tactile simulation screen Pcs. By selecting the switch button, the user can switch to the tactile estimation mode and examine the tactile sensation estimated from the parameters related to the selected surface information Si. Specifically, the presentation unit 12 creates a tactile estimation screen Pce ( FIG. 13 ) that displays the height map Hm and physical property information Pp included in each selected surface information Si. In this embodiment, the texture parameters Vtx and tactile parameters Vtc are displayed as the physical property information Pp. The server 10 transmits information on the tactile estimation screen Pce to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17 and displays it on the user terminal 30.

[0055] On the tactile estimation screen Pce, a height map Hm is selectable, and the texture parameter Vtx and the tactile parameter Vtc are adjustable. When the user selects a height map Hm, adjusts the texture parameter Vtx, the tactile parameter Vtc, etc. included in the physical property information Pp, and selects the estimation execution button, the tactile estimation unit 18 estimates a tactile score based on the specified height map Hm and the physical property information Pp. The method of estimating the tactile score is not particularly limited. The server 10 according to the present embodiment estimates the tactile score using a trained model. Specifically, an estimation model generated in advance by machine learning is stored in the storage unit 11 so as to estimate tactile information from the height map Hm and the physical property information Pp using a plurality of pieces of surface information Si as training data. The tactile estimation unit 18 estimates the tactile score by inputting the height map Hm and the physical property information Pp selected by the user on the tactile estimation screen Pce into the estimation model.

[0056] A possible method for estimating a tactile score based on the height map Hm and the physical property information Pp is to combine the tactile score estimated based on the height map Hm and the tactile score estimated based on the physical property information Pp by averaging, etc. In this embodiment, principal components extracted using partial least squares regression (PLS) from components combining feature amounts related to the height map Hm and feature amounts such as physical property values ​​related to the physical property information Pp are used as input to the estimation model. This makes it possible to take into account the degree of mutual influence between the height map Hm and the physical property information Pp, thereby improving the accuracy of tactile estimation compared to when the height map Hm and the physical property information Pp are used separately.

[0057] Fig. 14 is a graph showing an example of the correlation between the tactile estimation results and the results of human tactile evaluation. As shown in Fig. 14, there is a high correlation between the tactile estimation results and the human evaluation results (coefficient of determination r2>0.8), indicating that tactile estimation can be performed with high accuracy.

[0058] The presentation unit 12 displays the tactile score estimated by the tactile estimation unit 18 in a result display area (not shown) of the tactile estimation screen Pce, allowing the user to check the tactile score estimated from the specified height map Hm and physical property information Pp.

[0059] The presentation unit 12 may also present the tactile score estimated by the tactile estimation unit 18 to the user by displaying it in the result display area of ​​the tactile estimation screen Pce on a scale corresponding to the specified category information. The category information is, for example, regional category information divided into regions such as countries, regions, and climate zones (FIGS. 15A to 15C). This allows the user to understand how the estimated tactile information is evaluated in the specified region and select surface information Si having a more appropriate tactile feel.

[0060] <Search Mode> The texture selection screen Ptx and the tactile sensation selection screen Ptc display a search mode switch button. By selecting the search mode switch button, the user can switch to the search mode, search for surface information Si having a desired surface texture, and examine the surface texture.

[0061] Specifically, the search processing unit 15 creates a search screen Ps ( FIG. 16 ) for performing a search by specifying color information Cl, material attribute Ma, tactile information Itc, and the like as surface texture data that affect the surface texture. The user selects desired surface texture data from the surface texture data that serve as search parameters to specify characteristics. The search processing unit 15 searches the surface information database 111 for surface information Si having the specified surface texture data, and creates a search result screen Pr ( FIG. 17 ) that displays the surface texture data of the corresponding surface information Si. The server 10 transmits the information on the search result screen Pr to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 17, and displays it on the user terminal 30.

[0062] The search conditions that can be set include, for example, whether the material attribute Ma is a pre-fabricated member finish or a processed finish, etc. In addition, it is also possible to use a combination of other conditions, such as a condition that the material attribute Ma is a pre-fabricated member finish and the color is red.

[0063] Searches can also be performed using tactile scores, which are numerical measures of tactile sensation. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , a search is performed by selecting a level from one or more tactile scores selected from the tactile scores. Because tactile sensation is evaluated by human senses, it is an ambiguous index that varies from person to person. Therefore, searches using tactile scores are not limited to strict searches that extract only those with matching tactile scores, but are preferably performed using fuzzy searches that also extract those with similar tactile scores. In fuzzy searches, for example, each measure of the tactile score is used as a variable to calculate the Euclidean distance with each piece of surface information Si. Then, the calculated Euclidean distance is used as a parameter representing the similarity of the tactile sensation, and the search results are extracted in order of similarity of the tactile sensation.

[0064] By using the search mode, after checking the tactile feel of the candidate selected by texture selection, it is possible to narrow down the search to surface information Si having the desired tactile feel and texture by modifying a predetermined scale of the tactile score. Therefore, by using the surface texture simulation server 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently select surface information Si having the desired surface texture.

[0065] <Production Support Function> The surface texture simulation system 1 according to this embodiment provides the user with processing information Pi to support the production of an article having the surface texture associated with the selected surface information Si. Specifically, the user downloads the processing information Pi for the selected surface information Si on the texture selection screen Ptx, tactile sensation selection screen Ptc, or enlarged display screen Pz. For example, if the material attribute Ma of the surface information Si is a processed finish, the processing information Pi includes information such as a height map Hm and color information Cl, which are data for performing surface processing on the article. Furthermore, if the material attribute Ma is a ready-made component finish, information regarding the manufacturer, product number, and other processing of the leather, cloth, etc. associated with the surface finish is downloaded.

[0066] The user then sends the downloaded processing information Pi along with design data such as CAD data to the processing company, thereby reducing the time and effort required for prototyping to examine the surface texture, and enabling the efficient production of articles with the desired surface texture.

[0067] <Data Addition Function> In the surface texture simulation system 1 according to this embodiment, the material attribute Ma, texture information Itx, tactile information Itc, color information Cl, and the like that affect the surface texture are defined as surface texture data, which are elements of the surface information Si, in a standard format for the surface information Si. Therefore, material manufacturers, processing companies, and the like can measure the surface texture data related to the surface information Si and upload it to the server 10, easily adding the surface information Si to the surface information database 111. This also makes it possible to provide users with a variety of surface information Si, including surface processing using new technologies.

[0068] As described above, the server 10 according to the present embodiment allows a user to efficiently select surface information Si having a desired surface texture from the surface information database 111, which stores multiple pieces of surface information Si representing the surface texture of an article, while checking the texture and tactile sensation of each piece. More specifically, since the texture and tactile sensation of the surface texture can be compared based on quantitative numerical values, decision-making in the product development process can be smoothly carried out. For example, when developing a resin molded part having a texture and tactile sensation similar to that of genuine leather, it is easy to substitute a target material with another material or processing method.

[0069] The server 10 according to the present embodiment also includes a processing information provider 16 that presents processing information Pi, such as a height map Hm, for the selected surface information Si to the user. Therefore, the user can efficiently manufacture an article using the processing information Pi for realizing the surface texture selected after considering the texture, feel, etc.

[0070] Furthermore, the server 10 according to this embodiment includes a texture simulator 13 that, in the texture examination mode, presents to the user a three-dimensional model in which a texture image included in the selected surface information Si is applied to one of a plurality of basic shapes selected from the basic shapes. Thus, the user can examine in detail the texture related to the selected surface information Si for the created three-dimensional model while rotating the model, adjusting the light source, etc.

[0071] Furthermore, the server 10 according to this embodiment has a texture-similar surface display function that, in the texture examination mode, presents to the user similar surface information having texture parameters that are similar to the texture parameters included in the selected surface information Si. Therefore, the user can efficiently select desired surface information based on the texture information and physical property information.

[0072] Furthermore, the server 10 according to this embodiment includes a tactile simulator 14 that, in the tactile study mode, adjusts one or more scales of the tactile information Itc included in the selected surface information Si and presents the user with surface information Si having tactile information Itc that approximates the adjusted tactile information Itc. This allows the user to efficiently study surface information Si having the desired tactile information Itc.

[0073] Furthermore, the server 10 according to this embodiment has a tactile similar surface display function that, in the tactile study mode, presents to the user similar surface information having tactile parameters that are similar to the tactile parameters included in the selected surface information Si. This allows the user to efficiently select desired surface information based on tactile information and physical property information.

[0074] The server 10 according to this embodiment also includes a search processing unit 15 that presents the color information Cl and tactile information Itc included in the surface information Si to the user as adjustable parameters, searches for surface information Si having surface texture data that approximates the adjustable parameters specified by the user, and presents the search results to the user. This allows the user to more efficiently select surface information Si having the desired surface texture.

[0075] This invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

[0076] The present invention is suitable for designing a surface texture having a desired texture and feel.

[0077] 1 Surface texture simulation system, 10 Server, 11 Storage unit, 111 Surface information database, 12 Presentation unit, 13 Texture simulator, 14 Tactile simulator, 15 Search processing unit, 16 Processing information providing unit, 17 Communication unit, 18 Tactile estimation unit, 30 User terminal

Claims

1. A server comprising: a surface information database that stores multiple pieces of surface information as surface texture data, including texture information that represents visual texture, tactile information that represents tactile sensations using multiple numerical scales, physical property information that represents the characteristics of materials related to surface finishes that affect texture and tactile sensations, and processing information for realizing surface texture; a presentation unit that presents the surface information to a user in a selectable manner based on the texture information, the tactile information, or the physical property information; and a processing information providing unit that presents the processing information of the selected surface information to the user; and a texture review mode that presents the surface information to the user in a selectable manner based on texture images that are the texture information and the physical property information, and a tactile review mode that presents the surface information to the user in a selectable manner based on the tactile information and the physical property information.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the processing information includes a height map, which is a two-dimensional image that represents the surface irregularities in grayscale.

3. The server according to claim 2, characterized in that the physical property information includes at least one of reflectance, refractive index, optical absorption coefficient, and scattering mean free path as texture parameters that affect texture, and at least one of Young's modulus, thermal conductivity, friction coefficient, surface energy, and vibration damping coefficient as tactile parameters that affect tactile sensation.

4. The server according to claim 3, characterized in that it has a tactile estimation mode that uses an estimation model generated by machine learning to estimate tactile information from the height map and the physical property information using a plurality of pieces of surface information as training data, and presents the tactile information estimated from the selected height map and the physical property information to the user.

5. The server according to claim 4, characterized in that the tactile information is configured on a scale that differs for each area category information, and the tactile information estimated in the tactile estimation mode is presented to the user on a scale that corresponds to the area category information specified.

6. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a texture simulator that, in the texture examination mode, presents to the user a three-dimensional model in which the texture image included in the selected surface information is applied to a basic shape selected from a plurality of basic shapes.

7. The server according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the texture examination mode, similar surface information having texture parameters that are similar to the texture parameters included in the selected surface information is presented to the user.

8. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a tactile simulator that, in the tactile examination mode, adjusts one or more of the scales of the tactile information included in the selected surface information and presents to the user similar surface information having tactile information that approximates the adjusted tactile information.

9. The server according to claim 3, characterized in that in the tactile sensation examination mode, similar surface information having tactile parameters that are similar to the tactile parameters included in the selected surface information is presented to the user.

10. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a search processing unit that presents at least the tactile information of the surface texture data to the user as an adjustable parameter, searches for surface information having surface texture data that approximates the adjustable parameter specified by the user, and presents the search results to the user.

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