JPH0433174A - Shape realization device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and intelligibly realize two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects and the movements by constituting a whole shape by means of plural cells which are mutually connected and changing respective shapes of plural cells based on a driving signal. CONSTITUTION:A two-dimensional shape input device 10 inputs two-dimensional and three-dimensional shape data which are accumulated in a computer and the like to an arithmetic unit 12. It outputs a signal for reproducing the desired two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes based on data from the input means 10. The signal calculates an expansion/contraction quantity which is required for respective cells 161, 162...16n, for example. Respective cells 161, 162...16n are respectively connected and are driven by the driving signal, whereby the shapes are changed. Consequently, respective shapes of plural cells 161, 162...16n are changed and the whole shape consisting of plural cells 161, 162...16n is realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape representation device that reproduces two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape information stored in a computer or the like.

(Prior art) Conventionally, two-dimensional information stored in a computer etc. is expressed as a two-dimensional image, three-dimensional shape information is expressed as a two-dimensional image, or three-dimensional information is expressed as a stereoscopic view using two two-dimensional images. It had been.

In particular, when embodying three-dimensional shape information, with such conventional methods, it is troublesome to determine the viewpoint, and each time the viewpoint is changed, it takes a lot of effort to generate an image that gives a sense of reality. It is difficult to express efficiently as it requires extensive calculations. Furthermore, when performing stereoscopic viewing, there are many troublesome aspects such as the need for special glasses, and furthermore, the three-dimensional effect is not sufficient, and the way it is seen differs from person to person. Furthermore, when recognizing a three-dimensional shape as a two-dimensional image, there are many points that are unclear in shape recognition due to hidden surfaces and the like.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in order to output the shape information stored in a computer etc. in an easy-to-understand manner, special equipment and high-speed calculation equipment are required, which is inefficient and requires three-dimensional There remains some ambiguity in recognizing shapes as two-dimensional images.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and
The purpose is to directly reproduce shape information to easily and easily realize 2D objects, 3D objects, and their movements, and also to display the cut plane when a 3D object is divided into arbitrary planes. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a shape embodiment device that can.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a shape representation device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an input means for inputting two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape data. a calculation means for outputting a signal for reproducing a desired two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape based on data from the input means; and a drive means for outputting a drive signal in response to the signal from the calculation means. , coupled to each other and driven by the drive signal,
In particular, the present invention is characterized in that it is composed of a plurality of cells whose shape can be changed, and by changing the shape of each of the plurality of cells based on the drive signal, the entire shape of the plurality of cells can be realized. Cells are air pressure, water pressure,
It is an extensible object whose size, volume, area, or length can be changed by using a hydraulic or mechanical expansion mechanism as a driving source, and is particularly preferably a hollow body.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a shape concrete device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects that are connected to each other and whose lengths can be changed; driving means for driving each of the objects to change the shape of the plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects in one-dimensional direction; input means for inputting three-dimensional shape data; computing means that calculates a drive amount of the dimensional object and supplies it to the driving means, and by changing the shape of each of the plurality of one-dimensional objects, the entire shape of the plurality of one-dimensional objects is In particular, the one-dimensional shaped object is characterized by being able to realize a shape, and the one-dimensional shaped object is driven by an electric drive mechanism such as a motor, or by air pressure,
It is preferable that the structure is such that the length can be changed using a mechanical drive mechanism such as water pressure or oil pressure as a drive source. Further, it is preferable that the one-dimensional shaped objects are arranged in a grid pattern.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the shape concrete device of the third aspect of the present invention is usually colorless and transparent, and the color or light transmittance changes continuously or briefly due to electromagnetic action from the outside world. an optical means in which changing elements are arranged in a three-dimensional grid; a data storage means for storing three-dimensional data of an object; a desired position of the element is calculated based on the three-dimensional data in the data storage means; an arithmetic processing means for outputting a position signal; and a selection means for selecting the element of the optical means based on the position signal and changing the color or light transmittance of the selected element continuously or in a short time. It is characterized by becoming.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the shape concrete device of the fourth aspect of the present invention is usually colorless and transparent, and the color or light transmittance changes continuously or briefly due to electromagnetic action from the outside world. a two-dimensional optical means in which changing elements are arranged in a plane; a moving means for reciprocating the two-dimensional optical means in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional optical means; a data storage means for storing three-dimensional data of an object; Calculating a desired position of the element based on the three-dimensional data and outputting a position signal,
arithmetic processing means for outputting a movement signal of the moving means; and selecting the element of the two-dimensional optical means based on the position signal and changing the color or light transmittance of the selected element continuously or in a short time. It is characterized by comprising a selection means for changing.

(Function) In the first aspect of the present invention, two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape information stored in a computer or the like is sent to an arithmetic device via an input means to calculate a desired shape required for each cell. A signal for reproduction is output.

This signal is transferred as a command value to the drive source, each cell is driven, and the two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape information stored in a computer or the like is reproduced as a still image or a moving image.

In the second aspect of the present invention, three-dimensional shape information stored in a computer or the like is sent to an arithmetic device via an input means, and each
The amount by which the dimensional object is deformed is calculated. This result is transferred to the drive source as a command value, each one-dimensional shape object is driven, and three-dimensional shape information stored in a computer or the like is reproduced as a whole.

The amount of deformation of a one-dimensional object is the length of the one-dimensional object, but if a light emitting mechanism built into the one-dimensional object is used, the three-dimensional shape can be expressed more accurately.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the arithmetic processing means calculates the position of a desired element based on the three-dimensional data in the data storage means and outputs a position signal. Then, the selection means selects an element of the optical means based on the position signal, and changes the color or light transmittance of the selected element continuously or in a short time. Therefore, a still image of a three-dimensional object or a movement of a three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional space can be displayed simply and clearly.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the arithmetic processing means calculates the position of the desired element based on the three-dimensional data of the data storage means and outputs a position signal, and also outputs a movement signal of the moving means. The selection means selects two positions based on the position signal.
An element of the dimensional optical means is selected, and the color or light transmittance of the selected element is changed continuously or in a short period of time. Therefore, a still image of a three-dimensional object or a movement of a three-dimensional object in a three-dimensional space can be displayed simply and clearly.

(Example) A first example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, for simplicity, a two-dimensional case will be explained, and a case where a three-dimensional shape is expressed by forming surfaces will be further explained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a two-dimensional shape input device 10 realized by a computer or the like, an arithmetic device 12 also realized by a computer or the like, and drive signals are output according to the results of the arithmetic operations. A drive device 14 and a plurality of cells 16 arranged in a two-dimensional array. ．． 16□
...16. , and consists of. The two-dimensional shape input device 10 inputs two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape data to the arithmetic device 12 .

The calculation means 12 calculates 2 based on the data from the input means 10.
A signal for reproducing a desired dimensional or three-dimensional shape is output. This signal is transmitted, for example, to each cell 16. ,162・
...16. Calculate the amount of expansion and contraction required for . Each cell 16+, 16□...16. are coupled to each other and driven by the drive signal to change shape. As a result, the plurality of cells 161, 162...16. of the plurality of cells 16. ．． 16
It is possible to realize the entire shape of 16°.

A plurality of cells 161, 162...16. , are arranged in a 10×10 matrix as shown in FIG.
Closely connected to adjacent cells.

The cells are arranged in a two-dimensional grid and have a two-dimensional shape. These cells 16□, 16□・16 are made of a deformable and expandable material such as rubber, and each has a thin tube (not shown) for feeding air, water, oil, etc. ) is included. Drive device 14
is each cell 16+, 16□...16. Each cell 16. is supplied with air and maintained at a predetermined pressure. ,162
...16, is driven. 3 and 4 show shapes obtained by supplying different pressures to the cells 16□, 16□, . . . , 16fi, respectively.

Note that each cell 161, 162, . . . , 16° may be driven by a mechanical expansion and contraction mechanism. In addition, the cell 161
．． 16□...16° is the cell 1 due to the drive signal.
61, 162...16fi may be an expandable and contractible hollow body whose size, volume, area, or length changes.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the cells are arranged in a three-dimensional grid, and each cell 161.16□...16. A case is shown in which a three-dimensional shape is formed by deforming a surface composed of . As shown in Fig. 5, the surface consists of at least two levels of two-dimensional cells, and by changing the shape of each cell, the shape of the surface can be changed from the initial plane (Fig. 5 (a)) to 3.
It can be transformed into a dimensional shape (Fig. 5(b), (c), (, d)).

Figure 6 shows the rectangular parallelepiped shown in Figure 6(a).
A specific example of the case of configuring into the three-dimensional cubic shape shown in b) will be shown. By configuring the plane in multiple stages in this way, it is possible to configure any three-dimensional shape.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a three-dimensional shape input bag WL20 realized by a computer or the like,
An arithmetic device 22 also realized by a computer or the like,
A drive device 24 that drives according to the calculation result, and a plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1) arranged in a grid pattern, (
1,2),...(i.

j)... (I, J). The input means 20 includes 3
Enter dimensional shape data. The calculation device 22 calculates the one-dimensional shape object (1) based on the data from the input means 20.
,1),(1,2),...(i,j)...(1,J
) is calculated and supplied to the driving means 24. The amount of drive is the amount of expansion and contraction required for each one-dimensional shaped object. The driving means 24 drives the plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1
), (1,2).

. . . (i, j) . . . (I, J) are driven to change the shape of the plurality of one-dimensional objects in one-dimensional direction. One-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1), (1, 2).

...(i, j) ... (I, J) are connected to each other,
It is possible to vary the length. That is, one-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1), (1, 2), ... (i, j) ...
- (1, J) is an object that can be expanded and contracted in its longitudinal direction by an electric drive mechanism such as a motor, or a mechanical drive mechanism such as air pressure, water pressure, or hydraulic pressure.

Figure 8 shows one-dimensional objects (1, 1), (1°2),
...(i,j)...(1,J) is shown in a 10x10 grid. FIG. 9 shows that based on the drive amount created in the arithmetic unit 22 based on the three-dimensional shape information,
A situation in which a three-dimensional shape is reproduced by the driving means 24 is shown.

Figure 10 shows one-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1), (1°2),
... (i, j) ... (1, J), the lengths of each side are A and B, respectively, using the built-in coloring mechanism.

A situation in which the rectangular parallelepiped 26 of C is reproduced as a three-dimensional shape is shown. Here, one-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1), (12),...
(i, j)...(1, J) is formed from a colorless and transparent object or an object close to this, and an element whose color or light transmittance changes due to external electromagnetic action is arranged in the longitudinal direction. It is located.

In this way, one-dimensional shaped objects (1, 1), (1°2),
... (i, j) ... (1, J) is made of a colorless and transparent object, so its shape can be confirmed from any direction.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the entire device.

The data storage unit 30 stores three-dimensional data of an object.

Three-dimensional data expresses the shape of an object using three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates. The arithmetic unit 32 takes in the three-dimensional data from the data storage unit 30, calculates the positions of elements necessary for realizing the shape, and outputs position signals. This calculation result is input to the selection means 34, and the selection means 34 selects a desired cell from among the plurality of optical cells forming the display section 36 based on the position signal, and selects the optical elements constituting those cells. is turned on, the color or light transmittance of the selected element is changed continuously or in a short time, and the predetermined shape is displayed on the display section 36.
to be realized.

This will be explained in more detail below. When expressing the shape of an object, the computing device 32 first changes the scale of the object so that it fits in the display section 36, and then determines the position of the element that should emit light along one of the three coordinate axes. . for example,
When finding along the Z-axis direction, the result is as shown in FIG. 12. The cross section of the object in the two-axis direction is f (x, y, z) = n
If expressed as , the cross section at z-0 is f (x, y, 0)-
n, and the cross section at z-2o is f (x
, y, Zo)-n. In this way, each value of 2 determines which position of the element is to be turned on or off.

In the display section 36, elements are arranged in a cubic grid corresponding to three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates. As shown in FIG. 13, the elements at the positions determined by the calculation means 32 are connected to the X-axis decoder 37. which corresponds to the three coordinate axes. y-axis decoder 38. It is turned on and off by the z-axis decoder 39. X-axis decoder 37. y
Axis decoder 382 The output of the axis decoder 39 is input to the element via an AND gate.

By the way, if a decoder is provided for each side of the display section 36 assembled into a rectangular parallelepiped, it becomes possible to divide the display section 36 along any plane and view its cross section.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the entire apparatus.

The data storage unit 40 stores three-dimensional data of an object, and the shape of the object is expressed in three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates. The arithmetic unit 42 takes in the three-dimensional data from the data storage means 40, calculates the positions of the elements necessary to realize the desired shape, and generates a position signal. This calculation result is input to the selection means 44, and the selection means 44 selects a desired cell from among the plurality of optical cells forming the planar two-dimensional display section 46 based on the position signal. The optical elements constituting the display section 46 are turned on, and the color or light transmittance of the selected element is changed continuously or in a short period of time, and a predetermined shape is realized on the display section 46. Also, 2
A moving means 48 is provided for moving the dimensional optical means 46 at high speed in a direction perpendicular thereto, and the moving means 48 waits for a movement signal from the arithmetic means 42 and drives a linear motor 45 for translating the two-dimensional display section 46. The linear motor 45 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional display section 46. Note that the optical element in this case does not need to be colorless and transparent;
Ordinary LEDs etc. can be used.

This will be explained in more detail below. When displaying the surface of an object, the calculation means 42 first changes the scale of the object so that it fits in the display section 46, as shown in FIG.
The positions of the elements in the two-dimensional display section 46 necessary for displaying the object are determined along the movement direction of 6. For example, when searching along the z-axis direction, the result is as shown in FIG. 15. Object 2
If the display figure in the axial direction is expressed as f (x, y, z) - n, then
The displayed figure in 2-O can be expressed as f (x, y, 0) = n, and the displayed figure in z-zo can be expressed as f (x+
It can be expressed as V+zo)-n. In this way, each value of 2 determines which position of the element is to be turned on or off.

In the display section 46, elements are arranged in grids corresponding to two-dimensional orthogonal coordinates. As shown in FIG. 16, the element at the position determined by the calculation means 42 is
Axis decoder 47. It is turned on and off by the y-axis decoder 49. The outputs of the X-axis decoder 47 and the y-axis decoder 49 are input to the device via an AND gate.

If the shape concrete device configured as described above is used, the 17th
The shape shown in the figure can be realized.

A similar effect can be obtained by projecting the image of the flat display onto a mirror and moving the mirror at high speed in a direction perpendicular to the flat display, instead of moving the flat display.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment in which the flat display is rotated instead of being translated in parallel. By simply converting the Z coordinate into the θ coordinate, it is possible to obtain the same display result as in the case of parallel movement. That is, by rotating the flat display, a rectangular parallelepiped can be realized, for example, as shown in FIG. 18.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the cell size,
It is possible to easily reproduce a three-dimensional shape by changing the volume, area or length, and it is also possible to change the size, volume, area or length of the cell sequentially and continuously over time. This makes it possible to continuously change the reproduced shape.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily reproduce a three-dimensional shape by changing the length of a one-dimensional object, and by using the coloring mechanism built into the one-dimensional object. , three-dimensional shapes can be reproduced more accurately. By sequentially and continuously changing the length of the one-dimensional shaped object, and furthermore, the coloring mechanism built into the one-dimensional shaped object, on the time axis, it is possible to continuously change the reproduced shape.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a device that can easily and easily represent a three-dimensional object and its movement within a three-dimensional space.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a shape concrete device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an implementation of a cell connection method in a device for realizing a two-dimensional shape in the first embodiment. Figures illustrating examples; Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing two-dimensional shapes obtained when changing the volume of the cell in the example in Figure 2; Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams showing modified surfaces. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a shape representation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a case in which a three-dimensional shape is formed by Figure 9 shows how a three-dimensional shape is reproduced using three-dimensional shape information. Figure 10 shows the coloring mechanism built into a one-dimensional object. FIG. 11 is a diagram expressing a three-dimensional shape when used together, and FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a shape concrete device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display section used in the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a shape representation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a light emitting device. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional display section used in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a method for determining the position of an element according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which the flat display is rotated instead of being translated in parallel. 10... Two-dimensional shape input device, 12... Arithmetic device,
14... Drive device, 161, 162. ...16.・
...Cell Figure 1 Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure Figure (1, 1) (1, 2)・-(i, j) (I, J) Figure Figure (a) ( b) Figure Figure Figure 10 Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (14)

[Claims] (1) An input means for inputting two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape data, a calculation means for outputting a signal for reproducing a desired two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape based on the data from the input means, and the calculation means a drive means for outputting a drive signal in response to the signal from; coupled to each other and driven by the drive signal;
A shape representation device comprising a plurality of cells whose shape can be changed, and by changing the shape of each of the plurality of cells based on the drive signal, it is possible to realize the overall shape of the plurality of cells. . (2) The drive signal is pneumatic pressure, water pressure, hydraulic pressure, or a mechanical expansion/contraction mechanism, and the cell is driven by the drive signal.
2. The shape representation device according to claim 1, wherein the cell is a stretchable object whose size, volume, area, or length changes. (3) The shape representation device according to claim 1, wherein the cells are arranged in a two-dimensional grid shape to represent a two-dimensional shape. (4) The shape representation device according to claim 1, wherein the cells are arranged in a three-dimensional grid shape to represent a three-dimensional shape. (5) The plurality of cells are arranged in a two-dimensional grid, and the grid is stacked in multiple stages, and the resulting surface is transformed into a three-dimensional shape to realize a three-dimensional shape. The shape representation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: (6) A plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects that are connected to each other and whose lengths can be changed; and driving each of the plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects to change the shape of the plurality of one-dimensional shaped objects in a one-dimensional direction. an input means for inputting three-dimensional shape data; and an arithmetic means for calculating a drive amount of the one-dimensional shaped object based on the data from the input means and supplying it to the drive means. A shape representation device characterized in that it is possible to realize the overall shape of the plurality of one-dimensional objects by changing the shape of each of the plurality of one-dimensional objects. (7) The one-dimensional shaped object is an object that can be expanded and contracted in its longitudinal direction by an electric drive mechanism such as a motor, or a mechanical drive mechanism such as air pressure, water pressure, or hydraulic pressure. The shape representation device described. (8) The one-dimensional shaped object is formed from a colorless and transparent object or an object close to this, and elements whose color or light transmittance changes due to external electromagnetic action are arranged in the longitudinal direction. 7. The shape representation device according to claim 6. (9) The shape according to claim 8, characterized in that the three-dimensional shape is expressed by changing the length of the one-dimensional object or the color of the element, etc., in accordance with the three-dimensional shape to be expressed. Concrete device. (10) Optical means that is usually colorless and transparent, and has elements arranged in a three-dimensional lattice whose color or light transmittance changes continuously or in a short time due to electromagnetic action from the outside world, and the three-dimensional object. data storage means for storing data; arithmetic processing means for calculating a desired position of the element based on the three-dimensional data of the data storage means and outputting a position signal; A shape representation device comprising a selection means for selecting the element and changing the color or light transmittance of the selected element continuously or in a short time. (11) The shape concrete device according to claim 10, wherein the optical means can be divided into two parts on any plane. (12) Two-dimensional optical means in which elements whose color or light transmittance changes continuously or in a short time due to electromagnetic action from the outside world are arranged in a plane, and the two-dimensional optical means is moved back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional optical means. a moving means for moving the object; a data storage means for storing three-dimensional data of the object; a desired position of the element is calculated based on the three-dimensional data of the data storage means and a position signal is output;
arithmetic processing means for outputting a movement signal of the moving means; and selecting the element of the two-dimensional optical means based on the position signal and changing the color or light transmittance of the selected element continuously or in a short time. A shape representation device comprising a selection means for changing the shape. (13) The shape concrete device according to claim 12, wherein the two-dimensional optical means is fixed, and a mirror facing the two-dimensional optical means is moved back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional optical means. (14) The shape representation device according to claim 12, wherein a desired shape is realized by rotating the two-dimensional optical means.