JP2003241648A - Multimedia globe and multimedia globe control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multimedia system with a globe type display as a main medium which takes place of the conventional personal computer based on a 'keyboard' and a 'flat display', and which can be used with versatility as a global information providing medium at museum exhibition, in school education, at commercial establishments, etc., by dynamically and bi-directionally (interactively) displaying new computer interface technology and data of the earth in natural science, human science, and social science. <P>SOLUTION: The multimedia system is constituted of a spherical body with a hemispherical projection face, made of material such as acrylic resin, on which projection pictures from inside are displayed, a projector equipped inside so as to project projection pictures on the projection face of the spherical body, a fish-eye lens provided between the spherical body and an irradiation lens of the projector, a picture database storing earth surface picture data for projecting earth surface pictures of the surface of the earth by the projector, and a control system for transmitting the earth surface picture data of the picture database to the projector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a "keyboard".
A new interface technology for computers, which replaces the conventional personal computer based on "flat display", and dynamic and interactive (interactive) display of natural, humanities, and social scientific data about the earth,
The present invention relates to a multimedia system centering on a globe-type display, which can be used as a medium for providing global information in museum exhibitions, school education, commercial facilities, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, knowledge about the earth has been provided through world media, globes, print media (books), and electronic media such as TVs and personal computers.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] There are the following drawbacks. B. Print media have limitations in terms of presenting dynamic phenomena of the earth such as weather changes, while TV and video teaching materials are dynamic and intuitive information media, but they depend on individual interests and understanding levels. It was not suitable for interactive learning. B. The personal computer, which is an interactive multimedia medium, has a high barrier in interface such as keyboard operation, and it was difficult to imagine the wholeness of the sphere of the earth on a square flat monitor. C. There is a globe as a three-dimensional medium that allows you to intuitively grasp the appearance of the earth, but since it can only present fixed information, it is not suitable for providing a variety of information according to dynamic changes and individual needs. Met. The present invention has been made to solve the above drawbacks.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] On a 1 m-long globe-shaped spherical display, a dynamic image of various data generated by a computer is displayed in a hemisphere from an internal projector, and interactive as if actually rotating the globe. We devised an electronic globe that can be rotated and operated. In addition, we have built a <computer + globe + mobile terminal> integrated system so that detailed information on individual points can be searched and displayed on the attached mobile terminal as needed. The present invention is a projector-embedded multimedia globe having the above configuration.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. (B) Hemispherical dome-shaped screen (1) A hemispherical dome made of synthetic resin such as acrylic or glass having an appropriate transmittance of 1 m is shaped, and the inner surface of the dome is processed by sandblasting or the like to produce a light of an appropriate thickness. Screen for image projection (b) Projector (2) having a uniform diffusion layer (2) Having an image element capable of projecting a computer image and a light source for projection, and performing a 180-degree hemispherical projection as a projection lens A projector having a conformal mapping fisheye lens system (3). (C) Hemispherical dome minute rotation mechanism A mechanism that facilitates minute displacement of the hemispherical dome. A ball bearing having the diameter of the hemisphere, which allows arbitrary minute rotation, is formed with the center of the hemisphere as a fixed point. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ball casters (5) rolling along the inner surface of a hemispherical metal support casing (4) having a diameter of 1 m, which is placed on the floor, is arranged in a hemispherical screen support frame (6). . This allows the hemispherical screen to rotate in a small range with respect to the housing (4) together with the support frame. (D) Hemispherical dome rotation detection sensor Any sensor that detects displacement of the hemispherical dome by an external force such as a human hand can be used as long as it can detect displacement such as pressure, distance or angle. The detection is made by detecting two axes (7, 8) orthogonal to each other, passing through the center of the hemisphere and passing the end of the hemisphere, and one axis (9) passing through the apex of the hemisphere from the center of the hemisphere, for a total of three axes of displacement. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the distance sensor (10) fixed to the support housing (4) faces the support frame (7).
A change in the distance from the reflection plate (11) fixed to is detected. (E) Image database and mapping conversion system The image database has arbitrary data in which the information distributed on the surface of the sphere is mapped by the longitude-latitude projection method. A system for mapping that data to an isometric view has the ability to instantly recreate the image upon receipt of the displacement sensor signal. (F) Hemisphere near-surface object detection system A near-infrared camera that detects an object moving near the hemispherical surface emitting near-infrared rays is arranged in the hemispherical dome-shaped screen (1). The field of view of the camera covers a wide range of the hemisphere and captures the near infrared light of the object as an image. The software of the attached computer system specifies the position of the object from the image by image processing and calculates the spherical coordinates. (G) Narrow area database system Based on the spherical coordinates obtained by the hemispherical surface near object detection system, the relevant data is extracted and displayed from the narrow area database arranged by latitude and longitude. The narrow area database has not only image data but also audio data and can be reproduced. (H) Image database display controller A terminal (12) for starting / stopping / starting / displaying an image database / changing the display speed, and a terminal having a changeover switch for selecting / superimposing image databases. It consists of (14). (I) It has the near-infrared emission capability of the mobile terminal hemisphere surface near object detection system (f). The information in the narrow area database (g) is displayed on the terminal by holding it over an arbitrary place on the surface of the hemisphere, or the information is added to the corresponding position in the narrow area database. The terminal communicates with a hemispherical surface near object detection system wirelessly or by wire to exchange necessary information. (L) Information communication path It has an information communication path that connects the above systems to each other and also connects to an external communication network. The present invention has the above configuration. When using the present invention, the hemispherical dome-shaped screen surface of the main body of the globe is directly touched and rotated in the same manner as a conventional globe, and the region desired to be viewed is displayed in front. At this time, the distance sensor (10) attached to the support frame (6) detects the movement of a person's hand that slightly rotates the hemispherical dome-shaped screen (1), and the hemispherical dome-shaped screen (1) of the earth corresponding thereto is detected. The image database and the mapping conversion system instantly regenerate the image of and the image is dynamically displayed from the projector. As a result, although the hemispherical dome-shaped screen (1) itself is slightly deviated and is not rotated, it is possible to obtain the sensation of actually rotating the globe. Also, a keyboard-like switcher terminal called "Earth Synthesizer" (1
In 2), various types of data / images (for example, real-time cloud movements based on data sequentially acquired via the Internet and earth images including shadow lines, global warming and El Niño phenomenon) according to the needs of users. Dynamic weather changes such as, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wakes of moving migratory birds and whales, etc.) can be easily switched and displayed with a single button (13). By turning the dial knob (15) on the terminal (14), the speed of change of each phenomenon can be adjusted (for example, in the span of January to 1 to 10 years per second), and various learning and exhibitions can be performed. Dynamic data display according to the purpose is possible. Furthermore, by bringing the attached mobile terminal (called "magnifying glass PDA") closer to the hemispherical screen, the near infrared rays emitted from the mobile terminal are activated by the hemispherical surface near object detection system,
Detailed information related to the position on the spherical surface can be dynamically searched and displayed by the narrow area database system.
It is also possible to implement a function to display the latitude and longitude coordinates, in which the narrow range data is input, in a color on the spherical surface in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition, the target and type of information to be displayed (for example, the "migratory bird" species or the satellite that is the source of that information) are first displayed as an image on the LCD screen of the mobile terminal, and detailed information about that is displayed in print and image. It is also possible to use it so that it is projected on the screen behind the sphere. Furthermore, sound data (for example, rainforest sounds, etc.) registered in a narrow area database at a specific point by a similar mechanism is used.
There is also a "stethoscope" -like system for searching and listening to sounds such as desert sounds. Further, the present invention is not limited to the display of information related to the earth, and can handle information related to any spherical surface by the same system, and can effectively present the surface phenomena of the sun, moon, planets and other spherical surfaces.

[0006]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION By using the present invention, it becomes possible to give citizens and children a lively feeling of the dynamic earth, beyond the limits of conventional paper textbooks and fixed museum exhibitions. . In addition to being useful for global environmental education such as global warming and forest protection, there is also a way to use it as an interactive earth database that presents knowledge of humanities and social sciences such as economic and demographic trends, ethnic and historical maps, and in the global era It is considered to have value as a social public good that fosters the necessary literacy. It is possible that the recent trend of “science fare” will be alleviated by the creation of such a new media environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the present invention showing the arrangement of a hemispherical dome screen, a fisheye lens system, and a projector.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a display system of the present invention and a supporting housing thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a rotating mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotational displacement sensor arrangement of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a display switching terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a display control terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 hemispherical dome screen 2 projector 3 Fisheye lens system 4 Metal support housing 5 ball caster 6 hemispherical screen support frame 7 rotation axis 8 rotation axes 9 rotation axis 10 distance sensor 11 reflector 12 terminals 13 buttons 14 terminals 15 knobs

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G09B 29/00 G09B 29/00 AF term (reference) 2C032 EE01 EE02 EE05 EE08 EE13 HA02 HB02 HB11 HB25 HC13 HC25 5B050 AA01 AA06 AA07 BA02 BA06 BA08 BA15 BA17 CA07 DA02 DA04 EA19 EA24 FA02 FA08 FA09 FA10 FA13 FA19 GA04 5B087 AA07 AB04 AE03 CC31 5E501 AA01 AC15 BA03 BA05 CA10 CB06 EA09 EA13 FA14

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sphere having a hemispherical projection surface made of a material such as acrylic for displaying a projection image from the inside on a surface, and a projector provided inside so as to project the projection image on the projection surface of the sphere. A fish-eye lens provided between the sphere and the irradiation lens of the projector, an image database accumulating surface image data for projecting an image of the surface of the earth on the projector, and surface image data of the image database. A multimedia globe, comprising a control system for transmitting to a projector, wherein the ground surface image data is similar to a ground surface display on a globe when projected onto the projection surface through the fisheye lens. 2. The surface of the sphere has a structure that can be slightly displaced by an external force such as the force of a human hand, and is provided with a sensor for detecting the movement of the sphere that is displaced, and the projection surface is based on the displacement of the sensor. The multimedia globe according to claim 1, which has a screen switching control function for controlling a projected image onto the globe. 3. A sensor comprising a sensor for detecting the movement of an object moving near the surface of the sphere, and having a function of specifying a spherical coordinate position on the sphere from the moving position of the object. The multimedia globe described in 2. 4. An image database stores various kinds of additional display information data that can be visually expressed, such as cloud information such as cloud position and state, various information about the El Nino phenomenon, and various natural information that can be visually recognized on the surface of the earth. 4. The multimedia globe according to claim 2, wherein a specific additional display information data is combined with the ground surface data by a switching device to display an image from a space viewpoint. 5. The image database is connected through a communication network, and the image database is connected to the image database.
The multimedia globe according to 3 or 4. 6. A narrow area information database having various kinds of narrow area information data in a narrow area on the earth is provided, and a corresponding ground surface image based on the spherical coordinates obtained by the sensor according to claim 3 on the projection plane. The narrow area is specified, and various narrow area information relating to the specified narrow area is displayed / reproduced on an arbitrary display section / reproduction section. Multimedia globe. 7. A narrow range according to claim 6 by cooperation of a mobile terminal having an arbitrary communication system such as wireless communication, a computer system having a communication means corresponding to the communication system of the mobile terminal, and a sensor according to claim 3. The information of the information database is displayed on the mobile terminal or the information is added to the database from the mobile terminal.
The multimedia globe according to 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.