JP5368535B2 - Planetarium video creation device and video creation method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a planetarium video creation device and a video creation method for projecting a video of Hoshino and the like on a dome screen based on video information. More specifically, the present invention relates to a planetarium video creation device and its video creation method capable of producing a movement in outer space such as a pseudo-space travel or taking off and landing on the surface of a celestial body.

  Conventionally, planetarium projectors have created and projected Hoshino images based on the operator's manual operations such as setting date and time and viewpoint position. For example, when performing a pseudo-space travel, a process of changing the position of the celestial body with the change of the viewpoint position is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Alternatively, the product “Super-MEDIAGLOBE” listed in Non-Patent Document 1 has a “takeoff and landing function”. This is a function that can be projected from the surface of the celestial body to the sky where the celestial body can be looked up or from the sky where the celestial body can be looked up to the surface of the celestial body in a series of motions.

  When producing a change in viewpoint such as approaching or retreating to a celestial body, the displayed size of the object representing the shape of the celestial body is changed according to the distance from the viewpoint. In general, the surface pattern of a celestial body is prepared as a still image (texture) and is expressed by pasting the still image on the surface of an object to be displayed. Therefore, in a process in which the size of the object changes, the pasted still image is displayed enlarged or reduced in association with the size of the object.

  In addition, in moving image content such as pseudo-space travel that operates on a personal computer, a plurality of pieces of video information corresponding to a midway route from the first viewpoint position to the second viewpoint position is generally prepared. The video is displayed while being enlarged in conjunction with the viewpoint movement, and is switched to the next video at a predetermined timing and enlarged again. Thereby, for example, moving image content corresponding to the movement of the viewpoint from the sky about several tens of meters above the ground to the altitude per artificial satellite, content reproducing the movement from the ground surface to outer space, and the like are realized.

JP 2004-361484 A

Monthly “Star Navi” (edited and published by Astro Arts Inc., released by Ascii Inc.) Back cover of June 2005 issue cover

  However, in the conventional planetarium video creation device described above, only one texture is prepared for each celestial body. Therefore, when trying to display a state of being very close to the surface of the celestial body, the texture image is extremely large. The enlarged one is displayed. For example, when directing a rocket from the ground surface to the universe, a very enlarged low-resolution earth image is displayed in a scene very close to the ground surface. There is a problem that such video lacks realism and cannot produce high-quality productions.

  In addition, video content for personal computers reproduces only the surface pattern of the earth, and cannot reproduce the state of outer space around the earth at the same time. Even if you prepare a movie of the state of outer space around the surface pattern of the earth, you can only reproduce images from a predetermined time and viewpoint. For this reason, it was not possible to simultaneously represent the state of the sky, such as the sun, moon, planets, satellites, stars, and the Milky Way, and the surface of the earth moving away.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-described conventional planetarium video creation apparatus and video creation method. In other words, the task is to create a planetarium image that can display the image of the surrounding space in real time and the surface pattern of the celestial body taking off and landing in high quality when directing takeoff and landing on the surface of the celestial body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and an image creation method thereof.

  The planetarium video creation device of the present invention, which has been made for the purpose of solving this problem, is a real-time calculation unit that calculates the position of the celestial object in real time, and moving image data that expresses the state of the surface of the object from near vision to medium vision A short-distance video creation unit that creates a projected video from a video based on the video data in the video storage unit, and determines the area occupied by the object in the entire image according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object And the area determined by the area determining unit and the area determined by the area determining unit are applied with the size of the moving image based on the moving image data of the moving image storage unit, and the remaining portion of the entire image is based on the calculation result of the real-time calculating unit. Real-time image generator based on the calculation results of the medium-distance video generator and real-time calculator A long-distance video creation unit that creates a projected video from a video image, and a switching control unit that switches between a short-distance video creation unit, a medium-distance video creation unit, and a long-distance video creation unit according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object, , And a distance designating unit for designating the distance from the viewpoint to the object used in the switching control unit and the region determining unit.

  In such a case, the appearance of the surface of the object is expressed by applying a moving image. In addition, the short-distance video creation unit, the middle-distance video creation unit, and the long-distance video creation unit are switched and used according to the distance from the viewpoint designated by the distance designation unit to the object. Then, the short-distance video creation unit creates a planetarium video from the moving image of the object at a short distance. Further, the medium-distance video creation unit creates a planetarium video in which a moving image is pasted in the object area and a real-time image is pasted in the other area. The far-distance video creation unit creates a planetarium video using real-time images. Therefore, when directing take-off and landing on the surface of the celestial body, it is possible to display both high-quality images of the surrounding space in real time and the surface pattern of the celestial body taking off and landing.

  In the present invention, it is desirable that the distance designation unit designates a distance based on an operator's manual operation. The moving image data stored in the moving image storage unit desirably covers the surface of the object that can be viewed from the viewpoint at the distance from the current viewpoint to the object.

  The present invention also provides a real-time calculation unit that calculates the position of a celestial object in real time, a moving image storage unit that stores moving image data expressing the surface state of an object ranging from short-range vision to medium-range vision, and a moving image stored in the video storage unit A short-distance video creation unit that creates a projected video from a video based on data, an area determination unit that determines the area occupied by the object in the entire image according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object, and an area determined by the area determination unit In addition, a moving image based on the moving image data in the moving image storage unit is applied to match the size, and a middle distance image generating unit that generates a projected image in which the remaining portion of the entire image is a real time image based on the calculation result of the real time calculating unit; From a viewpoint, a long-distance video creation unit that creates a projected video from real-time images based on the computation results of the real-time computation unit A switching control unit that switches between a short-distance video creation unit, a medium-distance video creation unit, and a long-distance video creation unit according to the distance to the object, and a distance from the viewpoint to the object used by the switching control unit and the region determination unit The distance designation unit designates the distance from the viewpoint to the object on the basis of the manual operation of the operator using the planetarium video creation device having the distance designation unit for designating the image, and according to the designated distance, The area determination unit determines the area occupied by the object, the real-time calculation unit calculates the position of the celestial object in real time, and when the specified distance is within the specified short distance range, Is created by the short-distance video creation unit, and the specified distance is within the predetermined middle distance range, The medium-distance video creation unit creates a projected video that fits the video to match the size and uses the remaining part of the entire image as a real-time image based on the calculation result of the position of the celestial body. When the distance is within the range, the long-distance video creation unit creates the projected video from the real-time image based on the calculation result of the position of the celestial body, and the switching control unit performs the above short distance and medium distance according to the specified distance. , And a planetarium video creation method that automatically switches and uses long-distance projection video.

  According to the planetarium image creation apparatus and the image creation method of the present invention, when directing take-off and landing on the surface of a celestial body, both the image reproducing the state of the surrounding space in real time and the surface pattern of the celestial body taking off and landing are included. High quality display.

It is a schematic block diagram of the planetarium apparatus of a reference form and embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the planetarium apparatus of a reference form and embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of the video memory which concerns on a reference form. It is explanatory drawing which shows the range of the prepared texture. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the texture is displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the texture is displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the texture is displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the texture is displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of the video memory which concerns on embodiment.

"Reference form"
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital planetarium apparatus that projects an image of Hoshino or the like on a dome screen based on image information. First, a reference form that is the basis of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the planetarium apparatus of the reference form has a dome screen 1 and a projection apparatus 10 installed below the center thereof. The projection device 10 further includes a video control unit 2, a video projection unit 3, a fisheye lens 4, an operation unit 5, and a speaker 6. The video control unit 2 is for controlling video projected on the dome screen 1 and audio broadcasted in the planetarium facility. The video is projected on the entire surface of the dome screen 1 via the video projection unit 3 and the fisheye lens 4. In addition, the audio is broadcast to the planetarium facility via the speaker 6. The operation unit 5 is an operation panel for an operator to operate the planetarium apparatus, and corresponds to a touch panel, for example. The operation unit 5 includes a power switch, a program start key, a stop key, and the like.

  The video control unit 2 of the planetarium apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 21, a data storage unit 22, a video memory 23, a video generation unit 24, and an audio generation unit 25 as shown in the block diagram of FIG. The control unit 21 performs video control, audio control, illumination control, and the like according to instructions from the operation unit 5. The data storage unit 22 and the video memory 23 store various data necessary for control and files such as video / audio necessary for projection. The video generation unit 24 generates a video to be projected on the dome screen 1. The generated video is sent to the video projection unit 3 and projected on the dome screen 1. The sound generation unit 24 generates sound to be broadcast in the planetarium facility. The generated sound is broadcast to the planetarium facility via the speaker 6.

  In general, the data stored in the data storage unit 22 includes, for example, brightness of each celestial body, information on proper motion, names of constellations, and arrays. Further, the files stored in the video memory 23 include, for example, photographic images of celestial bodies, constellation pictures, and textures that are surface patterns of celestial bodies. The texture of a general celestial object is stored for each celestial object as a pattern on the entire surface of the celestial object (for example, a Jupiter stripe pattern).

  In the planetarium device of the reference form, the operator designates, for example, a predetermined date and time and a predetermined location (one point on the ground, etc.) from the operation unit 5, and the hoshino that can be viewed from there is a dome screen. Can be projected onto 1. At this time, the position and apparent size of each celestial object are calculated by the control unit 21 based on data such as the brightness and movement path of each celestial object stored in the data storage unit 22. This calculation is performed in real time according to time setting or viewpoint movement by an operator's manual operation. Based on the result, the video generation unit 24 generates a real-time image and projects and displays it on the dome screen 1.

  In the real-time image obtained in this way, for example, when an object such as a planet is projected and displayed with a size of a certain level or more, a mere light spot is not realistic. In view of this, the image memory 23 stores a texture that is the surface pattern of an object that is projected as such. Then, after the arrangement and the apparent size of the object are calculated, the texture is enlarged / reduced according to the size and pasted. For example, in the case of the earth, this texture has a topographic map pattern that can be seen on a globe. This texture is conventionally used, and hereinafter, this texture is referred to as a normal texture of the object. In addition, the object here is an object visually recognized in Hoshino, and is not limited to a celestial body but may be an artificial object such as a giant space station.

  The normal texture has a relatively low resolution. For example, if the texture is enlarged to a degree where a large part of the dome screen 1 is occupied by the earth, the image becomes very blurred and has no realism. Therefore, in the reference form, for example, a texture having a higher resolution is prepared so that a surface pattern as viewed from the altitude of the artificial satellite or a surface pattern as viewed from the altitude at the top of the alpine mountain can be displayed. As shown in FIG. 3, in the video memory 23, three types of textures having different resolutions (first earth texture 32, second earth texture 33, and third earth texture 34) other than the normal earth texture 31 are used as the earth texture. Is remembered. This figure also illustrates some other celestial textures.

  Here, as the surface is closer to the celestial body, a more detailed surface can be observed. Therefore, it is desirable to use a texture with a higher resolution in the projected image corresponding to a low altitude viewpoint. On the other hand, maintaining a high-resolution texture on the entire surface of the celestial body is not preferable because the data capacity becomes too large. Therefore, in the first to third earth textures 32 to 34 of the reference form, only the range necessary for projection display is used as video data. This range will be described next.

As shown in FIG. 4, the maximum range of the celestial surface that can be seen from the viewpoint of the observer O is a spherical portion Q surrounded by a surface that passes through the observer O and touches the celestial body (forms the shape of the side of a cone). is there. In FIG. 4, a range corresponding to the spherical portion Q is indicated by a thick line. In addition, when the altitude of the observer from the ground surface is h and the relationship between the radius R of the celestial body and the angle θ in the figure is expressed,
(H + R) sinθ = R
And h = [(1 / sin (90 ° −φ)) − 1] × R (0 ° <φ <90 °) depending on the angle φ in the figure.
It is expressed.

  That is, the texture corresponding to the predetermined angle φ need only be prepared in the range of the spherical portion Q corresponding to the φ. This is a portion on the side of the observer O when the celestial spherical surface shown in FIG. 4 is cut out by a plane P perpendicular to the drawing sheet. In the planetarium apparatus of the reference form, as the first earth texture 32, the second earth texture 33, and the third earth texture 34, video data having resolutions corresponding to φ1, φ2, and φ3 (φ1 <φ2 <φ3) are respectively obtained. It was created within the range of the spherical portion Q. The normal earth texture 31 is prepared for the entire spherical surface.

  Here, within a certain range of change of φ, even if one texture is enlarged or reduced and displayed, the sense of reality is not impaired. Therefore, if the altitudes of the observer O corresponding to φ1, φ2, and φ3 are h1, h2, and h3, the first earth texture 32, the viewpoint altitude from the ground (h = 0) to the altitude h1. The second earth texture 33 is used at h1 to h2 and the third earth texture 34 is appropriately enlarged and used at the viewpoint altitudes h2 to h3. Here, 0 <h1 <h2 <h3. A real-time image is obtained at a predetermined altitude h3 or higher, and the normal earth texture 31 is used with an appropriate size.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the starting point T is set to one point on the surface of the earth and then rises vertically (rightward in the figure) and leaves the universe, the first earth texture 32 is taken from takeoff to altitude h1. The enlarged image is displayed while being gradually reduced. Alternatively, in the case of the effect of landing from the altitude h1, the first earth texture 32 is displayed while being enlarged. As a result, a natural image can be displayed even in a scene near the ground surface. Similarly, according to each altitude, an appropriate texture is enlarged or reduced and displayed in the object, and a real-time image of Hoshino is displayed in the area other than the object to produce a space trip full of realism. Can do.

  Next, processing when the viewpoint is moved from the surface of the earth to outer space with the planetarium apparatus of the reference form will be described. First, in the production of the starry sky looked up on the surface of the earth, the center of the line of sight is vertically upward, and only the hemispherical part above the horizontal line is displayed on the dome screen 1. Therefore, the ground surface is not projected in this state. If you leave the ground while keeping the line of sight upward, you will not be able to experience the detachment and you will not get a sense of realism. Therefore, the line-of-sight direction is moved downward from the horizontal before leaving. As a result, it is necessary to project the appearance of the ground surface.

  For example, a case will be described in which a program incorporating an effect of moving the viewpoint from a few meters above the Tokyo Tower to several tens of meters to a few kilometers above the sky is projected. First, the observer's position is set to the longitude and latitude of Tokyo Tower. In addition, the reproduction start time is set to an arbitrary date and time. As a result, the starry sky over Tokyo Tower can be produced as a real-time image. Also, it is possible to perform ordinary effects such as advancing the time and displaying constellation lines and constellation pictures. The operator can operate the operation unit 5 to display a desired image on the dome screen 1 and can give an explanation by voice through the speaker 6.

  Next, when performing takeoff, the operator operates the operation unit 5 to change the direction of the line of sight and lowers the line of sight to such an extent that the ground surface enters the visual field hemisphere. At this time, since the altitude h at the viewpoint position is very close to the ground surface, as shown in FIG. 5, an enlarged version of the first earth texture 32 is projected and displayed. In this display, for example, the roof of a building, trees in a park, etc. can be seen. The first earth texture 32 may include various data depending on the area where the planetarium device is provided, the contents of the effect set as the starting point, and the like.

  Next, the operator uses the voice or the like to produce takeoff, operates the operation unit 5 to change the viewpoint position, and gradually increases the altitude h of the viewpoint position. Accordingly, the object (here, the earth) is gradually reduced and the angle φ is gradually increased. When the viewpoint position altitude h is in the range of 0 ≦ h <h1, the enlargement rate of the first earth texture 32 is gradually reduced, and a state of moving away is displayed.

  Then, when the altitude h at the viewpoint position becomes h1, the display of the first earth texture 32 is automatically stopped and switched to the second earth texture 33 as shown in FIG. At this time, an appropriately enlarged version of the second earth texture 33 is displayed and adjusted so that there is no sense of incongruity when switching to the first earth texture 32. In this state, for example, a state of being viewed from a place where the sky is about 1000 meters is displayed, and the image is such that plains, basins, mountain ranges, and the like can be distinguished.

  When the viewpoint position exceeds the altitude h2 by the operation of the operator, the image is automatically switched to the third earth texture 33 and the shape of the continent, sea, clouds, etc. can be understood. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 7, when a space other than the Earth enters the field of view, a real-time image of a normal planetarium is created, and the Hoshino of the set date and time is synthesized and displayed on the part outside the earth. For objects other than the earth, the display size is determined according to the distance from the viewpoint at that time, and a normal texture is pasted as necessary.

  Further away from the earth, for example, when the altitude exceeds 20,000 km, a planetarium is produced by a real-time image using a normal earth texture 31 as shown in FIG. In determining the range in which the earth is displayed as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, it is preferable to consider not only the altitude h of the viewpoint position but also the line-of-sight direction. Then, an appropriate texture corresponding to the altitude h is pasted on the area occupied by the earth in the field of view.

  That is, the altitude h of the viewpoint position is manually operated by the operator using the operation unit 5. For this reason, operations such as fast-forwarding, rewinding, and pause are also possible. In accordance with these operations, the texture is automatically enlarged, reduced, or switched, and it is not necessary to manually change the texture itself.

  In addition, when performing an effect of landing on or approaching the earth, the normal earth texture 31 is switched to the third earth texture 33 when the altitude h to the earth becomes equal to or less than h3. When further approaching, the texture is enlarged sequentially and switched to display the surface pattern. Alternatively, when producing an approach to a celestial object other than the earth, various textures for the celestial object may be prepared in advance.

  As described above in detail, according to the planetarium apparatus of the reference embodiment, a plurality of high-resolution textures relating to a predetermined celestial object are prepared, so even when displaying an image very close to the celestial object, a clear image is displayed. can do. Furthermore, since the texture is stored only within the range necessary for production, the amount of data does not become too large. Therefore, smooth processing is possible and can be performed in parallel with creation of a real-time image. For these reasons, when directing takeoff and landing on the surface of a celestial body, it is possible to display both the image of the surrounding space in real time and the surface pattern of the celestial body taking off and landing with high quality, and a high sense of presence. It is a planetarium device.

"Embodiment"
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital planetarium apparatus that projects an image of Hoshino or the like on a dome screen based on image information. Since the apparatus configuration of the planetarium apparatus of the embodiment is not different from the reference form, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the planetarium apparatus according to the embodiment, a plurality of types of moving image data having different resolutions depending on altitude are stored in the video memory 23 as shown in FIG. Here, a first earth video 41 that reproduces the state of the ground surface from short distance vision to medium distance vision, and a second earth movie 42 that reproduces the ground surface appearance from middle distance vision to far distance vision are shown.

  For example, in the 1st earth animation 41, it is good also as animation which directs the volcanic smoke at the time of takeoff, or includes the motion of the car etc. on the surface of the earth. The video corresponding to FIGS. 5 to 6 can be expressed by the first earth moving image 41. The first earth moving image 41 is appropriately enlarged or reduced and displayed in a range where the earth is displayed in the planetarium image. Then, the moving of the viewpoint can be expressed in accordance with the takeoff effect by gradually reducing and displaying the moving image. Alternatively, if you prepare a video that includes viewpoint movement from takeoff to a certain altitude, you can produce the takeoff just by playing the video.

  Further, the second Earth animation 42 may incorporate a cloud movement or the like. Such a moving image is displayed while being gradually reduced, or the position is changed according to the viewing direction. Furthermore, a real-time image is synthesized on the part outside the earth, and an image corresponding to FIG. 7 is created and displayed. As a result, a more realistic presentation is possible. Or you may make it display the image | video equivalent to FIGS. 5-7 continuously by one moving image data. Also in the case of the embodiment, when the altitude is further increased and the size of the earth is sufficiently small, it is switched to the projection of the real-time image.

  As described in detail above, the planetarium apparatus of the embodiment also provides a high-quality image of the surrounding space in real time and the surface pattern of the celestial body taking off and landing when directing takeoff and landing on the celestial body surface. It is a planetarium device that can display the quality and provide a high sense of realism.

In addition, this form is only a mere illustration and does not limit this invention at all. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, an object for storing a plurality of textures is not limited to the earth, and may not necessarily be an actual surface pattern. Also, for example, both moving images and textures can be stored and used by switching according to the distance. For example, in FIG. 7, a moving image including the movement of a cloud can be displayed on a texture including an image of the sea or land. Further, for example, in each of the above embodiments, the planetarium device that projects on the dome screen 1 has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a device that projects on a screen other than the dome type or displays on a personal computer display or the like.

5 Operation part (distance designation part)
21 Control unit (real-time calculation unit, area determination unit, switching control unit)
23 Video memory (video storage unit)
24 Video generation unit (short-distance video creation unit, medium-distance video creation unit, long-distance video creation unit)

Claims (4)

A real-time calculation unit that calculates the position of the celestial object in real time;
A moving image storage unit for storing moving image data representing the state of the surface of an object ranging from short distance vision to medium distance vision;
A short-distance video creation unit for creating a projected video by a video based on the video data of the video storage unit;
An area determination unit that determines an area occupied by the object in the entire image according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object;
The moving image based on the moving image data of the moving image storage unit is applied to the area determined by the region determining unit with the same size, and the remaining portion of the entire image is set as a real-time image based on the calculation result of the real-time calculating unit. A mid-range video creation unit for creating video,
A long-distance video creation unit that creates a projected video from a real-time image based on the computation result of the real-time computation unit;
A switching control unit that switches between the short-distance video creation unit, the medium-distance video creation unit, and the long-distance video creation unit according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object;
A planetarium video creation apparatus comprising: a distance designation unit that designates a distance from a viewpoint to an object used in the switching control unit and the region determination unit. The planetarium video creation device according to claim 1,
The planetarium image creating apparatus, wherein the distance designation unit designates a distance based on a manual operation of an operator. In the planetarium video production device according to claim 1 or 2,
The moving image data stored in the moving image storage unit is:
A planetarium video creation device characterized in that the surface of an object covers the range that can be seen from the viewpoint by the distance from the current viewpoint to the object. A real-time calculation unit that calculates the position of the celestial object in real time;
A moving image storage unit for storing moving image data representing the state of the surface of an object ranging from short distance vision to medium distance vision;
A short-distance video creation unit for creating a projected video by a video based on the video data of the video storage unit;
An area determination unit that determines an area occupied by the object in the entire image according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object;
The moving image based on the moving image data of the moving image storage unit is applied to the area determined by the region determining unit with the same size, and the remaining portion of the entire image is set as a real-time image based on the calculation result of the real-time calculating unit. A mid-range video creation unit for creating video,
A long-distance video creation unit that creates a projected video from a real-time image based on the computation result of the real-time computation unit;
A switching control unit that switches between the short-distance video creation unit, the medium-distance video creation unit, and the long-distance video creation unit according to the distance from the viewpoint to the object;
Using a planetarium video creation device having a distance designating unit for designating a distance from a viewpoint to an object used in the switching control unit and the region determining unit,
The distance designating unit designates the distance from the viewpoint to the object based on the manual operation of the operator,
The area determination unit determines the area occupied by the object in the entire image according to the specified distance,
The real-time calculation unit calculates the position of the celestial object in real time,
When the specified distance is within a predetermined short distance range, the short distance video creation unit creates a projected video from a video based on the video data,
When the specified distance is within the range of the predetermined medium distance, the moving image based on the moving image data is applied to the determined area with the same size, and the remainder of the entire image is calculated as the result of the celestial position calculation. The middle-range video creation unit creates a projected video as a real-time image based on
When the specified distance is within a predetermined long distance range, the long distance image creation unit creates a projected image from a real-time image based on the calculation result of the position of the celestial body,
A planetarium image creating method, wherein the switching control unit automatically switches and uses the short-distance, medium-distance, and long-distance projected images according to a designated distance.

Images