Production System and Production Method for Causing Object to Float
[Problem] To provide a system that can control a floating state of a floating object within a production space. [Solution] This production system 100 includes a plurality of air discharge devices 10. The plurality of air discharge devices 10 are configured to generate a clockwise or counterclockwise air flow when viewed in a plan view, within a production space surrounded by air discharge ports 12 of the devices. It is possible to cause an object F to float within the production space by means of the air flow generated by the plurality of air discharge devices 10.
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The present invention relates to a production system and production method capable of causing a floating object such as a ball to float.
BACKGROUND ARTThe applicant of the present application has proposed a production system using a floating object such as a ball (refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). The production systems described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are mainly equipped with LED lighting fixtures and speakers in a ball, and control the lighting and speakers to perform a production using light and sound.
CITATION LIST Patent Literature
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- Patent Document 1: JP 2019-097796 A
- Patent Document 2: JP 2019-072114 A
Incidentally, the devices described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 do not have means for controlling a position of a floating object within a production space, and are limited to performing tracking of a floating object that moves freely in the space. Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a system for controlling a floating state of a floating object within a production space.
Solution to ProblemA first aspect of the present invention relates to a production system for causing a floating object to float in air. Note that in the description of the present application, the term “floating object” refers to a tangible object having a certain rigidity that floats in air by riding on an airflow. Examples of a floating object include a ball, a balloon, cotton, and feathers, the shape thereof not being particularly limited. For example, a floating object is not limited to being a sphere, and may be a polyhedron. In addition, devices that can autonomously float on airflow, such as a self-flying drone, are also included as the floating object referred to here. On the other hand, intangible objects such as gases, mists, foams, and the like, and objects that disappear on contact with other objects are not included as the floating object referred to herein. A production system according to the present invention includes a plurality of air discharge devices. The plurality of air discharge devices are configured to generate a clockwise or counterclockwise airflow when viewed in a plan view, within a production space surrounded by air discharge ports of the air discharge devices. The number of air discharge devices may be two or more, preferably 3 or more, or 4 or more, and may be 5 or more. For example, in a case where the number of air discharge devices is two, by arranging the respective air discharge ports so that the air discharged from each air discharge port passes each other, it is possible to generate a vortex-shaped airflow in the production space. In addition, when, for example, the number of air discharge devices is four, the air discharge ports of the air discharge devices may be arranged at four corners of the production space, and air may be discharged clockwise or counterclockwise from each air discharge port to generate a vortex-shaped airflow in the production space. As a result, the production system according to the present invention can cause a floating object to float by the airflow within the production space.
Preferably, in the system according to the present invention, the floating object is configured such that a gas may be contained by a flexible outer membrane. Examples of the floating object include a ball or balloon. Moreover, like the balls disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is also possible to mount a lighting fixture such as an LED, or a speaker inside the floating object.
The system according to the present invention further includes an air intake device. The air intake device itself or an air intake port thereof is provided above the production space so as to take in air discharged by the air discharge devices. Thus, by providing the air intake device above the production space, a tornado-like ascending airflow can be generated in the production space. As a result, it becomes easier to maintain a floating state of the floating object.
Preferably, the system according to the present invention further includes a sensor and a control device. The sensor is for detecting a position of the floating object in the production space. The control device controls the air volume or air speed by the air discharge devices and/or the air intake device based on information detected by the sensor. In this way, by performing feedback control of the air discharge devices and the intake device using the information detected by the sensor, it becomes easier to keep the floating object at a predetermined position in the production space (for example, the center of the production space). In addition, when the floating object leaves a predetermined position in the production space, the floating object can be returned to the predetermined position in the production space by performing feedback control of the air discharge devices and the air intake device. Note that in the control of the air discharge devices and the air intake device, it is possible to control the air volume or air speed by setting specific conditions and threshold value for the position of the floating object, or it is also possible to use known machine learning algorithms such as deep learning and reinforcement learning.
A second aspect of the present invention is a production method for causing a floating object to float in air. The production method according to the present invention includes a step of discharging air by a plurality of air discharge devices so as to generate clockwise or counterclockwise airflow in plan view within a production space surrounded by the air discharge ports of the plurality of air discharge devices, and a step of causing a floating object to float in the production space by the airflow.
Advantageous Effect of InventionWith the present invention, it is possible to provide a system and method for controlling a floating state of a floating object in a production space.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes appropriate modifications within a scope obvious to a person skilled in the art based on the following embodiments.
An object of the production system 100 according to the present invention is to basically maintain a floating object F floating at a predetermined height in air, or move the floating object F up and down in a production space provided indoors. When the floating object F is touched by a spectator or the like, the impact causes the floating object F to move in the production space; however, with the production system 100, the moving floating object F is controlled to return to a vicinity of a center of the production space. The production system 100, via a plurality of air discharge devices 10 and an air intake device 20, generates airflow in the production space surrounded by air discharge ports of the air discharge devices 10. By controlling this airflow, the floating object F is caused to float within the production space. In the present embodiment, four air discharge devices 10(a) to 10(d) are provided to define one production space; however, the number of air discharge devices 10 per one production space is not limited to this, and it is also possible, for example, to use 2 to 10 air discharge devices. In addition, in order to prevent airflows other than airflows from the plurality of air discharge devices 10 and air intake device 20 provided within the production system 100 from flowing into the production space, airflows within the space are preferably restricted by walls, partitions, air showers, or the like (not illustrated). Moreover, the production space has a volume (width, depth, and height) that allows people to enter. For example, it is preferable that each of the width, depth, and height of the production space be at least 2 m to 5 m or more; however, it is possible to secure a larger volume.
As illustrated in
In addition, in the embodiment illustrated in
Further, in the present embodiment, each of the air discharge devices 10(a) to 10(d) and the air intake device 20 can independently control air volume and air speed. For example, air discharge volume of the plurality of air discharge devices 10 as a whole can be made equal to the air intake volume of the air intake device 20, or the air discharge volume can be made larger or smaller than the air intake volume. In addition, the air discharge volume of each air discharge device 10 may be individually adjusted. Thus, as will be described in detail later, when the floating object F moves away from a predetermined position for some reason, the air discharge devices 10 and the air intake device 20 are individually controlled to return the floating object F to the predetermined position. Moreover, not limited to maintaining the floating object F at the predetermined position, by individually controlling the air discharge devices 10 and the air intake device 20, it is possible to perform a production in which the floating object is moved up and down, or moved along a predetermined path within the production space.
The production system 100 further includes a position detection sensor 30 for detecting a position of the floating object F within the production space. In the present embodiment, an optical sensor is used as the position detection sensor 30. An example of an optical sensor is a TOF (Time Of Flight) sensor. More specifically, the optical sensor projects a pulse of laser light such as infrared light from a light emitting element, and measures the time it takes for the laser light to reflect off an object (floating object F) and return to a light receiving element. It is preferable to install optical sensors at a plurality of locations such as the ceiling and walls surrounding the production space. In this way, by projecting the laser light onto the floating object F from the optical sensors, it is possible to obtain coordinate information related to the position and outline of the floating object F within the production space. In addition, as illustrated in
Note that although not illustrated in the figures, the position detection sensor 30 may also be configured by a transmitter mounted inside the floating object F (ball) and a receiver provided on the ceiling or a wall near the production space. In this case, radio signals emitted from the transmitter inside the floating object F are received by a plurality of receivers, and by the control device 40 analyzing reception strength of the radio signals received by the plurality of receivers, it is possible to acquire the positional information of the floating object F in the production space.
Information detected by the position detection sensor 30 is used to control the floating state of the floating object F. As illustrated in
As an example of a control method by the control device 40, the conditions for operating each of the air discharge devices 10 and the air intake device 20 are programmed in the control device 40 in advance in conjunction with coordinate values of the floating object F detected by the position detection sensor 30.
Further, the control process by the control device 40 described above may also be achieved using machine learning such as artificial neural networks (deep learning, etc.), reinforcement learning, or the like. For example, deep learning is performed using a data set of the operation of each air discharge device 10(a) to 10(d) and the air intake device 20 and the state change of the floating object F due to the operation as teacher data, and the learned model obtained as a result may be used for the control process by the control device 40. As a result, referring to the learned model, each of the air discharge devices 10(a) to 10(d) and the air intake device 20 may be efficiently operated so that the floating state is optimized according to the behavior of the floating object F. For example, in a case of implementing reinforcement learning, by giving a reward to an environment in which the floating object F is in a suitable position in the production space and the floating state thereof is stable, or by giving a penalty to an environment in which the floating object F is adhered to the floor or ceiling, the various devices 20 and 30 may be controlled so as to maximize the reward or minimize the penalty. In this way, by using machine learning, it is possible to efficiently optimize the behavior of the floating object F, which changes depending on the environment (for example, airflow) in the production space.
In the present embodiment, a ball is used as an example of the floating object F. The ball is a ball 2 having a hollow, spherical shape filled with a gas such as air, nitrogen, or helium. An outer membrane of the ball is preferably made of a transparent or translucent soft flexible material. Examples of materials used in forming the ball include silicone and synthetic rubber. The ball preferably has, for example, a diameter of 0.1 m to 5 m or a diameter of 0.5 m to 3 m, and particularly preferably a diameter of 1 m to 2.5 m. It is recommended that the ball be formed of a relatively lightweight material and that it be able to float freely over an audience's heads within the production space while maintaining a certain amount of time in the air. In addition, one or a plurality of balls may be prepared according to the size of the production space. Moreover, like the balls disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is also possible to mount a lighting fixture such as an LED or a speaker inside the ball.
Hereinafter, although not illustrated in the figures, an arbitrary configuration of the production system 100 will be described. The production system 100 may further include speakers in a room including the production space. For example, speakers are installed near the walls and ceiling of the room. In addition, the speakers are connected to the control device 40. The control device 40 performs control of sound effects such as BGM and sound effects emitted from the speakers. Further, the control device 40 may receive positional information of the floating object F as well as other information from the position detection sensor 30 via the main bus and control the sound output from the speakers based on the positional information. For example, it is possible to change the BGM and sound effects according to the position of the floating object F in the production space.
The production system 100 may further include a projector that projects image light onto the floating object F. For example, two projectors are installed at positions that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the production space. Therefore, two projectors are able to project image light from both the left and right sides onto the floating object F floating near the center of the production space. As a result, the image light may be projected onto almost the entire floating object F. Note that the number of projectors may be appropriately increased or decreased in consideration of, for example, the size of the production space and the size of the floating object F. In addition, the projectors may be installed near the ceiling of the room including the production space. The projectors are connected to the control device 40 and project image light onto the floating object F under the control of the control device 40.
The control device 40 may also perform so-called projection mapping on the floating object F by controlling each projector. The control device 40 stores a CG image or the like to be projected onto the floating object F, and projects the image from each projector. In addition, the control device 40 acquires coordinate information of an outline of the floating object F from the position detection sensor 40 via the main bus. Based on the coordinate information of the floating object F, the control device 40 changes the image projected from each projector in real time and controls the projection direction of the image light. For example, the control device 40 may change the content of the image or the color of the light projected onto the floating object F according to the size, shape, or floating position of the floating object F. As a result, it is possible to perform effective projection mapping using the surface of the floating object F floating in the production space as a projection surface.
The production system 100 may further include lights for illuminating the production space or the floating object F. For example, a ceiling light is provided near the ceiling of the room including the production space. Further, for example, a moving light is provided above the center of the production space, and irradiates the floating object F with illumination light. Moreover, for example, a floor light is provided on the floor surface of the room including the production space. These lights are connected to the control device 40. The control device 40 controls the amount (brightness), the color of the light, and flashing of the illumination light of each light. In particular, the control device 40 is able to control an irradiation direction of light from the moving light. More specifically, the control device 40 preferably receives coordinate information of the floating object F from the position detection sensor 30 and controls the irradiation direction of the moving light based on the coordinate information. For example, the irradiation direction of the moving light may be controlled so that the floating object F is irradiated with light.
In the description of the present application, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings in order to express the content of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes modifications and improvements that are obvious to a person skilled in the art based on the matters described in the description of the present application.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITYThe present invention relates to a production system and production method for causing a floating object F such as a ball to float in air. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used in the entertainment industry and advertising industry.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
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- 10 Air discharge device
- 20 Air intake device
- 30 Position detection sensor
- 40 Control device
- 100 Production system
- F Floating object
Claims
1. A production system for causing a floating object to float in air; comprising:
- a control device and a plurality of air discharge devices; wherein
- the control device controls the plurality of air discharge devices to generate an airflow that rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in plan view within a production space surrounded by air discharge ports of the plurality of air discharge devices, and to cause the floating object to float within the production space by the airflow.
2. The production system according to claim 1, wherein
- the floating object is configured by a flexible outer membrane capable of containing a gas.
3. The production system according to claim 1, further comprising an air intake device; wherein
- the air intake device or an air intake port of the air intake device is provided above the production space, so as to take in air discharged by the air discharge devices.
4. The production system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a position of the floating object in the production space; wherein
- the control device controls air volume or air speed of the air discharge devices based on detection information of the sensor.
5. A production method that causes a floating object to float in air, comprising
- a step of controlling a plurality of air discharge devices by a control device to generate an airflow that rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in plan view within a production space surrounded by air discharge ports of the plurality of air discharge devices, and to cause a floating object to float within the production space by the airflow.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 4, 2021
Publication Date: May 2, 2024
Applicant: TEAMLAB INC. (Tokyo)
Inventor: Toshiyuki INOKO (Tokyo)
Application Number: 18/547,331