Patent Application
20100182234
1. Field
The present invention relates to a projector system which projects an image on a projection surface such as a screen. The present invention relates more particularly to a projector system which simultaneously projects a plurality of projection images using a plurality of projectors, and moves or exchanges an image between the respective projection images using a pointer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a projector is used in a conference, a lecture or the like. Recently, particularly, to cope with the expansion of an amount of displaying information and the placement of more emphasis on an impression of a projection image to a viewer, a case where a plurality of projection images are simultaneously projected from a plurality of projectors has been increasing in number.
Usually, the respective projectors PJ1 to PJ4 are formed using the same type of projector. Particularly, when the number of projectors is increased, the initial setting of positions of the projectors performed by an installer of such projectors becomes cumbersome. That is, it is necessary for the person who installs such projectors to arrange the respective projectors in the accurate order by repeating a series of operations where the respective projectors are temporarily installed, the projection images are projected onto the projection surfaces, and the person who installs such projectors changes the arrangement of the respective projectors while watching the projection images.
Further, there may be a case where one personal computer transmits image data to the projectors PJ1 to PJ4 so that projectors PJ1 to PJ4 project the associated projection images which are different from each other on the projection surfaces M1 to M4 respectively. In the initial setting performed in such a case, the personal computer transmits the different image data to four projectors PJ1 to PJ4 so as to allow the projectors PJ1 to PJ4 to project projection images on the projection surfaces M1 to M4. Next, a person who installs such projectors operates the personal computer so as to perform an operation which exchanges image data to be transmitted to the projectors PJ1 to PJ4. For example, in
The above-mentioned setting of the initial arrangement of the projectors and the above-mentioned change of the arrangement of projection images using the personal computer are cumbersome and time-consuming. Particularly, when a person in charge of a conference or a lecture finds that the order of arrangement of projectors is wrong after the conference or the lecture starts, to correct the order of arrangement into the correct arrangement, it is necessary for him to interrupt the conference or the lecture and to ask an expert having a professional knowledge on projectors to make such correction of the order of arrangement.
There has been proposed a projector device which radiates a laser beam on a projection image projected onto a screen by a projector by operating a laser pointer so as to change the projection image. This projector device includes an image projection part which projects an image onto a projection surface, and an image inputting part which images the projected image and the laser beam radiated by the pointer. In such a projector device, a position to which the laser beam is radiated is detected in response to a result of imaging by the image inputting part, acquires image data associated with the position via a network or the like, and projects an image associated with the position onto a screen by the image projection part.
Further, there has been also proposed a technique in which a marker which becomes an adjustment reference is radiated to a projection image projected onto a screen by a projector body using a remote-controlled transmitter, the marker is detected by a detection sensor mounted on the projector body, and the inclination or the like of the projection image is adjusted using the marker as the reference.
In projecting the plurality of projection images by the plurality of projectors, according to the above-mentioned technique, the initial setting of the projector is performed such that the installer of the projectors physically changes the arrangement of the projectors or the installer of the projectors changes the transmission destination of the image data to be transmitted to the projector while watching an operation screen of the personal computer. However, such operations are cumbersome, and there may be a case where it is difficult for a person who is not skilled in operating a computer to perform such changing of the arrangement of the projectors or such changing of image data transmission destination.
Particularly, when a speaker or a lecturer wants to change the arrangement of projection images or to move the projection images in the midst of the conference or the lecture after he projects the plurality of projection images using the plurality of projectors and starts the explanation, such a change or moving of the projection images requires time. As a result, the explanation by the speaker or the lecturer is interrupted so that audiences lose their interest in his speech or lecture. To obviate such a situation, it is necessary for an assistant who operates the computer to operate a computer following the intention of the speaker or the lecturer. Even in such a case, in many cases, it is difficult for the assistant to promptly cope with an unexpected change of the projection image or the like.
There has been also proposed a technique in which an operator radiates a laser beam to a projection image which a projector projects from a laser pointer, the projector detects a position or the like of the laser beam, and changes a projection image projected by the projector. That is, in this technique, the operator changes the projection image by operating the laser pointer while watching the projection image. However, this technique is directed to an operation of a signal projector, and is irrelevant to an operation where a projector detects a laser beam and changes a projection image projected by another projector.
To overcome the above-mentioned drawback, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a projector system which includes: a plurality of projectors which are communicable with each other; and a pointer which, by radiating a spot light onto a projection area onto which a projection image is projected using the projector, gives an instruction relating to processing of the projection image. The projector includes: a spot light detection part; an instruction information generation part; and a transmission part. The spot light detection part detects the spot light radiated to the projection area of the projector. The instruction information generation part generates instruction information relating to processing of the projection image based on a detected spot light. The transmission part transmits processing information which contains the instruction information and identification information for specifying the projector. In the projector system having such a constitution, when one projector detects a spot light and, thereafter, another projector detects a spot light, a whole or a part of the projection image which one projector projects is projected by another projector based on the processing information.
To overcome the above-mentioned drawback, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving method of a projector system which includes a plurality of projectors which are communicable with each other; and a pointer which gives instructions relating to processing of the projection image by radiating a spot light onto a projection area onto which a projection image is projected using the projector. In this driving method of a projector system, one projector detects the spot light radiated from the pointer, generates instruction information relating to processing of the projection image in response to the detection of the spot light from the pointer, and transmits the processing information. On the other hand, another projector detects the spot light radiated from the pointer, and projects+ a whole or a part of the projection image which one projector projects based on the processing information.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail in conjunction with attached drawings.
In
One example of an operation of the projector system 1 is explained. Firstly, the projector PJ1 is connected to the PC via the USB cable. The projector PJ1 which is connected to the PC constitutes a main projector (hereinafter, the projector PJ1 being referred to as a main projector). The projectors PJ2 to PJ4 constitute sub projectors. The main projector receives image data which the respective projectors PJ1 to PJ4 project from the PC and stores the image data in an image memory part thereof. The main projector transmits the image data on the projection images which the respective projectors project via the USB cable. Each sub projector which receives the image data projects a projection image based on the received image data on a projection surface of the projector.
A user allows the pointer PT to radiate a spot light SP to a projection image on the projection surface M2 and pushes a move button of the pointer PT. Then, the projector PJ2 which constitutes one projector detects the projection image projected onto the projection surface M2 and the spot light SP radiated by the pointer PT by a spot light detection part thereof. The projector PJ2 discriminates move instructions given to the spot light SP from the pointer PT, and generates instruction information indicative of move instructions by an instruction information generation part thereof. A transmission part of the projector PJ2 transmits the instruction information obtained by discrimination and identification information for identifying the projector PJ2 to the main projector as processing information.
Next, the user allows the pointer PT to radiate a spot light SP to a projection image on the projection surface M3 and pushes a move button of the pointer PT. Then, the projector PJ3 which constitutes another projector detects the projection image projected onto the projection surface M3 and the spot light SP radiated by the pointer PT by a spot light detection part thereof. The projector PJ3 discriminates move instructions given to the spot light SP from the pointer PT, and generates instruction information indicative of move instructions by instruction information generation part thereof. A transmission part of the projector PJ3 transmits the instruction information obtained by discrimination and identification information for identifying the projector PJ3 to the main projector as processing information.
The main projector receives processing information from the projectors PJ2, PJ3 by reception parts thereof. An image data processing part of the main projector adds or overwrites the image data for the projector PJ2 in the image data for the projector PJ3, and erases the image data which becomes a moving subject from the image data for the projector PJ2. Then, the transmission part of the main projector transmits the changed image data to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3. The projectors PJ2 and PJ3 receive such changed image data, and project the projection images to the projection surfaces M2 and M3 respectively. In this manner, the projection image projected on the projector PJ2 is moved to the projector PJ3. As a result, a user can easily change the projection image by operating the pointer without requiring a help of an assistant at the time of performing the initial setting of the projector or even after the user starts the explanation to audiences.
Heretofore, although the explanation has been made with respect to a case where the projection image is moved to the projector PJ3 from the projector PJ2, in the same manner, the user can perform the exchange of projection image or the copying of the projection image. That is, the user can exchange the projection image between the projection image of the projector PJ2 and the projection image of the projector PJ3, or the user can perform the copying of the projection image from the projector PJ2 to the projector PJ3 by leaving the projection image of the projector PJ2 as it is without erasing the projection image. Other projectors also function in the same manner. Further, besides the movement, the copying and the exchange of the projection image between two projectors, the user can rearrange the projection images to be projected by other projectors in the predetermined order or can designate the arrangement order using the projection image which the particular projector projects as the reference. Due to such operations, the projector system of this embodiment can enhance the user friendliness of the projector system in such a manner that when the user sets the arrangement of the projection images, it is no more necessary for him to physically move the arrangement of the projectors or to execute the processing of image data while watching an operation screen of the personal computer. For example, the user who performs the explanation to the audience using the projectors can simply and rapidly perform the exchange of the projection images during the explanation while watching the projection surfaces.
Further, in the above-mentioned case, the projection image is moved from the projector which is designated firstly by the pointer PT to the projector which is designated later by the pointer PT. However, the projection image may be moved from the projector which is later designated to the projector which is firstly designated.
Further, heretofore, the explanation has been made with respect to the case where the whole of the projection image is moved, exchanged or copied. However, instead of moving, exchanging or copying the whole of the projection image, a part of the projection image may be moved, exchanged or copied. By moving, exchanging or copying a part of the projection image, the user can acquire an advantageous effect that the user can easily move or exchange an image of a part of the projection image projected by each projector in response to the radiation of a spot light between the respective projectors. For example, the user can exchange a part of the projection image which the projector PJ2 projects and a part of the projection image which the projector PJ3 projects as follows.
The user radiates a spot light to a part of the projection image on the projection surface M2. Here, the spot light detection part of the projector PJ2 detects a spot light, and the position detection part of the projector PJ2 detects a position of the spot light within the projection area and generates positional information. The instruction information generation part of the projector PJ2 discriminates an instruction given by the pointer from the detected spot light, and generates instruction information. The transmission part of the projector PJ2 transmits the positional information, the instruction information and identification information for identifying the projector to the main projector as processing information.
Next, the user radiates a spot light to a part of the projection image on the projection surface M3. Here, in the same manner as the projector PJ2, the spot light detection part of the projector PJ3 detects a spot light, and the position detection part of the projector PJ3 detects a position of the spot light within the projection area and generates positional information. The instruction information generation part of the projector PJ3 discriminates an instruction given by the pointer from the detected spot light, and generates instruction information. The transmission part of the projector PJ3 transmits the positional information, the instruction information and identification information for identifying the projector to the main projector as processing information.
The main projector receives processing information from the projector PJ2 and the projector PJ3 respectively, and specifies respective objects of the projection images corresponding to the respective positional information. An image data processing part of the main projector moves the specified object from image data for the projector PJ2 to image data for the projector PJ3. This image data processing part also executes image data processing which moves the specified object from image data for the projector PJ3 to image data for the projector PJ2. The main projector transmits image data whose objects are exchanged to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3. The projectors PJ2 and PJ3 receive image data after exchange processing, and project the image data on the projection surfaces M2 and M3 respectively. In this manner, the above-mentioned projector system 1 can exchange a part of the projection images between the projectors.
Heretofore, the explanation has been made with respect to the case where the main projector executes the processing of image data in a state that the projectors are divided into the main projector and the sub projectors. In such a case, image data on the projection image which each projector projects is collectively controlled by the main projector thus giving rise to an advantageous effect that the image data can be simply exchanged or moved. In place of such image data processing, each projector may be configured to execute image data processing of the projection image of each own projector. For example, assume that the projector PJ2 which constitutes one projector detects a spot light by the spot light detection part thereof, and generates instruction information by the instruction information generation part thereof. In this case, the projector PJ2 transmits processing information which is constituted of the instruction information and identification information for identifying each projector to the projector PJ3. Next, the projector PJ3 detects a spot light, generates instruction information and transmits processing information constituted of the instruction information and identification information to the projector PJ2. Then, the projector PJ3 and the projector PJ2 exchange image data on designated projection images each other, and the respective projectors project the exchanged image data. By executing image data processing by imparting the substantially same functions to all projectors, the image data is transmitted and received between one projector and another projector. Accordingly, the projector system of this embodiment can acquire an advantageous effect that a communication data amount is reduced thus enhancing a processing speed at the time of changing the projection image.
The image projection part 25 includes a video signal inputting circuit 21, an image processing circuit 22, an LCD drive circuit 23, an LCD 29, a light source 27, a lamp drive circuit 26, an illumination optical system 28, an image forming optical system 30, and a pint adjustment mechanism 24. Here, the video signal inputting circuit 21 receives a video signal from the outside. The image processing circuit 22 generates a display image signal from the inputted video signal and image data inputted through the bus 10. The LCD drive circuit 23 receives inputting of the display image signal from the image processing circuit 22 and generates a scanning signal and an image signal. An LCD 29 which receives the inputting of the scanning signal and the image signal from the LCD drive circuit 23 and visualizes these signals. The lamp drive circuit 26 controls light emission intensity of the light source 27. The illumination optical system 28 radiates light emitted from the light source 27 to the LCD 29. The image forming optical system 30 projects a display light from the LCD 29 on the projection surface in an enlarged manner. The pint adjustment mechanism 24 adjusts a focal point of the projection image projected from the image forming optical system 30.
The ROM 18 stores a main program, an application program, a spot light detection program, a position detection program, instruction information generation program, an object specifying program, a transmission/reception program and the like. Here, the main program is provided for performing a basic operation of the projector 2. The application program is provided for executing image data processing. The spot light detection program is provided for detecting a spot light from image data inputted from the projection image imaging part 15. The position detection program is provided for detecting a position within the projection area based on the detected spot light. The instruction information generation program is provided for generating instruction information by discriminating the instruction which the pointer PT gives from the detected spot light and the infrared ray reception part 14. The object specifying program is provided for specifying an object from the detected positional information and the image data on the projection image. The transmission/reception program is provided for transmitting or receiving image data and processing information through the USB I/F 12 and the wireless I/F 11. By reading these various programs into the RAM 17 and executing these programs, the CPU 16 functions as the control part, an application execution part, a spot light detection part, a position detection part, an instruction information generation part, an object specifying part, a transmission part and a reception part.
The projector 2 is intercommunicable with other projectors 2 through the wireless I/F and the USB I/F. When the projector 2 is operated as the main projector, image data on a projection image which each projector projects is received by the reception part through the wireless I/F or USB I/F and is stored in the image memory part 19. Then, preliminarily allocated image data is transmitted to each projector from the transmission part through the wireless I/F or the USB I/F. When a spot light is radiated to a projection area of another projector, the reception part receives processing information from such another projector 2 through the wireless I/F or the USB I/F, and the image data is processed in accordance with the processing information. The processed image data is transmitted to the image processing circuit 22 of another projector 2 or the own projector 2 through the transmission part and the wireless I/F or the USB I/F, and the image data is projected as the projection image. Here, the number of USB I/F corresponds to the number of connections necessary for connecting the projectors to each other.
The respective projectors 2 which constitute the projector system 1 have the substantially same functions and constitution. However, when the projector 2 is used as a sub projector, it is not always necessary for the projector to have the above-mentioned image processing part and the object specifying part.
The “copy” button is provided for copying a whole or a part of a projection image which one projector projects onto a projection area of another projector. The “move” button is provided for moving a whole or a part of a projection image which one projector projects to a projection area of another projector.
The “exchange” button is provided for exchanging a whole or a part of a projection image which one projector projects with a whole or a part of a projection image of another projector.
The “rearrangement” button is provided for rearranging projection images of the respective projectors in a preliminarily determined order on projection surfaces on which other projectors project the projection images using a projection image of one projector as the reference. The “arrangement order” button is provided for projecting projection images of preliminarily determined order in accordance with a designated order by designating projection areas on which the respective projectors project. The “selection” button is provided for selecting a projection image which any one of projectors projects by designation. The “power source” button is provided for starting the pointer PT by turning on a power source of the pointer PT.
The pointer PT is constituted of a CPU which performs a control of the device, a memory part which stores a program, switches which are formed below respective buttons, a light emission part which emits a laser beam, a laser beam modulation part which imparts instructions to the laser beam, and a power source which supplies electricity to the respective parts. Due to such a constitution, the projector acquires an advantageous effect that it is unnecessary to newly provide a detection device which detects instruction information from the pointer. For example, by applying modulation of low frequency or high frequency to the spot light, an instruction relating to image processing is superimposed. The instruction information generation part of the projector demodulates the detected spot light thus generating instruction information. Accordingly, a user can simultaneously perform the selection of a projection image which the specified projector projects and the instructions relating to the processing of the projection image while watching the projection image. Accordingly, a user can acquire an advantageous effect that the user can extremely easily operate the projectors. The pointer PT may include, in place of the laser beam modulation part, an infrared ray emission part and an infrared ray modulation part for imparting instructions to the infrared ray. In this case, the projector system acquires an advantageous effect that the constitution of the spot light detection part can be simplified.
The user radiates a laser beam to a projection area of a projection surface onto which a projection image is projected by the projector thus displaying a spot light in the projection area. The user selects the projection area or an object by the spot light, and pushes a button. Then, a laser beam is modulated in response to the instruction given to the pushed button. The projection image imaging part 15 of the projector images the projection image and the spot light, and the spot light is detected by the spot light detection part. The instruction information generation part of the projector demodulates and discriminates the instruction given to the pushed button from the detected spot light, and generates instruction information. The position detection part of the projector generates positional information on the spot light based on the imaged projection image and the detected spot light. These instruction information and positional information are transmitted to another projector as processing information.
Due to such operations, the projector system of this embodiment can enhance the user friendliness of the projector system in such a manner that when the user sets the arrangement of the projection images, it is no more necessary for the user to physically move the arrangement of the projectors or to execute the processing of image data while watching an operation screen of the personal computer. For example, the user who performs the explanation to the audience using the projectors can simply and readily perform the exchange of the projection images during the explanation while watching the projection surfaces.
Next, the manner of operation of the projector system according to the present invention is explained specifically in conjunction with
<Copying of object>
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the explanation has been made with respect to the case where the projection image on the firstly selected projection surface is copied to the projection image on the later selected projection surface.
However, in place of such a copying order, the later selected projection image may be copied to the firstly selected projection image. Here, in both of the case where the firstly selected projection image is copied and the case where the later selected projection image is copied, the user pushes the copy button of the pointer PT. However, in place of such an operation, the user may push the selection button of the pointer PT one time and push the copy button one time before or after the pushing of the selection button such that a figure which is selected when the copy button is pushed is copied to a position of the spot light SP in the projection image designated by pushing the selection button.
Also in this embodiment, in the same manner as the above-mentioned copying of the object, the later selected projection image may be moved to the firstly selected projection image. Here, in both of the case where the firstly selected projection image is moved and the case where the later selected projection image is moved, the user pushes the move button of the pointer PT. However, in place of such an operation, the user may push the selection button one time and push the move button one time before or after the pushing of the selection button such that a figure which is selected when the move button is pushed is moved to a position of the spot light SP in the projection image designated by pushing the selection button.
The above-mentioned selection of the projection image is performed by radiating the spot light SP to the empty space of the projection image. However, in place of such an operation or in addition to such an operation, the whole projection image may be selected by radiating a spot light SP to a frame portion of the projection image or a portion of the projection image in the vicinity of the frame portion. Also in this embodiment, in the same manner as the above-mentioned movement of the object, in both of the case where the firstly selected projection image is moved and the case where the later selected projection image is moved, the user pushes the exchange button of the pointer PT. However, in place of such an operation, the user may push the selection button of the pointer PT one time and push the exchange button one time before or after the pushing of the selection button such that the projection image is selected.
Also in this embodiment, in the same manner as the above-mentioned movement of the object, in both of the case where the firstly selected projection image is exchanged and the case where the later selected projection image is exchanged, the user pushes the exchange button of the pointer PT. However, in place of such an operation, the use may push the selection button of the pointer PT one time and push the exchange button one time before or after the pushing of the selection button.
In this case, a figure which is selected when the user pushes the exchange button is moved to a position of the spot light SP in the projection image designated by the user by pushing the selection button so that the objects are exchanged.
Also in this embodiment, in selecting the projection image later, the user may push the selection button in place of pushing the rearrangement button of the pointer PT. This is because when the selection button is pushed in selecting the projection image later, a projection position on the projection surface to which the projection image is moved is determined.
<Move objects by giving instructions from projection screens>
When such a state is established, the projector PJ1 discriminates that the instruction from the pointer PT is movement, and flickers characters “move” or a frame of the characters.
The above-mentioned steps bring about an advantageous effect that by radiating a spot light to a specified area within the projection image while watching the projection image, the user can input specified information to the projector in the same manner as a pointing device formed of a mouse of the personal computer or the like. It is no more necessary for the user to shift his eyes from the projection image when he operates the projection image. The same goes for “copy” processing and “exchange” processing explained hereinafter.
Since the instructions on image processing can be selected using the projection image screen as described above, it is sufficient for the pointer PT to have a function of flickering a spot light SP. Accordingly, the constitution of the pointer PT can be simplified. In the above-mentioned embodiment, in moving the object of the projection image, the movement is selected by radiating the spot light SP to the “move” area of the processing instructions screen for a predetermined time. However, in place of such an operation, by providing an area for executing processing on the processing instructions screen, for example, an “execution” area, a “selection” area or the like, the user can execute such processing by radiating the spot light SP to such an area. Further, the user can also execute processing by pushing a selection button of the pointer using an infrared ray emission part mounted on the pointer PT. The same goes for the processing described hereinafter.
<Copy Objects by Giving Instructions from Projection Screens>
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the step shown in
<Exchange Screens by Giving Instructions from Projection Screens>
<Exchange Objects by Giving Instructions from Projection Screens>
Here, the left upper quadrangular shape on the projection surface which is the exchange source flickers. By radiating the spot light SP to the area on the projection surface M3 for a predetermined time, as shown in
In
However, kinds of processing are not limited to these processing. By providing selection areas “rearrange” and “arrangement order” on the processing instructions screen and allowing the user to select these instructions, the user can perform the same operations as explained in conjunction with
Next, embodiments of an operation flow according to the projector system 1 are explained using flowcharts and tables for allocating projection images shown in
<Initial setting of projectors>
In the main projector, the CPU 16 reads various programs stored in the ROM 18 and stores these programs in the RAM 17 and, then, reads the programs from the RAM 17 and executes the programs thus functioning as the spot light detection part, the instruction information generation part, the position detection part, the image data processing part, the object specifying part, the transmission/reception part and the like. In the sub projectors, the CPU 16 reads various programs stored in the ROM 18 and stores these programs in the RAM 17 and, then, reads the programs from the RAM 17 and executes the programs thus functioning as the spot light detection part, the instruction information generation part, the position detection part, the transmission/reception part and the like.
The image data processing part of the main projector receives image data from the PC and stores the image data in the image memory part 19 (step S4). The control part 5 of the main projector receives identification information for identifying the sub projectors and the like from the sub projectors, and stores the identification information and the like in the RAM 17 (step S6). The image data processing part of the main projector transmits image data on the projection images which the sub projectors project to the respective sub projectors based on the acquired identification information (step S7) thus finishing the initial setting.
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the projector 2 which is connected to the PC is set as the main projector, and the projectors 2 which are not connected to the PC are set as the sub projectors. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the main projector and the sub projectors may be manually set by operating the control panel 20 of each projector 2. Further, in place of the constitution of the projector system where the image data which the respective projectors 2 project is received from the PC, the main projector may store image data which the respective projectors project in the image memory part 19 and may deliver the image data to the sub projectors. Alternatively, each sub projector may store image data in the image memory part 19 thereof, and transmits the stored image data to the main projector thus allowing the main projector to perform the centralized administration.
The manner of operation of the pointer PT is explained in conjunction with
To be more specific, the pointer PT is operated as follows. For example, when the whole or a part of the projection image is copied from one projector to another projector, the user pushes the power source button of the pointer PT so as to allow the pointer PT to radiate a laser beam from the laser beam radiation part 31. The user selects an object which constitutes a portion of the projection image projected onto the projection surface of the copying source, and pushes the copy button. When the copy button is pushed, the pointer PT modulates the laser beam and gives the copy instruction. Then, the selected object flickers so as to indicate the selection of the object. Next, the user indicates the position where the object is expected to be copied by radiating the laser beam to the projection surface of the copying destination, and pushes the copy button of the pointer PT. Accordingly, the selected object of the copying source is copied to the position on the projection surface of the copying destination designated by the spot light which is a laser beam.
Although the manner of copying the object has been explained above, the designation of the movement, the exchange, the rearrangement and the arrangement order of the object can also be performed in the same manner. Further, the operation such as the movement, the exchange, the rearrangement or the arrangement order is not limited to the object and the operation such as copy, move, exchange or the like may also be applied to the whole projection screen. Further, as shown in
The control part of the main projector detects whether or not the main projector is connected to other projectors (step S25). When the control part of the main projector detects that the projector connected to the main projector is present (step S25: Yes), the control part of the main projector obtains identification information (hereinafter referred to as ID) of the sub projector through the reception part (step S26) (see
Next, the control part of the main projector, after executing the pointer processing (step S30), acquires instruction information from the pointer PT and executes table rewriting processing (step S31). The control part of the main projector detects the finishing of the processing from the control panel 20 (step S32: Yes), and finishes the processing. When the control part of the main projector does not detect the finishing of the processing (step S32: No), the control part of the main projector returns the processing to step S23.
In step S21, when the control part of the projector detects that the projector is not connected to the PC (step S21: No), the control part detects whether or not the projector is connected to the main projector (step S33) (see
When necessary, the position detection part of the projector detects a position to which a spot light is radiated based on imaged data, and generates positional information.
Then, the position detection part of the projector adds the positional information to the processing information, and transmits the processing information to the main projector.
This is because, for example, as shown in
As shown in
When the control part of the main projector determines that PJ_ID_OLD and PJ_ID do not agree with each other (step S54: No), the control part of the main projector reads the instruction information from the processing information stored in the RAM 17, and determines whether or not the instruction information is instruction information for changing the arrangement order (step S55). When the control part of the main projector determines that PJ_ID_OLD and PJ_ID agree with each other (step S54: Yes), the ID agreement determination processing is finished. A state where PJ_ID_OLD and PJ_ID agree with each other implies that designation processing is executed plural times on the same projection surface using the pointer PT, and this step is provided for skipping the designation processing.
When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information flag is not set (step S53: No), the control part of the main projector sets instruction information flag (step S71), and sets and stores an acquired ID as PJ_ID_OLD. That is, the projector whose ID is set as PJ_ID_OLD is the projector where the instruction information is generated previously by the pointer PT.
When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information is instruction information for changing the arrangement order (step S55: Yes), the control part of the main projector determines whether or not the PJ_ID_OLD is set to 1 (step S56). When the control part of the main projector determines that the PJ_ID_OLD is not set to 1 (step S56: No), the control part of the main projector sets the arrangement order of PJ_ID_OLD to 1 (step S57) (see
A left side table shown in
Next, when the control part of the main projector determines that the arrangement order of PJ_ID_OLD is set to 1 in step S56 (step S56: Yes), the control part of the main projector sets the arrangement order of PJ_ID in table to K (step S61), adds 1 to K (step S62), and determines whether or not K is larger than the total number of projectors (step S63). When the control part of the main projector determines that K is smaller than the total number of projectors (step S63: No), the control part of the main projector returns the processing to step S23 and repeats the above-mentioned processing until the value of K becomes larger than the total number of the projectors. That is, a user designates the arrangement order of the projection images by radiating a laser beam from the pointer PT to projection surfaces on which the respective projectors project images. A state of the table when the arrangement order of all projection images is designated is shown at the center of
Next, as shown in
Next, the control part of the main projector advances the processing to step S65, and finishes the exchange processing by putting down the instruction information flag.
<<Rearrangement processing>>
When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information does not instruct the exchange processing (step S66: No) and the instruction information instructs rearrangement processing (step S68: Yes), the control part of the main projector executes the rearrangement processing of the table (step S69). A state of the table before the rearrangement processing is shown on a left side of
When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information does not instruct the rearrangement processing (step S68: No), the control part of the main projector executes the copying processing of the table (step S70). A state of the table before the copying processing is shown on a left side of
In the above-mentioned respective processing, the control part of the main projector flickers the projection image which the projector in which the instruction information is generated firstly projects. For example, in step S72, the control part of the main projector sets image data on the projection image which is transmitted to the projector whose ID is set to PJ_ID_OLD to flicker. A user can recognize the designation using the pointer PT due to flickering of the projection image.
As shown in
The processings which are executed after the above-mentioned processing are equal to the corresponding processings (steps S25 to S38) described in
As shown in
As shown in
When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information does not instruct the exchange processing (step S120: NO), the control part of the main projector makes the determination of the movement processing in which the object is moved based on the instruction information (step S127). When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information instructs the movement processing (step S127: Yes), and the image data processing part of the application execution part APPLI_NEW pastes the object OBJ_OLD to COORDINATES_NEW of image data which the application executes (step S128). The control part of the main projector selects the application execution part APPLI_OLD (step S129), and the image data processing part of the application execution part APPLI_OLD cuts away the object OBJ_OLD from the image data which the application executes (step S130). Then, the control part of the main projector puts down the instruction information flag (step S126) and finishes the processing. Accordingly, the object of the firstly selected projection image is moved to the later selected projection image. Here, the position of the object of the movement destination can be set as the position of the COORDINATES_NEW.
When the control part of the main projector determines that the instruction information does not instruct the movement processing (step S127: No), the image data processing part of the application execution part APPLI_NEW pastes the object OBJ_OLD to the position COORDINATES_NEW of image data which the application executes (step S131). Accordingly, the object OBJ_OLD of the firstly selected projection image is copied to the later selected projection image.
In the above-mentioned object processing flow, when the firstly selected application execution part and the later selected application execution part are formed of the same application execution part, it is unnecessary to discriminate APPLI_OLD and APPLI_NEW from each other. Further, in each processing, the control part of the main projector can flicker the selected object in the projection image which the projector in which the instruction information is firstly generated projects. For example, in step S136, the control part of the main projector sets the object OBJ_OLD in the image data on the projection image which is transmitted to the projector set to PJ_ID_OLD to flicker. A user can confirm the designation of the object by the pointer PT based on flickering of the selected object.
In the above-mentioned operation mode of the operation flow of the pointer and the projectors, the explanation has been made with respect to the method which transmits the instructions to the projector using a modulated laser beam by a pointer. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method. The pointer and the projectors may be operated such that an infrared ray emission part is provided to the pointer PT, an infrared ray reception part is provided to each projector, and the instructions may be transmitted to each projector with the infrared ray when each button of the pointer is pushed. Further, the pointer and the projectors may be operated such that a processing instructions screen is projected to the projection image of each projector, and a laser beam of the pointer PT is projected onto the processing instructions screen thus allowing each projector to discriminate the instructions by the projected spot light.
Further, the explanation has been made with respect to the case where the main projector collectively controls the image data processing. However, the projector system of the present invention is not limited to such a case. Each projector may start the application program of the projection image, and the image processing may be executed for every projector. For example, with respect to two sets of projectors, when the projection image which one set of projector projects and the projection image which the other set of projector projects are exchanged with each other wholly or partially, the copying source projector allows the instruction information generation part to generate instruction information and allows the position detection part to detect the position of the spot light. Simultaneously, based on the instruction information and the positional information, the image data processing part specifies the image data on the designated exchange image, and transmits the specified exchange image data to the exchange destination based on the notification from the exchange destination projector. Simultaneously, the image data to be exchanged may be received from the exchange destination projector, and the projection images which two sets of projectors project may be exchanged. In this case, a data amount of transmitted/received image data can be decreased between both projectors and hence, it is possible to acquire an advantageous effect that the projection images can be changed at a high speed.
To summarize the above, it is sufficient for the present invention that one projector detects a spot light from the pointer PT and transmits the processing information to the other projector, the other projector detects a spot light from the pointer PT, and the whole or a part of the projection image which either one of the projectors projects is projected by the other projector.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-252679 | Sep 2007 | JP | national |
The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of International Application PCT/JP2008/067448 filed on Sep. 26, 2008, which claims the benefits of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-252679 filed on Sep. 27, 2007.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2008/067448 | Sep 2008 | US |
| Child | 12748958 | US |
