Patent Application
20110219309
This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application JP 2010-048575, filed on Mar. 5, 2010, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.
The present invention relates to a video display system capable of displaying video images of a computer and also relates to a control technique useful for display output control of video images to be output from the computer.
In cases where a presentation is performed using a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector which is connected to a personal computer (PC), it is a general way to use a presentation application software program to visually display presentation materials on the PC's display screen and electrically connect together this PC and the LCD projector by a video cable for causing presentation images, which are the same as PC display images, to be optically projected from the LCD projector on a large-size screen.
The PC for use in such presentation comes often with an operating system (OS) having a window-displayable graphical user interface (GUI), such as “Windows” (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation). This type of OS with the window GUI environment is featured by its ability to allow other application software programs to operate selectively or simultaneously on a display screen called the “desktop” with various kinds of image information, such as icons, being graphically laid out thereon.
When making a presentation using PC, a certain length of time must be taken from the activation or “wakeup” of PC, such as material search and startup of a presentation-assisting application software, up to the on-screen visualization of a material required. Within this time period, the PC's desktop image is to be displayed on the projection screen due to the fact that simultaneous display of the PC's display image and LCD projector image is being performed. This visualization of the desktop display image is also performed in the same way in the case of performing a presentation material changing work.
While various kinds of information are contained in the PC's desktop display image as stated above, a presentation conductor (i.e., presenter) rarely pays attention to the content of such desktop display image; so, there is a risk that unexpected important information in this desktop display image is unintentionally displayed on the projection screen. In light of the fact that the information security is becoming important more and more in recent years, this risk is not negligible in any way.
One known approach to solving this problem is to use a screen nonvisualization function (i.e., blanking function) that is built in the LCD projector or, alternatively, cut off the transmission of a video signal from a signal source by unplugging a video signal cable that couples the PC and video display device together or by deactivating video output of an external video output terminal of the PC through a manual operation on the PC side. For example, JP-A-2004-21054 discloses therein a technique for judging a video signal to perform video processing, such as video muting or the like.
In prior known video display systems of the type using a PC and LCD projector, an operator who performs presentation (presenter) is required to keep in mind a present display state of the LCD projector as stated previously. However, this human action is a troublesome work, and is easily forgettable; thus, there was a problem that undesirable data is carelessly opened to the audience of such presentation.
The present invention has been made in view of the technical background stated above, and an object of this invention is to provide a video image display apparatus or device for use in presentation, which is capable of making its display images invisible in those times other than a presentation material displaying time period or, alternatively, switching them to a substitute image in an automated way, thereby improving the user's usability of the video display device.
To attain the foregoing object, in accordance with one aspect of this invention, a video display system is provided which is arranged to have a computer with a plurality of software programs installed therein for performing window display operations respectively and a video display device which is connected to the computer for visually displaying image data of the computer, wherein the system includes at least one video output program which is contained in the plurality of programs that are operable on the computer, and a monitoring or “surveillance” program for monitoring a display state of the video output program, and wherein when the display state of the video output program is a predetermined state, the monitor program validates or invalidates (i.e., enables or disables) a display output of the video output program.
The video display device of this invention is also arranged so that an external video output terminal of the computer is connected to the video display device by a video transmission means, wherein the monitor program permits, when a present display state of the video output program is a predetermined state, a display data of the video output program to be output from the external video output terminal of the computer, and, in the other cases, prevents the display data of the video output program from being output from the external video output terminal of the computer.
The video display device of this invention is also arrangeable so that the external video output terminal of the computer is connected to the video display device by a video transmission means, wherein the monitor program causes, when a present display state of video data of the video transmission means is a prespecified state, a display data of the video output program to be visually displayed; in the remaining cases, it sets the video display device in a predefined state.
According to the invention as disclosed herein, it is possible to readily display only presentation video images on the LCD projector screen. This makes it possible to improve the security of the video display system.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A video display system incorporating the principles of this invention is arranged to detect the display state of a specific screen image which is not wanted to be visualized on a presentation or the like and then control, based on this detection result, the actual display content and/or display output. Regarding the screen display state to be detected here, control may be performed by detecting a screen image(s) to be displayed during the presentation or else.
The video display system in accordance with this invention is also arranged so that a computer capable of operating a plurality of application software programs simultaneously or selectively running one of them in a switched way and a video display device are connected together by either a video cable or any one of other cables with the video data transmission capability. While an operation is performed, on the computer's display screen, to detect a display state of an application software program which is used in the presentation, when it is detected that the application software's window is displayed on an entirety of the display screen or that the displayed application window occupies 80% or more of the display screen area (referred to as the “maximized display state” hereinafter), a video image is optically projected from the video display device; upon detection of other display states, control is provided to set up a video non-display state which is designated by a user.
In a case where the above-noted display state detection is performed by the computer, a monitoring application software program is used therefor, which has its function for enabling or “validating” an external video output when the application software's window is currently in the maximized display state, and for disabling or “invalidating” the external video output when the application software is in the other display states. The video display device controls the display state in conformity to this enabling/disabling management of the external video output.
In cases where there is performed a network presentation which includes capturing a computer screen image and transmitting the captured image data via a universal serial bus (USB) cable or by way of a radio data transmission method, such as wireless local area network (LAN) or the like, a need is felt to install in the computer a presentation data transmission application software program; in view of this, the above-stated monitoring application software may be designed to have this function therein.
In case a single-task OS-installed computer is used, an application software program to be used may be arranged to have the above-stated function. This is also usable in the case of using a multitask OS.
It is also considered that the above-stated detection result is notified by communication control to the video display device. Based on the content notified, the video display device performs switching between a video display state and the user's designated video nondisplay state.
In case the detection is performed by the video display device, this device is arranged to have a function of detecting whether the on-screen window of an application software program in the image data as sent from the computer is coexistent with a characteristic part of the maximized display state, e.g., a task bar on the display screen of Windows OS and “Start” button on the left end side thereof, to thereby detect the maximized display state and other display states, and a function which is responsive to receipt of the detection result for displaying the transmitted image data when the maximized display state is detected and for setting up the user's designated video nondisplay state in the case of those display states other than the maximized display state.
An example of the user's designated video nondisplay state is a blanking display for visualizing an image painted by one specific color. Another example of it is to display an image, such as the logo of a manufacturer. Further, this may also be achieved by deactivation of light emission of a light source or by temporal light shielding of the light source.
Illustrative embodiments of the video display system of this invention will be described in detail below. An embodiment 1 and embodiment 3 are the ones that apply the principal concept of this invention to a video display system of the type having a computer with a presentation application software program being operable thereon and a video display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) projector, wherein the computer and the LCD projector are connected together by a video cable or a communication cable. The embodiments 1 and 3 are the ones that show examples of the control for displaying different video images in responding to a display state detection result. An embodiment 2 is the one that applies this invention to the inside of a computer with the presentation application software operating therein.
Note here that in these embodiments, a Window OS-installed personal computer (PC) is used as a signal source of the video display device. The same goes for the case of using a PC in which is installed another window GUI-based OS, such as Mac OS™, Linux™ or the like.
Although in the embodiments a projection-type LCD projector is used as the video display device, this may be replaceable by other similar suitable devices or equipments. In respective figures of the drawings, those parts or components having a common function are designated by the same reference numeral, and duplicative explanations of once-described components will be eliminated for purposes of avoiding redundancy.
An explanation will now be given of the first embodiment that applies this invention to a signal source, with reference to
In
As shown in
At step S002, a decision is made to specify whether an application software program to be monitored is in the maximized display state or in other display states, by means of a certain software interface as provided by the OS manufacturer. For example, “GetWindowPlacement( )” is used, which is an application programming interface (API) function of the OS.
Numeral “300” designates an image display area of the PC; numeral 301 denotes the maximized display state of the application software to be monitored by the monitor application software; 303 indicates the reduced display state of the application software to be monitored; 304 is a task bar of window; 305, a start button to be displayed on the taskbar; 306, the minimized display state of the application software.
At step S002 in the flowchart of
The step S003 is for enabling the external video output; to do this, control is provided to set the external video output switcher 105 to being enabled. The step S004 is for disabling the external video output, by setting the external video output switcher 105 to disabled.
More specifically, the video display system in accordance with the embodiment of this invention is arranged to include a means for detecting on the signal source side a display state of an application software program designated, and a means operatively responsive to receipt of a detection result obtained by the detection means, for switching between the enabling setup and disabling setup of an external video output, wherein a video signal is output to the video cable only when the external video output is made valid.
In
The system configuration shown in
In this case, a method is also employable, which does not perform switching between the enabling setup and the disabling setup of an external video output, but performs an operation which follows: in a case where the to-be-monitored application software is in the maximized display state 301, let the image data be transmitted directly; in case the software is in other display states than the maximized display state, an alternative or substitute image which is saved either in a storage device that is internally built in the video display device or in a storage device as externally connected thereto is sent as the image data. Alternatively, it is also possible to prevent transmission of a new image data and continue transmission of its prior image data.
Regarding the substitute image transmission function, this may be built in an application software program for importing images to be sent via the network. With the arrangement stated above, it is possible in this embodiment to improve the user's usability in terms of protection of information leakage or divulgation.
The second embodiment incorporating the principles of this invention will be described using
In this embodiment, the video display device 2 operates to inspect those images held in the image memory 203 and image processor 204 to thereby perform detection of whether the application software of interest is in the maximized display state or in other states.
It is noted here that at step S002, an attempt is made to detect whether the application software in the image data that was sent from the computer is coexistent with a characteristic portion of the maximized display state, e.g., the taskbar 304 of Windows and the start button 305 on the left end side. In case the taskbar 304 and start button 305 are detected, it is determined that a present state is not the maximized display state. This maximized display state determination may alternatively be made in a way depending upon the presence or absence of a predefined display pattern which is unique to the application software.
The step S006 of
In short, the video display system in accordance with the embodiment of this invention is arranged to include a means for detecting a present display state of the application software in the image data transmitted, and a means for performing switching between video image display and nondisplay in response to the detection result stated supra.
With the above-stated arrangement, it is possible in this embodiment to improve the user's usability in terms of the information divulgation. In the case of the light source emission turn-off technique is employed as the nondisplay method, it is also possible to achieve further reduction of electrical power consumption. Additionally, limiting unnecessary display operations makes it possible to provide the video display device capable of preventing a system component performance/quality degradation otherwise occurring due to the prolonged use of the light source and LCD panel, thereby extending the length of lifetime.
An explanation will be given of the third embodiment of this invention with reference to
In the system shown herein, the image memory 101, image generator 102, application software detector 103, external video output switcher 105 and signal source communication unit 110 are controlled by the signal source control unit 104, for example. The image memory 203, image processor 204, display/nondisplay switcher 206 and video display device communication unit 215 are controlled by the video display device controller 205, for example.
The procedure starts at step S001 and goes next to step S002 which detects whether the to-be-monitored application software is in its maximized display state or not. Note here that before the start step S001, a monitoring application software program which executes the procedure of the flowchart shown in
When the to-be-monitored application software is currently in the maximized display state, i.e., if “Yes” at step S002, the procedure proceeds to step S008. Alternatively, when the to-be-monitored application software is in a display state other than the maximized display state, i.e., if “No” at step S002, the procedure goes to step S009.
The step S008 is for using the signal source communication unit 110 to generate and issue a video display command, which is supplied to the video display device 2. The step S009 is for using the signal source communication unit 110 to issue a video nondisplay command, which is then sent to the video display device 2. The video display device controller 205 is responsive to the received content of the video display device communication unit 215 that has received the video display command, for executing either the video display command or the video nondisplay command with respect to the display/nondisplay switcher 206.
The display/nondisplay switcher 206 has its nondisplay execution module, which performs the required display operation by replacement with a specific nondisplay-use signal, e.g., the manufacturer's logo or a unicolor-painted image, thereby to realize the displaying of the image data as sent from the PC in the case of the maximized display state only. As for the nondisplay-use screen image of the display/nondisplay switcher 206, other methods are also employable, including a method of using image data stored in the internal memory of the video display device or in an external memory connected thereto via a control line.
Regarding the above-noted substitute image data, an image data to be sent via the communication-use control line may alternatively be used. As for the nondisplay setting means of the display/nondisplay switcher 206, this may alternatively be achieved by either blockage of light from its associative light source or turn-off of light emission of the light source.
In summary, the video display system in accordance with this embodiment of the invention is specifically arranged to include the means for detecting a present display state of the application software registered, and the means for notifying a detection result to the video display device by use of the communication device and for performing switching between video output display and nondisplay.
With the above-stated arrangement, it is possible in this embodiment to improve the user's usability. In addition, by using the light source emission turn-off technique as the nondisplay method, it becomes possible to further reduce electric power consumption, thereby making it possible to provide the intended video display device or apparatus capable of preventing or at least greatly suppressing the system component performance/quality degradation otherwise occurring due to the prolonged use of the light source and LCD panel to thereby increase the lifetime thereof.
It should be noted that this invention should not be interpreted to be directly limited to the illustrative embodiments and may be implementable by variously modifying its constituent components without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, by appropriate combination of two or more components used in the embodiments as disclosed therein, it is possible to make various inventions. For instance, some parts or components may be deleted from the overall components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, one or more components used in an embodiment may be combined with those of a different embodiment.
According to the embodiments of this invention, in a case where the application software designated is in the maximized display state, the video image of such application software per se is displayed; in cases where the software is in other display states, there is automatically executed the work for switching it to the user's designated display state, such as the blanking or the like. Thus, it is possible to prevent divulgation of information otherwise occurrable due to unintentional visualization of a desktop screen image during a file access operation or else, while at the same time improving the user's usability.
Other approaches to realizing the above-stated user's designated video nondisplay state include a method for displaying the manufacturer's logo or advertisement image(s). Use of this method makes it possible to provide a video display device of the type having advertising effectiveness.
Another example of the above-stated user's designated video nondisplay state is the use of a method for deactivating the light emission of the light source. By stopping the light emission of light source, it is possible to lessen electric power consumption. It is also possible to provide the intended video display device capable of preventing or minimizing the system component degradation otherwise occurring due to the prolonged use of the light source and LCD panel to thereby lengthen the lifetime thereof.
It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that although the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-048575 | Mar 2010 | JP | national |
