JP2005092158A - Pseudo electronic white board device, pseudo electronic white board projection method, and pseudo electronic white board projection program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exhibit a handwriting input function as that of a conventional electronic white board device, by which the view of writing can be shared simply by combining with a regular projector without depending on the use of a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: The pseudo electronic white board device 100 has in its front a pen input section 201 and a liquid crystal display part 202. The pen input section 201 includes a handwriting input area 204 in which handwriting with a dedicated pen 203 is input, and operation buttons 205 for instructing several operations. The handwriting input area 204 and the operation buttons 205 are printed in rectangles or the like on the pen input section 201 so that a user can visually recognize each of the areas. The liquid crystal display section 202 is divided into a list display part 206 and a thumbnail display part 207. On the list display part 206, a cursor 208 for indicating an item of a displayed list is shown. In addition, a connection terminal, such as RGBOut terminal 211, is disposed on the side of the pseudo electronic white board device 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pseudo-electronic white board device, a pseudo-electronic white board projection method, and a pseudo-electronic white board projection program that can easily use a wall surface in the same manner as a blackboard even if no board is installed.

  A so-called electronic white board device, which is described with a marker pen on a white board, reads the contents with a scanner, and is printed, has been spread for the purpose of supporting collaborative work in meetings and the like, and has established a certain position. In particular, in recent years, with the spread of data projectors and personal computers, it has become possible to explain materials by directly projecting the display screen of a personal computer onto a screen. Further, many techniques have been proposed that combine the convenience of projection of a personal computer display screen and the convenience of direct writing on a large screen of an electronic white board device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). .

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, an image projected on a screen by a projector is recorded as a still image on a memory, and characters or the like written on the screen with a pen or the like are read by an image sensor to obtain a digital signal. And stored in the memory. In this system, the data stored in the memory is read and combined, and the combined data is printed on printing paper.

  In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 2 is such that a display with a pen input device is placed at hand, and an image of a personal computer prepared separately is displayed on the display with a pen input device, and handwritten characters are displayed on the image with the pen input device. This is a system that supports collaborative work by combining a personal computer display screen and handwritten input characters and projecting them with a projector.

  Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 3 is a system in which a touch panel is set directly on a large display, and handwritten characters are directly input on a personal computer image displayed on the display.

JP-A-6-127189 JP-A-11-73174 JP 2000-43484 A

  The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have an excellent effect in the function of fusing a handwritten image and a personal computer image, but have the following problems. That is, since both technologies are based on the existence of a personal computer, the system itself is large and difficult to move. In particular, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the housing is particularly large. In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 2 requires a thin display with a pen input device at hand, and the technique described in Patent Document 3 requires a special display with a large touch panel. There is a problem that becomes complicated and expensive.

  On the other hand, the conventional electronic white board device has been widely used because it can easily perform handwriting input on a common line of sight of conference members and can print a description of the board surface on the spot. Furthermore, with the spread of single data projectors, rather than the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the electronic presentation is performed by the data projector and the personal computer, and the handwritten input sharing the line of sight is performed by the electronic white board device. Has become established in recent years. Furthermore, as the price of a single data projector is reduced, it is thought that the spread of it will accelerate. In such a situation, the electronic white board device that can input handwritten characters and the like that share the line of sight is more convenient. However, the conventional electronic white board device has the following problems. That is, since consumables such as paper and pen are necessary, the maintenance cost is required. The electronic white board device requires a relatively wide installation space of about 60 inches. The electronic white board device is not easy to move because of its size, and needs to be installed in each conference room, which is costly. Furthermore, since the electronic white board device is often installed in a common space called a conference room, it is difficult to supply necessary supplies such as pens in a timely manner.

  Furthermore, the functions of the electronic whiteboard device can be provided by a data projector, a general personal computer, and handwritten software installed in the personal computer. In this case, since the personal computer becomes indispensable, the following new problems arise. That is, a personal computer is relatively expensive and expensive for a simple purpose of providing the function of the electronic white board device. It takes time and effort to install two devices, a projector and a personal computer, and to connect them with cables. The computer takes a long time to start up and cannot be used immediately. For example, a character cannot be written unless a pen-like input device such as a tablet is connected to the personal computer.

  The present invention eliminates the problems caused by the prior art described above, and can be combined with a normal projector, and without using a personal computer as the premise, the same line of sight as that performed in a conventional electronic white board device can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pseudo electronic white board apparatus, a pseudo electronic white board projection method, and a pseudo electronic white board projection program that can provide a shared handwriting input function.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to the invention of claim 1 is a pseudo blackboard by displaying handwritten figures and characters on an image output from a display device. An apparatus for providing a function, wherein a handwriting input means for converting coordinates of a handwritten figure input by a pen-like instrument or a human finger into an electric signal, and a drawing locus from the electric signal converted by the handwriting input means The image processing apparatus includes: a drawing processing unit that detects and processes an image; and a video signal output unit that converts an image processed by the drawing processing unit into a video signal and outputs the video signal.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to share a line of sight similar to that performed in a conventional electronic white board device by simply attaching a small instrument to a normal projector and without using a personal computer. A handwritten input function can be provided. As a result, it is expected that data projectors that are currently in widespread use, cost reduction, and usability improvements such as installability and quick startability can be expected.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pseudo electronic whiteboard device that provides a pseudo blackboard function by displaying handwritten graphics and characters on an image output from a display device. Handwriting input means for converting the coordinates of a handwritten figure input by an instrument or a human finger into an electrical signal, connection means for connecting the handwriting input means to the apparatus body, and the electrical signal converted by the handwriting input means The image processing apparatus includes: a drawing processing unit that detects a drawing locus and performs image processing; and a video signal output unit that converts an image processed by the drawing processing unit into a video signal and outputs the video signal.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the handwriting input means portion is further provided with a handwriting input means (tablet) separate from the apparatus main body. It can be made thin, and a handwriting input environment with less fatigue can be prepared. Moreover, since a general-purpose tablet can be used for the handwriting input means, it contributes to cost reduction.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pseudo electronic white board device according to the second aspect, wherein the pseudo electronic white plate device is integrated with the display device.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the convenience is further improved by integrating with the display device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a removable medium for writing and reading electronic data, and the medium. Media driving means for driving, image writing control means for writing the image processed by the drawing processing means to the media via the media driving means, and reading the image written on the media for editing by the image processing means And an image readout control means for making the state stable.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the medium for storing data is detachable from the apparatus main body, only the medium storing the data can be removed and carried.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising: a printer connection terminal for connecting a printer; and an image processed by the drawing processing means. Printer control means for outputting to a printer connected to the printer connection terminal.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since a handwritten image can be printed by connecting a printer, the handwritten image can be shared by a plurality of people on the spot, and convenience is improved.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising an image storage means for storing an image processed by the drawing processing means, and the medium. Mass storage control means for operating the medium as a USB mass storage class device via a drive means, and USB interface means for connecting an external device for accessing the media operated as a USB mass storage class device by the mass storage control means; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since a personal computer can be directly connected, handwritten information inside the apparatus can be easily read without requiring software such as a special driver. The range of use of information is significantly expanded.

  A pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method according to claim 7 is a projection method for providing a function of a blackboard in a pseudo manner by displaying handwritten graphics and characters on an image output from a display device. An electric signal conversion step for converting the coordinates of the signal into an electric signal, a drawing processing step for detecting a drawing trajectory from the electric signal converted in the electric signal conversion step and image processing, and an image processed in the drawing processing step. A video signal output step of converting the video signal into a video signal and outputting the video signal.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a handwriting input function for sharing a line of sight similar to that performed in a conventional electronic white board device without assuming the use of a personal computer.

  The pseudo electronic white board projection method according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, further comprising an image writing step of writing the image processed in the drawing processing step on a removable medium, and the image writing And an image reading step of reading the image written on the medium in the step and making it editable in the image processing step.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, handwritten image data can be stored in a removable medium.

  A pseudo electronic white board projection method according to a ninth aspect is the invention according to the seventh or eighth aspect, further comprising a printing step of printing the image processed in the drawing processing step.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the handwritten image can be easily printed, the handwritten image can be shared by a plurality of people on the spot, and convenience is improved.

  A pseudo electronic whiteboard projection program according to a tenth aspect causes a computer to execute the pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause a computer to execute the pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects.

  According to the pseudo electronic white board device, the pseudo electronic white board projecting method, and the pseudo electronic white board projecting program according to the present invention, it is carried out by a conventional electronic white board device only by combining with a normal projector and without using a personal computer. The same handwriting input function as sharing the line of sight can be provided.

  Exemplary embodiments of a pseudo electronic white board device, a pseudo electronic white board projecting method, and a pseudo electronic white board projecting program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage scene of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to the first embodiment. Of the conference members sitting at the table 101, an operator (leader or recording person) 102 operates the pseudo electronic whiteboard device 100 of the first embodiment, and the screen is connected via the projector 103 connected thereto. By projecting handwritten characters on 104, functions similar to those of the conventional electronic white board device are realized.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the pseudo electronic white board device of the first embodiment. The pseudo electronic white board device 100 is approximately the size of A4 size and the thickness is about 20 to 30 mm. On the front surface of the pseudo electronic white board device 100, a pen input unit 201 configured with a known electromagnetic induction tablet and a liquid crystal display unit 202 are provided. The pen input unit 201 includes a handwriting input area 204 in which handwriting is input with a dedicated pen 203 and operation buttons 205 for performing some operation instructions. The handwriting input area 204 and the operation button 205 are printed in a rectangle or the like on the pen input unit 201 so that each area can be visually recognized by the user. As shown in the figure, there are seven types of operation buttons 205: new, close, ↑, ↓, load, print, and delete. In addition, the liquid crystal display unit 202 is configured by an inexpensive monochrome liquid crystal having about 80 × 160 pixels, for example, and is divided into a list display unit 206 and a thumbnail display unit 207. The list display unit 206 displays a cursor 208 indicating the displayed list.

  Further, on the side surface of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device 100, several connection terminals including an RGBOut terminal 211, a PROut terminal 212, and a USB terminal 213 are provided. The RGBOut terminal 211 is connected to the RGBIn terminal of the projector 221 (103 in FIG. 1). An external printer 222 is connected to the PROut terminal 212. The PROut terminal 212 is configured with a Centronics-compliant parallel interface. The USB terminal 213 is used by an external device such as the personal computer 223 to read out image data and the like stored in the storage unit in the pseudo electronic whiteboard device 100. Further, the pseudo electronic whiteboard device 100 includes a memory card slot 214 that allows a memory card 224 made of, for example, smart media to be detachable. By mounting the memory card 224 in the memory card slot 214, the memory card 224 can be used as a storage unit of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device 100.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the pseudo electronic white plate apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The pseudo electronic white board device 100 is controlled and operated by the CPU 300. Information such as pen down / pen up / pen movement input from the pen input unit 201 is input to the event processing unit 302 via the input control unit 301. The event processing unit 302 determines whether the pen operates in the handwriting input area 204 or the operation button 205 and generates an event corresponding to each. When an event occurs due to the pen operating on the handwriting input area 204, the drawing processing unit 303 performs the following processing. The outline of this process is to develop the locus of the pen 203 input to the handwriting input area 204 as an image in the image memory 305. When an event occurs due to the operation of the pen 203 on the operation button 205, the command control unit 304 performs the following processing. The outline of this process is a process executed in response to the operation button 205 that generated the event. The process clears the image memory 305, writes the image in the image memory 305 as a file to the memory card 224, and the memory card 224. The image file list is selected, the selected file is loaded into the image memory 305, and the image in the image memory 305 is printed out. At this time, a predetermined command is sent from the command control unit 304 to the Read / Write / Clear control unit 306, and a predetermined operation is executed via the printer control unit 307 (details will be described later).

  The liquid crystal display unit 202 displays a list of files in the current memory card 224, a cursor 208 pointing to a file loaded in the current image memory 305, and a thumbnail of the image loaded in the current image memory 305. This display control is performed by the liquid crystal display control unit 308 corresponding to the processing executed by the event processing described above.

  The image currently loaded in the image memory 305 is always converted into a video signal at a predetermined rate by the video signal control unit 309 and output from the video signal output unit 310 to the RGBOut terminal 211. For example, when a general projector is used as an object, it is output as an RGB output of XGA (1024 × 769 pixels). The image file in the memory card 224 operates as a USB mass storage class device via the Read / Write / Clear control unit 306, the mass storage control unit 311 and the USB control unit 312. The details of the USB mass storage class are disclosed on this homepage (http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass#docs), for example.

  Next, the operation of the pseudo electronic white board device of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the pseudo electronic white board apparatus 100. In the pseudo electronic whiteboard device 100, the event processing unit 302 monitors an event input to the pen input unit 201 (hereinafter referred to as event loop) (step S401). When there is an event input to the pen input unit 201 (pen down event), this information is transmitted to the event loop (step S402). At this time, the pen-down event returns the coordinates on the handwriting input area 204 where the event occurred as event accompanying information to the event loop. When the event loop detects a pen-down event, it is determined by the pen-down process whether the coordinates of the pen-down are at the respective coordinates shown at the bottom of FIG. 4, and a predetermined process is executed according to the coordinates (step S403). To Step S410).

  First, a handwriting input process (when pendown is a handwriting input area) will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the handwriting input process (step S403) shown in FIG. First, the current pen position is stored as, for example, P1 (step S501). Next, it is detected whether or not the pen has moved (step S502). If the pen has not been moved (step S502: No), the process proceeds to step S507. If the pen has moved (step S502: Yes), the current position of the input pen, that is, the pen position after the movement is stored as, for example, P2 (step S503). Next, it is detected whether or not P2 is in the handwriting input area 204 (step S504). When P2 is in the handwriting input area 204 (step S504: Yes), a straight line is drawn from P1 to P2 (step S505). If P2 is not in the handwriting input area 204 (step S504: No), the process proceeds to step S506 as it is. Subsequently, the position stored as P2 is substituted into P1 (step S506). Then, it is detected whether pen-up has been performed (step S507). If pen-up has not been performed (step S507: No), the process returns to step S502 and continues. When the pen-up is performed (step S507: Yes), the current pen position, that is, the pen-up position is stored as P2 (step S508). Next, it is detected whether or not P2 is in the handwriting input area 204 (step S509). When P2 is in the handwriting input area 204 (step S509: Yes), a straight line is drawn from P1 to P2 (step S510), and the process returns to the event loop (step S511). When P2 is not in the handwriting input area 204 (step S509: No), the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S511).

  Here, “drawing” means inputting a value of a predetermined drawing color into a predetermined pixel of image data stored in the image memory 305 filled with a predetermined background color corresponding to the position (coordinates) of pen input. That is. The drawing process is executed by the drawing processing unit 303. Actually, the drawing processing unit 303 operates when the CPU 300 executes a drawing program stored in a predetermined memory area. In order to realize the handwriting input process, the drawing program provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) so that not only the line drawing process but also the eraser and the pen thickness can be selected. As the drawing program, a program generally known as a so-called “paint application” can be used. FIG. 6 shows an example of a drawing figure displayed on the screen.

  Next, a description will be given of processing when pen-down is performed on the new button area shown in FIG. 4 (step S404). FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing this processing procedure. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S701). If pen-up has not been performed (step S701: No), the process loops until pen-up is performed. When the pen-up is performed (step S701: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is in the new button area (step S702). When pen-up is performed within the new button area (step S702: Yes), new processing is performed (step S703), and the process returns to the event loop (step S704). When the pen-up is not performed within the new button area (step S702: No), the new process is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S704).

  Here, the new process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the new process. First, the image memory 305 is cleared, that is, the initial image painted with the background color is developed in the image memory 305 (step S801). Next, a character string serving as a file name when writing the document name, that is, the image data in the image memory 305 to the memory card 224, is uniquely generated from the time, date, and the like (step S802). Then, the generated document name or the like is stored in a predetermined area of the image memory 305 (primary storage) (step S803). The generated character string is, for example, 2002_1224_093422 (December 24, 2002 9:23:42). In addition to the case shown in FIG. 7, this new process is executed after a power-on reset, for example, when the apparatus is turned on.

  Next, processing when pen-down is performed on the close button area shown in FIG. 4 (step S405) will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of this process. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S901). If pen-up has not been performed (step S901: No), the process loops until pen-up is performed. If pen-up has been performed (step S901: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is within the close button area (step S902). When the pen up is performed in the close button area (step S902: Yes), the close process is performed (step S903), and the process returns to the event loop (step S904). When the pen-up is not performed within the close button area (step S902: No), the close process is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S904).

  Here, the close process will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the close process. First, it is detected whether or not the initial image has been updated (step S1001). Here, the determination of whether or not the initial image has been updated is performed as follows. That is, in the drawing process described above, if even one pixel of the initial image is changed, that effect is stored in a predetermined storage area in the image memory 305. Specifically, the update flag set in the first False of the new process is changed to True. If the update flag is True, it is determined that the initial image has been updated. If the initial image has been updated (step S1001: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1002. If the initial image has not been updated (step S1001: No), the process ends without doing anything. If the initial image is updated in step S1001 (step S1001: Yes), the document stored in the temporary storage is read (step S1002), the document name is given to the image in the image memory 305, and the file is stored in the memory card 224. (Step S1003). At this time, the currently saved document name is additionally displayed on the list display unit 206. Thereafter, the new process described above is performed (step S1004), and the process ends.

  Next, processing when pen-down is performed on the cursor (↑) button area shown in FIG. 4 (step S406) will be described. FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of this process. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S1101A). If pen-up has not been performed (step S1101A: No), a loop is performed until pen-up is performed. When pen-up is performed (step S1101A: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is in the cursor (↑) button area (step S1102A). When the pen-up is performed in the cursor (↑) button area (step S1102A: Yes), the cursor (↑) process is performed (step S1103A), and the process returns to the event loop (step S1104A). If the pen-up is not performed within the cursor (↑) button area (step S1102A: No), the cursor (↑) processing is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S1104A).

  Next, processing when pen-down is performed in the cursor (↓) button area shown in FIG. 4 (step S407) will be described. FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of this process. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S1101B). If pen-up has not been performed (step S1101B: No), a loop is performed until pen-up is performed. When pen-up is performed (step S1101B: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is within the cursor (↓) button area (step S1102B). When the pen-up is performed in the cursor (↓) button area (step S1102B: Yes), the cursor (↓) process is performed (step S1103B), and the process returns to the event loop (step S1104B). If the pen-up is not performed within the cursor (↓) button area (step S1102B: No), the cursor (↓) processing is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S1104B).

  Here, the cursor (↑) process will be described. FIG. 12A is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the cursor (↑) process. First, it is detected whether or not the current cursor position is the uppermost row (step S1201A). It is assumed that the current cursor position is always stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory card 224. If the current cursor position is not the top row (step S1201A: No), the current cursor is moved up one step (step S1202A). If the current cursor position is at the top (step S1201A: Yes), the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, as for the cursor (↓) process, as shown in FIG. 12B, first, it is detected whether or not the current cursor position is at the lowest level (step S1201B). It is assumed that the current cursor position is always stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory card 224. If the current cursor position is not the lowest level (step S1201B: No), the current cursor is lowered by one level (step S1202B). If the current cursor position is at the lowest level (step S1201B: Yes), the process is terminated as it is. Note that the cursor position moves in line units of the file list displayed on the list display unit 206, and the file name (document name) corresponding to the cursor position is stored in a predetermined area of the memory card 224.

  Next, processing when pen-down is performed in the load area shown in FIG. 4 (step S408) will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of this process. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S1301). If pen-up has not been performed (step S1301: No), the process loops until pen-up is performed. If pen-up has been performed (step S1301: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is within the load button area (step S1302). When the pen-up is performed in the load button area (step S1302: Yes), the load process is performed (step S1303), and the process returns to the event loop (step S1304). If the pen-up is not performed within the load button area (step S1302: No), the load process is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S1304).

  Here, the load process will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the load process. First, the contents of the image memory 305 are cleared (step S1401). Next, the file having the file name corresponding to the current cursor position is read from the memory card 224 into the image memory 305 (step S1402). A file name (document name) corresponding to the cursor position is stored in a predetermined area of the memory card 224. Next, this file name is stored in a predetermined area in the same manner as the temporary storage performed in the above new process (step S1403).

  Next, processing when pen-down is performed in the delete area shown in FIG. 4 (step S409) will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of this process. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S1501). If pen-up has not been performed (step S1501: No), the process loops until pen-up is performed. If pen-up has been performed (step S1501: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is within the delete button area (step S1502). When the pen-up is performed within the delete button area (step S1502: Yes), the delete process is performed (step S1503), and the process returns to the event loop (step S1504). If the pen-up is not performed within the delete button area (step S1502: No), the delete process is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S1504).

  Here, the delete process will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the delete process. This process only deletes the file having the file name corresponding to the current cursor position from the memory card 224 (step S1601). The file name (document name) corresponding to the cursor position is stored in a predetermined area of the memory card 224.

  Next, the processing when pen-down is performed in the print area shown in FIG. 4 (step S410) will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the procedure of this process. First, the event processing unit 302 detects whether pen-up has been performed (step S1701). If pen-up has not been performed (step S1701: No), the process loops until pen-up is performed. If pen-up has been performed (step S1701: Yes), it is detected whether or not it is within the print button area (step S1702). When the pen up is performed in the print button area (step S1702: Yes), the print process is performed (step S1703), and the process returns to the event loop (step S1704). If the pen-up is not performed in the print button area (step S1702: No), the print process is not performed and the process returns to the event loop as it is (step S1704).

  Here, the print process will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the print process. In this process, the image data stored in the current image memory 305 is sent to the printer control unit 307 via the Read / Write / Clear control unit 306, and is output to the printer as data that can be interpreted by the printer (step S1801). ).

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage scene of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to the second embodiment. The pseudo electronic whiteboard device 1900 according to the second embodiment includes a device main body 1901 and a pen input unit 1902 made up of a known electromagnetic induction tablet. Of the conference members sitting at the table 1930, an operator (such as a leader or a recording person) 1931 operates the pen input unit 1902 to display the screen 1906 via the projector 1905 connected to the apparatus main body 1901. By projecting handwritten characters, functions similar to those of the conventional electronic whiteboard device are realized.

  FIG. 20 is an external view of the pseudo electronic white board device of the second embodiment. The apparatus main body 1901 of the pseudo electronic white plate apparatus 1900 is approximately the size of about A5 size and has a thickness of about 20 to 30 mm. An operation button 1903 and a liquid crystal display unit 1904 are provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1901. There are seven types of operation buttons 1903: new, close, ↑, ↓, load, print, and delete, which are hard buttons. The liquid crystal display unit 1904 is composed of an inexpensive monochrome liquid crystal of about 80 × 160 pixels, similarly to the device shown in Embodiment 1, and is divided into a list display unit 1904a and a thumbnail display unit 1904b. A cursor 1907 indicating the displayed list is displayed on the list display portion 1904a.

  Further, on the side surface of the apparatus main body 1901, several connection terminals including an RGBOut terminal 1911, a PROut terminal 1912, and USB terminals 1913 and 1914 are provided. The RGBOut terminal 1911 is connected to the RGBIn terminal of the projector 1921 (1905 in FIG. 19). An external printer 1922 is connected to the PROut terminal 1912. The PROut terminal 1912 is configured with a Centronics-compliant parallel interface. The USB terminal 1913 is used by an external device such as a personal computer 1923 to read out image data and the like stored in a storage unit in the apparatus main body 1901. A pen input unit 1902 is connected to the USB terminal 1914. By using a dedicated pen 1909 in the handwriting input area 1908 of the pen input unit 1902, handwriting input of characters, figures, etc. can be performed. Further, the apparatus main body 1901 is provided with a memory card slot 1915 in which a memory card 1924 made of smart media can be attached and detached. By mounting the memory card 1924 in the memory card slot 1915, the memory card 1924 can be used as a storage unit of the pseudo electronic white board device 1900.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the apparatus main body 1901 of the pseudo electronic whiteboard apparatus according to the second embodiment. The apparatus main body 1901 is controlled and operated by the CPU 2100. Information such as pen down / pen up / pen movement input from the pen input unit 1902 is input to the event processing unit 2103 via the USB terminal 1914, the USB control unit 2101, and the input control unit 2102. The event processing unit 2103 generates an event corresponding to the operation in the pen handwriting input area 1908. When an event occurs due to the pen 1909 operating on the handwriting input area 1908, the drawing processing unit 2104 performs the following processing. The outline of this process is to develop the pen locus input in the handwriting input area 1908 as an image in the image memory 2105. When the operation button 1903 is pressed, the operation button control unit 2106 detects this, and notifies the event processing unit 2103 of the detection result. When an event is generated by pressing the operation button 1903, the command control unit 2107 performs the following processing. The outline of this processing corresponds to the button that generated the event. The image memory 2105 is cleared, the image in the image memory 2105 is written as a file to the memory card 1924, and the image file list in the memory card 1924 is selected. And loading the selected file into the image memory 2105 and printing the image in the image memory 2105. At this time, a predetermined command is sent from the command control unit 2107 to the Read / Write / Clear control unit 2108, and a printing operation is executed via the printer control unit 2109.

  The liquid crystal display unit 1904 displays a list of files in the current memory card 1924, a cursor 1907 indicating a file currently loaded in the image memory 2105, and thumbnails of images currently loaded in the image memory 2105. This display control is performed by the liquid crystal display control unit 2110 corresponding to the processing executed by the event processing described above.

  The image currently loaded in the image memory 2105 is always converted into a video signal at a predetermined rate by the video signal control unit 2111 and output from the video signal output unit 2112 to the RGBOut terminal 1911. For example, when a general projector is used as an object, it is output as an RGB output of XGA (1024 × 769 pixels). The image file in the memory card 1924 operates as a USB mass storage class device using the USB terminal 1913 via the Read / Write / Clear control unit 2108, the mass storage control unit 2113, and the USB control unit 2114.

  Next, the operation of the pseudo electronic white board device of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the pseudo electronic whiteboard apparatus 1900. In this pseudo electronic whiteboard apparatus 1900, the event processing unit 2103 monitors events input from the pen input unit 1902 and the operation buttons 1903 (hereinafter referred to as event loop) (step S2201). When there is an event input to the pen input unit 1902 or the operation button 1903 (pen down event or button down event), this information is transmitted to the event loop (step S2202). In the pen-down event, the coordinates on the handwriting input area 1908 where the event has occurred are returned to the event loop as incidental information of the event. On the other hand, in the button down event, the type (button ID) of the button in which the event has occurred is returned to the event loop as accompanying information of the event. When the event loop detects a pen-down event, a predetermined process corresponding to the event in the handwriting input area 1908 is executed (step S2203). On the other hand, when the event loop detects a button down event, it is determined which button was pressed by the button down process, and a predetermined process is executed according to the type of the button (steps S2204 to S2210).

  Since the operation button is configured on the tablet in the apparatus of the first embodiment described above, it is determined by the pen-down / up event that the button is pressed. In the pseudo electronic whiteboard apparatus 1900 of the second embodiment, Since the operation button 1903 is a hard button, processing is executed by detecting button down / up. The operation will be described below using the new button operation as an example. Regarding other buttons, it is sufficient to refer to the description described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  A process when the new button shown in FIG. 22 is downed (step S2204) will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing this processing procedure. First, the event processing unit 2103 detects whether or not a button has been raised (step S2301). When button up is not made (step S2301: No), it loops until button up is made. If the button is up (step S2301: Yes), new processing is performed (step S2302), and the process returns to the event loop (step S2303).

  Here, the new process will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the new process. First, the image memory 2105 is cleared, that is, the initial image painted with the background color is developed in the image memory 2105 (step S2401). Next, a character string serving as a file name when writing a document name, that is, image data in the image memory 2105 to the memory card 1924 is uniquely generated from the time, date, and the like (step S2402). The generated document name and the like are stored in a predetermined area of the image memory 2105 (primary storage) (step S2403). The generated character string at this time is the same as in the first embodiment. In addition to the case shown in FIG. 23, this new process is executed after a power-on reset, for example, when the apparatus is turned on.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage scene of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to the third embodiment. The pseudo electronic whiteboard device 2500 according to the third embodiment includes an apparatus main body 2501 and a pen input unit 1902. The pen input unit 1902 is the same as that shown in the second embodiment. The apparatus main body 2501 is configured by integrating the apparatus main body 1901 of Embodiment 2 and the projector 2502. Of the conference members sitting at the table 2503, an operator (such as a leader or a recording person) 2504 operates the pen input unit 1902 to display the screen 2505 via the projector 2502 built in the apparatus main body 2501. By projecting handwritten characters, functions similar to those of the conventional electronic whiteboard device are realized.

  FIG. 26 is an external view of the pseudo electronic white board device of the third embodiment. The pseudo electronic whiteboard device 2500 according to the third embodiment is configured such that, in the pseudo electronic whiteboard device shown in the second embodiment, a portion excluding the pen input unit 1902 is integrated in the same housing as the projector 2502. Since the other points are completely the same as those of the apparatus of the second embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the pseudo-electronic white board device, the pseudo-electronic white board projection method, and the pseudo-electronic white board projection program, the conventional electronic white board device can be used only by combining with a normal projector and without using a personal computer. It is possible to provide a handwriting input function that shares the line of sight similar to what has been done.

  The pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the pseudo electronic white board device, the pseudo electronic white board projection method, and the pseudo electronic white board projection program according to the present invention are effective use and cost reduction of a general data projector, and usability such as installation and quick startability. It is useful for improvement and is particularly suitable for meetings in limited spaces.

It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization scene of the pseudo | electronic electronic whiteboard apparatus concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an external view of a pseudo electronic white board device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a pseudo electronic white board device according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an overall operation of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a handwriting input process. It is a figure which shows an example of the drawing figure displayed on the screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen-down is made to the new button area | region. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a new process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen-down is performed to the close button area | region. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a close process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen down is performed to the cursor (↑) button area. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen down is performed to the cursor (↓) button area. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a cursor (↑) process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a cursor (↓) process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen down is performed to the load area | region. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a load process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen down is performed to the delete area | region. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of delete processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when pen-down is performed to the print area | region. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of print processing. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization scene of the pseudo electronic white board apparatus concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is an external view of a pseudo electronic white board device according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the apparatus main body of the pseudo electronic white board apparatus of Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the pseudo electronic whiteboard device of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when button-down of a new button is made | formed. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a new process. It is a figure which shows an example of the utilization scene of the pseudo electronic white board apparatus concerning Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 6 is an external view of a pseudo electronic white board device according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100, 1900, 2500 Pseudo electronic white board device 103, 221, 1905, 1921, 2502 Projector 104, 1906, 2505 Screen 201, 1902 Pen input unit 202, 1904 Liquid crystal display unit 203, 1909 Pen 204, 1908 Handwritten input area 205, 1903 Operation buttons 206, 1904a List display area 207, 1904b Thumbnail display area 208, 1907 Cursor 211, 1911 RGBOut terminal 212, 1912 PROut terminal 213, 1913, 1914 USB terminal 214, 1915 Memory card slot 222, 1922 Printer 223, 1923 PC 224 , 1924 Memory card 300, 2100 CPU
301, 2102 Input control unit 302, 2103 Event processing unit 303, 2104 Drawing processing unit 304, 2107 Command control unit 305, 2105 Image memory 306, 2108 Read / Write / Clear control unit 307, 2109 Printer control unit 308, 2110 Liquid crystal display Control units 309, 2111 Video signal control units 310, 2112 Video signal output units 311, 2113 Mass storage control units 312, 2101, 2114 USB control units 1901, 2501 Device body 2106 Operation button control unit

Claims (10)

A device that artificially provides a blackboard function by displaying handwritten graphics and characters on a video output from a display device,
Handwriting input means for converting the coordinates of a handwritten figure input by a pen-like instrument or a human finger into an electrical signal;
Drawing processing means for detecting a drawing trajectory from the electrical signal converted by the handwriting input means and image processing;
And a video signal output unit that converts the image processed by the drawing processing unit into a video signal and outputs the video signal. A device that artificially provides a blackboard function by displaying handwritten graphics and characters on a video output from a display device,
Handwriting input means for converting the coordinates of a handwritten figure input by a pen-like instrument or a human finger into an electrical signal;
Connection means for connecting the handwriting input means to the apparatus body;
A drawing processing means for detecting a drawing trajectory from the electrical signal converted by the handwriting input means and performing image processing;
And a video signal output unit that converts the image processed by the drawing processing unit into a video signal and outputs the video signal.   The pseudo electronic white board device according to claim 2, wherein the pseudo electronic white board device is integrated with the display device. In addition, removable media for writing and reading electronic data,
Media driving means for mounting and driving the media;
Image writing control means for writing the image processed by the drawing processing means to the media via the media driving means;
4. The pseudo-electron according to claim 1, further comprising: an image reading control unit that reads an image written on the medium and makes the image processing unit editable. 5. White board device. Furthermore, a printer connection terminal for connecting the printer,
The printer control means which outputs the image processed by the said drawing process means to the printer connected to the said printer connection terminal, It has any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Pseudo electronic white board device. And image storage means for storing the image processed by the drawing processing means;
Mass storage control means for operating the media as a USB mass storage class device via the media driving means;
6. A USB interface unit for connecting an external device to be accessed with the medium operated as a USB mass storage class device by the mass storage control unit. Pseudo electronic white board device. A projection method that provides a function of a blackboard in a pseudo manner by displaying handwritten graphics and characters on a video output from a display device,
An electrical signal conversion step for converting the coordinates of the handwritten figure into an electrical signal;
A drawing processing step of detecting a drawing locus from the electric signal converted in the electric signal converting step and performing image processing;
And a video signal output step of converting the image processed in the drawing processing step into a video signal and outputting the video signal. Furthermore, an image writing step for writing the image processed in the drawing processing step to a removable medium;
The pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method according to claim 7, further comprising: an image reading step of reading an image written on the medium in the image writing step and making the image editable in the image processing step.   The pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method according to claim 7, further comprising a printing step of printing the image processed in the drawing processing step. A pseudo electronic whiteboard projection program that causes a computer to execute the pseudo electronic whiteboard projection method according to claim 7.

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