JP2009063851A - Projector with printer function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector with a printer function, capable of preventing quality decline of a printed image. <P>SOLUTION: The projector includes image data input parts 15, 16 for obtaining image data to be input from the outside, a projecting image data converting means 19b for converting the image data obtained by the image data input parts 15, 16 into projection image data to be projected by a projecting part 10, a printing image data converting means 19c for converting the image data obtained by the image data input parts 15, 16 into printing image data to be printed by a printing part 11, and a storage part 18 for storing the image data and the printing image data. When an image data input detecting means 19e detects image data input to the image input parts 15, 16, the image data are converted preferably into printing image data by the printing image data converting means 19c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector with a printing function capable of printing a projected image.

  Conventionally, a projector with a printing function as shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. Such a projector with a printing function outputs image data stored in a computer apparatus to a projector with a printing function, and projects and prints the image data with the projector with a printing function.

  The image data for projection and the image data for printing are either data when the image data is output from the computer device to the projector with a printing function due to the difference in data format such as resolution (number of pixels) or color space. When matched with the format, there is a problem that the quality of the projected image or the printed image deteriorates. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when outputting image data stored in a computer device to a projector with a printing function in accordance with projection image data, the screen resolution of the projector (for example, XGA (1024) In accordance with (.times.768) and VGA (640.times.480), etc., the original image data is subjected to pixel reduction processing by a computer device and then output to a projector with a printing function. For this reason, the image data for projection has a smaller number of pixels than the image data for printing, and printing image data for projection has a problem that the print quality is greatly lowered.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, when outputting image data stored in a computer device to a projector with a printing function in accordance with image data for printing, the computer device uses the original image data. The color space is converted into CMYK and the color depth is binarized before being transmitted to the projector with a printing function. For this reason, when projecting an image, it is necessary to convert the image data for printing into RGB color space again with a projector with a printing function, and to perform projection after converting the color depth to multivalue, which deteriorates the image quality of the projected image. There was a problem of doing. In addition, since the image data for printing is converted into an RGB color space by a projector with a printing function, the color depth is multivalued, and further reduced to the image resolution of the projector, the display speed is slow. there were.

  On the other hand, it is also conceivable that the computer apparatus and the projector with a printing function are connected by two cables, and the two cables are dedicated lines for projecting and printing image data output, respectively. However, in this method, when connecting the computer device and the projector with the printing function, it is necessary to connect two cables to the connection ports of the computer device and the projector with the printing function, respectively, which makes the connection work complicated. There was a problem that.

Therefore, a printer unit / display unit integrated device as disclosed in Patent Document 2 has been proposed. This apparatus has an interface that enables data input in which the image data for printing and the image data for projection generated by image processing in advance by a connected device are mixed, and a display image is displayed while displaying an image on the display unit. Can be printed at a high resolution. However, since it is necessary to generate image data for printing and image data for projection in advance on the connected device, it is necessary to install a program for image processing on the connected device, which can be used immediately. There was a problem that I could not.
JP 2006-243672 A JP 2004-234168 A

  Provided is a projector with a printing function capable of preventing deterioration in quality of a printed image without complicated connection work.

The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is a projector with a printing function including a printing unit that prints image data and a projection unit that projects image data onto a projection surface.
An image data input unit for inputting image data from the outside;
Projection image data conversion means for converting the image data input to the image data input unit into projection image data to be projected by the projection unit;
Image data conversion means for converting image data input to the image data input unit into image data for printing to be printed by the printing unit;
And a storage unit for storing the print image data.

The invention according to claim 2 has an operation button press detection means for detecting the press of the operation button,
When the operation button press detection unit detects the press of the operation button, the image data input to the image data input unit is converted into print image data by the print image data conversion unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image data input detecting unit detects an input of the image data to the image data input unit, and the image data input detecting unit inputs the image data to the image input unit. If detected,
The image data input to the image data input unit is converted into print image data by a print image data conversion unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image data input detecting means detects the input of the image data by detecting a difference between the image data input to the image input unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the projector with a printing function that includes a printing unit that prints image data and a projection unit that projects the image data onto a projection surface, an image data input unit that receives image data from the outside. Projection image data conversion means for converting the image data input to the image data input unit into projection image data to be projected by the projection unit, and image data input to the image data input unit, Since it has a printing image data converting means for converting into printing image data to be printed by the printing unit, and a storage unit for storing the printing image data,
Since the print image data is generated from the acquired image data separately from the projection image data, it is possible to prevent the quality of the print image from being deteriorated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation button press detection means for detecting the press of the operation button, and when the operation button press detection means detects the press of the operation button, the image data input unit Since the image data input to is converted to print image data by the print image data conversion means,
Since the image data for printing is not generated unless the user presses the “print button” in the operation button section, the CPU for controlling the projector with the printing function is not loaded, and the bus of the projector with the printing function is congested. Therefore, it is not necessary to construct a long CPU or bus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost, and further reduce the power consumption.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image data input detecting means detects the input of the image data to the image data input section, and the image data input detection means detects the image data input to the image input section. When the input is detected, the image data input to the image data input unit is converted to print image data by the print image data conversion unit.
Printing image data is generated only when input of image data to the image data input unit is detected, so there is no load on the CPU that controls the projector with the printing function, and there is no bus for the projector with the printing function. Congestion can be suppressed, it is not necessary to construct a long CPU and bus, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and power consumption can be further reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image data input detection means detects the difference between the image data input to the image input unit and detects the input of the image data. It became possible to detect input of input image data.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a projector with a printing function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the projector with a printing function according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a projector with a printing function according to the present invention. Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation button unit for performing various settings and various operations of the projector with a printing function according to the present invention.

  A communication unit 15 receives transmission data transmitted from the outside, and acquires “image data” included in the transmission data. As an interface of the communication unit 15, LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), USB (abbreviation of Universal Serial Bus, including USB1.0, USB1.1, USB2.0), IEEE1394, RS232, RS422, and other communication interfaces. Can be included. Alternatively, the communication unit 15 may be a wireless unit, and the interface in this case may include a so-called wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or other wireless interface defined in IEEE802. The communication unit 15 acquires “image data” output from a computer device, digital camera, FAX, scanner, or the like. As the computer device, a so-called personal computer using an OS (Operating System) such as Windows (registered trademark), Macintosh (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), MS-DOS (registered trademark), or PDA ( Personal Digital Assistant (personal digital assistant), workstation, large general-purpose computer, and the like.

  As the format of “image data”, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), BMP (abbreviation of Bitmap), TIFF (Abbreviated Tagged Image File Format), PNG (abbreviation of Portable Network Graphics), Image files such as Inchange Format), and file formats of business software and graphical software are also included.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a storage medium input unit. By connecting a storage medium 50 to the storage medium input unit 16 from the outside, “image data” stored in the storage medium 50 is acquired. The storage medium 50 includes non-volatile memories such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), SD memory card (registered trademark), and Memory Stick (registered trademark), CD (compact disk), DVD, floppy (registered trademark) disk, A removable disk such as an MO (abbreviation of Magneto Optical Disc, magneto-optical disk) can be included, and the storage medium input unit 16 can be selected as an interface corresponding to the storage medium 50.

  The communication unit 15 and the storage medium input unit 16 function as an “image data input unit” to which “image data” is input from the outside. In addition, the projector 1 with a printing function of the present invention may have a configuration including only one of the communication unit 15 and the storage medium input unit 16.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a projection unit provided in the projector 1 with a printing function. The projection unit 10 mainly includes a light source, an illumination optical system, an LCD, and a lens. The projection unit 10 projects “image data” onto a projection surface 80 such as a screen. A printing unit 11 prints “image data” on paper.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit), 18 denotes a RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), and 19 denotes a ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory). The CPU 17 performs various calculations and processes in cooperation with the RAM 18 and the ROM 19. The RAM 18 is for temporarily storing data processed by the CPU 17.

  The ROM 19 stores application software such as an image data acquisition unit 19a, a projection image data conversion unit 19b, a print image data conversion unit 19c, a button press detection unit 19d, and an image data input detection unit 19e. These application software realize various functions by being processed by the CPU 17.

  The image data acquisition means 19a acquires “image data” input to the communication unit 15 or the storage medium input unit 16 that is an “image data input unit” and stores it in the RAM 18 that is a “storage unit”. The “storage unit” that stores the “image data” acquired by the image data acquisition unit 19a is not limited to the RAM 18, and may be a storage medium such as a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, or the like.

  The projection image data conversion means 19b is a means for converting the “image data” input to the image data acquisition means 19a into “projection image data”. Specifically, the “image data” includes images for projection such as resolution change, gradation conversion, color conversion, size conversion, sharpness correction, gamma correction, white balance correction, distortion correction, and keystone correction as necessary. Processing is performed to generate “projection image data”.

  The printing image data conversion unit 19c is a unit that converts the “image data” input to the image data acquisition unit 19a into “printing image data”. Specifically, the “image data” can be used for printing such as resolution change, gradation conversion (binarization), color conversion (RGB → CMYK), size conversion, sharpness correction, and gamma correction as necessary. Image processing is performed to generate “print image data”.

  The operation button press detection unit 19d is a unit that detects that the user has pressed the operation button of the operation button unit 13.

  The image data input detection means 19e is means for detecting the input of “image data” to the “image data input section”. The input of “image data” includes updating of “image data”. As an example of a method for detecting the input of “image data” in the “image data input unit”, a difference between “image data” input to the “image data input unit” is detected, and “image data” is detected by detecting the difference. "Is detected. The input of “image data” may be detected when the difference between the “image data” exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  The projection unit 10, the printing unit 11, the operation button unit 13, the communication unit 15, the storage medium input unit 16, the CPU 17, the RAM 18, and the ROM 19 are connected to each other via a bus 30.

(Projection process flow of image data of the first embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the image data projection process of the first embodiment, and the image data projection process flow of the first embodiment will be described.
When “image data” is input to the “image data input unit” and the image data projection processing flow of the first embodiment starts, the image data acquisition unit 19a in the process of S22 “image data acquisition” The “image data” is acquired from the “image data input unit”, and “image data” is stored in the “storage unit”. When the process of S22 ends, the process proceeds to S23 “Convert to image data for projection”.

  In the process of S23 “convert to projection image data”, the projection image data conversion unit 19b performs the above-described projection image processing on the “image data” acquired in the process of S22 and stored in the “storage unit”. The “projection image data” is generated and stored in the “storage unit”. When the processing of S23 ends, the process proceeds to S24 “projection by projection unit”.

  In the process of S24 “projection by the projection unit”, the CPU 17 performs a process of outputting the “projection image data” generated in the process of S23 to the projection unit 10, and the projection unit 10 projects the “projection image data”. Project onto the surface 80. Each time “image data” is newly input to the “image data input unit”, the processes of S22 to S24 described above are repeated.

(Image Data Print Processing Flow of First Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of image data printing processing according to the first embodiment, and the image data printing processing flow according to the first embodiment will be described. When “image data” is input to the “image data input unit” and the image data projection processing flow of the first embodiment starts, the image data acquisition unit 19a in the “image data acquisition” process of S32 The “image data” is acquired from the “image data input unit” and stored in the “storage unit”. Note that the process of S32 in FIG. 4 is the same as the process of S22 in FIG. When the process of S32 is completed, the process proceeds to S33, "Operation button pressed?"

  If the user presses the “print button” of the operation button unit 13 and the operation button press detection unit 19d detects the press of the “print button” in the determination of S33 “operation button pressed?”, Then S34 “print button”. The process proceeds to “Convert to image data”.

  In the process of S34 “convert to print image data”, the print image data conversion unit 19b acquires the image for printing described above in the “image data” acquired in the process of S33 and stored in the “storage unit”. Processing is performed to generate “image data for printing” and save it in the “save unit”. When the process of S34 is completed, the process proceeds to S35 “print with printing section”.

  In the process of S35 “print with printing section”, the CPU 17 performs the process of outputting the “image data for printing” generated in the process of S34 and stored in the “storage section” to the printing section 11, and the printing section 11 Prints the “image data for printing”. Each time “image data” is newly input to the “image data input unit”, the above-described processes of S32 to S35 are repeated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, “print image data” is not generated unless the user presses the “print button” of the operation button unit 13, so that the load on the CPU 17 is not applied, and the bus 30 is not generated. Will not be crowded. Further, since “image data for printing” is generated from the acquired “image data” separately from “image data for projection”, the quality of the print image is not deteriorated.

(Image Data Printing / Projection Processing Flow of Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of image data print processing / projection processing according to the second embodiment, and image data print processing / projection processing flow according to the second embodiment will be described. When “image data” is input to the “image data input unit” and the flow of image data projection processing of the second embodiment starts, the image data acquisition unit 19a performs processing in S42 “image data acquisition”. The “image data” is acquired from the “image data input unit” and stored in the “storage unit”. When the processing of S42 ends, the process proceeds to S43 “Difference exists?”.

  In the determination of S43 “There is a difference?”, When new “image data” is input to the “image data input unit” or “image data” is updated, the image data input detection means 19e “ When the difference between the “image data” input to the “image data input unit” is detected, the process proceeds to S44 “convert to print image data”. On the other hand, when the image data input detection unit 19e does not detect the difference between the “image data” input to the “image data input unit” in the determination of S43, the process of S45 “convert to projection image” is performed. move on.

  In the process of S44 “Convert to image data for printing”, the printing image data conversion unit 19b acquires the image data for printing described above into the “image data” acquired in the process of S42 and stored in the “storage unit”. Image processing is performed to generate “printing image data” and save it in the “storing unit”. When the process of S44 is completed, the process proceeds to S45 "Conversion to image data for projection".

  In the process of S45 “Convert to Projection Image Data”, the projection image data conversion means 19b obtains the process of S42 and stores the image processing for projection described above in the “image data” stored in the “storage unit”. To generate “projection image data”. When the process of S45 ends, the process proceeds to the process of S46 “Project projection image data by projection unit”.

  In the process of S46 “projection image data for projection by the projection unit”, the CPU 17 performs a process of outputting the “projection image data” generated in the process of S45 to the projection unit 10, and the projection unit 10 performs the “projection image data”. “Image data” is projected onto the projection plane 80. Each time “image data” is newly input to the “image data input unit”, the processes of S42 to S46 described above are repeated. On the other hand, when the user presses the “print button” of the operation button unit 13, the CPU 17 prints the “print image data image” generated in the process of S 44 and saved in the “save unit”. 11, the printing unit 11 prints the “printing image data image”.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the “image data for printing” is generated only when the image input detection unit 19e detects that “image data” is input to the “image data input unit”. No load is applied and the bus 30 is not congested. In addition, since “print image data” is generated in advance and saved in the “save unit”, when the user presses the “print button” of the operation button unit 13, there is no time lag and the “print” is quickly performed. “Image data image” can be printed. Furthermore, since “printing image data” is generated from the acquired “image data” separately from the “projection image data”, the quality of the printed image is not deteriorated.

  Although the present invention has been described above in connection with the most practical and preferred embodiments at the present time, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. However, the invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a projector with a printing function accompanying such a change is also understood to be included in the technical scope. There must be.

It is a perspective view of a projector with a printing function showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the projector with a printing function of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the projection process of the image data of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of image data printing processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of image data print processing / projection processing according to the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the projection / printing method of the conventional image data. (When matched with image data for projection) It is explanatory drawing which shows the projection / printing method of the conventional image data. (When matched with image data for printing)

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector with a printing function 10 Projection part 11 Printing part 13 Operation button part 15 Communication part 16 Storage medium input part 17 CPU
18 RAM
19 ROM
19a Image data acquisition means 19b Projection image data conversion means 19c Printing image data conversion means 19d Operation button press detection means 19e Image data input detection means 30 Bus 50 Storage medium 80 Projection surface

Claims (4)

In a projector with a printing function that includes a printing unit that prints image data and a projection unit that projects image data onto a projection surface.
An image data input unit for inputting image data from the outside;
Projection image data conversion means for converting the image data input to the image data input unit into projection image data to be projected by the projection unit;
Image data conversion means for converting image data input to the image data input unit into image data for printing to be printed by the printing unit;
A projector with a printing function, comprising: a storage unit that stores the image data for printing. It has an operation button pressing detection means for detecting the pressing of the operation button,
The image data input to the image data input unit is converted into print image data by the print image data conversion means when the operation button press detection means detects the press of the operation button. Item 14. A projector with a printing function according to Item 1. Image data input detecting means for detecting input of image data to the image data input unit;
When the image data input detection means detects input of image data to the image input unit,
2. The projector with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein the image data input to the image data input unit is converted into printing image data by a printing image data conversion unit.   4. The projector with a printing function according to claim 3, wherein the image data input detection means detects a difference between the image data input to the image input unit and detects an input of the image data.

Images