CN107295319B - Projection system, projector, and control method for projector - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a projection system, a projector and a control method of the projector, which are used for judging the position relation of images projected from a plurality of projectors. The projection system projects an image by a plurality of projectors including a first projector and a second projector side by side, the first projector including: a first projection unit that projects a first image; and a first control unit that causes the first projection unit to project an identification image including the identification information, the second projector including: a second projection unit that projects a second image; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a range including a projection range of the second projection unit and generates a picked-up image; and a second control unit that captures an identification image projected by the first projector by the image capturing unit, acquires identification information of the first projector from the captured identification image, and determines a position of the first image with respect to the second image based on a position of the identification image in the captured image.

Description

Projection system, projector, and control method for projector

Technical Field

The invention relates to a projection system, a projector and a control method of the projector.

Background

Conventionally, in a system that projects one image using a plurality of projectors, a system has been disclosed in which a personal computer is connected to the projectors, and the connected personal computer adjusts the positions of projected images of the projectors (for example, patent document 1).

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication (Kokai) No. 2015-121779

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in order to adjust the positions of the plurality of projectors, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship of the images projected from the plurality of projectors, that is, to determine which projector projects an image at which position.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projection system, a projector, and a projector control method that facilitate discrimination of the positional relationship of images projected from a plurality of projectors.

Means for solving the problems

An aspect of the present invention to solve at least one of the above problems is a projection system that projects images side by side using a plurality of projectors including a first projector and a second projector, the first projector including: a first projection unit that projects a first image; a first control unit that causes the first projector to project an identification image including identification information, the second projector including: a second projection unit that projects a second image; an imaging unit that captures a range including a projection range of the second projection unit and generates an imaged image; and a second control unit that captures the identification image projected by the first projector by the image capture unit, acquires the identification information of the first projector from the captured identification image, and determines a position of the first image with respect to the second image based on a position of the identification image in the captured image.

According to this configuration, in the projection system, the image pickup unit picks up the identification image projected by the first projector, and the position of the first image with respect to the second image is determined based on the position of the identification image in the picked-up image while acquiring the identification information of the first projector based on the picked-up identification image. Thus, in the projection system, the positional relationship of the images projected from the plurality of projectors can be easily determined.

In one aspect of the present invention, the following configuration may also be used in the projection system: the first control unit causes the first projection unit to project the identification image so that the identification image is displayed on a peripheral edge of a projection range of the first projection unit.

According to this configuration, in the projection system, the first projection unit projects the identification image so that the identification image is displayed on the edge portion of the projection range of the first projection unit. Thus, in the projection system, even when the imaging range of the imaging unit is not so wide, the recognition image can be captured by the imaging unit.

In one aspect of the present invention, the following configuration may be used in the projection system: the first projector includes a first communication unit, the second projector includes a second communication unit, the identification image includes connection information for connecting to the first projector, the second control unit acquires the connection information based on the captured identification image, and the second communication unit connects to the first communication unit and performs communication based on the connection information acquired by the second control unit.

According to this configuration, in the projection system, the connection information is acquired based on the captured identification image, and the second communication unit is connected to the first communication unit and performs communication based on the connection information acquired by the second control unit. This enables communication in the projection system.

In one aspect of the present invention, the following configuration may be used in the projection system: the second projector includes an address changing section that changes an address of the first projector.

According to this configuration, the address of the projector is changed in the projection system. Thereby, the address can be changed in the projection system.

An aspect of the present invention is a projector including: a projection unit that projects a third image; an imaging unit that images a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates an imaged image; and a control unit that captures an identification image including identification information projected by another projector that projects an image in parallel with the projector, acquires the identification information of the other projector from the captured identification image, and determines a position of a fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image based on a position of the identification image in the captured image.

According to this configuration, the projector acquires the identification information of the other projector based on the captured identification image, and determines the position of the fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image based on the position of the identification image in the captured image. This makes it possible for the projector to easily determine the positional relationship of the images projected from the plurality of projectors.

An aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling a projector including a projection unit that projects a third image and an imaging unit that captures a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates a captured image, the method including capturing an identification image including identification information projected by another projector that projects an image side by side together with the projector by the imaging unit, acquiring the identification information of the other projector from the captured identification image, and determining a position of a fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image based on a position of the identification image in the captured image.

According to this configuration, according to the projector control method, the identification information of the other projector is acquired based on the captured identification image, and the position of the fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image is determined based on the position of the identification image in the captured image. Thus, according to the projector control method, the positional relationship of the images projected from the plurality of projectors can be easily determined.

As described above, according to the projection system, the projector, and the method for controlling the projector of the present invention, the recognition image projected by the first projector is captured by the image capturing unit, the recognition information of the first projector is acquired based on the captured recognition image, and the position of the first image with respect to the second image is determined based on the position of the recognition image in the captured image. Thus, according to the projection system, the projector, and the projector control method, it is possible to easily determine the positional relationship of the images projected from the plurality of projectors.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a projection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the projector.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of the cooperative work between projectors according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a list generated by the main projector according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a method of detecting in which order projectors of a projection system are arranged.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a case where the projector projects the recognition image.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list in which other projectors are arranged on the left side of the main projector.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list when the main projector is provided with projectors in the middle and on both sides.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of arranging images captured by an imaging unit using a projector.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of calibrating the image height of each projector.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a pointer projected on a screen.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing calculation of the temporary screen size.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for inquiring the user whether or not to perform fine adjustment of the screen size.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a projection screen in which a user inputs a desired inch size

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of the projection size after the change.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the projection size by the projector of the projection system.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a backup configuration of the projection system.

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an emergency list.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an image is projected from 9 projectors arranged in a matrix of 3 × 3.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the position of the recognition image projected by the projector in the repeated projection area.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an image is projected from 9 projectors arranged in a matrix of 3 × 3.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … projection system; 2 … projection plane; 10 … control section; 11 … an image input section; 20 … projection part; 21 … distance measuring part; 30 … imaging part; 40 … operation detection part; a 50 … calculation section; a 60 … input; 70 … image changing part; 80 … a communication section; 90 … abnormality detection unit; 91 … shade; the area where the PA … projects the image; CA … imaging range; PJ … projector; DC … identifies the image; OA … repeat the projection region; PC … center coordinates; an HL … horizontal line; FS … projection size range; the projected size range after FC … change.

Detailed Description

[ first embodiment ]

A series of operations of tiling (tiling) of the high-beam projector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[ basic constitution of System ]

The technical personnel in the field who set up the projecting apparatus according to the setting drawing of design in advance, take the scaffold frame to set up the projecting apparatus. The number of projectors to be installed is not limited, but the description of the present embodiment shows a case where 3 projectors are arranged side by side.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a projection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The projection system 1 has: projector PJ1, projector PJ2, projector PJ 3. In the following description, the projector PJ1, the projector PJ2, and the projector PJ3 will be collectively referred to as a projector PJ without distinction.

The projector PJ projects an image onto a projection surface 2 (hereinafter, referred to as a screen). The screen presents the image projected from the projector PJ.

Projection adjustment is performed on the projector PJ1, the projector PJ2, and the projector PJ3 so that parts of the projected images overlap each other. In the case of the example shown in fig. 1, the projection adjustment is performed such that the right end portion of the region PA1 of the projection image projected by the projector PJ1 and the left end portion of the region PA2 of the projection image projected by the projector PJ2 overlap. Then, the adjustment is projected so that the right end portion of the region PA2 of the projection image projected by the projector PJ2 and the left end portion of the region PA3 of the projection image projected by the projector PJ3 overlap. Hereinafter, the area PA1 of the projection image, the area PA2 of the projection image, and the area PA3 of the projection image are not distinguished from each other, and are referred to as the area PA of the projection image.

In the example of fig. 1, a configuration in which 3 projectors are arranged is shown, but the projection system 1 may be configured using 2 or 4 or more projectors. The arrangement method of the projectors is not limited to the horizontal direction, and may be a vertical direction, or may be a matrix arrangement in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[ constitution of projector PJ ]

Next, the configuration of the projector PJ will be described with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a range diagram showing an example of the configuration of the projector PJ.

The projector PJ has: the image processing apparatus includes a control unit 10, a projection unit 20, an imaging unit 30, an operation detection unit 40, an input unit 60, an image change unit 70, a communication unit 80, an abnormality detection unit 90, a light shielding device 91, a distance measurement unit 21, and an image input unit 11.

The control unit 10 is connected to the operation detection unit 40, the communication unit 80, the image input unit 11, the light blocking device 91, the projection unit 20, the abnormality detection unit 90, the imaging unit 30, the distance measurement unit 21, the calculation unit 50, and the image change unit 70.

The projection image is supplied from the control unit 10 to the projection unit 20. The projection section 20 projects the provided projection image on a screen. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the projector unit 20 included in the projector PJ1 projects an image onto the area PA1 where the image is projected. The projector unit 20 included in the projector PJ2 projects an image onto the area PA2 where the image is projected. The projector unit 20 included in the projector PJ3 projects an image onto the area PA3 where the image is projected.

The projection unit 20 further includes: a light source (not shown) such as a lamp for projection, a light modulation device (not shown) such as a liquid crystal panel that modulates light emitted from the light source and forms an image, a projection lens (not shown) that projects the formed image, and the like.

The imaging unit 30 images an area including a projection image projected on the screen by the projection unit 20. The imaging unit 30 supplies the captured image to the control unit 10. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the image pickup unit 30 included in the projector PJ1 picks up an image of an image pickup range CA1 including an area PA1 of a projected image. The image pickup unit 30 included in the projector PJ2 picks up an image of the image pickup range CA2 including the region PA2 of the projection image. The image pickup unit 30 included in the projector PJ3 picks up an image of the image pickup range CA3 including the region PA3 of the projection image. The image capturing range after combining the image capturing range CA1, the image capturing range CA2, and the image capturing range CA3 is the image capturing range CA.

The operation detection unit 40 detects a specified operation from the captured image captured by the imaging unit 30. The operation detection section 40 supplies the detected specified operation to the control section. The designation operation is an operation in which the user designates a projection image display range of the projector PJ.

The calculation section 50 calculates the size of the display range of the projection image on the screen. The calculation unit 50 supplies the calculated size of the projection image display range to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 projects the projector PJ to the size of the projection image display range.

The input unit 60 receives an input of a projection image display range from the projector PJ of the user. The input unit 60 supplies the input projection image display range to the image changing unit 70.

The image changing unit 70 changes a range image indicating a display range of the projection image provided by the input unit 60. The image changing unit 70 supplies the changed range image to the control unit 10.

The communication unit 80 is connected to the communication unit 80 of another projector.

The abnormality detection unit 90 detects an abnormality of the projector. The abnormality detection unit 90 supplies the detected abnormality to the control unit 10. For example, the abnormality detection unit 90 monitors functions necessary for the projector to operate normally, such as a signal input from the image input unit 11, a lamp voltage provided in the projection unit 20, and the like. If the abnormality detecting section 90 detects an abnormality that the projector cannot normally operate, the detected abnormality is supplied to the control section 10.

The light shielding device 91 is connected to the projection unit 20. The light shielding device 91 includes a shutter (not shown) that shields the projection image projected from the projection unit 20.

The projected image is input to the image input unit 11 from the outside of the projector. The image input unit 11 supplies the input image to the control unit 10.

The distance measuring section 21 measures the distance between the projector PJ itself and the screen. The distance measuring section 21 supplies the measured distance to the control section 10.

Each projector PJ has the above-described components.

The portion where the projection images from the projectors PJ overlap is referred to as a repetitive projection area OA. Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, there is a repeated projection area OA1 indicating an area where the area PA1 of the projection image and the area PA2 of the projection image overlap each other. Further, in the overlapping projection area OA, there is an overlapping projection area OA2 indicating an area where the area PA2 of the projection image and the area PA3 of the projection image overlap. When the overlapping projection area OA1 and the overlapping projection area OA2 are not distinguished from each other, they are described as overlapping projection areas OA.

Each projector PJ adjusts the luminance of the projected image so that the luminance of the overlapping projection area OA is equal to the luminance of the area other than the overlapping projection area OA. Thereby, the projector PJ can project a projected image of uniform brightness on the screen even if there are overlapping portions in the projected image.

[ cooperative work between projectors ]

In the order described later, the user can easily obtain a tiled projection screen without being conscious of the number of projectors to be installed. This procedure will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the projector PJ is connected by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) via the communication unit 80 included in each projector PJ. The communication unit 80 of each projector PJ may be connected to the communication unit 80 of each projector PJ by another connection method such as wired LAN connection or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection.

After the projector PJ is powered on, the user decides the main projector. If the main projector is the projector of the projection system 1, any one of the projectors may be used. In the description of the present embodiment, the projector PJ1 is defined as a main projector. As shown in fig. 1, the projector PJ1 is the leftmost projector of the projection system 1.

The other projectors in the projection system 1 transmit information using their own communication units 80 from the time of power-on. The transmitted information includes the projector name of the user, an IP (Internet protocol) address set in the user, and the like.

Next, an example of the sequence of the cooperative operation between the projectors will be described with reference to fig. 3.

The main projector receives information transmitted from the other projectors of the projection system 1 at the communication unit 80 (step S101). The main projector generates a list in which the projector names and the IP addresses of the other projectors are associated with each other from the received information (step S102).

Next, a list generated by the main projector will be described with reference to fig. 4. Here, an example in which the projection system 1 is configured by using 5 projectors is shown.

In the list, information of the state, the projector name, and the IP address is recorded in association with each other. Specifically, "1" as the status information, "a" as the projector name information, "0: 0:0: 1" as the IP address information is recorded in the list in association with each other. Further, "2" as the status information, "B" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 90" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. Further, "3" as the status information, "C" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 40" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. Further, "4" as the status information, "D" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 20" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. Further, "5" as the status information, "E" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 70" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other.

The list can be confirmed by connecting a personal computer to the main projector and reading it by the personal computer. In addition, the main projector may project the list on the screen as a projection image for the projector PJ.

Next, the main projector specifies how the respective projectors PJ are arranged.

First, a setting operation of the projector PJ is performed. All projectors PJ of the projection system 1 reset the lens movement amount, zoom magnification, and the like to project images for adjustment. The setting operation may be performed when the power of the projector PJ is turned on.

Thereafter, each projector PJ of the projection system 1 captures a projection image by the image capturing unit 30 included in each projector PJ. Then, the repetition amount of the repetitive projection area OA is detected. When the overlapping projection area OA is not generated, the projector that does not generate the overlapping projection area OA of the projection image "does not overlap the images". The projector is adjusted to project information such as "superimpose images". That is, the projector that does not generate the repetitive projection area OA urges the user to move the projector so that the projection images overlap.

In general, the length of the repetitive projection area OA is preferably about 10% of the width of the area PA of the projection image of the projector. The projector having the small overlap projection area OA can urge the user to secure the optimum overlap projection area OA for the user by projecting information such as "move x cm because of a small amount of image overlap".

Next, the main projector determines the connection with other projectors from the projector list. Since the IP address of each projector is already known, the wireless LAN connection performs connection processing using the already known IP address. When there are projectors with the same IP address set between the projectors PJ of the projection system 1, the main projector can project a case where there are projectors with the same IP address set on the screen as a projection image, thereby urging the user to change the IP address. Alternatively, the shutter of the projector unit 20 may be closed only by a projector whose IP address is not duplicated, and the user may be notified of which projector has duplicated its IP address. In short, when IP addresses overlap between projectors PJ of the projection system 1, the projector PJ requires the user to change the IP addresses so that the IP addresses do not overlap.

Next, an example of a method of detecting in which order the projectors PJ of the projection system 1 are arranged will be described with reference to fig. 5.

In this example, a plurality of projectors are arranged in a row on the left and right, and the projector on the left end is assumed to be the main projector. At the detection start time, information on how the projectors are arranged in order is not present in the main projector.

The main projector identifies the number of projectors to be connected. The identification of the number of stations can be grasped from the list. In the example shown in fig. 4, 5 projectors to be connected are provided. As shown in the projector list, each projector is assigned a number as a state. In addition, 0 is assigned to a master projector that is not in the list.

First, the main projector causes all other projectors to project a specified test image (for example, an image all in white), and at the same time, instructs to close the shutter. Then, the main projector substitutes 0 for the variable M and 1 for the variable N among the two variables M and N indicating the number of the projector (step S201). In this state, since all projectors are closing the shutter, the test image is not projected on the screen. Next, the main projector instructs the nth projector to open the shutter (step S202). Then, the screen is imaged by the imaging section 30 of the M-th projector (step S203). The main projector detects whether or not the test image is mapped on the repetitive projection area OA among the photographed images (step S204). In the case where the test image is not mapped in, the main projector instructs projector No. N to close the shutter. The main projector increments the variable N (N +1, i.e., increments N by 1) (step S205), and thereafter, the processing from step S202 to step S204 is repeated. When the overlap projection area OA detects the mapping-in of the test image, the main projector determines that the nth projector with the shutter open is positioned on the right side of the M projector that has captured the image. The main projector reconstructs the projector list, and writes the projector with the shutter opened as the projector No. M +1 into a new projector list (step S206). The main projector renumbers projectors whose positions are not specified in the new projector list. Specifically, the projector whose position is not determined is newly numbered M +2 or later, and a new projector list is written (step S207). The main projector determines whether the number of projectors whose positions are undetermined is 1 (step S208). In the case where the number of projectors whose positions are not determined is not 1, the main projector substitutes the value of the increased variable M plus 1 into the variable N (N ═ M +1) while increasing the variable M (M ═ M +1, i.e., adding M to 1) (step S209), and thereafter repeats the processing from step S202 to step S208. In the case where the number of projectors whose positions are not determined is 1, the process of detecting the arrangement order of the projectors PJ is ended.

In addition, although the above example describes the method of detecting the arrangement order of the projectors PJ by controlling the other projectors by the main projector, the arrangement order of the projectors PJ may be detected by transferring the authority of the main projector to the adjacent projector.

In the above example, the presence or absence of the projector at the side is detected by opening and closing the shutter of the projector PJ, but the detection method is not limited to this. For example, a projector beside can be detected by moving an image left and right or up and down using a lens shift function, and also can be detected by enlarging or reducing a projected image. That is, the main projector may detect whether or not the projection image from another projector is mapped on the overlapping projection area OA by moving the range of the projection image projected by the projector PJ, thereby detecting the adjacent projector PJ. In this manner, the main projector sequentially moves the projection images of the projectors and detects whether or not the main projector is mapped on the overlapping projection area OA, thereby detecting the order of the projectors PJ.

The method of detecting the arrangement order of the projectors PJ by detecting whether or not the projected image is mapped into the overlapping projection area OA for each projector has been described so far.

Next, an example of a method of detecting in which order the projectors PJ of the projection system 1 are arranged using a QR code (registered trademark) (hereinafter, referred to as an identification image DC) of the embedded projector information will be described with reference to fig. 6.

The projector PJ holds an identification image DC in which own information (a projector name, an IP address, and the like) is embedded. The projector PJ projects the held identification image DC from the projector 20. The recognition image DC is set to be projected on the upper or lower side of the right end in the projection image, or the upper or lower side of the left end in the projection image. That is, the identification image DC is projected on the edge portion of the region of the projection image which becomes the overlapping projection region OA. A plurality of identification images DC may be projected at the edge of the area of the projection image, or only one identification image DC may be projected.

In fig. 6, the projector PJ1 at the left end is a main projector. The main projector does not project the identification image DC. The controller 10 included in the projector PJ2 projects a recognition image DC1 below the overlapping projection area OA1 on the lower left of the area PA2 of the projection image. The controller 10 included in the projector PJ3 projects a recognition image DC2 below the overlapping projection area OA2 on the lower left of the area PA3 of the projection image.

First, the control unit 10 included in the main projector instructs the other projectors to project the identification image DC. The control unit 10 included in each projector that has received the instruction projects the identification image DC. The control unit 10 of the main projector captures an image of the screen by the image capturing unit 30 of the main projector. The control unit 10 of the main projector inputs information of the other projectors from the identification image DC of the captured image. The control unit 10 of the main projector is connected to another projector through the communication unit 80 based on the information of the other projector stored therein.

When recognizing that the recognition image DC is on the right side, the control section 10 included in the main projector sets the recognized projector to N1. The control unit 10 included in the main projector instructs the projector having set N equal to 1 to stop the projection of the identification image DC through the communication unit 80. The control unit 10 included in the main projector reads the projected identification image DC from the repetitive projection area OA through the communication unit 80 by using the imaging unit 30 included in the projector set to N1. When the projector set to N ═ 1 reads the identification image DC, the control unit 10 included in the main projector acquires the recorded projector information from the identification image DC via the communication unit 80, and connects to the projector designated by the identification image DC based on the projector information. The control unit 10 included in the main projector sets N to 2 as the projector designated by the recognized image DC through the communication unit 80. The control unit 10 included in the main projector instructs the projector set to N-2 to stop the projection of the identification image DC through the communication unit 80. The main projector then performs the same process for all other projectors in turn.

When the main projector captures an image of the screen by the image capturing unit 30 of the main projector and inputs information of the other projectors, it recognizes that the recognized image DC exists in the left overlap area OA, and sets the recognized projector to N-1. The control unit 10 included in the main projector instructs the projector set to N-1 to stop the projection of the identification image DC through the communication unit 80. The control unit 10 of the main projector reads the identification image DC through the communication unit 80 by using the imaging unit 30 of the projector set to N-1. When the projector set to N-1 reads the identification image DC, the control unit 10 of the main projector acquires the recorded projector information from the identification image DC via the communication unit 80, and connects the projector designated by the identification image DC based on the projector information. The control unit 10 included in the main projector sets the projector designated by the recognized image DC to N-2 through the communication unit 80. The control unit 10 included in the main projector instructs the projector set to N-2 to stop the projection of the identification image DC through the communication unit 80. The main projector then performs the same process for all other projectors in turn.

And after all the processing is finished, the main projector generates a list according to the sequence of N from small to large. The main projector can specify the arrangement order of the projectors PJ by generating a list in the order of N from small to large.

From the newly generated list, the master projector reassigns the IP addresses of the other projectors. Thereby, the projectors PJ used by the projection system 1 can be grouped. Also, duplication of IP addresses can be eliminated. Then, all projectors PJ project the adjustment image.

The identification image DC is not limited to the QR code (registered trademark), and for example, a barcode or other identification code may be used.

Next, an example of the list is shown with reference to fig. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a list in which the other projectors PJ are arranged on the left side of the main projector. Information of the status, the projector name, and the IP address is recorded in the list in association with each other. Specifically, "-5" as the status information, "a" as the projector name information, "and" 0:0:0:1 "as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. In the list, "-4" as the status information, "B" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 90" as the IP address information are recorded in association with each other. In the list, "-3" as the status information, "C" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 40" as the IP address information are recorded in association with each other. In the list, "-2" as the status information, "D" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 20" as the IP address information are recorded in association with each other. In the list, "-1" as the status information, "E" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 70" as the IP address information are recorded in association with each other.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list when projectors are provided on both sides of the main projector in the middle. Information of the status, the projector name, and the IP address is recorded in the list in association with each other. Specifically, "-2" as the status information, "a" as the projector name information, "and" 0:0:0:1 "as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. In the list, "-1" as the status information, "B" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 90" as the IP address information are recorded in association with each other. Further, "1" as the status information, "C" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 40" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. Further, "2" as the status information, "D" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 20" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other. Further, "3" as the status information, "E" as the projector name information, and "0: 0:0: 70" as the IP address information are recorded in the list in association with each other.

As described above, since the projector PJ includes the control unit 10, the imaging unit 30, and the communication unit 80, the position of the projector PJ constituting the projection system 1 can be determined. The projector PJ projects the identification image DC including information for connection to itself, and the imaging unit 30 of another projector captures an image including the identification image DC. Since the identification image DC includes information for connecting to the projector to be projected, the projector PJ can acquire information of the projector on which the identification image DC is projected. The control unit 10 included in the projector PJ can be connected to the projector that projects the identification image DC through the communication unit 80. The control unit 10 included in the projector PJ can control another connected projector through the communication unit 80. The control unit 10 included in the projector PJ can change the IP address of another connected projector through the communication unit 80.

Further, since the recognition image DC is projected on the overlap projection area OA, the main projector can detect the arrangement order of the projectors PJ.

In addition, a personal computer may be used instead of the main projector to control the projector PJ.

In this case, the personal computer and the projector PJ are connected. The personal computer designates one of the projectors PJ as a projector corresponding to the main projector. The personal computer realizes the above function by controlling the projector equivalent to the main projector.

[ summary of the first embodiment ]

An example of the projection system according to the first embodiment is a projection system (projection system 1 according to the first embodiment) in which images (projection images according to the first embodiment) are arranged and projected by a plurality of projectors (projectors PJ according to the first embodiment) including a first projector (another projector according to the first embodiment) and a second projector (main projector according to the first embodiment), the first projector including: a first projector (in the first embodiment, a projector 20 provided in another projector) that projects a first image (in the first embodiment, a projection image projected from another projector), and a first controller (in the first embodiment, a controller 10 provided in another projector) that projects an identification image (in the first embodiment, an identification image DC) including identification information on the first projector, wherein the second projector includes: the image processing apparatus includes a second projection unit (in the first embodiment, the projection unit 20 of the main projector) that projects a second image (in the first embodiment, a projection image projected from the main projector), an image pickup unit (in the first embodiment, the image pickup unit 30) that picks up an image of a range including a projection range of the second projection unit (in the first embodiment, a region PA of the projection image projected by the projection unit 20 of the main projector) and generates a picked-up image, and a second control unit (in the first embodiment, the control unit 10 of the main projector) that picks up an identification image projected by the first projector by the image pickup unit, acquires identification information of the first projector based on the picked-up identification image, and determines a position of the first image with respect to the second image based on a position of the identification image in the picked-up image.

In the example of the projection system according to the first embodiment, the first control unit causes the first projection unit to project the identification image so that the identification image is displayed at the edge portion of the projection range of the first projection unit (in the example of the first embodiment, the overlapping projection area OA1 and the overlapping projection area OA 2).

In an example of the projection system according to the first embodiment, the first projector includes a first communication unit (in the first embodiment, the communication unit 80 included in the other projector), the second projector includes a second communication unit (in the first embodiment, the communication unit 80 included in the main projector), the identification image includes connection information (in the first embodiment, the projector name and the IP address) for connecting to the first projector, the second control unit acquires the connection information based on the captured identification image, and the second communication unit connects to the first communication unit based on the connection information acquired by the second control unit and performs communication.

In an example of the first embodiment, the second projector includes an address changing unit (the control unit 10 included in the main projector in the first embodiment) for changing an address (IP address in the first embodiment) of the first projector.

An example of the projector according to the first embodiment includes: the projector apparatus according to the present invention includes a projection unit (in the first embodiment, the projection unit 20) that projects a third image (in the first embodiment, a projection image), an image pickup unit (in the first embodiment, the image pickup unit 30) that picks up an image of a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates a picked-up image, and a control unit that picks up an identification image including identification information projected by another projector that projects an image together with the projector, and acquires the identification information of the other projector based on the picked-up image, and determines a position of a fourth image (in the first embodiment, the projection image) projected from the other projector with respect to the third image based on a position of the identification image in the picked-up image.

An example of the method of controlling a projector according to the first embodiment is a method of controlling a projector including a projection unit for projecting a third image and an image pickup unit for picking up an image including a projection range of the projection unit and generating a picked-up image, in which the image pickup unit picks up an identification image including identification information projected by another projector for projecting an image in parallel with the projector, the identification information of the other projector is acquired based on the picked-up identification image, and a position of a fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image is determined based on a position of the identification image in the picked-up image.

[ adjustment of projection Screen size in second embodiment ]

Next, the projector PJ included in the projection system 1 adjusts the projection image size. The adjustment of the projection image size is generally performed by calibration processing, such as specifying a screen range on the screen in advance, moving the projector PJ so that the projection image size is accommodated within the screen range specified by the user in advance, and the like. However, the screen set at the actual site is huge, and it is difficult for the user to set the screen range. Alternatively, it is conceivable to create a screen area in advance, but since the screen area is removed after the projection image from the projector PJ is accommodated in the screen area, there is a difficulty and an extra trouble. Further, since the projection map or the like cannot complete the work of mounting the screen range by itself, it is necessary to perform trial and error adjustment of the projection position. Therefore, according to the projection system 1, by specifying a rough screen size by the user, an approximate projection image size is calibrated, and fine adjustment is performed in this process.

A method of calibrating the height of the projection image from the projector PJ will be described with reference to fig. 9.

First, the image capturing unit 30 of each projector captures a projection image. Each projector calculates the center of the captured projected image. The center of the projected image is the center of the liquid crystal panel and is also the center of the optical axis. Next, the main projector sequentially acquires center data of the projection images calculated by the other projectors. The main projector generates a list of center data of the acquired projection images.

Hereinafter, the projector located at the center is described as a main projector, and the center data of the main projector is described as a height reference. The center coordinates PC2 of the projection image of the main projector are coordinates (a, b) in xy coordinates. The center coordinate PC1 of the projection image of the projector on the left side of the main projector is the coordinate (c, d) in the xy coordinates. The center coordinate PC3 of the projection image of the projector on the right side of the main projector is the coordinate (e, f) in the xy coordinates. Since the center of the projection image projected from the left and right projectors of the main projector is offset from the coordinate "b" in the height direction of the center coordinate PC2, the calibration height is corrected. The projector on the left side of the main projector only needs to raise the projected image to the positive side in the y-axis direction with the correction data (b-d). The projector on the right side of the main projector only needs to lower the projected image to the negative side in the y-axis direction with the correction data (f-b) to perform correction. The correction method of the alignment height corrects the projection position by using the lens movement function of the projector 20 of the projector PJ. In addition, when the correction data amount exceeds the lens movement range, the projector whose correction data amount exceeds projects "the lens movement correction amount has exceeded" on the screen. Please adjust the height of the projector main body. "the user performs height adjustment of the projector main body. The projector performs correction of the projection position again after the user finishes the height adjustment of the projector main body.

Further, as shown in fig. 9, when calculating the correction data, a horizontal line may be drawn from the center of the projection image. Specifically, a horizontal line drawn from the center coordinate PC2 of the projection image is a horizontal line HL 2. A horizontal line drawn from the center coordinate PC1 of the projection image is a horizontal line HL 1. A horizontal line drawn from the center coordinate PC3 of the projection image is a horizontal line HL 3. When these horizontal lines are not distinguished, they are described as horizontal line HL.

Both ends of the horizontal line HL are drawn so as to map onto the repetitive projection area OA. For this purpose, the main projector captures an image of the screen by the image capturing unit 30 included in the projector PJ, and calculates correction data based on the deviation amount of the horizontal line HL by analyzing the captured image.

By performing the above processing, the height of the projection image of the projector PJ can be sequentially calibrated with the image of the main projector as a reference. Further, since the main projector also compares the lens movement amount with the correction data at the time of height correction, it is possible to perform error display at the time of position correction by an amount that cannot be handled by lens movement. Therefore, the user can be urged to perform fine adjustment of the height of the projector main body. Therefore, the same processing can be automatically performed for all projectors managed as a group, and thus user convenience can be improved.

Next, a flow of calibrating the height of the projection image of each projector will be described with reference to fig. 10.

The main projector instructs the other projectors to calculate the center data of the projected image (step S301). The main projector acquires center data of the projected images in the arrangement order of the list (step S302). The main projector generates a list of center data of the projected image, and sets a variable N to 1 (step S303). The main projector compares the center coordinates of its own projection image with the height coordinates of the nth projector on the list, and calculates correction data by acquiring a difference (step S304). The main projector compares the lens movement range of the projector No. N with the correction data (step S305). When the correction data of the projector No. N is larger than the lens movement range, the projector No. N projects an error picture "beyond the lens movement range. Please perform the height adjustment of the main body (step S306). After the height adjustment, the main projector causes the nth projector to calculate the center data of the projected image again, acquires the center data, and updates the list (step S307). The main projector repeats the processing of steps S304 to S307 until the correction data becomes smaller than the lens movement range. When the correction data becomes smaller than the lens movement range, the main projector corrects projector No. N by performing lens movement only on the correction data (step S308). The main projector checks whether all the projectors are corrected, that is, whether the value of N is the same as the total number of the other projectors (step S309). If the value of N is not the same as the total number of other projectors, the main projector increments a variable N (N +1, i.e., increments N by 1) (step S310), and correction of the next projector of the list is performed. The main projector repeats steps S304 to S309 until the height of its own projected image coincides with the heights of the projected images of all the other projectors. If all the height adjustments of the projectors have been ended in step S309, the main projector ends the process of calibrating the image height of each projector.

Next, the main projector shifts to the following functions: the user adjusts the screen size by pointing at least 2 points using a pointer of a remote controller (hereinafter, simply referred to as a remote controller) attached to the projector. A pointer attached to a remote controller of a projector is a function of a user projecting a point-like light or the like from the remote controller onto a screen. The shape of the light projected by the pointer is not limited to a point, and may be a quadrangle, a circle, or an arrow.

In addition, the remote controller may not project light. The user may input a coordinate desired to be designated to the corresponding projector using a remote controller. When the coordinates are designated by the user, the projector PJ may project a projection image obtained by synthesizing the symbols on the designated coordinates.

The function of the user to adjust the screen size by indicating at least 2 points with the pointer is a function of the user to display a set number of inches by the projector PJ by indicating the area projected by the projector PJ with the pointer. The process of pointing with a pointer by a user is referred to as a pointing operation.

After the projector PJ shifts to the screen size setting function, the projector PJ projects "please set the upper left end and the lower right end of the desired screen size using the pointer". The user specifies the upper left end and the lower right end of the desired projection area using a remote controller attached to the projector PJ. The upper left end of the intended projection area is the coordinates (g, h) shown in fig. 11. And, the lower right end of the intended projection area is the coordinates (i, j) shown in fig. 11.

When the operation detection unit 40 provided in the main projector recognizes that the upper left end or the lower right end of the area desired to be projected by the user has been designated, the image capturing unit 30 provided in the projector PJ captures the projected image. Specifically, each time the upper left end or the lower right end is designated, the main projector sequentially captures projection images by the image capturing section 30 included in the projector PJ and sequentially receives the captured images. Then, the images captured by the main projector are subjected to image synthesis. When image synthesis is performed by the main projector, the main projector focuses on the overlapping projection area OA, and performs synthesis so that the overlapping projection areas OA match each other, thereby forming one image.

The control unit 10 of the main projector recognizes the upper left end and lower right end positions of the desired projection area indicated by the user via the remote controller from one image in which the captured images are combined. The main projector projects a range (projection size range FS) surrounding the designated area in cooperation with other projectors.

[ provisional Screen size calculation ]

Next, the main projector calculates a temporary screen size.

First, each projector PJ measures a distance to the screen (projection distance) by the distance measuring section 21. In the present embodiment, projection distance data, data of the projector itself, and data of the projection lens are as follows.

As data of the projector itself, let the width of the liquid crystal panel be P_nLet a be the distance from the projection lens to the liquid crystal panel. As data obtained from the projection lens, let the focal length (zoom value) of the projection lens be f_nThe projection distance is set to L as data measured by the projector PJ_n。

First, the projector PJ calculates the lateral size of the projected image.

If the magnification of each projector is set as m_nMultiplying power m_nCan be used for dredgingIs obtained by the following equation (1). In addition, n shown in the formula (1) is an integer and is a number assigned to the projector.

[ mathematical formula 1]

Due to the width P of the liquid crystal panel_nBecomes m_nThe width of the projected image is obtained after doubling, so if the width of the projected image is set as Z_nThe calculation can be performed by the following equation (2).

[ mathematical formula 2]

Z_n＝m_np_n···(2)

Since the pixel size of the liquid crystal panel is clear, the distance per pixel can be determined. Returning to the description of fig. 11. If the number of projectors PJ is 3 (n is 1, 2, 3), the lateral size of the projected image at the center is X₂。

The transverse dimension of the area OA of the repetitive projection is 0.1X₂And (4) showing.

The lateral size of the projection image at the left end is expressed by equation (3).

[ mathematical formula 3]

The lateral size of the projected image on the right end is expressed by equation (4).

[ mathematical formula 4]

As described above, the lateral dimension X of the synthesized projection image is expressed by the numerical expression (5). The width of the overlapping projection area OA of the present embodiment is 10% (0.1 times) of the lateral dimension X.

[ math figure 5]

X＝X₁+X₂+X₃-0.1X₂×2···(5)

On the other hand, the vertical size is adjusted in height by all the projectors PJ. Therefore, the coordinates in the height direction all coincide.

The longitudinal dimension Y of the projection image is expressed according to equation (6).

[ mathematical formula 6]

Y＝h-j···(6)

As described above, the temporary screen size S can be calculated according to the equation (7).

[ math figure 7]

Since the lateral size of the entire projection image can be known from the composite image, the control unit 10 of the main projector converts the coordinates of each projector PJ into the coordinates of the composite image, which is the system coordinates, with reference to the coordinates of the left-end projector, for example.

The control unit 10 included in the main projector transmits the converted synthetic image coordinate data to each projector PJ through the communication unit 80, and converts the coordinates of each projector PJ into synthetic image coordinates as system coordinates. After the coordinate conversion is completed, the projector PJ projects the synthesized calculated image of inches. Thereby, the user can grasp the temporary screen size. In addition, since the coordinate systems of the projectors can be calibrated, the projector PJ can project a screen range image (hereinafter, simply referred to as a projection size range) to be projected.

Next, a method of calculating the temporary screen size will be explained with reference to fig. 12.

Let M be the variable of the projector representing the object. The variable M has an initial value of 1. The main projector acquires the captured image of the M-th image in the list (step S401). The main projector synthesizes its own captured images so that the captured image captured by the M-th projector coincides with the overlap projection area OA (step S402). The main projector determines whether or not the captured images captured by all the other projectors are combined (step S403). If the synthesis with the captured images captured by all the other projectors is not completed, the main projector increments the variable M (M +1, i.e., increments M by 1) (step S404), and acquires and synthesizes the captured image of the next projector. The main projector repeats steps S401 to S403 until the captured images captured by all the other projectors are combined. In step S403, after the composition of the captured images captured by all the other projectors is completed, the main projector receives the lateral size of the projected image and the repetitive projection area OA data calculated by each projector (step S405). The calculation unit 50 included in the main projector calculates the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the projected image from the combined captured image (step S406). The calculation unit 50 included in the main projector converts the coordinates of the projector PJ into system coordinates based on the calculated vertical and horizontal dimensions (step S407). The main projector transmits the system coordinates to the other projectors PJ (step S408). The calculation section 50 of the main projector calculates the provisional screen size (step S409). The projector PJ projects the composite image and the screen size (step S410).

[ correction of temporary Screen size to desired size by Fine tuning ]

The user may obtain a desired screen size by performing a predetermined operation, but actually, the user may want to finely adjust the temporarily obtained screen size. Therefore, projector PJ shifts to the size fine adjustment mode after displaying the screen size.

As shown in fig. 13, projector PJ projects "do fine adjustment of screen size? "make a query to the user. When the user selects to perform the fine adjustment, the projector PJ enters a fine adjustment mode. When the user selects not to perform the fine adjustment, the projector PJ decides the screen size shown previously as the screen size of the display. Then, projector PJ enters the tiling mode.

In the present embodiment, a case where the aspect ratio of the projection image is determined in advance is described. When the user wants to change the aspect ratio, the aspect ratio can be changed by selecting the aspect ratio change from the menu screen of the main projector. In this embodiment, a mode in which the user does not set the aspect ratio from the menu screen of the main projector but adjusts the aspect ratio based on the ratio of the current number of inches and a mode in which the aspect ratio is adjusted will be described.

As shown in fig. 14, the projector PJ is prompted by a projection screen to allow the user to input a desired inch size. When inputting the inch size, the user may input a desired inch size using a remote controller, or may input the inch size by selecting a number and a digit column using up and down buttons and left and right buttons provided on the input unit 60 of the remote controller or the projector. In addition, the method is not limited to the above method as long as the user can input a desired inch size to the projector PJ.

[ when the inches are adjusted based on the ratio of the current number of inches ]

Assume that the number of inches entered by the user is RS. Since the provisional screen sizes are vertically long Y and horizontally long X, the original ratio can be maintained by multiplying vertically long Y and horizontally long X by the same magnification a at the same time. Therefore, the main projector only needs to calculate the magnification a.

The magnification "a" can be calculated from the desired inch size, the longitudinal length "Y", and the lateral length "X" by using equations (8) and (9).

[ mathematical formula 8]

Expression (9) is expressed by expression (8). The main projector can calculate the magnification a from the mathematical expression (9).

[ mathematical formula 9]

As described above, when changing the dimension in inches in the longitudinal direction, if the lower side is taken as a reference, the upper left pointer coordinate (g, h) is changed to the new pointer coordinate (g, (a-1) (h-j) + h). Likewise, when changing the inch size in the lateral direction, if the left side is taken as a reference, the right lower end pointer coordinate (g + X, j) (coordinate after system coordinate transformation) is changed to the new pointer coordinate ((a-1) X + (g + X), j).

An example of the confirmation screen of the projection size after the change is described with reference to fig. 15.

The image changing unit 70 of the main projector changes the projection size range FS according to the changed projection size calculated by the calculating unit 50 of the main projector. The image changing unit 70 supplies the changed projection size range FC to the control unit 10.

The projector PJ projects the projection size range FS before the change and the projection size range FC after the change. The projector PJ confirms whether the projection size after the change can be set as the projection image size by the user. If the changed projection size setting can be used, the user selects the settable projection size. The main projector sets the projection size to the changed projection size. If the projection size cannot be set by using the changed projection size, the user selects the non-settable projection size. When the user selects the non-settable, the main projector performs the setting of the projection size again.

In this example, the projection size is changed based on the lower left end BLP of the projection image as shown in fig. 15, but the projection size may be enlarged uniformly in the upper, lower, left, and right directions based on the center coordinates (a, b) of the projection image as shown in fig. 11. The criterion for changing the projection size is not limited to the left lower end BLP of the projection image or the center coordinates of the projection image, as long as it is within the range of the projection image.

Next, an example of the procedure of changing the projection size of the projection system 1 will be described with reference to fig. 16.

The main projector acquires a projection size desired by the user through the input unit 60 included in the main projector (step S501). The calculation unit 50 included in the main projector calculates the magnification of the length in the vertical direction of the projection size and the length in the horizontal direction of the projection size from the projection size desired by the user (step S502). The control unit 10 included in the main projector updates the upper left-end coordinate and the lower right-end coordinate of the projection size (step S503). The image changing unit 70 of the main projector changes the projection size range FS before the change to the projection size range FC after the change, based on the result of the calculation by the calculating unit 50 (step S504). The main projector projects the projection size range FS before the change and the projection size range FC after the change desired by the user in cooperation with other projectors (step S505). The main projector confirms whether the projection size after the change can be set by the user. When the user selects the projection size (NO) not set to the changed size, the main projector restarts from step S501. When the user selects the projection size set to be changed (YES), the main projector updates the projection size and finishes the projection size change (step S506).

Next, a method of adjusting the projection size using the aspect ratio will be described. In the aspect ratio, the horizontal direction of the projection size is AW, and the vertical direction of the projection size is AH. As described above, the provisional screen size is the vertical length Y and the horizontal length X, and the inch size of the input projection image is RS.

The length in the vertical direction of the projected dimension and the length in the horizontal direction of the projected dimension to be set are as follows.

Length in the transverse direction to be set: x + alpha

Length of longitudinal direction to be set: y + beta

The inch size of the projection image can be calculated from the number of inches of the projection size desired by the user, the length Y + β of the longitudinal direction to be set, and the length X + α of the lateral direction to be set, according to equation (10).

[ mathematical formula 10]

On the other hand, since the aspect ratio is AW: AH, it can be expressed by equation (11).

[ mathematical formula 11]

AW∶AH＝X+α∶Y+β···(11)

By modifying expression (11), expression (12) is obtained.

[ mathematical formula 12]

In order to obtain the length α to be added in the lateral direction, equation (12) is substituted into the inch number calculation equation shown in equation (10). The equation (10) can be modified as in the equation (13).

[ mathematical formula 13]

Therefore, the length α to be added in the lateral direction can be calculated by the equation (14).

[ mathematical formula 14]

Similarly, the length β to be added in the longitudinal direction can be calculated by modifying equation (15) by equation (16).

[ mathematical formula 15]

[ mathematical formula 16]

Since the lateral length to be set and the longitudinal length to be set can be calculated, the main projector may calculate the coordinates of the upper left end and the lower right end with reference to the left end and the lower side of the range of the projected image, as in the above-described method. Further, the size of the projection screen may be enlarged uniformly in the vertical and horizontal directions with reference to the center of the projection screen.

Then, the main projector projects the projection size range FS before the change and the projection size range FC after the change. The main projector confirms whether the user can set the projection size using the changed projection size. If the projection size can be set, the user selects the projection size setting after the change. The main projector determines the range of the projected image as the projection size after the change. If the projection size is not set, the user selects not to set. When the user selects the non-setting, the main projector performs the setting of the projection size again.

The projection size range FS before the change and the projection size range FC after the change may be any image as long as the boundary of the range of the projection image is known, and are not limited to the range image.

[ implementation of automatic tiling ]

As described above, since the projection size desired by the user can be specified, the projector PJ performs correction to fit the projection image within the projection size. For the correction to contain the projection image within the projection size, any means may be used. For example, known means may be used.

Further, the projector PJ coordinates the overlapping projection area OA, and also performs processing for eliminating unevenness of the projected image and the like. The process of eliminating the unevenness of the projected image may employ any means. For example, a known process may be used.

As described above, since the projector PJ includes the control unit 10, the projection unit 20, the image pickup unit 30, the operation detection unit 40, the calculation unit 50, the input unit 60, the image change unit 70, and the communication unit 80, the range of the projection image of the projector PJ constituting the projection system 1 can be easily specified. The main projector has a communication unit 80 connected to other projectors. The operation detection unit 40 included in the projector PJ can detect a designation operation for designating a range of an arbitrary projection image by the user. The user can specify the inch size of any projection image through the input unit 60 of the projector PJ. When the main projector detects the designated operation, the main projector uses the image pickup unit 30 of the projector PJ to pick up an image of the screen. The main projector acquires a range of a projected image designated by a user from the captured image. The calculation unit 50 included in the projector PJ unifies the coordinate system of the projector PJ according to the range of the projection image designated by the user, and calculates the projection size after the change. The image changing unit 70 included in the projector PJ changes the projection size range FS before the change to the projection size range FC after the change in accordance with the projection size after the change. The projector PJ projects the projection size range FS before the change and the projection size range FC after the change. The user can select whether or not the size of the projection image projected by the projector PJ is the size indicated by the projection size range FC after the change. With this configuration, the user can easily set a projection image of a desired projection size to the projector PJ. The position indicated by the designation operation performed by the user is not limited to the upper left end and the lower right end, as long as the diagonal of the projection image area is known.

In addition, a personal computer may be used instead of the main projector to control the projector PJ. In this case, the personal computer and the projector PJ are connected. The personal computer designates one of the projectors PJ as a projector corresponding to the main projector. The personal computer realizes the above functions by controlling the projector equivalent to the main projector.

[ summary of the second embodiment ]

An example of the projection system according to the second embodiment is a projection system (in an example of the second embodiment, the projection system 1) including a plurality of projectors (in an example of the second embodiment, the projector PJ) and a control device (in an example of the second embodiment, the main projector) and projecting an image by the plurality of projectors side by side, each of the plurality of projectors including: a projection unit (in the second embodiment, a projection unit 20 provided in each of the projectors PJ), an image pickup unit (in the second embodiment, an image pickup unit 30 provided in each of the projectors PJ), which picks up an image including a projection range of the projection unit (in the second embodiment, a range of the projection image), and generates a picked-up image, and an operation detection unit (in the second embodiment, an operation detection unit 40) which detects a designation operation which designates an image display range of the projection surface to be formed of the plurality of projectors on the basis of the picked-up image, the control device including a control unit (in the second embodiment, the control section 10).

In an example of the projection system according to the second embodiment, the control device includes a calculation unit (in an example of the second embodiment, the calculation unit 50) that calculates the size of the image display range on the projection surface, and the control unit causes at least one of the plurality of projectors to project information indicating the size calculated by the calculation unit from the projection unit.

In the projection system according to the second embodiment, the control unit projects a range image (a projection size range in the second embodiment) indicating an image display range from the projection unit to the plurality of projectors.

In an example of the projection system according to the second embodiment, the control device includes: an input unit that receives an input of a size of an image display range, and an image changing unit (in an example of the second embodiment, the image changing unit 70) that changes a range image based on the size received by the input unit, wherein the control unit projects the range image changed by the image changing unit from the projection unit to the plurality of projectors.

In an example of the projection system according to the second embodiment, the designation operation is an operation of designating at least one point in a range of the image display range.

An example of the projector according to the second embodiment includes: a projection unit that projects a first image onto a projection surface; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates a picked-up image; and an operation detection unit that detects a designation operation that designates an image display range of the plurality of projectors forming the projection surface from the captured image when the image is projected in parallel by the plurality of projectors including the other projectors, wherein the projection unit projects the first image in the determined image display range based on the designation operation detected by the operation detection unit.

An example of a projector control method according to a second embodiment is a projector control method for controlling a projector including: a projection unit that projects a first image onto a projection surface; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates a picked-up image; and an operation detection unit that detects a designation operation that designates image display ranges of the plurality of projectors forming the projection surface, based on the captured image, when the image is projected by the plurality of projectors in parallel, and that determines the image display range based on the designation operation detected by the operation detection unit.

[ backup function of third embodiment ]

So far, preparation of the projector PJ to project an image that has been tiled is explained. Next, a backup function provided in the present embodiment will be described.

In an actual field, a failure may occur in which a projected image disappears due to the lamp of the projector PJ being turned off. In addition, in an actual field, there is a possibility that a problem of disturbance of a projected image due to a device failure of the projector PJ may occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 17, in addition to the set of first projectors MPJ, a set of second projectors PPJ for backup is prepared in the projection system 1. A set of first projectors MPJ, in particular, includes a slave first projector MPJ₁To the first projector MPJ_nThe projector of (1). A set of second projectors PPJ, in particular, comprising a slave second projector PPJ₁To the second projector PPJ_nThe projector of (1). N is an integer of 1 or more. The set of first projectors MPJ and the set of second projectors PPJ include n projectors.

The first projector MPJ is disposed on the setting table B. The first projector MPJ projects a range of the projection image range MPA. The second projector PPJ is disposed at an upper portion with respect to the first projector MPJ. The second projector PPJ projects a range of the projection image range PPA. The projection image range MPA and the projection image range PPA are projected onto each other for the same range.

In the case where the first projector MPJ has an apparatus failure, the user deals with the apparatus failure by quickly and manually opening the shutter of the projector PPJ for backup provided at the upper or lower portion of the projector. However, since it is not known when the lamp of the projector is turned off, the burden on the user to turn off the lamp is very heavy.

The second projector PPJ for backup requires time from the start of the first projector MPJ when the apparatus is out of order to project the light image, and the viewer may find the apparatus out of order.

Therefore, the second projector PPJ lights up, and stands by in a state where the shutter is closed by the light shielding device 91 while maintaining a state where the image can be projected as in the first projector MPJ. In the case of an apparatus failure of the first projector MPJ, the second projector PPJ can project a projection image immediately because the shutter is opened by the light shielding device 91.

Therefore, in the projection system 1, when the abnormality detection unit 90 detects an abnormality in the first projector MPJ, it promptly transmits a signal to the second projector PPJ. The shutter device 91 included in the second projector that receives the signal incorporates a control mechanism for opening the shutter.

For example, a second projector PPJ for backup is provided for each of the first projectors MPJ. Specifically, a second projector PPJ1 that projects a projection image is prepared at the same position as the first projector MPJ 1. A second projector PPJ2 that projects a projection image is prepared at the same position as the first projector MPJ 2. In addition, the first projector MPJ and the second projector PPJ may be arranged so as to be able to project the projection image at the same position, and the number of projectors is not limited to two.

The communication unit 80 of the first projector MPJ and the communication unit 80 of the second projector PPJ for backup are connected by a communication line. The first projector MPJ has an emergency list as shown in fig. 18. Fig. 18 is an example of an emergency list. For example, an input signal detection abnormality, a projector temperature abnormality (high temperature), a lamp voltage abnormality (lamp extinction), a fan stop abnormality, a shade open abnormality, and a power supply abnormality are set in the emergency list. The abnormal state set in the emergency list is not limited to the above.

The abnormality detection unit 90 of the first projector MPJ monitors whether or not a state conforming to the emergency list is present. If the abnormality detection unit 90 of the first projector MPJ detects that a state conforming to the emergency list is present, the first projector MPJ transmits an emergency signal to the second projector PPJ for backup. The emergency signal includes an instruction to open the shutter. The backup second projector PPJ that has received the emergency signal opens the shutter by the light shielding device 91 itself.

The abnormality detection unit 90 of the first projector MPJ automatically detects the abnormality set in the emergency list and activates the second projector PPJ for backup. In this way, the user can project an image from the second projector PPJ for backup at a moment without waiting for an emergency.

An example of the mechanism in the backup is described above, and there are two backup methods as follows.

The first method is a method of using one paired second projector PPJ to correspond to a failure of one first projector MPJ provided respectively. Specifically, the first projector MPJ1 is connected to the paired second projector PPJ 1. The following constitution may be formed: when the abnormality detection unit 90 included in the first projector MPJ1 detects an abnormality, the first projector MPJ1 transmits an emergency signal to the second projector PPJ 1. When the communication unit 80 of the second projector PPJ1 receives the emergency signal, the shutter of the second projector PPJ1 is opened by the shutter 91, and the screen is projected. The first projector MPJ1, which has occurred in an abnormal situation, suspends projection. The projection may be stopped by closing the shutter of the projector through the shutter 91 of the first projector MPJ1 in which the abnormal condition has occurred, or by stopping the operation of the projector.

As such, according to the first method, since only the projector in which the abnormality occurs is replaced, there is an advantage that the control can be simply completed.

The second method is a method of stopping all the first projectors MPJ and supporting all the second projectors PPJ for backup when the abnormality detection unit 90 of any one of the first projectors MPJ detects an abnormality. Specifically, when an abnormality occurs in any one of the first projectors MPJ, the one of the first projectors MPJ in which the abnormality occurs transmits an emergency signal to the main projector through the communication unit 80. The main projector transmits an emergency signal to open the shutter to all the second projectors PPJ for backup. The main projector transmits a shutter closing signal or an operation stop signal via the communication unit 80 even to the first projector MPJ which is currently operating and is not in an abnormal state. For example, when the projectors PJ of the projection system 1 are connected to each other by wireless communication, the first projector MPJ in which an abnormal situation has occurred transmits an emergency signal to the main projector included in the first projector MPJ through the communication section 80. After receiving the emergency signal, the main projector sends an instruction to stop operation or close the shutter to all the first projectors MPJ. In this way, the operating first projector MPJ transmits a shutter-open signal to the paired backup second projector PPJ via the communication unit 80. Then, all the first projectors MPJ close the shutter with the own shutter 91 or interrupt projection by stopping the operation. On the other hand, the second projector PPJ for backup receives a signal for opening the shutter through the communication section 80. All the second projectors PPJ that have received the open shutter signal open the shutter with their own shutter device 91. That is, all of the projection images projected on the screen become projection images projected from the second projector PPJ for backup. The second projector PPJ for backup may switch the projection state by receiving a signal for opening the shutter from the main projector, or may switch the projection state by another method. In the above description, the main projector is included in the first projector MPJ as an example, and may be included in the second projector PPJ.

As such, according to the second method, since the projector included in the first projector MPJ and the projector included in the second projector PPJ do not project images on the screen at the same time, when fine adjustment of the position, the color tone, or the like is performed between the plurality of projectors, there is an advantage that only fine adjustment between the projectors included in the first projector MPJ and fine adjustment between the projectors included in the second projector PPJ need to be performed.

In addition, the light shielding device 91 may be provided outside the projector PJ. In this case, the light shielding device 91 is connected to the communication unit 80 included in the main projector. The light shielding device 91 shields the projection image of the second projector PPJ from light before the first projector MPJ malfunctions. The light blocking device 91 stops the light blocking of the second projector PPJ after receiving the emergency signal from the main projector. Further, the light shielding device 91 shields the projection image of the failed first projector MPJ from light.

As described above, since the projector PJ includes the control unit 10, the communication unit 80, the abnormality detection unit 90, and the light shielding device 91, the abnormality detection unit 90 included in the projector PJ can detect its own abnormality. The projection system 1 of the present embodiment includes a second projector PPJ for backup, which projects at the same position as the first projector MPJ. The first projector MPJ that has detected the abnormality can transmit an emergency signal to the second projector PPJ for backup via the communication unit 80. The second projector PPJ for backup receives the emergency signal through its own communication unit 80. The second projector for backup which has received the emergency signal performs conversion of the projected image by opening the shutter using the light blocking device 91 provided in the second projector. Since the first projector MPJ and the second projector PPJ project in the same range, it is difficult for the viewer to notice the occurrence of the malfunction. Further, according to the first projector MPJ whose abnormality is detected by the abnormality detecting section 90, the projection is stopped by closing the shutter by the light blocking device 9. The first projector MPJ whose abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 90 may stop its operation. With this configuration, the trouble of the user in dealing with the device failure of the projector can be reduced.

In addition, a personal computer may be used instead of the main projector to control the projector PJ. In this case, the personal computer and the first projector MPJ are connected. The personal computer designates one of the first projectors MPJ as a projector corresponding to the main projector. The personal computer realizes the above functions by controlling the projector equivalent to the main projector.

Further, the personal computer may be connected to a light shielding device 91 provided outside the projector PJ. When the abnormality detection unit 90 of the first projector MPJ detects an abnormality, the personal computer stops the light shielding of the second projector. Further, the personal computer shields the projection image of the first projector MPJ from light.

[ summary of third embodiment ]

An example of the projection system according to the third embodiment is a projection system (in an example of the third embodiment, the projection system 1) including a first projector (in an example of the third embodiment, the first projector MPJ), a second projector (in an example of the third embodiment, the second projector PPJ paired with the first projector MPJ is included in the second projector PPJ), a first light blocking device (in an example of the third embodiment, the light blocking device 91 provided in each of the second projectors PPJ), and a control device (in an example of the third embodiment, the main projector) for controlling these, the first projector including: a first projection unit (in the example of the third embodiment, a projection unit 20 provided in each of the first projectors MPJ) that projects a first image (in the example of the third embodiment, a projection image projected from the first projector MPJ) onto a projection surface (in the example of the third embodiment, a screen) based on a first image signal (in the example of the third embodiment, a video signal input to an image input unit 11 provided in each of the first projector MPJ and the second projector PPJ); an abnormality detection unit (an abnormality detection unit 90 provided in each of the first projectors MPJ in the third embodiment) for detecting an abnormality occurring in the first projector, a second projector having a second projection unit (a projection unit 20 provided in each of the second projectors PPJ in the third embodiment) for projecting a second image based on the first image signal onto the projection surface, and a first light shielding device configured to be capable of projecting the second image onto the projection surface at the same position as the first image, the first light shielding device being capable of switching between: the control device switches the first light shielding device to a projection state and projects the second image onto the projection surface when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the first projector in a state where the first image is projected onto the projection surface from the first projector and the projection of the second image from the second projector is blocked by the first light shielding device.

In addition, in the projection system according to the third embodiment, the projection system includes a second light blocking device (in the third embodiment, the light blocking devices 91 provided in the first projector MPJ), and the second light blocking device can be switched between two states: the control device switches the second light blocking device to the light blocking state when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the first projector in a state where the first image is projected from the first projector onto the projection surface and the projection of the second image from the second projector is blocked by the first light blocking device.

In the projection system according to the third embodiment, the first projector includes a plurality of projectors for projecting the first image at different positions (in the projection system according to the third embodiment, the first projector MPJ₁… first projector MPJ_n) The second projector includes a plurality of projectors for projecting the second image onto the same position (in an example of the third embodiment, the second projector PPJ₁… second projector PPJ_n) Thereby forming the structure.

In the projection system according to the third embodiment, when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in at least one of the plurality of projectors included in the first projector, the control device switches the first light blocking device to the projection state for all of the plurality of projectors included in the second projector, and projects the second image onto the projection surface.

In the projection system according to the third embodiment, when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in at least one of the plurality of projectors included in the first projector, the control device switches the first light shielding device to the projection state with respect to the projector corresponding to the projector whose abnormality is detected among the plurality of projectors included in the second projector, and projects the second image onto the projection surface.

In the control device according to the third embodiment, in a state where a first image based on a first image signal is projected from a first projector onto a projection surface and a second image is projected from a second projector arranged so that the second image based on the first image signal can be projected onto the same position as the first image on the projection surface, the first light blocking device is switched to a state where the second image is projected onto the projection surface when an abnormality of the first projector is detected.

In the control method according to the third embodiment, in a state where a first image based on a first image signal is projected from a first projector onto a projection surface and a second image is projected from a second projector arranged so that the second image based on the first image signal can be projected onto the same position as the first image on the projection surface, the first light blocking device is switched to a state where the second image is projected onto the projection surface when an abnormality of the first projector is detected.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments, and the present invention also includes designs and the like within a range not departing from the central concept of the present invention.

In the first embodiment (see fig. 6), the arrangement order of the projectors PJ is detected by projecting the identification image DC to the left end of the projected image of the projector itself by each of the other projectors when the projector PJ1 at the left end is the main projector.

Even when the projectors PJ are arranged in a vertical arrangement, the arrangement order can be detected by the same method as that of the first embodiment. For example, when the uppermost projector PJ is set as the main projector, the other projectors PJ may display the identification image DC in the overlapping projection area OA at the upper end of the projected image of the projector. Further, if the identification image DC is displayed on both the upper and lower ends of the projection image, the arrangement order of the projectors PJ can be detected regardless of the position of the main projector.

In addition, even when the projectors PJ are arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, the arrangement order can be detected by the same method.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where images are projected from 9 projectors PJ arranged in a matrix of 3 × 3.

For example, when the projector PJ that projects an image to the region PA1 of the projected image at the upper left corner indicated by the broken line in fig. 19 is used as the main projector, the projectors PJ other than the main projector may display the identification image DC in the overlapping projection region OA at the upper left corner of the projected image of the projector. Specifically, the projector PJ projecting to the area PA2 of the projection image projects the recognition image DC 3. The projector PJ projecting to the area PA3 of the projection image projects the identification image DC 4. Likewise, a plurality of projectors PJ projected from the region PA4 of the projection image to the region PA9 of the projection image are projected from the identification image DC5 to the identification image DC10, respectively.

The main projector detects the identification image DC of the overlapping projection area OA in the projected image of the main projector based on the captured image of the main projector, identifies the adjacent projector PJ, and then repeats the detection of the identification image DC of the other projector PJ based on the captured image of the adjacent projector PJ. Specifically, the main projector detects the identification image DC3, the identification image DC5, and the identification image DC6 of the overlapping projection area OA in its own projection image. The main projector recognizes the projector PJ adjacent to the right side from the detected recognition image DC3, recognizes the projector PJ adjacent to the lower side from the detected recognition image DC5, and recognizes the projector PJ adjacent to the lower right side from the detected recognition image DC 6. Then, the main projector detects the identification image DC of the other projector PJ from the captured image captured by the identified adjacent projector PJ. The main projector detects the arrangement order of the projectors PJ arranged in a matrix up, down, left, and right, based on the detected identification image DC.

Next, the position of the recognition image DC projected by the projector PJ will be described with reference to fig. 20.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the position of the recognition image DC projected onto the overlap projection area OA by the projector PJ.

As shown in fig. 20, if the identification image DC is displayed at three places in total (three places in the upper left corner, the middle right corner, and the middle lower corner of the projection image in the example of fig. 20) of one of the four corners of the projection image and the middle of two sides (the place other than the corner) opposite to the corner, the arrangement order of the projectors PJ can be detected regardless of the position of the main projector. Specifically, the projectors PJ other than the main projector project the identification image DC11 on one of the four corners of the region PA of the projection image, and project the identification images DC12 and DC13 on the middle portion of the two sides opposite to the corner. The three positions of the recognized image DC to be projected are not limited to three positions combined by the upper left corner, the right middle part, and the lower middle part of the projected image described above, and other combinations may be used. The identification image DC may be projected at a position not overlapping with the identification image DC projected by the other projector PJ.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where an image is projected from 9 projectors PJ arranged in a matrix of 3 × 3, and shows a case where the projector PJ projecting an image to the area PA5 of the projected image in the middle portion shown by the broken line is set as the main projector. When the projectors PJ other than the main projector display the identification images DC at three positions, i.e., the upper left corner, the middle right corner, and the middle lower corner of the projected image of the projector, the identification images DC of the projectors PJ are displayed without overlapping each other and are captured by the image capturing unit 30.

More specifically, the main projector projecting to the area PA5 of the projection image detects the recognition image DC19, the recognition image DC24, the recognition image DC26, the recognition image DC32, and the recognition image DC35 projected on the overlapping projection area OA from the captured image of itself. The main projector identifies the projector PJ that projects the image on the area PA2 that projects the image, from the detected identification image DC 19. The region PA2 of the projection image is a region projected on the upper side of the region PA5 of the projection image. The main projector identifies the projector PJ that projects the image on the area PA4 that projects the image, from the detected identification image DC 24. The region PA4 of the projection image is a region projected on the left side of the region PA5 of the projection image. The main projector identifies the projector PJ that projects the image on the area PA6 that projects the image, from the detected identification image DC 26. The region PA6 of the projection image is a region projected on the right side of the region PA5 of the projection image. The main projector identifies the projector PJ that projects the image on the area PA8 that projects the image, from the detected identification image DC 32. The region PA8 of the projection image is a region projected below the region PA5 of the projection image. The main projector identifies the projector PJ that projects the image on the area PA9 that projects the image, from the detected identification image DC 35. The region PA9 of the projection image is a region projected to the lower right of the region PA5 of the projection image. The main projector detects the arrangement order of the remaining projectors PJ from the detected recognition image DC captured by the other projectors PJ.

Further, each projector PJ may sequentially display the identification image DC at time intervals. In this case, the identification images DC of the projectors PJ do not overlap each other regardless of the positions of the overlapping projection areas OA. In addition, when the projector PJ includes the image pickup unit 30 capable of picking up an image in a sufficiently larger range than the projected image of the projector PJ, the identification image DC may be displayed at a position other than the overlapping projection area OA. In this case, it is possible to cause the respective projectors PJ to simultaneously display the identification images DC without overlapping each other.

In the above-described embodiment, although the transmissive projector is described as an example, a Digital Light Processing (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark of Texas Instruments) type projector using a reflective Light modulation element called a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) (registered trademark of Texas Instruments) may be used.

Further, a program for realizing the functions of any of the constituent elements of the projection system 1 described above may be recorded (stored) on a computer-readable recording medium (storage medium), and the program may be read and executed by a computer system. The "computer System" is an Operating System (OS) or a System including hardware such as peripheral devices. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM (read only memory), a CD (compact disc) -ROM, or a storage device such as hardware in a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to a recording medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, and includes, for example, a volatile Memory (RAM) in a server or a computer system serving as a client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or via a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" for transmitting the program is a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

The program may be a program for realizing a part of the above functions. The program may be a program realized by combining the program and a program in which the functions are recorded in a computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

Claims (6)

1. A projection system is characterized in that a plurality of projectors including a first projector and a second projector are used to project images side by side,

the first projector includes:

a first projection unit that projects a first image; and

a first control unit that causes the first projection unit to project an identification image including identification information,

the second projector includes:

a second projection unit that projects a second image;

an imaging unit that captures a range including a projection range of the second projection unit and generates a captured image; and

and a second control unit that captures the identification image projected by the first projector by the image capture unit, acquires the identification information of the first projector from the captured identification image, and determines a position of the first image with respect to the second image based on a position of the identification image in the captured image.

2. The projection system of claim 1,

the first control unit causes the first projection unit to project the identification image so that the identification image is displayed on a peripheral edge of a projection range of the first projection unit.

3. The projection system of claim 1 or 2,

the first projector includes a first communication section,

the second projector includes a second communication section,

the identification image includes connection information for connecting to the first projector,

the second control unit acquires the connection information from the captured identification image,

the second communication unit is connected to the first communication unit and communicates with the first communication unit based on the connection information acquired by the second control unit.

4. The projection system of claim 3,

the second projector includes an address changing section that changes an address of the first projector.

5. A projector, characterized by comprising:

a projection unit that projects a third image;

an imaging unit that images a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates an imaged image; and

and a control unit that captures an identification image including identification information projected by another projector that projects an image in parallel with the projector, acquires the identification information of the other projector from the captured identification image, and determines a position of a fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image based on a position of the identification image in the captured image.

6. A method of controlling a projector, the method comprising controlling a projector including a projection unit which projects a third image and an imaging unit which images a range including a projection range of the projection unit and generates an imaged image,

the image pickup unit picks up an identification image including identification information projected by another projector that projects an image in parallel with the projector, acquires the identification information of the other projector from the picked-up identification image, and determines a position of a fourth image projected from the other projector with respect to the third image based on a position of the identification image in the picked-up image.

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