JP2003044839A - Device for inputting and outputting image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device capable of not only projecting an image on a screen but also reading information described or displayed on the screen. SOLUTION: This image input-output device 1 is provided with an image outputting part 20 for projecting a modulated luminous flux 71 on a screen 10 through a lens system 2 and an image inputting part 30 for acquiring image information displayed on the screen 10 through the lens system 2. Image information including information added on the screen 10 can be fetched as image information ϕ2 from the outside in addition to previously prepared image information ϕ1 through a reverse route by using the image input-output device 1. Because of this, the image input-output device 1 with high added values can be provided which can link displayed image data with information added on the screen 10 at presentation to acquire or record the linked image data and information at the presentation, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of inputting and outputting image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Projectors (data projectors)
Has become an indispensable tool for presentations. FIG. 3 shows an example of the data projector 90. This projector 90 uses an LC as an image display element.
It includes a reflective liquid crystal panel (light valve) 4 called oS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) and a light source 7 including an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp. The illumination light 71 from the light source 7 is made uniform in cross-sectional distribution by the integrator 8, and thereafter, is converted into S-polarized light by the polarization conversion element 9 and is incident on the polarization beam splitter (hereinafter, PBS) 5. Since the illumination light 71 is S-polarized light here, it is reflected by the polarization splitting surface 5a in the PBS 5 in the direction of 90 degrees with respect to the incident direction, and reaches the LCoS4 which is an image display element. This LCoS4
Is controlled by the image output control device 6 that has received the image data φ1 supplied from a host device (host PC) 80 such as a personal computer, and turns the illumination light 71 on and off in pixel units. Therefore, the image information φ1 is given to the light flux 71 reflected by the LCoS4, and the light flux 71 becomes P-polarized light. Therefore, again PBS5
The light flux 71 that has reached the polarized light splitting surface 5a therein passes through the splitting surface 5a and is projected onto the screen 10 via the projection lens system 2 because the polarization direction is switched from S to P in the transmission direction. .

[0003]

By using the projector 90, the image information φ1 prepared in advance can be displayed on the screen 10 in a presentation or a conference, so that the materials can be shown to the participants at the same time. , It is very convenient because you can explain and discuss based on it.

However, when a question is asked on the spot with respect to the presented material and a discussion is made, or when a meeting is held based on the material at the meeting, the content and the conclusion thereof need to be written down and stored. . Furthermore, in order for all participants to understand the content of the discussion, it is necessary to write down memos on a whiteboard or the like in addition to the screen displaying the image. For example, a person in charge of recording is assigned, and the content of the discussion is recorded on a whiteboard or the like by sentences or freehand drawings. Then, after the meeting or the presentation is finished, the person in charge organizes this handwritten content, creates a minutes, and distributes it.

At this time, if the recorded contents are to be linked with the images and charts used in the presentation, the person in charge must recreate the images and charts and incorporate the recorded contents. It is a laborious task. In addition, there is a high probability that errors will be introduced into the recreated material.

Therefore, in the present invention, when an image is displayed or displayed on a screen by a projector, an OHP or the like for explanation or discussion, the process can be collectively recorded together with the image. It is an object. Then, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of recording the contents of a presentation or the contents of a meeting without the trouble of recreating the minutes as described above.

[0007]

Therefore, in the present invention, a lens system, image output means capable of projecting an image on a screen via the lens system, and an image on the screen can be acquired via the lens system. An image input / output device having an image input means is provided. That is,
In the present invention, the inventors of the present application pay attention to the fact that the projection lens in a device for projecting an image such as a projector or an OHP also functions as a taking lens, and form an image as a conjugate plane of the screen with respect to the lens system. By providing a surface and a surface for acquiring an image, a device that can project an image and input an image by the same device has been developed.

In this image input / output device, the image forming surface of the image output means and the image acquiring surface of the image input means are surfaces conjugate with the screen with respect to the lens system. The lens system that clearly projects the image by
By performing adjustments such as adjusting the focal length, the image projected on the screen can be clearly imaged on a predetermined area of the image acquisition surface of the image input means. Therefore, in addition to the projected image, the information additionally written on the screen can be obtained as a clear image by the image input means as with the image. Since the image input means can also obtain the image information output by the image output means, it is possible to link the image information projected on the screen with the image information to which the additional information is added as image information from the outside world. You can Therefore, in a situation such as a presentation or a conference as described above, the image information displayed on the screen by the image input / output device of the present invention can be easily added to the image information added from the outside without any trouble, and It is possible to reliably acquire the image by linking it with the displayed image information. Further, since the lens system and the like are commonly used for image input / output, it is possible to suppress cost increase, and it is possible to provide a low-cost, multifunctional image input / output device.

That is, a general projector or OHP
Is a device for unidirectionally flowing information prepared in advance, whereas the image input / output device of the present invention is a new device capable of creating a bidirectional flow of information.

The most preferable image output means is a projector type equipped with a light source and a modulation means capable of modulating the light flux emitted from this light source based on image data. For example, it is possible to receive image data from a personal computer, project the image data on the screen by the image output means, acquire the image data including the information added on the screen as image data by the image input means, and send or feed back the image data to the personal computer. It will be possible.

It is also effective to provide the image input means with means for recording the acquired image data. It is suitable when the image input / output device of the present invention is used as a stand-alone device. The recording means may be a hard disk or the like that stores the image data acquired as digital data. A means for recording the image data on the recording paper can output the contents of a response based on the image projected on the screen at a presentation or a meeting as a memo on the spot.

Further, if the image input means has means for outputting the acquired image data to the monitor, the image data acquired by the image input means can be monitored at any time. Further, in the image input means, as an optical element for acquiring image data, CCD or CMOS is currently used.
The image pickup device such as is most suitable in terms of cost and performance.

By employing an optical element together with a polarizing plate, a light flux for projecting an image from the image output means is guided to the lens system, and a light flux for acquiring an image from the lens system is guided to the image obtaining means. It is possible to separate the image output means and the image input means almost completely. Therefore, since parts and optical elements suitable for each means can be adopted, the image output means and the image input means can be optimized as a device that shares the lens system, the performance of image output and image input can be improved, and the cost can be reduced. it can. This optical element is, for example, a beam splitter or a polarizing plate.

When the image output means includes a light source and a modulation means capable of modulating the light flux emitted from the light source based on image data, the optical element and the image input means are arranged on a straight line. By placing it in a position that does not become,
The influence of the light source on the image input means can be prevented.

The image input / output device of the present invention may be one in which the screen is separate and can be arranged in front of or behind the screen, and further, the lens system is arranged on the back of the screen integrally with the screen. Image input / output device.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A further explanation will be given below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image input / output device 1 obtains an image of the screen 10 through the lens system 2, a lens system 2 facing the screen 10, an image output unit 20 that projects an image on the screen 10 through the lens system 2, and a lens system 2. And an image input unit 30 that operates.
The image output unit 20 has the same configuration as the projector described above with reference to FIG. 3, and includes a light source 7 such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp and a distribution of the irradiation light (luminous flux) 71 from the light source 7 in the cross-sectional direction. An integrator 8 for homogenization, a polarization conversion element 9 for aligning this light flux 71 into S-polarized light, and a light flux 71 aligned with S-polarized light are arranged in a direction of approximately 90 degrees which is reflected by the polarization splitting surface 5a of the PBS 5. It is equipped with LCoS4. Further, the image output unit 20 includes an image output control device 6 that receives the image data φ1 from the host PC 80, controls the LCoS4, and modulates the incident light flux 71 in dot (pixel) units. Therefore, the light 71 from the light source 7
Reaches the LCoS4, is modulated when reflected by the LCoS4, is provided with desired image information φ1, becomes P-polarized light, passes through the PBS5, and is projected onto the screen 10 through the projection lens (lens system) 2. To be done.

The image input section 30 is an image pickup element (CCD or CMOS) 3 for converting the image contained in the incident light flux 73 separated by the PBS 5 and acquired by the lens system 2 into image data φ2 of digital data, and An LCD (monitor) 32 capable of monitoring the image data φ2 and a printer 33 capable of outputting the image data φ2 onto the recording paper 35 are provided. Furthermore, an image input control unit 31 having a function of converting the image data φ2 into a format suitable for the monitor 32 and the printer 33 is provided, and the image pickup device 3 is also provided from the image input control unit 31 to the host PC 80. The obtained image data φ2 can be transmitted.

Further, in the image input / output device 1 of the present example, the light beam 71 emitted after passing through the PBS 5 is P-polarized light, which passes through the lens system 2 and is guided by the PBS 5 toward the image pickup device 3. The polarization of the light flux 73 related to S becomes S polarization. Therefore, if the scattering characteristic of the screen 10 is polarization-maintaining, the lens system 2 and P
A polarizing plate 13 such as a quarter wave plate is provided in the optical path between the BS 5 and
To improve the imaging performance.

In this example, the image pickup device 3 includes the image output unit 20.
The surface of the PBS 5 to which the LCoS4 is attached is different from the surface 5b, that is, the surface 5d facing the surface 5c on which the irradiation light 71 is incident. Therefore, PBS
5 guides the light flux 71 for projecting the image emitted from the image output unit 20 to the lens system 2, while
It functions as an optical element that guides the light flux 73 for acquiring the image input via the lens system 2 to the image input unit 30. Then, the LCoS 4 and the image pickup device 3 become a plane conjugate with the screen 10 with respect to the lens system 2.
Therefore, the lens system 2 functions as a lens for projecting or projecting the modulated light flux 71 on the screen 10 for the image output unit 20, and for the image input unit 30 imaging the incident light flux 73 from the screen 10. Element 3
It functions as a shooting lens. And LCoS4
The image pickup device 3 is adjusted so as to be in a conjugate position with respect to the screen 10. Therefore, screen 1
By adjusting the direction and height of the image input / output device 1 and adjusting the focal length (zoom) of the lens system 2 so that the image to be projected on 0 is displayed clearly.
An image projected or formed on the screen 10 can be clearly formed on the image pickup element 3.

Therefore, in the image input section 30,
The screen 1 is modulated by LCoS4 of the image output unit 20.
In addition to the original image information φ1 projected on 0, the image information φ2 including the information added on the screen 10 can be acquired. Therefore, for example, the image output unit 20 displays an image on a whiteboard or the like on the screen 10.
As a result, while presenting while projecting on it, the contents written on the whiteboard,
Link with the information projected on the whiteboard, and
It can be acquired as one image information φ2. The acquired information φ2 can be displayed on the monitor 32, output from the printer 33 to the recording paper 35, or output to the host PC 80. Further, the image input unit 30 may be provided with a storage device 36 such as a hard disk device to store the image data φ2.

In this way, the image input / output device 1 of this example is
The basic configuration is almost the same as the conventional projector shown in FIG. 3, but not only the desired original image information φ1 is projected, but also the external world, that is, the image information φ2 displayed or written on the screen 10 is displayed. Can be read. Therefore, for example, by using the screen 10 that also serves as a whiteboard, the content and conclusion of the consultation during the presentation can be added on the screen 10 on which the image information φ1 is displayed.
It can be automatically loaded with the images and charts used in the presentation. Therefore, the recording work at the time of a presentation or a conference can be performed easily and surely. Therefore, the image input / output device 1 of this example
Is a device that can not only project an image unilaterally like a projector, but also can photograph information unilaterally like a camera and can handle image information bidirectionally. Therefore, it is suitable as a communication tool for presentations and meetings as described above.

Further, since the lens system 2 serves as a projection lens and a photographing lens as described above, it is possible to realize a device having a function of outputting an image and a function of inputting an image like a projector at low cost. Further, in order to share the lens system 2, the PBS 5 guides the emitted light 71 from the image output unit 20 to the lens system 2,
In addition, the incident light 73 from the lens system 2 is guided to the image input unit 30. Therefore, the image output unit 20 and the image input unit 30 can each have an independent configuration, and each configuration can be optimized to provide the image input / output device 1 with high performance and low cost.

Further, as in the image input / output device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the PBS 12 is arranged between the PBS 5 and the lens system 2, and the light 73 input from the screen 10 is converted into the PBS.
The image pickup device of the image input unit 30 (C
It is also possible to lead to CD) 3. In this way, by disposing the polarization separating elements such as the PBSs 5 and 12 and the polarizing plate 13, the image pickup element 3 of the image input section 30 can be removed from the direction of the light flux 71 emitted from the light source 7 of the image output section 20. It will be possible. Therefore, the light source 7
It is possible to prevent the illuminating light 71 emitted from the device from leaking from the PBS 5 to become noise light and enter the image pickup device 3.

Further, the image input / output device 1 shown in FIG.
The screen 10 is integrated, the lens system 2 is installed on the back of the screen 10, and an image is output from the image output means from the back, and character information projected or written on the screen 10 from the back is also displayed. Can be acquired together with the image information. of course,
A screen 1 such as the image input / output device 1 shown in FIG.
It is also possible to provide 0 as a separate body, project an image from the front of the screen 10, and read the image of the screen 10 from the front. Also, the image input / output device 1 of these examples
In this case, a device such as the monitor 32 and the printer 33 that can output the projected image on the spot is built in. However, it is possible to confirm the image data acquired by the host PC 80, or via the host PC 80 locally or via a network. It is also possible to output image data acquired from a peripheral device such as a connected printer.

As described above, in the image input / output device of the present invention, the image information displayed by the projector can be easily and surely recorded with the image information added from the outside without trouble. You can Therefore, if only one image input / output device of the present invention and one screen that doubles as a whiteboard are used, not only the projection of the presentation screen but also the handwritten memo of the contents discussed during the presentation can be recorded together with the presentation image. Therefore, it is possible to significantly reduce the probability of making an error when creating a minutes or the like after a presentation or a conference.

[0026]

As described above, in the image input / output device of the present invention, the lens system is used as a projection lens for projecting the light flux modulated by the image output means onto the screen, and the image input means is used for the screen. It is also used as an imaging lens for acquiring the image information displayed above. Therefore, by using the image input / output device of the present invention, in addition to the image information prepared in advance, the image information including the information added on the screen can be taken in as the image information from the outside by the reverse route. .
Therefore, it is possible to provide an image input / output device with high added value that can acquire or record the image data displayed in a presentation or the like and the information added on the screen at that time by linking them.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image input / output device different from the above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general projector.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image input / output device 2 Projection lens 3 Image sensor (CCD or CMOS) 4 Image forming device (image display device, LCoS) 5, 12 Polarizing beam splitter (PBS) 5a Polarization separation surface of polarization beam splitter 7 light source 8 Integrator 9 Polarization conversion element 10 screens 13 Polarizer 20 Image output section 30 Image input section φ1, φ2 image information

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B047 AA30 BA02 BB01 BC05 BC11                       BC14 BC23 CA23                 5C022 AA01 AC03 AC54 AC55                 5C052 AA11 FA01 FA06 FC06                 5C072 AA01 CA02 DA02 DA10 EA04                       FA05 VA02

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image input / output having a lens system, an image output unit capable of projecting an image on a screen via the lens system, and an image input unit capable of acquiring an image on the screen via the lens system. apparatus. 2. The image output means and the image input means according to claim 1, respectively comprising an image forming surface and an image acquiring surface, which are surfaces conjugate with the screen with respect to the lens system. Image input / output device. 3. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit includes a light source and a modulation unit capable of modulating a light flux emitted from the light source based on image data. 4. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit includes a unit that records the acquired image data. 5. The image input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the recording unit records the image data on a recording sheet. 6. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit includes a unit that outputs the acquired image data to a monitor. 7. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit includes an image sensor. 8. The image input / output device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical element that guides the light flux from the image output means to the lens system and guides the light flux from the lens system to the image acquisition means. 9. The image input / output device according to claim 8, wherein the optical element is a beam splitter. 10. The image output means according to claim 8, comprising a light source and a modulation means capable of modulating a light flux emitted from the light source based on image data, and the optical element is the light source. An image input / output device in which the image input means is arranged in a position that is not on a straight line. 11. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the screen has the screen, and the lens system is arranged on a back surface of the screen.