JP2003500680A - Identification marking device for a point on the surface - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A control device is connected to a manually operable signal generator and connected to a converter for generating a directional electromagnetic beam depending on a control signal sent from the control device. A device for identification and marking of points in a plane, wherein the control device is connected to a receiver for receiving an externally generated enabling signal, the control device comprising: the control signal for the transducer; A characteristic identifier is added to each device, and the control signal for the converter is transmitted only when a corresponding enabling signal is present.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for identifying and marking certain points in a surface. Preferably, the surface is the projection surface for the projected image and the projected image sequence (ie for example a film screen). The image or sequence of images is taken by a digital camera, stored in a computer and played back by a suitable projector, or made directly in the computer (as a still image or a moving image) and then on the surface. It can be projected.

When an image is displayed on a projection surface, it is often desirable to be able to mark one or more spectators at a particular area or location. Traditionally, this is done with a "laser pen," in which the spectator or speaker directs a visible continuous laser beam onto the projection surface, which is visible as spots of light on the projection surface.

In this way, however, the amount of information is very limited. First, one or more such light beams cannot be evaluated mechanically simply. Secondly, it is not possible for a plurality of persons to mark or identify a region or a point on the projection surface and to assign each person and the point marked by this person uniquely to each other. Moreover, the delivery of the light beam cannot be temporally or spatially limited by the audience. As a result, the display of the image or sequence of images may at any time be impaired by an obstructing light beam or flash.

The object of the present invention is to enable the spectator to mark the points of the image in a controlled manner during the display of the image and of the image sequence, and to be able to evaluate this marking or identification. It is in.

According to the invention, the object of the invention is to provide a control device which is connected to a manually actuatable signal generator and which is connected to a converter for generating a directional electromagnetic beam, depending on the control signal emitted by the control device. An in-plane identification and marking device comprising a device, wherein the control device is connected with a receiver for receiving an externally generated enabling signal, the control device being for the converter. To the control signal of
It is solved by a device characterized in that it adds a characteristic identifier to each device and sends out the control signal for the converter only if a corresponding enabling signal is present.

With this embodiment of the invention, a correspondence between the spectator and the (light) beam emitted by the spectator can be realized very easily. Furthermore, it is very easy to see where the (light) beam hits the surface, because the beam intensity of the (light) beam is
This is because it is possible to select an image larger than a plurality of times.

[0007] Preferably, the manually operable signal generator is one circuit device or one.
One uniaxial or multiaxial joystick, wherein the controller evaluates a switching signal, a direction signal or a path signal generated by the circuit device or the joystick when generating the control signal for the transducer. Consider. This allows the spectator to make simple markings of objects or areas within the image. This marking with the (light) beam is suitable and can be detected by a sensor or scanner directed to the (projection) surface and can be evaluated by the corresponding hardware and / or software, For example, it can be taken into account in the display of subsequent images. If, in addition to the identifier, the control device also adds information about the actuation of the joystick to the respective beam, this information is additionally provided, for example, during the display of subsequent images. Can be applied in each case in order to shift or to perform such an operation on the object projected on the projection surface in each case.

[0008] Preferably, the converter comprises a laser diode or an ultra-bright LED to generate a directional electromagnetic beam. This makes it possible to easily achieve the required information transmission. This is because the information-bearing (light) beam can be amplitude-modulated or frequency-modulated. Furthermore, especially with laser diodes, costly focusing for achieving precise spot-like marking spots on the projection surface is not necessary. This greatly facilitates detection by sensors or scanners.

In another aspect of the invention, the receiver for the externally generated enabling signal has a directional receiving sensitivity, and it is possible to emit the directional electromagnetic beam from a direction of the plane. It is arranged in a spatially fixed relation to the transducer for generating the directional electromagnetic beam, as is only possible if an incoming enabling signal is received. This embodiment ensures that uncontrolled operation of the device is not possible. This first ensures that the spectator does not aim the beam at other spectators. Furthermore, not sending an enabling signal prevents the beam from not being sent at all at a particular time, regardless of the desired direction of the respective spectator.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device is connected to a reproduction device,
The reproduction device reproduces an optical signal, an audio signal, or a clock signal that can be recognized by the user of the device. The playback device can send out a plurality of signals (for example, an optical signal and a clock signal). This signals the respective spectator that the respective device of this spectator receives the enabling signal and that this spectator can now make markings on the projection surface. It is possible.

Furthermore, by correspondingly evaluating the identifier of the beam directed to the projection plane,
In addition to or instead of the enabling signal, it is possible to send an identification signal to the device, which identification signal is received by the receiver and evaluated in the control of each device, i.e. the respective It can be compared with the device identifier.
If the comparison result is yes, the control device can actuate the reproduction device in a corresponding manner, so that the respective spectator can detect the beam of "this spectator" and display the image. In this case, for example, it can be considered by the method as described above.

In addition to, or instead of, operation of the playback device, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The control device is connected to a sound recording device, and the sound recording device detects sound and transmits it to a receiver by a transmission device to output the sound to an auditorium or a hall. This allows a spectator selected via the identification signal to speak to other spectators.
It is also possible to present the selected spectator's voice to other spectators (eg, along with a previously recorded image of the spectator on the projection surface).

In order to limit the duration for which the spectator can direct the (light) beam to the projection surface for an individual spectator, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is Determining a duration signal transmitted in or with the enabling signal, and depending on the duration signal, generating the control signal for the converter. This ensures that each spectator is not able to direct the (light) beam to the projection surface over any length. The transmitted duration signal defines the maximum duration of the uninterrupted (light) beam, and / or the duration signal allows the spectator to direct the (arbitrarily large) number of (light) beams to the projection surface. Defines the length of cumulative duration that is possible. For this purpose, the control device has, for example, a counter, which is set by the duration signal to a certain value. During the time the signal generator is activated so that the spectator can direct the (light) beam to the projection surface, the counting state of the counter is decremented. As soon as the counting state of the counter reaches zero, the control device (regardless of whether the signal generator is activated) prevents the generation of a control signal for the converter.

Alternatively, the control device determines the optical pulse number signal transmitted in or with the enabling signal and, depending on the optical pulse number signal, the controller for the converter. Generate a control signal. Also in this case, the control device has a counter, and the counter is set to a specific value by the light pulse number signal. Each time the spectator activates the signal generator in order to direct the (light) beam towards the projection plane, the counting state of this counter is decremented. When the count state of the counter reaches zero,
Immediately, the control device prevents the generation of control signals for the converter.

Furthermore, the control device generates the control signal for the converter in dependence on a group identifier signal transmitted in or together with the enabling signal.

Further characteristics, features, alternatives and advantages will be explained in the following description with reference to the drawings.

The block circuit diagram of the device of the present invention in FIG. 1 shows a microcontroller 10 as a control device.
The microcontroller 10 includes a central processing unit, a program memory and a data memory, and a plurality of data input sides and output sides.

Connected to the microcontroller 10 is a manually actuatable signal generator in the form of a four-quadrant (2-axis) joystick 12, which transmits control command signals to the microcontroller 10. It One of the four switches is actuated to generate a directional control command signal, or two or more keys are used to generate a control command signal without directional information.

The microcontroller 10 is further connected to a transducer 14, which is embodied as a laser diode, the transducer 14 being directional when the transducer 14 receives a corresponding control signal from the microcontroller 10. Emits an electromagnetic beam in the form of a visible light beam 16. The switching signal or the direction control command signal generated by the circuit device 12 is controlled by the microcontroller 10 so that when generating the control signal for the converter 14, the corresponding information is added to the light beam 16 by modulation. Be considered.

Furthermore, the microcontroller 10 is connected to an infrared receiver 18 for receiving the externally generated enabling signal. Alternatively, the receiver may be configured to receive signals in the ultrasound range or other frequency or form of propagation signals.

The microcontroller 10 is correspondingly programmed to add to the control signals for the transducers a characteristic identifier of the respective device. For this,
The microcontroller 10 may receive corresponding information through an infrared receiver during operation of the device or (in series) prior to regular operation (by the spectator).
Corresponding data is stored via the data input 20. The identifier may also consist of information (age, gender, name, etc.) about the audience using each device.

The microcontroller 10 is further programmed such that the microcontroller 10 sends out a control signal for wicking only if a corresponding enabling signal is received via the infrared receiver 18. ing.

The infrared receiver 18, which receives the externally generated enabling signal, is disposed inside the tubular barrel 22 to realize the directional receiving sensitivity of the infrared receiver 18. Instead of a tubular body,
Other optical components can also be used. An infrared receiver 18 is arranged next to the laser diode 14, which is oriented such that the central longitudinal axis of the tubular barrel 22 runs parallel to the light beam 16. This spatial arrangement of both components ensures that the light beam 16 can only be emitted in the direction of receiving the enabling signal. Infrared receiver 18
Depending on the specific embodiment of the optical components in, deviations from parallel incidence directions are possible.

Further, the microcontroller 10 is connected to the reproducing device 24 having the light emitting display devices 24a, 24b and 24c and the transducer 24d, and the adder 24e, so that the user of the device can recognize an optical signal. Reproduces audio or clock signals. By correspondingly programming the microcontroller 10, for example, a light emitting display device can be activated when the user activates the circuit arrangement, in which case the activated light emitting display device 24a, 24b, 24c. The number and / or the brightness of V.sub.2 changes as the number of circuit devices increases. Similarly, the adder 24e can also output a signal whose pitch rises as the number of switching operations increases. Receipt of the enabling signal can be signaled, for example, by actuating transducer 24d by microcontroller 10.

The microcontroller 10 is connected to an acoustic recording device in the form of a microphone 28,
The microphone 28 detects voice, noise, song, etc., and the wireless transmission device 30
It is transmitted to the receiver 32 having a speaker (see FIG. 2), which outputs sound in the auditorium or hall. The microcontroller 10 is an infrared receiver 10
Information that is included in or transmitted with the enabling signal via the audio recording device 28, 30 should be enabled for the respective user. Receive information. Additionally, in this case, the microcontroller 10 causes the microcontroller 10 to send a corresponding signal to the emissive displays 24a, 24b and 24c, and / or the oscillator 24d and / or the adder 24. It can also be programmed.

The microcontroller 10 further causes the microcontroller 10 to determine, from the signal received by the infrared receiver 18, a duration signal transmitted in and along with the enabling signal, and then the sustaining signal. It is programmed to generate a control signal for the laser diode depending on the time signal.
This prevents the respective user from sending out a light beam, at any given time. For this purpose, the microcontroller 10 has a counter, which is set by the duration signal to a certain value. While the user activates the signal generator to deliver the light beam, the counting state of the counter is decremented. As soon as the counter reaches the count state zero, the microcontroller 10 switches the converter 1
It is prevented from generating a control signal for zero. Additionally, in this case, the signal that reproduces the counting state of the counter is
And / or the oscillator 24d and / or the adder 24e.

Finally, the microcontroller 10 determines from the signal received by the infrared receiver 18 that the microcontroller 10 has a group identifier signal transmitted in or with the enabling signal and provides a group identifier signal. Dependently, it is programmed to generate a control signal for the converter. Additionally, in this case as well, the microcontroller 10 causes the light emitting display devices 24a, 24b and 24c, and / or the oscillator 2 to operate.
It is also possible for 4d and / or adder 24e to be programmed to emit a signal which reproduces the respective group identifier.

The UltraCap or GoldCa is characterized in that the power supply of the microcontroller and other components is a capacitor with a capacity of 20 Farads or more.
It can be realized by p40. Charging a capacitor like this
It is several times faster than conventional battery charging. The charge management circuit 42 is disposed between the capacitor 40 and the microcontroller 10 so that a low state of charge can also be communicated to the microcontroller 10, which allows the microcontroller 10 to operate. , Emit corresponding (eg optical) signals.

The device can be configured as a portable, handheld device that can be easily held, transported, rotated, swiveled and used by a spectator. .

FIG. 2 shows how the device works in cooperation with a projection system.

The projection system comprises a computing device 50, which is connected to an image projector 52 and projects an image or (continuous) image sequence onto a projection plane 54. Further, the computing device 50 is connected to the infrared transmitter 56 to provide a control signal to the infrared transmitter 56, the control signal being provided by the device shown in FIG.
Can be received by. The infrared transmitter 56 can send its outgoing infrared light to the entire projection surface 54, or the infrared transmitter 56 can always illuminate only one specific area. . This specific illumination area 58 may be such that the infrared transmitter 56 is rotated under the control of the computing device 50, or only an orientable optical device is provided in the infrared transmitter 50. Is.

Further, the computing device 50 is connected to a scanner or detector 50, which detects the light beam from the handheld transmitter 70 shown in FIG. 1 and outputs a corresponding signal to the computing device. 50, the computing device 50 takes these signals into account when controlling the image projector 52. The scanner 60 preferably scans only a predefined area defined by the computing device 50. To this end, like the infrared transmitter 56, the scanner can be rotatable or can be provided with position-adjustable optics. Preferably, the scanner 6
The area scanned by 0 is the same as the illuminated area 58 of the infrared transmitter 56. Depending on the display content of the image projected by the image projector 52 onto the projection surface by the computing device 50, this region can be changed both in its position on the projection surface and in its shape. When the spectator directs the spectator's transmitter 70 to this area, the infrared receiver 18 is able to receive the enabling signal emitted by the infrared transmitter. This is recorded by the microcontroller 10 in the handheld transmitter 70, and when the user actuates the switch 12, a light beam is emitted into this area, which is detected by the scanner 60 and the corresponding signal is emitted. , Transmitted to the computing device. This ensures that in particular the scanner 60 can detect the characteristic identifier of the respective transmitter 70 and be transmitted to the computing device 50.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   FIG. 3 is a schematic block circuit diagram of the device of the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   1 shows a device of the present invention cooperating with other components of an image projection system.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A surface comprising a controller connected to a manually actuatable signal generator and connected to a transducer for generating a directional electromagnetic beam in dependence on a control signal emitted by the controller. In the point identification marking device within, the control device is connected to a receiver for receiving an externally generated enabling signal, the control device being in each of the control signals for the converter, A device for adding a characteristic identifier to the device and transmitting the control signal for the converter only if a corresponding enabling signal is present. 2. The manually actuatable signal generator is a circuit device or a uniaxial or multiaxial joystick, wherein the controller generates the control signal for the transducer. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it evaluates and takes into account switching signals, direction signals or path signals generated by the circuit arrangement or the joystick. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the converter comprises a laser diode or an ultra-bright LED to generate a directional electromagnetic beam. 4. The receiver for the externally generated enabling signal has a directional receiving sensitivity and emits the directional electromagnetic beam only when an enabling signal coming from the direction of the surface is received. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged in a spatially fixed relationship in relation to the transducer for generating the directional electromagnetic beam so that it is possible. 5. The control device is connected to a reproducing device, and the reproducing device reproduces an optical signal, an audio signal, or a clock signal which can be recognized by a user of the device. Equipment. 6. The control device is connected to an acoustic recording device, and the acoustic recording device detects acoustics and transmits the acoustics to a receiver by a transmission device to output the acoustics in a hall. The apparatus according to Item 1. 7. The controller determines a duration signal transmitted in or with the enabling signal, and dependent on the duration signal, the control signal for the converter. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is generated. 8. The control device determines an optical pulse number signal transmitted in or with the enabling signal and, depending on the optical pulse number signal, the control for the converter. The device of claim 1, wherein the device produces a signal. 9. The control device generates the control signal for the converter in dependence on a group identifier signal transmitted in the enabling signal or together with the enabling signal. The device according to claim 1.