JP2004255885A - White board usable as projection screen device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a white board which can also be used as an image display device. <P>SOLUTION: The white board is provided with an electronic paper 111 and a front plate 125. The electronic paper 111 continues to display the image on display even after the supply of power is ceased, enabling the entire display area to be in a mono-color state without patterns. The front plate 125 is superimposed on the display surface of the electronic paper 111 and permits visible light to pass therethrough, enabling a display on the front surface certain information (written or drawn) by using the ink and to wipe the ink adhered onto the front surface with the aid of an eraser (erasing the displayed information thereon). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a whiteboard that can also be used as an image display device.
The present invention relates to a whiteboard that can be used as both an image display device and a projection screen device.
The present invention relates to a projection screen device that can also be used as an image display device.

[Whiteboard]
The white board can freely write or erase characters or the like on the surface of the board using alcohol-based ink, water-based ink, oil-based ink, or the like.
Whiteboards are used in conferences and lectures.
The whiteboard is often installed in a corner of a conference room as it is when not in use.
A white board is mostly composed of a white plate surface, and thus lacks in decorativeness, and makes the room in which it is installed a scathing scene.
On the whiteboard, table images such as a plan table, a schedule table, a time table, etc. (ruled lines for partitioning entry columns for entering date and time, schedule contents, etc., and predetermined years such as "year", "month", "hour") (An image containing the word "") is printed in advance. Since this type of whiteboard is printed so that the front image is not easily erased, the layout of the front image cannot be changed as necessary or used in a plain state.

[Projection screen]
The projection screen can display a large-screen image by projecting an image on the screen surface.
Projection screens are used in conferences and lectures.
When not in use, the projection screen can be wound up and stored in the ceiling of a room, the upper end of a whiteboard, or the like.
The projection screen does not need to be stored at the end of each meeting or the like, as long as the projection screen is a device that can be used at all times not only as a screen but also for some other purpose such as image display or decoration.
Many current projection screens have only a function as a projection screen.

[Apparatus having both functions of whiteboard and projection screen]
Projection screens that can also be used as whiteboards are already known.
Whiteboards that can be used as projection screens are already known.
(Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3)
This type of conventional device is similar in structure to a whiteboard. Therefore, it is often installed in a corner of a conference room or the like even when not in use, and lacks decorativeness.

JP-A-11-15078 JP-A-11-277984 JP 2000-355189 A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is as follows.
A first problem is to provide a whiteboard that can also be used as an image display device.
Second problem: To provide a whiteboard that can be used as both an image display device and a projection screen device.
Third problem: To provide a whiteboard capable of selectively displaying a table image such as a plan table, a schedule table, a time table, or the like as needed.
Fourth problem: To provide a projection screen device that can also be used as an image display device.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following solutions.
Here, the white board means that some information can be written on the writing surface using a felt pen (white board marker) or the like in which water-based ink (ink), oil-based ink, or the like is stored, and the writing is performed. A writing board on which information written on the surface can be erased by wiping. Not only a board having a white writing surface (just a white board!) But also a board having a writing surface of other colors such as green, black, etc. is included in the whiteboard. As will be described later in detail, the whiteboard of the present invention does not have a writing surface of a fixed color such as white or black. The color of the writing surface is determined by the display color of a non-volatile display device provided inside the board body. Therefore, the color of the writing surface can be white or black as required. If a non-volatile display device capable of multicolor or full-color display is used, the color of the writing surface can be changed to red or green. Moreover, once the color of the writing surface is set to any color, no power is consumed until the color is changed next time.

  I wrote that the whiteboard is a writing board, so it may seem that the whiteboard is limited to a plate-like device, but the whiteboard here is not limited to the plate-like device itself, That is, a device in which the board body is supported on a floor by a support, a device in which the board body is suspended from a ceiling of a room, and the like are also included. Further, a sheet-like device having flexibility (regardless of thickness) itself, and a device in which the sheet-like device is suspended and held in a rollable manner like a roll screen are also included.

[Whiteboard 1]
In order to solve the first problem, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate can display (write, draw) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).

[Whiteboard 1-3]
In order to solve the first and third problems, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device, a front panel, a nonvolatile memory, an input device, and a display control device.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).
The nonvolatile memory stores a plurality of types of table image data.
The input device is an input device for selecting arbitrary table image data from the plurality of types of table image data.
The display control device is a control device that causes the nonvolatile display device to display the selected tabular image data.

[Whiteboard 1-4]
In order to solve the first problem, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The nonvolatile display device is an electronic paper.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).

[Whiteboard 1-3-4]
In order to solve the first and third problems, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device, a front panel, a nonvolatile memory, an input device, and a display control device.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The nonvolatile display device is an electronic paper.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).
The nonvolatile memory stores a plurality of table image data.
The input device is an input device for selecting arbitrary table image data from the plurality of table image data.
The display control device is a control device that causes the nonvolatile display device to display the selected tabular image data.

[Whiteboard 2]
In order to solve the second problem, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device is capable of displaying the entire display area in a single color and patternless display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward.

[Whiteboard 2-3]
In order to solve the second and third problems, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device, a front panel, a nonvolatile memory, an input device, and a display control device.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward.
The nonvolatile memory stores a plurality of table image data.
The input device is an input device for selecting arbitrary table image data from the plurality of table image data.
The display control device is a control device that causes the nonvolatile display device to display the selected tabular image data.

[Whiteboard 2-4]
In order to solve the second and third problems, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The nonvolatile display device is an electronic paper.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward.

[Whiteboard 2-3-4]
In order to solve the second and third problems, a whiteboard according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device, a front panel, a nonvolatile memory, an input device, and a display control device.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The nonvolatile display device is an electronic paper.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of displaying (writing, drawing) some information on the front surface using ink.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser (erasing displayed information).
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward.
The nonvolatile memory stores a plurality of table image data.
The input device is an input device for selecting arbitrary table image data from the plurality of table image data.
The display control device is a control device that causes the nonvolatile display device to display the selected tabular image data.

[Projection screen device 5]
In order to solve the fourth problem, a projection screen device according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
In the nonvolatile display device, the entire display area is made white (including a slightly colored, almost white color; for example, pale yellow, light blue, green, and the like; the same applies hereinafter) and in a display state of no pattern. It is possible.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward.

[Projection screen device 5-6]
In order to solve the fourth problem, a projection screen device according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The non-volatile display device keeps displaying the image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
In the nonvolatile display device, the entire display area can be displayed in a white and patternless display state.
The nonvolatile display device is an electronic paper.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward.

The whiteboard of the present invention can also be used as an image display device.
The whiteboard of the present invention can be used as both an image display device and a projection screen device.
The whiteboard of the present invention can selectively display a table image such as a plan table, a schedule table, a time table, or the like as needed.
The projection screen device of the present invention can also be used as an image display device.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

1. Whiteboard

1.1 Composition of whiteboard

FIG. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the whiteboard according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the whiteboard shown in FIG.

  The whiteboard 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a board body 110, a control unit 130, and a support 150 that supports them.

  The support 150 includes a pair of right and left columns 151R and 151L, support legs 152R and 152L that are provided at the lower ends of the columns 151R and 151L, and front and rear portions of the support legs 152R and 152L. It has a total of four casters 153 provided at the rear, and a connecting bar 154 bridged between both columns 151R, 151L.

  The board body 110 is supported between the columns 151. The control unit 130 is attached to the lower right part of the connecting bar 154. The connecting bar 154 is provided immediately below the board body 110. A powder receiver (tray) 155 is attached to the upper front side of the connecting bar 154. The powder receiver 155 is used as a place for placing a whiteboard marker 160, an eraser 170, a magnet (including a magnet clip, a magnet sheet, etc.) 180, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the board body.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the board body.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the board main body 110 includes an electronic paper (non-volatile display device) 111, a front plate 125, and a back plate 126.

The electronic paper 111 is a thin and flexible display device such as paper. The electronic paper 111 can continue to display the image displayed at the time of power supply even after power supply is cut off.
There are several types of electronic paper 111. The main ones include an electrophoretic electronic paper, a twisted ball electronic paper, and an electronic paper using a ferroelectric liquid crystal. (JP 2002-169190, JP 2002-163257, JP 2002-099221, JP 2002-091749, JP 2002-024865, JP 2002-024570, JP 2002-018362, JP 2001-312250, Open 2001-312227, JP 2001-311931, JP 2001-270145, JP 2001-209760, JP 2001-167285, JP 2001-167180, JP 2001-092387 JP 2000-187253, JP 2000- 127478, JP-A-11-327470, etc.).

The electronic paper 111 can display the entire display area 111a in a white and plain pattern display state. The electronic paper 111 may be a single electronic paper having a large area or an electronic paper formed by joining a plurality of electronic papers having a small area. The electronic paper 111 may be electronic paper capable of displaying only black and white or electronic paper capable of displaying multi-color or full color. In this embodiment, a case where electronic paper capable of full-color display is used will be described.

The front plate 125 is provided so as to overlap the display surface (front surface) of the electronic paper 111. The display surface (front surface) of the electronic paper 111 is entirely covered with a front plate 125.

The front plate 125 protects the electronic paper 111. The front plate 125 transmits visible light. The front plate 125 includes a front plate main body 125A and a protective film 125B. The front plate main body 125A has such a hardness that it is not easily deformed (depressed) when pressed at the tip of the whiteboard marker 160. A synthetic resin plate such as acrylic or a glass plate is used for the front plate main body 125A. The protective film 125B is attached to the front surface of the front plate 125. The protective film 125B is a thin synthetic resin film. The protection film 125B can be replaced. The protective film 125B may be formed on the front surface of the front plate 125 by using a method such as vapor deposition or coating.

On the front plate 125, characters, pictures, drawings, lines, tables, and the like can be written by hand using a whiteboard marker 160 as a writing implement on the front surface. The pen tip of the whiteboard marker 160 is generally made of felt. The whiteboard marker 160 causes the ink to gradually leak (bleed) from its tip and adhere to the front plate 125. The ink used is an alcohol-based ink, a water-based ink, an oil-based ink or the like. The front plate 125 can wipe off the ink adhering to its front surface with an eraser 170 or the like. The whiteboard marker 160 and eraser 170 are commercially available products that are available from common office supply stores.

The front plate 125 transmits the projection light from the front to the electronic paper 111 side. The front plate 125 transmits the reflected light from the electronic paper 111 forward. The projection light is light projected from the projector. 2. Description of the Related Art A projector is a video projection device that is often found in various presentations and proposals.

The back plate 126 is provided so as to overlap the back surface of the electronic paper 111. The back surface of the electronic paper 111 is entirely covered with a back plate 126.

The back plate 126 does not transmit visible light. The back plate 126 is formed by forming a white writing layer (writing material layer) 126a on the entire surface of the steel plate (the back surface of the board body 110). On the back plate 126, characters, pictures, drawings, lines, tables, and the like can be written by hand on the surface of the writing layer 126a using the whiteboard marker 160 as a writing implement. Grid lines or tables may be printed on the surface of the writing layer 126a of the back plate 126 in advance. The writing layer 126a of the back plate 126 is hard. The writing layer 126a of the back plate 126 has a smooth surface. The rear plate 126 corresponds to a board body or a front plate of a conventional whiteboard.

The board body 110 includes a laminated body 127 including an electronic paper 111, a front plate 125, and a back plate 126, a control circuit 128, and a frame 129.

The control circuit 128 is a circuit for driving the electronic paper 111. The control circuit 128 drives the electronic paper 111 according to a control signal from the control unit 130. The control circuit 128 has an external interface (I / F) unit 128a. The external I / F unit 128a is an interface for the control circuit 128 to communicate with the control unit 130. The external I / F unit 128a also functions as a power input unit for receiving power supply from the control unit 130.
The control circuit 128 is provided at one end of the board main body 110. A spacer 161 is provided in a portion where the control circuit 128 does not exist. The spacer 161 is a thin plate made of a synthetic resin.

The frame 129 surrounds the entire periphery of the stacked body 127. The frame 129 is formed of a light metal such as aluminum or a hard synthetic resin.

Rotation support shafts 129R and 129L are provided at right and left center portions of the frame 128 so as to protrude left and right, respectively. One rotation support shaft 129R is supported by one support column 151R. The other rotation support shaft 129L is supported by the other support 151L.

The board body 110 is rotatable back and forth about the rotation shafts 129R and 129L. By rotating the board body 110, the positional relationship between the front plate 125 and the back plate 126 can be reversed. The one support 151R is provided with a rotation stop handle 156. The rotation stop handle 156 is a member for holding the board body 110 in a desired rotation posture. When the rotation stop handle 156 is rotated in one rotation direction, the column 151R and the rotation shafts 129R and 129L are fixed to each other. When the rotation stop handle 156 is rotated in the other rotation direction, the fixing between the column 151R and the rotation shafts 129R and 129L is released.

The control unit 130 has an operation panel 131 on its front surface. On the operation panel 131, a power button 132, a mode selection button 133, an image selection button 134, an input switching button 135, a delete button 136, a direction button 175 (175U, 175D, 175L, 175R), a determination button 176, a text button 179, and the like. , Various controls are provided. Here, “button” may be appropriately read as “switch” or “key”. The operation panel 131 is further provided with a media slot 138. The operation panel 131 is further provided with an infrared light receiving section 191 for remote control.

Two (two types) of communication I / Fs 140 and 141 are provided on the side surface of the control unit 130 (see FIG. 2). One communication I / F 140 is an interface for the control unit 130 to communicate with the board main body 110. The other communication I / F 141 is an interface for the control unit 130 to communicate with an external device (PC, etc.).

One communication I / F 140 of the control unit 130 and the communication I / F unit 128a (see FIG. 4) of the board main body 110 are mutually connected by a cable 142 (see FIG. 1). The cable 142 is provided so as to pass through the inside of the support 151R and the rotation support shaft 129R. The other communication I / F 141 of the control unit 130 and the external device are connected to each other by a cable or wireless as needed.

A power cable 139 is connected to the back of the control unit 130 (see FIG. 3). The power cable 139 is an insulating material-coated conductor cable for connecting the power supply unit 174 of the control unit 130 to a commercial power supply (not shown). AC power of a rated voltage is supplied from a commercial power supply to a power supply unit 174 of the control unit 130 through a power cable 139. The power supply unit 174 converts the input AC power into DC power of a predetermined voltage and supplies the DC power to each unit in the control unit 130. Part of the power output from the power supply unit 174 is also supplied to the control circuit 128 in the board main body 110 using the cable 142. In the cable 142, a signal line and a power line are provided.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control unit 130. The control unit 130 includes an operation panel 131, a communication I / F 140, a communication I / F 141, a control unit 171, a nonvolatile memory 172, a media driving unit 173, a power supply unit 174, an infrared light receiving unit 191, and the like.

The control unit 171 includes a CPU 171a, a ROM 171b, and a RAM 171c. The CPU 171a totally controls all control targets according to a predetermined program. Programs necessary for control (including control data) are stored in the ROM 171b. The control target of the CPU 171a exists in a system including the board body 110 and the control unit 130. The control target may further include some external device. The RAM 171c is used as a work space when the CPU 171a executes a program.

The nonvolatile memory 172 stores a plurality of types of table image data. The table image data is data for displaying a table image. Examples of the table image type include a plan table, a schedule table, a time table, and the like. Hereinafter, the nonvolatile memory 172 may be referred to as an internal image memory 172. The table image data stored in the internal image memory 172 may be image data itself (literally image data) or data linked to specific image data (data indicating the location of specific image data). . That is, in addition to the table image data, image data to be actually displayed may exist somewhere else on the earth. Examples of places where image data to be actually displayed exist include a computer connected to the control unit 130, a computer on the Internet, and the like. In addition, an internal memory dedicated to actual image data other than the internal image memory 172 may be provided in the control unit 130.

The mode selection button 133, the image selection button 134, the input switching button 135, the deletion button 136, the direction button 175, the determination button 176, and the text button 179 constitute an input device section 177.

The mode selection button 133 is an operator for selecting a mode (operation mode) of the board main body 110. Each time the mode selection button 133 is pressed, the mode of the board body 110 is switched. That is, the mode selection button 133 is a toggle switch. There are three modes that can be selected. The first mode is a whiteboard mode. The second mode is a display mode. The third mode is a projection mode.
Immediately above the mode selection button 133, three LEDs 133a, 133b, and 133c having different emission colors are provided. Either of these lights up, depending on the selected mode.

The image selection button 134 is an operator for selecting an image to be displayed on the electronic paper 111. This button 134 is mainly used in the whiteboard mode and the display mode. The selection target image is a table image based on the table image data stored in the internal image memory 172, an image based on the image data recorded on the recording medium 200 mounted on the media driving unit 173, and the like. Examples of the recording medium 200 include a memory stick and an SD card.

The input switch button 135 is an operator for switching the supply source of the image information. There are three types of image information sources. The first source is the internal image memory 172. The second supply source is the recording medium 200 mounted on the medium driving unit 173. The third supply source is the external device 300 connected to the communication I / F 141. Examples of the external device 300 include a computer connected to the communication I / F 141 using a short-range communication medium (connection cable, wireless (wireless LAN, infrared), etc.), an image scanner, a mobile phone having a Web browser function, A mobile phone having a digital camera function and a digital camera can be cited. Examples of the external device 300 further include a broadcast image receiving device that receives a television broadcast or the like, a computer connected via the Internet, and the like. Examples of the external device 300 further include a video tape reproducing device, a DVD reproducing device, a hard disk recorder, a hologram chip reproducing device, a video game machine, and the like.

The delete button 136 is an operator for deleting an image displayed on the electronic paper 111. There are various forms of erasure. Examples include full erasure and partial erasure. All erasure is equivalent to returning the electronic paper 111 to the initial state. In the initial state, the electronic paper 111 is in a display state in which the entire display area is white and has no pattern. That is, the entire erasure is to bring the entire display area of the electronic paper 111 into a white and patternless display state.

The partial erasure is to erase a part of the image in the display area of the electronic paper 111. As an example of an image of a part to be erased by the partial erasing, a window opened so that another image can be seen in the display area of the electronic paper 111 can be cited. A number of windows can be formed in the display area of the electronic paper 111, and can be displayed in an overlapping manner or side by side. As an example of an image of a part to be erased by partial erasing, a table image can be further mentioned.

The direction button 175 includes an up (up) button 175U, a down (down) button 175D, a left button 175L, and a right button 175R. The direction button 175 is used when the plurality of windows and tables are displayed in the display area of the electronic paper 111 (when displaying a plurality of windows, when displaying a menu screen, when displaying a thumbnail image, and the like). It is used to move the position of the image or table 178 (see FIGS. 7 to 15 and FIGS. 17 to 25). Also, when the cursor and the pointer 183 are displayed, they are used to move them in a desired direction (see FIGS. 19, 22, 24, 26, and 27).

The decision button 176 is an operator for giving various decision instructions to the whiteboard 100. For example, when a plurality of images are displayed as thumbnail images, and one of the images is the active area (see FIG. 21), when the enter button 176 is pressed, the image is determined as the display target image. Are displayed in the normal size (see FIG. 21). The same applies to the case where a desired table is selectively displayed from the table menu (see FIG. 18).

The text button 179 is an operator for calling a text box 181 (see FIG. 19). The text box 181 is a text entry area. The text box 181 is called in the column of the table being displayed. A text menu is displayed near the text box 181. FIG. 28 shows a display example of a text menu. Text entry in the text box 181 can be performed by selecting appropriate characters (kanji, hiragana, katakana, alphanumeric characters, etc.) and words ("schedule", "plan", "name", "charge") from the text menu 182. , “Destination”, “day of the week”, “schedule”, “time”, etc.).

The whiteboard 100 can be operated using an external computer. That is, by connecting a computer in which an application program for operating the whiteboard 100 is installed to the control unit 130, the input device (keyboard, mouse, and the like) of the computer allows the whiteboard 100 to be used. Can be operated. The screen displayed on the electronic paper 111 is displayed on the display device of the computer, and the whiteboard 100 is operated using the GUI function of a general OS (Tron, Linux, Windows, etc.). Can be.

Writing text in the text box 181 can be performed using an external computer. According to an external computer, text can be easily entered in the text box 181 by the same input operation (keyboard operation, mouse operation, and the like) as when a general word processor is used.

1.2 Whiteboard operation

1.2.1 Whiteboard mode

When the whiteboard mode is selected with the mode selection button 133, a display mode selection screen is displayed in the display area of the electronic paper 111. FIG. 7 shows a display example of the display mode selection screen. Several selection buttons are displayed on the display mode selection screen 220. One of them is a normal button 221a. Another is a color button 221b. Still another is a ruled line button 221c. The display form selection screen 220 is displayed as a window in a part of the display area of the electronic paper 111.

1.2.1.1 Normal display

When the normal button 221a is selected (see FIG. 7; the normal button 221a is highlighted), when the enter button 176 is pressed, the display mode selection screen 220 is erased. Then, the entire display area of the electronic paper 111 is displayed in a white and solid pattern. As a result, the front surface of the board body 110 (the surface of the front plate 125) becomes a white and plain writing surface.

1.2.1.2 Color Selection

In a state where the color button 221b is selected (see FIG. 8; the color button 221b is highlighted), when the enter button 176 is pressed, a color selection screen 226 is displayed. FIG. 9 shows a display example of the color selection screen. On the color selection screen 226, a background color button 226a, a ruled line color button 226b, and a character color button 226c are displayed.

1.2.1.2.1 Background color

The background color button 226a is a button for proceeding to a menu screen (background color selection screen) for selecting a background color (ground color of a writing surface). In a state where the background color button 226a is selected (see FIG. 9; the background color button 226a is highlighted), when the enter button 176 is pressed, a background color selection screen 227 is displayed. FIG. 10 shows a display example of the background color selection screen 227. When a button of a desired color is selected on the background color selection screen 227 and the determination button 176 is pressed, the background color selection screen 227 is erased and the background color is changed to the color of the button. FIG. 11 illustrates a state after black is selected as the background color.

1.2.1.2.2 Ruled line color

The ruled line color button 226b is a button for proceeding to a menu screen (ruled line color selection screen) for selecting a color of a ruled line (ruled line such as a plan table, a schedule table, a time table, a graph axis, etc.). When the decision button 176 is pressed while the ruled line color button 226b is selected (see FIG. 12; the ruled line color button 226b is highlighted), a ruled line color selection screen 228 is displayed. FIG. 13 shows a display example of the ruled line color selection screen 228. When a button of a desired color is selected on the ruled line color selection screen 228 and the determination button 176 is pressed, the ruled line color selection screen 228 is erased and the ruled line color is changed to the color of the button. In this example, since the table has not been displayed at this time, only the color of the ruled line when the table is subsequently displayed is determined.

1.2.1.2.3 Text color

The character color button 226c is a button for proceeding to a menu screen (character color selection screen) for selecting a color of a character to be entered in the text box 181. The text box 181 is called up as needed in the column of the displayed table. In a state where the character color button 226c is selected (see FIG. 14, the character color button 226c is highlighted), when the enter button 176 is pressed, a character color selection screen 229 is displayed. FIG. 15 shows a display example of the character color selection screen 229. When a button of a desired color is selected on the character color selection screen 229 and the determination button 176 is pressed, the character color selection screen 229 is deleted and the character color is changed to the color of the button. In this example, since the table and the characters have not been displayed yet at this time, only the color of the character when the table and the characters are displayed thereafter is determined. If a dark color such as black or dark green is selected as the background color, the text color is automatically set to white unless otherwise specified (see FIG. 16).

1.2.1.3 Selection of Ruled Line

When the decision button 176 is pressed while the ruled line button 221c is selected (see FIG. 17; the ruled line button 221c is highlighted), a ruled line selection screen 230 is displayed. FIG. 18 shows a display example of the ruled line selection screen 230. The ruled line selection screen 230 is a menu screen for selecting a table, grid lines, graph axes, and the like to be displayed in the display area of the electronic paper 111. On the ruled line selection screen 230, samples such as a table, grid lines, and graph axes are displayed. When one of the images is selected on the ruled line selection screen 230 and the decision button 176 is pressed, the ruled line selection screen 230 is erased and the selected table, grid line, or graph axis is displayed in the display area of the electronic paper 111 in the standard size. Displayed with. The color of the ruled line displayed at this time, such as the table, grid line, or graph axis, is the color selected on the ruled line color selection screen 228. If a dark color such as black or dark green is selected as the background color, the ruled line color is automatically set to white unless otherwise specified (see FIG. 16).

FIG. 19 shows a display example when “weekly schedule table 1” on the ruled line selection screen 230 is selected. As shown in FIG. 19, a setting palette 232 is displayed together with the table 231 in the display area of the electronic paper 111. The setting palette 232 has various setting menus. By selecting desired setting items and specifying numerical values, the number of rows and columns in the table can be freely increased or decreased, and the width and height of the table can be set. Or change the line type. The same applies to grid lines or graph axes.

When it is desired to change a character or a word described in the table 231, the text box 181 in the corresponding column in the table 231 is activated, and deletion, overwriting, new writing, and the like are freely performed. Can be.

1.2.1.4 Changing settings

Even after the background color, ruled line color, character color, and the like are set as described above, the setting can be freely changed on the selection screen by proceeding from the display form selection screen 220 to a desired selection screen. . When all the settings are completed, the display mode selection screen 220 can be erased by pressing the determination button 176 while the end button 184 of the display mode selection screen 220 is selected. Further, by selecting the whiteboard mode with the mode selection button 133, the display mode selection screen 220 can be called at any time.

1.2.2 Display mode

When the display mode is selected with the mode selection button 133, a source selection screen is displayed in the display area of the electronic paper 111. FIG. 20 shows a display example of the source selection screen 185. Several selection buttons are displayed on the source selection screen 185. One of them is a recording media button 185a. Another is the external device button 185b.

1.2.2.1 Import from recording media

The recording medium button 185a is a button for designating the recording medium 200 mounted on the media driving device 173 as a source (a location where the image is displayed) of the image to be displayed. When the recording button 176 is pressed in a state where the recording medium button 185a is selected (see FIG. 20; the recording medium button 185a is highlighted), a thumbnail screen 186 is displayed. FIG. 21 shows a display example of the thumbnail screen 186. On the thumbnail screen 186, a list of thumbnails (reduced images) of one or more images recorded on the recording medium 200 is displayed. When any image is selected on the thumbnail screen 186 (image 1 is selected in this example) and the enter button 176 is pressed, the selected image is displayed in a standard size on the display area of the electronic paper 111. . When the enter button 176 is pressed while the end button 184 on the thumbnail screen 186 is selected, the thumbnail screen 186 is closed.

FIG. 22 illustrates a display state of an image selected on the thumbnail screen 186. As shown in FIG. 22, in the display area of the electronic paper 111, a setting palette 188 is displayed together with the selected image 187. The setting palette 188 has various setting menus. By selecting a desired setting item and designating a numerical value or the like, the display position of the image 187 can be freely changed, and the width and height of the image 187 can be set. , The presence or absence and type of the image frame can be changed. The setting palette 188 can be closed by an end button 184.

The image 187 displayed on the display area of the electronic paper 111 as described above is kept displayed even after the power supply to the electronic paper 111 is stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 23, if the thumbnail screen 186 is called again and another screen is selected (image 4 is selected in this example), the displayed image 187 is changed to another image 189. (See FIG. 24). The electronic paper 111 consumes power only when an image is changed.

When the enter button 176 is pressed while the slide show button 186 s on the thumbnail screen 186 is selected, the images listed on the thumbnail screen 186 are sequentially displayed in standard size. Also in this case, the electronic paper 111 consumes power only when an image is switched.

1.2.2.2 Import from external device

The external device button 185b is a button for designating the external device 300 connected to the input I / F 141 as the source (storage location) of the image to be displayed. When the enter button 176 is pressed in a state where the external device button 185b is selected (see FIG. 25; the external device button 185b is highlighted), the input image display window 195 is displayed in the display area of the electronic paper 111. Is displayed in the standard size. FIG. 26 shows a display example of the input image display window 195. In the display area of the electronic paper 111, a setting palette 196 is displayed together with the input image display window 195. The setting palette 196 has various setting menus. By selecting a desired setting item and specifying a numerical value, the display position of the display window 195 can be freely changed, and the width and height of the display window 195 can be set. Or change the presence or absence and type of the window frame. The setting palette 196 can be closed by an end button 184. The display window 195 can be enlarged to the same size as the display area of the electronic paper 111. When image data or a video signal is input from the external device 300 to the control unit 130 while the display window 195 is displayed, an image corresponding to the input image data or video signal is displayed in the display window 195.

FIG. 27 illustrates a state where the input image is displayed in the display window 195. The image displayed in the display window 195 is not limited to a still image but may be a moving image. For example, when still image data is input to the control unit 130 from a notebook computer or the like at a new project or a new product proposal venue, the still image is displayed in the display window 195. When moving image data or a video signal of a moving image is input to the control unit 130 from a DVD playback device or the like, the moving image is displayed in the display window 195.

1.2.3 Projection mode

When the projection mode is selected with the mode selection button 133, the entire display area of the electronic paper 111 is displayed in a white and plain pattern. As a result, the entire display area of the electronic paper 111 can be used as a projection surface. The display state at this time is the same as the normal display in the whiteboard mode.

FIG. 29 illustrates a state in which an image is projected on the electronic paper 111 of the board main body 110. The projection light 351 from the projector 350 passes through the front plate 125 and is projected on the electronic paper 111. As a result, an image 352 is displayed on the surface of the nonvolatile display layer (electronic ink layer, twisted ball layer, ferroelectric liquid crystal layer, etc.) of electronic paper 111. The reflected light (image) from the electronic paper 111 passes through the front plate 125 and is observed.

1.3 Other form examples

FIG. 30 is a front view showing another embodiment of the whiteboard according to the present invention. In a whiteboard 101 shown in FIG. 30, a board body 110 and a control unit 130 are integrated. Further, the whiteboard 101 does not include the support 150 and is directly attached to a room wall or the like. Thus, the whiteboard 101 can be used as a wall-mounted television or a display panel for decoration.
In addition, a whiteboard including the electronic paper 111 and the front plate 125 instead of the back plate 126 is also included in the whiteboard of the present invention. By providing the electronic paper 111 on both sides of the board body, a front image or other images can be displayed on both sides of the board body as needed.

1.4 Effects

  As described above, by using the whiteboard 100 of this embodiment in the whiteboard mode, various table images such as a plan table, a schedule table, and a time table can be selectively displayed on the writing surface as necessary. Can be displayed. Further, grid lines and graph axes can be selectively displayed on the writing surface as needed. Further, the color of the writing surface, the color of the ruled line, and the color of the character can be freely changed. Since electronic paper is used as the display means, power for maintaining the displayed front images and colors is not required.

Further, since the back plate 126 is provided behind the electronic paper 111, both sides of the board main body 110 can be used as writing surfaces. Further, the back plate 126 can be used in exactly the same way as a conventional whiteboard. Since the back plate 126 is made of steel, the magnet 180 can be attached to the writing surface.

Also, the magnet 180 can be attached to the surface (writing surface) of the front plate 125 by magnetic attraction with the back plate 126. In order to increase the adhesion of the magnet 180 to the front plate 125, it is desirable to use a synthetic resin as a constituent material of the electronic paper 111.

In the whiteboard of the present invention, the back plate 126 does not necessarily need to have a function as a whiteboard.
Further, the electronic paper 111 used for the whiteboards 100 and 101 does not necessarily need to be thin like paper and need not be flexible.

2. Projection screen equipment

2.1 Configuration of projection screen device

  The projection screen device according to the present invention can be configured in the same manner as the whiteboard described with reference to FIGS. That is, in the embodiment of the whiteboard of the present invention, the term “whiteboard” in the text is appropriately replaced with “projection screen device”, and the “board” is appropriately replaced with “screen”. It is a form example.

  However, in the case of the projection screen device, it is not necessary to be able to write characters, pictures, drawings, lines, tables, and the like on the surface of the front plate 125 by hand using a whiteboard marker. The back plate 126 does not need to have a function as a whiteboard. The back plate 126 does not need to be made of steel. Rather, a lightweight plate material other than steel, such as a rigid resin plate, or a flexible sheet may be used. In the case of a projection screen device, it is desirable that the screen main body has a structure that can be wound into a roll.

2.1.1 Effects

  The projection screen device 100 of this embodiment can display various images by setting the display mode, even when the projection by the projector 350 is not performed. Since electronic paper is used as the display means, power for maintaining the displayed image in the display state is not required.

  Since the whiteboard or the projection screen device of the present invention can display moving images, it can be used as a large-screen image display device such as a wall-mounted television.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of a whiteboard (projection screen device) according to the present invention. Side view of the whiteboard (projection screen device) shown in FIG. Longitudinal sectional view of the board body (screen device body) Exploded perspective view showing main parts of a board body (screen device body). Front view showing a configuration example of the control panel Functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a control unit The figure which shows the example of a display of the display form selection screen in white board mode The figure which illustrates another display state of the display form selection screen in the whiteboard mode. Diagram showing display example of color selection screen in whiteboard mode Diagram showing a display example of a ruled line color selection screen in whiteboard mode Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating a display state after selecting black as a background color in a whiteboard mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another display state of a color selection screen in a whiteboard mode. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another display state of a ruled line color selection screen in a whiteboard mode. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another display state of the color selection screen in the whiteboard mode. Diagram showing a display example of a character color selection screen in whiteboard mode Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating a display state when a dark color such as black or dark green is selected as a background color in the whiteboard mode. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating still another display state of the display mode selection screen in the whiteboard mode. Diagram showing a display example of a ruled line selection screen in whiteboard mode Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating a display state after selecting selection of a ruled line (table) in a whiteboard mode The figure which shows the example of a display of the source selection screen in display mode The figure which shows the example of a display of the thumbnail screen in display mode Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating a display state after an image is selected on a thumbnail screen FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another display state of the thumbnail screen in the display mode. Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating another display state after an image is selected on the thumbnail screen The figure which illustrates another display state of the source selection screen in the display mode. Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating a state in which an input image display window is displayed in a display mode. Front view of a whiteboard (projection screen device) illustrating a state where an input image is displayed in an input image display window Figure showing a display example of a text menu in whiteboard mode Overall view of a system including a whiteboard (projection screen device) and a projector, illustrating a state where an image is projected on a display area of electronic paper. Front view showing another embodiment of the whiteboard according to the present invention

Explanation of reference numerals

100 White board 101 White board 110 Board body 111 Electronic paper (non-volatile display device)
111a display area 125 front panel 126 rear panel 126a writing layer 128 control circuit 128a external interface 130 control unit 131 operation panel 132 power button 133 mode selection button 134 image selection button 135 input switching button 136 erase button 139 power cable 140 communication interface 141 communication Interface 150 Support 160 Whiteboard marker 170 Erase 171 Control unit 172 Non-volatile memory 173 Media drive 174 Power supply 175 Direction button 176 Enter button 177 Input unit 178 Active area 179 Text button 180 Magnet 181 Text box 182 Text menu 183 Pointer 185 Source selection screen 185a Recording media button 185b External device button 86 Thumbnail screen 186s Slide show button 187 Image 188 Setting palette 191 Infrared ray receiving unit 195 Input image display window 196 Setting palette 200 Recording media 220 Display mode selection screen 221a Normal button 221b Color button 221c Ruled line button 125 Front panel 226 Color selection screen 226a Background color Button 226b Ruled line color button 226c Character color button 227 Background color selection screen 228 Ruled line color selection screen 229 Character color selection screen 230 Ruled line selection screen 231 Table 232 Setting palette 300 External device 350 Projector 351 Projection light 352 Video

Claims (6)

A whiteboard including a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The nonvolatile display device is a display device that continues to display an image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink attached to the front surface with an eraser. A whiteboard including a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The nonvolatile display device is a display device that continues to display an image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
The non-volatile display device can display the entire display area in a single-color, non-pattern display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate is capable of adhering ink to its front surface.
The front plate is capable of wiping the ink attached to the front surface with an eraser.
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward. The whiteboard according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
A whiteboard including a non-volatile memory, an input device, and a display control device.
The nonvolatile memory stores a plurality of types of table image data.
The input device is an input device for selecting arbitrary table image data from the plurality of types of table image data.
The display control device is a control device that causes the nonvolatile display device to display the selected tabular image data. The whiteboard according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
A whiteboard using electronic paper as the nonvolatile display device. A projection screen device comprising a nonvolatile display device and a front panel.
The nonvolatile display device is a display device that continues to display an image being displayed even after power supply is cut off.
In the nonvolatile display device, the entire display area can be displayed in a white and patternless display state.
The front plate is provided so as to overlap a display surface of the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits visible light.
The front plate transmits projection light from the front to the nonvolatile display device.
The front plate transmits reflected light from the nonvolatile device forward. The projection screen device according to claim 5,
A projection screen device using electronic paper as the nonvolatile display device.

Images