JP2006333158A - Projection instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly search for image source files scattering in a storage device. <P>SOLUTION: The storage device 18 accumulates and stores image source files the user is going to project. An image production portion 20 produces menu images which are necessary for the user to carry out various selection actions. The menu images include a screen whereon the user selects an operation mode, a screen whereon the user selects an image file which can be projected, a screen whereon the user makes out a file reproduction schedule, etc. On a menu screen, displaying the image source files by the directory, displaying the image source files by the creator, or displaying the reproduction history is selected. An image processing portion 24 carries out drawing according to the command to draw from CPU 12, and converts the drawn image into a video signal and outputs it to a projection portion 26. The projection portion 26 includes a light source, a liquid-crystal panel, a lens, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection device that projects an image on a screen.

  Conventionally, projection devices, so-called projectors, and the like have been widely used for displaying presentation materials and the like in meetings and meetings. Normally, an image is projected by a projection device as follows. That is, a video output of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) that stores one or more necessary image sources is connected to a video input of a projection device, and a desired image source is reproduced on the PC. The PC outputs a video signal of a desired image source to the projection device, and the projection device projects an image indicated by the video signal from the PC on the screen.

  The video signal cable connecting the PC and the projection device includes an RGB format for individually transmitting the three primary color image signals, an S video format for separately transmitting the luminance signal and the color signal, and a DVI for compressing and transmitting the digital image signal. There are formats.

  That is, as preparation for projection, it is necessary to connect the PC and the projection apparatus with a predetermined cable, which is inconvenient for the user in terms of labor and carrying of the connection.

  In order to solve such inconvenience, a projector equipped with a memory slot, a projector capable of connecting a memory card reader, and a projector capable of obtaining a video source via a network have been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, in recent years, the storage capacity of recording media tends to be large, and it is considered that the amount of data of image sources stored in a PC also increases.
JP 2000-023148 A

  If there are many image sources to be projected or scattered on a plurality of recording media, it takes time to search for a desired video source.

  Therefore, when a presenter presents his or her presentation material, it is necessary to always be aware of where the material is on the recording medium, which recording medium is stored, and on which recording medium on the network. There is.

  Further, when selecting the next presentation material due to the change of the presenter, etc., if the selection is troublesome, the viewer will be kept waiting during the work, and there is a problem that a smooth presentation cannot be performed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a projection apparatus that can quickly search for a desired one from many image sources.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a projection apparatus that can easily search for an image source once searched after the second time.

  In order to achieve the above object, a projection apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores an image source file, an image classification unit that classifies the image source file stored in the storage device for each attribute, and the image Projecting means for projecting information indicating the image source file stored in the storage device in accordance with the result of classification for each attribute by the classification means.

  According to the present invention, information indicating an image source file, for example, a file name is classified and displayed for each attribute. Therefore, even if the image source file is scattered, it can be easily and quickly searched for a smooth presentation. Can be.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a projection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The projection apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16, a storage device 18, an image generation unit 20, and an I / F 22 that inputs and outputs image data and control signals. (Interface), an image processing unit 24, and a projection unit 26.

  The CPU 12 reads a program stored in the ROM 14, executes arithmetic processing based on the read program, and controls each unit of the projection device 10. The ROM 14 stores basic programs executed by the CPU 12, an OS (operating system), user-specific settings, and the like. The RAM 16 temporarily stores image data to be displayed and data to be calculated by the CPU 12.

  The storage device 18 is a device that stores and stores an image source file that the user intends to project, and is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

  The image generation unit 20 generates menu images necessary for the user to perform various selection actions. The menu image includes a screen for selecting an operation mode by the user, a screen for selecting an image file that can be projected, and a screen for performing a file reproduction schedule.

  The image processing unit 24 executes a drawing process according to a drawing command supplied from the CPU 12, converts the drawn image into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the projection unit 26. The projection unit 26 includes a light source, a liquid crystal panel, a lens, and the like. The video signal input from the image processing unit 24 is developed as an image by the liquid crystal panel, and the image is projected on the screen by being illuminated by the light source.

  The I / F 22 is connected to the server 28 and the PC 30 via Ethernet (registered trademark), USB, and / or wireless LAN. The I / F 22 transfers the image file sent from the server 28 and the PC 30 to the storage device 18. The I / F 22 analyzes the signal from the remote controller 32 and transmits it to the CPU 12.

  Next, a menu screen according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the projection apparatus 10 is activated, the image generation unit 20 creates a menu screen, and the menu screen is projected on the screen by the projection unit 26 via the image processing unit 24. However, the menu screen may be displayed on a display provided in the projection apparatus 10. Here, the menu screen is projected on the screen.

  In this embodiment, a display mode for displaying an image source for each directory (hereinafter referred to as a directory mode), a display mode for displaying an image source for each creator (hereinafter referred to as a creator mode), and a playback history are displayed. There are three display modes (hereinafter referred to as history mode), and on the menu screen, “1. Display image source for each directory”, “2. Display image source for each creator” and “3. “Display of playback history” is displayed. The user determines which display method is used to display the image source. There are two methods for operating the menu screen: a method in which the user operates from the remote controller 32 and a method in which the user operates using the user interface provided in the projection apparatus 10. Here, the operation method using the remote controller 32 will be described.

  The function of the remote controller 32 will be described with reference to FIG. The remote controller 32 includes four keys, a cross key 32a, a SET (setting) key 32b, a PLAY (playback) key 32c, and a STOP (stop) key 32d. The cross key 32a is used to move the selection cursor (broken line) shown in FIG. The SET key 32b is used for determination of selection by the cross key 32a. The PLAY key 32c is used to instruct the reproduction projection of the image source. The STOP key 32d is used to instruct to stop the reproduction and projection of the image source.

  Similar to the general method, the user uses the cross key 32a to move the selection cursor on the menu screen, and presses the SET key 32b for the desired display mode to determine.

  The contents of the three display modes displayed on the menu screen will be briefly described. When the user selects the directory mode on the menu screen, the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The image source files stored in the storage device 18 are displayed for each directory structure. The user can search the image source file by following the directory.

  When the user moves the selection cursor to a desired image source file and presses the PLAY key 32c, the image of the image source file is reproduced and projected on the screen. When the STOP key 32d is pressed, image projection stops and the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. When “RETURN” in the upper left of FIG. 4 is selected and the SET key 32b is pressed, the menu screen can be returned.

  When the user selects the creator mode on the menu screen, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. A list of image source files stored in the storage device 18 is sorted and displayed by the creator and file name associated with each image source file. In the screen example shown in FIG. 5, the file creator (Author), the file name (FileName), and the directory in which the file is stored (Directory) are classified and displayed for each creator. You can see at a glance who created the file by looking at the displayed screen. In addition, the creator who is the index of the folder is displayed in the order of the names (alphabet, alphabetical order, numbers). The image source files of the same creator may be displayed in order of creation date instead of the file name.

  When the user selects a desired image source file from the group of image source files created by the user and presses the PLAY key 30c, the image of the image source file is reproduced and projected on the screen. When the user presses the STOP key 30d, image projection stops and the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. By selecting “Return” at the upper left of the screen shown in FIG. 5 and pressing the SET key 30b, it is possible to return to the menu screen.

  In this way, in the directory mode and the creator mode, it is possible to project a plurality of presentation materials sequentially by repeatedly selecting and reproducing a desired image source file.

  In addition to the directory mode and creator mode, a directory structure accommodated in a different folder for each creation date of the image source file may be adopted, and a display mode for collectively displaying the date of creation of the plan may be provided.

  Next, how to use the history mode will be described. It is often possible to project an image once projected again. It takes time and effort to search for and select an image source file of an image once projected using the same method. This procedure can be simplified by using the history mode. That is, in the present embodiment, the projection apparatus 10 stores the file name and location of the image source file of the image once projected in the RAM 16 and can display it as a history. The user may search for an image source file of an image projected in the past from the history and instruct reproduction.

  When “3. Display of playback history” is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 2, a history mode is set. When the history mode is selected, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the history mode, as shown in FIG. 6, a list of file names, directories (storage locations), and creators of image source files reproduced in the past is displayed. On the screen shown in FIG. 6, when the selection cursor is placed on a desired image source file and the PLAY key 32 c is pressed, the image of the image source file is reproduced and projected.

  Next, a function for scheduling projection of an image source file will be described. Create a playlist that defines the projection schedule. A playlist can be created in any of the directory mode, creator mode, and history mode.

  By selecting “Playlist” at the upper right of the screen of FIGS. 4 to 6 and pressing the SET key 32b, a playlist setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In the playlist setting screen shown in FIG. 7, the playlist being set is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the menu screen shown in FIG. 2 or a list of settable image source files is displayed on the right side of the screen according to the display mode. Through the screen shown in FIG. In the screen configuration shown in FIG. 7, it is difficult to read individual contents unless they are displayed on a large screen. When a display with a small screen size is used, the playlist screen may have a single screen configuration including only the left half of the example shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the creator mode is selected on the menu screen on the right side, and the contents of the playlist are displayed on the left side in the display mode of the creation mode. When setting a playlist, the image source files are selected from the settable image source files on the right side of the screen in the order in which they are to be projected, and the SET key 32b is pressed. Thereby, the selected image source file is registered in the playlist column. The registered playlist data is stored in the RAM 16.

  On the other hand, when deleting the image source file registered in the playlist, the image source file in the playlist column is selected, and the “delete” button in the upper right of the screen in FIG. 7 is selected. When “Clear all” is selected in the upper right of the screen, all image source files registered in the playlist are cleared.

  When the setting of the playlist is completed, the user may press the PLAY key 32c. In response to this, the image of the playlist image source file stored in the RAM 16 is reproduced and projected in that order.

  By writing the created playlist from the RAM 16 to the storage device 18, the playlist can be used even when the power is turned on again.

  By classifying image source files into folders for each creator or each creation date, it becomes easy to select an image source file that specifies the creator or creation date. Furthermore, since the history of the image source file is saved and can be referred to, the image source file once displayed can be displayed again easily and quickly without searching again. By creating a playlist of image source files, a desired plurality of image source files can be projected sequentially.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of a projection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a projection device 210 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 212, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 214, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 216, a memory card 218, an image generation unit 220, and image data and control signals are input and output. An I / F (interface) 222, an image processing unit 224, a projection unit 226, and a memory card slot 250.

  The CPU 212 executes arithmetic processing based on a program stored in the ROM 214 and controls each part of the projection device 210. The ROM 214 stores basic programs executed by the CPU 212, an OS (operating system), user-specific settings, and the like. The RAM 216 temporarily stores image data to be displayed and data to be calculated by the CPU 212.

  The memory card 218 transfers data to and from a removable memory connected to the memory card slot 250. When a plurality of memory card slots 250 are mounted, which slot data is managed by channel.

  The image generation unit 220 generates menu images necessary for the user to perform various selection actions. The menu image includes a screen for selecting an operation mode by the user, a screen for selecting an image file that can be projected, and a screen for performing a file reproduction schedule.

  The image processing unit 224 executes a drawing process according to a drawing command supplied from the CPU 212. The rendered image is converted into a video signal and output to the projection unit 226. The projection unit 226 includes a light source, a liquid crystal panel, a lens, and the like, and develops an image indicated by the video signal input from the image processing unit 224 on the liquid crystal panel. By irradiating the liquid crystal panel with light from the light source, an image is projected on the screen.

  The I / F 222 is connected to a card reader 252 that can read an image source file stored in a memory card (not shown). The image file read by the card reader 252 is transferred to the memory card 218 via the I / F 222. The I / F 222 transmits a control signal from the remote controller 232 to the CPU 212.

  The projection device 210 projects a projectable file from a removable memory connected in the device. Since the file selection for projection is the same operation as in the first embodiment, description of the operation is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the projection apparatus 10 and the server 28 or the PC 30 are connected by a peer-to-peer network (equivalent type). This may be changed so that the image source file is acquired from a plurality of servers or PCs connected to the network. FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the embodiment modified as described above. The network includes a LAN (local communication network) or a WAN (wide area communication network). The data processing form may be a mainframe type network (centralized processing type) or a client / server type network (distributed processing type).

  When displaying image source files that can be projected to the user, all projectable image source files stored in the server 328 or the PC 330 or PC 330a connected to the network are displayed in the directory mode, the creator mode, or the history mode. To do. When the user selects a desired image source file, the image source file is transferred from the device storing the image source file to a recording medium (not shown) in the projection device 310 and projected. Since the file selection operation for projection is the same as that of the first embodiment, description of the operation is omitted.

  Needless to say, the connection form of the network may be any of physical connection forms such as a star topology, a bus topology, and a ring topology.

1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a projection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an image figure of the menu screen of 1st Example. It is an image figure of the remote control of 1st Example. It is a display screen figure of directory mode. It is a screen figure of creator mode. It is a screen figure of history mode. It is a play list setting screen figure of a present Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the projection apparatus which is 2nd Example of this invention. It is a network connection figure of 3rd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 210, 310 Projection device 12, 212 CPU
14,214 ROM
16,216 RAM
18,218 Recording medium (HDD, memory card)
20,220 Menu screen generator 22, 222 I / F
24,224 Image processing unit 26,226 Projection unit 28,328 Server 30, 330, 330a PC
32, 232, 332 Remote control 32a Cross key 32b SET key 32c PLAY key 32d STOP key 250 Memory card slot 252 Card reader

Claims (9)

A storage device for storing image source files;
Image classification means for classifying the image source file stored in the storage device for each attribute;
A projection device comprising: projection means for projecting information indicating the image source file stored in the storage device according to a result of classification for each attribute by the image classification device.   The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device stores the image source file in a hierarchical directory structure.   The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image classification apparatus classifies the image source file for each creator.   The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image classification apparatus classifies the image source files in order of creation date.   The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image classification apparatus classifies the image source files in order of file names.   The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image classification apparatus classifies the image source files in order of reproduction history.   7. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for a user to select an image source file stored in the storage device. Furthermore, it comprises schedule management means for managing the schedule of the image source file to be displayed,
8. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit sequentially displays the contents of the corresponding image source file according to the schedule of the schedule management unit.   The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is connected via a network.

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