JP2008083182A - Pc, projection system, and projection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a PC, or the like, capable of controlling brightness of a projector according to a state of the PC. <P>SOLUTION: The PC 200 is comprised of a determining part 220 for judging whether a screen saver is started or not; an information creating part 260 for creating control information for reducing the luminance of the projector, when the screen saver is started; and a PC side communication part 210 for transmitting the control information, created by the information creating part 260, to the projector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a PC using a PC and a projector, a projection system, and a projection method.

  For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-58668, image information of an image displayed on a notebook PC (Personal Computer) is transmitted from the notebook PC to the projector via the network, and the projector The same image as that displayed on the PC may be displayed.

  In addition, when a presentation or a meeting is performed using a projector, a notebook PC for each user is often connected to the projector and used.

  If the user sets the screen saver during normal use of the notebook PC, the user may use the setting as it is when connected to the projector. In such a case, when the screen saver is activated on the notebook PC, the screen saver image is also displayed on the image of the projector.

  In such a case, when the power saving function works in the notebook PC, the notebook PC image becomes dark and the projector image also darkens.

For example, some liquid crystal displays having a power saving function have a function of turning off the power of the liquid crystal display when there is no input for a certain period of time.
JP 2006-58668 A

  However, many projectors use a lamp as a light source, and if the power is simply turned off, it takes a long time for the lamp to light up again.

  In the case of a projector, since various light sources are used as the light source, it is necessary to perform control according to the type of the light source.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a PC, a projection system, and a projection method capable of controlling the brightness of a projector according to the state of the PC.

In order to solve the above problems, the PC according to the present invention is:
In a PC that transmits image information to a projector having a brightness adjustment function,
A determination unit for determining whether or not the screen saver is activated;
A PC-side communication unit that transmits the image information to the projector and transmits control information for reducing the brightness of the projector to the projector when a screen saver is activated;
It is characterized by including.

Further, the projection system according to the present invention includes:
In a projection system including the PC and the projector,
The projector is
A projector-side communication unit that receives the control information;
An adjusting unit for adjusting the brightness of the projection light source based on the control information;
It is characterized by including.

Further, the projection method according to the present invention includes:
In a projection method using a PC and a projector that projects an image based on image information from the PC,
The PC
Determine if the screen saver has started,
When the screen saver is activated, the control information for reducing the brightness of the projector and the image information are transmitted to the projector, and when the screen saver is not activated, the image information is transmitted to the projector. ,
The projector is
Receiving at least the image information;
When the control information is received, the brightness of the projection light source is adjusted based on the control information,
An image is projected based on the image information.

  According to the present invention, in the projection system or the like, when the PC saves the screen saver, the PC transmits control information for reducing the brightness of the projector, and the projector reduces the brightness of the projection light source based on the control information. By doing so, the brightness of the projector can be lowered according to the state of the PC.

In addition, the determination unit determines whether the screen saver has been started after the screen saver is started,
The PC-side communication unit transmits, to the projector, control information for returning the brightness of the projector to a value before reception of control information for reducing the brightness when activation of the screen saver is completed. Also good.

  According to this, the projection system or the like transmits control information for returning the brightness of the projector to the original value when the PC finishes the activation of the screen saver, and the projector uses the projection light source based on the control information. By returning the brightness to the original value, the brightness of the projector can be increased according to the state of the PC.

  The PC may include a control unit that causes the PC-side communication unit to stop transmitting the image information when the screen saver is activated.

  According to this, a projection system etc. can use a communication band effectively by not transmitting image information.

In addition, the PC
A storage unit for storing control data indicating an adjustment amount of luminance according to the type of the projector;
An information generating unit that generates the control information based on the type and the control data;
May be included.

  According to this, since the projection system or the like can control the brightness according to the type of the projector, the brightness of the projector can be adjusted more appropriately.

In addition, the projector
A detection unit for detecting that the supply source of the image information has been switched to an image supply device other than the PC;
When the image information supply source is switched to an image supply apparatus other than the PC, the adjustment unit may return the luminance of the projection light source to a value before receiving control information for reducing the luminance. Good.

  According to this, the projection system or the like can project an image with more appropriate luminance by adjusting the luminance when the image information supply source is switched to an image supply device other than the PC.

  Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a projection system using a PC (Personal Computer) and a projector will be described as an example with reference to the drawings. In addition, the Example shown below does not limit the content of the invention described in the claim at all. In addition, all of the configurations shown in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the problems described in the claims.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a usage state of the projection system 10 in the present embodiment.

  The projection system 10 includes a PC 200 and a projector 100 that projects an image based on image information transmitted from the PC 200.

  The PC 200 and the projector 100 are connected via a USB cable 300, and the projector 100 projects the same image as the image displayed on the PC 200 onto a screen or the like.

  In such a case, when the screen saver is activated on the PC 200, the image projected by the projector 100 also becomes an image of the screen saver. In the present embodiment, the brightness of the projection light source is reduced when the projector 100 projects a screen saver image.

  Next, functional blocks of the projector 100 and the PC 200 that implement such functions will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the projector 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The projector 100 includes a projector-side communication unit 110 that receives image information and control information from the PC 200, a detection unit 120 that detects switching of the supply source of image information, and an update unit 130 that updates data stored in the storage unit 140. A storage unit 140 that stores various data, an image generation unit 150 that generates various images, an information generation unit 160 that generates various information, and an image signal from an image supply device such as a DVD player. And an image signal input unit 170 that adjusts brightness, an adjustment unit 180 that adjusts brightness, and a projection unit 190 that projects an image.

  In addition, the storage unit 140 stores image data 142 related to image information transmitted from the PC 200, setting data 144 indicating current brightness, original brightness, and the like. Note that the update unit 130 updates the image data 142 based on the image information transmitted from the PC 200.

  The projection unit 190 includes a projection light source 192. The adjustment unit 180 adjusts the luminance of the projection light source 192 based on the control information, the setting data 144, and the like.

  Next, functional blocks of the PC 200 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the PC 200 in the present embodiment.

  The PC 200 includes a PC-side communication unit 210 that transmits image information to the projector 100, a determination unit 220 that performs various determinations, a control unit 230 that performs various controls, a storage unit 240 that stores various data, and the like. An image generation unit 250 that generates various images, an information generation unit 260 that generates image information based on the image, control information for adjusting the brightness of the projector 100, and the like, and a time count that measures the non-input duration in the PC 200 The unit 270 includes an input unit 280 that inputs operation information and the like from a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and a display unit 290 that displays an image generated by the image generation unit 250.

  Here, the image information is information obtained by transforming the original image for data communication. Examples of the image information include information obtained by packetizing the original image information, information obtained by adding a header to the original image information, information obtained by compressing the original image information, and the like.

  Here, the non-input duration is, for example, a duration in a state where there is no input by the input unit 280. That is, the non-input duration is increased while the user does not operate the mouse or the like, and the non-input duration is reset when the user operates the mouse or the like.

  The storage unit 240 also includes startup setting time data 242 indicating the time until the screen saver starts up, screen saver image data 244 for displaying a screen saver image, image data 246 for displaying a normal image, and control information. Control data 248 and the like for generation are stored. Note that the time until the screen saver is activated is set by the user in a state where a general screen saver setting image is displayed, for example, and the input unit 280 stores the setting information as the activation setting time data 242 in the storage unit 240. .

  Here, the control data 248 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control data 248 in the present embodiment.

  The control data 248 is data indicating a luminance setting possible value for each type of the projector 100.

  For example, the projector with the type A can set the brightness of 100% and 80%, and the projector with the type C can only set the brightness of 100%, so the brightness cannot be adjusted.

  Examples of the type include the model number of the projector 100 and the type of the projection light source 192 (for example, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, etc.).

  Note that each unit of the projector 100 and the PC 200 described above may be mounted using, for example, the following hardware. For example, the projector-side communication unit 110, the PC-side communication unit 210, a USB interface or the like, the detection unit 120, a button, an infrared receiving unit that receives operation information from a remote controller, an update unit 130, an information generation unit 160, 260, the determination unit 220, the control unit 230 is a CPU, the storage units 140, 240 are HDD, RAM, ROM, etc., the image generation units 150, 250 are image processing circuits, and the image signal input unit 170 is an image signal. Ballast, ballast control circuit, etc. as the input terminal, etc., adjustment unit 180, liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal drive circuit, lamp, projection lens, etc. as projection unit 190, system timer and CPU, etc. as timing unit 270, etc., as input unit 280 Input port, CPU, etc. As the display unit 290, a liquid crystal monitor etc. It may be use.

  Next, a luminance control procedure using these units will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the luminance control procedure in this embodiment.

  First, the user connects the PC 200 to the projector 100.

  When the PC 200 is connected to the projector 100, the information generation unit 160 generates notification information indicating the type of the projector 100 based on the setting data 144, and the projector-side communication unit 110 transmits the notification information to the USB cable 300. To the PC 200.

  The PC-side communication unit 210 receives the notification information. Determination unit 220 determines the type of projector 100 based on the notification information, and determines which type of control data 248 the type corresponds to.

  Then, the user performs a presentation or the like by operating the PC 200.

  The timer unit 270 measures the non-input duration time based on information from the input unit 280.

  The OS (Operating System) of the PC 200 determines whether or not the non-input duration has exceeded the activation set time based on the non-input duration time counted by the timer unit 270 and the activation setting time data 242, thereby Determine whether to start.

  For example, when the screen saver activation setting time is 10 minutes, the screen saver is activated when the non-input duration time is 10 minutes or more.

  For example, the determination unit 220 determines whether the screen saver is activated for each frame in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal (step S1). More specifically, the determination unit 220 can perform this determination, for example, by using a function for determining whether the screen saver is activated.

  When the screen saver is activated, the information generation unit 260 generates control information for reducing the brightness (step S2). More specifically, the information generation unit 260 refers to the control data 248 of the type determined by the determination unit 220 to decrease the luminance by one level (for example, 100% to 90%, 90% to 80%, etc.) Generate control information.

  On the other hand, when the screen saver is stopped, the information generation unit 260 generates brightness restoration control information for returning the brightness to the value before the brightness reduction (step S3). More specifically, the information generation unit 260 refers to the type of control data 248 determined by the determination unit 220 and returns the luminance to the original value (for example, 90% to 100%, 80% to 100%, etc.). ) Generate control information.

  The PC-side communication unit 210 transmits the control information generated by the information generation unit 260 to the projector 100 (step S4).

  The projector side communication unit 110 receives the control information (step S5).

  The adjustment unit 180 adjusts the luminance of the projection light source 192 based on the control information (step S6). Specifically, for example, in the case of control information for reducing the luminance from 100% to 90%, the adjustment unit 180 reduces the luminance of the projection light source 192 to 90% by reducing the driving power. For example, in the case of control information for increasing the luminance from 90% to 100%, the adjustment unit 180 increases the luminance of the projection light source 192 to 100% by increasing the driving power. The adjustment unit 180 stores the adjusted luminance in the storage unit 140 as part of the setting data 144.

  For example, the information generation unit 260 generates image information for each frame in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal (step S7), and the PC-side communication unit 210 transmits the image information to the projector 100 (step S8). ).

  The projector-side communication unit 110 receives the image information (step S9), and the update unit 130 updates the image data 142 based on the image information.

  The image generation unit 150 generates an image based on the image data 142, and the projection unit 190 projects the image with the brightness of the projection light source 192 adjusted (step S10).

  The projection system 10 repeatedly executes the processes in steps S1 to S10 until the presentation or the like ends (step S11).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projection system 10 transmits the control information for reducing the brightness of the projector 100 when the PC 200 is activated, and the projector 100 is based on the control information. Thus, by reducing the luminance of the projection light source 192, the luminance of the projector 100 can be reduced according to the state of the PC 200.

  In addition, the projection system 10 transmits control information for returning the brightness of the projector 100 to the original value when the PC 200 finishes starting the screen saver, and the projector 100 projects the projection light source 192 based on the control information. By returning the brightness of the projector 100 to the original value, the brightness of the projector 100 can be increased according to the state of the PC 200.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projection system 10 can control the luminance according to the type of the projector 100 by using the control data 248 indicating the luminance setting possible value for each type of the projector 100. Thus, the brightness of the projector 100 can be adjusted more appropriately.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, the projection system 10 can extend the life of the projection light source 192 by adjusting the luminance of the projection light source 192.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projection system 10 reduces the discomfort given to the viewer of the image by projecting the screen saver image at a lower brightness than the normal image even when projecting a screen saver image. can do.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the control information is transmitted from the PC 200 to the projector 100 for each frame. However, in the second embodiment, the request information is transmitted from the projector 100 to the PC 200 only when necessary, so that the PC 200 to the projector 100 is transmitted. Send control information to.

  The request information includes, for example, a header, a command, command data, and the like. The header is determined according to the protocol used. The command corresponds to, for example, a control information transmission start request, a control information transmission stop request, a screen saver state notification request, a full screen update request, and the like. The command data is used only when the control information transmission start request is made, and is data indicating the type of the projector 100, for example.

  For example, when the detection unit 120 detects that the image information supply source is switched from the image supply apparatus other than the PC 200 to the PC 200, the information generation unit 160 generates request information indicating a control information transmission start request, and the projector The side communication unit 110 transmits the request information to the PC 200.

  The PC 200 generates control information based on the request information, and transmits the control information to the projector 100.

  For example, when the detection unit 120 detects that the image information supply source has been switched from the PC 200 to an image supply device other than the PC 200, the information generation unit 160 generates request information indicating a control information transmission stop request. The projector-side communication unit 110 transmits the request information to the PC 200. In this case, the adjustment unit 180 refers to the setting data 144 and controls the projection light source 192 so as to return the luminance to the original value before the decrease.

  Based on the request information, the PC 200 stops generating control information and stops transmitting image information. More specifically, based on the request information, the control unit 230 controls the information generation unit 260 to stop generating image information or the like, or controls the PC side communication unit 210 to transmit image information or the like. Stop it.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the projection system 10 can use the communication band more effectively by transmitting and receiving control information only when necessary.

  In addition, the projection system 10 detects the switching of the image information supply source and returns the brightness of the projection light source 192 to the value before receiving the control information for reducing the brightness. An image can be projected with high brightness.

(Third embodiment)
When the brightness of the projection light source 192 can be controlled in a plurality of steps (for example, in the case of types B and D shown in FIG. 4), the projection system 10 adjusts the brightness of the projection light source 192 in stages. May be.

  For example, when the screen saver is activated 2 minutes after the generation of the first luminance reduction control information, the information generation unit 260 generates control information for further reducing the luminance. For example, in the case of type B shown in FIG. 4, the information generation unit 260 first generates control information for setting the luminance to 90%, generates control information for setting the luminance to 80% after 2 minutes, and further generates 2 minutes. Control information for increasing the luminance to 70% is generated after the elapse of time, control information for increasing the luminance to 60% after the elapse of 2 minutes, and control information for increasing the luminance to 50% after the elapse of 2 minutes are generated. In addition, when the activation of the screen saver is completed on the way, the information generation unit 260 generates control information for returning the luminance to the original value.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projection system 10 adjusts the luminance step by step, thereby eliminating a sudden change in luminance and making it difficult for the viewer of the image to feel uncomfortable.

(Other examples)
In addition, application of this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible.

  For example, when the screen saver is activated, the control unit 230 may cause the PC-side communication unit 210 to stop transmitting image information, or cause the information generation unit 260 to stop generating image information.

  Accordingly, the projection system 10 can effectively use the communication band by not transmitting image information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control information directly specifies the luminance. However, if the same data as the control data 248 is stored in the setting data 144, “decrease luminance by one level”, “luminance” Control information such as “increase the level by 1” may be used. The adjustment unit 180 can adjust the brightness stepwise based on the control information and the setting data 144.

  Further, the image information transmitted by the PC 200 may be obtained by capturing an image of the PC 200 or based on image data stored in the PC 200 in advance. The image information transmitted by the PC 200 may be a part of the image or may be compressed.

  Here, an example in which the projection system 10 uses image information when an image of the PC 200 is captured will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image generation unit 250 in the present embodiment.

  The image generation unit 250 includes a video memory 252 that stores image information of a current display image, a frame memory 256 that stores image information of an image in the previous frame, image information of the video memory 252, and frame memory 256. A change area detection unit 254 that detects a change area by comparing with image information and an image capture unit 258 are configured.

  The image capture unit 258 captures the entire image from the video memory 252 to the frame memory 256 for the first time. From the second time onward, the change area detection unit 254 detects the change area by comparing the image information in the video memory 252 and the image information in the frame memory 256 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal.

  For example, when a plurality of areas change in the entire image, the change area detection unit 254 detects a minimum rectangular area including the plurality of areas as a change area. For example, the information generation unit 260 generates the upper left coordinates and the lower right coordinates of the change area and the image data of the change area as part of the image information.

  Based on the image information, the updating unit 130 can generate the latest image data by overwriting the previous image data 146 with the image data in the change area indicated by the image information.

  Such an image information processing method is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-58668, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the projection system 10 can transmit and receive image information in real time even when the communication band is narrow by transmitting and receiving a part of the image instead of the entire image, and can comfortably project the image. .

  In the second embodiment, the timing at which the projector 100 transmits the request information is not limited when the image information supply source is switched, and may be, for example, when the projector 100 is connected to the PC 200.

  Further, the PC-side communication unit 210 may transmit control information to the projector 100 when the state of the PC 200 changes in addition to the activation of the screen saver.

  For example, the determination unit 220 determines whether operation information is not input to the input unit 290 for a certain period of time, and the PC side communication unit 210 performs control for reducing the brightness of the projector 200 when the operation information is not input for a certain period of time. Information may be sent to the projector.

  In the embodiment described above, the luminance of the projection light source 192 is adjusted. For example, the adjustment unit 180 adjusts the luminance of the projected image by adjusting the driving of the light shielding plate included in the projection unit 190. May be.

  Further, the transmission path between the projector 100 and the PC 200 is not limited to the USB cable 300, and may be a wired cable capable of bidirectional communication, a wireless LAN, a wireless USB, or the like. Further, the upstream transmission path and the downstream transmission path between the projector 100 and the PC 200 may be different.

  Projector 100 is not limited to a liquid crystal projector, and may be, for example, a projector using DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) developed by Texas Instruments, Inc., a CRT projector, a projector using organic EL, or the like. .

  The PC 200 is not limited to a notebook type, and may be a desktop type, a mobile type, or the like.

It is a figure which shows the use condition of the projection system in a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional block of the projector in a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional block of PC in a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the control data in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the brightness | luminance control procedure in a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the image generation part in a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Projection system, 100 Projector, 110 Projector side communication part, 120 Detection part, 130 Update part, 140, 240 Storage part, 142, 246 Image data, 144 Setting data, 150, 250 Image generation part, 160, 260 Information generation part , 170 Image signal input unit, 180 adjustment unit, 190 projection unit, 200 PC, 210 PC side communication unit, 220 determination unit, 230 control unit, 248 control data, 270 timing unit, 280 input unit, 290 display unit, 300 USB cable

Claims (7)

In a PC that transmits image information to a projector having a brightness adjustment function,
A determination unit for determining whether or not the screen saver is activated;
A PC-side communication unit that transmits the image information to the projector and transmits control information for reducing the brightness of the projector to the projector when a screen saver is activated;
PC characterized by including. The PC according to claim 1,
The determination unit determines whether the screen saver has been activated after the screen saver has been activated,
The PC-side communication unit transmits control information for returning the brightness of the projector to the value before receiving control information for reducing the brightness when the activation of the screen saver is completed, to the projector. PC characterized by. In the PC according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
A PC, comprising: a control unit that causes the PC-side communication unit to stop transmitting the image information when the screen saver is activated. In the PC according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A storage unit for storing control data indicating an adjustment amount of luminance according to the type of the projector;
An information generating unit that generates the control information based on the type and the control data;
PC characterized by including. In the projection system containing the said PC in any one of Claims 1-4, and the said projector,
The projector is
A projector-side communication unit that receives the control information;
An adjusting unit for adjusting the brightness of the projection light source based on the control information;
A projection system comprising: The projection system according to claim 5, wherein
The projector is
A detection unit for detecting that the supply source of the image information has been switched to an image supply device other than the PC;
When the supply source of the image information is switched to an image supply device other than the PC, the adjustment unit returns the luminance of the projection light source to a value before reception of control information for reducing the luminance. Characteristic projection system. In a projection method using a PC and a projector that projects an image based on image information from the PC,
The PC
Determine if the screen saver has started,
When the screen saver is activated, the control information for reducing the brightness of the projector and the image information are transmitted to the projector, and when the screen saver is not activated, the image information is transmitted to the projector. ,
The projector is
Receiving at least the image information;
When the control information is received, the brightness of the projection light source is adjusted based on the control information,
A projection method characterized by projecting an image based on the image information.

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