JP2008310715A - Projector with printing function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector with a printing function capable of printing by specifying an optional region from a projected image. <P>SOLUTION: The projector 1 with the printing function having a printing part 11 for printing images, and a projecting part 10 for projecting the image on a plane of projection, comprises a print range selecting means for selecting a print range from the projected image; a print range determining means for determining coordinates of the print range selected by the print range selecting means; and a print image forming means 24 forming the print image based on the print range determined by the print range determining means and outputting the print image to the printing part 11. The print range selecting means is an operation panel 13 and a remote controller 30 operated by a user to display the projected image in the print range and to move the print range within the projected image to select the print range, and the print range determining means preferably determines the print range based on movement information of the print range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector with a printing function capable of designating and printing an arbitrary area from a projection image.

  Conventionally, a projector with a printing function as shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This projector with a printing function is provided with means for printing a projected image, but it is not easy for the user to use.

  Therefore, a projector with a printing function as shown in Patent Document 2 has been proposed. This projector with a printing function enables a user to easily print the same image as the projected image simply by instructing the user to print the image using the remote controller when projecting the image.

However, there are problems that only the projected image can be printed, and that the printing range and the object to be printed cannot be selected from the projected image, which is inconvenient.
JP-T-2004-524552 JP 2006-243672 A

  Provided is a projector with a printing function capable of specifying and printing an arbitrary area from a projection image.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a projector with a printing function including a printing unit that prints an image and a projection unit that projects an image onto a projection surface.
Print range selection means for selecting a print range from the projected image;
A printing range determination unit that determines the coordinates of the printing range selected by the printing range selection unit;
Print image generation means for generating a print image based on the print range determined by the print range determination means and outputting the print image to the printing unit;
It is characterized by having.

Further, the print range selection means according to claim 2 has a print function for displaying the print range on the projected image and moving the print range within the projected image to select the print range when operated by the user. At least one of an operation panel provided in the projector and a remote controller for remotely operating the projector with a printing function;
The printing range determination unit determines the printing range based on movement information of the printing range.

Further, the print range selection means according to claim 3 is a pointer for displaying a light spot on the projection surface, and the print range determination means is a camera provided in the projector with a print function for capturing the projection surface,
By operating the pointer, the user displays two diagonal ends of the desired printing range in sequence on the projection plane as light spots,
The camera captures two light spots sequentially displayed on the projection plane, and determines a printing range based on the coordinates of the two light spots.

Further, the print range selection means according to claim 4 is a pointing device connected to a projector with a print function for sequentially selecting both ends of a diagonal line of a desired print range from a projection image by a user operation.
The printing range determination means determines the printing range based on the coordinates of the selected diagonal ends.

  The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that a plurality of print ranges are selected from the projected image.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that a print image is projected onto a projection plane.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the outer edge of the printing range is determined by a predetermined method and displayed on the projection plane.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a projector with a printing function that has a printing unit that prints an image and a projection unit that projects an image onto a projection plane, a printing range selection unit that selects a printing range from the projected image; A print range determination unit that determines the coordinates of the print range selected by the print range selection unit; and a print image generation unit that generates a print image based on the print range determined by the print range determination unit and outputs the print image to the printing unit. Therefore, the user can specify and print an arbitrary area from the projection image.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the print range selection means causes the print range to be displayed on the projection image by the user's operation, and moves the print range within the projection image to thereby set the print range. At least one of an operation panel provided in the projector with a printing function to be selected and a remote controller for remotely operating the projector with a printing function, and a printing range determination unit determines the printing range based on movement information of the printing range. Therefore, when the user operates the operation panel or the remote controller, it is possible to easily specify an arbitrary area from the projection image and perform printing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the user operates the pointer to display two diagonal ends of a desired print range in order on the projection plane as light spots, and the camera performs the projection. Since the two light spots sequentially displayed on the screen are captured and the printing range is determined based on the coordinates of the two light spots, the user can operate the pointer to easily select an arbitrary area from the projected image. Can be specified and printed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printing range selection means is a pointing device connected to a projector with a printing function for sequentially selecting both ends of a diagonal line of a desired printing range from a projection image by a user operation. Since the print range determination means determines the print range based on the coordinates of the selected diagonal ends, the user can easily specify an arbitrary area from the projection image by operating the pointing device. Can be printed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of print ranges can be selected from the projection image, the user can select a plurality of print ranges at the same time, which is convenient.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the print image is projected onto the projection surface, it is possible to confirm the print image on the projection surface before printing.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the outer edge of the print range is determined by a predetermined method and displayed on the projection surface, the user can change the display method of the print range as necessary. It becomes possible and convenient.

(Configuration of the present invention)
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a projector showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a projector with a printing function according to the present invention. A display unit 1a is provided in the projector 1 with a printing function. In the present embodiment, the display unit 1a is an LCD (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display, a liquid crystal display element), but may be a PDP (abbreviation of Plasma Display Panel, plasma display), an organic EL, or the like.

  Reference numeral 1b denotes a lens provided in the projector 1 with a printing function. As shown in FIG. 1, an image transmitted through the lens 1b is projected as a projection image 91 on a projection surface 80 such as a screen. Yes.

  An operation panel 1c is used to operate the projector 1 with a printing function of the present invention and to make various settings. Reference numeral 30 denotes a remote controller for remotely operating the projector 1 with a printing function.

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the projector with a printing function of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a projection unit that projects an image onto the projection plane 80. The projection unit 10 mainly includes a light source, an illumination optical system, an LCD, and a lens 1b. A printing unit 11 prints an image on paper. Reference numeral 12 denotes a display unit, which is the same as the display unit 1a shown in FIG. Various setting information and the like of the projector 1 with a printing function are displayed on the display unit 12. Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation panel, which is the same as the operation panel 1c shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a projection image input unit for receiving transmission data transmitted from the outside and acquiring “image data” included in the transmission data. As an interface of the projection image input unit 15, VGA (abbreviation of Video Graphics Array), LAN (Local Area Network), USB (abbreviation of Universal Serial Bus, USB1.0, USB1.1, USB2.0) IEEE 1394, RS232, RS422, telephone lines and other communication interfaces. Alternatively, the projection image input unit 15 may be one that uses wireless, and the interface in this case may include a so-called wireless LAN, Bluetooth, or other wireless interface defined in IEEE 802. The projection image input unit 15 acquires “image data” output from the computer device 50, digital camera, FAX, scanner, or the like. The computer device 50 includes a so-called personal computer or PDA using an OS (Operating System) such as Windows (registered trademark), Macintosh (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), or MS-DOS (registered trademark). (Abbreviation of Personal Digital Assistant, portable information terminal), workstation, large general-purpose computer, and the like.

  The format of “image data” includes JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), BMP (abbreviation of Bitmap), TIFF (Abbreviated Tagged Image File Format), and PNG (abbreviation of Portable Network I / F). An image file such as Inchange format), a display screen of an operating system, and a file format of business software or graphical software are also included.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an external storage connection unit. By connecting a storage medium to the external storage connection unit 16 from the outside, “image data” stored in the storage medium is acquired. Storage media include non-volatile memories such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), MMC51 (multimedia card), SD memory card 52 (registered trademark), Memory Stick (registered trademark), CD (compact disk), DVD, A removable disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or an MO (abbreviation of Magneto Optical Disc, magneto-optical disk) can be included, and the external storage connection unit 16 has an interface corresponding to these storage media.

  Note that the projector 1 with a printing function of the present invention may have a configuration including only one of the projection image input unit 15 and the external storage connection unit 16.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit), 18 denotes a RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), and 19 denotes a ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory). The CPU 17 performs various calculations and processes in cooperation with the RAM 18 and the ROM 19. The RAM 18 temporarily stores data processed by the CPU 17.

  The ROM 19 stores application software for controlling the projector 1 with a printing function of the present invention. These application software realize various functions by being processed by the CPU 17.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a storage unit, which is composed of a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 20 stores various setting information of the projector 1 with a printing function.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes an image processing unit. The image processing unit 21 has two functions. One is to perform image processing such as sharpness correction, gamma correction, contrast correction, white balance correction, and keystone correction on “image data” input from the projection image input unit 15 and the external storage connection unit 16 as necessary. This is a function of outputting to the projection unit 10. One is that the “print image” created by the print image generation means is sharpened, gamma, contrast corrected, color converted (RGB → CMYK (for color), RGB → Black (monochrome) as necessary. )), And performs image processing such as image enlargement / reduction and gradation conversion (binarization), and outputs the result to the printing unit 11.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes print image generation means. The print image generation unit 24 generates a “print image” from “image data” input from the projection image input unit 15 or the external storage connection unit 16 and outputs the print image to the printing unit 11.

  Note that the image processing unit 21 and the print image generation unit 24 are realized by processing application software stored in the ROM 19 by the CPU 17.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a camera. The camera 25 is composed of an image sensor (solid-state image element) such as a CCD or CMOS and a lens, and captures an image displayed on the projection plane 80 (captures it as an image file).

  The remote controller 30 mainly includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage unit 34, a display unit 36, operation buttons 37, an infrared reception unit 38, and an infrared transmission unit 39.

  The CPU 31 cooperates with the ROM 32 and the RAM 33 to perform various calculations and processes. The RAM 33 temporarily stores data processed by the CPU 31.

  The ROM 32 stores application software for controlling the remote controller 30. This application software realizes various functions by being processed by the CPU 31.

  The storage unit 34 is configured by a hard disk or a non-volatile memory, and stores various setting information and the like of the remote controller 30.

  The display unit 36 includes an LCD, a PDP, an organic EL, or the like, and displays various setting information.

  The operation button 37 is used to operate the projector 1 with a printing function according to the present invention or to make various settings when operated by the user.

  The infrared receiving unit 38 and the infrared transmitting unit 39 communicate with the infrared transmitting unit 26 and the infrared receiving unit 27 provided in the projector 1 with a printing function using infrared rays.

(First embodiment)
Next, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the user operates the operation panel 13 of the projector 1 with a printing function or the operation buttons 37 (hereinafter referred to as the operation panel 13 and the operation buttons 37 of the remote controller 30. The print range 92 is displayed on the projection image 91 and the print range 92 is moved within the projection image 91, and the “print range determination unit” is based on the movement information of the print range 92. In this embodiment, the coordinates of the print range 92 are determined.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the “print range selection unit” that selects the print range from the projection image 92 is the operation panel 13 or the operation button 37. The “print range determination unit” for determining the coordinates of the print range 92 selected by the “print range selection unit” is realized by processing the application software stored in the ROM 19 by the CPU 17. In FIG. 3, the “display image” is displayed with a horizontal and vertical resolution of 1024 × 768.

  The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user presses the “print range display button” of the “operation unit”, the process proceeds from S112 “print range display button press” to S113 “print range display signal output”.

  In the process of S <b> 113, the “operation unit” outputs a “print range display signal” for displaying the print range 92 in the projection image 91 to the image processing unit 21. When the process of S113 ends, the process proceeds to S121 “print range display signal input”.

  In the process of S121, when the “print range display signal” from the “operation unit” is input to the image processing unit 21, the process proceeds to the process of S122 “display print range”, and the image processing unit 21 sends a signal to the projection unit 10. And the print range 92 is displayed on the projected image 91. A print range 92 corresponding to a size such as A4 or B5 is displayed on the projected image 91 by the user's selection. When the process of S122 is completed, the operation proceeds to S131 “Move key operation”.

  In the first embodiment, the “operation unit” is provided with a “movement key” for moving the print range 92 displayed in the projection image vertically and horizontally within the projection image 91. In the operation of S131, when the user operates by pressing the “movement key” of the “operation unit”, the process proceeds to the processing of “output print range movement information” in S132, and the “operation unit” is displayed in the projection image 91. The “print range movement information” for moving the print range 92 up, down, left and right is output to the image processing unit 21. When the process of S132 ends, the process proceeds to S141 “input print range movement information”.

  On the other hand, in the operation of S131, if the user does not press the “move key” of the “operation unit” for a certain period of time, the process proceeds to the determination of S143 “designate print range”.

  In the process of S141, when “print range movement information” is input from the “operation unit” to the image processing unit 21, the process proceeds to S141 “moving / redisplaying the print range”, and the image processing unit 21 is pressed. In accordance with the “movement key”, the print range 92 is moved in the projection image 91 and displayed again in the projection image 91. When the process of S142 is completed, the process proceeds to S143 “designate print range”.

  In the process of S143, when the user designates the print range 92 displayed in the projection image 91, the process proceeds to S144 “print request”. On the other hand, when the user does not designate the print range 92 displayed in the projection image 91, the process returns to S131.

  In the operation of S144, when the user presses the “print key” provided in the “operation unit”, the process proceeds to S145 “print request signal output”, and the “operation unit” sends a “print request” to the “print range determination unit”. Signal ". When the processing of S145 ends, the process proceeds to S151 “printing”.

  On the other hand, in the operation of S144, when the user does not press the “print key” (for example, when a certain time has elapsed without the user pressing the “print key”), the operation proceeds to S160 “Cancel?”. move on. In the operation of S160, when the user operates the “operation unit” and does not cancel the print request, the process returns to the operation of S144. On the other hand, in the operation of S160, when the user operates the “operation unit” and cancels the print request, a series of flows ends.

  In the process of S151, when the “print request signal” is input to the “print range determination unit”, the “print range determination unit” determines the print range 92 based on the “print range movement information”. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of print range determination processing. As shown in FIG. 5, the “print range determination unit” is configured so that the user can use the vertex 93 (for example, the lower left vertex as shown in FIG. 5) of the print range first displayed in the projection image 91 as a reference. Based on “print range movement information” obtained by operating the “move key”, the print range 92 in the projected image 91 is recalculated to determine the print range 92.

  That is, in the process of S121, the “printing range determination unit” determines the size of the printing range 92 (for example, the range of the aspect ratio corresponding to A4 size) and the coordinates of the vertex 93 of the printing range (hereinafter, one pixel is one coordinate). 5, the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are 50 and 50), respectively, and in the process of S141, “printing range movement information” is stored, and the “printing range determination means” is the coordinates of the vertex 93 of the printing range. (50, 50) is added with the amount of movement of the vertex of the printing range based on the “printing range movement information” (X coordinate and Y coordinate are 100 and 50 in FIG. 5, respectively). The vertex 94 (150, 100) is calculated, and the coordinates of the printing range 92 are determined from the coordinates of the vertex 94 of the printing range after the movement and the “size of the printing range”.

  In the processing of S151, the print image generation unit 24 generates a “print image” based on the coordinates of the print range 92 determined by the “print range determination unit”, and the image processing unit 21 performs image processing such as color conversion. And output to the printing unit 11, and the printing unit 11 performs printing. When the process of S151 is completed, the process proceeds to S152 “print completion message display”.

  In the process of S152, the “printing completion message” is displayed on the display units 12 and 36 of the projector 1 with the printing function and the remote controller 30, and the series of flows ends.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the second embodiment. Reference numeral 40 shown in FIG. 6 denotes a pointer, which emits light having high directivity by a semiconductor laser or the like. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user operates the pointer 40, two diagonal ends of a desired print range 92 are sequentially displayed on the projection plane 80 as light spots. In this embodiment, the camera 25 captures two light spots sequentially displayed on the projection plane 80 and determines the coordinates of the print range 92 based on the coordinates of the two light spots.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the “print range selection unit” that selects the print range from the projection image 92 is the pointer 40. Further, the “print range determination unit” that determines the coordinates of the print range 92 selected by the “print range selection unit” is the camera 25.

The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the second embodiment is started, in the process of S212 “display to indicate the first position”, the display unit 12, 36 displays that the user is requested to indicate the first position with the pointer 40. . When the process of S212 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of S213 “recognizes the light spot position map by the camera”.

  By viewing the display displayed on the display units 12 and 36, the user operates the pointer 40 to indicate one end 95 of the diagonal line of the desired print range 92 by displaying it on the projection plane 80 with a light spot. .

  In the process of S213, the camera 25 captures the projection plane 80. In the process of S213, the image processing unit 21 determines whether or not a static light spot displayed by operating by the user is displayed on the captured projection plane 80. When the image processing unit 21 determines that a stationary light spot exists on the projection surface 80, the position processing table is recognized with the stationary light spot as one end 95 of the desired printing range 92, and S221 “There is a stationary light spot” ? ", The process proceeds to S222" Store location map in RAM ". On the other hand, when the image processing unit determines that no static light spot exists on the projection plane 80, the process returns to S213.

In the process of S <b> 222, the image processing unit 21 stores the “location map of the light spot 95” in the RAM 18. When the process of S213 ends, the process proceeds to the process of S223 “display to indicate the second position”.

  In the process of S223, a message indicating that the user is requested to indicate the second position with the pointer 40 is displayed on the display units 12 and 36. When the process of S223 ends, the process proceeds to S240 “recognizes the light spot position map by the camera”.

  By viewing the display displayed on the display units 12 and 36 and operating the pointer 40 by the user, the other end 96 of the diagonal line of the desired print range 92 is displayed on the projection plane 80 as a light spot. Point to.

  In the process of S240, the camera 25 captures the projection plane 80. In the process of S240, the image processing unit 21 determines whether or not a static light spot that is displayed by a user operation is displayed on the captured projection plane 80. When the image processing unit 21 determines that a stationary light spot exists on the projection plane 80, the position processing table is recognized with the stationary light spot as the other end 96 of the diagonal line of the desired print range 92, and S241 “Still From “Is there a light spot?”, The process proceeds to S242 “obtains stored position coordinates”. On the other hand, when the image processing unit determines that the stationary light spot does not exist on the projection plane 80, the process returns to S240.

  In the process of S242, the image processing unit 21 acquires the “positional coordinates of the light spot 95” stored in the RAM 18 in the process of S213. When the process of S242 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of S243 “Display print range based on position coordinates of two points”.

  In the process of S243, the image processing unit 21 determines the coordinates of the print range 92 from the “position coordinates of the light spot 96” recognized in the process of S240 and the “position map of the light spot 95” acquired in the process of S242. And displayed on the projected image 91. When the processing of S243 is completed, the process proceeds to S251 “Print request”.

  In the operation of S251, the user operates the pointer 40 to display “print request” on the projection surface 80. This “print request” is performed, for example, by displaying the light spot displayed on the projection surface 80 by the pointer 40 in a specific color. In the operation of S251, when the user selects printing by operating the pointer 40, the process proceeds to S252 “print request signal output”.

  On the other hand, in the operation of S251, when the user does not operate the pointer (for example, when a certain period of time has elapsed without the user operating the pointer), the operation proceeds to S270 “Cancel?”. In the operation of S270, when the user operates the pointer 40 and does not cancel the print request, the process returns to the operation of S251. On the other hand, in the operation of S270, when the user operates the pointer 40 to cancel the print request, the series of flows ends.

  In the process of S252, the camera 25 captures the light spot of “print request” displayed on the projection plane 80 by the operation of S251, and this light spot is displayed in a specific color indicating “print request”. The print request signal is output to the print image generation means 24. When the process of S252 ends, the process proceeds to S261 “print”.

  In the process of S261, the print image generation unit 24 to which the “print request signal” has been input generates a “print image” based on the coordinates of the print range 92 determined in the process of S243, and the image processing unit 21 performs color printing. Image processing such as conversion is performed and output to the printing unit 11, and the printing unit 11 performs printing. When the process of S261 ends, the process proceeds to S262 “print completion message display”.

  In the process of S262, the “printing completion message” is displayed on the display units 12 and 36 of the projector 1 with the printing function and the remote controller 30, and the series of flows ends.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the user sequentially operates the “pointing device” (not shown) connected to the projector 1 with a printing function to sequentially select both ends of the diagonal line of the desired print range 92 from the projected image 80. In this embodiment, the coordinates of the print range 92 are determined based on the coordinates of the selected diagonal ends.

  In other words, in the third embodiment, the “printing range selection unit” that selects the printing range from the projection image 92 is a “pointing device”. The “pointing device” includes a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad, a pointing stick, a pen tablet, and the like. The “print range determination unit” for determining the coordinates of the print range 92 selected by the “print range selection unit” is realized by processing the application software stored in the ROM 19 by the CPU 17. In FIG. 8, the “display image” 91 is displayed with a horizontal and vertical resolution of 1024 × 768.

In the third embodiment, a cursor 97 is displayed on the display image 91, and when the “pointing device” is operated, the cursor 97 moves within the display image 91.
By operating the “pointing device”, the user moves the cursor 97 to one end 98 (XY coordinates of 170 and 512 shown in FIG. 8) of the diagonal line of the desired print range, and presses the “pointing device”. The button is pressed (hereinafter referred to as “click”), and one end 98 of the diagonal line of the print range 92 is selected. The user operates the “pointing device” to move the cursor 97 to the other end 99 (XY coordinates of 856 and 234 shown in FIG. 8) of the diagonal line of the desired print range, and “click” to print. Select the other end 99 of the diagonal of the range. Note that the method of selecting the one end 98 and the other end 99 of the diagonal line of the print range with the “pointing device” is to move the cursor 97 between pressing and releasing the “pointing device” pressing button. "Drag" can be used.

  The “printing range determination unit” is configured such that the coordinates of one end 98 (XY coordinates are 170 and 512) and the other end 99 (XY coordinates are 856) selected by the user operating the “pointing device”. 234), the print image generation unit 24 generates a “print image” based on the print range 92 and causes the image processing unit 21 to perform image processing such as color conversion. The data is output to the printing unit 11, and the printing unit 11 performs printing.

(Select multiple print ranges)
FIG. 9 shows a diagram in which a plurality of print ranges 92 are selected. In the present invention, in the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of print ranges 92 can be selected. By storing the coordinates of the print range 92 selected by the “print range selection unit” and determined by the “print range determination unit” in the RAM 18, it is possible to select a plurality of print ranges 92 from the projected image 91. .

(Display print image on projection surface)
FIG. 10 is a diagram in which the “print image” is displayed on the projection plane 80. In the present invention, in Embodiments 1 to 3, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to project a “print image” onto the projection plane 80 and display the preview before printing. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for displaying a preview of “print image”, which will be described below.

  When the user operates the “operation unit” (including the pointer 40 in the second embodiment, “pointing device” in the third embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) in S312 “print preview request”. When “Preview Request” is made, the “operation unit” outputs a “print preview request” to the image processing unit 21, and the process proceeds to S321 “print preview display”. Note that the user can perform “page setting” such as setting a margin and changing the paper size by operating the “operation unit” through the operation of S312.

On the other hand, when the user does not press the “print key” in the operation of S312 (for example, when a certain time has elapsed without the user pressing the “print key”), the process proceeds to the operation of S350 “Cancel?”. . In the operation of S350, when the user operates the “operation unit” and does not cancel the print request, the process returns to the operation of S312. On the other hand, in the operation of S350, when the user operates the “operation unit” and cancels the print request, a series of flows ends.

  In the process of S321, when a “print preview request” is input to the image processing unit 21, the image processing unit 21 acquires the “print image” generated by the print image generation unit 24 in the first to third embodiments. The projection unit 10 projects a “print image” onto the projection plane 80.

  When a plurality of print ranges 92 are selected, a plurality of “print images” are stored in the RAM 18, and a plurality of “print images” are sequentially acquired from the RAM 18 by the user operating the “operation unit”. The projection unit 10 sequentially projects a plurality of “print images” onto the projection plane 80. When the processing of S321 ends, the process proceeds to S331 “print request” operation.

  In the operation of S331, when the user makes a “print request” by operating the “operation unit”, the process proceeds to S341 “print”.

  On the other hand, when the user does not press the “print key” in the operation of S331 (for example, when a certain time has elapsed without the user pressing the “print key”), the process proceeds to S350 “Cancel?”. . In the operation of S350, when the user operates the “operation unit” and does not cancel the print request, the process returns to the operation of S312. On the other hand, in the operation of S350, when the user operates the “operation unit” and cancels the print request, a series of flows ends.

  In the process of S341, as described in the first to third embodiments, when the “print request” is input to the print image generation unit 24, the print image generation unit 24 converts the “print image” into the image processing unit 21. Then, image processing such as color conversion is performed and output to the printing unit 11, and the printing unit 11 performs printing. When the process of S341 ends, the process proceeds to S342 “print completion message display”.

  In the process of S342, the “printing completion message” is displayed on the display units 12 and 36 of the projector 1 with the printing function and the remote controller 30, and the series of flows ends.

  FIG. 12 shows a printing range display method. As shown in FIG. 12, the outer edge of the print range 92 displayed on the projection surface 80 is displayed as a black line, a color line, a blinking line, a dotted line, or the like. The display of the outer edge of the print range 92 can be changed by operating.

  Although the present invention has been described above in connection with the most practical and preferred embodiments at the present time, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. However, the invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and a projector with a printing function accompanying such a change is also understood to be included in the technical scope. There must be.

It is a perspective view of a projector with a printing function showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a projector with a printing function showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the determination process of a printing range. (First embodiment) It is explanatory drawing of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which selected the several printing range. It is the figure which displayed the printing image on the projection surface. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for previewing a print image. It is explanatory drawing of the display method of a printing range.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector with a printing function 1a Display part 1b Lens 1c Operation panel 10 Projection part 11 Printing part 12 Display part 13 Operation panel 15 Projection image input part 16 External storage connection part 17 CPU
18 RAM
19 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Memory | storage part 21 Image processing part 24 Print image production | generation means 25 Camera 26 Infrared transmission part 27 Infrared receiving part 30 Remote controller 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
34 Storage Unit 36 Display Unit 37 Operation Buttons 38 Infrared Receiving Unit 39 Infrared Transmitting Unit 40 Pointer 50 Computer Device 51 MMC
52 SD Memory Card 80 Projection Surface 91 Projected Image 92 Print Range 93 Vertex of Print Range Before Movement (First Embodiment)
94 Top of print range after movement (first embodiment)
95 One end of diagonal line of printing range (second embodiment)
96 The other end of the diagonal line of the printing range (second embodiment)
97 Cursor 98 One end of diagonal line of print range (third embodiment)
99 Other end of diagonal line of printing range (third embodiment)

Claims (7)

In a projector with a printing function that includes a printing unit that prints an image and a projection unit that projects an image onto a projection surface.
Print range selection means for selecting a print range from the projected image;
A printing range determination unit that determines the coordinates of the printing range selected by the printing range selection unit;
Print image generation means for generating a print image based on the print range determined by the print range determination means and outputting the print image to the printing unit;
A projector with a printing function, comprising: The print range selection means is operated by a user to display a print range on the projection image, move the print range within the projection image, and an operation panel provided in the projector with a print function for selecting the print range; At least one of the remote controllers that remotely control the projector with printing function,
The projector with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein the printing range determination unit determines the printing range based on movement information of the printing range. The print range selection means is a pointer that displays a light spot on the projection surface, and the print range determination means is a camera provided in a projector with a print function that captures the projection surface,
By operating the pointer, the user displays two diagonal ends of the desired printing range in sequence on the projection plane as light spots,
The printing function according to claim 1, wherein the camera captures two light spots sequentially displayed on the projection plane and determines a print range based on coordinates of the two light spots. projector. The printing range selection means is a pointing device connected to a projector with a printing function that sequentially selects both ends of a diagonal line of a desired printing range from a projection image by a user operation,
The projector with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein the printing range determination unit determines a printing range based on the coordinates of both ends of the selected diagonal line.   The projector with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of printing ranges are selected from the projected image.   The projector with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein the print image is projected onto a projection surface.   7. The projector with a printing function according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge of the printing range is determined by a predetermined method and displayed on a projection surface.