JP2011059292A - Image supply device, image projection system, method for controlling image supply device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image supply device, an image projection system, a method for controlling the image supply device, and a program by which the projection of an image from a projector can be started at desired timing. <P>SOLUTION: When a projector is connected to a computer, the CPU of the computer reads an image supply program from the storage part of the projector, and starts an operation based on the program. First, the CPU displays a frame image Gf for designating a projection range of the projector and a projection start button Gs on the screen of a liquid crystal display. A user is permitted to change the frame image Gf, namely, a position or a size of the projection range by dragging the frame image Gf, and project an image from the projector within a range designated by the frame image Gf by clicking the projection start button Gs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image supply device, an image projection system, an image supply device control method, and a program that supply an image to a projector and project the image.

  An image display system that enlarges and projects an image supplied from an image supply apparatus (for example, a personal computer) with a projector is known, and is used for giving a presentation. In such an image display system, when the connection between the image supply device and the projector is completed, the image supply from the image supply device is started, and accordingly, the projection of the image from the projector is started. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-264079 A

  However, when making a presentation, if the connection between the image supply device and the projector is made before the presentation is ready, there will be images that the audience does not want to see, such as preparations and confidential materials. There is a risk of projection. Therefore, there is a demand for a projector that can start projecting an image at a desired timing even when the image supply device and the projector are connected.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 An image supply apparatus according to this application example is an image supply apparatus that displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection. In a state where the display control unit for displaying the first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing the start of projection of the image on the display device, the projector, and the image supply device are connected, A projection control unit configured to cause the projector to start projecting the image when an operation on the first operation unit is received;

  According to this image supply device, the projection control unit simply connects to the projector in order to cause the projector to start projecting an image when the first operation unit displayed on the display device is operated. It is possible to prevent the image from being projected. That is, in a state where the projector is connected, image projection can be started at a desired timing, which improves convenience.

  Application Example 2 In the image supply device according to the application example described above, the image supply device further includes a range specifying unit that specifies a partial range in the image displayed by the display device, and the projection control unit is operated by the range specifying unit. It is desirable to cause the projector to project an image in the specified range.

  According to this image supply device, since the image in the range designated by the range designation unit is projected from the projector, the outside of the designated range is not projected from the projector. In other words, even if the image displayed on the display device includes a part that the audience does not want to be seen, the part can be excluded from the projection target, and the convenience is further improved. .

  Application Example 3 In the image supply device according to the application example described above, the display control unit includes a second operation unit for instructing the projection stop of the image while the projector projects the image. It is desirable to display the image on a display device, and when the projection control unit receives an operation on the second operation unit, it is preferable to cause the projector to stop projecting the image.

  According to the image supply device, when the projector starts projecting an image, the second operation unit is displayed on the display device, and the projection of the image can be stopped by operating the second operation unit. Therefore, convenience is further improved.

  Application Example 4 In the image supply apparatus according to the application example described above, it is preferable that the image supply apparatus be connected to the projector by wireless communication.

  According to this image supply device, since it is connected to the projector by wireless communication, connection work using a cable becomes unnecessary, and convenience is further improved.

  Application Example 5 An image projection system according to this application example displays an image on a display device, supplies an image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector, and projects the image information. An image projection system including the projector that projects the image supplied from the image supply device, wherein the image supply device is configured to input a first operation for instructing start of projection of the image. When an operation for the first operation unit is received in a state where the display control unit for displaying the display unit on the display device and the projector and the image supply device are connected, the projector projects the image. And a projection control unit for starting the operation.

  According to this image projection system, the projection control unit of the image supply device establishes a connection with the projector in order to cause the projector to start projecting an image when the first operation unit displayed on the display device is operated. It is suppressed that an image is projected only by performing. That is, in a state where the projector is connected, image projection can be started at a desired timing, which improves convenience.

  Application Example 6 In the image projection system according to the application example, the image supply device further includes a range specifying unit that specifies a partial range in the image displayed by the display device, and the projection control unit includes: It is preferable that the projector projects an image in the range specified by the range specifying unit.

  According to this image projection system, since the image in the range specified by the range specifying unit is projected from the projector, the outside of the specified range is not projected from the projector. In other words, even if the image displayed on the display device includes a part that the audience does not want to be seen, the part can be excluded from the projection target, and the convenience is further improved. .

  Application Example 7 An image supply device control method according to this application example displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection. A method for controlling an apparatus, wherein a display step for displaying on the display device a first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing start of projection of the image is connected to the projector and the image supply device. A projection start step of causing the projector to start projecting the image when an operation on the first operation unit is received in a state where

  According to the control method of the image supply device, when the first operation unit displayed on the display device is operated, the image can be displayed only by connecting to the projector so that the projector starts projecting the image. Projection is suppressed. That is, in a state where the projector is connected, image projection can be started at a desired timing, which improves convenience.

  Application Example 8 In the method of controlling the image supply device according to the application example, the image supply apparatus further includes a range specifying step for specifying a partial range in the image displayed by the display device, and the projection start step includes the range It is desirable to cause the projector to project an image in the range specified in the specifying step.

  According to the control method of the image supply device, since the image in the range specified in the range specifying step is projected from the projector, the outside of the specified range is not projected from the projector. In other words, even if the image displayed on the display device includes a part that the audience does not want to be seen, the part can be excluded from the projection target, and the convenience is further improved. .

  Application Example 9 A program according to this application example projects an image on a computer that displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection. A display step for displaying on the display device a first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing start, and an operation for the first operation unit is accepted in a state where the projector and the computer are connected. A projection start step for causing the projector to start projecting the image.

  According to this program, when the first operation unit displayed on the display device is operated, the projector starts projecting an image, so that the image is projected only by connecting to the projector. Is suppressed. That is, in a state where the projector is connected, image projection can be started at a desired timing, which improves convenience.

  Application Example 10 In the program according to the application example, the program further includes a range specifying step for specifying a partial range in the image displayed by the display device, and the projection start step is specified in the range specifying step. It is desirable that the image in the range is projected on the projector.

  According to this program, since the image of the range specified in the range specifying step is projected from the projector, the outside of the specified range is not projected from the projector. In other words, even if the image displayed on the display device includes a part that the audience does not want to be seen, the part can be excluded from the projection target, and the convenience is further improved. .

  Moreover, the said form and the said application example can also be comprised in aspects, such as a recording medium which recorded the said program so that reading with the said computer was possible. Recording media include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks such as CDs and DVDs, magneto-optical disks, memory cards and USB memories equipped with nonvolatile semiconductor memory, projector internal storage devices (semiconductor memories such as RAM and ROM), etc. Various media readable by the computer can be used.

1 is a perspective view showing an image projection system of a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a computer according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a projector according to a first embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on an image supply program. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on an image supply program, and is a figure which shows the screen of a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on an image supply program, and is a figure which shows the screen of a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on an image supply program, and is a figure which shows the screen of a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on an image supply program, and is a figure which shows the screen of a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on an image supply program, and is a figure which shows the image projected on a screen from a projector. The perspective view which shows the image projection system of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the computer of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the projector of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on a wireless LAN connection tool, and is a figure which shows the image displayed on a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer based on a wireless LAN connection tool, and is a figure which shows the image displayed on a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the computer which concerns on a modification, and is a figure which shows the screen of a liquid crystal display.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the image projection system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image projection system of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image projection system 100 includes a computer 1 as an image supply device and a projector 2 provided outside the computer 1. The computer 1 is, for example, a notebook personal computer, and includes a liquid crystal display 16 that is a display device, a keyboard 20 that is an input device, and a touch pad 21 that is an input device (pointing device). Yes. An external mouse 30 that is an input device (pointing device) is also connected to the computer 1. The projector 2 receives supply of image information from the computer 1 and projects an image corresponding to the image information onto a projection object such as a screen SC or a wall surface (hereinafter also simply referred to as a screen SC). In this embodiment, the computer 1 and the projector 2 are connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable 3, and image information and the like are supplied from the computer 1 to the projector 2 via the USB cable 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the computer 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, two bridge circuits (North Bridge 12 and South Bridge 13), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a video controller 15, a liquid crystal display 16, A hard disk drive 17, an optical disk drive 18, a BIOS-ROM (Read Only Memory) 19 in which a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) is written, a keyboard 20, a touch pad 21, and the like are provided.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of the computer 1 by operating according to the BIOS written in the BIOS-ROM 19 or various programs read out to the RAM 14.

  The north bridge 12 performs bridge processing between the CPU 11 and the south bridge 13, control of the RAM 14, control of the video controller 15, and the like. The RAM 14 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), and stores an OS (Operating System), an application program, and the like read from the hard disk drive 17 and the like. The RAM 14 is used for temporary storage of various data during program execution.

  The video controller 15 controls image display on the liquid crystal display 16. The video controller 15 includes a VRAM (Video RAM) 15 a, and sequentially generates image information in units of frames (screens) on the VRAM 15 a based on instructions from the CPU 11, and outputs the generated image information to the liquid crystal display 16. Thus, an image based on the image information is displayed on the screen 16a (see FIG. 1) of the liquid crystal display 16.

  The liquid crystal display 16 includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of transparent substrates, a backlight unit that emits white light from the back side of the liquid crystal panel, and a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal panel (both shown in FIG. (Not shown). A large number of pixels arranged in a matrix are formed on the inner surface of the liquid crystal panel. Each pixel includes three sub-pixels that can transmit red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light, and a driving voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal for each sub-pixel. ing. When the drive circuit applies a drive voltage corresponding to the image information input from the video controller 15 to each subpixel, each subpixel is set to a light transmittance corresponding to the image information. Therefore, the light emitted from the backlight unit is modulated by transmitting through the liquid crystal panel, and an image corresponding to the image information is displayed on the front side of the liquid crystal panel, that is, the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 (see FIG. 1). Displayed above.

  Various interface circuits are built in the south bridge 13, and a hard disk drive 17, an optical disk drive 18, a BIOS-ROM 19, a keyboard 20, a touch pad 21, and the like are connected to the south bridge 13.

  The hard disk drive 17 stores the installed OS, application program, various data, and the like. The optical disc drive 18 reads data from an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a Blu-ray disc, and writes data to the optical disc.

  The BIOS-ROM 19 stores a BIOS. The BIOS includes programs for controlling input / output devices such as the video controller 15, the hard disk drive 17, the keyboard 20, and the like, as well as programs that are read by the CPU 11 when the computer 1 is started and perform various initialization processes and OS startup. Basic input / output control for these input / output devices is provided to the OS and application programs. The CPU 11 that executes the OS and application programs can perform input / output with these input / output devices directly or via the BIOS.

  The keyboard 20 is an input device that receives input of characters, control codes, and the like by key operations, and the touch pad 21 is a movement operation, a click operation, and a drag operation of a pointer PT (see FIG. 1) displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 or the like. An input device (pointing device) that receives input operations such as. The keyboard 20 and the touch pad 21 output an operation signal based on an operation performed by the user to the south bridge 13, and the south bridge 13 transmits the operation signal to the CPU 11 via the north bridge 12.

  The south bridge 13 includes a USB interface (not shown), and data communication with an external input / output device is possible via a plurality of USB terminals (USB Type A terminals) 13a. As described above, the external mouse 30 and the projector 2 to which image information is supplied are connected to the USB terminal 13a of the present embodiment.

Next, a schematic configuration of the projector 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the projector 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the projector 2 includes an image projection unit 40, a control unit 50, an input operation unit 51, a USB communication unit 52, an image processing unit 53, a storage unit 54, and the like.

  The image projection unit 40 includes a light source 41, three liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B as a light modulation device, a projection lens 43 as a projection optical system, a light valve drive unit 44, and the like. The image projection unit 40 modulates the light emitted from the light source 41 with the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B to form an image (image light), and projects the image from the projection lens 43 and displays it on the screen SC. To do.

  The light source 41 includes a discharge-type light source lamp 41a composed of an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and a reflector 41b that reflects light emitted from the light source lamp 41a toward the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B. ing. Light emitted from the light source 41 is converted into light having a substantially uniform luminance distribution by an integrator optical system (not shown), and red (R), green (G), and blue, which are the three primary colors of light, by a color separation optical system (not shown). After being separated into each color light component of (B), it enters the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G and 42B, respectively.

  The liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B are each configured by a transmissive liquid crystal panel (not shown) in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of transparent substrates. Each liquid crystal panel is formed with a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a driving voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal for each pixel.

  When the light valve driving unit 44 applies a driving voltage corresponding to the input image information to each pixel, each pixel is set to a light transmittance corresponding to the image information. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 41 is modulated by transmitting through the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B, and image light corresponding to the image information is formed for each color light. The formed image light of each color is synthesized for each pixel by a color synthesis optical system (not shown) to become image light representing a color image, and then enlarged and projected onto the screen SC by the projection lens 43.

  The control unit 50 includes a CPU, a RAM used for temporary storage of various data, a ROM including a non-volatile memory, and the like, and the operation of the projector 2 is performed by the CPU operating according to a control program stored in the ROM. Take overall control.

  The input operation unit 51 includes a plurality of operation keys for the user to give various instructions to the projector 2. The operation keys provided in the input operation unit 51 include a “power key” for switching power on and off, a “menu key” for displaying a setting menu for performing various settings, and the like. When the user operates various operation keys of the input operation unit 51, the input operation unit 51 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation content of the user to the control unit 50. The input operation unit 51 may be configured using a remote control (not shown) capable of remote operation. In this case, the remote control transmits an infrared operation signal corresponding to the user's operation content, and a remote control signal receiving unit (not shown) receives this and transmits it to the control unit 50.

  The USB communication unit 52 is connected to an external host device (computer 1 in this embodiment) via the USB cable 3 (see FIG. 1) connected to a USB terminal (USB Type B terminal) 52a. Based on the instruction, data communication is performed with the computer 1 in accordance with the USB standard. When the image information is input from the computer 1 to the USB communication unit 52, the USB communication unit 52 outputs the input image information to the image processing unit 53.

  The image processing unit 53 defines the image information input from the USB communication unit 52 as image information representing the gradation of each pixel of the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B, that is, a drive voltage applied to each pixel. Convert to image information. Further, based on an instruction from the control unit 50, processing for adjusting image quality such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, and hue is performed on the converted image information. The image information that has undergone image quality adjustment or the like by the image processing unit 53 is output to the light valve driving unit 44. Further, when image information is not input from the USB communication unit 52, the image processing unit 53 generates image information for projecting a predetermined reference image (for example, a black plain image) and drives the light valve. To the unit 44.

  When the light valve driving unit 44 drives the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B according to the image information input from the image processing unit 53, the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B display images (image light) corresponding to the image information. This image is projected from the projection lens 43 onto the screen SC.

  The storage unit 54 is configured by a nonvolatile memory and is connected to the USB communication unit 52. The storage unit 54 stores a program (image supply program PP) for supplying image information from the computer 1 to the projector 2. The image supply program PP is an application program that is read and executed by the computer 1 when the computer 1 and the projector 2 are connected.

Next, the operation of the image projection system 100 will be described.
When the computer 1 is turned on, the CPU 11 performs boot processing in accordance with the BIOS stored in the BIOS-ROM 19 to start up the OS stored in the hard disk drive 17 (read into the RAM 14). Start operation. Then, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to display a predetermined image (initial screen) on the screen 16 a of the liquid crystal display 16.

  The OS employed in the computer 1 of the present embodiment includes a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and the user operates a pointing device such as the touch pad 21 and the mouse 30 in addition to the keyboard 20. Thus, various instructions can be given to the computer 1.

  In the process of starting the OS, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to superimpose the pointer PT on the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 16. The OS includes a device driver for communicating with the touch pad 21 and the mouse 30, and the CPU 11 performs a movement operation, a click operation, a drag operation, and the like performed on the touch pad 21 and the mouse 30 by the device driver. Can be detected. When a movement operation is performed on the touch pad 21 or the mouse 30, the CPU 11 moves the pointer PT by changing the position where the pointer PT is superimposed according to the movement operation of the user.

  When the activation of the OS is completed, the computer 1 waits for various user operations. Then, the user can operate the keyboard 20, the touch pad 21, the mouse 30, and the like to instruct activation of a desired application program, or connect a peripheral device such as the projector 2 to the USB terminal 13a.

  Here, when the projector 2 is connected to the USB terminal 13 a of the computer 1 via the USB cable 3, the CPU 11 of the computer 1 detects this connection and sends configuration information (descriptor information) to the projector 2. Request. Although not shown, the USB communication unit 52 of the projector 2 has a memory in which configuration information is stored. In this configuration information, the device class of the projector 2 is a mass storage class. Information such as that the projector 2 virtually operates as a storage device is included. Then, the projector 2 outputs this configuration information to the computer 1 in response to a request from the computer 1.

  Based on the input configuration information, the CPU 11 of the computer 1 recognizes that the device class of the projector 2 is a mass storage class, and activates a mass storage driver that is a general-purpose device driver that is standard in the OS. To do. As a result, the USB connection between the computer 1 and the projector 2 is established. Thereafter, the computer 1 can supply image information to the projector 2 by using this mass storage driver.

  When the CPU 11 of the computer 1 recognizes the projector 2 as a storage device, it reads an automatic execution setting file (not shown) from the projector 2. The automatic execution setting file is a file for designating a program to be automatically executed by the computer 1 (without depending on a user operation) when a storage device is connected to the computer 1, and in the present embodiment, An automatic execution setting file specifying the image supply program PP as a program to be automatically executed is stored in the storage unit 54 of the projector 2. Then, the CPU 11 of the computer 1 reads the image supply program PP from the storage unit 54 into the RAM 14 according to the automatic execution setting file, and starts an operation according to this program.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the computer 1 based on the image supply program PP. 5 to 9 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the computer 1 based on the image supply program PP. FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrams showing a screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the image projected on the screen SC from the projector. When the image supply program PP is activated, the CPU 11 of the computer 1 operates according to the image supply program PP as shown in the flow of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 immediately before the computer 1 and the projector 2 are connected, that is, immediately before the image supply program PP is activated. In this figure, an image Gp is an image that the user is trying to project from the projector 2, and before connecting the computer 1 and the projector 2, an operation of opening a predetermined application program and opening a file is performed. Thus, the image is displayed on the screen 16 a of the liquid crystal display 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S101, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to display a frame-like image (frame image Gf) on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 (see FIG. 6). The frame image Gf is a window for designating a range (projection range) to be projected by the projector 2, and a background (back side) image can be seen through the inside of the frame image Gf. That is, an image displayed inside the frame image Gf is projected from the projector 2 later. A title bar TB is provided above the frame image Gf, and an end button BX1 for ending the image supply program PP is provided at the end of the title bar TB. The user can appropriately change the position and size of the frame image Gf by performing a drag operation with a pointing device such as the touch pad 21 or the mouse 30. Specifically, if the drag operation is performed with the pointer PT positioned on the title bar TB, the frame image Gf can be moved, and if the drag operation is performed on the periphery of the frame image Gf, that is, the frame, The size of the frame image Gf can be changed.

  In step S102, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to display a button-like image (projection start button Gs) on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 (see FIG. 6). The projection start button Gs is used to start projecting an image from the projector 2, and the characters “projection start” are marked on the projection start button Gs.

  In step S103, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a drag operation has been performed on the frame image Gf. If a drag operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S104. If a drag operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S105.

  When the drag operation is performed on the frame image Gf and the process proceeds to step S104, the CPU 11 causes the video controller 15 to change the position or size of the frame image Gf based on the operation performed by the user, and the process proceeds to step S103. Return. Then, the user can adjust the position and size of the frame image Gf so that the frame image Gf surrounds a desired projection range by appropriately repeating the drag operation (see, for example, FIG. 7).

  In step S105, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the projection start button Gs has been clicked, that is, whether or not the click operation has been performed with the pointer PT positioned on the projection start button Gs. When the projection start button Gs is clicked, the process proceeds to step S108, and when the projection start button Gs is not clicked, the process proceeds to step S106.

  When the projection start button Gs is not clicked and the process proceeds to step S106, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the end button BX1 is clicked. When the end button BX1 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S107. When the end button BX1 is not clicked, the process returns to step S103.

  If the projection start button Gs is clicked in step S105 and the process proceeds to step S108, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to end the display of the projection start button Gs before supplying the image information. Instead, a projection stop button Ge, which is also a button-like image, is displayed (see FIG. 8). The projection stop button Ge is for stopping the projection of an image from the projector 2, and the characters “stop projection” are marked on the projection stop button Ge.

  In subsequent step S109, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to capture an image in a range surrounded by the frame image Gf, that is, an image displayed within the frame of the frame image Gf. In step S110, the CPU 11 packetizes the captured image (image information) and outputs the packet to the projector 2 from the USB terminal 13a. As a result, the captured image, that is, the image within the frame of the frame image Gf (in this example, the image Gp) is projected from the projector 2 onto the screen SC (see FIG. 9).

  In step S111, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the projection stop button Ge has been clicked. If the projection stop button Ge is not clicked, the process returns to step S109, and the capture of the image within the frame of the frame image Gf and the output of the captured image to the projector 2 are repeated. On the other hand, when the projection stop button Ge is clicked, the process proceeds to step S112.

  When the projection stop button Ge is clicked and the process proceeds to step S112, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to end the display of the projection stop button Ge and display the projection start button Gs instead. Then, the process returns to step S103. Thereafter, image capture and output of the captured image to the projector 2 are stopped. That is, the projection of the image Gp from the projector 2 is stopped and the reference image is projected, and the CPU 11 waits for a drag operation on the frame image Gf, a click operation of the projection start button Gs, or the like.

  When the end button BX1 is clicked in step S106 and the process proceeds to step S107, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to end the display of the frame image Gf and the projection start button Gs. The program (image supply program PP) is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the image supply program PP is read from the projector 2 when the projector 2 is connected to the computer 1 is shown. However, the image supply program PP is installed in the hard disk drive 17 of the computer 1 in advance. The image supply program PP may be activated by the user. Further, when a function for detecting connection with the projector 2 is added to the image supply program PP, and the image supply program PP is activated and made resident when the OS is started, the projector 2 is connected. In addition, it is possible to detect this connection and operate the computer 1 according to the flow shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the image projection system 100 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) According to the image projection system 100 of this embodiment, when the projection start button Gs displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 is clicked, the computer 1 causes the projector 2 to start projecting an image in order to start projecting an image. It is possible to prevent the image from being projected simply by connecting the. In other words, in a state where the computer 1 and the projector 2 are connected, an image can be projected at a desired timing, so that convenience is improved.

  (2) According to the image projection system 100 of the present embodiment, since the image in the range specified by the frame image Gf is projected from the projector 2, the outside of the specified range is projected from the projector 2. There is no. In other words, even if the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 includes a part that the audience does not want to be seen, the part can be excluded from the projection target, further improving convenience. To do.

  (3) According to the image projection system 100 of the present embodiment, when the projector 2 starts projecting an image, the projection stop button Ge is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 instead of the projection start button Gs, and this projection stop button Ge By clicking the button, the projection of the image can be stopped, so that convenience is further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the USB terminal 13a and the south bridge 13 having a built-in USB interface correspond to the connection portion, and the CPU 11 and the video controller 15 when the projection start button Gs is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 in step S102 are displayed. It corresponds to the control unit. The CPU 11 when outputting image information to the projector 2 in step S110 and causing the projector 2 to start projecting an image corresponds to the projection control unit. In step S101, the frame image Gf is displayed, and a projection range is displayed by a drag operation. The CPU 11 and the video controller 15 at the time of designating the image correspond to the range designating unit. The projection start button Gs corresponds to the first operation unit, and the projection stop button Ge corresponds to the second operation unit. In addition, step S102 for displaying the projection start button Gs corresponds to a display step, and step S105 for starting image capture and output when the projection start button Gs is clicked corresponds to a projection start step. Step S101 for displaying Gf and step S104 for changing the position and size of the frame image Gf (projection range) based on a drag operation on the frame image Gf correspond to the range specifying step.

(Second Embodiment)
The image projection system according to the second embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the image projection system 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the computer 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the projector 2 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the image projection system 100 of the present embodiment, the computer 1 is not connected to the external projector 2 by the USB cable 3 and supplies image information by wireless communication. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a wireless LAN device 22 for performing network communication with an external device by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is connected to the south bridge 13 of the computer 1 of the present embodiment. The computer 1 supplies (sends) image information via the wireless LAN to the projector 2 that can also perform network communication via the wireless LAN. The hard disk drive 17 is installed and stored with an application program (wireless LAN connection tool CT) for performing wireless LAN connection with the projector 2 and supplying image information and the like. Other configurations of the computer 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the projector 2 according to the present embodiment does not include the USB communication unit 52 and the storage unit 54 in the first embodiment, but instead performs network communication using a wireless LAN. A wireless LAN communication unit 55 is provided. The wireless LAN communication unit 55 operates based on an instruction from the control unit 50, and outputs the received image information to the image processing unit 53 when image information is received from the computer 1. The image information received by the wireless LAN communication unit 55 is subjected to various processes by the image processing unit 53 as necessary, and then output to the image projection unit 40. The image projection unit 40 responds to the image information. Project an image. Other configurations of the projector 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the image projection system 100 will be described.
When the user instructs the computer 1 in the state where the OS is activated to start the wireless LAN connection tool CT, the CPU 11 reads the wireless LAN connection tool CT stored in the hard disk drive 17 into the RAM 14 and follows this program. Operate.

13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation of the computer 1 based on the wireless LAN connection tool CT, and are diagrams showing images displayed on the liquid crystal display 16.
When the wireless LAN connection tool CT is activated, the CPU 11 displays a mode selection window Ga (see FIG. 13) on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 to allow the user to select a wireless LAN access mode.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the mode selection window Ga, an “infrastructure mode” that can be connected to a plurality of projectors 2 via an access point and an “ad hoc mode” that communicates one-on-one without going through an access point Can be selected, and the user can select one of the access modes by clicking the radio button RB provided in the mode selection window Ga.

  When an access mode is selected by the user and an OK button BOK provided in the mode selection window Ga is clicked, the CPU 11 performs a broadcast using the wireless LAN device 22 and searches for a projector 2 that can be connected to the wireless LAN. Thereafter, the CPU 11 displays a connection window Gw (see FIG. 14) including the search result on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the list DL of the searched projectors 2 is displayed in the connection window Gw, and the list DL includes the status, identification name, and IP address of each projector 2. In addition, a check box CB is added to each searched projector 2 in the list DL, and the user can specify a projector 2 to be connected by clicking the check box CB. In addition, when the ad hoc mode is selected as the access mode, the user can designate only one projector 2, and when the infrastructure mode is selected as the access mode, the user can select a plurality of projectors. One projector 2 can be designated. A connection button BCN is provided in the lower right of the connection window Gw, and the user clicks on the connection button BCN after designating the projector 2 to be connected, so that the wireless LAN connection with the designated projector 2 is performed. It can be performed.

  When the user clicks on the connection button BCN, the CPU 11 executes a wireless LAN connection with the designated projector 2. Specifically, the CPU 11 transmits a connection request command from the wireless LAN device 22 to the designated projector 2. When the projector 2 responds to the connection request command and transmits a connection response command for permitting connection to the computer 1, the wireless LAN device 22 of the computer 1 receives this and receives the wireless LAN connection between the computer 1 and the projector 2. Is established and an image can be supplied from the computer 1 to the projector 2.

  When the wireless LAN connection is established, the CPU 11 instructs the video controller 15 to delete the connection window Gw from the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16. Then, an image supply routine (not shown) having the same function as that of the image supply program PP of the first embodiment is called, and the operation is performed according to the same flow as in FIG.

  That is, the CPU 11 displays the frame image Gf and the projection start button Gs on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 (steps S101 and S102), and when a drag operation is performed on the frame image Gf, the position of the frame image Gf is displayed. Alternatively, the projection range is adjusted by changing the size (step S104). When the projection start button Gs is clicked, the CPU 11 displays a projection stop button Ge instead of the projection start button Gs (step S108), and then captures an image within the frame of the frame image Gf ( Step S109) and output (transmission) of this image to the projector 2 (step S110) are repeated until the projection stop button Ge is clicked. In other words, from when the projection start button Gs is clicked to when the projection stop button Ge is clicked, image information is transmitted from the computer 1 to the projector 2 via the wireless LAN and captured by the computer 1. An image is projected from the projector 2.

  When the projection stop button Ge is clicked, the CPU 11 displays the projection start button Gs instead of the projection stop button Ge (step S112), and performs a drag operation on the frame image Gf or the projection start button Gs. Wait for click operation. In this state, if the end button BX1 of the frame image Gf is clicked, the CPU 11 ends the image supply routine, disconnects the wireless LAN connection with the projector 2, and then the screen of the liquid crystal display 16 The connection window Gw is displayed again on 16a. In the state where the connection window Gw is displayed, the user can perform a new wireless LAN connection by designating the projector 2 and clicking the connection button BCN. Further, when the user clicks on the end button BX2 (see FIG. 14) provided on the upper right of the connection window Gw, the CPU 11 ends the wireless LAN connection tool CT.

  When it is determined that a specific access mode (for example, ad hoc mode) is connected to a specific projector 2, it is not necessary for the user to select the access mode or the connection target projector 2. That is, after the operation for starting the wireless LAN connection tool CT is performed, the frame image Gf and the projection start button Gs can be displayed without any operation. In this case, the projection start button Gs is displayed immediately after activation of the wireless LAN connection tool CT, and the display state of the projection start button Gs is changed after the wireless LAN connection with the projector 2 is established. Also good. For example, if the color of the projection start button Gs is changed or blinked after the wireless LAN connection is established to make the projection start button Gs stand out, the wireless LAN connection is established and the projection start button Gs is It becomes possible to effectively notify the user that it has become effective, that is, that the projection start button Gs can be clicked.

  As described above, according to the image projection system 100 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  (1) According to the image projection system 100 of this embodiment, since the computer 1 and the projector 2 are connected by wireless communication using a wireless LAN, connection work using a cable is not necessary, and convenience is further improved. Here, the wireless communication is not limited to the aspect using the wireless LAN, and may be wireless communication according to another aspect.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless LAN device 22 that performs wireless communication with the projector 2 through a wireless LAN connection corresponds to a connection unit.

(Modification)
The embodiment may be modified as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the user displays the image Gp to be projected from the projector 2 on the liquid crystal display 16 in advance before connecting the computer 1 and the projector 2 (see FIG. 5). May be performed after the image supply program PP (image supply routine) is started. Here, if the frame image Gf, the projection start button Gs, and the projection stop button Ge are always displayed in the foreground, the frame image Gf can be displayed even if the image Gp or the like is displayed on the full screen later. The projection start button Gs and the projection stop button Ge are not hidden behind the image Gp or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the frame image Gf is a frame-like image (window) provided with the title bar TB. However, the aspect of the frame image Gf is not limited to the above as long as the projection range can be specified. . For example, as shown in FIG. 15, a translucent rectangular image can be used as the frame image Gf. In this case, the size of the frame image Gf is changed when the peripheral part of the frame image Gf is dragged, and the frame image Gf can be moved when the part other than the peripheral part of the frame image Gf is dragged. That's fine. When the image supply program PP or the image supply routine is ended, a context menu is displayed by a click operation or the like on the frame image Gf, and an item for ending the program (routine) can be selected from the context menu. You can do it.

  In the above embodiment, the projection start button Gs and the projection stop button Ge are alternately displayed according to whether or not image information is supplied. However, one button that toggles the start and stop of projection is toggled. You may make it always display. Alternatively, both the projection start button Gs and the projection stop button Ge may be displayed at all times, and the effective button may be switched according to whether or not image information is supplied.

  In the above embodiment, the computer 1 and the projector 2 are connected by USB (first embodiment) or wireless LAN (second embodiment). However, the connection between the computer 1 and the projector 2 is described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a mode of connection by a wired LAN may be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the computer 1 captures an image in a range surrounded by the frame image Gf, and outputs the image information of this image to the projector 2. However, the image information of the entire screen 16a and the frame image Gf are output. If the range information representing the range surrounded by is output to the projector 2, the projector 2 can extract and project the projection range.

  In the above embodiment, the supply of image information from the computer 1 to the projector 2 is started when the projection start button Gs is clicked, and the supply of image information is stopped when the projection stop button Ge is clicked. I am letting. On the other hand, image information is always supplied from the computer 1 while connected to the projector 2, and the projector 2 is notified that the projection start button Gs and the projection stop button Ge have been clicked. Good. In the period from when the projection start button Gs is clicked to when the projection stop button Ge is clicked, the projector 2 projects an image based on the supplied image information, and the projection start button Gs is clicked. The reference image or the like may be projected for a period until the image is displayed and a period after the projection stop button Ge is clicked.

  In the above embodiment, the projection range can be specified by adjusting the position and size of the frame image Gf. However, the image displayed on the screen 16a of the liquid crystal display 16 without allowing the user to specify the projection range. The entire image may be projected from the projector 2. In addition, a predetermined specific range may be fixed as the projection range, and the image Gp to be projected by the projector 2 may be moved or the size may be changed according to the projection range. Further, an area (window) used by a specific application program may be set as the projection range, and the projection range may be moved or resized in conjunction with the movement or size change of the window.

  In the above embodiment, when the image capture is performed in step S109, if the projection stop button Ge is positioned inside the frame image Gf, an image in a state where the projection stop button Ge is not displayed is captured. Thus, the projection stop button Ge may not be included in the image projected from the projector 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, two pointing devices (the built-in touch pad 21 and the external mouse 30) are connected to the computer 1. However, the number of pointing devices may be one. In the above-described embodiment, the touch pad 21 and the mouse 30 are used as the pointing devices. However, other pointing devices such as a trackball, a joystick, a pen tablet, and a touch panel can be used.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of an image supply device, a computer 1 (integratedly provided with a liquid crystal display 16 as a display device, a keyboard 20 as an input device, and a touch pad 21 as an input device (pointing device). (Notebook personal computer) has been described, but the image supply device is not limited to a notebook personal computer. For example, it may be a portable information device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a configuration in which all or a part of a display device, a keyboard, and a pointing device are externally connected like a desktop personal computer. It may be a computer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the button-like image (projection start button Gs and projection stop button Ge) is instructed to start and stop image projection. However, other GUI components (for example, check boxes and radio buttons) , A list box, etc.) may be used for the instruction.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Computer, 2 ... Projector, 3 ... USB cable, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... North bridge, 13 ... South bridge, 13a ... USB terminal, 14 ... RAM, 15 ... Video controller, 15a ... VRAM, 16 ... Liquid crystal display, 16a ... screen, 17 ... hard disk drive, 18 ... optical disk drive, 19 ... BIOS-ROM, 20 ... keyboard, 21 ... touch pad, 22 ... wireless LAN device, 30 ... mouse, 40 ... image projection unit, 41 ... light source, 41a Light source lamp 41b Reflector 42R, 42G, 42B Liquid crystal light valve 43 Projection lens 44 Light valve drive unit 50 Control unit 51 Input operation unit 52 USB communication unit 52a USB Terminal, 53 ... Image processing unit, 54 ... Storage unit, 55 ... Wireless AN communication unit, 100 ... image projection system, SC ... screen, PP ... image supply program, Gf ... frame image, TB ... title bar, BX1 ... end button, Gs ... projection start button, Ge ... projection stop button, Gp ... image , PT ... pointer, CT ... wireless LAN connection tool, Ga ... mode selection window, RB ... radio button, BOK ... OK button, Gw ... connection window, CB ... check box, DL ... list, BCN ... connection button, BX2 ... end button.

Claims (10)

An image supply device that displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection.
A display control unit that causes the display device to display a first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing the start of projection of the image;
A projection control unit that causes the projector to start projecting the image when an operation to the first operation unit is received in a state where the projector and the image supply device are connected;
An image supply apparatus comprising: The image supply device according to claim 1,
A range designating unit for designating a partial range in the image displayed by the display device;
The projection control unit causes the projector to project an image in the range designated by the range designation unit. The image supply device according to claim 2,
The display control unit causes the display device to display a second operation unit for instructing to stop projecting the image while the projector projects the image.
The projection control unit, when receiving an operation on the second operation unit, causes the projector to stop projecting the image. The image supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image supply apparatus connected to the projector by wireless communication. An image supply device that displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection, and the projector that projects the image supplied from the image supply device An image projection system comprising:
The image supply device includes:
A display control unit that causes the display device to display a first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing the start of projection of the image;
A projection control unit that causes the projector to start projecting the image when an operation to the first operation unit is received in a state where the projector and the image supply device are connected;
An image projection system comprising: The image projection system according to claim 5,
The image supply device further includes a range designating unit that designates a partial range in the image displayed by the display device,
The projection control unit causes the projector to project an image in the range designated by the range designation unit. A method of controlling an image supply device that displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection.
A display step of causing the display device to display a first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing the start of projection of the image;
A projection start step for causing the projector to start projecting the image when an operation on the first operation unit is received in a state where the projector and the image supply device are connected;
A method for controlling an image supply apparatus. The image supply device control method according to claim 7,
A range designating step for designating a partial range in the image displayed by the display device;
In the projection start step, the projector supplies an image in the range specified in the range specifying step to the projector. A computer that displays an image on a display device and supplies image information corresponding to at least a part of the image to an external projector for projection.
A display step of causing the display device to display a first operation unit for inputting an operation for instructing the start of projection of the image;
A projection start step for causing the projector to start projecting the image when an operation on the first operation unit is received in a state where the projector and the computer are connected;
A program characterized by having executed. The program according to claim 9, wherein
A range designating step for designating a partial range in the image displayed by the display device;
In the projection start step, the projector causes the projector to project an image in the range designated in the range designation step.

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