JP2011100376A - Projector, projector management system and management method for them - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent that a brought-out projector is used by another user as it is not returned even after an end of a use permission time when sharing and using a limited number of projectors in a plurality of conference spaces or classrooms because cannot project an image when not acquiring use permission information or when it is time except the use permission time included in the obtained use permission information. <P>SOLUTION: The projector includes: a projection part 120 projecting a projection image corresponding to input image data; a use permission information acquisition part 155 acquiring the use permission information including the predetermined use permission time; a storage part 116 storing the use permission time based on the obtained use permission information; and a control part 117 making the projection part 120 project the projection image within the use permission time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a projector that projects a predetermined projection image only within a predetermined use permission time, and a use permission issuing device that issues use permission information including the use permission time to the projector. The present invention relates to a projector management system and a projector management method.

  When a limited number of projectors are shared and used in multiple conference spaces or classrooms, managing projectors has been an issue. That is, for example, the rented projector is not returned with the user unknown, and there is a problem that the next person who intends to use it has to search for it. Therefore, there is known a method of prompting a return after use by starting only when a predetermined password is input to the projector.

  Also, as described in Patent Document 1, a method of centrally managing devices such as projectors for each conference room is known. In this method, when a user reserves a conference room, the device in the conference room is reserved, and when the conference room is used, the device is set in a standby state.

JP-A-9-128446

  However, in the management method by setting a password in the projector, if the user continues to use the password, the password becomes substantially known among the users and is used by other users without being returned. That was a challenge. In addition, when the system linked to the reservation of the conference room as described in Patent Document 1, the device to be used for each conference room is fixed, so when sharing a smaller number of devices than the number of conference rooms Was not suitable.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention acquires, as one form, a projecting unit that projects a projection image according to input image data, and use permission information including a predetermined use permission time. A use permission information acquisition unit, a storage unit that stores the acquired use permission information, and a control unit that causes the projection unit to project the projection image within the use permission time based on the use permission information. A projector is provided.

  According to such a projector, when the use permission information is not acquired, or when it is outside the use permission time included in the acquired use permission information, an image cannot be projected. When a limited number of projectors are shared and used in the classroom, the taken-out projector can be prevented from being used by other users without being returned even after the end of the permitted use time. .

  In the projector, the control unit indicates to the projection unit that the remaining use permission time is less when the remaining use permission time is shorter than a predetermined time. It is preferable to project a message.

  As a result, the user can be surely recognized that the end of the use permission time is approaching.

  In the projector, it is preferable that the control unit blocks external input of the image data when it is outside the use permission time.

  As a result, image data cannot be externally input when it is outside the permitted use time, so it is possible to more reliably prevent the taken-out projector from being used by other users without being returned after the permitted use time. be able to.

  In the projector, it is preferable that when the power is turned on outside the use permission time, the control unit causes the projection unit to project a message indicating that it is outside the use permission time.

  Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to return the projector after the use permission time is over.

  According to another aspect of the invention, a projector that projects a predetermined projection image only within a predetermined use permission time, and a use permission issuance that issues use permission information including the use permission time to the projector. A use permission issuing device that includes a use permission information generation unit that generates the use permission information, and an output unit that outputs the use permission information to the projector. The projector includes: a projection unit that projects the projection image; a use permission information acquisition unit that acquires the use permission information transmitted from the use permission issuing device; and a storage unit that stores the acquired use permission information; A control unit for projecting the projection image to the projection unit within the use permission time based on the use permission information. To provide a projector management system to.

  According to such a system, a projector that has not acquired use permission information from the use permission issuing device or a projector that is outside the use permission time included in the already obtained use permission information cannot project an image. In cases where a limited number of projectors are shared and used in multiple conference spaces or classrooms, the projectors that are taken out are used by other users without being returned after the end of the usage permission period. Can be prevented.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides a projector management method for projecting a projection image according to given image data, and obtains use permission information including a predetermined use permission time, and acquires the use permission information. There is provided a management method for a projector, characterized by storing use permission information and projecting the projection image within the use permission time based on the use permission information.

  According to such a projector management method, when the use permission information is not acquired, or when it is outside the use permission time included in the acquired use permission information, an image cannot be projected. When a limited number of projectors are shared and used in a conference space or classroom, the taken-out projector is prevented from being used by other users without being returned after the use permission time is over. be able to.

  According to another aspect of the invention, a projector that projects a predetermined projection image only within a predetermined use permission time, and a use permission issuance that issues use permission information including the use permission time to the projector. The use permission issuing device generates the use permission information, outputs the use permission information to the projector, and the projector transmits from the use permission issuing device. The management method is characterized in that the use permission information is acquired, the acquired use permission information is stored, and the projection image is projected within the use permission time based on the use permission information. .

  According to such a management method, a projector that has not acquired use permission information from the use permission issuing device or a projector that is outside the use permission time included in the use permission information that has already been acquired cannot project an image. Therefore, when a limited number of projectors are shared and used in multiple conference spaces or classrooms, the projectors taken out are used by other users without being returned after the end of the permitted usage time. Can be prevented.

1 is a front view of a projector management apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the projector 100 and the use permission issuing apparatus 200 at the time of use permission information issuance. An example of an operation flow when the usage permission information is issued by the usage permission issuing device 200 is shown. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the projector 100 at the time of projection operation | movement. An example of an operation flow during a projection operation by the projector 100 is shown. An example of an operation flow at the time of a use permission time check operation by the projector 100 is shown.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiment does not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features in the embodiment are based on the invention. It is not always essential to the solution.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a projector management apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the projector management apparatus 10 includes a storage rack 11 and an operation panel 12. In the storage rack 11, a plurality (four in this example) of projectors 100 (100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4) are stored. The operation panel 12 incorporates a use permission issuing device 200, and an operation unit 230 and a display unit 260 which are user interfaces of the use permission issuing device 200 are arranged on the front surface. The projector management apparatus 10 and the four projectors 100 (100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4) are an example of the configuration of the projector management system of the present invention. In this example, the four projectors 100 (100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4) all have the same configuration and function, and in the case of referring to any one unit It will be referred to as “projector 100”.

  In the system of this example, a user who wants to lend any of the four projectors 100 stored in the storage rack 11 of the projector management apparatus 10 first wants to lend with the projector selection button 231 of the operation unit 230. After selecting the projector 100 to be used, the projector 100 is used with respect to the projector 100 that receives the rental from the use permission issuing device 200 by inputting information such as the usage time and the usage place with the information input button 232 of the operation unit 230. Issuance of use permission information including use permission time, which is permitted time as possible.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the projector 100 and the use permission issuing device 200 when issuing the use permission information. In addition to the operation unit 230 and the display unit 260, the use permission issuing device 200 includes a storage unit 210, a power supply unit 220, an operation reception unit 240, a control unit 250, a use permission information generation unit 270, and an output unit 280. Further, the projector 100 includes a lamp 110, an optical unit 111, a liquid crystal panel driving unit 112, an operation receiving unit 113, a power supply unit 114, an image processing unit 115, a storage unit 116, a control unit 117, a lamp driving unit 119, and an input unit 150. Have The input unit 150 includes a use permission information acquisition unit 155 that acquires use permission information issued by the use permission issuing device 200.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 2, a configuration that functions when the use permission information is issued in the projector 100 and the use permission issuing device 200 will be described. When issuing the use permission information, in the use permission issuing device 200, first, the operation receiving unit 240 receives the input of the above information by the user through the operation unit 230 and becomes a trigger when issuing the use permission information to the control unit 250. Send an operation signal.

  The storage unit 210 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory capable of rewriting data such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 210 stores, for example, information related to the use permission time, the user, and the use location of each of the four projectors 100.

  The power supply unit 220 transforms the AC power from the external power supply 300 by an AC / DC conversion unit (not shown), and further rectifies, smoothes and stabilizes the DC voltage to each part of the use permission issuing device 200. To supply. The control unit 250 controls each unit using an operation signal from the operation reception unit 240 as a trigger. The display unit 260 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays information input by the user through the operation unit 230, information stored in the storage unit 210, and the like.

  The use permission information generation unit 270 generates use permission information including a use permission time based on the input of the information by the user. The output unit 280 outputs the use permission information generated by the use permission information generation unit 270 to the projector 100 that the user desires to lend. The use permission information generated by the use permission information generation unit 270 may include at least the use permission time, but may further include information on the user and the use place.

  In this example, the output unit 280 is, for example, a wireless LAN card, RFID tag, IrDA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like corresponding to at least one of the wireless LAN standards of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, or IEEE 802.11g. In addition, various types of data including use permission information can be transmitted wirelessly with an input unit 150 (described later) in the projector 100. In addition, the output part 280 is not restricted to the form which transmits use permission information by radio like this example. The output unit 280 may include, for example, a USB terminal, a DV terminal, and the like. In this case, use permission information may be output to the projector 100 by wire.

  On the other hand, in the projector 100, the use permission information output from the output unit 280 is input to the input unit 150 and acquired by the use permission information acquisition unit 155. In this example, the input unit 150 includes the same external interface as the output unit 280, and can receive data with the output unit 280 wirelessly or by wire. The usage permission information acquired by the usage permission information acquisition unit 155 is stored in the storage unit 116.

  Similar to the storage unit 210, the storage unit 116 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile memory or hard disk capable of rewriting data, such as a flash memory. The use permission information stored in the storage unit 116 is read out during a projection operation of the projector 100 described later. Note that the use permission information acquisition unit 155 itself may include a storage element such as a memory and store the acquired use permission information.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an operation flow when the use permission issuing device 200 issues use permission information. In this flow, first, the operation reception unit 240 receives an operation for issuing use permission information through the operation unit 230 by the user (step S110). In this flow, a case will be described as an example where the user inputs the content of “use projector 200-2 for 2 hours from PM 13:00 in conference room A” through operation unit 230. In this case, the operation reception unit 240 outputs an operation signal based on the input content to the control unit 250.

  Next, the control unit 250 accesses the storage unit 210 and confirms whether or not a use permission time is set for the projector 100-2 between PM 13:00 and PM 15:00 (step S120). ). And when the use permission time is not set (the use permission information including the use permission time in the meantime is not issued) (step S120: YES), the control part 250 produces | generates the use permission information based on the said content. A control signal to the effect is output to the use permission information generation unit 270.

  Next, the use permission information generation unit 270 responds that the control signal is given from the control unit 250 to “PM13: 00 to PM15: 00 as the use permission time in the conference room A of the projector 100-2. Use permission information indicating “use permitted” is generated (step S130). Then, the output unit 280 outputs the use permission information generated by the use permission information generation unit 270 to the input unit 150 of the projector 100-2 (Step S140).

  On the other hand, when the use permission time has already been set for the projector 100-2 between PM 13:00 and PM 15:00 (use permission information including the use permission time in the meantime has been issued) (step S120). : NO), the control unit 250 outputs a control signal to the display unit 260 to display a predetermined error message. Then, the display unit 260 displays a message that the use permission information in the time zone desired by the user cannot be issued to the projector 100-2 in response to the control signal given from the control unit 250 ( Step S260). Thus, the operation flow ends.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the projector 100 during the projection operation. During the projection operation, the projector 100 separates the light emitted from the lamp 110 as the light source into the three primary color components (red light, blue light, and green light), and the image received by the input unit 150 by external input. In accordance with the image signal generated based on the data, the light of each color is modulated by a liquid crystal light valve (not shown) for each color light, which is a light modulation element included in the optical unit 111, and synthesized again and screened. This is a so-called “liquid crystal three-plate projector” that projects onto the projection surface of the projector.

  The projector 100 includes an operation panel (not shown) provided with a plurality of operation buttons for operating the projector 100 on the upper surface of the main body of the projector 100. Further, the projector 100 can be remotely operated by a remote controller 400 including a plurality of operation buttons similar to the operation panel.

  The lamp 110 is, for example, a discharge lamp capable of obtaining high brightness such as a high-pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, or a halogen lamp. The optical unit 111 separates the white light emitted from the lamp 110 into substantially parallel light having a stable luminance distribution, and separates the white light having a stable luminance distribution into red, green, and blue light components, and outputs each color. A separation optical system that supplies the liquid crystal light valve for light, and a synthesis optical system (not shown) that combines again each color light modulated according to the image signal for each color light by the liquid crystal light valve. It is configured to include. The optical unit 111 projects a full-color image on a projection surface by projection light enlarged by a projection lens that incorporates full-color, substantially parallel modulated light emitted from the synthesis optical system.

  The liquid crystal panel driving unit 112 supplies a driving voltage and the like together with an image signal input from the image processing unit 115 to a liquid crystal light valve (not shown) of the optical unit 111, and projects a projected image on the liquid crystal light valve. The operation accepting unit 113 accepts an operation by the remote controller 400 and sends an operation signal serving as a trigger for various operations to the control unit 117.

  The power supply unit 114 supplies power from the external power supply 300 to each unit of the projector 100 in response to a power-on operation by the user. More specifically, the power supply unit 114 transforms a DC voltage that has been transformed by an AC / DC conversion unit (not shown) incorporating AC power from the external power supply 300 and further stabilized by rectification and smoothing into a projector. It supplies to each part of 100.

  The lamp driving unit 119 generates an igniter circuit (not shown) that generates a high voltage to turn on the lamp 110 and forms a discharge path, and a ballast circuit (not shown) for maintaining a stable lighting state after lighting. )). Note that the lamp 110, the optical unit 111, the liquid crystal panel driving unit 112, and the lamp driving unit 119 are examples of a projection unit in the present invention, and will be referred to as a “projection unit 120” in the following.

  As described above, the storage unit 116 stores the use permission information issued by the use permission issuing device 200 and acquired by the use permission information acquiring unit 155. Further, the storage unit 116 stores various programs for controlling the operation of the projector 100 such as a startup routine for starting the projector 100 and accompanying data. Further, the storage unit 116 may store image data (hereinafter referred to as “projection data”) of a projection image supplied from the outside via the input unit 150 during the projection operation.

  The image processing unit 115 generates an image signal to be projected onto the projection surface based on image data supplied from the outside via the input unit 150. More specifically, the image processing unit 115 reads the projection data stored in the storage unit 116 in units of frames, sequentially converts them into image signals, and outputs them to the projection unit 120.

  The control unit 117 controls each unit via the bus line Bus using an operation signal from the operation reception unit 113 as a trigger. In addition, when the power is turned on, the control unit 117 accesses the storage unit 116 to detect whether or not use permission information is stored. When the use permission information is stored, the use permission time included in the use permission information is read, and the projection unit 120 projects the projection image within the use permission time.

  In this example, the control unit 117 has an RTC (Real Time Clock) that measures the current time, and determines whether or not it is within the use permission time by comparing the use permission time read from the use permission information with the current time. to decide. Alternatively, the RTC may be provided outside the control unit 117, and the control unit 117 may read the current time from the RTC via Bus.

  On the other hand, when it is outside the use permission time, the control unit 117 blocks the input of the image signal of the projection image from the image processing unit 115 to the liquid crystal panel driving unit 112, so that no image is projected by the projection unit 120. Set. Alternatively, when it is outside the use permission time, the control unit 117 may block external input of image data from the input unit 150, and the lamp 110 may not be turned on. .

  As described above, the projector 100 projects an image when the use permission information has not been acquired or when the use permission time included in the acquired use permission information has ended (it is outside the use permission time). Therefore, the projector 100 lent out from the projector management apparatus 10 can be prevented from being used by another user without being returned even after the use permission time is over.

  Further, in the projector 100 of this example, when the power is turned on outside the use permission time, the control unit 117 causes the projection unit 120 to project a message indicating that the use permission time is outside. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prompt the user who has tried to use the projector 100 without knowing that the use permission time has expired to return the projector 100.

  Moreover, in the projector 100 of this example, the control part 117 reads the use permission time regularly and checks the remaining time in the state which is making the projection part 120 project the projection image. And when the remainder of use permission time becomes shorter than predetermined time, the control part 117 makes the projection part 120 project the message which shows that the remainder of use permission time has decreased. Accordingly, it is possible to make the user of the projector 100 more surely recognize that the end of the use permission time is approaching.

  Instead of displaying the message by the projection unit 120, a display unit such as an LCD may be provided on the projector 100 main body to display the message on the display unit, and the remaining usage permission time may be displayed by voice or a warning lamp. You may make a user recognize that it has decreased.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of an operation flow during the projection operation by the projector 100. In this flow, first, the power supply unit 114 supplies power from the external power supply 300 to each unit of the projector 100 in response to a power-on operation by the user (step S210). Next, the control unit 117 accesses the storage unit 116 to detect whether or not use permission information is stored (step S220). When the use permission information is detected (step S220: YES), the control unit 117 The use permission time included in the use permission information is read (step S230).

  If the current time is within the use permission time (step S240: YES), the lamp 110 is turned on, and a projection image is projected by the projection unit 120 in accordance with an operation signal from the operation reception unit 117 (step S250).

  On the other hand, when the use permission information is not detected (step S220: NO), or when the use permission information is detected, the use permission time included in the use permission information has already passed (step S240: NO). The control unit 117 causes the projection unit 120 to project an error message indicating that it is outside the use permission time on the projection surface (step S260). At this time, no projection image is projected onto the projection surface. Thus, the operation flow ends.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of an operation flow during the use permission time check operation by the projector 100. This operation is periodically performed at a predetermined time interval in a state where the projection unit 120 projects a projection image. First, the control unit 117 accesses the storage unit 116 and is included in the use permission information. The usage permission time is read and the remaining time is checked (step S310).

  If the use permission time has already ended (step S310: YES), the control unit 117 deletes the use permission information stored in the storage unit 116 (step S320), and the projection unit 120 projects an image. Is stopped (step S330).

  Then, the control unit 117 causes the projection unit 120 to project an error message indicating that it is outside the use-permitted time on the projection surface for a certain time (step S340), and then turns off the lamp 110 and turns off the projection unit 120. The driving is stopped, and the supply of power from the power supply unit 114 is stopped (step S350).

  On the other hand, when the use permission time remains (step S310: NO), if the remaining use permission time is not less than 5 minutes (step S360: NO), the projection unit 120 continues to project the image as it is. When the remaining usage-permitted time is 5 minutes or less (step S360: YES), the control unit 117 displays a warning message indicating that the end of the permitted-permitted time is approaching the projection unit 120 for a certain period of time. Projection is performed (step S370). Thereafter, the projection of the image by the projection unit 120 is continued until the end of the use permission time. Thus, the operation flow ends.

  As described above, according to the projector management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the use permission information of the projector 100 has not been acquired, or when the use permission time included in the acquired use permission information has expired. Since the image cannot be projected, it is possible to prevent the rented projector 100 from being used by another user without being returned even after the end of the use permission time.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid crystal three-plate projector that modulates and projects the light from the light source by the liquid crystal light valve that is the light modulation unit has been exemplified. . Specifically, a projection system using DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), so-called DLP (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark) system. That is, in the DLP method, light from a lamp that shines white is condensed by a lens and applied to the DMD, and when each mirror of the DMD is tilted to an on state, the light is enlarged by another lens and projected onto the screen. Therefore, the present invention can also be applied to such a projector.

  Moreover, although the projector which projects using a discharge lamp as a light source was illustrated in the embodiment mentioned above, this invention is applicable also to the projector which projects using a LED light source, a laser light source, etc. as a light source.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Projector management apparatus (projector management system) 11 ... Storage rack, 12 ... Operation panel, 100 ... Projector, 110 ... Lamp, 111 ... Optical part, 112 ... Liquid crystal panel drive part, 113 ... Operation reception part, 114 ... Power supply 115: Image processing unit, 116 ... Storage unit, 117 ... Control unit, 119 ... Lamp drive unit, 120 ... Projection unit, 150 ... Input unit, 155 ... Usage permission information acquisition unit, 200 ... Usage permission issuing device, 210 ... storage unit, 220 ... power supply unit, 230 ... operation unit, 231 ... projector selection button, 232 ... information input button, 240 ... operation reception unit, 250 ... control unit, 260 ... display unit, 270 ... use permission information generation unit, 280 ... Output unit, 300 ... External power source, 400 ... Remote control

Claims (7)

A projection unit that projects a projection image according to input image data;
A use permission information acquisition unit for acquiring use permission information including a predetermined use permission time;
A storage unit for storing the acquired use permission information;
Based on the use permission information, a control unit that causes the projection unit to project the projection image within the use permission time;
A projector comprising:   The control unit causes the projection unit to project a message indicating that the remaining use permission time is short when the remaining use permission time is shorter than a predetermined time. The projector according to claim 1.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein the control unit blocks external input of the image data when it is outside the use permission time.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the power is turned on outside the use permission time, the control unit causes the projection unit to project a message indicating that it is outside the use permission time. Or projector according to item 1. A projector management system comprising a projector that projects a predetermined projection image only within a predetermined use permission time, and a use permission issuance device that issues use permission information including the use permission time to the projector,
The use permission issuing device is:
A use permission information generating unit for generating the use permission information;
An output unit for outputting the use permission information to the projector;
Have
The projector is
A projection unit for projecting the projection image;
A use permission information acquisition unit for acquiring the use permission information transmitted from the use permission issuing device;
A storage unit for storing the acquired use permission information;
Based on the use permission information, a control unit that causes the projection unit to project the projection image within the use permission time;
A projector management system comprising: A management method of a projector that projects a projection image according to given image data,
Obtain usage permission information including a predetermined usage permission time,
Storing the acquired use permission information;
A projector management method, comprising: projecting the projection image within the use permission time based on the use permission information. A management method in a projector system comprising: a projector that projects a predetermined projection image only within a predetermined use permission time; and a use permission issuance device that issues use permission information including the use permission time to the projector. And
The use permission issuing device is:
Generating the use permission information;
Outputting the use permission information to the projector;
The projector is
Obtaining the use permission information transmitted from the use permission issuing device;
Storing the acquired use permission information;
A management method characterized by projecting the projection image within the use permission time based on the use permission information.

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