JP2012150536A - Projector system and connection establishment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector system and connection establishment method by which an arbitrary computer can be easily connected to a plurality of projectors.SOLUTION: In the projector system having a plurality of computers and projectors connected to a network, each of the computers has a connection requesting part 11 that requests an arbitrary projector connected to the network to make a connection. Each of the projectors comprises: a group information acquiring part 45 configured to acquire group information including the device ID of each projector in a group to which the own device belongs; and a connection requesting part 42 configured to refer to the group information when receiving a connection request from an arbitrary computer, and request a projector other than the own device in the group of projectors to make a connection with the arbitrary computer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector system and a connection establishment method for establishing connection between a computer connected to a network and a plurality of projectors.

  Conventionally, as this type of projector system, the same projected image is simultaneously displayed from multiple projectors by performing synchronous control from a computer to multiple projectors connected to a single computer (control device) via a network. A control system for projecting onto a screen is known (see Patent Document 1). The control system detects and registers a plurality of projectors connected to the computer by a projector management unit provided in the computer, and recognizes the plurality of projectors to be synchronously controlled.

JP 2006-003903 A

  By the way, for example, when simultaneously projecting from a plurality of projectors in a large-scale meeting or presentation, there is a demand that a plurality of presenters want to present (simultaneously project) sequentially using individual computers. However, in the above control system, when simultaneously projecting from a plurality of computers to the same plurality of projectors, it is necessary to search and register the plurality of projectors for each computer. .

  In view of the above-described points, it is an object of the present invention to provide a projector system and a connection establishment method that allow an arbitrary computer to be easily connected to a plurality of projectors.

  The projector system of the present invention is a projector system including a plurality of computers connected to a network and a plurality of projectors, and each of the plurality of computers makes a connection request to an arbitrary projector connected to the network. Each of the plurality of projectors includes a connection request unit, a group information acquisition unit that acquires group information including the device ID of each projector in the group to which the own device belongs, and a group when receiving a connection request from an arbitrary computer. A connection request unit that refers to the information and requests a projector other than the own apparatus among the projectors in the group to connect to the computer is provided.

  The connection establishment method of the present invention is a connection establishment method for establishing a connection between a plurality of computers and a plurality of projectors connected to a network, wherein an arbitrary computer of the plurality of computers is included in the plurality of projectors. A connection request step for making a connection request to any of the projectors, a group information acquisition step in which each of the plurality of projectors acquires group information including the device ID of each projector in the group to which the own device belongs, and an arbitrary When a projector receives a connection request from an arbitrary computer, the connection request refers to the group information and requests a projector other than the own device among the projectors in the group to connect to the arbitrary computer. Step and perform Connection establishment method and butterflies.

  According to these configurations, the computer can automatically connect to all the projectors in the group simply by making a connection request to any one of the grouped projectors. . As a result, when the computer performs simultaneous projection on a plurality of projectors, it is not necessary to perform search, designation, and connection requests for each projector, so that it is possible to connect to a plurality of projectors quickly and easily.

  In this case, at least one computer of the plurality of computers further includes a group information generation unit that generates a group information by grouping a plurality of arbitrary projectors connected to the network, and each projector includes a single computer. It is preferable to acquire group information.

  According to this configuration, the computer can select and group desired projectors among the projectors connected to the network. Further, the projector can recognize which projector is connected to the network by acquiring group information from the computer. The projector group information may be acquired at the same time when a connection request is received from the computer that generated the group information, or may be acquired in advance before receiving the connection request.

  Each projector preferably further includes a group information transmission unit that transmits group information to a projector other than the own apparatus when a connection request is received from an arbitrary computer.

  According to this configuration, the latest group information can be shared by all the projectors in the group. That is, when a new projector is added to a group by a computer and the projector receives a connection request, the latest group information including the device ID of the own device is transmitted to a projector other than the own device. The fact that the projector has been added to the group can be recognized within the group. In other words, with this configuration, a new projector can be added to the connection while maintaining the connection of the already formed group.

  The group information includes the device ID of each computer in the group. When the connection request unit of each projector receives a connection request from an arbitrary computer, the group information refers to the group information and the computer of each computer in the group. Of these, it is preferable to request a computer other than the computer that has received the connection request to connect to its own device.

  According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of computers in the group, all the computers in the group and the desired projector can be connected by simply making a connection request to the desired projector from any one computer. Connection can be established. In particular, when a new projector is added to the group to which any one computer belongs (when a connection between any one computer and the projector is established), the connection between the other computer and the projector is automatically established. Can be established and other computers can recognize that the projector has been added to the group. That is, with this configuration, a new projector can be added to the connection while maintaining the connection of the already formed group. In this case, a connection request may be sent to another computer and the group information may be transmitted.

  In this case, each projector receives a group information storage unit that stores group information and a group information determination unit that determines whether group information is stored in the group information storage unit when a connection request is received from an arbitrary computer. And the group information discriminating unit determine that the group information is not stored, and when a plurality of projectors including the own device are grouped by the connection request, the device ID of each projector in the group And a group information generation unit that generates the device ID of the computer that has made the connection request as group information, and the group information storage unit preferably stores the group information generated by the group information generation unit. .

  According to this configuration, once a connection request is made from any one computer to a plurality of projectors, the group information can be stored in the projectors. As a result, if a computer to be connected to the second and subsequent computers makes a connection request to only one projector in the group, it can connect to all the projectors in the group and requests connection to other projectors. The process to perform can be omitted. In addition, since it is not necessary to previously store group information in each projector, a plurality of projectors to be simultaneously projected can be freely selected when a connection request is issued from the first computer.

  In this case, when the group information determining unit determines that the group information is stored, it further includes a connection request determining unit that determines whether there is another projector to which an arbitrary computer requests connection. When the connection request determining unit determines that another projector exists, the connection request unit preferably does not make a connection request to the other projector.

  According to this configuration, the projector does not request connection to other projectors when the computer that has made a connection request to its own device requests connection to other projectors in the group at the same time. Connection requests can be prevented.

  On the other hand, each computer further includes a disconnection request unit that issues a disconnection request to an arbitrary projector in the group. When each projector receives a disconnection request from an arbitrary computer, each of the computers in the group It is preferable that the computer further includes a disconnection requesting unit that requests the computer that has not received the connection disconnection request to disconnect the connection with its own device.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of computers exist in the group, all the computers in the group and the desired projector can be obtained by simply making a connection disconnection request to the desired projector from any one computer. Can be disconnected.

  Each computer further includes a disconnection request unit that issues a connection disconnection request to an arbitrary projector, and when each projector receives a connection disconnection request from an arbitrary computer, of each projector in the group, It is preferable that the projector further includes a disconnection requesting unit that requests disconnection of the connection with the computer from projectors other than the own apparatus among the projectors in the group.

  According to this configuration, the computer automatically disconnects from all the projectors in the group by simply requesting connection disconnection to any one of the grouped projectors. Can do. If multiple computers are connected to the group, the connection between the computer other than the computer that requested the disconnection and the multiple projectors is maintained, so only the desired computer is disconnected while maintaining the group connection. It becomes possible to do.

  In these cases, each projector, when receiving a connection disconnection request from an arbitrary computer, transmits group information excluding the device ID of the own device to the projectors other than the own device among the projectors in the group. It is preferable to further include a group information transmission unit.

  According to this configuration, when any projector receives a connection disconnection request, the latest group information can be shared by all the projectors in the group. That is, by transmitting the latest group information excluding the device ID of the own device to a projector other than the own device, it can be recognized in the group that the projector has been disconnected from the group. In other words, with this configuration, an arbitrary projector can be disconnected from the connection while maintaining the connection of the already formed group.

  In the projector system described above, each computer preferably further includes a group information storage unit that stores group information in a nonvolatile manner, and a display unit that reads and displays the group information stored in the group information storage unit. .

  According to this configuration, a user who operates the computer can select a projector to be connected with reference to the group information. The display unit desirably displays the device IDs of the currently connectable devices and the device IDs of the unconnectable devices among the device IDs included in the group information in a distinguishable manner.

  In the projector system described above, the group information storage unit of each projector stores group information in a nonvolatile manner, and each computer further includes a group information reading unit that reads out the group information stored in the group information storage unit of each projector. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, by connecting a computer to any one projector and reading group information from the one projector, a connection request can be made to other projectors using this group information.

  In the projector system described above, it is preferable that the computer further includes a group information acquisition unit that acquires group information of a group formed by devices other than the device connected to the network.

  According to this configuration, the computer can check group information of groups formed by devices other than its own device.

It is a figure which shows the connection structure of a projector system. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of a computer. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the group information storage part of a computer. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the projector concerning 1st Embodiment. (A) is an example of a computer screen when performing a connection operation with a single projector, (b) is an example of a computer screen when performing a grouping operation of a plurality of projectors, and (c) is FIG. 6 is an example of a computer screen after grouping operations of a plurality of projectors. (A) is an example of a computer screen after group connection, and (b) is an example of a computer screen displaying a menu screen. (A) is an example of a computer screen when adding a projector to the group connection, (b) is an example of a computer screen when disconnecting the projector from the group connection, and (c) is from the group connection. It is an example of the computer screen at the time of cutting | disconnecting a computer. (A) is the figure which showed operation | movement of each apparatus at the time of group connection, (b) is the figure which showed operation | movement of each apparatus at the time of adding a computer to group connection. It is the figure which showed operation | movement of each apparatus at the time of adding a new projector to group connection. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement of each apparatus at the time of disconnecting a projector from group connection. It is the figure which showed operation | movement of each apparatus at the time of disconnecting a computer from group connection. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement of each apparatus in the case of group connection cancellation | release. (A) is an example of a computer screen displayed after canceling the group connection, (b) is an example of a computer screen when performing the next group connection using the saved group information, ( c) is an example of a computer screen when the group information stored in the projector is read. It is the block diagram which showed the control structure of the projector concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the connection process of a projector. (A) is a figure which shows the connection operation | movement between apparatuses in CASE1 of FIG. 15, (b) is a figure which shows the connection operation | movement between apparatuses in CASE2 of FIG. 15, (c) is a figure of FIG. FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a connection operation between devices in CASE 3, and FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a connection operation between devices in CASE 4 in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows the connection cutting process of a projector. It is a flowchart which shows the deletion process of the group information of a projector. (A) is a figure which shows the connection cutting | disconnection operation | movement between apparatuses in CASE5 of FIG. 17, (b) is a figure which shows the connection cutting | disconnection operation | movement between apparatuses in CASE6 of FIG. 17, (c) is a figure. It is a figure which shows the connection cutting | disconnection operation | movement between apparatuses in 17 CASE7.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a projector system according to a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the projector system SY is configured such that a plurality of computers PC1, PC2 and a plurality of projectors PJ1, PJ2, PJ3 can communicate with each other via a network. When the projector system SY is connected to the network in this way, the projector system SY is connected to an arbitrary computer PC in order to simultaneously project output images from the computers PC1 and PC2 by a plurality of grouped projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3. Connections with a plurality of projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 are established. Hereinafter, a plurality of projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 are grouped and the established connection is referred to as “group connection”. The network NW may be via the Internet or a local network, and the connection form may be a wireless communication line or a wired communication line using a cable or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the computer PC1 or PC2 groups a plurality of arbitrary projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 connected to the network to generate group information. The group information mainly includes a group name of the group and a device ID of a device belonging to the group (see FIG. 3). The device ID is for devices connected to the network NW to recognize each other, and in this embodiment, the description will be made with the device name as the device ID. For example, the device ID of the computer PC1 is “PC1”.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the computer PC1. Note that the computer PC2 has the same functional configuration, and a description thereof will be omitted. The computer PC1 is applicable to a general personal computer, and includes a communication unit 1, a control unit 2, a storage unit 3, a display unit 4, and an operation unit 5 as illustrated. The communication unit 1 is realized mainly by a network interface, and communicates with devices other than its own device connected to the network NW. The control unit 2 is mainly realized by a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and performs overall control of the computer PC1. The storage unit 3 is realized by a ROM or an HDD, and stores information related to connection establishment with a plurality of projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 that perform simultaneous projection. The display unit 4 is realized by a display, and displays a screen (see FIGS. 5 to 7 and FIG. 12) relating to a connection operation to the plurality of projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3. The operation unit 5 is realized by a keyboard and a mouse, and is used by a user to perform connection operations to a plurality of projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3.

  The communication unit 1 includes a connection request unit 11, a disconnection request unit 12, a group information transmission unit 13, a group information acquisition unit 14, and an image data output unit 15. The “group information reading unit” in the claims is realized by a group information acquisition unit.

  The connection request unit 11 issues a connection request to any projector PJ1, PJ2, PJ3 connected to the network NW. The disconnection request unit 12 issues a connection disconnection request to any projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 that are group-connected to the computer PC1. The group information transmission unit 13 transmits the latest group information stored in the own apparatus to the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 that have made the connection request or the disconnection request. The group information acquisition unit 14 acquires group information from the projectors PJ1, PJ2, PJ3 or the computer PC2 having group information. The image data output unit 15 outputs image data of an output image to the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 that have established connections.

  The control unit 2 includes a communication control unit 16 that performs communication control of the communication unit 1 and a display control unit 17 that performs display control of the display unit 4.

  The communication control unit 16 is realized mainly by a connection application for connecting to arbitrary projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 connected to the network NW, and connecting and disconnecting the computer PC1 and arbitrary projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3. To control. In addition, the communication control unit 16 includes a group information generation unit 18 that generates group information indicating any projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 connected to the grouped network NW. The group information includes a group name of the group, a device ID of the computer PC belonging to the group, and a device ID of the projector PJ belonging to the group (see FIG. 3). For example, when the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 are grouped and connected to the computer PC1 as a group, the group information generation unit 18 assigns a group name (“group A”) to the device IDs of the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 and the device ID of the own device. To generate group information. In addition, when the apparatus which belongs to a group changes, group information also changes in connection with it. That is, the group information is information indicating which device is connected to the group. The update of group information will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit 3 includes a group information storage area 19 that stores group information, an output image data storage area 20 that stores image data of output images output to the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 that have established connections, and a display unit. 4 has a display screen data storage area 21 for storing screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display screen 4.

  FIG. 3 shows the stored contents of the group information storage area 19. As shown in the figure, the group information storage area 19 stores the group information generated by the group information generation unit 18 in the order in which the group information was generated. The group information storage area 19 stores the group information in a non-rewritable and nonvolatile manner. The group information stored in the group information storage area 19 is used for the subsequent connection as past group information. The use of this group information will also be described in detail later.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the projector PJ1. The projectors PJ2 and PJ3 are assumed to have the same configuration, and the description thereof is omitted. As illustrated, the projector PJ1 includes a communication unit 31, a group information storage unit 32, an image processing unit 33, a central control unit 34, an operation unit 35, a projection control unit 36, and a projection optical system 37.

  The communication unit 31 communicates with a device other than its own device connected to the network NW, and includes an image data acquisition unit 41, a connection request unit 42, a disconnection request unit 43, a group information transmission unit 44, and a group information acquisition. A portion 45 is provided. The image data acquisition unit 41 acquires output image data from the computers PC1 and PC2. The connection request unit 42 makes a connection request to a device other than its own device connected to the network NW. The disconnection request unit 43 makes a connection disconnection request to a device other than its own device connected to the network NW connected in a group. The group information transmission unit 44 transmits the latest group information stored in the own device to devices other than the own device connected to the network NW. The group information acquisition unit 45 acquires group information from the projectors PJ1, PJ2, PJ3 or the computer PC2 having group information.

  The group information storage unit 32 stores the acquired group information in a rewritable manner. When a connection request is received from a computer PC that does not belong to the group, the device ID of the computer PC is added to the group information and stored. On the other hand, when a connection disconnection request is received from a computer PC belonging to a group, the device ID of the computer PC is deleted from the group information and stored.

  The central control unit 34 performs overall control of the entire projector PJ. The operation unit 35 is used by the user to perform various settings and operations, and is realized by an operation panel and a remote controller (both not shown) provided in the projector PJ main body.

  The image processing unit 33 performs predetermined image processing on the image data received by the image data acquisition unit 41 based on an image processing program stored in advance. As the predetermined image processing, keystone distortion correction processing, image quality adjustment processing, image size adjustment processing, gamma correction processing, image composition processing, and the like are performed.

  The projection control unit 36 derives the gradation value corresponding to each pixel of the liquid crystal light valve 54, which will be described later, from the image processed by the image processing unit 33, thereby generating image data composed of gradation values of all pixels. Then, projection control is performed based on the image data.

  The projection optical system 37 projects an image on the screen SC, and includes a light valve drive unit 51, a lamp drive unit 52, a light source unit 53, and liquid crystal light valves 54 (54R, 54G) corresponding to the three primary colors. , 54B) and a projection lens 55. Each liquid crystal light valve 54 is configured by a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of transparent substrates. On the inner surface of each transparent substrate, transparent electrodes capable of applying a driving voltage to the liquid crystal for each minute region are formed in a matrix as pixels. The light valve driving unit 51 sets the light transmittance of each pixel by applying a driving voltage corresponding to the image data to each pixel of the liquid crystal light valve 54. That is, the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 53 is modulated by being separated into R, G, and B color light by a light separation optical system (not shown) and then transmitted through the liquid crystal light valve 54 for each color. . Further, the modulated image light is synthesized for each pixel by a light synthesis optical system (not shown) (such as a dichroic prism) to form a color image, and the color imaged image light is projected by the projection lens 55. A color image is projected on the screen SC. As the light source unit 53, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like can be used. In addition to these discharge light emitting lamps, various self light emitting elements such as a light emitting diode, an organic EL element, a silicon light emitting element, and a laser diode may be employed.

  Next, a connection establishment method for the projector system SY will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 show display screens of the computer PC1 at the time of connection and disconnection. FIG. 5 shows an example of a connection screen displayed on the display unit 4 when the computer PC1 groups the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 to establish a connection. As shown in FIG. 5A, projectors PJ1 and PJ2 connected to the network are searched and displayed as connectable projectors. When projectors PJ1 and PJ2 (a plurality of projectors) are selected on this screen, a grouping button 72 appears at the bottom of the screen as shown in FIG. When this grouping button 72 is pressed, “Group A” is displayed in the “Connected Projector List” at the bottom of the screen, as shown in FIG. When the connection button 71 is pressed, the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 are grouped and a connection with the computer PC1 is established. Thereafter, the computer PC1 transmits the output image data stored in the storage unit 3 to the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 according to the operation of the operation unit 5, and the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 project the images.

  FIG. 6A is a screen displayed on the display unit 4 of the computer PC1 when the connection button 71 is pressed in FIG. In the upper part of the screen, grouped projectors PJ1 and PJ2 are displayed. On the other hand, a user name “User1” indicating the computer PC1 with which the connection is established is displayed in the center of the screen, and a menu button 73 is displayed on the right side thereof. In the lower part of the screen, user names “User1” and “User2” indicating the computers PC1 and PC2 connected to the network NW are displayed. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the menu button 73 is pressed in FIG. 5A, a menu screen 74 is displayed in the sub window format on the menu button 73. On the menu screen 74, as a selection item, “projector addition” for newly adding an arbitrary projector PJ to the currently established connection, “projector disconnection” for disconnecting the arbitrary projector PJ from the currently established connection, “PC disconnect” for disconnecting an arbitrary computer PC from the currently established connection and “close” for terminating the display of the menu screen 74 are displayed.

  FIG. 7A shows a display screen when “add projector” is selected from the selection items on the menu screen 74. As shown in the figure, in addition to the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 currently connected to the group, the projector PJ3 connected to the network is newly searched and displayed as a connectable projector, and an add button 75 is displayed at the lower right of the screen. Is done. In this screen, when the projector PJ3 is selected and the add button 75 is pressed, the projector PJ3 is added to the group, and the connection between the computer PC1 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 is established. Thereafter, the computer PC1 transmits the output image data stored in the storage unit 3 to the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 according to the operation of the operation unit 5, and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 project the images.

  FIG. 7B shows a display screen when “projector disconnection” is selected from the selection items of the menu screen 74 when the computer PC1 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 are group-connected. . As shown in the figure, projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 that are currently group-connected are displayed, and a disconnect button 76 is displayed at the lower right of the screen. In this screen, for example, when the projector PJ3 is selected and the disconnect button 76 is pressed, the projector PJ3 is removed from the group, and the projector PJ3 is disconnected from the established connection.

  FIG. 7C shows a display screen when “PC disconnection” is selected from the selection items of the menu screen 74 when the computers PC1, PC2 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, PJ3 are group-connected. ing. As illustrated, User1 and User2 indicating the computers PC1 and PC2 that are currently connected are displayed, and a disconnect button 76 is displayed in the lower right of the screen. In this screen, for example, when the computer PC1 is selected and the disconnect button 76 is pressed, the computer PC1 is removed from the group, and the computer PC1 is disconnected from the established connection. In the present embodiment, the cutting operation can be performed on the computer PC other than the device itself as described above. According to this, it is possible to cope with forgetting to disconnect the computer PC other than the device itself, and traffic management can be performed. Further, by selecting and disconnecting all the computers PC1 and PC2, all established connections can be disconnected, that is, the group connection can be canceled. According to this, since the connection can be completely disconnected only by an operation by one arbitrary computer PC1, convenience is good when a large number of computer PCs and projectors PJ are connected. Note that an item for canceling the group connection may be added to the menu screen 74.

  8 to 12 show the operation of each device in the connection process and the disconnection process of the projector system SY. FIG. 8A shows the operation of each device when the computer PC1 and the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 are group-connected. The computer PC1 groups the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 connected to the network NW to generate group information. The group information in this case is “Group A: PC1, PJ1, PJ2” as shown in the figure. Then, the computer PC1 transmits a connection request and group information to the projectors PJ1 and PJ2. Receiving the connection request and the group information, the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 respectively send a connection completion notification to the computer PC1, and the connection between the computer PC1 and the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 is established. For example, when the connection with the PJ2 fails, the new group information “Group A: PC1, PJ1” is transmitted from the PC1 that transmitted the connection request to the PJ2.

  FIG. 8B shows the operation of each device when a new computer PC2 is added to the group connection established in FIG. In this case, the group-connected computer PC1 and projectors PJ1 and PJ2 hold group information. The computer PC2 transmits a connection request to any one projector PJ1 in the group. Upon receiving the connection request, the projector PJ1 transmits a connection completion notification to the computer PC2 and transmits the held group information. At this time, the device ID and PC2 of the computer PC2 are added to the group information held by the projector PJ1, and transmitted to the computer PC1. Then, the projector PJ1 refers to the held group information and transmits a connection request with the computer PC2 to the projector PJ2 other than its own device belonging to the group. The projector PJ2 that has received the connection request transmits a connection completion notification to the computer PC2 in accordance with the connection request. At this time, the projector PJ2 adds the device ID of the computer PC2 to the group information held by the projector PJ2. Further, the projector PJ1 transmits group information in which the computer PC2 is added to the computer PC1.

  In this way, a new computer PC2 can be added to the group connection simply by making a connection request from the computer PC2 to any one projector PJ1 in the group. In addition, the projector PJ1 that has received the connection request transmits a connection request to the other projector PJ2, and also transmits the group information in which the computer PC2 is added to the computer PC1, so that the current device is sent to the devices in the group. The latest group information reflecting all the devices constituting the group can be held.

  FIG. 9 shows the operation of each device when a new projector PJ3 is added to the group connection. In this case, the computers PC1 and PC2 and the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 connected to the group hold group information. First, the computer PC1 transmits a connection request to the projector PJ3 to be added, and transmits group information in which the device ID of PJ3 is added to the projector. Upon receiving the connection request, the projector PJ3 transmits a connection completion notification to the computer PC1. Further, the projector PJ3 refers to the group information received from the computer PC1 and transmits a connection request with the own apparatus to the computer PC2. Receiving the connection request, the computer PC2 transmits a connection completion notification to the projector PJ3. At this time, the computer PC2 may add the device ID of the projector PJ3 to the group information held by the computer PC2, or the projector PJ3 may transmit the group information to the computer PC2 together with the connection request. Further, the projector PJ3 refers to the group information and transmits the group information in which the projector PJ3 is added to the projectors PJ1 and PJ2 other than the own device belonging to the group.

  According to this, it is possible to add an arbitrary projector PJ to the group connection while maintaining the connection state of the group connection. Further, it is possible to connect to all the computer PCs in the group only by making a connection request from any one computer PC1 to the desired projector PJ3. Further, the added projector PJ3 transmits the latest group information to devices other than its own device in the group, so that all devices can recognize that the projector PJ3 has been added to the group connection.

  FIG. 10 shows the operation of each apparatus when an arbitrary projector PJ1 is disconnected from the established group connection. In this case, the computers PC1 and PC2 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 connected in a group hold group information. First, the disconnection request unit 12 of the computer PC1 transmits a connection disconnection request to the projector PJ1 to be disconnected. Upon receiving the connection disconnection request, the projector PJ1 transmits a disconnection completion notification to the computer PC1. Further, the projector PJ1 refers to the held group information and transmits a connection disconnection request to the computer PC2 that has not received the connection disconnection request among the computer PCs in the group. On the other hand, the computer PC2 that has received the connection disconnection request transmits a disconnection completion notification to the projector PJ1. Further, the group information transmission unit 44 of the projector PJ1 refers to the group information and transmits the group information excluding the projector PJ1 to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 other than its own device in the group.

  According to this, it is possible to disconnect the arbitrary projector PJ1 while maintaining the group connection. Further, by simply making a connection disconnection request to the projector PJ1 to be disconnected from the disconnection request unit 12 of any one computer PC1 in the group, the connection with all the computer PCs in the group to which the projector PJ1 is connected is disconnected. be able to. Further, the group information transmission unit 44 of the projector PJ1 that has received the connection disconnection request transmits the group information excluding its own device to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3, so that the projectors PJ1 and PJ3 are connected to the projector PJ1 from the group connection. It can be recognized that it has been disconnected.

  FIG. 11 shows the operation of each apparatus when an arbitrary computer PC1 is disconnected from the group connection. In this case, the computers PC1 and PC2 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 connected in a group hold group information. First, the disconnection request unit 12 of the computer PC1 to be disconnected transmits a connection disconnection request to any projector PJ1 in the group. Upon receiving the connection disconnection request, the projector PJ1 transmits a disconnection completion notification to the computer PC1. Furthermore, the group information transmission unit 44 of the projector PJ1 transmits group information excluding the computer PC1 to the computer PC2. Further, referring to the held group information, the disconnection request unit 43 transmits a disconnection request to the computer PC1 to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 other than the own apparatus in the group. On the other hand, the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 that have received the connection disconnection request with the computer PC1 transmit a disconnection completion notification to the computer PC1.

  According to this, it is possible to disconnect any computer PC1 while maintaining the group connection. Also, by simply making a disconnection request to any one projector PJ1 in the group from the disconnection request unit 12 of the computer PC1 to be disconnected, the connection with all the projectors PJ in the group to which the computer PC1 is connected is disconnected. Can do. Further, the group information transmission unit 44 of the projector PJ1 that has received the disconnection request transmits the group information excluding the computer PC1 to the computer PC2, so that the computer PC2 has disconnected the computer PC1 from the group connection. Can be recognized.

  FIG. 12 shows the operation of each device when releasing the group connection. This group connection release is a process performed when all PCs are selected on the PC disconnection screen shown in FIG. In this case, the computers PC1 and PC2 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 connected in a group hold group information. First, the disconnection request unit 12 of the computer PC1 transmits a connection disconnection request between the own apparatus and the computer PC2 to any one projector PJ1 in the group. Upon receiving the connection disconnection request, the projector PJ1 transmits a disconnection completion request to the computers PC1 and PC2. Further, the disconnection request unit 43 of the projector PJ1 refers to the held group information and transmits a connection disconnection request to the computers PC1 and PC2 to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 other than its own device in the group. On the other hand, the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 that have received the request for disconnection from the computers PC1 and PC2 transmit a disconnection completion notice to the computers PC1 and PC2.

  According to this, all the group connections can be released simply by making a connection disconnection request from any one computer PC1 in the group to any one projector PJ1 in the group.

  FIG. 13A shows a display screen displayed after releasing the group connection. In the center of the screen, a message screen 77 for confirming whether or not group information is stored is displayed in a sub-window format. The message screen 77 displays a message asking whether to save the group information of the group connection established immediately before, and options (“Yes”, “No”) indicating the answer. When the option “Yes” is selected, the group information of the group connection established immediately before is stored in the group information storage area 19 of the storage unit 3 in a nonvolatile manner. On the other hand, when the option “No” is selected, the group information is deleted without being saved.

  FIG. 13B is a display screen displayed at the time of the next group connection when the group information is stored in the group information storage area 19. On this screen, the previously established group connection information is reproduced and displayed. Of the devices previously connected to the group, devices that are not currently connected, such as not connected to the network or not powered on, are displayed in a shaded manner. When the previous group connection is not used, a normal connection screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed by operating a selection screen (not shown).

  According to this, since the group information of the group connection established in the past is stored in the nonvolatile manner by the computer PC, the group information can be used at the time of the next connection. For example, when it is desired to perform group connection with the same apparatus configuration as the previous time, it is not necessary to search for the projector PJ again, which is convenient. The group information may be stored in the group information storage unit 32 of the projector PJ in a nonvolatile manner so that the computer PC acquires the group information stored in the projector PJ at the next connection. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13C, a projector list corresponding to the group information of the projector PJ is displayed. The projector PJ preferably stores the group information in a nonvolatile manner.

  Note that the computer PC acquires group information currently configured by devices other than its own device at the time of group connection, and displays a display screen showing the devices belonging to the group in the same format as in FIG. 13B. May be. According to this, before participating in the group connection, it is possible to check each device participating in the group connection, particularly the computer PC.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing is started in response to a connection request from the computer PC. However, the projector PJ in the group may make a connection request to an arbitrary computer PC.

  Alternatively, a plurality of groups composed of a plurality of computers and projectors as described above may be formed, and a connection request and group information of each group may be transmitted from the main computer to any one computer belonging to each group. In this case, each computer that has received the connection request and the group information issues a connection request to a plurality of projectors in the group to which the own apparatus belongs. According to this, simply by making a connection request from the main computer to any one computer in each group, it is possible to easily establish connections with a large number of projectors forming a plurality of groups.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure similar to said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the projector PJ1 according to the present embodiment. Both projectors PJ2 and PJ3 have the same configuration. As shown in the figure, the projector PJ1 includes a connection establishment unit 60, a group information storage unit 32, an image processing unit 33, a central control unit 34, and an operation unit that establish a connection with a device other than its own device connected to the network NW. 35, a projection control unit 36 and a projection optical system 37 are provided.

  The connection establishment unit 60 includes a communication unit 31 that communicates with a device other than its own device connected to the network NW, and a communication control unit 38 that controls this communication.

  The communication unit 31 includes a PC communication unit 31a that communicates with a plurality of computers PC (PC1,..., PCn) connected to the network NW, and a plurality of projectors PJ (PJ2,. ) And a PJ communication unit 31b that performs communication.

  The PC communication unit 31a includes an image data acquisition unit 41 that receives image data from the computer PC, a PC connection request unit 42a that transmits / receives connection information to / from the computer PC, and a PC connection / disconnection request unit 43a that transmits / receives disconnection information. Have. On the other hand, the PJ communication unit 31b includes a PJ connection request unit 42b that transmits / receives connection information to / from a projector PJ other than its own device, and a PJ connection disconnection request unit 43b that transmits / receives disconnection information. The connection information includes a connection request, a connection completion notification, a device ID, and a group ID, and the disconnection information includes a connection disconnection request, a disconnection completion notification, a device ID, and a group ID.

  The image data acquisition unit 41 is realized by an interface that receives image data from the computer PC and receives RGB signals output from the computer PC.

  The PC connection request unit 42a receives the device ID “PC1” and the connection request transmitted from the computer PC, and transmits its own device ID “PJ1” and a connection completion notification to the computer PC. When the computer PC groups a plurality of projectors PJ (for example, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3) and transmits a connection request, the PC connection request unit 42a includes the device ID “PJ1” of the grouped projectors PJ, “PJ2” and “PJ3” are also received.

  The PC connection disconnection request unit 43a receives the device ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request transmitted from the computer PC, and transmits its own device ID “PJ1” and a disconnection completion notification to the computer PC. Further, the PC connection disconnection request unit 43a transmits a device ID “PJ1” and a connection disconnection request to another computer PC (for example, PC2) in a connected state based on a command from the communication control unit 38 to be described later. To do.

  When the PC connection request unit 42a receives device IDs of a plurality of projectors PJ from the computer PC together with connection requests from the computer PC, the PJ connection request unit 42b is based on a command from the communication control unit 38 and receives a device other than its own device. A device ID “PC1” of the computer PC and a connection request are transmitted to the projectors PJ (PJ2, PJ3). On the other hand, when receiving the device ID “PC1” and the connection request of the computer PC from the projector PJ other than the own device, the PJ connection request unit 42b sends its own device ID to the computer PC1 corresponding to the received device ID “ID”. And send a connection completion notification.

  The PJ connection disconnection request unit 43b transmits the device ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request of the computer PC to the projectors PJ (PJ2, PJ3) other than the own device based on a command from the communication control unit 38 to be described later. To do. On the other hand, when the device ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request of the computer PC are received from the projector PJ other than the own device, the PJ connection disconnection request unit 43b sends its own device ID and the computer ID corresponding to the received device ID to the computer PC1. Send a disconnection completion notification.

  The communication control unit 38 receives from the computer PC the ID information determination unit 61 that determines whether or not the device ID of the projector PJ other than its own device has been received from the computer PC by the PC connection request unit 42a, and the PC connection request unit 42a. A group information generation unit 62 that generates group information from the device IDs, and a group information determination unit 63 that determines whether group information is stored in the group information storage unit 32 described later. The group information determination unit 63 also determines whether or not the group information includes device IDs of a plurality of computers PC. This is because when a connection disconnection request is received from an arbitrary computer PC, a connection disconnection request is made to all the computer PCs and projectors PJ that are in a connected state.

  The group information generation unit 62 receives the device ID from the computer PC by the PC connection request unit 42a, and if the received device ID includes the device ID of the projector PJ other than its own device, The group ID “A” is added to the device ID “PC1”, the device IDs “PJ2” and “PJ3” of the projectors PJ other than the own device (for example, PJ2, PJ3), and the device ID “PJ1” of the own device. And group information “Group A: PC1, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3” is generated. Further, when the group information generating unit 62 further receives a device ID from another computer PC by the PC connection requesting unit 42a, the group information generating unit 62 adds the device ID “PC2” of the other computer PC to the group information to the generated group information. . In this case, the group information is “Group A: PC1, PC2, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3”.

  The group information generation unit 62 generates group information only when group information is not stored in the group information storage unit 32. That is, in this embodiment, the group information storage unit 32 cannot store a plurality of group information. Even if the group information is not stored in the group information storage unit 32, if the device ID received from the computer PC by the PC connection request unit 42a does not include the device ID of the projector PJ other than the own device, the group information Does not generate information.

  The group information storage unit 32 stores the group information generated by the group information generation unit 62 in a rewritable manner. The group information stored in the group information storage unit 32 is erased when connection disconnection requests are received from the PC connection disconnection request unit 43a and the PJ connection disconnection request unit 43b.

  The central control unit 34, the operation unit 35, the image processing unit 33, the projection control unit 36, and the projection optical system 37 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a connection process (connection establishment method) of the projector PJ1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. When the projector PJ (communication control unit 38) receives a device ID and a connection request from an arbitrary computer PC (PC1) by the PC connection request unit 42a (S01), the projector PJ (communication control unit 38) has its own device for the computer PC1 that has received the connection request. The ID and connection completion notification are transmitted (S02). Subsequently, the group information determination unit 63 determines whether group information is stored in the group information storage unit 32 (S03).

  When the group information is not stored (S03; NO), the ID information determination unit 61 further determines whether or not the device ID of the projector PJ other than the own device is received from the computer PC1 (S04). If the device ID of the projector PJ other than the own device has not been received (S04; NO), the connection process is terminated (S05). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 1 (see FIG. 16A).

  On the other hand, when a device ID (for example, “PJ2”, “PJ3”) of a projector PJ other than its own device is received from the computer PC1 (S04; YES), the group information generation unit 62 causes the computer PC1 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2 to The group ID “A” is added to the device ID of the own device to generate group information “Group A: PC1, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3”, which is stored in the group information storage unit 32 (S06), and the connection process is performed. The process ends (S05). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 2 (see FIG. 16B).

  If group information has been stored (S03; YES), the group information generation unit 62 adds the device ID of the computer PC1 to the stored group information (S07). Further, the ID information determination unit 61 determines whether or not the device ID of the projector PJ other than the own device is received from the computer PC1 (S08). If the device ID of the projector PJ other than the own device has not been received (S08; NO), the device of the computer PC1 with respect to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 other than the own device corresponding to all device IDs included in the group information The ID and connection request are transmitted (S09), and the connection process is terminated (S05). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 3 (see FIG. 16C).

  On the other hand, when a device ID (for example, “PJ2”) of a projector PJ other than its own device is received from the computer PC1 (S08; YES), only the projector PJ3 excluding the projector PJ2 corresponding to the received device ID The device ID of PC1 and a connection request are transmitted (S10), and the connection process is terminated (S05). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 4 (see FIG. 16D).

  Next, a connection operation between the computer PC1 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows the operation of each device in CASE1, CASE2, CASE3, and CASE4 of FIG. In the figure, an arrow indicated by a solid line indicates “connection request”, and an arrow indicated by a dotted line indicates “connection completion notification”.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, when the group information is not stored, when the device ID “PC1” and the connection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projector PJ1 in CASE1, the projector PJ1 transmits the device information to the computer PC1. An ID “PJ1” and a connection completion notification are transmitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, in CASE 2, the apparatus ID “PC1”, “PJ1”, “PJ2”, “PJ3” and a connection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3. In this case, the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3 transmit their own device ID and connection completion notification to the computer PC1, respectively. At this time, in the projectors PJ1, PJ2, and PJ3, group information “Group A: PC1, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3” is generated and stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16C, when the group information “Group A: PC1, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3” is stored, the device ID “PC1” and the connection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projector PJ1 in CASE3. Is transmitted, the projector PJ1 transmits a device ID “PJ1” and a connection completion notification to the computer PC1, and transmits a device ID “PC1” and a connection request to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 belonging to the group. To do. Receiving the device ID “PC1” and the connection request from the projector PJ1, the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 respectively transmit the device ID “PJ2” or “PJ3” and the connection completion notification to the computer PC1.

  This is the same as the flow when another computer PC (for example, PC2) transmits a connection request to the projector PJ1 after group information is generated in CASE2. That is, if the computer PC connected to the second and subsequent units makes a connection request to only one arbitrary projector PJ (for example, PJ1) in the group, it is connected to all the projectors PJ (for example, PJ2 and PJ3) in the group. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 16D, in CASE4, when the apparatus IDs “PC1”, “PJ1”, “PJ2” and a connection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projectors PJ1 and PJ2, the projector PJ1 transmits to the computer PC1. The device ID “PC1” and the connection completion notification are transmitted, and the connection request is not transmitted to the projector PJ2 to which the device ID is transmitted from the computer PC1, and the device ID is transmitted only to the projector PJ3 to which the device ID is not transmitted. “PC1” and a connection request are transmitted. Similarly, the projector PJ2 transmits a device ID “PJ2” and a connection completion notification to the computer PC1, and does not transmit a connection request to the projector PJ1 to which the device ID is transmitted from the computer PC1, and the device ID is not transmitted. The device ID “PC1” and the connection request are transmitted only to the projector PJ3. In this way, duplicate connection requests for the projector PJ1 and the projector PJ2 can be prevented.

  However, in this case, since connection requests from the other projectors PJ (PJ1, PJ2) to the projector PJ3 are duplicated, priority is given to the projectors PJ in the group and the group information is stored, and the computer When connection requests are transmitted from a PC to a plurality of projectors PJ at the same time, connection requests may be transmitted to other projectors PJ only from projectors PJ having a higher priority.

  Next, a connection disconnection process of the projector PJ (PJ1) will be described with reference to FIG. When the projector PJ1 (communication control unit 38) receives a device ID and a connection disconnection request from an arbitrary computer PC (PC1) by the PC connection disconnection request unit 43a (S11), the projector PJ1 (communication control unit 38) itself receives the disconnection request from the computer PC1. Device ID and connection completion notification are transmitted (S12). Subsequently, the group information determination unit 63 determines whether group information is stored in the group information storage unit 32 (S13). If the group information is not stored (S13; NO), the disconnection process is terminated (S14). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 5 (see FIG. 19A).

  On the other hand, when the group information is stored (S13; YES), the group information determination unit 63 further determines whether or not device IDs of a plurality of computers PC are included in the group information (S15). When the device IDs of a plurality of computer PCs are not included (S15; NO), the device ID of the computer PC1 is assigned to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 other than the own device corresponding to all the device IDs included in the group information. A connection disconnection request is transmitted (S16), the group information stored in the group information storage unit 32 is deleted (S17), and the disconnection process is terminated (S14). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 6 (see FIG. 19B).

  If the group information includes device IDs of a plurality of computer PCs (S15; YES), the device ID and the connection disconnection request are transmitted to the computer PC2 other than the computer PC1 that has received the disconnection request ( S18). Then, the device ID of the computer PC1 and the connection disconnection request are transmitted to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 other than the own device corresponding to all device IDs included in the group information (S16), and the group information storage unit 32 is transmitted. The stored group information is deleted (S17), and the disconnection process is terminated (S14). The flow traced so far is referred to as CASE 7 (see FIG. 19C).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, when the projector PJ (communication control unit 38) receives a device ID (for example, “PC1”, “PC2”) and a disconnection request from a projector PJ other than its own device (S19), the reception is received. The device ID and disconnection completion notification are transmitted to all the computers PC (PC1, PC2) corresponding to the device ID (S20). And the group information memorize | stored in the group information storage part 32 is erase | eliminated (S21), and a cutting process is complete | finished (S22).

  Next, the cutting operation between the computers PC1 and PC2 and the projectors PJ1, PJ2 and PJ3 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows the operation of each device in CASE5, CASE6 and CASE7. Further, in the figure, an arrow indicated by a solid line indicates “connection disconnection request”, and an arrow indicated by a dotted line indicates “disconnection completion notification”.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, when the group information is not stored, in CASE5, when the device ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projector PJ1, the projector PJ1 transmits to the computer PC1. A device ID “PJ1” and a disconnection completion notification are transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 19B, when group information is stored and the group information does not include IDs of a plurality of computers PC (for example, group information “group A: PC1, PJ1”). , PJ2, PJ3 "), in CASE6, when the device ID" PC1 "and the disconnection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projector PJ1, the projector PJ1 sends the device ID" PC1 "and the disconnection completion notification to the computer PC1. At the same time, the apparatus ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request are transmitted to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3. Receiving the device ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request, the projectors PJ2 and PJ3 transmit the device ID “PC2” or “PJ3” and the disconnection completion notification to the computer PC1, respectively.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19C, when the group information includes device IDs of a plurality of computers PC (for example, group information “group A: PC1, PC2, PJ1, PJ2, PJ3”), CASE7 , When the device ID “PC1” and the connection disconnection request are transmitted from the computer PC1 to the projector PJ1, the projector PJ1 transmits the device ID “PJ1” and the disconnection completion notification to the computer PC1 and has received the connection disconnection request. A device ID “PJ1” and a connection disconnection request are transmitted to the computer PC2 that is not present. Receiving the device ID “PJ1” and the connection disconnection request, the computer PC2 transmits a disconnection completion notification to the projector PJ1. The projector PJ1 transmits device IDs “PC1” and “PC2” and a connection disconnection request to the projectors PJ2 and PJ3. The projectors PJ2 and PJ3 that have received the device IDs “PC1” and “PC2” and the connection disconnection request respectively transmit the device ID “PJ2” or “PJ3” and the disconnection completion notification to the computers PC1 and PC2.

  In this way, when group information is stored in the projector PJ and a plurality of computer PCs and a plurality of projectors PJ are connected, a connection disconnection request is sent from any one computer PC to any one projector PJ. If it transmits, the connection between all the apparatuses in a group can be cut | disconnected.

  As described above, according to the projector system SY described so far, each projector PJ stores the device IDs of a plurality of projectors PJ and a computer PC in the group as group information. If a connection request is transmitted to any one of the projectors PJ, the arbitrary projector PJ refers to the stored device ID and transmits a connection request to a projector PJ other than its own device instead of the computer PC. Therefore, the connection can be easily established. In particular, when a plurality of computer PCs are desired to be connected to a plurality of projectors PJ connected to the network NW, the connection can be easily established, which is convenient.

  Further, according to the projector system SY, it is possible to additionally connect or disconnect a desired projector PJ or computer PC while maintaining the group connection once established.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first computer PC needs to make a connection request to each projector PJ. However, group information may be stored in advance in each projector PJ. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to make a connection request from the computer PC to each projector PJ to be grouped, and it is possible to easily connect to a plurality of grouped projectors PJ from the first computer PC. it can. Further, the group information is stored in one projector PJ, and when the projector PJ receives a connection request from an arbitrary computer PC, the projector PJ transmits the group information to a projector PJ other than its own device. By doing so, since only one projector PJ is required to store the group information, the connection can be simplified.

  In the above embodiment, when the computer PC1 makes a connection disconnection request to the projector PJ1, the projector PJ1 makes a connection disconnection request to all the computer PCs and projectors PJ in the group. Along with the disconnection operation, the computer PC1 may issue a connection disconnection request to all the computers PC and projectors PJ1 in the group, and the projector PJ1 may issue a connection disconnection request to projectors PJ other than its own device in the group.

  Note that the computer PC and the projector PJ that establishes the connection first may be the main computer PC and the projector PJ, and may be stored separately from the computer PC and the projector PJ that establish the connection later. According to this configuration, only when a disconnection request is made from the main computer PC, all connections in the group are released, or only when a connection request is made to the main projector PJ, By adopting a configuration that establishes connections with all the projectors PJ, the connection state between the apparatuses can be managed by the main computer PC and the projector PJ.

  In the above embodiment, the transmissive liquid crystal display method is adopted. However, the display principle of the projector PJ such as a reflective liquid crystal display method, a CRT display method, a light switch display method (micromirror device method) or the like does not matter. . Other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  1: Communication unit 2: Control unit 3: Storage unit 4: Display unit 5: Operation unit 11: Connection request unit 12: Disconnection request unit 13: Group information transmission 14: Group information acquisition unit 18: Group information generation unit 19: Group Information storage area 32: Group information storage unit NW: Network PC: Computer PJ: Projector SY: Projector system

Claims (13)

A projector system comprising a plurality of computers and a plurality of projectors connected to a network,
Each of the plurality of computers includes a connection request unit that makes a connection request to an arbitrary projector connected to the network,
Each of the plurality of projectors refers to the group information when receiving a connection request from a group information acquisition unit that acquires group information including the device ID of each projector in the group to which the own device belongs, and any computer. A projector system comprising: a connection requesting unit that requests connection of the projectors other than the projector among the projectors in the group to the arbitrary computer. At least one of the plurality of computers further includes a group information generating unit that generates a group information by grouping a plurality of arbitrary projectors connected to the network,
The projector system according to claim 1, wherein each of the projectors acquires the group information from the one computer.   2. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a group information transmission unit configured to transmit the group information to a projector other than the own device when receiving a connection request from the arbitrary computer. The projector system according to 1 or 2. The group information includes a device ID of each computer in the group,
When the connection request unit of each projector receives a connection request from the arbitrary computer, the connection request unit refers to the group information, and among the computers in the group, the computer other than the computer that has received the connection request. 4. The projector system according to claim 1, wherein the projector system requests connection with the own apparatus. Each projector includes a group information storage unit that stores the group information;
A group information determination unit that determines whether the group information is stored in the group information storage unit when receiving a connection request from the arbitrary computer;
When it is determined that the group information is not stored by the group information determination unit and the plurality of projectors including the own device are grouped by the connection request, the projectors in the group And a group information generating unit that generates the device ID of the computer and the device ID of the computer that has made the connection request as the group information,
The projector system according to claim 1, wherein the group information storage unit stores the group information generated by the group information generation unit. When the group information determining unit determines that the group information is stored, it further includes a connection request determining unit that determines whether or not there is another projector to which the arbitrary computer makes a connection request. ,
The projector system according to claim 5, wherein the connection request unit does not make a connection request to the other projector when the connection request determination unit determines that the other projector exists. . Each of the computers further includes a disconnection request unit that performs a disconnection request to the arbitrary projector in the group,
When each of the projectors receives a disconnection request from the arbitrary computer, among the computers in the group, the projector that does not receive the connection disconnection request requests the computer to disconnect the connection with its own device. The projector system according to claim 1, further comprising a request unit. Each of the computers further includes a disconnection request unit that performs a connection disconnection request to the arbitrary projector,
When each of the projectors receives a connection disconnection request from the arbitrary computer, a disconnection request unit that requests connection disconnection from the computer to projectors other than the own apparatus among the projectors in the group. The projector system according to claim 1, further comprising: When each projector receives a disconnection request from the arbitrary computer,
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a group information transmission unit configured to transmit group information excluding the device ID of the own device to projectors other than the own device among the projectors in the group. The projector system described. Each of the computers includes a group information storage unit that stores the group information in a nonvolatile manner;
The projector system according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit that reads and displays the group information stored in the group information storage unit. The group information storage unit of each projector stores the group information in a nonvolatile manner,
The projector system according to claim 5, wherein each of the computers further includes a group information reading unit that reads the group information stored in the group information storage unit of each of the projectors.   12. The computer according to claim 1, further comprising a group information acquisition unit that acquires group information of a group formed by devices other than the device connected to the network. The projector system described. A connection establishment method for establishing a connection between a plurality of computers and a plurality of projectors connected to a network,
A connection request step in which an arbitrary computer of the plurality of computers makes a connection request to an arbitrary projector of the plurality of projectors;
A group information acquisition step in which each of the plurality of projectors acquires group information including a device ID of each projector in a group to which the own device belongs;
When the arbitrary projector receives a connection request from an arbitrary computer, the group information is referred to, and among the projectors in the group, the projector other than its own device is connected to the arbitrary computer. A connection establishment method comprising: performing a requesting connection request step.

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