JP5263474B2 - IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, PROJECTOR, PROGRAM, AND IDENTIFICATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an identification system, a projector, a program, and an identification method for identifying a plurality of display devices.

A plurality of projectors may be connected via a network, or an image may be projected using a plurality of projectors. In such a case, it is necessary to identify each projector. As a technique for identifying a projector, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-3903 describes a technique for performing broadcast transmission and returning a projector name and an IP address from each projector. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-304100 describes a method of detecting a change in the position of a projector using a camera and a distance measuring sensor.
JP 2006-3903 A JP 2006-304100 A

  However, with either method, the projector cannot be identified in association with the position. For example, when each projector projects an image according to the arrangement with the projector A placed on the left, the projector C placed in the center, and the projector B placed on the right, an image supply device such as a PC (Personal Computer) It is necessary to identify in association with the position. However, in the conventional method, a display device such as a projector cannot be automatically identified in association with the position where the display device is disposed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an identification system, a projector, a program, and an identification method capable of automatically identifying each display device in association with a position when a plurality of display devices are used.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an identification system according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an identification image including identification information of each display device displayed by a plurality of display devices, and generates a captured image. A data generation unit configured to generate association data in which the position and the identification information are associated with each other based on the position of each identification image and the identification information included in the captured image.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a projector that projects an identification image including identification information onto a projection target area, the identification image projected by the projection section, and a projection projected onto the projection target area by another projector. An imaging unit that captures the identification image to generate a captured image, and an association that associates the position and the identification information based on the position of each identification image in the captured image and the identification information included in the captured image And a data generation unit for generating data.

  The program according to the present invention is a program readable by a computer that controls an imaging unit, and the computer images an identification image including identification information of each display device displayed by a plurality of display devices on the imaging unit. Data for generating association data that associates the position with the identification information based on the position of each identification image in the captured image and the identification information included in the captured image. It is characterized by functioning as a generation unit.

  The identification method according to the present invention is an identification method for identifying a plurality of display devices by controlling an imaging unit to capture an identification image including identification information of each display device displayed by the plurality of display devices. Generating a captured image, identifying the identification information included in the captured image, determining a position of each identification image in the captured image, and generating association data associating the position with the identification information. And

  According to the present invention, an identification system or the like automatically associates each display device with a position by capturing the identification image displayed by the display device and identifying the position and identification information of each identification image in the captured image. The association data that associates the position of each display device with the identification information can be generated.

  The identification system or the like includes a determination unit that determines whether the arrangement of the display device is changed based on the captured image and the association data, and the data generation unit The association data may be regenerated when changed.

  According to this, even if the arrangement of the display device is changed, the identification system or the like can grasp the contents of the change and can automatically cope with the change of the arrangement.

  The identification system or the like may include an image information generation unit that generates image information for each of the display devices according to the position based on the association data.

  According to this, the identification system or the like generates image information for each display device according to the position, thereby sharing one image with a plurality of display devices and displaying one image with a plurality of display devices. Even if the images are displayed in a superimposed manner, the images can be displayed appropriately.

  The identification system or the like may include a transmission unit that transmits the image information to the display device that displays an image based on the image information based on the association data.

  According to this, the identification system or the like provides each display device with image information for each display device corresponding to the position, thereby sharing one image with a plurality of display devices and displaying one image. Even in the case where the images are superimposed and displayed on a plurality of display devices, they can be displayed appropriately.

  The transmission unit may transmit display control information indicating an instruction to display the identification image to each display device.

  According to this, since the identification system or the like can control the display of the identification image of each display device, each display device can be identified in a shorter time.

  Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a projector or the like will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the Example shown below does not limit the content of the invention described in the claim at all. In addition, all the configurations shown in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the invention described in the claims.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a system in the first embodiment. This system projects a high-resolution image using a plurality of projectors 100-1 to 100-3, which are a kind of display device, and a PC 200. The PC 200 functions as an identification system that identifies each projector 100 and grasps the arrangement of each projector 100.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each projector 100 projects projected images 20-1 to 20-3 including identification images 30-1 to 30-3 each indicating its own identification information onto the screen 10. The PC 200 identifies each projector 100 by capturing an area including the screen 10 on which the identification image 30 including the identification image 30 is projected.

  Next, functional blocks of the PC 200 having such functions will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the PC 200 in the first embodiment. The PC 200 generates an operation unit 210 that generates operation information according to a user's operation, a storage unit 220 that stores various data, a control unit 230 that performs various controls based on the operation information, and imaging information. The imaging unit 240 includes a data generation unit 250 that generates various data, an image information generation unit 260 that generates image information, and a communication unit 290 that transmits and receives various information.

  In addition, the storage unit 220 stores association data 222 in which the identification information of each projector 100 is associated with the position of each projector 100, image data 224 for generating image information, and the like.

  Note that, for example, the following hardware may be employed as hardware for implementing the functions of these units. For example, the operation unit 210 is a keyboard, a mouse, the storage unit 220 is an HDD, the control unit 230, the data generation unit 250, the image information generation unit 260 is a CPU, the imaging unit 240 is a CMOS camera, a communication unit, etc. As the 290, a wireless LAN communication unit or the like may be employed.

  Further, the PC 200 may implement the functions of each unit by reading from the information storage medium 300 a program for implementing the functions of these units on the PC 200. As such an information storage medium 300, for example, a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, ROM, RAM, HDD or the like can be applied, and the program reading method can be a contact method or a non-contact method. Good.

  Next, a processing procedure of the PC 200 for identifying the projector 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the PC 200 in the first embodiment. The control unit 230 determines whether there is an identification instruction by determining whether the operation information of the identification instruction is generated by the operation unit 210 (step S1). For example, when the user performs a predetermined key operation using the keyboard of the PC 200, operation information for the identification instruction is generated.

  When there is an identification instruction, the control unit 230 outputs control information that causes the communication unit 290 to transmit display control information for projecting the identification image 30 to the communication unit 290. The communication unit 290 transmits display control information by a broadcast communication method based on the control information (step S2). Note that the projector 100 and the PC 200 can communicate with each other by a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, short-range wireless communication, or the like.

  Each projector 100 receives the display control information from the PC 200 and projects the projection image 20 including the identification image 30 based on the image data 224 for projecting the identification image 30 stored in advance.

  As the identification image 30, for example, a two-dimensional code, a character string, a predetermined graphic (graphic that can be identified by color, pattern, shape, or the like) as shown in FIG. 1 may be adopted. For example, “EPPJ1_192.168.0.1” is two-dimensionally encoded in the identification image 30-1 shown in FIG. 1, and “EPPJ3_192.168.0.3” is two-dimensionally encoded in the identification image 30-1. The identification image 30-1 is obtained by two-dimensionally coding “EPPJ2_192.168.0.2”. Thus, in this embodiment, the identification information is composed of a projector name such as EPPJ1 and a communication IP address such as 192.168.0.1.

  The imaging unit 240 captures an area including the identification images 30-1 to 30-3 projected on the screen 10 (step S3). Note that the imaging unit 240 may capture an image according to the imaging control information from the control unit 230 based on the user's operation, or according to an elapsed time after transmission of the display control information (for example, transmission of display control information) The image may be taken automatically (such as when 1 minute has passed).

  The data generation unit 250 identifies the identification image 30 included in the captured image 40 by the imaging unit 240 (step S4). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the captured image 40 in the first embodiment. The captured image 40 includes identification images 30-1 to 30-3. The data generation unit 250 decodes each identification image 30 into an original character string (such as “EPPJ1_192.168.0.1”).

  The data generation unit 250 determines the position of each identification image 30 in the captured image 40 (step S5). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the identification image 30-1 is on the left, the identification image 30-2 is in the center, and the identification image 30-3 is on the right.

  The data generation unit 250 generates the association data 122 based on these determination results (step S6). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the association data 122 in the first embodiment. For example, the association data 122 includes “projector name”, “IP address”, “position”, and the like as items. The “position” is “1” on the leftmost side, and the numerical value increases by one toward the right. Therefore, the “position” of the projector 100-1 whose projector name is “EPPJ1” is “1”, the “position” of the projector 100-2 whose projector name is “EPPJ3” is “2”, and the projector name “Position” of the projector 100-3 in which “EPPJ2” is “3”.

  The image information generation unit 260 generates image information based on the association data 222 and the image data 224 (step S7). Specifically, the image information generation unit 260 assigns an image display area to each projector 100 according to the “position” of the association data 222, and information for displaying an image for each image display area, and the association data 122. Image information including an IP address corresponding to the “position” indicated by “IP address” is generated.

  The communication unit 290 transmits the image information to the destination projector 100 having the IP address included in the image information (step S8). The projector 100 projects an image based on the image information.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the projected image 21 in the first embodiment. For example, the projector 100-1 projects the left projection image 21-1, the projector 100-2 projects the center projection image 21-1, and the projector 100-3 projects the right projection image 21-. 3 is projected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the PC 200 captures the identification image 30 projected by the projector 100 and identifies the position and identification information of each identification image 30 in the captured image 40, whereby each projector 100 can be automatically identified in association with the position, and association data 222 in which the position of each projector 100 is associated with the identification information can be generated.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the PC 200 generates image information for each projector 100 according to the position, thereby sharing and projecting one image by the plurality of projectors 100, or one image for a plurality of images. Even when the projectors 100 superimpose and project, the images can be projected appropriately, and appropriate image display can be performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by including the IP address in the identification information, the PC 200 can automatically obtain the IP address of the projector 100, and efficiently transmit different image information for each projector 100. be able to.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the PC 200 can control the projection of the identification image 30 of each projector 100 by transmitting the display control information to each projector 100. Each display device can be identified in a shorter time than when the identification image 30 is projected and the PC 200 performs imaging and identification after a predetermined time has elapsed after the projector 100 is activated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the PC 200 can eliminate the user's work of identifying the projector 100, and can reduce the user's trouble when performing so-called multi-screen image display.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the PC 200 identifies the projector 100, but at least one of the plurality of projectors may identify each projector. In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which all projectors identify each projector will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an overall view of the system in the second embodiment. This system projects a high-resolution image using a plurality of projectors 101-1 to 101-3.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the projector 101 in the second embodiment. The projector 101 includes an operation unit 110 that generates operation information in accordance with a user operation, a storage unit 120 that stores various data, a control unit 130 that performs various controls based on the operation information, and imaging information. Imaging section 140, data generation section 150 that generates various data, image generation section 170 that generates an image, projection section 180, and communication section 190 that transmits and receives various information. .

  The storage unit 120 also displays association data 122 in which the identification information of each projector 101 is associated with the position of each projector 101, image data 124 for generating an image, and a display area (resolution) of the projection unit 180. The area data 126 and the like are stored.

  Note that, for example, the following hardware may be employed as hardware for implementing the functions of these units. For example, the operation unit 110 is a button, a remote controller, the storage unit 120 is an HDD, the control unit 130, the data generation unit 150 is a CPU, the imaging unit 140 is a CMOS camera, and the image generation unit 170 is an image. A processing circuit or the like, a lamp, a liquid crystal panel, a drive circuit, a projection lens, or the like as the projection unit 180, and a wireless LAN communication unit or the like as the communication unit 190 may be employed.

  Further, the projector 101 may implement the function of each unit by reading a program for implementing the function of each unit in the projector 101 from the information storage medium 301.

  Next, a processing procedure for identifying a plurality of projectors 101 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the projector 101 in the second embodiment. The basic processing procedure is the same as that in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  First, the control unit 130 determines whether there is an identification instruction (step S11). When there is an identification instruction, the image generation unit 170 generates a projection image 20 including the identification image 30 based on the image data 124, and the projection unit 180 projects the projection image 20 (step S12). It is assumed that the user issues an identification instruction to all projectors 101.

  The imaging unit 140 captures an area including the identification images 30-1 to 30-3 projected on the screen 10 (step S13). When the identification instruction is issued to all the projectors 101, the identification images 30-1 to 30-3 are projected on the screen 10 by the respective projectors 101.

  The data generation unit 150 identifies the identification image 30 included in the captured image 40 by the imaging unit 140 (step S14), determines the position of each identification image 30 in the captured image 40 (step S15), and generates association data 122. (Step S16).

  Based on the association data 122, the image data 124, and the display area data 126, the image generation unit 170 determines the image display area that it is in charge of (step S17). For example, the display area data 126 indicates that the resolution of the liquid crystal panel of the projection unit 180 is 800 × 600 pixels, the image data 124 indicates that the resolution of the image is 2400 × 600 pixels, and the association data 122 When the “position” is “2”, the image generation unit 170 determines the area where the pixel positions in the horizontal direction are 801 to 1600 and the pixel positions in the vertical direction are 1 to 600 as the image display area in charge. To do.

  Then, the image generation unit 170 generates an image of the determined image display area based on the image data 124 (step S18). The projection unit 180 projects the image (step S19).

  In this way, each projector 101 determines an image display area that it is in charge of, and projects an image in the image display area, thereby projecting projected images 21-1 to 21-3 shown in FIG. 6 on the screen 10. Is done.

  As described above, even when the PC 200 is not used as in the present embodiment, the projector 101 has the same operational effects as the first embodiment.

(Other examples)
In addition, application of this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, the display device includes not only the projectors 100 and 101 but also various devices that display images on a plurality of units such as monitors and televisions.

  FIG. 10 is an overall view of a system according to another embodiment. For example, the projection televisions 400-1 to 400-3 display the display images 70-1 to 70-3 including the identification images 31-1 to 31-3, respectively, and the PC 200 includes the identification images 31-1 to 31-3. An area may be imaged.

  Further, in the second embodiment, all the projectors 101 capture and identify, but only one projector 101 that functions as a master may capture and identify. In this case, the user may select the central projector 101-2 to identify each projector 101, or the projector 101 activated first may be the master to identify each projector 101.

  Further, the PC 200 and the projector 101 include a determination unit that determines whether the arrangement of the projectors 100 and 101 is changed based on the captured image 40 and the association data 122 and 222. The data generation units 150 and 250 The association data 122 and 222 may be regenerated according to the arrangement only when the arrangement is changed with reference to the association data 122 and 222.

  According to this, even if the arrangement of the projectors 100 and 101 is changed, the PC 200 and the projector 101 can grasp the contents of the change and can automatically cope with the change of the arrangement.

  Further, the image information generation unit 260 and the image generation unit 170 may determine an image for each of the projectors 100 and 101 based on the “position” of the association data 122 and the assignment data indicating the image assignment for each position. For example, the assignment data indicates that an image from a DVD player is assigned to the display device at position 1, and an image from the PC is assigned to the display device at position 2, or a sub-image is assigned to the display device at position 1. Further, it may be data indicating that the main image (primary image) is assigned to the display device whose position is 2.

  Further, the PC 200 may transmit the generated association data 222 to each projector 100, and each projector 100 may store the association data 222. According to this, the PC 200 can eliminate the registration work related to the arrangement of the projector 100 on the projector 100 by the user.

  Further, the projectors 100 and 101 are not limited to liquid crystal projectors, and may be projectors using DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), for example. DMD is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated. The functions of the PC 200 and the projectors 100 and 101 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of devices (for example, a PC and a digital camera, a PC and a projector, etc.).

1 is an overall view of a system in a first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of PC in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of PC in a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the captured image in a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the association data in a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the projection image in a 1st Example. It is a whole system figure in the 2nd example. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the projector in a 2nd Example. It is a whole figure of the system in other examples.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Screen, 20, 21 Projected image, 30, 31 Identification image, 40 Captured image, 70 Display image, 100 Projector (display device), 110, 210 Operation unit, 120, 220 Storage unit, 122, 222 Association data, 124, 224 image data, 126 display area data, 130, 230 control unit, 140, 240 imaging unit, 150, 250 data generation unit, 170 image generation unit, 180 projection unit, 190, 290 communication unit, 200 PC (identification system), 260 Image information generation unit, 300, 301 Information storage medium, 400 Projection television (display device)

Claims (7)

An imaging unit that captures an identification image including identification information of each display device displayed by a plurality of display devices and generates a captured image;
Determining the position of each identified image in the captured image, and said identifying the identification information included in the captured image, data generation unit for generating association data that associates with said identification information and said position,
Only including,
The data generation unit determines whether or not the arrangement of the display device has been changed with reference to the association data when determining the position of each identification image and identifying the identification information. An identification system , wherein the association data is regenerated when the arrangement is changed . The identification system according to claim 1 ,
The identification system characterized by including the image information generation part which produces | generates the image information for every said display apparatus according to the said position based on the said association data. The identification system according to claim 2 ,
The identification system characterized by including the transmission part which transmits the said image information toward the said display apparatus which displays the image based on the said image information based on the said association data. The identification system according to claim 3 ,
The transmission system transmits display control information indicating an instruction to display the identification image to each display device. A projection unit that projects an identification image including identification information onto a projection target area;
An imaging unit that images the identification image projected by the projection unit and the identification image projected on the projection target area by another projector to generate a captured image;
Determining the position of each identified image in the captured image, and said identifying the identification information included in the captured image, data generation unit for generating association data that associates with said identification information and said position,
Only including,
The data generation unit determines whether or not the arrangement of each projector has been changed by referring to the association data when determining the position of each identification image and identifying the identification information. A projector characterized in that the association data is regenerated when changed . In a program readable by a computer that controls the imaging unit,
The computer,
An imaging control unit that causes the imaging unit to capture an identification image including identification information of each display device displayed by a plurality of display devices, and to generate a captured image;
Wherein determining the location of each identified image in the captured image, to identify the identification information included in the captured image, to function as a data generation unit for generating association data that associates with said identification information and said position,
The data generation unit determines whether or not the arrangement of the display device has been changed with reference to the association data when determining the position of each identification image and identifying the identification information. A program that regenerates the association data when the arrangement is changed . In an identification method for identifying a plurality of display devices,
An identification image including identification information of each display device displayed by a plurality of display devices is captured by controlling the imaging unit to generate a captured image,
Identifying the identification information contained in the captured image;
Determining the position of each identification image in the captured image;
Generating association data associating the position with the identification information ;
When determining the position of each identification image and identifying the identification information, it is determined whether the arrangement of the display device has been changed with reference to the association data, and the arrangement of the display device has been changed And regenerating the association data .

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