JP5307107B2 - Electronic blackboard equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery residual quantity notification system capable of omitting a function to notify a residual quantity of a battery from an attachment device that consumes power from the battery. <P>SOLUTION: A battery residual quantity notification system includes an electronic blackboard unit 2, and a pen 4 that consumes power supplied from a battery and is used separately from the electronic blackboard unit 2. The pen 4 has an LED substrate 4D for detecting a residual quantity of power that can be supplied from the battery 5 and transmitting information on the detected battery residual quantity by infrared rays. A coin detection device 3 attached to the electronic blackboard unit 2 has an infrared ray reception device SJ for receiving the information on the battery residual quantity transmitted from the pen 4, an LED substrate LK for emitting light in plural colors, and a control unit SU for controlling a color of the light emitted from the LED substrate LK on the basis of the reception result by the infrared ray reception device SJ so as to notify a user of the battery residual quantity of the battery 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to that electronic blackboard apparatus guides the user of the remaining amount of battery that can supply electric power.

  There is a secondary device that is used separately from the main device while consuming electric power in the battery. As an example of such a sub-device, it is used separately from the electronic blackboard as the main device, and uses the power supplied from the built-in battery to draw letters and the like on the electronic blackboard and outputs ultrasonic waves and infrared rays A pen for an electronic blackboard is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, Patent Documents 2 and 3 exist as prior art documents related to the present invention.

JP 2007-58425 A JP 2002-79792 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-135081

  The dedicated pen used in the electronic blackboard device of Patent Literature 1 usually includes a rechargeable battery and a charging device, and a display unit that displays the power state of the battery. The user recognizes the remaining battery level of the battery built in the dedicated pen through the display unit provided in the dedicated pen. However, if the charging device or the display unit is provided on the dedicated pen side in this way, the dedicated pen that is likely to be lost or the like and should be handled as a consumable item is expensive.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic blackboard device that can omit the function of guiding the remaining battery level from a secondary device that consumes battery power.

An electronic blackboard device of the present invention includes a main device (3) and a sub device (4) that is used separately from the main device while consuming electric power supplied from a battery (5). Includes a battery remaining amount detecting means (4D) for detecting the remaining amount of electric power that can be supplied by the battery, and an information transmitting means capable of transmitting information on the remaining battery level detected by the battery remaining amount detecting means in a non-contact state ( 4D), and the main device has a receiving means (SJ) for receiving information on the remaining battery level transmitted from the sub-device, and the remaining battery level of the battery based on the reception result of the receiving means. A battery remaining amount guidance system provided with guidance means (LK, SU) for guiding the user to the user is applied, and the apparatus main body (2, 3) including the display surface (6), characters on the display surface, etc. A pen (4) for drawing the A pond remaining amount guide unit (3) is provided, and the pen is used as the auxiliary device separated from the battery remaining amount guide unit, and the pen tip is in contact with the display surface. The information transmitting means is configured to transmit information on the remaining battery level when the non-contact state is detected. is there.

According to the present invention, the remaining battery level is transmitted in a non-contact state from the secondary device, and the remaining battery level is guided through the main unit. For this reason, it is not necessary to guide the remaining battery level on the side of the secondary device that consumes battery power. Therefore, the function of guiding the remaining battery level from the sub device can be omitted. As a result, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the secondary device that is highly likely to be consumed due to use or lost due to being used separately. Also, the pen used in the electronic blackboard device is likely to be used to draw letters etc. on the electronic blackboard when the pen tip is in contact with the display surface. The need is low. In this case, information on the remaining battery level can be transmitted while avoiding a state where the need for checking the remaining battery level is low.

In one aspect of the electronic blackboard device of the present invention, the device main body is provided with a housing portion that houses the pen, and the information receiving means is configured to receive the information when the pen is housed in the housing portion. You may arrange | position so that the transmission result of a transmission means may be received. Further, the apparatus main body is further provided with an accommodation state detection means for detecting an accommodation state in which the pen is accommodated in the accommodation portion, and the guide means detects the accommodation state by the accommodation state detection means. In this case, the remaining battery level of the battery may be guided to the user based on the reception result of the receiving unit. Any information transmission means may be used as long as information can be transmitted in a non-contact state. For example, in one embodiment of the electronic blackboard apparatus according to the present invention, the the sub device, as the information transmitting means, the infrared output means are provided for transmitting information of the battery remaining amount by utilizing infrared rays, the apparatus main body As the receiving means, an infrared receiving means for receiving infrared rays may be provided.

Further, any guide means may be used. For example, in one aspect of the electronic blackboard device of the present invention, the main device may be provided with a display device that guides by visually displaying a remaining battery level as the guide means.

  In an aspect in which a display device is provided as the guide means, the display device includes an LED that emits light and a light emission control means (SU) that controls light emission of the LED, and the light emission control means includes the battery remaining power. The LED may be controlled to emit light when the amount is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount, and the display device controls an LED (LK) that can output light of a plurality of colors, and light emission of the LED. A light emission control means (SU) for controlling the LED so as to output light of a color corresponding to the remaining battery level. In these cases, the remaining battery level can be guided with a simple configuration.

The information transmission unit may transmit information on the remaining battery level. For example, in one aspect of the electronic blackboard device of the present invention, the information transmission unit may intermittently transmit the information on the remaining battery level at a predetermined interval.

  In one aspect of the electronic blackboard device of the present invention, an infrared output means (4D) that outputs infrared rays is provided as the information transmitting means, and the apparatus body uses infrared rays output by the infrared output means in the contact state. The position of the pen may be detected. in this case. Infrared rays used for detecting the position of the pen can also be used for transmission of battery remaining amount information. Such combined use of infrared rays can further reduce the manufacturing cost.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the remaining battery level is transmitted from the secondary device in a non-contact state, and the remaining battery level is guided through the main unit. For this reason, it is not necessary to guide the remaining battery level on the auxiliary device side. Therefore, it is possible to omit the function of guiding the remaining battery level from the secondary device that consumes battery power.

The perspective view of the principal part of the electronic blackboard apparatus to which the battery residual amount guidance system which concerns on one form of this invention was applied. The front view of a coin detection apparatus. Enlarged view of the pen. Sectional drawing regarding the BB line of FIG. 3A. The block diagram which shows the outline of the control system inside a pen. Sectional drawing regarding the IV-IV line of FIG. The enlarged view of the dashed-dotted line V part of FIG. Sectional drawing regarding the VI-VI line of FIG. Schematic of the control system of an electronic blackboard apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the content of a light spot database. The figure which shows an example of the content of a color table. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a detection process routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of IR camera image processing routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the drawing process routine for color recognition. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a color camera image processing routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of residual amount guidance process routine.

  Hereinafter, an electronic blackboard apparatus to which a battery remaining amount guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of the electronic blackboard device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic blackboard device 1 includes an electronic blackboard unit 2 and a coin detection device 3 as a main device (battery remaining amount guide unit). The coin detection device 3 is provided on the right side of the electronic blackboard unit 2. In this embodiment, the electronic blackboard portion 2 (including the coin detection device 3) provided with the coin detection device 3 functions as the device main body.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the coin detection device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a coin insertion slot 3 </ b> A for inserting coins to be paid as a consideration for using the electronic blackboard device 1 is provided on the front surface of the coin detection device 3. Further, a holder portion 3B is provided below the coin insertion slot 3A. A plurality of pens 4 as sub devices are placed on the holder portion 3B. Note that the coin detection device 3 may be provided with various input devices and output devices provided in a normal electronic blackboard device such as a button for selecting or determining, a power switch, and a volume operation switch.

  FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the pen 4. As shown in FIG. 3A, the pen 4 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a protruding portion 4 </ b> A is provided on the pen 4 on the axis Ax. Since the protrusion 4A is used in contact with the screen 6, a member with high wear resistance is used for the protrusion 4A so that the wear is prevented and the screen 6 is not damaged. On the other hand, the rear end of the pen 4 is provided with a large diameter portion 4C having a larger diameter than the others. For example, polyacetal, Teflon (registered trademark), nylon, or the like is used as a specific material of the protruding portion 4A. When a high wear-resistant material is obtained, an opaque material is selected as a result. Further, a battery cover portion 4 </ b> B is provided on the rear end side of the pen 4. The battery cover portion 4B is configured to be detachable from the pen 4, and the pen 4 is configured to be able to store a battery therein by removing the battery cover portion 4B.

  3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B shows a state where the battery 5 is stored. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3B, the battery 5 is accommodated inside the pen 4 on the rear end side. The tip inside the pen 4 is closed by a transparent light guide lens 4G. In the center of the light guide lens 4G, a space in which the protrusion 4A is inserted is provided coaxially with the axis Ax. For example, a transparent acrylic material is used as the light guide lens 4G.

  The protruding portion 4A is attached to be movable in the front-rear direction, that is, the direction from the front end to the rear end (or the opposite direction) along the axis Ax through the central space of the light guide lens 4G. An interlocking member 4H that is movable in the front-rear direction along the axis Ax is attached to the rear end of the protrusion 4A, and a spring 4I that is biased in the distal direction is attached to the interlocking member 4H. ing. Further, the protrusion 4A is provided with a flange 4At around the rear end, and a step is provided in the diameter of the central space of the light guide lens 4G. The protrusion 4A is hooked on the step of the light guide lens 4G. Is configured to limit forward movement. For this reason, the protruding portion 4A is positioned so as to protrude from the tip at the normal time due to the biasing of the spring 4I via the interlocking member 4H and the restriction on the forward movement. As a result, when the protrusion 4A is pressed against the screen 6 or the like, the protrusion 4A moves in the rear end direction while compressing the spring 4I along the axis Ax via the interlocking member 4H due to the backward pressure. When the pressure is released, the spring 4I is biased via the interlocking member 4H so as to return to the position where it protrudes from the normal tip. The interlocking member 4H is attached so as to move backward integrally with the protrusion 4A when the protrusion 4A is pushed rearward. An LED substrate 4D having a booster circuit is provided in front of the battery 5 and behind the protrusion 4A.

  The LED substrate 4D is provided with an infrared LED 4K and a visible light LED (color LED) 4M. The infrared LED 4K is disposed so as to be coaxial with the axis Ax, and the visible light LED 4M is disposed on a side near the infrared LED 4K. In addition, the visible light LED 4 </ b> M is provided in each pen 4 so that the component of the RGB value is different for each pen 4. FIG. 3C is a block diagram showing an outline of a control system inside the pen 4. As shown in FIG. 3C, the LED substrate 4D is provided with a CPU 4S that is connected to the switch SW and the LEDs 4K and 4M and controls the outputs of the LEDs 4K and 4M according to the state of the switch SW. The CPU 4S is connected to the battery 5 via a detector KS as a battery remaining amount detection means and a fuse FZ. Then, the CPU 4S receives the state signal from the switch SW and outputs a control signal for light emission control to the LEDs 4K and 4M. The detector KS is connected to the battery 5 via the fuse FZ and detects the voltage of the battery 5. The battery 5 is also connected to a DC-DC converter CO via a fuse FZ. The DC-DC converter CO is connected to the visible light LED 4M and the like, and supplies power for operating each of them.

  The switch SW is pressed by an operating member (not shown) that operates in conjunction with the interlocking member 4H when the interlocking member 4H is moved backward via the protrusion 4A, and the interlocking member 4H is in the pressed state. When it is not, it is arranged so that it is released from the operating member that operates in conjunction with the interlocking member 4H and can be switched to the OFF state. When the switch SW is in the ON state, the CPU 4S outputs each of the LEDs 4K so that the infrared LED 4K outputs infrared light as the other wavelength light and the visible light LED 4M outputs visible light as the one wavelength light. 4M is controlled. At this time, when the switch SW is in the ON state, the CPU 4S continuously outputs the infrared light from the infrared LED 4K, while the visible light LED 4M outputs the visible light for a predetermined time from the ON state. To control. In addition, what is necessary is just to use the thing according to the time which the below-mentioned identification processing etc. require for predetermined time, for example, about 1 second or 3/60 frames / second below 1 second is used depending on a processing speed etc. May be.

  On the other hand, when the switch SW is in the OFF state, the CPU 4S controls the LEDs 4K and 4M so that the visible light LED 4M does not output visible light and the infrared LED 4K outputs infrared light at regular intervals. . As an example of this fixed interval, for example, an infrared ray that is output once every four minutes may be used. Thus, the CPU 4S is configured to control the outputs of the LEDs 4K and 4M according to the pressing state of the interlocking member 4H via the switch SW. Further, the interlocking member 4H is attached so as to integrally move backward as the protruding portion 4A is pushed backward. That is, the pen 4 is configured such that the output state of each LED 4K, 4M is switched by the movement of the protrusion 4A accompanying the contact with the screen 6 or the like.

  The light output from each of the LEDs 4K and 4M passes through the transparent light guide lens 4G positioned around the front protrusion 4A and is output from the tip of the pen 4 to the outside. The infrared LED 4K is arranged coaxially with the axis Ax, and the protrusion 4A is also arranged coaxially with the axis Ax. For this reason, the infrared rays output to the outside are output so that the center position of the output range substantially coincides with the center position of the protrusion 4A. On the other hand, the position of the visible light LED 4M does not coincide with the axis Ax, but is close to the infrared LED 4K, the visible light output range output from the visible light LED 4M is a certain range from the center position of the infrared output range. (See FIG. 3B).

  Further, the CPU 4S acquires the detection result detected by the detector KS and transmits it to the outside as information on the remaining battery level. Specifically, the CPU 4S transmits the detected battery remaining amount information as an infrared signal to the outside using infrared rays output from the infrared LED 4K at regular intervals when not in the pressed state. For this reason, the CPU 4S controls the output of the infrared LED 4K so that the information of the remaining battery level is included in the infrared rays that the infrared LED 4K outputs at regular intervals when not in the pressed state. A well-known technique may be used for transmitting information on the remaining battery level using infrared rays. For example, the infrared LED 4K may be controlled to output a pulse position modulation type signal through infrared rays as transmission of battery remaining amount information using infrared rays. The combination of the CPU 4S and the infrared LED 4K functions as the information transmission means (infrared output means) of the present invention by the infrared LED 4K being controlled by the CPU 4S to transmit the remaining battery information to the outside using the infrared signal. . Further, the pressed state corresponds to the contact state of the present invention, and the non-pressed state corresponds to the non-contact state of the present invention.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a control unit SU that executes various controls based on various input signals from the coin insertion slot 3 </ b> A or the like is provided inside the coin detection device 3. The control unit SU is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as a main memory (RAM, ROM) necessary for its operation. Various input devices and output devices are connected to the control unit SU. Further, the control unit SU is also connected to the electronic blackboard unit 2 through the communication unit LT. In FIG. 4, the holder portion 3 </ b> B is surrounded by a one-dot chain line V. As shown in FIG. 4, as one of the devices connected to the control unit SU, each device of the holder unit 3B is connected to the control unit SU via a wiring HS. The coin detection device 3 is provided with various other input devices and output devices, but since well-known techniques may be applied to them, detailed illustration is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an alternate long and short dash line V portion of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the holder 3B includes an upper part 3B1 and a lower part 3B2. The upper portion 3B1 is provided with a cylindrical portion ET as a cylindrical space. The cylindrical part ET has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the pen 4 and smaller than the diameter of the large diameter part 4C so that the pen 4 can be inserted. That is, the cylindrical portion ET is formed so that the pen 4 can be inserted from the tip side, while the large diameter portion 4C is caught by the upper end of the cylindrical portion ET, and the insertion of the pen 4 is regulated by the large diameter portion 4C. ing. Thereby, the pen 4 is supported by the upper side part 3B1 through the cylindrical part ET. The broken line in FIG. 5 shows the pen 4 in a state of being inserted into the cylindrical portion ET. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the cylindrical portion ET is formed so that the axis Ax of the inserted pen 4 is slightly inclined toward the surface side of the screen 6, that is, the user side. For this reason, the pen 4 inserted into the cylindrical portion ET is supported by the upper portion 3B1 in a state where the axis Ax is inclined.

  The upper part 3B1 is provided with a transmissive photosensor PS for detecting whether or not the pen 4 is inserted into the cylindrical part ET. The photo sensor PS includes a light emitting unit HB and a light receiving unit JB. The light emitting part HB and the light receiving part JB are provided with the cylindrical part ET sandwiched between them, and the light emitting part HB is on the screen 6 side (right side in FIG. 5) sandwiching the cylindrical part ET and the user side sandwiching the cylindrical part ET. The light receiving parts JB are respectively arranged on the left side of FIG. The light emitting part HB outputs light toward the light receiving part JB on the opposite side across the cylindrical part ET. For this reason, when the pen 4 is inserted into the cylindrical part ET, the light from the light emitting part HB is blocked by the pen 4. The light receiving unit JB detects the presence of the pen 4 by blocking the light output from the light emitting unit HB. The photosensor PS is connected to the control unit SU and outputs the detection result to the control unit SU.

  Moreover, the LED display part HG is provided in the surface by the side of the user of upper part 3B1. For example, an acrylic material is used as the material of the LED display unit HG. Furthermore, the LED board LK is provided in the upper side part 3B1 in the position inside the LED display part HG. The LED substrate LK is configured to emit a plurality of colors. The LED substrate LK is arranged so that the light output direction faces the LED display unit HG. For this reason, the color of the light which LED board LK outputs is recognized by the user through LED display part HG. Further, the LED substrate LK is connected to the control unit SU. The LED substrate LK is controlled to emit light by the control unit SU.

  The lower side 3B2 is provided with a cut filter CF that cuts visible light and an infrared light receiving device SJ as a receiving means (infrared receiving means) for receiving an infrared signal output from the pen 4. The cut filter CF is disposed above the infrared light receiving device SJ and cuts visible light from above. That is, the infrared light receiving device SJ is arranged so as to receive the light from which the visible light is removed by the cut filter CF and from which the visible light is removed. Further, in the lower portion 3B2, an area is provided for each pen 4 so that the infrared light receiving device SJ corresponding to the pen 4 placed next to the infrared light output from the pen 4 placed adjacent to it is not erroneously received. A partition plate CB for light shielding is provided. A metal plate that blocks 100% of infrared rays is provided inside the partition plate CB. This suppresses the adjacent infrared light receiving device SJ from receiving the infrared light of the adjacent pen 4.

  The infrared light receiving device SJ includes an infrared light receiving module unit SJA. The infrared light receiving module unit SJA receives the infrared light output from the pen 4 via the cut filter CF. An arrow S in FIG. 5 indicates an output direction of infrared rays output from the pen 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the infrared light receiving module unit SJA is disposed so as to be positioned on the output direction of the infrared light output from the pen 4. The infrared light receiving module is provided on the substrate SJB. The substrate SJB is connected to the control unit SU.

  Returning to FIG. 1, a screen 6 as a display surface and a speaker 7 that outputs sound and is provided on the front surface of the electronic blackboard portion 2 are provided. Characters and the like are drawn on the screen 6 with the pen 4. Characters and the like drawn by the pen 4 are displayed on the screen 6 by being projected as images from the inside of the electronic blackboard unit 2. The screen 6 is configured such that an image projected from the inside is clearly displayed when a projection sheet is attached to the back surface of the transparent acrylic plate or is coated.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a projector 8, a color camera 9, and an IR camera 10 are provided inside the electronic blackboard unit 2. The projector 8 is disposed above the inside of the electronic blackboard unit 2. The spherical mirror 16 is ahead of the output direction in which the projector 8 outputs an image, the flat mirror 17 is ahead of the reflection direction in which the spherical mirror 16 reflects the image, and the reflection direction in which the flat mirror 17 reflects the image. Are each equipped with a screen 6. In FIG. 6, there are two projection lines TL indicating the output direction and range of the projector 8, a reflection line HL indicating the reflection direction and range of the spherical mirror 16, and a reflection line RL indicating the reflection direction and range of the plane mirror 17. Shown with a chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the projector 8 is supported from below by being tilted upward so that the output direction of the image faces the spherical mirror 16 by the support base 15 attached above the inside of the electronic blackboard unit 2. ing. The spherical mirror 16 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the lower end of the spherical mirror 16 does not cross the reflection line RL of the flat mirror 17 and a part of the upper side protrudes from the inside of the electronic blackboard portion 2. A protruding cover portion 19 is provided so as to cover the spherical mirror 16 at a portion where a part of the spherical mirror 16 at the top of the electronic blackboard portion 2 protrudes. The spherical mirror 16 is configured to reflect an image output from the projector 8 in the reflection direction while slightly enlarging it. For this reason, the image output to the spherical mirror 16 is enlarged and reflected by the plane mirror 17. The plane mirror 17 is disposed on the base 20 having a certain height from the bottom so as to be inclined so that the image reflected from the spherical mirror 16 can be reflected on the entire screen 6. The images output from the projector 8 are projected on the entire surface of the screen 6 by these mirrors 16 and 17.

  The cameras 9 and 10 are arranged at positions close to each other above the upper end of the plane mirror 17. Specifically, the IR camera 10 is disposed above the plane mirror 17, and the color camera 9 is disposed at a position near the upper portion of the IR camera. In FIG. 6, the shooting range of the color camera 9 is indicated by a broken line CH, and the shooting range of the IR camera 10 is indicated by a one-dot chain line IS. As shown in FIG. 6, the cameras 9 and 10 are arranged at positions where the entire surface of the screen 6 can be accommodated in the shooting ranges CH and IS. The color camera 9 is provided with an infrared cut filter 9A. Thereby, the color camera 9 is configured to be able to shoot an image obtained by cutting infrared rays (for example, to be able to shoot only visible light of 840 mm or less). On the other hand, the IR camera 10 is provided with a visible light cut filter 10A. Thereby, the IR camera 10 is configured to be able to shoot an image in which visible light is cut (for example, to be able to shoot only infrared rays of 920 mm or more). Furthermore, various devices such as a projector 8 and cameras 9 and 10 are connected inside the electronic blackboard unit 2 and a control unit for controlling them is provided.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a control system of the electronic blackboard device 1. As shown in FIG. 7, a control unit SU of the coin detection device 3, each camera 9, 10, a projector 8, and a speaker 7 are connected to the control unit 11 inside the electronic blackboard unit 2. In addition, various peripheral devices can be connected to the control unit 11, but their illustration is omitted.

  The control unit 11 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as a main memory (RAM, ROM) necessary for its operation. The control unit 11 is provided with a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22. The control unit 21 is necessary for generating an image to be projected on the screen 6 through the projector 8 by appropriately reading the photographing results taken by the cameras 9 and 11 and various data stored in the storage unit 22. The apparatus is configured as a logical device that executes various calculations and generation of an audio reproduction signal to be reproduced through the speaker 7. The storage unit 22 is configured so as to be able to hold the memory even when power is not supplied. As the storage unit 22, for example, an optical storage medium such as a hard disk (magnetic disk), DVDROM, or CDROM, or an external storage device such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as an EEPROM may be used. The storage unit 22 stores a light spot database 25 and a color table 26 as data used by the control unit 21. The storage unit 22 stores various other data necessary for the control unit 21 to execute various processes, but the illustration is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the light spot database 25. As shown in FIG. 8, the light spot database 25 is formed in a matrix including rows and columns. The light spot database 25 includes items of “light spot”, “light spot coordinates”, “light spot radius”, “status”, and “ID information”. The light spot 31, the light spot coordinate 32, the light spot radius 33, the status 34, and the ID information 35 are arranged in this order so that these items form a row. The items 31 to 35 are managed for each light spot 31 with the light spot 31 as a key.

  For management of the light spot 31, numbers such as “1” and “2” are used. Further, for the management of the light spot coordinates 32, numbers indicating the X-axis and Y-axis coordinates are used. The X axis and the Y axis may be set as appropriate. Here, as an example, the lower left corner of the screen 6 is the zero coordinate for both the X and Y axes as viewed from the user, and the horizontal direction from the zero coordinate as the X axis (the right direction as viewed from the user is positive) The vertical direction (plus the upward direction) is used as the axis from zero coordinates (see FIG. 1). A number indicating the distance from the zero coordinate in mm units is used for managing the light point coordinate 32. For managing the radius 33 of the light spot, a number indicating the radius of each light spot on the screen 6 in mm is used.

  For management of the ID information 35, numbers indicating the colors assigned to the pens 4 are used. This number is managed in a color table 26 described later. In managing the status 34, characters corresponding to “unused”, “preparing color recognition”, “under color recognition”, “ID confirmed”, “ID not registered” are used. Here, the state indicated by each character is as follows.

Not used: Light spot information is not managed.
Preparing for color recognition: Waiting to display a black circle before color recognition.
During color recognition: Processing to perform color recognition.
ID confirmation: A state in which the color ID of the light spot is confirmed by color recognition.
ID unregistered: A state where color recognition was performed but an ID was not found.

  In the example of FIG. 8, five light spots are managed. For this reason, five numbers “1” to “5” are shown in the column of the light spots 31. The coordinates 32 of the light spot corresponding to “1” of the light spot 31 are “400, 300”, that is, 400 mm in the right side and 300 mm in the vertical direction from the lower left corner of the screen 6 on the user side, The radius 33 of the light spot is “10”, that is, 10 mm, the status 34 of the light spot is “ID confirmed”, that is, the color ID of the light spot is confirmed, and the ID information of the light spot It is managed that 35 is “3”, that is, the ID indicating the color assigned to the pen 4 used to form the light spot “1” is “3”. In this example, “unused” is shown as the status 34 of “3” of the light spot 31. This means that the light spot corresponding to “3” has disappeared from the screen 6. In addition, a row in which the status 34 is “unused” is reused when a new light spot is detected on the screen 6. Processing related to the update of the status 34 will be described later.

  On the other hand, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the color table 26. As shown in FIG. 9, the color table 26 is also formed in a matrix including rows and columns. The color table 26 includes items of “pen NO”, “RGB value”, and “color ID”. And these items are arranged in the order of pen NO41, RGB value 42, and color ID 43 from the left so as to form a row. The items 41 to 43 are managed for each pen NO41 using the pen NO41 as a key.

  For management of the pen No. 41, numbers corresponding to the number of the pens 4 such as “1” and “2” are used. In managing the RGB values 42, numbers corresponding to the RGB values of the visible light output from the visible light LED 4M of each pen 4 are used. For managing the color ID 43, a number uniquely assigned to each RGB value 42 is used as the color ID of each pen. The numbers used for managing the color ID 43 correspond to the numbers used for managing the ID information 35 of the light spot database 25.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the color table 26 regarding three pens 4 is shown. Therefore, numbers “1” to “3” are shown in the column of the pen NO 41. In this example, the RGB value 42 of “1” of the pen NO 41 corresponding to a certain pen 4 is “0, 0, 225”, and the color ID 43 corresponding to the RGB value 42 is “1”. Each thing is managed.

  Next, processing executed by the control unit 21 will be described. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, a predetermined price is paid to the coin detection device 3, the control unit 21 executes various processes that enable the electronic blackboard device 1 to be used. These processes include a process for projecting various images on the screen 6 through the projector 8, and a process for projecting characters and figures drawn on the screen 6 onto the screen 6 using each pen 4. Is included. The control unit 21 performs a detection process routine shown in FIG. 10, an IR camera image processing routine shown in FIG. 11, and a process shown in FIG. 12 as processes necessary for projecting characters drawn by each pen 4 onto the screen 6. Each of the color recognition drawing processing routine and the color camera image processing routine shown in FIG. 13 is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a detection processing routine executed by the control unit 21. When the routine of FIG. 10 is started, the control unit 21 first acquires an image captured by the IR camera 10 from the IR camera 10 (visible light is cut by the visible light filter 10A) in step S1. In subsequent step S2, the control unit 21 executes IR camera image processing based on the image acquired in step S1. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of an IR camera image processing routine executed by the control unit 21.

  When the routine of FIG. 11 is started, the control unit 21 first determines in step S11 whether or not a light spot exists in the image acquired from the IR camera 10. As an example, this determination uses a determination luminance value IrThres which is a determination criterion for a light spot prepared in advance, and a point exceeding the luminance value of the determination luminance value IrThres is measured based on the determination luminance value IrThres. This is realized by recognizing a point. If a negative determination is made in step S11, that is, if there is no point of luminance exceeding the determination luminance value IrThres in the image captured by the IR camera 10, the subsequent steps are skipped. Exit. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S11, that is, if there is a bright spot with a luminance exceeding the determination luminance value IrThres in the image captured by the IR camera 10, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the control unit 21 calculates information on each light spot existing in the image, specifically, the coordinates and radius of the center of each light spot. In this calculation, for example, the maximum value and the minimum value of the brightness values of the points adjacent to each bright spot in the image captured by the IR camera 10 are set to the X axis and the Y axis (the light spot coordinates 32 in the light spot database 25). This is realized by calculating the center coordinates and radius of each light spot based on the obtained maximum value and minimum value.

  In subsequent step S <b> 13, the control unit 21 determines whether one light spot among the light spots in the image exists in the light spot database 25 based on the information on each light spot calculated in step S <b> 12. To do. This determination is realized, for example, by comparing the coordinates of the light spots calculated in step S12 with the coordinates 32 of each light spot in the light spot database 25. Specifically, if the coordinates of the light spot in the image are within a certain distance from the coordinates 32 of any light spot in the light spot database 25, the light spot in the image is stored in the light spot database 25. It is determined that the same light spot (pen 4) as the light spot 31 located within a certain distance is present in the light spot database 25 as having moved. On the other hand, if the light spot in the image is not within a certain distance from the coordinates 32 of any light spot in the light spot database 25, it is determined as a new light spot that does not exist in the light spot database 25. If the control unit 21 determines in step S13 that the light spot does not exist in the light spot database 25, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 21 newly registers the light spot information in the light spot database 25, assuming that the light spot in the image is a light spot that does not exist in the light spot database 25. At this time, a line whose status 34 is “unused” (or a new line) in the light spot database 25 is used for registration, and the status 25 is registered as “preparing for color recognition”. When the process of step S17 ends, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S15.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S13 that the light spot exists in the light spot database 25, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 21 updates the information on the light spot coordinates 32 in the light spot database 25 using the light spot information calculated in step S12. Specifically, the control unit 21 updates the information of the light spot coordinates 32 in the light spot database 25 within a certain distance from the coordinates of the light spots in the image (calculated in step S12). Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the light spot existing in the light spot database 25 among the light spots existing in the image has been finished. Determine if there is a light spot. If this determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S13 to determine the presence of the other light spots that have not been processed after step S13 with the light spot database 25. A similar process is executed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S15, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S16, assuming that the processing of steps S13, S14, and S17 has been completed for all the light spots present in the image. In step S <b> 16, the control unit 21 updates the status 34 information in the light spot database 25. Specifically, the control unit 21 changes the light spot database so that the status 34 of each light spot 31 in which the light spot coordinates 32 in the light spot database 25 are not updated in this routine is “unused”. 25 is updated. When the process of step S16 is completed, the control unit 21 ends the current routine. Thereby, for each light spot on the screen 6, the recognition of the new light spot, the new coordinates of the moved light spot, and the light spot that has disappeared from the screen 6 (the pen 4 has moved away from the screen 6) are determined. Is done.

  Returning to the routine of FIG. 10, when the control unit 21 finishes the process of step S2, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the control unit 21 executes a color recognition drawing process routine. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a color recognition drawing process routine executed by the control unit 21.

  When the routine of FIG. 12 is started, first, in step S21, the control unit 21 outputs an image such that a black circle is displayed at the coordinates of a predetermined light spot to the projector 8. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines the light spot in the image in which the status 34 is “preparing for color recognition” or “color recognition in progress” in the light spot database 25 as a predetermined light spot, An image in which a black circle is displayed at the coordinates of each light spot in the image is output to the projector 8. As an example, the display of the black circle includes a predetermined range centered on the coordinates of the target light spot from the image output from the projector 8 (including a certain range from the axis Ax of the pen 4 where the visible light from the pen 4 falls). ) To delete the color image. For this reason, the display range of the black circle is limited to a predetermined range.

  In subsequent step S <b> 22, the control unit 21 updates information on the status 34 in the light spot database 25. Specifically, in step S22, the control unit 21 updates the status 34 in the light spot database 25 that is “preparing color recognition” to “color recognition in progress”, and ends this routine. As a result, visible light is emitted from the image output from the projector 8 for a predetermined range from the light spot in the image captured by the IR camera 10, that is, the coordinates of the contact point between the infrared ray output from the pen 4 and the screen 6. An environment in which visible light output from the pen 4 is relatively easy to be determined is formed.

  Returning to the routine of FIG. 10, the control unit 21 proceeds to Step 4 after completing the process of Step S <b> 3. In step S <b> 4, the control unit 21 acquires an image captured by the color camera 9 (in which infrared rays are cut by the infrared filter 9 </ b> A) from the color camera 9. In subsequent step S5, the control unit 21 executes color camera image processing. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a color camera image processing routine executed by the control unit 21.

  When the routine of FIG. 13 is started, the control unit 21 first determines in step S31 whether or not there is a light spot 31 in the light spot database 25 whose status 34 is a predetermined status. Specifically, as a predetermined status, the control unit 21 determines whether there is a status whose status 34 is “under color recognition”. If this determination is a negative determination, that is, if there is no status 34 whose color is “color recognition” in the light spot database 25, the control unit 21 skips the following steps, End this routine.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S31, that is, if there is one in the light spot database 25 whose status 34 is “color recognition in progress”, the control unit 21 proceeds to step 32. . In step 32, the control unit 21 identifies the color ID of each light spot in the image captured by the color camera 9. This identification is performed as follows as an example.

  First, the control unit 21 coordinates the light spots in the image corresponding to each light spot 31 in which the status 34 of the light spot database 25 is “under color recognition” (in which infrared rays are cut by the infrared filter 9A). R, G, and B values within a predetermined range are calculated. In this calculation, in order to make the color clearer, a minimum value of RGB values at the coordinates of the light spot in the image may be calculated, and this minimum value may be used for subtraction or the like.

  Next, the control unit 21 compares the calculated RGB value of the predetermined range of each light spot with the color table 26 for each pixel, and each RGB value included in the predetermined range is stored in any color table 26. It is determined whether it is closest to the color ID 43, and the color ID 43 in the corresponding color table 26 is specified. However, even if the nearest RGB value is different from the calculated RGB value within a certain value, it is determined that the color ID 43 cannot be specified. Then, the control unit 21 identifies the most frequently specified color ID 43 as the light spot color ID 43 corresponding to the predetermined range based on the determination results of all the pixels in the predetermined range. On the other hand, even if the color ID 43 is specified most frequently, it is treated as a light spot where the color ID 43 cannot be identified when the ratio of the number of specified images in the total number of pixels is equal to or less than a certain ratio. In this way, the control unit 21 identifies the color ID 43 of each light spot.

  Following step S <b> 32, the control unit 21 updates the contents of the light spot database 25 in step 33. Specifically, in step S33, the control unit 21 sets the status 34 of the light spot database 25 to “ID confirmed” and the ID information 35 in step S32 for the light spot whose color ID 43 can be identified as a result of step S32. Each is updated to the number of the color ID 43 identified in. On the other hand, the control unit 21 sets the status 34 of the light spot database 25 to “ID not registered” and the ID information 35 to “0” for the light spot treated as the color ID 43 could not be identified as a result of step S32. Update each. And the control part 21 will complete | finish this routine, if the process of step S33 is completed. Thereby, the color ID 43 of each light spot existing on the screen 6 is identified, and the result is reflected in the status 34 of the light spot database 25. Also, since RGB values within a predetermined range including a certain range are used, an installation error between the cameras 9 and 10 and a difference in position of the LEDs 4K and 4M inside the pen 4 (in the light output direction) Difference) etc. can be absorbed.

  Returning to the routine of FIG. 10, when the control section 21 finishes the process of step S5, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S <b> 6, the control unit 21 creates an image in which a point is drawn at the coordinate position of each light spot in the image captured by the IR camera 10. In subsequent step S7, the control unit 21 outputs the image created in step S6 to the projector 8, and ends the current routine. Thereby, the position on the screen 6 is detected for each pen 4, and a point is drawn at the coordinate position of each pen 4.

  Next, a process executed by the control unit SU provided in the coin detection device 3 will be described. The control unit SU repeatedly executes the remaining amount guide processing routine of FIG. 14 at a predetermined cycle in order to guide the remaining amount of the battery 5 accommodated in the pen 4 to the user. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a remaining amount guide processing routine executed by the control unit SU. When the routine of FIG. 14 is started, the control unit SU first determines in step S41 whether or not the pen 4 is present in the holder portion 3B. Specifically, first, the control unit SU acquires a detection result from the light receiving part JB of the photosensor PS. Then, based on the acquired detection result, the control unit SU is configured to receive light from the light emitting unit HB when the light receiving unit JB is able to receive light. Respectively determine that the pen 4 is present in the holder portion 3B. If this determination is negative, that is, if it is determined that the pen 4 is not present in the holder portion 3B, the subsequent steps are skipped and the current routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the control unit SU makes a positive determination in step S41, that is, if it is determined that the pen 4 is present in the holder portion 3B, the control unit SU proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the control unit SU acquires the infrared signal received by the infrared light receiving device SJ. This acquisition is realized by acquiring the light reception result of the infrared light receiving module unit SJA of the infrared light receiving device SJ. In subsequent step S43, the control unit SU detects information on the remaining battery level from the light reception result of the infrared light receiving module unit SJA acquired in step S42. A known technique may be used for this detection. For example, when the pen 4 is configured to output a pulse position modulation type signal through infrared rays, this detection is performed by the control unit SU analyzing this signal included in the light reception result of the infrared light receiving module unit SJA. Is realized.

  In the next step S44, the control unit SU causes the LED board LK to emit light according to the information on the remaining battery level detected in step S43. Specifically, the control unit 11 inside the electronic blackboard unit 2 periodically communicates with the control unit SU to obtain information on the remaining battery level, and the LED board LK performs light emission according to the remaining battery level. As described above, the LED substrate LK is controlled through the control unit SU. As an example of this control, the control unit SU causes the LED board LK to emit a different color according to the remaining battery level, such as blue when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than a certain value, red when the remaining battery level is lower than the certain value. Run something. When the process of step S44 is completed, the control unit SU ends the current routine. Through the routine of FIG. 14, the combination of the LED board LK and the control unit SU functions as the guiding means of the present invention. The control unit SU also functions as the light emission control means of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the electronic blackboard device 1, when the pen 4 is placed on the holder 3 </ b> B, the inside of the pen 4 is transmitted through infrared rays used for position detection when drawing characters or the like. The remaining battery information is output. And control unit SU controls LED board LK so that it may light-emit in the color according to the battery remaining charge based on an output result. Thereby, the battery remaining amount can be guided to the user by utilizing the change in the emission color of the LED substrate LK through the LED display unit HG. For this reason, the function for displaying the battery remaining amount from the pen 4 can be omitted. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the consumable pen 4 that is used separately from the electronic blackboard portion 2 and is easily lost can be suppressed. Moreover, since the exchange type | mold battery which does not require recharging can be used as a battery which supplies the electric power which the pen 4 consumes, a charging device can also be abbreviate | omitted from the pen 4. FIG. Thereby, since a metal contact can also be abbreviate | omitted from the pen 4, while being able to improve safety, the reduction of manufacturing cost can be implement | achieved more.

  The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and can be implemented in an appropriate form. In the above-described form, the charging device for charging the battery is omitted from the pen 4, but a charging device may be provided. In this case, a pen having a built-in rechargeable battery can be used. In the above-described form, an LED substrate that outputs infrared rays is used as the information transmitting means, but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, an IC chip that can transmit the battery remaining amount information without contact may be used as the information transmitting means.

  In the above-described embodiment, a display device configured to guide the remaining battery level through the color of light by controlling the LED substrate LK by the control unit SU is used as the guide unit. Is not limited to such a form. For example, an LED substrate that can emit only a single color is used, and the control unit controls the LED substrate so that it emits light when the remaining battery level is below a predetermined level that is considered to require early replacement (or charging). May be. In addition, various display devices such as a display device that displays a number indicating the remaining battery level using a monitor and a display device that displays the remaining battery level using a schematic diagram of the battery are used. Good. Further, the guiding means is not limited to one that is visually guided. For example, the remaining battery level may be guided through voice.

  In the above-described form, the control unit 11 of the electronic blackboard unit 2 communicates with the control unit SU and executes the control of the LED board LK via the control unit SU. However, the form is limited to such a form. is not. The control unit SU may be configured to directly control the LED substrate LK. Moreover, in the above-mentioned form, the control unit SU is provided in the coin detection apparatus 3 separately from the control unit 11 provided in the electronic blackboard part 2, but it is not limited to such a form. For example, the electronic blackboard device may be configured such that the control unit SU of the coin detection device 3 is omitted, and the control unit 11 of the electronic blackboard unit 2 also performs the role of the control unit SU.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned form, although the battery residual amount guidance system is applied to the electronic blackboard apparatus, it is not limited to such a form. For example, the remaining battery level guidance system may be applied to a vehicle unlocking system. In this case, the vehicle may be used as a main device separately from the vehicle, and a key that outputs a release signal such as a lock with infrared rays may be used as a sub device. Further, a display device such as a monitor may be used as the main device, and a remote controller that outputs an instruction thereto as a sub device. In addition, a charging device of a secondary device prepared separately from the secondary device may be used as the primary device. As described above, many devices that are used while being held by the user are applied to the secondary device, and many devices that are used in a stationary state are applied to the main device. In many cases, the main apparatus and the sub apparatus have a relationship in which main functions are provided in the main apparatus, and the sub apparatuses are used to assist the functions of the main apparatus. However, the main device and the sub device are not limited to those having these relationships, and one of the two devices is separated from the main device and used while consuming power. The device may be used as a sub device.

1 Electronic blackboard device 2 Electronic blackboard part (device body)
3 Coin detection device (main device, battery remaining amount guide)
4 Pen (sub device)
4D LED board (remaining battery level detection means, information transmission means, infrared output means)
6 Screen (display surface)
8 Projector 9 Color camera 9A Infrared cut filter 10 IR camera 10A Visible light cut filter SU control unit (light emission control means, guide means, display device)
SJ Infrared light receiving device (receiving means, infrared receiving means)
LK LED board (guide means, display device)
Ax axis

Claims (9)

A main device, and a sub device used separately from the main device while consuming electric power supplied from a battery,
The sub device includes a remaining battery level detection unit that detects a remaining amount of power that can be supplied by the battery, and an information transmission unit that can transmit information on the remaining battery level detected by the remaining battery level detection unit in a non-contact state. And
The main device includes receiving means for receiving information on the remaining battery level transmitted from the sub-device, and guidance means for guiding the remaining battery level of the battery to a user based on the reception result of the receiving means. A battery remaining amount guidance system provided is applied, and includes a device main body including a display surface, and a pen for drawing characters on the display surface,
As the main device, a battery remaining amount guide portion is provided in the device main body,
As the sub device, the pen used separately from the battery remaining amount guide unit is used,
The pen is configured to be able to detect a contact state where the pen tip is in contact with the display surface and a non-contact state where the pen tip is not in contact with the display surface.
The electronic blackboard device , wherein the information transmission means transmits information on the remaining battery level when the non-contact state is detected .   The apparatus main body is provided with an accommodating portion for accommodating the pen,
  2. The electronic blackboard device according to claim 1, wherein the information reception unit is arranged to receive a transmission result of the information transmission unit when the pen is accommodated in the accommodation unit.   The apparatus body is further provided with an accommodation state detecting means for detecting an accommodation state in which the pen is accommodated in the accommodation portion,
  3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the accommodation state is detected by the accommodation state detection unit, the guide unit guides a battery remaining amount of the battery to a user based on a reception result of the reception unit. Blackboard equipment. The sub device is provided with an infrared output means for transmitting information on the remaining battery capacity using infrared rays as the information transmitting means,
The electronic blackboard apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus main body is provided with infrared receiving means for receiving infrared rays as the receiving means. The electronic blackboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main device is provided with a display device that guides by visually displaying a remaining battery level as the guide means. The display device includes an LED that emits light, and a light emission control unit that controls light emission of the LED,
The electronic blackboard device according to claim 5 , wherein the light emission control unit controls the LED to emit light when the battery remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined remaining amount. The display device includes LEDs capable of outputting light of a plurality of colors, and light emission control means for controlling light emission of the LEDs,
The electronic blackboard device according to claim 5 , wherein the light emission control unit controls the LED so as to output light of a color corresponding to the remaining battery level. The electronic blackboard device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information transmission unit intermittently transmits the information on the remaining battery level at a predetermined interval. As the information transmitting means, an infrared output means for outputting infrared light is provided,
The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device main body is configured to detect the position of the pen using infrared rays output from the infrared output means in the contact state. Blackboard equipment.

Images