JP5910136B2 - Image output apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and a program.

  Conventionally, an image projection apparatus (projector) has required a screen for projecting images and moving images. In recent years, there has been known an image projection apparatus that can be projected on a desk by projecting onto an installation surface, and can save the trouble of searching for a place to be a screen (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, when an image is projected on the projection surface by the image projection device, there is a problem that, for example, a person viewing the image may have difficulty viewing the image depending on the viewing position.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image output apparatus and a program that can project an image on a projection surface in an easily viewable manner.

In order to solve the above problem, an image output apparatus according to claim 1, an area dividing unit that divides an area of an output image into divided areas, and a screen image having the same contents arranged in the divided areas for each divided area. Image creating means for synthesizing the screen image with the output image so that the edited screen image is arranged in the divided region, and image output means for outputting the output image obtained by synthesizing the screen image possess the door, the area dividing means, based on the obtained property information from the device that manages the facility information, and the screen number determining means for determining the number of screen images of the same contents is placed in the output image, the output based on the number of identical screen contents image is arranged in the image, characterized by chromatic and setting means for setting the number of divided areas for dividing the region of the output image.

  In addition, what applied the component, expression, or arbitrary combination of the component of this invention to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, a data structure, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily project an image on a projection surface.

It is a block diagram of an example of the projection system which concerns on this embodiment. It is an external view of an example of the image projector which concerns on this embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of the image projector which concerns on this embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of an image projection device concerning this embodiment. It is a processing block diagram of an example of the facility information management apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a processing image figure of an example of the image projector which concerns on this embodiment. It is an example sequence diagram showing the flow of the projection process of the image projector which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of an example of the process which acquires the number of screens. It is a flowchart of the other example of the process which acquires the number of screens. It is an image figure of an example of the process which acquires an arrangement position. It is a flowchart of an example of the process which acquires an arrangement position. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the method of calculating | requiring the 4 vertex coordinates of a division area. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the method of calculating | requiring the horizontal length of a drawing area. It is a sequence diagram of an example of a process for determining the screen layout. It is a flowchart of an example of the process which hides an unnecessary screen. It is an image figure of an example of the process which hides an unnecessary screen. It is a flowchart of an example of the process which integrates a screen. It is an image figure of an example of the process which integrates a screen. It is an image figure of an example of the process which preserve | saves screen arrangement | positioning setting.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a projection system according to the present embodiment. The projection system 1 has an image projection apparatus 10, a facility information management apparatus 11, and a network 12. The projection system 1 is an example of an output system. The image projection device 10 is an example of an image output device. The image output device may be any device that can output an image on a surface, and includes an image display device that displays an image on a display surface in addition to the image projection device 10 that projects an image on a projection surface.

  The image projection apparatus 10 is connected to a facility information management apparatus 11 via a network 12 such as the Internet or a LAN so as to be communicable. The network 12 may be either wired communication / wireless communication or may include both. The facility information management apparatus 11 holds facility information. Details of the facility information will be described later.

  When using the facility information, the image projection apparatus 10 accesses the facility information management apparatus 11 via the network 12 and acquires the facility information. The image projector 10 projects an image on a projection surface. In the present embodiment, an example of projecting onto a desk, which is an installation surface of the image projection apparatus, will be described as an example of a projection surface, but the present invention is not limited to the installation surface (desktop).

  Note that the projection system 1 in FIG. 1 represents an example in which one image projection apparatus 10 and one facility information management apparatus 11 are included. Of course, the projection system 1 may include a plurality of image projection apparatuses 10 and a plurality of facility information management apparatuses 11. Further, the projection system 1 of FIG. 1 may be configured such that the image projection device 10 and the facility information management device 11 are integrated. In addition, the projection system 1 in FIG. 1 may perform part of the processing performed by the image projection device 10 using another server device or the like. If facility information is not used, the facility information management apparatus 11 is not essential.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 2 is an external view of an example of the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image projection apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 is an example in which an image is projected onto the installation surface 26. The image projector 10 in FIG. 2 has a configuration including a main body 21, a hinge 22, a reflective optical element 23, a projection lens 24, and a casing 25 that holds the reflective optical element 23. The image projection apparatus 10 projects an image on the projection surface 28 with the projection light 27.

  The image projection apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and other configurations may be used as long as an image can be projected onto the projection surface 28. For example, the image projector 10 may have a configuration that does not include the hinge portion 22, the reflective optical element 23, and the housing 25 that holds the reflective optical element 23. The image projection apparatus 10 may be configured to be installed on an installation surface (for example, a ceiling) provided above the projection surface 28 and project an image from just above the projection surface 28.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment. 3 includes a RAM 31, a CPU 32, a flash memory 33, a communication I / F 34, an EEPROM 35, an operation unit 36, a video input unit 37, and a video output unit 38 that are connected to each other via a bus 30. , The lamp 39, and the human sensor 40.

  The RAM 31, the CPU 32, the flash memory 33, the EEPROM 35, the operation unit 36, the video input unit 37, the video output unit 38, and the lamp 39 are examples of parts that realize basic projection functions. The communication I / F 34 is used for cooperation with the facility information management apparatus 11. The human sensor 40 detects a person near the projection plane 28. The human sensor 40 is an example, and if a person near the projection plane 28 can be detected, even if the person is detected using the sensor, an image captured by the camera is processed and the person is processed. May be detected.

  The operation unit 36 receives an operation from a person (user). The communication I / F 34 is a LAN card or the like. The communication I / F 34 is used for connecting to the network 12. The video input unit 37 receives video input. The video output unit 38 outputs video. For example, in the case of a liquid crystal projector, the video output unit 38 is a liquid crystal display device. The lamp 39 emits light. Light emitted from the lamp 39 passes through the video output unit 38 and is projected onto the projection surface 28 via the projection lens 24. The image displayed on the video output unit 38 is enlarged and displayed on the projection plane 28.

  The flash memory 33 and the EEPROM 35 store programs, necessary files, data, and the like. The RAM 31 reads and stores programs from the flash memory 33 and the EEPROM 35 when the image projection apparatus 10 is started up. The CPU 32 implements various processing blocks in accordance with programs stored in the RAM 31. Since the facility information management apparatus 11 is realized by a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or the like, description of the configuration of the facility information management apparatus 11 is omitted.

<Software configuration>
In the case of the projection system 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the image projection apparatus 10 is realized by a processing block as shown in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4 is a processing block diagram of an example of the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image projecting apparatus 10 executes the program, so that the screen specification setting unit 41, the screen number acquisition unit 42, the screen layout management unit 43, the screen position determination unit 44, the screen image creation unit 45, the projection unit 46, and the screen layout setting management. The unit 47 is realized. The screen specification setting unit 41, the screen number acquisition unit 42, the screen layout management unit 43, the screen position determination unit 44, the screen image creation unit 45, the projection unit 46, and the screen layout setting management unit 47 have the following roles (operations). Have.

  The screen specification setting unit 41 includes an operation for preparing a projection, an operation for determining a specification, an operation for determining a screen layout, an operation for starting projection, and an operation for determining input assignment. The screen number acquisition unit 42 has an operation of acquiring the number of screens. The screen layout management unit 43 includes an operation for creating a screen, an operation for determining a screen layout position, an operation for combining screen images, an operation for starting projection, an operation for deleting a screen, and an operation for determining an update screen. The screen position determination unit 44 has an operation of acquiring the arrangement position. The screen image creation unit 45 has an operation for creating a screen image and an operation for hiding the screen image. The projection unit 46 has a projection operation. The screen layout setting management unit 47 has an operation of storing screen layout settings. Details of the processing of the processing block shown in FIG. 4 will be described later.

  Moreover, the facility information management apparatus 11 is implement | achieved by the processing block shown, for example in FIG. FIG. 5 is a processing block diagram of an example of the facility information management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The facility information management apparatus 11 implements a facility information disclosure unit 51 by executing a program. The facility information disclosure unit 51 provides facility information to the image projection device 10 in response to a request from the image projection device 10 side.

<Image of processing>
FIG. 6 is a processing image diagram of an example of the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image projection apparatus 10 has the following characteristics in the process of projecting an image onto the projection surface (desktop) 28. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the projection plane 28 and the installation plane of the image projection apparatus 10 are the same. When the image projection apparatus 10 projects an image on the projection surface 28, the human sensor 40 detects a place where the persons 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> D are present.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the image projection device 10 detects that there are people 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> D so as to surround the projection plane 28. The image projection apparatus 10 projects the images A to D in an area that can be projected by the projection light 27 (hereinafter referred to as a projection area) so as to correspond to the detected locations of the persons 61A to 61D. The images A to D are images having the same content. In the example of FIG. 6, the images A to D are projected on the projection areas close to the places where the people 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> D are present. The image projection apparatus 10 can process (edit) each of the images A to D.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the place where the images A to D are projected is determined using the place where the people 61 </ b> A to 61 </ b> D detected by the human sensor 40 are present, but the place where the user projects the images A to D. Alternatively, the location where the images A to D are projected may be determined using facility information as will be described later.

  As described above, for example, when there are people 61A to 61D surrounding the projection plane 28, the image projection apparatus 10 can project the images A to D on the projection areas close to the places where the people 61A to 61D are located. The images A to D can be easily projected with respect to .about.61D. As described above, the image projecting device 10 can solve the problem that the projected image may be difficult to see depending on the viewing position. Further, since the image projection apparatus 10 can process each of the images A to D, the orientation of the images A to D is changed so as to be in front of the people 61A to 61D, and the images A to D are oriented so that the people 61A to 61D are easy to see. Can be projected. Since the image projection apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can project an image that is easy to see for anyone surrounding the projection plane 28, efficient information sharing can be performed.

<Process flow>
<Projection processing>
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the projection process of the image projection apparatus according to this embodiment. In step S1, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives an operation for preparing projection from the user. That is, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives an operation from the user regarding use of the image projection device 10. For example, the operation unit 36 can be used to receive an operation from the user.

  In step S2, the screen specification setting unit 41 executes an operation for determining the specification. The screen specification setting unit 41 creates screen specifications. In step S <b> 3, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen number acquisition unit 42 to perform an operation for acquiring the number of screens. The screen number acquisition unit 42 provides a function of determining how many screens are projected on the projection area and in what direction.

  In step S <b> 4, the screen specification setting unit 41 acquires the number of screens and the screen orientation by returning from the screen number acquisition unit 42. In step S5, the screen specification setting unit 41 determines how many screens are projected on the projection area (number of screens), the projection direction of each screen (screen orientation), and the size of each screen (screen size). Determine as.

  In step S6, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout management unit 43 to perform an operation for creating a screen using the screen specification as an argument. In step S7, the screen layout management unit 43 executes an operation for determining the screen layout position. In step S <b> 8, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen position determination unit 44 to perform an operation for acquiring the layout position. The screen position determination unit 44 provides a function of determining the position on the projection area where the screen is to be arranged based on the size of the projection area and the number of screens. In other words, the screen position determination unit 44 determines the coordinates of the screen drawing start position on the projection area as to which position on the projection area the screen is to be arranged.

  In step S9, the screen layout management unit 43 acquires the coordinates of the screen drawing start position from the screen position determination unit 44 as a return. In step S10, the screen layout management unit 43 creates screen layout position information including the coordinates of the screen drawing start position and the screen specifications.

  In step S <b> 11, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen image creation unit 45 to perform an operation for creating a screen image using the screen specifications and the preview as arguments. The screen image creation unit 45 provides a function for creating image data of a screen image based on the screen specifications. That is, the screen image creation unit 45 reads the input data specified from the screen layout management unit 43, performs image conversion specified by the screen specifications, and creates image data of the screen image. In step S12, the screen layout management unit 43 acquires the screen data of the screen image from the screen image creation unit 45 as a return.

  In step S13, the screen layout management unit 43 executes an operation for synthesizing the screen image. In step S14, the screen layout management unit 43 combines the image data of the screen image with the image data of the projection image based on the screen layout position information, and obtains the image data of the projection image including all the screen images to be projected on the projection area. create.

  In step S15, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the projection unit 46 to perform an operation of projection using the projection image as an argument. The projection unit 46 provides a function of projecting image data of a projection image onto a projection area. That is, the projection unit 46 reads the image data of the projection image designated from the screen layout management unit 43, converts it into light (signal) using the projection device, and projects (projects) the projection image on the projection area.

  In step S <b> 16, the screen layout management unit 43 receives a return from the projection unit 46. In step S <b> 17, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives a return from the screen layout management unit 43. In step S18, the user confirms the projection image projected on the projection area.

  In step S19, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives an operation for determining the screen layout from the user. In step S <b> 20, the user confirms the reception result of the operation for determining the screen layout, for example, using the operation unit 36.

  In step S <b> 21, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives an operation for starting projection specifying a screen image from the user. In step S22, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout setting management unit 47 to store the screen layout setting. The screen layout setting management unit 47 stores the screen layout position information in a storage area such as the flash memory 33 or the EEPROM 35 of the image projector 10. The screen layout setting management unit 47 provides a function for reading or writing screen layout position information. In step S <b> 23, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives a return from the screen layout setting management unit 47.

  In step S24, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout management unit 43 to perform an operation for starting projection with the screen image as an argument. In step S25, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen image creation unit 45 to perform an operation for creating a screen image using the screen specifications and the screen image as arguments. The screen image creation unit 45 reads the input data designated from the screen layout management unit 43, performs image conversion designated by the screen specification, and creates image data of the screen image. In step S <b> 26, the screen layout management unit 43 acquires screen data of the screen image from the screen image creation unit 45 as a return.

  In step S27, the screen layout management unit 43 executes an operation of synthesizing the screen image. In step S28, the screen layout management unit 43 combines the image data of the screen image with the image data of the projection image based on the screen layout position information, and obtains the image data of the projection image including all the screen images to be projected on the projection area. create.

  In step S29, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the projection unit 46 to perform an operation of projection using the projection image as an argument. The projection unit 46 reads out the image data of the projection image designated from the screen layout management unit 43, converts it into light using a projection device, and projects the projection image on the projection area. In step S <b> 30, the screen layout management unit 43 receives a return from the projection unit 46. In step S <b> 31, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives a return from the screen layout management unit 43. In step S32, the user confirms the projection image projected on the projection area.

  In the operation for acquiring the number of screens and the operation for acquiring the arrangement position, as will be described later, the person detected by the human sensor 40 is used to determine the number of screens and the coordinates of the screen drawing start position on the projection area. You may use the place where there is, or you may use facility information. In the operation for acquiring the number of screens and the operation for acquiring the arrangement position, the user may determine the number of screens and the coordinates of the screen drawing start position on the projection area.

  Hereinafter, a processing example of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

<< Process to obtain the number of screens >>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of processing for acquiring the number of screens. The flowchart of FIG. 8 represents an example in which the human sensor 40 is used. In step S51, the screen number acquisition unit 42 sets screen ID = 1 and screen number = 0. The screen ID is an example of information for uniquely identifying the screen. The number of screens represents the number of screens projected on the projection area.

  In step S52, the left side sensor ID = 1 is set. The left side sensor ID is an example of information for uniquely identifying a human sensor 40 that detects a person on the left side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10, for example.

  In step S53, the screen number acquisition unit 42 determines whether a person is detected by the human sensor 40 with the left side sensor ID = 1. If it is determined that no person is detected by the human sensor 40 with the left side sensor ID = 1, the screen number acquisition unit 42 proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the screen number acquisition unit 42 sets the screen ID = 1 state to invalid.

  If it is determined in step S53 that a person is detected by the human sensor 40 with the left side sensor ID = 1, the screen number acquiring unit 42 proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the screen number acquisition unit 42 rotates the screen orientation of screen ID = 1 by 90 ° clockwise. The screen number acquisition unit 42 proceeds to step S56 and sets the state of screen ID = 1 to be valid.

  In step S57, the screen number acquisition unit 42 adds 1 to the number of screens. The number of screens changes from 0 to 1. Progressing to step S58 following step S54 or S57, the screen number acquisition unit 42 adds 1 to the left side sensor ID and changes the value from 1 to 2. The screen number acquisition unit 42 proceeds to step S59, adds 1 to the screen ID, and changes the screen ID from 1 to 2.

  In step S60, the screen number acquisition unit 42 determines whether or not the left side sensor ID = 2 is equal to or less than the number of human sensors 40 that detect a person on the left side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10. To do.

  If the left side sensor ID = 2 is equal to or less than the number of human sensors 40 that detect a person on the left side of the projection area from the image projection device 10, the screen number acquisition unit 42 returns to step S53 and continues the processing. That is, the screen number acquisition unit 42 repeats the processes of steps S53 to S57 for all of the human sensors 40 that detect the person on the left side of the projection area from the image projection device 10.

  If the left side sensor ID is not less than or equal to the number of human sensors 40 that detect a person on the left side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10, in other words, the left side sensor ID is the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10. If it becomes larger than the number of human sensors 40 that detect the person on the left side of the screen, the screen number acquisition unit 42 proceeds to step S61. Here, the processing after step S61 will be described on the assumption that the number of human sensors 40 that detect a person on the left side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10 is two. It is assumed that the number of screens is 2 in step S61.

  In step S61, the right side sensor ID = 1 is set. The right side sensor ID is an example of information for uniquely identifying the human sensor 40 that detects a person on the right side of the projection area from the image projection device 10, for example.

  In step S62, the screen number acquisition unit 42 determines whether a person is detected by the human sensor 40 having the right side sensor ID = 1. If it is determined that no person is detected by the human sensor 40 with the right side sensor ID = 1, the screen number acquisition unit 42 proceeds to step S63. In step S63, the screen number acquisition unit 42 sets the screen ID = 3 state to invalid.

  In Step S62, if it is determined that a person is detected by the human sensor 40 with the right side sensor ID = 1, the screen number acquiring unit 42 proceeds to Step S64. In step S64, the screen number acquisition unit 42 rotates the screen orientation of screen ID = 3 by 90 ° counterclockwise. In step S65, the screen number acquisition unit 42 sets the screen ID = 3 state to be valid.

  In step S66, the screen number acquiring unit 42 adds 1 to the number of screens. The number of screens changes from 2 to 3. Progressing to step S67 following step S63 or S66, the screen number acquiring unit 42 adds 1 to the right side sensor ID and changes the value from 1 to 2. The screen number acquisition unit 42 proceeds to step S68, adds 1 to the screen ID, and changes the screen ID from 3 to 4.

  In step S69, the screen number acquisition unit 42 determines whether or not the right side sensor ID = 2 is equal to or less than the number of human sensors 40 that detect a person on the right side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10. To do.

  If the right side sensor ID = 2 is less than or equal to the number of human sensors 40 that detect the person on the right side of the projection area from the image projection device 10, the screen number acquisition unit 42 returns to step S62 and continues the processing. That is, the screen number acquisition unit 42 repeats the processes of steps S62 to S66 for all of the human sensors 40 that detect the person on the right side of the projection area from the image projection device 10.

  If the right side sensor ID is not less than or equal to the number of human sensors 40 that detect a person on the right side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10, in other words, the right side sensor ID is the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10. If the number of human sensors 40 detecting the person on the right side of the screen becomes larger than the number of sensors 40, the screen number acquisition unit 42 ends the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 8 can associate the left side sensor ID and the right side sensor ID with the screen ID. That is, in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 8, the number of people detected by the left side sensor ID and the number of people detected by the right side sensor ID are arranged on the left side of the projection area, for example, from the image projector 10. And the number of screens arranged on the right side of the projection area from the image projection apparatus 10 can be calculated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another example of processing for acquiring the number of screens. The flowchart of FIG. 9 represents an example in which facility information is used. In step S <b> 71, the screen number acquisition unit 42 connects to the facility information disclosure unit 51 of the facility information management apparatus 11 and acquires facility information. In step S72, the screen number acquisition unit 42 displays a facility list corresponding to the acquired facility information on the operation unit 36, for example. The facility list may be displayed on a PC or the like connected to the image projection apparatus 10.

  And it progresses to step S73 and the screen number acquisition part 42 receives selection of the facility from a user. In step S74, the screen number acquiring unit 42 refers to the facility information of the facility designated by the user. In step S75, the screen number acquisition unit 42 sets the number of facility information as the number of screens.

  In step S76, the screen number acquiring unit 42 sets screen ID = 1. In step S77, the screen number acquisition unit 42 rotates the screen orientation of screen ID = 1 clockwise by 90 °. In step S78, 1 is added to the screen ID to change from 1 to 2. In step S79, the screen number acquisition unit 42 determines whether or not the screen ID = 2 is equal to or less than (the number of screens / the number of table sides on which a person sits).

  If the screen ID = 2 is equal to or smaller than (the number of screens / the number of table sides on which a person sits), the screen number acquisition unit 42 returns to step S77 and continues the processing. That is, the screen number acquisition unit 42 repeats the process of step S77 for all the screens arranged on one of the table sides on which a person sits (for example, on the left side of the projection area from the image projection device 10).

  If the screen ID is not less than (the number of screens / the number of table sides on which a person sits), in other words, if the screen ID is greater than (the number of screens / the number of table sides on which a person sits), the screen number acquiring unit 42 proceeds to step S80. move on. Here, the processing after step S80 will be described assuming that the number of tablesides on which a person sits is two. It is assumed that the number of screens is 4 in step S75.

  In step S80, the screen number acquisition unit 42 rotates the screen orientation of screen ID = 3 by 90 ° counterclockwise. In step S81, 1 is added to the screen ID to change from 3 to 4. In step S81, the screen number acquisition unit 42 determines whether the screen ID = 4 is equal to or less than the screen number = 4.

  If the screen ID = 4 is the number of screens = 4 or less, the screen number acquisition unit 42 returns to step S80 and continues the process. That is, the screen number acquisition unit 42 repeatedly performs the process of step S80 on all the screens arranged on one of the table sides on which a person sits (for example, on the right side of the projection area from the image projection device 10). If the screen ID is not less than the number of screens, in other words, if the screen ID is larger than the number of screens, the screen number acquisition unit 42 ends the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  In the process of the flowchart of FIG. 9, the number of facilities information (for example, the number of people who can sit on the table side) is the number of screens, and the number of screens is divided by the number of table sides on which people are sitting. It can be calculated.

<< Process to obtain placement position >>
FIG. 10 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a process for acquiring the arrangement position. As shown in FIG. 10, in the process of acquiring the arrangement position, where each screen is arranged in the projection region 100 (when the video output unit 38 is a liquid crystal projector, where each image is arranged in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device) The coordinates 102 of the screen drawing start position representing () are acquired. 10 is divided into four divided areas A to D based on the number of screens = 4. The screen position determination unit 44 determines the drawing area 101 and the coordinates 102 of the screen drawing start position for each of the divided areas A to D.

  Note that the process of obtaining the arrangement position is performed under the following known parameters, preconditions, and policies. Known parameters include the default vertical margin, the default horizontal margin, the overall vertical and horizontal length, the number of vertical screens, the number of horizontal screens, and the aspect ratio (for example, 16: 9, 4: 3). included. As a precondition, it is assumed that there is no person on the front side of the projection area 100 from the image projector 10. As a policy, a vertical margin is obtained from the default horizontal margin, and there is no problem if the vertical margin is larger than the default vertical margin.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example of a process for acquiring the arrangement position. The screen position determination unit 44 proceeds to step S91 and determines the number of divisions of the projection region 100. The number of divisions of the projection area 100 can be determined from the number of vertical screens and the number of horizontal screens, for example. Various processes for determining the number of divisions of the projection area 100 from the number of vertical and horizontal screens are conceivable.

  In step S92, the screen position determination unit 44 obtains the four vertex coordinates of each divided region using, for example, the calculation formula shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining the four vertex coordinates of the divided area. Note that i and j in FIG. Also, H in FIG. 12 is the vertical length of the projection area 100 (the overall vertical length). In FIG. 12, W is the horizontal length of the projection area 100 (the overall horizontal length). The image of the divided area in FIG. 12 represents an example in which the number of vertical divisions is two. For example, the screen position determination unit 44 obtains the coordinates of the four vertices (upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right) of the i-th divided area from the left and the j-th divided area from the top using Expressions (1) to (4), respectively. be able to.

  In step S93, the screen position determination unit 44 obtains the horizontal length of the drawing area 101 from the horizontal length of the divided area and the default horizontal margin using, for example, the calculation formula shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining the horizontal length of the drawing area. The drawing area 101 is an area for projecting a screen image. In FIG. 13, h is the vertical length of the divided area. Let w be the horizontal length of the divided area. Let lh be the length of the vertical margin. lw is the length of the horizontal margin. For example, the screen position determination unit 44 can obtain the horizontal length of the drawing area 101 using Expression (5).

  In step S94, the screen position determination unit 44 calculates the vertical length of the drawing area 101 and the length of the vertical margin based on the horizontal length and the aspect ratio of the drawing area 101. The drawing area 101 needs to maintain the aspect ratio of the drawing area before division. The drawing area before the division is a case where the number of divisions is 0 (the number of screens is 1), and means a drawing area arranged using the entire surface of the projection area 100.

  If the aspect ratio of the drawing area before the division is not maintained, the image projected on the drawing area 101 of the divided area becomes an image that is strangely distorted with respect to the original image, so that the image is difficult to see. . Therefore, in the process of step S94, the image projected on the drawing area 101 of the divided area is prevented from being an image distorted strangely with respect to the original image.

  When the aspect ratio is 16: 9, the screen position determination unit 44 uses the following equations (6) and (7).

(Vertical length of drawing area) = (Horizontal length of drawing area) × 9/16 (6)
(Vertical margin length) = {(Vertical length of divided area) − (Vertical length of drawing area)} / 2 (7)
In step S95, the screen position determination unit 44 determines whether or not the length of the default vertical margin is equal to or less than the length of the vertical margin calculated in step S94. If the initial length of the vertical margin is less than or equal to the length of the vertical margin calculated in step S94, the screen position determination unit 44 proceeds to step S98. In step S98, the screen position determination unit 44 obtains the four vertex coordinates of the drawing area from the length of the vertical margin calculated in step S94 and the length of the default horizontal margin.

  On the other hand, in step S95, if the length of the default vertical margin is not less than or equal to the length of the vertical margin calculated in step S94, the screen position determination unit 44 determines that the length of the vertical margin calculated in step S94 is Since it is smaller than the length of the initial vertical margin, the process advances to step S96 to recalculate the length of the horizontal margin based on the length of the initial vertical margin.

  In step S <b> 96, the screen position determination unit 44 obtains the vertical length of the drawing area 101 from, for example, the following formula (8) from the vertical length of the divided area and the default vertical margin.

(Vertical length of drawing area) = (Vertical length of divided area) −2 × (Default vertical margin length) (8)
In step S97, the screen position determination unit 44 calculates the horizontal length and the horizontal margin length of the drawing area 101 based on the vertical length and the aspect ratio of the drawing area 101. Proceeding to step S98, the screen position determination unit 44 obtains the four vertex coordinates of the drawing area from the initial length of the vertical margin and the length of the horizontal margin calculated at step S97.

<< Process to confirm screen layout >>
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process for determining the screen layout. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an operation for determining the screen layout, an operation for hiding a screen where there is no person, and an operation for integrating a plurality of screens into one.

  In order to hide a screen where there is no person, in other words, to erase an unnecessary screen, the screen specification setting unit 41 designates the screen ID = 1 of the screen to be hidden (invalidated) from the user in step S100. An operation to set the display is accepted. In step S101, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout management unit 43 to delete the screen with the screen ID = 1 as an argument.

  In step S <b> 102, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen image creation unit 45 to perform a non-display operation with the screen ID = 1 as an argument. The screen image creation unit 45 returns a return. In step S104, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen image creation unit 45 to perform an operation for creating a screen image. The screen image creation unit 45 creates image data of a screen image from which the screen with screen ID = 1 is deleted. In step S105, the screen layout management unit 43 acquires the image data of the screen image from which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted from the screen image creation unit 45 as a return.

  In step S <b> 106, the screen layout management unit 43 performs an operation of combining the screen images to combine the screen image from which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted with the projected image being projected. In step S107, the screen layout management unit 43 creates image data of a projection image including a screen image from which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted.

  In step S108, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the projection unit 46 to perform an operation for projecting the projection image. The projection unit 46 reads out image data of a projection image including a screen image obtained by deleting the screen with the screen ID = 1, and projects the projection image on the projection region 100. In step S <b> 109, the screen layout management unit 43 receives a return from the projection unit 46. In step S <b> 110, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives a return from the screen layout management unit 43. In step S111, the user confirms a projection image including a screen image obtained by deleting the screen with the screen ID = 1 projected onto the projection area.

  Further, when integrating the screens, the screen specification setting unit 41 accepts an operation for specifying the screens to be integrated, for example, screen ID = 1 to n, from the user, to make the screens one in step S120. In step S <b> 121, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout management unit 43 to perform a single screen operation by designating, for example, screen IDs = 1 to n of the screens to be integrated.

  Note that the operation of combining the screens is performed by the above-described operation of determining the screen arrangement position. In step S122, the screen layout management unit 43 executes an operation for determining the screen layout position. The screen layout management unit 43 acquires the coordinates of the screen drawing start position from the screen position determination unit 44 and creates screen layout position information including the coordinates of the screen drawing start position and the screen specifications. For example, the coordinates of the screen drawing start position of the integrated screen can be obtained by the above-described method of obtaining the coordinates of the screen drawing start position by integrating the divided areas of the integrated screen.

  The screen layout management unit 43 proceeds to step S123, and the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen image creation unit 45 to perform an operation for creating a screen image. The screen image creation unit 45 reads the input data specified from the screen layout management unit 43, performs image conversion specified by the screen specifications, and creates image data of a screen image including a single integrated screen.

  In step S124, the screen layout management unit 43 acquires screen data of a screen image including a single integrated screen from the screen image creation unit 45 as a return. In step S125, the screen layout management unit 43 executes an operation of synthesizing a screen image including a single integrated screen. Based on the screen layout position information, the screen layout management unit 43 synthesizes image data of a screen image including a single integrated screen to create image data of a projection image.

  In step S126, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the projection unit 46 to perform an operation for projecting the projection image. The projection unit 46 reads the image data of the projection image including the screen image of the screen integrated into one, and projects the projection image on the projection region 100. The screen layout management unit 43 receives a return from the projection unit 46 in step S127. In step S128, the screen specification setting unit 41 receives a return from the screen layout management unit 43. In step S129, the user confirms a projection image including a screen image of a single screen projected onto the projection area.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for hiding unnecessary screens. FIG. 16 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a process for hiding unnecessary screens. In step S131, for example, the user performs setting to hide the screen with screen ID = 1 from the setting screen.

  In step S132, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout management unit 43 to perform an operation for deleting a screen with the screen ID = 1 as an argument. The screen layout management unit 43 causes the screen image creation unit 45 to create image data of a screen image in which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted.

  In step S <b> 133, the screen layout management unit 43 combines the screen image from which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted with the projected image, and the image data of the projection image including the screen image from which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted. Create In step S <b> 134, the screen layout management unit 43 causes the projection unit 46 to project the image data of the projection image including the screen image from which the screen with the screen ID = 1 is deleted onto the projection region 100.

  By the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 15, the projection image including the screen with the screen ID = 1 to 4 illustrated in FIG. 16A is changed to a projection image as illustrated in FIG. In the projected image of FIG. 16B, the screen with screen ID = 1 is not displayed, while the screens with screen ID = 2-4 are still displayed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an example of processing for integrating screens. FIG. 18 is an image diagram of an example of processing for integrating screens. In step S141, for example, the user performs a setting for integrating a plurality of screens into one from the setting screen. For example, it is assumed that the user performs setting for integrating two screens on the upper side of the projection area 100 divided into four divided areas shown in FIG.

  In step S141, the screen specification setting unit 41 requests the screen layout management unit 43 to perform an operation for integrating the screens to be integrated, and integrates the divided areas including the screens to be integrated into one. For example, the upper two divided areas shown in FIG. 18A are integrated into one divided area shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 142, the screen layout management unit 43 executes an operation for determining the screen layout position 102. Note that the screen layout position 102 in the integrated divided area can be determined by the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, in the process of integrating the screens, the horizontal length of the divided areas is the horizontal length of the divided areas after integration as shown in FIG. The screen layout management unit 43 acquires the coordinates of the screen drawing start position 102 from the screen position determination unit 44 and creates screen layout position information including the coordinates of the screen drawing start position and the screen specifications.

  In step S143, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the screen image creation unit 45 to perform an operation for creating a screen image. Further, the screen image creation unit 45 reads the input data designated from the screen layout management unit 43, performs image conversion designated by the screen specification, and creates image data of the screen image for the divided area integrated into one. .

  In step S <b> 144, the screen layout management unit 43 acquires screen data of a screen image including the screen images for the divided areas that are integrated from the screen image creation unit 45. Based on the screen layout position information, the screen layout management unit 43 synthesizes the image data of the screen image including the screens for the divided areas integrated into one to create the image data of the projection image.

  In step S145, the screen layout management unit 43 requests the projection unit 46 to perform an operation for projecting the projection image. The projection unit 46 reads the image data of the projection image including the screen image of the divided area screen integrated into one, and projects the projection image on the projection area 100.

<< Process to save screen layout settings >>
FIG. 19 is an image diagram illustrating an example of processing for storing screen layout settings. When the screen specification setting unit 41 receives an operation for starting a projection specifying a screen image from the user, the screen specification setting unit 41 stores the generated screen arrangement position information and the screen specification in a storage area such as the flash memory 33 or the EEPROM 35 of the image projection apparatus 10. To do. Screen layout position information and screen specifications may be stored for each user. When there is screen layout position information and screen specifications stored in the storage area at the next projection processing, the screen specification setting unit 41 uses the screen layout position information and screen specifications stored in the storage area. Thus, the operation for determining the specification, the operation for determining the screen layout position, and the like can be skipped.

<Summary>
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to divide the projection area 100 of the image projection device 10 into divided areas and project an image processed for each divided area. For example, it is easy to see in consideration of a place where a person is present in each divided area. An image can be projected in a direction, or an image can be projected near a place where a person is present. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to project an image in an easy-to-view manner for anyone surrounding the projection area, and efficient information sharing can be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

  Note that the area dividing means described in the claims corresponds to the screen specification setting section 41 and the screen number acquisition section 42, and the image creation means corresponds to the screen layout management section 43, the screen position determination section 44, and the screen image creation section 45. The image output unit corresponds to the projection unit 46, the screen number determination unit corresponds to the screen number acquisition unit 42, and the setting unit corresponds to the screen specification setting unit 41.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projection system 10 Image projection apparatus 11 Facility information management apparatus 12 Network 21 Main body part 22 Hinge part 23 Reflective optical element 24 Projection lens 25 Case 26 Installation surface 27 Projection light 28 Projection surface 30 Bus 31 RAM
32 CPU
33 Flash memory 34 Communication I / F
35 EEPROM
36 Operation unit 37 Video input unit 38 Video output unit 39 Lamp 40 Human sensor 41 Screen specification setting unit 42 Screen number acquisition unit 43 Screen layout management unit 44 Screen position determination unit 45 Screen image creation unit 46 Projection unit 47 Screen layout setting management Unit 51 Facility information disclosure unit 61A to 61D Person 100 Projection area 101 Drawing area 102 Coordinate of screen drawing start position

JP 2007-310194 A

Claims (7)

Area dividing means for dividing the area of the output image into divided areas;
Image creating means for editing a screen image having the same contents arranged in the divided area for each divided area, and synthesizing the screen image with the output image so that the edited screen image is arranged in the divided area. When,
It possesses an image output means for outputting the output image obtained by synthesizing the screen image,
The region dividing means includes
Screen number determining means for determining the number of screen images of the same content arranged in the output image, based on facility information acquired from a device that manages facility information;
Setting means for setting the number of divided areas to be divided from the area of the output image based on the number of screen images of the same content arranged in the output image;
An image output apparatus comprising: The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image creating unit is capable of rotating a screen image having the same content arranged in the divided area for each divided area. The image creating means obtains the size of a screen image having the same contents arranged in the divided area by using an initial length of a vertical or horizontal margin and an aspect ratio. 3. The image output device according to 1 or 2. The area dividing means is a screen number determining means for determining the number of screen images having the same contents arranged in the output image, based on a detection result of a sensor for detecting a person,
4. A setting unit configured to set the number of divided areas to be divided from the area of the output image based on the number of screen images having the same contents arranged in the output image. The image output device according to item. The facility information includes the number of people who can sit at the tableside,
  The number-of-screens determining means sets the number of screen images having the same contents arranged in the output image as the number of people who can sit on the table side.
The image output apparatus according to claim 1. The screen number determining means determines the number of screen images to be arranged on each table side by dividing the number of screen images having the same contents arranged in the output image by the number of table sides. The image output apparatus according to claim 5 . Computer
Area dividing means for dividing the area of the output image into divided areas;
Image creating means for editing a screen image having the same contents arranged in the divided area for each divided area, and synthesizing the screen image with the output image so that the edited screen image is arranged in the divided area. When,
Function as image output means for outputting the output image obtained by synthesizing the screen image ;
The region dividing means includes
Screen number determining means for determining the number of screen images of the same content arranged in the output image, based on facility information acquired from a device that manages facility information;
Setting means for setting the number of divided areas to be divided from the area of the output image based on the number of screen images of the same content arranged in the output image;
The program characterized by having .

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