JPH11212724A - Image projection method, system therefor and record medium for programming and recording the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch a display screen while a presenter points at a screen direction and to perform comfortable presentation by adding a means for reading the motion of a pointer on a screen to a computer connected to a projector. SOLUTION: In this image projection system for projecting images generated by the computer 11 onto the screen 15 and performing the presentation, by passing the pointer 16 through operation areas 1-4 defined at optional positions on the screen, the computer successively fetches pointer positions, generates an operation command corresponding to the motion based on position information, generates image signals so as to perform display changeover corresponding to the command and projects them on the screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image projection method and system using a pointing device such as a laser pointer, and a recording medium on which the method is programmed and recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Presentation systems using personal computers have become widespread. Image data processed by a personal computer is sent to a projector via a monitor cable and projected on a screen. Recently, dedicated software for presentations has also appeared, and by operating a personal computer, it has become possible to effectively present presentations not only visually but also auditoryly by slide shows and the like.

[0003]

In order to give a presentation using a computer such as a personal computer, it is necessary to operate an input device of the computer such as a mouse or a keyboard. In particular, it is essential when switching the display screen. Even if the presenter points to the screen for explanation, it is necessary to temporarily interrupt the pointing or explanation to operate the computer, and the explanation is often interrupted. In addition, the installation location of the computer is restricted, and in that case, a computer operator may be required separately.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by adding a means for reading the movement of a pointer on a screen to a computer connected to a projector, the presenter can keep the pointer pointing in the screen direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image projection method and system capable of switching display screens and realizing a comfortable presentation, and a recording medium on which the method is programmed and recorded.

[0005]

According to the image projection method of the present invention, in an image projection system for performing presentation by projecting an image generated by a computer onto a screen, an operation area defined at an arbitrary position on the screen is pointed by a pointer. Is updated by updating the projected image.

An image projection system according to the present invention projects an image generated by a computer onto a screen via a projection device to give a presentation.
An optical pointing device that points on the screen with a specific light, an imaging device that reads the movement of a light point indicated by the optical pointing device and inputs the movement to the computer, and a light point indicated by the optical pointing device is displayed on the screen. And a control device for switching an image to be projected by passing through an operation area defined in advance at an arbitrary position.

The recording medium of the present invention is used in an image projection system for projecting a computer-generated image onto a screen to give a presentation, and searching for the brightest point appropriately moving on the screen and detecting a pointer; Monitoring the movement of the pointer, detecting the passage of a predefined operation area, detecting the direction of passage, and projecting an image according to a predefined operation command based on the passage and the direction. The steps to be performed are programmed and recorded.

[0008] Thus, when giving a presentation, the presenter can change the display screen while pointing at the screen, and a smooth presentation can be expected.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an image projection system according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a personal computer, reference numeral 12 denotes a CCD camera, reference numeral 13 denotes a monitor cable, reference numeral 14 denotes a projector, reference numeral 15 denotes a screen, reference numeral 16 denotes a laser pointer, and reference numeral 17 denotes a light point indicated by the laser pointer 16. Is shown.

An image is sent from the personal computer 11 to the projector 14 via the monitor cable 13,
It is projected on the screen 15. When a presenter giving a presentation points on the screen 15 using the laser pointer 16, the position is read by the CCD camera 12, and the personal computer 11 takes in the position. If the point 17 pointed by the laser pointer 16 passes through the right end area of the screen 15, for example, a mechanism for switching an image to be projected is created in the personal computer, so that the presenter can display the pointed screen direction. The screen is switched.

FIG. 2 shows an example of allocation of areas on the screen and operations. Here, reference numerals 1 to 4 are operation areas on the screen, which are non-display areas. Reference numeral 5 denotes a screen, and reference numeral 6 denotes a projection screen. When the laser pointer 16 crosses the operation area 1 on the right side from inside to outside, the display switches to the next screen, and when the laser pointer 16 crosses the inside from the inside, the display changes to the previous screen. When the laser pointer 16 crosses the operation area 3 on the upper side from inside to outside, the display is switched to the screen list mode,
When the laser pointer 16 crosses the operation area 4 on the lower side from inside to outside, the screen is locked and the display screen cannot be switched. Similarly, when the laser pointer 16 crosses the operation area 4 from inside to outside, the screen lock is released. Build a mechanism to be used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of assignment of areas and operations on the screen in the screen list mode. In the drawing, the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 are the same as those in FIG. Reference numeral 6 denotes a selection frame provided for selecting an image to be displayed, and reference numeral 7 denotes a method of moving the laser pointer 16 (tracing a circle in the figure).

Here, when the laser pointer 16 crosses the right side area 1 from inside to outside, the selection frame 6 moves to the right. When the laser pointer 16 crosses the left side area 2 from inside to outside, the selection frame 6 moves to the left. When the laser pointer 16 crosses the upper region 3 from inside to outside, the selection frame 6 moves up. When the laser pointer 16 crosses the lower region 4 from inside to outside, the selection frame 6 moves down. When the selection frame 6 is moved by two or more steps, it is assumed that the object can be achieved by repeating the movement of the pointer as indicated by reference numeral 7. Further, by making the upper region 3 cross from the outside to the inside, the selection frame 6
It is assumed that a certain screen is selected, the screen list mode is canceled, and the selected image is displayed. The screen list mode is released by crossing the lower area 4 from the outside to the inside, and the display returns to a single image display.

FIG. 4 shows another example of allocation of areas and operations on the screen in the screen list mode. In the figure, reference numeral 1
4 to 4 indicate an operation area displayed on the screen, and display the first image when crossing the area indicated by reference numeral 1 from bottom to top;
When crossing the area indicated by reference numeral 2 from bottom to top, the previous image is displayed. When crossing the area indicated by reference numeral 3 from bottom to top, the next image is displayed. When crossing the area indicated by reference numeral 4 from bottom to top, the last image is displayed. Shall be displayed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image projection system of the present invention shown in FIG. More specifically, an operation procedure of a pointing driver described later is shown. The personal computer 11 first matches the angle of view of the CCD camera 12 with the image on the screen 15 (step S5).
1) Search for the brightest point on the screen 15, that is, the pointing position by the laser pointer 16 (step S52). Next, it is checked which of the four operation areas 1 to 4 the laser pointer 16 has passed and the direction (steps S53 and S54), and an operation command according to them is transmitted to a display driver described later. If the movement of the laser pointer 16 has not been detected, the operation from step S52 is repeated.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a personal computer used in the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a microprocessor (CPU) serving as a control center, which executes various programs stored in the main storage device 62 to perform arithmetic control or control of each device connected to the system.

In the main storage device 62, in addition to the resident kernel unit 621 of the operating system, an application program 622 and a control program 623 for pointing in a presentation added according to the present invention are added. The control program 623 includes a pointing driver unit (Pdrv.) And a display driver unit (Ddrv.) In addition to the management unit (Mon.).
Consists of 63 is an SIO (Serial Input-Output), to which a CCD is connected via a serial cable. S
The IO 63 sequentially takes in the positions of the light spots indicated by the laser pointer (16 in FIG. 1) via the CCD camera (12 in FIG. 1) and transmits them to the microprocessor 61.
The microprocessor 61 executes the control procedure according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 by activating the pointing driver unit (Pdrv.) In the control program 623 on the basis of the position information of the taken light spot. That is, the pointing driver unit (Pdrv.) Checks the movement of the pointer under the supervision of the management unit (Mon.), checks in which direction the pointer has moved in the operation area, and issues a command according to the movement, for example, , Display switching, and conversion to the movement of the selection frame in the screen list mode, and transmit it to the display driver (Ddrv.) Via the management unit (Mon.).

The display driver section (Ddrv.) Generates an image signal to perform display in accordance with the command, supplies the image signal to the projector via the RGB port 64, and projects the image signal on the screen. The RGB port 64 is connected to a projector (14 in FIG. 1) via a monitor cable. The microprocessor 61 executes the application program 612
And, based on the screen switching instruction generated by the display driver unit (Pdrv.) As described above, the desired image information is output via the RGB port 64 to the projector (1 in FIG. 1).
4) is supplied and projected.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image projection system of the present invention. The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 lies in the CCD camera 12, which monitors the movement of the laser pointer 16 and
When the point indicated by enters the right end area of the screen, the projector 14 sends a signal for switching to the next image to the personal computer 11 via the serial cable 18. Thereby, the personal computer 11 switches the image to be projected to the next image.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a specific operation of the image projection system of the present invention shown in FIG. The personal computer 11 first matches the angle of view of the CCD camera 12 with the image on the screen 15 (step S8).
1) Search for the brightest point on the screen 15, that is, the pointing position by the laser pointer 16 (step S82). Next, it is checked which one of the four operation areas 1 to 4 the laser pointer 16 has passed and the direction (steps S83 and S84), and an operation command according to them is displayed on the personal computer 11 via the serial cable 18. Communicate to the driver. If the movement of the laser pointer 16 has not been detected, the operation from step S82 is repeated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the image projection system of the present invention. The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is that a translucent screen 19 is provided between the projector 14 and the screen 15. By comparing the image of the screen 15 captured by the CCD camera 12 with the image of the translucent screen 19, the laser pointer 1
6 is read and input to the projector 14. When the point indicated by the laser pointer 16 enters the operation area of the screen, the projector 14 sends a signal for rewriting to the next image to the serial cable 18.
To the personal computer 11 via the
Switches the image to be projected to the next image.

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image projection system for performing a presentation by projecting an image generated by a computer onto a screen via a projector, the movement of a pointer pointing on the screen is read by its control device. By providing the function, the presenter can update the display content by performing a specific movement through the pointer, thereby achieving a comfortable presentation without interrupting the presentation, and The display screen can be switched while pointing.

The above-described embodiment of the present invention exemplifies only a projector. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a slide projector or a system using a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal. is there. In the embodiment of the present invention, the pointing driver and the display driver are treated as control programs and treated as separate modules from the OS or the application program. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be configured as a module to add on. In any case, CD-RO
It is recorded and provided on an optical memory such as M, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image projection system for performing presentation by projecting an image generated by a computer onto a screen, a pointer passes through an operation area defined at an arbitrary position on the screen. This updates the projected image, which allows the presenter to switch the display screen while pointing in the direction of the screen, and breaks the talk because it is not necessary to interrupt the presentation for screen switching. A comfortable presentation can be realized without any problem. In addition, there is no need for a separate operator of the computer due to restrictions on the installation location of the computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a projection system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of assignment of an area on a screen and an operation;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of assignment of areas on a screen and actions in a screen list mode;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of assignment of areas and operations on a screen in a screen list mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the image projection system of the present invention shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a personal computer used in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the image projection system of the present invention;

8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the image projection system of the present invention shown in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the image projection system of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 (2, 3, 4) ... operation area, 5 ... screen, 6 ... projection effective screen, 11 ... personal computer, 12 ... C
CD camera, 13 monitor cable, 14 projector, 15 screen display, 16 laser pointer, 17 light spot, 18 serial cable, 19 translucent screen, 61 microprocessor (CP
U), 62: Main storage device (MMU), 63: SIO, 6
4 RGB port, 611 Operating system (OS), 612 Application program, 61
3. Control program

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image projection system for performing presentation by projecting an image generated by a computer onto a screen and updating a projected image by passing a pointer through an operation area defined at an arbitrary position on the screen. An image projection method. 2. An image projection system for projecting an image generated by a computer onto a screen via a projection device to give a presentation, comprising: an optical pointing device for pointing on a screen by specific light; and an optical pointing device. An imaging device that reads the movement of the indicated light point and inputs the same to the computer, and the light point indicated by the light pointing device projects by passing through a predetermined operation area at an arbitrary position on the screen. An image projection system, comprising: a control device for switching images. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device sequentially captures the position of the light point indicated by the optical pointing device, generates an operation command according to the movement based on the position information of the captured light point, and a display according to the command. 3. An image projection system according to claim 2, further comprising display means for generating an image signal and performing projection on a screen in order to perform the operation. 4. The image projection method according to claim 3, wherein the operation command intends at least a screen switching mode, and the display means selectively projects the previous screen and the next screen according to a specific movement of the optical pointing device. system. 5. The operation command is intended to display at least a screen list, and the display means displays a screen list according to the operation command, and displays a screen list according to designation of a selection frame and a specific movement of the optical pointing device in the list. 4. The image projection system according to claim 3, wherein the display is canceled and a specific image corresponding to the valid selection frame is projected. 6. A translucent screen is provided between the screen and the projection device, and the control device monitors the movement of the pointer by comparing the image of the screen photographed by the photographing device with the image of the translucent screen. The image projection system according to claim 2, wherein: 7. An image projection system for performing a presentation by projecting an image generated by a computer onto a screen and performing a search for a brightest point that moves as appropriate on the screen to detect a pointer, and monitoring the movement of the pointer. A step of detecting the passage of a predefined operation area, a step of detecting a direction of the passage, and a step of projecting an image according to a predefined operation command based on the passage and the direction. A recording medium to be recorded.