Projection system, projection method, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

The present invention provides a projection system, a projection method, a storage medium and a computer program product. A projection system comprises: a projection device for projecting an image onto a projection surface; and a computer, which can communicate with the projection device and instruct the projection device to project an image according to a user's operation, wherein the projection device comprises a first processor, and the first processor sends operation information of the projection device to the computer while communicating with the computer, and the computer comprises a second processor, and the computer further comprises a display unit and a speaker, and the second processor notifies by displaying on the display unit or outputting sound through the speaker according to the operation information received from the projection device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a projection system including a projection device and a computer, a projection method, a storage medium and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] When the user is configured to project an image by operating his or her own PC (personal computer) or tablet computer, the user can only go to the projection device to investigate whether the projection device can be used or whether other users are using the projection device, or ask other users who may use the projection device whether they are using it or have reservations to use it, or check the management table of the projection device, etc., which is inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a projection system, a projection method, and a storage medium (computer program product) that can easily and accurately know whether a projection device can project an image.

[0004] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a projection system comprises: a projection device for projecting an image onto a projection surface, and a computer, which can communicate with the projection device and can instruct the projection device to project the image according to the user's operation, the projection device comprises a first processor, and the first processor sends the operation information of the projection device to the computer while communicating with the computer, the computer comprises a second processor, and the computer further comprises either a display unit and a speaker, and the second processor notifies by displaying on the display unit or outputting sound through the speaker according to the operation information received from the projection device.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a projection method uses a projection device for projecting an image onto a projection surface, and a computer that can communicate with the projection device and can instruct the projection device to project the image according to a user's operation, wherein the projection device has a first processor, the computer has a second processor, and the computer also has either a display unit or a speaker, the first processor sends operating information of the projection device to the computer while communicating with the computer, and the second processor notifies by displaying on the display unit or outputting sound through the speaker according to the operating information received from the projection device.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium stores: a program for enabling a processor of a projection device that projects an image onto a projection surface to communicate with the projection device and, while communicating with a computer that can instruct the projection device to project an image based on a user's operation, send operating information of the projection device to the computer; and a program for enabling the processor of the computer to notify by displaying on the display unit or by outputting sound through a speaker of the computer based on the operating information received from the projection device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, which is a computer program product containing a computer program. When a processor executes the computer program, the method described in any one of claims 8 to 14 is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of the projection system involved in this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 The following is a flowchart for showing the flow of processing performed between the projection device and the computer.

[0011] Figure 3 A is a diagram for showing a display example on a display screen of a computer. Figure 3 B is a diagram for showing a display example on a display screen of a computer.

[0012] Figure 4 A diagram for showing a state in which a plurality of computers are connected to a projection device via a communication network.

[0013] Figure 5 A diagram showing a display example on a display screen of a computer.

[0014] Figure 6 A diagram showing a display example on a display screen of a computer.

[0015] Figure 7 A diagram showing a display example on a display screen of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the projection system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a projection system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a projection device 2 and a computer 3 of a projection system 1 are communicatively connected via a communication network N such as a wireless LAN (local area network) or a wired LAN.

[0018] In addition, despite Figure 1 The case where the number of computers 3 connected to the communication network N is one is shown, but as described later Figure 4 As shown, the communication network N may also be connected to a plurality of computers 3 so that the plurality of computers 3 can communicate with the projection device 2 .

[0019] The projection device 2 includes at least a projection unit 21, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The projection unit 21 includes a light source and an optical system (not shown), and projects an image sent from the computer 3 onto a projection surface 50.

[0020] The control unit 22 is composed of a microcomputer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a processor (first processor) not shown in the figure, and is used to control the overall operation of each functional unit of the projection device 2. Moreover, as described later, when communication with the computer 3 is started, the control unit 22 sends information on the operating state of the projection device 2 (i.e., standby state or in use (projecting an image) etc.) to the computer 3 while communicating. In addition, the processing of the control unit 22 will be described in detail later. The projection device 2 also has a memory not shown in the figure that stores programs for making the control unit 22 function. The control unit 22 controls the projection device 2 by executing the programs stored in the memory not shown in the figure.

[0021] The communication unit 23 in this embodiment also includes a multimedia CPU (not shown), and can communicate with multiple computers 3 in either a wireless or wired manner via a communication network N. In addition, the communication unit 23 only needs to be configured to be able to communicate with multiple computers 3, and does not necessarily need to be in the form of a multimedia CPU.

[0022] On the other hand, the computer 3 may be composed of a PC or a tablet computer, etc., and includes at least a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a control unit 34, and a memory 35. The communication unit 31 has a communication module (not shown), and can communicate with the projection device 2 via the communication network N in either a wireless or wired manner.

[0023] The input unit 32 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and when the user performs an input operation, the input signal is sent to the control unit 34. The display unit 33 has a display screen composed of a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescent Display), etc., so that the content sent by the control unit 34 is displayed on the display screen. In addition, a speaker or the like can also be appropriately provided.

[0024] The control unit 34 includes a CPU as a processor (second processor) not shown in the figure, etc., and is used to control the overall operation of each functional unit of the computer 3. Moreover, in the present disclosure, the computer 3 can instruct the projection device 2 to project an image according to the user's operation. When the user inputs an instruction for causing the projection device 2 to project an image via the input unit 32, the control unit 34 sends the instruction to the projection device 2 via the communication unit 31. In addition, the processing of the control unit 34 will be described in detail later.

[0025] The memory 35 stores programs and the like for causing the control unit 34 to function. The control unit 34 executes the programs stored in the memory 35 to control the control unit 34 .

[0026] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the memory 35 stores the data of the image projected by the projection device 2 on the projection surface 50, and as described above, the control unit 34 instructs the projection device 2 to project the image, and reads the image data from the memory 35 and sends it to the projection device 2. In addition, the image data may be stored in advance in a database or the like separate from the computer 3, and the image data may be read from the database or the like according to the instruction of the computer 3 and sent to the projection device 2.

[0027] Next, the processing method unique to the present disclosure performed between the projection device 2 and the computer 3 is described. In the present disclosure, the projection device 2 is configured to send information about the operating status of the projection device 2 to the computer 3 while communicating with the computer 3. When the computer 3 receives the information about the operating status from the projection device 2, it notifies the user who is using the computer 3 by displaying on the display screen of the display unit 33 whether the projection device 2 can project an image on the projection surface 50. Instead of displaying on the display screen or emitting sound from a speaker at the same time, the notification may also be performed (the same applies below).

[0028] Next, use Figure 2 The control unit 22 of the projection device 2 monitors whether there is communication from the computer 3 (step S101), and when the computer 3 starts to communicate with the projection device 2 according to the user's operation (step S201, "yes" in step S101), the information of the operation status of the projection device 2 (i.e., standby status, in use (projecting an image) etc.) is sent to the computer 3 (step S102).

[0029] In addition, for example, it can also be configured that when the power of the projection device 2 is off, the communication unit 23 of the projection device 2 can be driven by a minimum amount of power, and when there is communication from the computer 3, the communication unit 23 of the projection device 2 sends a wake-up signal to the control unit 22 to start it up and enter the standby state.

[0030] As described above, when the control unit 34 of the computer 3 receives the information of the operation status sent by the projection device 2 (step S202), it executes the processing corresponding to the operation information received from the projection device. That is, it performs the notification corresponding to the content of the received information (step S203). That is, for example, as long as the projection device 2 is not used by other users and the projection device 2 can project images (including the above-mentioned standby state), for example, Figure 3 As shown in A, "Projector is available" or the like will be displayed on the display screen 33a of the display unit 33. Moreover, for example, when the projection device 2 is being used by other users and the computer 3 cannot instruct to project an image, for example, Figure 3 If B is shown, it will display "Projector cannot be used" etc.

[0031] In addition, it is also possible to configure that, as described above, when the projection device 2 is configured so as not to be activated by an external operation, even when the computer 3 starts communicating with the projection device 2 (step S201) as described above, the projection device 2 will not send the operation information. Therefore, in this case, although the illustration is omitted, for example, "power of the projector is turned off" is displayed on the display screen 33a of the computer 3.

[0032] In the present embodiment, for example, in this way, the user who is using the computer 3 is informed whether the projection device 2 can project an image by operating the computer 3. Therefore, in the projection system 1 involved in the present embodiment, even if the user does not go to the projection device 2 or the like, he can easily and accurately know whether the projection device 2 can project an image by operating the computer 3 nearby.

[0033] Furthermore, when the user who is using the computer 3 waits until the projection device 2 is available ("No" in step S204), the computer 3 does not send any instructions to the projection device 2 ("No" in step S103), and thus the projection device 2 repeats the processing of steps S101 and S102. In addition, in this flowchart, as long as the computer 3 does not cut off the communication with the projection device 2, the judgment of step S101 of the projection device 2 will be yes, and thus the projection device 2 will continue to send its own operation status information to the computer 3 (step S102), but in order to save power, etc., it can also be configured that the projection device 2 temporarily stops sending information to the computer 3 after initially sending its own operation status, for example, until there is a change in the operation status from unavailable to available.

[0034] Furthermore, for example, when other users finish using the projection device 2 and the projection device 2 becomes usable and an image can be projected by the projection device 2, the display on the display screen 33a of the computer 3 changes from, for example, Figure 3 The display of B becomes Figure 3That is, when the projection device 2 becomes available, the information indicating that the projection device 2 is available is sent to the computer 3 (step S102). When the computer 3 receives the information from the projection device 2 (step S202), the user who is using the computer 3 is notified that the projection device 2 can project an image (step S203). By configuring in this way, the user can quickly and easily know on the computer 3 that the projection device 2 is available and can project an image by receiving the notification from the computer 3.

[0035] Then, when the user who is using the computer 3 accepts the notification and causes the projection device 2 to project an image by operating the computer 3 ("Yes" in step S204), the control unit 34 of the computer 3 instructs the projection device 2 to project an image according to the user's operation (step S205), and sends the image data to the projection device 2 (step S206). When the control unit 22 of the projection device 2 receives the instruction from the computer 3 ("Yes" in step S103), it projects the image on the projection surface 50 according to the data sent from the computer 3 (step S104).

[0036] As described above, according to the projection system 1 involved in this embodiment, when the user causes the projection device 2 to project an image by operating the computer 3 nearby, the user can easily and accurately know whether the projection device 2 can project an image on the computer 3. In addition, in the projection system 1 involved in this embodiment, since the system can be constructed with only the projection device 2 and the computer 3, there is an advantage that there is no need to newly install devices such as a distribution device or a control device.

[0037] In addition, Figure 2 In the flowchart shown, for example, even if the display screen 33a of the computer 3 indicates that it is unavailable in the process of step S203, the user can still cause the projection device 2 to project an image by operating the computer 3 ("Yes" in step S204). That is, the user can interrupt the projection device 2 when another user is projecting an image and cause the projection device 2 to project an image sent from his or her own computer 3.

[0038] In this way, it can be appropriately determined whether to allow insertion at any timing, to prohibit insertion, or to allow insertion only when other users allow it.

[0039] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments may also be modified in various other ways. Figure 4As shown, when a plurality of computers 3 are connected to the projection device 2 via the communication network N so that the plurality of computers 3 can communicate with the projection device 2, for example, a situation may occur in which, while the computer 3A on one side instructs the projection device 2 to project an image, the computer 3B on the other side starts to communicate with the projection device 2. Moreover, in this situation, if the user of the computer 3A on one side is unaware that the user of the computer 3B on the other side has started to communicate with the projection device 2, the projection device 2 may be used for an unnecessary long time, which may cause the user of the computer 3B on the other side to wait for a long time until the projection device 2 can be used.

[0040] Therefore, the projection device 2 may be configured such that when the computer 3A on one side instructs the projection device 2 to project an image, the communication with the computer 3B on the other side is started. Figure 5 As shown, the computer 3A of the one party is notified that there is a connection from the computer 3B of the other party. This configuration enables the user of the computer 3A of the one party who is using the projection device 2 to easily and accurately know on the computer 3A of the one party that there is a connection from the computer 3B of the other party and that there is a user who is considering using the projection device 2. This can prevent the user of the computer 3 of the one party from using the projection device 2 for too long, and prevent the user of the computer 3B of the other party from waiting for too long.

[0041] Furthermore, at this time, it may be configured to replace the notification of the connection from the computer 3B, or to perform the following simultaneously: Figure 6 In this case, if it is configured so that when the other party's computer 3B starts to communicate with the projection device 2, the identification information such as the ID input by the user of the other party's computer 3B is sent to the projection device 2, the projection device 2 can notify the computer 3A of one party of the identification information, so that the user name of the other party's computer 3B connected can be displayed on the computer 3A of one party.

[0042] And, similarly, for example Figure 7 As shown, the projection device 2 may also be configured to notify the user name of the connected computer 3A to the other computer 3B that has started communication. This configuration enables the user of the computer 3A that is using the projection device 2 to easily and accurately know who is connected to the projection device 2 on the computer 3A of the one party, and the user of the computer 3B that has started communication with the projection device 2 to easily and accurately know who is currently using the projection device 2 on the other computer 3B.

[0043] On the other hand, despite Figure 1 and Figure 4Although the case where only one projection device 2 is provided in the projection system 1 is shown, a plurality of projection devices 2 may be provided in the projection system 1. In this case, each computer 3 may be configured to communicate with each projection device 2 in the manner disclosed herein.

[0044] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the computer 3 receives the operation information from the projection device 2, although it notifies whether the projection device 2 can project an image, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, when the computer 3 such as a personal computer receives the operation information from the projection device 2, the computer 3 may also transfer the received operation information to a smart phone or a tablet computer, and then the smart phone or the tablet computer notifies whether the projection device 2 can project an image. In one embodiment of the present invention, the various programs described above may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that is a non-temporary tangible object, and provided to the projection device 2 or the computer 3 via the above-mentioned storage medium. Although a non-volatile memory such as a mask ROM and / or a flash memory or other non-volatile memory such as an MRAM, a removable storage medium such as an HDD, a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, etc. can be applied as a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium is not limited thereto.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. A projection system comprising: A projection device for projecting an image onto a projection surface; and A plurality of computers, each of which can communicate with the projection device and can instruct the projection device to project an image according to a user's operation, characterized in that: The projection device comprises a first processor. The first processor transmits operation information indicating the operation status of the projection device to one of the plurality of computers while communicating with the one of the plurality of computers. Each of the plurality of computers includes a second processor and further includes a display unit and a speaker. The second processor notifies by displaying on the display unit or outputting sound through the speaker according to the operation information received from the projection device. When the computer on one side instructs the projection device to project an image and the projection device starts communicating with the computer on the other side, the first processor notifies the computer on one side that there is a connection from the computer on the other side, and notifies the computer on one side of the user name of the other side's computer, and at the same time notifies the computer on the other side of the user name of the computer on one side.

2. The projection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the second processor receives the operation information from the projection device, it notifies whether the projection device can project an image. When the operation information is not received from the projection device even after the communication with the projection device is started, information indicating that the power of the projection device is turned off is displayed on the display unit.

3. The projection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the projection device changes from an unusable state to a usable state, the first processor sends the information to the computer. When receiving the information from the projection device, the second processor notifies the projection device that an image can be projected.

4. A projection method using a projection device and a plurality of computers, The projection device is used to project an image onto a projection surface. Each of the plurality of computers can communicate with the projection device and can instruct the projection device to project an image according to a user's operation, wherein: The projection device comprises a first processor. Each of the plurality of computers includes a second processor and further includes a display unit and a speaker. The first processor transmits operation information indicating the operation status of the projection device to one of the plurality of computers while communicating with the one of the plurality of computers. The second processor notifies by displaying on the display unit or outputting sound through the speaker according to the operation information received from the projection device. When the computer on one side instructs the projection device to project an image and the projection device starts communicating with the computer on the other side, the first processor notifies the computer on one side that there is a connection from the computer on the other side, and notifies the computer on one side of the user name of the computer on the other side, and at the same time notifies the computer on the other side of the user name of the computer on one side.

5. The projection method according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the second processor receives the operation information from the projection device, it notifies whether the projection device can project an image. When the operation information is not received from the projection device even after the communication with the projection device is started, information indicating that the power of the projection device is turned off is displayed on the display unit.

6. The projection method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: When the projection device changes from an unusable state to a usable state, the first processor sends the information to the computer. When receiving the information from the projection device, the second processor notifies the projection device that an image can be projected.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: A computer program is stored, and when a processor executes the computer program, the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 is implemented.

8. A computer program product, which is a computer program product containing a computer program, characterized in that When a processor executes the computer program, the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 is implemented.

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