Method for selecting display device, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To provide a method for selecting a display device, an information processing device, and a program each enabling a content to be .appropriately displayed.SOLUTION: A method for selecting a projector 3 comprises: accepting the selection of a content from a terminal 2; acquiring information on the resolution of the selected content; extracting the projector 3 on the basis of the acquired resolution information; and outputting information on a device showing the extracted projector 3 to the terminal 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device selection method, an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a projection system in which a projector projects content files acquired from a server. In this projection system, the projector acquires an index file containing a list of content files from the server and projects a file list screen based on the index file. When a user selects a content file from the file list screen, the projector acquires the content file from the server and projects it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-31861 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above configuration, if the specifications and performance of the projector receiving the content file from the server are not determined, some projectors may not be able to properly project high-resolution content files. For example, a heavy load of various image processing may cause dropped frames during projection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The method for selecting a display device includes accepting a selection of content from a terminal device, acquiring resolution information representing the resolution of the selected content, extracting a display device based on the acquired resolution information, and outputting device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device.

[0006] The information processing device includes a control device that receives a content selection from a terminal device, acquires resolution information representing the resolution of the selected content, extracts a display device based on the acquired resolution information, and outputs device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device.

[0007] The program causes a computer to receive a content selection from a terminal device, acquire resolution information representing the resolution of the selected content, extract a display device based on the acquired resolution information, and output device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a device database. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a content database. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a reservation management table. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image projection unit. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server when reserving a projector. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a terminal display unit of the terminal device. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a terminal display unit of the terminal device. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a terminal display unit of the terminal device. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server when the projector is used. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a projected image of a projector. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a content database according to a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a device database according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1. Embodiment The projector management system 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector management system 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the projector management system 100 includes a server 1 and a terminal device 2, which are connected to each other through a network NW such as the Internet. The server 1 is operated by a service provider that lends projectors 3 to users, and distributes content to the loaned projectors 3. The distributed content is, for example, image data of moving images of natural scenery or the like. By accessing the server 1 from the terminal device 2, the user can reserve the rental of the projector 3 and the distribution of content. After being loaned to the user, the projector 3 is connected to the network NW. The content is then distributed from the server 1 to the projector 3 via the network NW.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 1 includes a server control unit 10, a server storage unit 11, and a server communication unit 12. The server 1 is an example of an information processing device. The server control unit 10 is a control device including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the operation of the server 1 by operating in accordance with an OS (Operating System) (not shown) and a control program 11a stored in the server storage unit 11. The server control unit 10 corresponds to a computer.

[0011] The server storage unit 11 is configured with a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory, and stores the above-mentioned OS, control program 11a, various data, etc. The control program 11a is an example of a program, and causes the server control unit 10, which is a computer, to execute various operations described below.

[0012] The server communication unit 12 is a communication device that communicates via the network NW, and can communicate with the terminal device 2 and the projector 3. The connection between the server communication unit 12 and the network NW may be wired or wireless.

[0013] In this embodiment, the server storage unit 11 stores a plurality of content files (not shown). Each content file stores image data of the content to be distributed. Furthermore, the server storage unit 11 stores a device database 11b, a content database 11c, and a reservation management table 11d.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the device database 11b. As shown in FIG. 3, the device database 11b has registered therein a plurality of projectors 3 to be loaned. Specifically, the device database 11b has registered therein a registration number, an identification number, a model number, and resolution information, each of which is associated with the other for each of the plurality of registered projectors 3. Here, the registration number is a number assigned in the order of registration. The identification number is a number for identifying each of the plurality of projectors 3. The registration number and the identification number are identification information unique to each projector 3. The model number is information that indicates the model of the projector 3. The specifications and performance of the projector 3 are determined by the model number. The resolution information is information that indicates the maximum resolution that the projector 3 can display, i.e., the maximum number of pixels. The resolution information includes horizontal and vertical resolutions.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the content database 11c. As shown in FIG. 4, the content database 11c has registered therein a plurality of contents to be distributed. Specifically, the content database 11c has registered therein a registration number, a file name, a title, resolution information, and a playback time for each of the plurality of registered contents, each of which is associated with the others. The registration number is a number assigned in the order of registration, and the file name is the name of the content file in which the content is stored. The registration number and file name are identification information unique to each content. The title is the title of the content. The resolution information is information that indicates the resolution of the content, i.e., the number of pixels. The resolution information includes horizontal and vertical resolutions. The playback time is the time required to play the content.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the reservation management table 11d. As shown in FIG. 5, the reservation management table 11d has registered therein a plurality of pieces of reservation information for renting out a projector 3. Specifically, the reservation management table 11d has registered therein, for each of the plurality of pieces of reservation information, a reservation number, the identification number of the projector 3, the start date of use, the end date of use, the registration number of the content, and the identification information of the user, all of which are associated with one another. The reservation number is a number assigned in order of reservation. The identification number of the projector 3 is the identification number of the reserved projector 3, i.e., the projector 3 to be rented. The start date of use is the date on which the user starts using the projector 3, and the end date of use is the date on which the user stops using the projector 3. The registration number of the content is the management number of the content to be distributed to the rented projector 3. The user identification information is the identification information of the user who made the reservation. Hereinafter, the period from the start date of use to the end date of use will also be referred to as the usage period.

[0017] The server 1 of this embodiment also functions as a web server, and can provide web pages to terminal devices 2 and the like connected to the network NW. The server control unit 10 switches the web pages to be displayed and updates the web pages based on user operations on the web pages.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. The terminal device 2 is an information processing device used by a user who reserves the rental of the projector 3, and is, for example, a personal computer or a smartphone.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 2 includes a terminal control unit 20, a terminal storage unit 21, a terminal communication unit 22, a terminal operation unit 23, and a terminal display unit 24. The terminal control unit 20 is a control device including a processor such as a CPU, and controls the operation of the terminal device 2 by operating in accordance with an OS, application programs, etc. (not shown) stored in the terminal storage unit 21.

[0020] The terminal storage unit 21 is configured by a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD, or a memory, and stores the above-mentioned OS, application programs, various data, and the like.

[0021] The terminal communication unit 22 is a communication device that communicates via the network NW, and can communicate with the server 1. The connection between the terminal communication unit 22 and the network NW may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0022] The terminal operation unit 23 is an input device that accepts input operations from the user. The terminal operation unit 23 outputs operation information corresponding to the accepted input operations to the terminal control unit 20. The terminal operation unit 23 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. Furthermore, the terminal operation unit 23 may be a touch panel that is configured integrally with the terminal display unit 24.

[0023] The terminal display unit 24 is a display device equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various information based on the control of the terminal control unit 20.

[0024] Various application programs (not shown) are stored in the terminal storage unit 21, and the terminal control unit 20 can execute various operations in accordance with the launched application programs. In this embodiment, the terminal storage unit 21 stores, as application programs, a web browser for displaying web pages, and the like.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the projector 3, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image projection unit 35 provided in the projector 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the projector 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, an image input unit 33, an image processing unit 34, an image projection unit 35, and an operation unit 36. The projector 3 displays a projection image on a projection object Sp by projecting image light from the image projection unit 35 based on image data input to the image input unit 33. The projector 3 is an example of a display device. Note that the projection object Sp is not limited to a flat surface such as a screen, and may be a three-dimensional object.

[0026] The control unit 30 is a control device including a processor such as a CPU. The control unit 30 operates in accordance with a control program 31a stored in the storage unit 31, thereby controlling the operation of the projector 3.

[0027] The storage unit 31 is configured by a storage device such as a memory, and stores the above-mentioned control program 31a, control data, various image data, and the like.

[0028] The communication unit 32 is a communication device that performs communication via the network NW, and can perform communication with the server 1. The connection between the communication unit 32 and the network NW may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0029] The image input unit 33 receives image data from an external device such as the server 1 via the network NW and the communication unit 32, and outputs the received image data to the image processing unit 34. The image input unit 33 also has an input terminal to which an external image supply device (not shown), such as a computer or an image playback device, is connected, and can also receive image data from the input terminal.

[0030] The image processing unit 34 is a processing device that performs various correction processes on image data input from the image input unit 33 under the control of the control unit 30. The image processing unit 34 outputs the processed image data to a light valve driving unit 44 (see FIG. 8) of the image projection unit 35. For example, the image processing unit 34 performs processes on the image data, such as converting the resolution, adjusting the image quality, correcting trapezoidal distortion, and superimposing an OSD (On Screen Display) image such as a message or a menu on the projected image. The image processing unit 34 may be configured with one or more integrated circuits. The image processing unit 34 may also be included in the control unit 30.

[0031] 8, image projection unit 35 includes a light source 41, three liquid crystal light valves 42 as light modulation devices, a projection optical system 43, and a light valve drive unit 44. Image projection unit 35 modulates light emitted from light source 41 with liquid crystal light valve 42 to form image light, and projects the image light onto projection target Sp from projection optical system 43, which is made up of lenses and the like. Liquid crystal light valve 42 includes a liquid crystal light valve 42R for red light, a liquid crystal light valve 42G for green light, and a liquid crystal light valve 42B for blue light.

[0032] Light source 41 includes a solid-state light source such as a semiconductor laser or a light-emitting diode, or a discharge-type light source lamp such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp. The light emitted from light source 41 is converted into light with a substantially uniform luminance distribution by an integrator optical system (not shown), and is separated into red, green, and blue color light components, which are the three primary colors of light, by a color separation optical system (not shown), and then these color components are incident on liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B, respectively.

[0033] Each of the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B is configured with a transmissive liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of transparent substrates. Each liquid crystal panel has a rectangular pixel region 42i formed therein, which is made up of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a drive voltage can be selectively applied to the liquid crystal elements that make up each pixel.

[0034] The light valve driver 44 forms a projection image in the pixel region 42i of the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B. Specifically, the light valve driver 44 applies a drive voltage corresponding to image data input from the image processor 34 to each pixel of the pixel region 42i, setting each pixel to a light transmittance corresponding to the image data. Light emitted from the light source 41 is modulated for each pixel as it passes through the pixel region 42i of the liquid crystal light valves 42R, 42G, and 42B, and image light corresponding to the image data is formed for each color light. The formed image light of each color is combined for each pixel by a color combining optical system (not shown) to become image light representing a color image, and the projection optical system 43 enlarges and projects it onto the projection target Sp. As a result, a projection image based on the image data input from the image processor 34 is displayed on the projection target Sp.

[0035] In the pixel region 42i of each liquid crystal light valve 42, multiple pixels are arranged in a matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, the total number of pixels in the pixel region 42i is the value obtained by multiplying the number of pixels in the horizontal direction by the number of pixels in the vertical direction. Here, the number of pixels can also be referred to as the resolution. In other words, the resolution of the pixel region 42i is the value obtained by multiplying the horizontal resolution by the vertical resolution. The projector 3 can form a projected image within the range of the resolution of the pixel region 42i. In other words, the maximum resolution that the projector 3 can display is equal to the resolution of the pixel region 42i. Hereinafter, the resolution of the pixel region 42i will also be referred to as the resolution of the projector 3. If the resolution of the image data input to the image input unit 33 is greater than the resolution of the projector 3, the image processing unit 34 performs a resolution conversion process on the image data.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 7 , the operation unit 36 ​​is an input device that accepts input operations from the user, and includes a plurality of operation keys (not shown) that the user uses to give various instructions to the projector 3. When the user operates an operation key on the operation unit 36, the operation unit 36 ​​outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control unit 30. Note that a remote control (not shown) that allows remote operation may also be used as the operation unit 36. In this case, the remote control emits an infrared operation signal corresponding to the user's operation, which is received by a remote control signal receiving unit (not shown) and transmitted to the control unit 30.

[0037] Next, a method for selecting a projector 3 using the projector management system 100 will be described. The method for selecting a projector 3 in this embodiment includes having the user select content to be played on the projector 3 from the content database 11c, extracting projectors 3 suitable for the selected content from the device database 11b, and having the user select one of the extracted projectors 3. By selecting a projector 3, the user can reserve the rental of the selected projector 3. In other words, when a projector 3 is selected by the user, the server 1 registers new reservation information for renting the selected projector 3 in the reservation management table 11d.

[0038] 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server 1 when reserving the projector 3. Also, FIGS. 10 to 12 are diagrams showing screens displayed on the terminal display unit 24 of the terminal device 2 when reserving the projector 3. When reserving the projector 3, the user starts a web browser on the terminal device 2 and accesses a web page provided by the server 1.

[0039] Although not shown in the figure, when the web page is accessed, the server control unit 10 accepts input of the user's identification information and password from the user and performs user authentication based on the input identification information and password. Once user authentication is successful, the server control unit 10 operates according to the flow shown in Fig. 9. Hereinafter, the process of having the user select a projector 3 according to the flow in Fig. 9 will also be referred to as device selection processing.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, in step S101, the server control unit 10 causes the terminal display unit 24 to display a content selection screen S1 (see FIG. 10) as a web page. The content selection screen S1 is a screen for selecting content to be played back on the loaned projector 3. As shown in FIG. 10, the content selection screen S1 includes a content list L1, which is a list of content registered in the content database 11c, and a message M1 that prompts the user to select content. The content list L1 displays the registration number, title, resolution information, and playback time for each piece of content. The user can display all of the content by scrolling the screen.

[0041] In step S102, the server control unit 10 accepts a content selection from the terminal device 2. The user can select one piece of content from the content list L1 by operating the terminal operation unit 23. Once one piece of content has been selected by the user, the server control unit 10 proceeds to step S103.

[0042] In step S103, the server control unit 10 acquires the resolution information of the selected content from the content database 11c.

[0043] In step S104, the server control unit 10 displays a usage period input screen S2 (see FIG. 11) as a web page on the terminal display unit 24. The usage period input screen S2 is a screen for inputting the usage period of the projector 3, i.e., the rental period of the projector 3. As shown in FIG. 11, the usage period input screen S2 includes a message M2 prompting the user to input the usage period, a start date input field D1 for inputting the usage start date, an end date input field D2 for inputting the usage end date, and a search button B1 for starting extraction of the projector 3.

[0044] In step S105, the server control unit 10 accepts input of the usage period of the projector 3 from the terminal device 2. The user can specify the usage period of the projector 3 by operating the terminal operation unit 23 to input the usage start date in the start date input field D1 and the usage end date in the end date input field D2. After the usage period has been input by the user, when the search button B1 is operated, the server control unit 10 proceeds to step S106.

[0045] In step S106, the server control unit 10 executes a process for extracting a projector 3. The process for extracting a projector 3 is a process for extracting a projector 3 that is a candidate for rental from the device database 11b based on the resolution information of the content acquired in step S103 and the usage period accepted in step S105. Note that extracting a projector 3 from the device database 11b can be rephrased as specifying the identification information of the projector 3 from the device database 11b, or acquiring the identification information of the projector 3 from the device database 11b.

[0046] Specifically, the server control unit 10 extracts, from among the multiple projectors 3 registered in the device database 11b, projectors 3 having a resolution equal to or greater than the resolution of the selected content as rental candidate projectors 3. More specifically, the server control unit 10 extracts projectors 3 whose horizontal resolution is equal to or greater than the horizontal resolution of the selected content and whose vertical resolution is equal to or greater than the vertical resolution of the selected content.

[0047] Furthermore, based on the reservation management table 11d, the server control unit 10 extracts, from among the reserved projectors 3, projectors 3 whose reserved usage period overlaps with the usage period accepted in step S105 as non-target projectors 3. If the rental candidate projectors 3 include non-target projectors 3, the server control unit 10 excludes the non-target projectors 3 from the rental candidate projectors 3. Thus, in this step, the server control unit 10 extracts projectors 3 that have a resolution equal to or higher than the resolution of the selected content and can be used during the input usage period. Note that the projector 3 will also be unavailable during the period of transportation for rental and the period of transportation for return. Therefore, when extracting non-target projectors 3, these transportation periods are also taken into consideration. Although not illustrated, if no rental candidate projectors 3 are extracted, the server control unit 10 may notify the user of this and, for example, return the process to step S104 to have the user re-enter the usage period.

[0048] In step S107, the server control unit 10 displays a projector selection screen S3 (see FIG. 12) as a web page on the terminal display unit 24. The projector selection screen S3 is a screen for allowing the user to select one projector 3 from among the projectors 3 that are candidates for rental. As shown in FIG. 12, the projector selection screen S3 includes a device list L2 that lists the projectors 3 extracted as candidates for rental, and a message M3 that prompts the user to select a projector 3. The device list L2 displays the registration number, identification number, model number, and resolution information for each extracted projector 3. The registration number, identification number, model number, and resolution information are information that represents the extracted projector 3 and correspond to device information. Thus, in this step, the server control unit 10 outputs device information that represents the projector 3 extracted in step S106 to the terminal device 2 in the form of a web page. Note that the device information output to the terminal device 2 does not need to include all of the registration number, identification number, model number, and resolution information, and may include only one of these pieces of information. Furthermore, if the extracted projectors 3 that are candidates for rental do not fit within one screen, the user can scroll the screen to display the device information of all the projectors 3.

[0049] In step S108, the server control unit 10 accepts the selection of the projector 3 from the terminal device 2. The user can select one of the projectors 3 from the device list L2 by operating the terminal operation unit 23. When one projector 3 is selected by the user, the server control unit 10 proceeds to step S109.

[0050] In step S109, the server control unit 10 updates the reservation management table 11d (see FIG. 5) and ends the flow. Specifically, the server control unit 10 acquires a new reservation number, associates with this reservation number the identification number of the projector 3 selected in step S108, the use start date and use end date accepted in step S105, the registration number of the content selected in step S102, and the user identification information entered during user authentication, and registers these as new reservation information in the reservation management table 11d.

[0051] When the reservation information is registered in the reservation management table 11d, the service provider delivers the selected projector 3 to the user before the entered start date of use. When the user receives the projector 3, the user installs the projector 3 in a location of their choice and begins using the projector 3. Note that if the period during which the above-described device selection process is executed is defined as a first period, and the period during which the user uses the projector 3 is defined as a second period, the second period is a period that follows the first period.

[0052] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server 1 when using the projector 3. FIG. Although not shown in the figures, when the loaned projector 3 is started by the user, the control unit 30 of the projector 3 first establishes a connection to the network NW. After that, the control unit 30 accepts input of the user's identification information and password from the user, and requests user authentication from the server 1. Then, when the user authentication by the server 1 is successful, the server control unit 10 operates according to the flow shown in FIG.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 13, in step S201, the server control unit 10 supplies image data representing a playback start screen S4 (see FIG. 14) to the projector 3, thereby causing the image projection unit 35 of the projector 3 to project the playback start screen S4. As shown in FIG. 14, the playback start screen S4 includes a play button B2 for starting playback of the content, a message M4 urging the user to play the content, and content information C1 representing the reserved content. The content information C1 is information read from the content database 11c based on the registration number of the content registered in the reservation management table 11d. As shown in the figure, the playback mode, such as whether the content is to be played only once or repeatedly, may be specified in advance.

[0054] In step S202, the server control unit 10 receives an instruction to play content from the projector 3. The user can issue an instruction to play content by operating the play button B2 using the operation unit 36 ​​of the projector 3. When information indicating that the play button B2 has been operated is transmitted from the projector 3 to the server 1, the server control unit 10 proceeds to step S203.

[0055] In step S203, the server control unit 10 starts streaming distribution of the content. Specifically, the server control unit 10 reads the content file of the reserved content from the server storage unit 11 and transmits the image data stored in the content file to the projector 3. The control unit 30 of the projector 3 receives the image data from the communication unit 32 and causes the image projection unit 35 to project an image based on the image data. This causes the projector 3 to play back the content.

[0056] While content is being played back, the user can end the playback by operating the operation unit 36 ​​of the projector 3. When the user performs an operation to end the playback, the control unit 30 of the projector 3 requests the server 1 to end the distribution.

[0057] In step S204, the server control unit 10 determines whether or not there has been a request to end distribution from the projector 3, i.e., whether or not there has been an instruction from the user to end playback. If there has been a request to end distribution (step S204: YES), the server control unit 10 ends the distribution of the content and ends the flow of Fig. 13. On the other hand, if there has not been a request to end distribution (step S204: NO), the server control unit 10 repeats this step until there is a request to end distribution or until playback of the content is completed.

[0058] The user can play back the content any number of times using the projector 3 until the reserved end date of use. Then, when the end date of use arrives, the user returns the projector 3 to the service provider.

[0059] As described above, the method for selecting the projector 3, the server 1, and the control program 11a of this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0060] According to this embodiment, in the extraction process for the projector 3, the projector 3 is extracted based on the resolution of the selected content. Specifically, the projector 3 having a resolution equal to or higher than the resolution of the selected content is extracted. This prevents playback failures caused by high-resolution content, making it possible to properly play back the content.

[0061] According to this embodiment, in the extraction process of the projector 3, the projector 3 is extracted based on the input usage period, so that the user can select a projector 3 that can be used during the input usage period.

[0062] 2. Variations The above-described embodiment is based on the above-described configuration, but partial modifications or omissions of the configuration may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, this embodiment and the modifications described below may be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility. The modifications are described below.

[0063] In the above embodiment, predetermined tag information may be attached to the content registered in the content database 11c based on whether or not the resolution is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, tag information indicating 4K resolution may be attached to content having a resolution of 3840×2160 or greater. Then, in the extraction process for the projector 3 in step S106, the server control unit 10 may extract the projector 3 based on whether or not tag information is attached to the content selected by the user in step S102. With this configuration, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the resolution of the content selected by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0064] Similarly, predetermined tag information may be attached to the projectors 3 registered in the device database 11b based on whether or not the resolution is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, tag information indicating 4K resolution may be attached to projectors 3 having a resolution of 3840 × 2160 or greater. If 4K resolution tag information is attached to the content selected in step S102, the server control unit 10 may extract projectors 3 to which 4K resolution tag information is attached in the extraction process for projectors 3 in step S106. This configuration allows the server control unit 10 to extract projectors 3 based on the presence or absence of tag information. In other words, the process of comparing the resolution of the content and the resolution of the projector 3 is unnecessary, making it easier to extract the projector 3.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the server 1 distributes content to the projector 3 by streaming, but this is not limiting. For example, the projector 3 may play the content after downloading a content file from the server 1. Furthermore, the destination to which the server 1 distributes content is not limited to the projector 3, but may also be the terminal device 2. In this case, the projector 3 displays the content based on image data supplied from the terminal device 2. In this case, if the projector 3 and the terminal device 2 are individually connected by a cable or the like, the projector 3 does not need to be connected to the network NW.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the number of contents selected by the user is not limited to one, and may be multiple. When multiple contents are selected by the user, the user may select one of the multiple contents to play, or may play multiple contents consecutively.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the server control unit 10 extracts projectors 3 having resolutions equal to or greater than the resolution of the selected content in both the horizontal and vertical directions in the extraction process for projectors 3, but this is not limiting. For example, the server control unit 10 may extract projectors 3 having resolutions lower than the resolution of the selected content in either the horizontal or vertical direction. Furthermore, if the difference between the resolution of the selected content and the resolution of the projector 3 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the server control unit 10 may extract projectors 3 having resolutions lower than the resolution of the selected content in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the resolution information is registered in the content database 11c, so the server control unit 10 can obtain the resolution information directly from the content database 11c in step S103, but this is not limiting. For example, the server control unit 10 may obtain the resolution information from metadata embedded in the content file, or by analyzing the content file.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the projector management system 100 is configured to include one server 1, but the projector management system 100 may also include multiple servers 1. In this case, the multiple servers 1 may share and execute the various operations performed by the server 1 described above.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the projector 3 is exemplified as the display device, but the display device is not limited to the projector 3. For example, it may be a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, or it may be a head-mounted display device.

[0071] 3. Summary of this disclosure A summary of this disclosure is provided below.

[0072] (Supplementary Note 1) A method for selecting a display device, comprising: accepting a selection of content from a terminal device; acquiring resolution information representing the resolution of the selected content; extracting a display device based on the acquired resolution information; and outputting device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device.

[0073] According to the configuration of Appendix 1, a display device is extracted based on the resolution of the selected content, so that the user can use the extracted display device to properly display the selected content.

[0074] (Appendix 2) A method for selecting a display device according to Appendix 1, wherein extracting the display device is extracting a display device having a resolution equal to or greater than the resolution of the selected content.

[0075] According to the configuration of Appendix 2, display devices having a resolution equal to or higher than the resolution of the selected content are extracted, so that the user can properly display the selected content by using the extracted display device.

[0076] (Appendix 3) A method for selecting a display device according to appendix 1 or 2, comprising receiving input of a usage period of the display device from the terminal device, and extracting the display device by extracting a display device that can be used during the input usage period.

[0077] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 3, display devices are extracted based on the input usage period, so that the user can select a display device that can be used during the input usage period.

[0078] (Appendix 4) A method for selecting a display device as described in any of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the content is assigned predetermined tag information based on whether the resolution is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and extracting the display device involves extracting the display device based on whether the selected content has the tag information assigned to it.

[0079] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 4, tag information is attached to content based on whether the resolution is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, so it is easy to determine whether the resolution of the selected content is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0080] (Appendix 5) An information processing device comprising a control device that executes the following: accepting a content selection from a terminal device; acquiring resolution information representing the resolution of the selected content; extracting a display device based on the acquired resolution information; and outputting device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device.

[0081] According to the configuration of Appendix 5, a display device is extracted based on the resolution of the selected content, so that the user can use the extracted display device to properly display the selected content.

[0082] (Appendix 6) A program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: accept a content selection from a terminal device; acquire resolution information representing the resolution of the selected content; extract a display device based on the acquired resolution information; and output device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device.

[0083] According to the configuration of Appendix 6, a display device is extracted based on the resolution of the selected content, so that the user can use the extracted display device to properly display the selected content. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1...server, 2...terminal device, 3...projector, 10...server control unit, 11...server memory unit, 11a...control program, 11b...device database, 11c...content database, 11d...reservation management table, 12...server communication unit, 20...terminal control unit, 21...terminal memory unit, 22...terminal communication unit, 23...terminal operation unit, 24...terminal display unit, 30...control unit, 31...memory unit, 31a...control program, 32...communication unit, 33...image input unit, 34...image processing unit, 35...image projection unit, 36...operation unit, 41...light source, 42, 42R, 42G, 42B...LCD light valve, 42i...pixel area, 43...projection optical system, 44...light valve drive unit, 100...projector management system, B1...search button, B2...play button, C1...content information, D1...start date input field, D2...end date input field, L1...content list, L2...device list, M1, M2, M3, M4...message, NW...network, S1...content selection screen, S2...usage period input screen, S3...projector selection screen, S4...playback start screen, Sp...projection object.

Claims

1. accepting a content selection from a terminal device; obtaining resolution information representing a resolution of the selected content; extracting a display device based on the obtained resolution information; and outputting device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device. How to select a display device.

2. 2. The display device selection method according to claim 1, Extracting the display device comprises: extracting display devices having a resolution equal to or greater than the resolution of the selected content; How to select a display device.

3. 3. The display device selection method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving an input of a usage period of the display device from the terminal device; Extracting the display device comprises: extracting a display device that can be used during the input usage period; How to select a display device.

4. 3. The display device selection method according to claim 1, further comprising: predetermined tag information is attached to the content based on whether the resolution is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; Extracting the display device comprises: extracting the display device based on whether the tag information is attached to the selected content; How to select a display device.

5. accepting a content selection from a terminal device; obtaining resolution information representing a resolution of the selected content; extracting a display device based on the obtained resolution information; outputting device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device; a control device that executes the Information processing device.

6. On the computer, accepting a content selection from a terminal device; obtaining resolution information representing a resolution of the selected content; extracting a display device based on the obtained resolution information; outputting device information representing the extracted display device to the terminal device; program.

Images