Adjustment method and adjustment device

Abstract

To provide an adjustment method and adjustment device which can improve the convenience of a user.SOLUTION: An adjustment method for adjusting a projector by a computer body connected to a display device and an input device that receives an input operation, comprises the steps of: causing the display device to display an auxiliary image that supports the input operation for performing adjustment; causing the projector to display an adjustment image Pa1 that reflects the adjustment result and an auxiliary image Pa2; generating a geometric correction parameter which corrects the geometric distortion of the projector on the basis of the input operation received by the input device; and outputting the generated geometric correction parameter to the projector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a regulation method and a regulation device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a system that can adjust an external display device connected to a computer based on input operations to the computer. The system described in Patent Document 1 can adjust the screen size, layout, etc. of multiple video screens included in a projection screen projected by a projector based on input operations to the computer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-215530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the operation screen for making the above adjustments is displayed on a display screen of a computer. Therefore, when making adjustments while checking the adjustment results on the actual projection screen, the user must look at both the display screen and the projection screen, which reduces user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The adjustment method is an adjustment method for adjusting a second display device different from a first display device by an adjustment device connected to a first display device and an input device that accepts input operations, the method comprising: displaying a first image on the first display device that assists the input operation for performing the adjustment; displaying a second image that reflects the adjustment result of the adjustment and the first image on the second display device; generating adjustment parameters for adjusting the second display device based on the input operation accepted by the input device; and outputting the generated adjustment parameters to the second display device.

[0006] The adjustment device is connected to a first display device and an input device that accepts input operations, and adjusts a second display device different from the first display device based on the input operations, causes the first display device to display a first image that assists the input operation for making the adjustment, causes the second display device to display a second image that reflects the adjustment result of the adjustment and the first image, generates adjustment parameters for adjusting the second display device based on the input operation accepted by the input device, and outputs the generated adjustment parameters to the second display device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a display system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display system and the internal configuration of a computer. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a projector. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projection unit. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart for explaining an adjustment method in the projection image adjustment process. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation image displayed on the display device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation image displayed on the display device. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a projection image projected by a projector. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation image including an error image. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a projected image including an error image. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a projection image projected by a projector. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation image displayed on a display device of a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a projected image projected by a projector according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] 1. First embodiment The display system of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a display system 100 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the display system 100 includes a computer 1 and multiple projectors 2 that project and display images onto a projection surface Sp, such as a screen or a wall. The multiple projectors 2 and the computer 1 are each connected to a network NW (see FIG. 2), and the computer 1 can control the operation of each projector 2 via the network NW. The multiple projectors 2 are installed so that they can display the same image in a superimposed manner. Hereinafter, the image projected individually by each projector 2 will be referred to as a "projected image Vp," and the image formed by superimposing these images will be referred to as a "stacked image Vs." By projecting the same image in a superimposed manner from multiple projectors 2, it is possible to display an image with higher brightness than when using a single projector. In this embodiment, a display system 100 including two projectors 2 is illustrated, but the number of projectors 2 may be three or more.

[0009] The configuration of the display system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a configuration required when performing initial settings and various adjustments of the projector 2, and when a desired content image is to be displayed as a stack image Vs thereafter, an external image supply device 4 (see Fig. 3) is connected to each projector 2, and image data corresponding to the content image is supplied from the image supply device 4. However, image data corresponding to the content image may also be supplied from the computer 1 via the network NW.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the display system 100 and the internal configuration of the computer 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 1 includes a computer main body 10 including a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. The display device 14 and the input device 15 are connected to the control unit 11 of the computer main body 10. In this embodiment, the computer 1 is exemplified as a notebook computer in which the computer main body 10, the display device 14, and the input device 15 are integrally configured, but the computer 1 may also be a desktop computer connected to an external display device 14 and an external input device 15. The computer main body 10 corresponds to an adjustment device.

[0011] The control unit 11 is configured to include one or more processors, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The control unit 11 performs overall control of the operation of the computer 1 by operating in accordance with a program stored in the ROM or a program read from the storage unit 12 to the RAM.

[0012] The storage unit 12 is configured to include a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage unit 12 stores an installed OS (Operating System), application programs, various data, etc. In this embodiment, a projection image adjustment program (not shown) is installed in the storage unit 12. This projection image adjustment program is an application program for adjusting the shape, image quality, etc. of the projection image Vp of each projector 2.

[0013] The communication unit 13 is configured to include various circuits for communicating with external devices via the network NW. The communication unit 13 of this embodiment communicates with multiple projectors 2 connected via the network NW based on the control of the control unit 11. The communication may be wired communication or wireless communication.

[0014] Display device 14 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays an image under the control of control unit 11. Display device 14 corresponds to a first display device.

[0015] The input device 15 is configured with a keyboard 15a (see FIG. 1), a touchpad 15b (see FIG. 1) which is a pointing device, etc., and receives input operations from the user and outputs information corresponding to the input operations to the control unit 11. When an external keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse is connected to the computer main body 10, these also function as the input device 15.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the projector 2, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projection unit 27 provided in the projector 2. Note that in this embodiment, all of the multiple projectors 2 have a common configuration.

[0017] 3, the projector 2 is configured to integrally include a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, an operation unit 22, a communication unit 23, an image input unit 25, an image processing unit 26, and a projection unit 27. The projector 2 projects a projection image Vp onto a projection surface Sp from the projection unit 27 based on image data input to the image input unit 25 or the communication unit 23. The projector 2 is a display device different from the display device 14, and corresponds to a second display device.

[0018] The control unit 20 is configured to include one or more processors, and performs overall control of the operation of the projector 2 by operating in accordance with a control program stored in a storage unit 21.

[0019] The storage unit 21 is configured to include memories such as RAM and ROM. The RAM is used for temporarily storing various data and the like, and the ROM stores control programs for controlling the operation of the projector 2, control data, image data, and the like.

[0020] The operation unit 22 has a plurality of operation keys (not shown) that allow the user to issue various instructions to the projector 2. When the user operates the various operation keys of the operation unit 22, the operation unit 22 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control unit 20. Note that a remote control (not shown) that allows remote operation may also be used as the operation unit 22. 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 20.

[0021] The communication unit 23 is configured to include various circuits for communicating with external devices via the network NW. The communication unit 23 of this embodiment is connected to the computer 1 and other projectors 2 via the network NW, and transmits and receives various types of information to and from these devices based on the control of the control unit 20.

[0022] The image input unit 25 is connected to an external image supply device 4 such as an image playback device. The image input unit 25 receives image data corresponding to a content image from the image supply device 4 and outputs it to an image processing unit .

[0023] Under the control of the control unit 20, the image processing unit 26 performs adjustment processing on image data input from the image input unit 25 or image data transmitted from the computer 1 or the like via the network NW, and outputs the processed image data to the light valve driving unit 34 (see FIG. 4) of the projection unit 27. For example, the image processing unit 26 performs processing to correct geometric distortion on the image data, thereby correcting the appearance of the projection image Vp, i.e., the contour shape of the projection image Vp and distortion of the image within it. In this case, the image processing unit 26 divides the projection image Vp into multiple small regions and corrects the geometric distortion by performing correction based on geometric correction parameters determined for each small region. The geometric correction parameters for each small region are generated by the computer 1, transmitted to the projector 2, and stored in the memory unit 21. The geometric correction parameters correspond to adjustment parameters.

[0024] Furthermore, instead of image data corresponding to the content image, image processing unit 26 can obtain image data generated by control unit 20 or image data stored in storage unit 21 from control unit 20, and output this image data to projection unit 27. Note that image input unit 25 and image processing unit 26 may be configured with one or more processors or the like, or may be configured with dedicated processing devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0025] 4, the projection unit 27 is configured to include a light source 31, three liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B as light modulation devices, a projection optical system 33, and a light valve drive unit 34. The projection unit 27 modulates the light emitted from the light source 31 with the liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B to form image light, and projects this image light from the projection optical system 33, which includes at least one of a lens and a mirror, to display an image on a projection surface Sp.

[0026] Light source 31 is configured to include a discharge light source lamp such as an extra-high pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp, or a solid-state light source such as a light-emitting diode or a semiconductor laser. Light emitted from light source 31 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 each of the color light components enters liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B.

[0027] Each of the liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B 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 32i formed therein, which is made up of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a drive voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal for each pixel.

[0028] The light valve driver 34 forms an image in the pixel region 32i of the liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B. Specifically, the light valve driver 34 applies a drive voltage corresponding to the image data input from the image processor 26 to each pixel of the pixel region 32i, setting each pixel to a light transmittance corresponding to the image data. Light emitted from the light source 31 is modulated for each pixel as it passes through the pixel region 32i of the liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B, 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 33 enlarges and projects it onto the projection surface Sp. As a result, a projection image Vp based on the image data input from the image processor 26 is displayed on the projection surface Sp.

[0029] Next, adjustment of the projector 2 that is performed prior to the projection of a content image by the display system 100 will be described. First, the user installs each projector 2 so that the projection image Vp of each projector 2 is in an appropriate state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the user installs each projector 2 so that the size and position of the projection image Vp of each projector 2 are consistent. After that, when the user instructs the computer 1 to start a projection image adjustment program, the computer 1 starts a projection image adjustment process for adjusting the projector 2 in accordance with the projection image adjustment program. In this embodiment, the computer 1 performs adjustments to correct geometric distortion of the projection image Vp as the projection image adjustment process. Specifically, the computer 1 performs a process to generate geometric correction parameters for correcting geometric distortion based on the position of the adjustment point Ad (see FIG. 6) that has been moved in response to an input operation by the user.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the adjustment method in the projection image adjustment process. As shown in FIG. 5, in step S101, the control unit 11 of the computer 1 causes the display device 14 to display an operation image Da0 for geometric correction. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation image Da0 includes a selection image Da1 for selecting the projector 2 to be adjusted, an adjustment image Da2 in which a plurality of adjustment points Ad are arranged, and an auxiliary image Da3 for assisting the input operation for performing the adjustment. As shown in FIG. 7, after selecting the projector 2 to be adjusted in the selection image Da1, the user can select the desired adjustment point Ad in the adjustment image Da2 and move the adjustment point Ad to the desired position, thereby instructing geometric correction according to the position of the moved adjustment point Ad. The input device 15, such as the keyboard 15a or a pointing device, is used to select the projector 2, select the adjustment point Ad, and move the adjustment point Ad.

[0031] The selection image Da1 displays a panel Pd for each projector 2 connected to the network NW, and each panel Pd displays information (not shown) such as the name and VP address of the projector 2. The user can refer to this information to select the projector 2 to be adjusted. Of the panels Pd displayed in the selection image Da1, the panel Pd of the projector 2 selected to be adjusted is displayed in a color different from the other panels Pd, making it easy to identify the currently selected projector 2.

[0032] In the adjustment image Da2, a plurality of adjustment points Ad are arranged in a matrix, and two adjacent adjustment points Ad, either vertically or horizontally, are connected by a straight line Bd. One of the plurality of adjustment points Ad is surrounded by a rectangular mark Fd of a different color from the adjustment point Ad, indicating that this adjustment point Ad is currently selected. In this embodiment, the adjustment points Ad are arranged in a 9x9 matrix. However, the arrangement of the adjustment points Ad is not limited to this. The arrangement of the adjustment points Ad may also be specified by the user.

[0033] The auxiliary image Da3 includes four arrow buttons Cd1 corresponding to up, down, left, and right, a coordinate display section Cd2 that displays the coordinates of the selected adjustment point Ad, and a movement amount designation section Cd3 that designates the unit movement amount in pixels by which the adjustment point Ad moves with one operation.

[0034] When specifying the movement direction and amount of the adjustment point Ad, the user can specify it by dragging the adjustment point Ad with a pointing device, or by operating the directional keys on the keyboard 15a as many times as necessary or by clicking the arrow button Cd1 with a pointing device as many times as necessary. When the user instructs to move the adjustment point Ad, the control unit 11 moves the adjustment point Ad on the adjustment image Da2 and displays the coordinates of the adjustment point Ad after the movement in the coordinate display unit Cd2. The movement amount specification unit Cd3 is a pull-down menu, and the user can specify a desired unit movement amount from multiple unit movement amounts (not shown) included in the pull-down menu using the keyboard 15a or a pointing device. The specified unit movement amount is visible in the movement amount specification unit Cd3.

[0035] In step S102, the control unit 11 transmits a control command to the projector 2 to be adjusted via the communication unit 13, and as shown in FIG. 8, causes the projection unit 27 to project an adjusted image Pa1 that reflects the adjustment results and an auxiliary image Pa2 that assists in the input operation for making the adjustment. Images that serve as the base for these images are stored in advance in the storage unit 21 of the projector 2, and the control unit 11 of the computer 1 specifies these images by the control command that it transmits. When the control unit 20 of the projector 2 receives the control command from the computer 1, it reads out the adjusted image Pa1 and auxiliary image Pa2 specified by this control command from the storage unit 21, outputs them to the image processing unit 26, and causes the projection unit 27 to project them onto the projection surface Sp.

[0036] The adjusted image Pa1 projected by the projector 2 corresponds to the adjusted image Da2 displayed on the display device 14 and is displayed across the entire projection image Vp. The adjusted image Pa1 includes multiple adjustment points Ap, which correspond to the multiple adjustment points Ad in the adjusted image Da2. Specifically, the adjusted image Pa1 has a grid pattern formed by multiple rows of straight lines Bp extending in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and the intersections of the straight lines Bp are the adjustment points Ap. In this embodiment, the adjustment points Ap are arranged in a 9x9 matrix, just like the adjustment points Ad. One of the multiple adjustment points Ap is surrounded by a rectangular mark Fp of a different color than the line Bp, indicating that this adjustment point Ap is currently selected. The adjustment point Ap selected in the adjusted image Pa1 corresponds to the adjustment point Ad selected in the adjusted image Da2. The control unit 11 of the computer 1 notifies the projector 2 of information indicating the adjustment point Ad selected on the adjusted image Da2 by including it in a control command. The control unit 20 of the projector 2 recognizes the adjustment point Ad selected based on this control command, and performs processing to add a mark Fp to the corresponding adjustment point Ap.

[0037] The auxiliary image Pa2 is displayed superimposed on the adjustment image Pa1. Therefore, some adjustment points Ap included in the adjustment image Pa1 are hidden by the auxiliary image Pa2. The auxiliary image Pa2 corresponds to the auxiliary image Da3 displayed on the display device 14, and includes four arrow buttons Cp1 corresponding to up, down, left, and right, a coordinate display section Cp2 that displays the coordinates of the selected adjustment point Ap, and a movement amount designation section Cp3 that designates, in pixels, the unit movement amount by which the adjustment point Ap moves with one operation. The coordinates displayed in the coordinate display section Cp2 and the unit movement amount designated in the movement amount designation section Cp3 are the same values ​​as those displayed in the auxiliary image Da3. The control unit 11 of the computer 1 transmits these values ​​to the projector 2 within a control command. The control unit 20 of the projector 2 recognizes the coordinates and unit movement amount based on the control command and generates the auxiliary image Pa2 by reflecting these values ​​in the coordinate display section Cp2 and the movement amount designation section Cp3. The control unit 20 places the auxiliary image Pa2 at a position shifted from the selected adjustment point Ap so that the selected adjustment point Ap, i.e., the position to be adjusted on the adjustment image Pa1, is not hidden by the auxiliary image Pa2.

[0038] In step S103, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user has performed an adjustment operation, i.e., an input operation related to moving the adjustment point Ad, on the input device 15. If an adjustment operation has been performed (step S103 / YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S104, and if an adjustment operation has not been performed (step S103 / NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S111.

[0039] When an adjustment operation is performed and the process proceeds to step S104, the control unit 11 determines whether an error will occur as a result of the received adjustment operation. The control unit 11 determines that an error will occur as a result of the adjustment operation, for example, when the amount of movement of the adjustment point Ad moved by the user exceeds an allowable range. If the control unit 11 determines that an error will occur (step S104 / YES), the process proceeds to step S105, and if the control unit 11 determines that an error will not occur (step S104 / NO), the process proceeds to step S107.

[0040] If it is determined that an error will occur due to the adjustment operation and the process proceeds to step S105, the control unit 11 displays an error image Ed1 notifying the error on the display device 14, as shown in Fig. 9. The error image Ed1 is, for example, an image with a message such as "Adjustable range exceeded" written on a background of a highly visible color, and is displayed superimposed on the adjustment image Da2.

[0041] In step S106, the control unit 11 sends a control command to the projector 2 to be adjusted, and as shown in Fig. 10, causes an error image Ep1 notifying the error to also be displayed on the projection image Vp of the projector 2. Like the error image Ed1, the error image Ep1 is an image with a message such as "Adjustable range exceeded" written on a background of a highly visible color, and is displayed superimposed on the adjustment image Pa1. Various error images including the error image Ep1 are stored in the storage unit 21 of the projector 2, and the projector 2 displays the error image specified in the control command.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined that no error will occur due to the adjustment operation and the process proceeds to step S107, the control unit 11 updates the operation image Da0 in accordance with the adjustment operation. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, if an input operation is performed to move a selected adjustment point Ad, the control unit 11 performs processing to move the position of the selected adjustment point Ad in the adjustment image Da2 in accordance with the input operation, and also performs processing to display the coordinates after the movement in the coordinate display area Cd2 of the auxiliary image Da3.

[0043] In step S108, the control unit 11 generates geometric correction parameters for correcting geometric distortion in accordance with the movement of the adjustment points Ad. When the adjustment points Ad are arranged in a 9×9 matrix, as in this embodiment, there are 8×8=64 small rectangular regions with four adjacent adjustment points Ad as vertices. The geometric correction parameters are parameters for projectively transforming the projected image Vp for each small region, and the control unit 11 generates the geometric correction parameters for each small region. When one adjustment point Ad moves, the control unit 11 updates the geometric correction parameters for all small regions that have that adjustment point Ad as a vertex.

[0044] In step S109, the control unit 11 transmits the generated geometric correction parameters to the projector 2 to be adjusted. The control unit 20 of the projector 2 stores the received geometric correction parameters in the storage unit .

[0045] In step S110, the control unit 11 sends a control command to the projector 2 to be adjusted, causing it to update the adjusted image Pa1 and auxiliary image Pa2 being projected by the projector 2, and returns the process to step S103. In this case, the control command includes information indicating the selected adjustment point Ad, information indicating the direction and amount of movement, etc. As shown in FIG. 11, upon receiving this control command, the control unit 20 of the projector 2 changes the position of the selected adjustment point Ap based on this control command, and updates the coordinates displayed on the coordinate display unit Cp2. As a result, the adjustment results are reflected in the adjusted image Pa1 and auxiliary image Pa2.

[0046] Although not shown in the figures, if the adjustment operation detected in step S103 is an input operation that does not involve moving the adjustment point Ad, then of steps S107 to S110, the generation and transmission of geometric correction parameters in steps S108 and S109 are not performed, and only steps S107 and S110 are performed. For example, if an input operation that simply selects the adjustment point Ad is detected in step S103, the control unit 11 changes the adjustment point Ad to which the mark Fd is added on the adjusted image Da2 in step S107, and also sends information representing the newly selected adjustment point Ad as a control command to the projector 2 in step S110, thereby changing the adjustment point Ap to which the mark Fp is added on the adjusted image Pa1. Also, for example, if an input operation to change the unit movement amount is performed in the movement amount designation section Cd3 of auxiliary image Da3 in step S103, the control section 11 changes the unit movement amount displayed in the movement amount designation section Cd3 in step S107, and sends information representing the newly specified unit movement amount as a control command to the projector 2 in step S110, thereby changing the unit movement amount displayed in the movement amount designation section Cp3 of auxiliary image Pa2.

[0047] If an adjustment operation is not detected in step S103 and the process proceeds to step S111, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an input operation has been performed to change the projector 2 to be adjusted. If an input operation to change the projector 2 to be adjusted has been performed (step S111 / YES), the control unit 11 performs processing to change the color of the panel Pd of the selected image Da1 (not shown) and processing to stop the projector 2 that had been the adjustment target from projecting the adjusted image Pa1 and the auxiliary image Pa2 (not shown), and then returns the process to step S102 and performs processing to cause the projector 2 that has newly become the adjustment target to project the adjusted image Pa1 and the auxiliary image Pa2. On the other hand, if an input operation to change the projector 2 to be adjusted has not been performed (step S111 / NO), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S112.

[0048] When the process proceeds to step S112, the control unit 11 determines whether or not an end operation, i.e., an input operation to end the program, has been performed on the input device 15. If the end operation has not been performed (step S112 / NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S103, and if the end operation has been performed (step S112 / YES), the control unit 11 ends the flow.

[0049] In order for the computer 1 of this embodiment to perform the control described above, an adjustment image Pa1 that reflects the adjustment results and an auxiliary image Pa2 that assists in the adjustment operation are displayed on the projection image Vp projected by the projector 2 that is the adjustment target. By looking at this auxiliary image Pa2, the user can recognize that the adjustment points Ad and Ap can be moved using the directional keys on the keyboard 15a, and can also confirm the coordinates of the adjustment points Ad and Ap and the set unit movement amount.

[0050] As described above, the computer 1 and the adjustment method of this embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0051] (1) According to this embodiment, auxiliary image Da3 that assists in the input operation for making adjustments is displayed on display device 14, and a similar auxiliary image Pa2 is also projected from projector 2 that is the adjustment target. Therefore, the user can confirm both adjusted image Pa1 that reflects the adjustment results and auxiliary image Pa2 simply by looking at projection image Vp projected by projector 2. As a result, the user does not have to shift their gaze to display device 14 as often, which improves user convenience.

[0052] (2) According to this embodiment, the auxiliary image Pa2 displayed by the projector 2 is superimposed on the adjustment image Pa1 at a position shifted from the selected adjustment point Ap, i.e., the position to be adjusted, so that the position to be adjusted is not obscured by the auxiliary image Pa2.

[0053] (3) According to this embodiment, if an error occurs due to an adjustment operation, an image notifying the error is displayed on both the display device 14 and the projector 2, further reducing the frequency with which the user shifts their gaze to the display device 14.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the auxiliary image Da3 displayed on the display device 14 and the auxiliary image Pa2 projected by the projector 2 correspond to the first image, and the adjusted image Pa1 projected by the projector 2 corresponds to the second image. Also, the error image Ed1 displayed on the display device 14 and the error image Ep1 projected by the projector 2 correspond to the third image.

[0055] 2. Second embodiment The display system of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display system 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the display system 100 of this embodiment includes a computer 1 and multiple projectors 2, similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the multiple projectors 2 are installed so that the projected images Vp projected from each projector 2 are arranged side by side, and each projector 2 works together to display one large image. Note that, hereinafter, the large image formed by linking the multiple projected images Vp will also be referred to as the "whole image Vw."

[0056] In Fig. 12, two projectors 2 are arranged, and two projected images Vp projected from these projectors 2 are arranged left and right. An entire image Vw is formed by these two projected images Vp. The number of projectors 2 is not limited to two, and may be three or more. The arrangement direction is not limited to the left and right direction, and may be the up and down direction, or may be arranged in a matrix in the left and right directions and the up and down directions.

[0057] Each projector 2 is installed so that a portion of each projected image Vp overlaps a portion of the adjacent projected image Vp. This allows for the entire image Vw to be displayed without gaps between the projected images Vp, with each projected image Vp smoothly connected. The area Vo where the projected images Vp overlap is also called the "overlap area Vo." The overlap area Vo is the area where multiple projected images Vp overlap. Since the overlap area Vo would otherwise be brighter than the other areas, its brightness is adjusted to match the brightness of the other areas. If the width of the overlap area Vo is too narrow, slight differences in color or brightness between the two projectors 2 will be noticeable. On the other hand, if the overlap area Vo is too wide, even a slight misalignment of the positions of the two projected images Vp will result in a large area of ​​blurring. For this reason, it is desirable to set the overlap area Vo to an appropriate width.

[0058] In this embodiment, the projection image adjustment process will be described as a process for adjusting the position and width of the overlap area Vo within the projection image Vp when multiple projection images Vp are projected side by side. This process is also performed prior to the projection of the content image by the display system 100.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the projection image adjustment program is started, the control unit 11 of the computer 1 causes the display device 14 to display an operation image Db0 for adjusting the overlap area, as shown in FIG. 13. The operation image Db0 includes a selection image Db1 for selecting the projector 2 to be adjusted, an adjustment image Db2 for adjusting the placement of the overlap area Vo within the projection image Vp, and an auxiliary image Db3 for assisting the input operation for adjustment. After selecting the projector 2 to be adjusted using the selection image Db1, the user can specify the start position and width of the overlap area Vo using the adjustment image Db2. The input device 15, such as the keyboard 15a or a pointing device, is used to select the projector 2 and specify the start position and width of the overlap area Vo.

[0060] The selection image Db1 is similar to the selection image Da1 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the adjustment image Db2 in this embodiment displays a rectangular figure Kd corresponding to the projected image Vp, and a start line Ld1 indicating the start position of the overlapping area Vo and an end line Ld2 indicating the end position of the overlapping area Vo are drawn on the figure Kd.

[0061] The auxiliary images Db3 are arranged one on each of the top, bottom, left, and right outer edges of the figure Kd, and each auxiliary image Db3 includes a position designation section Md1 that designates whether or not the outer edge is where the overlap area Vo is to be placed, a start position setting section Md2 that sets the start position of the overlap area Vo, and a range setting section Md3 that sets the width of the overlap area Vo.

[0062] The position designation section Md1 is a checkbox, and the user uses the input device 15 to check the position designation section Md1 of the outer edge where the overlapping area Vo is to be located. For example, when projected images Vp are displayed side by side as in this embodiment, the overlapping area Vo is located on the right side of the left projected image Vp. Therefore, when adjusting the overlapping area Vo of the projector 2 that projects the left projected image Vp, the user checks the position designation section Md1 of the right auxiliary image Db3. The start line Ld1 and end line Ld2 on the adjustment image Db2 are drawn along the outer edge where the checked position designation section Md1 is located.

[0063] The start position setting section Md2 and range setting section Md3 display values ​​set by the user. The user can directly input values ​​using the keyboard 15a, or can increase or decrease the value by clicking the "+" and "-" buttons located nearby. The value set in the start position setting section Md2 is the number of pixels from the specified outer edge to the start position of the overlapping area Vo, and a start line Ld1 is drawn on the adjusted image Db2 at a position corresponding to the set value. The value set in the range setting section Md3 is the number of pixels from the start position to the end position of the overlapping area Vo, and an end line Ld2 is drawn on the adjusted image Db2 at a position corresponding to the set value. The start position of the overlapping area Vo is set based on the aspect ratio of the projected image Vp, i.e., the pixel area 32i, and the aspect ratio of the overall image Vw. The range from the outer edge to the start position within the projected image Vp is colored black.

[0064] When multiple projected images Vp are arranged in a matrix, vertically and horizontally, overlapping areas Vo are provided on multiple outer edges of one projected image Vp, so in this case, the user checks the position designation sections Md1 of multiple auxiliary images Db3.

[0065] After displaying operation image Db0 on display device 14, control unit 11 of computer 1 sends a control command to projector 2 to be adjusted via communication unit 13, causing projection unit 27 to project an adjusted image Pb1 that reflects the adjustment results and an auxiliary image Pb2 that assists in the input operation for making the adjustment, as shown in FIG. 14 . Images that serve as the base for these images are pre-stored in storage unit 21 of projector 2, and control unit 11 of computer 1 specifies these images by the control command it sends. When control unit 20 of projector 2 receives the control command from computer 1, it reads out adjusted image Pb1 and auxiliary image Pb2 specified by the control command from storage unit 21 and outputs them to image processing unit 26, and causes projection unit 27 to project them onto projection surface Sp.

[0066] The adjusted image Pb1 projected by the projector 2 is an image corresponding to the adjusted image Db2 displayed on the display device 14, and includes a rectangular frame line Lp0. The frame line Lp0 includes a start line Lp1 corresponding to the start line Ld1 of the adjusted image Db2, and is connected to straight lines on the outer edge where the overlapping area Vo is not provided, forming a rectangular frame. The adjusted image Pb1 also includes an end line Lp2 corresponding to the end line Ld2 of the adjusted image Db2.

[0067] The auxiliary image Pb2 is displayed superimposed on the adjusted image Pb1. The auxiliary image Pb2 corresponds to the auxiliary image Db3 displayed on the display device 14 for which a check mark has been placed in the position designation section Md1. The auxiliary image Pb2 includes a position display section Mp1 indicating the outer edge of the overlapping area Vo, a start position setting section Mp2 for setting the start position of the overlapping area Vo, and a range setting section Mp3 for setting the width of the overlapping area Vo. The numerical values ​​displayed in the start position setting section Mp2 and the range setting section Mp3 are the same as those displayed in the auxiliary image Db3. The control unit 11 of the computer 1 includes these values ​​in a control command and transmits it to the projector 2. The control unit 20 of the projector 2 recognizes the start position and width based on the control command, generates the auxiliary image Pb2 by reflecting these values ​​in the start position setting section Mp2 and the range setting section Mp3, and draws the start line Lp1 and end line Lp2 on the adjusted image Pb1. In addition, the control unit 20 places the auxiliary image Pb2 at a position shifted from the start line Lp1 and the end line Lp2 on the adjustment image Pb1, i.e., so that the start line Lp1 and the end line Lp2 on the adjustment image Pb1, i.e., the position to be adjusted on the adjustment image Pb1, are not hidden by the auxiliary image Pb2.

[0068] In this embodiment, the same operations as in the first embodiment are performed according to the flow shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the numerical values ​​representing the start position of the overlapping area Vo set by the user and the numerical values ​​representing the width of the overlapping area Vo correspond to adjustment parameters. These adjustment parameters are transmitted to the projector 2 in step S109 and stored in the storage unit 21 of the projector 2. Then, when the projector 2 projects the content image, the image processing unit 26 performs processing to reduce the brightness of the overlapping area Vo indicated by the adjustment parameters.

[0069] As described above, according to the computer 1 and the adjustment method of this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the auxiliary image Db3 displayed on the display device 14 and the auxiliary image Pb2 projected by the projector 2 correspond to the first image, and the adjusted image Pb1 projected by the projector 2 corresponds to the second image.

[0071] The above embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0072] In the above embodiment, if the pointer (not shown) of the pointing device displayed on the display device 14 is also displayed on the projection image Vp, it becomes easier for the user to operate the pointing device while looking at the projection image Vp, and the frequency with which the user looks at the display device 14 can be further reduced. Note that in order to display the pointer on the projection image Vp, the control unit 11 may capture an image including the pointer and send it to the projector 2, or the control unit 11 may send the coordinates of the pointer to the projector 2 and cause the projector 2 to draw the pointer.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the adjusted images Pa1, Pb1 and the auxiliary images Pa2, Pb2 are generated by the projector 2 based on images stored in the storage unit 21 of the projector 2, but this is not limiting. The computer 1 may generate the adjusted images Pa1, Pb1 and the auxiliary images Pa2, Pb2 and send them to the projector 2 to be projected.

[0074] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the computer 1 and multiple projectors 2 are connected is shown, but the number of connected projectors 2 is not limited to multiple and may be only one. In particular, in the aspect of correcting geometric distortion shown in the first embodiment, it is effective even if there is only one projector 2 to be adjusted. Furthermore, the connection form is not limited to connection via a network NW, and various wired and wireless connections can be adopted.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the projection image adjustment process is exemplified by an adjustment process for correcting geometric distortion and an adjustment process related to the placement of the overlap area Vo, but the projection image adjustment process is not limited to these. For example, the projection image adjustment process may be a process for adjusting the color or brightness of the projection image Vp.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the auxiliary images Pa2 and Pb2 displayed by the projector 2 and the auxiliary images Da3 and Db3 displayed on the display device 14 do not need to have exactly the same content as long as they contain common information. For example, only a portion of the information contained in the auxiliary images Da3 and Db3 may be contained in the auxiliary images Pa2 and Pb2, or information other than the information contained in the auxiliary images Da3 and Db3 may be contained in the auxiliary images Pa2 and Pb2.

[0077] In the above embodiment, transmissive liquid crystal light valves 32R, 32G, and 32B are used as the light modulation devices, but reflective light modulation devices such as reflective liquid crystal light valves can also be used. Also, a digital mirror device or the like can be used that modulates the light emitted from light source 31 by controlling the emission direction of incident light for each micromirror pixel. Also, the configuration is not limited to one having multiple light modulation devices for each color light, and a configuration in which multiple color light is modulated in a time-division manner by one light modulation device can be used.

[0078] In the above embodiment, a configuration for adjusting the projector 2 is shown, but the display device to be adjusted is not limited to the projector 2, and may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...computer, 2...projector, 4...image supply device, 10...computer main body, 11...control unit, 12...storage unit, 13...communication unit, 14...display device, 15...input device, 15a...keyboard, 15b...touchpad, 20...control unit, 21...storage unit, 22...operation unit, 23...communication unit, 25...image input unit, 26...image processing unit, 27...projection unit, 31...light source, 32R, 32G, 32B...liquid crystal light valve, 32i...pixel area, 33...projection optical system, 34...light valve driving unit, 100...display system, Ad, Ap...adjustment point, Bd, Bp...straight line, Cd1, Cp1...arrow buttons, Cd2, Cp2...coordinate display section, Cd3,Cp3...movement amount specification section, Da0,Db0...operation image, Da1,Db1...selected image, Da2,Db2...adjustment image, Da3,Db3...auxiliary image, Ed1,Ep1...error image, Fd,Fp...mark, Kd...shape, Ld1,Lp1...start line, Ld2,Lp2...end line, Lp0...frame line, Md1...position specification section, Md2,Mp2...start position setting section, Md3,Mp3...range setting section, Mp1...position display section, NW...network, Pa1,Pb1...adjustment image, Pa2,Pb2...auxiliary image, Pd...panel, Sp...projection surface, Vo...superimposition area, Vp...projected image, Vs...stack image, Vw...entire image.

Claims

1. An adjustment device connected to the display device and the input device that accepts input operations performs a first The first projection image is superimposed on the first projection image projected by the projector. a third projected image superimposed on the first projected image projected by the second projector, and a third projected image superimposed on the second projected image projected by the second projector; a third projector that projects a first projection image and a second projection image; an adjustment method for adjusting brightness of an overlapping area between an image and the third projection image, a first auxiliary image that assists the input operation for performing the adjustment on the display device; and displaying a second auxiliary image; The third projector is configured to receive the input operation from the input device. a first image corresponding to the first auxiliary image and a second image corresponding to the second auxiliary image; To show The third projector is configured to project a first auxiliary image and a second auxiliary image corresponding thereto. displaying a third image that reflects the adjustment result; and The input device receives the input operation, and then the first projection image is generating an adjustment parameter for adjusting the arrangement of the overlapping region of the third projection image; and outputting the generated adjustment parameters to the third projector. 、 The first image and the second image displayed by the third projector are The overlapping area to be adjusted in the third image displayed by the third projector are superimposed at a position shifted from the area, The first auxiliary image includes a first start position setting unit that sets a start position of the overlapping area; a first range setting unit that sets a width of the overlapping area, The first image includes a second start position setting portion corresponding to the first start position setting portion, and an adjustment method comprising: a second range setting section corresponding to the first range setting section;

2. The display device is connected to an input device that accepts an input operation, and the first The first projected image is superimposed on the first projected image projected by the first projector. a third projected image superimposed on the first projected image and a second projected image superimposed on the second projected image; The first projection image and the second projection image in a third projector that projects a projection image of an adjustment device that adjusts brightness of an overlapping area between a projection image and the third projection image, The adjustment device is a first auxiliary image that assists the input operation for performing the adjustment on the display device; and displaying a second auxiliary image; The third projector is configured to receive the input operation from the input device. a first image corresponding to the first auxiliary image and a second image corresponding to the second auxiliary image; To show The third projector is configured to project a first auxiliary image and a second auxiliary image corresponding thereto. a third image that reflects the adjustment result of the adjustment, the first image, and the second image; and The input device receives the input operation, and then the first projection image is generating an adjustment parameter for adjusting the arrangement of the overlapping region of the third projection image; outputting the generated adjustment parameters to the third projector; death, The first image and the second image displayed by the third projector are The overlapping area to be adjusted in the third image displayed by the third projector are superimposed at a position shifted from the area, The first auxiliary image includes a first start position setting unit that sets a start position of the overlapping area; a first range setting unit that sets a width of the overlapping area, The first image includes a second start position setting portion corresponding to the first start position setting portion, and An adjustment device comprising a second range setting section corresponding to the first range setting section.

Images