Projection apparatus, projection system, control method, and control program

Abstract

The present invention provides a projection apparatus, a projection system, a control method, and a control program that make it possible to accurately adjust the relative projection positions of a plurality of projection apparatuses.　A first projection apparatus (1(2)0A) provided with a projection unit (124), a control device (121), and a first communication unit (122) can form a serial transmission path with at least one other second projection apparatus (1(2)0B). The projection unit (124) projects a partial image of a projection image on a first projection region (7a). When the first communication unit (122) receives an enlargement / reduction instruction including an enlargement / reduction ratio for the first projection region (7a), the control device (121) calculates the shift direction and / or amount of the first projection region (7a) on the basis of the enlargement / reduction ratio and positional information relating to the position of the partial image in the projection image.

Description

Projection device, projection system, control method, and control program

[0001] The present invention relates to a projection apparatus, a projection system, a control method, and a control program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a projection system that includes an image supply device and multiple projectors A to C, with HDMI (registered trademark) cables connecting the image supply device and projector A in a daisy chain, and between projectors A and B, and between projectors B and C, and in which master projector A transmits image data and control signals received from the image supply device to slave projectors B and C connected downstream, and the control signals include information about the projection range of each projector and information about the edge blending processing required for tiling projection.

[0003] Patent document 2 describes a multi-screen video playback device in which a single large screen is created by combining (tiling) multiple display devices such as projectors, and each display device can individually set the control state of its optical system (zoom / telewide switching, lens shift, etc.).

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes a multi-projection system that is composed of a master projector and one or more slave projectors, in which when an optical shift is performed, the master projector performs edge blend correction on an input image based on the amount of optical shift and transmits the amount of optical shift to the slave projector, and the slave projector performs edge blend correction and cuts out an image based on the amount of optical shift.

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-050144 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-274937 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-095633

[0006] One embodiment of the technique of the present disclosure provides a projection device, a projection system, a control method, and a control program that are capable of accurately adjusting the relative projection positions of a plurality of projection devices.

[0007] (1) A projection device comprising a projection unit, a processor, and a first communication unit, and capable of forming a serial transmission path with at least one other projection device, wherein the projection unit projects a partial image of a projection image onto a first projection area, and when the first communication unit receives an instruction to scale the projection area including a scale ratio, the processor calculates at least one of a direction or an amount of shift of the first projection area based on the scale ratio and position information relating to the position of the partial image in the projection image.

[0008] (2) The projection device according to (1), further comprising a second communication unit, wherein the first communication unit receives the zoom instruction from a previous stage of the projection device in the transmission path, and the processor controls the second communication unit to transmit an instruction including the zoom instruction to a subsequent stage of the projection device in the transmission path.

[0009] (3) The projection device according to (1) or (2), wherein the processor controls the projection unit to enlarge or reduce the first projection area based on the enlargement / reduction instruction and to shift the first projection area based on at least one of the calculated direction or amount of the shift.

[0010] (4) A projection device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first projection area has an overlapping portion with a projection area of ​​another projection device that forms the transmission path, and the processor calculates at least one of a direction or an amount of shift of the first projection area so as to maintain the proportion of the overlapping portion in the first projection area before and after the scaling and shift of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction.

[0011] (5) The projection device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the processor calculates the direction of the shift based on the position information.

[0012] (6) The projection device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the processor calculates the amount of the shift based on the enlargement / reduction ratio and the position information.

[0013] (7) The projection device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the enlargement / reduction instruction includes a center of enlargement / reduction, and the processor calculates at least one of a direction and an amount of shift of the first projection area based on the center of enlargement / reduction.

[0014] (8) The projection device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the first communication unit receives instruction information regarding projection, the instruction information including an instruction value and type information of the instruction value, and the processor controls the projection by the projection unit based on the type information and the instruction value.

[0015] (9) A projection device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein, when the projection unit is unable to shift the first projection area by the calculated amount of shift, the processor controls the projection unit to shift the first projection area by an amount that is possible in the projection unit and to enlarge or reduce the first projection area in accordance with the amount of shift of the first projection area that is possible in the projection unit.

[0016] (10) The projection device according to (9), wherein, when the projection unit is unable to shift the first projection area by the calculated amount of shift, the processor controls to transmit information regarding the scaling ratio of the projection area according to the amount of shift of the first projection area that the projection unit is able to shift, to another projection device forming the transmission path.

[0017] (11) The projection device according to (10), wherein, when the processor receives information about a scaling ratio different from the scaling ratio of the scaling instruction from another projection device forming the transmission path, the processor controls the projection unit to perform scaling and shifting of the first projection area based on the information about the different scaling ratio.

[0018] (12) The projection device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the processor controls the projection unit not to enlarge or reduce or shift the first projection area when the first projection area cannot be shifted based on the enlargement / reduction instruction.

[0019] (13) The projection device according to (12), wherein the processor controls to transmit information regarding whether or not the first projection area can be shifted based on the enlargement / reduction instruction to other projection devices forming the transmission path, and based on the information regarding whether or not the projection area can be shifted based on the enlargement / reduction instruction received from the other projection devices forming the transmission path, if there is a projection device among the other projection devices forming the transmission path that cannot shift the projection area based on the enlargement / reduction instruction, controls to not allow the projection unit to enlarge / reduce and shift the first projection area.

[0020] (14) A projection device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the enlargement / reduction instruction includes an instruction for a shift accompanying the enlargement / reduction of the projection area, and the processor calculates at least one of a direction or an amount of the shift of the first projection area based on the instruction for the shift.

[0021] (15) A projection system including: a projection device included in a plurality of projection devices capable of forming a serial transmission path; and a control device capable of transmitting projection image data representing a projection image and instruction information related to the projection via the transmission path, wherein a first projection device included in the plurality of projection devices projects a partial image of the projection image onto a first projection area, and when receiving an instruction to enlarge or reduce the projection area including an enlargement / reduction ratio, calculates at least one of a direction or an amount of shift of the first projection area based on the enlargement / reduction ratio and position information related to the position of the partial image in the projection image.

[0022] (16) The projection system according to (15), wherein the control device is capable of transmitting the instruction information by interrupting transmission of the projection image data.

[0023] (17) The projection system according to (15), wherein the control device transmits the instruction information by interruption depending on a transmission status of the projection image data being transmitted.

[0024] (18) A control method for a projection device that includes a projection unit, a processor, and a first communication unit and is capable of forming a serial transmission path with at least one other projection device, wherein the projection unit projects a partial image of a projection image onto a first projection area, and when the first communication unit receives an instruction to scale the projection area including a scale ratio, the processor calculates at least one of a direction or an amount of shift of the first projection area based on the scale ratio and position information relating to the position of the partial image in the projection image.

[0025] (19) A control program for a projection device that includes a projection unit, a processor, and a first communication unit and is capable of forming a serial transmission path with at least one other projection device, wherein the projection unit projects a partial image of a projection image onto a first projection area, and when the first communication unit receives an instruction to scale the projection area including a scale ratio, the processor calculates at least one of a direction or an amount of shift of the first projection area based on the scale ratio and position information relating to the position of the partial image in the projection image.

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a projection device, a projection system, a control method, and a control program that are capable of accurately adjusting the relative projection positions of a plurality of projection devices.

[0027] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a projection system 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a projection device 120. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of the projection device 120. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical unit 106 of the projection device 120 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 110. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the projection device 120. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which only enlargement processing has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b in a first example of processing to enlarge the projection area. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which shift processing has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b from the state shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which only enlargement processing has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b in a second example of processing to enlarge the projection area. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which shift processing has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b from the state shown in FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing another external configuration of the projection device 120. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical unit 106 of the projection device 120 shown in FIG.

[0028] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] <Projection System 100 of the Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a projection system 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the projection system 100 includes a plurality of projection devices (in this example, a first projection device 120A and a second projection device 120B) and a computer 110 that controls the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B. Note that, although this example includes two projection devices, the number of projection devices is not limited. The computer 110 is an example of a control device in the present invention.

[0030] The first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B are devices capable of projecting an image onto a projection target, such as a screen 6. The first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B each project partial images that make up a projection image (whole image) to be displayed on the screen 6. One projection image displayed on the screen 6 is an image generated by arranging two partial images projected by the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B side by side.

[0031] The first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B are daisy-chain connected to the computer 110 via a communication line so as to be able to communicate with the computer 110. The first projection device 120A is connected to the computer 110 via a communication line 11. The second projection device 120B is connected to the first projection device 120A via a communication line 12. Note that the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B may be able to perform bidirectional communication via the daisy chain, or may be able to communicate using a communication path (for example, a wireless network or a wired network) provided separately from the daisy chain.

[0032] In the case of a plurality of projection devices daisy-chained with a control computer 110, the projection device connected to the computer 110 is hereinafter also referred to as the master projection device. In addition, in the daisy-chain connection, the projection device connected closer to the computer 110 is also referred to as the front-stage projection device, and the projection device connected farther from the computer 110 is also referred to as the rear-stage projection device. In this example, the first projection device 120A is the master projection device. Furthermore, the first projection device 120A is the front-stage projection device, and the second projection device 120B is the rear-stage projection device.

[0033] The computer 110 can transmit projection image data to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B via a serial transmission path formed by the daisy-chain-connected first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B. The computer 110 generates partial image data by dividing the projection image data and transmits the partial image data to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B via the serial transmission path. The projection image data is image data reproduced by arranging the partial image data. The divided image data are arranged so that the partial images represented by each divided image data have overlapping portions.

[0034] The screen 6 is a projection object having a projection surface on which the partial images projected by the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B are displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the projection surface of the screen 6 is a rectangular flat surface. Note that the projection object is not limited to a rectangular screen and may be, for example, a wall surface of a building or the like.

[0035] 1, the screen 6 has a first projection area 7a and a second projection area 7b corresponding to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B, respectively. The first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b are arranged in the left-right direction on the screen 6. The first projection area 7a, shown by a dashed line, is an area where a partial image projected by the first projection device 120A is displayed. The second projection area 7b, shown by a broken line, is an area where a partial image projected by the second projection device 120B is displayed.

[0036] The projection system 100 projects, for example, a partial image from the first projection device 120A onto the first projection area 7a, and a partial image from the second projection device 120B onto the second projection area 7b, and displays a horizontally long projected image on the screen 6 by joining these two partial images. The projection system 100 also projects the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b so that they partially overlap. In the example shown in Figure 1, the overlapping area 8a indicated by diagonal lines is the area where the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b overlap.

[0037] Furthermore, when the projection system 100 displays a horizontally long projection image by joining the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b as two partial images as described above, it performs overlapping processing to generate two partial images so that the overlapping portions of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b form the same image. When a user instructs the projection system 100 to enlarge or reduce the projection image (to enlarge or reduce the projection image), the projection system 100 shifts and adjusts the relative positions of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b, for example, so that the ratio of the area of ​​the overlapping portion 8a to the area of ​​the projection image remains constant before and after the enlargement or reduction processing. The relative positions of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b refer to the relative position of the second projection area 7b with respect to the first projection area 7a.

[0038] <Internal Configuration of Projection Device 120> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the projection device 120. The projection device 120 includes a first projection device 120A and a second projection device 120B. As shown in Fig. 2, the projection device 120 includes a control device 121, a first communication unit 122, a second communication unit 123, a projection unit 124, and an operation reception unit 125. The control device 121 is an example of a processor according to the present invention.

[0039] The control device 121 controls the projection in the projection device 120. The control device 121 is a device including a control unit configured by various processors, a communication interface (not shown) for communicating with each unit, and a storage medium 121a such as a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and controls the projection unit 124. The various processors of the control unit in the control device 121 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes programs and performs various processes, a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for performing specific processes.

[0040] More specifically, the structure of these various processors is an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. The control unit in the control device 121 may be configured with one of the various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA).

[0041] The first communication unit 122 is an interface that enables communication with other projection devices arranged upstream of the multiple projection devices connected in a daisy chain, or with a control computer. For example, in the configuration shown in Fig. 1, if the own device is the second projection device 120B, the first communication unit 122 is connected to the second communication unit 123 of the first projection device 120A arranged upstream of the second projection device 120B via the communication line 12. In the configuration shown in Fig. 1, if the own device is the master first projection device 120A, the first communication unit 122 is connected to the communication interface 113 of the computer 110 (see Fig. 5) via the communication line 11.

[0042] The second communication unit 123 is an interface capable of communicating with other projection devices arranged downstream of the multiple projection devices connected in a daisy chain. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , if the own device is the first projection device 120A, the second communication unit 123 is connected to the first communication unit 122 of the second projection device 120B arranged downstream of the first projection device 120A via the communication line 12. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , if the own device is the second projection device 120B, no projection device is connected downstream, and therefore the second communication unit 123 is in an unconnected state. Note that the first communication unit 122 and the second communication unit 123 may be wired communication interfaces for performing wired communication as shown in FIG. 1 , or may be wireless communication interfaces for performing wireless communication.

[0043] The projection unit 124 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal projector or a projector using LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon). In the following description, the projection unit 124 is assumed to be a liquid crystal projector. The projection unit 124 includes a light source 21, a light modulation unit 22, a projection optical system 23, and a control circuit 24.

[0044] The light source 21 includes a light emitting element such as a laser or an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and emits, for example, white light.

[0045] The light modulation unit 22 is composed of three liquid crystal panels (light modulation elements) that modulate the color light emitted from the light source 21 and separated into three colors, red, blue, and green, by a color separation mechanism (not shown) based on image information to emit each color image, and a dichroic prism that mixes the color images emitted from the three liquid crystal panels and emits them in the same direction. These three liquid crystal panels may be equipped with red, blue, and green filters, respectively, and the white light emitted from the light source 21 may be modulated by each liquid crystal panel to emit each color image.

[0046] The projection optical system 23 receives light from the light source 21 and the light modulation unit 22, and is configured by, for example, a relay optical system including at least one lens. The light that passes through the projection optical system 23 is projected onto the screen 6.

[0047] The area of ​​the screen 6 that is irradiated with light that has passed through the entire range of the light modulation unit 22 is the projectable range in which projection by the projection unit 124 is possible. Of this projectable range, the area that is irradiated with light that actually passes through the light modulation unit 22 is the projection range (first projection area 7a, second projection area 7b) of the projection unit 124. For example, by controlling the size, position, and shape of the area of ​​the light modulation unit 22 through which light passes, the size, position, and shape of the projection range (first projection area 7a, second projection area 7b) of the projection unit 124 can be changed within the projectable range.

[0048] The control circuit 24 controls the light source 21, the light modulation unit 22, and the projection optical system 23 based on the partial image data input from the control device 121, thereby projecting partial images based on this partial image data onto the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b of the screen 6. The partial image data input to the control circuit 24 is made up of three pieces of data: data for displaying red, data for displaying blue, and data for displaying green.

[0049] Furthermore, the control circuit 24 changes the projection optical system 23 based on a command input from the control device 121, thereby enlarging or reducing the projection range and moving the projection unit 124. The command input from the control device 121 may be, for example, a command based on an external instruction operation from a user accepted by the operation acceptance unit 125, or a command based on an input instruction operation from the computer 110 received by the first communication unit 122.

[0050] The projection device 120 also includes a shift mechanism that mechanically or optically shifts the projection range of the projection unit 124 while maintaining the image circle of the projection optical system 23. The image circle of the projection optical system 23 is the area through which projection light incident on the projection optical system 23 passes through the projection optical system 23 appropriately in terms of light intensity loss, color separation, peripheral curvature, etc.

[0051] The shift mechanism is realized by at least one of an optical system shift mechanism that performs an optical system shift and an electronic shift mechanism that performs an electronic shift.

[0052] The optical system shift mechanism is, for example, a mechanism that moves the projection optical system 23 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 16), or a mechanism that moves the light modulation unit 22 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis instead of moving the projection optical system 23. The optical system shift mechanism may also be a mechanism that moves the projection optical system 23 and the light modulation unit 22 in combination.

[0053] The electronic shift mechanism is a mechanism that shifts the pseudo projection range by changing the range through which light is transmitted in the light modulation section 22 .

[0054] The projection device 120 may also include a projection direction change mechanism that moves the projection range together with the image circle of the projection optical system 23. The projection direction change mechanism is a mechanism that changes the projection direction of the projection unit 124 by changing the orientation of the projection unit 124 through mechanical rotation (see, for example, FIG. 16 ).

[0055] The relative positions of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b can be adjusted, for example, by using the above-mentioned shift mechanism or projection direction change mechanism to move at least one of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b.

[0056] The operation reception unit 125 detects instructions from the user (user instructions) by receiving various operations from the user. The operation reception unit 125 may be a button, key, joystick, or the like provided on the control device 121, or may be a receiving unit or the like that receives signals from a remote controller that remotely controls the control device 121.

[0057] The projection unit 124, the control device 121, and the operation reception unit 125 may be implemented by, for example, a single device, or the projection unit 124, the control device 121, and the operation reception unit 125 may be separate devices that communicate with each other to cooperate with each other.

[0058] <Mechanical Configuration of Projection Device 120> Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the external configuration of the projection device 120. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical unit 106 of the projection device 120 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows a cross section taken along a plane along the optical path of light emitted from the main body 101 shown in Fig. 3. The projection device 120 includes a first projection device 120A and a second projection device 120B.

[0059] 3, the projection device 120 includes a main body 101 and an optical unit 106 that protrudes from the main body 101. In the configuration shown in Fig. 3, the operation reception unit 125, the control device 121, the light source 21, the light modulation unit 22, and the control circuit 24 in the projection unit 124, and the first and second communication units 123 are provided in the main body 101. The projection optical system 23 in the projection unit 124 is provided in the optical unit 106.

[0060] The optical unit 106 includes a first member 102 supported by the main body 101. The optical unit 106 may be configured to be detachable from the main body 101 (in other words, configured to be replaceable).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 101 has a housing 15 in which an opening 15a for passing light is formed at a portion connected to the optical unit 106.

[0062] 3, a light source 21 and a light modulation unit 22a including a light modulation section 22 (see FIG. 2) that generates an image by spatially modulating the light emitted from the light source 21 based on input image data are provided inside the housing 15 of the main body 101. The light emitted from the light source 21 is incident on the light modulation section 22 of the light modulation unit 22a, spatially modulated by the light modulation section 22, and then emitted.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, the image formed by the light spatially modulated by the light modulation unit 22a passes through the opening 15a of the housing 15 and enters the optical unit 106, and is projected onto the screen 6, making the image G1 visible to the observer.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, the optical unit 106 includes a first member 102 having a hollow portion 2A connected to the inside of the main body portion 101, a first optical system 25 arranged in the hollow portion 2A, a lens 34, and a first shift mechanism 105.

[0065] The first member 102 is a member having, for example, a rectangular cross-sectional outer shape, and the openings 2a and 2b are formed on planes parallel to each other. The first member 102 is supported by the main body 101 with the opening 2a positioned opposite the opening 15a of the main body 101. Light emitted from the light modulation section 22 of the light modulation unit 22a of the main body 101 passes through the openings 15a and 2a and enters the hollow section 2A of the first member 102.

[0066] The direction of light incident from the main body 101 into the hollow portion 2A is referred to as direction X1, the opposite direction of direction X1 is referred to as direction X2, and directions X1 and X2 are collectively referred to as direction X. Also, in FIG. 4 , the direction from the front of the page toward the back and the opposite direction are referred to as direction Z. Of direction Z, the direction from the front of the page toward the back is referred to as direction Z1, and the direction from the back of the page toward the front is referred to as direction Z2. Also, the direction perpendicular to directions X and Z is referred to as direction Y, and of direction Y, the upward direction in FIG. 4 is referred to as direction Y1, and the downward direction in FIG. 4 is referred to as direction Y2. In the example of FIG. 4 , the projection device 120 is disposed so that direction Y2 is vertical.

[0067] 2 is configured with a first optical system 25 and a lens 34 in the example of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows the optical axis K of this projection optical system 23. The first optical system 25 and the lens 34 are arranged along the optical axis K in this order from the light modulation unit 22 side.

[0068] The first optical system 25 includes at least one lens, and guides light traveling in the direction X1 that is incident on the first member 102 from the main body 101 to the lens 34 .

[0069] The lens 34 is disposed at the end of the first member 102 on the X1 direction side so as to cover the opening 2b formed at this end. The lens 34 projects the light incident from the first optical system 25 onto the screen 6.

[0070] The first shift mechanism 105 is a mechanism for moving the optical axis K of the projection optical system 23 (in other words, the optical unit 106) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis K (direction Y in FIG. 4 ). Specifically, the first shift mechanism 105 is configured to be able to change the position of the first member 102 in direction Y relative to the main body 101. The first shift mechanism 105 may be one that moves the first member 102 manually, or one that moves the first member 102 electrically.

[0071] Fig. 4 shows a state in which the first member 102 has been moved to the maximum extent in the direction Y1 by the first shift mechanism 105. When the first member 102 is moved in the direction Y2 by the first shift mechanism 105 from the state shown in Fig. 4, the relative position between the center of the image formed by the light modulation unit 22 (in other words, the center of the display surface) and the optical axis K changes, and the image G1 projected on the screen 6 can be shifted (translated) in the direction Y2.

[0072] The first shift mechanism 105 may be a mechanism that moves the light modulation unit 22 in the direction Y, instead of moving the optical unit 106 in the direction Y. Even in this case, the image G1 projected on the screen 6 can be moved in the direction Y.

[0073] <Hardware Configuration of Computer 110> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer 110. As shown in Fig. 5, the computer 110 shown in Fig. 1 includes a processor 111, a memory 112, a communication interface 113, and a user interface 114. The processor 111, the memory 112, the communication interface 113, and the user interface 114 are connected by, for example, a bus 119.

[0074] The processor 111 is a circuit that performs signal processing, and is, for example, a CPU that controls the entire computer 110. The processor 111 may be realized by other digital circuits such as an FPGA or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processor 111 may also be realized by combining multiple digital circuits.

[0075] The memory 112 includes, for example, a main memory and an auxiliary memory. The main memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The main memory is used as a work area for the processor 111.

[0076] The auxiliary memory is a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a flash memory. The auxiliary memory stores various programs that operate the computer 110. The programs stored in the auxiliary memory are loaded into the main memory and executed by the processor 111.

[0077] The auxiliary memory may also include portable memory that is removable from the computer 110. Portable memory includes memory cards such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive or a Secure Digital (SD) memory card, and external hard disk drives.

[0078] The communication interface 113 is a communication interface that performs communication with an external device (e.g., the first projection device 120A) of the computer 110. The communication interface 113 is controlled by the processor 111. The communication interface 113 may be a wired communication interface that performs wired communication, a wireless communication interface that performs wireless communication, or may include both a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface.

[0079] The user interface 114 includes, for example, an input device that accepts operation input from the user and an output device that outputs information to the user. The input device can be realized, for example, by a pointing device (for example, a mouse), keys (for example, a keyboard), or a remote control. The output device can be realized, for example, by a display or a speaker. The input device and the output device may also be realized by a touch panel or the like. The user interface 114 is controlled by the processor 111.

[0080] <Processing by control device 121 of projection device 120> For example, when the first communication unit 122 receives a scaling instruction including the scaling ratio of the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b, the control device 121 calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b based on the scaling ratio and position information related to the position of the partial image in the projected image. The position information of the partial image is stored in the storage medium 121 a of the control device 121 as two-dimensional information on the X- and Y-axes on the screen 6.

[0081] In addition, in a serial transmission path consisting of, for example, a first projection device 120A and a second projection device 120B connected in a daisy chain, when the first communication unit 122 receives an enlargement / reduction instruction from a projection device in a previous stage, the control device 121 controls the second communication unit 123 to transmit an instruction including the enlargement / reduction instruction to a projection device in a subsequent stage. The projection device in a previous stage includes the computer 110 and another projection device. The projection device in a subsequent stage is another projection device.

[0082] The control device 121 also controls the projection unit 124 to enlarge or reduce the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b based on an enlargement or reduction instruction, and to shift the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b based on the calculated shift direction and shift amount. The control device 121 may also control the enlargement or reduction and the shift simultaneously.

[0083] In addition, the control device 121 calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b so that the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a between the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b is maintained before and after the enlargement / reduction and shift of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b based on the enlargement / reduction instruction.

[0084] The control device 121 also calculates the shift direction of the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b based on position information regarding the positions of the partial images in the projection image. For example, in a case where the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b are displayed in a two-tile horizontal display as shown in FIG. 1 , and the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b are enlarged around the center of the projection image (whole image) as the enlargement / reduction center P, and the self-projection device is projecting the left side when viewed from the front of the screen 6, the control device 121 calculates a shift in the leftward direction. In a case where nine projection areas are displayed in a 3×3 tile display (three columns horizontally and three columns vertically), and the projection image (whole image) is enlarged around the center of the projection image (whole image) as the enlargement / reduction center P, similar to the enlargement / reduction center P in FIG. 1 , and the self-projection device is projecting the upper left, the control device 121 calculates a shift in the upper leftward direction.

[0085] The control device 121 also calculates the amount of shift between the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b based on the scaling ratio of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b and the position information of the partial image in the projection image. For example, the higher the scaling ratio, the larger the shift amount. Also, for example, the farther the partial image is from the center of scaling in the projection image (whole image), the larger the shift amount.

[0086] Furthermore, when enlarging or reducing the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b, the control device 121 calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b based on the designated enlargement / reduction center in the projection image (whole image). The "enlargement / reduction center" is, for example, the center of the projection image (whole image), but it may also be the lower right corner of the projection image. If the enlargement / reduction center is designated at the lower right of the projection image, the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b will enlarge toward the upper left when enlarging and will shrink toward the lower right when shrinking. The shift direction is a direction away from the enlargement / reduction center or a direction toward the enlargement / reduction center. The shift amount increases the farther from the enlargement / reduction center.

[0087] Furthermore, when the first communication unit 122 receives instruction information regarding projection including an instruction value and type information of the instruction value in a serial transmission path consisting of, for example, a first projection device 120A and a second projection device 120B daisy-chained together, the control device 121 controls the projection by the projection unit 124 based on the type information and the instruction value.

[0088] For example, assume that the computer 110 has sent the command (1200, A1, 0, 700, A2, 600, 1200, Focus, A1, +1, A2-1) as instruction information related to projection. 1200 is size information of the projected image (whole image). A1 and A2 are information indicating the projection device number. 0 and 700 are information indicating the start point and end point of the projection position by the projection device A1. 600 and 1200 are information indicating the start point and end point of the projection position by the projection device A2. Focus is information indicating the type of operation. A1 in A1, +1 is a flag indicating that the focus of the projection device A1 should be adjusted, and +1 is an instruction value indicating the amount of focus adjustment. A2 in A2-1 is a flag indicating that the focus of the projection device A2 should be adjusted, and -1 is an instruction value indicating the amount of focus adjustment. Next, suppose the user issues an instruction to adjust only the focus of the projection device A1 by -1. In this case, the computer 110 may transmit, for example, a command (Focus, A1, -1) as instruction information related to projection. Focus is information indicating the type of operation. A1 in A1, -1 is a flag indicating that the focus of the projection device A1 is to be adjusted, and -1 is an instruction value indicating the amount of focus adjustment. In this way, the computer 110 may transmit only instruction information regarding the points to be changed by the adjustment. When receiving a command, the projection device checks the flag to detect the type of adjustment. At that time, for types not yet received, the projection device maintains the adjustment state based on the instruction value of the instruction information received up to that point. By transmitting instruction information that only relates to the changed points, information compression is possible.

[0089] Furthermore, if the projection unit 124 of the first projection device 120A or the projection unit 124 of the second projection device 120B cannot shift the first projection area 7a or the second projection area 7b by the calculated shift amount, the control device 121 controls the projection unit 124 to shift the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b by the amount possible in each projection unit 124 and to enlarge or reduce the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b according to the possible shift amount. If the shift amount of the projection unit 124 is insufficient, the control device 121 performs enlargement or reduction control according to the possible shift amount.

[0090] Furthermore, if the projection unit 124 of the first projection device 120A or the projection unit 124 of the second projection device 120B cannot shift the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b by the calculated shift amount, the control device 121 controls to transmit, to another projection device forming a transmission path, information regarding the scaling ratios of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b corresponding to the amount of shift of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b possible in each projection unit 124. The "information regarding the scaling ratios of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b" transmitted to the other projection device may be, for example, a scaling ratio that is different from the scaling ratio specified by the scaling instruction and that is available to the projection device itself, or may be information about the projection device that can calculate a scaling ratio that the projection device itself is able to scale.

[0091] Furthermore, when the control device 121 receives information about a scaling ratio different from the scaling ratio of the scaling instruction from another projection device forming the transmission path, the control device 121 controls the projection unit 124 to perform scaling and shifting of the first projection area 7 a and the second projection area 7 b based on the information about the different scaling ratio. For example, if there is another projection device that cannot fully shift the instructed scaling ratio, the control device 121 performs scaling and shifting according to the amount that the projection device can shift. If there are multiple projection devices that cannot fully shift, the control device 121 may perform scaling and shifting according to the projection device with the smallest amount of scaling change (the one with the least amount of shifting margin).

[0092] The control device 121 also controls the transmission of information regarding whether the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b can be shifted based on the scaling instruction to other projection devices forming the transmission path. Based on the information regarding whether the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b can be shifted based on the scaling instruction received from other projection devices forming the transmission path, if there is a projection device among the other projection devices forming the transmission path that cannot shift the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b based on the scaling instruction, the control device 121 controls the projection unit not to perform scaling and shifting of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b. The "information regarding whether shifting is possible" may be, for example, information indicating "shifting (scaling) is possible" or information indicating "shifting (scaling) is not possible." In the case of information indicating "shifting (scaling) is possible," for example, the control device 121 of each projection device may perform scaling and shifting upon receiving information indicating "shifting (scaling) is possible" from all other projection devices. In the case of information indicating that "shifting (enlarging / reducing) is not possible," for example, the control device 121 of each projection device may perform enlarging / reducing / shifting if it does not receive information indicating that "shifting (enlarging / reducing) is not possible" from another projection device within a certain period of time from the time of the enlarging / reducing instruction.

[0093] Furthermore, when the first communication unit 122 receives a scaling instruction including an instruction to shift in accordance with the scaling of the projection area, the control device 121 calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7 a or the second projection area 7 b based on the instruction to shift in accordance with the scaling of the projection area. An example of a scaling instruction including an instruction to shift in accordance with the scaling of the projection area is a scaling instruction including an instruction to shift the projection area in a case where the direction in which the projection area is shifted is instructed by the user.

[0094] <Processing by Computer 110> When, for example, a user instructs the computer 110 while transmitting projection image data to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B, the computer 110 transmits instruction information to the projection devices as an interrupt in accordance with the transmission status of the projection image data being transmitted. An instruction includes, for example, pressing a zoom button to enlarge or reduce the projection image. The transmission status of the projection image data refers to the amount of untransmitted data remaining for the projection image data representing one projection image at the time the instruction is issued.

[0095] <Example of Processing in Projection Device> Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the projection device 120. In this example, it is assumed that the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B are connected to the computer 110 in the state shown in Fig. 1. The first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B receive partial image data transmitted from the computer 110 and project partial images represented by the partial image data toward the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b on the screen 6, respectively, to display a projected image (whole image). In this state, it is assumed, for example, that a user performs a scaling operation to enlarge or reduce the projected image via the keyboard of the computer 110. When the scaling operation is performed, a scaling instruction signal to enlarge or reduce the projection area is transmitted from the computer 110 to the first projection device 120A via the communication line 11.

[0096] First, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A determines whether or not an enlargement / reduction instruction has been received (step S11). The control device 121 receives the enlargement / reduction instruction signal through the first communication unit 122.

[0097] If a scaling instruction has not been received in step S11 (step S11: No), the control device 121 repeats the process of step S11. If a scaling instruction has been received in step S11 (step S11: Yes), the control device 121 transfers the scaling instruction to the subsequent second projection device 120B (step S12). The control device 121 transfers the scaling instruction signal to the second projection device 120B via the second communication unit 123.

[0098] Next, the control device 121 calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7a based on the position information relating to the position of the partial image in the projection image and the enlargement / reduction ratio included in the enlargement / reduction instruction (step S13).

[0099] Next, the control device 121 controls the enlargement / reduction and shift of the first projection area 7a based on the shift direction and shift amount calculated in step S13 (step S14).

[0100] The second projection device 120B, which receives the enlargement / reduction instruction signal from the first projection device 120A, executes the same process as this process, calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the second projection area 7 b, and executes the enlargement / reduction and shift of the second projection area 7 b. The control device 121 of the second projection device 120B receives the enlargement / reduction instruction signal from the first projection device 120A via the first communication unit 122.

[0101] As described above, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A in this example calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7a based on the scaling instruction including the scaling ratio of the projection area received by the first communication unit 122 and the position information of the partial image in the projection image, and causes the projection unit 124 to scale and shift the first projection area 7a, while also causing the second communication unit 123 to transmit the scaling instruction to the second projection device 120B. This makes it possible to appropriately scale and shift the first projection area 7a of the first projection device 120A, and to accurately adjust the relative projection positions of the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B.

[0102] 7 and 8, a first example of the enlargement process of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b by the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B will be described. The first example of the enlargement process is a process of enlarging the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b using the central point of the projection image as the enlargement / reduction center P.

[0103] 7 is a diagram showing a state in which only the enlargement process for the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b has been performed in a first example of the enlargement process for the projection area. As shown in FIG. 7, a command (Zoom +1) to enlarge the projection area by +1 is sent from the computer 110 to the first projection device 120A. The same command (Zoom +1) is transferred from the first projection device 120A to the second projection device 120B. The first projection device 120A performs a process to enlarge the first projection area 7a in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the enlargement ratio included in the enlargement / reduction instruction. The second projection device 120B also performs a process to enlarge the second projection area 7b in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the enlargement ratio.

[0104] In this way, in a state where only the enlargement process has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b, compared to the state before the enlargement process (for example, the state shown in FIG. 1 ), for example, the ratio of the area of ​​the overlapping portion 8a to the area of ​​the first projection area 7a or the ratio of the area of ​​the overlapping portion 8a to the area of ​​the second projection area 7b changes (increases). Therefore, in a state where only the enlargement process has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b, the projected images projected onto the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b become images in which the image of the overlapping portion 8a between the partial image projected onto the first projection area 7a and the partial image projected onto the second projection area 7b is corrupted.

[0105] 8 is a diagram showing a state in which shift processing has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b from the state shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the first projection device 120A calculates the shift direction and shift amount (e.g., Shift-Δ) of the first projection area 7a based on the information on the enlargement ratio and enlargement / reduction center P included in the enlargement / reduction instruction and the position information of the partial image in the projection image so that the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a to the first projection area 7a is maintained before and after the enlargement and shift. Similarly, the second projection device 120B calculates the shift direction and shift amount (e.g., Shift+Δ) of the second projection area 7b based on the enlargement ratio, enlargement / reduction center P, and position information so that the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a is maintained before and after the enlargement and shift.

[0106] The first projection device 120A shifts the first projection area 7a using the projection unit 124 based on the calculated shift direction and shift amount. Similarly, the second projection device 120B shifts the second projection area 7b using the projection unit 124 based on the calculated shift direction and shift amount. When the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b are displayed in a horizontal two-tile display as in this example, the first projection area 7a is shifted to the left relative to the second projection area 7b when viewed from the front of the screen 6. The second projection area 7b is shifted to the right relative to the first projection area 7a when viewed from the front of the screen 6. By performing the shift process on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b in this manner, the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a is maintained before and after the scaling and shift of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b based on the scaling instruction. As a result, the image formed by the two enlarged partial images projected onto the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b becomes a normalized enlarged projection image.

[0107] In this way, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A in this example calculates the shift direction and shift amount of the first projection area 7a so that the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a to the first projection area 7a is maintained before and after the enlargement and shift, and causes the projection unit 124 to enlarge, reduce, and shift the first projection area 7a. This makes it possible to appropriately enlarge, reduce, and shift the first projection area 7a, and to accurately adjust the relative projection positions of the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B.

[0108] In this example, the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B perform the enlargement process and the shift process of the first projection region 7a and the second projection region 7b separately. However, for example, the enlargement process and the shift process may be performed simultaneously. This makes it possible to make the temporary image breakdown in the overlapping portion 8a of the first projection region 7a and the second projection region 7b, which occurs when only the enlargement process is performed, less noticeable. Furthermore, in this example, the first projection region 7a and the second projection region 7b are shifted by, for example, -1Δ, and the second projection region 7b is shifted by, for example, -1Δ, but this is not limiting. For example, only the first projection region 7a may be shifted by -2Δ, or only the second projection region 7b may be shifted by +2Δ. In this case, it is possible to preset which projection region is to be shifted by 2Δ, or the computer 110 may indicate which projection region is to be shifted. Furthermore, although the present example describes a case where the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a between the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b is maintained before and after the scaling and shifting, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b may be closely adjacent to each other so that no overlapping portion 8a or gaps are generated between them, and the direction and amount of the shift may be calculated so as to maintain this adjacent relationship before and after the scaling and shifting.

[0109] 9 and 10, a second example of the enlargement process of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b by the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B will be described. The second example of the enlargement process is a process of enlarging the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b using a point at the bottom right of the projection image as the enlargement / reduction center P.

[0110] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which only the enlargement process for the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b has been performed in a second example of the enlargement process for the projection area. As shown in FIG. 9, a command (Zoom +1, bottom right) is sent from the computer 110 to the first projection device 120A to enlarge the projection area by +1, for example, with the enlargement / reduction center P at the bottom right. The same command (Zoom +1, bottom right) is transferred from the first projection device 120A to the second projection device 120B. The first projection device 120A performs a process of enlarging the first projection area 7a upward and leftward based on the enlargement ratio included in the enlargement / reduction command. The second projection device 120B also performs a process of enlarging the second projection area 7b upward and leftward based on the enlargement ratio.

[0111] In this example as well, when only the enlargement process is performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b, the ratio of the area of ​​the overlapping portion 8a to the area of ​​the first projection area 7a or the ratio of the area of ​​the overlapping portion 8a to the area of ​​the second projection area 7b changes (increases) compared to the state before the enlargement process (for example, the state shown in FIG. 1). Therefore, in this example as well, the projected images projected onto the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b become images in which the image of the overlapping portion 8a between the partial image projected onto the first projection area 7a and the partial image projected onto the second projection area 7b is corrupted.

[0112] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which shift processing has been performed on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b from the state shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10, the first projection device 120A calculates the shift direction and shift amount (e.g., Shift-2Δ) of the first projection area 7a based on the information on the enlargement ratio and enlargement / reduction center P included in the enlargement / reduction instruction and the position information of the partial image in the projection image so that the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a to the first projection area 7a is maintained before and after the enlargement and shift. In contrast, the second projection device 120B calculates a shift amount of 0 for the second projection area 7b because the position of the enlargement / reduction center P is included in the second projection area 7b of its own projection device, and therefore shifting the second projection area 7b will move the position of the enlargement / reduction center P.

[0113] The first projection device 120A shifts the first projection area 7a using the projection unit 124 based on the calculated shift direction and shift amount. When the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b are displayed in a horizontal two-tile display as in this example, the first projection area 7a is shifted to the left relative to the second projection area 7b when viewed from the front of the screen 6. In contrast, the second projection device 120B maintains the position of the second projection area 7b without shifting it. By performing the shift process on the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b in this manner, the ratio of the overlapping portion 8a is maintained before and after the scaling and shift of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b based on the scaling instruction. As a result, the image formed by the two enlarged partial images projected onto the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b becomes a normalized enlarged projection image.

[0114] In this way, according to the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A in this example, even if the position of the zoom center P is set not at the midpoint of the projection image (see Figure 8) but at, for example, the position of the point at the bottom right of the projection image, it is possible to appropriately zoom and shift the first projection area 7a, and to accurately adjust the relative projection positions of the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B.

[0115] <Processing Example of Computer 110> Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the computer 110. In this example, it is assumed that a first projection device 120A and a second projection device 120B are connected to the computer 110 as shown in Fig. 1. The computer 110 transmits projection image data to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B. Based on the projection image data transmitted from the computer 110, the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B project partial images represented by partial image data onto the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b, respectively, and display a single projection image generated by combining the two partial images on the screen 6.

[0116] The computer 110 divides the next projection image data to be transmitted to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B into a plurality of segments (step S21). The next projection image data is, for example, projection image data for representing one projection image to be projected onto the screen 6.

[0117] Next, the computer 110 determines whether the image data of all the segments divided in step S21 has been transmitted (step S22).

[0118] In step S22, if the image data of all the divided segments has not been transmitted (step S22: No), the computer 110 transmits the image data of one untransmitted segment to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B (step S23).

[0119] Next, the computer 110 determines whether or not an instruction operation to enlarge or reduce the projection image (for example, pressing a zoom button) has been received during the transmission of image data in step S23 (step S24).

[0120] If the instruction operation has not been received in step S24 (step S24: No), the computer 110 determines whether there is any unsent instruction information (step S25). The unsent instruction information is the instruction information generated in step S26, which will be described later.

[0121] In step S25, if there is no instruction information that has not yet been transmitted (step S25: No), the computer 110 returns to step S22 and executes the processing of each step.

[0122] On the other hand, if an instruction operation is received in step S24 (step S24: Yes), the computer 110 generates instruction information corresponding to the instruction operation (step S26). For example, if the instruction operation is an operation to instruct enlargement of the projection image, the computer 110 generates a command such as (Zoom+1) as the instruction information.

[0123] Next, the computer 110 determines the transmission status of the image data of the segments into which the projection image data was divided in step S21, i.e., whether the amount of remaining (untransmitted) data in the image data of the divided segments is greater than or equal to a threshold value (step S27).

[0124] Furthermore, if there is unsent instruction information in step S25 (step S25: Yes), the computer 110 also proceeds to step S27 and determines whether the remaining data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0125] If the remaining data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value in step S27 (step S27: Yes), the computer 110 transmits the instruction information that was generated in step S26 but has not yet been transmitted to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B (step S28). In other words, if the remaining data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the computer 110 executes interrupt processing to transmit instruction information based on the received instruction operation to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B, even if the image data of all segments has not yet been transmitted and transmission is still in progress. After transmitting the instruction information, the computer 110 returns to step S22 and executes the processing of each step.

[0126] In step S27, if the remaining data amount is not equal to or greater than the threshold (step S27: No), the computer 110 returns to step S22 and executes the processing of each step. In other words, if the remaining data amount is not equal to or greater than the threshold, the computer 110 transmits the instruction information after completing transmission of the image data of all segments.

[0127] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the image data of all the divided segments has been transmitted (step S22: Yes), the computer 110 determines whether or not there is any instruction information that has not yet been transmitted (step S29).

[0128] If there is no unsent instruction information in step S29 (step S29: No), the computer 110 returns to step S21 and executes the processing of each step. If there is unsent instruction information in step S29 (step S29: Yes), the computer 110 transmits the instruction information to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B (step S30). After transmitting the instruction information, the computer 110 returns to step S21 and executes the processing of each step.

[0129] As described above, when the computer 110 of this example receives a scaling instruction to scale the projection area, if the transmission status of the projection image data, for example, the amount of remaining (unsent) data of projection image data representing one projection image, is equal to or greater than a threshold, the computer 110 interrupts and transmits instruction information based on the scaling instruction to the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B, even if the projection image data is in the middle of being transmitted. This reduces the wait state in which a command related to the scaling instruction is not transmitted until transmission of one projection image data is complete, thereby speeding up processing.

[0130] 12 is a flowchart showing a first modified example of the processing of the projection device 120. In this example, as in the case described with reference to Fig. 6, the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B are daisy-chain connected to the computer 110, and a resizing instruction signal for resizing the projection area is transmitted from the computer 110 to the first projection device 120A via the communication line 11 in response to a user's operation to resize the projection image.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 12, the processes from step S31 to step S33 are the same as the processes from step S11 to step S13 described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] Next, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A determines whether or not it is possible to shift the first projection area 7a in the shift direction and by the shift amount calculated in step S33 (step S34).

[0133] In step S34, if it is not possible to shift the first projection area 7a (step S34: No), the control device 121 calculates the shift amount by which the self-projection device (first projection device 120A) can shift the first projection area 7a, and calculates the scaling ratio according to that shift amount (step S35).

[0134] Next, the control device 121 transmits the enlargement / reduction ratio information corresponding to the shift amount that the projection device itself is capable of calculating in step S35 to the other projection device (in this example, the second projection device 120B) (step S36).

[0135] On the other hand, in step S34, if it is possible to shift the first projection area 7a (step S34: Yes), the control device 121 proceeds directly to step S36 and transmits the scaling ratio information corresponding to the shift amount calculated in step S33 to another projection device (in this example, the second projection device 120B).

[0136] Next, the control device 121 receives the enlargement / reduction ratio information from the other projection device (in this example, the second projection device 120B) (step S37).

[0137] Next, the control device 121 calculates the enlargement / reduction ratio and the shift amount that each projection device can use based on the enlargement / reduction ratio information received from the other projection devices (step S38). The shift direction is the same as the shift direction calculated in step S33.

[0138] Next, the control device 121 controls the enlargement / reduction ratio and shift amount at which the entire projection device can be enlarged / reduced, based on the enlargement / reduction ratio and shift amount calculated in step S38, and controls the enlargement / reduction and shift of the first projection area 7a based on that shift amount (step S39).

[0139] The second projection device 120B receives the scaling instruction signal from the first projection device 120A and performs the same process as this process to scale and shift the second projection area 7b. The control device 121 of the second projection device 120B receives the scaling instruction signal from the first projection device 120A via the first communication unit 122.

[0140] In this way, if there is a projection device that cannot shift the projection area at the instructed scaling ratio, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A in this example scales and shifts the first projection area 7a at the scaling ratio and shift amount that all projection devices can scale at. This makes it possible to scale and shift the first projection area 7a and accurately adjust the relative projection positions of the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B.

[0141] 13 is a flowchart showing a second modified example of the processing of the projection device 120. In this example, as in the case described with reference to Fig. 6, the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B are daisy-chain connected to the computer 110, and a resizing instruction signal for resizing the projection area is transmitted from the computer 110 to the first projection device 120A via the communication line 11 in response to a user's operation to resize the projection image.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 13, the processes from step S41 to step S43 are the same as the processes from step S11 to step S13 described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0143] Next, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A determines whether or not it is possible to shift the first projection area 7a in the shift direction and by the shift amount calculated in step S43 (step S44).

[0144] In step S44, if it is possible to shift the first projection area 7a (step S44: Yes), the control device 121 transmits the possibility information "possible" indicating that the shift is possible to the other projection device (in this example, the second projection device 120B) (step S45).

[0145] In step S44, if shifting of the first projection area 7a is not possible (step S44: No), the control device 121 transmits the possibility information "Not possible" indicating that shifting is not possible to the other projection device (in this example, the second projection device 120B) (step S46).

[0146] Next, the control device 121 receives shift availability information from another projection device (in this example, the second projection device 120B) (step S47).

[0147] Next, the control device 121 determines whether or not there is a projection device that is "unable to shift" among all the projection devices including the projection device itself (step S48).

[0148] In step S48, if there is no projection device for which shifting is "unavailable" (step S48: No), the control device 121 executes control of the enlargement / reduction and shift of the first projection area 7a based on the shift direction and shift amount calculated in step S43 (step S49). After executing the enlargement / reduction and shift control, the control device 121 returns to step S41 and executes the processing of each step.

[0149] In step S48, if there is a projection device that "cannot be shifted" (step S48: Yes), the control device 121 returns to step S41 and executes the processing of each step. In other words, if there is a projection device that "cannot be shifted", the control device 121 does not execute the control of enlarging / reducing and shifting the first projection area 7a.

[0150] If shifting of the first projection area 7a is not possible and the control device 121 transmits the possibility information "not possible" to the other projection devices in step S46, the control device 121 may return to step S41 and execute the processing of each step. In this case, the control device 121 determines in step S48 whether there is a projection device that is "not possible" to shift among the other projection devices excluding the projection device itself. Furthermore, the second projection device 120B receives a signal instructing the enlargement / reduction from the first projection device 120A and executes the same processing as this processing to enlarge / reduce and shift the second projection area 7b.

[0151] In this way, the control device 121 of the first projection device 120A in this example does not control the scaling or shifting of the first projection area 7a if, for example, there is a projection device that cannot shift the projection area at the instructed scaling ratio. This makes it possible to scale and shift the first projection area 7a in accordance with the instructed scaling, and to accurately adjust the relative projection positions of the first projection device 120A and the second projection device 120B.

[0152] <Display of Error Message> FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an error message displayed on the screen 6 when enlargement control according to an enlargement instruction cannot be performed.

[0153] In the first modified example of the processing of the projection device described in Fig. 12, if there is a projection device that cannot control the shift of the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b in accordance with the enlargement / reduction instruction, the control device 121 enlarges / reduces and shifts the projection area at the enlargement / reduction ratio and shift amount that are possible for all projection devices (steps S38 and S39). In this case, for example, as shown in Fig. 14, an error message such as "Cannot enlarge any further" may be displayed to notify that the image could not be enlarged to the specified size.

[0154] 13, if there is a projection device that cannot shift the first projection area 7a and the second projection area 7b in response to an enlargement / reduction instruction, the control device 121 will not enlarge / reduce or shift the projection area (step S48: Yes). In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, an error message such as "Further enlargement is not possible" may be displayed to notify the user that the image was not enlarged.

[0155] <Modifications of the Mechanical Configuration of the Projection Device 120> In Figures 3 and 4, the configuration of the projection device 120 has been described as one in which the optical axis K is not bent. However, a configuration in which a reflective member is provided in the optical unit 106 and the optical axis K is bent one or more times may also be used.

[0156] Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing another external configuration of the projection device 120. Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical unit 106 of the projection device 120 shown in Fig. 15. In Figs. 15 and 16, parts that are the same as those shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0157] 15, the optical unit 106 includes a first member 102 supported by a main body 101, and a second member 103 supported by the first member 102. The first member 102 and the second member 103 may be integrated into one member.

[0158] As shown in Figure 16, the optical unit 106 includes, in addition to the first member 102, a second member 103 having a hollow portion 3A connected to the hollow portion 2A of the first member 102, a first optical system 25 and a reflecting member 26 arranged in the hollow portion 2A, a second optical system 31, a reflecting member 32, a third optical system 33, and a lens 34 arranged in the hollow portion 3A, a first shift mechanism 105, and a projection direction change mechanism 104.

[0159] 15 and 16 , the openings 2a and 2b of the first member 102 are formed on planes perpendicular to each other. The projection optical system 23 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is composed of a reflecting member 26, a second optical system 31, a reflecting member 32, and a third optical system 33, in addition to the first optical system 25 and lens 34 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . With this projection optical system 23, the optical axis K is folded back by bending twice, as shown in FIG. 16 . The first optical system 25, the reflecting member 26, the second optical system 31, the reflecting member 32, the third optical system 33, and the lens 34 are arranged along the optical axis K in this order from the light modulation unit 22 side.

[0160] The first optical system 25 guides light traveling in direction X1 that is incident on the first member 102 from the main body 101 to the reflecting member 26. The reflecting member 26 reflects the light incident from the first optical system 25 in direction Y1. The reflecting member 26 is formed, for example, with a mirror. The first member 102 has an opening 2b formed on the optical path of the light reflected by the reflecting member 26, and this reflected light passes through the opening 2b and travels to the hollow portion 3A of the second member 103.

[0161] The second member 103 is a member having a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional outer shape, and has an opening 3a formed in a position facing the opening 2b of the first member 102. Light from the main body 101 that passes through the opening 2b of the first member 102 passes through this opening 3a and enters the hollow portion 3A of the second member 103. The cross-sectional outer shapes of the first member 102 and the second member 103 are arbitrary and are not limited to those described above.

[0162] The second optical system 31 includes at least one lens and guides light incident from the first member 102 to the reflecting member 32. The reflecting member 32 reflects the light incident from the second optical system 31 in direction X2 and guides it to the third optical system 33. The reflecting member 32 is formed of, for example, a mirror. The third optical system 33 includes at least one lens and guides the light reflected by the reflecting member 32 to the lens 34.

[0163] The lens 34 is disposed at the end of the second member 103 on the X2 side so as to cover the opening 3c formed at this end. The lens 34 projects the light incident from the third optical system 33 onto the screen 6.

[0164] 16 shows a state in which the first member 102 has been moved to the maximum extent in the direction Y1 by the first shift mechanism 105. When the first member 102 is moved in the direction Y2 by the first shift mechanism 105 from the state shown in Fig. 16, the relative position between the center of the image formed by the light modulation unit 22 and the optical axis K changes, and the image G1 projected on the screen 6 can be shifted in the direction Y1.

[0165] The projection direction change mechanism 104 is a rotation mechanism that rotatably connects the second member 103 to the first member 102. This projection direction change mechanism 104 allows the second member 103 to rotate freely around a rotation axis (specifically, optical axis K) that extends in direction Y. Note that the projection direction change mechanism 104 is not limited to the arrangement position shown in Fig. 16 as long as it can rotate the optical system. Furthermore, the number of rotation mechanisms is not limited to one, and multiple mechanisms may be provided.

[0166] The control method described in the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared control program on a computer. The control program is recorded on a computer-readable storage medium and executed by being read from the storage medium. The control program may be provided in a form stored on a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. The computer that executes the control program may be included in the control device, or may be included in an electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer that can communicate with the control device, or may be included in a server device that can communicate with these control devices and electronic devices.

[0167] Although various embodiments have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the invention.

[0168] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2022-188693) filed on November 25, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0169] 2A, 3A Hollow portion 2a, 2b, 3a, 3c, 15a Opening 6 Screen 7a First projection area 7b Second projection area 8a Overlapping portion 11, 12 Communication line 15 Housing 21 Light source 22 Light modulation section 22a Light modulation unit 23 Projection optical system 24 Control circuit 25 First optical system 26, 32 Reflecting member 31 Second optical system 33 Third optical system 34 Lens 100 Projection system 101 Main body 102 First member 103 Second member 104 Projection direction change mechanism 105 First shift mechanism 106 Optical unit 110 Computer 111 Processor 112 Memory 113 Communication interface 114 User interface 119 Bus 120 Projection device 120A First projection device 120B Second projection device 121 Control device 121a Storage medium 122 First communication unit 123 Second communication unit 124 Projection unit 125 Operation reception unit G1 Image

Claims

1. A projection device comprising a projection unit, a processor, and a first communication unit, capable of forming a transmission path in series with at least one other projection device, wherein the projection unit projects a partial image of a projected image onto a first projection area having an overlapping portion with a projection area of another projection device forming the transmission path, when the first communication unit receives a scaling instruction for the projection area including a scaling ratio, the processor calculates at least one of the direction or amount of shift of the first projection area so as to maintain the ratio of the overlapping portion in the first projection area before and after the scaling and shift of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction, based on the scaling ratio and position information regarding the position of the partial image in the projected image, A projection device.

2. The projection device according to claim 1, comprising a second communication unit, wherein the first communication unit receives the scaling instruction from the previous stage of the projection device in the transmission path, and the processor performs control to cause the second communication unit to transmit an instruction including the scaling instruction to the subsequent stage of the projection device in the transmission path. A projection device.

3. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs control to cause the projection unit to execute the scaling of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction and the shift of the first projection area based on at least one of the calculated direction or amount of shift. A projection device.

4. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the processor calculates the direction of the shift based on the position information. A projection device.

5. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the processor calculates the amount of the shift based on the scaling ratio and the position information. A projection device.

6. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the scaling instruction includes a scaling center, and the processor calculates at least one of the direction or amount of shift of the first projection area based on the scaling center. A projection device.

7. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication unit receives instruction information regarding projection including an instruction value and type information of the instruction value, and the processor controls the projection by the projection unit based on the type information and the instruction value. A projection device.

8. The projection device according to claim 1, When the shift of the first projection area due to the calculated amount of shift is not possible in the projection unit, the processor performs control to cause the projection unit to execute a shift of the first projection area by an amount possible in the projection unit and a scaling of the first projection area according to the amount of shift possible in the projection unit. Projection device.

9. The projection device according to claim 8, wherein When the shift of the first projection area due to the calculated amount of shift is not possible in the projection unit, the processor performs control to transmit information regarding the scaling ratio of the projection area corresponding to the shift of the first projection area by an amount possible in the projection unit to another projection device forming the transmission path. Projection device.

10. The projection device according to claim 9, wherein When the processor receives information regarding a scaling ratio different from the scaling ratio of the scaling instruction from another projection device forming the transmission path, the processor performs control to cause the projection unit to execute scaling and shifting of the first projection area based on the information regarding the different scaling ratio. Projection device.

11. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein When the shift of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction is not possible, the processor performs control not to cause the projection unit to execute scaling and shifting of the first projection area. Projection device.

12. The projection device according to claim 11, wherein The processor performs control to transmit information regarding the possibility of shifting the first projection area based on the scaling instruction to another projection device forming the transmission path, and based on the information regarding the possibility of shifting the projection area based on the scaling instruction received from another projection device forming the transmission path, if there is a projection device in which the shift of the projection area based on the scaling instruction is not possible among the other projection devices forming the transmission path, the processor performs control not to cause the projection unit to execute scaling and shifting of the first projection area. Projection device.

13. The projection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the scaling instruction includes an instruction for shifting accompanying the scaling of the projection area, and the processor calculates at least one of the direction or amount of the shift of the first projection area based on the instruction for the shift. Projection device.

14. A projection device included in a plurality of projection devices capable of forming a serial transmission path, A control device capable of transmitting projection image data representing a projection image and instruction information regarding projection via the transmission path, A projection system including: The first projection device included in the plurality of projection devices projects a partial image of the projection image onto a first projection area having an overlapping portion with the projection area of another projection device forming the transmission path. When receiving a scaling instruction for the projection area including a scaling ratio, based on the scaling ratio and position information regarding the position of the partial image in the projection image, at least one of the direction or amount of the shift of the first projection area is calculated so as to maintain the ratio of the overlapping portion in the first projection area before and after the scaling and shifting of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction. Projection system.

15. The projection system according to claim 14, The control device is capable of transmitting the instruction information by interruption during the transmission of the projection image data. Projection system.

16. The projection system according to claim 14, The control device transmits the instruction information by interruption according to the transmission state of the projection image data being transmitted. Projection system.

17. A control method for a projection device including a projection unit, a processor, and a first communication unit, capable of forming a transmission path in series with at least one other projection device, The projection unit projects a partial image of the projection image onto a first projection area having an overlapping portion with the projection area of another projection device forming the transmission path. When the first communication unit receives a scaling instruction for the projection area including a scaling ratio, the processor calculates at least one of the direction or amount of the shift of the first projection area based on the scaling ratio and position information regarding the position of the partial image in the projection image so as to maintain the ratio of the overlapping portion in the first projection area before and after the scaling and shifting of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction. Control method.

18. A control program for a projection device including a projection unit, a processor, and a first communication unit, capable of forming a transmission path in series with at least one other projection device, The projection unit projects a partial image of the projection image onto a first projection area having an overlapping portion with the projection area of another projection device forming the transmission path. When the first communication unit receives an instruction to scale the projection area including a scaling ratio by the processor, based on the scaling ratio and the position information regarding the position of the partial image in the projection image, the ratio of the overlapping portion in the first projection area is maintained before and after the scaling and shifting of the first projection area based on the scaling instruction, and at least one of the direction or amount of the shift of the first projection area is calculated. A control program for executing the process.