Multi-Projector Control via Unified Touch Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-screen display systems with multiple projectors require cumbersome operations for image quality adjustment, as users need to individually set each projector, which is difficult and obstructs the view, especially in large settings where many people are present.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device with a touch panel screen and image capturing unit that acquires configuration information about the positional relationship of projectors, allows users to select and specify the projector for setting changes by touching the corresponding image on the screen, and transmits control signals to adjust settings such as luminance and color.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users adjust settings for each projector individually using remote controllers, then each projector can be precisely controlled, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of projector setting operationVSAvoidtime required for setting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple projector settings into a unified control interface. The setting screen displays multiple projector images simultaneously, allowing users to select and adjust multiple projectors through a single operation rather than switching between separate remote controllers for each projector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The setting terminal device provides a universal control interface that can manage multiple projectors simultaneously. This single device replaces the need for multiple individual remote controllers, enabling one device to perform the function of controlling several projectors through a unified menu system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If IDs or menus are displayed on projectors for selection, then specific projectors can be identified and controlled, but the display obstructs the view and is unsuitable for large audiences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of projector selectionVSAvoidview obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the selection interface from the projector display itself and relocates it to a separate setting terminal device. The terminal device displays the projector images and selection menus independently, allowing users to select projectors without any display elements obstructing the actual projector output visible to the audience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The setting terminal device acts as an intermediary between the user and the projectors. It provides the selection and control interface separately from the projector displays, mediating the control process so that users can select and adjust projector settings without the interface elements appearing on the projector screens themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If users must specify region and display device before adjusting settings, then precise control is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and difficult especially with many projectors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of projector identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of setting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the projector images into distinct selectable regions on the setting terminal device screen. Each projector image is displayed as a separate entity that can be independently selected, making it easy for users to identify and choose the specific projector they wish to adjust without complex specification steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary organization of projector images on the setting terminal device before the user needs to make selections. The projector images are pre-positioned and labeled in a user-friendly layout, so when users need to select a projector, the identification work has already been done, eliminating the need for complex region and device specification sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3192255B1Communication apparatus, method of controlling communication apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 CANON KK
  • EP3192255B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3192255B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3192255B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Configuration information indicating a positional relationship for projected images of a plurality of projectors in a multi-projection realized by the plurality of projectors is acquired. An instruction on the display screen, which displays an image according to the positional relationship is accepted. Based on the configuration information and the position in the display screen of the accepted instruction, a projector for which a setting is to be changed is specified from the plurality of projectors. A signal to change the setting of the specified projector is transmitted.