JPH1185395A - LCD projector with pointing function - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a pointing function that enables a speaker or the like to easily and accurately point to a specific portion of an image displayed on a liquid crystal projector without limiting the screen to a special screen. . SOLUTION: A liquid crystal projector 111 projects an input image signal and a reference spot 113 serving as a reference for coordinate detection on a screen 101, and a speaker uses a laser pointer 1 as a reference.
02, the designated infrared spot 112 is projected on the screen 101, detected by the detecting means including the CCD camera 103 and the infrared transmission filter 105, and the position of the reference spot 113 is determined by the position detecting means 106 using the position of the reference spot 113 as a coordinate reference. Is detected, a mark is generated at the detected designated position by the pointer mark generating means 108, and is superimposed on the input image signal by the pointer mark superimposing means 110, so that the pointer mark is accurately displayed at the designated position P on the screen 101. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal projector, and more particularly to an apparatus capable of projecting an image reproducing apparatus such as a video output signal or an image signal from a personal computer onto a screen and pointing to an arbitrary position on a display screen. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a conventional liquid crystal projector, a configuration diagram of an optical system of a three-panel liquid crystal projector as shown in FIG. 5 is shown. This liquid crystal projector includes a lamp 501, reflection mirrors 504 and 506, an ultraviolet ray and an infrared ray cut filter 5.
02, dichroic mirrors 503, 505, 507,
508, liquid crystal panels 509, 510, 511, a projection lens 512 and the like. With this configuration, an image on the liquid crystal panel is projected on the screen 513. As a result, by enlarging the image,
Many people can simultaneously view images such as the same video output signal or computer monitor output signal. In a briefing session or an academic meeting, a pointing function for pointing a portion related to the explanation on the image projected on the screen at the same time as enlarging the image is required.

However, the above-mentioned conventional liquid crystal projector does not have such a pointing function. Therefore, it is common to directly indicate the position of the screen in the image displayed by the liquid crystal projector with a pointing rod or the like, or to indicate the position by irradiating a laser beam on the screen with a laser pointer.

However, when actually giving a lecture using a liquid crystal projector, the speaker often stands at a position distant from a screen, a projector, or a personal computer as a video signal source. In such cases, the speaker himself may point the screen with the wand,
Alternatively, it is difficult to operate a mouse of a personal computer. Further, when a laser pointer is used, an arbitrary position can be easily pointed out, but there is a disadvantage that the beam spot is generally small and difficult to see.

There is a projector device having a pointing function in which the above-mentioned laser pointer is improved. JP 2
In JP-A-170193, an arbitrary point on a spot is projected with an infrared laser beam using a laser pointer.
The screen is photographed by an infrared camera, and the position of the infrared bright spot on the screen is detected from the signal output by the position detector. The detection signal is sent to a mark signal generation image processing circuit, which outputs a pointer mark signal and projects a superimposed image on a screen from a projector. As a result, an arbitrary position on the screen can be indicated by the easily visible pointer mark.

[0006] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-371063 discloses that
The spot irradiated with the laser beam from the laser pointer is sensed by a laser sensor on the screen, and a detection signal is supplied to a coordinate detection device. A pointing function is realized by synthesizing a mark signal with a signal and projecting the mark signal on a screen from a projector.
Here, the screen has a plurality of the laser sensors arranged thereon, and can detect the position of the laser sensor that has output the detection signal.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-17 / 1990
In Japanese Patent Application No. 0193, a pointing function is realized by adding, to a projector, a mechanism that emits an infrared beam from a pointer, detects a spot on the screen with an infrared camera, and superimposes a pointer mark on a projected image.
By the way, in the above-mentioned device, there are two coordinate systems for specifying the position on the screen, the coordinate system for specifying the position actually pointed by the pointer with the pointer, and the coordinate system for specifying the position on the screen by the liquid crystal projector. There is a coordinate system. Therefore, it is difficult to make the position of the infrared spot formed by the pointer coincide with the position of the pointer mark from the liquid crystal projector over the entire projection screen on the screen.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-371630, the problem of the displacement is solved by using a screen on which the laser sensor is disposed. However, in order to realize the pointing function,
There is a problem that the screen is limited to the special screen described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a pointing function that enables a speaker or the like to easily and easily point to a specific portion of an image displayed on a liquid crystal projector, without limiting the screen to a special screen. .

[0009]

A liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function according to the present invention projects an input image signal as an image on a screen, and includes a reference mark which is used as a reference for detecting a position on a projected image. An optical mechanism formed on a screen, a laser pointer for indicating a position on the screen with an infrared spot, light detecting means for detecting the reference mark and the infrared spot on the screen, and a position of the reference mark Position detecting means for detecting the position of the infrared spot on the projected image with reference to the reference, and pointer mark superimposing means for superimposing a pointer mark signal on the image signal of the detected position of the infrared spot. It is.

[0010] Further, it is preferable that the laser pointer has a click function by blinking of the infrared spot or by an electric signal via an electromagnetic wave or a conductive wire. This is preferable because a laser pointer can be used as a computer mouse.

Further, it is preferable that the reference mark is formed by infrared rays and the light detecting means simultaneously detects the reference mark and the infrared spot. It is preferable because it can be used. Further, it is preferable that the optical mechanism has an infrared cut filter attached to a liquid crystal panel, since it has a simple structure.

Further, it is preferable that the optical mechanism has a dichroic mirror and a semiconductor laser provided on the light source side of the projection lens, since a small and clear reference mark can be formed. Further, it is preferable to have a storage means for storing the position of the reference mark and outputting the position of the reference mark to the position detection means, since the processing required for detecting the reference mark can be omitted.

According to the present invention, since infrared rays are projected on the screen and the position of the infrared spot is detected, the infrared rays can be detected separately from the image signal which is visible light on the screen. It is possible to accurately place a pointer mark at a position to be pointed without being limited to a special type, and a pointer mark signal is superimposed on a video input signal. Is easy to form, hold and erase, and the shape and color of the pointer mark can be freely set.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the liquid crystal projector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the liquid crystal projector device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference spots 113 are projected onto a screen by a liquid crystal projector 111 at two points, an image and a corner. This reference spot 11
Reference numeral 3 is a reference for coordinates at the time of position detection. The reference mark 3 may be a reference mark such as an intersection straight line or a grid pattern over the entire image in addition to the spot. Here, the case of a spot will be described.

This image is obtained by converting a signal such as a video signal input from the image input terminal 109 as an input signal or a signal output from a monitor of a computer into an image. Note that the position of the reference spot 113 is
The position is not limited to one corner, but may be any position as long as it serves as a coordinate reference for position detection. Further, the number of reference spots 113 is not limited to two, and may be more than two as long as a reference of coordinates at the time of position detection is given.

Here, when the speaker points to an arbitrary point P on the screen 101 with the laser pointer 102, an indicated infrared spot 112 is formed on the screen 101. The laser pointer 102 has a built-in semiconductor laser that emits infrared light, and has an optical mechanism that converts laser light into parallel light. The designated infrared spot 112 on the screen is imaged by, for example, an infrared camera. Using the position of the reference spot 113 as a reference, the position of the designated infrared spot 112 is accurately detected by the position detection means 106 from the imaging output signal of the infrared camera. The infrared camera is for detecting only a designated infrared spot signal component in an image projected on a screen. For example, an infrared transmission filter 10 is provided in front of the CCD camera 103.
5 can be realized.

The method of detecting the position of the reference spot 113 serving as a coordinate reference differs depending on whether the light forming the reference spot 113 is visible light or infrared light. For example, when the reference spot 113 is formed by infrared light,
The reference spot 113 is also detected by the infrared camera 103 at the same time as the designated infrared spot 112, and the position detection means 106
Enables the position to be detected. When the reference spot 113 on the screen is formed by visible light,
Before projecting the image signal onto the screen, the screen 10
1. A reference spot 113 of visible light is formed on
The image is captured by the D camera 103, and the position of the reference spot is detected by the position detecting means 106 and stored in the storage device 107. Then, when projecting the image signal, the reference spot 1
By erasing 13 and placing the infrared transmission filter 105 in front of the CCD camera 103, only the designated infrared spot 112 can be detected. The position of the detected designated infrared spot 112 is the reference spot 1 stored in the storage device 107.
By using the position 13 as a reference, the designated position 112 can be accurately detected. In addition, the reference spot by visible light is
For example, it can be formed by an image projected by the liquid crystal projector 111. Storing the detected position of the reference spot 112 in the storage device 107 is not limited to the case where the reference spot 112 is formed by visible light, and is not limited to the case where the reference spot 112 is formed by infrared light. Is detected and stored in the storage device 107, the processing required for detection can be omitted.

Next, a position detection signal obtained by detecting the position of the pointing infrared spot 112 on the screen 101 by the position detection means 106 is sent to a pointer mark generation circuit 108 which is a signal generation means. The pointer mark generation circuit 108 indicates the designated infrared spot 1 on the screen 101.
It has a function of generating a pointer mark signal for displaying, for example, an arrow-shaped pointer mark at the twelve designated positions P.

The pointer mark signal generated as described above is superimposed on the input signal by the pointer mark superimposing means 110, and the image signal on which the pointer mark signal is superimposed is projected on the screen by the liquid crystal projector 111. In this manner, the screen is not limited to a special screen, and the position P indicated by the laser pointer can be easily and accurately detected and a pointer mark can be placed.

When the reference spot 113 is formed by infrared light, the reference spot is formed on the screen simultaneously with the projected image. In the case where the reference spot is formed by either visible light or infrared light, the reference spot is first formed on the screen, the reference of the coordinates is detected and stored in the storage device 107, and then the image is projected on the screen 101. Can be done.

When the apparatus of the present invention is connected to a computer, the generation of the pointer mark and the superposition of the pointer mark are not limited to the processing by the electronic circuit, and information of the detected position is transmitted from the output terminal 104 to the computer. Processing by software is also possible.

Next, an example for realizing a click function, that is, a function of transmitting an operation command such as a mouse to the computer when the computer is connected to the liquid crystal projector device with the pointing function will be described. A button is attached to the laser pointer, and the infrared ray emitted from the laser pointer when the button is pressed blinks in a specific pattern. Then, the designated infrared spot 112 formed on the screen also blinks. From the designated infrared spot 112 blinking in a specific pattern, the position detecting means 106
The pointing position and the fact that the speaker has sent an operation command such as a mouse to the computer are detected, a position detection signal of the pointing position is sent to the pointer mark generation circuit 108 which is a signal generating means, and the operation command signal is output. By sending the signal to the computer through the terminal 104, a computer mouse may be used. The means for transmitting the operation signal from the laser pointer to the liquid crystal projector is not limited to the blinking of infrared rays as described above, but may be an electric signal via an electromagnetic wave or a conductive wire, for example.

The pointer mark is not limited to the shape of the arrow, and the color can be freely set. That is, in order to change the shape or color of the pointer mark, for example, a
A menu area for selecting the shape and color of the pointer mark is set and projected on the video image 01. Next, a selection signal for selecting an arbitrary shape and color is obtained from the menu area by using the mouse function. After that, the selection signal is transmitted to the pointer mark generating means 108.
To generate a pointer mark selected by the pointer mark generating means 108. When the device of the present invention is connected to a computer and the generation and superimposition of the pointer mark are processed by software on the computer, the control of the shape and color of the pointer mark can also be processed by software. is there.

Next, an embodiment in the case of forming a designated spot by infrared rays on a screen will be described with reference to FIG. In a conventional liquid crystal projector as shown in FIG. 5, a filter 502 for removing an infrared component or an ultraviolet component is provided in front of a lamp. In the present embodiment, the removal of the ultraviolet component and the infrared component is performed by the ultraviolet cut filter 202, the infrared cut filter 214, and the reference spot forming infrared cut filter 215 attached to the liquid crystal panel 209 for red as shown in FIG. You. The reference spot forming infrared cut filter 215 is, as shown in FIG. 3, an infrared cut filter 301 having an area 302 through which infrared light is transmitted. Is formed by a patterning method using Note that the formation method is not limited to this as long as the purpose of forming the region that transmits infrared light is achieved. The infrared component of the lamp transmits through the infrared transmitting area 302 of the designated spot forming infrared cut filter, and forms the reference spot on the screen. Note that the reference spot forming infrared cut filter needs to be attached to the liquid crystal panel 209 in order to form the designated spot on the screen by the projection lens. Also,
The liquid crystal panel to which the reference screen forming infrared cut filter is attached is not limited to the one for red color, and may be attached to the panel for green or blue.

Next, an embodiment for forming another infrared reference spot will be described with reference to FIG. In a conventional liquid crystal projector, a dichroic mirror 4 that transmits visible light and reflects infrared light in front of a projection lens 403.
By superimposing the infrared light from the semiconductor laser and the image transmitted through the liquid crystal panel by 02, the image and the infrared reference spot 404 can be simultaneously projected on the screen 405.

By the way, in an explanatory meeting or a conference, various operations such as stopping the pointer mark at an arbitrary point P, moving the pointer mark to another point, or deleting the pointer mark from the screen 101 are described for convenience of explanation. Required. Therefore, in order to perform the various operations described above, the present embodiment apparatus further includes a switch on the laser pointer 102,
By transmitting the operation signal to the pointer mark generation means 108 by the signal transmission means, the various operations can be performed. That is, the pointer mark generating means 108 performs image processing of operations such as generation, stop, and deletion of the pointer mark based on the operation signal.
When the apparatus of the present embodiment is connected to a computer and the generation and superposition of the pointer mark are performed by software on the computer, the shape and color of the pointer mark can be controlled together.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to generate a pointer mark at the designated position P of the laser pointer 102 on the screen 101 exactly following the movement thereof. The fine vibration of the position P may make it difficult to see. As means for preventing this, it is possible to remove the high-frequency components corresponding to fine vibrations from the indicated position P detection signal using a low-pass filter or an integrating circuit, etc., so that the locus of movement of the pointer mark can be made smooth and easy to see. is there. Also,
When the apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected to a computer and the generation and superimposition of the pointer mark are processed by software on the computer, it is also possible to simultaneously process the movement locus of the pointer mark.

Although the above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the above embodiment has been described with reference to a three-panel liquid crystal projector as an example, but the same effect can be obtained with a single-panel liquid crystal projector.

[0029]

According to the present invention, in order to make the coordinate system for designating the position actually pointed by the speaker coincide with the coordinate system for designating the position of the pointer mark projected on the screen by the liquid crystal projector, Without limiting the screen to a special screen, it is possible to form a pointer mark of any shape and color that is easily visually recognizable on the screen at a position to be pointed. Further, the laser pointer is extremely lightweight and small, so that the burden on the speaker is reduced and the instruction operation is not restricted.

Further, when a liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function is connected to the computer, the presenter sends an operation signal to the computer while indicating a position on the screen, and the speaker himself operates the computer on the spot. It is feasible. Therefore, there is no need for the speaker to move away from the podium and move in front of the computer to send an operation signal to the computer, or to have an assistant for operating the computer in front of the computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration for realizing a pointing function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical system according to the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a reference spot forming infrared cut filter according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the apparatus of the present invention for forming a reference spot on a screen using a dichroic mirror and a semiconductor laser.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a conventional liquid crystal projector device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Screen 102 Laser pointer 103 CCD camera 104 Detection position signal, operation signal output terminal 105 Infrared transmission filter 106 Position detection means 107 Storage device 108 Pointer mark generation means 109 Image signal input terminal 110 Pointer mark superposition means 111 Liquid crystal projector 112 Instructed infrared spot 113 Reference spot P Pointed position 201 Lamp 202 UV cut filter 203, 205, 207, 208 Dichroic mirror 204, 206 Reflection mirror 209, 210, 211 Liquid crystal panel 212 Projection lens 213 Screen 214 Infrared cut filter 215 Reference spot forming infrared cut filter 301 Infrared cut filter 302 Infrared transmitting region 401 Semiconductor laser 402 Dichroic mirror 403 a projection lens 404 reference spot 405 screen 501 lamp 502 infrared, ultraviolet cut filter 503,505,507,508 dichroic mirror 504 reflecting mirrors 509,510,511 liquid crystal panel 512 projecting lens 513 screen

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G09G 5/08 G09G 5/08 KM // H01S 3/00 H01S 3/00 A H04N 5/74 H04N 5/74 Z

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal projector device for projecting an input image signal as an image on a screen, an optical mechanism for forming a reference mark on the screen as a reference for position detection on the projected image, and a position on the screen. A laser pointer for indicating with an infrared spot, light detection means for detecting the reference mark and the infrared spot on the screen, and a position of the infrared spot on the projected image with reference to a position of the reference mark. A liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function, comprising: a position detecting means for detecting; and a pointer mark superimposing means for superimposing a pointer mark signal on the image signal at the position of the detected infrared spot. 2. The liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function according to claim 1, wherein the laser pointer has a click function by blinking of the infrared spot or by an electric signal via an electromagnetic wave or a conductive wire. 3. The liquid crystal with a pointing function according to claim 1, wherein the reference mark is formed by infrared rays, and the light detecting means detects the reference mark and the infrared spot at the same time. Projector device. 4. The liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function according to claim 3, wherein the optical mechanism has an infrared cut filter attached to a liquid crystal panel. 5. The liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function according to claim 3, wherein said optical mechanism has a dichroic mirror and a semiconductor laser provided on a light source side of a projection lens. 6. The liquid crystal projector device with a pointing function according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the position of the reference mark and outputting the position of the reference mark to the position detection means.