U.S. patent application number 11/016868 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for projector selection system, projector selecting method, and program for implementing the system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd. Invention is credited to Honma, Kazuya.
Application Number | 20050157218 11/016868 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34631906 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050157218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Honma, Kazuya |
July 21, 2005 |
Projector selection system, projector selecting method, and program
for implementing the system and method
Abstract
A projector selection system selects one of projectors from a
computer which is connected to the projectors through a network. An
identifier is displayed on each of the projectors by identifier
assigning means and identifier display means. A preview image,
which is a scale-down version of an image displayed on the screen
by the projector, is acquired by preview image generating means and
preview image transmitting means. The preview image is displayed on
a dialog display area on the screen of the computer.
Inventors: |
Honma, Kazuya; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO MORIN & OSHINSKY LLP
1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS (6TH AVENUE)
41 ST FL.
NEW YORK
NY
10036-2714
US
|
Assignee: |
NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd
|
Family ID: |
34631906 |
Appl. No.: |
11/016868 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/744 ;
348/E5.137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/74 20130101; H04N
21/488 20130101; H04L 12/2803 20130101; H04L 67/16 20130101; H04L
67/12 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101; H04N 21/4104 20130101; H04L
29/06 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101; H04L 67/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/744 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/64 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2004 |
JP |
2004-013083 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A projector selection system which has one or more projectors
and a computer interconnected through a network for selecting one
of said projectors from said computer, wherein: said computer
comprises a search client and a dialog display, said projector
comprises a search response server and a projector information
storage, said search client includes: projector search means for
transmitting a search command for searching said projectors to said
network, and acquiring projector information from said projector
information storage as a response to the search command from said
projector, said projector information including a projector name,
an IP address, and a status; identifier assigning means for
generating a unique identifier for said projector which has
responded, transmitting an identifier assignment for assigning the
identifier to each of said projectors through said network, and
omitting the transmission of the identifier assignment to said
projector which has already made a display; and preview image
requesting means for transmitting an image request command to said
network for requesting a preview image which is a scale-down
version of an image displayed by said projector on a screen, and
acquiring the preview image as a response to the image request
command from said projector, said dialog display includes means for
displaying the projector information and the preview image, said
projector information storage includes means for preserving the
projector information, and said search response server includes:
search response means for receiving the search command from said
network, and returning the projector information from said
projector information storage; display presence/absence checking
means for checking the status indicating whether or not said
display has already made a display; identifier display means for
displaying the identifier received from said network on a screen;
preview image generating means for generating the preview image
based on the displayed identifier or an existing display; and
preview image transmitting means for receiving the image request
command from said network, and returning the preview image
generated by said preview image generating means.
2. A projector selection system which has one or more projectors
and a computer interconnected through a network for selecting one
of said projectors from said computer, wherein: said computer
comprises a search client and a dialog display, said projector
comprises a search response server and a projector information
storage, said search client includes: projector search means for
transmitting a search command for searching said projectors to said
network, and acquiring projector information from said projector
information storage as a response to the search command from said
projector, said projector information including a projector name,
an IP address, and a status; and preview image requesting means for
transmitting an image request command to said network for
requesting a preview image which is a scale-down version of an
image displayed by said projector on a screen, and acquiring the
preview image as a response to the image request command from said
projector, said dialog display includes means for displaying the
projector information and the preview image, said projector
information storage includes means for preserving the projector
information, and said search response server includes: search
response means for receiving the search command from said network,
and returning the projector information from said projector
information storage; display presence/absence checking means for
checking the status indicating whether or not said display has
already displayed an image; IP address display means responsive to
the search command received from said network for displaying the IP
address set for said projector on a screen, and omitting a display
of the IP address of said projector which has already made a
display; preview image generating means for generating the preview
image based on the displayed IP address or an existing display; and
preview image transmitting means for receiving the image request
command from said network, and returning the preview image
generated by said preview image generating means.
3. A program for causing said computer and said search response
server of said projector to function as said projector selection
system according to claim 1.
4. A program for causing said computer and said search response
server of said projector to function as said projector selection
system according to claim 2.
5. A projector selecting method for selecting one of projectors
from a computer, said projectors and said computer being
interconnected through a network, said computer comprising a search
client and a dialog display, said projector comprising a search
response server and a projector information storage, said method
comprising the steps of: said search client transmitting a search
command for searching said projectors to said network using
projector search means, and waiting for a response to the search
command; said search response server receiving the search command,
reading a projector name and an IP address from said projector
information storage, acquiring a status indicative of a presence or
absence of a display from display presence/absence checking means,
and returning projector information including the projector name,
IP address and status, using search response means; said search
client passing the received projector information to said dialog
display for displaying the projector information on a screen; said
search client generating a unique identifier for each of said
projectors which have responded, transmitting an identifier
assignment to each of said projectors for assigning the identifier,
and omitting a transmission of the identifier to said projector
which has already made a display; said search response server
receiving the identifier assignment, displaying the identifier on a
screen using identifier displaying means, and returning an
assignment completion; said search response server generating a
preview image which is a scale-down version of an image displayed
on the screen by said projector using preview image generating
means based on the displayed identifier or an existing display;
said search client responding to a selection of a desired projector
made on said dialog display, and transmitting an image request
command for requesting the preview image using preview image
requesting means; said search response server receiving said image
request command, and transmitting the generated preview image as
image data using preview image transmitting means; and said search
client passing the received image data to said dialog display for
displaying the preview image on the screen.
6. A projector selecting method for selecting one of projectors
from a computer, said projectors and said computer being
interconnected through a network, said computer comprising a search
client and a dialog display, said projector comprising a search
response server and a projector information storage, said method
comprising the steps of: said search client transmitting a search
command for searching said projectors to said network using
projector search means, and waiting for a response to the search
command; said search response server receiving the search command,
reading a projector name and an IP address from said projector
information storage, acquiring a status indicative of a presence or
absence of a display from display presence/absence checking means,
and returning projector information including the projector name,
IP address and status, using search response means; said search
client passing the received projector information to said dialog
display for displaying the projector information on a screen; said
search response server receiving the search command, displaying the
IP address set for said projector on a screen using IP address
display means, and omitting a display of the IP address for said
projector which has already made a display; said search response
server generating a preview image which is a scale-down version of
an image displayed on the screen by said projector using preview
image generating means based on the displayed IP address or an
existing display; said search client, responding to a selection of
a desired projector made on said dialog display, and transmitting
an image request command for requesting the preview image using
preview image requesting means; said search response server
receiving said image request command, and transmitting the
generated preview image as image data using preview image
transmitting means; and said search client passing the received
image data to said dialog display for displaying the preview image
on the screen.
7. A program for causing said computer and said search response
server of said projector to execute said projector selecting method
according to claim 5.
8. A program for causing said computer and said search response
server of said projector to execute said projector selecting method
according to claim 6.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a projector selection
system, a projector selecting method, and a program for
implementing the system and method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] For connecting a computer to an intended projector through a
network, a search system is used for purposes of avoiding
burdensome entry of the IP address and the like of the projector.
For example, there is a communication controller for individually
controlling a multi-projector to which a plurality of projectors
are connected (see JP-08-172676-A).
[0005] The configuration of the search system comprises search
client 12 having means 102 for searching for a projector; and
search response server 22 having means 202 for responding to a
search, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Information on a particular
projector is acquired by the search system, and displayed on the
screen of a computer in the form of projector list 152, as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0006] Conventionally, when a plurality of available projectors are
found on a network, a list of retrieved projectors alone is not
sufficient for a user to know which item supports which projector
for selecting a projector to be employed from the foregoing
projector list.
[0007] In addition, for associating items on the computer screen
with actual projectors, the user must have previously operated the
projectors to know the names, IP addresses, and the like. Thus, the
conventional search system fails to provide a high usability.
[0008] From the reasons as set forth above, a method has been
desired for permitting the user to readily identify one of
retrieved projectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
projector selection system for facilitating a selection of a
projector, a projector selecting method, and a program for
implementing the system and method.
[0010] A projector selection system according to the present
invention has one or more projectors and a computer interconnected
through a network for selecting one of the projectors from the
computer. The computer comprises a search client and a dialog
display, while the projector comprises a search response server and
a projector information storage. The search client includes
projector search means for transmitting a search command for
searching the projectors to the network, and acquiring projector
information including a projector name, an IP address, and a status
from the projector information storage as a response to the search
command from the projector; identifier assigning means for
generating a unique identifier for the projector which has
responded, transmitting an identifier assignment for assigning the
identifier to each of the projectors through the network, and
omitting the transmission of the identifier assignment to the
projector which has already displayed an image; and preview image
requesting means for transmitting an image request command to the
network for requesting a preview image which is a scale-down
version of an image displayed by the projector on a screen, and
acquiring the preview image as a response to the image request
command from the projector. The dialog display includes means for
displaying the projector information and the preview image. The
projector information storage includes means for preserving the
projector information. The search response server includes search
response means for receiving the search command from the network,
and returning the projector information from the projector
information storage; display presence/absence checking means for
checking the status indicating whether or not the display has
already displayed an image; identifier display means for displaying
the identifier received from the network on a screen; preview image
generating means for generating the preview image based on the
displayed identifier or an existing display; and preview image
transmitting means for receiving the image request command from the
network, and returning the preview image generated by the preview
image generating means.
[0011] Another projector selection system according to the present
invention has one or more projectors and a computer interconnected
through a network for selecting one of the projectors from the
computer. The computer comprises a search client and a dialog
display, while the projector comprises a search response server and
a projector information storage. The search client includes
projector search means for transmitting a search command for
searching the projectors to the network, and acquiring projector
information including a projector name, an IP address, and a status
from the projector information storage as a response to the search
command from the projector; and preview image requesting means for
transmitting an image request command to the network for requesting
a preview image which is a scale-down version of an image displayed
by the projector on a screen, and acquiring the preview image as a
response to the image request command from the projector. The
dialog display includes means for displaying the projector
information and the preview image. The projector information
storage includes means for preserving the projector information.
The search response server includes search response means for
receiving the search command from the network, and returning the
projector information from the projector information storage;
display presence/absence checking means for checking the status
indicating whether or not the display has already displayed an
image; IP address display means responsive to the search command
received from the network for displaying the IP address set for the
projector on a screen, and omitting the display of the IP address
of the projector which has already displayed an image on the
screen; preview image generating means for generating the preview
image based on the displayed IP address or an existing display; and
preview image transmitting means for receiving the image request
command from the network, and returning the preview image generated
by the preview image generating means.
[0012] A program according to the present invention causes the
computer and the search response server of the projector to
function as any of the projector selection systems described
above.
[0013] A projector selecting method according to the present
invention is provided for selecting one of projectors from a
computer, wherein the projectors and computer are interconnected
through a network, the computer comprises a search client and a
dialog display, and the projector comprises a search response
server and a projector information storage. The method comprises
the steps of the search client transmitting a search command for
searching the projectors to the network using projector search
means, and waiting for a response to the search command; the search
response server receiving the search command, reading a projector
name and an IP address from the projector information storage,
acquiring a status indicative of the presence or absence of a
display from display presence/absence checking means, and returning
projector information including the projector name, IP address and
status, using search response means; the search client passing the
received projector information to the dialog display for displaying
the projector information on a screen; the search client generating
a unique identifier for each of the projectors which have
responded, transmitting an identifier assignment to each of the
projectors for assigning the identifier, and omitting the
transmission of the identifier to the projector which has already
displayed an image; the search response server receiving the
identifier assignment, displaying the identifier on a screen using
identifier displaying means, and returning an assignment
completion; the search response server generating a preview image
which is a scale-down version of an image displayed on the screen
by the projector using preview image generating means based on the
displayed identifier or an existing display; the search client,
responding to a selection of a desired projector made on the dialog
display, and transmitting an image request command for requesting
the preview image using preview image requesting means; the search
response server receiving the image request command, and
transmitting the generated preview image as image data using
preview image transmitting means; and the search client passing the
received image data to the dialog display for displaying the
preview image on the screen.
[0014] Another projector selecting method according to the present
invention is provided for selecting one of projectors from a
computer, wherein the projectors and computer are interconnected
through a network, the computer comprises a search client and a
dialog display, and the projector comprises a search response
server and a projector information storage. The method comprising
the steps of the search client transmitting a search command for
searching the projectors to the network using projector search
means, and waiting for a response to the search command; the search
response server receiving the search command, reading a projector
name and an IP address from the projector information storage,
acquiring a status indicative of the presence or absence of a
display from display presence/absence checking means, and returning
projector information including the projector name, IP address and
status, using search response means; the search client passing the
received projector information to the dialog display for displaying
the projector information on a screen; the search response server
receiving the search command, displaying the IP address set for the
projector on a screen using IP address display means, and omitting
the display of the IP address for the projector which has already
displayed an image on the screen; the search response server
generating a preview image which is a scale-down version of an
image displayed on the screen by the projector using preview image
generating means based on the displayed IP address or an existing
display; the search client, responding to a selection of a desired
projector made on the dialog display, and transmitting an image
request command for requesting the preview image using preview
image requesting means; the search response server receiving the
image request command, and transmitting the generated preview image
as image data using preview image transmitting means; and the
search client passing the received image data to the dialog display
for displaying the preview image on the screen.
[0015] A program according to the present invention causes the
computer and the search response server of the projector to execute
any of the projector selecting methods described above.
[0016] The present invention provides various advantages, some of
which are described below. The present invention permits the user
to readily select an appropriate projector because the user is
provided with the preview images which associate items on a
projector list displayed on the computer screen with actual
projectors. Also, the present invention does not prevent other
persons from using projectors since the identifiers or IP addresses
are not displayed for those projectors which have already made a
display. Additionally, the identifier assigning means can be
omitted from the search client when using an IP address unique to
each projector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
a conventional search system;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display on a conventional
computer screen;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
a projector selection system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sequence chart for describing the operation
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating how identifiers are
displayed on screens;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display layout on a screen of
a dialog display;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of
a projector selection system according to a second embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a sequence chart for describing the operation
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment of the Present Invention
[0025] A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described in regard to the configuration in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the first embodiment of the present
invention comprises a projector selection system which has one or
more projectors 2 and computer 1 that are interconnected through
network 9 for selecting projector 2 from computer 1.
[0027] Computer 1 comprises search client 10 having projector
search means 101, identifier assigning means 105, and preview image
requesting means 109; and dialog display 15.
[0028] Projector 2 in turn comprises search response server 20
having search responding means 201, display presence/absence
checking means 203, identifier display means 205, preview image
generating means 207, and preview image transmitting means 209; and
projector information storage 25.
[0029] Each of the foregoing means generally operate in the
following manner.
[0030] First, in computer 1, projector search means 101 transmits a
search command to network 9 for searching projectors, and acquires
projector information including a projector name, an IP address,
status, and the like from projector information storage 25 as a
response to a search command from each projector 2. Identifier
assigning means 105 generates a unique identifier for each of
projectors 2 which have responded, and transmits an identifier
assignment for assigning the identifier to each of projectors 2
through network 9. Identifier assigning means 105 does not transmit
the identifier assignment to projectors 2 which have already made a
display. Preview image requesting means 109 transmits an image
request command to network 9 for requesting a preview image which
is a scale-down version of an image displayed by projector 2 on the
screen, and acquires the preview image as a response to the image
request command from projector 2. Dialog display 15 visually
provides the user with projector information and preview images
which make up a user interface.
[0031] Next, in projector 2, search response means 201 receives a
search command from network 9, and returns the projector
information including the projector name, IP address, status, and
the like. Display presence/absence checking means checks the status
indicating whether projector 2 has already made any display.
Identifier display means 205 displays an identifier received from
network 9 on the screen. Preview image generating means 207
generates a preview image, based on the displayed identifier or an
existing display, which is a scaled-down version of an image
displayed on the screen by projector 2. Preview image transmitting
means 209 receives an image request command from network 1, and
returns the preview image generated by preview image generating
means 207. Projector information storage 25 preserves the projector
information including the projector name, IP address, status, and
the like in a storage device or a memory.
[0032] A program for implementing the projector selection system
according to the first embodiment of the present invention can
cause the computer and the search response server of the projector
to function as the projector selection system.
[0033] Next, the operation according to the first embodiment of the
present invention will be described in detail with reference to
FIG. 3 and a sequence chart of FIG. 4.
[0034] As the program starts a search, search client 10 transmits
search command T-1 for searching for projectors 2 to network 9
using projector search means 101, and waits for a response to
search command T-1.
[0035] Search response server 20, upon receipt of search command
T-1, reads the projector name, IP address, and the like from
projector information storage 25, while acquiring the status
indicating whether or not projector 2 is making a display on the
screen from display presence/absence checking means 203, and
returns projector information R-1 including the project name, IP
address and status, using search response means 201.
[0036] Search client 10 passes the received projector information
to dialog display 15 for displaying the projector information on
the screen (see projector list 151 in FIG. 6 for a specific
example).
[0037] Search client 10 next generates a unique identifier (a
character string comprised of alphanumeric symbols) for each of
projectors 2 which have responded, and transmits identifier
assignment T-2 for assigning the identifier to each projector 2.
However, identification assignment T-2 is not transmitted to
projector 2 which has already made a display.
[0038] Search response server 20, upon receipt of identifier
assignment T-2, displays the identifier on the screen (see screens
3a, 3b in FIG. 5 for specific examples) using identifier display
means 203, and returns assignment completion R-2.
[0039] Search response server 20 further generates a preview image
which is a scale-down version of the image displayed on the screen
by projector 2 based on the displayed identifier or an existing
display using preview image generating means 109.
[0040] Afterwards, when projector 2 is selected on dialog display
15, search client 10 transmits image request command T-3 for
requesting a preview image using preview image requesting means
109.
[0041] Search response server 20, upon receiving image request
command T-3, returns the generated preview image as image data R-3
using preview image transmitting means 209.
[0042] Search client 10 passes the received image data to dialog
display 15 for displaying the preview image on the screen (see
preview image 153 in FIG. 6 for a specific example).
[0043] A program for implementing the projector selecting method
according to the first embodiment of present invention can permit
the computer and the search response server of the projector to
execute the projector selecting method.
Second Embodiment of the Present Invention
[0044] A second embodiment of the present invention will be
described in regard to the configuration in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 7, the second embodiment of the present
invention comprises a projector selection system which has one or
more projectors 2 and computer 1 that are interconnected through
network 9 for selecting projector 2 from computer 1 in a manner
similar to the first embodiment.
[0046] However, the second embodiment of the present invention
differs from the first embodiment in that identifier assigning
means 105 is removed, and identifier display means 203 is replaced
with IP address display means 206.
[0047] Computer 1 comprises search client 11 having projector
search means 101 and preview image requesting means 109; and dialog
display 15.
[0048] Projector 2 in turn comprises search response server 21
having search response means 201, display presence/absence checking
means 203, IP address display means 206, preview image generating
means 207, and preview image transmitting means 209; and projector
information storage 25.
[0049] Each of the foregoing means generally operates in the
following manner.
[0050] First, in computer 1, projector search means 101 transmits a
search command to network 9 for searching for projectors 2, and
acquires projector information including the projector name, IP
address, status, and the like as a response from each projector 2.
Preview image requesting means 109 transmits an image request
command to network 9 for requesting a preview image which is a
scale-down version of an image displayed on the screen by projector
2, and acquires the preview image as a response to the image
request command from projector 2. Dialog display 15 visually
provides the user with he projector information and preview image
which make up a user interface.
[0051] Next, in projector 2, search response means 201 receives the
search command from network 9, and returns the projector
information including the projector name, IP address, and the like.
Display presence/absence checking means 203 checks the status
indicating whether projector 2 has already made any display. IP
address display means 206, upon receipt of a search command from
network 9, displays the IP address set for projector 2 on the
screen, but does not display the IP address of projector 2 if it
has already made a display. Preview image generating means 207
generates a preview image which is scale-down version of an image
displayed on the screen by projector 2 based on the displayed IP
address or an existing display. Preview image transmitting means
209 receives an image request command from network 9, and returns
the preview image generated by preview image generating means 207.
Projector information storage 25 preserves the projector
information including the projector name, IP address, status, and
the like in a storage device or a memory.
[0052] A program for implementing the projector selection system
according to the second embodiment of the present invention can
cause the computer and the search response server of the projector
to function as the projector selection system.
[0053] Next, the operation according to the second embodiment of
the present invention will be described in detail with reference to
FIG. 7 and a sequence chart of FIG. 8.
[0054] As the program starts a search, search client 11 transmits
search command T-1 for searching projectors 2 to network 9 using
projector searching means 101, and waits for a response to search
command T-1.
[0055] Search response server 21, upon receipt of search command
T-1, reads the projector name, IP address, and the like from
projector information storage 25, while acquiring the status
indicating whether or not projector 2 is making a display from
display presence/absence checking means 203, and returns projector
information R-1 including the projector name, IP address and
status, using search response means 201.
[0056] Search client 11 passes the received projector information
to dialog display 15 for displaying the projector information on
the screen.
[0057] Search response server 21, upon receipt of search command
T-1, displays the IP address set for projector 2 on the screen
using IP address display means 206. However, if projector 2 has
already displayed an image, the IP address is not displayed.
[0058] Further, search response server 21 generates a preview
image, which is a scale-down version of the image displayed on the
screen by projector 2, based on the displayed IP address or an
existing display using preview image generating means 207.
[0059] Afterwards, as projector 2 is selected on dialog display 15,
search client 11 transmits image request command T-3 for requesting
a preview image using preview image requesting means 109.
[0060] Search response server 21, upon receipt of image request
command T-3, returns the generated preview image as image data R-3
using preview image transmitting means 209.
[0061] Search client 11 passes the received image data to dialog
display 15 for displaying the preview on the screen.
[0062] A program for implementing the projector selecting method
according to the second embodiment of the present invention can
permit the computer and the search response server of the projector
to execute the projector selecting method.
* * * * *