U.S. patent application number 13/688617 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-30 for image display control device, image display system, and computer program product.
The applicant listed for this patent is Katsuyuki OMURA. Invention is credited to Katsuyuki OMURA.
Application Number | 20130135263 13/688617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48466400 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130135263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OMURA; Katsuyuki |
May 30, 2013 |
IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER
PROGRAM PRODUCT
Abstract
An image display control device according to the present
invention includes a display control unit, an obtaining unit, a
drawing unit, a deleting unit, and an operating unit. The display
control unit displays an image on a display device. The obtaining
unit obtains contact position information or proximity position
information of a drawing device, which is relative to a display
area of the display device. The drawing unit generates a drawn
image, compose a display image of an information processing
apparatus with the drawn image, and displays the composite image on
the display device. The deleting unit deletes the drawn image from
the displayed image, and display on the display device. The
operating unit operates the information processing apparatus. The
drawing device switches and specifies a generation and deletion of
the drawn image, and an operation of the information processing
apparatus.
Inventors: |
OMURA; Katsuyuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OMURA; Katsuyuki |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
48466400 |
Appl. No.: |
13/688617 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0428 20130101;
G06F 3/03 20130101; G06F 3/03545 20130101; G06F 3/0304
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/179 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/03 20060101
G06F003/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2011 |
JP |
2011-262619 |
Aug 1, 2012 |
JP |
2012-171108 |
Claims
1. An image display control device for displaying an image on a
display device, comprising: a display control unit configured to
display an image; an obtaining unit configured to obtain contact
position information or proximity position information of a drawing
device, the contact position information or proximity position
information being relative to a display area of the display device;
a drawing unit configured to use the contact position information
or proximity position information to generate a drawn image, and
compose a display image received from an external information
processing apparatus with the drawn image, and display the
composite image on the display device, the information processing
apparatus providing the image display control device with an image;
a deleting unit configured to use the contact position information
or proximity position information to delete the drawn image from
the image displayed on the display device, and display on the
display device; and an operating unit configured to use the contact
position information or proximity position information to operate
the information processing apparatus, wherein the drawing device
includes a switching unit configured to specify a generation of the
drawn image, a deletion of the drawn image, and an operation of the
information processing apparatus, the switching unit includes two
buttons to be pressed by a user, and the image display control
device selectively generates the drawn image, deletes the drawn
image, and operates the information processing apparatus based on a
designation by the drawing device.
2. The image display control device according to claim 1, wherein
the operating unit transmits an event to the information processing
apparatus, the event including the contact position information or
proximity position information.
3. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-usable medium having a program for executing a method
executed by an image display control device for displaying an image
on a display device, the method including: receiving a command from
a drawing device configured to specify a generation of a drawn
image, a deletion of a drawn image, and an operation of an
information processing apparatus configured to provide the image
display control device with an image; obtaining contact position
information or proximity position information of the drawing
device, the contact position information or proximity position
information being relative to a display area of the display device;
using the contact position information or proximity position
information to generate a drawn image, composing a display image of
the information processing apparatus with the drawn image, and
displaying on the display device; using the contact position
information or proximity position information to delete the drawn
image from an image displayed on the display device, and display on
the display device; and using the contact position information or
proximity position information to operate the information
processing apparatus, wherein the drawing device includes a
switching unit configured to specify a generation of the drawn
image, a deletion of the drawn image, and an operation of the
information processing apparatus, the switching unit includes two
buttons to be pressed by a user, and the image display control
device selectively generates the drawn image, deletes the drawn
image, and operates the information processing apparatus based on a
designation by the drawing device.
4. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the
operating the information processing apparatus includes
transmitting an event to the information processing apparatus, the
event including the contact position information or proximity
position information.
5. An image display system, comprising: a display device; an image
display control device configured to display an image on the
display device; an information processing apparatus configured to
provide the image display control device with an image; a drawing
device configured to generate a drawn image; and a coordinate
sensor configured to sense contact position information or
proximity position information of the drawing device, wherein the
image display control device, comprises: a display control unit
configured to display an image; an obtaining unit configured to
obtain contact position information or proximity position
information of the drawing device from the coordinate sensor, the
contact position information or proximity position information
being relative to a display area of the display device; a drawing
unit configured to use the contact position information or
proximity position information to generate a drawn image, and
compose a display image received from the information processing
apparatus with the drawn image; and display on the display device;
a deleting unit configured to use the contact position information
or proximity position information to delete the drawn image from
the image displayed on the display device, and display on the
display device; and an operating unit configured to use the contact
position information or proximity position information to operate
the information processing apparatus, wherein the drawing device
includes a switching unit configured to specify a generation of the
drawn image, a deletion of the drawn image, and an operation of the
information processing apparatus, the switching unit includes two
buttons to be pressed by a user, and the image display control
device selectively generates the drawn image, deletes the drawn
image, and operates the information processing apparatus based on a
designation on the drawing device.
6. The image display system according to claim 5, wherein the
operating unit transmits an event to the information processing
apparatus, the event including the contact position information or
proximity position information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to and incorporates
by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-262619 filed in Japan on Nov. 30, 2011 and Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-171108 filed in Japan on Aug. 1, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image display control
device that displays arbitrary images. More specifically, the
present invention relates to the image display control device, an
image display system, and a computer program product having a
program that display a display image of an information processing
apparatus, allow operations of the information processing
apparatus, and display any drawn image.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A conventional electronic blackboard has been utilized for a
meeting or a similar occasion in a company, an educational
institution, an administrative agency, or a similar organization.
The conventional electronic blackboard has a large display screen
to display a display image of an information processing apparatus,
and allows its operation.
[0006] As an example of the electronic blackboard, Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. 2002-91654 discloses an information
processing apparatus that is coupled to another information
processing apparatus in order to display and control a screen of
the information processing apparatus. This information processing
apparatus has a first operational mode for operating this
information processing apparatus and a second mode for operating
the other information processing apparatus. These modes are
switchable to operate these information processing apparatuses.
[0007] However, the information processing apparatus described in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-91654 has a problem
that the apparatus is inadequate in its functioning of
image-displaying and its usability.
[0008] There is need to provide an image display control device, an
image display system, a method and a program that allow creating
and deleting a drawn image and improving operability at the time of
switching between functions provided by an image display control
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to at least
partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.
[0010] An image display control device for displaying an image on a
display device, comprises: a display control unit configured to
display an image; an obtaining unit configured to obtain contact
position information or proximity position information of a drawing
device, the contact position information or proximity position
information being relative to a display area of the display device;
a drawing unit configured to use the contact position information
or proximity position information to generate a drawn image, and
compose a display image received from an external information
processing apparatus with the drawn image, and display the
composite image on the display device, the information processing
apparatus providing the image display control device with an image;
a deleting unit configured to use the contact position information
or proximity position information to delete the drawn image from
the image displayed on the display device, and display on the
display device; and an operating unit configured to use the contact
position information or proximity position information to operate
the information processing apparatus.
[0011] In the image display control device, the drawing device
includes a switching unit configured to specify a generation of the
drawn image, a deletion of the drawn image, and an operation of the
information processing apparatus, the switching unit includes two
buttons to be pressed by a user, and the image display control
device selectively generates the drawn image, deletes the drawn
image, and operates the information processing apparatus based on a
designation by the drawing device.
[0012] A computer program product comprises a non-transitory
computer-usable medium having a program for executing a method
executed by an image display control device for displaying an image
on a display device.
[0013] In the computer program product, the method includes:
receiving a command from a drawing device configured to specify a
generation of a drawn image, a deletion of a drawn image, and an
operation of an information processing apparatus configured to
provide the image display control device with an image; obtaining
contact position information or proximity position information of
the drawing device, the contact position information or proximity
position information being relative to a display area of the
display device; using the contact position information or proximity
position information to generate a drawn image, composing a display
image of the information processing apparatus with the drawn image,
and displaying on the display device; using the contact position
information or proximity position information to delete the drawn
image from an image displayed on the display device, and display on
the display device; and using the contact position information or
proximity position information to operate the information
processing apparatus.
[0014] In the method in the program included in the computer
program product, the drawing device includes a switching unit
configured to specify a generation of the drawn image, a deletion
of the drawn image, and an operation of the information processing
apparatus, the switching unit includes two buttons to be pressed by
a user, and the image display control device selectively generates
the drawn image, deletes the drawn image, and operates the
information processing apparatus based on a designation by the
drawing device.
[0015] An image display system comprises: a display device; an
image display control device configured to display an image on the
display device; an information processing apparatus configured to
provide the image display control device with an image; a drawing
device configured to generate a drawn image; and a coordinate
sensor configured to sense contact position information or
proximity position information of the drawing device.
[0016] In the image display system, the image display control
device comprises: a display control unit configured to display an
image; an obtaining unit configured to obtain contact position
information or proximity position information of the drawing device
from the coordinate sensor, the contact position information or
proximity position information being relative to a display area of
the display device; a drawing unit configured to use the contact
position information or proximity position information to generate
a drawn image, and compose a display image received from the
information processing apparatus with the drawn image, and display
on the display device; a deleting unit configured to use the
contact position information or proximity position information to
delete the drawn image from the image displayed on the display
device, and display on the display device; and an operating unit
configured to use the contact position information or proximity
position information to operate the information processing
apparatus. And, in the image display control device, the drawing
device includes a switching unit configured to specify a generation
of the drawn image, a deletion of the drawn image, and an operation
of the information processing apparatus, the switching unit
includes two buttons to be pressed by a user, and the image display
control device selectively generates the drawn image, deletes the
drawn image, and operates the information processing apparatus
based on a designation on the drawing device.
[0017] The above and other objects, features, advantages and
technical and industrial significance of this invention will be
better understood by reading the following detailed description of
presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image display
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of an image display device according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of a drawing device according to the embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of a controller included in the image display device
according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by a
controller included in the image display device according to the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by a
controller included in the image display device according to the
embodiment of the present invention, in the case where a drawing
mode is selected;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by a
controller included in the image display device according to the
embodiment of the present invention, in the case where a deletion
mode is selected; and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by a
controller included in the image display device according to the
embodiment of the present invention, in the case where a selection
mode is selected.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The following describes an embodiment of the present
invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiment described below.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image display
system 100 according to the present invention. The image display
system 100 includes an image display device 110 and a user PC 130.
The image display device 110 is coupled to the user PC 130 via
cables 124 and 126.
[0028] The image display device 110 is a device that displays a
display image of the user PC 130 and allows its operation. The
image display device 110 also displays a drawn image created by the
user. The image display device 110 includes a display 112, a video
input interface 120, and an output interface 122.
[0029] The display 112 is a display unit that displays various
kinds of images such as a display image of the user PC 130 and a
drawn image created by the user. The display 112 displays GUI
(Graphical User Interface) buttons 118a, 118b, and 118c, which are
used to operate a display image 116 of the user PC 130 and the
image display device 110. The display 112 includes a coordinate
sensor 114 as sensing means that senses a contact and proximity of
an object such as a finger and a dedicated pen.
[0030] The video input interface 120 is an interface that receives
a video signal that forms a display image 116 of the user PC 130.
In this embodiment, a DVI connector, which has a DVI (Digital
Visual Interface) terminal, may be employed as the video input
interface 120. The video input interface 120 receives a VGA signal
from the user PC 130 via the cable 124 such as a VGA cable, and
provides the image display device 110 with the VGA signal.
[0031] In other embodiments, a VGA (Video Graphics Array)
connector, an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
connector, a DisplayPort connector, or other connectors may be
employed. Additionally, the video input interface 120 may employ a
wireless communication that is compliant with a wireless
communication protocol such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and
Wi-Fi in order to receive the video signal from the user PC 130 in
other embodiments.
[0032] The output interface 122 is a physical interface that
outputs an event of operating a display image of the image display
device 110 and the user PC 130. In this embodiment, a USB socket
may be employed as the output interface 122.
[0033] The user PC 130 is an information processing apparatus that
provides an image to be displayed on the image display device 110.
The user PC 130 includes an interface that outputs a video signal.
The user PC 130 provides the image display device 110 with the
video signal that forms an image displayed in a display screen of
the user PC 130, at a predetermined rate (for example, 50 to 60 fps
(frame per second)). In this embodiment, the user PC 130 includes a
VGA output terminal as an interface, and is able to transmit a VGA
signal to the image display device 110. In other embodiment, the
user PC 130 may employ a wireless communication that is compliant
with various wireless communication protocols in order to transmit
a display image.
[0034] The user PC 130 also includes USB ports. Through the USB
ports, the user PC 130 receives signals that form various kinds of
events (hereinafter referred to as "input device event"), which are
issued by an input device such as a computer mouse and a keyboard,
from the image display device 110. Then the user PC 130 executes
processes in accordance with the input device event.
[0035] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a note PC is
employed as the user PC 130. In other embodiments, an information
processing apparatus that is able to provide a video signal, such
as a desktop PC, a tablet PC, and a PDA, may be employed.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of the image display device 110 according to the
present invention. The image display device 110 is configured to
include a controller 200, a receiving unit 202, the display 112,
and the coordinate sensor 114.
[0037] The controller 200 is an image display control device that
controls the entire image display device. The controller 200 may
employ a LSI (Large Scale Integration). A functional configuration
of the controller 200 will be described in detail by referring to
FIG. 4.
[0038] The receiving unit 202 is functional means that receives a
wireless signal from a drawing device 210. The drawing device 210
includes a mode switching unit that allows creation of a drawn
image, deletion of the drawn image, and selection of an image
object such as a GUI button displayed on the display 112. The
drawing device 210 senses itself in contact with the display area
of the display 112, which is a display unit of the image display
device 110, and wirelessly transmits a signal that indicates its
contact (hereinafter referred to as "a contact signal") to the
image display device 110. The receiving unit 202 transmits the
contact signal to the coordinate sensor 114.
[0039] This embodiment employs a coordinate input/sensing unit,
which is an infrared light cut-off type as disclosed in Japanese
Patent No. 4627781, as the coordinate sensor 114. In this
coordinate input/sensing unit, two light sensing and emitting units
are disposed at the both lower ends of the display 112. The two
light sensing and emitting units emit a plurality of infrared
lights in parallel with the display 112, and sense a light
reflected in the same optical path by a reflection member disposed
in a peripheral area of the display 112. The coordinate sensor 114
notifies identification information of the infrared lights that are
emitted by the two light sensing and emitting units and then
interrupted by the drawing device 210, to a coordinate sensor
driver included in the controller 200. The coordinate sensor driver
uses the identification information of the infrared light to
specify an interrupted infrared light, and calculates a contact
position or a proximity position (hereinafter referred to as "a
coordinate position") of the drawing device 210.
[0040] In other embodiments, various kinds of sensing means may be
employed. For example, a capacitive coordinate sensor where the
contact position information is specified by sensing change in
capacitance, a resistive coordinate sensor where the contact
position information is specified by change in voltages of two
opposing resistance films, or an electromagnetic induction type
coordinate sensor where the contact position information is
specified by sensing electromagnetic induction that is generated
when a contact object contacts a display, may be employed.
[0041] The image display device 110 includes a network interface
204. Through the network interface 204, the image display device
110 is able to transmit image data of a display image, a drawn
image, and a similar image on the display 112 via a network.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of the drawing device according to the present
invention. The following describes a hardware configuration of the
drawing device 210.
[0043] The drawing device 210 includes a leading end unit 300, a
contact sensor 302, a signal processing unit 304, and a signal
transmitting unit 306, which constitute contact sensing means, and
mode switching units 308 and 310.
[0044] The leading end unit 300 is a movable member to contact the
display 112. When the leading end of the leading end unit 300
contacts the display 112, the leading end unit 300 moves to the
longer side direction of the drawing device 210 while the trailing
end contacts the contact sensor 302. An elastic member (not
illustrated) such as a spring is disposed between the leading end
unit 300 and the contact sensor 302. When the leading end unit 300
is separated from the coordinate sensor 114, the leading end unit
300 returns to the original position due to an elastic force of the
elastic member.
[0045] The contact sensor 302 is a sensor that senses a contact of
the leading end unit 300. In this embodiment, a pressure sensor
such as FlexiForce (trademark) of NITTA CORPORATION and INASTOMER
(registered trademark) of INABA RUBBER CO., LTD may be employed as
the contact sensor 302. When the leading end unit 300 contacts the
contact sensor 302, the resistance value of the current in the
contact sensor 302 changes.
[0046] The signal processing unit 304 is means that monitors the
contact sensor 302 and determines whether or not the drawing device
210 contacts. In this embodiment, a semiconductor circuit may be
employed as the signal processing unit 304. The signal processing
unit 304 is configured to include a voltage converter circuit, an
A/D converter circuit, a memory circuit, a determination circuit,
and an output circuit.
[0047] When the signal processing unit 304 senses a change in the
resistance value of the contact sensor 302, the voltage converter
circuit converts the change in the resistance value of the contact
sensor 302 into a voltage, and the A/D converter circuit converts
the voltage converted by the voltage converter circuit into a
contact signal, which is a digital value.
[0048] The determination circuit compares the contact signal with a
predetermined threshold value stored in the memory circuit in order
to determine whether or not the leading end unit 300 contacts the
display 112, and then transmits the determination result to the
output circuit.
[0049] In this embodiment, a value obtained by converting a change
in resistance value, which is generated when the leading end unit
300 actually contacts the display 112, into a voltage and
converting this voltage into a digital value, may be defined as the
predetermined threshold value. In the case where the change in
resistance value is equal to or more than the predetermined
threshold value, it is determined that the leading end unit 300
contacts the display 112. On the other hand, in the case where the
change in resistance value is less than the predetermined threshold
value, it is determined that the leading end unit 300 does not
contact the display 112.
[0050] The determination circuit also senses a press on the mode
switching units 308 and 310, which are means that switches between
operational modes, and then transmits a signal (hereinafter
referred to as "a switching unit type signal"), which indicates the
type of the mode switching unit pressed by the user, to the output
circuit. The mode switching units 308 and 310 have a mechanism to
select a drawing mode, a deletion mode, or a selection mode, which
are offered by the image display device 110. The drawing mode
allows a user to create a drawn image. The deletion mode allows a
user to delete the created drawn image. In the selection mode, an
image object such as a GUI button, which is displayed on the
display 112, is allowed to be selected, and an event is allowed to
be transmitted to the user PC 130.
[0051] In this embodiment, the mode switching unit 308, which is
the first button, may select the deletion mode, and the mode
switching unit 310, which is the second button, may select the
selection mode. In this embodiment, the two mode switching units
are used to select the mode, one mode switching unit or three mode
switching units may be used to select the mode in other
embodiments.
[0052] When a user presses the mode switching unit 308 or 310, the
mode switching unit 308 or 310 transmits a switching unit type
signal to the output circuit via a signal line.
[0053] The output circuit outputs the contact signal and the
switching unit type signal, which are output from the determination
circuit, to the signal transmitting unit 306. The contact signal
includes a value that indicates that the drawing device 210 is in
contact with the display 112 (true), and a value that indicates
that the drawing device 210 is not in contact with the display 112
(false). The output circuit regularly outputs the contact signal
and the switching unit type signal. In other embodiments, the
output circuit may output the contact signal when the drawing
device 210 contacts the display 112, or the drawing device 210 is
separated off the display 112.
[0054] The signal transmitting unit 306 is means that transmits the
contact signal and the switching unit type signal, which are output
by the output circuit, to the image display device 110. In this
embodiment, the signal transmitting unit 306 transmits the contact
signal and the switching unit type signal to the image display
device 110 using a wireless communication such as an infrared light
and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In other embodiments, these
signals may be transmitted to the image display device 110 via a
signal line.
[0055] In this embodiment, the operational mode may be switched by
the drawing device 210. For example, while a user is creating the
drawn image with the drawing device 210, the user may use the
drawing device 210 in the user's hand in order to switch the
operational mode to the deletion mode to delete the drawn image.
Then the user may switch the operational mode to the drawing mode
in order to continue to create a drawn image. This leads to higher
usability.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional
configuration of the controller 200 included in the image display
device 110. The image display device 110 is configured to include
an OS (Operating System) 400, an application unit 410, a video
signal input unit 422, and a coordinate sensor driver 424.
[0057] The video signal input unit 422 is functional means that
processes a video signal transmitted by the user PC 130.
Specifically, the video signal input unit 422 converts the video
signal such as a VGA signal, which is received from the user PC
130, into a digital signal, and provides the application unit 410
with the digital signal.
[0058] The OS 400 is functional means that controls the whole
controller 200. The OS 400 receives various kinds of events issued
by the coordinate sensor driver 424 and notifies the application
unit 410.
[0059] In this embodiment, an OS such as Windows (registered
trademark) series, UNIX (registered trademark), Linux (registered
trademark), TRON, ITRON, and .mu.ITRON may be employed as the OS
400. A processor (not illustrated) included in the controller 200
executes a program according to the present invention, which is
written in a program language such as an assembler, C, C++, Java
(registered trademark), JavaScript (registered trademark), Perl,
Ruby, and Python, under the management of these OSs.
[0060] The coordinate sensor driver 424 is functional means that
controls the coordinate sensor 114. When the coordinate sensor
driver 424 receives a contact signal from the coordinate sensor
114, the coordinate sensor driver 424 issues an event (TOUCH),
which indicates that the drawing device 210 contacts or approaches
the display 112, an event (MOVE), which indicates that the drawing
device 210 is in contact with the display 112 or close to the
display 112 and the contact point or the close point is moved, or
an event (RELEASE), which indicates that the drawing device 210 is
separated off the display 112, and notifies the OS 400.
[0061] The coordinate sensor driver 424 uses identification
information of the infrared light, which is received from the
coordinate sensor 114, to specify the coordinate position of the
drawing device 210, and add information indicative of the
coordinate position (hereinafter referred to as "coordinate
position information") to each event (TOUCH, MOVE, or RELEASE).
Multiple portions of coordinate position information are added to
the event (MOVE). The coordinate sensor driver 424 also uses the
switching unit type signal received from the coordinate sensor 114
to determine the type of the mode switching unit 308 or 310 that is
pressed by a user, and adds identification information of the mode
switching unit to these events. In the case where the mode
switching unit 308 or 310 is not pressed, or the case where the
switching unit type signal is not received in other words, the
coordinate sensor driver 424 does not add identification
information of the mode switching unit to those events.
[0062] The application unit 410 is functional means that processes
an image displayed on the display 112, and is configured to include
a video signal processing unit 412, an event processing unit 414, a
drawing unit 416, a deleting unit 418, and an operating unit
420.
[0063] The video signal processing unit 412 is functional means
that processes a video signal provided by the video signal input
unit 422. The video signal processing unit 412 generates a display
image of the user PC 130 from the video signal, and displays the
display image on the display 112. The video signal processing unit
412 stores the image displayed on the display 112 in the
predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as "a background image
storage area") in a storage unit such as a RAM included in the
controller 200.
[0064] The event processing unit 414 is functional means that
processes an event received from the OS 400. Specifically, the
event processing unit 414 notifies the drawing unit 416, the
deleting unit 418, and the operating unit 420, which handle a
process corresponding to the event received from the OS 400, of the
event (TOUCH), the event (MOVE), and the event (RELEASE).
[0065] The drawing unit 416 is functional means that generates a
drawn image and displays the drawn image on the display 112. The
drawing unit 416 changes the color of the coordinate position
specified by the coordinate position information included in the
event received from the event processing unit 414 into a specified
color so as to generate the drawn image. Then, the drawing unit 416
obtains an image from the background image storage area, composes
the image with the drawn image, and displays the composite image on
the display 112.
[0066] The drawing unit 416 stores the drawn image displayed on the
display 112 in a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as "a
drawn image storage area") in a storage unit such as a RAM included
in the controller 200. At this time, the drawing unit 416 stores
information indicative of coordinate positions that form the drawn
image, as metadata for the drawn image, in the drawn image storage
area. The drawing unit 416 also stores the composed image in a
predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as "a composite image
storage area").
[0067] The deleting unit 418 is functional means that deletes the
drawn image. The deleting unit 418 compares the coordinate position
specified by the coordinate position information included in the
event received from the event processing unit 414 with the
coordinate position where the drawn image is formed. In the case
where these coordinate positions match each other, the deleting
unit 418 changes the color of the coordinate position in the
composite image into the color of the corresponding background
image. Then, the deleting unit 418 displays the modified composite
image on the display 112 and stores it in the composite image
storage area.
[0068] In this embodiment, the color of the pixel in each
coordinate position, which constitutes these images, is stored in
the background image storage area and the composite image storage
area. The deleting unit 418 is able to specify a pixel of the
composite image that corresponds to the drawn image to be deleted,
and specify the color of the background image, which corresponds to
this pixel.
[0069] The operating unit 420 is functional means that instructs
the image display device 110 or the user PC 130 to operate. The
operating unit 420 determines whether or not the coordinate
position, which is specified by the coordinate position information
included in the event received from the event processing unit 414,
is in the area of the image object, which indicates an instruction
to the image display device 110, or in the area where a display
image of the user PC 130 is displayed.
[0070] In the case where the coordinate position specified by the
coordinate position information is in the area of the image object
that indicates an instruction to the image display device 110, the
operating unit 420 issues an event, which indicates that the image
object is selected, to the OS 400. In the case where the coordinate
position specified by the coordinate position information is in the
area where the display image of the user PC 130 is displayed, the
operating unit 420 changes the coordinate position into a
coordinate position that fits the resolution of the display image
of the user PC 130, and transmits an input device event with the
changed coordinate position to the user PC 130.
[0071] In this embodiment, the image display device 110 includes
functional means that controls the coordinate sensor 114, and
functional means that generates the drawn image and superimposes
the drawn image on a background image. This eliminates the need to
install software such as a control driver, which has these
functions, on the user PC 130.
[0072] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the
image display device according to the present invention. The
process executed by the controller 200 in the image display device
110 will be described in detail below by referring to FIG. 5.
[0073] The process illustrated in FIG. 5 starts from the step S500.
In step S501, whether or not the event processing unit 414 in the
controller 200 detects an event issued by the coordinate sensor
driver 424 is determined. In the case where the event is not
detected (no), the process of step S501 is repeated. On the other
hand, in the case where the event is detected (yes), the process
proceeds to step S502.
[0074] In step S502, the event processing unit 414 uses
identification information of the mode switching unit, which is
added to the event, to determine whether or not the first button is
pressed. The first button is used to specify the deletion mode. In
the case where the event processing unit 414 determines that the
first button is pressed (yes), the process proceeds to step S506.
In step S506, the event processing unit 414 notifies the deleting
unit 418 of the event detected in step S501, and the process
returns to step S501.
[0075] On the other hand, in the case where the event processing
unit 414 determines that the first button is not pressed in the
determination of step S502 (no), the process proceeds to step S503.
In step S503, the event processing unit 414 uses the identification
information of the mode switching unit, which is added to the
event, to determine whether or not the second button is pressed.
The second button is used to specify the selection mode. In the
case where the event processing unit 414 determines that the second
button is pressed (yes), the process proceeds to step S505. In step
S505, the event processing unit 414 notifies the operating unit 420
of the event detected in step S501, and the process returns to step
S501.
[0076] On the other hand, in the case where the event processing
unit 414 determines that the second button is not pressed in the
determination of step S503 (no), the process proceeds to step S504.
In step S504, the event processing unit 414 notifies the drawing
unit 416 of the event detected in step S501, and the process
returns to step S501.
[0077] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the
image display device according to the present invention. The
process executed by the controller 200 in the image display device
110 in the case where the drawing mode is selected will be
described in detail below by referring to FIG. 6.
[0078] The process illustrated in FIG. 6 starts when the drawing
unit 416 receives an event from the event processing unit 414 in
step S600. In step S601, the drawing unit 416 determines whether or
not the type of the event is TOUCH or MOVE. In the case where the
type of the event is TOUCH or MOVE (yes), the process proceeds to
step S602. On the other hand, in the case where the type of the
event is not TOUCH or MOVE, in other words, in the case where the
type of the event is RELEASE (no), the process proceeds to step
S607 and then ends.
[0079] In step S602, the drawing unit 416 uses coordinate position
information, which is added to the event, to generate a drawn
image. In step S603, the drawing unit 416 stores the drawn image in
the drawn image storage area. In step S604, the drawing unit 416
obtains a background image from the background image storage area,
and composes the background image with the drawn image. In step
S605, the drawing unit 416 displays the composite image generated
in step S604 on the display 112. In step S606, the drawing unit 416
stores the composite image in the composite image storage area.
Then the process ends in step S607.
[0080] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the
image display device according to the present invention. The
process executed by the controller 200 in the image display device
110 in the case where the deletion mode is selected will be
described below by referring to FIG. 7.
[0081] The process illustrated in FIG. 7 starts when the deleting
unit 418 receives an event from the event processing unit 414 in
step S700. In step S701, the deleting unit 418 determines whether
or not the type of the event is TOUCH or MOVE. In the case where
the type of the event is TOUCH or MOVE (yes), the process proceeds
to step S702. On the other hand, in the case where the type of the
event is not TOUCH or MOVE, in other words, in the case where the
type of the event is RELEASE (no), the process proceeds to step
S707 and then ends.
[0082] In step S702, the deleting unit 418 obtains coordinate
position information of a drawn image stored in the drawn image
storage area. In step S703, the deleting unit 418 compares
coordinate position information, which is added to the event, with
the coordinate position information of the drawn image, in order to
determine whether or not the coordinate positions specified by
these coordinate position information overlap. In the case where
the coordinate positions overlap (yes), the process proceeds to
step S704. On the other hand, in the case where the coordinate
positions do not overlap (no), the process proceeds to step S707
and then ends.
[0083] In step S704, the deleting unit 418 obtains a composite
image from the composite image storage area. Then the deleting unit
418 changes the color of the pixel specified by the coordinate
position in the composite image into the color of the pixel
specified by the coordinate position in the background image stored
in the background image storage area, so as to delete the drawn
image specified by the coordinate position. In step S705, the
deleting unit 418 displays the composite image modified in step
S704 on the display 112. In step S706, the deleting unit 418 stores
the composite image displayed on the display 112 in the composite
image storage area. Then the process ends in S707.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the
image display device according to the present invention. The
process executed by the controller 200 in the image display device
110 in the case where the selection mode is selected will be
described below by referring to FIG. 8.
[0085] The process illustrated in FIG. 8 starts when the operating
unit 420 receives an event from the event processing unit 414 in
step S800. In step S801, the operating unit 420 determines whether
or not the type of the event is RELEASE. In the case where the type
of the event is RELEASE (yes), the process proceeds to step
S802.
[0086] On the other hand, in the case where the type of the event
is not RELEASE, in other words, in the case where the type of the
event is TOUCH or MOVE (no), the process proceeds to step S806 and
then ends.
[0087] In step S802, the operating unit 420 uses coordinate
position information, which is added to the event, in order to
determine to which area the coordinate position specified by the
coordinate position information belongs. In the case where the
coordinate position belongs to an image object area, the process
proceeds to step S803. In step S803, the operating unit 420 issues
an event, which indicates that the image object specified by the
coordinate position is selected, to the OS 400. Then the process
ends in S806.
[0088] In the case where the operating unit 420 determines that the
coordinate position belongs to the display image area of the user
PC 130 in the determination of step S802, the process proceeds to
step S804. In step S804, the operating unit 420 changes the
coordinate position, which is specified by the coordinate position
information added to the event, to fit the resolution of the
display image of the user PC 130. The resolution of the display
image of the user PC 130 may be preliminarily specified.
Alternatively, the video signal processing unit 412 may analyze
video signals received from the user PC 130 to calculate the
resolution.
[0089] In step S805, the operating unit 420 adds coordinate
position information, which indicates the changed coordinate
position, to an input device event, which indicates that the
coordinate position is selected, and then transmits to the user PC
130. Then the process ends in step S806.
[0090] In the case where the operating unit 420 determines that the
coordinate position belongs to another area in the determination of
step S802, the process proceeds to step S806 and then ends.
[0091] Although the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the
appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed
as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that
may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the
basic teaching herein set forth.
[0092] Especially in the above-described embodiment, the controller
displays an image on a display that is configured integrally with
the image display device. However, in other embodiments, the
controller may allow a display device such as a projector, which
can project an image, to project an image on a display surface such
as a screen so as to display the image. In this case, a sensor that
senses a contact position or a proximity position of a drawing
device is disposed on the screen or the display device. The
controller is able to obtain contact position information or
proximity position information of the drawing device, which is
relative to the area on the display surface on which the image is
projected, namely, the display area of the display device, from the
sensor.
[0093] The image display control device according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention employs the configuration
described above and allows creating and deleting a drawn image and
improving operability at the time of switching between functions
provided by an image display control device.
[0094] The present invention can be implemented in any convenient
form, for example using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of
dedicated hardware and software. The present invention may be
implemented as computer software implemented by one or more network
processing apparatus. The network can comprise any conventional
terrestrial or wireless communications network, such as the
Internet. The processing apparatus can compromise any suitably
programmed apparatuses such as a general purpose computer, personal
digital assistant, mobile telephone (such as a WAP or 3G-compliant
phone) and so on. Since the present invention can be implemented as
software, each and every aspect of the present invention thus
encompasses computer software implemental on a programmable device.
The computer software can be provided to the programmable device
using any storage medium for storing processor readable code such
as a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, magnetic tape device or solid
state memory device.
[0095] The hardware platform includes any desired kind of hardware
resources including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU),
a random access memory (RAM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU
may be implemented by any desired kind of any desired number of
processor. The RAM may be implemented by any desired kind of
volatile or non-volatile memory. The HDD may be implemented by any
desired kind of non-volatile memory capable of storing a large
amount of data. The hardware resources may additionally include an
input device, an output device, or a network device, depending on
the type of the apparatus. Alternatively, the HDD may be provided
outside of the apparatus as long as the HDD is accessible. In this
example, the CPU, such as a cache memory of the CPU, and the RAM
may function as a physical memory or a primary memory of the
apparatus, while the HDD may function as a secondary memory of the
apparatus.
* * * * *