Projector

• US 20020122158A1
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kono, Masaru, Miyashita, Kiyoshi, Akaiwa, Shoichi, Nagano, Miki, Nakamura, Kazuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,266,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3611 Control of matrices with row and column drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/363 Graphics controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/745 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4355 involving reformatting operations of additional data, e.g. HTML pages on a television screen optimising the visualization of content for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/9577; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/066; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8547 involving timestamps for synchronizing content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 : Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence

Abstract

Commands and data transferred via a network line NL are input to an ASP terminal portion 20 via a network interface controller 220. A first CPU loads a client application corresponding to the command and generated user interface image data via a graphics controller 210. A video signal conversion circuit 310 receives image data from the graphics controller 210 and transfers the processed image data to an LCD drive circuit 330. LCD drive circuit 330 drives an LCD 332 in response to the received image data to project the desired image data onto a projection screen.

Claims

1. A projector capable of connection to a network, said projector comprising:

a network connection portion for sending and receiving data over a network;

an image data generating portion for generating image data for display, based on data received via said network connection portion; and

a projection display portion for projecting said generated image data.

2. A projector according to claim 1 wherein data received by said image data generating portion is screen data, and said mage data generating portion executes a client application and generates said image data on the basis of said screen data.

3. A projector according to claim 1 wherein said image data generating portion executes a viewer application and generates said image data on the basis of said received data.

4. A projector according to claim 1 wherein said image data generating portion identifies the data format of said received data, executes a suitable viewer application for the identified data format, and generates said image data.

5. A projector according to claim 1 further comprising:

a playback audio data generating portion for generating audio data for playback on the basis of data received via said network connection portion; and

an audio data playback portion for outputting the said generated playback audio data.

6. A projector according to claim 5 wherein said data is multimedia data including motion video data and audio data associated with motion video data,

said image data generating portion generates image data for display on the basis of motion video data received via said network connection portion, and

said audio data playback portion generates playback audio data associated with said generated image data on the basis of audio data associated with motion video data received via said network connection portion.

7. A projector according to any of claims 1 to 6 further comprising an external input signal receiving portion for receiving an external input signal from an external input portion.

8. A projector according to claim 7 further comprising:

an identifier for uniquely identifying itself from other projectors; and

wherein said external input portion comprises an identifier selecting portion for selecting said identifier, enabling unique input to one desired projector from among a plurality of projectors.

9. A projector according to claim 7 or 8 wherein said external input portion transmits an input signal to said external input signal receiving portion by wireless means.

10. A projector according to any of claims 7 to 9 further comprising a data decision portion for deciding, during projection display and/or after projection display of said image data and via said external input portion, the next set of data to be received via said network.

11. A projector according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein said projection display portion comprises an electro optical data output portion, a light source for illuminating the electro optical data output portion, and a lens for enlarging images projected by the light source.

12. A projector according to any of claims 1 to 11 further comprising:

an image data conversion portion for converting a projected image to image data; and

a storage device for storing said converted image data.

13. A projector according to claim 12 further comprising a date/date/time stamp portion for appending to said image data the conversion date/time or save date/time of said image data.

14. A projector according to claim 13 further comprising an enhancement portion for applying enhancements to a projected image;

wherein said image data conversion portion converts said enhanced image to enhanced image data; and

said date/date/time stamp portion appends the date/time of said enhancement or the date/time said enhanced image data is saved.

15. A projector according to claim 13 further comprising an image data associating portion for associating a plurality of items of said image data by means of association data described in markup language (ML) format.

16. A projector according to claim 15 wherein said image data associating portion chronologically associates a plurality of items of said image data using either the conversion date/time or save date/time of said image data.

17. A projector according to claim 16 wherein said projection display portion reads and project said saved image data.

18. A projector according to claim 14 further comprising an image data associating portion for associating a plurality of items of said image data and said enhanced image data by means of association data described in markup language (ML) format.

19. A projector according to claim 15 wherein said image data associating portion chronologically associates a plurality of items of said enhanced image data and said image data, using either the date/time of said enhancement or the save date/time of said of enhanced image data in the case of said enhanced image data, or using the date/time of conversion or save date/time of said image data in the case of said image data other than said enhanced image data.

20. A projector according to claim 19 wherein said projection display portion reads and projects said saved enhanced image data and/or image data.

21. A projector according to any of claims 12 to 20 wherein a storage device is connected to said network, and

said enhanced image data is stored a storage device connected to said network.

22. A projector according to any of claims 1 to 21 wherein said projector functions as a terminal device for an application service provider (ASP).

24. A display system according to claim 23 wherein display screen data generated by said display screen data generating means of said server has a unique format and consists of differential data for previous display screen data and current display screen data, and

said image data generating means of said projector uses a client application to generate said image data on the basis of said display screen data.

25. A display system according to claim 23 or 24 wherein said projector is a projector for an application service provider (ASP).

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said client is a projector.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said client is a projector.

23. A display system wherein results of operations performed by a server are displayed via a plurality of projectors connected over a network, wherein said server comprises:

display screen data generating means provided for each said projector, for executing operations in response to a request from a said projector and generating display screen data; and

display screen data transmitting means for transmitting said generated display screen data to said projector requesting said operations; and

said projector comprises;

transmitting/receiving means for transmitting a request for said operations to said server via said network and receiving said display screen data transmitted from said server;

image data generating means for generating image data for display on the basis of said received display screen data; and

projection display means for projecting said generated image data.

26. A method for displaying images via a projector connected to a network, comprising:

in a server connected to said network,

executing an application in response to a request from a client; and

transmitting to said requesting client and said projector via said network user interface data resulting from execution of said application; and

in said projector,

receiving said transmitted user interface data;

generating image data for display on the basis of said received user interface data; and

projecting said generated image data.

28. A method for displaying multimedia data that includes still image data, motion video data, and audio data, via a projector connected to a network, comprising:

in a server connected to said network,

transmitting said multimedia data requested by means of a client request to said requesting client and said projector; and

in said projector,

receiving said transmitted multimedia data,

loading a suitable application for playback of said received multimedia data,

playing back said multimedia data via said loaded application;

projecting playback still video or playback motion video from said played back multimedia data; and

outputting playback audio data from said played back multimedia data.