Projector system

• US 8,296,572 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Fujimori, Toshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Arani, Taghi
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, KENNETH W
• Application Number:
  US11/694,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20070229771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,034 Days
• Field of Search: 713/183
• US Class Current: 713/183
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor

Abstract

A projector system includes an information processing apparatus and a projector. The projector includes a device connection unit which enables communication between the information processing apparatus and the projector, a password generating unit which generates a password, and an encryption unit which encrypts the password and outputs the encrypted password to the information processing apparatus through the device connection unit. The information processing apparatus includes a device connection unit which enables communication between the projector and the information processing apparatus, a decryption unit which decrypts the encrypted password input through the device connection unit of the information processing apparatus using a decryption key, and a password determining unit which has functions of determining whether the decrypted decryption password is correct and outputting a signal directing to start the process for projection to be performed by the information processing apparatus in a case where the decrypted password is correct.

Claims

1. A projector system comprising:

an information processing apparatus supplying image data to a projector; and

the projector projecting an image based on the image data supplied from the information processing apparatus,

wherein the projector includes;

a device connection unit of the projector which enables communication between the information processing apparatus and the projector;

a password generating unit of the projector which generates a password used for determining whether to start a process for projection before the process for projection has started; and

an encryption unit of the projector which encrypts the password and outputs the encrypted password to the information processing apparatus through the device connection unit of the projector,

wherein the information processing apparatus includes;

a device connection unit of the information processing apparatus which enables communication between the projector and the information processing apparatus;

a decryption unit of the information processing apparatus which decrypts the encrypted password input through the device connection unit of the information processing apparatus using a decryption key; and

a password determining unit of the information processing apparatus which has functions of determining whether the decrypted decryption password is correct and outputting a signal directing to start the process for projection to be performed by the information processing apparatus in a case where the decrypted password is correct, wherein

a predetermined valid period is set for the password,

the information processing apparatus acquires the decryption key through a network, from a source external to the projector system, and

the source external to the projection system is a source that does not supply image data.

2. The projector system according to claim 1,

wherein the password determining unit of the information processing apparatus has a function of outputting the decrypted password to the projector through the device connection unit of the information processing apparatus, and

wherein the projector further includes a password determining unit of the projector which determines whether the decrypted password input through the device connection unit of the projector is correct and outputs a signal directing to start the process for projection to be performed by the projector in a case where the decrypted password is correct.

3. The projector system according to claim 1,

wherein the information processing apparatus further includes a password generating unit of the information processing apparatus which generates a same password as the password generated by the projector, and

wherein the password determining unit of the information processing apparatus determines whether the decrypted password is correct by comparing the decrypted password with the password generated by the password generating unit of the information processing apparatus.

4. The projector system according to claim 1,

wherein the information processing apparatus acquires the decryption key through a network.

5. The projector system according to claim 1,

wherein the projector has functions of keeping encrypted correction information generated by encrypting correction information which is used for performing inherent correction of the projector and sending the encrypted correction information and the encrypted password to the information processing apparatus.

6. The projector system according to claim 1,

wherein the password is generated by using information that changes by value.

9. The projector system according to claim 1, wherein the password and the decryption key are generated based on an inherent number of the projector.

7. An information processing apparatus which supplies image data to a projector, the information processing apparatus comprising:

a device connection unit which enables communication between the projector and the information processing apparatus;

a decryption unit which decrypts an encrypted password output by an encryption unit of the projector through the device connection unit using a decryption key, wherein the password is generated by a password generating unit of the projector and the encryption unit encrypts the password; and

a password generating unit which generates a same password as the password generated by the projector;

a password determining unit which has functions of determining whether the decrypted password is correct by comparing the decrypted password with the password generated by the information processing apparatus before a process for projection has started and outputting a signal directing to start the process for projection to be performed by the information processing apparatus in a case where the decrypted password is correct, wherein

a predetermined valid period is set for the encrypted password,

the information processing apparatus acquires the decryption key through a network, from a source external to the information processing apparatus and the projector, and

the source external to the information processing apparatus is a source that does not supply image data.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the password and the decryption key are generated based on an inherent number of the projector.

8. A method for an information processing apparatus which supplies image data to a projector, the method comprising:

receiving an encrypted password output by an encryption unit of the projector before a process for projection is started, wherein the password is generated by a password generating unit of the projector and the encryption unit encrypts the password;

generating, by the information processing apparatus, a same password as the password generated by the projector;

decrypting the encrypted password from the projector using a decryption key;

determining whether the decrypted password is correct by comparing the decrypted password with the password generated by the information processing apparatus; and

outputting a signal directing to start the process for projection to be performed by the information processing apparatus in a case where the decrypted password is correct, wherein

a predetermined valid period is set for the encrypted password,

the decryption key is acquired through a network, from a source external to the information processing apparatus and the projector, and

the source external to the information processing apparatus is a source that does not supply image data.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the password and the decryption key are generated based on an inherent number of the projector.