JP2008152378A - Multi-display system, pointer movement method, pointer movement program, recording medium, and image output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-display system, a pointer moving method, a pointer moving program, a recording medium, and an image output apparatus capable of moving a pointer to a predetermined position are provided.
A plurality of image display devices 21 to 26 each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and an image output for outputting image information relating to a divided image obtained by dividing a display image including a pointer. A multi-display system 1 that displays the display image on each screen, and has at least one key, and performs predetermined processing on the image output device 3 according to an input operation of the key. The image output device 3 includes a pointer moving unit that moves the pointer within a predetermined screen among the screens in response to the input of the operation signal. . According to this, the pointer can be moved to a predetermined screen in response to a key input operation on the controller device 5.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-display system, a pointer moving method, a pointer moving program, a recording medium, and an image output apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multi-display system that has a plurality of screens and displays a single image by combining the screens is known. Such a multi-display system outputs a plurality of image display devices that display images according to input image information, and outputs image information related to a divided image obtained by dividing a single image to each of the image display devices. And an image output device. Examples of such an image display device include a projector that projects an optical image on a screen and a display such as a liquid crystal display. Examples of the image output device include a PC (Personal Computer) and various video playback devices.

  For example, when a PC is used as the image output device, a single image generated by the PC is divided and displayed by the plurality of image display devices described above. Such images include a window area corresponding to an application (software), a content area such as a window area such as a dialog used for displaying an error message and requesting confirmation of an operation, or a content moved on the screen. Objects such as pointers, which are symbols for selecting and moving areas, are included. In general, a pointing device or a keyboard for operating such an object is connected to the PC.

  Here, the multi-display system can display a large screen with a high resolution by using a plurality of image display devices as compared with the case of using one image display device. However, as in the case of using the above-described PC, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to find the pointer included in the display image when the resolution becomes high. In particular, the image display device may be set to shift to a low-power state or a power-saving state in which image formation is stopped when image information is not input for a predetermined time. When an image display device is set, the position of the pointer cannot be grasped instantaneously.

For such a problem, an engineering workstation (EWS) that displays only a pointer (mouse cursor) when the display state of the image display device (DISP) is set to a low luminance state is known (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
Also, a multi-display system is known that displays a scope image indicating the position of the pointer in the vicinity of the pointer (mouse cursor) when transitioning to the power saving state and returning from the power saving state (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-5-313591 JP 2002-182816 A

However, in the EWS described in Patent Document 1, since only the pointer is displayed in the low luminance state, it is easy to grasp the position of the pointer. However, when the low luminance state is released, the pointer position is lost again. there is a possibility. In particular, when a plurality of content areas are activated in a presentation or the like and the eyes are separated from the screen where the pointers overlap the content areas, there is a high possibility that the pointers will be lost.
In the multi-display system described in Patent Document 2, a scope image indicating a pointer is displayed. If the scope image and the background of the scope image (for example, wallpaper or content area) are close in color, the pointer image is displayed. There is a problem that it is difficult to grasp the position.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-display system, a pointer moving method, a pointer moving program, a recording medium, and an image output apparatus that can move a pointer to a predetermined position.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the multi-display system of the present invention includes a plurality of image display devices that respectively form screens that display images according to input image information, and pointers to the plurality of image display devices. An image output device that outputs image information related to each divided image obtained by dividing the display image, and a multi-display system that displays the display image on each screen,
An operation device that has at least one key and outputs an operation signal that causes the image output device to execute a predetermined process in response to an input operation of the key, and the image output device receives the operation signal; Accordingly, a pointer moving unit that moves the pointer into a predetermined screen among the screens is provided.

Here, the pointer is a selection of a content area such as a window area corresponding to an application (software) that moves on the screen and a window area such as a dialog used for requesting confirmation of an error message display and operation. And a symbol for moving and the like.
Examples of the image display device include a projector that projects an optical image on a screen and a display such as a liquid crystal display. The image output device displays a pointer when a PC (Personal Computer) or a menu is displayed. A video playback device can be mentioned.

  According to the present invention, by inputting a key provided on the operating device, the pointer moving unit displays a pointer on a display image and a predetermined image among a plurality of screens each displaying a divided image obtained by dividing the display image. Move to the screen. According to this, even when the user loses sight of the pointer, for example, because the pointer is placed in the corner of the display image or overlaps the content area, a simple operation can be performed on the predetermined screen. The position of the pointer can be grasped by moving the pointer. Therefore, the operability of the multi display system can be improved.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the image output apparatus includes a main screen setting unit that sets at least one of the screens as a main screen, and the pointer moving unit moves the pointer to the main screen.
According to the present invention, the pointer can be moved to the main screen set in advance by the main screen setting unit among the plurality of screens for displaying the display image in a divided manner, so that the position of the pointer can be grasped more easily. it can. In addition, by moving the pointer to a predetermined position on the main screen, for example, the center of the main screen, the pointer can be moved to a predetermined location in response to an operation on the operation device, so that it is even easier. A pointer can be found. Furthermore, since the pointer can be moved to the main screen by an input operation on the keys of the operating device, the pointer can be easily moved to the main screen. Therefore, the position of the pointer can be grasped more easily, and the operability of the multi-display system can be further improved.

In the present invention, the image output device includes a map generation unit configured to generate a map indicating the position of the pointer on the display image on an image related to the display image having a plurality of screen areas corresponding to the screen. It is preferable to provide.
According to the present invention, the position of the pointer can be more easily grasped by displaying the map generated by the map generation unit. That is, when it is desired to grasp only the position of the pointer without moving the pointer, by displaying the map, at which position in the display image displayed by a plurality of screens the pointer is located, In addition, it is possible to easily grasp on which screen the pointer is located. Therefore, the position of the pointer can be grasped in more detail.

In the present invention, preferably, the plurality of screen areas are configured to be selectable, and the pointer moving unit moves the pointer to the screen corresponding to the selected screen area among the plurality of screen areas.
According to the present invention, by selecting a screen area included on the map, the pointer moving unit moves the pointer onto the screen of the image display device corresponding to the selected screen area. According to this, the pointer can be easily moved onto an arbitrary screen selected by the user.

Here, when the pointer is positioned at the corner of the display image with high resolution, it is necessary to operate a pointing device such as a mouse many times to move the pointer to the opposite corner of the display image. Yes, it is cumbersome for the user.
On the other hand, in the present invention, by selecting a screen area on the map, the pointer can be moved to the screen corresponding to the selected screen area at a time, so that the pointer moving operation can be simplified. it can. Therefore, the operability of the multi-display system can be further improved.

In the present invention, when the operation on the operation device is not performed for a predetermined time, the image output device is configured such that the standby state setting unit that sets the screen to a standby state and the pointer moving unit move the pointer. It is preferable that a standby state canceling unit that cancels the standby state set on the screen to which the pointer is moved is provided.
Here, the standby state is a state that is not a normal display state in which a normal image is displayed. For example, a power saving state in which image display is stopped or a standby state in which an image such as a screen saver is displayed. be able to.

  Here, since the normal image display is not performed on the screen set in the standby state, the position of the pointer cannot be grasped when the pointer exists on the screen set in the standby state. In contrast, in the present invention, since the pointer can be moved onto a predetermined screen, even if the screen on which the pointer is located is set in a standby state and the position of the pointer cannot be grasped, the screen on which the pointer is moved By referring to, the position of the pointer can be easily grasped. In addition, when image formation is not performed on the screen set in such a standby state, the power consumption of the entire multi-display system can be reduced, and when an image such as a screen saver is displayed. Can suppress screen burn-in.

In the present invention, the operating device is preferably a keyboard.
According to the present invention, since the process of moving the pointer to a predetermined screen is performed by inputting a key on the keyboard, the process of moving the pointer can be easily performed. Therefore, the pointer can be easily moved on a predetermined screen, and the operability of the multi-display system can be further improved.

  The pointer moving method according to the present invention includes a plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image corresponding to input image information, and a divided display image including a pointer in the plurality of image display devices. A pointer movement method for moving the pointer, which is used in a multi-display system provided with an image output device that outputs image information relating to each image, and acquires a preset position of a main screen among the screens It has a main screen position acquisition step, and a pointer moving step for moving the pointer on the main screen.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the above-described multi-display system provided with an image output device having a main screen setting unit.
That is, the main screen position acquisition step acquires the position of a screen set in advance as the main screen among the plurality of screens, and the pointer movement step moves the pointer on the main screen. According to this, regardless of the position of the pointer on the display image displayed by the plurality of screens, the pointer can be easily moved to the screen set as the main screen. Therefore, the position of the pointer can be easily grasped, and the operability of the multi-display system can be improved.

  Alternatively, the pointer moving method according to the present invention includes a plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and a division in which a display image including a pointer is divided into the plurality of image display devices. A pointer movement method for moving the pointer, which is used in a multi-display system provided with an image output device that outputs image information relating to each image, the display image having a plurality of screen areas corresponding to the screen A map display step for displaying a map in which the position of the pointer on the display image is displayed on the image; and a pointer movement step for moving the pointer to the screen corresponding to the selected screen region. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the multi-display system that moves the pointer on the selected screen.
That is, since the position of the pointer is described on the map displayed in the map display step, the position of the pointer in the display image displayed on the plurality of screens and the screen on which the pointer is positioned can be easily grasped. can do.
Furthermore, since the pointer is moved to the screen corresponding to the selected screen area among the screen areas on the map in the pointer moving step, the pointer can be moved to any screen selected by the user. . Therefore, the operability of the multi display system can be improved.

  The pointer movement program of the present invention includes a plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image corresponding to input image information, and a division of a display image including a pointer into the plurality of image display devices. A pointer movement program for moving the pointer, which is executed by the image output device of a multi-display system including an image output device that outputs image information relating to each image, the image output device including the screen A main screen position acquiring step for acquiring a preset position of the main screen and a pointer moving step for moving the pointer on the main screen are executed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the above-described pointer display method for moving the pointer to the main screen.
That is, when the image output device executes the pointer movement program of the present invention, the main screen position acquisition step acquires the position of the screen set in advance as the main screen among the plurality of screens, and the pointer movement step. The pointer is moved to the screen set as the main screen. According to this, even when the position of the pointer on the display image displayed on the plurality of screens is lost, the pointer can be moved on the screen set as the main screen by executing the above steps. Therefore, the position of the pointer can be easily grasped. Therefore, the operability of the multi display system can be improved.

  Alternatively, the pointer movement program of the present invention includes a plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and a division in which a display image including a pointer is divided into the plurality of image display devices. A pointer movement program for moving the pointer, which is executed by the image output device of a multi-display system, each of which includes an image output device that outputs image information relating to an image, the image output device corresponding to the screen A map display step for displaying a map in which the position of the pointer on the display image is displayed on an image related to the display image having a plurality of screen areas, and the screen corresponding to the selected screen area. And a pointer moving step for moving the pointer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the above-described pointer moving method for moving the pointer to the selected screen.
That is, when the image output device executes the pointer movement program of the present invention, the map display step includes a screen area corresponding to a plurality of screens, and a position of the pointer on the display image displayed on the plurality of screens. A map with is displayed. According to this, it is possible to easily grasp which position on the display image and on which screen the pointer is located. In the pointer moving step, the pointer is moved to the screen corresponding to the selected screen area among the screen areas on the displayed map. Therefore, the pointer is moved to any screen selected by the user. Can do. Therefore, the operability of the multi display system can be improved.

The recording medium of the present invention is characterized in that the above pointer movement program is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.
According to the present invention, when the image output apparatus reads and executes the pointer movement program recorded on the recording medium, the same effect as the above-described pointer movement program can be obtained. As recording media, magnetic tapes such as DAT (Digital Audio Tape), magnetic disks such as FD (Flexible Disc), optical disks such as CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disks, hard disk devices, In addition, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a flash memory can be used, and the pointer movement program can be installed, executed, and distributed by using these.

  In addition, the image output device of the present invention outputs image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image including the pointer, to a plurality of image display devices that respectively form screens that display images according to input image information. An image output apparatus that has at least one key and outputs a predetermined operation screen according to an input of the operation signal from the operation apparatus that outputs an operation signal according to an input operation of the key. And a pointer moving unit for moving the pointer.

According to the present invention, the same effects as those of the above-described multi-display system can be achieved.
That is, the pointer can be moved on a predetermined screen among a plurality of screens formed by a plurality of image display devices by the pointer moving unit in accordance with an input of a key provided on the operation device. It is possible to grasp the position of the pointer. Therefore, when the pointer is lost, the position of the pointer can be grasped with a simple operation. In addition, when it is desired to move the pointer to the predetermined screen, the pointer moves to the predetermined screen in accordance with the input of the key, so that it is possible to save the trouble of moving the pointer by moving the pointing device many times. Can do.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall configuration of multi-display system 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a multi-display system 1 of the present embodiment.
A multi-display system (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “MDS”) 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of projectors 2 and displays one single image by combining images projected from the projectors 2. is there. As shown in FIG. 1, the MDS 1 includes six projectors 2 (21 to 26) and a PC 3 as an image output device that outputs image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image to the projectors 2. A mouse 4 as a pointing device connected to the PC 3 and a keyboard 5 as an operation device are provided.

[Configuration of Projector 2]
Each of the projectors 2 (21 to 26) corresponds to the image display device of the present invention, and forms an image according to input image information and enlarges and projects it on a projection surface such as a screen SC. Although not shown in detail in the projector 2, the light source, a light modulation device such as a liquid crystal panel that modulates light emitted from the light source according to the image information to form image light, and the image light A projection lens, which is a projection optical device that projects onto a projection surface such as the screen SC, is provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an image displayed by the projectors 21 to 26.
In the present embodiment, the projector 2 is arranged in parallel so as to form two rows in the upper and lower rows and three rows in the left and right, and forms and projects divided images T1 to T6 obtained by dividing one display image T into six as shown in FIG. .
Specifically, the projector 21 forms a divided screen S1 on the upper left side, and displays a divided image T1 in the divided screen S1. Similarly, the projectors 22 and 23 respectively form an upper center split screen S2 and an upper right split screen S3, and display the split images T2 and T3 in the split screens S2 and S3, respectively. In addition, the projector 24 configures a divided screen S4 on the left side of the lower stage, and displays a divided image T4 in the divided screen S4. Similarly, the projectors 25 and 26 form a divided screen S5 in the lower center and a divided screen S6 on the lower right side, and display the divided images T5 and T6 in the divided screens S5 and S6, respectively. In this way, each projector 21 to 26 can display a single display image T with a high resolution having a size six times that of one divided screen S.
In FIG. 2, the content area CA (CA1 to CA4) is located in the divided images T1, T2, and T4, and the pointer P is located in the divided image T6.

These projectors 21 to 26 are configured to switch to a power saving mode in which the image display is set to a low luminance state, that is, a low luminance state in which the light emission luminance of the light source is reduced when no image information is input for a predetermined time. Yes.
In the present embodiment, the image display device is configured by a projector, but it may be configured by a display such as liquid crystal, plasma, organic EL (Electroluminescence), and CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

[Configuration of PC3]
The PC 3 executes predetermined processing in accordance with a user's input operation to the mouse 4 and keyboard 5 connected to the PC 3 and also divides the display image T including the execution result of the processing into divided images T1 to T6. Is an image output device that outputs the image information according to the above to each of the projectors 21 to 26. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 3 includes an operation signal input unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, and a memory 34.
Among these, the operation signal input means 31 converts an operation signal, which is an analog signal input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5, into a digital signal that can be internally processed, and outputs the digitally converted operation signal to the control means 33. .

In the present embodiment, the storage unit 32 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various programs and data necessary for processing by the control unit 33. As such a program, the memory | storage means 32 can mention the OS (Operation System) which controls the whole PC3, the pointer movement program used for the pointer movement process mentioned later, etc., for example. In the present embodiment, the storage means 32 includes an HDD, but information recorded on a semiconductor element such as a flash memory or a recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is stored. You may comprise by the drive etc. which were comprised so that reading was possible.
The memory 34 is configured by a RAM (Random Access Memory) mounted on the substrate. The memory 34 is used as a work memory when the control unit 33 executes the program, and for example, image information of the display image T is generated.

[Configuration of Control Unit 33]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control means 33.
The control means 33 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control means 33 autonomously controls the entire PC 3 in accordance with a program such as an OS read from the storage means 32, and is stored in the storage means 32 based on operation signals input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5. Various programs (for example, a pointer display program) are read out, and predetermined processing is executed in accordance with the programs.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control means 33 includes an input signal determination unit 331, a movement unit 332, a position acquisition unit 333, a division number setting unit 334, an image division unit 335, a main screen setting unit 336, a state setting unit 337, A division number acquisition unit 338, a main screen position acquisition unit 339, a map generation unit 340, a selection screen acquisition unit 341, a state determination unit 342, and an image output unit 343 are configured.

  The input signal determination unit 331 determines the content of the operation signal input from the operation signal input unit 31 and causes the control unit 33 to execute processing according to the operation signal. Specifically, the input signal determination unit 331 determines whether or not an operation signal related to a key input for executing a first movement process ST4 or a second movement process ST5 to be described later for moving the pointer P is input from the keyboard 5. To do. When an operation signal other than these is input, the control unit 33 is caused to execute processing according to the operation signal.

  The moving unit 332 moves the position of the pointer P and the content area CA in the display image T on the memory 34. The moving unit 332 includes a pointer moving unit 3321 and a content moving unit 3322, and the pointer moving unit 3321 moves the pointer P on the display image T according to an operation signal input in accordance with the operation of the mouse 4. Let Further, the content moving unit 3322 performs an operation for dragging the content area CA on the mouse 4 or an operation for moving the selected content area CA is performed on the cursor key of the keyboard 5. At this time, the content area CA is moved on the display image T in accordance with the input operation signal.

  The position acquisition unit 333 acquires the position of the object on the display image T. Specifically, the position acquisition unit 333 acquires, for each object, a horizontal X coordinate and a vertical Y coordinate with the upper left corner of the display image T formed on the memory 34 as the origin. Such a position acquisition unit 333 includes a pointer position acquisition unit 3331 that acquires the position of the pointer P, and a content position acquisition unit 3332 that acquires the position of the content area CA. The pointer position acquisition unit 3331 includes the pointer P The XY coordinates of the indicated position are acquired, and the content position acquisition unit 3332 acquires the upper left XY coordinates and the lower right XY coordinates of the content area CA.

  The division number setting unit 334 sets the number of divisions for dividing the display image according to the number of projectors 2 (21 to 26) connected to the PC 3 when displaying the display image T using the projector 2. The number of divisions set by the division number setting unit 334 may be set according to a user's input operation with respect to the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5, or the projector 2 connected to the PC 3 is detected and the projector 2 is detected. The number of (21 to 26) may be set as the division number.

  The image dividing unit 335 divides the display image T by the number of divisions set by the division number setting unit 334. Specifically, the image dividing unit 335 divides the display image T by setting a reading position of image information related to the display image T formed on the memory 34.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a coordinate space formed on the memory 34.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a display image T having a resolution of 3072 × 1536 is formed on the memory 34 and the division number 6 is set by the division number setting unit 334, the image division unit 335 An area from coordinates (0, 0) to coordinates (1023, 767) in the 34 coordinate space is set as an image forming area A1 related to the divided image T1 displayed on the divided screen S1. Also, an area from the coordinates (1024, 0) to the coordinates (2047, 767) in the coordinate space is set as the image forming area A2 related to the divided image T2 displayed on the divided screen S2, and the coordinates (2048, 0) are set. ) To coordinates (3071, 767) is set as an image forming area A3 related to the divided image T3 displayed on the divided screen S3. Similarly, the area from the coordinates (0,768) to the coordinates (1023, 1535), the area from the coordinates (1024,768) to the coordinates (2047,1535), and the coordinates (2048,768) to the coordinates (3071, 1535) are set as image forming areas A4, A5, A6 related to the divided images T4, T5, T6 displayed on the divided screens S4, S5, S6, respectively.
In the present embodiment, the number of divisions is 6, the resolution of the display image T is 3072 × 1536, and one divided image is 1024 × 768. However, these may be set as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 3, the main screen setting unit 336 sets one of the above-described divided screens S <b> 1 to S <b> 6 as the main screen according to the operation of the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5 by the user.
For example, when an operation for setting the divided screen S5 as the main screen is performed by the user on the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5, the main screen setting unit 336 is based on an operation signal input according to the operation. Causes the storage unit 32 to store setting information for setting the divided screen S6 as the main screen. In the initial state of the PC 3, setting information is stored in which a divided screen (for example, a divided screen S5) corresponding to the center of the display image T is used as a main screen.

Although not shown in detail, the state setting unit 337 includes a plurality of timers, and monitors the image forming areas A1 to A6 on the memory 34 based on the position information of the object acquired by the position acquisition unit 333. The standby state is set and canceled.
Specifically, the state setting unit 337 monitors the image forming areas A1 to A6 on the memory 34, and when the pointer P and the active content area CA are no longer positioned in the image forming area A (A1 to A6), The timer corresponding to the image forming area A (A1 to A6) where the pointer P and the content area CA are not located is counted down from a preset set time. Then, the state setting unit 337 resets the timer corresponding to the image forming area A (A1 to A6) into which the pointer P and the active content area CA have entered, and when the timer expires, the image corresponding to the timer The divided screens S1 to S6 related to the formation area A (A1 to A6) are set in a standby state. The state setting unit 337 sets all the divided screens S1 to S6 to the standby state when no operation signal is input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5 for a predetermined time longer than the set time of the timer. .

On the other hand, when the pointer P and the active content area CA are located in the image forming areas A (A1 to A6) corresponding to the divided screens S (S1 to S6) set to the standby state, the state setting unit 337 The timer corresponding to the image forming area A (A1 to A6) where the pointer P and the content area CA are located is reset, and the divided screen S (S1 to S6) corresponding to the image forming area A (A1 to A6) is displayed. Release the set standby state.
Further, in the state setting unit 337, the divided screens S (S1 to S6) set as screens on which the pointer P is moved in the first movement process ST4 and the second movement process ST5 described later are set in a standby state. In this case, the standby state of the divided screen S is canceled.
That is, the state setting unit 337 corresponds to the standby state setting unit and the standby state canceling unit of the present invention.

For example, when the state setting unit 337 stops the pointer P and the active content area CA (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an active object) in the image forming area A6 corresponding to the divided screen S6, the image forming area A countdown by a timer provided according to A6 is executed. Then, the state setting unit 337 continues to reset the timer when the active object is located in the image forming area A6. On the other hand, when the active object is not located in the image forming area A6 and the timer continues to count down, and the timer expires, the state setting unit 337 puts the divided screen S6 corresponding to the image forming area A6 into a standby state. Set. As described above, when the operation signal is not input for a predetermined time, all the divided screens S1 to S6 are set to the standby state.
On the other hand, when the active object is located in the image forming area A6 corresponding to the divided screen S6 set in the standby state, the state setting unit 337 resets the timer corresponding to the image forming area A6 and also performs the division. The standby state set in the screen S6 is canceled.

The states of the divided screens S1 to S6 are determined by a state determination unit 342 described later, and the image information of the image forming area A related to the divided screen S set in the standby state forms the divided screen S. This is not output to the projector 2, and thus the projector 2 is set to a low luminance state that is a power saving state.
The division number acquisition unit 338 acquires the division number set by the division number setting unit 334.
The main screen position acquisition unit 339 acquires setting information of the main screen set by the main screen setting unit 336. Specifically, the main screen position acquisition unit 339 acquires setting information indicating which screen is set as the main screen among the divided screens S1 to S6.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a map displayed on the display image T. As shown in FIG.
The map generation unit 340 generates an image related to the map MP indicating the position of the pointer P on the display image T during execution of the second movement process ST5 described later.
Specifically, the map generation unit 340 is acquired by the second movement process ST5 by the position information of the pointer P acquired by the pointer position acquisition unit 3331 and the division number acquisition unit 338 as shown in FIG. Based on the number of divisions, an image of the pop-up window PW including the map MP indicating the position of the pointer P on the display image T is generated. The map MP is superimposed on the screen areas B1 to B6 corresponding to the divided screens S1 to S6 and the screen areas B1 to B6 in an image obtained by reducing the display image T at a predetermined ratio, and the pointer P A marker MK indicating the current position is shown. The pop-up window PW including the map MP is configured so that screen areas B1 to B6 in the map MP can be selected by a cursor key of the keyboard 5 or the like.

Such an image of the pop-up window PW is generated on the image forming area A related to the divided screen S based on the setting information of the divided screen S set to the main screen acquired by the main screen position acquisition unit 339. The For example, when the divided screen S5 is set as the main screen, when the image information of the image forming area A5 corresponding to the divided screen S5 is output to the projector 25 by the image output unit 343 described later, As shown in FIG. 5, a pop-up window PW including a map MP is displayed on the divided screen S5.
In the present embodiment, the image in the map MP does not include an image related to the content area CA on the display image T, but an image indicating the position of the content area CA may be displayed together. Good.

When the pop-up window PW generated by the map generation unit 340 is displayed, the selection screen acquisition unit 341 acquires selection information of the screen area B (B1 to B6) selected by the user in the pop-up window PW. To do. For example, when the screen area B5 is selected by the user's operation on the cursor key or the like of the keyboard 5, the selection screen acquisition unit 341 acquires selection information indicating that the screen area B5 is selected.
The state determination unit 342 determines whether each of the divided screens S1 to S6 is set in a standby state.

As described above, the image output unit 343 displays the image information of the divided images T1 to T6 formed in the image forming areas A1 to A6 on the memory 34, and the divided screens S1 to S1 for displaying the divided images T1 to T6. It outputs to the projectors 21-26 which concern on S6. At this time, the image output unit 343 does not output image information to the projector 2 related to the divided screen S set to the standby state based on the determination result by the state determination unit 342.
In the present embodiment, the image output unit 343 does not output image information to the projector 2 related to the divided screen S set in the standby state, but the image output unit 343 relates to a predetermined image such as a screen saver. You may comprise so that image information may be output.

[Pointer movement processing]
Hereinafter, a pointer movement process ST that is executed according to a user's operation on the keyboard 5 and moves the pointer P from the current position to a predetermined divided screen S will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the pointer movement process.
The pointer movement process is performed by the control means 33 reading and executing a pointer movement program stored in the storage means 32, and a predetermined movement disposed on the keyboard 5 by the user during image display. This is a process of moving the position of the pointer P on the display image T onto a predetermined divided screen when a key is input.

  Specifically, in the pointer movement process, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the operation signal input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5 by the input signal determination unit 331 via the operation signal input unit 31 is a predetermined key (for example, , Function key) or the like is determined (signal determination step ST1). Here, when the input signal determination unit 331 determines that an operation signal corresponding to the input of the predetermined key has been input, the control unit 33 executes a first movement process ST4 described later.

On the other hand, when the input signal determination unit 331 determines that the operation signal associated with the input of the predetermined key has not been input, the input signal determination unit 331 determines that the input operation signal is the other predetermined key ( For example, it is determined whether or not the operation signal is associated with an input of a function key different from the function keys described above (signal determination step ST2).
Here, when the input signal determination unit 331 determines that the operation signal accompanying the input of the other predetermined key is input, the control unit 33 executes a second movement process ST5 described later. On the other hand, when the input signal determination unit 331 determines that the operation signal is not an operation signal associated with the input of the other predetermined key, the control unit 33 executes a process according to the input operation signal (step ST3). .

[First movement process ST4]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of the first movement process ST4.
The first movement process ST4 is a process of moving the pointer P onto the divided screen S that is the main screen set by the main screen setting unit 336.
In the first movement process ST4, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the main screen position acquisition unit 339 acquires setting information indicating the position of the main screen set by the main screen setting unit 336 (main screen position acquisition). Step ST41).
Thereafter, the state determination unit 342 determines whether or not the divided screen S (at least one of the divided screens S1 to S6) set as the main screen is set in the standby state (state determination step ST42). .

If the state determination unit 342 determines that the divided screen S set as the main screen is not set in the standby state, the control unit 33 proceeds to step ST44.
On the other hand, when the state determination unit 342 determines that the divided screen S set to the main screen is set to the standby state, the state setting unit 337 releases the standby state set to the divided screen S. (Standby release step ST43). Thereafter, the control means 33 proceeds to step ST44.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where the pointer P located on the divided screen S6 has moved to the divided screen S5 which is the main screen.
In step ST44, the pointer moving unit 3321 of the moving unit 332 moves the pointer P to the center of the divided screen S set as the main screen (pointer moving step ST44).
For example, when the pointer P is positioned on the divided screen S6 and the divided screen S5 is set as the main screen, the pointer moving unit 3321 displays an image corresponding to the divided screen S5 in the pointer moving step ST44. By moving to the center of the formation area A5, the pointer P is moved to the center of the divided screen S5, which is the main screen, as shown in FIG. Thereby, even when the pointer P is lost in the display image T, the pointer P can be positioned on the divided screen S set as the main screen, so that the pointer P can be easily found.
Thus, the first movement process ST4 ends.

[Second movement process ST5]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of the second movement process ST5.
The first movement process ST4 is a process of moving the pointer P onto the divided screen S set as the main screen, whereas the second movement process ST5 displays a map MP indicating the position of the pointer P, This is a process of moving the pointer P on the divided screen S selected on the map MP.
In this second movement process ST5, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the pointer position acquisition unit 3331 acquires the current position of the pointer P on the display image T (position acquisition step ST51).

Next, the division number acquisition unit 338 and the main screen position acquisition unit 339 acquire the division number set by the division number setting unit 334 and the main screen setting unit 336, respectively, and setting information related to the main screen (division number acquisition step). ST52 and main screen position acquisition step ST53).
Thereafter, the map generation unit 340 displays an image of the pop-up window PW including the above-described map MP in which the position of the pointer P is indicated by the marker MK on the memory 34 corresponding to the divided screen S set as the main screen. It produces | generates to the formation area A (map production | generation step ST54). For example, when the divided screen S5 is set as the main screen, the map generation unit 340 generates an image of the pop-up window PW in the image forming area A5 corresponding to the divided screen S5.
Then, the image output unit 343 outputs the image information on the memory 34 to the projectors 21 to 26, whereby the pop-up window PW is described in detail on the display image T. Specifically, the divided image T5 displayed on the divided screen S5. It is displayed above (map display step ST55).

Next, in a state in which the pop-up window PW is displayed, the input signal determination unit 331 determines an operation signal input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5 via the operation signal input unit 31 (operation signal determination step ST56). Specifically, in step ST56, the input signal determination unit 331 determines whether the input operation signal is a signal derived from the operation of the mouse 4 or a signal derived from the operation of the keyboard 5.
Here, if the input signal determination unit 331 determines that the input operation signal is a signal derived from the operation of the mouse 4, the control unit 33 proceeds to step ST62.

On the other hand, when the input signal determination unit 331 determines that the input operation signal is a signal derived from the operation of the keyboard 5, the input signal determination unit 331 generates a pop-up window PW based on the input operation signal. It is determined whether any one of the screen areas B1 to B6 displayed on the map MP is selected (screen selection determination step ST57).
At this time, if the input signal determination unit 331 determines that an operation other than the operation of selecting any of the screen areas B1 to B6 has been performed, the control unit 33 proceeds to step ST62.

  In step ST57, when the input signal determination unit 331 determines that any of the screen regions B1 to B6 is selected, the selection screen acquisition unit 341 is selected based on the input operation signal. Information related to the screen area B (any one of the screen areas B1 to B6), that is, selection information indicating which of the screen areas B1 to B6 is the selected screen area (selection screen acquisition) Step ST58). For example, when the user selects the screen area B2, the selection screen acquisition unit 341 acquires selection information indicating that the screen area B2 has been selected.

Thereafter, the state determination unit 342 determines whether or not the divided screen S corresponding to the selected screen region B is set to the standby state (state determination step ST59).
If the state determination unit 342 determines that the divided screen S is not set to the standby state, the control unit 33 proceeds to step ST61.
On the other hand, when the state determination unit 342 determines that the divided screen S is set in the standby state, the state setting unit 337 releases the standby state of the divided screen S (standby state release step ST60). . At this time, the timer corresponding to the divided screen S is also reset.
That is, as described above, when the screen area B2 is selected, the state determination unit 342 determines whether or not the divided screen S2 corresponding to the screen area B2 is set in the standby state, and the standby state When it is determined that the screen is set to, the state setting unit 337 cancels the standby state of the divided screen S2.

In step ST61, the pointer moving unit 3321 moves the pointer P to the center of the image forming area A corresponding to the screen area B selected by the user, so that the divided images formed on the image forming area A are displayed. The pointer P is moved to the center of the displayed divided screen S (pointer moving step ST61). For example, as described above, when the screen area B2 is selected, the pointer P is moved to the center of the divided screen S2 corresponding to the screen area B2.
Thereafter, in step ST62, the pop-up window PW displayed on the divided screen S set as the main screen is not displayed (map non-display step ST62), and the control means 33 ends the second movement process ST5.
The pointer P can be positioned on an arbitrary divided screen S by such second movement processing ST5.

According to MDS1 of this embodiment demonstrated above, there can exist the following effects.
That is, when a predetermined key of the keyboard 5 is input and the first movement process ST4 described above is executed, in the main screen position acquisition step ST41, the main screen position acquisition unit 339 that constitutes the control means 33 of the PC3. However, the setting information of the main screen set in advance by the user or the main screen set in the initial state is acquired. Thereby, setting information indicating which divided screen among the divided screens S1 to S6 is set as the main screen is acquired. In pointer movement step ST44, the pointer moving unit 3321 moves the pointer P to the center of the divided screen S set on the main screen based on the acquired setting information of the main screen.

  According to this, since the pointer P can be moved to the center of the divided screen S (any one of the divided screens S1 to S6) which is the main screen set by the user, the pointer P existing in the display image T is used. Even if the user loses sight, the pointer P is displayed on the divided screen S, which is the main screen, so that the position of the pointer P can be grasped by a simple operation. Thereby, the operation of moving the pointer P on the divided screen S set as the main screen by operating the mouse 4 can be saved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the PC 3 that is an image output apparatus, and consequently improve the operability of the MDS 1.

Further, when another predetermined key of the keyboard 5 is input and the second movement process ST5 described above is executed, the map generation unit 340 stores the memory 34 corresponding to the divided screen S set as the main screen. An image of the pop-up window PW including the map MP is generated in the image forming area A (any one of the image areas A1 to A6). This map MP includes screen areas B1 to B6 corresponding to the divided screens S1 to S6 and a marker MK indicating the position of the pointer P on the display image T displayed by the divided screens S1 to S6. Yes. Then, the image information of the image forming area A is output to the projector 2 by the image output unit 343, whereby the pop-up window PW is displayed.
According to this, by referring to the map MP of the pop-up window PW, it is possible to easily grasp which position on the display image T and which divided screen S the pointer P is located on. Therefore, the operability of the MDS 1 can be further improved.

Furthermore, the screen areas B1 to B6 included in the map MP of the pop-up window PW can be selected, and the screen area B (screen area) selected according to the user's operation on the keyboard 5 (for example, input operation on the cursor key). In the pointer moving step ST61, the pointer moving unit 3321 moves the pointer P to the center of the divided screen S corresponding to any one of B1 to B6).
According to this, the pointer P can be moved at a time on the divided screen S selected by the user by a simple key operation of the keyboard 5. For this reason, when the pointer P is positioned at the corner of the display image T and it is desired to move the pointer P to the opposite corner of the display image T, the trouble of moving the pointer P by operating the mouse 4 many times is eliminated. It can be omitted. Therefore, the pointer P can be moved onto the desired divided screen S with a simple operation, and the operability of the PC 3 and, in turn, the operability of the MDS 1 can be further improved.

Further, when the pointer P and the active content area CA are not located within the set time of the timer, the state setting unit 337 sets the divided screen S in which the pointer P and the content area CA are not located in a standby state. Furthermore, when the operation signal is not input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 5 for a predetermined time, the state setting unit 337 sets the divided screens S1 to S6 to the standby state. Then, the image output unit 343 does not output the image information of the image forming areas A1 to A6 corresponding to the divided screens S1 to S6 set to the standby state to the corresponding projector 2. In this way, when image information is not input to the projector 2 for a predetermined time, the projector 2 enters a low luminance state in which the luminance of the light source is reduced, thereby reducing power consumption.
On the other hand, when the pointer moving unit 3321 moves to the divided screen S in which the pointer P is set as the main screen or the divided screen S corresponding to the selected screen area B, the divided screen S is set in a standby state. If it is, the state setting unit 337 cancels the standby state of the divided screen S.

According to this, since the power consumption of the projector 2 related to the divided screen S set in the standby state can be reduced, it is possible to achieve power saving of the projector 2, and thus the entire MDS1.
In addition, when the pointer moving unit 3321 moves the pointer P in the first movement process ST4 and the second movement process ST5 described above, the standby state of the divided screen S as the movement destination is released, so that the division is performed. The screen S can be easily seen, and as a result, the position of the pointer P can be grasped more easily. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position of the pointer P from becoming difficult to grasp while saving power of the MDS 1.

[Modification of Embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
In the above embodiment, the keyboard 5 is used as the operation device, and the pointer movement process is executed when a predetermined key such as a function key of the keyboard 5 is input. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation device may be a pointing device such as the mouse 4 and the above-described pointer movement process may be executed when a key provided on the pointing device is input.

  In the embodiment, the display image T having a resolution of 3072 × 1536 is divided into six, and the divided images T1 to T6 having a resolution of 1024 × 768 are displayed by the six projectors 21 to 26, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. . That is, if the configuration includes a plurality of projectors, the number is not limited to six. Further, the resolution of the display image T and the resolutions of the divided images T1 to T6 displayed by the projectors 2 are not limited to the above-described resolutions, and may be set as appropriate.

  In the embodiment, the pop-up window PW including the map MP is displayed on the divided screen S (any one of the divided screens S1 to S6) set as the main screen, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pop-up window PW may be displayed on one of the divided screens S1 to S6 that is an active screen, that is, the divided screen S that is not set to the standby state.

  In the embodiment, the front type projectors 21 to 26 that perform projection from the direction of observing the screen are illustrated as the image display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and projection is performed from the opposite side to the direction of observing the screen. It can also be used in a rear type projector that performs the above. Further, the light modulation device employed in such a projector can be employed in a light modulation device having liquid crystal or a light modulation device other than liquid crystal. Furthermore, although the projectors 21 to 26 are exemplified as the image display device, for example, a display such as liquid crystal, plasma, organic EL, and CRT may be used.

  In the embodiment, the PC 3 is exemplified as the image output device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a device capable of outputting image information related to a menu screen such as OSD may be employed. An example of such a device is a playback device that plays back image information recorded on a disk-type recording medium such as a CD or DVD.

  In the above-described embodiment, the above-described pointer movement program is stored in the storage unit 32 including the HDD, and is read and executed by the control unit 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the program is stored in a recording medium such as an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, and is configured to be read out as necessary. May be. That is, the recording form of the pointer movement program is not limited.

  The present invention can be used in a multi-display system, and in particular, can be suitably used in a multi-display system that displays an image of a PC or the like whose pointer is included in a display image.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multi-display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the image displayed by the projector in the said embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the structure of the control means in the said embodiment. The figure which shows the coordinate space formed on the memory in the said embodiment. The figure which shows the map displayed on the display image in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the pointer movement process in the said embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the 1st movement process in the said embodiment. The figure which shows the state which the pointer in the said embodiment moved to the main screen. The flowchart which shows the process of the 2nd movement process in the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multi-display system, 2 (21-26) ... Projector (image display apparatus), 3 ... PC (image output apparatus), 5 ... Keyboard (operation apparatus), 336 ... Main screen setting part, 337 ... Status setting part ( (Standby state setting unit, standby state canceling unit) 340... Map generating unit, 3321 pointer moving unit, B (B1 to B6)... Screen area, P .. pointer, S (S1 to S6). ... main screen position acquisition step, ST44, ST61 ... pointer movement step, ST55 ... map display step, T ... display image, T1 to T6 ... divided images.

Claims (12)

A plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and an image for outputting image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image including a pointer to the plurality of image display devices, respectively. An output device, wherein the display image is displayed on each screen.
An operation device that has at least one key and outputs an operation signal that causes the image output device to execute a predetermined process in response to an input operation of the key;
The image output device includes:
A multi-display system comprising: a pointer moving unit that moves the pointer within a predetermined screen among the screens in response to an input of the operation signal. The multi-display system according to claim 1.
The image output device includes:
A main screen setting unit for setting at least one of the screens as a main screen;
The multi-display system, wherein the pointer moving unit moves the pointer to the main screen. The multi-display system according to claim 1 or 2,
The image output device includes:
A multi-display system, comprising: a map generation unit configured to generate a map indicating a position of the pointer on the display image on an image related to the display image having a plurality of screen areas corresponding to the screen. The multi-display system according to claim 3,
The plurality of screen areas are configured to be selectable,
The multi-display system, wherein the pointer moving unit moves the pointer to the screen corresponding to a screen area selected from the plurality of screen areas. The multi-display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image output device includes:
A standby state setting unit for setting the screen to a standby state when an operation on the controller device is not performed for a predetermined time;
A multi-display system, comprising: a standby state canceling unit that cancels the standby state set in the screen to which the pointer is moved when the pointer moving unit moves the pointer. The multi-display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The multi-display system, wherein the operation device is a keyboard. A plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and an image for outputting image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image including a pointer to the plurality of image display devices, respectively. A pointer moving method for moving the pointer used in a multi-display system comprising an output device,
A main screen position acquisition step for acquiring a preset position of the main screen among the screens;
And a pointer moving step for moving the pointer on the main screen. A plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and an image for outputting image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image including a pointer to the plurality of image display devices, respectively. A pointer moving method for moving the pointer used in a multi-display system comprising an output device,
A map display step for displaying a map in which the position of the pointer on the display image is displayed on an image relating to the display image having a plurality of screen areas corresponding to the screen;
And a pointer moving step of moving the pointer to the screen corresponding to the selected screen area. A plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and an image for outputting image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image including a pointer to the plurality of image display devices, respectively. A pointer movement program that is executed by the image output device of a multi-display system including an output device and moves the pointer,
In the image output device,
A main screen position acquisition step for acquiring a preset position of the main screen among the screens;
A pointer moving program for executing a pointer moving step for moving the pointer on the main screen. A plurality of image display devices each forming a screen for displaying an image according to input image information, and an image for outputting image information related to the divided images obtained by dividing the display image including a pointer to the plurality of image display devices, respectively. A pointer movement program that is executed by the image output device of a multi-display system including an output device and moves the pointer,
In the image output device,
A map display step for displaying a map in which the position of the pointer on the display image is displayed on an image relating to the display image having a plurality of screen areas corresponding to the screen;
A pointer movement program for executing a pointer movement step for moving the pointer on the screen corresponding to the selected screen area.   A recording medium in which the pointer moving program according to claim 9 or 10 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. An image output device that outputs image information related to a divided image obtained by dividing a display image including a pointer to a plurality of image display devices that respectively form screens that display images according to input image information,
A pointer that has at least one key and moves the pointer within a predetermined screen among the screens in response to an input of the operation signal from an operation device that outputs an operation signal according to an input operation of the key An image output apparatus comprising a moving unit.

Images