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  Image projection system and a method of controlling a projected pointerUSPTO Application #: 20060077352Title: Image projection system and a method of controlling a projected pointer Abstract: The present invention relates to an image projection system whereby a display position of a pointer on a projected image can be easily controlled from a location separated from the main control means. The system comprises a liquid crystal projector, a personal computer for controlling the liquid crystal projector to display a pointer on a projected image in accordance with an operation signal from a main operating section and a predetermined program, and a remote controller for the liquid crystal projector. The remote controller comprises a pointing device and a light emitting portion for wirelessly transmitting an operation signal. The liquid crystal projector comprises a light receiving portion for receiving wirelessly transmitted signals. The personal computer controls the liquid crystal projector to transfer the received signals to the personal computer and further controls the display position of the pointer according to the transferred pointing device operation signals. (end of abstract)
Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC - Alexandria, VA, US Inventor: Kiyoshi Miyashita USPTO Applicaton #: 20060077352 - Class: 353042000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060077352. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/076,986 filed Mar. 11, 2005, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/315,012 filed Dec. 10, 2002, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/548,346 filed Apr. 12, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,002, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/084,399 filed May 27, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,630, which in turn is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/573,520 filed Dec. 15, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,548. The entire disclosure of the prior applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to an image projection system and a method of controlling a projected pointer. [0003] Multimedia presentation systems utilizing personal computers as the main control means are presently being developed and commercialized. As one example of such systems, a liquid crystal projector is controlled by a personal computer and the image from the personal computer is projected onto a screen using the liquid crystal projector. [0004] Since the same image as shown on the computer display is displayed as an enlarged image using the liquid crystal projector, this image projection system is highly suitable for conducting presentations before large audiences. [0005] In the case of the above mentioned image projection system, a mouse connected to the computer is operated for controlling the position of a pointer such as a cursor projected on the screen. However, during the course of the presentation, the presenter who is standing off the computer cannot easily change the position of the cursor. The presenter has to interrupt the presentation and walk to the computer and mouse in order to change the cursor position. This is inconvenient. [0006] Furthermore, a keyboard connected to the computer must be operated in order to perform functions regarding the liquid crystal projector display such as, page controlling, and this is also very inconvenient. [0007] One conventional approach to solve these problems is to provide a computer operator in addition to the presenter. However, this type of system operation is costly, and a smooth presentation cannot be conducted without close coordination between the presenter and computer operator. SUMMARY [0008] The present invention recognizes these issues and one object of the invention is to provide an image projection system and a method of controlling a projected pointer, whereby the position of the pointer on the projected image can be easily controlled from a location separated from the main control means. [0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a projection system whereby the position of the pointer on the projected image can be stably controlled from a location separated from the main control means. [0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a projection system whose projecting means can be adjusted from a location separated from the main control means. [0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a projection system whose projecting means can be remotely and stably adjusted from every direction. [0012] In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the present invention comprises: [0013] a projecting means for projecting an image onto a desired display area; [0014] a main operating section including a main pointing device; [0015] a main control means for controlling the projecting means to display a pointer on a projected image in accordance with an operation signal from the main operating section and a predetermined control program; and [0016] a remote controller for the projecting means; and [0017] the remote controller including a pointing device and a wireless transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting an operation signal; [0018] the projecting means including a wireless receiving means for receiving the operation signal from the remote controller; and [0019] the main control means including: [0020] means for controlling the projecting means to transfer a received signal from the projecting means to the main control means; and [0021] a first detecting means for detecting an operation signal from the main pointing device of the main operating section and an operation signal from the pointing device of the remote controller via the projection means; and [0022] wherein the main control means gives priority to an operation signal from the main operating section when operation signals from different portions are received to control a position of the pointer. [0023] A method of controlling a projected pointer of an image projection system which comprises a projecting means for projecting an image onto a desired display area, a main operating section including a main pointing device, main control means for controlling the projecting means to display a pointer on the image projected by the projecting means in accordance with an operation signal from the main operating section and a predetermined control program, and a remote controller for wirelessly transmitting a remote control signal to the projecting means, comprising the steps of: [0024] wirelessly transmitting an operating signal from a pointing device of the remote controller to the projecting means; [0025] transferring the operating signal from the pointing device of the remote controller received by the projecting means to the main control means; [0026] detecting an operation signal from the main pointing device and an operation signal from the pointing device of the remote controller; and [0027] giving priority to an operation signal from the main pointing device when operation signals from different portions are received to control a position of the pointer. [0028] In the case of this invention, the main control means controls the projecting means on the bases of the operation signals from the main operating means and a predetermined control program to project the image in a desired display area. [0029] Examples of images that can be projected by the projecting means include an image produced by the main control means itself, and the playback video signals from a VTR, laser disk player and other video playback devices. [0030] During this operation, a position mark such as a cursor controlled by the main control means can be displayed in the projected image. [0031] In the case of this invention, the remote controller comprises a pointing device and wirelessly transmits the pointing device operation signals toward the projecting means. The projecting means transmits the received pointing device operation signals to the main control means and the main control means the positioning mark display position in the projected image display on the basis of the pointing device operation signals. [0032] As a result of this type of construction, an operator can freely control the display position of the position mark on the projected image by merely operating the pointing device of the hand-held remote controller. [0033] Consequently, when a system is constructed using a liquid crystal projector as the projecting means and a personal computer as the main control means, while using the liquid crystal projector to display, for example, an enlargement of an image produced by the personal computer, by operating the pointing device of the hand-held remote controller, a presenter can change the display position of the position mark (e.g., cursor) to match the progress of the presentation. [0034] Also, in the case of this type system, a main pointing device is often connected to the main control means for changing the display position of the cursor type position mark. Consequently, if a conflict occurs between the operations of the main and remote controller pointing devices, a problem arises regarding which of these has priority. According to this invention, in order to maintain system stability in event the above mentioned conflict occurs, the system is constructed whereby priority is assigned to the main pointing device operation signal for controlling the display position of the position mark. [0035] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, an application program for controlling the projecting means is installed, controls the projecting means in accordance with the application program and an operation signal from the operating section. [0036] As a result of this construction, even when a multi-media presentation system is constructed by using an application program on the market, a presenter can easily control the display position of the position mark on the projected image by merely operating the pointing device of the hand-held remote controller. Continue reading... Full patent description for Image projection system and a method of controlling a projected pointer Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Image projection system and a method of controlling a projected pointer patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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