Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-07
2004-02-17
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06693629
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
A The present invention relates to an image reproducing apparatus, projector, image reproducing system, and information storing medium, and particularly relates to an image reproducing apparatus, projector, image reproducing system, and information storing medium wherein input image signals are sampled according to display pixels and reproduced.
2. Description of Related Art
There are known image reproducing apparatuses in which input analog image signals are sampled according to display pixels and reproduced. Examples of such image reproducing apparatuses include those using liquid crystal shutters (liquid crystal light valves), liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, and the like.
In order to use such an image reproducing apparatus and to sample and reproduce analog image signals supplied from, e.g., a computer, the input analog image signals are subjected to sampling for each pixel of the liquid crystal shutter, liquid crystal display, or plasma display which uses the input analog image signals. How the parameters for sampling of the analog image signals are set at the time of the sampling processing is a crucial factor for good image reproduction.
Particularly crucial sampling parameters are timing-related sampling parameters such as the frequency of the timing clock in horizontal scanning, the back-porch, and the phase.
The aforementioned sampling clock is output synchronously with a sampling clock for creating digital data corresponding to each pixel, e.g., in the event that one horizontal scanning period corresponds to an output cycle for 800 pixels, the frequency is set so that 800 pulses are output within the one horizontal scanning period. In the event that the frequency of the sampling clock is different, there is an offset between the optimal sampling timing for image reproduction and the actual sampling timing, resulting in reduced quality of the generated image.
Also, the term back-porch refers to the period from the output of the horizontal synchronous signal to the display of the image. When this back-porch is off, there is a problem in that the display position shifts to the right or left of that of the proper position, or the sampling timing becomes inaccurate.
Also, even in the event that the sampling clock or the back-porch is appropriate for the input image signals, when the phase between the image signal and sampling clock is offset, blurring occurs in the reproduced image. For example, problems occur, such as instead of sampling and displaying an original white color, the neighboring black color data may be sampled and displayed.
Such sampling parameters often differ one from another depending on the type of computer or the computer manufacturer, even though analog image signals have the same resolution (e.g., VGA which represents a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels).
Particularly, rapid technological advances are being made nowadays, and the resolution of the image signals output from the computer ranges from conventional VGA to SVGA and XGA types which have higher resolution, and further, even if the type thereof is the same, there often are some differences therein depending on the type of computer or the manufacturer of the computer, as mentioned above.
General-use image reproducing apparatuses such as projectors or the like need to be able to deal with various types of analog image signals provided from each type of computer, and to perform good image reproduction.
Accordingly, image reproducing apparatuses such as projectors or the like are configured so that the user sets the sampling parameters and the like output from the computer and used by the user at the time for using the projector.
However, conventional projectors have employed a configuration in which only the values set last are stored in memory as last-memory data, so when the user re-connects the projector to different computers, the adjustment items such as sampling parameters need. to be reset each time, making the equipment troublesome to use.
Particularly, liquid crystal projectors which reproduce image signals provided from a computer on a large screen for presentation to a great number of people have become widespread. During such presentations, it is common that the computer being used is different for each presenter , and it is also common for a plurality of presenters to use the same projector on different days.
However, since conventional projectors can only save setting values in the form of last-memory as described above, even in the event that the same presenter uses the same projector repeatedly, when a third party uses the projector during that time, the setting values such as the sampling parameters and so forth need to be reset each time, making the equipment troublesome to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in light of the above problems, and it is an object thereof to set and store usage environment data peculiar to each user in a selectable manner, thereby enabling reduction of trouble and time for resetting when reusing.
In order to achieve the above objects, the image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is an image reproducing apparatus which samples and reproduces input image signals in accordance with display pixels. The image reproducing apparatus comprises: storing means for selectably storing usage environment data peculiar to the user; and selecting means for selecting the stored usage environment data. Input image signals are reproduced based on the selected usage environment data.
Also, the information storing medium according to the present invention is an information storing medium for an image reproducing apparatus which samples and reproduces input image signals in accordance with display pixels, the information storing medium including: information for selectably setting usage environment data peculiar to the user; information for storing the set usage environment data; information for selecting the stored usage environment data; and information for using the selected usage environment data upon reproduction of the image signals.
According to the present invention, an arrangement is employed wherein the user selectably sets and stores the usage environment data peculiar to the user for the image reproducing apparatus. Accordingly, the user of the apparatus only has to perform optimal setting of the usage environment data peculiar to the user once. Thereafter, there is no need for resetting each time the apparatus is used again, thereby realizing an extremely easy to use image reproducing apparatus.
Also, the image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention may further comprise input means of input setting of the usage environment data. The storing means selectably stores a plurality of input sets of usage environment data.
Here, the input means may be provided within the image reproducing apparatus, or may be provided as external input means to an external equipment connected to the image reproducing apparatus, such as a computer, remote controller, etc.
It is preferable that the image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention be arranged such that the usage environment data is stored with identification data selectable by the user.
Thus, even when a plurality of sets of usage environment data are set and stored, the user can make reference to the identification data and can easily set and use the usage environment data peculiar to the user by means of the usage environment data being stored with identification data which identifies the user, further facilitating the usage of the apparatus.
The image reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is arranged such that the usage environment data includes sampling parameters for sampling input image signals according to display pixels.
Thus, sampling data corresponding to the computer used by the user can be set and stored as usage environment data peculiar to the user. Thus, even when the user uses the same computer for the projector repeatedly, it is possible to
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Sealey Lance W
Seiko Epson Corporation
Zimmerman Mark
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