Display device, displaying method, and computer-readable recording medium

A display device communicates with a terminal device and includes a display unit, an extracting unit, a generating unit, and a transmitting unit. The display unit displays display data including at least one of image data and drawn data corresponding to an operation performed by a user on a screen. The extracting unit extracts a part of the display data specified by the user out of the display data displayed by the display unit. The generating unit generates image data in a form corresponding to the terminal device based on the extracted display data. The transmitting unit transmits the image data to the terminal device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-169659 filed in Japan on Aug. 22, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device, a displaying method, and a computer-readable recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

To urgently transmit information to a distant place, for example, the transmitter side of the information may grasp conditions and consider measures while writing the conditions changing with the lapse of time on a whiteboard or the like. The transmitter side then transmits the contents of the considered measures and informative matters to the receiver side of the information at the distant place with a telephone, an e-mail, or a facsimile, for example. Examples of such a situation include, but are not limited to, communications performed between a control room and on-site persons in charge when a disaster or an accident occurs. The situation is not limited to such a special emergent situation and may occur in various scenes, such as offices, stores, hospitals, factories, roads, railroads, and ordinary homes.

Recently, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-114373, each person on the receiver side of the information is provided with a terminal device, such as a smartphone and a tablet, and they can receive the contents of measures and the informative matters from the transmitter side. The terminal device, for example, can receive and display an image obtained by capturing characters written on the whiteboard via a network.

The screen of the terminal device is smaller than that of the whiteboard. Furthermore, the aspect ratio of the screen of the terminal device is different from that of the screen of the whiteboard. If an image obtained by capturing the screen of the whiteboard is displayed on the terminal device without any change, the image is reduced. In urgent transmission of information to a distant place, this mechanism makes it difficult for the receiver side of the information to readily grasp which content in the image is necessary information.

In view of the disadvantage described above, there is a need to convert information displayed on a screen into image data easily checked on a terminal device and transmit it to the terminal device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a display device that communicates with a terminal device, the display device comprising: a display unit that displays, on a screen, display data including at least one of image data and drawn data corresponding to an operation performed by a user; an extracting unit that extracts a part of the display data specified by the user out of the display data displayed by the display unit; a generating unit that generates image data in a form corresponding to the terminal device based on the extracted display data; and a transmitting unit that transmits the image data to the terminal device.

The present invention also provides a displaying method comprising: displaying, on a screen of a display device, display data including at least one of image data and drawn data corresponding to an operation performed at a terminal device by a user; extracting a part of the display data specified by the user out of the display data displayed on the screen; generating image data in a form corresponding to the terminal device based on the extracted display data; and transmitting the image data to the terminal device.

The present invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that contains a computer program that causes a computer to function as: a display unit that displays, on a screen, display data including at least one of image data and drawn data corresponding to an operation performed by a user; an extracting unit that extracts a part of the display data specified by the user out of the display data displayed by the display unit; a generating unit that generates image data in a form corresponding to a terminal device based on the extracted display data; and a transmitting unit that transmits the image data to the terminal device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of a transmission system10according to the present invention are described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The transmission system10according to the present embodiment processes information displayed on an electronic blackboard20, which is an example of a display device, into image data easily checked on a terminal device30and transmits it to the terminal device30.

Entire Configuration of the Transmission System10

FIG. 1is a schematic of the transmission system10according to the embodiment. The transmission system10includes the electronic blackboard20and a plurality of terminal devices30.

The electronic blackboard20is connected to the terminal devices30via a network. The terminal devices30are connected to the network by wireless communications. A part of the terminal devices30may be connected to the network by wired communications. The electronic blackboard20may be connected to the network by wireless or wired communications. The network may be any network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a WAN including a public line.

The electronic blackboard20generates drawn data based on an operation performed by a user on a screen with an electronic pen22or the hand, for example, and stores therein the generated drawn data. The electronic blackboard20displays the generated drawn data. Thus, the user can draw a character or a figure on the electronic blackboard20as if he/she draws the character or the figure on a wall with a pen.

The electronic blackboard20is connected to each of the terminal devices30via the network to transmit and receive information. The electronic blackboard20also functions as a server accessed by the terminal devices30. Alternatively, the electronic blackboard20may be connected to the terminal devices30via another server.

The terminal device30has a function to output image data (e.g., a display function) and a function to transmit and receive image data. The terminal device30is a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, a tablet, and a mobile phone. Alternatively, the terminal device30may be a computer incapable of being carried by the user or a monitor having a communication function, such as an electronic signboard, for example.

The transmission system10according to the present embodiment is used as a system for operational communications in an IT system. The electronic blackboard20is placed at a base from which instructions are transmitted to a distant place. When a network failure occurs or maintenance is required in the IT system, for example, the electronic blackboard20is used to grasp the entire conditions, consider measures, and issue instructions and the like to persons in charge. The terminal devices30, for example, are provided to the respective persons in charge who perform actual operations, maintenance, and the like and are used to receive informative matters and instructions from the base where the instructions are issued. While the transmission system10according to the present embodiment is used as a system for operational communications in an IT system, for example, the transmission system10may be used for any group. The transmission system10, for example, is applicable to immediate transmission and reception of information in various scenes such as offices in general in various industries, stores, hospitals, factories, roads, railroads, and ordinary homes.

Appearance and the Hardware Configuration of the Electronic Blackboard20

FIG. 2is a schematic of an exemplary appearance of the electronic blackboard20. The electronic blackboard20includes a body211, a support212, and legs213.

The body211includes a display220and has a main function of the electronic blackboard20. The support212supports the body211such that the display surface of the display220is vertically arranged. The legs213support the support212on a floor so as to prevent the electronic blackboard20from falling down. The legs213are each provided with casters, thereby enabling the electronic blackboard20to be moved on the floor. The electronic blackboard20receives an operation performed by the user on the display220with the electronic pen22or the hand and displays drawn data corresponding to the operation performed by the user.

FIG. 3is a diagram of an exemplary hardware configuration of the electronic blackboard20. The electronic blackboard20includes a central processing unit (CPU)221, a read only memory (ROM)222, a random access memory (RAM)223, a flash memory224, a solid state drive (SSD)225, a hard disk (HD)226, a hard disk drive (HDD)227, a network interface (I/F)228, a media drive229, an audio input-output I/F231, an image input I/F232, a capture device233, a graphics processing unit (GPU)234, the display220, a display controller235, a contact sensor236, a sensor controller237, an electronic pen controller238, and a bus line240.

The CPU221controls the entire operation of the electronic blackboard20. The ROM222stores therein a computer program used to drive the CPU221. The RAM223is used as a work area for the CPU221. The flash memory224stores therein various data, such as a control program for the electronic blackboard20. The electronic blackboard20may include an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) or the like instead of the flash memory224. The SSD225controls reading or writing of various data from or to the flash memory224under the control of the CPU221.

The HD226stores therein data to be provided to the terminal device30, a computer program, and the like. The HDD227controls reading or writing of various data from or to the HD226under the control of the CPU221.

The network I/F228controls communications via a network. The media drive229controls reading or writing (storing) of data from or to a recording medium, such as a flash memory, attachable to and detachable from the electronic blackboard20. The audio input-output I/F231inputs and outputs audio signals to and from a microphone speaker or the like under the control of the CPU221.

The image input I/F232receives an image captured by a camera. The capture device233, for example, retrieves a still image or a moving image displayed on a display of another computer. The GPU234performs graphics processing. The GPU234performs drawing of an image based on information received from the user. The GPU234, for example, performs processing of synthesizing the drawn image, the image retrieved by the capture device233, and the image received from the camera. The display controller235performs control and management of screen display to output an output image from the GPU234to the display220.

The contact sensor236detects a contact operation and input of information performed by the user on the display220with the electronic pen22or the hand. The sensor controller237controls processing performed by the contact sensor236under the control of the CPU221.

The contact sensor236, for example, inputs and detects coordinates with an infrared-ray interruption system. The coordinates are input and detected as follows: two light receiving and emitting devices (not illustrated) are provided on both ends on the upper side of the display220and emit a plurality of infrared rays in parallel with the display220; a reflection member provided on the periphery of the display220reflects the infrared rays; and light receiving elements receive light returned on the same optical path as that of the emitted light. The contact sensor236outputs identification (ID) of an infrared ray emitted from the two light receiving and emitting devices and interrupted by an object to the sensor controller237. The sensor controller237identifies a coordinate position corresponding to the contact position of the object.

The contact sensor236is not limited to an infrared-ray interruption sensor. The electronic blackboard20may include various detecting units, such as a capacitive touch panel that identifies a contact position by detecting a change in the capacitance, a resistive touch panel that identifies a contact position based on a change in the voltage of two facing resistance films, and an electromagnetic induction touch panel that identifies a contact position by detecting electromagnetic induction generated by a contact object coming into contact with a display unit.

The electronic pen controller238communicates with the electronic pen22to determine whether or not the tip or the bottom of the pen comes into contact with the display220. The electronic pen controller238may determine whether or not a portion of the electronic pen22held by the user or other portions of the electronic pen22comes into contact with the display220besides the tip and the bottom of the electronic pen22.

The bus line240serves as an address bus or a data bus that performs connections between the components, for example.

Appearance and the Hardware Configuration of the Terminal Device30

FIG. 4is a schematic of an exemplary appearance of the terminal device30. The terminal device30, for example, is an electronic device having a thin-plate shape with a substantially rectangular principal surface and a size small enough for the user to carry in the hand. The terminal device30, for example, has an information processing function and a communication function similar to those of a computer and can make a telephone conversation. The terminal device30includes a touch panel display320that displays image data on the principal surface.

FIG. 5is a diagram of an exemplary hardware configuration of the terminal device30. The terminal device30includes a CPU321, a ROM322, a RAM323, a flash memory324, an SSD325, a power switch326, a network I/F331, a camera332, an image-capturing element I/F333, a microphone334, a speaker335, an audio input-output I/F336, the touch panel display320, a display I/F338, an input I/F339, and a bus line340.

The CPU321controls the entire operation of the terminal device30. The ROM322stores therein a computer program used to drive the CPU321. The RAM323is used as a work area for the CPU321. The flash memory324stores therein various data, such as a control program for the terminal device30and image data. The terminal device30may include an EEPROM or the like instead of the flash memory324. The SSD325controls reading or writing of various data from or to the flash memory324under the control of the CPU321. The power switch326is a button for turning on and off the power supply of the terminal device30.

The network I/F331controls communications via a network. The camera332captures a subject under the control of the CPU321, thereby obtaining image data. The image-capturing element I/F333controls the drive of the camera332. The microphone334receives audio, and the speaker335outputs audio. The audio input-output I/F336inputs and outputs audio signals to and from the microphone334and the speaker335under the control of the CPU321.

The touch panel display320displays an image corresponding to image data and an operation icon, for example. The touch panel display320receives an operation performed on the screen. The display I/F338transmits image data to the touch panel display320under the control of the CPU321. The input I/F339detects an operation performed on the touch panel display320. The bus line340serves as an address bus or a data bus that connects the components, for example.

Functional Configuration of the Electronic Blackboard20and the Terminal Device30

FIG. 6is a functional block diagram of the electronic blackboard20. The functions of the blocks illustrated inFIG. 6in the electronic blackboard20are provided by the CPU221illustrated inFIG. 3executing a computer program and cooperating with other hardware resources as needed. A part or all of the blocks illustrated inFIG. 6may be provided as hardware.

The electronic blackboard20includes an input unit41, a drawing unit42, a storage unit43, a display unit44, an extracting unit45, a generating unit46, a transmitting unit47, a mode receiving unit48, and a session forming unit49.

The input unit41receives an operation performed by the user with the electronic pen22or the hand, for example. The drawing unit42generates drawn data corresponding to the operation performed by the user and received by the input unit41. The storage unit43stores therein the drawn data generated by the drawing unit42.

The display unit44displays display data including the drawn data stored in the storage unit43on the screen of the display220. The extracting unit45extracts a part of the display data specified by the user out of the display data displayed on the screen from the storage unit43. The generating unit46generates image data in a form corresponding to the screen of the touch panel display320of the terminal device30based on the display data extracted by the extracting unit45. The form corresponding to the screen of the touch panel display320of the terminal device30is set in advance, for example. The form corresponding to the screen of the touch panel display320of the terminal device30may be generated based on information received from the terminal device30(e.g., information indicating the aspect ratio of the screen). The transmitting unit47transmits the image data generated by the generating unit46to each terminal device30. The storage unit43may store therein other image data received by the electronic blackboard20from the outside. The storage unit43, for example, may acquire and store therein image data received from the terminal device30, image data stored in a detachable recording medium, such as a flash memory, or image data obtained by a reading device, such as a scanner, reading a paper surface. In this case, the display unit44displays display data including the image data and the drawn data. The extracting unit45extracts a part of the display data including at least one of the image data and the drawn data.

Before the start of an operation, the mode receiving unit48receives a mode indicating the contents of the operation from the user. The session forming unit49is communicably connected to a part of the terminal devices30specified based on the mode out of all the terminal devices30. The transmitting unit47transmits image data to the terminal devices30communicably connected to the session forming unit49.

FIG. 7is a functional block diagram of the terminal device30. The functions of the blocks illustrated inFIG. 7in the terminal device30are provided by the CPU321illustrated inFIG. 5executing a computer program and cooperating with other hardware resources as needed. A part or all of the blocks illustrated inFIG. 7may be provided as hardware.

The terminal device30includes a receiving unit51, an output unit52, and a terminal-side session forming unit53. The receiving unit51receives image data transmitted from the electronic blackboard20. The output unit52displays the image data on the screen of the touch panel display320. The terminal-side session forming unit53performs processing of establishing communications with the electronic blackboard20. When the terminal-side session forming unit53establishes communications with the electronic blackboard20, the receiving unit51receives the image data from the electronic blackboard20.

Processing Flow of the Transmission System10

FIG. 8is a flowchart of processing performed by the transmission system10. To take measures for occurrence of a certain event, the transmission system10performs processing of the sequence illustrated inFIG. 8.

At Step S11, the mode receiving unit48of the electronic blackboard20receives a mode specified by the user. The mode receiving unit48may cause the user to select a mode corresponding to the contents of the occurring event from a plurality of modes registered in advance in the electronic blackboard20. When a network failure occurs, for example, the mode receiving unit48may cause the user to select a network failure mode; whereas, when a maintenance operation needs to be performed, the mode receiving unit48may cause the user to select a maintenance mode. The network failure mode and the maintenance mode are given by way of example only, and the names of the modes may be changed based on the usage by the user.

At Step S12, the session forming unit49of the electronic blackboard20establishes communications with a plurality of terminal devices30. The electronic blackboard20establishes communications with the terminal devices30, thereby enabling push transmission of image data to the terminal devices30.

The session forming unit49may select the terminal devices30with which the connection is to be established depending on the mode selected at Step S11. In the network failure mode, for example, the session forming unit49establishes connection with the terminal devices30provided to all the persons in charge at all the bases. In the maintenance mode, for example, the session forming unit49establishes connection with the terminal devices30provided to all the persons in charge at a base where a system or a server to be maintained is installed. Thus, the electronic blackboard20reliably transmits information to the terminal devices30to which informative matters and instructions are to be transmitted and transmits no information to the terminal devices30to which no informative matter or no instruction is to be transmitted.

At Step S13, the input unit41of the electronic blackboard20receives an operation performed by the user on the screen with the electronic pen22or the like. The drawing unit42of the electronic blackboard20generates drawn data drawn by the operation. The storage unit43of the electronic blackboard20stores therein the generated drawn data. At this time, the display unit44of the electronic blackboard20displays the drawn data at a corresponding position on the screen.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, for example, the electronic blackboard20generates drawn data60indicating characters or figures drawn on the screen with the electronic pen22and stores and displays them.

The drawn data according to the present embodiment is an aggregate of stroke data indicating a trajectory of the electronic pen and a position on the screen in a vector format. As illustrated inFIG. 10, for example, the drawn data is an aggregate of stroke data generated by a series of operations performed from when the user starts writing a character string, a figure, or the like with the electronic pen22to when the user finishes the writing of the character string, the figure, or the like. The drawn data may be data in units of characters or the like instead of data in units of character strings or figures. The drawing unit42may erase specified drawn data by the input unit41receiving a preset erasing operation.

At Step S13, the user at a base from which instructions are to be transmitted according to the present embodiment writes the conditions of the occurring event, measures, persons in charge, and target time of solution of the event (expected restoration time) on the electronic blackboard20, for example.

At Step S14, the electronic blackboard20shifts to an extraction stage in response to a preset operation, such as pressing of a preset button, performed by the user. At the extraction stage, the extracting unit45of the electronic blackboard20extracts a part of drawn data selected by the user out of the drawn data displayed on the display unit44from the storage unit43.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, for example, the extracting unit45receives the position of a selection line61drawn by the user on the screen with the electronic pen22. The selection line61is a substantially circular line made of a free-form curve, for example. The extracting unit45extracts drawn data in a rectangular area62having a preset aspect ratio and including the area surrounded by the selection line61. The aspect ratio, for example, is an aspect ratio corresponding to the screen of the output unit52of the terminal devices30. The extracting unit45stores therein the aspect ratio in advance.

In this case, the extracting unit45may set the rectangular area62that includes all the pieces of drawn data at least a part of which overlaps with the area surrounded by the selection line61. With this setting, in a case where the substantially circular selection line61is smaller than the area of the drawn data to be extracted by the user, the extracting unit45can extract the drawn data without cutting it in the middle.

At Step S15, the generating unit46of the electronic blackboard20generates raster image data with an aspect ratio corresponding to the screen of the terminal devices30based on the extracted drawn data.

The drawn data extracted at Step S14is vector data. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the generating unit46performs vector-raster conversion on the extracted vector drawn data, thereby converting it into raster image data with an aspect ratio of the screen of the terminal devices30. The generating unit46, for example, converts the drawn data into image data in a joint photographic experts group (JPEG) format, a bitmap format, or a portable document format (PDF). The generating unit46may convert the resolution of the image data into resolution corresponding to the touch panel display320of the terminal devices30.

At Step S16, the transmitting unit47of the electronic blackboard20performs broadcast transmission of the generated image data to each of the terminal devices30as illustrated inFIG. 13. At Step S17, the receiving units51of the respective terminal devices30receive the image data from the electronic blackboard20. At Step S18, the output units52of the respective terminal devices30display the received image data.

As described above, the transmission system10according to the present embodiment extracts a part of drawn data displayed on the electronic blackboard20and generates image data in a form corresponding to the aspect ratio of the screen of the terminal device30. The transmission system10transmits the image data from the electronic blackboard20to the terminal device30and causes the terminal device30to display it. Thus, the transmission system10according to the present embodiment can convert information displayed on the electronic blackboard20having a relatively large screen into image data easily checked on the terminal device30having a relatively small screen and cause the terminal device30to display it. The present embodiment extracts a part of the drawn data displayed on the electronic blackboard20, for example. In a case where the electronic blackboard20displays other image data received from the outside, all the pieces of display data displayed on the screen are to be extracted. In this case, the transmission system10extracts a part of the display data including at least one of the image data and the drawn data and generates image data in the form corresponding to the aspect ratio of the screen of the terminal device30.

FIG. 14is a diagram of processing of transmitting vector image data from the electronic blackboard20to the terminal device30. The terminal device30may possibly be capable of displaying vector image data. In this case, the electronic blackboard20may generate vector image data corresponding to the form of the screen of the terminal device30based on the extracted drawn data as illustrated inFIG. 14. In this case, the electronic blackboard20converts the coordinates in the extracted drawn data into the coordinates in the screen size with the aspect ratio corresponding to the screen of the terminal device30.

When receiving the vector image data from the electronic blackboard20, the terminal device30converts the received vector image data into raster image data and displays it. In a case where the terminal device30can display vector image data as described above, the electronic blackboard20may display vector image data on the terminal device30. To transmit the vector image data to the terminal device30, the electronic blackboard20can reduce the transfer amount of the data.

First Modification

FIG. 15is a functional block diagram of the electronic blackboard20according to a first modification.FIG. 16is a schematic of the electronic blackboard20displaying background data82.

The transmission system10according to the first modification has a configuration and functions substantially the same as those described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 14. The following describes differences from the configuration described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 14.

The electronic blackboard20according to the first modification further includes a background acquiring unit81. The background acquiring unit81, for example, acquires background data from the outside. The storage unit43stores therein the background data acquired by the background acquiring unit81. The display unit44displays the background data stored in the storage unit43on the screen.

The background acquiring unit81may receive background data from an external computer or a recording medium, for example. Furthermore, the background acquiring unit81may receive information included in an e-mail as background data, for example.

When a mode is set, the background acquiring unit81may acquire background data corresponding to the specified mode. When the network failure mode is selected, for example, the background acquiring unit81may acquire background data indicating a configuration diagram of the entire network illustrated inFIG. 16. When the maintenance mode is selected, for example, the background acquiring unit81may acquire background data indicating a network configuration to be maintained. Thus, the drawing unit42, for example, can display drawn data written by the user (e.g., a mark indicating the position of the event, such as a network failure) in a manner superimposed on the background data.

FIG. 17is a schematic of a first example of the electronic blackboard20displaying the selection line61drawn on the background data82, and the rectangular area62.FIG. 18is a diagram of the drawn data extracted without the background data, and image data.

As illustrated inFIG. 17, the extracting unit45according to the first modification selects the drawn data60displayed in a manner superimposed on the background data82with the selection line61. In this case, the extracting unit45extracts the drawn data60without the background data82, for example. As illustrated inFIG. 18, the generating unit46generates image data based on the drawn data60without the background data82. Thus, the electronic blackboard20according to the first modification extracts the drawn data60written by the user and transmits it to the terminal device30.

FIG. 19is a schematic of a second example of the electronic blackboard20displaying the selection line61drawn on the background data82, and the rectangular area62.FIG. 20is a diagram of the drawn data extracted together with the background data, and image data.

As illustrated inFIG. 19, the extracting unit45according to the first modification may cut and extract a part of the background data82in the area corresponding to the extracted drawn data60out of the background data82displayed on the screen together with the drawn data. In this case, the generating unit46generates image data by synthesizing the extracted part of the background data82and the extracted drawn data as illustrated inFIG. 20. Thus, the electronic blackboard20according to the first modification transmits a part of the background data82together with the drawn data60written by the user to the terminal device30.

The electronic blackboard20may set in advance whether to generate image data by cutting out a part of the background data82and synthesizing it with the drawn data or generate image data without the background data82. Alternatively, the electronic blackboard20may switch the setting depending on an operation performed by the user.

FIG. 21is a schematic of an example in which the background data and the image data are separately transmitted to the terminal device30. The electronic blackboard20according to the first modification may transmit the background data and the image data simultaneously to the terminal device30or transmit them separately to the terminal device30.

To transmit the background data and the image data separately to the terminal device30, after a mode is selected and a session is formed, the transmitting unit47of the electronic blackboard20, for example, transmits the background data alone to the terminal device30before the extraction of drawn data. When the drawn data is extracted, the generating unit46of the electronic blackboard20generates image data and positional information indicating the position of the area corresponding to the extracted drawn data with respect to the background data. The transmitting unit47transmits the image data and the positional information to the terminal device30.

When receiving the image data and the positional information, the terminal device30displays the received image data in a manner superimposed at the position indicated by the positional information on the previously received background data. Thus, the electronic blackboard20transmits necessary information alone to the terminal device30.

Second Modification

FIG. 22is a schematic of the electronic blackboard20according to a second modification. The transmission system10according to the second modification has a configuration and functions substantially the same as those described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21. The following describes differences from the configuration described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21.

In a case where the user selects a plurality of areas on the screen, the extracting unit45according to the second modification extracts pieces of drawn data displayed in the areas selected by the user.

The input unit41, for example, receives the positions of a plurality of substantially circular selection lines61drawn by the user on the screen with the electronic pen22. The extracting unit45extracts pieces of drawn data in the rectangular areas62including the areas surrounded by the respective selection lines61. In this case, the rectangular areas62need not have the aspect ratio of the screen of the terminal device30.

As illustrated inFIG. 23, the generating unit46synthesizes the pieces of drawn data extracted from the respective areas into a piece of image data in a form with a preset aspect ratio corresponding to the screen of the terminal device30. Thus, the electronic blackboard20according to the second modification transmits and displays the pieces of information written in the respective areas on the terminal device30.

As illustrated inFIG. 24, the generating unit46may convert the pieces of drawn data extracted from the areas into respective pieces of image data. In this case, the transmitting unit47transmits each of the pieces of image data to the terminal device30. The terminal device30receives the pieces of image data from the electronic blackboard20. When receiving the pieces of image data, the terminal device30displays the pieces of image data on different pages. When the user performs an operation of turning or returning a page, the terminal device30switches display of the image data. Thus, the electronic blackboard20according to the second modification transmits and displays the pieces of information written in the respective areas on the terminal device30.

FIG. 25is a schematic of the electronic blackboard20displaying a guide image91. To generate a piece of image data by synthesizing pieces of drawn data selected from a plurality of areas, the extracting unit45according to the second modification may generate and display the guide image91on the screen during the operation of selecting drawn data. The guide image91indicates arrangement of the selected drawn data on a preset form.

The extracting unit45, for example, displays the guide image91on an end of the screen. The guide image91, for example, is used to display an area indicating a form corresponding to the aspect ratio of the screen of the terminal device30. The extracting unit45, for example, displays the guide image91including an area to which the selected drawn data is to be allocated as a hatching image. The extracting unit45may display a percentage of a free space to which no selected drawn data is allocated together with the guide image91. Thus, to synthesize a plurality of pieces of drawn data into a piece of image data, the electronic blackboard20can cause the user to select an appropriate number of pieces of drawn data. The extracting unit45may extract a part of the drawn data moved into the area indicated by the guide image91in response to an operation performed by the user. The extracting unit45, for example, may extract a part of the drawn data in response to the user's operation of directly moving the selected drawn data (e.g., movement by a drag-and-drop operation).

Before the selection of drawn data, the extracting unit45may cause the user to input the number of areas of drawn data to be selected. In this case, the extracting unit45may display divided areas of the number corresponding to the number of areas input by the user in the guide image91. In a case where the number of areas input by the user is four, for example, the extracting unit45displays the guide image91including divided areas obtained by dividing the whole area crosswise into four. The extracting unit45allocates pieces of drawn data extracted from respective areas to the respective divided areas. Thus, the electronic blackboard20can cause the user to select drawn data capable of being arranged in the preset divided areas.

Third Modification

FIG. 26is a diagram of an example of drawn data stored in the storage unit43of the electronic blackboard20according to a third modification. The transmission system10according to the third modification has a configuration and functions substantially the same as those described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 25. The following describes differences from the configuration described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 25.

The drawing unit42according to the third modification adds time to each drawn data. As illustrated inFIG. 26, the storage unit43stores therein the drawn data and the time in a manner associated with each other. The drawing unit42may add time in units of characters or stroke data smaller than drawn data.

When the user selects drawn data, the extracting unit45extracts the drawn data selected by the user and another piece of drawn data generated within a preset time period from the selection of the selected drawn data. The extracting unit45, for example, refers to the added time to extract drawn data generated within five minutes before and after the selection of the selected drawn data.

The generating unit46synthesizes the pieces of drawn data extracted from the respective areas into a piece of image data in a preset form corresponding to the screen of the terminal device30. As illustrated inFIG. 27, for example, the generating unit46synthesizes drawn data manually selected by the user and automatically selected drawn data into a piece of image data. The transmitting unit47transmits the generated image data to the terminal device30.

The transmission system10according to the third modification can automatically select relating information written around the same time and transmit it to the terminal device30.

Other Modifications

While the terminal devices30according to the present embodiment each include the output unit52having the same screen size, the terminal devices30may have different screen sizes. In this case, the electronic blackboard20generates image data corresponding to the screen size of a certain terminal device30and transmits it to the terminal devices30. If a terminal device30receives image data in a screen size different from that of the output unit52included in the terminal device30, it reduces and displays the image data, for example. The electronic blackboard20may generate pieces of image data in a plurality types of screen sizes corresponding to the respective terminal devices30and transmit the pieces of image data in the respective screen sizes to the corresponding terminal devices30.

The terminal device30may be an ultra-compact watch-like device, for example. In this case, the terminal device30may display important information out of the image data transmitted from the electronic blackboard20and need not display other information. Whether or not the information is important is specified by the user of the electronic blackboard20when selecting the drawn data, for example. In this case, the terminal device30may request the electronic blackboard20to retransmit the non-displayed image data later. If retransmission is requested, the electronic blackboard20transmits the specified image data to the terminal device30.

The terminal device30may be a printing device that prints image data on a sheet. In this case, the electronic blackboard20generates image data with an aspect ratio corresponding to the size of the sheet output from the terminal device30. When receiving the image data from the electronic blackboard20, the terminal device30prints the received image data on a sheet.

The embodiments of the present invention can convert information displayed on a screen into image data easily checked on a terminal device and transmit it to the terminal device.