Patent Description:
In a case where a desired operation is intended to be performed at a predetermined time point by a projector, there is a method available, for example, for allowing a server connected to the projector through a network to exercise control (refer, for example, to PTL <NUM>). PTL <NUM> discloses a display device, multiple display system and multiple display method.

However, in a case where a server controls the operation of a projector, the server needs to monitor the operating state of the projector. Thus, the load on the server increases with an increase in the number of projectors to be controlled.

The present technology has been made in view of the above circumstances and makes it possible to easily control operation performed by the projector.

Particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the independent and dependent claims. The following examples in this section correspond to background information useful for understanding the invention. These examples, however, do not define the scope of protection which is defined by the appended claims.

A projector according to a first example of the present technology includes a display control section which acquires display data including equipment control information that controls equipment, and which controls another equipment according to the equipment control information.

A projector control method according to a second example of the present technology includes acquiring display data including equipment control information that controls equipment, and controlling another equipment according to the equipment control information.

An image system according to a third example of the present technology includes a projector, and a server, in which the projector includes a display control section which acquires, from the server, display data including equipment control information that controls equipment, and which controls another equipment according to the equipment control information, and the server includes a storage section which stores the display data.

In the first to third examples of the present technology, a projector acquires display data including equipment control information that controls equipment, and controls another equipment according to the equipment control information.

The projector may be an independent device or an internal block included in a device.

According to the first to third aspects of the present technology, it is possible to easily control operation performed by the projector.

Note that the advantageous effect described here may not be limited, and the advantageous effect may be any of the advantageous effects described in the present disclosure.

The best mode for carrying out the present technology (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will now be described. The description will be given in the following order.

<FIG> illustrates an example configuration of an embodiment of an image system to which the present technology is applied.

The image system <NUM> depicted in <FIG> includes a projector <NUM>, a server <NUM>, a lighting device <NUM>, a curtain <NUM>, and a screen device <NUM>. This system uses the projector <NUM> to display a predetermined image.

The projector <NUM>, the server <NUM>, the lighting device <NUM>, the curtain <NUM>, and the screen device <NUM> are interconnected through a predetermined network <NUM> such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet, for example.

<FIG> illustrates an example installation of the various kinds of equipment in the image system <NUM>.

The projector <NUM>, the lighting device <NUM>, the curtain <NUM>, and the screen device <NUM> are installed, for example, in a predetermined conference room <NUM> in a company. The server <NUM> is installed at a place different from the conference room <NUM>.

For ease of explanation, the present embodiment is described on the assumption that one projector <NUM>, one server <NUM>, one lighting device <NUM>, one curtain <NUM>, and one screen device <NUM> are each connected to the network <NUM>. However, the number of each piece of equipment to be connected to the network <NUM> is not limited. In other words, each piece of equipment may be connected in plural number to the network <NUM>.

For example, in a case where the projector <NUM>, the lighting device <NUM>, the curtain <NUM>, and the screen device <NUM> are installed in each of a plurality of conference rooms <NUM> and connected to the network <NUM>, the image system <NUM> includes a plurality of projectors <NUM>, a plurality of lighting devices <NUM>, a plurality of curtains <NUM>, a plurality of screen devices <NUM>, and one server <NUM>.

It should be noted that the image system <NUM> can exclude some of the lighting device <NUM>, the curtain <NUM>, and the screen device <NUM> or can include a microphone, a printer, and other kinds of equipment that are additionally connected to the network <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, in a predetermined meeting held in the conference room <NUM>, a user connects his/her personal computer <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as the PC <NUM>) to the projector <NUM> with a communication cable <NUM> such as an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), and causes the projector <NUM> to project a presentation image prepared by the user. The projector <NUM> acquires presentation data from the PC <NUM> and displays (projects) the presentation image on a projection plane such as a wall or the screen of the screen device <NUM>.

Further, at a preset time point, the projector <NUM> accesses the server <NUM> through the network <NUM>, acquires display data <NUM> from the server <NUM>, and displays an image based on the display data <NUM> on the projection plane such as the wall or the screen of the screen device <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the server <NUM> stores the display data <NUM> concerning a "SUMMER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT," and the projector <NUM> acquires the display data <NUM> from the server <NUM> and displays the "SUMMER FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT" on the projection plane.

The display data <NUM> stored in the server <NUM> incorporates equipment control information that controls predetermined equipment connected to the network <NUM>, and the projector <NUM> controls the predetermined equipment on the basis of the equipment control information incorporated in the display data <NUM>. Specifically, on the basis of the display data <NUM>, the projector <NUM> is able to not only display a predetermined image on the projection plane but also cause the predetermined equipment to perform a predetermined operation.

For example, it is on an assumption that a predetermined time point at which the server <NUM> is accessed and the display data <NUM> is acquired coincides with a time point at which the communication cable <NUM> connected to the PC <NUM> is disconnected from the projector <NUM> and that control information that turns off the lighting device <NUM>, opening the curtain <NUM>, and raising (storing) the screen of the screen device <NUM> is written as the equipment control information incorporated in the display data <NUM> to be acquired at the above time point.

In the above case, in a case in which the user disconnects the communication cable <NUM> from the projector <NUM> at the end of the meeting, the projector <NUM> acquires the display data <NUM> from the server <NUM> and executes the equipment control information to thereby turn off the lighting device <NUM>, open the curtain <NUM>, and raise the screen of the screen device <NUM>. When viewed from the user, disconnecting, by the user, the communication cable <NUM> from the projector <NUM> automatically causes the lighting device <NUM> to turn off, the curtain <NUM> to open, and the screen of the screen device <NUM> to rise. This establishes an environment for exiting the conference room <NUM> without a particular user's operation.

In a case where the acquired display data <NUM> includes a command written for displaying an image presenting announcement information regarding a summer festival as depicted in <FIG>, the information regarding the summer festival is displayed on the projection plane such as the wall. This enables the projection plane to display information that is to be delivered to a large number of users who use the conference room <NUM>. In a case where there is no particular announcement information, for example, the logo of the company may be displayed.

The display data <NUM> may include data in which only the equipment control information is written or include both display control information and the equipment control information to be displayed on the projection plane. Further, as a matter of course, in a case where the equipment need not be controlled, the projector <NUM> can also perform only an operation for displaying an image on the projection plane.

As another example of the operation of the projector <NUM>, it is on an assumption that a predetermined time point at which the server <NUM> is accessed and the display data <NUM> is acquired coincides with a time point at which the PC <NUM> is connected to the projector <NUM> with the communication cable <NUM> and that control information that turns off the lighting device <NUM>, closes the curtain <NUM>, and lowers the screen of the screen device <NUM> is incorporated as the equipment control information in the display data <NUM> to be acquired at the above time point.

In the above case, in a case in which the user connects the PC <NUM> to the projector <NUM> with the communication cable <NUM>, the lighting device <NUM> turns off, the curtain <NUM> closes, and the screen of the screen device <NUM> lowers. This establishes an environment for displaying a presentation image in the conference room <NUM> without a particular user's operation. The equipment control information may be written so as to not only control the lighting device <NUM>, the curtain <NUM>, and the screen device <NUM>, but also switch to an input terminal of the communication cable <NUM> for data input purposes.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram illustrating the projector <NUM> and server <NUM> that perform the above-described process.

The projector <NUM> includes an input section <NUM>, a communication section <NUM>, an operation section <NUM>, a projection section <NUM>, a control section <NUM>, and a storage section <NUM>. Further, although not depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, a remote controller 11R is attached to the projector <NUM>.

The input section <NUM> includes one or more input terminals that are to be connected to a communication cable compliant with a predetermined standard such as the HDMI (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). Image signals and control signals inputted through the input terminals are supplied to the control section <NUM>.

The communication section <NUM> includes a network interface for establishing communication through the network <NUM> such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. The communication section <NUM> communicates with another equipment under control of the control section <NUM>. It should be noted that the communication section <NUM> may provide wired communication or wireless communication using Wi-Fi (trademark) or the like. Further, the communication section <NUM> may provide both wired communication and wireless communication.

The operation section <NUM> includes a plurality of operation buttons <NUM> disposed on the main body of the projector <NUM>, receives a user operation on the operation buttons <NUM>, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the control section <NUM>. Further, the operation section <NUM> receives an operation signal that is transmitted from the remote controller 11R through wireless communication such as infrared rays, and then supplies the received operation signal to the control section <NUM>.

The remote controller 11R includes operation buttons <NUM>, receives a user operation on the operation buttons <NUM>, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the operation section <NUM> through wireless communication such as infrared rays.

Either the operation buttons <NUM> or operation buttons <NUM> or both of them include, for example, a power button for turning power on and off, an input changeover button for changing the input section for an image signal to be projected, a setting button for displaying a setting screen of the projector <NUM>, a direct button for designating an operation of acquiring the display data <NUM> directly from the server <NUM>, and the like.

The projection section <NUM> includes, for example, an optical lens section, a liquid-crystal panel, and a light source and projects an image (displays an image on the projection plane) on the basis of an image signal to be supplied from the control section <NUM>.

The control section <NUM> includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, reads an operation control program stored in the storage section <NUM>, and controls the overall operation of the projector <NUM> according to the operation control program. For example, according to an operation signal to be supplied from the operation section <NUM>, the control section <NUM> selects an input terminal to which an image signal to be projected is supplied, supplies the image signal to be inputted from the selected input terminal to the projection section <NUM>, and causes the projection section <NUM> to project an image.

The control section <NUM> includes at least a communication control section <NUM> and a display control section <NUM>. The communication control section <NUM> controls the communication section <NUM>. The display control section <NUM> controls an image display (image projection) that is performed by the projection section <NUM>.

The communication control section <NUM> controls the communication section <NUM> according to setting information <NUM> stored in the storage section <NUM>, for example, and thus causes the communication section <NUM> to acquire the display data <NUM>.

The display control section <NUM> acquires, for example, the display data <NUM> from the communication section <NUM>, causes an image to be displayed on the basis of the acquired display data <NUM>, and controls another equipment. Specifically, the display control section <NUM> causes the projection section <NUM> to display an image on the basis of the display data <NUM> acquired through the communication section <NUM>. Further, the display control section <NUM> causes predetermined equipment to perform a predetermined operation on the basis of the equipment control information incorporated in the display data <NUM>.

The display control section <NUM> analyzes and renders the display data <NUM> which is a web browser represented by Google Chrome (registered trademark), Opera (trademark), Firefox (registered trademark), and the like or which is a program having functions equivalent to those of the web browser and written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), JavaScript (registered trademark), or the like. In the display data <NUM>, images to be displayed on the projection plane are written, for example, in HTML or CSS, and the equipment control information is written, for example, in JavaScript (registered trademark).

The storage section <NUM> includes, for example, a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or an NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM), and stores, for example, the operation control program for controlling the operation of the projector <NUM>. Further, the storage section <NUM> stores the setting information <NUM> for setting, for example, time points and acquisition sources for acquiring the display data <NUM> stored in the server <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a setting screen for generating the setting information <NUM> that is to be stored in the storage section <NUM>.

When, for example, the setting button for displaying the setting screen of the projector <NUM> is operated (pressed), the projection section <NUM> displays the setting screen depicted in <FIG> on the projection plane.

At each preselected time point, the setting screen makes it possible to set (register) an acquisition source for acquiring the display data <NUM> in a case where each preselected time point is reached.

The setting screen depicted in <FIG> makes it possible to set an acquisition source for acquiring the display data <NUM> at three kinds of time points, namely, a time point at which the HDMI (registered trademark) communication cable <NUM> is disconnected, a time point at which an operation is performed to select a browser input, for example, with the remote controller 11R, and a time point at which the direct button for acquiring the display data <NUM> directly from the server <NUM> is operated (pressed). The acquisition source for acquiring the display data <NUM> is specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or an IP address.

The example of <FIG> specifies that "http://www. server1/document1. html" should be acquired as the display data <NUM> when the communication cable <NUM> is disconnected. Further, the example specifies that "http://www. server1/document2. html" should be acquired when an operation for selecting a browser input is performed. Furthermore, the example specifies that ''http://www. server2/document11. html'' should be acquired when the direct button is operated (pressed).

When a register button is pressed, inputted information is stored in the storage section <NUM> as the setting information <NUM>. A cancel button is pressed in a case where the inputted information is not updated as the setting information <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the setting screen. The setting screen can be configured such that other time points and acquisition sources for acquiring the display data <NUM> can be specified.

The acquisition source for acquiring the display data <NUM> may be specified by using a method other than using the setting screen. For example, the acquisition source may be specified, for example, from a personal computer connected through the communication cable <NUM> or the network <NUM> using a parameter along with a command for acquiring the display data <NUM>.

Returning to the explanation of <FIG>, the server <NUM> includes a communication section <NUM>, a storage section <NUM>, and a control section <NUM>.

The communication section <NUM> includes a network interface for establishing communication through the network <NUM> such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. The communication section <NUM> performs predetermined communication with another equipment according to control of the control section <NUM>. It should be noted that the communication section <NUM> may provide wired communication or wireless communication using Wi-Fi (trademark) or the like. Further, the communication section <NUM> may provide both wired communication and wireless communication.

The storage section <NUM> includes, for example, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or the like and stores, for example, an operation control program for controlling the operation of the server <NUM>. Further, the storage section <NUM> stores the display data <NUM> that is to be transmitted to the projector <NUM>.

The control section <NUM> includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM, and the like, reads the operation control program stored in the storage section <NUM>, and controls the overall operation of the server <NUM> according to the operation control program. For example, the control section <NUM> receives a request for the display data <NUM> from the projector <NUM>, controls the communication section <NUM> to transmit the display data <NUM> stored in the storage section <NUM> to the projector <NUM>.

Further, the control section <NUM> causes the storage section <NUM> to store the display data <NUM> transmitted from a predetermined terminal (e.g., a personal computer) connected through the network <NUM> or to update (overwrite) such stored display data <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the display data <NUM> that is to be stored in the storage section <NUM>.

The display data <NUM> depicted in <FIG> includes an HTML file. In the HTML file, descriptions given between a <body> tag and a </body> tag indicate the contents of a document.

Among the descriptions given between the <body> tag and the </body> tag, the description <img src="image. png"> in the first line displays an image. This description acquires an image file "image. png" and displays an image. The description <img src="image. png"> in the first line corresponds to image display control information that displays an image.

Descriptions given between a <script> tag and a </script> tag, which are below the <img> tag, are the descriptions as the equipment control information that controls equipment. The equipment control information includes an address that specifies control target equipment, and a command that specifies the operation to be performed by the control target equipment.

The description "type = text/javascript" in the <script> tag indicates that a script is written in JavaScript (registered trademark).

The next description "function control_other_system()" defines (sets) a function that controls another equipment.

The next description "//Power ON control of another equipment" is a comment line and does not affect the operation.

The next description "var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();" is a command for creating an XMLHttpRequest object that is an object for requesting another equipment to exercise control.

The next description "xhr. onload = function()" is a command for performing setup so as to execute the following three lines when a function is called.

The next description "var resp = xhr. responseText;" is a command for receiving a reply command. However, as the reply command is not involved in the present operation, the operation for receiving the reply command is not actually performed.

The next description "xhr. open('POST', 'othersystem_url/command/power_on');" is a command for specifying the location where the other equipment exists by the URL. In the present example, connection destination to the other equipment becomes "othersystem_url/command/power_on. " The connection destination to the other equipment may be specified not only by a URL but also by an IP address. The control target equipment is identified by the URL or the IP address.

The next description "xhr. stringify({ method: "power", version: '<NUM>', params: "on" }));" is a command that transmits a method parameter, a version parameter, and a params parameter. The method and params parameters specify the operation to be performed by equipment and correspond to a command that identifies the operation that is to be performed by the control target equipment. In the method parameter that is the first parameter, "power" is set. In the version parameter that is the second parameter, "<NUM>" is set, and in the params parameter that is the third parameter, "on" is set. This parameter specifies the operation for turning power on. The transmission destination of each of the above parameters is "othersystem_url/command/power_on.

For example, in a case where equipment that exists at a location specified by the URL "othersystem_url/command/power_on" is the lighting device <NUM>, when the display control section <NUM> of the projector <NUM> acquires the display data <NUM> including the HTML file depicted in <FIG>, the image "image. png" is displayed on the projection plane, and the lighting device <NUM> is turned on to illuminate the lighting device <NUM>. The image "image. png" is, for example, an image for presenting announcement information regarding a summer festival as indicated in <FIG>. Although the equipment control information concerning the curtain <NUM> and screen device <NUM> is not illustrated, the equipment control information that controls a plurality of pieces of equipment can be incorporated in the HTML file in a similar manner.

A server data display process will now be described with reference to the flowchart of <FIG>. The server data display process causes the projector <NUM> to acquire the display data <NUM> stored in the server <NUM>, displays an image, and exercises equipment control. This process starts when, for example, the projector <NUM> is turned on.

First, in step S11, the display control section <NUM> reads the setting information <NUM> stored in the storage section <NUM>, and determines whether a time point set by the setting information <NUM> for display data acquisition is reached. For example, if the information set from the setting screen depicted in <FIG> is stored in the storage section <NUM> as the setting information <NUM>, the display control section <NUM> determines whether the communication cable <NUM> is disconnected, an operation for selecting a browser input is performed, or the direct button is pressed.

Step S11 is repeatedly performed until it is determined in step S11 that the time point for display data acquisition is reached.

In a case where it is determined in step S11 that the time point for display data acquisition is reached, that is, in a case where one of three different events, namely, the disconnection of the communication cable <NUM>, the operation for selecting a browser input, and the press of the direct button, is generated, processing proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, according to the generated event, the display control section <NUM> accesses the server <NUM> which is specified by the setting information <NUM> and acquires the display data <NUM>.

In step S13, according to the image display control information written in the display data <NUM>, the display control section <NUM> supplies a predetermined image signal to the projection section <NUM>, and causes the projection section <NUM> to project an image. The projection section <NUM> projects the image according to the image signal supplied from the display control section <NUM>.

In step S14, according to the equipment control information written in the display data <NUM>, the display control section <NUM> transmits a predetermined command to another equipment (control target equipment) connected through the network <NUM> to control the control target equipment. In a case where the equipment control information that controls a plurality of pieces of control target equipment connected through the network <NUM> is written in the display data <NUM>, the command is transmitted to the plurality of pieces of control target equipment.

Upon completion of step S14, processing returns to step S11 and repeats steps S11 to S14 in the above-described manner. Specifically, in a case where it is determined whether or not a predetermined time point set by the setting information <NUM> is reached and then the predetermined time point is reached, processing is performed to acquire the display data <NUM>, display an image, and control the equipment.

The server data display process is performed in the manner described above. The server data display process terminates when, for example, the projector <NUM> turns off.

The image system <NUM> depicted in <FIG> is such that the display data <NUM> incorporating the equipment control information that controls another equipment is stored in the server <NUM> connected to the projector <NUM> through the network <NUM>. At a predetermined time point specified by the setting information <NUM>, the projector <NUM> acquires the display data <NUM> from the server <NUM> and according to the acquired display data <NUM>, displays (projects) an image and controls the other equipment.

The operation to be performed by the projector <NUM> at a predetermined time point can be controlled by using the display data <NUM>. The projector <NUM> independently operates according to the acquired display data <NUM> and is able to control the other equipment as well because the equipment control information is incorporated in the display data <NUM>.

For example, in a case where the projector <NUM> is engaged in a predetermined operation or put in a predetermined state while an operation state of the projector <NUM> is monitored by the server <NUM>, the server <NUM> in the image system <NUM> does not need to constantly monitor the operating state of the projector <NUM> in contrast to a server-based control system in which the server <NUM> commands the projector <NUM> to perform a predetermined operation. For example, in a case where a plurality of projectors <NUM> installed one by one in each of a plurality of conference rooms is to be controlled according to the operating states and constantly monitored by the server <NUM>, the load on the server <NUM> increases with an increase in the number of projectors <NUM> to be monitored. However, according to the image system <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, even in a case where the operations of a number of projectors <NUM> are to be controlled, it is only sufficient that one piece of display data <NUM> is stored in the server <NUM>.

Further, in a case where the operation to be performed by the projector <NUM> at a predetermined time point or the control of another equipment is to be changed, it is simply required that one piece of display data <NUM> stored in the server <NUM> be changed. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform correction work on each of the plurality of projectors <NUM>.

Consequently, the image system <NUM> depicted in <FIG> makes it easy to control the operation to be performed by a projector.

The system configuration of the image system <NUM> described above has been described on the assumption that the control target equipment controlled by the projector <NUM> is equipment other than a projector. However, the control target equipment may be a projector.

For example, in a case where three projectors <NUM>, namely, projectors 11A to 11C, are connected through the network <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, it is possible to implement a configuration in which the projector 11A which acts as a primary projector controls the projectors 11B and 11C which act as secondary projectors.

In the above case, two different configurations can be implemented. In a first configuration depicted in A of <FIG>, the primary projector 11A parallelly controls the secondary projectors 11B and 11C. In a second configuration depicted in B of <FIG>, the primary projector 11A controls the secondary projector 11B, and the secondary projector 11B which is controlled by the projector 11A controls the secondary projector 11C. The three projectors 11A to 11C may project images at the same place or at different places. Operating the plurality of projectors <NUM> in a coordinated manner by using the equipment control information incorporated in the display data <NUM> makes it possible to reduce the load on the server <NUM>.

Incidentally, as described with reference to <FIG> and the like, the projector <NUM> is connected through the network <NUM> to a plurality of pieces of equipment such as the server <NUM>, the lighting device <NUM>, and the curtain <NUM>. In a case where the projector <NUM> is connected to individual user-managed equipment with the communication cable <NUM> or the like, security is not a significant concern. However, in an environment where a large number of equipment is connected through the network <NUM>, it is possible that, for example, a malicious server may access the projector <NUM>, and thus, reduction of security is concerned.

In view of the above circumstances, the storage section <NUM> of the projector <NUM> stores in advance, as part of the setting information <NUM>, a white list that is a connection destination list indicative of equipment connectable to the projector <NUM>, and the communication control section <NUM> controls the connection to another equipment by determining, according to the white list, whether or not the projector <NUM> is connectable to the other equipment. In other words, according to the white list, the communication control section <NUM> controls access to the other equipment, the access such as transmission or reception of commands and data to and from the other equipment.

More specifically, for example, in a case where the display control section <NUM> attempts to connect to the server <NUM> which is an acquisition source in order to acquire the display data <NUM>, the communication control section <NUM> references the white list stored in the storage section <NUM> as part of the setting information <NUM>, and determines whether or not the projector <NUM> is connectable to the server <NUM> which is a connection destination. In a case where the server <NUM> is registered in the white list, the communication control section <NUM> allows the display control section <NUM> to connect to the server <NUM>. Meanwhile, in a case where the server <NUM> is not registered in the white list, the communication control section <NUM> does not allow the display control section <NUM> to connect to the server <NUM> and blocks such a connection attempt.

Further, in a case where, according to the acquired display data <NUM>, the display control section <NUM> attempts to connect to the control target equipment such as the lighting device <NUM>, the curtain <NUM>, or the screen device <NUM>, the communication control section <NUM> references the white list and determines whether or not the projector <NUM> is connectable to the control target equipment. In a case where the control target equipment is registered in the white list, the communication control section <NUM> allows the display control section <NUM> to connect to the control target equipment. Meanwhile, in a case where the control target equipment is not registered in the white list, the communication control section <NUM> does not allow the display control section <NUM> to connect to the control target equipment and blocks such a connection attempt.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where the projector <NUM> receives a request for connection from another equipment, the communication control section <NUM> references the white list and determines whether or not the projector <NUM> is connectable to the equipment that has requested for connection (hereinafter referred to as the connection requesting equipment). In a case where the connection requesting equipment is registered in the white list, the communication control section <NUM> permits the connection from the connection requesting equipment. Meanwhile, in a case where the connection requesting equipment is not registered in the white list, the communication control section <NUM> does not permit the connection from the connection requesting equipment and blocks such a connection attempt.

One or more pieces of equipment connectable to the projector <NUM> can be registered (set) by the user through use of a setting screen. A list of one or more pieces of registered equipment is stored in the storage section <NUM> as the white list.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the setting screen on which the user sets the white list.

"SETTING SCREEN <NUM>" in <FIG> is a setting screen different from the setting screen that is depicted in <FIG> and used for setting the acquisition source of the display data <NUM>.

The setting screen depicted in <FIG> includes a plurality of input fields into which URLs indicating one or more pieces of equipment connectable to the projector <NUM> are to be inputted. The user inputs (registers) the URL of predetermined equipment by operating the operation section <NUM> or the like. The operation section <NUM>, the remote controller 11R, or the like functions as a registration section that registers the white list.

Instead of registering the white list through use of the setting screen depicted in <FIG>, the white list may be registered by connecting a USB memory in which a file having the white list recorded therein is stored to the input section <NUM> of the projector <NUM> and allowing the input section <NUM> to read the file, for example.

Only a predetermined user may be allowed to register the white list.

It should be noted that the setting screen depicted in <FIG> has five input fields. However, the number of registerable pieces of equipment is not limited to five. Six or more pieces of equipment or four or fewer pieces of equipment may be registered. The location of the equipment connectable to the projector <NUM> which is to be inputted into the input fields may be specified by a URL or can be specified by an IP address.

When the register button is pressed, inputted information is stored in the storage section <NUM> as the setting information <NUM>. The cancel button is pressed in a case where the inputted information is not updated as the setting information <NUM>.

An access control process performed by the projector <NUM> will now be described with reference to the flowchart of <FIG>. This process starts when, for example, the projector <NUM> is turned on.

First, in step S41, the communication control section <NUM> determines whether the display control section <NUM> connects to another equipment.

In a case where it is determined in step S41 that the display control section <NUM> connects to the other equipment, processing proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the communication control section <NUM> determines whether the connection destination is registered in the white list.

In a case where it is determined in step S42 that the connection destination is registered in the white list, processing proceeds to step S43. In step S43, the communication control section <NUM> allows the display control section <NUM> to access the connection destination. This enables the display control section <NUM> to connect to the server <NUM> and the control target equipment.

Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S42 that the connection destination is not registered in the white list, processing proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the communication control section <NUM> blocks the display control section <NUM> from accessing the connection destination. Accordingly, the display control section <NUM> cannot connect to the equipment which is intended to be connected.

Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S41 that the display control section <NUM> does not connect to another equipment, processing proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the communication control section <NUM> determines whether a request for connection is issued by the other equipment.

In a case where it is determined in step S45 that a request for connection is not issued by the other equipment, processing returns to step S41.

Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S45 that a request for connection is issued by the other equipment, processing proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the communication control section <NUM> determines whether the connection requesting equipment is registered in the white list.

In a case where it is determined in step S46 that the connection requesting equipment is registered in the white list, processing proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the communication control section <NUM> allows access from the connection requesting equipment.

Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S46 that the connection requesting equipment is not registered in the white list, processing proceeds to step S48. In step S48, the communication control section <NUM> blocks access from the connection requesting equipment.

After completion of step S43, S44, S47, or S48, processing returns to step S41 to perform steps S41 to S48 described above again. Consequently, a determination process according to the white list is repeatedly performed in a case where the projector <NUM> attempts to connect to another equipment connected to the network <NUM> and in a case where a request for connection is issued by the other equipment connected to the network <NUM>.

As described above, the projector <NUM> causes the storage section <NUM> to store the white list which is the connection destination list indicative of pieces of equipment connectable to the projector <NUM> as part of the setting information <NUM> and controls equipment connected to the projector <NUM> according to the white list.

Consequently, the connection destination of the projector <NUM> can be limited to a predetermined range. This makes it possible to prevent access from a malicious server or the like and improve the security of the projector <NUM> to be connected to the network <NUM>. As the above method creates the white list, that is, a list indicating pieces of equipment connectable to the corresponding projector <NUM> in a limited way, it is possible to ensure high security. Further, the above method is not a method in which the server or the like performs centralized management of the projector <NUM> connected thereto through a network. Therefore, security can be ensured with a simple system configuration.

The access control process depicted in <FIG> is also executed when the server data display process described with reference to <FIG> is performed to acquire the display data <NUM> and connect to the control target equipment according to the equipment control information incorporated in the acquired display data <NUM>. Therefore, the access control process also verifies connectability to equipment such as the control target equipment (e.g., lighting device <NUM>) to which a command is to be transmitted and a server (e.g., server <NUM>) regarded as the acquisition source for acquiring the display data <NUM>. This makes it possible, for example, to restrict the projection (display) of an image transmitted from equipment which does not manage copyright or the like. Further, it is possible to block remote control from unexpected equipment.

The foregoing embodiment has been described with reference to examples in which the projector <NUM> connected to the network <NUM> actively controls another equipment (control target equipment) according to acquired display data <NUM> and controls equipment connected to the projector <NUM> according to the white list.

However, the present technology is applicable not only to the projector <NUM>, but also to various other kinds of display equipment such as television receivers, and content recording/reproducing devices or display control equipment, and electronic equipment such as imaging devices and surveillance cameras.

The above-described processes performed by the projector <NUM> can be executed by hardware or by software. In a case where the above-described processes performed by the projector <NUM> is to be executed by software, programs constituting the processes are installed in a computer. In this instance, the computer includes a microcomputer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a general-purpose personal computer or the like, for example, capable of performing various functions by installing various programs in the computer.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of a computer that executes programs to perform the above-described processes of the projector <NUM>.

In the computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) <NUM>, a ROM (Read Only Memory) <NUM>, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) <NUM> are interconnected by a bus <NUM>.

An input/output interface <NUM> is further connected to the bus <NUM>. An input section <NUM>, an output section <NUM>, a storage section <NUM>, a communication section <NUM>, and a drive <NUM> are connected to the input/output interface <NUM>.

The input section <NUM> includes, for example, an operation button, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch panel, and an input terminal. The output section <NUM> includes, for example, a display, a speaker, and an output terminal. The storage section <NUM> includes, for example, a hard disk, a RAM disk, and a nonvolatile memory. The communication section <NUM> includes, for example, a network interface. The drive <NUM> drives a removable recording medium <NUM> such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

The computer configured as described above performs the above-described series of processes by allowing the CPU <NUM> to load a program stored, for example, in the storage section <NUM> into the RAM <NUM> through the input/output interface <NUM> and the bus <NUM>, and execute the loaded program. Additionally, the RAM <NUM> also stores, as needed, for example, data necessary for the CPU <NUM> to perform various processes.

The programs to be executed by the computer (CPU <NUM>) may be recorded and supplied on the removable recording medium <NUM> which is formed as a package medium or the like, for example. Further, the programs can be supplied through a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or a digital satellite broadcasting system.

In the computer, the programs can be installed in the storage section <NUM> through the input/output interface <NUM> when the removable recording medium <NUM> is loaded into the drive <NUM>. Further, the programs can be received by the communication section <NUM> through a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the storage section <NUM>. Moreover, the program can be preinstalled in the ROM <NUM> or the storage section <NUM>.

It should be noted that the programs to be executed by the computer may perform processing in a chronological order described in this specification or perform processing in a parallel manner or at a required time point in response to a call, for example.

Additionally, the steps described in the flowcharts in this specification may obviously be performed in the described chronological order. However, the described steps need not always be performed in a chronological order, and may be performed in a parallel manner or at a required time point in response to a call, for example.

The term "system" used in this specification denotes an aggregate of a plurality of component elements (e.g., devices and modules (parts)), and whether or not all the component elements are within the same housing does not matter. Therefore, the term "system" denotes not only a plurality of devices accommodated in separate housings and connected to one another through a network, but also a single device including a plurality of modules accommodated in a single housing.

The embodiment of the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be variously modified.

For example, all or some of the above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

For example, the present technology can be configured for cloud computing in which one function is shared by a plurality of devices through a network in order to perform processing in a collaborative manner.

Further, each step described with reference to the foregoing flowcharts can be not only performed by a single device but also performed in a shared manner by a plurality of devices.

Moreover, in a case where a plurality of processes is included in a single step, the plurality of processes included in such a single step can be not only performed by a single device but also performed in a shared manner by a plurality of devices.

Note that the advantageous effects described in the present specification are illustrative only and the advantageous effects are not limited. There may also be advantageous effects other than those described in the present specification.

Claim 1:
A projector (<NUM>) comprising:
a display control section (<NUM>) configured to acquire display data (<NUM>) from a server (<NUM>) through a network (<NUM>), the display data including equipment control information, and to control other equipment according to the equipment control information,
characterized in that
wherein the equipment control information includes an address that identifies the other equipment and a command that identifies operation of the other equipment, and
the display control section is configured to transmit the command to the address.