Patents by Inventor Shoichi Akaiwa

Shoichi Akaiwa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6840625
    Abstract: To provide a technique for facilitating control of a plurality of projectors. A projection display system comprises a plurality of projectors wherein a plurality of images projected by the projectors are displayed on a common projection screen. Each projector comprises: a control signal processor for processing a control signal given from an external device and generating a processed control signal; and a signal input/output section for input/output of the control signal and the processed control signal. The plurality of projectors are coupled in a cascade connection, by interconnecting the signal input/output sections of the projectors. The control signal and the processed control signal include connection sequence data indicating the cascade connection sequence. The control signal processor of each projector comprises a memory for storing, on the basis of a given control signal, a connection sequence when the projectors are coupled in a cascade connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Koyama, Yasutaka Kamiya, Shoichi Akaiwa, Toru Karasawa
  • Patent number: 6831661
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology that enables related portions of multiple pages of images to be displayed simultaneously. A projection display apparatus comprises: an image extraction section that extracts at least a portion of given first image data as an extraction image; an extraction image memory for storing extraction image data representing the extraction image; an image overlay section that generates overlaid image data by superimposing the extraction image on an original image represented by given second image data; a light modulation unit that is driven responsive to the overlaid image data pixel by pixel; and an optical system for projecting onto the screen the overlaid image obtained by the light modulation unit. A projection display apparatus can display related portions of multiple pages of images simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Itoh, Shoichi Akaiwa
  • Patent number: 6829664
    Abstract: A controller and a plurality of projectors are connected in a mutually communication enabled state by a network, etc., and thus projection information and control information are sent from the control unit to each of the projectors simultaneously or individually. Also, the control unit obtains operation information, etc. of each of the projectors, and monitors the projectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nomizo, Shoichi Akaiwa, Toru Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20040183793
    Abstract: The invention provides an image display apparatus that efficiently adjusts a video display even when a change takes place in an input signal. The image display apparatus includes a video input device that receives a video signal, a video display that displays an optical image based on an input signal S1 from the video input device, and a video signal adjusting device that adjusts the display setting of the video display based on a signal mode of the input signal S1. The image display apparatus further includes a determining device that causes the video display adjusting device to adjust the display setting of the video display. The determining device includes an apparatus startup detector unit that detects whether a startup of the image display apparatus creates a change in the input signal, and a signal change detector unit that detects the change in the input signal. The determining device determines whether to cause the video display adjusting device to adjust the display setting only when it is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Akaiwa, Shuichi Fujiwara, Miki Nagano
  • Patent number: 6793352
    Abstract: A projector and a mobile terminal are connected wirelessly in two-way communication, and thus the projector is controlled by the mobile terminal. Also, projection data is exchanged between the mobile terminal and the projector, or between a data server connected to a network and the projector using a command of the mobile terminal. Furthermore, when a plurality of mobile terminals send projection data simultaneously, a communication enabled state is established with only one mobile terminal by a predetermined procedure, or one projector's projection screen is divided in order to project a plurality of projection data simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Karasawa, Shoichi Akaiwa, Tomohiro Nomizo
  • Publication number: 20040135977
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus which display a projected image and may be free from connection with a computer. The projection display apparatus carries out processing with information stored in a portable memory and includes a memory controller that reads out the information stored in the portable memory; an image processing section that prepares display image data. The display image data represents an image to be displayed from the image data stored in the portable memory according to an instruction of a processing program that is read from the portable memory and represents a series of processing steps to be executed by the projection display apparatus. An electro-optic device then forms image light in response to the display image data, and an optical system projects the image light to display the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Shoichi Akaiwa
  • Patent number: 6741240
    Abstract: The invention provides an image display apparatus that efficiently adjusts a video display even when a change takes place in an input signal. The image display apparatus includes a video input device that receives a video signal, a video display that displays an optical image based on an input signal S1 from the video input device, and a video signal adjusting device that adjusts the display setting of the video display based on a signal mode of the input signal S1. The image display apparatus further includes a determining device that causes the video display adjusting device to adjust the display setting of the video display. The determining device includes an apparatus startup detector unit that detects whether a startup of the image display apparatus creates a change in the input signal, and a signal change detector unit that detects the change in the input signal. The determining device determines whether to cause the video display adjusting device to adjust the display setting only when it is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Akaiwa, Shuichi Fujiwara, Miki Nagano
  • Patent number: 6712476
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus which display a projected image and may be free from connection with a computer. The projection display apparatus carries out processing with information stored in a portable memory and includes a memory controller that reads out the information stored in the portable memory; an image processing section that prepares display image data. The display image data represents an image to be displayed from the image data stored in the portable memory according to an instruction of a processing program that is read from the portable memory and represents a series of processing steps to be executed by the projection display apparatus. An electro-optic device then forms image light in response to the display image data, and an optical system projects the image light to display the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Shoichi Akaiwa
  • Patent number: 6603516
    Abstract: An image display apparatus is provided that can easily confirm whether an image signal is suitable to the setting of an image display unit. The image display apparatus may include an image input unit, where image signals are input, an image display unit forming an optical image on the basis of the input image signals, a signal information detector for detecting signal information of the input image signals according to an input system of the image input unit, and a signal information output unit for outputting signal information detected by this signal information detector. Since the image display apparatus includes the signal information detector and the signal information output unit, it is possible to easily confirm whether the input image signals are suitable to the setting of the image display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujiwara, Shoichi Akaiwa
  • Publication number: 20030126326
    Abstract: A controller and a plurality of projectors are connected in a mutually communication enabled state by a network, etc., and thus projection information and control information are sent from the control unit to each of the projectors simultaneously or individually. Also, the control unit obtains operation information, etc. of each of the projectors, and monitors the projectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nomizo, Shoichi Akaiwa, Toru Karasawa
  • Publication number: 20030117385
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology that enables projection images to be overlaid with embellishment effects without depending on the capabilities of the image supply apparatus. A projection display apparatus that projects images onto a screen responsive to given image data, comprises: an embellishment effect memory for storing embellishment effect data representing an embellishment effect image that can be used to embellish an arbitrary image; an image embellishment section that generates embellished image data by overlaying an original image represented by the given image data and the embellishment effect image; a light modulation unit that is driven responsive to the embellished image data pixel by pixel; and an optical system for projecting onto the screen the embellished image obtained by the light modulation unit. A projection display apparatus superimposes the embellishment effect on the projected image without having to rely on the capabilities of an image supply apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Itoh, Shoichi Akaiwa, Kiyoshi Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20030117532
    Abstract: A projector and a mobile terminal are connected wirelessly in two-way communication, and thus the projector is controlled by the mobile terminal. Also, projection data is exchanged between the mobile terminal and the projector, or between a data server connected to a network and the projector using a command of the mobile terminal. Furthermore, when a plurality of mobile terminals send projection data simultaneously, a communication enabled state is established with only one mobile terminal by a predetermined procedure, or one projector's projection screen is divided in order to project a plurality of projection data simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Karasawa, Shoichi Akaiwa, Tomohiro Nomizo
  • Publication number: 20030074536
    Abstract: A projector including a computer has: an internal storage device that stores therein a basic system, which is executed first by the computer on actuation of the projector, and a first control system that is activated through processing of the basic system to control operations of the projector; and a memory controller that reads information stored in a mobile memory. On actuation of the projector, the basic system reads information stored in a specific area of the mobile memory attached to the memory controller prior to activation of the first control system, identifies whether or not the information in the specific area is a specific piece of information, and, when the information in the specific area is identified as the specific piece of information, activates a second control system stored in the mobile memory, in place of the first control system. This arrangement enables the projector to utilize a new operating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nomizo, Shoichi Akaiwa, Miki Nagano
  • Patent number: 6540365
    Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus includes an on-screen-display-menu generating section for generating image data corresponding to an on-screen-display menu; an image synthesizing section for synthesizing image data for projection sent from an image source and the image data corresponding to the on-screen-display menu; and an image-distortion compensation section for applying image-distortion compensation processing used to reduce the distortion of the projected image obtained when an image is projected in an inclined direction against a screen, to the image data synthesized by the image synthesizing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujiwara, Shoichi Akaiwa
  • Publication number: 20020159035
    Abstract: To provide a technique for facilitating control of a plurality of projectors. A projection display system comprises a plurality of projectors wherein a plurality of images projected by the projectors are displayed on a common projection screen. Each projector comprises: a control signal processor for processing a control signal given from an external device and generating a processed control signal; and a signal input/output section for input/output of the control signal and the processed control signal. The plurality of projectors are coupled in a cascade connection, by interconnecting the signal input/output sections of the projectors. The control signal and the processed control signal include connection sequence data indicating the cascade connection sequence. The control signal processor of each projector comprises a memory for storing, on the basis of a given control signal, a connection sequence when the projectors are coupled in a cascade connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Takaaki Koyama, Yasutaka Kamiya, Shoichi Akaiwa, Toru Karasawa
  • Patent number: 6448715
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus is provided which forms an optical image corresponding to image information by optically processing a light beam emitted from a light source lamp and projects this optical image with a projection lens unit on a projection screen under magnification. The projection display apparatus may include a lighting count detector that detects a lighting count of the light source lamp, and a replacement warning unit that outputs a warning signal, which urges a user to replace the light source lamp, in case where the lighting count detected by the lighting count detector reaches a predetermined value, making it possible to more accurately determine the lifetime of the light source lamp by detecting the lighting count which affects the lifetime of the light source lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujiwara, Shoichi Akaiwa
  • Publication number: 20020122075
    Abstract: A technique for enabling scenario files and image files for supply to a scenario generating device to be created easily is provided. The scenario creating device creates a scenario file supplied to a scenario reproducing device capable of reproducing only image files of a predetermined format. The scenario creating device comprises: an input section including a pointing device; a display section; and a scenario creating section for creating the scenario file. The scenario creating section provides a display of an execution icon on the display screen for causing the scenario creating section to execute a process. When a file icon for a source file of a predetermined format including pagewise scenario information and image information is dragged and dropped on the execution icon by means of operation of the pointing device, a scenario file is created on the basis of the scenario information, and an image file of the predetermined format is generated on the basis of the image information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Toru Karasawa, Shoichi Akaiwa, Miki Nagano
  • Publication number: 20020122158
    Abstract: Commands and data transferred via a network line NL are input to an ASP terminal portion 20 via a network interface controller 220. A first CPU loads a client application corresponding to the command and generated user interface image data via a graphics controller 210. A video signal conversion circuit 310 receives image data from the graphics controller 210 and transfers the processed image data to an LCD drive circuit 330. LCD drive circuit 330 drives an LCD 332 in response to the received image data to project the desired image data onto a projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Miyashita, Miki Nagano, Masaru Kono, Shoichi Akaiwa, Kazuyoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20020108108
    Abstract: In response to a requirement of transferring a file from a personal computer PC to a projector 10 that is output by dragging and dropping a corresponding file icon onto a projector icon, a CPU 50 requires setting of a password. The CPU 50 maps the preset password to a file and transfers the file with the password to an external storage device of the projector 10. The projector 10 requires input of a password, which is expected to be assigned to the file, and allows reproduction of the file when the input password is coincident with the preset password.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Shoichi Akaiwa, Tomohiro Nomizo, Miki Nagano, Masaru Kono
  • Publication number: 20010013843
    Abstract: A technique to adjust each projector of a multi-projector system by simple operations when an identical image is projected on a screen by a plurality of projectors. A communication control unit controls serial communications with an external device through a serial communication port P1 or P2. When receiving a stack definition packet through the serial communication port P1, a control unit stores ID information into a memory based on number information that represents a number of working projectors included in the input stack definition packet, increments the number information in the stack definition packet, and transmits the updated stack definition packet through the serial communication port P2. In response to a command input through the serial communication port P1, the control unit determines whether or not an address of the input command designates itself as the projector of interest, based on address information included in the command and the ID information stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Fujiwara, Shoichi Akaiwa