December 4, 2014 at 08:52What is an interactive projector?
We are sure that the vast majority of Habr’s readers imagine what a projector is and how to use it: turn it on, point it at the screen or wall and watch blockbusters, play games or make presentations in the office.
However, modern projectors can do much more than just project a picture. There is a separate niche of the so-called "Interactive" projectors that allow you to interact with the image, as with a large touch screen!
In this post we will briefly talk about the main "chips" of modern interactive projectors produced by Epson, and in the next - about software that allows you to reveal all their capabilities and use in a variety of fields of education and business.
As mentioned above, an interactive projector allows the user to interact with the projected image. Actually, the word "interactive" is translated from English. When interactive projectors are shown to us, they usually show how the presenter draws something on top of the projected image or moves objects around the screen.
Thanks to this, the interactive projector allows the user to forget for a while that he actually interacts not with the screen, but with the computer that is connected to the projector. Thus, such a projector differs from the usual one in that it not only receives a signal from the computer, but also transfers information about the cursor position to the computer, that is, it actually performs the function of a mouse . And sometimes - and the touch screenthat reports finger touches on the surface of the image!
An interactive projector is easy to distinguish from non-interactive due to the presence of a special sensor, such as an infrared, which is directed towards the screen.
In the image above, “short-focus projector” is a projector that is installed as usual and projects the picture on the wall “in front of you”. The Ultra-Short throw projector is mounted on the same wall as the image is projected on . This setting allows you to minimize shadows on the projected image when interacting with it (the ultra-short-focus projector in operation is shown in the figure below):
Previously, in order to provide “interactivity” and user interaction with the image, it was required to use a special marker. When the marker is close to the screen, the mouse cursor follows it. Clicking on the surface with a marker acts as the left mouse button, and the right one is activated either by a separate button, which is available for new models, or by a long press on the screen:
As you might guess, the mouse function allows you to use almost any software without leaving the screen. Especially in combination with an on-screen keyboard.
However, with the release of the latest interactive projectors Epson EB-595Wi and Epson EB-1430WiNow you can interact with images with your fingers! And to be precise - the projector is able to track 2 markers and up to six fingers at the same time!
Now imagine the projects that can be implemented using similar equipment and an operating system designed for use with multi-finger touch input systems such as Windows 8!
We will talk about software for interactive projectors in the next post.
In order not to miss the next post, you can subscribe to new publications on our blog.
If you have any questions regarding interactive people, feel free to ask them directly in the comments. We will be happy to answer all.
Dear Khabravchians,
Due to the fact that Habrahabr.ru has been divided into three resources (HabraHabr, GeekTimes and MegaMozg), the Epson company’s blog has moved to Geektimes.ru .
Looking forward to seeing you on our GT blog!
Epson Team
However, modern projectors can do much more than just project a picture. There is a separate niche of the so-called "Interactive" projectors that allow you to interact with the image, as with a large touch screen!
In this post we will briefly talk about the main "chips" of modern interactive projectors produced by Epson, and in the next - about software that allows you to reveal all their capabilities and use in a variety of fields of education and business.
Interactive Projector Features
As mentioned above, an interactive projector allows the user to interact with the projected image. Actually, the word "interactive" is translated from English. When interactive projectors are shown to us, they usually show how the presenter draws something on top of the projected image or moves objects around the screen.
Thanks to this, the interactive projector allows the user to forget for a while that he actually interacts not with the screen, but with the computer that is connected to the projector. Thus, such a projector differs from the usual one in that it not only receives a signal from the computer, but also transfers information about the cursor position to the computer, that is, it actually performs the function of a mouse . And sometimes - and the touch screenthat reports finger touches on the surface of the image!
How is it arranged?
An interactive projector is easy to distinguish from non-interactive due to the presence of a special sensor, such as an infrared, which is directed towards the screen.
In the image above, “short-focus projector” is a projector that is installed as usual and projects the picture on the wall “in front of you”. The Ultra-Short throw projector is mounted on the same wall as the image is projected on . This setting allows you to minimize shadows on the projected image when interacting with it (the ultra-short-focus projector in operation is shown in the figure below):
Previously, in order to provide “interactivity” and user interaction with the image, it was required to use a special marker. When the marker is close to the screen, the mouse cursor follows it. Clicking on the surface with a marker acts as the left mouse button, and the right one is activated either by a separate button, which is available for new models, or by a long press on the screen:
As you might guess, the mouse function allows you to use almost any software without leaving the screen. Especially in combination with an on-screen keyboard.
However, with the release of the latest interactive projectors Epson EB-595Wi and Epson EB-1430WiNow you can interact with images with your fingers! And to be precise - the projector is able to track 2 markers and up to six fingers at the same time!
Now imagine the projects that can be implemented using similar equipment and an operating system designed for use with multi-finger touch input systems such as Windows 8!
We will talk about software for interactive projectors in the next post.
In order not to miss the next post, you can subscribe to new publications on our blog.
If you have any questions regarding interactive people, feel free to ask them directly in the comments. We will be happy to answer all.
Dear Khabravchians,
Due to the fact that Habrahabr.ru has been divided into three resources (HabraHabr, GeekTimes and MegaMozg), the Epson company’s blog has moved to Geektimes.ru .
Looking forward to seeing you on our GT blog!
Epson Team