Tokyo Denki University

Installed of a standardized AV system for 52 classrooms
Created bright education environment using laser projectors

Presentation hall (capacity：952 people), 250 inches screen with 4K resolution

Background of introduction

Established in 1907, Tokyo Denki University set up the School of Science and Engineering in Hatoyama-machi, Saitama Prefecture, in 1977. Under the education motto of “In the Technology Breathes its Creator,” the university has produced numerous outstanding human resources in the society. In this project, we proposed the introduction of standardized AV equipment centered on advanced laser projector to all classrooms and integrated operation and maintenance to improve the education and research environment.

System details

♦Presentation hall
We used rear projection 4K SXRD projector, which has four times the image quality of HD. In addition to high-resolution image expressions, it enabled simultaneous display of two screens (video and detailed information on PC, etc.) at HD image quality to facilitate a large number of students to simultaneously attend lectures and receive guidance that is made easy with the images.
When it is connected to a high-spec PC, it can recreate CAD data in a realistic manner in actual size and it can be utilized in architecture and design related classes, giving it a versatility which is one of the reasons for its selection.

♦Medium-sized classrooms
The university has installed a projector with a laser light source having the world’s highest luminescence (as of July 2014) ahead of the others in the education field.
The advantage of the projector is not limited to its brightness. It can be indicate small characters sharply, it takes only six seconds to start up after the switch is turned on and there are no worries of the lamp going out, which enables a lecturer to advance a lecture without stressing out the students.

♦Teacher’s desk
We chose a button type console that offers reliable operational feeling rather than touch panel which has been often employed recently. We gave priority to the lecturers being able to give a lecture with a sense of security. All that the lecturers need to do to start using the system is to hold their ID cards over the console. The fader automatically slides to the initial setting, which helps to avoid operational errors such as no sound coming out. To ensure usability, we made the desk longer than the usual size to make it easier for the lecturer to spread materials and installed a removable multi plug inside the desk so that devices that were brought in can be plugged without any problem. These were done to ensure that the lecturers can conduct their lectures efficiently without hindrance to the flow of the lecture by skillfully combining AV technology and fixtures.

The console including card reader, all in white, imparts a feeling of cleanliness

♦Media room
We created two rooms with multiple screens so as to enable responding to any changes in the education format in the future. A user can easily choose to display which material (Blu-ray Disc, PC, etc.) on which screen by operating the nine screens with the layout buttons on the lecturer’s desk. The teaching style can be freely changed depending on the ideas of the teacher taking the lecture.

165 inches multiple display screen system

♦Meeting room
Three laser projectors are installed and can be used to display different materials depending on the meeting format. In the future, we are also thinking of linking the three screens together as one screen (blending) so as to fully display laterally long materials.

Laser projector (VPL-FHZ700)；3 projectors on the ceiling side-by-side horizontally

♦Control room
We have introduced an integrated management system (AVMS) that can control the equipment in all classrooms. The status of all classrooms can be confirmed using a software installed in a PC, which can be used to turn the projector on and off remotely as well as adjust other setting. If there is any trouble, it can be handled promptly and enables to limit the impact on the lecture to the minimum. Also, the frequency of usage of the system and statistics of the classroom usage status can be taken, which could be helpful materials when considering equipment for the future.

Future prospects

The education scene is becoming more complex with the developments in equipment and technology, and the main challenge is regarding ease of understanding. What was asked of Tokyo Denki University this time was – simplicity that anyone would want to use. After its introduction, a teacher who actually took a class said, “The best thing is that it is easy to grasp at a glance.” The person in charge also rated it highly saying, “The lectures have been going on smoothly since day one and there has been no inquiries regarding the operation even once.”
Small innovations that make things easier to understand will become important especially in this era where the technology is evolving phenomenally. We will continue to focus on grasping the needs of the customers and offer something that is special to customers.

Pictures by Tokyo Denki University, Totsu Sangyo Co., Ltd. (reproduction or appropriation is prohibited).