JP2006025053A - Projector device and adjusting method for projector device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector device capable of eliminating the occurrence of "Kidoatari" (an image signal strength display error in digital value due to luminance saturation) in occurrence case, and an adjusting method for the projector device. <P>SOLUTION: The projector device 1 projects a test pattern as a specified image on a screen 3, images the test pattern projected on the screen 3 by a camera 12, and measures image signal intensity representing the lightness of the picked-up image by a control part 11. If "Kidoatari" in which the image signal intensity exceeds a specified value is occurred, the control part 11 decreases the luminous intensity of the projection light with which the projector device 1 projects the image until the image signal intensity becomes smaller than the specified value. Consequently, if "Kidoatari" is occurred, it can speedily be eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector device that projects an image and a method for adjusting the projector device.

  In the field of presentation or video projection, a projector device that receives image data from a personal computer or a video playback device and projects an image based on the image data onto an external screen is used. Such a projector apparatus forms an image based on image data on a projection device such as a liquid crystal panel or DMD (Didital Micromirror Device), and projects the image on the projection device to an external screen by light from an internal light source. It is the composition to do. In addition, such a projector device projects a color image by projecting an image obtained by combining R (red), G (green), and B (blue) colors, or by projecting RGB images in a time division manner. Can do.

  Unless the screen and the projector device are fixed together, such as in a theater, the relative position between the screen and the projector device is usually variable, so that the projector device can project an appropriate image on the screen. In addition, it is necessary to adjust the projection range, projection shape, focal length, and the like of the image. A conventional technique for adjusting the projector device is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The projector device projects a predetermined image (hereinafter referred to as a test pattern) on a screen, and images the test pattern projected on the screen with a camera. The projector device adjusts the projection range of the image so that the size of the captured test pattern falls within an appropriate range on the screen, and the projected shape of the image so that the captured test pattern has a predetermined shape Adjust.

  Further, the projector device can adjust the focal length using the test pattern. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a test pattern for adjusting the focal length. In the figure, an example of a test pattern composed of a plurality of vertical straight lines is shown. For example, the projector device adjusts the focal length based on a change in the image signal intensity indicating the brightness of each pixel constituting the captured test pattern in the horizontal direction. The difference in the image signal intensity between the bright and dark portions of the captured test pattern increases as the focal distance approaches the optimum value, so the focal distance at which the amplitude of the change in the image signal intensity is maximized is set to the optimum value. Thus, the projector device can adjust the focal length.

As described above, the conventional projector device can automatically adjust the projection range, projection shape, focal length, and the like of the image by projecting the test pattern. Further, the conventional projector device has an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) function for adjusting the projection light intensity of the image according to the image signal intensity of the image captured by the camera.
JP 2000-241874 A

  By the way, when the distance between the projector device and the screen is close, when the light intensity at which the projector device projects an image, and when the light reflectance of the screen is high, the brightness of the image projected on the screen increases, The intensity of the luminance signal indicating the brightness at each pixel of the image captured by the camera or the intensity of the image signal that is an RGB signal may be lost. Since the projector device performs AD conversion on the image captured by the camera for processing, and each image signal intensity is represented by digital data such as 0 to 255, light of a predetermined amount or more is incident on the camera. In this case, the image signal intensity is represented by a constant value such as 255, for example. Hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as per luminance.

  Also, in the case of a projector device that projects images of RGB colors in a time division manner, when the AGC function is operated, the image signal intensity of RGB colors is integrated to increase the amount of data. There is. When brightness per unit occurs, the value of the image signal intensity does not correspond to the actual brightness of the image, which makes it difficult to adjust the projector device and makes it impossible to project an appropriate image. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projector device that can quickly eliminate the occurrence of per-luminance when the per-luminance occurs. It is to provide an adjustment method.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector device that can prevent a projected image from becoming too dark.

  The projector apparatus according to the present invention includes a projecting unit that projects an image onto an external screen at a projection light intensity corresponding to the image, and an image capturing unit that captures an image projected on the screen. In a projector apparatus that performs adjustment related to image projection based on an image, means for measuring the brightness of the captured image generated by the imaging means, and whether the brightness measured by the means is within a predetermined range And a projection light intensity of an image projected by the projection unit so that the brightness falls within the predetermined range when the brightness is determined to be outside the predetermined range. And a means for adjusting.

  The projector device according to the present invention includes a projecting unit that projects an image onto an external screen at a projection luminous intensity corresponding to the image, the projecting unit causing the projecting unit to project a predetermined image onto the screen, and the screen. Means for capturing the projected predetermined image, measurement means for measuring the image signal intensity related to the brightness of the captured image generated by the means, and the image signal intensity measured by the measurement means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value And when the image signal intensity is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the projection means projects until the image signal intensity becomes smaller than the predetermined value. And a reducing means for reducing the projected luminous intensity of the image to be recorded.

  The projector device according to the present invention includes a projecting unit that projects an image onto an external screen at a projection luminous intensity corresponding to the image, the projecting unit causing the projecting unit to project a predetermined image onto the screen, and the screen. An imaging unit that captures the projected predetermined image, a measuring unit that measures an image signal intensity related to the brightness of the captured image generated by the imaging unit, and the image signal intensity measured by the measuring unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value Determining means for determining whether the image signal intensity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value by the determining means, and a reducing means for reducing the projected luminous intensity of the image projected by the projection means. Reprojecting means for projecting a predetermined image onto the screen with the projection light intensity reduced by the reducing means, and the determining means for causing the projection means to project the image signal. Until the intensity is determined to be smaller than the predetermined value, the reduction means, the reprojection means, the imaging means, the measurement means, and a means for repeating the processing performed by the determination means. To do.

  The projector device according to the present invention is characterized in that the reduction means is configured to reduce a projection light intensity of an image projected by the projection means by a predetermined amount.

  The projector device according to the present invention is characterized in that the reduction means is configured to reduce a projection luminous intensity of an image projected by the projection means by a predetermined ratio.

  The projector device according to the present invention includes: a unit that determines whether the image signal intensity measured by the measuring unit is smaller than a predetermined lower limit value; and the image signal intensity is lower than the lower limit value by the unit. And a means for increasing the projection light intensity of the image projected by the projection means until the image signal intensity becomes equal to or higher than the lower limit value when it is determined that the image signal intensity is small.

  In the projector device according to the present invention, the predetermined image is a test pattern.

  An adjustment method of a projector device according to the present invention is a method of adjusting a projector device that projects an image onto an external screen with a projection light intensity corresponding to the image. The brightness is measured, it is determined whether or not the brightness falls within the predetermined range, and the brightness falls within the predetermined range when the brightness is determined to be outside the predetermined range. As described above, the projection light intensity of the image projected by the projection unit is adjusted.

  In the present invention, the projector device captures an image projected on the screen, and when the brightness of the captured image is outside the predetermined range, the projector device is configured so that the brightness of the captured image is within the predetermined range. Adjust the projection intensity to project the image.

  In the present invention, the projector device projects a predetermined image onto an external screen, captures the predetermined image projected on the screen, and the image signal intensity related to the brightness of the captured image is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. The projection light intensity at which the projector device projects an image is decreased until the signal intensity becomes smaller than a predetermined value.

  In the present invention, the projector device gradually decreases the projection light intensity for projecting the image by a predetermined amount.

  In the present invention, the projector device gradually decreases the projection luminous intensity for projecting the image by a predetermined rate.

  In the present invention, the projector device increases the projected light intensity of the image so that the image signal intensity becomes equal to or higher than the lower limit value when the image signal intensity becomes lower than a predetermined lower limit value.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the predetermined image is a test pattern for adjusting the projector device.

  In the present invention, when the brightness per unit occurs due to various conditions, such as when the distance between the projector device and the screen is close, or when the projector device projects a high intensity of light, the per unit luminance is quickly generated. Can be resolved. Therefore, the projector device can quickly correct the occurrence per luminance and perform an adjustment and project an appropriate image even in a state where per luminance is likely to occur.

  Further, in the present invention, when the brightness of the captured image becomes smaller than the predetermined lower limit value, the projector device increases the projection luminous intensity at which the image is projected. The present invention has excellent effects such as preventing the image from becoming dark and projecting an image with appropriate brightness.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the projector apparatus of the present invention. Arrows in the figure indicate data, and white arrows indicate light. The projector apparatus 1 includes a light source 18 such as a xenon lamp or an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a condensing optical system 17 that condenses light from the light source 18, a projection device 14 that forms an image, and an image on the projection device 14. And a projection optical system 13 for enlarging and projecting to an external screen 3. The projector device 1 irradiates the projection device 14 with light from the light source 18 through the condensing optical system 17, and projects the light reflected on the projection device 14 that formed the image through the projection optical system 13, thereby projecting the projection device. 14 is projected onto the screen 3. In addition, it is good also as a structure which projects an image by transmitting rather than reflecting the light from the light source 18 on the projection device 14. FIG.

  The condensing optical system 17 includes a color filter, a lens, a prism, or the like, and performs condensing / polarization / color separation of light from the light source. The projection device 14 includes one or a plurality of liquid crystal panels or DMD (Didital Micromirror Device), and forms RGB images. The projection optical system 13 includes a projection lens, a motor for adjusting the position of the projection lens, a drive circuit for driving the motor, and the like. Note that the projection optical system 13 may have a configuration including a color synthesis optical system that synthesizes RGB images.

  In addition, the projector device 1 receives image data transmitted from an external transmission device 2 such as a personal computer or a video reproduction device, processes the image data received by the communication unit 16, and based on the image data And an image processing unit 15 that causes the projection device 14 to form an image. Therefore, an image based on the image data transmitted from the transmission device 2 is projected onto the screen 3.

  The projector device 1 also includes a camera 12 that captures an image projected on the screen 3. The camera 12 includes a CCD that captures an image, an AD conversion unit that converts an image signal indicating an image captured by the CCD into a digital image signal, and the like. Furthermore, the projector device 1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the operation of the entire projector device 1. The control unit 11 includes a CPU that performs calculations, a flash memory that stores programs, and the like. The camera 12 outputs an image signal indicating the captured image to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 controls the projection optical system 13 and the image processing unit 15 based on the image signal input from the camera 12. The control unit 11 controls the projection range or focal length of the image projected by the projector device 1 by controlling the operation of the drive circuit of the projection optical system 13. In addition, the control unit 11 controls the processing of causing the projection device 14 to form an image by the image processing unit 15, thereby controlling the content of the image to be projected, the shape of the image, the hue, the projection luminous intensity of the image, and the like.

  Next, the adjustment method of the projector apparatus 1 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the projection light intensity adjustment process performed by the projector apparatus 1 of the present invention. The control unit 11 controls the image processing unit 15 to cause the projection device 14 to form a test pattern, thereby projecting the test pattern from the projector device 1 onto the screen 3 (S11). The control unit 11 causes the camera 12 to capture an image of the test pattern projected on the screen 3 (S12). The camera 12 generates an image signal indicating a captured image obtained by capturing the test pattern and outputs the image signal to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 receives the image signal input from the camera 12 (S13). The image signal includes a luminance signal indicating the brightness at each pixel constituting the captured image or an RGB signal indicating the brightness of each color at each pixel.

  Next, the control unit 11 measures the image signal intensity of the received image signal (S14). At this time, the control unit 11 may measure the image signal intensity of all the pixels constituting the captured image, or may measure the image signal intensity of some selected pixels. Next, the controller 11 determines whether or not the measured image signal intensity has an image signal intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S15). If there is an image signal intensity greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S15: YES), it is a case where there is a luminance around which the image signal intensity can be completely removed, so the control unit 11 forms the image processing unit 15 on the projection device 14. The brightness of the image projected from the projector device 1 onto the screen 3 is decreased by a predetermined amount by changing the brightness of the image to be performed (S16). Next, the control part 11 returns a process to step S11, and projects a test pattern with the reduced projection luminous intensity. The control unit 11 repeats the processes in steps S11 to S16 until the image signal intensity becomes smaller than a predetermined value in step S15.

  When the image signal intensity is smaller than the predetermined value in step S15 (S15: NO), since no luminance is generated, the control unit 11 ends the process of adjusting the projection luminous intensity. Since the projected light intensity of the image decreases stepwise until the image signal intensity becomes lower than a predetermined value, the luminance per unit is eliminated.

  In addition, the projector device 1 of the present invention not only reduces the projected light intensity of the image, but also adjusts the projected light intensity of the image so that the image signal intensity of the captured image falls within a predetermined range corresponding to the appropriate image brightness. It may be a configuration. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for adjusting the projection light intensity of an image so that the image signal intensity of the captured image is within a predetermined range. The controller 11 projects a test pattern from the projector device 1 onto the screen 3 (S21), and causes the camera 12 to image the test pattern projected on the screen 3 (S22). The camera 12 generates an image signal indicating a captured image obtained by capturing the test pattern and outputs the image signal to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 receives the image signal input from the camera 12 (S23).

  Next, the control unit 11 measures the image signal intensity of the received image signal (S24), and determines whether or not the measured image signal intensity has an image signal intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit (S25). ). When there is an image signal intensity equal to or higher than the upper limit (S25: YES), the control unit 11 decreases the projection light intensity of the image projected from the projector device 1 onto the screen 3 by a predetermined amount (S26). Next, the control part 11 returns a process to step S21, and projects a test pattern with the reduced projection light intensity.

  When the image signal intensity is smaller than the upper limit value in step S25 (S25: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the maximum value of the measured image signal intensity is smaller than a predetermined lower limit value. Is determined (S27). This lower limit value is set to a value smaller than the upper limit value. If the maximum value of the image signal intensity is smaller than the lower limit value (S27: YES), the control unit 11 decreases the brightness in step S26 because the projected light intensity is excessively decreased and the image is dark. The projection light intensity of the image projected from the projector device 1 onto the screen 3 is increased by a predetermined amount smaller than the amount (S28). Next, the control part 11 returns a process to step S21, and projects a test pattern with the increased projection luminous intensity.

  When the maximum value of the image signal intensity is greater than or equal to the lower limit value in step S27 (S27: NO), the control unit 11 ends the process of adjusting the projection light intensity. When the image signal intensity is lower than the lower limit value, the projected light intensity of the image increases step by step until the image signal intensity reaches the lower limit value or more. Is prevented from darkening.

  After the adjustment of the projection luminous intensity of the image is completed, the projector device 1 adjusts the projection range, projection shape, focal length, etc. of the image using the test pattern, and after all the adjustments are completed, the communication is performed. The unit 16 projects an image based on the received image data.

  As described above in detail, in the present invention, when the test pattern projected on the screen 3 is imaged by the camera 12 and a luminance around where the image signal intensity of the captured image is equal to or higher than a predetermined value occurs, the image signal intensity is The projection light intensity at which the projector apparatus 1 projects an image is decreased until the value becomes smaller than the predetermined value. Thereby, when the brightness per unit occurs due to various conditions such as when the distance between the projector device 1 and the screen 3 is short, the generation per unit luminance can be quickly eliminated. Therefore, the projector device 1 according to the present invention can quickly adjust the resolution by eliminating the occurrence of luminance and can project an appropriate image even when the luminance is likely to occur.

  In addition, since only the projection light intensity is decreased, the projection light intensity may be excessively decreased and the image may become dark. Therefore, in the projector device 1 of the present invention, the image signal intensity of the captured image is smaller than a predetermined lower limit value. In such a case, the projector light intensity at which the projector apparatus 1 projects an image is increased until the image signal intensity reaches a lower limit value or more. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an image from becoming too dark due to excessive reduction of the projection luminous intensity, and to project an image with appropriate brightness.

  In the present embodiment, the projector device 1 is configured to increase the projected luminous intensity of the image when the maximum value of the image signal intensity is smaller than the lower limit value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the minimum value of the signal intensity is smaller than the lower limit value, the projected light intensity of the image may be increased. Further, in the present embodiment, the projector device 1 shows a mode in which a process of comparing a predetermined lower limit value with the image signal intensity is shown, but the projected luminous intensity of the image is reduced without using the lower limit value. In this mode, after the generation per luminance is eliminated, the image is prevented from being darkened by performing a process of increasing the projected luminous intensity of the image by an amount of light that is smaller than the one-step decrease in projected luminous intensity. May be.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the projector device 1 reduces the image intensity by a predetermined amount in one step when decreasing the projected luminous intensity of the image, and increases the projection intensity by a predetermined amount that is smaller than the decreased amount. Although a mode of increasing in one step is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mode in which the projection luminous intensity is decreased or increased by a predetermined ratio such as 30% in one step may be used. In addition, the projector device 1 accepts an instruction by a user's operation at an operation unit (not shown), or accepts an instruction transmitted from the transmission device 2 at the communication unit 16, so that a change amount or a change rate in one step of the projected light intensity Alternatively, it is possible to accept a change instruction of values such as the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the image signal intensity and change these values.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the projector apparatus 1 is configured to adjust the projection light intensity of the image by changing the brightness of the image formed on the projection device 14, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a light shielding filter is used. The form which adjusts the projection light intensity of an image using other methods, such as reducing the light quantity radiated | emitted from the projection optical system 13, may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the projector apparatus 1 is configured to adjust the projection luminous intensity while projecting a test pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is based on image data received by the communication unit 16. Alternatively, the projection light intensity may be adjusted in a state where a projected image is being projected. Further, in the present embodiment, the projector device 1 is configured to perform the process of adjusting the entire projected luminous intensity of the image, but is configured to perform the process of adjusting the projected luminous intensity in units of pixels of the projected image. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, the projector device 1 is configured to project an image based on the image data received by the communication unit 16, but is not limited thereto, and is recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a hard disk. The image data reading means may be provided inside, and an image based on the read image data may be projected.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the projector apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which adjusts the projection light intensity which the projector apparatus of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which adjusts the projection light intensity of an image so that the image signal intensity | strength of a captured image may be settled in the predetermined range. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the test pattern for adjusting a focal distance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector apparatus 11 Control part 12 Camera 14 Projection device 15 Image processing part 3 Screen

Claims (8)

Projecting means for projecting an image onto an external screen with a projection light intensity corresponding to the image, and imaging means for capturing an image projected on the screen, and projecting an image based on a captured image generated by the imaging means In the projector device that performs such adjustment,
Means for measuring the brightness of the captured image generated by the imaging means;
Means for determining whether or not the brightness measured by the means is within a predetermined range;
Means for adjusting a projection luminous intensity of an image projected by the projection means so that the brightness falls within the predetermined range when the brightness is determined to be outside the predetermined range by the means. A projector device. In a projector apparatus including a projection unit that projects an image onto an external screen with a projection intensity corresponding to the image,
Means for causing the projection means to project a predetermined image onto the screen;
Means for capturing the predetermined image projected on the screen;
Measuring means for measuring an image signal intensity related to the brightness of the captured image generated by the means;
Means for determining whether or not the image signal intensity measured by the measuring means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
When the image signal intensity is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined value by the means, a decrease that decreases the projected luminous intensity of the image projected by the projection means until the image signal intensity becomes smaller than the predetermined value. And a projector device. In a projector apparatus including a projection unit that projects an image onto an external screen with a projection intensity corresponding to the image,
Means for causing the projection means to project a predetermined image onto the screen;
Imaging means for imaging the predetermined image projected on the screen;
Measuring means for measuring the intensity of an image signal related to the brightness of a captured image generated by the imaging means;
Determination means for determining whether the image signal intensity measured by the measurement means is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
When the determination means determines that the image signal intensity is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the reduction means reduces the projection light intensity of the image projected by the projection means and the projection means. Re-projection means for projecting a predetermined image onto the screen with a projection luminous intensity;
Means for repeating the processing performed by the reduction means, the reprojection means, the imaging means, the measurement means, and the determination means until the determination means determines that the image signal intensity is smaller than the predetermined value. A projector apparatus comprising:   The projector device according to claim 2, wherein the reduction unit is configured to reduce a projection light intensity of an image projected by the projection unit by a predetermined amount.   The projector device according to claim 2, wherein the reduction unit is configured to reduce a projection luminous intensity of an image projected by the projection unit by a predetermined ratio. Means for determining whether the image signal intensity measured by the measuring means is smaller than a predetermined lower limit;
Means for increasing the projection luminous intensity of the image projected by the projection means until the image signal intensity is equal to or higher than the lower limit value when the image signal intensity is determined to be lower than the lower limit value by the means; The projector according to claim 2, further comprising:   The projector device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined image is a test pattern. In a method of adjusting a projector device that projects an image to an external screen with a projection intensity corresponding to the image,
Taking an image projected on the screen,
Measure the brightness of the captured image,
Determining whether the brightness is within a predetermined range;
When the brightness is determined to be outside the predetermined range, the projection light intensity of an image projected by the projection unit is adjusted so that the brightness is within the predetermined range. Adjustment method.

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