JP2006301137A - Optical unit and projection type image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical unit in which replacement of a liquid crystal panel due to higher luminance, upgrading and so on are satisfactorily performed and suitable projection images are provided, and to provide a projection type image display device. <P>SOLUTION: The optical unit (11) is provided on the projection type image display device that projects and displays images, and can be attached to and detached from the projection type image display device. The optical unit (11) includes: a plurality of image display elements (R, G, and B) for modulating corresponding rays of incident light; optical systems (10a, 10b, and 10c) by which light from a light source (1) is separated into a plurality of rays of color light, the rays of color light are directed to the image display elements (R, G, and B) and the rays of color light modulated by the corresponding image display elements (R, G, and B) are compounded; and a storage means (15a) for storing information about the image display elements (R, G, and B). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection-type image display apparatus that projects and displays an image, and more particularly to a projection-type image display apparatus in which image display elements are exchangeable as a unit.

  In recent years, projection-type image display devices such as liquid crystal projectors have been increased in brightness. For example, a liquid crystal projector using a 0.7-inch transmissive liquid crystal panel has a performance exceeding 2000 ansylumen.

  When the brightness performance of the liquid crystal projector is further improved, the necessary contrast can be obtained even if the brightness of the environment in which the projector is used is bright. For this reason, it is desirable that the brightness performance of the liquid crystal projector is high except when used for special purposes such as a home theater.

  The brightness of a liquid crystal projector can be achieved by increasing the aperture ratio of the liquid crystal panel, but the aperture ratio of a recent reflective liquid crystal panel is already about 80% to 90% (the effective aperture of a transmissive liquid crystal panel with a microlens). Ratio, i.e., the transmittance of the transmissive liquid crystal panel, which is as high as about 80 to 90%), and a high brightness cannot be expected by increasing the aperture ratio. Therefore, the brightness is increased by increasing the light utilization efficiency by shortening the arc length of the light source lamp as much as possible, or by obtaining a large amount of light by increasing the capacity of the light source lamp.

  On the other hand, the alignment film and the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal panel made of an organic material are deteriorated by light from the light source, and decrease in contrast and color unevenness occur with use time. For this reason, it is necessary to replace the liquid crystal panel. However, when the liquid crystal panel is fixed to the optical system of the apparatus main body, the positions of the liquid crystal panels of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are changed. It is necessary to adjust and fix the pixels so as to overlap each other, and when assembling the liquid crystal panel, adjustment assembly by a very large apparatus and high quality control are required as compared with other parts of the liquid crystal projector.

  Corresponding to the necessity of replacement of such a liquid crystal panel, for example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a liquid crystal panel and a prism for color synthesis are unitized, and a projection lens and an illumination optical system are provided. The projector main body can be attached to and detached from the projector main body so that a deteriorated part can be replaced.

In addition, with regard to parts replacement, a technique has also been proposed in which a storage unit stores a usage time for a consumable part and controls the performance of the consumable part according to the usage time (see Patent Document 3).
JP-A-11-133373 (paragraph 0014, FIG. 1 etc.) JP 2000-241885 A (paragraphs 0032 to 0036, FIGS. 3, 4 and the like) JP 2000-131758 A (paragraphs 0058 to 0073, FIGS. 11 to 14 etc.)

  However, the liquid crystal projector divides the screen so that the color of the entire screen becomes uniform, stores color correction data for each position in the screen, and drives the liquid crystal panel based on the stored data. To improve the image quality.

  Thus, when replacing a liquid crystal panel used in a liquid crystal projector that uses color correction data or the like to improve image quality, it is necessary to store the color correction data (image correction data) of the liquid crystal projector. Become. In other words, when replacing a liquid crystal panel used in such a liquid crystal projector, it is necessary to assemble the liquid crystal projector (replacement of the liquid crystal panel) at a factory or the like equipped with a device for storing image correction data. Therefore, it was necessary to carry out replacement work at a well-equipped factory.

  Further, in Patent Document 3 described above, control suitable for lamp performance is performed in response to lamp deterioration, which is a light source, but for each part in the screen using data such as color unevenness in the screen. Since it is not the structure which corrects a display signal for every pixel format, it has a subject which cannot respond to version upgrade of a liquid crystal panel or a drive circuit, or a new pixel format.

  One of the exemplary purposes of the present invention is to realize an optical unit and a projection type image display apparatus that can satisfactorily replace and upgrade a liquid crystal panel accompanying an increase in luminance and provide a suitable projection image. It is in.

  An optical unit as one aspect of the present invention is provided in a projection type image display device that projects and displays an image, and is an optical unit that can be attached to and detached from the projection type image display device. A plurality of image display elements that respectively modulate; an optical system that divides light from a light source into a plurality of color lights and directs the light to a plurality of image display elements; and a combination of a plurality of color lights modulated by the plurality of image display elements; Storage means for storing information relating to a plurality of image display elements.

  According to the image display device of the present invention, even when the optical unit is replaced by storing information on the image display element in the storage unit, the image display device is based on the information stored in the storage unit. Image display suitable for the image can be performed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a liquid crystal projector that is a projection type image display device equipped with an optical unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit of the liquid crystal projector.

  1 is a light source that emits white light in a continuous spectrum, 2 is a reflector that collects light in a predetermined direction, 3a is a first fly-eye lens in which a plurality of rectangular lenses are arranged in a matrix, and 3b is a first fly-eye lens. This is a second fly-eye lens composed of a lens array corresponding to each lens of the eye lens 3a.

  4 is a polarization conversion element that aligns unpolarized light with predetermined polarized light, 5a is a condenser lens, 5b is a field lens, 5c is a mirror, 6 reflects light in the blue (B) and red (R) wavelength regions, It is a dichroic mirror that transmits light in the green (G) wavelength region.

  8a and 8b convert the polarization direction of the B light by 90 degrees, and the first and second color selective phase difference plates 10a, 10b, and 10c do not convert the polarization direction of the R light, respectively. A first polarizing beam splitter, a second polarizing beam splitter, and a third polarizing beam splitter that transmit P-polarized light and reflect S-polarized light.

  R, G, and B reflect light and modulate the image to display an image for reflection (red reflective liquid crystal panel), green reflective image display (green reflective type) Liquid crystal panel), blue reflective image display element (blue reflective liquid crystal panel), 11 is a liquid crystal panel unit (optical unit), 11a is a base of the liquid crystal panel unit 11, and 12 is a green liquid crystal panel attached. Reference numeral 13 denotes a red liquid crystal panel mounting plate, and reference numeral 14 denotes a blue liquid crystal panel mounting plate.

  Further, 15 is a circuit board provided with a flash memory 15a, 16 is a connector, 17, 18 and 19 are liquid crystal panel fixing plates for fixing the respective liquid crystal panels R, G and B, 20 is a light guide case, 21 Is an exterior case, 22 is a lamp case, and 23 is a projection lens.

  The light source 1 of the liquid crystal projector of the present embodiment is fixed to the reflector 2, and the reflector 2 is fixed to the lamp case 22. The light guide case 20 is formed of plastic or the like, and a lamp case 22 is fixed to the light guide case 20.

  In the light guide case 20, the first fly-eye lens 3a, the second fly-eye lens 3b, the polarization conversion element 4, the condenser lens 5a, the field lens 5b, and the mirror 5c are positioned and fixed. The range from the first fly-eye lens 3a to the field lens 5b of the light guide case 20 is configured to prevent dust from entering by the lid member (FIG. 1 shows a state in which the lid member is removed for explanation). )

  Further, the light guide case 20 is provided with a base 11 a of the liquid crystal panel unit 11 on the first and second positioning pins 20 x and 20 y provided on the light guide case 20 and the base 11 a of the liquid crystal panel unit 11. Positioning is performed by engaging the first and second positioning pins 11x and 11y, and the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is detachable from the liquid crystal projector main body by the first screw 40 and the second screw 41. It is fixed. Further, a projection lens 23 is fixed to the light guide case 20.

  A dichroic mirror 6 and first, second, and third polarizing beam splitters 10a, 10b, and 10c are positioned and fixed on the base 11a of the liquid crystal panel unit 11, respectively. The first polarizing beam splitter 10a has a green color. The reflective liquid crystal panel G for blue is positioned and fixed, and the reflective liquid crystal panel R for red and the reflective liquid crystal panel B for blue are similarly positioned and fixed to the second polarizing beam splitter 10b.

  Specifically, a green liquid crystal panel fixing plate 17 is bonded to the first polarizing beam splitter 10a, and the green reflective liquid crystal panel G has a high thermal conductivity to the green liquid crystal panel mounting plate 12. It is bonded with an adhesive. Further, a red liquid crystal panel fixing plate 18 and a blue liquid crystal panel fixing plate 19 are adhered to the second polarizing beam splitter 10b, and the red and blue reflective liquid crystal panels R and B are respectively attached to the second polarizing beam splitter 10b. The liquid crystal panel mounting plates 13 and 14 are bonded with an adhesive having high thermal conductivity.

  The red, green, and blue liquid crystal panel fixing plates 17, 18, and 19 and the red, green, and blue liquid crystal panel mounting plates 12, 13, and 14 are each formed of metal, and each reflective liquid crystal panel R , G, and B are adjusted so that the pixels are projected onto the same position on the screen, and fixed by soldering or the like.

A circuit board 15 and a connector 16 on which a flash memory 15a as information storage means is mounted are attached to the base 11a of the liquid crystal panel unit 11. The connector 16 is electrically connected to the wiring from the circuit board 15 and the wiring from each of the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, and B. When the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is attached to the light guide case 20, the connector 2 is electrically connected to a main body circuit 60 on the liquid crystal projector main body side via a connector 50 on the liquid crystal projector main body side as shown in FIG.
In the flash memory 15a, irregular information (color irregularity, luminance irregularity, etc.) in the screens of the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, and B for red, green, and blue are stored in a predetermined format at a predetermined address. ing. Further, pixel format information of each reflective liquid crystal panel is stored in a predetermined format. The unevenness information of the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, and B (which may of course be a transmissive liquid crystal panel) is the manner in which unevenness occurs with respect to the integrated drive time for each panel (the region where the unevenness occurs is uneven). Information). More specifically, this memory is used for each panel or when each panel is divided into a plurality of areas, or how the luminance decreases with respect to the accumulated drive time of each area or each pixel of each panel (or unevenness with respect to the accumulated drive time). (E.g., how to change the drive voltage).

  Next, the optical action of the liquid crystal projector of this embodiment will be described. Light emitted from the light source 1 is collected in a predetermined direction by the reflector 2. Here, the reflector 2 is formed in a paraboloid shape, and light from the focal position of the paraboloid becomes a light beam parallel to the symmetry axis of the paraboloid. However, since the light source 1 is not an ideal point light source but has a finite size, the condensed light flux includes many light components that are not parallel to the axis of symmetry O of the paraboloid.

  These condensed light beams are incident on the first fly-eye lens 3a. The first fly-eye lens 3a has a rectangular outer shape and is configured by combining lenses having a positive refractive power in a matrix, and the incident light beam is divided into a plurality of light beams according to each lens. The light is collected and passes through the second fly-eye lens 3b to form a plurality of light source images in the vicinity of the polarization conversion element 4 in a matrix.

  The polarization conversion element 4 is a polarization conversion element including a polarization separation surface, a reflection surface, and a half-wave plate, and a plurality of light beams condensed in a matrix form are incident on the polarization separation surface corresponding to the column. , The light is divided into transmitted P-polarized light and reflected S-polarized light. The reflected light of the S polarization component is reflected by the reflecting surface and is emitted in the same direction as the P polarization component. On the other hand, the transmitted P-polarized light component is transmitted through the half-wave plate, converted to the same polarized light component as the S-polarized light component, and emitted as light having the same polarization direction.

  The plurality of light beams that have undergone polarization conversion reach the condensing optical system 5 including the condenser lens 5a and the field lens 5b as divergent light beams after exiting the polarization conversion element 4. The mirror 5c does not have refractive power.

  In the optical path from the field lens 5 b to the reflective liquid crystal panel, the light condensed on the reflective liquid crystal panel is substantially telecentric with respect to the optical axis O ′ of the condensing optical system 5. The dichroic mirror 6 and the first, second, and third polarizing beam splitters 10a, 10b, and 10c are composed of optical thin films, and their characteristics change depending on the angle of incidence on these optical thin films. By setting the illumination light beam to be telecentric, fluctuations in characteristics that occur in the optical thin film do not occur on the reflective liquid crystal panel.

  The dichroic mirror 6 reflects B light (430 to 495 nm) and R light (590 to 650 nm) and transmits G light (505 to 580 nm). Here, the transmittance of the S-polarized component of the G light is set to 1% or less at 550 nm, which is the central wavelength of the wavelength range of the G light, to prevent a decrease in the color purity of the other two color lights. The light that has been S-polarized in the polarization conversion element 4 is also S-polarized with respect to the dichroic mirror 6.

  The light path of the G light, that is, the light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 6 enters the first polarization beam splitter 10a as S-polarized light, is reflected by the polarization separation surface, and reaches the green reflective liquid crystal panel G. In the green reflective liquid crystal panel G, green light is image-modulated and reflected. The S-polarized component of the image-modulated reflected light is reflected again on the polarization separation surface and returned to the light source side to be removed from the projection light. However, the P-polarized component of the image-modulated green reflected light is reflected on the polarization separation surface. The light passes through and becomes projection light.

  The light that has passed through the first polarizing beam splitter 10 a enters the third polarizing beam splitter 10 c as P-polarized light, passes through the polarization separation surface, and reaches the projection lens 23.

  The R light and B light reflected by the dichroic mirror 6 enter the first color selective phase difference plate 8a. The first color-selective phase difference plate has an action of rotating the polarization direction of only B light by 90 degrees, so that the B light becomes P-polarized light and the R light becomes S-polarized light to the second polarizing beam splitter 10b. Incident. Therefore, in the second polarizing beam splitter 10b, blue light passes through the polarization separation surface and reaches the blue reflective liquid crystal panel B, and red light reflects off the polarization separation surface and reflects the red reflection liquid crystal panel R. To.

  In the blue reflective liquid crystal panel B, blue light is image-modulated and reflected. The P-polarized component of the image-modulated blue reflected light passes through the polarization separation surface again, returns to the light source side, and is removed from the projection light. The S-polarized component of the image-modulated blue reflected light is reflected by the polarization separation surface and becomes projection light. Similarly, red light is image-modulated and reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel R for red. The S-polarized component of the image-modulated red reflected light is reflected again by the polarization separation surface, returned to the light source side, and removed from the projection light. The P-polarized component of the image-modulated red reflected light passes through the polarization separation surface and becomes projection light. Thereby, the blue and red projection lights are combined into one light beam by the second polarization beam splitter 10b.

  The combined R light and B light projection light is incident on the second color selective phase difference plate 8b. The second color-selective phase difference plate 8b rotates only the polarization direction of red by 90 degrees to make both R light and B light S-polarized light, and then enters the third polarization beam splitter 10c and is reflected by the polarization separation surface. And synthesized with the projection light which is G light. The combined RGB projection light is projected onto a projection surface such as a screen by the projection lens 23.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, when a reflective liquid crystal panel is used in combination with a polarizing beam splitter, a high contrast can be obtained by inserting a quarter wavelength plate between them.

  Next, the circuit configuration and operation of the liquid crystal panel unit 11 and the liquid crystal projector of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The liquid crystal panel unit 11 is electrically composed of red, green, and blue reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, and B, and a flash memory 15a as information storage means. The power supply terminal is connected to the connector 16.

  The main body circuit 60 on the liquid crystal projector side is constituted by one or a plurality of circuit boards, and is fixed to the light guide case 20 or the outer case 21.

  The main body circuit 60 inputs a video signal, and an interface circuit 55 that communicates with the outside in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. An input terminal and an output terminal are connected to the interface circuit 55, and the input video signal is input to each color. It converts the display signal suitable for the reflective liquid crystal panel and outputs it, and controls the operation of the liquid crystal projector such as cooling and light source control. Further, the main body circuit 60 has a control circuit 54 for instructing communication to the interface circuit 55 and an input terminal connected to the control circuit 54, and the reflective liquid crystal panel R based on the display signals of the respective colors output from the control circuit 54. , G and B liquid crystal panel drive circuits 51, 52 and 53 for driving G, B, and output terminals and control circuit 54 for R, G and B liquid crystal panel drive circuits 51, 52 and 53 The connector 50 is connected to the input / output terminal.

  First, when the power is turned on (S100), the control circuit 54 determines whether or not the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is connected depending on whether or not the flash memory 15a is connected (there is a response) (S101). If the connection cannot be confirmed, the power source of the liquid crystal projector body is turned off (S102).

  When it is confirmed that the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is connected, the control circuit 54 reads the pixel format information of the reflective liquid crystal panel from the flash memory 15a (S103), and the liquid crystal panel drive circuits 51, 52, and 53 read the pixel format. It is discriminate | determined whether it corresponds to (S104). When it is determined that the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, B used in the liquid crystal panel unit 11 to which the liquid crystal panel drive circuits 51, 52, 53 are attached cannot be driven, the light emitting diodes provided in the liquid crystal projector main body After displaying a warning such as blinking for a time (S105), the power is turned off (S106).

  On the other hand, when each of the liquid crystal panel drive circuits 51, 52, 53 can drive each of the reflection type liquid crystal panels R, G, B, the control circuit 54 controls the liquid crystal panel (or liquid crystal projector) from the flash memory 15a. The information corresponding to the use time and the information corresponding to the life time preset and stored as the life time are read (S107), and it is determined whether or not the use time exceeds the life time (S108).

  If the usage time has not reached the lifetime, the information about the unevenness of the reflective liquid crystal panel for each color of red, green and blue is read from the flash memory 15a (S110). Further, when the usage time has reached the lifetime, after displaying a warning such as blinking the light emitting diode for a predetermined time (S109), it is related to unevenness of the reflective liquid crystal panel for each color of red, green, and blue. Information is read from the flash memory 15a (S110).

  Then, the control circuit 54 sets the correction amount for each area of the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, and B for each color based on the read unevenness information (S111), and based on this correction information, the input video signal is set. Accordingly, the voltage applied to each pixel of the reflective liquid crystal panel of each color is corrected.

  Next, when a video signal is input from the interface circuit 55 (S112), the control circuit 54 determines a voltage to be applied to each pixel based on this correction amount (S113), and display signals for each color in which unevenness has been canceled. Is output to the liquid crystal panel drive circuit (S114). The liquid crystal panel drive circuits 51, 52 and 53 drive the reflective liquid crystal panels of the respective colors based on the display signals.

  Thereafter, the control circuit 54 detects whether or not a switch operation for cutting off the power supply is performed (S115). When the power-off operation is not performed, the process returns to step 112, and steps 112 to 115 are repeated until the switch operation for cutting off the power is performed.

  When a switch operation for turning off the power is detected in step 115, the control circuit 54 adds the usage time elapsed in the current operation to the usage time information read in step 107 (S116). The usage time information is written in the flash memory 15a (S117).

  Further, the control circuit 54 compares again whether or not the usage time has reached the lifetime (S118). If the usage time has reached the lifetime, a user set separately via the interface circuit 55 is used. An e-mail transmission request for notifying the manager of the liquid crystal projector and the replacement of the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is output to a video input device such as a computer, or the liquid crystal projector main body is connected to the Internet line, An electronic mail is transmitted based on an address, a message, etc. set in advance in the storage circuit (S119), and then the power of the liquid crystal projector body is turned off (S120). When the usage time is shorter than the lifetime, it is not necessary to replace the liquid crystal panel unit 11 yet, so the power is turned off.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when a large-capacity light source that is used in association with higher luminance is used, the liquid crystal panel unit 11 on which a component such as a reflective liquid crystal panel that deteriorates due to light from the light source is mounted can be easily provided. It can be exchanged.

  That is, at the time of replacement, it is possible to provide the optimum driving state of the reflective liquid crystal panel by using the unevenness information of each reflective liquid crystal panel R, G, B stored in the flash memory 15a as the storage means. There is no need to set up and adjust the data associated with the panel exchange, or to exchange it in a limited factory where the facilities are fully equipped.

  Further, since the life of the reflective liquid crystal panel is communicated to the user and the liquid crystal panel unit 11 can be easily replaced due to deterioration, the liquid crystal can be used by using a powerful light source without forcing the user to replace the liquid crystal projector device frequently. It becomes possible to increase the brightness of the projector.

  FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration block diagram of an optical unit and a projection type image display apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the liquid crystal panel drive circuit is configured as a part of the main body circuit on the main body side. However, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel drive circuit is provided in the liquid crystal panel unit 11. The configuration of the liquid crystal projector apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In FIG. 4, 11 is a liquid crystal panel unit, 160 is a main body circuit, R is a reflective liquid crystal panel for red, G is a reflective liquid crystal panel for green, and B is a reflective liquid crystal panel for blue. Reference numeral 151 denotes a red liquid crystal panel drive circuit for driving the red reflective liquid crystal panel R, 152 denotes a green liquid crystal panel drive circuit for driving the green reflective liquid crystal panel G, and 153 denotes a blue reflective liquid crystal panel. A blue liquid crystal panel drive circuit for driving the panel B, 154 is a flash memory, and 155 is a connector provided in the liquid crystal panel unit 11.

  Reference numeral 156 denotes a connector provided in the main body circuit 160, 157 denotes a control circuit including a microcomputer (CPU), and 158 denotes an interface circuit.

  An input terminal of the red reflective liquid crystal panel R is connected to an output terminal of the red liquid crystal panel drive circuit 151, and the red reflective liquid crystal panel R outputs a signal output from the red liquid crystal panel drive circuit 151. Driven by. The power source of the reflective liquid crystal panel R, the input terminal of the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 151, and the power source are connected to the connector 155 of the liquid crystal panel unit 11.

  Similarly, the input terminals of the green and blue reflective liquid crystal panels G and B are connected to the output terminals of the green and blue liquid crystal panel drive circuits 152 and 153, respectively, so that the green and blue reflective liquid crystal panels are connected. The panels G and B are driven by signals output from the green and blue liquid crystal panel drive circuits 152 and 153, respectively. The power supplies of the green and blue reflective liquid crystal panels G and B and the input terminals and power supplies of the green and blue liquid crystal panel drive circuits 152 and 153 are connected to the connector 155 of the liquid crystal panel unit 11. The flash memory 154 has an input / output terminal and a power supply connected to the connector 155 of the liquid crystal panel unit 11.

  Each output terminal of the control circuit 157 that outputs display signals for red, green, and blue is connected to the connector 156 of the main circuit 160, and input / output terminals for communicating with the flash memory 154 and A power source for supplying power to the circuit of the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is also connected. Then, in a state where the liquid crystal panel unit 11 and the main body circuit 160 are connected, the output terminals for each color of the control circuit 157 are connected to the input terminals of the liquid crystal panel drive circuits 151, 152, and 153 for each color, and the flash memory 154 The input / output terminals of the control circuit 157 for communication are connected to the input / output terminals of the flash memory 154, respectively.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the main body circuit 160 of the liquid crystal projector is constituted by one or a plurality of circuit boards, and is fixed to the light guide case 20 or the outer case 21. Further, an interface circuit 158 for inputting a video signal and communicating with an external device in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol is provided. The control circuit 157 has an input terminal and an output terminal connected to the interface circuit 158.

  The control circuit 157 converts the video signal input from the interface circuit 158 into a display signal suitable for each color reflective liquid crystal panel R, G, B, and outputs it to the liquid crystal panel drive circuits 151, 152, 153 for each color. Control the operation of the liquid crystal projector, such as cooling and light source control, and further instruct the interface circuit 157 to communicate.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is replaced, the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G are used by the liquid crystal panel driving circuit suitable for the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, B mounted on the liquid crystal panel unit 11. , B can be driven.

  In other words, after the user purchases the liquid crystal projector (the liquid crystal projector is manufactured), the user can replace the liquid crystal panel unit 11 with a combination that can provide an optimal image even if the liquid crystal panel and the liquid crystal panel drive circuit are upgraded. it can.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the flash memory 154 stores information on unevenness that differs depending on each of the reflective liquid crystal panels R, G, and B, so that the optimal unevenness correction is achieved even when the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is replaced. The video display can be provided in the latest liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal panel driving circuit replaced. The operation of the circuit of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration block diagram of an optical unit and a projection type image display apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the first and second embodiments, the liquid crystal panel driving circuit corresponding to the liquid crystal panel is used. However, in this embodiment, the video signal is transmitted from the main body circuit on the liquid crystal projector main body side to the liquid crystal panel unit 11 as a digital video communication signal. By transmitting to the receiving circuit provided on the liquid crystal panel unit 11 side, the liquid crystal panel unit corresponding to the new pixel format can be replaced. Note that the configuration of the liquid crystal projector of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In FIG. 5, 11 is a liquid crystal panel unit, 180 is a main circuit, R is a reflective liquid crystal panel for red, G is a reflective liquid crystal panel for green, and B is a reflective liquid crystal panel for blue. , 163 is a liquid crystal panel driving circuit for driving each reflective liquid crystal panel.

  Reference numeral 164 denotes a receiving circuit of the digital communication circuit, 165 denotes a flash memory, and 166 denotes a connector provided in the liquid crystal panel unit 11. Reference numeral 167 denotes a connector provided in the main body circuit 180, 168 denotes a transmission circuit of a digital communication circuit, 169 denotes a control circuit including a microcomputer (CPU), and 170 denotes an interface circuit.

  The input terminal of the red reflective liquid crystal panel R is connected to the output terminal of the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 161, and the reflective liquid crystal panel R is driven by a signal output from the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 161. The input terminal of the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 161 is connected to the red output terminal of the receiving circuit 164, and the input terminal of the receiving circuit 164 is connected to the connector 166.

  Similarly, the input terminals of the green and blue reflective liquid crystal panels G and B are connected to the output terminals of the green and blue liquid crystal panel drive circuits 162 and 163, respectively. The liquid crystal panels G and B are driven by signals output from the green and blue liquid crystal panel driving circuits 162 and 163, respectively. The input terminals of the green and blue liquid crystal panel driving circuits 162 and 163 are connected to the red output terminal of the receiving circuit 164.

  The flash memory 165 has an input / output terminal and a power supply connected to the connector 166 of the liquid crystal panel unit 11. The output terminal of the transmission circuit 168 is connected to the connector 167 of the main circuit 180, and the input / output terminal of the control circuit 169 for communicating with the flash memory 165 and the circuit for supplying power to the circuit of the liquid crystal panel unit 11. A power supply is also connected. In a state where the liquid crystal panel unit 11 and the main body circuit 180 are connected, the transmission circuit 168 and the reception circuit 164 are connected, and the input / output terminal of the control circuit 169 for communicating with the flash memory is the input / output terminal of the flash memory 165. Connected to each.

  The main body circuit 180 of the liquid crystal projector is composed of one or a plurality of circuit boards, and is fixed to the light guide case 20 or the outer case 21 as in the above embodiment. The digital communication circuit is, for example, LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling), and is a circuit that transmits each color signal as a digital signal.

  Further, the main circuit 180 is provided with an interface circuit 170 for inputting a video signal and communicating with the outside in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The control circuit 169 has an input terminal and an output terminal connected to the interface circuit 170. Has been.

  The control circuit 169 converts the video signal input from the interface circuit 170 into a format suitable for the transmission circuit 168, outputs the video signal to the transmission circuit 168, and controls the operation of the liquid crystal projector device such as cooling and light source control. Further, the interface circuit 170 is instructed to communicate.

Next, operations of the liquid crystal panel unit 11 and the liquid crystal projector of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. First, when the power is turned on (S200), the control circuit 169 is connected to the liquid crystal panel unit 11 or not. Whether or not there is a response from the flash memory 165 is determined (S201). If the connection cannot be confirmed, the process proceeds to the power-off process of the liquid crystal projector (S202).

  When the connection with the liquid crystal panel unit 11 is confirmed, the control circuit 169 reads the pixel format information of the reflective liquid crystal panel from the flash memory 165 (S203), and receives the signal of the data format suitable for the pixel format by the digital communication circuit. In order to transmit to the circuit 164, a data conversion method corresponding to the read pixel format is set to the transmission circuit 168. (S204).

  Then, the control circuit 54 reads from the flash memory 165 information corresponding to the usage time of the reflective liquid crystal panel (or liquid crystal panel unit) and information corresponding to the life time preset and stored as the life time. (S207) It is determined whether or not the usage time has exceeded the lifetime (208).

  If the usage time has not reached the lifetime, information on the unevenness of the reflective liquid crystal panels R, B, and G for each color of red, green, and blue is read from the flash memory 165 (S210). If the usage time has reached the lifetime, a warning display such as blinking a light emitting diode provided on the liquid crystal projector main body for a predetermined time is performed (S209), and then the reflection type for each color of red, green, and blue Information on the unevenness of the liquid crystal panels R, G, B is read from the flash memory 165 (S210).

  Thereafter, the control circuit 169 sets a correction amount for each area of the reflective liquid crystal panel of each color based on the unevenness information (S211). Based on this correction information, the control circuit 169 outputs data obtained by correcting the voltage applied to each pixel of the reflective liquid crystal panel of each color according to the input signal to the transmission circuit 168 of the digital communication circuit.

  When the video signal is input from the interface circuit 170 (S212), the control circuit 169 determines data corresponding to the voltage applied to each pixel based on the correction amount (S213), and cancels the unevenness (reduction). The display data of each color is output to the transmission circuit 168 of the digital communication circuit (S214), and the transmission circuit 168 of the digital communication circuit transmits the display data to the reception circuit 164.

  The receiving circuit 164 of the liquid crystal panel unit 11 receives display data, converts the data into signals suitable for driving the liquid crystal panel driving circuits 161, 162, and 163 for each color, and outputs the signals, thereby driving the liquid crystal panel for each color. The circuits 161, 162, and 163 drive each reflective liquid crystal panel based on the converted signal.

  Then, the control circuit 169 detects whether or not a switch operation for cutting off the power is not performed (S215). When the power-off operation is not performed, the process returns to step 212, and steps 212 to 215 are repeatedly performed until the switch operation for cutting off the power is performed.

  When a switch operation for turning off the power is detected in step 215, the control circuit 169 adds the usage time elapsed in the current operation to the usage time information read in step 207 (S216). Is written in the flash memory (storage device) 165 as usage time information (S217).

  Further, the control circuit 169 compares again whether or not the usage time has reached the lifetime (S218). If the usage time has reached the lifetime, the control circuit 169 is connected to the first embodiment via the interface circuit 170. Similarly, the user or the administrator of the liquid crystal projector is urged to replace the liquid crystal panel unit 11 using notification means such as e-mail (S219), and then the power of the liquid crystal projector is turned off (S220). If the usage time is shorter than the lifetime, it is not necessary to replace the liquid crystal panel unit 11 again, so the power is turned off.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel unit is replaced, the pixel format information is read from the flash memory 165, and the input signal can be converted using the format data suitable for the pixel format of the liquid crystal panel. . For this reason, it can be easily changed to a liquid crystal panel unit having a different pixel format. That is, by storing information on the pixel format in the flash memory 165, the liquid crystal panel unit can be exchanged between different pixel formats.

  As described above, in the first to third embodiments, the reflection type liquid crystal panel is used as the liquid crystal panel and the polarization beam splitter is used as the color composition element. However, the liquid crystal panel may be a transmission type and is composed of a dichroic prism. The optical system and the liquid crystal panel whose position is adjusted with respect to the optical system may be configured as a liquid crystal panel unit and exchangeable.

  According to the image display apparatus of the present embodiment as described above, even when the optical unit is replaced by storing information about the image display element in the storage unit, the information is stored based on the information stored in the storage unit. The image display suitable for the image display device can be performed.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an optical unit and a projector apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an optical unit and a projector device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a flowchart of an optical unit and a projector apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an optical unit and a projector device according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an optical unit and a projector device according to a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an optical unit and a projector device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source 5 Illumination optical system 11 Liquid crystal panel unit 15a Flash memory (memory | storage means)
23 Projection lens 54 Control circuit

Claims (11)

An optical unit provided in a projection type image display device for projecting and displaying an image, and detachable from the projection type image display device,
A plurality of image display elements each modulating incident light;
An optical system that decomposes light from a light source into a plurality of color lights and directs the light to the plurality of image display elements, and combines the plurality of color lights modulated by the plurality of image display elements;
An optical unit comprising storage means for storing information relating to the plurality of image display elements.   The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the information on the image display element is information on unevenness of the plurality of image display elements.   The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the image display element is information related to a pixel format of the plurality of image display elements.   The optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising a driving unit that drives the image display element.   5. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein information relating to a usage time of the image display element is stored in the storage unit. A projection type image display device for projecting and displaying an image,
A plurality of image display elements that respectively modulate incident light, and a light from a light source is decomposed into a plurality of color lights and directed to the plurality of image display elements, and the plurality of color lights modulated by the plurality of image display elements An optical unit comprising an optical system to synthesize and storage means for storing information relating to the plurality of image display elements, and detachable from the projection-type image display device;
An illumination optical system for guiding light from the light source to the optical unit;
A projection type image display apparatus, comprising: a projection optical system that forms an image of light combined by the optical unit on a projection surface.   The projection type image display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information about the image display element is information about unevenness of the plurality of image display elements.   The projection type image display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information about the image display element is information about a pixel format of the plurality of image display elements.   The projection type image display device according to claim 6, wherein the optical unit includes a driving unit that drives the image display element. Control means for controlling the operation of the projection type image display device;
10. The projection type image display device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit stores information on a usage time of the image display element in the storage unit. 11.   The projection type image display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit outputs information regarding replacement of the optical unit according to the usage time stored in the storage unit.

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