JPH11231259A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize a P polarized light wave, which is abandoned after passage through a polarized light beam splitter, by arranging a mirror on the optical path of straight advancing light (P polarized light wave), modulating P polarized light reflected there with audio signals or data signals and outputting them. SOLUTION: The straight advancing light (P polarized light) emitted from a light source 1 and transmitted through a polarized light beam splitter 2 is reflected by a mirror 8 on the optical path and guided to an optical transmission block 20. This light is not utilized as excessive light but concerning this projector, in the case of outputting a sound to the outside, this excessive light is utilized. Namely, an amplified audio signal 61d is inputted through a DMD driving circuit 11 to the light transmission block 20. In this case, one part of light (straight advancing light passed through the polarized light beam splitter 2) inputted to the optical transmission block is used and sent outside a projector casing 10. The sent-out optical signal is optically transmitted through an optical fiber 90 to a photoelectric converting module 40 for reception and dispatched to an external amplifier 70.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a projector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a reflection type liquid crystal projector which irradiates a liquid crystal panel with light from a light source and projects reflected light from the liquid crystal panel onto a screen. FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a conventional projector. In FIG. 6, the polarizing beam splitter 2 is disposed in the irradiation direction of the light source 1 via an illumination optical system 9. As a result, the white light is split into two linearly polarized lights having polarization directions orthogonal to each other, that is, a P-polarized wave (straight-forward light) and an S-polarized wave (reflected light). By the way,
According to Kozo Ishiguro [Optics, S-polarized light, P-polarized S,
P is an initial of Senkrecht (vertical), Parallel (parallel).

The destination of the reflected light (S-polarized wave) is red,
Dichroic mirrors 3 and 4 are arranged for green and blue light, respectively. The B liquid crystal panel 5B is arranged in the direction of reflection of the blue component (B) on the dichroic mirror 3. In the transmission direction of the dichroic mirror 3 and the reflection direction of the red component (R) in the dichroic mirror 4,
An R liquid crystal panel 5R is arranged, and a green component (G) G liquid crystal panel 5G is arranged in the transmission direction of the dichroic mirrors 3, 4. These liquid crystal panels 5R, 5R
A drive voltage is applied to the G and 5B electrodes via a liquid crystal drive unit (not shown). The reflected light (S-polarized wave) is separated into three colors of RGB by the dichroic mirrors 3 and 4 and irradiates the panel surfaces of the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5G and 5B respectively.

In the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5G, and 5B, in the random state, the axes of the liquid crystal molecules are randomly oriented, so that the incident light is diffusely reflected. At this time, since the depth and direction in which the incident light is reflected are not constant depending on the microscopic incident position, the wavefronts of the diffused light are complicatedly mixed and become in a non-polarized state. On the other hand, in the aligned state, S-polarized light is transmitted as it is because the axis of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented perpendicular to the panel surface.
The S-polarized light transmitted in this manner is applied to each of the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5R,
G and 5B are uniformly specularly reflected on the back side,
The reflected light is kept in the S-polarized state. In this way, each of the spatial light modulators 5R, 5G, and 5B of the color light is modulated into (S + P) polarized light by the video signal.

After that, the dichroic mirror 3,
Fourth, the three color lights are combined while traveling sequentially to the polarization beam splitter 2, and only the P-polarized light of the combined light passes through the projection lens 6 and is projected on the screen. In addition, the light emitted from the light source 1 is
The straight traveling light (P-polarized wave) is not effectively used, and its energy is absorbed in the form of heat in the device.

On the other hand, as a sound (sound), a method is generally used in which a sound signal 61 a input into a projector housing 60 is amplified by an internal amplifier 61 and output from a speaker 62.
When outputting to the outside, the amplified audio signal 61b
Is output directly to the external amplifier 70 via the cable 71 via the audio modulation circuit 63 or the like.

[0007] To control the projector from the outside, a personal computer 80 is normally connected via a cable 81 for use. The control signal is performed by an electric circuit including an electric data transceiver 64 in the projector housing 60 and an MPU (microprocessor unit) 65 for controlling the electric data transceiver 64.

[0008]

As described above, in the conventional liquid crystal projector, only white light output from the light source is reflected light (S-polarized wave) which is first split by the polarizing beam splitter into two light beams. The light is modulated by the video signal by the modulation element and contributes to projection. However, straight traveling light (P polarized wave)
Are discarded without contributing to the projection. In this way, the light emitted from the light source is not sufficiently used in the projector,
In spite of the excess light overflowing in the device, it has not been effectively used in the past and is converted into heat internally. In addition, the heat amount is considerable, and a large number of cooling fans (a plurality of cooling fans) are required to remove the heat.

Next, a projector is a device for inputting / outputting various information. The transmission means is based on an electric signal, and emits an unnecessary signal in the form of a radio wave because the signal is transmitted through a cable. And, conversely, electrical noise. Conventionally, a remote control for remotely controlling a projector uses a dry battery as a power supply source like other remote controls, and the remote control requires useless space for storing the dry battery, labor for replacing the dry battery, and further maintenance cost. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and it has been proposed that a white light emitted from a light source be discarded after passing through a polarizing beam splitter or a straight light (P-polarized wave) or a reflected light (S-polarized light). The aim is to use these lights to exchange information between the projector and the external device by effectively using the waves. Another object of the present invention is to equip a remote control with a solar cell to utilize a part of the light and use the light as a power source for the remote control, thereby eliminating maintenance such as replacement of dry batteries required for the remote control.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, of the light obtained by splitting white light emitted from a light source 1 into two by a polarizing beam splitter 2, a straight advancing light (P-polarized wave; Mirror 8 is disposed on the optical path of the light that does not contribute to the light, and the reflected P-polarized light is reflected by the light modulating element (27, 2).
In 9), a configuration is adopted in which the signal is modulated and output with a voice signal or a data signal. When the projector receives an audio signal or a data signal, it emits unmodulated polarized light to the device to be transmitted,
The device modulates it with a voice signal or data signal and sends it back.
The signal is received by the light receiving element 28 provided in the projector.

According to the configuration of the present invention, transmission and reception can be realized with surplus light that does not contribute to projection generated in the projector. If the surplus light is not part of the polarized light that is not used for communication, or if the surplus light is not used for communication, a remote controller equipped with a solar cell is attached to the projector, and the light is transmitted from inside the projector. Light is received and generated, stored in a remote control, and used as a power source.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. A polarizing beam splitter 2 is disposed on the optical path of the white light emitted from the light source 1, and the white light is separated into reflected light (S-polarized light) and transmitted light (P-polarized light) by the polarizing beam splitter 2. .

In the optical path of the reflected light (S-polarized light), light is red,
Dichroic mirrors 3 and 4 for separating green and blue light
Are arranged, and the S-polarized light is applied to the dichroic mirror 3
Blue light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 4 and red light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 4, and the respective color lights are reflected by the reflection type spatial light modulators 5B and 5R.
Head to. The green light transmitted through the dichroic mirrors 3 and 4 travels to the reflective spatial light modulator 5G.

Each color light is modulated into (S + P) polarized light by a video signal and reflected by each of the reflection type spatial light modulators (5R, 5G, 5B). After that, the dichroic mirrors 4 and 3 and the polarization beam splitter 2
Are sequentially combined, the S-polarized light is reflected by the polarization beam splitter 2, and only the P-polarized light passes through the projection lens 6 and is projected on a screen.

On the other hand, straight-ahead light (P-polarized light) emitted from the light source 1 and transmitted through the polarization beam splitter 2 is reflected by the mirror 8 on the optical path and guided to the optical transmission optical block 20. Conventionally, this light is not used as surplus light, but is merely converted into heat. In the present invention, this light is effectively used as described in detail below. When outputting sound (sound) to the outside, surplus light is used. The amplified audio signal 61b is input to the optical transmission optical block 20 (FIG. 2) via the DMD drive circuit 11. As will be described later in detail, a part of the light input to the optical transmission optical block 20 (straight light transmitted through the polarization beam splitter 2) is used to modulate the light and send it out of the projector housing 10. .

The transmitted optical signal is transmitted to the projector housing 1.
The light is transmitted to the receiving photoelectric conversion module 40 through the optical fiber 90 connected to the connector 0 by a connector 91. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the photoelectric conversion module 40 for reception. Modulated light Bp * transmitted through the optical fiber 90
Improves the SN by passing through a polarizing filter 41 that passes only P-polarized light, and after photoelectric conversion by a light receiving element 42,
It is configured to output an electric signal via the waveform shaping circuit 43. However, even without the polarizing filter 41, the receiving photoelectric conversion module 40 can be realized.

The audio signal converted into an electric signal by the receiving photoelectric conversion module 40 is converted into a conventional external amplifier 70 (FIG. 1).
Passed to. When sound (sound) is output from the speaker 62 installed in the projector housing 10, no extra light is used. The input audio signal 61a is converted into an internal amplifier 6
The signal is amplified by 1 and output from the speaker 62.

Next, a method of transmitting and receiving data inside and outside the housing 10 using surplus light will be described. When a signal is sent from the MPU 14 in the projector housing 10 to the external personal computer 80, the electric signal is input to the optical transmission optical block 20 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 12. The modulated light passes through an optical fiber 90 connected to the projector housing 10 by a connector 91, and is optically transmitted to the transmission / reception photoelectric conversion module 50.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a photoelectric conversion module for transmission and reception. The red P that has passed through the optical fiber 90
The polarized light Rp is expanded into an appropriate spot light by a lens 51 disposed in a casing of the photoelectric conversion module 50 for transmission and reception, and is reflected by a dichroic mirror 52 that reflects red light having a long wavelength, and is reflected by a reflection type liquid crystal panel or the like. Light modulation element 53
Modulates the signal component into red S-polarized light Rs. The light modulation element 53 is driven by a liquid crystal drive circuit 56 based on a signal from a personal computer or the like. The reflected light (Rp + R
s) passes through the dichroic mirror 52 and the lens 51, passes through the optical fiber 90 again, and
0 is transmitted to the optical transmission optical block 20. On the other hand, the green light (Gp + Gs) containing the signal component that has passed through the optical fiber 90 is expanded into an appropriate spot light by the lens 51, travels straight through the dichroic mirror 52, and reaches the polarization beam splitter 54. Here, only the signal component Gs is reflected and guided to the light receiving element 55. After being photoelectrically converted by the light receiving element 55, a signal is transmitted to an external device such as a personal computer via a waveform shaping circuit 57.

The data signal converted into an electric signal by the transmission / reception photoelectric conversion module 50 is transmitted to the personal computer 80. Conversely, a signal from the personal computer 80 is optically modulated by the transmission / reception photoelectric conversion module 50, and the same optical fiber 90
Then, the light is guided to the optical transmission optical block 20, where it is photoelectrically converted, and then transmitted to the MPU 14 via the waveform shaping circuit 13.

As described above, conventionally, light that does not contribute to the projected image light has been discarded, but light source light can be used without waste by using it as a means of optical transmission. Further, since the light that has been converted into heat inside is output to the outside of the projector housing 10, the small cooling fan 7 can be used instead of the conventional large cooling fan 66 (FIG. 6). When the surplus light is not used, the shutter 92 provided on the connector 91 is closed to prevent unnecessary light from leaking out of the projector housing 10.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the optical transmission optical block 20 in detail. As described with reference to FIG.
The P-polarized light reflected by the light is guided to the optical transmission optical block 20. This light is P-polarized light, but includes all the R, G, and B wavelengths. Then, the light is split by the dichroic mirror 21 (FIG. 2) that reflects blue light having a short wavelength, and the blue P-polarized light Bp reflected here is guided to a DMD (digital micromirror device) 27. DMD based on the audio signal 61b amplified by the internal amplifier 61 shown in FIG.
The drive circuit 11 drives the DMD 27 (FIG. 2) to reflect the Bp light toward the condensing optical lens group 26 or to reflect in the other direction, thereby digitally modulating the light into Bp *.

The modulated light Bp * passes through the condenser optical lens group 26 to be condensed into an optimum spot for input to an optical fiber, and is sent out of the projector housing 10 (FIG. 1). This audio signal may be PWM-modulated or transmitted as a fully digital signal. on the other hand,
The P-polarized light that does not include the blue light that has traveled straight through the dichroic mirror 21 (FIG. 2) is split by the dichroic mirror 22 that reflects the long-wavelength red light, and the reflected P-polarized red light Rp is mirrors 25a and 25b. Then, the light passes through the polarizing beam splitter 24 for the P-polarized light after being reflected by the light. Thereafter, after being reflected by the dichroic mirror 23, the light is condensed by the condenser optical lens group 26 into an optimum spot for input to the optical fiber, and is transmitted as unmodulated red P-polarized light Rp.

This Rp light is modulated by the signal from the personal computer 80 by the transmission / reception photoelectric conversion module 50 shown in FIG. Then, the reflected light (Rp + Rs) including both the S-polarized light Rs containing the signal component and the Rp reflected from the transmitted light passes through the optical fiber 90 again and passes through the optical transmission optical block in the projector housing 10. Sent back to 20.

This light reaches the polarizing beam splitter 24 in the direction opposite to the condensing optical lens group 26 (FIG. 2) and the dichroic mirror 23. Only the red S-polarized light Rs of the signal component is reflected by the polarization beam splitter 24, guided to the light receiving element 28, and converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element 28. As described above, this signal is sent to the MPU 14 via the waveform shaping circuit 13 in FIG. Thus, a signal from the personal computer 80 can be taken into the projector housing 10. The red P-polarized light that has traveled straight through the polarization beam splitter 24 is returned to the light source without harming the image light or other light transmission light.

The green P-polarized light Gp that has traveled straight through the dichroic mirror 22 is applied to a light modulating element 2 such as a transmissive liquid crystal panel.
9 modulated. The light modulation element 29 is, as described above,
Liquid crystal drive circuit 1 by digital signal from MPU 14
By controlling 2, the P-polarized light Gp becomes green light (Gp + Gs) including S-polarized light as a signal component. After the light travels straight through the dichroic mirror 23, the light is condensed by the condenser optical lens group 26 (FIG. 2) into an optimal spot to be input to the optical fiber, and is sent out of the projector housing 10. This modulated light (Gp + Gs) is transmitted to the optical fiber 90
The light is transmitted to the transmitting / receiving photoelectric conversion module 50 through the inside. In this way, by combining a light modulation element such as a liquid crystal panel or a DMD, light can be digitally modulated and transmitted. Also, the optical transmission optical block 2
The light input to 0 is P-polarized light (S-polarized light is also possible)
Therefore, if the signal component light is S-polarized light (P-polarized light is also possible), the same transmission system can be easily used.

As can be seen from the above description, in the present invention,
Since different signals can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously, the transmission cable can be simplified. Further, when the projector housing 10 and external devices such as the personal computer 80 and the external amplifier 70 are installed in the vicinity, a configuration in which light is transmitted in space without using a transmission cable such as the optical fiber 90 may be considered. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram in which a remote controller incorporating a solar cell is attached to the light transmission outlet of the projector housing 10. The remote controller 30 has a structure including a solar cell 31, and electric power generated by the solar cell 31 is supplied to the remote controller 30.
Is stored in a small secondary battery 32 and supplied to an internal electric circuit. A fixing member 33 that can be easily attached to an optical outlet not used for optical transmission of the projector housing 10 is provided, and has a structure in which light does not leak at the time of attachment.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the surplus light (S-polarized light or P-polarized light) whose energy is absorbed in the form of heat is not effectively used in the conventional apparatus. The light source light can be effectively used by using it as light transmission light with equipment or as power generation light of a remote controller with a solar cell. That is, the surplus polarized light is converted into an audio signal or a data signal by using an optical modulation means such as a transmission type liquid crystal panel or a DMD and output, and is converted in accordance with the audio signal or the data signal given from outside the housing of the projector. By modulating the surplus polarized light, a projector that inputs as an optical signal can be realized. Further, by using the optical signal in this way, it is possible to prevent the output of electromagnetic radiation noise from the electric signal and the problem of being adversely affected. Further, the surplus polarized light can be used as power generated by a remote controller with a solar cell. In addition, since the light that has been converted into heat inside is emitted to the outside, a cooling device such as a cooling fan can be simplified, so that there is an effect that the size of the projector housing can be reduced. Along with that, further power saving is realized. In addition, since an optical cable is used, different signals can be transmitted in the same optical cable in both directions at the same time, so that the transmission cable can be greatly simplified.

When the surplus light is not used, unnecessary light can be prevented from leaking out of the projector housing by closing the shutter provided on the connector of the projector housing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a projector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an optical transmission optical block.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram in which a remote controller is mounted on the projector of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a photoelectric conversion module for reception.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a transmission / reception photoelectric conversion module.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a conventional projector.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source 2, 24, 54 Polarization beam splitter 3, 21 Dichroic mirror 4, which reflects blue light with a short wavelength 4, 22, 23, 52 Dichroic mirror 5R, which reflects red light with a long wavelength 5R, 5G, 5B Spatial light modulator 6 Projection lens 7, 66 Cooling fan 8, 25a, 25b Mirror 9 Illumination optical system 10, 60 Projector housing 11 DMD drive circuit 12, 56 Liquid crystal drive circuit 13, 43, 57 Waveform shaping circuit 14, 65 MPU (microprocessor unit) REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 20 light transmission optical block 26, 51 condensing optical lens group 27 DMD (digital micromirror device) 28, 42, 55 light receiving element 29 light modulation element such as transmissive liquid crystal panel 30 remote control 31 solar cell 32 secondary battery 33 fixing member 40 Photoelectric conversion module for reception 41 Polarization Filter 50 Transmission / reception photoelectric conversion module 53 Light modulation element such as reflective liquid crystal panel 61 Internal amplifier 61a Audio signal 61b Amplified audio signal 62 Speaker 63 Acoustic modulation circuit 64 Electric data transceiver 70 External amplifier 71 Audio electric cable 80 Personal computer 81 Electrical Cable for Data Transmission 90 Optical Fiber 91 Connector 92 Shutter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/74 H04N 5/74 K

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A light source, and irradiates light from the light source with S-polarized light and P light.
In a projector having polarized light branching means for branching into polarized light, the S branched by the polarized light branching means
Of the polarized light and the P-polarized light, the polarized light is disposed at the destination of the polarized light not used for projection, and modulates the polarized light in accordance with an audio signal or a data signal given from outside the casing of the projector. A projector comprising: a light modulating unit that generates polarized light; and a modulated polarized light output unit that outputs the modulated polarized light to the outside. 2. A light source, and the light from the light source is S-polarized light and P light.
In a projector having polarized light branching means for branching into polarized light, the S branched by the polarized light branching means
Non-modulated polarized light output means disposed at the destination of the polarized light and the polarized light on the side not used for projection among the P-polarized light, and outputting the polarized light to the outside without modulation. Projector. 3. A light source, and s-polarized light and P light
In a projector having polarized light branching means for branching into polarized light, the S branched by the polarized light branching means
Non-modulated polarized light output means, which is arranged at the destination of the polarized light and the polarized light on the side not used for projection among the P-polarized light and outputs the polarized light to the outside without any modulation, is provided by an external device or the like. Polarized light output to the outside without modulation by the voice signal or data signal to be subjected to modulation,
Modulated polarized light input means for inputting the modulated S polarized light or modulated P polarized light to the projector; and the modulated S polarized light or the modulated light input by the modulated polarized light input means. A light-receiving element for converting the P-polarized light into an electric signal. 4. A light source, and the light from the light source is S-polarized light and P light.
In a projector having polarized light branching means for branching into polarized light, the S branched by the polarized light branching means
A color separation unit that is disposed at the destination of the polarized light that is not used for projection among the polarized light and the p-polarized light, and separates the polarized light into red, green, and blue color lights; A light modulating unit that modulates one of the color lights according to a signal or a data signal to generate modulated polarized light, and a modulated polarized light output unit that outputs the modulated polarized light to outside the housing of the projector And a projector comprising: 5. The projector according to claim 3, wherein
The projector, wherein the unmodulated polarized light output means and the modulated polarized light input means are formed of a common member. 6. The projector according to claim 5, wherein
2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the common member includes an optical transmission member. 7. The projector according to claim 6, wherein
The light transmitting member has an optical fiber. 8. The projector according to claim 1, wherein said polarized light splitting means has a polarized beam splitter. 9. The projector according to claim 1, wherein said light modulating means has a digital micromirror device. 10. The projector according to claim 1, wherein said light modulating means has a transmissive liquid crystal panel. 11. The projector according to claim 4, wherein said color separation means has a dichroic mirror. 12. The projector according to claim 2, wherein the projector includes a remote controller that operates the projector, the remote controller includes a solar cell, and a unit that stores power generated from the solar cell. A projector, wherein the solar cell uses the output light as charging light and stores power in the storage unit. 13. The projector according to claim 12, wherein said remote controller is mounted on a position of an outlet of said output light opened in a housing of said projector with a detachable fixing member. projector. 14. The projector according to claim 2, wherein said non-modulated polarized light output means includes a shutter for preventing light from leaking from a housing of said projector. 15. The projector according to claim 1, wherein said modulated polarized light output means includes a shutter for preventing light from leaking from a housing of said projector.