Background technology
Face recognition (or recognition of face) is a kind of biology by analyzing and comparing particular individual in identification digital picture
The software application of feature.Facial-recognition security systems are commonly used in the security setting of gate inhibition, but are increasingly being used for various
Other field.For example, player distinguishes using face recognition in some game companies.
Many existing facial-recognition security systems utilize the digital code for being known as faceprint.Such system can identify
Up to 80 nodes on human face.Node is the variable for weighing people's facial characteristics, such as the length or width of nose,
The depth of eye socket, the size of cheekbone.These systems are comprehensive simultaneously to store this by acquiring the node data of human face in digital picture
A little data and generate a faceprint.These faceprint form the database of people's region feature, as in image or video
The basis of recognition of face.
At present, the research and development of many face recognitions are all concentrated in smart mobile phone application.The face recognition application of smart mobile phone
Integration and personal marketing including image labeling and other social networks.In Univ Carnegie Mellon, a research team
A conceptual iPhone application program is developed, human face's photo can be shot and is provided in seconds by the surname of bat people
The information such as name and date of birth.The design of these application programs is all first to capture the image of face, then compares the face
Faceprint and established faceprint databases, to discriminate whether that there are one match.After matching, according to the choosing of user
It selects, a series of service tracks.
One video projector, such as a laser micro-projector, project light beam and irradiate a screen, are formed regard on the screen
Frequency image.When a people comes into the region of projecting beam covering, light beam can be incident on the eyes of people and be likely to result in discomfort,
It is even injured.When operating portable or hand-held micro-projector, holding the hand of micro-projector can arbitrarily move, this may cause
Institute's light beam is inswept space is not intended near middle injection other people eyes.
Therefore, inventing a kind of micro-projector safety device will be helpful.When user or onlooker unintentionally proximal or into
During the light path of one video projector, it is desirable to which safety device protects the peace of user or onlooker using facial recognition techniques
Entirely.Ideal security mechanism needs to make fast reaction to the appearance of a face in beam path, to close projection light source.More
Once it is desirable that safety condition recovery, the working condition that safety device will restore normal projection.In addition, safety device will letter
It is single, reliably.
Brief summary of the invention
The objective of the present invention is a kind of portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone for carrying laser projection, provides peace
Full device.
A feature according to the present invention, safety device include the video camera that a visual field can cover micro-projector visual field.
The picture signal that the one pattern identification circuit being connect with video camera captures video camera is handled and judges whether someone
Face image occurs in visual field.One control circuit being connected with pattern identification circuit or electric power management circuit are in pattern identification electricity
A power supply of projecting apparatus is closed when road recognizes facial image so as to preventing the eyes of light beam irradiation people that micro-projector sends out and
Cause uncomfortable or injury.
According to another characteristic of the invention, micro-projector includes a video signal preprocessor, one and video frequency signal processing
The optical transmitter module and a scan module coupled with video signal preprocessor of device coupling.The control circuit or electricity of safety device
Power management circuits only close the optical transmitter module power supply of micro-projector when pattern identification circuit recognizes facial image.Scan mould
The supply of block power supply can keep uninterrupted.This is beneficial to restore video throwing rapidly after face once leaves the visual field of video camera
Shadow, and it is beneficial to improve the reliability and service life of micro-projector.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the power management in safety device is by the video signal preprocessor in micro- projector
It serves as.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the solid angle of camera field of view is big by 20% compared with micro-projector perspective view solid angle
To 30%.
According to another characteristic of the invention, safety device further includes an infrared sensor, and visual field includes micro projection
The perspective view of instrument.Power management is just only when the infrared signal in infrared sensor detection viewing field is consistent with face thermal characteristics
Close projection light source.This function can prevent because one similar to face object enter visual field caused by false alarm.Infrared sensor
It can be integrated in video camera.
Another supplementary features according to the present invention, install video camera in the electronic device and micro-projector is non-in position
Very close to so as to the miniaturization beneficial to realizing electronic equipment.
According to another characteristic of the invention, when micro-projector is in running order, video camera is also arranged on work
State.
Another objective of the present invention is the method that protection human eye is provided in video projector's operating process.
A feature according to the present invention, one when operating micro-projector the method for protect eyes include:Definition one is covered micro-
The visual field in the projector light beam projecting visual field;Handle image in visual field;Whether detection wherein has facial image;And it is detecting
Have in visual field and close a projecting apparatus power supply during facial image rapidly.
According to another characteristic of the invention, a camera is installed near micro-projector projection window to realize video camera
Visual field covers the perspective view of micro-projector.The center line orientation of camera field of view is big with the center line of micro-projector perspective view
It causes consistent.
According to another characteristic of the invention, this method is additionally included in when operating micro- projector and automatically opens video camera.
According to another characteristic of the invention, this method is additionally included in when face is not detected in camera review and opens
Micro- projection electromechanical source, so as to start or restore video projection.
According to another characteristic of the invention, this method further includes infrared signal in field of detection;And it detects in the picture
A power supply of micro- projector is closed when the infrared signal being consistent with face thermal characteristics is detected to face and in visual field.
Another feature according to the present invention, this method further include the visual field of definition big compared with perspective view 30% or so.
According to another characteristic of the invention, this method, which is additionally included in visual field when detecting a face, closes micro- projector and swashs
The power supply but the micro- projector's scan module power supply of holding of optical transmitter module are unaffected.
The detailed description of specific embodiment
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a safety device is included into a video frequency projector, for example, one includes one
The portable electronic device of micro- projector, such as a mobile phone.The safety device ensures the health using projector user, particularly
Eye health.
Figure 1A and Figure 1B illustrates the electronic equipment 10 for including a micro- projector 12 according to the present invention.For example, it is electric
Sub- equipment 10 can be a mobile phone, a personal digital aid (PDA) (PDA), tablet computer (tablet computer) etc..Micro- projection
Machine 12 may be a micro- projector based on laser.When micro- projector 12 at runtime, should preferentially ensure that the eyes of user obtain
To sufficient protection, from any potential injury.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a camera 11 is mounted on
Electronic equipment 10 and close micro- projector 12.As shown in Figure 1A and 1B, there are one the throwings for covering micro- projector 12 for the tool of video camera 11
The visual field of video display open country.In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, a virtual neutral E and the minitype projection machine 12 of 11 visual field of video camera are thrown
Video display open country virtual neutral F is substantially aligned or parallel.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the visual field of video camera 11 is not only covered
The projection visual field of Gai Wei projectors 12, and more micro- projector 12 project the visual field it is larger, e.g., big percent 20 (20%) or
30% or so, so as to further improve level of security.For example, a solid angle of 11 visual field of video camera is thrown than micro- projector 12
One solid angle of video display open country is big by 30% or so.Under the conditions of this is met, video camera 11 can both have been installed close to micro- projector 12 or away from
Installed with a certain distance from minitype projection machine 12, with consider the whole user of electronic equipment 10 it is convenient and or be designed beautifully etc. because
Element.
Safety device includes a pattern identification circuit coupled with video camera 11 (not shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B).According to this
Invention, pattern identification circuit can be mounted in an independent circuits or integrated and electronic equipment 10 one in electronic equipment 10
In signal processor, for example, a microprocessor (μ P), a microcontroller (MCU), a central processing unit (CPU) or other similar
Device.The pattern identification circuit configuration whether there is facial image into detection in the visual field of video camera 11.The release mechanism is also
The control circuit or electric power management circuit (not shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B) coupled including one with the pattern identification circuit.According to
The present invention, control circuit can be directly connected to pattern identification circuit or be coupled by a signal processor in device 10.According to
The present invention, the control circuit can be an independent circuits or be integrated in a power circuit of micro- projector 12.The control circuit
It is set to when pattern identification circuit detects facial image in the visual field of video camera 11, closes an electricity of micro- projector 12
Source is supplied, so as to which the eyes for preventing people are irradiated by the light beam of micro- projector 12.According to a kind of preferred embodiment, pattern identification circuit
Ability trigger control circuit closes the power supply confession of micro- projector 12 when detecting front face image in the visual field of video camera 11
It should.In this embodiment, a power supply of minitype projection machine 12 is not due to pattern identification circuit detects side or back side face
It interrupts, because eyes are not exposed to projecting beam when people is lateral or backwards to micro- projector 12.
According in a preferred embodiment, minitype projection machine 12 includes a video signal preprocessor, and one and video frequency signal processing
The optical transmitter module and a scan module coupled with video signal preprocessor (not shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B) of device coupling.Depending on
Audio signalprocessing device is to follow the display pixel interface of mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) agreement by an interface, such as one
(DPI), it is coupled with the signal processor in electronic equipment 10.Video signal preprocessor by the interface video data, and
Generate that a light emission signal is sent to optical transmitter module and scan signal is sent to scan module.Optical transmitter module sends out and regards
Frequency a correspondence pixel color and the corresponding light beam of intensity in.The light beam projects a microelectromechanical-systems in scan module
(MEMS) on the speculum of driving.Light beam is reflected to different directions with shape successively by raster format on the speculum of MEMS drivings
Into image.
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, when pattern identification circuit detects in the visual field of video camera 11
During facial image, control circuit only closes the optical transmitter module power supply in micro- projector 12.In other words, video signal preprocessor
Power supply supply with scan module keeps uninterrupted.This is beneficial and preferably as video frequency signal processing and MEMS scannings
Continue operation not interrupt.Once face leaves the visual field of video camera 11, optical transmitter module power supply can be opened immediately to restore rapidly
Video is shown.In addition, the hitless operation of scan module is beneficial to improve reliability and the service life of scan module.
According to a specific embodiment, safety device further include on electronic equipment 10 or in video camera 11 it is one infrared
Line sensor 111.Infrared sensor 111 preferably has the visual field roughly the same with video camera 11, and is set to detection and regards
The thermal characteristics or temperature curve of a face in.Control circuit detects facial image and infrared when pattern identification circuit in visual field
When sensor detects the thermal characteristics coincideing with face thermal characteristics or temperature curve, control circuit closes an electricity of micro- projector 12
Source is supplied.Simultaneously meet the two conditions just close micro- projector 12 a power supply supply can prevent because of one and the alike object of face
Body, such as a face chart board a, model etc. cause erroneous judgement to be supplied without necessarily closing a power supply of micro- projector 12.
It should be noted that the video camera 11 in electronic equipment 10 may be also other in addition to as a part of of safety device
Function.For example, video camera 11 can be used for shooting frozen frame photo or video pictures, and frozen frame photo or video pictures are stored
In electronic equipment 10 another equipment is transmitted to by wired or wireless in a memory or by photo or video.Therefore,
Video camera 11 can be run independently of micro- projector 12.However, when micro- projector 12 is in operating status, safety device is also met the tendency of
Row, therefore video camera 11 should be at working condition, is adequately protected with the eyes for ensuring people around from any potential injury.
Therefore, safety device preferably further includes a switching circuit (not shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B).When micro- projector 12 does not run,
Video camera 11 can be arbitrarily turned on and off.When running micro- projector 12, video camera 11 will be opened.
Fig. 2 illustrates the protection method for eye protection of people or process 20 according to the present invention.For example, guard method
Or process 20 can be realized in above with reference to the described electronic devices 10 of Figure 1A and Figure 1B.One according to the present invention preferably
Embodiment, whenever user's one projecting function of unlatching, for example, when opening above with reference to the described electronic devices 10 of Figure 1A and Figure 1B
In micro- projector 12, method or process 20 are activated and into operating statuses.
Protection process 20 starts from a step 22:Define the visual field in the projection visual field of one projecting apparatus of covering.Above with reference to
In the described electronic devices 10 of Figure 1A and Figure 1B, the visual field of video camera 11 includes, and is regarded containing covering or covering micro- projection of projector 12
It is wild.According to a preferred embodiment, visual field not only covers the projection visual field, percent 30 (30%) left and right also bigger than the projection visual field.
Protection process 20 proceeds to a step 24:Handle the image in visual field.Above with reference to described by Figure 1A and Figure 1B
Electronic device 10 in, signal processor processes video camera 11 absorb image.After image procossing, in next step 25
In, protection process 20 is judged in visual field, i.e., whether has facial image in the image that video camera 11 absorbs.
If not detecting a facial image in step 25 in visual field, this meaning transmitting light beam in the projection visual field is
Safety.Process 20 enters next step 27:Judge projection electromechanical source or more preferably projector's laser emitting module power supply,
Whether it is closed.If projection electromechanical source is closed, process 20 proceeds to a step 26:It is electromechanical to open projection
Source then returnes to step 24 and continues with image in visual field.If projection electromechanical source is in opening, process 20 is directly returned
It returns to step 24 and continues with image in visual field.
If step 25 detects a facial image in visual field, this meaning transmitting light beam in the projection visual field may shine
It is mapped to the eyes of people and damages, process 20 enters a step 29:Judge projection electromechanical source or more preferably projector's laser
Whether transmitting module power supply is in opening.If projecting electromechanical source activity in opening, process 20 continues in next step
28:It closes projection electromechanical source or more preferably closes optical transmitter module power supply.Process 20 is then return to step 24 and continues with
Image in visual field.If projection electromechanical source has been closed, process 20 returns directly to step 24 and continues in visual field
Image.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, which, which is additionally included in visual field, senses infrared signal, and determines to be somebody's turn to do
Whether infrared signal meets the thermal characteristics or Temperature Distribution of human body face.In embodiment another in this way, only when in visual field
In detect a facial image and when detecting the infrared signal of the thermal characteristics for meeting human body face or Temperature Distribution, process 20 is
It performs step 28 and closes projection electromechanical source.
So far, it should be appreciated that the present invention has been provided for protecting people in micro- projector's safety device and a video projection process
The method of eye.According to the present invention, safety device includes the video camera of a visual field with the projection of the projector containing the lid visual field, a signal
Whether there is facial image in the range of processing unit field of detection.If facial image is not detected in field range, open or after
Continuous projecting function.If detecting facial image in field range, close or continue to close projecting function, to prevent projected light beam
The eyes of people are irradiated unintentionally, so as to which the eyes of people be protected not injured potentially.False alarm in order to prevent, safety device may be used also
Including an infrared sensor.Only when detecting the face figure that is consistent with human face's thermal characteristics or Temperature Distribution in field range
During picture, projecting function is just closed.On the portable electronic device that the safety device of the present invention can have projecting function any one
It realizes.The safety device of the present invention is simple and reliable, and does not interfere the operation of other functions of electronic equipment.
Various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated with reference to attached drawing, the people with common skill can basis in the related art
Above description makes various modifications to the present invention.For example, micro- projector is described as a micro- projector based on laser.So
And safety arrangement in accordance with the present invention is also applied for other kinds of projector, for example, the throwing based on light emitting diode (LED)
Shadow machine, traditional projecting apparatus etc..Therefore, the detailed description in specification is not necessarily to be construed as to limit the range of invention.This hair
Bright range is only limited by appended claims.