IE85210B1 - Methods and systems for diagnosing projection device failure - Google Patents
Methods and systems for diagnosing projection device failureInfo
- Publication number
- IE85210B1 IE85210B1 IE2007/0264A IE20070264A IE85210B1 IE 85210 B1 IE85210 B1 IE 85210B1 IE 2007/0264 A IE2007/0264 A IE 2007/0264A IE 20070264 A IE20070264 A IE 20070264A IE 85210 B1 IE85210 B1 IE 85210B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- lamp
- ignitor
- failure
- projection device
- failure indicator
- Prior art date
Links
- 206010056871 Device failure Diseases 0.000 title abstract description 6
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000003213 activating Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 2
- QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N mercury Chemical compound [Hg] QSHDDOUJBYECFT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
Abstract
ABSTRACT This invention relates generally to projection devices, and more particularly to methods and systems for diagnosing projection device failure.
Description
Methods and Systems for Diagnosing Projection Device
Failure
Dell Products LP
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DIAGNOSING PROJECTION DEVICE
FAILURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
. Field oi the invention
This invention relates generally to projection devices, and more particularly to
methods and systems for diagnosing projection device failure.
. Description of the Related Art
Projection devices include projectors that use projection lamps to display images
on a wall or other suitable viewing surface. Such projectors may be configured to display‘
images provided by analog and digital connections that are compatible with PC,
television and video standards. Projectors may be provided with a lamp sensor that
monitors lamp current and triggers a lamp failure light if the projector lamp fails to ignite
when powered on (e.g., after four ignition attempts). When other power indicators of the
projector are illuminated and the projector fan is running, the illuminated lamp failure
light indicates to the user that the projector lamp has failed and needs to be replaced. A
replacement lamp may then be ordered by the user or may be shipped to the user by the
manufacturer, e. g., when still covered under warranty. Projectors may also be provided
with an end of life indicator that notifies a user when the lamp has reached its end of life.
A projector lamp failure light does not distinguish between a failed projector lamp
and a failed ignitor circuit. Thus, a failure in the ignitor circuit will be viewed by a user
as a lamp failure, and may result in a failed attempt to restore projector operation by
purchasing and installing a new replacement lamp. For projector products still covered
under warranty, a new projector lamp may be shipped to the user in a wasted attempt to
restore operation of a projector with a failed i gnitor circuit.
.521‘ 0
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a projection device
comprises:
a projection lamp;
a lamp failure indicator system; and
an ignitor failure indicator system,
wherein the lamp failure indicator system and the ignitor failure indicator
system comprise a multi-state indicator.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a system for
detecting a failure in a projection device comprises:
a lamp failure indicator system for a lamp of the projection device. and
an ignitor failure indicator system for an ignitor of the lamp of the projection
device, wherein the lamp failure indicator system and the ignitor failure
indicator system comprise a multi-state indicator.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, a method for
indicating a failure of a projection device comprises:
determining, whether a lamp of the projection device has successfully
ignited;
determining, whether there is a failure of an ignitor circuit, if the lamp of
the projection device did not successfully ignite; and,
indicating a failure of the lamp or ignitor circuit by a respective lamp
failure indicator system and ignitor failure indicator system, the lamp failure
indicator system and the ignitor failure indicator system comprising a multi-
stage indicator.
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for diagnosing projection
device failure and for preventing incorrect projection lamp failure notification
by sensing improper operation of projection lamp ignitor circuitry and
providing an indication of the same. Such incorrect lamp failure notification
may occur when a lamp failure light is activated due to a failure in the ignitor
circuitry (ballast circuit), rather than due to a defective or burned out projection
lamp. in one embodiment, the disclosed methods and systems may be
implemented using a separate indicator circuit that monitors the input to the
projector lamp by sensing the ignition voltage to the projector lamp. if the
ignition voltage is below a specified value, an ignitor failure indicator is
activated by the indicator circuit. e.g., a light emitting diode ("LED") indicator
light that turns on and stays on.
In a case where only the projector lamp fails (i.e., the ignitor circuitry is
functioning properly), the lamp failure indicator is activated. while the ignitor
failure indicator remains off. Activation of only the lamp failure indicator allows
for easy identification that the projector lamp has encountered a failure and
needs to be replaced, However, in a case where the ignitor circuitry supplies
insufficient voltage (or no voltage) for projector lamp ignition, both the ignitor
failure indicator and lamp failure indicators are activated. Activation of both
lamp failure and ignitor failure indicators is an indication that a projector failure
is due to an electronics failure in the ignitor circuitry, and that the projector
needs to be repaired. lNth the advantage of this indication of ignitor circuitry
failure, wasted time and efforts associated with unsuccessful attempts to
replace the projector lamp may be avoided.
The step of sensing operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry may include
measuring lamp ignitor voltage provided by the lamp ignitor circuitry to a
projector lamp of the projection device; and the method may include activating
an ignitor failure indicator based on a magnitude of the measured lamp ignitor
voltage. The method may further include comparing a magnitude of the
measured lamp ignitor voltage to a specified voltage magnitude; and
activating the ignitor failure indicator if the measured voltage magnitude is
less than the specified voltage magnitude. The method may further include
the steps of: attempting to ignite the projector lamp; sensing whether the
projector lamp is ignited; and activating a lamp failure indicator if the projector
lamp fails to ignite. in one embodiment of this method, the ignitor failure
indicator may only be activated if the lamp failure indicator is activated. In
another embodiment, the step of sensing operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry
may be performed after the step of activating the lamp failure indicator. The
method may be implemented with a projection device that is configured to
display information based on signals received from an information handling
system.
In one embodiment of a system for sensing lamp ignitor circuitry failure in a
projection device, the ignitor detection circuitry may be configured to sense
operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry by measuring lamp ignitor voltage
provided by the lamp ignitor circuitry to a projector lamp of the projection
device; and to activate the ignitor failure indicator based on a magnitude of
the measured lamp ignitor voltage. In this regard, the ignitor detection circuitry
may be configured to compare a magnitude of the measured lamp ignitor
voltage to a specified voltage magnitude; and to activate the ignitor failure
indicator if the measured voltage magnitude is less than the specified voltage
magnitude. In one embodiment. the system may include: lamp ignition
detection circuitry configured to sense whether the projector lamp is ignited;
and a lamp failure indicator coupled to the lamp ignition detection circuitry. In
one embodiment, the ignitor detection circuitry may be configured to only
activate the ignitor failure indicator if the lamp failure indicator is activated. In
another embodiment, the ignitor detection circuitry may be configured to
sense operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry after the lamp failure indicator is
activated. The system may be implemented with a projection device
configured to display information based on signals received from an
information handling system.
In one embodiment of a projection device, the ignitor detection circuitry
may be configured to sense operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry by
measuring lamp ignitor voltage provided by the lamp ignitor circuitry to the
projector lamp of the projection device; and to activate the ignitor failure
indicator based on a magnitude of the measured lamp ignitor voltage. In this
regard, the ignitor detection circuitry may be configured to compare a
magnitude of the measured lamp ignitor voltage to a specified voltage
magnitude; and to activate the ignitor failure indicator if the measured voltage
magnitude is less than the specified voltage magnitude. In one embodiment.
the projection device may further include: lamp ignition detection circuitry
configured to sense whether the projector lamp is ignited; and a lamp failure
indicator coupled to the lamp ignition detection circuitry. In one embodiment,
the ignitor detection circuitry may be configured to only activate the ignitor
failure indicator if the lamp failure indicator is activated. in another
embodiment, the ignitor detection circuitry may be configured to sense
operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry after the lamp failure indicator is
activated. The projection device may be configured to display information
based on signals received from an information handling system.
FIG. I is a flow diagram illustrating methodology according to one
embodiment of the disclosed methods and systems.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating methodology according to another
embodiment of the disclosed methods and systems.
FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a projection device according to
one embodiment of the disclosed methods and system
DESCRIPTIQN OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Figure I is a flow diagram illustrating methodology that may be
implemented to diagnose projector failure in one exemplary embodiment of
the disclosed methods and systems. The projector is turned on in step 110,
and the ignition circuitry attempts to light the projector lamp (e.g., mercury
vapor lamp) in step 112. Lamp ignition detection circuitry determines whether
the projector lamp was successfully ignited in step 114, e.g., by sensing lamp
current. If the projector lamp ignites , then the projector is powered on
successfully as indicated in step 116. However, if it is detennined in step 114
that the projector lamp was not successfully ignited. then one or more
additional attempts (e.g., for a total of four attempts) may be optionally made
to ignite the projector lamp as indicated by optional return flow path 119 from
step 118 to step 112. If the projector lamp ignites during any one of these
additional attempts, then the projector is powered on as indicated in step 116.
After a specified number of one or more unsuccessful attempts to ignite the
projector lamp have been made, then a lamp failure indicator (e.g. a first state
of a tri-state LED light) may be activated in step 120.
Still referring to Figure 1, ignitor circuitry (ballast circuit) voltage may be
monitored in step 122, e.g.j by a voltage detector circuit in one exemplary
embodiment. If the ignitor voltage supplied by the ignitor circuitry is less than
a specified voltage (e.g., the voltage required to successfully ignite the
projector lamp), then an ignitor failure indicator (e.g., a second state of a tri-
state LED light) may be activated in step 124, and the projector power may be
optionally turned off (e.g., automatically or manually by the projector operator)
in step 126. At this point, both the lamp failure and ignitor failure indicators
will be activated, indicating a failure has occurred in the ignition circuitry and
that the projector needs to be repaired.
However, if the ignitor voltage is found to be equal to or greater than
the specified voltage in step 122, then the ignitor failure indicator is not
activated and the projector power optionally turned off (e.g., automatically by
automatic shut-down circuitry or manually by the projector operator) in step
126. At this point, only the lamp failure indicator is activated, indicating that
the projector lamp has failed or is defective and needs to be replaced.
Figure 2 illustrates an optional embodiment in which the ignitor circuitry
is optionally shutoff (e.g.. in addition to the perfonnance of steps 122 to 124 of
Figure 1 as indicated in outline by dashed line 150) to prevent further ignition
tries. in this embodiment, ignitor circuitry voltage may be monitored in step
122 in a manner as previously described. If the ignitor voltage supplied by the
ignitor circuitry is less than the specified voltage and the ignitor failure
indicator is activated in step 124, then the ignitor circuitry is shut off to prevent
further ignition tries as indicated by step 125 of Figure 2.
Figure 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment in which the methodology of
steps 122 to 126 follows the methodology of steps 110 to 120. In this regard,
it will be understood that in another embodiment the methodology of steps
122 to 126 may be implemented separately. simultaneously and/or
independently to the methodology of steps 110 to 120. According to the
present invention, lamp failure and ignitor failure indicators comprise a single
multi-state indicator such as multi-state LED capable of displaying a different-
respective color to reflect each of lamp failure or ignitor circuit failure.
Furthermore, although one embodiment for sensing operation of ignitor
circuitry is described herein in which a separate indicator circuit is employed
to monitor the input to a projector lamp by sensing the ignition voltage to the
projector lamp, it will be understood that any other methodology and/or
configuration of one or more circuits that is suitable for sensing proper
operation of ignitor circuitry may be employed.
Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram of projection device 300
configured according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed methods
and systems, e.g. to implement the methodology of Figure 1 andlor 2. As
shown in Figure 3, projection device 300 is coupled to receive image signals
315 from an image source 301. for example, an infonnation handling system
such as described further herein. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment,
projection device 300 includes lamp ignitor circuitry 303 that is coupled via
lamp power connection 309 to projector tamp 302 which may be, for example,
a mercury vapor lamp.
In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, ignitor detection circuitry 304
is 10 configured to sense operation of lamp ignitor circuitry 303, e.g., by
measuring lamp ignitor voltage provided by lamp ignitor circuitry 303 to
projector lamp 302 via lamp power connection 309. An ignitor failure indicator
307 (e.g., LED light or other suitable indicator) is shown coupled to display an
indication of lamp ignitor circuitry failure upon receipt of ignitor failure signal
313 provided by ignitor detection circuitry 304 upon detection of failure of
lamp ignitor circuitry 303. Optional ignitor shutdown circuitry 310 is also
shown present for receiving ignitor failure signal 308 and for in turn providing
an ignitor shutdown signal 312 to shut down lamp ignitor circuitry 303. In this
regard, it will be understood that an ignitor failure signal may be a separate
signal 308 as shown. or may alternatively be the same signal as signal 313.
Still referring to Figure 3, lamp ignition detection circuitry 305 may be
provided that is configured to sense whether projector lamp 302 is ignited
e.g., by measuring current provided by lamp ignitor circuitry 303 to projector
lamp 302 via lamp power connection 309. A lamp failure indicator 306 (e.g.,
LED light or other suitable indicator) is shown coupled to display an indication
of projector lamp failure upon receipt of lamp failure signal 311 from lamp
ignition detection circuitry 305.
In the practice of the disclosed methods and systems. features of
ignitor defection circuitry 304, lamp ignition detection circuitry 305 and/or
optional ignitor shutdown circuitry 310 may be implemented using any suitable
configuration of one or
more circuits. For example, in one embodiment, one or more features of circuitry 304,
305 and 3l0 may be implemented using a controller (e.g., microprocessor and associated
firmware) that is integral to projector 300 or using any other suitable configuration of
microprocessor, firmware and/or software that interfaces with projection device
circuitry/components. Discrete circuit devices may also be employed, e.g., ignitor
detection circuitry 304 may be implemented using a comparator circuit or other suitable
discrete circuit configuration.
The disclosed methods and systems may be implemented with any type of
projection device that utilizes one or more projector lamps, e.g., table top projectors,
projection televisions, etc. in one exemplary embodiment, the disclosed methods and
systems may be implemented with projection devices that are configured to display
images based on signals received from an information handling system. For purposes of
this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or
aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive,
retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or
utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or
other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal
computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size,
shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may
include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a
central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other
types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system
may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with
external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a
mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or
more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware
components.
While the invention may be adaptable to various modifications and alternative
forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example and described herein.
However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to
be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover. the different aspects
of the disclosed methods and systems may be utilized in various
combinations and/or independently. Thus the invention is not limited to only
those combinations shown herein, but rather may include other combinations.
Claims (15)
1. A projection device. comprising: a projection lamp; a lamp failure indicator system; and an ignitor failure indicator system, wherein the lamp failure indicator system and the ignitor failure indicator system comprise a multi-state indicator.
2. The projection device according to claim 1, wherein the lamp failure indicator system is adapted to be activated in case of a failure of the lamp and no failure of the ignitor.
3. The projection device according to claim 2, wherein the ignitor failure indicator system and the lamp failure indicator system are adapted to be both activated in case of a failure of the ignitor of the projection device.
4. The projection device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ignitor failure indicator system is configured to be activated based on a magnitude of a -measured lamp ignitor voltage.
5. The projection device according to claim 4. wherein the lamp failure indicator system is configured to be activated based on the lamp current.
6. A system for detecting a failure in a projection device comprising: a lamp failure indicator system for a lamp of the projection device, and an ignitor failure indicator system for an ignitor of the lamp of the projection device, wherein the lamp failure indicator system and the ignitor failure indicator system comprise a multi-state indicator.
7. The system of claim 6,’ wherein the ramp failure indicator system is adapted to be activated in case of a failure of the lamp and no failure of the ignitor.
8. The system of claim 6 or claim 7. wherein the ignitor failure indicator system and the lamp failure indicator system are adapted to be both activated in case of a failure of the ignitor of the projection device.
9. The system of any one of claims 6 to 8. wherein the ignitor failure indicator system is configured to be activated based on a magnitude of a measured lamp ignitor voltage.
10. The system of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the lamp failure indicator system is configured to be activated based on the lamp current.
11. A method for indicating a failure of a projection device comprising the steps of: detennining, whether a lamp of the projection device has successfully ignited; detennining,_ whether there is a failure of an ignitor circuit, if the lamp of the projection device did not successfully ignite; and, indicating a failure of the lamp or ignitor circuit by a respective lamp failure indicator system and ignitor failure indicator system, the lamp failure indicator system and the ignitor failure indicator system comprising a multi- stage indicator.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining, whether a lamp of the projection device is successfully ignited, comprises measuring a lamp current.
13. The method of claim ll or claim 12, wherein the step of determining, whether there is a failure of an ignitor circuit, comprises measuring an ignitor vohage.
14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein only a lamp failure indicator is activated, if it is detennined that there is a failure of the lamp and no failure of the ignitor circuit.
15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein a lamp failure indicator and an ignitor failure indicator are activated. if it is detennined that there is a failure of the ignitor circuit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
USUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA13/08/20046 | |||
US60131004P | 2004-08-13 | 2004-08-13 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE20070264A1 IE20070264A1 (en) | 2008-09-17 |
IE85210B1 true IE85210B1 (en) | 2009-04-29 |
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