JP2000122173A - Projector having time code function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector with a time code function, such as SMPTE, which enables the synchronization with other apparatus and the call of the arbitrary videos on a film. SOLUTION: This projector has a motor 6 for rolling movement of the film driven under servo systems 3 and 5 controlled by the pulses outputted from a computer. The projector calculates the projection lapse time from the origin of the film from the output history of the pulses, holds the same as internal time and converts the same with the time codes of a prescribed format with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a projector capable of synchronizing projection with an external device, and more particularly, to a projection elapsed time having a relationship corresponding to the number of projection frames from the origin of a projection film. The present invention relates to a projector having a time code function of storing and recording an absolute time such as seconds, seconds, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the past, movies were generally projected continuously from the beginning to the end of the film. Therefore,
It is sufficient for the projector of the prior art to have a function of projecting a projection film (hereinafter simply abbreviated to "film" in the specification of the present application) in one direction at a constant speed.

[0003] By the way, in the present age, scenes projected by projectors are not limited to theatrical films in movie theaters and the like, but also spread to projection facilities in educational facilities and event facilities. In addition, in order to enhance the production effect in the planetarium theater, the use of a projector together with the original stellar projector or planetary projector has been widely performed.

In this case, unlike a movie theater for a dramatic movie, in which a projector is the only directing device, the projector is mounted in a "multimedia" environment in which various other devices exist. It will be used at the same time. Other devices are not limited to optical devices such as stellar projectors, planetary projectors and slide projectors, but also video devices (video decks and laser discs), audio devices (CD players and audio tapes), and lighting devices (spotlights). And special effects lighting). Also, it is required that the projection contents should not be projected continuously from the origin to the end point of the film like a theatrical movie, but to project a certain part of the film repeatedly or to skip to a specific part and project it there is a possibility.

[0005]

However, since the prior art projector is originally assumed to be used alone, synchronization with other devices can only be achieved by matching the start times. It was not possible to project following the progress of the equipment. Therefore,
Other devices will operate according to the progress of the projector, but since the projector does not have a function to display the current position of the film, the playback speed of the other device must be manually adjusted according to the projected image. I could only make adjustments on the device, and I could only use audio equipment. On the other hand, in the projector of the prior art, it is needless to say that it is impossible to repeatedly project a certain portion of the film or to skip to a specific portion and project it except when manually operated.

In a video device such as a video tape, the elapsed playback time from the origin is recorded on the tape itself as a time code representing an absolute time such as hours, minutes and seconds.
Attempts to inform the current playback location have been made for a long time.
TE time code is widespread.

Therefore, in the case of a projector as well, if such a time code is recorded on the film itself, read out and output to the outside, the master (master) projector is controlled based on the time code. Other devices to be synchronized can be synchronized as slaves (child devices). However, in this case, the time code must be printed on the film in advance by optical means. For example, if the film is spliced for editing or damage, the time code will be out of order, and the time code will be easily read by magnetic means. It was not as easy to use as a video tape that could be recorded repeatedly.

When synchronizing a projector with another device as a master and a slave as a master, the time code is constantly read from the film to be transported and monitored, and the time code inputted from the other device is monitored. However, there is a problem that a complicated control system for controlling the motor is required as compared with the case of the first embodiment.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a simple control of a projector having a time code function while enabling highly accurate synchronous operation. It is intended to be realized by a system. That is, a projector having a time code function according to the present invention is characterized by having the following units. Projection means that can perform forward / reverse rotation, stop, fast-forward / fast-reverse at any speed of the projection film by controlling the rotation of the film transport motor. A film transport motor driven by a servo system controlled by pulses output from a computer. A means for calculating the projection elapsed time corresponding to the number of projection frames from the origin of the projection film from the output history of the pulse and holding the calculated time as an internal time. Means for outputting a pulse so as to rotate the projection film forward, reverse, fast forward or rewind to the projection frame position corresponding to the designated internal time. Means for mutually converting internal time and time code in a predetermined format.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A projector as a premise of the present invention is as follows.
By controlling the rotation of the film transport motor, it is necessary to be able to rotate the projection film forward / reverse, fast-forward / fast-reverse and stop at any speed, but it is sufficient to transport the film in one direction at a constant speed. Was unsuitable for this application. That is, in the projection mechanism of this type of projector, the film is intermittently moved at the film gate by engaging the film with an intermittent sprocket that rotates intermittently by the Geneva mechanism. It was not possible to return quickly, and some means of releasing the interlock between the intermittent sprocket and the film was required.

In this specification, a projection mechanism that can be used for such an application is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,341,18.
The second invention (Scmidt) will be exemplified. In the known invention, an intermittent sprocket meshing with the film is not employed as a mechanism for intermittently moving the film at the film gate. In other words, here, a film loop of a length commensurate with the intermittent motion is created in front of the film gate, and this film loop is transported to the film gate at once like waves using the wind pressure from the blower. She is intermittently mobilized. In the known invention, the film is sucked and adhered to the film gate by a negative pressure (suction) at the time of projection, and the film is separated by a positive pressure (wind pressure) so as not to contact the film gate at the time of fast-forwarding and rewinding the film.

Next, in the present invention, the film transport motor is driven under a servo system controlled by pulses output from a computer. This is not something new in the field of projectors. However, in the present invention, the projection elapsed time, which has a relationship corresponding to the number of projection frames from the origin of the projection film, is calculated from the output history of the pulse and is retained as an internal time, which is mutually associated with the time code of a predetermined format. Convert. In other words, in the present invention, instead of recording the time code directly on the actual film, the computer records the time code on a virtual film inside the computer, which is the point that characterizes the present invention.

On the other hand, the present invention has means for outputting a pulse so that the projection film is rotated forward, backward, fast-forwarded or fast-returned and stopped up to the projection frame position corresponding to the designated internal time. This is a function corresponding to the above-mentioned time code, which makes it possible to make the "internal time" of the projector coincide with the "command time" indicated by the time code. In other words, it is possible to project in synchronization with other devices via time code, or to select and project a specified image from a plurality of images serially connected to one film. This is another feature of the present invention. The details will be described in detail in Examples.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a projector according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the projector of this embodiment. Here, the time code is SMPTE
Although the time code is adopted, it goes without saying that other means may be used.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a controller for controlling a projection mechanism 7 of the projector, and a motor 6 for transporting a film is driven by a servo driver 5 of the controller. Hereinafter, each part will be described.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes C for controlling the rotation of the motor 6.
PU. The CPU 2 controls the rotation of the motor by issuing commands to a pulse generator 3 that outputs a pulse to the servo driver 5 and a rotation direction switch 4 that outputs the rotation direction (forward rotation / reverse rotation) of the motor 6.

On the other hand, the CPU 2 records the length of the film, stores the start time of the projection, and manages the current number of frames and the time of the projected film. In this case, the projection elapsed time, which has a relationship corresponding to the number of projection frames from the origin of the film, is calculated from the output history of the pulse and managed as an internal time. The origin of the film is the origin of the film provided in the projection mechanism 7. The detection is performed by the detection device 9. In this embodiment, as the means for detecting the origin of the film, means for detecting the metal seal attached to the origin of the film with a metal sensor is employed, but it is a matter of course that other means may be used.

Next, a procedure for managing the internal time in the above case will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram in this case. The number of pulses required to advance one frame of the film to the servo driver is input (calculated from the gear ratio from the motor to the sprocket for film transport, the resolution of the encoder described later, etc.). Here, it is set to 1000 pulses / frame. Determine the number of film frames to be sent per second. For example, 1
Second = 24 frames. Determine the length of the film to be projected. For example, 264
There are 0 pieces. The projection speed slow-up time (each time from when the projection speed is stopped to the constant speed and when the projection speed is changed from the constant speed to the stop state) is determined. For example, 10 seconds, the number of frames is 1 each
20 frames. ). After the above setting, the origin position of the film is detected and stopped, and the pulse count inside the CPU is set to zero at that position. According to FIG. 2, Example 1) 360th frame is 360 × 1000 = 360000
This is the pulse. Example 2) The 360th frame is 360-120 = 240 frames 24 frames / sec, 240 frames are 10 seconds, and the rising 120 frames are 10 seconds, so it is 20 seconds after the start.

The rotation of the motor 6 in the CPU 2 is controlled by the instruction from the operator or the S received from the external device.
This is performed according to the MPTE time code. Reference numeral 11 in the figure
Is an SMPTE transmitter or an external device that outputs an SMPTE time code, such as an audio device or a video device.
Reference numeral 10 in the figure denotes an SMPTE time code conversion device for converting an SMPTE time code received from an external device into a signal that can be received by the CPU 2 in this case, whereby the SMPTE time code is converted into an internal time managed by the CPU. You. The SMPTE time code conversion device 10 uses the SMPTE time code for the internal time managed by the CPU.
It is also used when outputting to the outside (for example, an external device denoted by reference numeral 12 in the figure) as a time code. In this case, SMP
Of course, instead of the TE time code conversion device 10, the CPU 2 itself may have the same function.

On the other hand, reference numeral 16 in the figure indicates that the operator can copy, for example, the length of the film, the start time of projection, and other information to the CP.
This is an operation unit for inputting to U. In this embodiment, a touch switch is used. Reference numeral 17 in the figure indicates a screen required for input operation of the operation unit, an operation mode of the projector (for example, "projection", "fast forward", "rewind", "stop", etc.), and a film. The current position of
This is a display unit for displaying in absolute time. In this embodiment, an LCD is used.

The transfer of the SMPTE time code to an external device and the input of operation information are not limited to the above cases.
For example, it may be performed through a communication line. Specifically, serial communication is performed with an external computer using a signal conforming to RS-232C. For example, the following control is assumed. (1) Start / stop by serial communication from an external computer. (2) Using serial communication from an external computer, specify the start position of the film in absolute time such as hours, minutes, and seconds. (3) If a new start position is specified in the middle of the projection, the projection is interrupted and the film is “fast-forwarded”, “rewinded”, “stopped” at the newly specified start position, and enters standby.
Projection starts when a start command is received. (4) Even in the standby mode, if a new start position is specified, the film will be "fast-forwarded" to this start position.
"Rewind", "stop", and standby, and start projection when receiving a start command.

In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a storage medium for storing data of the CPU 2 and for storing an OS, an application, an effect program, and projection data, which is a hard disk here. Reference numeral 19 in the figure is a removable storage medium for storing and reading effect programs and projection data, and for exchanging data with other devices, and is a floppy disk here.

The projection mechanism 7 in the figure is as described in the embodiment of the present invention. In the projection mechanism of the present invention, unlike a normal projector, the projection is interrupted to perform projection by another device during the screening, or a specified image is selected from a plurality of images serially connected to one film. It is essential to fast-forward and rewind to select and project. Therefore, in this embodiment, the projection optical path is blocked by a shutter while the film is stopped, fast-forwarded, or fast-returned (not shown) so that unnecessary images are not projected in such a case.

In the present invention, since the projection elapsed time, which has a relationship corresponding to the number of projection frames from the origin of the projection film, is calculated from the output history of the pulse and held as an internal time, the position information of the film is transmitted from the motor. No need to get. However, there is a possibility that a driving error occurs in the actual motor 6 driven by the servo driver 5, and in this embodiment, in order to realize the PLL, the position information of the motor 6 is fed back to the servo driver by the encoder 8. I have.

Next, the specific operation of the projector of the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to another device (tape recorder 21).
Will be described in detail below by taking as an example the case where the projector of the present invention is used as a master and the projector of the present invention as a slave is synchronized. still,
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the system in this case.
Numeral 0 is a video deck which becomes a slave together with the projector of the present invention, and numeral 22 is a laser disk player.

(1) Hard disk 18 of controller 1
Then, the "start time" and the "length / number of frames" of the film to be projected are stored. (2) The start position of the film is detected by the film origin detecting device 9, and the film is stopped at this position. (3) By the above operation, the frame of the film coincides with the time (for example, 24 frames are determined in one second in advance). -Cueing is completed. (4) The time corresponding to the number of frames advanced from the start of the film is always monitored by the CPU 2 of the controller 1 as "internal time". (5) The SMPTE time code output from the SMPTE transmitter or the external audio / video equipment 11 is received as the “command time”. (6) The CPU 2 of the controller 1 uses the above “internal time”
The film is advanced while comparing the “command time” with the “command time”. (7) Normally, when the “command time” and the “internal time” match, a constant frequency and a normal rotation command are given to the servo driver 5. (8) If the "internal time" is later than the "instruction time" for any reason, a command to increase the film transport speed is issued and the "instruction time" and the "internal time" are made to match. (The frequency of the pulse generated by the pulse generator 3 is increased.) (9) If the "internal time" is ahead of the "command time" for any reason, a command is issued to reduce the film transport speed, and the "instruction time" and the "internal time" match. (The frequency of the pulse generated by the pulse generator 3 is reduced.) (10) If the "internal time" is much later than the "command time" for any reason, stop the projection to advance the film and command to catch up by "fast forward" Is displayed, the "command time" and the "internal time" are matched (the frequency of the pulse generated by the pulse generator 3 is increased to the "fast forward" speed). (11) If the "internal time" is far ahead of the "command time" for any reason, stop the projection to return the film, and command to catch up by "rewinding" Is displayed, and the "command time" and the "internal time" are made to match (the frequency of the pulse generated by the pulse generator 3 is increased to the "fast forward" speed, and the rotation direction switch 4
Issue a reverse order from )

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system in which the projector of the present invention is used as a master and an external device as a slave is synchronized with the master. Reference numeral 20 in FIG. Is a tape recorder, and 22 is a laser disc player.
In this case, the internal time managed by the CPU is SMPTE
The time code is converted into an SMPTE time code by the time code conversion device and output to an external device. These external devices are denoted by reference numeral 12 in FIG.

[0028]

The projector according to the present invention having the above-described structure has the following specific effects. Since it is possible to have a time code function such as SMPTE time code, synchronization with other devices, which has been impossible until now, has become possible, and a way to utilize a projector in a multimedia environment has been opened.

Since the time code is not directly printed on the film but is managed inside the computer of the projector, the time code can be easily changed even when the film is spliced for editing or damage.

By having a time code function, it is possible to skip to an arbitrary frame of the film by fast-forwarding or rewinding the film, and to select a specified image from a plurality of images serially connected to one film. Projection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between the number of frames of a film and a projection time.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a system in a case where the projector of the present invention is used as a slave and synchronized with another master device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a system in a case where the projector of the present invention is used as a master and another device serving as a slave is synchronized.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Controller 2 CPU 3 Pulse generator 4 Rotation direction switcher 5 Servo driver 6 Motor 7 Projection mechanism 10 SMPTE time code converter 11 SMPTE transmitter or its substitute 12 External equipment

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A projector having a time code function, comprising: By controlling the rotation of the film transport motor, the forward rotation of the projection film
Projection means that can perform reverse rotation, stop, fast forward and fast reverse. A film transport motor driven by a servo system controlled by pulses output from a computer. A means for calculating the projection elapsed time corresponding to the number of projection frames from the origin of the projection film from the output history of the pulse and holding the calculated time as an internal time. Means for outputting a pulse so as to rotate the projection film forward, reverse, fast forward or rewind to the projection frame position corresponding to the designated internal time. Means for mutually converting internal time and time code in a predetermined format. 2. A projector having a time code function according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting an ever-changing internal time into a time code of a predetermined format and outputting the converted time code. 3. A projector having a time code function according to claim 1, further comprising means for converting a time code of a predetermined format input from the outside into an internal time and operating according to the time code. 4. The projector with a time code function according to claim 3, wherein the projector receives the time code of an operating external device in real time and operates in synchronization with the external device. 5. A projector having a time code function according to claim 3, wherein the projector is operated by a control command and a time code received through a communication line. 6. A projector having a time code function according to claim 1, wherein an SMPTE time code is adopted as the time code. 7. A projector equipped with a time code function according to claim 1, wherein the projection optical path is blocked by a shutter while the film is stopped, fast-forwarded, or fast-returned.