JP2002328428A - Projector and image projection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector which can correct deformation of a projected image and has excellent mobility. SOLUTION: A projector 10 which can be inserted into an extension device emits a laser beam by using a semiconductor laser light source 109 on receiving image data from a portable data processor (PDA) 50, makes the laser beam reflect from a mirror 111, and irradiates a wall surface w with the reflected beam. The laser beam scans an area two-dimensionally by changing the angle of the mirror 111 with a mirror drive part 110 under control of a control section 101 in order to project an image. The radiated laser light is reflected from the wall surface w, the reflected light is detected by a light receiving part 115, the distance to the wall surface w is computed, and the angle of the mirror 111 is corrected according to the computed distance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a projector and an image projection system having the projector and a portable data processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the spread of personal computers (PCs) has been remarkable, but the display screen of the PC is mainly intended for display only to the user. Difficult to share. Therefore, for example, in a meeting or the like, an image of a material created by a PC is projected by a projector, and information is shared by a large number of people while viewing the image of the material. In such a case, the image data is transferred from the PC to the projector, and the projector projects an image based on the transferred data to the outside.

[0003]

However, when an image is projected by such a method, at least a cable or the like for connecting both the PC and the projector is required, and these cables must be installed before the image is projected. And a connection is required, which is troublesome. Also, PCs and projectors are not necessarily focused on portability, so they are generally heavy and require a certain area for installation, and therefore cannot be said to be excellent in mobility.

[0004] In recent years, as personal use, PD
Portable information terminals such as A (Personal Digital Assistant) and mobile phones are being widely used. It is needless to say that such a portable information terminal is light and small in size, and is therefore highly mobile. However, these portable information terminals have a smaller display screen than a PC due to their small size, and it is more difficult to share information among a plurality of persons. Therefore, when using a portable information terminal,
In order to share information among multiple people, it is necessary to project images with a projector, but even if the portable information terminal is portable, there is only a fixed type for the projector However, it cannot be said that a configuration having excellent mobility can be realized.

When an image is projected by a projector, a flat large screen or a wall of a thin color such as white is usually required as a projection destination of the image. When a sufficient projection area cannot be secured, the projector is mounted at the place. Can not be used. In the case of a special use mode in which the projection destination is a spherical surface instead of a flat surface, preprocessing for geometrically transforming the projected image according to the shape inside the spherical surface is required in advance. In addition, the projector is often installed beside the projection destination instead of in front of the projection destination so as not to obstruct the viewer of the projected image. When the image is projected in such a state, the image viewed from the front is transformed into a trapezoid or the like. For this reason, conventionally, it was necessary to adjust the projection image using a lens, prism, or the like in consideration of the shape and position of the projection surface. As described above, since there are restrictions on the installation location and the projection destination of the projector, this has also been a factor that impairs mobility.

Further, there is a reason that such a projector is of a fixed type conventionally. That is, if the projector is portable, it goes without saying that it is difficult to hold the projector at the same position and at the same angle. Deformation and blurring will occur. As described above, since it is substantially impossible to accurately transmit information by projecting an image while carrying the projector, only a fixed-type projector has existed. The present invention has been made based on such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a projector, an image projection system, and the like having excellent mobility.

[0007]

With this object in mind, the projector of the present invention can be detachably connected to a portable information terminal, and corrects an intended image correctly by performing correction processing upon projecting the image. It is characterized by being able to project so as to be reflected. More specifically, the light emitted from the light emitting means is deflected by the deflecting means and applied to the projection surface, and the light is scanned on the projection surface to project an image on the projection surface. In projecting this image, the distance from the projector to the projection surface is detected by the detecting means, and the control of the light deflection is performed in accordance with the distance. By irradiating light at different angles according to the distance for each irradiation destination in this way, distortion or the like of the projected image can be corrected, so that the image is projected while being held in a hand, for example, as a portable type. Even when the distance to the projection destination is not kept constant, it is possible to project an image that is correctly reflected in the eyes of the viewer.

When the light emitting means emits laser light and the deflecting means uses a semiconductor resonance mirror, the projection of an image can be performed easily. However, the light emitting means does not have to be laser light. Also, the changing means need not be a semiconductor resonance mirror, and for example, a lens or the like can be used. The amount of displacement (movement) due to the movement of the projector itself
Is provided, the deflection of light can be controlled based on the detected amount of displacement. For example, when the projector is held and used in a hand, the projected image is blurred or deformed due to occurrence of camera shake or the like.
By correcting the projected image in consideration of the amount of displacement of the projector itself, a more correct image can be projected.

According to another aspect, the projector of the present invention deflects the laser light emitted by the light emitting means by the deflecting means, changes the deflection angle, scans the laser light, and forms an image on the projection surface. In the projection, the correction angle is adjusted by adjusting the deflection angle of the laser beam. The correction process is performed by detecting the distance between the light emitting unit and the projection surface by the detecting unit, and controlling the deflection angle of the laser beam by the deflecting unit based on the distance detected by the detecting unit. This projector can be used both as a portable type and a fixed type, and can easily project a correct image to a projection destination by a correction process of adjusting a deflection angle according to a distance to a projection surface.

There are several methods for projecting an image by scanning a projection surface with a laser beam. For example, based on image data input from the outside, the output of the laser beam can be controlled by an output control means such as a modulation controller. In this case, the laser light whose output is controlled irradiates the projection surface via the deflecting means, and projects an image based on the image data. Alternatively, a transmission type image forming unit for forming an image based on image data may be provided between the light emitting unit and the projection surface, and the image may be projected to a projection destination by transmitting a laser beam to the transmission type image forming unit. it can.

The present invention can be regarded as an expansion device type projector that can be used by inserting it into an expansion slot of a computer device such as a PC or a portable information terminal. The projector has a casing having an outer shape that can be inserted into an expansion slot of the computer device, and an interface provided on the casing and receiving data from the computer device. This projector projects an image based on data received through an interface by reflecting and deflecting a laser beam emitted from a laser light source by a mirror in a projection control unit. Then, the reflected light from the projection surface of the laser light is detected by the detection unit, and the deflection of the laser light by the mirror is controlled by the control unit based on the detected reflected light, thereby correcting the projected image. In this projector,
If the mirror is provided via a support that can change the angle with respect to the casing, the image projection direction can be freely selected.

Further, when the present invention is grasped from another viewpoint,
A portable projector that detects a displacement of the projector and performs a correction process based on the detected displacement may be used. Specifically, when reflecting the laser light emitted from the light source with reflected light and irradiating the projection surface, the image is projected on the projection surface by irradiating the laser light to the projection surface while changing the angle of the reflecting mirror by the drive unit I do. At this time, the displacement is detected by the displacement detection unit, and the rotation angle of the reflecting mirror in the driving unit is corrected by the correction control unit based on the detected displacement. Can be corrected.

When the present invention is grasped from another viewpoint, it can be regarded as an image projection system including a portable data processing device having an expansion slot and a projector insertable into the expansion slot. Specifically, the portable data processing device processes the image data to be displayed by the processing means, and outputs the processed image data from the data output means to the projector. On the other hand, projectors deflect light emitted based on image data,
An image is projected on the projection surface. Then, the correction process is performed by controlling the deflection of the light according to the distance to the projection surface. In this system, the projector can be inserted into a portable expansion slot, and the projector can be used as needed. In this case, the power of the projector can be supplied from the portable data processing device. With this configuration, the projector itself can be made smaller and lighter.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a projector in an image projection system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining the projector shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view for describing a basic structure of a semiconductor resonance mirror provided in the projector shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining a use state of the image projection system in which the projector shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into an expansion slot of a PDA as a portable data processing device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a portable projector 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a projector 10) includes a control unit (control means, projection control unit) 101 for controlling the output of a laser beam, the angle of a mirror, and the like. Light source (light emitting means) 10
9. Mirror (reflection mirror) 11 for reflecting and deflecting laser light
1, a mirror driving unit 110 for rotating the mirror 111, a light receiving unit 115 for detecting light reflected from a projection surface (wall surface w), a displacement detecting unit 116 for detecting a displacement of the projector 10, P
An interface unit 120 that receives image data from the expansion slot bus 150 of the DA 50 is provided.

The control unit 101 includes a mirror control unit 103 for controlling the rotation of the mirror 111, a laser control unit (modulation controller) 104 for controlling the output of the laser beam, and a distance calculation unit for calculating the distance from the reflecting mirror to the projection surface. 105, a displacement amount calculating unit 106 for calculating a displacement amount of the projector 10 itself, and a correction data calculating unit 107 for calculating data to be corrected based on the calculated distance and displacement.

The projector 1 having the above configuration
For example, as shown in FIG.
, A semiconductor resonance mirror section 12, and a support section 13 rotatably connecting the casing 11 and the semiconductor resonance mirror section 12.
And The casing 11 includes the control unit 101, the light source 109 of the semiconductor laser, the light receiving unit 115 shown in FIG.
A displacement detection unit 116 is built in, and an interface unit 120 is exposed on the outer peripheral surface. The semiconductor resonance mirror section 12 has a mirror 111 and a mirror driving section 110 for the mirror 111.

The support portion 13 is provided with, for example, a hollow portion (not shown) therein so that the laser beam emitted from the casing 11 can be guided to the semiconductor resonance mirror portion 12. In addition, the support portion 13 is rotatable around the axis by 360 ° so that the semiconductor resonance mirror portion 12 can take various angles with respect to the casing 11, and also rotates as much as possible in the axial direction. It is configured to be possible. With such a configuration, the image can be projected in any direction. The angle of the support unit 13 can be changed manually, but the angle of the support unit 13 may be changed by a control signal sent from the control unit 101.

In the semiconductor resonance mirror section 12, as shown in FIG. 3, a mirror 111 is held by a support frame 112 so as to be rotatable in directions indicated by arrows by support shafts 112a and 112b. Further, the support frame 112 includes support shafts 113a, 113
b, it is held by the support frame 113 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow. Support shafts 112a, 112b, 113a, 113
b is rotated by a mirror driving unit 110 provided in the semiconductor resonance mirror unit 12. As a result, the semiconductor resonance mirror section 12 can be directed in any direction, and the reflected laser light can be deflected to irradiate a target location. By using such a semiconductor resonant mirror section 12 as a laser light reflecting mirror, the projector 10 can be made small and lightweight, which is convenient to carry. The semiconductor resonance mirror section 12 is provided with a light receiving section 115. The light receiving section 115 is preferably provided near the semiconductor resonance mirror section 12,
It can also be provided in other parts.

The projector 10 is used in a state where the casing 11 is inserted into the expansion slot 51 of the PDA 50 as shown in FIG. The PDA 50 can accommodate the projector 10, and has an expansion slot 51 having an expansion slot bus 150 (see FIG. 1) shown in FIG. 1, a processing unit 152 for processing image data of an image to be displayed, and a processing unit 152. And an image data output unit 151 that outputs the data to the projector 10. The expansion slot 51 is provided with power supply means for supplying power to the projector 10.

When an image is projected using the image projection system including the projector 10 and the PDA 50, as shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 13 of the projector 10 substantially faces the mirror 111 of the semiconductor resonance mirror 12 to the projection destination. Rotate as shown. Then, the image data is transmitted from the PDA 50 to the projector 10 via the interface unit 120, and a laser beam is emitted from the projector 10 to the projection destination so as to project the image data. At this time, the laser light is deflected in the two-dimensional direction by the semiconductor resonance mirror section 12 of the projector 10, so that an image is projected on the projection destination.

By inserting the detachable projector 10 into the PDA 50 as shown in FIG.
The PDA 50, which is usually used as a portable information terminal, can be provided with a special function as the projector 10. If such an image projection system is used, even if the display screen of the portable data processing device is small, a plurality of persons can use it. Information can be easily shared. The projector 10 may be used only when necessary, and since the projector 10 is small and lightweight, it can be portable. Since the power source serving as the drive source of the projector 10 is not provided in the projector 10 but is supplied from the outside (PDA 50), the projector 10 can be made small and lightweight. However, power for driving the projector 10 is not supplied from the PDA 50, and the projector 10 may have a power supply.

Next, the method of projecting an image will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a correct image (an image without deformation or distortion) projected by the projector 10 shown in FIG. When projecting the image 70 in a rectangular range as shown in FIG. 5, the laser beam is irradiated while sequentially changing the mirror angle, thereby scanning in the main scanning direction (x direction).
That is, the laser beam is irradiated in the x direction to C1, C2, C3... Cn in the uppermost row L1. Next, in the lower row L2 in the sub-scanning direction (y direction), irradiation is similarly performed in the x direction to C1, C2, C3,. Such irradiation in the x direction is repeatedly performed up to the bottom row Lm.
After the irradiation of the laser beam reaches the last row Cn in the x direction of the last row Lm in the y direction, the x in the top row L1 in the y direction is again returned.
The irradiation process of continuing the irradiation in the same manner from the first row C1 in the direction is continuously and repeatedly performed. At this time, the irradiation of the laser light to each coordinate (C, L) is controlled.

The control of laser beam irradiation at each coordinate is performed as follows. First, if the image data is P
Interface unit 1 of the projector 10 from the DA 50
The data is sent to the control unit 101 via the control unit 20. This image data includes coordinate data and data indicating the type of laser light at the coordinates (e.g., brightness, luminance, color tone, on / off, etc.)
Contains. The data indicating the type of the laser beam is stored in the laser controller 10 for controlling the light source 109 of the semiconductor laser.
4 is sent. The data indicating the coordinates is stored in the mirror 11.
The mirror controller 103 that controls the first mirror driver 110
Sent to.

The laser controller 104 modulates the laser light according to the data indicating the type of light. In particular,
Based on the transmitted data, the laser controller 104 of the controller 101 controls the intensity modulation (brightness / darkness adjustment, on / off, etc.) in the generation of laser light from the light source 109 of the semiconductor laser. By using such a laser control unit 104, it is possible to easily control the projection of laser light for each projection point. When a plurality of types of laser light are used as the laser light, it is possible to control the selection of the type of the laser light. In the present embodiment, since a semiconductor laser is used as the laser, the laser can be compact and housed in the casing 11 of the projector 10, and the size and weight of the projector 10 can be reduced. However, the laser is not limited to a semiconductor laser, and light other than a laser can also be used.

On the other hand, the mirror controller 103 drives the mirror 111 based on the data indicating the coordinates. Specifically, the mirror control unit 103 of the control unit 101 controls the mirror driving unit 110 that drives the mirror 111 based on the transmitted data. At this time, the mirror 111
Is rotated to a target angle under the control of the mirror driving unit 110. The target angle is set so that the laser beam reflected by the mirror 111 is irradiated to the target coordinates of the wall surface w as the projection destination. The driving of the mirror 111 is also controlled by a correction process described later.

The laser beam modulated and output as described above is emitted toward the mirror 111 set at a target angle in the mirror control unit 103. As a result, the laser beam is reflected and deflected by the mirror 111, and is irradiated to target coordinates on the wall surface w in FIG. Such laser light irradiation is sequentially performed at each coordinate of the image 70 in FIG. 5. However, since the laser light irradiation processing is performed rapidly and continuously, the reflected light of the laser light at each coordinate can be visually recognized. As a result, the image 70 is recognized. Note that the irradiation direction and the irradiation order of the laser beam are not limited to the above method, and for example, a process of continuously irradiating in the y direction may be sequentially performed in the x direction.

Next, the image correction processing will be described with a specific example. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating an example of a case where deformation occurs in the projection of an image. 7A and 7B are front views illustrating the projected image, FIG. 7A is a front view of the image 71 not subjected to the correction processing projected in the state shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. it is a front view showing a virtual image 72 in virtual walls w _o of. The distance d from the projector 10 as shown in FIG.
If it differs depending on the irradiation direction of the laser light, the projection image is deformed as shown in FIG. For example, when projecting an image, a spectator is positioned in front of the projection surface, and a person who projects an image while holding the PDA 50 to which the projector 10 is connected does not obstruct the spectator's view. Images are often projected from the side of the projection surface. Such a situation similarly occurs even when the PDA 50 to which the projector 10 is connected is fixedly used without being held in the hand. Further, when an image is projected while being held in a hand, it may be caused by a change in the irradiation direction due to camera shake. There are many situations in which an image is projected obliquely as described above.

In such a case, the image 71 projected without any correction has a trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 7A. The laser light emitted from the projector 10 is scanned by the mirror 111 while changing the irradiation angle, so that the longer the distance from the projector 10 to the projection destination, the larger the projected image. Specifically, the row L1 of the image 71 in FIG. 7A will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the distance d1 from the projector 10 to the coordinates (C1, L1) of the image 71 on the wall w is the shortest. , For which coordinates from projector 10
The distance dn to (Cn, L1) is the longest. In this case, from the coordinates (C1, L1) as shown in FIG.
The distance between the adjacent rows C gradually increases toward the coordinates (Cn, L1). Similarly, the interval between adjacent rows L also increases from column C1 to column Cn. Image 71 of such deformed projection
Is corrected along the flow as described below.

FIG. 8 shows a flow of a process of correcting a laser beam irradiation destination in the projector 10 shown in FIG. First, in step S201, laser light irradiation is performed to project an image. The irradiated laser light is reflected on the wall surface w that is the projection destination. In step S202, the reflected light is transmitted to the light receiving unit 1 of the projector 10.
Detect at 15. The means for detecting the reflected light in the light receiving unit 115 is not particularly limited. For example, a speckle pattern (Speck
le Pattern) can be detected by the detecting means. By observing this speckle pattern, various phenomena can be detected,
For example, in a dynamic speckle pattern that fluctuates randomly with time, the following phenomenon is detected. When the object irradiated with the laser beam moves, the speckle pattern moves in parallel with the movement.・ The same speckle pattern is reproduced when the laser beam is irradiated under the same condition. A unique speckle pattern appears corresponding to the surface of the object irradiated with the laser light. When the object irradiated with the laser beam approaches the irradiation side, the area of the speckle pattern changes in proportion. Such a phenomenon is detected by the light receiving unit 11 in the detection means.
CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and APD (Av
alanche Photo Diode) or other optical detection means.

The light reception data detected as described above is sent to the control unit 101. In step S203, the distance from the projector 10 to the wall surface w as the projection destination is calculated based on the detected data. Specifically, the time required for the emitted laser light to be reflected by the wall surface w, reach the projector 10 and be detected by the light receiving unit 115 is calculated by the distance calculation unit 105 of the control unit 101. Then, from the calculated time and the speed of the laser beam, the distance from the mirror 111 to the wall surface w as the projection surface is calculated.

In the next step S204, step S2
Correction data is calculated based on the distance calculated in 03. The calculation of the correction data is performed by comparing a distance serving as a reference value with the calculated distance. If there is a difference between the calculated distance and the reference value, correction data is calculated in the next step S204. If there is no difference, the correction processing need not be performed any more.
In step S204 of calculating the correction data, the distance d _{stan dard} as a reference value may be set arbitrarily. For example case shown in FIG. 7 (a), the distance assumes that there is a wall surface at a distance d1 illustrated in FIG. 6, i.e. in the case of projecting an image on the virtual wall surface w _0, the projector 10 to the virtual wall surface w _{0 Is} a distance d _{standard that} is a reference value. Then, assuming that the distance between the wall surfaces w is actually dn, it is necessary to correct by the distance d _{diff of} (dn−d _standard ). Specifically, the projector 10
Since the distance from the distance is large, the distance between adjacent coordinates in laser beam irradiation (between rows and columns) is widening, so calculate the spread amount, so that the space between rows and columns becomes narrower.
Based on the obtained data, correction data for changing the irradiation angle of the laser beam is calculated. Such correction processing, the image projected on the virtual wall surface w ₀ is the virtual image 72 shown in FIG. 7 (b).

By detecting the speckle pattern in the reflected light of the laser light, not only the distance but also the relative movement between the projector 10 and the projection destination (in this case, the wall surface w) is detected simultaneously with the distance. be able to. It is also possible to calculate the correction data based on the data on the movement amount and the movement direction detected in this way. Further, it is possible to detect fine vibrations that occur when projection is performed with the projector 10 held in a hand. It is also possible to detect a displacement such as a camera shake and calculate correction data according to the detected displacement amount.

The calculated correction data is sent to the mirror control unit 103 in the control unit 101. Subsequently, based on the correction data, the mirror driving unit 110 is driven under the control of the mirror control unit 103, and the angle of the mirror 111 is changed (step S205). Thus, the mirror control unit 1
In step 03, the mirror driving unit 110 of the mirror 111 is controlled by the data indicating the coordinates in the image data as described above. This control is performed in consideration of such correction processing.

The correction processing as shown in FIG. 8 is performed when the irradiation of the laser beam in the x direction and the y direction in the image 70 shown in FIG. Can be. During the first laser irradiation,
No no correction is made for the distance, i.e. carried out to irradiate on the virtual wall surface w ₀ in FIG. 7 (a). Then, at the first irradiation, the distance from the projector 10 to the irradiation destination is measured and stored in the correction data calculation unit 107 of the control unit 101 in the projector 10. When the laser light is irradiated again, the correction data is calculated from the stored distance to the projection destination measured at the time of the first laser light irradiation, and the correction processing is performed.

However, the detected distance data may be used for the correction processing of the irradiation of the laser beam for irradiating the coordinates subsequent to the coordinates at which the distance data was calculated. In this case, the distance data used for the correction is different from the accurate distance for the coordinates at which the laser light is irradiated. However, since the coordinates at which the distance data is calculated and the coordinates at which the laser beam to be corrected is irradiated are located very close to each other, the error in the distance is small. This is apparent particularly when the projection destination is a continuous surface. When the correction process is performed in this manner, the time until the correction is reflected is short, and the amount of distance data stored in the correction data calculation unit 107 can be small.

As described above, in the flow of projecting an image by irradiating a laser beam, the above-described correction processing is performed, and the irradiation angle of the irradiated laser beam is changed. As a result, the deformed image 71 as shown in FIG.
Can be corrected to an image 70 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the distance from the projector 10 to the wall surface w used for the correction processing is detected at the speed of light, the image can be corrected with time with almost no time lag. As a result, the audience of the projected image can see the corrected correct image. In particular, even when the image is projected using the projector 10 from the side of the projection surface so that the view of the audience is not obstructed, the image can be easily and automatically corrected, and It is convenient. The same effect can be obtained even when the projector 10 is installed somewhere without being held in the hand and used as a fixed type projector.

The correction of the deformation of the projection image due to the difference in the distance from the projector 10 to the projection destination is not limited to the state shown in FIGS. For example, when an image is projected from the ceiling r to the wall surface w as shown in FIG. 9, without any correction, as shown in an image 73 in FIG. The image at r is trapezoidal. Also in this case, by performing the above-described correction processing, the deformed image 73 as shown in FIG. 10 can be corrected to the image 70 as shown in FIG. Thus, the projector 10
Is used, the irradiation angle of the laser beam can be changed based on the distance to the irradiation destination, regardless of the projection surface, for example, a surface having irregularities, so that a correct image can be projected. Furthermore, even when a surface such as a curtain whose irregularities change irregularly over time is used as the projection surface, the projected image is immediately corrected over time, so that the projector 10 projects a correct image. be able to.

Further, the projector 10 includes a displacement detecting unit 11
6 can also be provided. The displacement detection unit 116 is a displacement detection unit including an angular velocity sensor such as a piezoelectric vibrating gyroscope. When the PDA 50 in which the projector 10 is inserted is held by hand, if the displacement of the projector 10 occurs due to camera shake or the like, the projected image naturally blurs. When the projector 10 moves as described above and the displacement occurs, it is preferable that the displacement detection unit 116 detects the displacement in the horizontal and vertical directions, and performs the following correction processing based on the displacement amount.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of the correction processing based on the displacement. In step S301, the displacement detection unit 11
At 6, the displacement of the projector 10 itself is detected. In step S302, the detected displacement is
Is compared with the reference value. If it is greater than or equal to the reference value compared to the reference value, step S30
At 3, the correction data is calculated. In this manner, by performing the correction processing by providing the reference value, the correction processing is performed only for the displacement due to unintended vibration such as camera shake,
It is possible to prevent the correction processing from acting on a displacement intended to change the direction of the irradiation destination. When the displacement amount is equal to or less than the reference value, the correction process based on the displacement ends. Note that the reference value can be set so that, for example, when the vibration is about 20 Hz or less, it is determined to be a camera shake.

Further, in step S304, the calculated correction data is sent to the mirror control unit 103. In step S305, the driving of the mirror driving unit 110 of the mirror 111 is controlled by the mirror control unit 103. Then, in step S306, the angle of the mirror 111 is changed. Therefore, in the correction processing according to the present embodiment, correction processing based on distance data to the wall surface w and the amount of displacement due to camera shake or the like is performed, and the mirror control unit 103 sets the data indicating the coordinates in the image data and the distance The mirror driving unit 110 of the mirror 111 is controlled by the data and the correction data based on the displacement amount.

As described above, in the image projection system including the projector 10 and the PDA 50, the PDA 50
Information can be shared by multiple people. And, regardless of the projection destination of the image, for example, not only a flat surface, but also an object having irregularities, a surface having a curved surface, and a movable object such as a curtain, the correct image is projected by the correction processing. be able to. Further, neither the installation position nor the installation state of the projector 10 is limited. For example, regardless of how the projection is carried out from an oblique direction, from the top to the bottom, and so on, the irradiation can be performed to the intended irradiation destination by adjusting the support portion 13 and corrected by adjusting the semiconductor resonance mirror. A correct image can be projected. The projector 10 can be used while being held on a hand or the like, or can be installed on a table or the like and used like a fixed projector.

In the first embodiment, before displaying an image, light rays invisible to the human eye are irradiated in the x and y directions, and the distance to the projection destination is measured for each coordinate. The correction processing may be performed from the time of the first image projection based on the measurement result. Further, this correction processing may be performed only at the time of the first laser light irradiation, or may be performed at a predetermined time or at a predetermined number of times of irradiation, or by continuously measuring the distance in all laser light irradiations. Correction processing may be performed. Further, the projector 10
When the user feels that it is necessary, the instruction of the correction processing is given to the PDA.
The correction processing may be performed only when an instruction for the correction processing is given.

Further, in the present embodiment, projector 10 may not have displacement detecting section 116. Further, as another embodiment of the present invention, in an image projection system including the projector 10 and the PDA 50, without providing the light receiving unit 115 and the distance calculating unit 105, the image correction processing based on the distance is not performed, and the displacement detecting unit 116 is not provided. To perform the image correction process by detecting the displacement amount.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a portable projector of an image projection system according to a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the image is projected by modulating the laser beam for each coordinate, but in the second embodiment, the image is projected.
An image is projected by transmitting a laser through a liquid crystal transmission plate. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A portable projector 10a shown in FIG.
The projector 10a is inserted into the expansion slot 51 of the PDA 50 as shown in FIG. 4 similarly to the projector 10 shown in FIG. 1 to constitute an image projection system. However, the projector 10a includes a transmission type liquid crystal display panel (transmission type image forming unit) 131, a liquid crystal driving unit 130 for driving liquid crystal of the liquid crystal display panel 131, and a liquid crystal display panel 131.
LCD panel driving unit 134 for moving the position of lens 1, lens 1
32, and is different from the projector 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the projector 10 does not include the displacement detection unit 116. The control unit 101a of the projector 10a differs from the projector 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the control unit 101a includes a liquid crystal drive control unit 133 and a liquid crystal display panel drive control unit 135.

The projector 10a is provided with a transmission type liquid crystal display panel 13 in the irradiation direction of the laser beam reflected by the mirror 111.
1 and further has a lens 132 in front of it. The liquid crystal display plate 131 has, for example, a configuration in which liquid crystal is sandwiched between two deflection panels. The liquid crystal display panel 131 has a plurality of light transmitting sections, and a liquid crystal image is formed on the liquid crystal display panel 131 by adjusting the light transmittance of each of the light transmitting sections. This liquid crystal image may be colored, for example, by adjusting the deflection panel. The light transmittance of each light transmitting portion is changed by driving the liquid crystal by the liquid crystal driving unit 130. On the other hand, the liquid crystal panel driving unit 13
Reference numeral 4 denotes a unit that can change the distance from the mirror 111 to the liquid crystal display panel 131 by adjusting the position of the liquid crystal display panel 131. For example, when the liquid crystal display panel 131 is quadrangular, each corner can be moved back and forth independently of each other, and the distance from the mirror 111 to each light transmitting part of the liquid crystal display panel 131 can be set arbitrarily. It is preferred that it is. Note that the lens 132 can enlarge a projected image, and is, for example, a convex lens.

The flow of image projection using the projector 10a is performed in the same manner as the flow in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment using the projector 10a, the control of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal display panel 131 is performed together with the modulation of the laser beam, and the adjustment of the position of the liquid crystal display panel 131 is performed together with the driving of the mirror 111. Will be

First, laser light is modulated based on image data in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, the liquid crystal drive control section 133 controls the liquid crystal drive section 130 based on the image data. At this time, the liquid crystal is driven for each light transmitting portion according to the coordinate data included in the image data and the data indicating the type of light. As a result, an image based on the image data is formed on the liquid crystal display panel 131.

On the other hand, as described above, the liquid crystal display panel 131
In order to transmit the laser light to the image formed on the mirror 111, the mirror 111 is used based on the image data as in the first embodiment.
Is driven to rotate the mirror 111 to a predetermined angle. At this time, the rotation angle is adjusted based on the detected correction data. In the second embodiment, the position of the liquid crystal display panel 131 is adjusted according to the change in the angle of the mirror 111 due to the correction processing. Specifically, the liquid crystal display panel driving section 134 is controlled by the liquid crystal display panel driving control section 135.
Is driven. This drive adjusts the position of each vertex of the liquid crystal display panel 131 (four vertices in the case of the rectangular liquid crystal display panel 131), and changes the angle of the liquid crystal display panel 131 with respect to the mirror 111. As a result, the liquid crystal display panel 131
The distance from each light transmitting portion to the mirror 111 is adjusted. With this configuration, even if the irradiation direction of the reflected laser beam changes due to the change in the angle of the mirror 111 in step S203, the laser beam can be reliably transmitted to the target light transmitting portion to be transmitted.

The laser beam reflected at a predetermined angle by the mirror 111 and transmitted through the liquid crystal display panel 131 is irradiated on the wall surface w of the projection destination while being deflected by transmitting through the lens 132. By irradiating the laser light in two-dimensional directions and irradiating each coordinate, an image formed on the liquid crystal display panel 131 can be projected on the wall surface w. At this time, since the correction based on the difference in the distance to the projection destination is performed, a correct image can be projected. Thus, even when the image is projected using the projector 10a of the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the deformation of the projected image due to the difference in the distance to the projection destination or the change in the distance can be achieved. The distortion can be corrected and a correct image can be projected.

In the second embodiment, by providing the lens 132, an image can be efficiently enlarged and projected. When the rotatable angle of the mirror 111 is large, that is, when the irradiable range of the laser beam is large, the mirror 1
By adjusting the angle of 11, the size of the projected image can be increased. In such a case, the projector 10a may not have the lens 132.

Further, in this embodiment, the projector 10a does not include a modulation controller for controlling the light source 109 of the semiconductor laser, and the emitted laser light is adjusted only by the process of transmitting through the liquid crystal display panel 131. You may.

In the projector 10a, the liquid crystal display panel 131 may have only one light transmitting portion. In this case, the liquid crystal display panel 131 has the same function as the laser control unit 104 that adjusts the output of the laser light in the first embodiment. In this case, the liquid crystal display 13
1 does not need to be provided between the mirror 111 and the wall surface w to which the image is projected.
9 and the mirror 111 may be provided.

Further, the projector 10a may have a displacement detector 116 provided in the projector 10. In this case, the control unit 101 a
And a correction process that takes into account the amount of displacement during mirror control can be performed.

In addition, as an embodiment of the present invention, the projector may not be connected to another computer device, and the projector itself may have a processing section for image data and a storage section for image data. In this case, since the image data to be projected can be processed in the projector, the image is displayed using the projector itself without using it together with another data processing device such as a portable data processing device. be able to. The projector having such a configuration need not be provided with a display for displaying an image, so that the volume and weight of the projector can be prevented from increasing.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A projector and an image projection system having excellent mobility can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an extended device type projector of an image projection system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining the extension device type projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view for explaining a basic structure of a semiconductor resonance mirror section of the projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a use state of the image projection system in which the projector shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into a PDA as a portable data processing device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a correct image projected by the projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating an example of a case where deformation occurs in the projection of an image.

7A is a front view of an image projected in the state shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is a front view of an image on a virtual wall surface after correction.

8 shows a flow of a process of correcting a laser beam irradiation destination in the projector shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an example of a case where deformation occurs in the projection of an image.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the image projected in the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a flow of a correction process based on displacement.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a portable projector of an image projection system according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10a ... projector, 11 ... casing, 12
... Semiconductor resonant mirror section (deflecting means), 13 ... Support section, 50
... PDAs (computer devices, portable data processing devices),
51: expansion slot, 101: control unit (control means, projection control unit), 103: mirror control unit, 104: laser control unit, 105: distance calculation unit, 106: displacement amount calculation unit, 10
7: correction data calculation unit, 109: light source of semiconductor laser
(Light emitting means), 110: mirror drive unit, 111: mirror
(Reflecting mirror), 115: light receiving section (detecting section), 116: displacement detecting section (movement detecting means), 120: interface section, 15
0: expansion slot bus, w: wall surface, 130: liquid crystal drive unit, 131: liquid crystal display panel (transmission type image forming means), 132
... Lens, 133 ... Liquid crystal drive control unit, 134 ... Liquid crystal display panel drive unit, 135 ... Liquid crystal display panel drive control unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A projector detachably connected to a portable data processing device, comprising: a light emitting unit for emitting light; and a deflection unit for deflecting the light emitted by the light emitting unit to project an image on a projection surface. Means, a detecting means for detecting a distance to the projection surface, and a control means for controlling light deflection in the deflecting means based on the distance detected by the detecting means. 2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means emits laser light, and said deflecting means is a semiconductor resonance mirror. 3. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a movement detecting means for detecting an amount of displacement due to the movement of the projector, wherein the control means performs control based on the detected amount of displacement. . 4. A light emitting means for emitting laser light, and a deflecting means for deflecting the laser light emitted from the light emitting means, scanning the laser light by changing its deflection angle, and projecting an image on a projection surface. Detecting means for detecting a distance between the light emitting means and the projection surface; andcontrol means for controlling a deflection angle of the laser beam by the deflecting means based on the distance detected by the detecting means. Features projector. 5. An output control means for controlling an output of laser light based on image data inputted from the outside, wherein the laser light whose output is controlled by said output control means is transmitted through said deflecting means. By irradiating the projection surface,
The projector according to claim 4, wherein an image based on the image data is projected. 6. A transmission type image forming means provided between the light emitting means and the projection surface and forming an image based on the image data.
The projector as described. 7. A casing having an outer shape insertable into an expansion slot of a computer device, an interface provided in the casing, for receiving data from the computer device, a laser light source for emitting laser light, A mirror for reflecting the laser light output from the laser light source; and a projection control for projecting an image based on the data received through the interface by deflecting the laser light emitted from the laser light source with the mirror. A detection unit that detects reflected light of the laser light emitted from the laser light source from the projection surface, and a control unit that controls the deflection of the laser light by the mirror based on the detected reflected light. A projector characterized in that: 8. The projector according to claim 7, wherein the mirror is provided via a support that can change an angle with respect to the casing. 9. A portable projector for projecting an image on a projection surface by projecting a laser beam emitted from a light source onto a projection surface, comprising: a laser light source; a laser light reflecting mirror; A driving unit that changes an angle of the reflecting mirror so as to change a reflection angle of light; a displacement detecting unit that detects a displacement of the projector; and the reflecting mirror in the driving unit based on the displacement detected by the displacement detecting unit. And a correction control unit for correcting the rotation angle of the projector. 10. An image projection system comprising: a portable data processing device having an extension slot; and a projector insertable into the extension slot, wherein the portable data processing device is configured to process image data. And a data output unit for outputting the image data processed by the processing unit to the projector, wherein the projector emits light, and emits light emitted by the light emitting unit to the portable type. Deflected based on the image data output from the data processing device,
Deflection means for projecting an image on a projection surface, detection means for detecting a distance to the projection surface, and control means for controlling light deflection in the deflection means based on the distance detected by the detection means An image projection system characterized by the above-mentioned. 11. The image projection system according to claim 10, wherein the power of the projector is supplied from the portable data processing device.