JP2006064818A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flatten the integrated lighting time of a plurality of light sources provided in a projector to some extent. <P>SOLUTION: The projector 1 is equipped with a plurality of light sources 50a to 50f. An image generation part 60 generates an image by modulating light emitted from at least one of a plurality of light sources 50a to 50f in accordance with inputted image data. A projection part 70 enlarges the image generated by the image generation part 60 and projects it to a screen 80. A control part 100 mainly performs the lighting control of a plurality of light sources 50a to 50f in a light source module 50. A luminance adjusting part 110 adjusts the luminance of the light source to be lit. A time adjusting part 120 adjusts the counted value of a timer 20 in adjusting luminance. Based on user's designation or the like inputted from an operation part 30, a starting position recording part 130 acquires the position of the finally lit light source when finishing the use of the projector 1 and records the starting positions of the light sources 50a to 50f in using them next. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector including a plurality of light sources.

  In recent years, liquid crystal projectors and DLP (Digital Light Processing: registered trademark) projectors have been put into practical use. These projectors can be made high-resolution and downsized, and are becoming popular as home theaters. Although the performance of the projector has been improved, the lifetime of the light source used for the projector has not been greatly improved.

FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid crystal projector including a plurality of light sources 31a to 31d. This liquid crystal projector controls which of the light sources 31a to 31d should be lit based on the output of a sensor that detects the user's preference or the brightness of the room. At that time, the light sources 31a to 31d are preferentially selected from those having a short accumulated lighting time.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-506331

  However, since the liquid crystal projector disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not change the light source that is turned on unless the brightness of the room changes or the user changes the setting, the accumulated lighting time between the light sources varies. Cheap. Due to this variation, if a certain light source becomes unusable at an early stage, the projector itself becomes unusable or the performance of the subsequent projector is greatly deteriorated when the light source cannot be replaced. Moreover, even in the case of a replaceable type, the replacement time is likely to vary, which is complicated for the user. Furthermore, since the luminance of the light source generally decreases according to the integrated lighting time, if the variation in the integrated lighting time between the light sources increases, the luminance varies between the light sources.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a projector capable of flattening the accumulated lighting time of a plurality of light sources to a considerable extent.

  In order to solve the above problems, a projector according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources, an image generation unit that modulates light emitted from at least one of the light sources according to image data, and generates an image; A projection unit that magnifies and projects an image, and a control unit that sequentially switches light sources to be turned on among a plurality of light sources. The control unit may switch the light source to be turned on every predetermined period. Moreover, you may switch cyclically according to a predetermined order. One or a plurality of light sources may be turned on.

  According to this aspect, by automatically switching and using a plurality of light sources, the accumulated lighting time of the plurality of light sources can be flattened to a considerable extent.

  The control unit may first turn on the light source that was turned on at the end of the previous use of the projector or the light source in the next order. In consideration of the lighting time of the light source that was turned on at the end of use, the light source or the light source in the next order may be turned on first. According to this, the integrated lighting time of a plurality of light sources can be further flattened.

  A sensor for detecting ambient brightness may be further provided. The control unit may change at least one of the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance of the light sources according to the detection result of the sensor. According to this, an unnecessary amount of light is not wasted, and the life of the light source can be extended.

  When starting the lighting, the control unit may determine at least one of the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance of the light sources according to the desired brightness registered for each user. The desired brightness registered for each user may be based on the setting state at the end when the user used the previous time. According to this, user operability can be improved.

  When any of the light sources becomes unusable, the control unit may notify that effect. According to this, it is possible to make the user recognize that the light source cannot be used at an early stage.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is also a projector. The projector modulates light emitted from at least one of a plurality of light sources according to image data, generates an image, a projection unit that magnifies and projects an image, and turns on a light. And a controller that determines at least one of the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance of the light sources according to the desired brightness registered for each user. At least one of the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance of the light sources may be based on a setting state at the end when the user used the previous time.

  According to this aspect, when the user uses the projector, it can be easily adjusted to a desired brightness.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the accumulated lighting time of a plurality of light sources can be flattened to a considerable extent.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a projector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The projector 1 includes a plurality of light sources 50a to 50f. The plurality of light sources 50 a to 50 f form the light source module 50. The light source module 50 of FIG. 1 has six light sources 50a to 50f mounted thereon, but any number of two or more light source modules 50a to 50f may be mounted. As the light sources 50a to 50f, ultrahigh pressure mercury lamps, xenon lamps, metal halide lamps, halogen light bulbs, and the like can be used.

  The light emitted from each of the light sources 50 a to 50 f is incident on the image generation unit 60 after the optical system is adjusted by a prism lens (not shown) or the like. The image generation unit 60 modulates light emitted from at least one of the light sources 50a to 50f in accordance with input image data, and generates an image. A liquid crystal panel, DMD (Digital Mirror Device), or the like can be used for the image generation unit 60. When generating a full-color image, three liquid crystal panels or the like may be provided corresponding to the three primary colors. Alternatively, a color filter corresponding to the three primary colors may be rotated at high speed to sequentially generate red, green, and blue light and irradiate the DMD or the like. The projection unit 70 enlarges the image generated by the image generation unit 60 and projects it on the screen 80.

  The control unit 100 can be realized in hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of an arbitrary computer, and is realized in software by a program loaded in the memory. It depicts the functional blocks that are realized. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The control unit 100 mainly performs lighting control of the plurality of light sources 50a to 50f in the light source module 50. For example, when one is turned on, among the light sources 50a to 50f, the first light source 50a, the second light source 50b, the third light source c, the sixth light source 50f, and the first light source 50a are sequentially switched. . Further, when the two are turned on, the first light source 50a and the second light source 50b are sequentially switched from the third light source 50c and the fourth light source 50d to the first light source 50a and the second light source 50b. Of course, three or more may be lit. This switching is performed every predetermined period. For example, it is performed according to a set period such as an interval of 5 minutes or an interval of 15 minutes. This time interval can be obtained from the time counted by the timer 20.

  The brightness adjustment unit 110 adjusts the brightness of the light source to be turned on. Based on a user instruction input from the operation unit 30, the power supply voltage is stepped down or the power supply voltage is PWM-controlled to adjust the power supplied to the light source to be lit, thereby adjusting the luminance of the light source. When the brightness adjustment is performed, the time adjustment unit 120 adjusts the count value of the timer 20 accordingly.

  The start position recording unit 130 acquires the position of the light source that has been turned on when the use of the projector 1 is terminated based on a user instruction input from the operation unit 30, and the light sources 50a to 50f for the next use. Record the start position of. Considering an example in which the use of the projector 1 is terminated with the fifth light source 50e in the sequential lighting described above, either the fifth light source e or the sixth light source f is recorded. Whether to record the light source at the end position or to record the light source in the next order may be determined based on whether or not the count value at the time of completion has reached half of the set time interval. For example, if the set time interval is 5 minutes, if the currently lit light source has not reached 2 minutes 30 seconds, the light source is recorded, and if it has reached, the next light source is Record.

  When the control unit 100 starts using the projector 1, the control unit 100 turns on the light source recorded in the start position recording unit 130. The timer 20 counts the time and passes it to the control unit 100. The controller 100 may be built in. The operation unit 30 transmits a user instruction to the control unit 100. In the first embodiment, on / off of the projector 1, brightness adjustment, light source switching time interval, and the like are transmitted according to a user instruction.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the projector 1 according to the first embodiment. First, the control unit 100 acquires a start position from the start position recording unit 130, and specifies a light source to be lighted first among the plurality of light sources 50a to 50f. In the first use, lighting may be started from any of the light sources 50a to 50f, but in the second and subsequent uses, the light is turned on from the start position recorded based on the end position at the previous use (S10). At that time, the initial setting value or the last setting value at the previous use is used for the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance.

  The timer 20 counts up (S12). In the case of adjusting the luminance in accordance with a user instruction from the operation unit 30 (Y in S14), the luminance adjusting unit 110 adjusts the luminance of the light source that is lit according to the instructed adjustment amount. At the same time, the time adjustment unit 120 adjusts the count value of the timer 20 in accordance with the brightness adjustment (S16). When the number of light sources is changed in accordance with a user instruction from the operation unit 30 (Y in S18), the control unit 100 sets the count value of the timer 20 that has been time adjusted since the previous light source switching. It is determined whether or not half of the switching time interval has been reached (S20). If it has arrived (Y in S20), the light sources that are currently turned on are not included, and the light source is switched to the instructed number of light sources from the next order (S22). If the half of the switching time interval has not been reached (N in S20), the light source is switched to the instructed number of light sources including the currently lit light source (S24).

  The brightness adjustment and the lighting number change described above are distributed according to the brightness change degree desired by the user. In the brightness adjustment, fine level adjustment is performed, and in changing the number, large level adjustment is performed. The operation unit 30 may allow the user to input the luminance and the number of lighting, or may simply input the brightness. In the latter case, the control unit 100 determines the luminance and / or the number of light sources to be turned on according to the instructed change in brightness.

  Next, when the use of the projector 1 is terminated based on a user instruction input from the operation unit 30 (Y in S26), the control unit 100 determines that the count value of the time adjusted timer 20 is the previous light source switching. From this, it is determined whether or not half of the set switching time interval has been reached (S28). If it has arrived (Y of S28), the light source in the next order of the light source currently turned on is recorded in the start position recording unit 130 (S30). When the half of the switching time interval has not been reached (N in S28), the currently lit light source is recorded in the start position recording unit 130 (S32). Thereafter, the process ends.

  While there is no instruction to end the use of the projector 1 (N in S26), the control unit 100 has reached the set switching time interval from the time of the previous light source switching, when the count value of the timer 20 that has already been adjusted is reached. Whether or not (S34). When it reaches (Y of S34), it switches to the light source of the next order (S36). While not reaching (N in S34), the process proceeds to S12 and continues counting up.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, by switching and using a plurality of light sources at predetermined time intervals, the integrated lighting times of the plurality of light sources can be made as uniform as possible. Therefore, in the case of a type in which the light source cannot be exchanged, the period until an unusable light source is generated can be lengthened, and in the case of a type in which the light source can be exchanged, the exchange times of a plurality of light sources can be approached. In addition, variation in luminance between light sources can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the projector 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The projector 2 has a configuration in which a sensor 25 is added to the projector 1 according to the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different configurations and operations from those in the first embodiment will be described.

  The sensor 25 detects ambient brightness and outputs the detection result to the control unit 100. As the sensor 25, a photodiode, a luminance meter, or the like can be used. The control unit 100 determines the luminance and / or number of light sources according to the detection result of the sensor 25.

  Next, the operation of the projector 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. The operation of the projector 2 is basically the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. The difference is that the brightness adjustment and number change requests in steps S14 and S18 in this flowchart are not based on an instruction from the user but based on an instruction from the control unit 100 that receives a detection result from the sensor 25. is there.

  In the second embodiment, brightness adjustment and lighting number change based on the detection result from the sensor 25 and those based on a user instruction may be used in combination. In this case, the user's instruction is given priority, but when the sensor 25 detects a change in ambient brightness, the control unit 100 changes the light source at a predetermined change rate from the state set by the user according to the change rate. The brightness and / or the number of lighting is changed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by adjusting the brightness of the light source and / or changing the number of lighting according to the change in ambient brightness, it is possible to avoid wasting more light than necessary, and the lifetime of the light source. Can be stretched. In addition, power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to automatically adjust the light amount to be easy to see, and to reduce the user's trouble.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the projector 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The projector 3 has the same configuration of the light source module 50, the image generation unit 60, and the projection unit 70 as the projector 1 according to the first embodiment. The user information setting unit 140 includes a table 142 for registering favorite brightness for each user.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the table 142 included in the user information setting unit 140. When using the projector 3 for the first time, the user registers the user ID in the user information setting unit 140 from the operation unit 30. The user information setting unit 140 creates an item for the user in the table 142. The user may register desired brightness from the operation unit 30. Further, at the first use, the default setting value may be used, and the brightness at the end of the first use may be registered in the table 142.

  In the latter case, the control unit 100 registers the state of the light source at the end in the corresponding user item in the table 142. Specifically, the brightness of the light source to be turned on and the number of lights are stored. When the user registered in the table 142 uses the projector 3 for the second time or later, the control unit 100 starts lighting from the state of the light source registered in the table 142.

  It should be noted that the control unit 100 stores the state of the light source at the end of each user's use of the projector 3 in the table 142 and always controls the state of the previous end. Good. At the same time, the state of the light source input separately by the user may be stored so that when the user uses the projector 3, which setting is used can be selected. Further, a plurality of the above states may be set for each user, and it may be possible to select which setting is used.

  The operation unit 30 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and an input unit such as a plurality of keys or a touch panel, and the user can set or check the state of the light source. When using the projector 3, the user can set the brightness registered in the table 142 by inputting the user ID from the input unit. Alternatively, a plurality of registered settings can be displayed on the display unit, and desired brightness can be selected therefrom. When the operation unit 30 includes a plurality of keys, each key may be assigned to each user. In that case, each user can make a desired brightness with one touch.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, by registering the desired brightness for each user in advance, when the user uses the projector, the desired brightness can be easily adjusted.

  The projector 3 according to the third embodiment can be combined with the configuration of the projector 1 according to the first embodiment or the configuration of the projector 2 according to the second embodiment. When combined with the configuration of the first embodiment, the control unit 100 includes a luminance adjustment unit 110, a time adjustment unit 120, a start position recording unit 130, and a user information setting unit 140. The control unit 100 turns on the light source in a setting state that achieves the desired brightness of each user, and sequentially switches the image every predetermined period. Thereby, after the user starts use, the variation in the integrated lighting time between the light sources, which is likely to occur until the user adjusts to the desired brightness, can be suppressed, and the integrated lighting times of the plurality of light sources can be made more uniform.

  Even when combined with the configuration of the second embodiment, the control unit 100 includes a luminance adjustment unit 110, a time adjustment unit 120, a start position recording unit 130, and a user information setting unit 140. According to this, in addition to the effect when combined with the configuration of the first embodiment, since the state of the light source is automatically changed according to the change in ambient brightness, further labor of the user can be saved. it can.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications thereof are also effective as aspects of the present invention. For example, in all the embodiments, when any light source in the light source module 50 becomes unusable, the control unit 100 may notify the user to that effect. For example, the operation unit 30 may be provided with an LED lamp or the like, and the lamp may be turned on to notify that the light source cannot be used. Moreover, you may provide a speaker and alert | report by audio | voice. Whether or not each light source has become unusable due to service life or disconnection of wiring is used if no voltage appears at both ends of the light source even though the switch for supplying power to the light source is on. It can be judged impossible. According to this modification, the user can recognize early that the light source cannot be used.

  In the second and third embodiments, the amount of change in the state of the light source with respect to the change in ambient brightness may be set for each user. According to this, it is possible to realize a projector that further reflects user preferences.

1 is a configuration diagram of a projector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the projector which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the projector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the projector which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table with which a user information setting part is provided.

Explanation of symbols

  1 to 3 projectors, 10 control units, 20 timers, 25 sensors, 30 operation units, 40 power supplies, 50 light source modules, 50a to f 1st to 6th light sources, 60 image generation units, 70 projection units, 80 screens, 100 control units 110 brightness adjustment unit, 120 time adjustment unit, 130 start position recording unit, 140 user information setting unit, 142 table.

Claims (5)

Multiple light sources;
An image generation unit that modulates light emitted from at least one of the light sources according to image data, and generates an image;
A projection unit for enlarging and projecting the image;
Among the plurality of light sources, a controller that sequentially switches light sources to be lit,
A projector comprising:   2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the control unit first turns on a light source that was turned on at the end of the previous use of the projector or a light source in the next order. A sensor for detecting ambient brightness;
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes at least one of the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance of the light sources according to a detection result of the sensor.   The control unit, when starting lighting, determines at least one of the number of light sources to be turned on and the luminance of the light sources according to desired brightness registered by a user. 4. The projector according to any one of 3.   The projector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit notifies that when any one of the light sources becomes unusable.

Images